Chapter 249: Guidance on the maze
The caravan passed from Hanoi County to Shangdang County, Kaixiang County, Taiyuan County, Xinxing County, Yanmen County, and finally headed to Pingcheng, the capital of Wei.
Yang Anxuan had walked the first section of this road back then, and he couldn't help but be filled with emotion when he revisited the old place. It was much calmer than five years ago. There were constant business travelers on the official road, and monks and Taoist priests could be seen passing by from time to time.
From Qi Hui's mouth, he learned that after the Wei State captured Zhongshan City, it encouraged the Hu and Han Dynasties to coexist, and introduced a series of reforms imitating the Han system, encouraging farming, establishing an official system, recruiting students, and searching for books. More peaceful.
Yang Anxuan recalled that Zongti, who led the team when he passed through Wulongkou, gave gifts to the thieves on the mountain, and asked with a smile: "Manager Qi, we will cross Wulongkou in two days, but the thieves on the mountain are still there."
Qi Hui glanced at Yang Anxuan in surprise and said, "Lang Jun has been here before, how could he know that there are bandits in Wulongkou? However, this group of bandits has been wiped out by the Wei government."
Yang Anxuan changed his name to Qi Xuan and followed Qi Hui with Zhang Feng disguised as a caravan guard.
Recalling that he followed Di Han Suotan to Sujiabao for supplies before entering the mountain, Yang Anxuan asked again: "I remember that there was a Sujiabao in front of Wulongkou where I could supply supplies. Is it still there now?"
Qi Hui was able to confirm that Marquis Yang had indeed visited Wei State. Sujiabao was located in a remote location, and only those who frequently traveled this trade route knew of its existence.
"Sujiapu is still here. We were about to replenish food when we passed by." Qi Hui smiled and said, "Does Mr. Lang know anyone in Sujiapu?"
Yang Anxuan shook his head. Back then, he and Suo Tan went to Sujiabao and met the young fort master Su Zhi. The two did not talk to each other. The young fort master Su probably didn't recognize him.
Qi Hui continued: "But now there is no need to go to Sujiapu for supplies. Since the bandits in Wulong Mountain were wiped out, there have been many market towns at the foot of the mountain. The Su family has opened several inns there. As long as you say hello to the inn, Su The family will send someone to deliver it to your door."
Along the way, Yang Anxuan discovered that many cities and checkpoints were destroyed in the battle between Wei and Yan. Many villages and towns appeared on both sides of the official road. Most of them were houses with thatched earth walls. Qionglu felt tents could often be seen standing on the grassland. , are herdsmen grazing.
Yang Anxuan kept what he saw in mind, and when he had time in the evening, he would add notes to the paper drawings he brought with him, maybe he would use them some time.
In Wulongkou, I stayed at an inn owned by the Su family. Qi Hui was a regular guest and the innkeeper was very enthusiastic. Yang Anxuan asked about the price of corn, which was two hundred yuan per stone, but bacon was cheaper than in Jin.
Wulongkou is the main link between the north and the south. As expected, the thieves were missing. Looking at the bustling convoys and people in the mountains, Yang Anxuan was secretly frightened. No wonder the Wei Kingdom was finally able to unify the north. The business travels between the emperor and the emperor showed the vitality of the empire.
On May 28th, the caravan finally arrived at Pingcheng, the capital of Wei.
In July of the first year of Tianxing (398), Emperor Wei Tuobagui moved the capital to Pingcheng and built a palace city. Pingcheng is divided into three parts: the palace city, the outer city and the outer city. The palace city is in the north, and the outer city and the outer city are in the south.
Tuobagui imitated the construction of Luoyang and Chang'an, and built the West Palace, Beigong, Tianwen Hall, Zhongtian Hall, Ziji Hall, Zhaoyang Hall, Yunmu Hall, Jinhua Hall, Taiji Temple, Xuanwu Tower, Liang Hall, etc. Fengkan and Nishi Arsenal and other buildings.
In order to solve the drinking water problem in Pingcheng, Tuobagui spent 50,000 men digging canals to divert Wuchuan water into the garden, and dug three ditches to flow through the inside and outside of the palace.
The caravan entered Pingcheng from Guangyang Gate. These days, Qi Hui discovered that Yang Anxuan was very interested in the terrain, and took the initiative to introduce: "Pingcheng has a radius of more than forty miles, and there are twelve gates modeled after Luoyang. However, there are differences. Emperor Wei is here There is a deer park outside the city specifically for hunting."
Entering the city, Yang Anxuan found that the outer city was built with walls as squares, and lanes were opened in the squares. The structure was similar to that of Chang'an City in the Tang Dynasty.
Qi Hui skillfully led the caravan through the lanes and alleys. Yang Anxuan found that there were five or six hundred households in these lanes, ranging from five to six hundred households in the small lanes, and they were inhabited by families in an orderly manner.
There is no market in the market. Except for small traders carrying burdens and baskets, there are no shops in the market. Shops are concentrated in the east and west cities, and Qijia shops are located in the east city.
The Qi family's Shunyi shop was a large shop in Pingcheng. Yang Anxuan saw several carriages parked in front of the shop, and people were constantly coming in and out. It seemed that business was good.
The caravan turned into a side alley,
A waiter had already been there to help unload the goods. Qi Hui pointed to several wooden boxes containing colored porcelain and said, "Put these boxes in the servant's residence. They contain porcelain. Be careful not to knock them."
There is a front house and a house in the back. The back house has two entrances and more than 20 houses. Qi Hui placed Yang Anxuan in a light and dark place, then left and went to pack goods.
The next day, Qi Hui brought a set of six colored porcelain bowls to give gifts to Mrs. He (1), and Yang Anxuan took Zhang Feng out to visit Pingcheng.
As the capital of Wei, Pingcheng had visitors from all directions, a mixture of ethnic groups, and different clothes. It was not surprising that Yang Anxuan wore a Han robe.
Guocheng planned out squares, temples, shops, gardens, etc. Yang Anxuan was very interested in the architecture of Pingcheng. I remember reading an ancient book that recorded in Pingcheng's Guocheng that "the base frame of Yong'an is the best in the world" Temple, immediately took Zhang Feng to visit.
Tuoba Gui believed in both Buddhism and Taoism. He did not offend monks or Taoists during the wars with Wei and Qin. When he made Pingcheng his capital, he specifically issued an edict to build a Buddhist temple in order to "give the followers of the faith a place to stay."
At the same time, Tuoba Gui advocated Taoism and often recited the "Tao Te Ching". He set up an immortal doctor in the court and set up an immortal workshop to cook and refine hundreds of medicines in order to achieve immortality.
The Yong'an Temple is majestic, simple and spectacular. There are more believers who come to burn incense than the Wa Coffin Temple in Jiankang City, and there are people of all ethnic groups wearing costumes.
Looking at the worshipers who were worshiping devoutly, Yang Anxuan had a vague idea in his mind that making good use of religious beliefs should have unexpected effects.
Qi Hui was busy taking care of business, and Yang Anxuan had a few days of free time. He took Zhang Feng to visit Jiaotian Stele, Lingyan Rock Chamber, Piyang Hall, Lingquan Pool, Luye Buddha Pictures, Baidengtai and other ancient records, which have been lost to later generations. The architecture of the building has given me an "archaeological addiction".
Zhang Feng was obviously more interested in beef and mutton. The various cooking methods of broiling, boiling, searing, and rinsing made him enjoy eating it. Yang Anxuan had to let him practice kung fu for half an hour more every night.
Qi Hui took the time to report to Yang Anxuan that Mrs. He liked colored porcelain bowls very much, and sent someone to reward him with ten cows.
Not only Mrs. He, Qi Hui also brought colored porcelain to give gifts to King Tuoba Yi of Wei, King Tuobashun of Piling and others, and they all received gifts in return.
Yang Anxuan didn't care about business and asked Qi Hui when he could go to Longcheng with him. He was indispensable for contacting Zongti.
Qi Hui thought for a while and said, "The business in Pingcheng is almost done. We can leave in three days."
With three days left, Yang Anxuan decided to find something serious to do. When passing by Songshan Mountain, I learned that Kou Qianzhi had come to Pingcheng at the invitation of Princess Huayin, so I might as well go and see him.
Qi Hui had connections in the palace, so Yang Anxuan asked him to inquire about Kou Qianzhi's whereabouts, and soon he got the news.
Kou Qianzhi arrived in Pingcheng in March and stayed in Hexi Jiba's mansion. Princess Huayin recommended Tuoba Gui, but Tuoba Gui only left the "Commandments of Yunzhong Yin Chan Xinke" presented by him and did not receive him. He was asked to go to the Immortal Workshop and cook the elixir.
Xianfang was located in Xishan, and Yang Anxuan met Kou Qianzhi in the name of an old friend. Kou Qianzhi was overjoyed to see Yang Anxuan and led Yang Anxuan into Xianfang to his residence.
Kou Qianzhi had a good reputation in the Taoist sect, and the immortal doctor Zhang Yao did not dare to treat him lightly. He specially allocated a courtyard for him and several disciples to use. Yang Anxuan saw that the third disciple Hua Daoning was also accompanying him.
Although Tuobagui promotes Chinese culture, Xianbei customs still dominate. Instead of seats, there are tables and chairs in the house.
He asked Yang Anxuan to sit down on the chair. The two exchanged a few words. Kou Qianzhi asked impatiently: "Jun Shi Yang, you once said that the Taoist clan was prosperous in the north. The poor Taoist followed your words and came to Pingcheng, but the Emperor of Wei even saw him. They all refuse to see poor people."
Yang Anxuan smiled and said: "Chief Kou, when I said this, I also said that there would be changes in the north, and I just came down the mountain. Chief Immortal was a little too hasty."
Kou Qianzhi said in confusion: "Yan was driven away by Wei. Wei has the power to unify the north. Isn't there a change?"
Yang Anxuan did not answer, but asked: "What do the immortals do in the immortal workshop?"
"Pindao cooks and refines hundreds of medicines according to the code every day and makes elixirs." A trace of confusion flashed in Kou Qianzhi's eyes.
Yang Anxuan continued to ask: "May I ask the immortal if these elixirs can lead to immortality?"
Kou Qianzhi remained silent for a long time.
Just then he sighed softly and said: "Pindao heard that the pills he had refined before were given to death row prisoners by Emperor Wei to try, and most of those death row prisoners died."
"The Immortal knows that taking elixirs will not lead to immortality. How could Emperor Wei believe in these elixirs that can cause death?"
Kou Qianzhi frowned and said, "I am in a dilemma now, so I would like to ask Master Yang to give me some advice."
He has been in Songshan for twenty years and has gained a reputation in the Taoist sect. This time I came down the mountain at the invitation of Princess Huayin, originally thinking that I could show my great ambitions and become the emperor's master.
Unexpectedly, Wei Emperor Tuoba Gui did not see him, but asked him to refine the elixir. Kou Qianzhi knew that the elixir could not make the Wei Emperor live forever, so he refused to do it, saying that the time had not come yet.
Judging from the recent attitude of the immortal doctor Zhang Yao towards him, it can be seen that Tuoba Gui's interest in him has greatly diminished, and it is even more impossible to summon him. Kou Qianzhi has prepared a lot of scriptures, but there is no way to talk about it.
Yang Anxuan knew that Kou Qianzhi was still early in his career, and it would be more than twenty years before he would be invited by Tuoba Gui's grandson Tuoba Tao to come down and become the emperor's master.
However, by that time, the Wei State had pacified the north, and the south had become Liu Song's domain. Of course, he could not just sit back and watch this happen. He might as well let Kou Qianzhi exert his efforts first to see if he could change Wei's national destiny.
Kou Qian's success was due to the strong help of Cui Hao, the then Northern Wei Dynasty doctor Zuo Guanglu. Now Cui Hao is only 20 years old and serves as a calligrapher in the court. Because he is good at calligraphy, he often stays with Tuoba Gui.
At this time, Cui Hao did not have the ability to impress Tuoba Gui, but his father Cui Hong was the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, the president of laws and regulations, court rituals, and official systems, and was responsible for thirty-six Cao Cao. He won the trust of Tuoba Gui and had great power over the court. .
The Cui family of Qinghe is a prominent family in Guandong, and they have the same crown. If they can get help from the Cui family in advance, Kou Qianzhi may be able to speed up his pace of becoming a heavenly master.
Thinking of this, Yang Anxuan said: "The Taoist Master was taught by the Immortal Master. He was ordered by the old gentleman to teach the world. The focus should be on reforming Taoism and reciting precepts and new methods, rather than abandoning the original and seeking to refine the elixir."
Kou Qianzhi smiled bitterly and said, "I think so too, but the king doesn't see me."
"Princess Huayin is the beloved daughter of Emperor Wei, but she is about to get married. I'm afraid she has no intention of speaking for the Immortal. Why doesn't the Immortal find another person to recommend?" Yang Anxuan reminded.
Kou Qianzhi looked thoughtful and said, "Looking for someone else to recommend?"
He has been in Pingcheng for two months and has gotten to know the ministers of the court. The first thing that flashed in his mind was the Cui family of Qinghe. However, although Cui Hong believes in Taoism, he is frugal and has strong self-discipline. I am afraid he will not do it for himself. Said Xiang in front of Emperor Wei.
Yang Anxuan said with a smile: "Back when I passed through Hangu Pass, purple energy came from the east, and visions descended from the sky. I heard that Immortal Kou is proficient in astronomy. If Laojun appears, I wonder what auspiciousness will be in the world."
Kou Qianzhi's expression condensed, he looked at Yang Anxuan thoughtfully, and listened carefully to Yang Anxuan's continued: "If there is a sign from the sky, the Immortal takes the opportunity to spread the Taoism, which may impress the world. If it can impress the powerful, I will recommend it to the emperor of Wei." In the future, the Immortal will surely achieve what he wishes."
Seeing that Kou Qianzhi had understood something, Yang Anxuan said with a smile: "The Taoist master is proficient in the method of selling alchemy pills, cloud ying, eight stones, and jade pulp. You should know that the five stones powder can be refined. If you can remove the waste and retain the essence, it can be regarded as an elixir." "
Kou Qianzhi bowed his head and said, "Thank you so much, Master Yang, for your guidance. I will definitely be rewarded in the future."
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