Xu Fu's journey to the sea to seek immortality caused quite a stir in Shandong. At that time, many alchemists followed Xu Fu's example, hoping to gain money and glory. There was a sorcerer named Lu Sheng, who was from Yan. He was also very skilled. He simply came to Xianyang and bribed Song Wuji, the favorite minister of the First Emperor, saying that he could make elixirs himself and that eating the pills he made would make him immortal. Song Wuji left him at home, preparing to find an opportunity to introduce him to the emperor.
After the First Emperor returned to Xianyang, he thought about the fairyland on the sea all day long and was obsessed with immortality. He was especially interested in Xu Fu's quest for immortality. But after a while, seeing that there was no news from Xu Fu, he summoned Song Wuji and said: "Thousands of miles of rivers and mountains are for me to travel, virtuous ministers and powerful generals are to share my worries, three palaces and six courtyards are for my entertainment, and rare treasures are for my pleasure. , but why do you still feel that there are some shortcomings?" Song Wuji said: "Your Majesty must feel that something bad will happen, so you feel some regrets and shortcomings?" The emperor said: "That's true, that's right. I I sent Xu Fu to the sea to look for immortals, but there has been no news so far. I am very worried. Do you think that this life is like a fleeting moment, and time waits for no one. If I cannot seek immortality, I will not be able to be happy?" Song Wuji took the opportunity to say: "I still have a way to make you immortal." As soon as he said this, Emperor Qin was so shocked that his jaw almost dropped, and he asked if there was any way. Song Wuji took the opportunity and said: "I have secretly found a magician with special skills for you. He said he can make the elixir of immortality." After hearing this, Emperor Qin was surprised and happy, and hurriedly asked Lu Sheng to come see him.
When Emperor Qin saw Lu Sheng, he first asked his name, and then asked how to refine the elixir. Lu Sheng coaxed and said: "I will mix various medicinal materials together and bake them in a gold and silver pan. After seven, seven and forty-nine days, I will refine a red elixir, which is as big as a soybean. It is an elixir, also called a golden elixir." , Your Majesty will definitely live forever after taking it!" Emperor Qin was so happy after hearing this, and said: "How about I build you a secret room in Xianyang for you to make elixirs?" Lu Sheng hurriedly replied: "Your Majesty, I am listening. It is said that the immortals Xianmen and Gao Shi often appear in Jieshi. If you want to refine the elixir, you need to get the mantras of the two immortals. I also need to collect medicinal materials in the mountains and forests. These things are not available in Xianyang. If you want to refine the elixir, you will not be able to refine it. If it comes out, your majesty, please see it clearly!" Emperor Qin heard that he wanted to get the immortal's mantra and the necessary things, so he agreed to Lu Sheng's request, and then asked the officials to withdraw a large sum of money from the treasury and reward him. Give it to Lu Sheng for making elixirs. Lu Sheng was so happy that he quickly left Xianyang after taking the money.
The First Emperor was so engaged in seeking immortality that he had long forgotten about Bolangsha. Zhang Liang, who lived in Xiapi, saw that the limelight was over, so he moved to a secluded place outside the city. This place is not far from Xiapi City and is a beautiful place. Everyone came here, lived in a cottage, cultivated fields, and built a beautiful farmhouse. There are also trees planted around the yard, which is quiet and elegant. Coupled with the simple folk customs, everyone can live in harmony. Then Zhang Liang brought Shi Lizi's family over, and he treated his wife like his own mother. As the years passed and the nights passed, Zhang Liang began his ten-year life of seclusion.
One evening, Zhang Liang went out for a walk alone. At this time, the autumn wind was rustling, and the wilderness was already golden. Zhang Liang happily came to the Yishui River not far from his residence. The Yishui River is not very wide, but it is crystal clear and the scenery on both sides is beautiful. Zhang Liang took a stroll along the river bank and found a small bridge leading to the other side of the river. This bridge was called "寯 bridge" by the locals. The bridge was not wide and was made of wood. There are trees on both sides of the bridge, and Qihuayao grass is everywhere, variegated and beautiful, like a golden scroll. Zhang Liang walked up to the bridge and admired the scenery. Suddenly, he heard the sound of a shepherd boy playing the pipe and flute on the back of a cow. Zhang Liang couldn't help but think of his hometown and his relatives. It was true that the fields were covered with flowers and the fields were filled with millet and millet. Although I believe in beauty and not my land, how can I stay less! '
Zhang Liang stood on the bridge, sometimes bowing his head in meditation, sometimes looking up to the sky and roaring: He thought that although Qin's unification war was over, the First Emperor, who claimed to have merited the three emperors and had the virtues of the five emperors, was a domineering king who did not care about the suffering of the people. He went on tour again and again and sought immortality frantically, which made the people of Shandong complain. How could such a common thief become the commander-in-chief of all people in the world? He had to be killed before he caused huge harm to the country, but after a year of hard work, something went wrong in Bolangsha, causing the ambition to be shattered and his sworn brother to be killed. His brother said, "The world can be without me, but it cannot be without my virtuous brothers." This always made him uneasy. Now that he has come all the way here to avoid trouble, he has become anonymous, and he is still talking about rebelling against Qin and restoring Han. It seems that the grand plan in his heart will also come to nothing. If you sink like this for a long time, how can you be worthy of your brother's spirit in heaven? Zhang Liang fell into deep contemplation when he thought of this...
"The water in the Canglang River is clear, and it can wash my tassel; the water in the Canglang River is turbid, and it can muddy my feet." Suddenly, a desolate and solemn voice came, interrupting his thoughts. Zhang Liang raised his eyes and saw an old man wearing a tan robe and walking lightly onto the bridge, leaning on a pair of crutches with a crane head. When he showed his face, Zhang Liang found that he had a silver beard and frosty temples, and he was otherworldly, like a god descending. The old man held a cane in his right hand and stroked the railing with his left hand. He looked around in the distance and then sat down on the railing at the end of the bridge. However, what the old man did next made Zhang Liang feel ridiculous: After the old man sat firmly, he crossed his legs, and the shoe of his right foot was hanging on the toes, swinging like a bamboo board, and he was humming a little tune. . Suddenly, the toes of the shoes made of bamboo boards flew off and fell from the gap in the bridge deck, but the old man seemed nonchalant.
Zhang Liang almost laughed out loud when he saw this scene. He was feeling proud when the old man unexpectedly turned around and shouted unceremoniously: "Hey! Young man, go down and pick up the shoes for me!" Zhang Liang was startled. I thought that this old lady was being unreasonable, how could she order someone she didn't know even though she was just there? But then I thought again, he was an old man after all, so there was nothing wrong with doing him a favor, so he said, "Wait a moment, old man, I'll go get it." So he ran under the bridge, picked up the shoe from the mud, and left. Come up.
Zhang Liang walked up to the old man and was about to hand him the shoes. Unexpectedly, the old man raised his big feet and said politely: "Put them on, dad!" Zhang Liang was startled again and thought. I threw away my shoes and beat him up, but suddenly I thought: That would be too rude, how could I attack the old man? If he is beaten badly, it will be troublesome for his family to come to the door. Besides, I have already picked up his shoes, so let's do a good thing. Anyway, he has already stretched out his stinky feet unceremoniously waiting for me to wear them. Zhang Liang bent down, knelt in front of the old man, put on his shoes respectfully, and then stood up. There was a satisfied smile on the old man's face, but after he got up, he turned around and left without even saying a polite word. Zhang Liang looked at the old man very puzzled.
It was getting dark at this time, and Zhang Liang was about to leave when he suddenly found the old man coming back. He came straight to Zhang Liang and said, "You still have some patience in doing things. You may enlighten yourself with some teaching. Let's do this, Five In the morning in the future, you come here early to meet me, I have something to say to you!" After that, the old man turned around and left. Zhang Liang quickly agreed, seemingly feeling an uncontrollable sense of excitement. He kept watching the old man disappear into the dusk, and then he realized that the stars in the sky had flickered and appeared, and then he walked home with doubts. That night, he recalled what happened on the bridge over and over again, constantly wondering who this old man was? What to do? what's the matter? What will be said in five days?
Zhang Liang finally waited until the dawn of the fifth day with doubts. This morning, after he got up, he rushed to Yuenqiao to attend the appointment. As he walked, he thought: Could the old man be sent by the government to arrest me? But how is it possible, how can a fairy-like old longevity star work as an errand for the government? He must not be a bad person, and he is definitely not here to arrest me? So I quickened my pace. But when he came to the bridge, he found that the old man was standing on the bridge before him, and he was watching the morning light with his head held high. Zhang Liang was very uneasy, so he quickly stepped forward, cautiously came to the old man's side, and saluted: "The old man invited the junior to come here, what teachings do you have?" The old man's answer surprised Zhang Liang, and he said unceremoniously Said: "You are late for a date with me, what's the point!?" The old man rolled up his sleeves and left, and then added: "If you are sincere, come here as early as possible to meet me in the morning five days later!" After finishing walking quickly off the bridge, I walked away.
Zhang Liang stared blankly at the old man's leaving figure, feeling very uneasy. Until the old man's figure was completely invisible, he still stood there in a daze. This mysterious old man filled Zhang Liang with magical reveries: He must not be an ordinary person, and he must have something important for me to do. But I was late, which was really wrong. See you again in five days. I must rush in front of him and never let him down again. At this time, the morning glow had already filled the sky, and the sun also showed its red smiling face. The surroundings were extremely beautiful, and everything was bathed in the warm sunshine. Zhang Liang stood for a long time in the morning breeze...
Five days later in the morning, Zhang Liang set off early. This time when he arrived at Yuanqiao, it was almost dark, and he was feeling lucky in his heart. But when he walked onto the bridge, he found that the mysterious old man had arrived on the bridge before him. Zhang Liangliang was shocked and felt incredible, so he walked up to the old man anxiously. Before he could speak, the old man suddenly said angrily: "You are late again. You are really insincere. Come back in five days!" After the old man finished speaking, he nodded. He left without looking back. Zhang Liang hurriedly said: "Old man, please don't be angry. It's definitely not that I'm late on purpose. It's really beyond my expectation. Please tell me if you have anything to do. I'm by no means an unfaithful person. I'll wait for you." ?" But no matter how pious Zhang Liang tried to persuade him to stay, it was of no avail, and the old man disappeared without a trace in a moment. Zhang Liang looked forward with a sense of disappointment, feeling ashamed in his heart. He thought: I was late for an appointment with the old man twice. It was really rude. I am young, how could I do this? He felt regretful and depressed for most of the day, and then went back with his head hanging down after daybreak.
