Xiangguo Temple is the largest temple in Tokyo. As Bianzhou was the capital for several generations, Xiangguo Temple also acquired a royal color and became an official place for the imperial court to pray for retribution and perform incense. In addition, the New Year is approaching at this time, so the temple is naturally crowded with people and incense is prosperous.
Guo Xin crossed the Chonglou Mountain Gate and bypassed the bustling crowd in front of the main hall dedicated to Maitreya.
Guo Xin has been to Xiangguo Temple twice, but it was too long ago. In addition, there are many cabinet halls and complex buildings in Xiangguo Temple. After wandering for a while, he still couldn't find the previous bamboo forest Zen room, so he had to call in front of the dormitory of the monk who lived in the temple. A novice lived there and asked where Enren was.
The novice monk heard the name of Yuanren and seemed to be quite respectful in his words. He said that Master Yuanren was teaching Buddhism in the pagoda courtyard. He was afraid that Guo Xin could not find the way, so he took him directly to the place.
The pagoda courtyard is the courtyard where the pagoda is enshrined. There are four sides of the courtyard. To the north is a main hall. There is a faint sound of chanting sutras from inside. There are corridors on the east and west sides. There are stone steps under the corridors. On the steps, there are two or three monks sitting cross-legged. Debating each other, there is a wooden pagoda several levels high in the center of the courtyard, surrounded by grass beds. However, due to the season, only the bare snow and branches are left. The pointed eaves of the pagoda at all levels are also covered with accumulation The snow is like an unopened white umbrella.
The novice monk asked Guo Xin to wait a moment, and then went to the north hall. After a while, he led out a sturdy monk wearing cassocks, who was Yuanren.
Yuanren put his hands together and bowed, then pointed at Guo Xin and said to the novice monk: "This is the servant of the Prince Consort's Mansion. He came to me to pick up the scriptures that he had copied at the Prince's request."
The novice nodded in agreement, then said goodbye and left.
Guo Xin smiled and said, "When did I become a servant of Song Xie's house?"
"Donor, come with me." Yuan Ren didn't say much. He extended an invitation gesture and led the way.
Not long after, the two came to the Zen room surrounded by bamboo forest. In winter, the bamboo forest had turned into a rare green color, but the sound of cicadas and birds was missing, making the Zen room look cleaner.
The Zen room still has a low table and futon, and there are tea cups and other simple tea sets on the table. It is almost unchanged from the last time Guo Xin came.
Yuanren asked Guo Xin to sit down opposite the low table, then went out with the tea cauldron. After a while, he came back and placed the tea cauldron on the tea stove. Then he opened the wooden window beside him, took out the fire folder and lit the tea stove, and took out another stick. With a long ladle, he scooped out some unknown powder from the copper can on the corner of the desk and added it to the soup bottle.
Guo Xin watched Yuanren doing these trivial things. After the tea stove was lit, the air-conditioning drifting in from the window gradually dispersed, and the small Zen room became warm.
Yuanren finally stopped what he was doing and said: "The people in Xiangguo eunuch have many ears. If General Guo has something to do, he can just send someone to deliver a message. Why should he come to meet him?"
Guo Xin didn't answer for a while, but only asked: "I sent someone to deliver a letter before. I wonder if there is a reply?"
Yuan Ren shook his head and said: "Delivering letters is not as easy as General Guo thought. Unless there is something urgent, you have to go back with the caravan that comes regularly from Yanzhou, which takes a long time. Moreover, the poor monk delivers letters to General Guo and the eldest lady. It’s just a matter of convenience.”
Yuanren said as if he was remembering something: "By the way, I have finished copying the consort's scriptures. I also asked General Guo to send someone to the consort's house after he returns, saying that it was sent by Xiangguo Temple."
Yuanren pulled out the slip from the wooden shelf on the side, glanced at Guo Xin, and explained: "So that when the prince-in-law sends people to pick it up again, someone with an intention will find out the clues."
Guo Xin nodded and put the scriptures rolled into a scroll into his sleeve: "The mage is cautious and careful, and is very suitable for this kind of errand. But no matter what, this kind of job is probably risky. I heard that Swear was traveling in the southern country before, so he must be too Have you done a lot of similar things?"
Enren smiled and said, "The general came to me today not because of the situation in the South. Let the poor monk make some guesses."
After saying this, Enren picked up the lid of the tea cauldron and looked inside, then looked out the wooden window, then suddenly closed his eyes and started to make divination with his fingers.
When Guo Xin saw this, he thought to himself: This monk loves fortune-telling too much. Fortunately, he doesn't have a talisman, otherwise he would be more suitable to be a Taoist priest!
After a while, Yuan Ren opened his eyes and looked directly at Guo Xin. The smile on his face disappeared, and his expression was very serious: "Mr. Lang may suffer a bloody disaster this year, and it may affect the whole family."
Guo Xin was stunned, does this monk really have such magical powers?
Guo Xin frowned and pretended to be displeased, and said: "My father is a senior minister of the imperial court, and I am also the commander of the imperial army. How could such a disaster happen?"
Yuan Ren said nothing and looked at Guo Xin. He only stretched out his right hand and pointed upward with his index finger.
Although Guo Xin didn't believe that the monk had the ability to figure out such a secret, otherwise, wouldn't the world's major events have been previewed long ago? However, it is powerful enough to be able to infer the possibility of the royal family being detrimental to the Guo family through the current trends in the court and palace.
Guo Xin immediately said sincerely: "I met the Fu family's elder brother as old as before, and like the Fu family's wife... we have cooperated with each other. According to the Buddhist family, the Fu family and I should have a good chance. Master Since you can see the signs of trouble, do you have any suggestions?"
"The tea soup is ready, General Guo, please." Yuanren was not in a hurry to answer, took off the tea cauldron, poured a cup of hot tea into it and made a gesture of inviting him.
Guo Xin picked up the tea cup, brought it to his mouth, blew a breath, and took a shallow sip. He didn't know what condiments Yuanren added to the tea soup, which actually made the tea soup taste bitter at first and then sweet, but it was just like most people at this time. The food is the same, but the taste is too bland.
Yuanren also served himself a cup of tea, took a deep breath after drinking it, and said to Guo Xin: "The Fu family has an abandoned house in the east of Qingxuan City in the inner city, near the north bank of Bian River. It was originally built for the poor monks to go to the north next year. After returning from a trip to Wutai, the Brahma Palace was built to teach disciples about Buddhism. Therefore, the surrounding houses were purchased by the Fu family. The location was quiet and uninhabited. People in this dynasty did not know much about its existence. If General Guo In case of disaster, you can sneak there to escape temporary emergencies."
"There are three weeping willows planted outside the gate of the house. This dynasty belongs to the water virtue, which also coincides with the five elements theory of water growing wood."
Pretending to be stupid when talking to smart people is too much of a delay. Guo Xin said bluntly: "Master does not need to report to the Fu family in advance to act like this. Aren't you afraid of harming the Fu family?"
Ennin was surprised when he heard this: "How could it be? The Duke of Qi is a loyal man and has good friends with important ministers in the court. Even if the things that the poor monk did for the general were known, most of them would not be implicated in the Duke of Qi. What's more, that The secret is indeed owned by a poor monk, and the Fu family no longer uses it."
Guo Xin nodded, and suddenly felt that the Yuanren in front of him was very pleasing to the eye. Although he had no hair, his facial features were quite regular, with a vague sense of fortitude. If he had hair, he would probably have a quite heroic face.
Most people are like this. Someone who you didn't care about before is suddenly willing to help you in times of difficulty. It's hard not to make people like him or her favorably. It's no wonder that after a hero saves a beauty, there will always be an end in which he or she will give him or her his body.
Guo Xin continued to ask in detail: "When will the Master travel to the north?"
Yuanren said: "I intend to pass through Hebei and spread the Dharma all the way. At least I have to wait for the weather to get warmer. If the central government can support Privy Guo to use troops against Hebei recently, it will take longer."
That means it can be used for at least more than a year.
As for Guo Wei's idea of taking the initiative to drive northward to drive away the Khitans, it is currently only spread on a small scale among a few courtiers and generals. After hearing this, Guo Xin understood that Yuanren had learned some recent news. Military information has always been more important, so he thought Although there are barriers to getting this information, it is not difficult.
In this way, Guo Xin was more certain that Yuanren had learned the news that Liu Chengyou was dissatisfied with the minister's power and wanted to take action through certain channels in the palace and court of the Fu family.
As I was thinking carefully, a cold wind suddenly blew in outside the window, causing a crackling sound of charcoal burning in the tea stove.
"General, there is no need to worry at all. I am willing to help the general. Firstly, it is because I, the Buddha, hate killing. Secondly, my wife has also personally told the poor monk that if the general is in trouble, I can look for an opportunity to help him. The poor monk considers himself to be with the general. It’s also quite fateful.”
Guo Xin was surprised when he heard what Fu Jinxun said. He didn't believe that killing Li Chongxun would make Fu Jinxun willing to do this for him. Besides, killing Li Chongxun was largely his decision. If it weren't for Li Shouzhen At that time, there would be a rebellion soon, which might even cause trouble for the Fu family.
Guo Xin couldn't think of any other reasons at the moment, but one thing he was sure of was that the Fu family, at least Fu Jinlu personally, had no need to frame him. Because as Enren said, the Fu family has stood firm for several dynasties and has almost no enemies in the capital. It relies on the style of not taking sides and not being offended. The official of Qi State Duke Fu Yanqing has reached the end, and as a vassal town, his hand All the titles and military power are hereditary!
The imperial court can no longer provide the Fu family with any greater benefits other than money and reputation. The most important thing is to maintain the prominent family status. Apart from the throne, there is probably no temptation of interest that can make the Fu family bear political risks.
As the Guo family controls half of the imperial army and is currently in power, betraying the Guo family for the Fu family will not bring any benefits. Instead, it will cause other people in power to be suspicious of the vassal town in the future.
But no matter what, the Fu family is behind Yuan Ren. With Yuan Ren's help, he escaped the disaster, and he will undoubtedly owe a huge debt of gratitude to the Fu family. But it's not that far away right now, and it's already very difficult to find another way out for our family in Tokyo.
In the tea cup on the table, a little tea residue floated in the tea. As the waves caused by the breeze dispersed, it gradually sank again.
"If there is any disaster, I will use that place. I have written down what the Master said, and I will definitely repay you in the future."
Yuanren nodded and said nothing.
"By the way, my mother-in-law has always been fond of Buddhism. Both my husband-in-law and the Fu family's wife said that the master is a contemporary eminent monk. Is there an opportunity to teach my mother the scriptures?"
"It's all right, but the general doesn't need to mention the poor monk. Just ask the distinguished lady to come to the temple this month to listen to the teachings. The poor monk will look for an opportunity to meet the respected lady."
"Thank you."
Yuanren looked sincere: "The purpose of Buddhist teachings is to save all sentient beings, so what does it have to do with anything else?"
