"God is God, and man is man. The two are inextricably linked, but there are also boundaries. There are things about gods that humans should not care about, and there are things about people that gods shouldn't care about either." Lord City God said, He seemed to realize that there was an ambiguity in what he said, and was afraid that Song You would think too much, so he quickly explained, "Of course, the Immortal Master is neither a god nor, ahem, I mean, immortals like the Immortal Master are not included."
"..."
Song You roughly understood what he meant.
God has a vocation, and people have a vocation.
Ordinary people naturally seldom care about God's affairs, but there are still many people who can influence God. Wasn't this City God sealed by the emperor? Throughout history, there are many examples of gods being renamed by human courts because they avoided the title of emperor, deposed and abandoned by the court for various reasons, and even killed by capable mortals.
God naturally wants to take care of human affairs. One of the main purposes of God’s birth is to take care of human affairs.
But there are exceptions to everything.
Some gods have a strong and violent temperament, and even if they do not do well, they are not easy to offend by those in power in the world. Some people are powerful or involved, and even if they commit crimes, it is not easy for the gods to control them.
In essence, it is a kind of bullying and fear of the strong, and officials protect each other.
Specifically speaking, the duty of the City God is to protect the city and prevent monsters and ghosts from causing chaos and evil spirits. If it is a matter between mortals, there are three yamen responsible for it, but it is not under the control of the City God.
Song You thought for a while and then asked: "Could it be that those demons and ghosts causing trouble are people pretending to be?"
"Not really."
"Is it a practitioner's technique?"
"It is indeed a demon..."
"Isn't that the scope of responsibilities of Lord Cheng Huang?"
"This...but..."
The City God hesitated for a long time and showed a troubled look: "But if there are people behind these monsters and ghosts, and they are in a high position and have major involvement, then how should we control them?"
"Has the power struggle in Changjing reached the point of instructing monsters to harm people? It's not rare in history, right?"
"The little god doesn't know the specifics. It's not the little god's responsibility, nor is it something the little god dares to take care of."
"So that's it."
Song You couldn't help but shook his head.
Power struggles have existed since ancient times.
This is beyond the control of Taoists.
Let alone Taoists and immortals, they can’t control it.
Even if you can manage it and control it, as long as you turn your head for a moment and don't look at them, you will immediately return to the way it was before.
This is human nature.
How can a human harming others be the same as a demon harming others?
Striving for power and profit are the rules of the game in the human world, and it is common to be accompanied by bloodshed. But as a high-ranking and powerful person in the human world, he instructs monsters, ghosts, and aliens to commit crimes. When did this become a trend? Throughout history, court disputes have their own rules, even if they result in the confiscation of the family and the annihilation of the clan. There are few examples of direct assassination, let alone instigating demons.
Song You shook his head repeatedly.
Personnel affairs are complicated, and it is difficult and laborious to think about them.
The Taoist only said to the spirit in front of him:
"My lord is only responsible for slaying monsters."
"Immortal Master!"
"how?"
"This matter involves a lot. If the little god arrests him at will and causes dissatisfaction, wouldn't it be..."
"One yard owned by a yard."
The Taoist's expression was very calm.
If there were other city gods who had moral prestige, ability and integrity, and were respected by all the people, they would not let demons and ghosts cause trouble in the city just because they were involved in the struggle for power in the world, nor would they worry about offending those in power in the world by doing these things. And was deposed. But this City God is different. He shouldn't be sitting in this position. If he wants to survive and become immortal, he must find other ways.
It's understandable, but you also need to know that this shouldn't be wrong.
The City God's eyes flickered, and he could only say: "Those monsters are not simple. If there is no help from the military attachés of the Tiangong Palace, and only a few military attaches in the City God's Temple, I'm afraid..."
"I'm happy to help."
"The little god will do his best!"
"City God works hard."
"Master Immortal..." Cheng Huang said cautiously, "I wonder if there is anything else?"
"Lord Cheng Huang asked this." Song You paused, "I did encounter something interesting when I came down."
"Master Immortal, please speak!"
"I'm just a mortal. I can't be called an immortal master. I only want to speak to Lord City God." Song You said slowly, "I have invited Zhou Lei Gong to Pingzhou before. Zhou Lei Gong did not treat him because of me." I felt dissatisfied because I was rude, so I learned my lesson. On the way here this time, I specially picked three sticks of good fragrance for Lord Cheng Huang. The ingredients are really good..."
The City God glanced out of the corner of his eye and saw three large incense sticks on the table, which were not lit.
A sudden chill came over me.
"But when I walked to the gate of Master Cheng Huang, someone stopped me and said that the incense bought outside was not sincere." Song You smiled, "I have been practicing Taoism for many years, and I have only heard that I brought the incense I made myself. Xiang is more sincere, but this is the first time I have heard the exact opposite."
"If you offend the immortal master, the little god is guilty..."
"Isn't embarrassment to the pilgrims detrimental to the incense of Lord City God?" Song You looked at him doubtfully, "Why does Lord City God tolerate them?"
"The Immortal Master doesn't know something..."
The City God looked humble and embarrassed: "It is true that the little god has not received any benefit from it. What use is the money in the world to the little god? It has embarrassed the pilgrims, lit less incense, and people's hearts have become less sincere. The little god On the contrary, a lot of incense has been lost because of this, but that person is the Minister of Rites, and he is incompetent, so it is really hard to offend him."
"I see."
Song You couldn't help but sigh in his heart.
I feel helpless and pitiful.
Gods do come from people. In ancient times, the Human Emperor controlled all things in the world. Even now, the reason why the Chijin Emperor is the Lord of the Heavenly Palace is because Dayan conquered the world. However, since the development of Shinto, the gods have become supreme in the hearts of the people. In the eyes of those in power, theocracy and human rights respect each other. It is rare to see such a god who is the city god of the imperial capital and yet carefully looks at the faces of the dignitaries of the court.
For the same reason, unlike other city gods, he did not have the ability to stand on this. He did not dare to offend the powerful officials in the court, especially the minister of rites. He was afraid that one day someone else would write a letter and he would be gone.
Song You has gained some experience.
He also lamented that the previous emperor was fatuous.
But again, as the saying goes, one code equals another.
"Where is the former City God?"
"..." The City God trembled, "The former City God was the prime minister of the Cheng Dynasty, but now he is the Fuyang Divine Lord of the Heavenly Palace, responsible for the mobilization of the Earth God."
"Since the Lord City God is the City God, he should understand the difference between gods, humans, and demons. If you want to survive forever, you should not try to please the powerful people in the world or protect yourself wisely. You should be upright and do things impartially. The faith of the people is the only way for the gods to survive forever. the only basis.”
"yes……"
The city god trembled again.
"I live in Liushu Street, Xicheng City. I have a Taoist flag hung at my door. There are shop signs to ward off evil spirits and demons, and to get rid of rats and worries. When the city god is slaying demons and demons, if you need anything, you can come to my house to ask me in your dreams. Maybe I can help you. Lord Cheng Huang, please provide me with a little help." Song You said before bowing his hands and saluting, "If it's okay, I'll take my leave."
"Master Immortal, walk slowly..."
"Next time I come again, I will bring three sticks of incense for Lord Cheng Huang."
"Thank you, Master Immortal..."
The city god sent the Taoist away respectfully.
The cat also left.
Then he smiled bitterly.
Although he was weak and incompetent, not as good as the previous City God, how could he not understand the Immortal Master's hint?
What is the difference between gods, humans, and demons?
Gods are naturally different from humans and demons, but the biggest difference is that humans and demons are born and raised. Only gods exist based on human incense and carry human beliefs and expectations. This person also refers to all intelligent creatures.
In his position, seek his position.
People can do nothing, but officials can't; ghosts can do nothing, but gods can't.
If the gods cannot play their due role, they will have no meaning and value in existence, and there will be no need to exist.
"well……"
The city god could only sigh deeply.
After initially exchanging a few words, I saw that his attitude was gentle and his personality was completely different from that of the Immortal Master from Fulong Temple whom I met decades ago. I thought he would be easier to talk to, but it turned out that he was harder to fool than that one.
I mean I’ll bring incense next time I come...
Isn't this supervision?
…
Song You left the temple.
A few scholars happened to walk outside the door, most likely to wish for a smooth exam. When they saw someone opening the door and coming out, they were a little confused, but they didn't pay attention. They just complained about how expensive the incense at the foot of the mountain was as they walked by. Then he turned back and took a few glances at the calico cat he brought.
When Song You walked to the middle of the courtyard, they had almost reached the temple, and they could still hear their voices of surprise as to who bought the incense but didn't light it.
Cross the yard and walk to the mountain gate again.
"Sanhua Empress now knows that there is no difference between gray and golden statues, nor is bigger or brighter better. Only gods with outstanding virtues and serving the people can be admired by the people."
"Can't understand."
"There are still too few gods like Sanhua Empress in this world."
"Well……"
The calico cat looked up at him.
I didn’t quite understand what he wanted to say, but I could tell that he was praising himself, so I nodded decisively:
"Yes!"
Song You smiled.
Looking back, I saw the door couplet:
If you don't expect this body to last forever, why do you do so many evil things in such a hurry?
Thinking that it was already doomed in the past life, why not just be a good person?
He shook his head, retracted his gaze, and looked down.
As the lunch break passed, people came to offer incense again, and they were all buying the old man's incense.
Then he raised his gaze slightly——
This mountain is very short, but it is higher than most houses in Changjing.
I saw that the houses were densely packed with thousands of tile roofs connected together. If the weather had not been good today, I would not be able to see the end. The roads are straight and vertical, like lines on a chessboard, and they are also busy with traffic. Although you can't see the scene in the palace, you can still see the high walls of the imperial city, which is majestic.
The prosperity of Changjing can be seen before your eyes.
But under this prosperity, there are almost as many demons and monsters hiding, and there are bloody battles.
Although the emperor is still in good health, he is getting older. Before the crown prince has been established, some people have begun to fight openly and secretly for this. Today, I am lucky enough to hear a little bit about the bloody battle for the throne in the imperial capital.
"Aren't we going back?"
"Let's go now."
One person and one cat walked down the mountain, passing by to offer incense, and as soon as they entered the streets, they were in the human world.
People in the streets and alleys cannot talk to the City God as soon as they enter the temple. Maybe they don’t know about the fights between the dignitaries and the storms in the palace. They may know, but they don’t care. Maybe they care, but it doesn’t stop them from living their own lives. little life.
This made Song You feel a lot more comfortable——
This era has the rules of this era. The fight for the crown prince's position and the struggle for imperial power are not his business. The prince and the common people are both guilty. It is just a beautiful vision. If he insists on realizing it, the consequences may be devastating to the world. There was chaos and more people died, but it wasn't that difficult to get them to restrain themselves and let the people in the city live a little more peacefully.
It's just that the old man selling incense is not at peace.
I just saw a burst of smoke coming out of the money box. I didn't know what was going on. I hurriedly opened it and saw nothing strange. It wasn't until I took a closer look that I saw an extra pebble among the many coins.
