Hu Yuan had his own reasons for asking this question. If it was just for a few days ago, it would be enough for Zhu Shou to come in person to show his sincerity.
With the identity of this "Mr. Zhu", he actually came with Bailong Yufu. If he said there was no other purpose, Hu Long would not believe it anyway.
When Mr. Zhu heard that Hu Huan took the initiative to ask about his purpose, he secretly praised the Taoist priest for being really personable and well-mannered. At that time, he naturally turned his back on guests and asked everyone to sit down and talk.
After everyone sat down one after another, he smiled at Hu Yuan and said: "I heard from Mr. Wang that the Taoist priest has reached the age of forty. However, with the Taoist priest's appearance, some people believe that he is young and weak." Zhu A certain Taoist priest has a method of prolonging life and becoming immortal, and the Taoist master has the ability to preserve one's appearance, but has he failed to obtain the secret of this method?"
"I see."
Hu Long laughed dumbly and finally understood the other party's intention.
At the same time, Wang Shouren, who was sitting on the other side, also changed his expression.
This time, the Zhu family and his son ordered him to be the introducer, but they did not explain that he had this important purpose. If he had known this earlier, he would have rather resisted and been convicted than accept this job.
In fact, just as Hu Long and Wang Shouren thought, the first thing Zhu Shou did after returning home that day was to summon Wang Shouren, who had also just arrived home, to ask him about the background of Hulu Master and Disciple.
Wang Shouren was certainly not a talkative person, but he and Hu Huan had just met each other for the first time, and some of the things they knew about were extremely limited, and there was nothing he could not tell others about, so he honestly informed Zhu Shou.
Zhu Shou listened for a long time and did not learn any more information except the names and ages of master and apprentice Hu Long, so he sent Wang Shouren back.
Immediately, his parents knew what happened during the day. They were frightened and very angry. They called their beloved son who always liked to sneak out and cause trouble. They scolded him harshly with one look and one word.
Seeing that his parents were really angry, Zhu Shou immediately used his usual gag method and talked about the master and apprentice Hu Huan who rescued him, and put the topic aside.
But the speaker was unintentional but the listener was intentional. When his father heard that Hu Yuan could retain his youthful appearance, he immediately aroused a concern that had just subsided, and that's why he made today's trip.
Hu Long shook his head and sighed: "I'm afraid I will disappoint Mr. Zhu. The reason why Pindao can retain his appearance is that he has successfully practiced Taoism, and he has practiced Taoism in the mountains all year round. Never linger in my heart. Mr. Zhu will definitely not be able to do the latter, and the former... I'm afraid he will be unable to do it!"
Mr. Zhu was stunned for a moment, then turned to look at the white-haired old man standing beside him.
The old man bowed slightly and responded with a soft and low voice: "Master, this Taoist priest's words are not false. This level of superior internal strength and mental methods are also collected in our home, and there are many practitioners. , but there have always been very few people who can cultivate to the level of Taoist Master. The reason is that there are too many conditions that determine success or failure, such as talent, perseverance, opportunity, etc. are indispensable."
When Mr. Zhu heard this, he gave up immediately. He asked himself that perseverance and opportunity were not bad, but his body, which has been weak since childhood, must be classified as "no talent".
Hu Long continued: "In fact, the theory of immortality is illusory. In ancient times, the first emperor of Qin and Emperor Wu of Han both listened to the words of alchemists and sought the medicine of immortality at the expense of the country's capital. What was the result? The so-called 'Liu Che Mao's Mausoleum was too stagnant. Bones, Ying Zhengzi's coffin was spent on abalone, that's all."
"Be bold!"
As soon as Hu Long said this, Mr. Zhu himself didn't do anything, but the white-haired old man and Zhang Yong became angry and scolded him. Four cold eyes fell on Hu Long at the same time, and his body leaned forward slightly, as if he just wanted to Mr. Zhu's words will lead to a desperate attack.
The reason why they reacted so violently was because Hu Long's last two sentences went too far.
These are the last two sentences in the famous work "Bitter Days Are Short" by Tang Dynasty poet Li He:
The former said that the classics record that after the death of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, the coffin made noise, incense smoke swirled, and the bones flew away and disappeared. In fact, these are all nonsense. If you open the tomb of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, you will definitely still see a pile of rotten bones;
The latter said that Qin Shihuang sent alchemists into the sea to seek immortality and the elixir of immortality, but he died during the parade. In order to conceal the news of his death, Zhao Gao used several carts of abalone to cover up the smell of the body.
It would have been fine if we had just talked about this in private, but now Hu Long came openly in front of Mr. Zhu. It is difficult not to suspect that he was "pointing at the monk and scolding the bald donkey."
Hu Yuan had fought against Zhang Yong long ago and knew that although this man's martial arts skills were not as good as his own, he was definitely not an easy person. And the white-haired old man who was obviously Mr. Zhu's guard made him feel a little dangerous. If these two If people join forces to attack, even he will have a big headache.
But the expression on his face did not change at all, and there was no sign of preparing to fight back. He still looked at the somewhat astonished Mr. Zhu calmly.
"It turns out that the Taoist priest has already discovered my identity."
Mr. Zhu suddenly shook his head and laughed, but the word "I" in his mouth finally revealed his identity - Zhu Youtang, the Hongzhi Emperor who currently dominates the Ming Dynasty.
Seeing his smile, Wang Shouren and Li Xunhuan, who had their hearts in their throats, finally put their hearts back in their stomachs.
Among them, Li Xunhuan originally only regarded the Zhu family father and son as relatives of the emperor. It was not until Hu Yuan recited those two lines of poetry that he finally guessed the truth. At that moment, he was literally broken into a cold sweat.
Zhu Youtang waved his hands to the white-haired old man and Zhang Yong: "You don't have to overreact. Isn't it wrong for the Taoist priest to say this? I am called 'Long live' every day. Sometimes I forget that I am only a human being." , they also have to experience birth, old age, illness and death, and even deceive themselves and others to pursue some immortal immortality. Don't you hear that 'if heaven has feelings, heaven will also grow old', and heaven will still grow old, let alone humans?"
The poem he quoted was also written by Li He, but it happened to match Hu Long's words, and he inadvertently showed his considerable knowledge.
Hearing his heartfelt words of emotion, Wang Shouren and Li Xunhuan were overjoyed at the same time. They bowed together and said: "Your Majesty, your Majesty, this sincerity is a blessing to the country!"
They were nervous just now, not only because they were worried that Hu Long's words would trigger Zhu Youtang's anger, but also because they were worried that Zhu Youtang would really have the desire to seek immortality again.
A few years ago, Zhu Youtang suffered from frail health and was bewitched by the eunuch Li Guang. He believed that praying to heaven with talismans would prolong his life.
As a result, Li Guangze was favored by Zhu Youtang, and he took the opportunity to engage in lawlessness, accept bribes, and cause many disasters.
It was not until last year that Li Guang committed suicide after being defeated, and the Jin Yiwei who ransacked his home found many evidences and presented them to the imperial court. Only then did Zhu Youtang realize that the theory of immortality was not credible and began to reflect on himself.
Yin Jian is not far away, and the two of them have to worry about Zhu Youtang making the same mistakes again.
Just when the two of them breathed a sigh of relief because of Zhu Youtang's open-mindedness, Hu Long's words made the two of them nervous again.
"Although the theory of immortality is false, there may not be any way to strengthen the body and prolong life."
