Chang'an, Xingguo Temple.
Li Chengqian stood at the entrance of the temple, with Li Tai, Li Lizhi and Li Qingquan standing beside him.
They are all very busy.
Li Tai is busy writing "Kuo Di Zhi" and has reached the final sprint stage.
Li Lizhi was busy with medical school affairs, and also had to take care of the medical clinic, so she had several heads running around.
As for Li Qingquan, it is not to mention that she was the busiest woman in the Tang Dynasty. It is not an exaggeration to say that she took care of everything every day. Thousands of wealth flowed through her hands every day!
"It's not easy to get a few of us together."
Li Lizhi smiled and said,
"Although we are all in the same place, it seems like we haven't eaten and chatted together for a long, long time."
"The last time...it seemed like the year before last? During the Chinese New Year last year, my eldest sister was too busy and didn't even come."
Li Qingquan smiled and nodded.
During the Chinese New Year, banks are always the busiest.
In many industries, general accounts are calculated during the New Year, and withdrawals and deposits are all bumped into each other. Naturally, they are extremely busy. As the general manager, she naturally has no time to have New Year's Eve dinner.
"You've all grown up."
Li Qingquan said softly,
"Everyone has their own things to do, which is a good thing."
"As the emperor's heirs and Master's direct disciples, we must not sit idle. That would be a waste of resources! It also fails Master's hard work."
"We have the richest resources, and we must feed back Datang."
Li Tai and Li Lizhi both nodded, but Li Chengqian smiled bitterly.
"It seems that I am the most useless."
He laughed at himself,
"You have all found your own paths, and eldest sister has come a long way."
"Only I am still in the same place, like a donkey. I can only take two steps after being slapped twice. Am I still going to be confused and walking in circles?"
"well……"
Li Qingquan stroked Li Chengqian's forehead.
"Your road is the most difficult, much more difficult than ours."
She comforted,
"But eldest sister believes that you can do well. When the time comes, you will definitely be the tallest and most outstanding one!"
Li Chengqian clenched his fists and hummed, but his eyes were not very firm.
"I still remember the last time I came to Xingguo Temple, many years ago, my mother prayed for my eldest brother."
Li Lizhi looked at the door of the temple and said softly,
"In the blink of an eye, it was my eldest brother and us who came to pray for our mother."
"You think... is it really useful to pray in front of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas?"
After hearing these words, the three siblings were silent.
"Faith will move mountains to open."
Li Qingquan clasped his hands together and read,
"As long as we wholeheartedly pray for our mother, it will be effective."
"Let's go."
The three of them nodded and followed into Xingguo Temple.
This time they came incognito, so they were not greeted by the abbot or monks.
The incense in the temple is quite strong, and from time to time there are devout pilgrims holding fragrance in their hands and worshiping in all directions.
Several young novice monks were cleaning the courtyard with brooms in their hands.
A Zen fragrance filled the air, making people calm down.
"Four benefactors, please come in and come to the Mahavira Hall."
"This is the golden body of Buddha, which we often call Tathagata Buddha. He is the founder of Buddhism."
"This is Guanyin Bodhisattva who saves suffering..."
"This is Manjushri Bodhisattva, the most wisdom..."
The monk took Li Chengqian and the four of them to visit various halls. Every time they visited a hall, they introduced it in detail, and the four of them nodded repeatedly.
"Buddhism does have its meaning."
After Li Tai worshiped, he couldn't help but understand,
"I heard that the Buddha Sakyamuni meditated under the Bodhi tree for seven days and seven nights and became a Buddha."
"I wonder what he realized?"
This question actually stopped the monk.
"This... the young monk doesn't know."
He was slightly embarrassed, but he immediately recovered his composure, clasped his hands together and said,
"Perhaps Senior Brother Xuanzang will be able to clear up the benefactor's confusion when he comes back."
Li Chengqian raised his eyebrows.
"Xuan Zang? Is he the monk who went to Tianzhu to obtain the true scriptures?"
he asked.
When the monk heard this, he couldn't help but be a little surprised.
"That's right...the donor knows about Senior Brother Xuanzang?"
Li Chengqian smiled.
How could we not know this?
When Xuanzang was able to leave the Tang Dynasty, it was all because of the help of his master. He also used this as an opportunity to produce the first official 'Customs Clearance Document'!
He still remembers the domineering words on the customs clearance document——
No matter where you are in the world, don't be afraid. Behind you is His Majesty the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty and the powerful army of the Tang Dynasty!
So domineering!
It is conceivable that those Tang people who went abroad must hold their chests high when they take this guide to pass the customs abroad!
"It has been ten years since Brother Xuanzang went to Tianzhu to obtain the true scriptures."
The monk murmured,
"I don't know if he has gone to Tianzhu country or not, and what kind of encounter he has had..."
"Hey, I really hope he comes back soon and brings back the scriptures so that monks like us can listen to the true Dharma."
Li Chengqian patted his shoulder.
"I'll be back, maybe already on my way back."
He said,
"By the way, I haven't offered the incense yet. How do you offer the incense?"
The monk was startled and said:
"Senior Brother Xuanzang once said that as long as you are sincere and upright, it is okay not to worship incense."
"If the donor is short of money, you don't need to make a donation; if you have plenty of wealth and are willing to make offerings to the Three Jewels, you can make a donation."
Li Qingquan smiled slightly.
"You are honest and your views are correct."
She said,
"We are willing to provide for you, just tell us."
The monk in Xingguo Temple does not have any cunning air, and indeed looks like a monk who practices Buddhism well.
"Thank you, layman."
"Please follow me, little monk."
"By the way, there will be a fasting meal at noon later, and there will also be a meditation room for a few lay people to take a lunch break."
"It's quite thoughtful. The atmosphere here is quite comfortable. I'll go back after lunch and a lunch break." Li Qingquan nodded.
When she goes out, she takes care of everything that costs money, and her other brothers and sisters never compete for her.
After all, she is the richest woman in the Tang Dynasty!
…
After offering incense and having a vegetarian meal at Xingguo Temple, the four of them went to the Zen room in the backyard.
There is one room for each person, and several rooms are already occupied by others, and faint snoring can be heard.
"Slept quite soundly."
Li Lizhi murmured,
"Sister, I don't want to sleep. I feel like I have received the blessing of Buddha. I feel very energetic!"
Li Qingquan rolled his eyes.
"If you don't want to sleep, go and take a rest! Calm your mind!"
"Girls, please stop thinking so much and cultivate your mind more. This will also be good for your medical practice!"
"Go ahead and pick a room to rest in!"
Li Lizhi was extremely reluctant, but she could only obey the order, opened the door of a Zen room at will, and walked in.
Li Qingquan also walked to the next room, opened the door with a creak, and then turned to look at the two of them.
"You two should also take a rest."
"It's hard to get out today. I'll take you to Chang'an in the afternoon. I'll have a vegetarian lunch and take you to eat mountain delicacies in the evening!"
"Go ahead."
"I know, sister." Li Tai yawned. He was a big fat pig who got sleepy when he was full. He randomly walked into a Zen room and fell asleep.
In the end, only Li Chengqian was left.
He was silent for a moment and did not choose this row. Instead, he walked three rows back before choosing a remote Zen room.
Snap.
The door opened, and the facilities inside were very simple. There was nothing except a hard couch and a chair.
Li Chengqian took off his shoes, took out all the cotton inside, and carefully took off his socks.
fine.
The amount of exercise this time was not too heavy, and there was only a trace of yellow pus oozing out of the scar, so it was not bad.
After cleaning up the pus at random, he put on his socks again, then sat cross-legged on the couch and gently closed his eyes to rest.
His body was already relaxed, but his ears were moving, as if they were catching something.
I do not know how long it has been.
With a "squeak" sound, the door was pushed open.
Li Chengqian's eyes also opened in an instant, and he saw the face of the person clearly.
"The ministers and nobles have gathered to see His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."
The visitor was none other than Hou Junji, who had already planned a secret meeting with Li Chengqian!
The first time he came in, he didn't look at Li Chengqian, but at the piles of cotton on the couch.
"General Hou, you are here."
"sit down."
Li Chengqian said in a deep voice,
"Helan Chushi said that you are willing to join my command and be used by me."
"Now it seems that it should be true?"
Hou Junji stood up and sat down, cupped his hands and said:
"His Royal Highness, of course it is true!"
"I am willing to go through fire and water for His Highness the Crown Prince!"
Li Chengqian sneered.
"Isn't it too early to say that we will go through fire and water?"
he laughed.
Hou Junji looked serious.
"His Royal Highness, I am not talking nonsense, nor am I frivolous or making promises lightly."
"But the only way out for me is to go through fire and water for His Royal Highness the Crown Prince! There is no other way out!"
Li Chengqian raised his eyebrows.
"Oh, is it so?"
"yes!"
Hou Junji looked sad and said,
"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince should also know my current situation."
"I thought I could save my own life by fighting to the death this time on the battlefield, but I didn't expect that the officials were harsh and your Majesty was ruthless. I, Hou Junji, worked hard to save my life, but I couldn't even save my own life!"
"Either go to jail and wait for death, or go to the battlefield and be killed by the enemy. Other than that, there is no other way!"
"No matter what, it's death, but I don't want to die, I want to live, I want to stay alive!"
His expression and tone were filled with a strong sense of unwillingness and will to survive.
This is not false, this is Hou Junji's true feelings.
Li Chengqian looked calm and continued to listen.
"I know that there is no way for me to survive with His Majesty. The only way for me to survive is with His Majesty the Crown Prince!"
Hou Junji looked at Li Chengqian, gritted his teeth and said,
"And I also know that His Highness the Crown Prince is also encountering difficulties and crises now!"
"To put it bluntly, I am willing to go through fire and water for His Highness the Crown Prince because I want to fight to the death! If I succeed in fighting, I will be able to live again!"
Li Chengqian frowned.
"Gu? What difficulties and crises does Gu have?"
he said displeased.
"Your Highness, we might as well open the skylight and speak frankly!"
Hou Junji said righteously,
"Your position as Crown Prince is now in jeopardy!"
"Your Majesty favors King Wei so much that he even wants to give him a place to live in Wude Palace! Who used to live there? It was King Qi! And your foot disease has not improved."
"As you and Helan Chushi said, who would choose a cripple to be the crown prince?"
Li Chengqian's expression suddenly changed!
"Damn it! Why did he even say these things to you!"
he scolded.
"Your Highness, calm down! I am not exposing His Highness's scars, but I want His Highness to see the current situation clearly!"
Hou Junji said,
"As far as the current situation is concerned, it is already extremely disadvantageous for you, His Royal Highness!"
"Your Majesty is so strict with you, but also extremely lenient with other princes, such as King Wei and King Wu."
"If things continue like this, I dare to say that you will definitely be abolished!"
Li Chengqian was shocked.
"fart!"
"Will Gu be deposed? Gu is the eldest son of the emperor!"
His face was extremely ugly, and even his voice was distorted because of the rage in his heart!
When Hou Junji saw this, his heart suddenly became calm.
The prince is indeed still young and can't hold his breath at all!
He was already confident that he could control Li Chengqian and lead him by the nose.
"Your Majesty, please calm down. Although my words may not be pleasing to the ear, they are the truth."
Hou Junji said again,
"It is true that you are the eldest son of the emperor, but think about it, how did your father succeed to the throne?"
"It has never been said that the eldest son of the emperor will definitely become the emperor. How many of the eldest sons of the emperor in the past have become princes? How many of the eldest sons who have become princes can successfully succeed to the throne as emperor?"
"If Your Majesty, Your Highness, does not have such a serious foot disease, and you serve His Majesty well and accept everything, then your position may be stable. But now that you have a hidden disease, I am afraid that you don't want to accept everything, and you will never be able to fight back. Aren’t you going to talk back?”
"After so many years, I'm afraid you have a lot of resentment in your heart, right?"
Li Chengqian remained silent.
Hou Junji smiled slightly.
This is undoubtedly the default!
"Your Majesty has the intention to abolish the throne, and you don't want to be suppressed by His Majesty forever!"
He is good at teaching,
"In this case, Your Highness should have made preparations in advance!"
"We must not wait until His Majesty's imperial edict to abolish the crown prince arrives. If you want to take any action... nothing you do at that time will be of any use!"
Li Chengqian suddenly raised his head and looked at Hou Junji.
"Have you prepared early? Prepare for what?"
"Speak clearly!"
Hou Junji suddenly paused, stood up, looked out the window, closed the door and window, and then turned his head and stared at Li Chengqian.
"Your Majesty, your Majesty, how did you come to the throne? Do you still remember?"
He said slowly.
Li Chengqian was shocked again, and his eyes were even more shocked.
"you mean……"
"That's right!"
Hou Junji lowered his voice and said,
"You have to take the initiative into your own hands!"
"As long as we take a preemptive strike, then it will not be His Majesty who is thinking about abolishing the throne, but you will be thinking about whether to let him become the Supreme Emperor and enjoy a happy life!"
Li Chengqian's breath was suffocated.
"You're crazy, you're really crazy..."
He murmured,
"What kind of person is my father who allows me to strike first?"
"Ten thousand steps back, even if I really succeed in pre-empting the attack, can I make my father abdicate? Can I convince all the people in the world?"
"Your thinking is too simple, General Hou!"
Hou Junji gently stroked his beard.
"What His Highness said is indeed a problem."
"But, with me here, these problems will no longer be a problem!"
(End of chapter)
