On the surface, Surya was the most favored among Jaya's many sons, but in fact he was the most despised by the powerful people in Champa.
Because under the caste system, endogamy is implemented, that is, people of various surnames do not intermarry with each other. This ensures the so-called pure blood of the upper castes.
Surya's mother was a Han woman who originally lived in Annan. She was kidnapped when she was young and became a slave. One day, Jaya became pregnant because of her promiscuous behavior.
Strictly speaking, children born to men and women of different castes will be regarded as 'untouchables', also known as untouchables, the lowest class of society. Logically speaking, Jaya would not be able to allow this child to be born.
However, things like the system may not be able to restrain the top powerful people. For some unknown reason, Jaye still allowed Suriya to be born.
Soon after Surya was born, his mother passed away, and he himself has always been a little transparent. Whether in the family or outsiders, it is difficult to remember that Jaya had such a son.
Until three years ago, Annan captured Foshu and captured the queen of the former king of Cham and a large number of subjects. The former king of Cham, Jaya's brother Jayaparamita Shuravarman II, died of illness soon after.
No one can tell whether he really died of illness, but Jaya inherited the throne anyway.
Jaya's first wife was naturally a 'noble' Brahmin, and she gave birth to three pure-blooded sons, all of whom are now in their thirties.
But after Jay succeeded to the throne, he inexplicably began to value and favor Surya, so some people speculated that he did this to suppress the three sons and play a balancing act.
Surya, who was only fifteen years old at the time, vaguely guessed this. However, it was better to be a noble chess piece than to live a humble life and be despised and humiliated.
Although Jaya had said several times that he would pass the throne to him, Surya was excited and grateful on the face, but never took it seriously in his heart.
He knew very well that with his background, he would not receive support from the powerful in an environment like Champa. He just hoped that he could survive in the future battle for the throne.
Surya was not surprised that his 'father' would play political tricks between Baotou Tuhua and Shili Haritiva, but he could not figure out the purpose of letting himself get close to the Song envoy.
So after leaving the palace, he was not in a hurry to go home, but drove to Anyin Temple in the east of the city.
The early culture of Champa originated from India. While Brahmanism was the main belief, there were also people who believed in Buddhism, which also originated from India. However, Brahmanism basically had a strong position.
As Chinese civilization reached its peak in the Tang and Song Dynasties, its influence on Champa became more and more important. Mahayana Buddhism, which integrated Chinese culture, also rose again in Champa. It once replaced Brahmanism two or three hundred years ago, but perhaps it was The caste system was too conducive to rule. For political reasons, Mahayana Buddhism began to be integrated into Brahmanism and merged with Brahmanism. Brahmanism once again became the mainstream belief in Champa.
And because Champa is located on the maritime trade route, cultural exchanges are frequent, and other faiths such as Tianfang Sect and Buddhism still exist. Anyin Temple is one of the few Buddhist temples, and its main believers are Han immigrants and Song Dynasty merchants.
Surya can be said to be a victim of Brahmanism, so it is not surprising that he found another faith. He also enshrined his mother's spiritual tablet in Anyin Temple and often went there to worship.
Six months ago, more than a dozen monks from the Song Dynasty came to Anyin Temple to register. One of them, a great monk named "Gu Wen", was regarded by Sulie as a mentor and confidant. When he was confused, Sulie would come to him. Ask for advice.
Although Buddhism always regards the human body as a stinker, every time he sees Gu Wen's unusually handsome face, Surya can't help but admire him in his heart, and even has a hint of envy and jealousy...
When Surya walked into the meditation room alone, Gu Wen and Shang were neither chanting sutras nor meditating, but were making tea leisurely and calmly. Cups had been placed on the tea table for guests, and it seemed that someone had already expected to visit. .
"Prince, please take your seat."
Gu Wen concentrated on watching the fire on the tea stove without raising his head, but he spoke warmly of invitation.
Surya was not surprised, he smiled easily and sat on the futon, "I'm disturbing the master again for his cultivation."
"The bright mirror is not a platform, but if the nature is empty and pure, why bother?"
Gu Wen smiled warmly, lifted the water bottle elegantly, and poured the silver dragon-like water line into the tea cup in front of Sulie, "This tea is called 'Zizai', please taste it, prince."
Surya held the cup, sipped it with a pious attitude, and then closed his eyes to taste it carefully.
After a long while, he exhaled his turbid breath and said, "Good tea! It makes my whole body feel refreshed and relaxed, and I completely forget all the troubles in the world."
"Forgetting is just an escape. Since troubles have arisen, they have their causes. Over time, they will become knots. Only by solving them can we eliminate their karma and achieve true freedom."
Gu Wen added tea to Sulier, but Sulier did not pick up the tea cup again, but looked blankly at the tea surface in the cup, and fell into thinking about this sentence, "Explanation?"
Regarding Surya's doubts, Gu Wen said nothing more and quietly let his face float in the mist, as if it were illusory and real, as if it was detached from the world.
After a long time, Surya came to a vague understanding, "Applying medicine to the disease, tailoring the body, following his own taste, eliminating emotional problems, all the disciples' difficulties are due to their origins, but this cannot be changed, and it is not wrong in fact. The Buddha said that all living beings are equal, so what is wrong is the doctrinal system that determines equality based on birth status!"
Gu Wen still just smiled, neither confirming nor denying.
Surya's eyes became brighter and brighter, "Yes, that's it. Only by overturning all these mistakes can we find the true freedom of disciples and the true freedom of all living beings!"
"The prince realized from the heart and suddenly saw the true nature, and he has found the method of knowing that the heart is the Buddha." Gu Wen looked pleased and nodded, "Congratulations to the poor monk."
"Thank you, Master, for the advice." Sulie saluted solemnly, and then asked for advice, "Master, this disciple understands what he should do, but he is stupid and doesn't know how to do it specifically, and he still can't see clearly the complicated situation at hand. "
Gu Wen was as indifferent as water, "The authorities are confused. The prince can come, but the poor monk may be able to provide some advice."
Immediately, Sulie told what he saw and heard today without reservation, and sincerely asked Gu Wen for guidance.
Gu Wen didn't think too much and spoke calmly, "It seems that your father wants to set up a big plan. If it succeeds, he will be able to get rid of it once and for all, and almost no one can threaten his throne anymore."
"Overall situation? Master, please elaborate." Sulie sat up straight and waited for the explanation with concentration.
"To put it simply, it's a situation where the mantis stalks the cicada."
Gu Wen said while placing three cups in the center of the tea table, "The forces in Champa can currently be divided into three parts, represented by your father, your uncle, and your cousin."
"Your father and uncle are both brothers of the late king. In fact, the two are equally powerful. However, your father became the king three years ago because he became the king first. Now the two of them share the power of the Coconut Department, while your cousin receives the Betel Nut Department. "
"The two tribes have been entangled for a long time, and their strength has been changing. Ever since your uncle defeated Chenla and restored the kingdom, the Coconut Division has been overwhelming the Betel nut tribe. However, because of what happened three years ago, the strength of the Coconut Division has been greatly reduced. Your father If you work together with your uncle, you can still suppress the Betel Nut Department, but if there is a slight gap, it will be easy for your cousin to take advantage of you."
"The three of them all understand this situation, so they don't dare to act lightly. They are all looking for opportunities. Six months ago, the Song Dynasty launched a large-scale campaign to wipe out the pirates. Many of the pirates fled to the vicinity of Champa City. Your uncle took the opportunity to recruit and expand his strength. You said Brother also recruited a small number of people, which put pressure on your father. Maybe your father also recruited..."
"In short, the tripartite balance will be broken at any time now, and the Song Dynasty was suddenly involved in the trade route. Your father saw the opportunity and planned to use this opportunity to eliminate all threats."
"The Song Dynasty mission was an opportunity in his plan, or a bait to seduce all parties. Your father tied this bait to your uncle, and your uncle was the cicada, because as long as something happened to the Song Dynasty mission, your uncle would It’s hard to escape the blame.”
"This situation is naturally an opportunity for your cousin to deal with your uncle, so he will become the mantis."
"Your father wants to be a Yellow Bird, so he is naturally prepared for the next step. When the right opportunity comes, he will attack the Song Dynasty envoy, and then use the Song Dynasty to bury your uncle and cousin."
"Of course, this is just your father's idea, because your uncle and cousin may not have thought of this, and may have corresponding plans. It's hard to say who is the oriole in the end."
Gu Wen tried his best to speak straightforwardly, but the intricate relationship still made Sulie confused.
He only understood that no matter who wanted to be the Yellow Bird, they should use the Song Dynasty envoy as the core, and then induce the power of the Song Dynasty to intervene, thereby defeating the opponent.
"Master, although this disciple cannot fully understand the secrets involved, what puzzles me the most is why you want to throw me, an insignificant person, into this?"
Gu Wen put the cup away and said slowly, "Everyone in Champa knows that your father's favorite is you, the prince. He puts you together with the envoy. If something happens to the envoy, he can get rid of it." Suspicious, because how could a father hurt his beloved son? And then stand with the Song Dynasty as a victim. After all, what he wanted was to use the power of the Song Dynasty to eliminate two opponents, but he did not really want to become the Song Dynasty. enemy."
Surya looked horrified and stammered, "Master, do you mean that the disciple is a victim, and it was planned from the beginning?"
"Otherwise? Do you think your father is really doing it for your own good? To get you in touch with King Yan of the Song Dynasty?" Gu Wen's tone was slightly emotional.
Hearing this, despair and sadness appeared in Surya's eyes. Although he knew that his father's favor for him had ulterior motives, he felt in his heart that there was a little bit of real fatherly love in it.
Gu Wen refilled a cup of hot tea for him, "The most ruthless emperor's family will sink like this, or be reborn in Nirvana, it depends only on you... Come, drink tea."
Surya picked up the teacup and drank it blankly, then came to his senses, "Master, should I stay away from the mission? This way I won't be sacrificed..."
Gu Wen shook his head, "Escape will not solve the problem...Have you ever thought that everyone wants to be a yellow bird and take advantage of the Song Dynasty, but the Song Dynasty is really at their mercy?"
"Master, you mean..." Sulie's eyes flashed with hope.
"Crisis is also an opportunity. They want to use the power of the Song Dynasty to achieve their goals. Why can't you? You said before that you would overturn all mistakes, but with your current strength, how can you do it? The poor monk said it all Therefore, how to do it, the prince himself will understand it with his heart."
Gu Wen issued an "expulsion order", and Sulie had to say goodbye. When he left, he was still a little dizzy.
Later, Monk Lotus walked into the Zen room and handed a secret letter to Gu Wen, "Master, this is from Rudravarman. Also, King Zhan sent someone to deliver a letter to Pu Chongmo."
Gu Wen opened the secret letter, read it carefully and then burned it in the tea stove. "It seems that everything is going well. Then we have finished our work here. Let everyone clean up. It is time to go to Annan..."
