It is said that the lineage of Zhang Tianshi in Longhu Mountain Tianshi Mansion has been passed down for thousands of years and can be traced back to Zhang Daoling, the first generation of Tianshi in the Eastern Han Dynasty.
Zhang Daoling is often revered as the founder of Taoism.
The Tianshi Mansion has now been passed down to the sixty-second generation of Tianshi Zhang Yuanxu. Although it is several hundred years younger than Confucius, it is not easy.
The four most populous surnames in China are King Li, Zhang and Liu. Both Li and Liu were the emperors of the Han and Tang dynasties.
Wang is because there have always been many famous families in the past dynasties, such as the Langya Wang family, and many people from the previous dynasty would change their surname to Wang.
Zhang, on the other hand, there is a person like Zhang Tianshi who has great influence among the people and can be called the uncrowned king.
In many places, the introduction is generally like this:
——Excuse me, what is your surname?
——Excuse your surname.
But the surname Zhang is quite special. You don't need to add the word "free of nobleness" because the Jade Emperor also has the surname Zhang, which is a noble surname in itself.
The Chenghuang Temple at this time cannot be compared with the famous scenic spots of later generations, and it cannot even compare with the Buddhist temples of the period. The overall look is not very impressive.
It is very intuitive to feel that Taoism in the Qing Dynasty has declined significantly compared with the Ming Dynasty.
Tianshi Zhang Yuanxu had already taken off the official uniform he wore in Beijing and put on Taoist robes. The outside of the City God's Temple was dark and crowded with many believers.
Taoism can generally be divided into two schools: Quanzhen and Zhengyi.
The Quanzhen sect focuses on self-cultivation and the study of alchemy; the Zhengyi sect focuses on talismans and is more inclined to help the world.
The Zhengyi sect is the sect of Zhang Tianshi in Longhu Mountain. Compared with the Quanzhen sect, they are a little more liberal and have fewer precepts. They can practice at home and do not have to become a monk, so they are actually quite attractive to ordinary people.
Overall, Buddhism and Taoism are still improving. Unfortunately, there were very few formal certificates issued during the Ming and Qing dynasties. It is very difficult to become a serious Taoist priest or monk, just like taking a public exam.
And because there are too few orthodox monks and Taoists, many people who have not read a few Buddhist scriptures and Taoist scriptures will resort to deception and deception. Therefore, during the late Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China, there were many cults, and many warlords even believed in them.
Li Yu had only seen some scenes of Taoist talisman painting in some Hong Kong ghost-hunting movies starring Lin Zhengying in the 1980s and 1990s. Zhang Yuanxu did it even more easily in front of him.
After they finished their work, Li Shutong took Li Yu to see the Heavenly Master Zhang Yuanxun in a small side hall.
Zhang Yuanxu actually knew Li Yu, and after meeting him he said: "When I was in the capital, I heard the name of Emperor Master many times, and I have admired him for a long time!"
Li Yu said: "Imperial Master is just a false name. Your title of Heavenly Master is much more powerful."
Zhang Yuanxu sighed and said: "The name of Heavenly Master is not as good as in the past. Nowadays, Western Catholicism is prevalent in the world, and there are foreign priests everywhere."
Li Yu was not impressed at all: "The Zhengyi Sect has been rooted for more than two thousand years, how can it be shaken by just a few foreign missionaries."
Zhang Yuanxu said helplessly: "Master, look at this dilapidated Taoist temple and then look at those gorgeous churches. In today's troubled times, it is inevitable to feel sad."
Li Yu quickly helped him dispel his doubts: "In troubled times, Taoism can save the common people. Why does the Heavenly Master have to worry about a few small churches?"
Zhang Yuanxu also felt that what he said was a bit too pessimistic, so he said: "I am ashamed that a poor man has such thoughts."
Li Yu continued: "Now that there are disciples of Taoism all over the world, I know a man who seeks Taoism far away from Yumen Pass."
Zhang Yuanxu said: "Outside Yumen Pass?"
"Yes, thousands of miles away." Li Yu said.
Zhang Yuanxu said: "The Three Purities have blessed the earth, and the blessings have reached as far as the borders. It is heart-warming and inspiring."
Li Yu quickly persuaded: "It must be very encouraging! When I came out of the pass, I only left Hangu Pass, but now the scope of the purple energy is even wider, as far as Yumen Pass. This Taoist priest outside the pass has heard the name of the Heavenly Master for decades, and has been I want to enter the pass and seek advice from you."
Zhang Yuanxu must have wanted Zhengyiyi to expand his influence. After all, the Quanzhen sect was the majority in the north, so he said: "My Longhu Mountain will always open its gates to those who seek the Tao with an open mind."
What Li Yu was waiting for was this sentence: "I just want to go to the outside of the customs. I'll ask the heavenly master to write a handwritten letter. I will take it to the outside of the customs. Maybe there will be many believers who come back."
Zhang Yuanxu asked: "This trip is long and difficult. Thinking about it, the Emperor is really going?"
"Of course I want to go!" Li Yu immediately confirmed.
Zhang Yuanxu said: "Okay! The Emperor Master has such character! I can't let the Emperor Master down either."
Zhang Yuanxu asked for pen, ink, paper and inkstone, and quickly wrote an order titled "Ziqi Returns to the East".
Li Yu was quite satisfied and it fully met the expected requirements.
I have gone through all the trouble, but I don’t believe that I can’t deal with that smelly Taoist priest in Mogao Grottoes.
Before leaving, Zhang Yuanxu drew another talisman with his own hand and wrote a message to Li Yu and Lu Bicheng, "Emperor Master, madam, I hope this talisman will bring you both good fortune and longevity, and may your house be filled with gold and jade."
Li Yu said gratefully: "Thank you Heavenly Master."
——
After leaving the Chenghuang Temple, Li Yu asked Li Shutong to help contact the county government in Shanghai County to purchase the property rights of Yuyuan Garden, while he went to visit Zhang Taiyan.
At this time, he was still imprisoned in Tilanqiao Prison.
Li Yu bought roast chicken and wine, gave the prison guard a silver dollar and was let in.
Zhang Taiyan was very contented, reading and reading newspapers there, and even had tea to drink. However, the tea bowls were rather old, but it no longer looked like he was in prison.
Zhang Taiyan was very happy to see Li Yu: "Shucai, oh! You've come so well! I was worried that I couldn't publish an article praising your deeds, so you came and let me praise you in person!"
Li Yu laughed and said, "It's not easy to be able to say a few nice words to Mr. Taiyan. Even if you come from the other side of the world, you have to come all the way!"
Zhang Taiyan saw Li Yuti's roasted chicken and wine again and said: "Look at you, you always think that I am suffering in prison. I keep coming to deliver meals every day, either roasted chicken or roasted goose. It makes me feel like I am in prison. None, and I even gained a few pounds. This is really the most funny thing in the world. I must never do this again!"
Zhang Taiyan said this, but still reached for the wine bottle and asked: "Have you had dinner? If not, feel free to do it, whatever you want!"
Li Yu asked: "Mr. Taiyan, how is Zou Rong's situation?"
Zhang Taiyan said: "He has already traveled east to Japan to study."
Li Yu said: "That's good. It will definitely be helpful to improve your knowledge more."
Zhang Taiyan saw Lu Bicheng next to Li Yu and asked, "Who is this girl?"
Li Yu said: "This is my wife, the editor of Ta Kung Pao, a girl from Bicheng."
"Ah! I know, I know!" Zhang Taiyan said, "Your reputation for talent is not only in Beijing and Tianjin, it has already spread to Shanghai. I didn't expect that your appearance is so outstanding. Brother Shucai is really a blessed person."
Lu Bicheng said: "Mr. Xie Taiyan praised me."
Zhang Taiyan said: "Don't just stand around. Coming here is like coming to your own home. Here, I'll give you the chicken legs. Young man has a good appetite."
Although they were separated by an iron fence, there were a few small stools placed outside. I guess the prison guards were used to people visiting, so luckily they left the stools outside the iron fence.
While chatting, someone else came to visit Zhang Taiyan with a food box.
Zhang Taiyan laughed and said: "You are simply feeding me like a locked up pig!"
The person who came was Ding Zuyin, a bibliophile in the late Qing Dynasty and the early Republic of China.
Ding Zuyin did not expect that someone would be the first to arrive: "If Mr. Taiyan is a pig, he must be a miraculous pig like Marshal Tianpeng."
"I'm being modest, but do you really think of me as a pig? Do you have to fatten me up before killing me?" Zhang Taiyan said.
Ding Zuyin said: "But Mr. Taiyan, you said it yourself first."
"Be pigs! There's nothing wrong with pigs," Zhang Taiyan added, "It's a coincidence that you're here. Have you ever heard of this Bicheng girl in front of you?"
Ding Zuyin was shocked: "It's actually a girl from Bicheng. I've been wanting to make an appointment with you for a long time!"
Lu Bicheng asked: "Request a manuscript? Which newspaper?"
Ding Zuyin said: "I just founded the "Women's World" magazine in Shanghai, and I have always wanted to find talented women like you to publish. I have heard that the most famous talented woman in Beijing and Tianjin at this time is the girl from Bicheng. Last year, the girl Qiu Jin who was in Japan was She has submitted articles for us, and she has mentioned you many times in her letters. But I have never been able to get the girl’s contact information. It’s a great blessing to bump into her here today.”
"'Women's World' sounds like a very appealing magazine." Lu Bicheng said.
Ding Zuyin said: "The purpose of our magazine is to combine 'revolution in the family' with 'revolution in politics.' From the very beginning, we took the transformation of Chinese women as our mission, opposed the old ethics, advocated equality between men and women, and strongly hoped that all Chinese women would wake up. .”
Lu Bicheng liked it very much: "That's great. I have always hoped for a newspaper like this. I have decided to vote for the manuscript!"
Ding Zuyin said happily: "There is a contribution from Bicheng, a talented girl from the north, who coincides with Pan Xiaohuang, a talented girl from the south who is at the height of her fame at this time."
Zhang Taiyan asked: "You are the editor-in-chief, have you ever met that Pan Xiaohuang?"
Ding Zuyin shook his head: "Miss Pan is very talented. I only know that she is seventeen years old and has never been able to see her face. And it's not just me. There are too many people who want to see him."
Youdao is "the more mysterious, the more perfect."
Zhang Taiyan said: "At the age of seventeen, with such writing skills, he is dealing with a strange woman, which naturally attracts countless people."
"Isn't it?" Ding Zuyin said, "My newspaper office receives heartfelt love letters every day, and each one of them must be favored by Miss Pan. There are even dignitaries who are willing to marry her as their concubine for a thousand taels of gold."
There are definitely not a few people who have this idea. Talented women were very rare in ancient times. Powerful people would be proud to marry a talented woman, at least to show off.
Therefore, in history, Hu Weide, as a second-rank official, and Yuan Kewengui, as the son of the Yuan family, would continue to pursue Lu Bicheng.
Zhang Taiyan asked: "Are there any people who write love letters with outstanding literary talent?"
Ding Zuyin said: "It's all nonsense! I think Miss Pan is right not to show her face, so as to avoid all the rumors. By the way, Miss Bicheng, aren't you afraid of this kind of trouble?"
Zhang Taiyan said: "Of course she didn't, because Miss Bicheng already has a heart."
Ding Zuyin asked in surprise: "Who has such a blessing as heaven?"
"It's far away, but it's so close." Zhang Taiyan said.
Ding Zuyin was astonished: "Brother Taiyan, you are so powerful that you can know talented women from Beijing and Tianjin even in prison!"
"I wish it were me!" Zhang Taiyan said with a smile, "Miss Bicheng has already married Li Yu in front of me."
Ding Zuyin looked at Li Yu: "Your Excellency is actually Li Yu, the imperial master who won the Swedish Nobel Prize! I'm really sorry. When I came in, I thought you were Mr. Taiyan's student in Japan."
Li Yu replied: "It doesn't matter."
Ding Zuyin said: "The emperor is a pioneer of new learning, and as the husband of a Bicheng girl, he must also be an advocate of women's rights. Why don't you also contribute a manuscript to my "Women's World"?"
Li Yu smiled and said: "Sir, you really never forget your business."
It is not difficult for Lu Bicheng to submit a manuscript. She still has many manuscripts in hand. Li Yu was in trouble and could only talk a little about the benefits of women's education.
——
The few of them chatted for a while, and then Li Yu left the prison. When he came out, Lu Bicheng said to Li Yu: "I also think that Miss Pan did the right thing. A high-ranking official pursued her, but he just wanted to take her as a concubine. She just wanted to marry her." It should be hidden.”
Li Yu said: "This Miss Pan may not be a real lady."
Lu Bicheng said: "Not Miss? Could it be Madam?"
Li Yu said: "Maybe it's a man."
Lu Bicheng couldn't believe it: "Man? How could it be!"
Li Yu shrugged and said, "No one has seen it before, so how can we be sure it must be a woman?"
Lu Bicheng said: "In that case, it would be bizarre."
Li Yu naturally knew that this girl Pan Xiaohuang, who had fascinated countless men in Shanghai, was actually Liu Yazi.
But since he didn't say it himself, Li Yu would definitely not expose it.
Two days later, Li Shutong had already contacted Li Yu to complete the procedures for purchasing Yu Garden. It was actually very simple, as long as the money was in place.
At present, the Shanghai County Magistrate has no spare time and no spare money to take care of this place. If someone is willing to buy it, he is very happy.
At this time, the status of the Shanghai County Magistrate was somewhat embarrassing. Compared with the concessions nearby, Shanghai County was very small and far less prosperous than the concessions, so many people were running to the concessions.
Shanghai County has repeatedly protested against the expansion of the concession area, but to no avail. The territory has been moved to the edge of the county seat.
Moreover, there is only one block between Shanghai County and the very prosperous Xiafei Road in the concession. The gap is too big to retain people at all.
The entire Yuyuan land was purchased for less than ten thousand taels. Compared with the house on Nanjing Road in the concession, it was almost free.
Li Yu went to visit the land west of Jing'an Temple the next day. Thanks to Yang Sisheng's hard work, it was almost completed.
After that, you can ask Xie Yuxi to help purchase equipment and books. Education leaders like Cai Yuanpei can help with things like enrollment, so you don't have to worry too much.
Li Yu also contracted the renovation project of Yu Garden to Yang Sisheng's construction company.
This kind of project is similar to decoration. The money spent is not easy to control. You can spend a lot of money or a little money, depending on the owner's budget.
Li Yu's request sounds simple: restore it to its original state as much as possible. As for how much it will cost, the final settlement will be made.
Li Yu first paid an advance payment of 10,000 taels. Yang Sisheng was very excited and thanked him profusely: He had taken on such a large project again, and it was also a traditional garden project. It would be very helpful for him to expand his business scope in the future.
Li Yu could not stay in Shanghai for too long. After explaining all the matters, he left for the capital.
The next chapter will be released tomorrow morning~
