Along the way, I always heard Master talk about all kinds of things in the Central Plains. Now that I have come to Chang'an, I know what the foundation is. Even though the founding of the Tang Dynasty is not that long ago, the culture of the Central Plains has a long history and has never been cut off.
Perhaps the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors have become legends in the Central Plains.
The story of the various states and schools of thought in the pre-Qin Dynasty is still popular today.
The great sage, who was born in the Huaguo Mountain of Dongsheng Shenzhou and Aolai State, calculated on his way westward that the time of his birth was probably the Spring and Autumn Period of the Central Plains. When he was playing in the Huaguo Mountain, the Central Plains disciples were gradually Take the stage.
It is said that at that time, the saint Taiqing incarnated into the lower realm of Laozi and founded the Taoist school in the human world, but failed to take the lead.
Although there are indeed many Taoist masters, they have just learned to live in seclusion in the mountains and forests to cultivate immortality, and they have never paid much attention to worldly things.
On the contrary, those Taoists who pay attention to worldly fame and fortune are certainly not very sophisticated in their own knowledge. It is even more difficult for them to compete with the worldly scholars of the time. That is to say, every Taoist master must have a high level of cultivation. Otherwise, if they only focus on academics, they will disappear due to the decline of one thing and the growth of the other.
On the way to the Royal Garden.
The Emperor of the Tang Dynasty continued to introduce the architectural styles in the palace to the Great Sage Brothers who came to the Central Plains for the first time. He even saw some decorative foils on the road, and they could tell a story about their origins.
Each has its own origin and meaning, and they are genuine human treasures.
Especially when passing by Hongwen Hall, he saw a group of emperor's brothers, princes and government officials leaving school. Perhaps Li Shimin counted the time and passed by here, so he took advantage of the opportunity to greet them all and go to the imperial garden together.
Li Shimin naturally told the Great Sage and others about the origin of the Hongwen Museum. Although it was a yamen under the Menxia Province, his younger brothers and sons, as well as the children of some royal relatives and senior officials in the capital, would be sent to it before they reached adulthood. Come here to learn.
It can be said to be the talent training center of Datang.
Seeing that it was Hongwen Hall, Fahai couldn't help but ask: "Brother Emperor, I heard that there are more than 200,000 volumes of books in this place. I am not talented, I wonder if I can read all the books in it?"
"Hahaha——" Li Shimin laughed after hearing this and said: "There is no place in the Tang Dynasty that the Imperial Disciple cannot go to."
After that, Li Shimin paused and said again: "There is no proof for what I say. I will ask the craftsmen to make a special token tomorrow. With this order, my brother will feel like I am here in person. But I also have a small point. ask--"
Fahai didn't wait for Li Shimin to speak, and said, "I wonder if your majesty wants the original version of the Buddhist scriptures, or the ones that the young monk has annotated after reading them?"
Li Shimin thought for a while and said, "I want both."
"Amitabha." Fa Hai was not surprised and just smiled and said: "If you only want the original scripture, the monk can take it out and put it in the Hongwen Hall. But if your Majesty wants it all, your Majesty will have to wait for some time."
"This matter is not urgent." Li Shimin said with a smile: "After all, if there is no translation and annotation by my imperial brother, these fifteen thousand volumes of scriptures will be like waste paper."
"Prince."
"Father." His Royal Highness the Crown Prince hurriedly stepped forward.
"How is the construction of Ci'en Temple going?"
His Royal Highness the Prince raised his hands and responded: "Replying to my father, it has been built."
"And build a pagoda inside the temple."
"Yes." His Royal Highness knew the purpose of this tower without asking any more questions.
But Li Shimin still took the initiative to explain: "The abbot of Ci'en Temple is none other than Yu Di. In addition, this pagoda is dedicated to the scriptures that Yu Di took from Tianzhu. As for the Chongwen Museum, a copy of the original text is left. As long as the original version of the scripture is left in the temple, it would be more appropriate for my younger brother to personally keep it."
Fahai's original intention was that it was enough to keep the unwritten scripture for himself; this written scripture was originally obtained for the Tang Dynasty, so there was nothing wrong with placing it in the Hongwen Hall.
But after listening to His Majesty's words, he didn't refuse.
Of course, it is most appropriate for the scriptures to be placed in Buddhist temples. If these scriptures were placed in the Hongwen Hall, I am afraid that no one would care about them in the end.
"Actually, these books are the real wealth left to future generations." Li Shimin sighed with emotion, and said to the prince and the students who came out of the Hongwen Hall: "Even if we, old men, conquer a large territory, if If future generations are unfilial, they will be ruined sooner or later. There are many lessons learned from history. Only these——"
Li Shimin pointed to the Hongwen Museum, "We inherited the wisdom of our predecessors, so we have the Tang Dynasty today; and if we want to ensure that China will always prosper, what we have to do is to carry forward the wisdom of our predecessors and always pass them on. Go down. By then, even if the Tang Dynasty dies, China will still be there."
At this moment, the Great Sage seemed to understand what Master had said in the past. The reason why people are not afraid of death is because the spiritual inheritance lasts forever.
The Great Sage was just sighing in his heart, but the little white dragon beside him suddenly felt ashamed for some reason. Perhaps it was because their dragon clan had a long lifespan, and they had the wisdom of heaven and earth. They were born with the ability to call for wind and rain, so they were arrogant by nature. They were not as advanced as the human race. Having said that, the glory left by their ancestors is almost lost.
He felt for a moment that even the many rare treasures in the Dragon Palace's treasure house were not even as precious as these human books.
Li Shimin didn't know what he thought of, and suddenly asked Master Sanzang: "Brother Yu, do you think that after my death, how will my life's merits and demerits be recorded in the history books?"
He did not wait for Master Tripitaka to speak, but more like asking and answering himself: "I looked through the classics left by the previous dynasty. A few sentences can summarize a person's life, and a few pages can record the rise and fall of a dynasty. Can the grandeur of history really be contained in this way?"
Even Fahai couldn't answer this.
Because that's the truth.
As everyone knows, Emperor Taizong had three mirrors, one of which was "History", which could tell the rise and fall.
The reason why the Tang Dynasty was as prosperous as it is today was because Emperor Taizong learned from history.
"I almost forgot." Seeing that the atmosphere was a little heavy, Fahai stepped forward and took out the customs clearance document from his sleeve and presented it to Li Shimin, "This is the customs clearance document that your Majesty sent to my brother when he left Chang'an. Only with this thing can I, my brother, have a smooth journey to all the countries in the Western Continent."
Li Shimin took it very solemnly. Remembering that this happened in the thirteenth year of Zhenguan, he sighed and said, "After a long period of hard work and long journeys, it has now been the twenty-seventh year of Zhenguan."
After reading through it for a while, I saw that the ultimatum contains the seals of Baoxiang, Wuji, Chechi, Xiliangnu, Jisai, Zhuzi, Bhikkhu, and France; there is also the seal of Fengxian County. , Yuhua Prefecture Seal, Jinping Prefecture Seal and Tianzhu State Seal.
I made a general review of the story of my imperial brother's journey to the west, and then I put the document in my sleeve and said to myself: When I am buried in a hundred years, this thing will be buried with me.
Not long after, we arrived at the Imperial Garden.
Empress Changsun had already greeted her, "I respectfully welcome your Majesty. I have met Master Tripitaka and all the elders."
"I've seen the Queen—"
Except for Li Shimin, everyone saluted the Queen together.
Although according to Fahai's knowledge, the empress died young and should have died of illness in the tenth year of Zhenguan, she is still alive today, but Fahai did not make a fuss about it.
After all, isn't Li Shimin, who was supposed to have passed away in the 23rd year of Zhenguan, still alive and kicking now?
Besides, the most outrageous thing was clearly happening to him.
Even so, Fahai still used his Dharma Eyes to explore Empress Changsun's Qi and found that there was indeed signs of deficiencies in Qi and blood. It seemed that her body gradually became weak after a serious illness and has not been able to recover to this day.
After some greetings, everyone took their seats.
Bang bang——
After exchanging a few pleasantries, the meal began.
Because we are entertaining Master Tripitaka when he returns to the court, it is all a vegetarian banquet today.
"A few elders are just outside the border. Now that they have arrived in the Tang Dynasty, they might as well taste the delicacies of the Tang Dynasty."
Li Shimin's words seemed to be directed at the disciples of Master Tripitaka, but Bajie always felt that he was looking at him. But as the dishes became more and more complete, Bajie could not care about anything else and only kept his eyes open. On top of the delicacies in front of you.
If he hadn't remembered the etiquette, he would have started feasting long ago.
Look at the fragrant and fragrant aromas and the fresh and rare products - amber cups and glass cups, inlaid with gold and jade; gold plates and white jade bowls, inlaid with brocade and flowers.
What came first was an array of appetizing fruits, such as walnut persimmons, longan and lychee. Xuanzhou cocoon chestnut, Shandong jujube, Jiangnan ginkgo and rabbit head pear are dazzling.
After the melons and fruits were served, it was vegetarian time, which consisted of boiled carrots and sweet taro poured with sugar. The mushrooms are sweet and the sea vegetables are refreshing. Gluten toon leaves, fungus tofu skin. Stone flower fairy, fern powder and dried vitiligo. Stewed radish with peppercorns, mixed melon shreds with mustard, etc. There are so many varieties that it’s overwhelming.
Finally, it is written that steamed cakes, sweetmeats and delicious delicacies are accompanied by fine wine and fragrant tea. It can be said that everything is prepared and everything is in perfect order.
"please--!"
With an order, Bajie was already in action!
After eating, Li Shimin asked Bajie, "What does Elder Zhu think?"
Bajie's intention was still not finished. He stood up, bowed and said seriously: "These delicacies are all of the highest quality. Our country, China, is really different from the Western Yi."
Before I realized it was getting late, the thanksgiving banquet was over.
Li Shimin originally wanted to persuade Sanzang to stay in the palace, but he heard Sanzang say that he had promised to meet the monks at Hongfu Temple in the evening. Li Shimin did not force him to stay, but he had already made up his mind to go to Hongfu Temple to visit him early tomorrow morning. See.
When Fahai returned to Hongfu Temple, he saw that although it was getting late, all the monks in the temple were still awake and waiting here.
When they saw Master Tripitaka returning, they kowtowed one by one and stepped forward to welcome the old abbot, without waiting for Master Tripitaka to speak first. They helped the old abbot up, and the other monks behind him also stood up.
Master Sanzang is the monk gang of the Great Chandu of the world who was personally conferred by the crown prince of the Tang Dynasty. He is actually the head of the monks. When they see him, they, the monks, should kneel down and greet him.
Even the abbot of a temple is no exception.
Fahai told them that they no longer need to kneel when they see him in the future, but the monks were frightened and uneasy.
Seeing that they couldn't change a few sentences, Fahai didn't rush and just made corrections slowly in the future.
After all, even when the ministers went to court to face the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty, they just sat and discussed matters like themselves, an ordinary monk. Even if they took the post of the Great Monk of the World, there was no need to do so.
Finally, I thought that these monks knelt down to worship the Buddha every day. Maybe they had knelt for a long time and it had become a habit. It might not be easy to get them to stand up again.
After entering the temple, one of his former disciples said: "Master, this tree head suddenly turned east this morning. We remembered Master's words, so we went out of the city to pick him up, and sure enough, he arrived!"
"We are still no match for Your Majesty." Another disciple said: "At this time every year, Your Majesty will live in the Sutra Reading Tower outside the city for a period of time, waiting for Master to return. It's a pity that the Sutra Reading Tower is full of forbidden troops. Even monks like us cannot trespass."
Since ancient times, emperors have never traveled lightly.
Unless the emperor himself paid a private visit incognito and sneaked out of the palace.
But generally speaking, it is difficult for most emperors to leave the palace when they are free.
The wiser the emperor is, or the more he wants to be a good emperor, he will be more or less constrained by the position under his buttocks.
Even Li Shimin is no exception. If it weren't for the prince to share the state affairs, he might not be so willful. The memorials every day are enough to give him a headache.
After entering the main hall, there was naturally another round of greetings.
Fahai's master and his disciples were not sleepy, but the monks still gradually showed signs of fatigue. Fahai sent them to disperse. If they had anything to say, they would talk about it tomorrow morning. However, the monks refused to obey. After giving the order in the name of Seng Gang, the monks dispersed reluctantly.
After all, Master Tripitaka has lived here for a while. His Zen room is always empty and always cleaned. Even after returning from a fourteen-year absence, he can move in immediately.
Moreover, during the day today, the monks also carefully cleaned and arranged the rooms. They even prepared the four disciples' rooms, which are located on the left and right of Master Tripitaka's meditation room.
But the four disciples were all in Master Tripitaka's meditation room. Evening classes had become a habit and everyone was very conscious of it.
Perhaps they finally felt the worry of their senior brother before, knowing that there were really only a few days left for the reunion of master and disciple.
A night of practice, no gossip——
Early the next morning.
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince received a summons, saying that his father left the palace before dawn, and he was still asked to groom himself in the morning.
Li Zhi suddenly had one head and two heads, and thought to himself: I must think those princes who have fought bloody battles for this position in the past and present have absolutely no idea how hard this position is, right?
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince admired his father more and more. He could be so diligent in the past. He had only been supervising the country under his father's guidance for a few years, and he already wanted to give up.
Big brother, fourth brother. It’s because of your failure that this hard job falls on the younger brother.
Your Royal Highness goes to court.
Li Shimin naturally came to Hongfu Temple.
Fahai had already sensed it and naturally greeted him in advance. However, he saw that besides a group of forbidden troops, there was also a middle-aged man beside Li Shimin.
After looking at him for a while, I saw that although his face was pale and his eyebrows were even a bit feminine, it seemed that there was a fire gathering in his heart that had nowhere to vent.
What's more, the other party is seventy percent similar to Li Shimin.
"I have met the emperor brother." Fahai withdrew his gaze and did not ask about the other party's identity.
He knew that Li Shimin would take the initiative to say it. After all, the person was brought by the other party, so he naturally had his own intentions.
(End of chapter)
