Xinhai (22), the first month of the first year of Yuanyou.
Zhao Xu, surrounded by the two palaces, arrived at the Zichen Palace.
And here, he met Zen Master Zhiyuan, who was appointed as the abbot of Xizhou Zisheng Zen Academy and the first great monk in purple clothes.
This old monk with white beard and hair is a legend in folklore!
Legend has it that when the Xihe River was opened, he walked among the various tribes in the Xihe River with a monk's robe. Wherever he went, he was greeted by the leaders of each tribe.
Jie Wu Chila, Yu Longke, Yuzang Naling and other Western Tibetan Qiang all surrendered to the Song Dynasty because of his persuasion.
Therefore, this great monk is very popular in Bianjing City.
The incense of his temple is second only to royal temples such as Daxiangguo Temple and Kaibao Temple.
The business of the quality warehouse he operates has even reached Daming Mansion.
It can be said to be both fame and fortune!
"Master Jinglue, when you go to Xihe, you should recite sutras and pray for the unfortunate dead in Xihe, educate the local people, kill and get rid of greed, and convert to Buddhism and compassion!" Zhao Xu sat on the throne and comforted the great monk.
The nearly seventy-year-old monk Zhiyuan recited the name of the Buddha and then worshiped: "Although the old monk is a foreigner, he still has a heart to help the world. He will follow the edict of His Majesty and the two merciful saints in the Xihe River. In the middle, chanting sutras and reciting Buddha's name can transcend the souls of the dead, teach people to be good, and save the world... How good! How good!"
Don't look at this great monk, his beard and hair are all white, but his appearance is still solemn, rich and ruddy.
Wearing a purple monk's robe, he looks kind and friendly, and his ears are big and plump. He is like a Bodhisattva descending into the mortal world.
The two palaces looked at each other through the curtain, and they were also very satisfied. They all said: "There is a master in Xihe, who can definitely stop greed and kill, so that the whole Xihe River can feel the universal enlightenment of Buddhism..."
"Amitabha!" Zhiyuan shouted: "Old monk, you should carefully follow the teachings of the compassionate sage!"
So, he bowed and said goodbye again, respectfully but calmly, and exited the Zichen Palace, preparing to set off for Xihe.
Zhao Xu looked at the appearance of this great monk and praised the two palaces: "Master Zhiyuan is indeed a generation of 'eminent monks'!!"
"If we go to Xihe, we will be able to resolve our grievances through Buddhism and transcend the souls of the past generations!"
The two palaces worship Buddha, and they like to hear such words the most. Naturally, they recite the Buddha's name, and they say it is very good.
However, Zhao Xu recited a sentence in his heart for the future people of all ethnic groups in Xihe: "Amitabha!"
Because Zhao Xu knew very well that Zhiyuan Monk was not a compassionate eminent monk at all, let alone a master of economics who cared about the country and the people and helped the world.
This person is a real liar!
Moreover, he is also a bold liar!
Why?
Just look at the achievements he boasted about.
Yu Longke (Bao Shun) had already surrendered before he went, and he had already submitted a memorial requesting to be given the surname Bao.
Yu Zangna Ling was defeated by Wang Shao under the command of Wang Anshi with a silver bullet offensive - almost the entire gold and silver reserves in Xiongzhou's official warehouse were used to bribe him heavily!
Only Jiewu Chila was the one who asked to surrender - but Jiewu Chila was already desperate at that time.
He was trembling under Wang Shao's soldiers. He was in danger. He would die if he didn't surrender!
Therefore, this is the result of greed!
It was also because Wang Shao was dead and the witnesses who had spoken out at that time were not in the court.
At the same time, relying on Guo Kui's acquiescence (Guo Kui and Wang Shao were at odds), he was able to spread and brag about his achievements in surrendering various ministries.
As for the miraculous medical skills that the great monk boasted about.
The tiger's skin has already been pierced.
When Renmiao was seriously ill and Yingmiao was seriously ill, he did participate in the treatment, but he did not say a word or prescribe any medicine.
It's about the same as me and Kobe Bryant scoring 80 points - Kobe Bryant scored 80 points, and I was in front of the TV!
Later, a big scandal broke out - Fu Bi's son Fu Shaolong fell ill. Fu Bi asked Zhiyuan for diagnosis and treatment, and then Fu Shaolong died...
But... but...
This monk has a great image!
Even now, he still has a round face, big ears, and a pair of big and bright eyes.
It's so deceptive!
Therefore, Zhao Xu chose him and sent someone to send him some Tantric Buddhist scriptures translated by Rishi, Jin Zongchi and others.
He even sent Tong Guan to meet him several times.
It clearly indicated and implied a benefit to him.
And that benefit could not be refused by Zhiyuan Monk.
As a result, Zhiyuan, the master of economics and strategy, heard that the imperial court was recruiting eminent monks to go to Xihe to educate all living beings and purify the souls of the dead, and he took the initiative to submit a letter to apply.
…
When Zhao Xu returned to Funing Palace, Shi Deyi came up to him and reported: "Everyone, the Imperial Medical Bureau has just come to report that the sick ruling Sima Guang has recovered well today..."
"I even got up and moved around for a long time, and even ate a big bowl of rice..."
Zhao Xu was stunned for a while, then smiled and said: "Good!"
He knew that Sima Guang would start to be sick and take leave repeatedly from now on.
That's good.
Sima Guang lifted the cover of Xining's Xingtong, and then he was bedridden and could hardly participate in the revision of Xingtong.
The ministers appointed by Zhao Xu can make Sima Guang's corrections on behalf of Sima Guang.
Then, the new criminal unification was equivalent to the unanimous endorsement of the old and new parties.
Who dares not to admit it?
…
Sima Guang, served by his adopted son Sima Kang, walked out of the courtyard where he had lived for more than half a month.
The sun fell on the ruler of the Song Dynasty, warm and gentle.
But Sima Guang knew that his health was already very bad.
Because he can feel his own weakness - he needs help even to walk!
I'm afraid if I don't train for a month and a half, I won't be able to ride a horse to go to court.
So, he looked at the horse kept in the stable and sighed.
"Sir, do you want to write to the court and ask the emperor to give you a shoulder carriage?" Sima Kang asked in a low voice when he saw his father's expression.
Sima Guang immediately glared at him: "Scholar-officials, how can you treat humans as animals?!"
Treating people like animals will turn them into animals themselves!
What's more, asking for a favor is basically equivalent to resigning from an official position.
How could Sima Guang be willing to become an official?
He still has a lot to do!
He hasn't seen the emperor grow up yet!
Sima Kang suddenly didn't dare to speak anymore.
At this time, the father and son had already walked to the outer house.
Tons tons tons...
There was the sound of heavy objects hitting outside.
Sima Guang listened and asked, "What's digging into the ground outside?"
Sima Kang naturally did not dare to hide it and replied: "Reporting to your lord, it is the soldiers of the Divine Guard who are digging the well..."
"Dig a well?" Sima Guang was puzzled.
Sima Kang quickly explained: "I heard that the official ordered Miao Shu, the deputy commander of the guards and pro-army Ma Bu army, to lead his troops to dig wells to combat the drought..."
"So, he gave Miao Shuai the palace atlas, and Miao Shuai used it to teach the Shenwei, Longwei and other troops to dig wells inside and outside Bianjing..."
"Now, more than a hundred wells have been dug in and outside Bianjing City due to the secret skills given by the palace..."
"They are all more than ten feet deep, and they are all artesian wells..."
Sima Guang listened, stunned for a while, and then said to Sima Kang: "Take me to have a look..."
The most expensive thing in Bianjing is the land, and the most expensive thing on the land is the well.
In particular, a well with clean water and self-flowing water in all seasons is almost as good as a shop along the street and can be passed down to future generations.
However, such wells are extremely rare.
So every bite is the core of a street.
The owner of the well can make dozens or even hundreds of guan every year just by selling water - this is because he only sells water to neighbors and friends.
Most people want to drink water?
They can only drink water taken from the Bian River.
The water in the Bianhe River is turbid, so the alum in Bianjing City is as necessary as salt.
Fan Lou prospered because of this!
With Sima Kang's support, Sima Guang walked outside the door and looked at the sight of dozens of forbidden troops surrounding a large wooden frame, taking turns stepping forward.
Sima Guang was stunned for a long time. He had never seen such a method of digging a well.
"Sir, I heard that this method is an improvement on Fushun's technique of digging salt wells..."
"With this method of digging a well, if you choose a good location, you can dig a well several feet deep or even more than ten feet deep in half a month..."
Sima Guang asked: "Ten feet? So deep? Are they not afraid of the well wall collapsing?"
The soil in Kaifeng Prefecture is soft. Generally, a well will be dug one to two feet long, and after a maximum of three feet, the well wall will collapse due to the soft soil. The water that finally comes out will be turbid and needs to settle for a long time.
Therefore, most of the wells in Bianjing City produce very little water, and even not a drop of water during the dry season.
Sima Kang replied: "It is said that they used the technique of Fushunjian, using bamboo and wood to protect the well wall so that it would not collapse..."
Sima Guang nodded: "This is a truly good thing!"
Sima Kang said: "I heard that the officials have ordered the Divine Guard Army, Dragon Guard Army and other armies to dig wells in various places in Kaifeng Prefecture!"
"It's just to divert well water to fight drought..."
Sima Guang listened and sighed: "It hasn't rained yet?"
Sima Kang nodded: "For this reason, the imperial court has transferred more than 10,000 soldiers from Hebei and Hedong to the capital to assist Kaifeng Prefecture in digging wells, building canals, and building overturns..."
"At the same time, we ordered the dry land to dig wells or build overturning carts to draw water for irrigation..."
"Overturn?" Sima Guang heard this word and asked: "Is it the overturn of Mei Yaochen's poem in the past: 'It is like a wheel turning, and it is like a river drinking from a rainbow. It can move the rain and rain, and the crops and seedlings will be stable.'"? "
Sima Kang replied: "Reporting to your lord, it is indeed this thing!"
"However, this rollover is said to have been improved by Su Gong Zirong to adapt to the water collection on the Bianhe River and Yellow River dams... Now it has been issued to the relevant places, and local officials have been ordered to use the leftover money to hire workers to build it!"
"I heard that in Baima County and other places, several trucks have overturned, and they are collecting water to irrigate farmland day and night..."
"Oh!" Sima Guang was not surprised by this. Su Song was known in the court for his fondness for all kinds of craftsmanship and for playing with those instruments.
The father and son were talking when they saw a man riding a horse from a distance.
When the man got close, he got off his horse and bowed to Sima Guang: "Sima Guang, you have finally recovered!"
Sima Guang looked at the man, smiled and said, "It's Ming Sou!"
"Mingsou is not at Yushitai, why are you here?"
This person was the supervisory censor Wang Cang recommended to the dynasty by Sima Guang.
The king said respectfully: "When I heard that Lord Sima had recovered, I was very happy and immediately took leave to come here!"
Sima Guang nodded: "I'm sorry to bother Mingsou, but I really don't dare to do it!"
So, he ordered people to invite the king into the mansion.
Sima Kang looked at Wang Zhan and frowned.
The officials had given him strict orders: Don't disturb Duke Sima's recuperation! If something goes wrong, he will be punished for being unfilial!
However, looking at Sima Guang's expression, he did not dare not invite the king to his residence.
He could only sigh and hope that the king would not come and expose the fact that the imperial court was preparing to send troops south.
Sima Kang knew his father's temperament.
If he knew this, he would definitely drag his sick body to the palace to argue that he should not raise an army!
But the imperial doctor had warned him - Mr. Xiang Gong should rest and rest, not to overdo it, and not to strain himself.
What if this really happens...
However, Sima Kang's hope finally came to nothing.
Wang entered the Sima family's mansion and directly reported the recent events to Sima Guang.
Including, Zhang Dun has resigned from his post and is preparing to resign and go south together with Di Yong.
After hearing this, Sima Guang became excited immediately: "Why don't you give advice to the prime minister?"
"The land of Jiaozhi in the south is barren and full of miasma!"
"Even the late emperor abandoned it!"
"What benefit will it bring to the country if we raise an army to attack now?"
For Sima Guang, he doesn't even want Xihe.
As long as the Western Thieves are willing to take Xihe, they will no longer be enemies of the Song Dynasty. From now on, everything will be peaceful, and Xihe can be given to the Western Thieves.
What's more, the barren and miasmatic land south of Guangxi, Jiaozhi?
So, he immediately told Sima Kang: "Kang'er, prepare pen, ink, paper and inkstone for me. I want to write to the emperor, requesting your Majesty to see me alone!"
(End of chapter)
