Songshan Mountain, Taishi Mountain.
In the hottest season of the year, Emperor Liu did not hide in the palace as usual, relying on ice handkerchiefs and feather fans to spend the summer. When he was interested, he took his guards and ministers out of the palace to escape the summer heat.
As for the government affairs, he left them completely to the prince and Zhao Pu. He was completely at ease with the two of them. In the past six months, although the court had been constantly moving, he really didn't have much trouble with the affairs of the country. Zhao Pu was still very satisfied with him being in power. .
Luoyang is no better than Kaifeng. There is no Qionglin Garden specially built by Emperor Liu to escape the summer heat. The first stop after leaving the palace was to go directly to Songshan Mountain. Speaking of which, after so many years, Emperor Liu visited Songshan Mountain for the first time and took in the magnificent scenery.
The sun was shining brightly, showing how hot it was, but it did not affect Emperor Liu's interest, and he led the people to climb Taishi Mountain. Taishi Mountain has thirty-six peaks. If Emperor Liu wanted to climb it, he would naturally also climb the highest peak. There was no doubt that he would choose Junji Peak, which is the top of the peaks.
However, it turns out that Emperor Liu chose the wrong time to climb the mountain. Even with the shade of trees and the intense heat, it was still a hard and difficult experience.
On the mountain road leading to Junji Peak, Emperor Liu and his entourage were so long that they had already crossed the masonry steps and set foot on the wild dirt path. Emperor Liu had already changed into a white silk coat, leaning on a walking stick in his hand, and wearing a felt hat on his head. He was sweating profusely and panting. After all, he was not as good as before.
Being on the mountainside, the cicadas were chirping heavily, which only made him feel extremely hot and irritated. At this time, Emperor Liu no longer had the leisurely mood he had at the foot of the mountain. Looking up, he could not see the end of the mountain road. It was difficult to feel the majesty of Taishi East Peak when he was there.
"Official, have a drink of water and have a rest!" As a close servant, Yantuo naturally paid close attention to Emperor Liu's condition. Seeing that he was a little tired, he hurriedly handed over some water.
Emperor Liu took it and drank it, letting out a sigh of relief. However, beads of sweat still fell tirelessly from his forehead, and his clothes were already soaked. If he hadn't been able to care about the emperor's dignity, he would have gone bare-chested. In fact, Emperor Liu already felt some regret in his heart.
"Guanjia, the mountain road is tortuous and difficult, and the more you go, the more dangerous it becomes. It's better to take a sedan chair!" Yantuo was very considerate. Although he was a little hesitant, he still suggested it, his eyes full of concern for Emperor Liu.
Among the accompanying team, there was a small sedan team. After listening to Yantuo's suggestion, Emperor Liu was immediately moved. However, seeing everyone in the entourage gritting their teeth and persisting, he seemed to be the most unbearable one.
So, he simply refused and said: "I'm not that old yet that I can't walk anymore. How can you stop me on this mountain road? Let the guards clear the way and continue climbing!"
Yantuo had also expected Emperor Liu's reaction, and he had experienced a lot of his stubbornness on weekdays. Sighing slightly in his heart, Yantuo did not miss any opportunity to flatter him, and immediately smiled and said: "The official family travels all over the world, and the Songshan Mountain should crawl at your feet!"
Hearing this, Emperor Liu twitched the corners of his mouth and no longer even showed his humility. Yantuo also really cared about Emperor Liu and took the initiative to help Emperor Liu climb, and Emperor Liu did not refuse.
However, even with the help of Yantuo, what followed was a drama of trying to save face and suffer. No matter how hard-spoken he was, the physical pain was real. That is to say, the mountain road he traveled was a familiar road, otherwise Emperor Liu would be the same as he is today. Even my body cannot withstand such hardships.
The sun was setting out at the right time, and by the time we reached the top of Junji Mountain, it was already past midday, and Emperor Liu was half dead from exhaustion. However, the arduous journey is unbearable, but once you reach the top of the mountain, you can't help but feel the joy of victory.
What is even more gratifying is that there is a person beside him who looks even more unbearable, cabinet bachelor Zhang Yong. Zhang Yong had been hanging at the back before, and now he looked a little embarrassed, with his back hunched and his waist hunched, without any gentlemanly demeanor. If he had to maintain his appearance in front of Emperor Liu, he could sit down directly.
Seeing his trembling legs, Emperor Liu laughed: "Ziyong, it's not enough to just be able to read and write articles. This body needs more exercise!"
Zhang Yong smiled bitterly when he heard this, his beard trembled, and responded: "Your Majesty is laughing! Famous people in ancient times like to explore the mountains and rivers. They are so sentimental and fascinating, but I don't know if they are as embarrassed as I am. ....."
"I don't care what the ancients were like!" Emperor Liu also lamented: "I really understand, I am still a common man, looking at the rivers and mountains of the Han Dynasty, there is no elegance and joy at all!"
"You are all tired. Sit down and rest. Don't hold on. I forgive you for your indecency!" Emperor Liu said, waving his hand.
There are many steles on Songshan Mountain. Emperor Liu leaned on one of the steles and wrote poems, which were left by Tao Gu during his lifetime. He could not help but sigh: "I never thought that I could find such a surprise!"
Tao Gu could be regarded as an old minister of Emperor Liu. Although he had a bad reputation, was despised by others, and was not taken seriously in his later years, Emperor Liu still had some complicated emotions in his heart after unexpectedly finding Tao Gu's inscriptions.
"Yantuo!" Emperor Liu called out.
"Young man, what are your orders from the officials?" Yantuo responded immediately.
"Order someone to build a pavilion in front of this monument and name it Taogong Pavilion!" Emperor Liu ordered.
"yes!"
On the side, Zhang Yong couldn't help but sigh with sincerity after hearing Emperor Liu's order: "Your Majesty built this pavilion to make Tao Gong's name last forever. Under Tao Gong's nine springs, I should also be grateful for your majesty's kindness!"
After waving his hand, Emperor Liu said calmly: "Tao Gu is an old minister by my side after all. He has been with me for more than 20 years, so he can be regarded as a monarch-subordinate friendship!"
On Junji Peak, the view is very broad. When you are there, overlooking the mountains, you can't help but feel broad-minded. Above the peaks and ridges, clouds and mist were lingering, and the mountain breeze was cool and ruffled Emperor Liu's hair. Emperor Liu pointed at the peaks of Taishi and said leisurely: "Although I have never climbed Mount Tai, the feeling of seeing the small mountains should be It’s similar!”
Zhang Yong's thoughts moved, he came closer, lowered his body, and responded: "Perhaps Daizong is looking forward to your majesty's visit!"
Hearing this, Emperor Liu couldn't help but glance at Zhang Yong and chuckled: "Zi Yong, you seem to have something in your words. Why don't you speak out?"
Now that Emperor Liu had spoken, Zhang Yong did not mince his words and said respectfully: "Since ancient times, kings have been ordered to confer Zen status upon their achievements to bring peace. Your Majesty's meritorious deeds have been so high since he became emperor, and they have been unparalleled throughout the ages. I think it should be Fortunately for the East, he was granted the title of Mount Tai, and he surrendered to his father Liang. This is an act of obeying the fate of heaven..."
"Do you think it's time?" Emperor Liu replied nonchalantly.
Regarding Feng Chan’s proposal, it’s not just once or twice, but every time I ask for an order, it’s more exciting and grander than the last time. Especially after Kaibao's Northern Expedition, Emperor Liu's meritorious deeds and prestige reached their peak, and requests for orders from Feng Chan became even more overwhelming. Emperor Liu's attitude also softened every time, and Zhang Yong, as a close minister, could also feel this change in Emperor Liu.
After hearing what he said, he immediately said: "I think it's the right time!"
Emperor Liu smiled, but said no more. A hint of emotion appeared on his face.
"That's the Shaolin Temple over there?" Emperor Liu asked, pointing to the Shaoshi Mountain in the distance and the place where the incense smoke curled up.
Although they are far apart, perhaps because of my heartbeat, I can faintly hear the sound of the bell in the distance. This point is not difficult to guess. Today, there are only two Buddhist temples left in Songshan. One is Shaolin and the other is Dharma King. The rest of the temples were abolished during the extermination of Buddhism in the early years of Qianyou.
"Exactly!" Zhang Yong responded.
"It seems that the incense is still strong!" Emperor Liu said lightly.
After thinking about it, Emperor Liu said: "Songshan is worthy of being a famous place in the world. It gathers the essence of the three religions. Now that I'm here, how can I not see it. I am very familiar with this holy land of Zen Buddhism. I should take a look at it."
"Your Majesty wants to go to Shaolin?" Zhang Yong asked.
"Go talk to their master abbot about Zen, listen to their Buddhist principles, and see if they are still as afraid of me as a tiger!" Emperor Liu said with a bit of joking.
It has to be said that the vitality of Buddhism is tenacious enough. In just twenty years, after the extermination of Buddhism, it gradually recovered, and thanks to the prosperity and development of the Han Dynasty, the incense believers also rebounded.
Of course, the main reason is that Emperor Liu's plan to destroy Buddhism is not to eliminate it, but to suppress and rectify it. When Buddhism actively caters to him, the supreme ruler, and obeys government supervision and management, the suppression will no longer continue.
"I will make arrangements in advance to welcome you!" Zhang Yong said.
Emperor Liu nodded, and then said sadly: "The Queen Mother believes in Buddhism, so she can be regarded as worshiping Buddha for the Queen Mother!"
"That's it for today!" Emperor Liu said again: "Go down and stay at Zhongyue Temple tonight, go to Songyang Academy tomorrow, and go to Shaolin the day after tomorrow!"
"yes!"
