"It can be said that Yue Qingshan, Chao Bingzhong, I, and I were able to save our lives from the former government just by listening to the words of this Taoist Jin. If we had not disbanded the Golden Rat Club at that time, what was waiting for us would have been the former government. The bandits were beheaded."
After finishing the sentence, Sun Daqiao finished talking about the past. Yue Guanchao was even more curious about Taoist Jin. To have his second uncle and Sun Daqiao respect him so much, he was somewhat of a big shot.
"That's okay, anyway, there are still a few days until the full moon, so we will follow you to have a look."
…
Early the next morning, the sky was in full bloom.
Yue Guanchao followed Yue Qingshan out of Yueyang City and came to Kamakura Mountain in the south of the city suburbs, which is also the mountain where the prince of the ancient Chu Kingdom was buried.
Yueyang City is located in the Dongting Lake alluvial plain. The farther to the southwest, the more mountains you can see. They walked along the Dongting Lake plain to the mountainous area, and at a glance they could see Kamakura Mountain, which is closest to the lakeside plain.
Standing at the foot of the mountain, everyone looked at Kamakura Mountain in the distance. This mountain is shaped like a crescent moon and lies flat at the end of the lakeside plain. There is little bare land on the mountain. It is covered by lush thousand-year-old trees. The shrubs extend into the foot of the mountain, gathering together. Entering the Xiangjiang River at the foot of the mountain.
Since the mountain looks like a crescent moon, it means that there is more than one hilltop. On the almost flat mountain, there are high and low peaks on the left and right, like two ends of stilts on the eaves, with countless low green snail hills in the middle. The meandering river is filled with smoke.
The Ci'en Temple they were talking about was located halfway up Yuanbao Peak. From far away, you could see the tall towers and sacred temples on the mountainside of Yuanbao Peak. After finding the right location, everyone hurried up the mountain road and drove into the dense forest of the mountain peak.
On the way to Ci'en Temple, Yue Guanchao asked: "Second uncle, why is there Ci'en Temple on Yuanbao Peak? When I came here, I also heard the innkeeper say that Ci'en Temple is a thousand-year-old temple. This temple has no incense. , it won’t be able to last for a thousand years without falling.”
This was what Yue Guanchao was most curious about. The night before he came, he and Erpao had a long chat with the owner of Qingtong Inn, hoping to find out more about Ci En Temple.
According to the innkeeper, this Ci'en Temple is completely different from other Taoist temples in Yueyang City. Ci'en Temple has only had one rule for thousands of years - it does not accept donations of incense and oil, nor does it accept outsiders to worship. In short, it is the same as worshiping immortals and Buddhas in the world. , completely excluded.
Even if someone wants to ask Taoist Master Jin to do something, the old Taoist priest still does not accept money. The person he asks for will either work for the Taoist temple for a few days, or leave food. This food is not considered a donation of incense and oil. , just a few rations.
Most ordinary temples welcome pilgrims, and even put merit boxes directly in front of the Buddha statues, euphemistically called giving money, asking pilgrims to do good deeds and accumulate merit, and give gold and silver as gifts. The same is true for Taoist temples, but I don’t know where all the merit money goes. People's pockets.
The more this happened to Ci'en Temple, the more problems appeared in Yue Guanchao's view - how could a Taoist temple that did not accept any external funding survive, and it would be even more strange to think that it was a thousand-year-old temple.
For thousands of years, these temples have not received alms or donations, but they can survive to this day, and even keep the temples looking new. This is somewhat confusing to people.
Yue Qingshan coughed a few times and continued to explain: "Back then, I also asked Taoist Master Jin, and he said that Ci'en Temple was a blessing temple in the Southern Song Dynasty. When the Jin soldiers went south and killed many people in the south, Ci'en Temple was built here. To appease the souls of the dead.”
"Ci'en Temple has no owner in the past, and it does not accept incense. If a Taoist priest occupies the Taoist temple, he must become the director of Ci'en Temple, repair the house for Ci'en Temple, and maintain daily life. When the Taoist priest dies, he can be buried in Ci'en Temple's merits Hole."
"Normally, these Taoist priests cultivate soil, farm, cut firewood and carry water. If there is any leftovers, they sell them in the market. If they are self-sufficient, they no longer need to accept donations from outside. Many bosses have come here like this for thousands of years. The ascetic-like life is also a characteristic of the master of Ci En Guan, and he is doubly respected by others."
When they spoke, they had already been on the road for two hours and arrived in front of Ci En Temple.
Everyone got off the carriage and walked up the steps to the temple and clicked the door button. When the door creaked, an old Taoist priest wearing a gray robe leaned out of the half door.
"Taoist Master Jin, I haven't seen him for decades, and he has become more and more immortal."
After Sun Daqiao bowed his hands in salute to the old Taoist priest, the old Taoist priest's eyes were dazed at first, and he thought for a moment before remembering the two of them. He was half surprised and half emotional: "It's been thirty years since we last saw each other. You two are all well. Come in quickly." "
After saying that, the old Taoist priest opened the viewing door and allowed them to ride into the house.
When Yue Guanchao was driving, he carefully observed the old Taoist priest. This old Taoist priest was of medium height. He worked all year round and had a strong figure. His skin was dark and rough, and his fingers were covered with calluses. His wide cheeks were rounded instead of round. Face, gray hair is pulled into a bun on the top of the head, with a hairpin inserted vertically.
He looks like a man from the countryside wearing Taoist robes. He is completely different from those old Taoists with fair hair and childish faces. He feels particularly down-to-earth.
After the carriage stopped, Xu Xiake got off the carriage and saluted with his hands in front of him: "Blessings from the Three Purities, Immeasurable Heavenly Lord."
"Infinite Heavenly Lord."
When several people were welcomed into the main hall by the Taoist priest, Yue Guanchao took the opportunity to observe the layout of the Taoist temple. This Taoist temple was established in the Song Dynasty and still maintains the layout of the front yard, middle hall and backyard. The yard is paved with green bricks, surrounded by flower beds, and surrounded by verandahs and side halls. On the left and right sides of the main hall, there are verandas leading to the backyard.
As soon as you enter the main hall, the layout here is completely different from that of ordinary Taoist temples. In ordinary Taoist temples, there are mostly statues of the Sanqing Dynasty in the main hall, and there are also statues of god kings or accompanying gods on the side.
There are no Taoist gods in the main hall here. The main god on the altar is a warrior. He is eight feet tall, slender and beautiful. A suit of armor outlines a strong figure. He has slender eyes, a full sky, a round earth pavilion, thick lips and bright ears. He is blessed with a pair of sharp sword eyebrows, coupled with a beautiful beard, he looks like a handsome military commander.
On both sides of the altar, there are no accompanying gods. Instead, there are countless recessed shrines. These shrines are surrounded by everlasting lamps. It can be seen that countless bronze nameplates appear in the shrines. Thousands of names are built up on three walls, densely packed like The walls are covered with inscriptions, and under the dim candlelight, the words appear and disappear, which is extremely strange.
Song Siyuan looked around the furnishings in the main hall, her eyes became curious, and she looked at Taoist Jin and said, "Taoist Master, isn't Ci'en Temple a Taoist temple? Why is there no Taoist deity, but all these tablets?"
"Good believer, this Temple of Mercy was built during the Southern Song Dynasty, about a thousand years ago. This Temple of Mercy was built to appease the fallen generals. The main deity in the temple is not Sanqing, but King Yue Wumu."
After speaking, Taoist Master Jin looked at the altar next to him and continued to explain: "During the Southern Song Dynasty, Yue Fei once led the Southern Song soldiers to fight against the Jin soldiers. He was killed by Qin Hui and was buried near Yueyang. This Temple of Mercy can be regarded as It was built to commemorate the achievements of King Yuewu Mu. Walking further to the top of the mountain, when you reach the top of Yuanbao Peak, you can also see Zhongwu Pavilion. Standing on the pavilion, you can overlook the entire Dongting Lake. There is also a statue of King Yuewu Mu inside, probably to make Yue Wu King Mu’s heroic spirit suppresses evil and protects the people.”
Taoist priest Jin paused, pointed to the bronze plaques illuminated by candlelight, and explained: "These bronze plaques are the soldiers who died defending Yuezhou Prefecture in the Southern Song Dynasty. Since the establishment of Ci'en Temple, these sacred plaques have been It was enshrined in the main hall. Thousands of years have passed, and even the sacred tablets have become patinated."
"After I became the master of Ci'en Temple, I have been enshrining these divine tablets."
When Taoist Master Jin was talking, Song Siyuan looked at the stone tablet in front of the sacred tablet. The inscription did introduce the war between Song and Jin Dynasties, and it did mention Yue Fei and the anti-Jin soldiers. This shows that the old Taoist priest did not lie.
When Sun Daqiao saw the old Taoist priest handing them fragrant tea, he complimented him: "I didn't expect that after so many years apart, Taoist Master Jin would also become the director of Ci'en Temple. We heard about Taoist Master's deeds in Yueyang City and heard that you were doing a good job." , Taoism is profound and deeply respected by the people. After all, he has become a living god in the mountains and fields."
"I don't dare to live like a living god, but my reputation is just a bit false."
While they were talking, there was a sound of movement outside the main hall, and when everyone focused their attention, a flower monk walked in.
This monk is about forty or fifty years old. He has a fair complexion, a thin face, and oily and delicate skin. His slender monk's eyes are full of wisdom. His forehead is bright and the scar is obvious. There is a flame mark between his eyebrows. He is thinner than the average monk. He wears gray robes. The whole body is wrapped, chalcedony beads are hung around the neck, and the sandalwood Buddha strings in his hands are fiddled with all the time.
If you look closely, you will see that the monk's clothes are plastered, his shoes are brand new, and his socks are clean. However, the cassock he wears looks too frivolous. It is full of bright square and round patches. It looks like a colorful enamel vase. He especially looks like a flower monk. Although he is in his forties or fifties, he looks only in his thirties.
Monk's cassocks are always solemn, ornate and sacred at best, but the cassock in front of him is always frivolous. He even carries a wine jar and a tied lotus leaf chicken in his hand. They say that monks don't eat meat, and he is It was frivolous and fishy, but it made everyone curious.
The monk also realized their curiosity and stepped forward to greet them and said: "I have no desire to ask for help, but I have met all of you good believers."
"Master Yuan Wuqiu, are you eating the roast chicken with wine and wine for yourself?"
Yue Erpao smelled the fragrant lotus leaf chicken, half curious and half confused.
Yuan Wuqiu knew what Yue Erpao was thinking, and explained: "After drinking meat and wine, Buddhism remains in my heart. Although I eat meat, I am a believer in Buddhism. Southern believers cannot eat other meat except the three unclean meats." Anyone can enter, and I don’t think it’s a violation of the precepts.”
"Master Yunqiu, do you know Taoist Master Jin?"
Yue Qingshan asked.
"Indeed, the two of us have practiced hard for nearly ten years again, and we can be considered best friends."
Yuan Wuqiu explained.
"Then, could it be that the monks who made the jade coffin of the Corpse King were the same two people?"
Sun Daqiao remembered that after the jade coffin of the Corpse King came out of the lake, the Provincial Council did find a monk and a Taoist priest to do it. Since the Taoist priest was Taoist Master Jin, the monk probably had no luck.
"It's just a poor monk who has traveled around the world for decades and knows how to save people and relieve disasters."
Some people died, but not completely...
