Don't be clouded

Chapter 19

Spring is getting stronger and the cold has completely dissipated.

On the first day of March in the first year of Yuanhui, the Xuanqing Temple was closed, and everyone was waiting in full force.The right guard soldiers lined up from the bottom of the mountain along the road to the gate of the temple, prohibiting all the people from entering. Most of the monks in the temple went down the mountain to greet and wait for the visitors.

The Taizu of this dynasty was a Buddhist, and he often visited Xuanqing Temple to worship the Buddha and listen to scriptures.Later, a rule was established that a thousand monks' event would be held in Xuanqing Mountain on the first day of March every year. Buddhist temples in Daliang could send monks to gather here, and the emperor himself and his relatives would also come to discuss Buddhism with the monks.

Today is the new emperor's first meeting of thousands of monks after he ascended the throne, and the ostentation is bigger than that of the previous emperor.Not only the right guards, but also the northern and southern armies have mobilized people to come, and the monks from all over the place have arrived one after another a few days ago, and they also came down the mountain this morning to greet the holy driver, standing on both sides of the road, so many people lined up two or three miles away.

The first emperor attached great importance to Buddhism, and the rituals before the meeting of thousands of monks were also complicated. The emperor had to bathe and burn incense in the palace, and then he could come by car after changing clothes.

Therefore, headed by Guan Chen, the chief disciple of Xuanqing Temple, so many people waited quietly for half a day, and finally the mighty team arrived around noon.

The carriage reached the stone steps, but could not carry the emperor up the mountain, so the Holy Majesty had to get out of the carriage and walk on foot himself.

Emperor Yuan Hui was 34 years old this year, he was in the prime of his life, and he loved hunting.

Guan Chen was two steps behind the emperor, the two of them should not have been so silent, but along the way he did not speak and the emperor did not open his mouth.

He couldn't help but think of the former emperor, Taizu was completely different from this Emperor Yuan Hui, when he saw the people in Xuanqing Temple, he opened up his chatter box, and loved to chat.When climbing the mountain, I was bored, so I would point to a tree or a flower and ask him about the species, and when I got bored, I would mention the Buddhist scriptures and let him explain his doubts while climbing the mountain.

When Emperor Yuan Hui was still the prince, every time he came to Xuanqing Temple, it was as if his soul had left his body, and his body performed the holy will by itself, but his mind was never on this mountain.

Although Guan Chen didn't want to interrupt Emperor Yuan Hui's fugue, he couldn't ignore the seemingly invisible sounds of panting behind him, so he had to say, "Your Majesty, there is a gazebo ahead for you to rest your feet."

The emperor seemed to be in a trance and was suddenly interrupted by someone. He turned his head and glanced at him before he came back to his senses, "It's okay, it's better to climb up earlier."

Seeing that the group of imperial relatives and relatives in the back could not be saved, Guan Chen did not insist and continued to remain silent.

Emperor Yuan Hui didn't stop to rest on the way, and climbed outside the mountain gate in one breath, saw Zen Master Jueming who had been waiting here for a long time, and finally showed a little respectful expression on his face.

The Zen master is old, with a calm and kind face, and the traces of time on his face add to his kindness.Seeing Yu Jia coming in person, he bowed in a salute neither humble nor overbearing, and said sideways: "All matters have been prepared, Your Majesty please."

Emperor Yuan Hui didn't rush in, but suddenly looked up at the plaque.

Everyone behind him held their breath and focused, not knowing what His Majesty was doing suddenly looking at the plaque that said "clean in ten directions".This plaque is an inscription written by the late emperor. It has been hung on the mountain gate for many years, and it has been integrated into the mountain scenery. However, those who are not coming for the first time rarely pay special attention to it.

However, Emperor Yuan Hui looked at it for a long time, and everyone present had their own thoughts, and some even raised eyebrows and litigated.

The servant following behind the emperor secretly wiped off his sweat... Could it be that the words on the plaque were wrong?

When the atmosphere was at a stalemate, Abbot Jueming invited Emperor Yuanhui in again after being invited in again.

The Thousand Monks Meeting will be held for one day and one night, and it is just past noon, and those present, whether they believe in Buddhism or not, will not be able to return home until tomorrow morning.

It took two moments for the long line that dragged on the mountain road to enter the Xuanqing Temple, and Emperor Yuanhui, who was at the front, had already taken his seat in the Zhaohui Building.The Zhaohui Building was built behind the numerous Buddhist halls. The terrain here is flat. Outside the building is a large empty and vast field paved with bricks and stones, which can accommodate thousands of people to discuss scriptures and Taoism here.Every year on the first day of March, the open space is filled with seats on weekdays. In addition to low tables and futons, there are also some tea and snacks on the seats.

After a long time, the front of Zhaohui Tower was full of people, and the meeting of thousands of monks began.

Although Xuanqing Temple is the host, there are also people who cannot visit the Thousand Monks Association in person, such as some young monks who are not proficient in Buddhism.To be more precise, among this group of novice monks was the name of Miaoci.

Since he entered the monastery, every year he could only hide far away, watching the grand event below from a higher mountain.

Fortunately, this year is not boring, because he has caught a strong man to accompany him early in the morning.

Ji Bieyun huddled together with him in an empty meditation room, looking through the wide open window at the grand event amidst the shadows of trees.He wasn't interested in this kind of occasion to discuss scriptures, but seeing the little novice's longing face, it wouldn't spoil the other party's interest.

He quickly drank more than half of a pot of tea, holding the teacup and playing with it boredly, and glanced out from time to time.

It's not too close to Zhaohui Building, so you can barely see the human figure, but you can't see the face clearly.Consciously or unintentionally, he glanced towards the front of the line, and saw a tall monk in a red cassock. The figure of Yushu Linfeng could not be guessed as Master Guanchen.It's just that he has never seen Guan Chen wearing such a gorgeous color, it's a pity that he can't get close to appreciate it.

And standing in front of Guanchen was an old monk with a slightly hunched figure, Ji Bieyun poked Miaoci and asked, "Is the one in front of Guanchen the abbot of this temple?"

Miaoci nodded with reverence in her eyes: "Yes! That's Zen Master Jueming!"

"I have been in Xuanqing Temple for a few days, but I haven't seen the abbot once." He sighed.

"The abbot is getting old, and he hasn't been in good health for the past two years..." The novice spoke with a sense of desolation, "The abbot is doing well, and he has practiced the Dharma exquisitely, much better than senior brother Guanchen."

It was the first time Ji Bieyun heard that Guan Chen was being compared, and couldn't help but smile, "Since he's a teacher, he's naturally better than an apprentice."

He and Guan Chen hadn't seen each other since they came back from the Chenjing black market a few days ago, probably because they were busy with the affairs of the Thousand Monks Association.Now that the abbot is sick, the burden of Xuanqing Temple has gradually fallen on the disciples, maybe Guanchen will be busier and busier in the future.

He didn't continue to think about it, turned his head to look at Miaoci, and asked, "Since Guanchen is not your real senior brother, who did you learn from? Where is your real senior brother?"

"My master has already passed away. As for the brother of the same sect... I don't mention him on this auspicious day. I can easily meet him as soon as I say his name. I don't want to be taught by him."

Speaking of Master's passing away, the novice monk didn't show too much loss, Ji Bieyun thought, it seems that this child is not without roots of wisdom, otherwise he would not be so young at such a young age.

He turned around and took Miao Ci's teacup, poured a cup of tea and handed it over.

"Are you going to stay here and watch all day?"

Miaoci took the teacup and drank it down, sighed old-fashionedly, "The late Emperor attached great importance to Xuanqing Temple, and even came to listen to Brother Guanchen's lectures every day for a while... But I am not even qualified to go to the Thousand Monks Association."

Although Ji Bieyun regards Miaoci as a child, he doesn't regard himself as an elder.They are only four or five years apart, and the memories of childhood are still in his mind. He also knows how it feels to hate homework but let his parents and elders worry about it.

"If you are not happy, come to me, and when I go down the mountain in the future, you can also come to play with me." He smiled and looked over, "But the premise is that you have to finish your homework, otherwise I will not be able to explain to your brother." .”

Miao Ci originally looked yearning for it, but after hearing the last sentence, her expression collapsed again.

"Come on, you all have the same purpose, you all want me to practice Buddhism and Zen. But even if I don't have the roots of wisdom, I can't realize those subtle mysteries."

Ji Bieyun still wanted to comfort him, but he heard footsteps lingering outside the door.

"Miao Ci—" A novice who was only about ten years old said anxiously, "Miao Ci, where did you take that benefactor?"

One big and one small rushed to the door and pushed it open. The sudden movement startled the little monk.

"So you are here, this benefactor, please come with me, someone is looking for you. I haven't found the benefactor in the guest room, and I'm looking everywhere right now." He didn't give him time to react, he turned his feet and went out Let's go and show him the way.

Ji Bieyun quickly turned his head and told Miao Ci: "You watch first, I'll go."

Miao Ci said with a serious expression: "Master Don, be careful, even the abbot knew about your injury last time..."

"I'll be careful, let's go." He didn't say much, and ran out.

The novice monk just now had walked a long way, Ji Bieyun ran a few steps to catch up and asked, "Did you tell us your identity?"

The novice shook his head and said, "Just say that I am familiar with the benefactor."

Well, every day, people who come to him are not willing to report their family name.

Ji Bieyun had no choice but to guess wildly, and when they rushed to the guest house, they saw Xu Yang on the side of the road.Before he had time to thank the novice, Xu Yang came over and dragged him into the yard.

"Brother Xu, what's wrong?" Ji Bieyun stumbled and was dragged into the yard.

Xu Yang didn't look at him, but asked, "Which room is yours?"

He raised his finger and was pulled into the room again.

After the door was closed, Xu Yang finally let go of his hand, and said like a cannonball: "I'm here to send you a message at the lord's will, and the lord will show you a way, and it's up to you to nod your head. Do it quickly." I decided, so I can take advantage of Wang Ye's excuse to take a break to answer, otherwise I won't be able to get in when Wang Ye returns to the Holy Majesty."

Ji Bieyun seemed to have been bombarded several times in a row, "Wait, you're telling me what decision I'm going to make!"

Only then did Xu Yang come to his senses, and slapped himself on the forehead, "I'm so flustered looking for you...the prince told you to go to the Deng Que Meeting, will you go?"

"Ah?" He really didn't expect this time, and he was stunned.