Chapter 209 Chapter 1 The Birth of the "Imperial Merchant"
Chapter 209 The Birth of the First "Imperial Merchant"
The pavilion stopped shaking, and the water in the three teacups on the table stopped rippling.
Zhao Duan pretended to be calm, stared at the white-robed monk in front of him, and said:
"I don't understand Buddhism either. What I just said is all prejudice. Please make your own decision, Master."
After all, he was a high monk of Shenlong Temple, and he felt that he had used too much force just now.
He was afraid that it would have the opposite effect. After all, he just wanted to gain some benefits and had no intention of making another enemy for no reason.
However, to Bian Ji, these words sounded more like a kind of comfort.
He shook his head, his mind restless. He had only intended to take a quick look at this rising figure.
But it almost shook his Buddhist heart, which was something he could never have imagined before.
Especially the other party's last Buddhist verse, although plain and simple, it was like a steel knife, cutting open his heart bloodily and making him feel like a thorn in his back.
Is this... really something a younger generation of cultivators can say?
"I have written down what the envoy said. It is getting late, so I will not bother you any more. I will take my leave now." Bian Ji stood up and said.
He used spells to suppress his mind, but it was not a long-term solution. At this moment, he felt eager to go home.
"Master, please do as you please," said Zhao Duan.
Then, he watched the white-robed monk go downstairs and leave. He was stunned for a moment, a little dumbfounded.
I didn't expect that the monk got a Buddhist verse from me for free but didn't show any expression at all.
Leaving now?
How come he is even more deceiving than Lao Wang...
But then I thought that my deliberate PUA words might have caused psychological harm to him, so I felt embarrassed to ask for money...
"Wait, I forgot to ask him why he wanted to see me..."
After Zhao Duan and the others left, he remembered this and shook his head helplessly. He could only ask them next time they met.
He quickly drank some tea and ate some cakes to fill his stomach, then got up and rushed to the yamen.
The young cabinet minister had suffered a loss, and although the matter was over, there were still some finishing touches that he had to deal with personally.
……
……
Shenlong Temple.
"Meet the wizard."
In the glow of clouds, the monks who were sweeping the floor stopped and saluted when they saw Bian Ji returning.
However, Bian Ji, who would always respond with a smile in the past, seemed to have lost his soul today. He walked hurriedly and ran straight to the main hall at the back.
"What happened to the Master today? He ignored us."
"Is there something urgent?"
The monks looked at each other.
main hall.
Inside that quiet and magnificent Buddhist temple.
Bian Ji climbed up the stairs and pushed open a vermilion door. Inside the hall, the sound of wooden fish being struck came into his ears.
In an instant, his restless heart calmed down.
In the hall, the huge golden Buddha statue looks compassionately, overlooking the surrounding area.
He was wearing a brown cassock, his eyes were closed, he was short in stature, and his appearance was ordinary, but serious.
"Master, I have doubts."
Bian Ji stepped over the threshold, walked behind Xuan Yin and said respectfully.
The sound of knocking on the wooden fish suddenly stopped. After waiting for a few breaths, the old monk, who seemed to be wandering in the sky and only had a body left, slowly opened his eyes.
But he did not turn his head to look at him, but just looked at the Buddha statue, the curling sandalwood incense:
"What's the matter."
Bian Ji did not hesitate and immediately repeated his conversation with Zhao Duan in detail.
At last he said: "I was moved by his words, but I also felt that they were not right, so I came to ask you."
All appearances...are seeing the Tathagata... Abbot Xuanyin chewed on this verse, as if Mount Tai collapsed in front of him, but he did not change color. A strange color appeared on his wrinkled face, and he said:
"What do you want to ask?"
Bian Ji said respectfully:
"Have you become obsessed with appearances and become unaware of it? As Zhao Duan said, your obsession with external appearances has obscured your true nature?"
Xuanyin asked: "Do you feel that your heart is covered with dust?" Bianji was at a loss: "I don't know."
Xuan Yin said calmly:
“Buddhism teaches us to let go of our attachments, but it does not mean giving up our attachments. We should have attachments, but not be stubborn. Our mind should be clear and bright, and our heart should be like a mirror. This is the essence of practice.
Practicing Buddhism does not mean cutting off all suffering. When you save others, do you have any selfish thoughts?
Have you ever entered the state of no self? Can you sacrifice yourself for others? Can you have a sincere and compassionate heart?
If you have to ask me about these things, just ask yourself, and there will be no hindrance."
Ask yourself...Bian Ji subconsciously pressed his hand on his chest.
“Letting go of attachments does not mean giving up attachments…Disciples preach the Dharma for the sake of the glory of Buddhism, with a selfless heart and no ego… Having attachments does not hinder one’s original mind…”
"Disciples save all living beings. Since I have persuaded them to become Buddhas, I should also sacrifice my body for others. Just ask this heart and you will become a Buddha..."
Bian Ji questioned his inner self again and again, and felt that the dust in his heart was wiped away again and again, and gradually it became clear and bright again.
The Buddha's heart, which had been slightly shaken, not only recovered as before, but became even more stable than before.
"Amitabha, I understand."
Bian Ji stood up and walked out of the palace door with a smile.
In the Buddhist temple, Abbot Xuanyin tapped the wooden fish gently and whispered:
"Zhao Duan..."
When did such an evil demon who could mislead people appear in the capital?
……
……
Imperial yamen.
Just before dark, Zhao Duan arrived at Lihua Hall on horseback.
Then he saw four men waiting in the hall.
Seeing him return, he stood up to greet him: "I greet you, sir."
Zhao Duan nodded and asked, "Where are the people?"
Qian Kerou understood immediately and said, "In the duty room, I will take you there."
In the duty room.
Madam Lin, who had an oval face and drooping eyebrows, and looked quite similar to Concubine Yuan, sat quietly on a round stool with an anxious look on her face.
Almost a whole day had passed since she was brought here, but she still hadn't been able to get here, and she was afraid that something might happen.
Until the door was pushed open, the "traitor" who had appeared in the Shenlong Temple a few days ago and extended a helping hand to her when she was about to fall into despair, appeared with a smile.
"Mrs. Lin, we meet again."
"Master Zhao!" Madam Lin's eyes lit up, she stood up suddenly, and then bowed down:
"I am Lin Susu, a humble girl. Thank you for your help, sir."
Zhao Duan accepted it with a smile, and then the host and guest sat down.
After a brief greeting, Zhao Duan looked at her expression and stopped talking nonsense, taking out two things from his arms.
On the left is a stack of banknotes, and on the right is a strange deed:
"I have not broken my promise to you. Since this is a deal, now is the time to fulfill my promise.
The order for your husband's acquittal has been sent to the south by the imperial cavalry.
Of course, you have offended Li Yinglong this time, and when he comes to his senses, he may retaliate.
By then, with your abilities, you two will surely not be able to contend... So, I will give you two choices."
Zhao Duan pointed to the banknote on the left:
"Take these, and you will have enough money to leave the capital, reunite with your husband, and hide your identity and make a living somewhere else. You will have no connection with the government at all, and as long as you avoid the sight of the Li family, you can live a worry-free life."
He pointed to the business contract on the right:
“As for this, it is another option. The court is promoting new policies and will open markets to bring in merchants. The first batch will require some merchants to serve as role models and work for the court.
There are risks, of course, but the benefits are greater. Of course, the biggest benefit for you is that once you choose to join the court and become a businessman who paves the way for the court's new policies, you will be taken care of and will be safer. Li Yinglong also has to consider this.
The disadvantage is that if you enter the court, you will be involved in disputes."
He said calmly:
"It's up to you to choose. You don't have to give an answer right away. There happens to be a team from the Imperial Court heading south. You can follow them and make a decision when you get there."
Lin Susu raised her head in surprise.
Without hesitation, she reached out and picked up the contract, but saw that the name on it was not her husband, but her own name.
"I choose this one." She said in a firm tone.
(End of this chapter)