I'm writing novels in Liaozhai

The ranking number under Buddha is Bodhisattva, and then it is Arhat.

From this, we can see the ranking of Tang Seng's master and apprentice. Tang Seng is a Buddhist scripture learner and a leader. Of course, he is going to become a Buddha.

Sun Wukong has made a lot of efforts to subdue demons and eliminate demons all the way, and it is impossible not to confer a Buddha, so he conferred the title of Fighting and Conquering Buddha.

Of course, there must still be a ranking between Buddha and Buddha. For example, the Tathagata is the Buddha.

In short, Tang Seng's ranking is definitely above Monkey King.

Little White Dragon... Although it is said that the strength of his feet was used this way, he is a dragon after all. He was wronged and turned into a horse to carry the Tang monk to the west to learn scriptures.

The Drifting Monk sealed an arhat at least, but Zhu Bajie...not even an arhat, only a clean altar envoy.

This is also because this guy has too many problems, and he still runs back to the cave to accompany his wife from time to time on the way to learn the scriptures...

A journey of more than 20 years of learning has come to an end.

All parties have their own losses and gains, but overall they are quite satisfied. Although there have been some small episodes, they have finally achieved their respective goals.

In fact, the biggest winner of this trip... Gu Ming knew in his heart that it should be him.

After all, along the way, the seeds he planted have begun to take root, germinate, and bloom...

I believe that in the near future, Confucianism will flourish in Xiniu Hezhou.

When he returned to Chang'an, Emperor Taizong was already old and was about to pass on the throne to his son Li Zhi, who would later become Tang Gaozong.

After all, Li Zhi is the biological son of his most beloved eldest grandson empress.

But Emperor Taizong didn't know that Li Zhi had a secret relationship with his harem talent "Wu Mei".

If you know...whether it will be rumored to be located in Li Zhi, there may be variables.

Before dying, Emperor Taizong summoned Gu Ming, after all Gu Ming was his most trusted national teacher.

This summoning can also be regarded as Tuogu.

"National teacher, after I leave, I hope that the national teacher can assist the new king as always, so that my Tang Dynasty will last forever..."

Regarding this, Gu Ming couldn't say much in front of him.

After all, the general trend of the world cannot be controlled by him alone, and it is impossible for him to control it by force. Wouldn't it be against the sky?

The general trend of the world, separation and reunion, this is a law of heaven, just like mortal life, old age, sickness and death.

Therefore, Gu Ming could only tactfully say: "Don't worry, Your Majesty, I will do my best."

"That's fine, that's fine..."

Emperor Taizong looked relieved, and slowly let go of his hands.

"Your Majesty... is dead..."

Following the eunuch's mournful cry, there was a burst of mournful crying from above the palace.

Datang, the sky has changed.

Li Zhi succeeded to the throne, number: Tang Gaozong.

Two months later, Gu Ming came to Ganye Temple.

Ganye Temple is located in Chang'an City, which is the royal temple of the Tang Dynasty.

After the death of Emperor Taizong, some concubines and concubines who had no children entered the Ganye Temple to have their hair cut and become nuns. From then on, "I have poor Xiuhu Houmen, who lie alone next to the ancient Buddha with blue lanterns."

Of course, for these concubines, this may also be a good thing.

In the harem, how many people can really get the emperor's favor?

To put it bluntly, how different are most concubines from nuns?Even after some concubines got married, they never saw the emperor again until their death.

Not to mention leaving children behind.

The harem concubines are beautiful on the surface, after all, they are the emperor's women.

However, in the harem, if one gets a little bit of favor, one will inevitably fall into intrigue. If one is not paying attention, one may be thrown into the cold palace or even die.

If you are not favored, you will not have a good life.

Don't talk about other concubines, maybe even the eunuchs and maids won't buy your account, and show you face in the open and in the dark.

"Master National Teacher!"

"Master National Teacher!"

As soon as Gu Ming entered the Ganye Temple, a crowd of people stepped forward to pay respects.

Although Emperor Taizong has passed away, Gu Ming's status has risen instead of falling.

After all, his reputation in the Tang Dynasty can be said to be in full swing. He is recognized as a great Confucian of the generation, and many disciples even regard him as a sage of literature.

Moreover, Emperor Taizong issued a will before his death, canonizing Gu Ming as the hereditary Duke of the Town.

This title is the highest title after the king.

At the same time, Li Zhi has always respected Gu Ming, and he also gave him a reward after he ascended the throne.

It is not an exaggeration to say that although Gu Ming is not in power, no one in the government and the opposition dares to act presumptuously in front of him.

Even those princes, when they see Gu Ming, they have to respectfully come forward to greet him.

"Hmm~"

Gu Ming smiled and nodded at everyone.

Not long after, the abbot of the temple hurried over, stepped forward and said together: "Amitabha, I don't know that the master of the state is coming, and the poor monk is far away to welcome you."

"The abbot doesn't need to be too polite..."

"My lord, please go to the meditation room and have a cup of tea."

"Abbot, please!"

After coming to the meditation room, some disciples from the temple came over to make good tea.

After all, Ganye Temple is a royal temple, and there are often royal disciples who come to worship, and even the emperor and queen come here from time to time, so there is no shortage of good tea in the temple.

After chatting for a few words, Gu Ming pretended to say: "I have nothing to do today, so I came here to enjoy some incense and walk around as I like."

"Master Guoshi has a heart."

Although Gu Ming is a disciple of Confucianism, he doesn't have too many sect views. It's nothing to worship Buddha and get incense.

However, whether it is a Buddhist temple or a Taoist temple, he only performs conventional salutes, and he will not kneel down to perform grand salutes like others.

It's not that he is putting on airs, but...if he pays a big gift, the big temple may be better, and the smaller temple may collapse...

Because I can't bear him to worship.

After all, Gu Ming's status is different now, and he can be regarded as a master now.

After burning incense, Gu Ming wandered around the temple accompanied by the abbot.

In fact, he has secretly used his perceptiveness to find someone...

Although the Ganye Temple is big, it is nothing under Gu Ming's perceptiveness, and he quickly locked on the target.

So, pretending to be casual, he walked into a courtyard.

Several nuns in the courtyard were admiring the flowers and chatting. When they saw the abbot brought someone in, they went up to greet him.

"Amitabha~"

In front of these nuns, the abbot didn't put on airs, so he returned a salute.

Because these nuns were all concubines of Emperor Taizong during his lifetime, and they became nuns here.

Gu Ming also clasped his palms together and saluted politely.

The concubines didn't know Gu Ming. After all, they had been living in a secluded palace before, so how could they have the chance to meet outsiders?

The abbot took the initiative to introduce: "This is the Master of the National Teacher."

"what?"

"It turned out to be the Master of the National Teacher. If there is any disrespect, I hope the Master of the National Teacher will forgive me."

"I have heard about the name of the National Teacher for a long time, but I did not expect to be lucky enough to see the demeanor of the National Teacher today..."

One of the nuns, who was about Huaxin's age, seemed a little excited, and said to Gu Ming.

Although the black hair on her head was shaved off, she was still pretty. It is not an exaggeration to say that "fishes and wild geese fall, flowers are ashamed when the moon is closed".

Gu Ming's goal here is also her: Wu Zhao, after being named a talented person, was named "Wu Mei", which is what later generations often call Empress Wu Zetian.

After becoming the empress, Wu Zetian ordered people to create a special character "赵" for her name, that is, Wu Zhao, Zhao, which means the sun and the moon shine in the sky.

Although he hadn't seen her before, Gu Ming still sensed her distinctive aura, so he followed her.

Of course, he didn't come here with any bad purpose, but was going to enlighten her.

After all, this is a woman favored by fate, otherwise, how could she become a generation of empress?

Such a witty, intelligent, and fortunate woman, Gu Ming naturally couldn't miss the opportunity, and planned to accept her as a personal disciple. It is immeasurable to think about her achievements in the future.

Therefore, Gu Ming smiled at Wu Zhao and asked, "I don't know what your name was before you became a monk?"

"Returning to the teacher, the poor nun and layman's name is Wu Zhao."

"Wu Zhao...a good name."

Having said that, Gu Ming turned sideways to the abbot and said: "Abbot, I have been looking for talented and intelligent disciples around recently, and today I saw Wu Zhao by chance, and I saw that his bones are so clear and his appearance is outstanding, I plan to accept him as a disciple, abbot how about?"

Although Wu Zhao is the late emperor's concubine, but Gu Ming is the national teacher after all, even the emperor sometimes has to call him Mr or Teacher, so there is nothing wrong with accepting the concubine as his disciple.

Hearing this, the abbot's face froze immediately.

Secretly complaining in my heart...Whom do you choose, why is it her?

The abbot knew it well, he knew that Wu Zhao might not stay in Ganye Temple for a long time, and he might be taken into the palace someday.

However, when Gu Ming opened his mouth, he couldn't say it clearly, so he could only say: "This...they are all concubines of the late emperor, I can't be the master..."

Gu Ming smiled: "It doesn't matter, as long as the abbot has no objections, I will speak out to the emperor. But... I wonder if the empress has any objections?"

"This……"

Now, Wu Zhao's eyes could not help but become hesitant and tangled.

Under normal circumstances, this is a great thing for her, it means that she can leave the Ganye Temple and return to secular life, and she will no longer have to live this poor life.

but……

She still has a glimmer of hope in her heart, hoping that one day, the new emperor will come here to reminisce with her and take her into the palace...

"It's okay, you can think about it, your majesty, I'll go ask the emperor first."

Hearing this, Wu Zhao was overjoyed.

Because then she would not have to hesitate.

If the emperor still cared about her, he would definitely not agree to her leaving Ganye Temple, and would come to pick her up when the time was right.

If the emperor agrees, then...she will give up, and can only face the reality and start a new life.

"Well, thank you, the national teacher, for your concern."

This sentence can be regarded as a response to Gu Ming.

In short, she did not refuse.

After leaving Ganye Temple, Gu Ming came to the palace alone.

Now, it is as convenient for him to enter the palace as to return to his own home, even the emperor is not so convenient.

After all, it is not a trivial matter for the emperor to go out of the palace. It has to alarm many people and arrange many guards.

After meeting the emperor, Gu Ming first talked about some current affairs and made some suggestions.

Taking advantage of Emperor Gaozong's good mood, he just said: "Your Majesty, I have something I want to ask your Majesty for."

"Oh? It's okay for the national teacher to say, I agree!"

Out of trust in Gu Ming, Emperor Gaozong agreed without asking anything.

However, Gu Ming didn't want to take advantage of such loopholes.

You are not joking, since Emperor Gaozong agreed, then the matter will be settled, no matter how difficult he is, there is nothing he can do, after all, he has agreed, how can he go back on his word?