Don't be a prince

After giving the order, Li Chengqian patted his face, and when he looked at Huiming again, he had already put on a smiling face.

Hearing the prince's contempt for human life with his own ears, and then thinking of the prince in his own impression, Huiming only felt extremely contradictory.Perhaps, the prince's kindness will only be aimed at the people of Datang.

Taking a deep breath, Huiming saluted and said: "Thank you for your help this time, His Royal Highness, and thank you for helping me avoid the crisis of Buddhism extinction. Afterwards, Buddhism will definitely use the strength of the whole sect to thank His Royal Highness!"

Huiming knew that for this matter, even if the Buddhist sect took out the money, it was just to thank the prince for his action.But Buddhism almost brought disaster to the Tang Dynasty, but it is not easy to understand with a little money.He felt extremely painful when he thought that a huge handle in Buddhism had fallen into the hands of the prince, or even the royal family.

Seeing a trace of pain flashing across Huiming's brows, Li Chengqian knew that Master Huiming was not old-fashioned yet.

It's good to understand this point. In order to avoid putting more pressure on the old monk, Li Chengqian did not refuse, but said with a smile: "The East Palace recently invested in the road paving project. It is just when money is short, so the orphan is not respectful."

Seeing that the crown prince did not refuse, Huiming's complexion improved a bit, and he was no longer obsessed with his own ideas. He asked the monk to come over and carry his chair. He was going to go to the medical school to see Xuanzang.

Xuanzang's return this time is an opportunity for Buddhism to revitalize again.Since Taoism was established as the state religion in the Tang Dynasty, Taoism, which has been declining, has been revitalized, but it has overwhelmed Buddhism.Although he doesn't want to admit it, the Buddhism will gradually decline if it doesn't have any means to boost itself.

Although he doesn't care about these things, as one of the leaders of Buddhism, Huiming feels that he still has to take on this responsibility.

There is no need to stay in Ci'en Temple anymore. After the emperor and Tang Jian knew about this, they probably knew what to do.

It is impossible to attack Tianzhu, but it is still possible to take this opportunity to deter other people with ulterior motives.In addition, it may be possible to reveal to the envoys some news that Buddhism is about to decline.Anyway, in Li Chengqian's view, religions such as Nestorianism and Jackoism did not necessarily flow into the Tang Dynasty naturally.

Datang’s political style embraces seas and rivers, and it is indeed grand, but, isn’t everything that can be eaten, and you are not afraid of indigestion?

Now that Huiming went to see Xuanzang, Li Chengqian felt that it was necessary for him to go and see. Judging from the fact that he was still being treated cruelly, at least this monk did not compromise with the monks in Tianzhu, which is quite admirable.

After ordering the guard of honor to go back to the East Palace, Li Chengqian took a hundred guards and changed to the usual carriage of the East Palace, ready to go to the medical school.

After leaving Jinchangfang and passing through Tongshanfang, just as the Qixia Gate was in sight and the convoy entered the street before Tongjifang, the carriage stopped for no reason.

Lifting the door curtain, Li Chengqian smiled when he saw the scene in front of the carriage.

There are a dozen Taoist priests.

More than a dozen Taoist priests were sitting on the street, stopping in front of the carriage, and all stretched out their right arms, gesturing towards the restaurant on the street.

Li Chengqian dared to believe that at this time, even if he took the lead, what he would get in return would only be their corpses. Even if the carriage drove past, they would not have the idea of ​​getting out of the way.

Good guy, how about threatening your life?

Lifting the curtain, Li Chengqian jumped out of the carriage without hesitation and walked towards the restaurant.

As soon as he entered the restaurant, he saw Yuan Tiangang's stinky face.

It doesn't matter if it doesn't stink. For Yuan Tiangang, or the Taoists, the worst situation is that Buddhism has also won the support of the royal family.Coupled with the fact that Xuanzang returned from traveling westward to seek the Dharma, with repeated blessings, I am afraid that the current situation where Taoism dominates Buddhism will be overtaken.

Naturally, the restaurant was reserved by Yuan Tiangang. Facing Yuan Tiangang's salute, Li Chengqian turned a blind eye, went directly to a table and sat down, and poured a cup of tea by himself.

Yuan Tiangang smiled wryly, but followed closely behind, saluted again, and then sat down.

Knocking on the table, Li Chengqian said: "The polite words will be avoided. Let me tell you, you are still the first person to successfully stop Gu. If it is not that Gu owes you a favor and has not found a time to repay it, Gu will let the carriage go today." Run over those Taoist priests. I told you in advance that Gu’s time is very precious. Since you stopped Gu, you have to pay the price anyway. Well, from now on, every time Gu answers your question, you will have to pay for it. Ten taels of gold, if you talk a little more, it will cost 20 taels. How about it, the price is very affordable!"

Yuan Tiangang was speechless: "Why does His Highness have such a big prejudice against the poor Taoist? Today, if you say that you didn't do it on purpose, the poor Taoist will not believe it, and you don't believe in Buddhism. Why do you have to visit the Temple of Mercy with great fanfare?"

Li Chengqian stretched out two fingers: "The first question, ten taels of gold. It's not because I have a prejudice against you, but because I have a prejudice against your entire Taoism, or I still have the feeling of hating iron but not steel. The second question, don't follow me." You are asking for money, because, Gu’s answer is, it’s none of your business? When I go to the toilet, do I have to tell you why?”

Seeing the two fingers stretched out by the prince retracted into a posture of spreading his hands and begging for money, Yuan Tiangang felt that his lungs were about to explode.

He was angry, but he still received the phrase "hate iron but not steel".

After waving his hand, two Taoist priests came over carrying a small box and put it on the table.

Opening the box and pointing to the neat gold bars inside, Yuan Tiangang continued: "These are 400 taels of gold, enough for a poor Taoist to ask His Royal Highness many questions. Then, the second question, what does His Royal Highness think about my Taoism?"

Li Chengqian also waved, and Zhang Yun who came with him immediately took out a notebook and a charcoal pencil from his arms, and recorded them on paper.

"The second question asks you 20 taels. Why do you still ask? Naturally, it is because of your own reasons! During the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Period, the five tyrants fought against each other, and the seven heroes fought against each other. The wars continued and the society was turbulent. Facing the turbulent social situation , thinkers have put forward the big political strategy of governing the country and the people. Among them, the famous scholars guide the rule of law, the Confucianism advocates the rule of virtue, and you Taoism proposes the rule of inaction, which is dedicated to the ruling class.

A hundred schools of thought contend, and it is natural to decide the winner.The Qin Dynasty was established, and Qin Shihuang adopted the "five virtues always said" of the Yin-Yang family to create his own deified image.Li Si, who appointed Legalism, formed a three-in-one autocratic monarchy system with the "law, technique, and power" advocated by Han Fei.

Furthermore, later, the Han Dynasty dethroned a hundred schools of thought that only respected Confucianism.What about you Taoists?Who used your mind?Since it is not selected, it means that there is a problem.However, why have you not changed in Datang now?Why is it dedicated to the court or the idea of ​​​​ruling by doing nothing?You must have memorized Laozi's "Tao De Jing" by heart!However, put aside your identity as a Taoist priest and think about it on the body of ordinary people. Apart from cultivating one's morality, can the ideas in it be used in reality?

Also, the thing that makes Gu most dissatisfied with you is that you can't even act.Although there are filth in many places in Buddhism, for some truly kind-hearted temple abbots, they still do good deeds from beginning to end.But what about you?Up to now, I have only seen one Sun Simiao doing good deeds from beginning to end.At the beginning, you sponsored the medical school, which was widely acclaimed. Why did you withdraw it inexplicably?Just because Sun Simiao is a Taoist priest, do you think there is no need to waste money?

I figured out that no matter how respected Sun Simiao was by the common people, he was only one person.What he does, he is the one who is respected. When patients thank Sun Simiao, few of them will follow you and believe you. "

After coughing twice and taking a sip of tea, Li Chengqian turned around and said to Zhang Yun: "It's a loss, it's a loss, change this sentence to 40 taels, Gu hasn't finished yet."

Chapter 461 Let's learn

Hearing the prince's order, Zhang Yun turned his attention to Yuan Tiangang.

Yuan Tiangang's beard was blown up, but he could only nod his head, watching Zhang Yun scribble on the notebook with his own eyes.

Knocking on the table to attract Yuan Tiangang's attention, Li Chengqian continued: "The words above are worth 20 taels of gold. I believe that you have also discovered your own problems, but you are not willing to face them. Because you are reluctant Taking the previous foundation as a bet, I always feel that relying on my laurels, I can go on for another year, and another year. But, don’t you know how to learn from your opponents? Why can Buddhism integrate into the Central Plains? Why can it quickly accumulate popularity? It depends not only on what people say, but also on how to do it.

First of all, people always do good deeds, instead of just accepting what is good like you.Once or twice is okay, who doesn't know you're acting after a long time?Before the establishment of the bank, Buddhism played donkey rolling much better than your Taoist school.But, why do people still stand up after being scolded?Isn't it just doing good things while doing bad things?

This is the first point, and the second point, since Buddhism was introduced to China, it has undergone Sinicization.Moreover, even if other people's Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are fictitious, they still have classifications, and they are very similar. What happened to you?There are not many folk myths and legends, and a single Mount Tai has fabricated countless myths and legends.Don't you know how to learn from it and come up with a system for your gods?

Since the Jin Dynasty of Buddhism, there has been a legend of Songzi Guanyin. See how they do it, and directly create a statue of Songzi Guanyin.If there are people who want a son wholeheartedly, tell me, do they choose Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva with kind eyebrows and kind eyes, or Lao Tzu who rides a green bull? "

After taking a sip of tea, Li Chengqian coughed lightly and said, "Let's just discuss the matter. I don't mean to ridicule the ancestors of the Taoist sect. After all, they are also the ancestors of our Li family."

Facing this sentence, the corners of Yuan Tiangang's mouth twitched even more.Who doesn't know what the royal family is doing, but the problem is that the people seem to have accepted the royal family's statement in the 13th year of Zhenguan.A lie told a thousand times becomes true.

Taking a long breath, Yuan Tiangang said solemnly: "His Royal Highness, the poor can be understood as, are you pointing the door?"

Li Chengqian glanced at Zhang Yun, told him to write down 20 taels of gold, and then turned his head and replied: "No, no, I'm not so free, I just see your toothache. The prince can think of a problem, you guys Can you think of it? After all, you don’t have the courage to do this. Besides, talking to you can make you free gold. How can Gu let go of such a good thing? So, go back and think about the countermeasures.

It took Xuanzang ten years to travel 130 miles, passing through [-] and eight countries, which can be said to be firm and sincere.In terms of teachings, you can still copy other Buddhists and learn to persuade people to be good, but where can you find someone similar to him?No, you guys don't want to be distracted by the old grandson! "

Seeing the prince's vigilant eyes, Yuan Tiangang sighed helplessly.There really is such a person in Taoism, and that is Sun Simiao.However, since the prince had spoken at this moment, he was really embarrassed to ask Sun Simiao to preside over it.

After some conversation, although a lot of gold was paid, Yuan Tiangang felt it was worth it.Although he had thought about the same question, it was still not as shocking as hearing it from others.

Now it seems that the prince is saying that he does not want to help, but he is very clear that the prince is just making excuses. In fact, the prince, even the emperor, is not willing to see the Buddhist sect surpass the Taoist sect.

In that case....

Yuan Tiangang pushed the box vigorously, pushed all the gold in front of Li Chengqian, and said: "The poor Taoist knows that the East Palace is paving the road recently, although I don't know why His Highness is doing such thankless things, but the East Palace is short of money. There is no doubt about it. Please accept this box of gold, His Royal Highness. Poor Dao, there is one last request left..."

"You don't need to ask, I'm too lazy to listen."

Opening the box, he estimated that 70 taels of gold was taken out from it. Li Chengqian waved his hand and left.

Thinking with your heels, these 300 taels of gold are not easy to get.Either as a foreign aid for their Taoist sect, or to help him build a myth system, as a tool for him to persuade other people in the Taoist sect, no matter which one, he will become a blame man.

He walked out of the restaurant, jumped into the carriage, and ordered a guard to go back to report to the East Palace, saying that he would not go back tonight.Looking back at Yuan Tiangang standing at the door of the restaurant with an uncertain expression, Li Chengqian smiled and got into the carriage without hesitation.

And worry about it!If you don't break the boat, how can you conflict with the starting point of Buddhism?

This time, there was no Taoist priest to stop him, and Li Chengqian's convoy left Chang'an City with ease.

During lunch time, of course we couldn't just let it go. Passing by the market outside Chang'an City, Li Chengqian paid and invited all the guards to have a meal of meatloaf.

With the development of farms and the import of grassland beef and mutton, although meat is still a "high-end product" in Chang'an, it is no longer something that ordinary people need to look up to.

After a meal of meatloaf, the convoy continued on the road.

At about three o'clock, the convoy finally arrived at the medical school.

Like nobles, Buddhism and Taoism also have their own wards in the medical school.Regardless of whether it is Buddhism or Taoism, Lao Sun treats everyone equally, and he is very dark.

Entering the ward floor of Fomen, you can see that it is already crowded with monks.

Breaking through the baldness, Li Chengqian entered Xuanzang's ward.

The smell of alcohol is very strong, and there is a pungent smell of traditional Chinese medicine.

In the room, besides Huiming, there was another old monk, but compared with Huiming, this old monk's health was obviously much better.

Seeing the prince coming, Huiming hurriedly saluted and introduced: "His Royal Highness, this is the old monk's younger brother Huijue, the abbot of Tiantai Temple."

Li Chengqian just nodded and walked to the hospital bed.

I have to say that Xuanzang was really miserable, with bandages all over his body.There were also three or four bruises on his face.

After tying the last bandage, Sun Simiao breathed a sigh of relief. Seeing that Li Chengqian was there, although he was a little surprised, he soon returned to normal.

Sighing, Sun Simiao said regretfully, "The delivery was a bit late. Some injuries have already affected the muscles and bones. Maybe after being cured, they will be the same as ordinary people, but if they catch cold or sit for a long time, they will feel uncomfortable all over. Huiming, the old man can only I did my best to help him."

Although Buddhism and Daoist sects do not deal with each other, this atmosphere will naturally not involve Sun Simiao.

Both Huiming and Huijue saluted: "Your Majesty!"

Chapter 462 Benefits and Costs

Sun Simiao returned a salute and went to the side to prescribe the medicine.

Xuanzang, who was about to be wrapped into rice dumplings on the hospital bed, opened his eyes. When he saw Li Chengqian, he was taken aback for a moment, but then he smiled: "At the beginning, the poor monk thought that the prince was incredible, but he didn't expect to come to help the poor now." Monk, it turned out to be His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

Withdrawing a chair and sitting beside the hospital bed, Li Chengqian said with a smile: "You really have to thank Gu. If Gu didn't deliberately think a little bit badly about the thoughts of Tianzhu people, he might not have thought about it. Just you now This miserable situation, it is estimated that it will be over in two or three days. At that time, they only need to declare that you died of fatigue from translating scriptures, and then make a fuss about burying you in their own way, and no one will know that you are How did you die? Xuanzang, tell Gu, do you regret this trip to Tianzhu to seek the Dharma?"

Xuanzang shook his head, his eyes full of fanaticism: "The poor monk has never regretted it, no, if things develop as those people expected, the poor monk will regret it. However, for this journey, the poor monk has never regretted it It took tens of thousands of miles and lasted ten years. During this period, the poor monk was almost killed by the mouth of wild animals, was also involved in military disasters, and even fell down in the mountains due to the wind and cold. died.

After experiencing all these, he finally arrived in Tianzhu, and finally returned to Datang with the classics of Tianzhu.Perhaps many of Tianzhu's classics are not suitable for the Tang Dynasty, but as long as we take the essence and discard the dross, it will still be of great benefit to my Chinese Buddhism.After the end of the different Buddhist scriptures in the north, the south, the east, and the west, and the differences between different sects, there will be much less disputes. "

Hearing Xuanzang say these words, both Huiming and Huijue couldn't help clasping their hands together.Disputes within the Buddhist sect are also very serious. The current mainstream classics are "Nirvana Sutra", "Mahayana Theory", "Miscellaneous Abhidhamma Theory", "Kisha Theory" and other scriptures.Because monks in the north, south, and east have different emphases, they have different views.

Every year, two different sects will hold a conference called discussion, which is actually to compete for superiority.And Xuanzang brought back a large number of classics on his trip to the west to seek the Dharma.As soon as these classics come out, the rest of the sects will shut up, at least they will stop a lot, and they will stop arguing about who is superior and who is inferior.Only when the Buddhist sects let go of their prejudices can they integrate and fight against the persecution of the Taoist sects together.

Seeing Huiming and Huijue's emotions, Li Chengqian guessed their thoughts very closely.

Buddhism needs to be integrated, and Taoism also needs to be integrated. Only when they have become a huge one with each other can they control the influence while fighting.Now that Yuan Tiangang has made up his mind on the Taoist side, it is time to move forward on the Buddhist side.

Thinking of this, Li Chengqian said to Xuanzang: "I didn't allow you to go to Tianzhu at the beginning, because I was afraid that the classics you brought back would affect the purity of Buddhism in China. Xuanzang, since you have brought the scriptures back now, I have to go with you." You have three chapters, as long as you agree to these three points, Gu will allow you to translate the scriptures, and promote it in the Tang Dynasty, and even persuade the academy to open the book printing shop to you, how about it?"

Huijue said in surprise: "His Royal Highness, poor monk..."

Li Chengqian pointed to the door.

Seeing the impatient look of the prince, Huiming quickly took Huijue out.

When there were only two people left in the ward, Li Chengqian asked, "Do you agree?"

Xuanzang exerted a little strength, but found that he did not have the strength to support his upper body, so he gave up, nodded and said, "The poor monk naturally agrees, I wonder how His Royal Highness is planning to make three chapters?"

"First, and the simplest point. I believe that you went to Tianzhu and saw the Buddhist teachings of Tianzhu, which is not what you want. The essence may still exist, but there is also a lot of dross added. Therefore, I ask you When translating scriptures, those dross must be removed. Believe you, you think so too."

"His Royal Highness, don't worry, the poor monk can tell the difference."

"Second, for some time in the future, you are not allowed to participate in the dispute between Buddhism and Taoism. Moreover, this matter must be kept secret."

"The poor monk has no intention of competing with the Taoist sect, His Royal Highness is too worried."

"As for the third one."

Li Chengqian stood up, looked at the sunset outside the window and said: "Third, when you have enough influence in the Buddhist sect of the Tang Dynasty in the future, I hope you can help Gu once..."

Third, Li Chengqian chatted with Xuanzang for a long time.There was Zhang Yun outside the door, and the Sky Monkey outside the window, so I wasn't afraid of being overheard.By the time the conversation was over, the sun was about to set.

After leaving the ward, he ignored Huiming and Huijue's invitation, and Li Chengqian chose to leave directly.

Xuanzang's injury is not life-threatening, and he can recover almost after a ten-day recuperation at most.What concerned him most at this moment was Murpido.

This time, Tianzhu's action was really too bold.They were always timid and used to submitting, so why did they dare to take the risk this time?If it's just that the distance is far away, it's not enough to be the whole reason.

Both Murpido and the captured captive monks were imprisoned in the secret stronghold of Baiqisi outside Chang'an City.

Entering the dungeon, I saw an acquaintance.

Duan Yunzhi!

Duan Yunzhi knelt down on one knee to salute, got up without talking nonsense, and led Li Chengqian to the interrogation room inside.

There is basically no difference between the interrogation rooms in the world, or the interrogation methods are the same.Roasting, whipping, salt water, lingchi, sticks...

During the time he went to visit Xuanzang, Murpido had already endured countless punishments, and he looked extremely miserable, but judging from his not so violent chest ups and downs, these tortures were nothing more than nothing to him. Drizzle only.

Standing outside the interrogation room, Duan Yunzhi sighed: "At this point, even if he is a low-ranking person, he has to admire this guy. Because he is afraid of hurting his life, the punishments that will not hurt his life are used, although It’s not serious enough, but he has endured all of it, even if he has a humble job, he has to admire him.”

Hearing the screams and begging for mercy from the other interrogation rooms, Li Chengqian asked, "Where are the others? Did you say anything?"

"Those are softies, and they have confessed everything. However, they are all like fish, and they only confess that they are under the command of Meunier and Murpido, and they are acting under the orders of the king, but they don't know other."

"That being the case, then send them to meet their former companions, so you don't have to torture them like this."

After finishing speaking, Li Chengqian pushed open the door of the interrogation room and walked in.

On a torture instrument similar to a cross, Murpido was forced to open his mouth with something stuffed in his mouth, and a shackle forcibly locked his head, keeping his head bowed.It seems that this is to prevent him from biting his tongue or choking on blood and phlegm.