Xu Damao's Thirty-Six Stratagems in Siheyuan

Look back at the last comment in the previous section, the picture speaks the truth. The stock market was not bad yesterday, especially the planting industry. I followed it for the first time, that is, the largest company in Nanjing 9108, Sukeng. It is really a pit. What's the use of good performance! One hundred lots, for ordinary people, it is really not a small amount, especially for an old man like me. Overnight, it is possible to turn into lush leeks and cut them, and make leek boxes to go with wine. Oh, sometimes I think about what the imperial lyricist said: Since ancient times, sentimental people have been sad about separation, and it is even more unbearable for the leeks in the stock market!

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In a blink of an eye, the first month of the year is over, the temperature is gradually returning to normal, and there is a feeling that spring is approaching.

Xu Damao rode a bicycle with a large box and a small box tied to the back seat, heading to Qianmenwai Street.

"Old man, are you busy? Oh... Teacher Ruan is here too."

Xu Damao arrived at Rumao Baozhai in the morning. As soon as he entered the door, he saw Pu Yulin and Ruan Fangshui drinking tea and playing chess. If you smell carefully, you can smell the scent of sandalwood. The most elegant things in life are: burning incense, drinking tea, listening to the rain, playing the zither, playing chess, drinking wine, planting flowers, reading, waiting for the moon, and looking for quiet places. These two old men have occupied three of them without leaving their house.

"Da Mao, how come you have time to come and see me today? Are you worried about me or are you too restless?"

"Hey, there are some things on my mind that I always wanted to let go of, but I never found the right time. Now I think of it today and want to ask you for advice, Master."

While unloading two boxes from the car seat parked at the door, he carefully carried them into the house and put them away. At the same time, he took the tea set and tea leaves from the tea table, made tea, and then carried the thermos to refill the hot water for the two seniors. Now he watched the two of them talking quietly.

Seeing that the two players were only in the middle of the game, Xu Damao looked at his watch and saw that it was almost noon. He went out to a nearby restaurant and ordered four dishes and three rice bowls, which he asked the waiter to deliver to Rumao Baozhai. He also bought two bottles of Fenjiu before returning to Baozhai.

The service must be in place.

Pu Yulin and Ruan Fangshui saw that Xu Damao had ordered wine and food, and had already set them on the table. The wine glasses were already full, so they didn't care about the final stage of the game. Winning or losing was not important, what mattered was to cultivate their character.

"Teachers, there were so many people at the party before the New Year that I didn't toast you properly. Today, I will make up for it. Come, I will toast you two."

Xu Damao sincerely respected and admired the knowledge and character of the two men, so his attitude was very correct.

"Old Pu, I remember that you were one step ahead of me back then, otherwise Damao would have been my disciple. Alas, you are more fortunate than me. Let's not talk about it anymore, let's drink." Ruan Fangshui clinked glasses with Pu Yulin, then with Xu Damao, drank them all in a huff, then picked up the bottle and filled it up for himself.

"Old Ruan, you are still upset about this matter. If you don't mind, Damao can become your disciple. It's not too late for you to accept him as your apprentice. You are good at porcelain, but I only like miscellaneous items. We each have our own strengths. Besides, Damao doesn't call you teacher. You also pass on your experience to Damao. Don't worry too much about empty things. Eating and drinking are the most important. By the way, Damao, what did you say just now that you were bothered by?"

"Teacher Pu, don't worry, let's eat first. But we can talk about the matter first." Xu Damao drank a glass and filled the glasses for the two.

"Teacher Pu, do you still remember Mr. Meng Qizhen, the one I told you about in the early years, the one who studied Buddhism?"

"How could I not remember that? The old man was a man of great character. It's a pity that, as far as I know, his family seemed to have been destroyed in the turmoil in the past. Looking back, I am really lucky." Ruan Fangshui looked helpless and lonely.

"It is indeed as Teacher Ruan said. Over the years, I have inquired about the whereabouts of Mr. Meng's family. When Mr. Meng arrived in the bitter cold land of Shaanxi and Gansu, he died. Later, his two sons and daughter were persecuted and died one after another. There is no trace of his grandchildren now. He entrusted all his treasures to me. Some of them are Buddhist classics. I took a look and found that they are all handwritten copies of famous masters, which are priceless. I don't want to find a suitable place for these treasures, otherwise they will be destroyed or damaged in my hands one day, and I will not be able to live up to the look of entrustment from Mr. Meng at that time. Really, Teacher Pu, Teacher Ruan, after more than ten years, I still clearly remember the resentful and expectant look of Mr. Meng. Therefore, I often use his expectant spirit to encourage and spur myself. Whenever I have time, I take out those classics to learn to copy them. I have also absorbed a lot of nutrition from those classics and the calligraphy of famous masters."

Pu Yulin looked at Xu Damao very formally for a long time before he raised his glass and drank from Xu Damao.

"Da Mao, the fact that you can say this today proves that you have truly absorbed what you should absorb from the treasures left by the ancients. Are the boxes you brought today those treasures? Do you want the two of us to be firm and take a look, or...?"

"Teacher Pu, Teacher Ruan, both of you are from the museum. Although I was born a worker and have a low level of education, I know deeply through your teachings and my own efforts that some things should not be hidden. To make the objects shine again, the best way is to send them to the museum so that more people can see and feel them, especially the Buddhist classics, which can make the world come to life and teach the people. This is the true value of cultural relics. I would like to ask you to send these two boxes of objects to where they should go. In this way, I can live up to the instructions of Mr. Meng Qizhen, and I can also get peace of mind and peace of mind from them."

When Pu Yulin and Ruan Fangshui heard that there were good things coming, they hurriedly ate their meal, went to the faucet to wash their faces and hands, asked Xu Damao to clean up the food, and lit a new bowl of incense.

When the small box was opened, what came into view was a wood-carved and painted Buddha statue in cross-legged position that Xu Damao had firmly locked in. The statue had a plump face, a broad forehead and a full chin, a dignified and beautiful appearance, and a kind and peaceful expression.

"A typical Song Dynasty statue. The painted part has fallen off, but it is basically intact. Lao Ruan, this is a good thing. It still has some wood fragrance. It's not sandalwood, it should be camphor wood. It's incredible, a good thing."

"Old Pu, it's true. You are an expert on this. You are right to say it is from the Song Dynasty. Most of the features are probably from the Song Dynasty. Mr. Meng is really good at preserving it. Damao is also good. He has kept the statue dusty and the painted parts from falling off over the years. Great, Damao, you have learned a lot."

"Teacher Pu, there is another small box in the box. It should be a magic weapon."

Pu Yulin carefully opened the small box again, and a lotus glowing with blue light appeared on the table.

"Seven Treasures Colored Glass!" Pu Yulin and Ruan Fangshui exclaimed at the same time.

There are golden stamens in the middle of the blue lotus, which looks lifelike.

The two old men were well-informed and were a little surprised. After a long while, they packed everything back to the original state and put the small box in a safe place.

"Da Mao, is this box filled with Buddhist scriptures?"

"Yes." Xu Damao brought the box to the big table, opened the lid, and took out three pairs of white gloves from the drawer next to it, handed them to Pu Yulin and Ruan Fangshui, and put them on himself, and took the copy of the Diamond Sutra on the top.

"Teacher Pu, look, Liu Gongquan's handwritten copy of the Diamond Sutra."

Pu Yulin was startled, put on his gloves quickly, took the manuscript from Xu Damao, examined it carefully, and looked at the binding technique.

"It is undoubtedly a Tang edition, written by Liu Gongquan. Oh my God. I am holding a copy of Liu Gongquan's handwriting in my hand..."