Volume 1: The Scholar's Sword Minister Chapter 75: Dark Clouds

  Jiangzhou, Wu Prefecture, the gate is like a market, regardless of the front door, side door, or back door, there are long lines of people standing upright on the roadside, waiting to meet Rainbow * Wen % i Hong Wee

  These people standing are not ordinary folks, each one is either an official or a noble. If they were in a different place, they would be showing off their power and prestige. But now, outside the Wu Manor, they can only stand humbly and quietly, not daring to make a loud noise. Some of them don't even allow their servants to attend to them, letting the sun beat down on them until they're drenched in sweat, only then can they show off their "sincerity".

  Their eyes occasionally glanced over, but once they saw the black-shirted guards standing at the gate, they quickly lowered their heads again, not daring to look straight.

  At the entrance of Wu's mansion, four black-shirted guards stood on duty, each with a robust build and an aura of sternness, standing as straight as spears, like four statues, not moving at all.

  Inside the mansion, two teams of black-shirted guards stood in formation, their defense was dense and imposing.

  In the hall, Wu Wenzai was accompanying a leader and a monk wearing a large red kasaya to drink tea and chat.

  That leader was not very tall, with a square face and extremely thick eyebrows. The eyes under his eyebrows were quite small, relatively speaking, they seemed to be just a slit.

  Even in casual tea drinking, he still wore armor and a steel helmet, with a red tassel on top, showing his extraordinary status.

  Governor Zhou

  It was Zhou Tong, the commander in charge of escorting Master Hong to Jiangzhou, who had a nickname "Qian Tu Zhou" (Thousand Butcher Zhou). He had been with the Black Shirt Guard for ten years and was notorious for his violent temper. If he saw a chicken that didn't please him, he would throw a knife at it and behead it just for fun.

  That monk, wearing a solemn red cassock, with a round face and big ears, thick lips, nose like a hanging gallbladder, an extremely auspicious appearance, sat in the chair, very calm, looking like a highly enlightened monk.

  Wu Wencai got up and poured tea for him, saying respectfully: "Liedong Master, please have some tea."

  The Empty Great Master smiled and clasped his hands together: "Thank you, Wu Gongzi"

  Wu Wenzai beamed with delight: "Master, you're too kind! This time Master led all the disciples to Jiangzhou to preach and transform worldly people. I'd like to represent the people of Jiangzhou in thanking Master."

  The old master smiled and said, "Young master, you are too serious. Since I entered the Buddhist door, I have made a great vow to transform all sentient beings in the world, let them leave suffering and turn their heads back."

  Wu Wenzai flattered him again

  "That side Zhou Tong suddenly asked: 'Young master, is there any good place for hunting near Jiangzhou? I've been staying in the city and feel bored and depressed.'"

  On the one hand, Master Kong's eyebrows furrowed, but he didn't say a word. In Buddhist monastic rules, killing is against the precepts. However, Zhou Tong, as a fierce warrior, naturally wouldn't be bound by Buddhist rules and couldn't be restrained.

  "Wu Wenzai said: 'General Zhou, there is indeed a good place for hunting nearby, called Fengshan. The back mountain of Fengshan is high and densely forested, with many wild beasts living there, including wild boars, leopards, tigers...'"

  Hearing this, Commander Zhou was overjoyed, his thick eyebrows rising up, and he said: "This is perfect, tomorrow I will bring a few attendants to hunt in that Maple Mountain"

  Wu Wencai hastily said: "Commander Zhou, if you don't mind, I'd like to lead the way"

  Although he is the son of Shang, he himself has no power or position. In front of the black shirt guard leader who holds the power to kill and punish, his attitude must be lowered a few points in order to build a good relationship. Not to mention that he is an official second generation, even if his old man came personally, seeing Zhou Tongling would have to lower his voice and show humility.

  All because of the status of the Black Shirt Guard, they are directly under the command of the Emperor and completely independent of the civil and military officials.

  The empty great master suddenly interjected: "Commander, young master, why don't I also go with you tomorrow?"

  Zhou Tongling was taken aback and asked in surprise: "Master, are you going to follow me and help those beasts who can't cultivate?"

  The empty great master shook his head and said, "To be honest, this time the old monk was favored by the holy one, came to Jiangzhou to hold a grand Buddhist meeting, in fact, there is another wish, that is, to establish a temple on the ground of Jiangzhou, recruit believers, this can better spread Buddhism, ferrying all living beings"

  Zhou Tongling sneered: "I'm saying, Master, when you built the temple, shouldn't it be in a densely populated area within the city? Why do you have to go to the desolate wilderness to search?"

  "The great master of emptiness joined his palms together and said: 'The leader has something he doesn't know. In the Buddhist temple, we can't casually choose a location. We must have a place with spiritual energy. Only then can we invite the Buddha to descend and manifest."

  "Alright, as you wish."

  Zhou Tongling was somewhat impatient with his lectures, he practiced martial arts, only loyal to the emperor, killing people without blinking, whether it was Taoism or Buddhism, in his opinion, they were all heretical and evil paths. As a heretic, of course, he would not listen.

  From Zhou Tong's standpoint, Leng Qian Dashi was simply full of fake compassion. If Leng Qian Dashi dared to come and recite scriptures to enlighten him, he would probably be killed by him without hesitation before the wooden fish had even been struck.

  Tomorrow, Wu Wencai can go out of the city to hunt, and he is a little excited. These days have been busy, and he has been tired out, so it's just right to ride his horse out for a stroll.

  Knowing the thrill of hunting is sometimes more enjoyable than visiting a brothel, it's a great opportunity to build a good relationship with Zhou Tong and Liedong Dashi, don't miss it.

  ……

  The Dharma Assembly in Jiangzhou City is proceeding with great momentum

  Every day when the conference starts, thousands of people come to listen

  The bell tolls, the wooden fish beats, and with the rhythmic chanting of scriptures, people are unknowingly transported to the legendary Western Paradise, bathed in the radiant light of countless blessings, as if reborn from the ashes.

  An idea arises, faith is born

  The common people have unknowingly become followers, accepting the idea of reincarnation and the concept of suffering...

  Such a grand event, the government has issued an order, instructing the academy to suspend classes in coordination.

  Wang Fu had been to a Buddhist lecture once, but after listening to it once, he would rather die than go again. For him, it was simply a form of torture. What's the point of suffering in this life and enjoying happiness in the next? I'd rather enjoy myself now and live a carefree life!

  For many ideas of spreading Buddhism, Wang Fu couldn't accept them and stopped going to those lively gatherings. Instead, he'd rather visit brothels a few more times, listen to the pipa, and have beauties play the sheng - what's not enjoyable about that?

  Wang Fu originally wanted to invite Chen Jianchen to join in the fun, but when he visited the Chen residence, Mo San Niang said that Chen Jianchen had gone out to travel and study, and was not at home.

  King Wu was taken aback: "Going out to study? In a few days, what kind of learning can you achieve?"

  So-called traveling to study is actually a profession for those born with natural talent. The sages have said: "Reading ten thousand volumes, traveling ten thousand miles" is roughly like this. It's just that as time has passed, traveling to study has become less and less valued. The hardships of traveling are too great.

  For example, Wang Fu, when he was asked to go on a study tour, he simply went to the brothel instead. What can I do? The flowers are in bloom and should be picked. Look at today's sunny noon, but unexpectedly there were dark clouds in the evening, and it's going to rain again...