Idle courtiers

Chapter 90 Elegant hobby (recommendation ticket requested)
Speaking of Miaotong Temple, it is actually not far away, just seven miles outside the city.

The reason why it got its name is because there is a tall brick tower here, which is called: Miaotong Tower.

It is said that this view was built in the era of Emperor Renzong of the Song Dynasty, and there is an underground palace under the tower, which houses the relic and golden coffin of an eminent monk in the Song Dynasty. It is a Buddhist temple.It is a pity that the temple was later destroyed by war and became a Taoist temple after reconstruction.

But the tower remained.

The pagoda is called a pagoda in the Buddhist language. There is a big pagoda standing alone in the Taoist temple, and there seems to be something wrong.

Speaking of which, Zhou Nan has been in Andong County for more than half a year and has not been here yet.In ancient times when spare time life was not very rich, this place was also the only leisure spot for the people of Andong.

The Winter Solstice Festival is coming soon, the snow has stopped today, the red sun is high, and many pilgrims come to the temple to burn incense and pray for blessings.Zhou Nan came to You Xing immediately, and walked around the Taoist temple with the book office.

The secretary's surname is Bai, and his first name is the fifth day of the first month. I guess he was born on the fifth day of the first month.Ordinary people in the Ming Dynasty didn't bother to think about names, and they used the day of birth as their name.For example, Huo Lichun, Xia Hanlu, Zhu Chongba...

Bai Chuwu's name is ordinary, but he is smart. In addition, he is young, with red lips and white teeth, and delicate skin. If he puts on a Confucian robe, he will be a romantic scholar. Naturally, the aunts and sisters-in-law who come to worship will turn their heads to look at him frequently.

Zhou Nan laughed secretly: If I had known earlier, I would not have brought Bai Chuwu here, but he stole my limelight.Compared with Xiao Wu, I have become a rough old man.The aesthetics of this ancient woman is really speechless. I don't like such a fit and refreshing young man, but I like Bai Chuwu, a malnourished frail person like Bai Chuwu with shoulders and waist.

The Taoist temple is not big, and it took only a moment to finish the tour. Zhou Nan grabbed a knower and said, "Little Taoist, go and tell your abbot. I'm from the county government. If you have anything to talk to him."

"What's the matter? But if you want to perform deeds, do you want to exorcise evil spirits or pray for blessings, fortune-telling or word-testing? My temple master is in the Qing Dynasty, and if you don't see outsiders, you can tell me the same if you have something to do?" Ordinary Taoists, if they see the visitor is an official in the yamen, He has long been respectfully welcomed into the meditation room and offered tea.

The little Taoist priest had an arrogance on his face, and he also liked to ignore Zhou Nan.

Zhou Nan was about to get angry, Bai Chuwu hurriedly said: "Little Immortal Chief, this is Master Zhou from the county government's ceremonial room. My county lord wants to invite Xuanzhen Immortal Chief to offer sacrifices to rain and snow on the winter solstice, so I am here to invite you."

Seeing Bai Chuwu's handsome appearance, the little Taoist priest's face softened a lot: "Please my temple master, how much do you give?"

Bai Chuwu: "The county lord is willing to pay ten taels of silver."

The little Taoist sneered: "Just listen to the sound in the happy box for ten taels. Is this the sincerity of your county lord?"

This is simply bargaining in the vegetable market. Zhou Nan was annoyed: "How much do you want?"

The little Taoist: "What kind of fairy is my temple master, if he goes out to perform rituals, he will pay hundreds of taels."

Yes, Taoist Xuanzhen is the direct disciple of the old god Shao Yuanjie, what a status.Not to mention Nanzhili, how can I say that he is also the leader of the Huai'an Mansion's downfall, ten taels of silver, and send beggars?
I really don't like it.

"Hundreds of taels?" Zhou Nan's face was ashen, holding the grass mud Mara next door, isn't this robbing people? 100 taels, enough to buy two houses in Andong City, Miaotongguan has a big appetite, do you think I'm a Kaizi?

Before Zhou Nan got angry, the little Taoist said: "It seems that Master Zhou didn't come here with sincerity, so I'm sorry Xiaodao won't accompany you." Then he walked away.

Bai Chuwu: "Master, how can this be good?"

Zhou Nan said: "Xiao Wu, I understand that the Taoists here are all looking for money. After the death of Butcher Zhang, do they still eat hairy pigs? At worst, let's find another one. Anton can't find it, and other counties can't invite them." Come? The county lord didn't specify to invite Taoist Xuanzhen, anyway, just get a famous Taoist priest to do the job."

Bai Chuwu had a bitter face: "Master, the county lord only allocated ten taels of silver. Even if you go to another county to ask for it, you may not be able to get it. Is it possible that we have to pay for it when we work for the elder?"

What he said was clear, how could a county-level legal ceremony be hasty.Invite the Taoist priests in this county, because they have the face of the government, they can reduce expenses.If you go to other places, the cost may exceed the plan.

Zhou Nan frowned, thinking that he couldn't go back like this, he had to find a way to meet Shang Xuanzhen, show him politely, and move him with affection, so that he could show respect to Shi Zhixian.

Just at this time, the little Taoist ran over again in a hurry and shouted: "But Zhou Zimu of the county government has invited me for the Zhou ceremony." Please Haihan. The master’s name has already been heard like thunder, but today he has eyes but does not recognize the true god, forgive me!"

"Am I so famous?" Zhou Nan nodded proudly, "Thank you little fairy to lead the way."

Soon, he and Bai Chuwu were taken to an elegant alchemy room at the back.

The so-called alchemy room is the place where Taoists practice.

The alchemy of Taoism is divided into two types: outer alchemy and inner alchemy. The outer alchemy is to use a stove to make elixir, which belongs to the category of primitive chemistry; the inner alchemy is to meditate and practice qigong.

Obviously, Taoist Xuanzhen is a master of the outside world who cultivates both internally and externally.There is a flaming alchemy furnace in his alchemy room, bottles and jars are everywhere in the room, and the scorching air is filled with the choking smell of chemicals.Looking closely, there are labels on those bottles, with big characters such as "Amethyst", "Red Stone Fat", "Stalactite", "Mercury", "Graphite" and "Lead".

Taoist Xuanzhen, on the other hand, sat cross-legged and closed his eyes on the futon, letting out a long breathing sound, obviously letting out the old and inhaling the new.

This person was in his early fifties, with white hair and a childlike face, his face was clean and clean, but he was dignified.

Seeing Zhou Nan coming, Xuanzhen opened his eyes, looked at the two of them with crystal clear eyes, and smiled at the corner of his mouth: "Little friend Zimu, I haven't seen you for ten years, but I still look good! It's just that I'm much stronger and darker than him. Compared with the old appearance, it is much inferior. I think you and Mr. Mei often came to my Taoist temple Panheng, and the three of you and I practiced Zen and asked questions. It was a great joy. But the eldest son is not fake, what a pity, what a pity ah!"

"Master Daoist, you said that I am still handsome, and that I am much inferior than before. Isn't that contradictory?" Zhou Nan smiled, then hesitated again, and thought: No, this old man seems to know me before. That Zhou Xiucai seemed to be very familiar with each other.I have to be careful with what I say, lest he see something wrong.

Fortunately, Taoist Xuanzhen didn’t talk much, after hearing Zhou Nan’s explanation of his visit, he smiled and said: “The poor Daoist has been practicing in seclusion for many years, and he has long since stopped asking about world affairs. Go and talk to your county lord. Say sorry."

Zhou Nan was about to continue persuading, Xuanzhen Dao said humanely: "Zimu, you don't need to talk about these boring things. By the way, the old Taoist said back then that you are a very good person, and you are a rare Puyu. Why don't you join me?" In my school, learn some methods of longevity. Even if you can't live forever, you can still cultivate individual fitness. Since you are here today, you can come to me more often in the future. By the way, this little brother Bai also has a good root , might as well come together."

Zhou Nan couldn't laugh or cry when he failed to come to ask for help, but instead he was recruited to practice in the sect.

He wanted to persuade him again, but he felt someone pulling his sleeve, and when he looked back, Bai Chuwu was giving him a wink.

Then, the Baishu Office took another step forward: "Sir, my master still has official business in the yamen, so I can't stay for a long time, so I will leave first."

"Go, go!" Taoist Xuanzhen closed his eyes again.

After leaving the Taoist temple, Bai Chuwu's forehead was covered with sweat and was steaming hot.

Zhou Nan: "Xiao Wu, it's so hot in the alchemy room, Xuanzhen can really stand it? Hey, it's a waste of time, this matter is difficult."

Bai Chuwu suddenly said: "No, Xuanzhen has already agreed. But..."

"He agreed, why can't I hear it?" Zhou Nan felt puzzled: "Xiao Wu, but what?"

Bai Chuwu's sweat continued to ooze: "However, he made a condition, not only asking you to go to him again, but also implicating the humble job."

"The condition is to accept us as his apprentices? In fact, it's not bad for you and me to be his registered disciples!" Zhou Nan felt moved when he heard Bai Chuwu say this.Xuanzhen was Shao Yuanjie's apprentice, Taoism had a high status in the Jiajing year, and I became his apprentice, which is also good for the future.

The former Zhou Xiucai should have been a learned person, plus he was handsome and unrestrained, so it was obvious that he was a talent.It must be Taoist Xuanzhen who wanted to lead him in because he was in love with talent.

It's a pity that Zhou Xiucai at that time was a disciple of Confucianism, and he was only interested in the imperial examination to become an official. He was not very interested in Taoist theories, so he declined Xuanzhen.

Considering Zhou Xiucai's status as a scholar, Taoist Xuanzhen did it.

Now Zhou Nan is just a clerk in the yamen, there is no hope of becoming an official in the imperial examination, Xuanzhen brings up the old story again.

Zhou Nan said to Bai Chuwu: "Little Wu, if you really want to be a teacher, I have to do it first. You are behind me, so I can't call you my senior brother." He laughed loudly and bowed his hands to him: "I met Junior Brother Bai."

But Bai Chuwu jumped up in shock, his face turned pale, and he asked in a trembling voice: "Master really wants to find Xuanzhen?"

Zhou Nan nodded: "What's wrong, anyway, it's just a name, and you don't need to become a monk. The errands assigned by the county lord must be done properly. Anyway, you and I have nothing to lose, Xiaowu, you just follow Xuan Really grow up!"

"No, no, no." Bai Chuwu yelled: "Master, you really don't know anything, so you can't go to that place."

"What's wrong?" Seeing his pale face, Zhou Nan asked in confusion.

Bai Chuwu said: "Master, I heard people say that Taoist Xuanzhen likes handsome young people, especially elegant and fair scholars. Every time a scholar goes to the Taoist temple to stay overnight, he will treat him graciously, and even talk to him at night .When the scholar leaves, he will also send a large sum of money."

"It's like old friends at first sight. It's a common thing for scholars to talk at night in bed and discuss knowledge. It's nothing.... Talk at night, sleep together in the same bed..." Zhou Nan's hairs stood on end, and only this ancient poem "Picking Chrysanthemums in the East Fence" echoed in his heart Next, leisurely see Nanshan."

Bai Chuwu nodded: "Yes, the master finally understands. Taoist Xuanzhen's condition is that you and I will go to him at night."

Zhou Nan sighed: "I didn't expect it, I didn't expect it, Xuanzhen, you have a childlike face... No, a guy with a childish face and white hair also has such elegant hobbies?"

(End of this chapter)