bookcurios Chapter 323 Everything is ready, all we need is the east wind!
Chapter 323 Everything is ready, all we need is the east wind!
After hearing King Zhao's soul-searching question, Yu Qiangwei fell into silence, looking very conflicted.
After a long time, she finally made up her mind to come.
"Your Highness, let me handle this matter. I can use this opportunity to bring the little emperor to Yuquan Pavilion!"
When King Zhao saw Yu Qiangwei finally nodded, he was very happy and hugged her and kissed her hard twice.
"Qiangwei, I'm going back first. I'll come back before nightfall tomorrow. I hope that by then, we can capture and kill the little emperor in one fell swoop and achieve our eternal hegemony!"
When talking about "eternal hegemony", he could not suppress his inner excitement and was extremely excited.
"Okay, be careful!"
……
Zen Master Kongxiang, who had been guarding outside the door, saw King Zhao come out, clasped his hands together, and chanted a Buddhist name to him.
"Amitabha!"
The purpose of this trip has been achieved, and he also got to taste the intoxicating flavor of the Jade Rose, which made King Zhao very proud.
The only drawback is that the time is too short and it is really not enjoyable enough.
"Master, the matter has been resolved. Let's go back first!"
Zen Master Kongxiang nodded slightly and followed behind Prince Zhao Yingguang towards the underground palace of the imperial mausoleum.
When King Zhao Yingguang and Zen Master Kongxiang returned to the ground.
Zhao Wuji and others had already arrived.
"I've met the prince!"
"I've met the master!"
King Zhao nodded slightly as a gesture of greeting.
Immediately, he looked around and asked, "Where is Yan Qing? Where did he go?"
When Tietou heard King Zhao asking about Yan Qing, he was startled and became alert.
Before he could answer, Li Changsheng's voice came.
"Your Majesty, I'm here!"
Tietou stepped forward and asked, "Yanqing, what were you doing just now? Why did you take so long?"
Li Changsheng smiled awkwardly and said, "I didn't do anything. I just had a stomachache, so I went out to relieve myself!"
Tietou naturally didn't believe such words.
"You went out to relieve yourself, how could you be gone for so long?"
"Hey, what are you hiding behind your back? Take it out for me!"
Before he could finish his words, Tietou rushed forward, trying to snatch what Li Changsheng had hidden behind his back.
When Tietou discovered that they were all medicinal herbs, he was suddenly confused again.
"What are these?"
"Nothing, just some common herbs!"
When Li Changsheng answered, his eyes were a little evasive.
Zen Master Kongxiang took a quick look and said, "These are Curculigo, Placenta, and Night-Jasmine..."
King Zhao came forward and asked in a low voice, "Master, what are the effects of these herbs?"
Zen Master Kong Xiang put his hands together and said, "It nourishes the kidneys and liver, and strengthens the yang!"
When King Zhao heard that these herbs could nourish and strengthen yang, his eyes lit up on the spot.
"Iron Head, don't be rude!"
After scolding Tietou, King Zhao walked up to Li Changsheng and patted him on the shoulder.
With the tone of a person who has experienced it, he gave earnest advice:
"Yanqing, young people must learn to be moderate and take care of their health. Otherwise, when you get older, you will regret it!"
Li Changsheng: "..."
"Your Highness is absolutely right. I will definitely keep it in mind!"
After King Zhao finished speaking, he felt that it was inappropriate to talk about these things with his subordinates, so he smiled awkwardly and turned to find Zhao Wuji and others to arrange things.
……
Seeing that King Zhao did not suspect anything, Li Changsheng secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
But before he could relax a bit, he suddenly found that Zen Master Kongxiang was looking at him.
When their eyes met, Li Changsheng avoided her with a guilty conscience.
However, Zen Master Kongxiang said nothing, but just put his hands together and silently chanted a Buddhist name to him.
"Amitabha!"
Li Changsheng's heart was instantly in his throat. He forced a smile and chanted a Buddhist mantra in response.
Zen Master Kongxiang asked, "Donor Yanqing, are you also interested in Buddhism?"
Li Changsheng couldn't understand why the monk suddenly thought of asking him this question.
“There are some studies, but they’re just scratching the surface!”
At this moment, the night wind suddenly blew, causing the royal flag to flutter.
Zen Master Kongxiang pointed at the royal flag and asked, "When the wind blows the royal flag, which one is moving, the wind or the flag?"
Li Changsheng looked in the direction of Zen Master Kongxiang's finger and saw the royal flag fluttering in the night wind.
Isn’t this the story about the Sixth Patriarch Huineng recorded in the Platform Sutra?
Tietou, who was standing next to him, interrupted and said, "Master, is there any need to ask? It must be the flag moving!"
Zhao Si disagreed: "No, without the wind, how could the royal flag move? In my opinion, it is the wind that is moving!"
Tietou and Zhao Si each held their own opinions and immediately started arguing fiercely.
This quarrel even aroused the interest of Prince Zhao Yingguang and Zhao Wuji.
However, neither of them could tell at this moment what was moving.
Li Changsheng said: "It's not the wind that's moving, nor the flag, but the heart that's moving!"
"Is it heart-throb?"
After hearing Li Changsheng's answer, everyone present looked at him in surprise.
So they all looked at Zen Master Kongxiang.
Zen Master Kongxiang clasped his hands together and said, "Amitabha, Benefactor Yanqing, you are indeed destined to be with us Buddhists!"
Li Changsheng: "..."
This is the rhythm of trying to make me become a monk!
King Zhao smiled and tried to smooth things over, saying, "Master, I know you've always wanted to find a talented disciple to carry on your legacy. However, I'll keep Yan Qing; he'll be of great use to me!"
"Besides, she just got married. How could she be willing to follow you into Buddhism?"
Zen Master Kongxiang did not answer any more, but just lowered his head and silently chanted Amitabha.
Li Changsheng's mind was in turmoil. For some reason, he always felt that this Zen Master Kongxiang seemed to have seen through his disguise long ago.
However, due to some reasons, it has not been exposed yet.
Could it be that he saw that I have wisdom and wanted to accept me as his successor?
This point can be verified from what King Zhao Yingguang said just now.
Thinking of this, Li Changsheng calmed his mind and prepared to paint a big picture for Zen Master Kongxiang.
"Master, to be honest, I have always been very interested in Buddhist techniques. Once, when I was staying at the White Horse Temple, I even dreamed of the Buddha preaching under the Bodhi tree."
"What else is there to say? There is no Bodhi tree, nor is there a mirror stand. Originally, there is nothing, so where can dust gather?"
"I am a dull disciple, and I still haven't figured out the truth behind this. Master, could you please help me solve this puzzle?"
After hearing Li Changsheng's story, Master Kongxiang's calm eyes suddenly became bright.
He repeated these four sentences in his mind several times: "There is no Bodhi tree, nor is there a mirror stand. There is nothing originally, so where can dust gather?"
Every time he silently repeated it, he felt more shocked.
He looked at Li Changsheng excitedly and couldn't wait to ask questions.
"Donor Yan Qing, did you really dream of Buddha in the White Horse Temple?"
When Li Changsheng saw that Zen Master Kongxiang seemed very excited at the moment, he knew in his heart that the big plan he had drawn had worked.
"Of course. Otherwise, such a profound revelation of the Buddha would not have come from the Buddha's mouth. Could it be that I made it up?"
Prince Zhao Yingguang said: "Master, when this matter is over, you will be the national teacher of the Nine Provinces and the master of the White Horse Temple!"
Zen Master Kongxiang then clasped his hands together and bowed to King Zhao, silently chanting the Buddha's name to express his gratitude.
However, his expression at this moment was obviously not as excited as before.
That night, Li Changsheng discussed Buddhism with Master Kongxiang.
At the beginning, King Zhao Yingguang was also involved.
However, as a political being who tirelessly pursues supreme power, he does not believe in these mysterious Buddhist teachings from the bottom of his heart.
He only believes in his fists!
Therefore, after chatting for a few words, he took the initiative to leave on the grounds that he had something to do.
Only Li Changsheng and Zen Master Kongxiang were left to discuss Buddhism.
To be precise, it was basically Master Kongxiang who was the only one explaining Buddhism and preaching the scriptures.
Li Changsheng was listening quietly.
It was just like the English class in my previous life, I was drowsy while listening.
However, he would occasionally quote a few Buddhist classics, which would brighten Zen Master Kongxiang's eyes.
When the sky in the east was about to turn pale, Li Changsheng laughed.
"Master, it's almost dawn. You've been talking all night, you must be thirsty. I'll get you some water!"
Zen Master Kongxiang had a kind face and looked at Li Changsheng quietly.
"Donor Yan Qing, please go!"
After hearing this, Zen Master Kongxiang suddenly said this.
This made Li Changsheng shocked.
"Master, where are you going to let me go? Should I get you some water?"
Zen Master Kongxiang shook his head and said, "Donor, you have profound attainments in Buddhism and are very intelligent. It would be best for you to leave this place and not be contaminated by the karma here!"
After hearing this, Li Changsheng understood.
His disguised identity could not escape the eyes of Zen Master Kongxiang.
He saw that he had intelligence, so he did not expose it.
The reason why I let myself leave now is to save myself.
Li Changsheng calmed down a bit and asked, "Master, if we talk about the study of Buddhism, you are a hundred times better than me."
"But why do you want to get involved in this worldly cause and effect?"
Regarding this question, Zen Master Kongxiang was silent for a long time, then he put his hands together and silently chanted the Buddha's name.
"Amitabha, this is my karma!"
"Donor, considering your affinity with Buddhism, please do me a favor!"
Li Changsheng asked, "Master, what favor can I ask? If I can do it, I will certainly do it!"
Zen Master Kongxiang said, "If I unfortunately pass away, please bring my remains back to the Great Compassion Temple!"
Li Changsheng was shocked when he heard this.
From these two sentences of Zen Master Kongxiang, he keenly captured two key points.
First, Zen Master Kongxiang was very pessimistic about King Zhao Yingguang's action.
Second, he will not reveal his identity for the time being.
Li Changsheng forced himself to remain calm and asked, "Master, the Buddha once said, 'The sea of suffering is boundless, only turning back is the shore!'"
"Master, you have served the Buddha your entire life and should be well aware of this truth. Why are you so stubborn and stubborn?"
In the past, Zen Master Kongxiang often used the saying "The sea of suffering is boundless, turning back is the shore" to persuade others.
But he never expected that these two sentences would be used on him now.
"Amitabha, if I don't go to hell, who will?"
After hearing this, Li Changsheng understood.
Zen Master Kongxiang had already made up his mind.
Before Li Changsheng could persuade him again, the voice of King Zhao Yingguang came over with the wind.
"Master, Yanqing, we can set off now!"
It turned out that when Li Changsheng was talking to Zen Master Kongxiang.
King Zhao had already made the final arrangements.
Zhao Si led two thousand black-armored cavalry to guard this area.
Prince Zhao Yingguang, Zen Master Kongxiang, Zhao Wuji, Tietou and Tiechou led sixty masters and sneaked into the imperial palace through the secret passage of the imperial mausoleum.
Li Changsheng took a quick look and found that among these sixty masters, the weakest one was at the peak of the late Xuan level.
More than half of them have advanced to the Earth level.
There are no fewer than a handful of people at the late Earth level alone.
With such a terrifying lineup, they can easily escape even when facing a siege of tens of thousands of people.
Seeing that Prince Zhao was so well prepared, Li Changsheng secretly worried about the Empress and the others.
Moreover, last night the King of Zhao secretly sneaked into the palace.
He said he was going to see an old friend.
Li Changsheng guessed that he was most likely going to the cold palace to see the Fragrant Concubine Yu Qiangwei.
But this Fragrant Concubine Yuqiangwei was, on the surface, a concubine who had long been buried alive with the late emperor.
It has nothing to do with the Empress.
Why would King Zhao risk such a great risk to find her?
Is it...
Thinking of this, a figure immediately appeared in Li Changsheng's mind.
Princess Tuan Yurou!
Could it be that they are planning to make a breakthrough here?
Thinking of this, Li Changsheng felt inexplicably uneasy.
I always feel like something is going to happen...
……
At the same time, in Changle Palace:
Empress Ying Yue has just arranged everything.
All is ready except for the opportunity.
Just then, his maid suddenly came to report.
It is said that Concubine Rou of Yuquan Pavilion suddenly felt a stomachache and might have a miscarriage.
Upon hearing this, the empress couldn't help but frown slightly.
"Then Concubine Rou is pregnant?"
The maid replied, "Yes, she is three months pregnant!"
The empress muttered, "You son of a bitch!"
Immediately, she subconsciously rubbed her flat belly.
Princess Tuan is already three months pregnant. Could I be pregnant too?
After all, according to the date calculation, her coming to menstruation has been delayed for half a month.
Just as the empress's soul was wandering in the sky, Qingying's voice suddenly rang out.
"Your Majesty, the Imperial City Department has found out that Princess Tuan, Yurou, has an aunt named Yuqiangwei, who was once a concubine of the late emperor."
"Furthermore, this Yu Qiangwei had an ambiguous relationship with Prince Zhao before she entered the palace."
"I suspect that Princess Tuan is very likely one of King Zhao's people. This is most likely their conspiracy!"
The empress withdrew her thoughts and said calmly, "If I don't show up, how can King Zhao and the others be willing to show up?"
Qingying was still a little worried and said, "Your Majesty, the King of Zhao is a Heaven-level Grandmaster, and he has a Zen Master Kongxiang at the peak of his combat power by his side. If you show up rashly, you might be in danger!"
Ying Yue disagreed and said, "Li Changsheng said something very good. You can't get a tiger cub without entering the tiger's den!"
Qingying wanted to persuade her again, but was stopped by Yingyue.
"Qingying, you don't need to persuade me anymore, I have my own arrangements!"
Qingying knew the empress's temper. Seeing that she couldn't persuade her, she had to settle for the next best option.
"Your Majesty, how about this? Let me go over and take a look first to find out what's going on?"
"That way, even if something unexpected happens, you'll be able to deal with it calmly!"
Ying Yue pondered for a moment, felt that this method was safer, and nodded.
"Well, be careful!"
Qingying nodded solemnly: "Yes, I will!"