Chapter 209 The Birth of the First "Imperial Merchant"
The pavilion stopped shaking, and the water in the three teacups on the table stopped rippling.
Zhao Duan pretended to be calm, stared at the white-robed monk in front of him, and said:
"I don't understand Buddhism either. What I just said is biased. Master, please make your own decision."
After all, he was a high monk of Shenlong Temple, and he felt that he had used too much force just now.
He was afraid that it would have the opposite effect. After all, he just wanted to gain some benefits and had no intention of making another enemy for no reason.
However, to Bian Ji, these words sounded more like a kind of comfort.
He shook his head, unable to calm down. He had only intended to take a quick look at this rising figure.
But it almost shook his Buddhist heart, which was something he could never have imagined before.
Especially the other party's last Buddhist verse, although simple and plain, it was like a steel knife, cutting open his heart with blood, making him feel as if a thorn in his back.
Is this... really something a younger generation of cultivators can say?
"I will take note of what the envoy said today. It is getting late, so I will not bother you any more. I will take my leave now." Bian Ji stood up and said.
He used spells to suppress his mind, but it was not a long-term solution. At this moment, he felt very eager to go home.
"Master, please do as you please," said Zhao Duan.
Then, he watched the white-robed monk go downstairs and leave. He was stunned for a moment, a little dumbfounded.
I didn't expect that this monk got a Buddhist verse from me for free but didn't show any appreciation at all.
Leaving now?
How can he be even more deceiving than Lao Wang...
But then I thought about how my deliberate PUA words might have caused her psychological harm, so I felt a bit embarrassed to ask for money...
"Wait, I forgot to ask him why he wanted to see me..."
Only after Zhao Duan and others left did he remember this and shook his head helplessly. He could only ask again next time he met them.
He quickly drank some tea and ate some cakes to fill his stomach, then got up and rushed to the yamen.
The young cabinet minister suffered a loss, and although the matter was over, there were still some finishing touches that he had to deal with personally.
…
…
Shenlong Temple.
"Meet the Master."
In the glorious glow of clouds, the monks who were sweeping the floor stopped and saluted when they saw Bian Ji returning.
However, Bian Ji, who would always respond with a smile in the past, seemed to have lost his soul today. He walked hurriedly and headed straight for the main hall at the back.
"What happened to the Mage today? He ignored us."
"Is there something urgent?"
The monks looked at each other in confusion.
main hall.
Inside that quiet and magnificent Buddhist temple.
Bian Ji climbed up the stairs and pushed open a vermilion door. Inside the hall, the sound of wooden fish knocking reached his ears.
In an instant, his restless heart calmed down.
In the hall, the huge golden Buddha statue looks down with a compassionate expression.
He was wearing a brown cassock, his eyes were closed, he was short in stature, and his appearance was ordinary, but serious.
"Master, I have a doubt."
Bian Ji stepped over the threshold, walked behind Xuan Yin and said respectfully.
The knocking sound of the wooden fish suddenly stopped. After waiting for a few breaths, the old monk, who seemed to be in a trance and only had a body left, slowly opened his eyes.
But he did not turn to look at him, but just looked at the Buddha statue, where the sandalwood incense was curling.
"What is it?"
Bian Ji did not hesitate and immediately repeated the conversation between himself and Zhao Duan in detail.
Finally, he said, "I was moved by his words, but I also felt that they were not right, so I came to ask."
All appearances...are the Tathagata... Abbot Xuanyin pondered over this verse, as if Mount Tai were collapsing before him without changing his expression. A hint of strange color appeared on his wrinkled face as he spoke:
"What do you want to ask?"
Bian Ji said respectfully:
"Have you, my disciple, become obsessed with appearances, yet are completely unaware of this? As Zhao Duan said, clinging to external appearances has obscured your true nature."
Xuan Yin asked, "Do you feel that your heart has become dusty?"
Bian Ji was bewildered: "I don't know."
Xuan Yin said calmly:
"Buddhism emphasizes letting go of attachments, but it does not mean giving up attachments. One should hold on to something, but not be stubborn. A clear mind and a heart as bright as a mirror are the key points of practice.
Practicing Buddhism and seeking Buddhahood does not mean cutting off all suffering. When you save others, do you have any selfish thoughts?
Have you ever reached a state of selflessness? Can you sacrifice yourself for others? Can you have a heart of genuine compassion?
If you must ask me about these things, just ask yourself, and there will be no hindrance."
Ask yourself...Bian Ji subconsciously pressed his hand on his chest.
"Letting go of attachments does not mean giving up attachments... Disciples preach the Dharma for the sake of the Buddha's prosperity, with a selfless heart and no ego... Having attachments does not hinder one's original mind..."
"Disciples save all living beings. Since I encourage them to become Buddhas, I should also sacrifice my body for others. If I only ask this heart, I will directly become a Buddha..."
Bian Ji questioned his inner self again and again, and felt that the dust in his heart was wiped away again and again, and gradually it became clear and bright.
The Buddha's heart, which had been slightly shaken, not only recovered as before, but became even more stable than before.
"Amitabha, disciple understands."
Bian Ji stood up and walked out of the palace with a smile.
Inside the Buddhist temple, Abbot Xuanyin gently tapped the wooden fish and murmured softly:
"Zhao Duan..."
When did such a demon that could bewitch people appear in the capital?
…
…
Imperial Court.
Just before dark, Zhao Duan arrived at Lihua Hall on horseback.
He saw four men waiting in the hall.
Seeing him return, he stood up to greet him: "I greet you, sir."
Zhao Duan nodded and asked, "Where are the people?"
Qian Kerou understood immediately and said, "In the duty room, I will take you there."
In the duty room.
Madam Lin, with her oval face and drooping eyebrows, looks quite similar to Concubine Yuan. She sits quietly on a round stool with an anxious look on her face.
Almost a whole day had passed since she was brought here, but she still hadn't arrived, and they were afraid that something might happen.
Until the door was pushed open, the "traitor" who had appeared in Shenlong Temple a few days ago and extended a helping hand to her when she was about to fall into despair appeared with a smile.
"Mrs. Lin, we meet again."
"Master Zhao!" Madam Lin's eyes lit up, she stood up suddenly, and then bowed down:
"I am Lin Susu, a humble girl. Thank you for your help, sir."
Zhao Duan accepted it with a smile, and then the host and guest sat down.
After a brief greeting, Zhao Duan looked at her expression and stopped talking nonsense, taking out two things from his arms.
On the left is a stack of banknotes, and on the right is a strange deed:
"I have not broken my promise to you. Since this is a deal, now is the time to fulfill my promise.
The order for your husband's acquittal has now been sent to the south by the imperial cavalry.
Of course, you have offended Li Yinglong this time, and when he comes to his senses, he may retaliate.
By then, with your abilities, you two will surely be unable to contend... Therefore, I will give you two choices."
Zhao Duan pointed to the banknote on the left:
"Take this, and it will be enough money for you to leave the capital, reunite with your husband, and hide your identity and make a living somewhere else. You will completely cut off all ties with the government, and as long as you avoid the Li family's sight, you can live a carefree life."
He pointed to the business contract on the right:
"As for this, it's another option. The court is promoting new policies, opening markets and introducing merchants. In the first batch, they want some merchants to serve as role models and work for the court.
There are risks, of course, but the benefits are greater. Of course, the biggest benefit for you is that once you choose to join the court and become a businessman who paves the way for the court's new policies, you will be taken care of and will be safer. Li Yinglong also has to take this into consideration.
The disadvantage is that once you enter the court, you will be involved in disputes."
He said calmly:
"The choice is entirely up to you. You don't have to give an answer right away. There's a team from the Imperial Court heading south. You can go with them and make your decision when you get there."
Lin Susu raised her head in surprise.
Without hesitation, she reached out and picked up the contract, but saw that the name on it was not her husband's, but her own name.
"I choose this one." She said in a firm tone.
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
