Chapter 42 The two masters compete secretly
New Year’s Day, Fengqing Lake.
There were huge crowds of people.
A huge "Fengqing Ox" statue lies by the lake, peaceful, auspicious, and leisurely.
In front of the "Fengqing Ox," a hundred-meter-long altar was erected, covered with a red carpet. On the carpet was a table, on which were placed grains, chicken, fish, and meat, with a large incense burner beside it.
Mr. Deng invited a master to consecrate the "Fengqing Ox." I served as the master of ceremonies, my first appearance at a large event. In the crowd stood my sister, my brother-in-law, Dongzi, my neighbors, my fans from Xicheng District, Secretary Shen, and his fellow villagers.
My heart was filled with emotion. Wearing a blue robe, standing on the side of the stage,
Sing loudly: Please welcome Master Hongyi to your seat.
The master walked slowly towards the center of the stage with a calm demeanor in a yellow robe.
I sing: Spreading rain and dew——
The man standing next to the washbasin rack picked up a kettle and slowly poured water into the washbasin.
I sing: Clean hands—
The master put his hands into the clean water to wash them.
I sing: Pass the scarf——
The man next to him handed a new towel to the master. The master wiped his hands and stood with his hands hanging down.
I sing: Burning incense.
The master held three incense sticks in his hand and lit the burning candles.
I sing: Circle the altar three times.
The master held incense and walked around the altar, bowing every three steps.
I sing: Paying homage——
The master faced the altar, swung his wide robe, put his hands together, and slowly bent his body, almost at a right angle.
I sing: Stand up——
The master slowly straightened his body.
I sang it three times in a row, and the master bowed to me three times.
I sing: Divination
The master’s technique is really good.
I sing: One hexagram determines the fate of the world, the weather is favorable, everything is suitable, everything is smooth -
I sing: Reading the text——
Two little children beside him each held one end and unfolded an article, and the master began to read.
After reading it, I sang: Burning the Chapter.
The master slowly approached the incense burner and threw the article into the fire.
I sing: We respectfully invite Master Hongyi and Master Kuansheng to consecrate the "Fengqing Ox". Please take your seats, both masters.
The two of them walked to the cow from the east and west sides.
I sing: Open the cow's eyes——
They each stretched out a hand and touched the cow's eyes.
I sing: Caressing the cow's pulse——
They used their hands, one sliding from the ox's tail to the ox's head, and the other sliding from the ox's head to the ox's tail.
I sing: The ceremony is over, the cannon is fired——
Suddenly, eighteen cannons fired a salute, and fireworks shot into the sky.
The staff came over and guided Master, me, Master Kuansheng and his assistant to the VIP room to rest.
President Deng stood up from the first row, walked over, clasped his fists towards the Taoist priest and Kuansheng, and said:
"Thank you for your hard work, Masters." He then said to his master, "Master, one divination can determine the fate of the world. It is the will of heaven and the will of the people. The will of the gods is fulfilled and the spirit of the talisman is realized."
Surrounded by people, with security guards clearing the way, we slowly made our way through the crowd. At that moment, I saw my sister, desperately calling my name: "Shanhong, Shanhong—"
I knew she wasn't so excited that she wanted to hug me, but with that shout, she became the temporary center of attention, and people turned around to look at her. I waved to her.
Someone in front shouted again: "Brother Wan, Master Wan, Mr. Wan——"
I knew they were villagers from the Shen family compound, so I waved to them.
I finally made my way through the crowd. Those ten minutes felt like a lifetime of excitement. Then I wondered why so many people were so shamelessly vying to be the star.
When we got to the VIP room, everyone sat down in groups of three or four to chat. I sat with Master and Master Kuansheng.
Two roosters will fight when they get together, let alone two masters who look down on each other from the bottom of their hearts getting together?
To put it bluntly, I hope they'll fight each other, so I can learn the art of speaking from the masters.
The master spoke calmly and without arrogance, "Master, you have come all the way from Xingguo. Thank you for your hard work."
Kuansheng said calmly: "It's okay."
The master deliberately embarrasses Kuansheng: "Master, according to your opinion of the feng shui of our city, apart from Fengyan Pavilion, is there anywhere else that can compare with this place?"
Kuan Sheng said, "I haven't looked around much. You have lived here for a long time and are more familiar with this place than I am. I would like to hear your opinions."
Since Kuansheng had kicked the ball back, the master naturally assumed the mantle of master. "Master, since you're looking at Fengyan Pavilion for General Deng, I'm sure you're not just looking at this place. I'm not a complete sage of feng shui, but the direction of the mountains, the crouching dragons and tigers, the general situation first, and then the smaller details, right?"
Kuansheng's words were ambiguous: "Traditional feng shui should be like this: observe the dragon's origin, the orientation of the mountains and rivers, the distinction between high and low, the slopes of hills and valleys. I studied architecture at Tongji University, so I have some knowledge of traditional feng shui, and I prefer scientific methods, so there's no need to examine every detail."
A hint of displeasure flashed across the master's face, then vanished like lightning. His tone was inevitably tinged with emotion: "Master, you have a unique theory, a theory all your own? Tell me about it and I'll open my eyes."
Kuansheng was confident: "Excuse me, Taoist Priest, but since you're willing to listen, I'll throw in some ideas. I'll tell you about a new feng shui method. I use a software that can input your city's topography into a computer, so I can see both the big picture and the smaller details."
After saying that, he waved his hand and his assistant came over. He put the tablet on the table and the assistant opened the map.
The assistant expertly rotated the mouse. The city's mountains, rivers, and elevations all appeared one by one. Following Kuansheng's instructions, the assistant brought up a map of Fengqing Lake, revealing the surrounding terrain.
Roll the mouse again, and every house is clearly visible. Roll the mouse again, and you can see exactly which mountain range the house's corner faces, and which angle the window faces.
The assistant moved the mouse again, and a picture appeared showing the position of the constellations in the sky. The constellation under which Fengqing Lake was located among the seven stars was clearly mapped, with the longitude and latitude corresponding to each other.
Not only has my master never seen such a high-tech gadget, but it’s also the first time for me to see it.
Kuansheng said quietly, "I asked Mr. Deng, and he said the master's courtyard is called 'You Ran Ju'. It can be seen clearly from here."
The assistant clicked the mouse and saw Youranju, with its upper part aligned with the constellations in the sky and its lower part waist-deep at the Chunjiang River. The roofs of the neighbors on both sides, reflecting each other, were clearly visible.
The master smiled awkwardly: "It's really high-tech."
Kuansheng had already won a game, and he was full of confidence. He said slowly and calmly:
"Five miles from where you live, there's a hillside where someone has been buried. It's a good place, what a shame. It should have produced a great figure, but the terrain is so different, it's a sign of great ups and downs. If the burial is shallow, there's no connection to the earth's energy, but if it's buried deep, it can benefit from spiritual energy.
I was secretly amazed. My master had told me about that place. The owner's family missed out on great success because they were buried too shallowly. Only two department heads and one army commander were born there during the Republic of China, and most of their descendants remain unknown.
A stranger, describing the local Feng Shui in such detail, like he knew it all by heart. The master's face was clearly humiliated. His face paled, then turned red. He had to admit, however, that the satellite image was far superior to the naked eye, so he feigned admiration and said,
"The master has created his own unique style with the help of the star map. It is truly brilliant."
At this time, the staff came over and asked everyone to take their seats next door.
The relevant leaders and Mr. He were seated together, considered guests of honor. Master, Kuansheng, the president of Fengqing Group, and others were seated together, considered guests of honor. I and some less important figures were seated together, considered special guests.
Mr. Deng ran back and forth to toast.
During this meal, Master toasted everyone, drinking and chatting with them. I knew he wasn't happy at all.
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