Chapter 124 2. Mei Lanfang's few layman's words unintentionally touched the secret of Buddhism

Yang Jun lived in Huai'an Hutong, which added a bit of heat to the deserted courtyard house. He studied poetry and painting every four and five days, and added a bit of fun to Zen Master Hutuo's monotonous life of visiting Buddhism.Unknowingly, the founder of Wuwo Sect slowly returned from Buddhism to the secular world.Through Qi Baishi, Yang Du met many friends in the painting world, such as Chen Shizeng and Monk Ruiguang, who are all talented artists. What made him especially happy was that he also met Mei Lanfang at Baishi Bookstore. Mei Lanfang is not yet thirty years old, but she has been popular on the stage of the capital for more than ten years.His singing, his acting skills, and his appearance made the theater fans mesmerized. I don't know how many big girls and young wives would rather not be wives, but be willing to be concubines and maidservants for him.In the past few years, Yang Du has watched no fewer than a hundred plays by Mei Lanfang, but he has never seen a master of Mei Lanfang undressing once.

On the morning of the 15th, Yang Du came to Baishi Bookstore to study painting as usual.As soon as he sat down, Qi Baishi smiled and said to him: "Someone will come to my house later, and he will also come to learn painting from me. I will introduce you to him. I think you will be happy to know him." "which one?" "Mei Lanfang." "Mei Lanfang!" Yang Du was surprised. "How did you know him?" "It was introduced by Qi Rushan." Qi Baishi said quite complacently. Qi Rushan is a dramatist, Yang Du has heard of it. "Last month, Qi Rushan told me that Mei Lanfang had told me several times that he would come to ask you to be his teacher to learn painting. I said, Mei Lanfang asked me to be my teacher, but I dare not be. Qi Rushan said, Lan Fang is the most modest person. He is too busy to come to your house. He wants to discuss something with me today. Let’s go to his house together. I heard people say that Mei Lanfang was born more than a woman Even more seductive, and looks even better in disguise than in make-up. He wants to worship me as a teacher, and he is humble, so he has to go to visit him first. Qi Rushan and I went to the Mei Mansion in Beilucaoyuan outside the front gate together. Mei Mansion It is very rich, and all the decorations are exquisite, especially in the courtyard where there are many flowers and trees. There are hundreds of species of morning glory alone, with flowers as big as a bowl. I have never seen such a morning glory. Mei Seeing me coming, Lan Fang came out to greet me. Mei Lanfang is really good, you see is believing later. He respectfully called me Master Baishi and let me into his study named Zhui Yuxuan. I specially drew a few big petunias for him, and he was very happy, he sorted the paper and rubbed the ink for me. After accepting it, he sang a piece of "The Drunken Concubine" for me. He also said that he was free for a few days and was going to Baishi The bookstore came to pay respects to the teacher. After four or five days, he was really brought here by Qi Rushan."

Yang Du was moved by Qi Baishi's triumphant demeanor.Painting morning glory and singing "The Drunken Concubine", I can imagine that the atmosphere at that time must be extremely beautiful. Compared with the restoration of the imperial system with Yuan Keding in Xiaotangshan in the past, it is definitely a different world, two emotions, two different mentality. "What moved me the most was Mei Lanfang's character. He was not snobbish or obsessed with the rich and powerful. What he valued was art and talent. He was a real artist. At the beginning of the month, a congressman celebrated his birthday. He engraved I couldn’t get in the way of his face, so I went to his house. In the living room of his house, there are rich people in satin clothes, and I am the only one who wears cloth robes and shoes. Those rich people look down on me I, ignore me, I sat in a corner by myself, regretting that I shouldn’t be making fun of it. Unexpectedly, Mei Lanfang came. As soon as he saw me, he walked up to me quickly and yelled respectfully Master Baishi, he chatted with me enthusiastically for a few more words before greeting other people. The whole hall was confused by Mei Lanfang's behavior. I had nothing to say to me when I came here. I was very grateful to Mei Lanfang, and when I got home, I drew a picture of sending charcoal in the snow and gave it to him, and wrote four lines of poems."

With a deep voice, Qi Baishi shook his head and began to read in strong Xiangtan dialect: "I have seen that the former dynasty enjoyed peace, and the common people were clothed with vegetables and food to move the public officials. Now they are living in Chang'an City. Fortunately, Mei Lang knows his name." Just as he was singing, Hu Baozhu came over and said, "Boss Mei is here!" Qi Baishi got up quickly and walked towards the door.Yang Du originally wanted to go to greet him with Qi Baishi, thinking that Mei Lanfang was just a young man under 30 years old, and he ran to the door to meet him for the first time at a friend's house.

Qi Baishi graciously escorted Mei Lanfang in from the alley. Yang Du saw that this person really lived up to his reputation: delicate and pretty features, square and slightly striped face, neither tall nor short nor fat nor fat. Thin body, matched with a luxurious robe, really looks extraordinary, especially those two specially trained eyes, beautiful and bright, looking forward to life, can make people believe that Yu Ji and Yang Yuhuan back then Just such a pair of eyes.Mei Lanfang with his clothes off was indeed more attractive than the actors on the stage. Yang Du was about to stand up and say hello, but Mei Lanfang took the first step: "Mr. Xizi, it's a great honor to meet you in Baishi Bookstore today!"

Yang Du knew that Qi Baishi must have introduced this, so he cupped his fists and said, "Mr. Mei, I have seen many of your plays, but I have never seen you in bottoms. I heard that you are better dressed in bottoms than in tops." Charming. I saw you today, and it really is." Mei Lanfang said happily: "On stage, you are playing someone else. Off stage, you are yourself. It's not about being more elegant, but about being natural." After all, he is a well-educated and famous actress, but his speech is different.Yang Du praised from the bottom of his heart: "It's really not easy for Mr. Mei to be so famous at such a young age."

Mei Lanfang said modestly: "This is all the love of fans and friends. I am very grateful for their support. I actually don't have any special abilities. If I say I am better than others, this is mainly due to my family. From my grandfather Up to my generation, it has been three consecutive generations who have sung Pihuang. The influence of generations may be slightly better than others." This is both humble and reasonable, Yang Du nodded and said: "What you said just now is the talent side, which is very important for an artist, but it also depends on one's own efforts. Listening to fans, Mr. Mei You are also excellent in the aspect of being diligent and studious. You are very busy and have a great reputation, and you still come to learn painting from Brother Baishi. I think this is definitely not for entertainment, but to further cultivate your creativity and art appreciation through painting strength, so that the opera can be sung better. Because all kinds of arts are essentially the same.”

"Mr. Xizi, you are really a philosopher, what you said is very good." After Mei Lanfang finished speaking, he unfolded the painting he had brought, and both Qi Baishi and Yang Du came to see it.Most of Mei Lanfang's paintings are bluegrass and plum blossoms. Although there are only a few strokes, they are also vivid, and the cleverness of the painter can be seen. Qi Baishi said to Mei Lanfang: "The painting is not bad. I'll take it to the studio to take a closer look. You and Xizi are both big celebrities, and you hit it off right away when you met. Let's chat first!"

As he spoke, he took the painting and went into the small studio. Mei Lanfang said: "Mr. Xizi, you have been busy with state affairs a few years ago, and you have converted to Buddhism in the past two years. Many people say that you have a secret by participating in Buddhism. When you are free, I will invite you to my house Be a guest, teach me some secrets of Buddhism." Yang Du said with a smile: "You also want to get the secret of Buddhism? Well, I will tell you about Wuwuzong later." Mei Lanfang said earnestly: "I know very little about Buddhism, but I am interested. I am a singer. If I don't sing and go to Buddhist temples, I can't do it, and I don't want to do that. Society still needs people to sing. Yes, it’s like needing someone to work, someone to do business, and someone to be an official. If you don’t do these things and go to worship the Buddha, then the society will not be a society, and the monks will have no food, no clothes, and no incense and candles. Buddha. If you study Buddhism as a knowledge of self-cultivation, and you can get rid of delusions and calm your mind like Buddha, then no matter what kind of occupation you are in, you can purify your character and improve your skills. How to get rid of delusions and calm down, I don't know. Mr. Xizi, you are an expert in Buddhism, you must have discovered its method, I want you to teach me this secret."

After Yang Du heard this, he was silent for a while and couldn't speak.The graceful and beautiful young man in front of him is undoubtedly a brilliant man among the most intelligent people.He is an entertainer, not a philosopher, let alone a Buddhist scholar. These few ordinary words of laymen who seem to stand outside the threshold of Buddhism have given great inspiration to Zen Master Hutuo, who claims to be the founder of Wuwo Sect: Artists Taking opera singing as my job, learning Buddhism is just to get rid of delusions and purify my thoughts, so I can sing opera better.For a political activist, it is also possible to learn Buddhism to get rid of false thoughts and thoughts, so as to manage state affairs better!Why do you have to avoid the world and see through everything once you start practicing Buddhism?Singing opera and participating in Buddhism can go hand in hand, and using participation in Buddhism to promote opera singing, so politics and participation in Buddhism should also go hand in hand, and using participation in Buddhism can promote political participation.Is the behavior in the past two or three years a bit overkill and crazy?

"Brother, there are two guests at home, they say they are from the south, and they want to ask you for something important." Yang Jun suddenly appeared at the door of Baishi Bookstore, interrupting Yang Du's train of thought.He was about to straighten out this important thought, so he took this opportunity to temporarily suspend the conversation.After introducing Yang Jun to Mei Lanfang, he said: "Mr. Mei, what you said just now is very good. I have studied Buddhism for many years, and it seems that I have not learned the secrets of Buddhism, but your words have reached the edge. Today Yuan Ke is here, so please forgive me for not being with you, I will visit you in a few days, and we will talk about this secret." A charming smile appeared on Mei Lanfang's face, and he said, "Mr. Xizi, you are too modest. Next time I book a table in Zhengyang Tower, and invite Xian Kunzhong and Master Baishi to honor you. Pass the secret to me!" After Yang Du and Qi Baishi greeted each other, they hurriedly left the Baishi Bookstore.Along the way, I thought, who will the guests from the south be?What's the big deal with me?Recently, Mr. Sun Yat-sen became president again in Guangdong. Could it be that Mr. Sun Yat-sen sent someone to contact me?As soon as this thought flashed through, I immediately denied it myself: I am now carrying the remnants of the imperial system, and I am a Buddhist layman, two identities that are far from the revolution.If it wasn't Mr. Zhongshan, who would it be?Could it be that something else has happened in the south recently?