Chapter 27 Chapter 26 Lotus Cave

Yique is more than 20 miles south of Luoyang City. The Xiangshan Mountain in the east and the Longmen Mountain in the west face each other across the water. ", so that the Yishui flows smoothly, so it was called "Yique" in the Spring and Autumn Period.After Luoyang was established as the capital of the Sui Dynasty, it was also called "Longmen" because the gate of the palace city faced "Yi Que".Since the beginning of the Northern Wei Dynasty, the royal families of successive dynasties have built cave temples on both sides of the river. At that time, thousands of Buddhist niches and stone statues were dotted along the cliffs along the banks of Yishui River, and many of them are still under construction.Today is the new year, the weather is cold, and in the evening, the moon rises from the east, the mountains and forests are silent, the twilight is soft, and there are no tourists around.

Di Renjie, Li Yuanfang, Hu Luchong, Di Chun and Wu Bo came to the foot of the mountain, abandoned their horses and climbed up the stairs, only to see that the trees and green flowers are all gone, and the dense branches and forks set off the mountains and rocks, adding a bit of the beauty of vastness and loneliness.From time to time, large and small Buddha caves appeared on the stone walls. As the light gradually dimmed, the sculptures of Buddha statues melted into the mountain scenery, making people unable to see their faces clearly, but there was a strange mystery filling them. The spirit of the mountain.Looking down at the bottom of the mountain, the blue-gray valleys in the distance are surrounded by layers, like a huge bowl, where a gap is opened at the junction of the east and west mountains, so that the water can pass through here, and the Yihe River can't be seen, only the sound of gurgling water in the shoal can be heard .

Di Renjie saw that everyone was solemn and silent, so he couldn't help laughing and said: "We visited Yique at night, and the scenery is different from other times. Yuanfang Dichun, this kind of scenery is not easy to see." Li Yuanfang smiled and said, "My lord, you know that humble officials are rather dull to these Buddha statues and historical sites." Di Chun also said: "Master, aren't we here to find the treasure? I think it's almost dark, so it might not be easy to find it." Di Renjie laughed and said, "Why are you in a hurry, someone will help us find that Buddhist cave." After speaking, he looked around at the cliffs, nodded, and looked at Li Yuanfang.

Here we have reached a platform in the mountains, except for the way up, there are two forks on the left and right.Li Yuanfang understood, motioned everyone to cover their ears, raised his breath and shouted into the mountain: "Is it General Hou Sizhi who is here? Please come out and meet each other!" The voice reverberated in the mountains and forests, startling the old birds to fly up, and everyone I only felt the roar in my ears, and sure enough, not far ahead, a group of men and horses came stumbling out, not wearing military uniforms, just dressed as ordinary servants, the leader was riding on a horse, led by his followers, and came closer.

Di Renjie stood with his hands behind his back, looked at him coldly, and saw that the man was short in stature, and although he was dressed gorgeously, he could not conceal his vulgar air, he thought to himself that since this man was from a local ruffian, he must be blamed. It turned out that Hou Sizhi was originally a domestic slave who started his career as an informer of King Shu Yuan's "rebellion" with Pei Zhen, the governor of Hengzhou. Because of this false accusation, a large number of people were killed, but he was also interviewed by the Queen of Heaven and granted him a fifth-rank official position. However, he is extremely shameless, and he thinks the official is too small, so he wants to be the censor.At that time, the Queen of Heaven asked him: "How can you be a censor if you don't know a single character?" Hou Sizhi quibbled, "Although Xiezhi can't read, he knows how to touch evil people. I can't read, but I have a lot of loyalty. You can punish your Majesty's enemies like Xiezhi," and you will be appreciated and promoted exceptionally.

I only heard him laughing a few times on the horse, and he didn't come down, just cupped his hands and said: "Master Di is very polite. I am Hou Sizhi, who was personally appointed as a guerrilla general by Queen Meng. I am going to visit your old man today. I don't want to miss you. What a coincidence to meet here." Hearing his nondescript words, Li Yuanfang even called him "General Waiting" in vain, and they all frowned secretly. Di Renjie turned sideways, looked at Shan Yan, and paid no attention to him lazily. Hu Lüchong saw that he was being extremely rude, so he changed his mind a little, and whistled softly, when Hou Sizhi dismounted from his horse, he was shaken and rolled to the ground, and he fell solidly. Very quickly, the people in his entourage and the groom were unprepared, they saw that his buttocks were on the ground, humming and unable to get up, they all stretched out their hands to help him up, only afraid of Hou Sizhi's usual methods, and dared not show a smile.Here, Hu Luchong and Di Chun had already laughed heartily, Hou Sizhi managed to stand still, came to his senses, and figured out that Hu Lvchong was playing tricks, so he was waiting to scold someone, his eyes blurred, Seeing Li Yuanfang standing less than a foot in front of him, he was startled and naturally leaned back, as if he was about to fall again.

Li Yuanfang didn't want to talk to him too much, but didn't want to frighten him. Seeing that he was about to make a fool of himself in fright, he stretched out his hand to support him, and said in a deep voice: "General Hou, be careful, I just ask Question: You live in Luoyang, do you know which cave on the west mountain has a big lotus flower and an old man holding a walking stick?" Knowing that the general in waiting was illiterate, Li Yuanfang was already patient. Try to be as clear as possible. Hou Sizhi saw that Li Yuanfang's demeanor was not to be underestimated, and just now he experienced the prestige of that shout. He saw the opportunity very quickly, knowing that the loss in front of him could not be afforded, so he changed his face into a flattering face, and said with a compensatory smile: "This is easy, One of my subordinates is near here." Turning around, he shouted, "Not coming out to lead the way yet!"

Sure enough, one of them came out and lowered his head and replied, "Your Excellency is asking about the Lotus Cave? It is said by the old people that this cave was dug in the Xiaochang period of the Northern Wei Dynasty. It was named after a unique big lotus flower carved on the top of the cave. There are many Bodhisattvas in the cave It is said that the two disciples standing in front of the Buddha, one named Kassapa and the other named Ananda, one of them held a tin stick in his hand, like an old monk who has been in the dust. This is not found in other caves, and I don’t know why no?"

Di Renjie heard that what he said was as good as what was written in the book, so he expected it to be good: "Where is the hole? Take us to see it." The man glanced at Hou Sizhi, seeing him nodding, Fang Xin walked to Di Renjie's side, pointed out the direction, it was one of the trails, and led the way.Hu Lu rushed to Di Chun and the others followed closely.Hou Sizhi turned around and winked, and was about to follow up with the people behind him. He raised his head suddenly, but saw Li Yuanfang standing in the way, looking at him coldly. Covered it with a smile: "Please borrow a way."

Li Yuanfang didn't even look at him, and said: "The mountain road is too narrow, you might as well come back another day." Hou Sizhi rolled his eyes and said with a smile: "The moonlight is very good tonight. My brothers are about to go up the mountain to see the scenery, and the guides are here. How can there be any reason for the trip?" A few of them started booing immediately, and the voices were noisy for a while, but it was quite powerful.Hou Sizhi looked at Li Yuanfang with a rascal look on his face: No matter how powerful you are, you can't just take down these forty or fifty officers and soldiers, right?Anyway, I'm also the court order official, even if I squeeze, I have to squeeze over to see how to open the entrance to the treasure!

Li Yuanfang shook his head and sighed.Di Renjie and others also stopped, only to hear Hu Lu Chong shouting from a distance: "Brother Yuanfang, why are you talking so much with this villain! Why don't I help and cook together?" Hou Sizhi saw that it was Hulu Chong who was yelling in front of him, still remembering the revenge he fell just now, he took a step back, and cursed in his mouth: "You boy, it's just a few barking cocks... a dog barks, it's kind of lethargic Come here!" Looking at that posture, it is clearly the appearance of a street thug looking for a fight, pitiful for him, he is worried that Li Yuanfang is in the front, he can't understand a word at first, but when he is nervous, he is bold and bold, his tone and tone are extremely weird, everyone He was stunned for a moment, and a person beside him whispered: "General, it's a 'cock crowing dog thief'." Hou Sizhi reacted, and said loudly: "Yes, you are a 'cock crowing dog thief'." Li Yuanfang saw that he was so virtuous, so she couldn't help but smiled a little, and heard footsteps approaching from far and near. She expected Li Kaigu to bring someone here, so she simply turned her back and walked towards Di Renjie, while smiling at Hulu "You don't need to bother me, it's important for us to follow your lord to do things." Just as he was talking, Li Kaigu had brought a soldier and came up from the mountain. Seeing that it was dark, they all lit torches, and no one came. , I heard laughter: "What chickens and dogs, who is so knowledgeable!" In the light of the fire, I saw Hou Sizhi's face with an unknown color, and I saw a long dragon strung with torches along the road, thinking that there were many people who came to Li Kaigu, I was already discouraged.When Li Kaigu approached, his soldiers had already cut off the mountain road, he greeted Di Renjie first, and then looked at Hou Sizhi with a smile, the two of them had never been in contact with each other, so they avoided even the politeness on the face.Hou Sizhi was unwilling to be stopped, thought for a while, took out something, and said to Li Yuanfang through the crowd: "I have something here, which can be regarded as a 'rare item', please take a look, Master Di." Li Kai sneered: "Do you think you are shopping for vegetables? There is also bargaining!" Seeing that Di Renjie was about to leave, Hou Sizhi hurriedly threw the object away, and said, "Master Di, wait a moment." Li Yuanfang saw that it seemed to be a small jade ornament, his heart moved, and he jumped up, When he took it and looked at it, it was the jade tiger. He stretched out his hand and handed it to Di Renjie. Di Renjie frowned, and it was indeed the string of jade tiger ornaments that Ayu kept with him. Because Di Chun saw that Ayu took out the jade tiger that day, he knew that it was related to Ayu's life experience. I don't know what I'm thinking. Hou Sizhi shouted: "Lord Di, with us following, we should take care of you if something happens, hehe, I don't dare to mess around." Di Renjie didn't want to say more, but said: "That's okay. Kaigu, let them come over." At that moment, Li Yuanfang, Hu Luchong and others ignored Hou Sizhi and followed closely.Li Kai didn't understand what was going on, but he also ordered the soldiers to make way, waiting for Sizhi to pass through, and then catch up at the end. When I was young, I came to a cave, looked outside the cave, the height and depth of the cave were about Zhang Xu, and there were many Buddha statues carved in the shadows. The standing statue of Kamuni Buddha is flanked by bodhisattvas who serve as threats. Between the Buddha and the bodhisattvas, the two disciples of Kasyapa and Ananda stand respectfully. The statue is about two or three people tall.The old man on the left is the Venerable Kaye, wearing a thick cassock and holding a stick in his right hand, showing the attitude of trekking hard. I understand it very well, and at a glance, I suddenly feel respect. Di Renjie looked up to check the roof of the cave. Sure enough, there was a huge and exquisite lotus carved on the top of the dome. Surrounding the lotus, there were six flying apsaras holding fruits in their hands and flying in the wind. The dance is like flying with the melody of the music, fluttering, vivid and lifelike, and the exquisite and complicated carvings make the whole algae well extremely flexible, and there are countless large and small Buddhist niches on the walls on both sides, the layout is either distinct or scattered. It seems to be the small thousand Buddha reliefs of the Buddhas of the ten directions referred to in the "Lotus Sutra", showing the solemnity and prosperity of the Buddha's world to the world.All kinds of things in the cave are really the same as the dreams recorded in Gao Changgong's book. Everyone knew that they had found the right place, so they searched inside. The cave is not very big, so Hou Sizhi and others just gathered at the entrance of the cave to look east and west, but they couldn't find the way.Di Chun stepped forward to help Di Renjie carefully look after the statue of Kasyapa, and saw that there seemed to be traces of knives and axes at the place where the back of the statue connected to the rock, as if the whole piece had been dug out of the mountain and put back on, but the two I tried all the seemingly switchable places on the Buddha statue, but the Buddha statue still didn't move at all, and there was no response. Could it be that the opening has been damaged for too long? Di Renjie turned his eyes to the top of the cave, and suddenly remembered that the book said: The huge lotus flower is "blossoming layer by layer", and blurted out: "Yuan Fang, go up and try to push the lotus upward." Li Yuanfang jumped up in response, and with a kick, he raised his hands and tried his best to lift the stone lotus up. There was a muffled sound, and there seemed to be a hollow somewhere above the dome, and the lotus petals were embedded into the rock on the top of the cave for three parts. Dust and stone powder fell from the top, Li Yuanfang hurriedly protected Di Renjie to avoid the entrance of the cave. When the dust settled, everyone looked around the cave, except for the lotus, there was still no movement. Hu Lvchong, Di Chun and others couldn't help being surprised.But Di Renjie didn't say a word, he was listening intently, when he listened again, there seemed to be a soft rustling sound coming from the middle of the rock wall, Hou Sizhi half leaned his body, just about to ask a question, he was stared at by the side His Li Kaigu stared back, knowing that this was not the time to interrupt, so he had to shrink back. After a while, the soft voice stopped.Di Renjie frowned, walked up to the statue of Kasyapa, and signaled Li Yuanfang to push the statue together. This time, he moved due to stress. With a bang, the whole rock below the statue's head was like a stone gate, with the Buddha statue as the center line, facing towards Turn one side in, revealing a portal.Di Chun and Wu Bo hurriedly held up the torches and went forward to take a look. It was pitch black inside, and they didn't know where they were leading.Di Renjie looked up at the statue, but saw that Venerable Kasyapa seemed to be looking down at the crowd, and his body was turned sideways to the door, with the stick in his hand pointing obliquely to the front in the darkness, as if he was leading the way for everyone, and he felt a chill in his heart.