Chapter 50 Chapter 50

The guest breathed a sigh of relief, and said gratefully: "Thank you, brother, for saving the siege, and I will definitely go to the humble house with me later, and I will double the money for today's wine." "It's not in the way, it's not in the way. Who doesn't have a hard time going out? I happened to meet today, so it's easy to do. Why bother to worry about such a small matter." After finishing speaking, he turned and told the bartender to add another jug ​​of wine, two a hot dish.He also sat down and asked: "Listen to your accent, isn't it a local?"

"My surname is Meng, and my family is from Xuzhou. My elder brother ran a Zhuangzi here. In the past two years, I had no business, so I came here with my family to join my elder brother. I haven't been here for a long time. Dare I ask your name?" "In Xiaweizhuang, my home is in Chang'an Duling, and I also traveled here." "Oh...Brother Wei..." The drinker surnamed Meng muttered, as if the name seemed familiar, but he couldn't remember it for a while.At this time, the girl playing the piano smiled and said: "This guest, he is the famous poet Wei Xianggong, and what I played and sang just now is the libretto he filled out." The stones immediately stirred up waves.

"Oh! That's right! Look at my memory. I've heard of Mr. Wei's name before, but I didn't expect to see him here! What a fate!" Just as Wei Zhuang wanted to say a few words of modesty, he suddenly heard a burst of hearty laughter from outside the cubicle: "Amitabha! There is no fate, how can we meet by such a coincidence? The poor monk has long wanted to meet Wei Xiucai, but there is no chance! I don't want to meet you in this wine shop today. What is it if it is not fate? Hahaha..." Wei Zhuang returned the gift to the great monk, and after inquiring, he realized that the person in front of him was the famous poet monk Guanxiu.

When they met in a wine shop, Wei Zhuang chatted very speculatively with Guan Xiu and merchants.The merchant was grateful, and he wanted to take the two new friends back to his brother's manor no matter what he said.In the Jiangnan region, it is not uncommon for wealthy households to own a large manor.Right now, the hall of this manor is full of feasting and dancing. "Two distinguished guests have come to the humble house. I am so lucky for my life! Hahaha..." The owner of the house was speaking, a member over fifty years old, and his body was dressed in blue silk robes to embellish his wealth.

Wei Zhuang replied: "Mr. Meng's words are too polite. I'm disturbing the family because of a trivial matter today, but I feel uneasy." "Brother Wei, what kind of words are you talking about! One of you is Wei Duanji, who is famous in poetry and literature, and the other is Master Guanxiu, who is astonished by his poems and paintings. On weekdays, the old man dreams of seeing the two distinguished guests, and it is also impossible for him. It's fate! I don't want my third brother to meet by chance in a wine shop, but I have fulfilled my long-cherished wish for many years!"

Wei Zhuang said: "It's not only the members who have this surprise, but I am also amazed by the fate! When I was young, Master Guanxiu's poems and titles were like thunder, I never thought that I would be lucky enough to meet the master when I was nearly 60 years old." If I can listen to the master's interpretation of the Lotus Sutra, I will regret it for the rest of my life." "Hahahahahaha..." Monk Guanxiu couldn't help laughing, "The two benefactors are overrated!" His face was filled with happiness, and his thick and long eyebrows drooped on his cheekbones. The top of wisdom's head reflects a sense of detached freedom. "The poor monk is just a worldly person. He is born to love poetry, poetry, piano, chess, calligraphy and painting... I have heard of Wei Shizhu's talent, learning and mind, and I am in awe when I see him today. I also thank the staff for their hospitality. It’s karma and karma!”

Meng Sanlang, the third younger brother of Yuanwai, was even more delighted: "I know that the two distinguished guests are traveling around the south of the Yangtze River, and they just got together today. Why don't you two stay at my elder brother's house..." "Yes, yes, yes..." Member Meng said with a smile, "If Sanlang doesn't say anything, I don't dare to mention it. I really want to talk to you two more!" Wei Zhuang showed a look of embarrassment: "This... I'm afraid it's not very convenient..." "Convenience! Convenience! I'm afraid you won't reward me! To tell you the truth, I've been doing some business for more than ten years, and I'm so rich that I dare not say that it's a rich family! I don't have any other hobbies on weekdays. I love to collect precious calligraphy and paintings from all over the world, ranging from the authentic works of famous scholars in the Wei and Jin Dynasties to the calligraphy and ink of this dynasty. The old man studied for a few years when he was young, but he did not learn success in the end, but he admires the literati all over the world! Maybe I am high-ranking, but I But I sincerely hope to make friends with the two of you! If the two of you can reward one or two authentic works, then I will die without complaint!"

"Hahaha..." Monk Guanxiu laughed, "Master Wei, what Yuanwai said is very true, and he didn't regard you and me as outsiders. In my opinion, we should not disappoint Yuanwai. Besides, the poor monk, I I still want to spend some time to ask Master Wei for advice..." "I don't dare to ask for advice!" Wei Zhuang said, "Since the outsiders are full of kindness, then I'd rather be respectful than obedient." "Haha, yes, yes!" Member Meng became excited, and clapped his hands a few times outside the main hall, and several attendants entered in response.The staff ordered to prepare vegetarian and vegetarian drinks, and immediately entertain Wei Zhuang and Guanxiu.

The member also offered a cup of tea to Wei Zhuang and Guanxiu, and asked casually, "I heard that the mage is more than a few years old, and today I saw him so energetic." "The poor monk has been walking in the rivers and lakes for many years, and he has no scruples in his actions and actions. He has become the straightforward temperament he is today. In the end, he is still like a wild crane, and he can't even find a temple to live in. Hehe, if my master knew me back then. If you have such a temperament now, then the crime is serious!" Wei Zhuang asked: "My little brother heard that after traveling to Wuyue, the mage was valued by the king of Qian. He lived in Lingyin Temple. How can he not have a place to live?"

Guanxiu laughed, took a sip of tea from the purple sand teacup, and said: "At that time, I was indeed living in Lingyin Temple. I lived a leisurely life. In the morning, I chanted scriptures and lectures, and in the evening, I recited poems and poems. I lived the kind of life I yearned for. When I was young, I was impatient and always Competing with the talents of lay people, now that I am old, I envy this peaceful environment. This Lingyin Temple is indeed a good place to live! At that time, I saw that King Qian managed the state with all his heart, and Wuyue was able to prosper. So, When he conferred the title of Procurator Taiwei and Zhongshuling, I also specially brought a poem to congratulate him:

"You are forced to live without freedom, and have worked hard for several years in Linqiu. "Three thousand guests are full of flowers and drunk, and one sword is frosty and cold in fourteen states. "Laizi's clothes are narrow in palace and brocade, and Xie Gong's chapter is full of shame. "He was named Lingyan Pavilion in his early years, how could he be envious of thousands of households at that time. "Hehe, Wei Xianggong and Yuan Meng are laughing..." Guanxiu couldn't help but recited the poem aloud when he was proud of it, then picked up the teacup, moistened his lips, and paused for a moment, as if Wait for compliments from others. Wei Zhuang heard Guanxiu's words, his face was still as calm as water, but he felt a little funny in his heart.I thought to myself, since this old monk is a monk, he should study scriptures and promote Buddhism in the temple. How can a Zhenhai Jiedu envoy also compose poems to flatter him? Member Meng Wai responded: "In these years, the war between Wuyue and Yue has eased, the people live and work in peace and contentment, and the merchants can trade freely. King Qian has really put his mind to it. I think the Master's praise will definitely inspire him and make him persistent." Guanxiu waved his hand: "This time I was wrong! King Qian accepted my poem, but he refused to see me!" "Why?" "It must be because he is full-fledged and has long forgotten that he is still a courtier of the Tang Dynasty. He actually asked me to change the "fourteen states" in the poem to "forty states" before we can meet each other. Hehe, the fourteen states can no longer satisfy King Qian. Appetite!" "How does the mage deal with it?" "I said to my minister: 'It's hard to add to a state, but it's also hard to change a poem. How can a lone cloud and a wild crane not fly?'" At this point, Guanxiu shook his head, "Oh, I only think Lingyin Temple is a good place to go , You can realize Nirvana quietly here. Who would have thought that King Qian’s desires are so inflated! How can the people be willing to keep the peace when the ruler is free? I am just a monk who travels all over the world. A safe place..." "Dare to ask Master." Wei Zhuang put down the teacup in his hand, stroked his gray beard and asked Guanxiu, "Where is the tranquility in Master's mind?" Wei Zhuang's contemptuous attitude was a bit contemptuous in this confession just now. Concentrating, he couldn't help but look at the poet monk who had heard his name for a long time but had no chance to meet him. There were a few candle lights reflected on the top of his head, but at this moment, he showed a bit of integrity. "I heard that Situ, the king of Western Shu, won Chengdu and recruited talented people and persuaded farmers and mulberry. Although it was not long, it was very effective. Today, except for Yangzhou, only Chengdu can be called rich and stable. Although Wang Situ is He is a warrior, but he is a man who can accomplish great things. I want to go to Xichuan and meet this new Jiedushi." At this moment, Meng Yuanwai and Meng Sanlang's eyes intertwined.The two of them didn't say a word, but countless words have been expressed heartily at this moment. Guanxiu noticed that the air in the hall seemed to freeze, thinking about what he said just now, there was nothing wrong with it, so he asked Wei Zhuang, "What is Benefactor Wei's plan for the future?" "Oh, I plan to go back to Chang'an. After so many years of wandering, there are still some relatives at home who have not seen for many years. I want to go back and see. The master is going to Chengdu, and my younger brother happens to be with the master." Guan Xiu smiled happily, and turned to look at Meng Yuanwai who was sitting in the middle of the hall. Member Meng was full of emotion: "Master and my family are really destined! My third brother's family is temporarily living in my Zhuangzi, and mentions to me every day that he wants to go to Xichuan to see the world, and also wants to open a business in Chengdu. But I have always been worried. The road to Sichuan is difficult and dangerous, so I don’t feel at ease. Now the mage is preparing to go to Chengdu, Sanlang is very happy!" "In this way, the three of us will go together for several months!" Meng Yuanwai was very happy tonight, and ordered more lamps, more tea and food, and ordered the attendants: "Go, call the eldest lady, and meet the two distinguished guests!"