Chapter 65 Chapter 65

Accompanied by pedaling footsteps, that familiar figure walked towards Wang Jian from far and near. Wang Jian discovered that the situation of the past twenty years has indeed taken away the youth of many people.The once handsome young scholar is now a stable and mature man, with high cheekbones showing a thin face, only the unchanging piercing eyes tell Wang Jian that he is still the wise Boya. "Sir, have you been exhausted all the way?" Wang Jian broke the silence. "After years of fighting, I have long been used to it, but the king should not be too sad." Zhou Xiang's words were tense and the answer was appropriate.

"Sanchuan has been decided. What do you plan to do next?" Wang Jian went straight to the point. "Three Rivers have been decided, and it is not suitable to be conquered within three to five years. Your Majesty should recuperate, encourage farmers to promote business, and stabilize the territory." Zhou Xiang's suggestion fit Wang Jian's mind. "I have had the help of my husband for seventeen years! I still remember that on the morning of the first day of the first lunar month seventeen years ago, my husband outlined such a grand plan in his words. At that time, I really dare not even think about it! Unexpectedly, ten Seven years later, all this has become a reality. To tell you the truth, without you, I, Wang Jian, would not be where I am today!"

"Your Majesty's words are serious! You appoint talents and employ soldiers properly, and most of the soldiers and civilians swear to follow them. It is only sooner or later that you win the Sanchuan. Seventeen years ago, I was moved by your personal visit to me, an unknown person. Since then, I have seen , you are someone who can accomplish great things." "These years, you have been by my side. Ashamed, I didn't give you much official position. I know that Mr. is not a person who is greedy for glory and wealth, but today, I want to promise you one thing. Whether it is gold, silver, jewelry, glory and wealth , I will give you whatever you want! Even if I share the three rivers equally with Wang Jian, I will not hesitate!"

Zhou Xiang pretended to be terrified, but said sincerely: "If the king does not lose his word, and promises to this humble minister, he will die without regret!" "I have said what I said, and I will never go back on it. Just say what you want, sir!" "If your Majesty really loves Zhou Xiang, he would like to serve as a county magistrate in Linqiong County in Qiongzhou." Zhou Xiang saluted Wang Jian deeply. Wang Jian was shocked and said: "You want to go? You also want to go to Qiongzhou?" Wang Jian was puzzled.He thought that Zhou Xiang would have some kind of unfeeling favor, but he didn't expect Zhou Xiang to demote himself as a county magistrate, and wanted to leave Chengdu and go to the border. "Don't you want to stay with me and help me achieve greater hegemony?"

"Your Majesty, I remember that I told you before that Zhou Xiang is just a man who can play tricks on the battlefield. If Your Majesty wants to expand the territory, I am obliged. The virtuous person in governance, Zhou Xiang's ability is limited, and he is powerless..." He said, heaved a long breath, and continued, "I was originally a small official in Longzhou, and the king never gave up. The tactics of war can be used, and the ambitions in the chest can be realized! It’s really a death without regrets!” Wang Jian said with a sullen face, "I see, you don't want to play tricks in the officialdom, and that's not your forte." As he spoke, Gu Zi turned around, his clenched fist lightly hitting the window lattice to tremble voice to express the sadness in my heart.He bit his lips hard, trying to restore his voice to normal: "Oh! Well, since I promised you, I can't go back on my word. Boya, I, Wang Jian, owe you this favor!"

Zhou Xiang blushed: "Your Majesty's heart is like a bright mirror, and Zhou Xiang is so ashamed. Your Majesty fulfilled my selfishness, and I will remember it forever!" Wang Jian turned around and said softly, "I have one more thing to ask sir." "Your Majesty, if you ask any questions, Xiang will know everything you can say." "I have eleven sons under my knees. The eldest son, Zong Ren, was disabled in his early years. I have ten sons left. I have different preferences. In addition to my more than one hundred adopted sons, all of them bought my territory with blood. Over time It will be my Jiazi in two years, and I have been worrying about who can take over the big things in the future."

When Zhou Xiang heard that Wang Jian wanted to ask his successor, he found it difficult to answer, but he had to.After hesitating for a while, he said: "This is originally a matter of the king's family, but it is also related to the well-being of the people of Sanchuan, and secondly, thanks to the love of the king, Zhou Xiang dared to think that if you want to have a son for generations to come, you must not choose among the adopted sons. Otherwise When it comes to meritorious deeds, many sons will disagree with each other. Since ancient times, kings have set up princes and selected the best and the best. The king can learn from this. The eldest son is not competent, and the second son Zong Yi is the longest among the sons. He is brave and good at fighting. Born to Mrs. Qiao The eighth son, Zong Jie, is considered wise and wise..." Zhou Xiang stopped at this point, feeling that it would be superfluous to say any more.

Wang Jian nodded happily, and said to himself, "Oh! After Mr. leaves, if I encounter difficulties, who should I ask?" "Your Majesty is surrounded by a wealth of talents, and there are many people who are intelligent and martial arts. You know people well, and you are close to the virtuous and far away from the sycophant. You will be a blessing to the sky." "Stop talking routine, I want you to recommend a few people for me." Zhou Xiang wanted to come, but he was going to leave, so it would be okay to say a few more words, so he confided everything in his heart: "Your Majesty has accomplished great things, there are three people you can rely on, but there are also three people you can't entrust with important tasks!"

Wang Jian looked at Zhou Xiang seriously: "Which three people can I rely on?" "Judge Wei Duanji, judge Feng Xinzhi, and Wang Zongkan, the founding marquis of Langya County." Zhou Xiang's words were firm, as if he had thought about this issue long ago, "Wei Duanji has a heart for the world, a beautiful mind, elegant literary talents, and knowledge of the past and the present. A once-in-a-lifetime talent! I know that the king loves him, so I can use him with confidence. Wen Youwei Duan himself is enough for the country! Feng Xinzhi is arrogant and unrestrained. If the king can tolerate this person, he will be praised for thousands of years. Taizong has Wei Zheng. Sigh if there is a mirror. Feng Xinzhi is the mirror of the public! Wang Zongkan and Chen Bingzhou Pengzhou for several years, hard-working, he is both literary and martial arts, neither arrogant nor impetuous, ambitious, loyal. Most of the king's adopted sons are more than generals , There are very few handsome talents, if there are one or two, Wang Zongkan deserves it!"

Wang Jian nodded in conviction.Zhou Xiang has been relying on himself for seventeen years, and has made countless suggestions and suggestions, but he always has reservations in his words.Except for the "Longzhong Right" that was said seventeen years ago when they planned to attack Langzhou, it is rare to hear such clear and analytical words that make people see the sun. Wang Jian asked again: "Which three people should not be entrusted with important tasks?" "Jiedu Envoy of the Wuxin Army Wang Zongji, Zhen Guo General Wang Zongbi, and former Prime Minister Zhang Gong's son Zhang Yishi." Zhou Xiang could already feel Wang Jian's surprise when he finished speaking.After all, these three people are all Wang Jian's favorite generals.

"Why?" "I heard that when the king was still a soldier in the army, Wang Zongji followed the horse in front of the saddle. For decades, few people can match his outstanding achievements. However, I think he is narrow-minded and can't tolerate brothers. Now he is the commander. If the Jiedu envoys of the five prefectures continue to be reused, there will inevitably be great chaos in the court." "Then why isn't Zongbi available?" "Zong Bi's real name is Wei Hongfu, and he was originally a surrendered general. Although this man is wise and brave, the king should know that he attacked Dongchuan, but he didn't keep his integrity and recognized the thief as his father. Afterwards, the king did not pursue it in a large number, but he really saw this. It is difficult for a person to guarantee that one master will follow one and die. If the king uses him to guard the fortress, he may surrender to the master at a critical moment." "Master Zhang Yi has just arrived in Chengdu, how does Mr. know that he is useless?" "Although his father was loyal but not talented, he was to blame for his failure in the expedition to the east of the river. Master Zhang Yi was far less talented than his father. Although he had great literary talents, he had no ambitions. When I first met the king, when I talked about the son of heaven, tears fell like rain. , How can such an emotional person be reused?" Wang Jian said again and again: "I am deeply grateful for the admonitions that I confide before my departure!" Zhou Xiang sighed and said, "Since we are leaving, we have no scruples about talking wildly, Your Majesty, don't take offense..." After saying goodbye to Wang Jian, a stone fell to Zhou Xiang's heart, but it was also accompanied by an inexplicable loss.For a moment, a kind of guilt welled up in my heart.He thought about how well Wang Jian had treated him over the past ten years, and thought that if he really stayed, King Langya might be able to pacify a wider territory in the future.It is rare for a talented person to meet a wise master.He once firmly believed that he would follow Wang Jian until his death.However, the shadow of the three battles at Yangping Pass, Wuding Pass, and Xixian made this battle-hardened strategist feel a little dizzy.When he really saw that tragic scene on the deserted battlefield, his heart was bleeding.That's right, with more than ten years of hard study, more than ten years of traveling thousands of miles to study, and more than ten years of actual combat experience, he is confident that in time he can assist King Langya to become the southern overlord on par with Liang Wang Zhu Quanzhong.With the current strength, after three to five years, the king can go east to Jingchu and north to Qinlong.However, how many soldiers will be bloody on the battlefield?How many of their relatives will cry at Qingming? Zhou Xiang, Zhou Xiang, you should have hidden your edge a long time ago, and you should have kept yourself safe and happy in the chaotic palace and courtiers.He suddenly thought of Feng Juan, the stubborn old man who lived in seclusion in Mochi.And when he chose to live in seclusion, he actually had to travel far to Qiongzhou.He is not even half of Feng Xinzhi. Before I knew it, I had reached Wudan Mountain.Further north is Wanfu Bridge, where he and Feng Juan often go to chat.He suddenly remembered that Feng Juan had told him that there was an ancient temple built in the Sui Dynasty in the south of Wanfu Bridge, because the Wu Zong Dynasty was greatly destroyed, and the incense has not been prosperous since then.Now, I am about to leave Chengdu. Perhaps, I should repent in front of the World Honored One for the many killing karma I made in the first half of my life. Following the direction indicated by Feng Juan in memory, Zhou Xiang stepped across a piece of wild grass, and Zhou Xiang easily found a few rows of ancient trees hiding a corner of a bucket arch.Walking around a row of ancient trees, you can see the half-old mountain gate, with a broken stone plaque hanging on it, and several flying and phoenix-shaped cursive roads are "Wudanshan Temple in Western Shu".Zhou Xiang was startled, and praised that the plaque of this square treasure temple was actually made by Master Huai Su, a Lingling monk in the Xuanzong Dynasty. Zhou Xiang raised his head to watch for a while, then folded his hands together and said a word silently to the door plaque. After entering the gate of the temple, the courtyard was unusually quiet, with faint cigarette smoke lingering in front of the deep Buddhist hall.It seems that the sound of monk Muyu chanting sutras can be heard in the distance.Dead branches were piled up in front of the Temple of Heavenly Kings, and an old monk walked back and forth with light steps to clean the courtyard. Zhou Xiang stepped forward and said Amitabha Buddha.The old monk stopped to return the gift, looked Zhou Xiang up and down, with a kind and kind smile on his face. "When I first arrived at the temple, I saw it was very deserted." Zhou Xiang couldn't help talking to the old monk because of the disturbance in his heart. The old monk put down his long-handled broom, twitched his snow-white beard with his right hand, and said with a smile: "The poor monk is a wandering monk, and he has not been here for a long time. It's just that I heard that this temple was devastated during the Huichang period of Wuzong. Although it has been repaired, it has been as quiet as ever.” "Alas, oppressing religion with politics is unfortunate for Buddhism and also for the country." "The temples prosper and change, and the Buddha is at ease in his heart, and he will remain unmoved despite hundreds of thousands of kalpas." Zhou Xiang was taken aback for a moment, and raised his head to look at the old monk carefully: the bright and intelligent head and shrewd eyes made it impossible to tell his age.The green cloth cassock can't cover the vigorous body, and the rough white cloth shoes are extremely clean, but the yellowed fur at the corners seems to reveal the steps of walking through thousands of mountains and rivers.Zhou Xiang thought to himself, this old monk has an extraordinary appearance and a good speech, maybe he has some background, so why not ask him for advice on the concerns in your heart. "Master Guanxiu, the abbot of Dongchan Temple, heard that there is less dust in Xishu, and thousands of rivers and mountains can be obtained. The master claims to travel all over the world. I don't know why he wants to go to Xishu to promote Buddhism?" "Master Guanxiu is a well-known eminent monk and great virtue, and the world admires him. The poor monk can't compose poems, but he also yearns for this peaceful holy land under the rule of King Langya. It's really hard to promote Buddhism. It's just to be quiet. It’s just that the environment reflects my peaceful heart.” "Then King Langya and his counselors and generals have been fighting here and there for more than ten years, and there have been wars in Sanchuan for many years. I wonder if this is their bad karma from the master's point of view?" "Amitabha! Great question from the benefactor!" The old monk nodded slightly, clasped his hands together, "The benefactor should be able to see that since the uprising of Wang Xianzhi and Huang Chao, the whole country has been in chaos and wars, princes and princes have merged, and the common people have suffered. This is probably the common karma of many generations. The three rivers have been fighting for more than ten years, and it cannot be regarded as the fault of King Langya alone. If you don’t see it, in the past Chen and Tian firmly guarded the West Shu, and the people died; if you don’t see it, thousands of hectares of fertile land in the Central Plains have been deserted and turned into thousands of miles of battlefield. Of course, King Langya and his party also committed the crime. I have done a lot of killing, but after all, many people in Xichuan have escaped from the sea of ​​suffering, and the lives of the people have settled down..." Zhou Xiang's face was still a little solemn, and he asked carefully: "Is it certain that you will be rewarded for committing these killing karma?" "This is natural, and there must be an effect if there is a cause. The so-called good will be rewarded with good, and evil will be rewarded with evil. It is not that there is no reward, and the time has not yet come. However, when it comes to violating the precepts, it varies from person to person. After all, the precepts are different. It is difficult to measure the lord in troubled times if you ask for neither killing nor cutting. If the donor understands Buddhist principles, he should have heard the story of King Ashoka, the holy king of the Mauryan Dynasty in India. Ashoka first fought for the throne and killed ninety-nine brothers. After that , he conquered the north and the south, opened up the frontier, and lost 100,000 people in the first battle. However, the scene of corpses lying on the mountain and blood flowing into the river deeply shocked his heart, and also aroused the Buddha nature buried in his heart After that, he converted to Buddhism, sincerely repented, and never waged a major war. As a result, Buddhism spread, and Ashoka also achieved consummation. And King Langya's ambition was to stabilize Xichuan and Shannan, and tens of thousands of soldiers died on the battlefield. However Afterwards, the army turned back, avoiding a greater war that invaded Fengxiang. There may be some peace in Sanchuan from now on. Besides, King Langya accepted the elegant words, stabilized the people, and treated my Buddha with courtesy, and the Buddha's teachings spread in Xichuan." , the old monk looked at Zhou Xiang, and comforted him with empathy, "For generals, most of them follow the orders of the king. If there is an executioner who converts to my Buddha, he kills people in the execution ground every day, but as long as he executes the king's law It is not counted as killing. Another example is Zhou Boya, a famous minister of Western Shu. Although he has been fighting with the Lord for many years, his great ambition is to stabilize the three rivers. In troubled times, it is a last resort to put down the butcher's knife and become a Buddha immediately. , Now, he knows his way back, the sleeping Buddha nature in his heart wakes up, he retreats from the officialdom, and devotes his heart to Buddha. It can be called the luck of Buddhism and the people of Sanchuan! Buddhism is merciful, if he sincerely repents, the future will be long, and he will be able to achieve supreme and perfect merit. ……Amitabha……" Zhou Xiang was startled, his mouth could not be closed for a while.Suddenly, he suddenly caught a glimpse of a light floating behind the old monk, and Zhou Xiang, who was well-read and knowledgeable, woke up suddenly, as if he had been enlightened.He hurriedly knelt down, kowtowed, and said gratefully: "Disciple Boya, thank Master Chu Hong for his teaching!"