Chapter 6 The Sixth Chapter Solid Frontier Emperor Worried about Exterminating Locusts Yao Chong made efforts

After Guo Qianquan was appointed as the governor of Yingzhou and the governor of Youzhou, he changed Song Jing's method of sticking to Youzhou and adopted a step-by-step approach. The first step was to move the governor's office of Yingzhou from Yuyang to Yuguan. In this way, the Khitans were prevented from attacking the pass. Yuguan leans against the remaining veins of Yanshan Mountain in the north, borders on the sea in the southeast, and is connected to the northeast by only a relatively narrow passage in the middle.In the Han Dynasty, the terrain was dangerous, and it was also an important throat connecting the Northeast and the Central Plains, so a pass was set up here; during the Kaihuang period of the Sui Dynasty, a city was set up here, and it was called Yuguan Town.

When Guo Qianquan led the troops here, he saw that Yuguan Town had been plundered several times by Khitans and Xi people, and it was extremely dilapidated.Seeing this, Guo Qianquan sighed: "This Zhao Liangyi really deserves to be killed a hundred times. The thousands of miles of land in the Tang Dynasty were abandoned because of his failure. He is really a sinner through the ages." Metropolitan Governor, now Yingzhou is occupied by the Khitans, if I am trapped here, wouldn't it be worth the name?" All the soldiers understood that the chief governor wanted to move his administration to Yingzhou by saying so.However, the Khitan people and Xi people's horses are quick and sharp, and the Tang army has lost many battles with them before. Can this little force do it?

At this time, a handsome and strong man came out of the crowd, his clothes looked like the clothes of other generals, and he was less than twenty years old.He walked up to Guo Qianquan and cupped his hands and said, "My lord, in fact, the Khitan people and the Xi people are not enough to cause trouble. The people who fought with them before were limited to catching and fighting, or sticking to the city, so they made use of their strengths and defended their weaknesses, which made them so embarrassing. .” The name of this person is Zhang Shougui, and he is from Shanzhou.All the generals know that Guo Dudu has always liked this person very much, and he dared to surpass Shangguan to speak in public today, it was because of the Dudu's favor.Guo Qianquan really smiled when he heard the words, and said, "Okay, tell me your opinion."

Zhang Shougui said: "The Turkic Khanate was so powerful at the beginning, and the reason why it fell apart in the end was due to internal forces. When Emperor Taizong ascended the throne, Jieli Khan soldiers forced the capital. Considering it, I also planned to wait and see what happened. Later, the Eastern Turks really had civil strife, and Li Jing was able to bring only Wanqi to attack its lair." Guo Qianquan nodded and said: "Well, children can be taught! However, we must not take a step back in front of us." Zhang Shougui said: "What the governor said is very true. If we take another step back, the Holy Majesty will not like it. What the last general means is that in the future, we will not only fight against the Khitan people and the Xi people, to show them strength, but also to adopt gentleness. The way to separate its internal, so as to get twice the result with half the effort."

Guo Qianquan was overjoyed and said, "That's right, that's it. Zhang Shougui, do you have the guts to go deep into the territory of the Khitan people to seek a way to separate them with only a few followers?" Zhang Shougui bowed and said: "The last general is willing to do it. If several people act together, the goal is too big, and the last general can go forward alone." Guo Qianquan praised: "Wow, you have courage! A young man should make a contribution and make a career. Shougui, if you succeed in this trip, the governor will definitely reward you."

After Li Longji became the emperor, in order to seek peace in the northern border, he agreed to the marriage proposal of Turkic Mochuo.Mo Chuo really spent a lot of effort in order to marry the Great Tang clan.When she was Empress Zetian, she asked to marry her daughter to the royal family, and Empress Zetian sent Wu Yanxiu to get married. Unexpectedly, she recognized Li's imperial lineage and believed that the Wu family was a small surname. Then he detained Wu Yanxiu and raised his troops to attack Tang Dynasty again.However, the power of the Tang Dynasty was not when it was restored to its founding, and today's Turks are not the Turkic Khanate of the past. Mochuo knows that it is difficult to fight against the Tang Dynasty with his own strength, and his invasion is nothing more than a false shot to create momentum.Afterwards, the two sides came and went, winning and losing each other, silently grasping the heat, and at the right time, they proposed that their son beg to marry the princess of the Tang Dynasty.

Seeing that the emperor agreed to propose, Mochu was very happy, and waited for the wedding date.Who knows that waiting left and right, where is the shadow of the princess?At this moment, Mo Chuan understood that although the emperor agreed verbally, he was not willing inside.So he repeated his old tricks, raising troops to kill and rush to Shuofang Road, intending to approach the capital and force the emperor to send the princess over early. Li Longji did not panic when he heard the news, but dealt with it calmly.He knew that even though Mo Chuu was the most powerful Turk now, he had only tens of thousands of cavalry under him, and he could go to the border to plunder like a whirlwind, but he never dared to go deep into the hinterland of the Tang Dynasty.Moreover, there are heavy generals guarding the border, and it is difficult for Mo Chuo to cross.After Lishan lectured on martial arts, Xie Wan was still the head of Shuofang Road, and Li Longji also appointed Xue Na as the protector of Beiting Protectorate.

After that, Li Longji issued an imperial edict to reprimand Mo Chuai for a while, and refused his marriage. Yao Chong received a report again that day, saying that the Turkic troops were invading, and the Tubo over there was also ready to move.After receiving the report, he was worried, so he hurried into the palace to see Li Longji. Hearing this, Li Longji couldn't help sighing: "Alas, our country has been busy with internal conflicts these years, which made these barbarians despise me. Tubo's consumption has declined in successive years. Because of asking Emperor Shenzong to marry him, Princess Jincheng married to the plateau. Now the Turks are a little bit As soon as you move, Tubo wants to respond to it. Can the marriage be reconciled between the two countries? I don’t think it can! This is why I rejected the Turkic marriage this time! Yao Qing, I promised you that you would not seek to expand the territory within 30 years. Now People are bullying you to the door, how do you think you should deal with it?"

Yao Chong said firmly: "Of course an eye for an eye, keep it out of the country! Your Majesty, I want to see you today because I am a little worried." "Well, tell me." "Mochuu is now invading Shuofang. Xie Wan has been in Shuofang for a long time. Mochuu will definitely return in vain. However, Mochuu is old and cunning, and he will not let it go. If he shoots in Shuofang and then kills Beiting, Xue Na can Can you handle it?" Li Longji understood that Yao Chongshi was an all-rounder in both civil and military affairs, so his vision could not be wrong.Xue Na had just arrived at Beiting Duhu Mansion, and had no experience in operating in the Western Regions. If Mo Chuo came to attack, and Tubo from the south came to join in the fun, Xue Na immediately fell into a situation where he was attacked from both sides.Li Longji pondered for a moment, and then said resolutely: "The so-called sharpness is self-sharpening, and good generals also have to suffer. Whether Xue Na can support the situation in the Western Regions depends on what he has suffered."

"Your Majesty, if Xue Na suffers setbacks, the road to the Western Regions will be blocked immediately. Your Majesty must make plans early!" "In your opinion, where should I put it?" "The forces in the Western Regions are intertwined. The reason why Guo Yuanzhen was able to defend the Western Regions in the past is that he did not blindly fight against the enemy. He was good at discovering the ebb and flow of the various forces in order to check and balance. Xue Najiu stationed in the capital area , this section is really a shortcoming. The minister believes that if Guo Qianquan is stationed in Beiting, the effect will be better."

"Well, this time is also the other time. At that time, the Western Regions were quiet and the Northeast was in a difficult situation, so Guo Qianquan was transferred to deal with the Khitans. Besides, according to what Qing said, there may be a war in Beiting, and now Guo Qianquan is dispatched. , it’s a little late after all.” Yao Chong no longer insisted, and said: "If so, we must take precautions early. I think that 50,000 troops will be recruited from Guanzhong from now on, and they will go west to Yangguan and station them in Guazhou as backup." Li Longji agreed with this proposal, ordered Yao Chong to act quickly, and then said: "Yao Qing, it seems that the military system of this government is a bit out of date. Guanzhong government soldiers are alone, and it will take time, money and food to recruit the Quartet. It is better to station more troops at critical frontiers in the future, so as to avoid these troubles." Yao Chong shook his head and said: "Your Majesty can't. People's hearts are the most difficult to grasp. If the generals support themselves, chaos will easily arise. The reason why the government military system was formed was to ensure imperial power. Compared with the great chaos, after all, it is a trivial matter. The minister believes that the affairs of the frontier should be dominated by the government soldiers, supplemented appropriately by the garrison troops, which is the most important." Li Longji smiled and said: "I'm just talking, Yao Qing doesn't have to be serious." Yao Chong didn't take it seriously either, and bowed to leave. There was not much rain and snow last winter, so many acres of fields dried up in spring. Although the people were busy diverting water for irrigation, although it was effective, it was a foregone conclusion that the annual harvest would be reduced.When summer came early, a catastrophe struck again. First, Shandong was the first to discover locusts, and then locusts also appeared in Henan, Hebei and other places. Afterwards, reports of locusts found in various places were reported to Zhongshu Province like a snowflake. After reading this memorial, Li Longji couldn't help feeling very heavy, so he said to Yao Chong: "Yao Qing, it seems that the heaven really wants to test me! I said that I acted according to the story of Zhenguan, and I thought of the severe drought and locust plague in the early years of Zhenguan. , so similar to such a disaster!" Yao Chong encouraged: "Mencius said: 'Heaven will send a great mission to the people of Sri Lanka, and they must first suffer from their minds, toil their muscles and bones, starve their bodies and skins, and empty their bodies'. Your Majesty wants to be prosperous. One verse is inevitable." Li Longji said: "In order to suppress the plague of locusts, Emperor Taizong took locusts and swallowed them into his stomach, saying, 'People live on grains, but if you eat them, it will harm the people. But eat my heart and harm the common people', Yao Qing, if this method is useful, I would like to follow it." Yao Chong said with a smile: "Emperor Taizong is worried about the people, and His Majesty can follow suit. However, there are countless locusts in the world, and His Majesty only swallowed a few, how can you stop them?" "Yao Qing thinks, what method should be used to stop it?" Yao Chong resolutely said: "I have made up my mind, I should hunt and kill them with all my strength, and then burn them!" Li Longji's complexion changed drastically, and he said: "This method is not allowed! I am the Son of Heaven, I think it is because God thinks that my virtue is not good enough, and showed me with locusts. If I use human power to hunt and kill, it is against the will of God. This method is absolutely impossible." Yao Chongdao: "I think your Majesty has never seen the benefits of a locust plague. When the locusts rise and fall, they cover the sky and cover the sun. When they fall into the fields, the seedlings will be destroyed. If you let them go, there will be no harvest this year. Could it be that your majesty can't wait to see the people running out of food? dead?" At that time, people often feared the sky, and Li Longji was not exempt from it. The locusts competed with the people for food, which immediately put Li Longji in a dilemma.In his thinking, one side is the fear of God, and the other side is the hunger and hunger of the people, neither of which should be offended, and his heart is extremely contradictory. Yao Chong asked again: "Your Majesty wants to act according to the story of Zhenguan. Emperor Taizong was quiet with the people at the beginning of Zhenguan. However, if the people have no rations to survive, how can they be quiet?" Li Longji rolled his eyes and said: "At the beginning, Emperor Taizong swallowed several locusts, which made the locusts feel that Emperor Taizong's sincerity really receded. Forget it, I will drive to Henan immediately, and go to swallow a few locusts to stop the plague of locusts." Yao Chong was very anxious, thinking that at the beginning of Zhenguan, only the locust plague appeared in the Guanzhong area, the scope was small, and the local officials urged the people to hunt and kill them on the spot, so as to avoid the disaster. If Emperor Taizong only swallowed a few locusts, he could avoid the disaster What a lie!Then he said anxiously: "Your Majesty, locusts are overwhelming the land in Shandong, Henan and other places. If you don't use manpower to hunt and kill them, it will be difficult to stop the locust plague. There is no need for your majesty to go to Henan, as long as your majesty allows my ministers to hunt and kill them with all their strength." Li Longji shook his head and said: "No, this is God's will. If I allow Qing to deal with it, I will offend God. If I go against the trend, God may bring even greater disasters." At this time, Yao Chong had an idea in his mind In a flash, looking at Li Longji's expression again, he already understood Li Longji's true intentions.I thought that the emperor didn't want to offend the heavens, and he didn't want the people to have no rations, so the only way to solve the immediate problem is to put the emperor out of the way.He intentionally pondered for a moment, and then solemnly said: "Your Majesty once said that the affairs within the prime minister's jurisdiction are to be handled by the ministers with full authority. I should not report the locust plague in front of you, and I can handle it by myself. If there are mistakes , then Heaven and His Majesty will punish the officials." There was a smile in Li Longji's eyes, and he said: "Yes, it should be like this. For example, the matter of the appointment of Lang Guan last time, this is a matter within your jurisdiction, and I will never interfere. If the matter is handled properly, This is the duty you should fulfill; if you bend the law for personal gain, I will still intervene." Yao Chong bowed and said: "In this way, I will go back to the Central Secretariat to issue an ultimatum, and there is no need to ask for an imperial edict." According to the Tang system, the emperor's document is called an imperial edict, while the prime minister's document is called an imperial edict. Li Longji put away his smile and allowed him to withdraw. When Yao Chong returned to Zhongshu Province, he summoned Zhongshu Sheren to order him to quickly draft an ultimatum, which stated that all prefectures and counties would immediately go all out to hunt and kill locusts, and then burn them in pits to make the locusts extinct.The ultimatum also specifically emphasized that the degree of locust extermination will be an important criterion for performance evaluation when officials are tested at the end of the year. Before the letter was issued, Lu Huaishen, the "Prime Minister for Food", saw this article, and walked in front of Yao Chong on three legs and two steps, and said repeatedly: "Amitabha, sin, sin!" Yao Chong knew that Lu Huaishen was a pious believer in Buddhism, he lived a frugal life, and his family was poor.The life of his family members is really miserable. Because he is willing to do good, he distributes most of his salary to his relatives.Yao Chongping had always respected his behavior, but on the other hand he also disdain him, and advised him many times: "Brother Lu, your wife is the prime minister's family after all, and they live like beggars, isn't it a hindrance?" Official body? You have a salary, so of course you can donate to others, the most important thing is to let your family live a good life." Lu Huaishen cupped his hands but said: "This is my family matter, please don't worry about it, Mr. Yao." Yao Chong could only shake his head. Seeing Lu Huaishen's abnormal state today, Yao Chong knew that his heart must be hurt to destroy the locusts, and the compassion of the Buddhist family was moved, so he asked knowingly, "Brother Lu, why is this state? Who has sinned again?" Lu Huaishen said loudly: "Those locusts are small, but they are living beings. Once Minister Yao's letter is published, the world will be devastated. It is really a great crime." Yao Chong knew that if such a humble person was serious, he would not be able to dismiss him with just a few words.There he carefully wrote the chapter and said: "Brother Lu has read poems and books, so he should know the allusions of ancient times. "Poetry" says: "By following the thief, pay the flames." Advise the governor of Nongsang. Get rid of the locusts and thieves.' Then the locusts are really thieves. If they are not eliminated, they will harm the people." Lu Huaishen said loudly: "Xiang Yao's words are really irrational. Every locust has a life. There are more than billions of locusts in the world today? If you hunt and kill them like this, the crime is greater than the sky, and the crime is heinous." Yao Chong raised his head and pondered for a moment, then said solemnly: "Brother Lu is well versed in Buddhist principles, so you should know what a person is?" "Needless to say? Man is the spirit of all things." "Yes, the Buddha is most sympathetic to human suffering. You and I are the prime ministers of the Tang Dynasty, and there are tens of millions of common people under them. If the locusts are not eradicated, in the winter and spring of this year, the people will have no food to eat, and the world will starve to death. If When this scene appears, can you go to worship the Buddha with peace of mind?" Lu Huaishen was at a loss for words for a moment, and said, "The common people are sympathetic, but locusts are also living beings!" "Well, locusts cannot be killed, and the people need rations. Brother Lu is now the minister of the Tang Dynasty. First and foremost, he should face the people of the world. Let me ask you, this matter is up to you, how should you deal with it? " Lu Huaishen murmured: "Xiang Yao is the order of Zhongshu, of course it is up to Xiang Yao to make up his mind." "Yes, do you care about this matter?" Lu Huaishen had indeed committed a problem. If he cared about it, the common people and the locusts would definitely go to one end. This is so against the compassionate heart of Buddhism; Seeing Lu Huaishen hesitating there, Yao Chong couldn't help laughing inwardly, and said slowly, "Brother Lu, don't ask about locust extermination. You can focus on other things. I have already told the Holy One that in the future How to control locusts, you don’t need an imperial edict, just issue an ultimatum, and I alone act as an agent for this ultimatum, but it has nothing to do with Brother Lu.” Lu Huaishen had no choice but to retreat in dejection. Yao Chong looked at Lu Huaishen's back, thinking that exterminating locusts was a simple matter, but unexpectedly the emperor and Lu Huaishen had such concerns, so other people must have ideas too.He also thought of the memorials from the states of Shandong that said that the common people squatted by the fields and watched the locusts rise and fall, and they were at a loss. So he summoned the doctor of the censor and said flatly: "The censor puts other things aside. All the censors and supervisors are envoys to catch locusts. They immediately set off for the states with locust plagues, and urged the nearby states to wipe out the locusts. Locust. You and Yushi Zhongcheng are not allowed to stay in Beijing, but you can delineate the area and patrol in all directions." Doctor Yushi hesitated a little, and said, "Should some people be left behind at Yushitai, right? Otherwise, the yamen's general affairs will be suspended, and the Holy Majesty will definitely blame it." Yao Chong's face turned cold, and he said, "I've said it before, no one will stay! If you hesitate any longer, I'll go ask the Holy One for orders now, and you can go home and rest." Doctor Yu Shi was too frightened to say anything, knowing that Yao Chong is favored by the emperor now, even though he is a third-rank official, if Yao Chong doesn't like it, his position will not be stable.He bowed and resigned, vowing to return to the Yamen as soon as possible to make arrangements, and the next day all the staff will go out to Beijing to catch locusts. After Yao Chongxia issued the ultimatum to exterminate the locusts, Yushitai stepped out and went to various places to urge the locust catchers to be in place soon.Local officials saw that the imperial court attached great importance to locust extermination, so of course they did not dare to neglect, and listed locust extermination as the top priority of political affairs.When the locust catcher arrived in Bianzhou, Ni Ruoshui read the document on the extermination of locusts, then turned his eyes to look at the locust catcher, and said flatly, "You should stay here first." The locust catcher lived in the post for two days. Seeing that Ni Ruoshui had not done anything to control the locusts, he couldn't help feeling anxious. Bianzhou is a place where Shandong and Henan are connected. The locust plague is very serious. If you wait for a day, the disaster will be even worse one day.The locust catcher couldn't take it anymore, so he broke into the Yamen and questioned Ni Ruoshui. Ni Ruoshui was furious and scolded: "I am a third-rank official of the imperial court, and you, as a censor, are nothing more than a seventh-rank official! You trespassed on the official office of this state, and you really despised the superior official. Do you want to beat me?" The locust catching envoy understood Ni Ruoshui's origin, and seeing that he was still displaying the score sheet of the former Minister of Shangshu, he didn't show any timidity in his heart, and said boldly: "Master Ni is indeed a Shangguan. Although my position is low, I am also a prisoner." The position of the locust envoy. Master Ni should know that this official holds the letter of the Zhongshuling Lord Yao to perform the duty of inspector, which is to speak on behalf of the Zhongshuling." Ni Ruoshui sneered and said, "Can you speak for Yao Ling? Hmph, don't you know your own weight? I'm surprised that the emperor can't issue an edict on such a big matter, but you made a letter to fool us?" The locust catcher did not show any weakness, and said: "Master Yao is in charge of the Central Secretariat, and he is at the center. The ultimatum he issued is of course in accordance with the will of the Holy Majesty." Ni Ruoshui said: "Forget it, since you speak for Yao Ling, I come to ask you, and you have to answer. In the past, Liu Cong conquered the Western Jin Dynasty, ruled the country with debauchery and cruelty, and caused harmony between the heaven and the earth, and the plague of locusts fell from the sky. From this point of view, the locust plague is prospered due to loss of morality, and it is difficult to kill it by manpower, and it must be compensated by cultivating virtue. Isn't Yao Ling putting the cart before the horse when he hunts so wantonly?" Liu Cong was originally a descendant of the Huns and was the monarch of the Han Kingdom in the Sixteen Kingdoms era.He conquered Luoyang, the capital of the Western Jin Dynasty, and made the Western Jin Dynasty perish. Since then, the north of the Yangtze River has become Liu Cong's sphere of influence. Sima had no choice but to lead his ministers to Jiangdong to create the Eastern Jin regime.After Liu Cong became the overlord of China, he was complacent and began to become dissolute and cruel. After several years, a plague of locusts fell from the sky, which accelerated the decline of the Han Dynasty. Ni Ruoshui is talented in Chinese and eloquent, how can the locust catcher be an opponent?He opened his mouth and swallowed a mouthful of saliva, but he couldn't answer, so he had to withdraw from the Bianzhou government office angrily, and reported the situation to the capital in detail. The locust catcher who went to Bianzhou sent Kuaima back to play the book. Yao Chong took a cursory look and was furious.He slapped the memorial on the table and cursed loudly: "What a Ni Ruoshui, how dare you be so arrogant!" Yao Chong got up and took a few steps in the hall, then called Zhongshu Sheren, and said, "You grind the ink and wait. I say, you write." This is an ultimatum specially issued to the governor's office of Bianzhou. Yao Chong used strict words and did not give Ni Ruoshui any face. The letter first wrote that Liu Cong was a false monarch who invaded the Jin Dynasty and brutalized the common people of the Central Plains. Of course he was a man of no virtue.How can I compare myself with Liu Cong when I go up to the emperor and respond to the will of the people?For Ni Ruoshui to speak like this, he really has the heart of contempt for the current Holy One, which is a serious crime! Yao Chong then ridiculed, "You Ni Ruoshui claimed that the locust plague was caused by moral failure.According to this theory, locusts are everywhere in Bianzhou, and you Ni Ruoshui, as the governor of Bianzhou, is like this in the territory. Did you also attract locusts because of your great loss of morality? Yao Chong finally spoke hard words: If Ni Ruoshui continues to sit idly by and cause the people to have no harvest this year, then the Governor of Bianzhou should not be a governor. When Ni Ruoshui read this letter, he knew the profound meaning contained in the words, and his body broke out in a cold sweat. He didn't dare to waste words with the locust catcher, and hurriedly summoned his subordinates to arrange the locust extermination. Because Ni Ruoshui was released as a foreign official, knots formed in his heart, and he had a heart of resentment towards Yao Chong, so this time he deliberately wanted to find fault.Yao Chong's stern words finally brought Ni Ruoshui to his senses. In terms of insight and talent, Ni Ruoshui is definitely a first-class talent.In the following days, Ni Ruoshui personally arranged for the extermination of locusts, and went into the fields to take the lead in exterminating locusts.During the ten-month period, a total of 140,000 locusts were wiped out in Bianzhou, thus preserving the grain harvest. After the day and hour passed, Li Longji inspected the locust extermination reports from various places in the hall.It seems that Yao Chong's measures are very effective, and all localities are hunting and killing them according to the order, thus curbing the spread of the locust plague. Gao Lishi came over and said softly: "Your Majesty, Yao Chong led all the officials to gather in front of Chengtian Gate, and asked to enter the palace to meet the Holy Majesty." Li Longji wondered: "Why didn't they tell the court early? What can happen now that they are in the palace?" "I don't know. But they all look happy, it must be something important." "Okay, let them in." After a while, Yao Chong led all the officials into the Tai Chi Hall.After all the officials finished, Yao Chong came forward and said: "Your Majesty, the Taishi Bureau previously calculated that there would be a solar eclipse at the moment of today's hour and hour. However, until this time, the sun has not been damaged at all. The ministers thought that the sun should not lose. For the sake of auspiciousness, I came to congratulate His Majesty." The Taishi Bureau was also called Sitiantai before, and its duty was to inspect astronomy and record numbers.Previously, the Taishi Bureau calculated that a solar eclipse would occur today based on the "Linde Calendar" compiled by Li Chunfeng.At that time, people were afraid of the sky, thinking that the loss of sunlight was an ominous sign from heaven to warn people, and that it was a happy event if the sun did not suffer a loss. Li Longji recalled that the Taishi Bureau had reported this matter before, so he called Taishi Ling and asked, "Is there any error in the Taishi Bureau's budget for the solar eclipse?" Tai Shiling bowed and replied: "I know this matter is very important, so I led my subordinates to perform it many times, and always looked up at the sky, so the solar eclipse should happen." Yao Chong clasped his hands again and said: "My minister thinks that the sun should not be lost, but it is actually the result of His Majesty's virtuous administration. For example, the locust plague has gradually subsided. This is an example. Your Majesty, please accept your congratulations." He finished speaking After saying this, he immediately bowed down and worshiped.Seeing this, the officials behind him immediately fell down, and the sound of praise from their mouths resounded throughout the hall. Li Longji ordered the officials to flatten again, and said with a smile: "Okay, I should congratulate you on this matter. All the ministers assist me in governing, make the celestial phenomena show favor, and reward you and so on for heaven." Yao Chongdao: "Your Majesty, it is really a matter of congratulations for God to show goodwill to our court. I think that this matter should be recorded by the historian and passed on to future generations." Li Longji agreed with this proposal, and then the monarchs and ministers complimented each other, and Yao Chongfang led the ministers to withdraw. Li Longji sat silently on the throne for a while, suddenly smiled, and asked Gao Lishi, "General Gao, what do you think of this matter?" Gao Lishi said: "God has shown good fortune to our dynasty, which is really something to celebrate." "Haha, could it be that you also believed Yao Chong's nonsense?" Gao Lishi didn't know why, so he had to face each other in astonishment. Li Longji said: "Which one of these people from the Taishi Bureau has Li Chunfeng's ability? Huh, repeating the performance repeatedly, they have practiced it a hundred times, and the solar eclipse may not have happened at all." Li Chunfeng was in the early Tang Dynasty A foreigner who once served as Taishi Ling of the Taizong and Gaozong dynasties, "Linde Calendar" is the almanac that he worked hard to complete during the Linde period of Gaozong. Gao Lishi asked in astonishment: "Since your Majesty believes that the Taishi Bureau's calculations were wrong, why did you follow them?" Li Longji sighed: "There is a saying called 'people carry people on a flowery sedan chair'. The Taishi Bureau said before that there will be a solar eclipse. However, if there is no solar eclipse today, it is not wrong for the officials to come to congratulate. If I refute it If you enter the Taishi Bureau, it will hinder the prosperity of the officials, and it will not be good for the public opinion in the world. It is better not to do things that are not beneficial to yourself and others." Gao Lishi didn't dare to ask again. Li Longji was silent for a while, and then said: "General Gao, I have been bored in the palace all day, and I feel a little uncomfortable. How about we go out of the palace?" "Where does His Majesty want to go?" "Zhan Master Purun hasn't entered the palace for a long time, I miss him a little, so let's go to Baochang Temple for a while." Gao Lishi shook his head and said: "Buddhism and Taoism have been competing for a long time. Since the ancestors, Taoism was established as the state religion, and your majesty is the king, so every move is related to the direction. If your majesty enters Baochang Temple with great fanfare, Taoists will definitely not like it. " "I don't want to drive out of the palace. You and I changed into casual clothes, without any followers, and went out for a visit so quietly." Gao Lishi even shook his head and said: "Your Majesty can't do it! As an internal official and a prison general, I know that your majesty's safety is more important than Mount Tai! Now that the court has just been stabilized, after all, there are still things that are not stable. If Your Majesty goes out of the palace without guards, it is really dangerous, and I dare not obey the order." However, Li Longji's thoughts had already risen, and he insisted on subduing himself and leaving the palace, but Gao Lishi couldn't help it, so he had no choice but to agree.However, Gao Lishi was a caring person after all, so he quietly called his confidant while changing clothes, and asked him to go out quickly and tell Wang Maozhong, asking Wang Maozhong to send people to guard around Baochang Temple. Purun was conferred by Li Longji as the Great Chan Master of Huguo, enjoying the rank of third-rank official, and his status is very unusual.Baochang Temple was renovated at this time, and the Daxiong Hall was rebuilt. The foundation of the hall is nine feet, and the height from the ground to the end of the owl is 179 feet. Bawei, this temple is magnificent and dazzling when looking up, it is known as the largest Buddhist temple in the capital.As for the furnishings in the temple, it can be described as resplendent and magnificent. All the Buddha statues in the temple are decorated with gold. Li Longji and Gao Lishi came here in low clothes. After entering the temple, they went straight to the northwest corner of the temple. As they walked and watched, Li Longji couldn't help sighing: "It seems that Purun has the ability to run a house. When I first entered this temple, the buildings in the temple Not to mention simple, even a little dilapidated. Unexpectedly, it is not what it used to be, look at the utensils and objects in this temple, how exquisite they are." Gao Lishi said softly: "The reason why Baochang Temple is today is due to His Majesty's care." Li Longji smiled but didn't answer. While speaking, he reached the northwest corner of the temple. Purun has been practicing meditation here and has not moved to another place so far.However, when Li Longji approached, he found that the place had also been renovated. The former side hall became a courtyard with doors and walls. Outside the courtyard were two gray-clothed monks, who were tall and mighty, He must be a martial artist. Li Longji looked back and smiled lightly: "General Gao, it seems that Purun also has monk soldiers." Seeing Li Longji approaching, the two gray-clothed monks stretched out their hands to stop them, and said, "You two benefactors, please go to the right. This is the meditation place of the great Zen master of this temple, and outsiders are not allowed to enter." Li Longji cupped his hands and said, "I am an old friend of Chan Master Purun, so can't I also enter?" One of the monks said with a smile: "The great Chan Master's reputation is all over the world, and there is an endless stream of people who seek to see him. How come there are no fewer people who call him old friends? If the benefactor has an old friend with faith, the poor monk will be able to report." Li Longji smiled at Gao Lishi again: "Well, what he said is good, do you have any trust?" Gao Lishi was a little anxious, the emperor's identity was of course not revealed at this point.In fact, that is to say, look at these two monks who are like wolves and tigers, they will definitely not believe it, and they may even retort: ​​"Could the appearance of yours be the emperor's arrival here?" Li Longji took some time off and turned to the monk and said, "How about this, please report to Chan Master Purun, just say that Aman is visiting, and he will definitely welcome you out of the door." The two monks were skeptical, and seeing that Li Longji's demeanor was indeed extraordinary, they went inside to report.Li Longji became the emperor, and his old nickname gradually faded away. Ordinary people don't know who "A Man" is, but such old people as Purun must be very popular. In an instant, I heard a sound in the courtyard, and Purun had rushed over. Seeing Li Longji wearing ordinary clothes, he knew that he was unwilling to reveal his identity, so he bowed and put his palms together in salute: "The poor monk welcomes you late, forgive your sins." Sin. Please, please enter the room and serve tea." Li Longji said with a smile: "Unexpectedly, Chan Master Purun would have such a big show, it can be said that he is heavily guarded." Purun bowed again and said: "The poor monk wants to be quiet, because there are people here. These people's words are rough, and they are afraid that they will offend the nobles, and the poor monk will apologize on their behalf." Li Longji laughed, and said, "Forget it, let's go to the hospital." Gao Lishi didn't accompany him to the hospital, and obediently waited by the door as a guard. After Li Longji entered the room and took his seat, a young novice immediately offered him fragrant tea. He looked around the room and saw that the furnishings were completely new, and said with a smile, "Besides being quiet, the Chan master's Zen room is also good for living." Purun waved his hand to order the little novice to leave, and then saluted: "The poor monk entrusted His Majesty with blessings, and thus rebuilt and renovated the temple. It is indeed a lot better than before." "I remember that Buddhists have a saying of begging for alms asceticism. Zen masters are like this. Is it a bit incompatible?" Purun knew that the reason why the emperor came here today in smock was because he saw that the temple had changed a lot after entering the temple, because of these words.He smiled, and did not follow Li Longji's words, but changed the subject: "Your Majesty entered the temple today, why did you come here in disguise? If your Majesty thinks about the poor monk, you can send someone to summon him." Li Longji said: "I stay in the palace every day. I feel a little bored. I just want to go out for a walk. If there is a guard of honor and some hands are bound, how can I have such freedom? I want to see the Zen master today, but I actually remember what you said Once a monk was good at astronomy, so he wanted to inquire about it.” Purun immediately understood, and said: "This monk's legal name is Xing Xing, and his common name is Zhang Sui. This person's ancestors have a considerable connection with the royal family." "What is the origin?" "His great-grandfather's name was Zhang Gongjin, and he was named Zou Guogong by Emperor Taizong, and he was the governor of Daizhou." Li Longji nodded and said: "Well, I know Zhang Gongjin, who assisted Emperor Taizong to make great contributions. After his death, Emperor Taizong once held the coffin and cried. After such a meritorious service, he unexpectedly became a high monk." "Your Majesty wants to find a party, why?" "Today Yao Chong led hundreds of officials into the palace to congratulate him. He said that the Sunshine deserved the loss, which is really an auspicious thing. But I thought otherwise. Who in the Taishi Bureau has the same ability as Li Chunfeng? Huh, the Sunshine deserves the loss! Just in case it counts What's wrong?" Purun knew Li Longji's ability early on, but because he didn't have much contact with him during this period of time, he sometimes thought that Li Longji was superior, whether he would be deceived by his subordinates and not know?It can be seen from this incident that the emperor is still very clear-headed, because he said: "Your Majesty, if you want to find someone who understands, it is best to find a line. A line has been reading scriptures and history since childhood, and is especially good at the study of yin and yang and five elements. His book "Taixuan" became the consensus of the whole world. Wu Sansi heard of his reputation, and deliberately accepted him as a subordinate, and avoided it with one act, and became a monk from then on." "Well, where is Yixing now?" "At the beginning of his ordination, he traveled to famous temples all over the world; after that, he mostly stayed at Dafawang Temple in Songshan Mountain and Guoqing Temple in Tiantai Mountain to study Buddhism and ask questions." "Okay, I'll ask the Zen master to search for you, and invite a group of people to come to Beijing to see me." Purun laughed and said: "One party is upright in nature, if the poor monk looks for His Majesty on behalf of him, I'm afraid it will be hard to accept him. The poor monk thinks that one party has a lot of connection with the royal family, and it will be better if His Majesty personally sends someone to urge him." Li Longji agreed with this proposal, but if he asked Purun to visit him, Purun of course agreed.It was the time when Zen Buddhism was flourishing, and Zen disciples were all over the world. Purun was not only the younger brother of Pu Ji, the leader of Zen Buddhism, but also was named the Great Zen Master of Protecting the Country by the emperor. It was very easy to find a monk. Li Longji took a sip of tea and asked with a smile: "Chan Master is absolutely indifferent to common matters these days, but he refused to invite you to the palace for a banquet. Do you really want to become a great master of Buddhism?" Purun said: "The poor monk dare not. At the beginning, the poor monk got involved too much with common affairs, which greatly violated the original intention of Buddhism. As a monk, he should uphold the Buddha's teachings and focus on self-cultivation. The reason why the poor monk did not enter the palace Because of this, please be lenient, Your Majesty." "However, the Zen master built this temple like a Buddhist temple, does it violate the will of the Buddha?" Li Longji joked. "The so-called huts in jingshe are like floating clouds. Your majesty rewarded a lot of money and goods, and also gave a lot of temple land. The poor monks used them to repair the temple. In addition to paying homage to the Buddha and Bodhisattva, they can also be used to save sentient beings. Your majesty, the temple After it was completed, more than twice the number of people came to the temple to offer incense, which is an example." Li Longji smiled secretly in his heart, even if you Purun talk all kinds of words, it may be difficult to achieve a positive result on the basis of Buddhism.But he was able to do this because of a lot of painstaking efforts, so he said: "It's very good that you can do this. You have made great achievements without being arrogant, and you have such a calm mind. Liu Youqiu and others don't have such a state of mind." At the beginning, Liu Youqiu was introduced by Purun to get acquainted with Li Longji, which shows the deep friendship between the two.Li Longji came here, Purun knew that it would be difficult to get around this topic while talking, and now he really came.He didn't hesitate when he heard the words, and immediately said: "Liu Youqiu and the others are narrow-minded, so they fall into the lower ranks. The country's plan is a big deal. Back then, we followed His Majesty, which was following the general trend; now that the country is starting up, His Majesty urgently needs all kinds of help." How can local talents be confined to the circle of heroes? Liu Youqiu and others should not complain. In fact, His Majesty treats us with the utmost benevolence and righteousness. He has titles and rewards, so we should be satisfied. Before Liu Youqiu left Beijing, he once came to our Farewell to the temple, the poor monk had already told him what he said." Li Longji nodded slightly. He sent people to investigate the whereabouts of important people in private. Of course he knew that Liu Youqiu had been to Baochang Temple.Purun took the initiative to say that today, which shows that what he said is true. 普润接着说道：“贫僧虽不再过问俗事，然明晓陛下近来的作为。陛下罢功臣、放诸王、选良吏，重用姚崇，非为私恩，实为重树国势之举。贫僧以为，若如此下去，不出三年，天下定然大治。” 李隆基听罢此言，可谓龙心大悦，笑道：“禅师能有是思，足证你探研佛理小有成就。好哇，你今后可多入宫，多与朕谈谈话，如此对治国也有好处。” 普润推却道：“贫僧与一行相比，又落在下乘。贫僧速速访知一行的踪迹，陛下可促请入宫，则远胜于贫僧。陛下，贫僧有此际遇，又被封为护国大禅师，则可光大禅宗之学，此生足矣。” 李隆基不再坚持，心想普润选择如此道路，实在是一个乖觉的人儿。是时佛道游方之人，往往利用自己结交四方人士的便利游说，由此易成暗流。李隆基起事之初，身边少不了佛道阴阳五行之人，现在当了皇帝，对此类人便保持高度警惕。李隆基默思片刻，然后面带微笑，欲张嘴说话，然外面忽然传来一阵极度的嘈杂声。 普润见状，转身欲出门察看，恰在此时，高力士推门而入。李隆基急忙问道：“高将军，外面有何事发生？” 高力士禀道：“请陛下勿虑。刚才王毛仲带领一班人前来护卫，与护院僧人起了争执，由此有了响动。” “王毛仲？他如何知道朕的行踪？” “想是王将军耳目甚灵，由此侦知了陛下的行踪。”高力士见李隆基薄有愠色，不敢说自己悄然告知，遂顺口扯谎。 “哼，你把他叫进来。” 王毛仲被传唤进入，其入室后先向李隆基行礼，继而急急说道：“陛下微服出宫，让奴才大急，因前来护驾，由此惊扰了陛下，实为大罪。” “嗯，朕未出京城，不过来瞧瞧禅师，值得如此大惊小怪吗？” “想是陛下不知，奴才刚刚得到密报，说有外人交结军中之人，意欲不利于陛下。奴才深怕有意外，所以急急来此。” “哦，果有此事吗？” “密报言之凿凿，应该不会错的。奴才定要查个水落石出，看这军中之人到底是何方奸人！” 李隆基转对普润笑道：“他们来此一搅，朕也没心思再聊了。也罢，以后有空儿的时候，再来与禅师清谈。” “贫僧今后日日盼望陛下光临。” 李隆基抚慰一番，遂起身离寺回宫。