Chapter 20 The Nineteenth Chapter Explanation of the Gath

Zhang Juzheng shook open the post, and saw a five-character jingle written on it: There is someone in Tanabe stepping on stones to catch egrets The bird spreads its wings fly into the clouds After reading it several times, Zhang Juzheng didn't see any mystery in it, but felt that the handwriting seemed familiar, so he asked: "Who wrote this post?" He Xinyin replied: "It's Chu Youjia, your chief friend." "It's him?" Zhang Juzheng was surprised again, and immediately asked, "Where is he now?" "He is far away in Wuchang."

"In Wuchang, what is he doing in Wuchang?" Zhang Juzheng looked eager. Although he was in a high position, he still missed his commoner friends very much.Seeing this, He Xinyin couldn't help being moved, so she replied: "Chu Youjia has converted to Buddhism for more than 20 years, and there is no need to explain his name. Now he is the successor of Linji Sect of Zen, and he is stationed in Xiaohong Mountain outside Wuchang Prefecture. Baotong Temple." "Baotong Temple?" Zhang Juzheng once visited Xiaohong Mountain when he went to Wuchang Township Examination, and vaguely remembered that it was a small temple. "Since Youjia is the successor of Linji, you should live in a famous big temple."

"Brother Uncle's words are wrong," He Xinyin replied, "Youjia, who is now famous as the Zen master Wu Keda, once set his ambition to build ten giant temples of the Linji School of Zen in his life. This Baotong Temple It is the fourth one, since he became the abbot three years ago, disciples of the Linji Sect have come to join him, and donors from all directions have also donated money to help, and today's Baotong Temple is already a magnificent Zen Buddhist jungle." "Ah!" Zhang Juzheng was excited for a while, thinking that this life experience is really a large article that cannot be described in detail, he sighed again and again, and said, "You two, now one is a great Zen master and the other is a university student. In Buddhist terms, They all worked out.”

"Compared to Brother Shu, Zen Master Wuke and I can only be regarded as marginal figures." "Brother Zhugan, why should you be so self-effacing?" "It's not self-effacing, I'm speaking from the bottom of my heart." He Xinyin said leisurely, "Whether it's a great Zen master or a university student, although it can be regarded as a career of a man of seven feet, it is of no benefit to the common people after all, and it cannot be regarded as a great cause of the world. Uncle Big brother, he is about to ascend to the position of chief assistant, this is the great cause of a man of iron blood!"

He Xinyin's voice was not loud, but due to the silence of the night, every word he said was like thunder.Although Zhang Juzheng knew that there was a long corridor outside the living room, there were no idle people around.But he was still worried that the wall had ears, so he quickly signaled He Xinyin not to continue, and said in a low voice: "Brother Zhu Gan, you are a wild crane, you can speak according to your heart, but I am not free as an official, so you must not talk nonsense." He Xinyin shook his head disapprovingly, and said, "Brother Uncle, I, He Xinyin, am a madman. I talk crazy every day, but I will never tell nonsense."

Zhang Juzheng didn't want to quarrel with his old friend who had just reunited, so he changed the subject, pointed to the post on the desk and asked, "What is the purpose of Zen Master Wuke writing these jingles?" "It's for you. At the beginning of May, when I was studying in Wuchang, I went to Baotong Temple to worship Buddha, and I met Wu Ke. He said that he would come to the capital, and he might come to see you again, and asked him what he would like to say to you. He thought about it and wrote these four jingles." "In this way, this is not a jingle, but it should be a gatha in the words of Zen masters."

"It's a verse," He Xinyin paid close attention to the post on the case table, and then said, "When I first got it, I couldn't figure out what it meant, but when I got to the capital and saw the situation here, I gradually understood it. The mystery of it." Zhang Juzheng became interested, and said impatiently: "Brother Zhu Gan, please explain quickly." He Xinyin pointed to Jietie and asked Zhang Juzheng: "Do you think the characters in these verses are composed of which radicals?" Without waiting for Zhang Juzheng to answer, he continued, "Among the twenty characters, there are ten oral characters in total. , a stone character, three bird characters, and a corpse character."

Zhang Juzheng picked up the sticker and looked at it again, and it really contained so many radicals, so he asked: "What does this mean?" He Xinyin smiled and said: "The mystery is here. There are ten mouths under the corpse, which are Zhang Juzheng's residence characters. Obviously, this gatha reveals the secret." Zhang Juzheng shook his head disapprovingly, and said: "I don't see any secrets, moreover, there is a residence but no authority, how can it be proved that it was written for me?" "This is the excellence of Zen Master Wuhe." He Xinyin's unfathomable eyes sparkled with wisdom, and continued, "Although you have been in the cabinet for a long time, you have always been a second assistant and have not been awarded the main post. Therefore, this verse The orthographic characters are hidden in the text."

"Oh?" Seeing Zhang Juzheng's surprised face, He Xinyin said again: "Although the orthographic characters are hidden, the gatha still contains the orthographic characters. Tang poet Wang Wei's poem 'Flying Egrets in Momo Paddy Fields', egrets in paddy fields, can be called the right place to live. I see that the egret catcher at the edge of the field is referring to you." Zhang Juzheng frowned and pondered for a while, then replied: "If Wuke really thinks so, he has misinterpreted the embrace of his old friend." "Brother Uncle, I know you have always been cautious, but you don't have to hide it in front of your old friends. Twenty-six years ago, when you were only 22 years old, you wrote down the words 'Huan Peixiang will serve the Forbidden House'." Moreover, since then, you have persevered year after year, and with your tenacious will and extraordinary intelligence, you have finally entered the cabinet. Now, you are only one step away from the position of chief assistant, don’t you really want to Do you want to catch this egret?"

He Xinyin's generous speech made Zhang Juzheng's heart flutter. He sighed and replied: "Back then, I was young and vigorous, and I didn't know the depth of the world, so I was prone to lying. After so many years, I realized that the great cause is not human. reach." "Brother Uncle, what you said is wrong again," He Xinyin said quickly, and immediately refuted, "the ancients said, heaven rewards hard work, just this one word "diligence, there are endless articles." "Really?" Zhang Juzheng smiled wryly, and said, "Even if I was the one who wanted to catch egrets, in the end it would be nothing but nothing."

"how do I say this?" "Isn't this gatha of Zen Master Wuke already explained? The egret didn't catch it and flew into the white clouds." He Xinyin laughed, and teased him kindly: "I think Brother Uncle has confused the right and wrong in the officialdom. Let me ask you, what is another name for Wuchang Fucheng?" "It was called Jiangxia in ancient times." "That's historically known. Is there another one?" Zhang Juzheng shook his head. He Xinyin asked again: "Have you ever climbed the Yellow Crane Tower?" "Come on." "If you have climbed the Yellow Crane Tower, you should remember Cui Hao's poem. There are two lines in it: 'The yellow crane will never return, and the white clouds will be empty for thousands of years'." After such a brief discussion, Zhang Juzheng suddenly realized, and quickly replied: "I remember, there is another saying in Wuchang Mansion, it is called the land of white clouds and yellow cranes." "That's right." He Xinyin slapped his thigh and said excitedly, "Didn't the egret fly into the white clouds and fly to your hometown? The position of chief assistant should be firmly in your hands." Hearing He Xinyin's explanation, Zhang Juzheng liked it very much, but he said: "This is Youjia, ah no, this is a play on words by Zen Master Wuhe, don't take it seriously, don't take it seriously." He Xinyin saw through Zhang Juzheng's thoughts and did not argue. After thinking for a while, he asked, "Brother Uncle, it has been two hundred years since Emperor Hongwu established Damingxia. During this period, there have been nine emperors. In your opinion, the nine emperors Among the emperors, which one can enjoy the reputation of the Taiping Emperor?" Zhang Juzheng replied: "It should be Emperor Yongle." "Yes, it's Emperor Yongle!" He Xinyin replied in a tone of appreciation, and then said, "During the Hongwu period, Emperor Yongle was still the King of Yan, the residence of King Longqian, who lived in the Palace of King Yan in Beijing. I heard that there was a man named Yuan Gong. Physiognomy is exquisite, but he lives in seclusion in the mountains and refuses to walk around the rivers and lakes. The King of Yan sent a special envoy to ask Yuan Gong to meet him in the mansion of King Yan. Yuan Gong went to Beijing day and night after bathing and fasting, and chose an auspicious day to come. King Yan's Mansion met with King Yan. When King Yan saw Yuan Gong, he was like a master, and he fell in love with Yuan Gong before he could talk. This Yuan Gong also came forward respectfully and circled around King Yan After a circle, he faced the holy face, leaned left and right, and saw the face of King Yan thoroughly with a few eyes. After watching, Yuan Gong first knelt down and kowtowed to King Yan, then sat up and said: The king is the appearance of the Taiping emperor, with the shape of a dragon and the posture of a phoenix, the sky is vast and the earth is vast, and the sun is shining in the middle of the sky; he has double pupils and a dragon's beard, his elbows are like flesh marks, he walks like a dragon, and his voice is as loud as a bell. Zhu Mingjiangshan, the emperor's career, Wenzhiwugong, should be carried forward on you, this is exactly what the Taiping Emperor did. When you are forty years old, and a beard grows beyond your belly button, you will be on the throne.' 一The words made Yan Wang doubtful. It should be noted that when Yuan Gong said this, Zhu Yuanzhang had already passed on the throne to his eldest grandson Zhu Yunyu, who was known as Emperor Jianwen in history. Perhaps it was Yuan Gong's words that had an effect, prompting Zhu Di to send his troops south. The nephew grabbed the throne of the emperor. Wait until the 17th day of June in the 35th year of Hongwu, the 42nd birthday of King Yan, and he will be crowned as the emperor and heir to the great treasure. This Taiping The Son of Heaven believes that what Yuan Gong said is not bad at all." He Xinyin's vivid description did not arouse Zhang Juzheng's interest.He loves reading, and although he pays attention to the knowledge of economics and economics on weekdays, his works such as "Taiqing Shenjian", "Luoluzi's Three Fate News Fu", "Li Xuzhong's Fate Book", "Mai Daoist Zhengyi Mind Method" " and other numerology books, I have read dozens of them in my spare time.With this foundation, and the unofficial history that He Xinyin talked about, he was familiar with it, so it didn't sound exciting.After He Xinyin finished speaking, he just replied perfunctorily: "Emperor Yongle is not confused in his forties. He knows that he is powerful in the world and loves the fate of the dragon species. The national artifact is originally a secret, but it happened to be heard by Yuan Gong." "It's not a coincidence, but it's in the middle of a sentence!" He Xinyin heard Zhang Juzheng's contemptuous tone, and retorted dissatisfiedly, "Brother Uncle, you and I are both scholars. It's okay to criticize the ancients, but it's not to laugh at a bucket full of water." Water, let alone criticizing knowledge with ignorance." Zhang Juzheng's face turned red and then pale in embarrassment.Fortunately, he has cultivated self-cultivation after a long time in the officialdom, and it was the first time that an old friend met, so he swallowed down the extreme unhappiness, forced a smile and said: "Brother Zhugan, I was joking, but you are serious. I haven't seen you for so many years. I didn't expect you to have so much knowledge." As soon as he got angry, He Xinyin felt regretful, but once he said it, he would never admit his mistake. Seeing that Zhang Juzheng took the initiative to make up for his smile, he took advantage of the situation and went down the steps, saying: "My stubborn temper, I'm afraid I won't be able to change it until I die. I still look forward to uncle Haihan. I just talked about Yuan Gong, but there is actually more to follow. The Taiping Emperor is the Emperor Yongle who was born in King Yan. There is no objection to this. However, The chief assistant of the cabinet of this dynasty is equivalent to the position of prime minister in the previous dynasty. From Xie Jin in Hongwu to Gao Gong, there are more than forty people who have served as chief assistant, but none of them is worthy of the title. The above is the Prime Minister of Taiping. From the "Tui Bei Tu" written by Li Chunfeng, it can be inferred that after Gao Gong, there must be a Prime Minister of Taiping. Brother Uncle, in my opinion, this Prime Minister of Taiping must be the king." Zhang Juzheng looked at his old friend who spoke eloquently like a teenager in front of him, and asked, "Brother Zhugan, what kind of person do you think can win the reputation of Prime Minister of Taiping?" He Xinyin replied almost without hesitation: "Follow what you do, follow the Lord's law, wait for orders with an open mind, and keep your mouth open. Let all the people in the world, those who cherish the will get their ambitions, and those who cherish the soil will get the land. There will be no tyrannical government and cruel officials." , the country is peaceful and the people are safe, and the territory is eternal. The country has this sign of revival, which must be the work of the Prime Minister of Taiping." Zhang Juzheng nodded slightly, and then replied with a wry smile: "According to your high opinion, the Prime Minister of Taiping is probably a mirror image. He has never had success in the past, and he will never appear in the future." "Yes, being the Prime Minister of Taiping is something that can be met but not sought after. But, Brother Uncle, this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity has already appeared in front of you." "How did you see that?" "The fourteenth emperor of the Ming Dynasty ascended the throne yesterday. He is a young emperor who is only ten years old. There are ten words in the gatha that is useless, which just hints at this. What does such a young ruler know? An Min, don’t you rely on the Chief Assistant? Therefore, this appointment as the Chief Assistant can be used to guide the country, abolish the turbid and promote the clean, and create a peaceful and prosperous world.” What He Xinyin said was exactly what Zhang Juzheng was thinking.He felt that although this old friend's habit of being arrogant and eloquent has not changed, he is indeed worthy of being a well-known scholar, so he said with a smile: "Brother Zhu Gan, what you said tonight seems not to be Mr. Yangming's heart." study." "It's called Emperor Learning." He Xinyin became more and more enthusiastic and said ostentatiously, "Mr. Yangming is the patriarch of my learning. The Mind Learning he founded is the category of knowledge, while the Emperor Learning is based on practicality." Zhang Juzheng said: "The combination of knowledge and action is the foundation of Mr. Yangming's knowledge. From this point of view, you are the authentic heir of the study of mind. I think, if you were born in the Warring States period, Su Qin and Zhang Yi who practiced the art of combining vertical and horizontal , must be under you." "Brother Uncle, thank you." Although He Xinyin is humble on the surface, he still has an indelible conceit in his bones. "The knowledge of economics is useful and practical for Brother Uncle. For me, He Xinyin, it is knowledge. If the two of us are united, it is called the unity of knowledge and action." "Why, you changed your mind to become an official again?" Zhang Juzheng asked in surprise. He Xinyin smiled, straightened his goatee that was blown to pieces by the draft, and said, "Brother Uncle misunderstood what I meant. As the saying goes, there are three stakes for a fence, and three gangs for a hero. Show ingenuity and play a role of helping. Not to mention being an official, I don't even want to be your aide, but when you feel the need, I will help you with ideas." "He came all the way to Tianshou Mountain to see me, so he wanted to be a national teacher." Zhang Juzheng thought in his heart, so he became more vigilant and said: "You keep saying that I am the Prime Minister of Taiping, as if I have now been crowned as the chief assistant." "It's a matter of time." He Xinyin's tone was beyond doubt. Zhang Juzheng smiled and teased, "Brother Zhugan is not a roundworm in the emperor's belly, how can you be so sure?" He Xinyin replied: "This is the lice on the monk's head. It's obvious. Think about it, when the young emperor who ascended to the throne yesterday was appointed as the crown prince four years ago, you made great contributions. Now you are full of civil and military affairs. The meritorious ministers in this matter, besides you, is Gao Yi, but Gao Yi is already terminally ill. The new emperor's companion is Feng Bao, and he has issued a decree for Feng Bao to replace Meng Chong as the boss The palm seal of the inspector of ceremonies, the next step will definitely let you replace Gao Gong to take over the cabinet." Zhang Juzheng admitted in his heart that He Xinyin's analysis made sense, and he also hoped for such an ending.But on the surface, he seemed indifferent to this matter, so he replied in a reminding tone: "Brother Zhu Gan, it should not be the work of a minister to speculate on the holy will." "If you don't try to figure out the holy meaning, how can the way of being a minister be manifested?" He Xinyin asked tactfully, and then said, "Now let's talk about the third meaning of Chan Master Wuke's verse, just said, These twenty characters imply one stone and three birds." "Three birds with one stone," Zhang Juzheng said immediately, "Wu Ke put such an idiom in it, what kind of secret is it?" "I don't know the meaning of killing three birds with one stone, but according to my guess, it should refer to the three things my uncle should do after he becomes the chief assistant." "Which three things?" "Of course it is to clarify politics and create a new style." "Please be specific." When it comes to politics, Zhang Juzheng has the domineering tone in the officialdom. He Xinyin is not used to it, but since what he is going to talk about next is the grand plan of governing the country that has been haunting him for many years, he can't care about his attitude, so he sips it. He took a sip of tea, cleared his throat, and said calmly: "The first thing to do is to promote talents and use them, and eliminate clique politics. The ancients said that officials are the foundation of governing a country. If a hundred officials win people, they will use benevolence to care for the world, and the grass and trees. Otherwise, the people will be ruined, and the country will have no peace. Throughout the past two hundred years of this dynasty, among the three lords and nine lords with high ranks, few are willing to serve the court and seek the well-being of the people. Why is this? It is because many sages are not in the court. Speaking of Yan Song, the chief assistant of Emperor Jiajing, this is the biggest traitor since the Ming Dynasty. Most of the people he uses are the same year, students, fellowship, and relatives. Clique politics has reached its peak in his hands. More recently, today Gao Gong, who is still in the position of chief assistant, is the constitutional office of the state capitals in the world, and the major yamen in the two capitals. Half of the officials come from his sect. In all fairness, Gao Gong is a rare and capable minister, but he is also trapped in the quagmire of crony politics and cannot extricate himself ..." He Xinyin started talking, but couldn't hold back the momentum.But Zhang Juzheng had a deeper experience of what he told.He knew that if he continued to discuss like this, he would not be able to finish talking for three days and three nights, so he interrupted He Xinyin and said: "Brother Zhu Gan, there is no need to cite examples. Clique politics is a cancer in the officialdom. It is impossible to solve this problem overnight. It is easy to talk about recruiting and employing talents, but it is not easy to do in practice. Some people are indeed virtuous. The minister has a great reputation, but if he is asked to do specific things, it will either be bad or impossible." "That's the second thing I'm going to say next. You should use Xunli more and Qingliu less." "Well," Zhang Juzheng said with a glint in his eyes, "this is a bit new, I would like to hear more about it later." Encouraged by He Xinyin, he was even more elated when he spoke, and he said clearly: "The term "following officials" was originally created by Tai Shigong, which means those officials who are diligent in governing and benefiting the people, upright and selfless in enforcing the law. They talk about flexibility and blindly search for chapters and excerpts. These people pay attention to integrity and dare to resist the villains in the officialdom. This is a good side. But they have a good name but no reality, and they lack the heroic spirit of generosity. Young scholars, who just entered the official career, are willing to be officials and want to do a great job. But as they get involved in the world, they are inevitably polarized. Some of them are infected with the corrupt atmosphere of officialdom and gradually degenerate, while others clean themselves up and return to the world. Under Qingliu's sect, there is nothing they can do except talk empty words. It is very rare to really stick to the original intention and stick to the path of officials." "Well said," Zhang Juzheng was really excited this time, he got up and walked a few steps back and forth in the hall, stopped in front of He Xinyin, and said solemnly, "Brother Zhugan's discussion is very hearty, and it hits the point. , This is what is called the authorities are obsessed, and the bystanders are clear. Now, you talk about the third article." "The third thing," He Xinyin watched Zhang Juzheng return to his seat, and said slowly, "I'm afraid it's more difficult to do than the first two things." "Really?" Zhang Juzheng asked casually. He Xinyin nodded, and said word by word: "The third thing you should do is: clean up the wealthy family and benefit the common people." After He Xinyin finished speaking, she looked intently at Zhang Juzheng's expression, only to see that his brows were furrowed, and he remained silent for a long time.At this time, the moon is as bright as water outside the Thanksgiving Hall, and the pine waves are rustling.Where the mountain wind passes by, the heat of the day has been blown away.Zhang Juzheng got up and walked to the window, looked at the black peaks that were close at hand, took a long breath, and then said: "Mencius said, 'Government is not difficult, don't offend the rich', but you want me to clean up the rich, isn't that digging your own grave?" "Brother Uncle, the history books are clear and detailed. Those who have caused disasters in the past dynasties are all the work of wealthy families. Therefore, when a generation of Ming masters like Tang Taizong ascended the throne, they all relegated Jiangyou's wealthy families to Common people. Zhu Hongwu, the founding emperor of this dynasty, feared that the rich family would be in chaos after death, so he did everything possible to cut them off..." "Stop talking," Zhang Juzheng, who was still standing in front of the window, didn't even turn his head, but just waved his hands to stop He Xinyin from continuing, "Brother Zhugan, since you have come to teach me from thousands of miles, of course you will find many examples. To explain the harm of a rich family. I just ask you, what is a rich family?" Zhang Juzheng turned around abruptly, and two sharp eyes shot towards He Xinyin. A shudder suddenly passed through He Xinyin's heart. He paused, and replied: "The rich family, as the name suggests, should be relatives of the emperor and the family of prominent eunuchs." , only this group of people can coerce the emperor to order the princes to take advantage of the common people." Zhang Juzheng smiled coldly, and his tone of voice was reprimanded: "Brother Zhu Gan, according to what you say, don't you intend to make me oppose the emperor?" "However, it is also in the interests of the imperial court to do so." "You're a scholarly spirit, forget it, let's not talk about emperor studies, let's talk about Yangming's theory of mind that you have studied for many years." He Xinyin was originally a very high-minded person, when he heard Zhang Juzheng's tone that he didn't want to talk any more, he sighed and said: "Brother Uncle, I traveled to study in the capital, and I came to see you with a passion, but I was thrown into cold water by you. Come on, let's leave it at that." After finishing speaking, He Xinyin got up and bowed, and was about to go out. "Brother Zhugan, wait a minute!" When Zhang Juzheng shouted, He Xinyin who had already reached the door stopped again. "It's so late, where are you going?" Zhang Juzheng asked. "Go back to the capital." He Xinyin replied angrily. "Let's go back together tomorrow." Zhang Juzheng was obviously a little sorry, so he put away all his indifference and replaced it with a smiling face, "We have been separated for twenty-six years, and the moonlight is so beautiful tonight, we should warm a pot of wine. Let's talk about the evening, and talk about the feelings of farewell." Originally, He Xinyin still had a hope, thinking that Zhang Juzheng would change his mind and ask him to come back and discuss the state affairs together.Seeing Zhang Juzheng's statement like this now, he no longer has any hope, so he cupped his hands again and said resolutely: "Brother Uncle, I've said everything I need to say, let's just say goodbye." go out. "Brother Zhu Gan, wait a minute, I'll send someone to see you off." "No need, there is still a little donkey I rode tied up outside the mountain gate." While Zhang Juzheng was talking with He Xinyin at Tianshou Mountain by candlelight, Feng Bao came to Meng Chong's home in Dingxiang Hutong in a blue blanket sedan chair carried by four people.At that time, Meng Chong invited an eminent monk from Daciren Temple in the north of Lvshi Hutong Street to explain Buddhism to him. However, after the death of Emperor Longqing, Meng Chong knew that his situation was over, so he made up his mind to give up his seat to Feng Bao.Two days before the new emperor ascended the throne, Meng Chong almost cleaned up all the things in his room.He also sent someone to find Feng Bao, and said respectfully: "Mr. Feng, I shouldn't have been allowed to take the top spot in the hands of the Supervisor of Rituals. In terms of qualifications and reputation, it should be you. It's only his tall beard who recommended me. I have no choice. I have been in your way for two years, and I have blocked your way for two years. Now, I will return this top spot to you. Look, I have packed up the value house, and you can move at any time Come in." Feng Bao smiled and said, "Eunuch Meng is also an old man in the palace, how can you say such unruly words, your palm print eunuch was appointed by the late emperor, and it is not a private thing, so you can give it away as you like." Meng Chong Answer: "Now that the first emperor is in heaven, the new emperor is about to ascend the throne. It is only natural to change generals. You are the new emperor's companion, and it will be a matter of time before you sit in this room. I, Meng Chong, sit on this seat, just like Dai I was so exhausted playing with the lion, and others said it was not good-looking, so why bother, I might as well let it go to you as soon as possible, and I will go to the Qianqing Palace to kneel and play to the prince." Meng Chong's initiative was unexpected to Feng Bao. Although he was happy in his heart, he still pretended to dissuade Meng Chong on the surface.Yesterday, before the new emperor's appointment of Feng Bao as the chief inspector of ceremonies was issued, Meng Chong had already gone through the formalities of handing over to Feng Bao, and then returned to Dingxiang Hutong slumped.This private house was rewarded to him by Emperor Longqing. He usually works in the palace and rarely comes back to live here. Even if he occasionally comes to stay overnight, he rushes back to the palace in a hurry before dawn.This morning, he slept in for the first time.In fact, he still woke up after beating the fourth watch, sat up with a grunt, and was about to call the boy to help him get dressed, when he remembered that he was unemployed now.I couldn't help having a sore nose, with two tears in my mouth, and then lay down lazily, curled up on the kang mat, thinking about my thoughts.Thinking about my own ups and downs, I feel that life is like a dream, and I can't figure it out, so I thought of inviting the eminent monk from Zhaoning Temple. Hearing that Feng Bao came to visit, Meng Chong, who was quietly listening to the Dharma, was startled. Not knowing whether it was a disaster or a blessing, he left the eminent monk in the study and walked into the living room. "Eunuch Feng, what brought you here?" Meng Chong exchanged flattering greetings as soon as he sat down. Feng Bao smiled and said, "Eunuch Meng is blaming me for saying that." "Where is that? I mean, you, Eunuch Feng, are very busy now, why do you still have time to come to my deserted house?" "I said I came to see you last night, because I was busy with the enthronement of the new emperor, so I couldn't separate myself. So it was delayed until today." Feng Bao looked up to look around, and then sized Meng Chong up. , and then said, "Your complexion is not bad." Meng Chong told the truth: "I was still feeling bored this morning. I invited an eminent monk to come to my house and preached the Dharma to me. The stone that was blocking my chest was finally removed." Meng Chong laughed as he spoke, and although Feng Bao also laughed along with him, he had an extra thought and asked, "Where did the eminent monk come from?" "From Zhaoning Temple." "From Zhaoning Temple?" Feng Bao shrugged his nose, and a sandalwood scent wafted from the study.Feng Bao stretched his head to look at the study room connected to the living room, and asked, "Just now when I got off the sedan chair at the door, I heard the sound of a wooden fish. Was it you or someone else?" "That eminent monk knocked it, he taught me to recite scriptures." Meng Chong replied, he wanted to brush off the matter, so he changed the subject and said, "Where are the people brought by Mr. Feng?" "They're all resting in the sedan chair hall." "Ah, this is so negligent. Old Yang!" Meng Chong called the butler at the top of his voice, and ordered, "Go and get some wine and vegetables, and take good care of Mr. Feng's subordinates. Don't forget, before leaving Two feet of silver." Lao Yang stepped back and went to work.Feng Bao was noncommittal, still looking at the study, and asked Meng Chong: "Eunuch Meng, that eminent monk is still in there." "Ah, yes." Meng Chong replied. "Could you please come out and meet me, I also want to listen to the Dharma." Knowing that Feng Bao was suspicious, Meng Chong was afraid that there was someone right and wrong hiding inside, so he quickly got up and went back to the study, and brought out an old monk who was about sixty years old and wearing a black cassock. The old monk obviously already knew the origin of Mr. Feng, and as soon as he entered the living room, he clasped his hands together and saluted Feng Bao, saying: "The poor monk is like a Buddhist karma with Donor Feng, so we can meet here." Feng Bao also got up and returned the salute, sat down and said, "You are just like a master! I have admired you for a long time. I heard that you opened an altar in Zhaoning Temple to teach the "Miaofa Lotus Sutra". It's so crowded that it can't get through, it can be seen that it is as profound as the master." Yiru replied: "Amitabha, it is the subtlety of the Dharma that has attracted donors from all directions. It is not the work of poor monks." Feng Bao turned his head and asked Meng Chong who was sitting across from Yiru: "Eunuch Meng, what do you ask Master Yiru for today?" "Just like the master taught me." "? Well, how much did you talk?" "It took about three hours before I spoke the first sentence." Meng Chong scratched the back of his head, thought for a while, and stammered, "Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, practiced the deep prajna paramita for a long time. Seeing that the five aggregates are all empty , just this sentence." "May I ask which five aggregates?" Feng Bao followed up to ask the question, seeing that Monk Yiru was about to answer, he quickly waved his hand to stop him, and said with a smile, "I'm asking Eunuch Meng." "Five aggregates, which five aggregates? I still remembered just now," Meng Chong couldn't remember for a while, he patted his head and rubbed his hands, and laughed at himself, "Look at my lumpy head, I pick it up on the left and throw it on the right. I just can't remember everything. Remember that the first aggregate is a word for lust." "Yes, form, thought, feeling, action, and consciousness are the five aggregates. I don't know if I'm right, just like the master?" "Feng Benefactor speaks word for word." "Ask for advice, as the master, the five aggregates are all empty, what does this empty mean?" Feng Bao looked at Monk Yiru intently, as if he came here specially to ask for Buddhist teachings tonight.Just as the master closed his eyes slightly, he replied leisurely: "I have already answered clearly that form is emptiness, and emptiness is form." "Gaozi has a saying, 'Food, sex, and sex', please ask the master, is the sex that Gaozi said, and the sex that he said, the same thing, or two different things?" "It's one thing, but it's also two things." Master Ru opened his eyes and took a look at Feng Bao, then slowly replied: "The color of Gao Zi is the color of a woman, and the color is the appearance of all things in the world." It also has the meaning of "mass hindrance". What the eyes see, what the ears hear, what the nose smells, what the tongue says, and what the body touches are all colors. The colors include the color of Gaozi, so It's one thing to say, and two things." "Then why is form empty?" Although Feng Bao's tone of questioning was respectful, careful people could still hear the meaning of questioning.But just as the master didn't care about it, he sat cross-legged on a chair, and calmly replied: "Among the five aggregates, there are still two dharmas. The first aggregate is form, and the other four aggregates are all mind. Form refers to the universe. All kinds of things, the mind method is the way to realize the noumenon of all living beings. The sentence that the five aggregates are empty is the key to the whole thing. It is necessary to know that there is no one of the things in the world. The way you were at the time is irretrievable now. Before entering the palace is very different from after entering the palace. The you of yesterday are also very different from the you of today. May I ask at what time was Mr. Feng the real me? If you think you are sitting right now The Eunuch Feng here is the real me, so isn’t the Eunuch Feng of all the past times fake? Therefore, the physical body created by our parents is always changing. This is called impermanence, and impermanence produces false views. Often we think The truth is actually delusional. In the physical body, you cannot find the true nature, so it is said that the physical body is emptiness." Monk Yi felt vaguely that Feng Bao was angry, so he tactfully used the opportunity of explanation to persuade him.Feng Bao has always been careful, how could he fail to understand the mystery in Yiru's words.As soon as the words fell, he said: "Talking with Jun is better than reading ten years of books. Listening to the explanation of the master, I, Feng, also understand a lot of truth." Yiru smiled slightly, and said: "Benefactor Feng is also a person with Mahayana roots. If it wasn't for this, he wouldn't be so familiar with him." "Master, this is a compliment. I picked this little thing from my master." Feng Bao said, looking at Meng Chong who was sitting beside him stiffly, and continued, "Eunuch Meng should also know that today's The emperor’s biological mother, the imperial concubine, is called the reincarnation of Guanyin in the palace, every morning when she wakes up, she must burn incense and wash her hands, and copy it respectfully, now, the scriptures she has copied may occupy half the room.” "Ah, to be so reverent to the Buddha must be a blessing to the common people in the country. Good, good!" Yi Ru sincerely admired. Feng Bao went on to say: "A few days ago, the imperial concubine called me, saying that she wanted to find a substitute for the emperor to shave or become a monk, and entrusted me to handle this matter. I am going to spend the past few days busy, Invite eminent monks from all major temples in the capital to carry out this matter together, and hope that Master Ru can participate when the time comes." "Amitabha, the poor monk would like to bow to his prosperity." As he had said before, he felt that Feng Baoye must have something to do with Meng Chong's visit, and it was inconvenient for him to stay here any longer, so he got up and left.Meng Chong still wanted to persuade him to stay, but Feng Bao said: "Eunuch Meng has a heart for Buddha, and it is not a matter of a day or two. Tonight, I will send Master Yiru back to Zhaoning Temple to rest. When you want to learn, just sit down and sit down." It will take half a while for the sedan chair to pass, or to take Master Yi Ru over." Meng Chong was afraid that Feng Bao would sit here for a long time, so he wanted to keep Yiru as a restraint.Seeing that Feng Bao chased away the guests so tactfully, there was nothing he could do, so he arranged for someone to send Yiru back to Zhaoning Temple. As soon as he left the living room, Feng Bao heard Dudu's footsteps and turned to Meng Chong, "Didn't Eunuch Meng believe in Taoism? Why did you convert to Buddhism?" As soon as Meng Chong heard something, his ears immediately perked up, and he said nervously: "Eunuch Feng really knows how to joke, I never believed in Taoism." Feng Bao smiled coldly, and sneered: "Since you have never believed in Taoism at all, why did you recommend that demon king Jiusi to the late emperor?" "This……" Meng Chong was at a loss for words for a while, he secretly glanced at Feng Bao, and his heart beat even more suddenly.In front of Yiru just now, Feng Baochun was very humble.Although it is still a smiling face now, but there is a knife hidden in the smile, Meng Chong suddenly has an ominous omen. "Eunuch Feng, you know, we are all the emperor's slaves, and we can't shirk what the emperor wants to do." "Although this is the reason, you have to think about the consequences of everything." Feng Bao touched his bare chin and said deliberately, "Eunuch Meng, I came here today mainly to give you a letter." "Is there something wrong?" Meng Chong's heart rose to his throat. "Whether it's a disaster or not, I'll tell you, Eunuch Meng, you can figure it out for yourself." Feng Bao blinked slyly, and then said, "What do we say, when the late emperor was here, you, the inspector of ceremonies, really satisfied the late emperor, And yet, you inadvertently hurt someone." "Who?" "Concubine Li." "Her?" Meng Chong took a breath and asked nervously, "Eunuch Feng, what did the imperial concubine say?" "She brought me to the Qianqing Palace today, and accused you of four major crimes. First, you brought Nuer Huahua into the palace, fascinating the late emperor; second, you secretly led the late emperor out of the palace in disguise, and ran to帘子胡同找娈童，让先帝长了一身杨梅疮；第三，你把四个小娈童化装成小太监弄进宫来，被太子爷，也就是当今皇上瞧见了，你又指使钟鼓司杀人灭口，弄死了那个王凤池；第四，也是贵妃娘娘最不能饶恕的，你把那个妖道王九思引荐给先帝，还弄出征召一百双童男童女配制'阴阳大补丹'的闹剧。先帝英年早逝，就因为你这一系列的馊主意。” 冯保娓娓道来不见火气，可是他所说的每一句话在孟冲听来都如巨雷轰顶。冯保一席话完，孟冲已如木头人一般，惟一证明他是个活人的，是脑门子上密密地渗出一层豆大的汗珠。冯保见他这副样子，心中有一种快感。他把身子往椅背上一靠，提着嗓门说道： “孟公公，你怎么不回话呀？” “啊，”孟冲如梦初醒，定了定神，然后哭丧着脸说道，“冯公公，你也别绕弯子了，是不是新皇上让你传旨来了？” “传什么旨？”冯保一愣。 “赐死呀，”孟冲撩起袖子往脸上连汗带泪胡乱揩了一把，哽咽道，“先帝宾天之日我就想到了，会有这么一天。” 看孟冲这副德性，冯保差一点没笑出声来，但他忍住了。想了想，说道：“皇上昨日刚登基，还顾不上下这道旨，但我听李贵妃的口气，倒真恨不能立刻就把你孟冲打入十八层地狱。” 孟冲噙着泪花说道：“事到如今，我也无需辩冤了。不过，冯公公你也清楚，你数落的那四条罪状，条条款款，都是奉先帝旨意办的。” “孟公公，你若这么说，只会惹怒李贵妃，真的招来杀身之祸。而且，把四件事全都推在先帝身上，亦与事实不符。” “有何不符？” “没有你从中撺掇，先帝怎么会知道那个王九思？” 孟冲勾头不语，冯保又说：“王九思现就拘押在东厂，几次受刑下来，他把什么都交待了。” “啊，他说了些什么？”孟冲一脸惊慌。 “他说的太多了，”冯保欲擒故纵，兜着圈子说，“若把他的口供交到三法司，孟公公，你恐怕十个脑袋也保不住啊。” 孟冲再也坐不住，起身走进内院抱出一个红木匣子来，双手把匣子递给冯保，失魂落魄地说道：“冯公公，王九思让我把他引荐给先帝，答应事成后送我十万两银子，后来又给我送过两张银票，总共十五万两银票，都在这匣子里了，我现在全都交给你。” 冯保打开匣子一看，果然躺了三张银票，他仔细看了看，都是京城头号钱庄丰隆号见票即兑的一等一银票。顿时心中一阵狂喜，他今夜前来，要诈取的就是这个。其实，王九思在东厂大牢里屁事也没交待，冯保凭直觉就断定孟冲在王九思身上吃了不少好处，就想诈他一诈，没想到这个憨头，一诈就灵。银票到手，抬头再看看冲一副待剐的狗熊样儿，顿时又动了恻隐之心。 “孟公公毕竟是老实人，”冯保假惺惺地叹口气说，“但总该记得古训，君子爱财，取之有道。” 孟冲心里头酸楚，咕哝着说：“古训太多了，我记得还有一条，成者为王，败者为寇。我现在是寇了，说是寇，这是我孟冲抬举自己，其实我是被绑到案板上的猪，等着被剥皮。” 冯保扑哧一笑，打趣说：“谁敢剥孟公公的皮，我冯保不依。” “你？”孟冲听出话中有缝儿。 “老孟啊，”冯保改了一个亲切的称呼，动情地说，“我们两个，差不多同时进宫，都四十多年了，平常虽然锅里不碰碗里碰，闹些小别扭。但真正碰到较劲儿的大事，立时间，那份感情就塞满心窝子。你想想，你眼下这个处境，我冯某能见死不救吗？” 孟冲深知冯保的秉性：哪怕明天就要动你的刀子，今天看见你还是一个哈哈三个笑，绝不让你看出任何蛛丝马迹来。现在见冯保的态度突然来了个一百八十度的大转弯，他根本不敢相信。但他毕竟是出了名的“憨头”，言语上兜不了弯子，这时忍不住直通通地问： “冯公公此话当真？” “我冯某什么时候说过假话？”冯保信誓旦旦，“我如果想加害于你，今夜里就不会专门到你府上来通报。” “那你说，如何能够救我？” “只要你按我说的去做，我就保你平安无事。” “好，那就请讲。” “第一，对任何人不得讲你曾受贿王九思十五万两银子。” “这个我一定做到。” “第二，不要同闲杂人来往，在眼下这非常时期，最好不要出门。若闷得慌了，就去把一如师傅请来讲讲佛法，这个做得到吧？” “这不是把我软禁在家吗？”孟冲心里忖道，嘴上却回答干脆：“做得到。从现在起，凡不三不四没有来历的人，不让他踏进我家门槛。” “就是有来历的人，更要提防。”说到这里，冯保加重了语气，“老孟啊，你我都是宫中的老人，宫里的事知道不少。如果你万一在什么人面前说漏了嘴，到时候我想帮你也帮不成啊。” “冯公公的意思我明白，怕我孟冲离开司礼监不服气，人前人后发牢骚。这你就多心了。让我孟冲把一头羊拆零打散，做出几十道菜来，哪样该烩，哪样该爆，哪样该卤，哪样该炖，我眼到手到，保证不出一点差错。可是自从到了司礼监，每天见到那成堆的奏折，就像见到一堆烂白菜，别提心里头多腻味，偏内庭外庭为了这些折子，每天扯死扯活的，鸡眼瞪成驴眼。想起来也真是没啥意思。老实说了吧，司礼监的那颗印，在我看来，真的不如尚膳监的一把锅铲。熘一道菜出来，你还能喝二两老酒。一颗印盖下去，却不知要遭多少人忌恨，这是何苦呢？因此，我早就想离开司礼监，只是先帝在时，我不敢开这个口，这回新皇上颁一个中旨，倒真是遂了我多年的心愿，冯公公你说得对，我从此可以享清福了。” 孟冲说着倒也真动了情，说完了自个儿发起呆来。冯保觉得他的话有夸张的成分，但基本真实可信。但话既已说到这个地步，索性就说得更通透些。 “老孟，”冯保声音更显温和，“你的这种心情，我冯某能理解。实不相瞒，你的这颗脑袋，还在掉与不掉两可之间。现在外头都在传，高拱对新皇上不恭，可能有些动作。他若找到你，你可要小心啊！” “这个请冯公公放一百二十个心，”孟冲拍着胸脯说道，“他高胡子真是来了，我虽不敢推他出去，但我可以当个扎嘴葫芦。” 看到孟冲犟着脖子发狠，冯保忍不住又是“扑哧”一笑。便故意逗他：“高胡子如果真的来了，你怎么办？” “杀猪杀屁股，各有各的套路，”孟冲也学着卖关子，“你冯公公猜猜，我会怎么对他。” “闭门不见。” “不敢，人家是首辅。” “装病。” “好端端的，为啥要装病？” “那……”冯保摇摇头，表示猜不出来。孟冲说：“我会满脸堆笑地把高胡子迎进门，然后让管家陪他聊天下棋，我则亲自下厨，把他平素喜欢吃的糟凤翅、大葱爆牛心、红枣炖驴尾等几样家常菜做一桌出来，陪他喝酒。” “美酒佳肴，不正好说话么？” “不会的，酒不过三巡，高胡子就会主动告辞。” "why?" “十年陈卤水，毒性胜砒霜，这句话你该听说过吧。我会在大葱爆牛心的那道菜里头，微微加点陈卤。你放心，剂量小死不了人，但吃下去发作得快。不消片刻功夫，屁股底下便像是有条蛇在窜，高胡子还不会趁早告退？” 冯保忍俊不住，又一次大笑出声。指着孟冲一面喘气一面说道：“这等主意，只有你孟冲想得出。” 只在这时，孟冲才找回一点自信，凑趣地说：“这叫卤水点豆腐，一物降一物。” “孟公公，今后有空儿，我还会经常来看你，”冯保眼看时候不早，拿起那只红木匣子起身告辞，走到院子里又站住对孟冲说，“你现在闲居在家，不比当差时各方面都有照应。一应用度肯定吃紧。我已同内宫监打过招呼，从现在起每月给你这里送十担米，另外，明天就过来十个小火者在你这里听差。” “这……”孟冲一时语塞了。 明朝祖制，凡宦官私宅闲居，一切用度自行开销，内宫概不负责。冯保这么处置，实在是前无先例。孟冲既心存感激，又有些惶惶不安。