Chapter 44 The Seventeenth Chapter Returns the Long-cherished Wish of the Empress Dowager Li to Promise the Buddha and Choose a Substitute to Become a Monk in Place of the Emperor

At three o'clock, only nine cannons were heard inside the Donghua Gate, and then I saw four guards in Jinyi riding a bay red horse, wearing gold armor, gold medals hanging from their waists, embroidered spring knives, and big pumpkin axes in their hands. General Dahan, as the vanguard, led out two rows of guards of honor with about 200 people.After that, a large sedan chair with carved brocade railings and apricot yellow curtains was carried out by sixteen people, followed by more than twenty sedan chairs, eight people carried four people and two people carried it.Next came two hundred retinue guards wearing red helmets and green armour, riding tall horses.On both sides of the big sedan chair, there are also four guards in brocade clothes wearing red leather helmets and gold armor, and holding broadswords with unsheathed swords, acting as guards.This scale and momentum is only two hundred less than the emperor's trip, the avant-garde soldiers of the government army with swords, and the two hundred fork sword guards belonging to the Shenshu camp.Because there is no need to handle the punishment along the way, the criminal officer of Jinyiwei Dong Sifang who accompanied the driver in charge of dispatching and arresting the case was also omitted.  Empress Dowager Li, who was sitting in the big sedan chair, was in a very good mood at this time.Yesterday, she officially received the golden letter from the Merciful Empress Dowager specially issued to her by the Ministry of Rites. On the one hand, she thanked Zhang Juzheng for his loyalty to the royal family and his strong mediation; Blessed by the power of the Buddha, he followed Feng Bao's suggestion and selected an auspicious day to go to Zhaoning Temple to pay homage to the Buddha.  After the large sedan chair was carried out of Donghuamen, it meandered across Qipan Street towards the Qianmen.Along the way, the road was covered by umbrellas and the sky was covered by colorful flags. Every time you traveled a mile, there would be three salutes of "tom, tom, tom".This is to tell the officers and soldiers in charge of patrolling the police stations in front that the Queen Mother's phoenix chariot is coming.Wherever the phoenix chariot passed by, the roads were cleared, and even the Qipan Street, which was crowded with people on weekdays, was deserted at this moment.Empress Dowager Li, who was sitting in the big sedan chair, was completely unaware of the outside situation, but it was the first time she traveled as an empress dowager, and such a majestic guard of honor naturally made her feel relaxed and happy.The big sedan chair that Empress Dowager Li was riding in was very spacious.In addition to herself, there were two maids of honor on both sides of the rattan chair embroidered with yellow silk on which she sat, and one of them was Rong'er.Now Rong'er has been promoted to Shangyi Bureau Shangyi, and she is a female official of the fifth rank.There are twenty-four bureaus for eunuchs in the palace, and six bureaus for female officials, named Shangguan, Shangyi, Shangfu, Shangshi, Sleeping, and Merit.The Shangyi Bureau is in charge of rituals, music and daily life, and has four divisions under it: Si Ji, Si Le, Spin, Si Zan.Rong'er is considerate and skilled in silk and bamboo, so Empress Dowager Li bestowed this official on her.Although the season is past Bailu, but because it hasn't rained for a long time, the heat is still lingering, and the guards are sweating so much that their armor is completely wet.Because there is a basin of ice in the big sedan chair, it doesn't feel hot.Hearing three more cannon shots, Empress Dowager Li asked Rong'er: "Where are we?" Empress Dowager, I have seen the tower of Chongwenmen Gate." "Ah, it should be coming soon," Empress Dowager Li stretched out her hands to adjust the phoenix crown on her head, and asked with a smile, "Ronger, the girl you trained Le, what's going on now?"  There was a Jiaofang Secretary in the imperial city, who was in charge of organizing music for major events in the palace.The empress dowagers of the two palaces usually listen to Sanqu very well, and Rong'er decided to select a court lady who is proficient in the melody of Zhong Lu to train a female music, and Empress Dowager Li immediately agreed.Have been training for some time now.Yesterday, with the permission of Empress Dowager Li, Ronger brought this female music to Zhaoning Temple today, and played Buddhist songs when Empress Dowager Li paid homage to the Buddha.Seeing the Empress Dowager Li asking about this now, Rong'er replied: "The Sanqu that is often heard, female music has already been played skillfully, but today's Buddhist music is played, because it is for the rehearsal, I am afraid that the Empress Dowager will be polluted." eyes and ears."  Empress Dowager Li smiled and did not answer.At this time, nine more cannons were fired, and Zhaoning Temple had arrived. The large sedan chair stopped firmly at the gate of Zhaoning Temple. When Rong'er opened the curtain of the sedan chair and helped Empress Dowager Li out of the sedan chair, only the sound of cymbals and drums could be heard.But I saw Feng Bao, who came an hour earlier, led a group of servants, and monk Yi Ru led a group of monks, big and small, kneeling in front of Zhaoning Temple to pick him up.  Empress Dowager Li came to Zhaoning Temple to offer incense today, and the content was fully arranged.First of all, offering incense and worshiping Buddha in various halls, and then donating a rattan-shaped sea tide Guanyin statue collected by Ouchi for many years to the Guanyin Pavilion of Zhaoning Temple.When Empress Dowager Li began to burn incense and worship Buddha under the guidance of Master Yiru, Ronger directed female music to play Buddhist music on the side of the Daxiong Hall.I saw that this group of court ladies and musicians were all wearing six floor-length long skirts with crimson trim and moonlight fish jelly cloth trimmings. They also wore uniform cloud buns on their heads, each with an exquisite amber wishful hairpin. There is a shiny pendant bead falling on them, shaking and shining brightly.They are all slender, with slender hands, white teeth and red lips, and graceful manners.The group of young novice monks who were sitting in the other room were so greedy that their eyes were straight and they often sang wrong scriptures.These female musicians are well-trained, and they can all focus on playing music without squinting.This is all because Ronger has a special understanding of Jiang Kui's "Da Le Yi" in the Song Dynasty, and deeply understands the meaning of the ancients. The meaning of haggard wood and pearls is very strict on female workers.For a while, I saw them beating bells and chimes, blowing pao bamboos, and playing qin and zither—the five tones were harmonious when they played together, and they seemed to come out of acupuncture points.It's like fairy music, yet without losing the royal style and elegance.At this time, the halls where Empress Dowager Li worshiped incense were redecorated, and they were also red and purple, beautiful and intricate.Those Buddha statues, hanging curtains, beam couplets, and furnace statues are like glazed glass, and crystal holes are clear; like amber light, they are coral-colored; ; if the emerald feathers are separated, if the dragon chapter is blazing;The bell rope shakes, and the treasure wheel stacks. The ratio of tiles and scales, vertical and horizontal sills; exquisite and clear, full of magic and light.Standing in the majestic atmosphere of the Buddhist kingdom with its bright ceiling, the Empress Dowager Li, who was already graceful and luxurious, looked even more energetic.Empress Dowager Li is very serious about worshiping Buddha, not to mention that she bows three times and kowtows nine times in front of Tathagata Buddha, Huanxi Buddha, Medicine Buddha and Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva. .It took more than half an hour for the worshiping Buddhas in the three halls to come down.Empress Dowager Li was also a little tired, so she was supported by a maid to sit down in the living room to rest.Yiru and Feng Bao also accompanied them in, and Empress Dowager Li gave them seats.After drinking a small cup of iced chrysanthemum tea brought from the palace, Empress Dowager Li ordered her maid to call Ronger in and asked her, "Ronger, what song did you play just now?" Ronger Gently lifted her skirt, and was about to kneel down to answer, Empress Dowager Li said: "This brick floor is no better than a palace carpet, and it will stain your skirt. You'd better sit down and answer." , sat down and replied: "Report to the Queen Mother, the tune played by the slaves is called "Buddha Music in the Good World"."

"Shan Shi Buddha Music, well, the name is good, and it sounds good. You can play for as long as I worship Buddha, not short.""This is a divertimento, consisting of seven pieces in total. " "Which seven pieces?" Empress Dowager Li was in a good mood, so she asked tirelessly, and Rong'er had to answer carefully: The first song at the beginning is called Shanshi, the next is Zhaoxin, and the third is Yanci The fourth is Dharma Joy, the fifth is Zen Joy, the sixth is Universal Response, and finally there is a consummate closing song called Shancheng Song. Originally, with this set of Buddhist music for the good world, there is also a set of Yue Buddha Dance, with twenty dancers, holding incense, or lamps, or pearls, or bright water, or green lotus flowers, or ice peaches, singing and dancing together in front of the Buddha statue. If the dance is good, on the lotus seat, there will be There is Buddha's light appearing."  "Ah, is there such a magic?" Empress Dowager Li's eyes lit up, and she asked, "Why did you just play and not dance today?" Rong'er replied: "This set of good Buddha Le Ye has just been rehearsed, and there is no time to rehearse the Yuefo Dance." "Ah," Empress Dowager Li nodded, with a slightly regretful expression on her face, "After returning to the palace, you should step up the rehearsal. When will the rehearsal be finished? Show me the show again."  "The servant obeys the Queen Mother's order." Rong'er got up and squatted down again. Feng Bao, who had been sitting quietly listening to the conversation, interrupted at this moment and asked: "Wang Shangyi, may I ask where did you use this set of Shanshifo music?""It was taken from The Secretary of the Jiaofang in the palace." 

"Ah, why have I never heard Jiaofangsi play."  "This set of music was composed by the monk Dupu of Jiangshan Temple in the fifth year of Hongwu, when Emperor Longjia of Hongwu visited Jiangshan to worship the Buddha. The Song Lian scholar wrote down the Buddhist meeting in his notes at that time. , and brought the sheet music back to Jiaofang Division.”“How do you know?” "The servant girl first read the notes of Song Xueshi, and then went to the Jiaofang Division, and found this set of music scores from the big red cabinet containing more than ten scores."  "Wang Shangyi is indeed a caring person." Feng Bao praised in his mouth, but felt sour in his heart. Although Rong'er is a popular person in front of the Queen Mother, she has always been cautious about this "inner face" who hides his knife with a smile.She heard the sarcasm in Eunuch Feng's words, and quickly replied with a smile on her face: "Eunuch Feng's piano skills are unparalleled in the world. Compared with you, our female music group is like a joke. From now on, we will continue I hope Eunuch Feng will give you more advice."  "Wang Shangyi is too modest, just now the queen mother praised you for your good performance."  "It's a good performance," Empress Dowager Li took over, "Ronger, go back to the palace Finally, let Qiu Deyong reward you with silver." "Thank you, Queen Mother."

  Ronger Daofu thanked, and then exited with interest.After resting for a while, Empress Dowager Li calmed down and asked Eunuch Feng: "What should I do now?"  "Gift to Guanyin." As Feng Bao said, he raised his hand towards the door, and immediately two servants brought in a mahogany box about four feet high.Carefully place it firmly on the brick floor, then open the wooden box, and the rattan-shaped Sea Tide Guanyin statue comes into view.There is no need to elaborate on the following situation, just as the master first kowtowed to the Empress Dowager Li, and then asked two young novice monks to come in and lift up the Avalokitesvara and please go to the Dashi Hall to take a seat. Advocate music. After a short ceremony, Master Yi returned to the living room. As soon as he sat down, Feng Bao raised the topic and said: "Master Yi, today is a rare happy event in Zhaoning Temple. Two Guanyins came at once. The rattan-born Avalokitesvara of the Sea Tide has stayed in the temple forever, and there is also the Empress Dowager Li, who is the reincarnation of Avalokitesvara..."  "Forget it, forget it, what are you talking about, Mr. Feng?" Empress Dowager Li said Either to blame or to interrupt Feng Bao happily, "Speaking such words in Buddhism is not afraid of taboo?" "The Queen Mother is the reincarnation of Avalokitesvara," Feng Bao guessed Queen Mother Li's mind, so he said Dare to speak boldly, "Master Yiru, I heard that you are an eminent monk who has practiced clairvoyance. I think you can see more accurately." It seems that there is something to say. Feng Baoshang was excited, and he didn't care to look at Yiru's expression and rushed to say: "Since this is the case, the queen mother, I have a suggestion." Avalokitesvara with a rattan body was sent to Zhaoning Temple to worship, so it would be better if Zhaoning Temple was renamed Lingzang Guanyin Temple.”“This…”

The Empress Dowager Li turned her attention to Yiru, which made Yiru feel awkward.The Buddhist temple in the capital, Zhaoning Temple is not the most famous. With Yiru's influential status, he could have presided over a larger temple, but he would rather live in Zhaoning Temple because there are many poor people in this area. Propagating the Dharma is just in line with his Buddhist embrace of "delivering all living beings". If it is renamed Lingzang Guanyin Temple, it will actually become a royal temple, and ordinary people will stay away from it. This is not what they want.But Feng Bao's proposal was obviously to flatter Queen Mother Li.If Yiru expresses dissent, the consequences will be disastrous.After thinking about it, Yiru put his palms together and said: "Amitabha, Queen Mother Li decides everything."

The Empress Dowager Li saw that there was something unspeakable in Yiru, so she asked: "Master Yiru, is there anything wrong with Mr. Feng's proposal?""Ah...no." Let's hide the Guanyin Temple."   "Thank you, Queen Mother." It was like clasping hands together and chanting "Amitabha Buddha" again. The dullness and piety of the old monk moved the Empress Dowager Li greatly. She said to Feng Bao: "Eunuch Feng, after returning to the palace, Please take this opportunity to invite the emperor to give a plaque to the Lingzang Guanyin Temple." Feng Bao replied: "I remember it."

 "Well, what else?" Empress Dowager Li leaned back, that way she meant to return to the palace, just like Nunu's lips seemed to have something to say, and Feng Bao hurriedly said: "I have one more thing to report to Empress Dowager Li, I hope your old man is here Make up your mind.”“What’s the matter?” "On the day Long Live Lord ascended the throne, you asked the slave to find a substitute for the Long Live Lord to shave and become a monk. The slave found this child. Now he is outside, waiting for the Queen Mother to look at him.""Ah, send him in." 

Feng Bao went out for a while, then led a child in.   This child is thin, but fair-skinned, with a straight nose and big eyes.Seeing these important figures suddenly, it was inevitable that he would feel nervous and nervous. Standing in front of Empress Dowager Li, he couldn't help trembling all over.Empress Dowager Li was a kind mother, she made the child stand closer, and while helping him tug at his crumpled clothes, she asked kindly, "What's your name?"  "Why is it called this name?"  "My mother gave birth to me on July 7th, so I'm called Morning Glory."

"How old is this year?" "Ten years old." "Yo, you are the same year as today's Long Live Lord." Empress Dowager Li expressed her love and affection, "Where are you from, Cowboy?""xian." " County?" Empress Dowager Li was taken aback again, and became more cordial, "So you are our little fellow." Thinking about finding a substitute for the Long Live God, it doesn't matter who is from any place. It would be the most suitable to find one in the Queen Mother's hometown county. So I ordered my staff to go to Qin County with all my heart. After more than a month, I finally found this Morning Glory from thousands of children. He is as old as the Long Live Lord, and although his appearance is not as good as the Long Live Lord, but I see that there is a Buddha image between his eyebrows, and the slave thinks it is ideal. , and brought him here." The Empress Dowager Li nodded slightly as a compliment to Feng Bao, but her attention was still focused on the cow.She saw that the shirts and trousers worn by the cows were not made of homespun cloth woven by the farmers in their hometown, but fine shuttle cloth produced in Songjiang prefecture.On such a hot day, he even wore a pair of duck socks that only young masters in the city would wear.So he asked, "Dian Niu, did you bring this outfit from your hometown?" Dian Niu shook his head. 

Feng Bao still took the lead in answering: "Dianniu is dressed in rags, and these clothes are newly bought after coming to Beijing.""Dianniu, what is your father doing?"  "Growing crops."  "Is the harvest good?" "I don't know, when I came, the field was dry."  "Oh," Empress Dowager Li's head was stung. Since she was thirteen years old, she followed her father to flee famine and fled from  county to live in the capital. Fifteen years have passed, and she has never returned to  county.The appearance of the cow brought back her nostalgia for her hometown, "There has been drought for two out of three years in xian County, and the life of the farmers is hard. Can the cow eat enough?" "Eat... "Dianniu hesitated to speak. 

"Tell the truth."  "Eat, I'm not full." Morning Glory answered in a weak voice.  "Poor child," Empress Dowager Li took the petunias into her arms, tears overflowing from the corners of her eyes, "Are you hungry now?" "I'm not hungry now. When I come to the capital, I eat well. " "Do you know what you are here for?" "I know," Chen Niu became excited, "We are here to become a monk for Lord Long Live.""Would you like it?"   "willing."  "Why do you want to?" Queen Mother Li asked, "Being a monk is not fun, and you can't marry a wife when you grow up."The cow nodded vigorously and said, "We still want to." The Empress Dowager Li laughed, and said to Monk Ru and Feng Bao who were sitting there: "Every mouthful of a cow is willing, and what you say is childish."  "It's not a child's talk, that's how my mother taught it." Morning Bull's eyes widened, and he recognized the truth. This made Empress Dowager Li very happy. She poked the bridge of Morning Glory's nose with her finger and asked with a smile, "Ah, your mother taught it. What did she say?" "My mother said that if I can really become a monk for the Lord Long Live, it will be a blessing cultivated by ten generations, and it will also be a great thing for Guangzong Yaozu. And, and...the rest, my mother will not let me say it." The cows stopped talking.Empress Dowager Li liked his innocence and simplicity, so she asked more interestingly: "Is there anything good that your mother won't let you say it?" "My mother said, if we are chosen by Queen Mother Li and become a monk, our family will be exempted from work and tax, and life will be easier."  "That's all?" "Just this, my mother said, it's a whisper, don't let us tell anyone." .She asked Yiru to take him down to rest, and then asked Yiru: "Master Yiru, what do you think of this child, Chenniu?" Yi Ru, who had been sitting quietly and listening carefully to the conversation, used to think that Empress Dowager Li was serious and majestic, but today she saw her amiable and humane side, and he felt very fond of her.At the same time, he also thinks that Morning Glory is innocent and cute, but he has more sympathy for this child than appreciation, so he replied: "This child is loved." "Yin Niu is indeed a good boy," Empress Dowager Li admired sincerely, and then asked, "Ru Ru, master, are you willing to take Qian Niu as an apprentice?""This..." Yi Ru thought for a while and said something If you are ambiguous, "Buddhists also talk about fate." "Since Master Yiru loves this child, Qianguniu, this is fate," Feng Bao replied in a nonchalant way, although he respected Yiru. Very dissatisfied, "The empress dowager's intention is very obvious, that she wants to make Niuniu become a monk in Zhaoning Temple." As forced to do so, it can be regarded as a tactful statement.  At this point in the conversation, Empress Dowager Li wanted to say goodbye, so she said goodbye to Master Yiru: "Master Yiru, we only wanted to come to Zhaoning Temple to offer incense and fulfill our vows. I did not expect so many people to come to the palace. There are a lot of troubles in the temple, and I hope Master Haihan."  Just like the master put his hands together, he said leisurely: "It is really a great honor for the Han Temple to come in person on the jade chariot of the Empress Dowager. The new lord ascends the throne, and all parties are auspicious. I firmly believe that there is The Empress Dowager set an example for the whole world, and from now on, everyone will respect the Three Treasures, and the day when Buddhism will be revived is not far away.”  “Aren’t the temples in the capital very prosperous now? Why does the old monk talk about the revival of Buddhism?” Grab Yiru's words, Queen Mother Li asked.  "This, I'm not good at explaining clearly." "The more difficult it is to speak clearly, the more we like to listen, just like the master, but it's okay to speak."The queen mother said goodbye and left, but she heard the unspeakable hidden meaning from the wind of the master's words, and she came immediately Interested, so I adjusted my sitting posture, and I must ask Chou Yinmao.