The Romance of the West Chamber: The Bells are Ringing

Zhang Sheng was impatient and urged his horse to go quickly. After a while, he saw the mountain gate of Pujiu Temple in the distance. He saw a monk at the door setting up a pergola to watch. When he was confirmed to be Zhang Sheng, he immediately ran into the door.

Not long after, Zhang Sheng and Qintong approached the mountain gate, and a monk slowly walked out of the mountain gate, it was monk Facong.

Zhang Sheng waved his hand on the horse, and Qin Tong asked curiously: "Is that the elder of Pujiu Temple? He is so young, doesn't he look like him?"

"Of course not. This is the elder's disciple, Monk Fa Cong. This monk is really ignorant. He didn't give me any convenience yesterday. I just want to borrow half of the monk's room to live in. It's best if I can live across the door from the young lady. , Hee hee." Zhang Sheng opened the folding fan, covered his mouth and nose, and whispered.

Qin Tong thought about it, didn't this monk ruin the good things between me and my matchmaker sister? How abominable! He muttered: "Can't you just raise your hands? This monk is really a monk."

"Isn't that right? Monk Facong said that he would wait for his master to come back and talk to his master." Zhang Sheng also said bitterly, "Huh, otherwise, I might have been able to see the beauty of the young lady last night. It looks like, even if you can’t steal jade or beauty, you can still enjoy it.”

Qintong smiled and said: "It seems that this little lady Yingying is indeed stunningly beautiful. Otherwise, sir, how could you be so smitten!"

"Well, I usually see those vulgar powderers who apply powder and thrush on their eyebrows to look beautiful. In fact, they are all fake." Zhang Sheng covered his mouth with a folding fan and continued to say with fascination, "This little lady Yingying, she is real. A fairy-like figure in the sky. I am a passionate person. When I see this loving little lady, I feel really itchy and unbearable! I really can’t delay it any longer. The longer I delay, the more flustered I feel and it makes me uneasy! "

After saying that, he walked to the mountain gate. The piano boy helped Zhang Sheng off his horse. Zhang Sheng bowed deeply to Fa Cong. Fa Cong returned the salute with his hands folded and said, "Sir, you came just in time! My master is watching your arrival right now. ! Please wait for a moment until the young monk goes to report." After saying that, he quickly went in.

After a while, a chant of "Amitabha" came from the mountain gate. Accompanied by Fa Cong, an elder walked out. When the piano boy saw it, he cheered in his heart: "This master looks like a master from this world!"

Zhang Sheng also repeatedly praised in his heart: "This old monk has white beard and hair, with sideburns and long beard hanging down, and his complexion is as lively and tender as a child's. He must have the power of a child. He has such a majestic appearance, and his voice is so loud and hearty, but it's just that The round head is not shiny enough, but looks a bit like a figure in a Buddha statue!"

The elder who came out was Master Faben, the abbot of Pujiu Temple. When Fa Ben came out of the mountain gate, he saw a master and a servant standing in front of the mountain gate. The boy servant had a stooped figure and a dull face, which reflected the master's majestic appearance and rather wealthy appearance. The boy servant is carrying a piano bag. It seems that the scholar is well versed in music. Even the big white horse held by the piano boy is of extraordinary charm and valuable. Thinking that he was not an ordinary boy from a poor family, he hurriedly welcomed the abbot.

The novice monk had already taken the reins and led the horse to the stable. Qintong followed Zhang Sheng into the abbot.

The law book folded its hands and said: "Sir, please sit in the abbot for a while. My old monk was not in the temple yesterday and could not greet you. Please forgive me, please forgive me!"

Zhang Sheng and Fa Benn sat down as guests and hosts, and the piano boy looked clumsy and stood beside Zhang Sheng, hunched over and waiting. Fa Cong also stood beside the master.

Zhang Sheng looked at the Dharma book with a sincere expression and said: "I have heard about the master's reputation for a long time, and I have always wanted to sit down and listen to the master's words. Unfortunately, I couldn't meet him yesterday. Today I finally got to see the master. I am really lucky. ah!"

The piano boy felt disdainful after hearing this, and couldn't help curling his lips. This scholar really lied a lot, and he just opened his mouth. You only found out about this Pujiu Temple yesterday, and now you actually say that you have heard of it for a long time. You are so polite!

Farben laughed. There was a free hat, so why not wear it? It’s just that this scholar, I don’t know where he came from? So he twirled his white beard and said, "Sir, your family has lived in which county for a long time? May I ask your name and why you came here?" This means that I know what you just said, and it's just a courtesy. That's all, if you are not a member of a noble family, then that's it, no need to say more.

Zhang Sheng didn't care, after all, it was common to be polite when dealing with others. Besides, I am a member of the Zhang family, so what can I say? Since you, an old monk, want to ask me clearly, I will tell you everything and see if you still won’t surrender?

Then he nodded and said: "Tell me, Master, my surname is Zhang, my given name is Gong, and my given name is Junrui. Our Zhang family is from Xiluo. We have traveled all over the officialdom and live in Xianyang. My grandfather once served as the Minister of Rites, and he is very famous. It's a pity that he died young and died of illness when he was only in his 50s." After saying that, his eyes could not help but turn red.

Qin Tong saw Zhang Sheng wiping the corners of his eyes beside him, but he snorted secretly in his heart, but he also knew that it was true that Zhang Sheng was mourning his grandpa. After all, his grandpa's death still affected his future to some extent. of. It would be very different if grandpa was still in the position of Minister of Rites.

As soon as the Dharma book heard this, he quickly stood up and said, "Oh, it turns out that your father is the former Minister of Rites, Zhang Shangshu. I'm sorry, I'm sorry! Your Xiluo Zhang family is a distinguished family, passed down from generation to generation, and your ancestors have countless ministers and ministers. Among them, your uncles, cousins, and in-laws all hold high positions, so I respect you very much, old monk!"

He shook his head slightly as a sign of regret, and then asked: "My old husband drove to Hexi. He must have arranged everything and left his family property, land, and official position to you?"

Qin Tong raised his eyebrows after hearing this. This old monk asked all these questions. It seems that he has not studied Buddhism enough!

Fa Cong, who was next to Fa Ben, was a little surprised when he heard what his master said, and glanced at Zhang Sheng unconsciously.

Zhang Sheng also stood up, shook his head, and said: "Hey, my grandpa has always been an upright official, with a breeze on his sleeves, upright and honest, and governed for the people! There is nothing left for me. I am only left with a skin, floating around the world. .”

Qin Tong's brows tightened and he thought: "If it's really like what you said, where did your family's vast hectares of fertile land and deep house come from? Humph! Do you rely on your grandpa's salary as the Minister of Rites? I'm afraid the whole family won't be able to buy enough rice. Bar?"

But Fa Ben still sighed and said: "Oh, it's rare, it's rare. Zhang Shangshu was such an upright and upright official! Such a good official died young, which is really a loss for the Tang Dynasty!"

"No, no, we in the Tang Dynasty are all upright officials, courageous in taking on responsibilities, good at doing things, possessing both ability and political integrity, and putting morality first." Zhang Sheng waved his hands repeatedly and said, "My grandfather just did his job. It’s just my duty. He is truthful and pragmatic, diligent and dedicated, courageous to take on responsibilities, and hard-working. As the heir of the Zhang family, I really need to follow my father’s example more!"

Qintong couldn't help but rolled his eyes and thought: "Humph! This is not above the court, and you are just a white man, do you need to be like this? Besides, do you want to be a corrupt official to set an example? "

However, Fa Ben couldn't help but be in awe. Zhang Sheng was young, but he had the aura of an official. What he said was all official rhetoric. He must have been exposed to it in the government and he had already understood it. Although his father, the late Zhang Shangshu, had died, the noble family and powerful people were involved in the government and the public. It was expected that the road had been paved long ago, and the future would naturally be smooth. Then he asked: "Sir, I think this trip is due to the capital! The court will have another young talent, a good official and a capable minister!"

"Well, haha, I have no intention of seeking an official position, but I am here to listen to the Master's lectures and teachings." Zhang Sheng bowed his hands and saluted, "Xiao Sheng came here specially to pay homage to the elder. Unfortunately, the journey is long and bumpy, so I really don't have any special gift to give. Go up. I am a poor scholar, and I don’t have that much kindness. I can freely squander gold of all kinds.”

After saying that, he took out something from his arms and said: "Master, this, please donate it to the master for public use in the temple. I hope the master will accept it!" He held the Dharma book with both hands and handed it to him.

Qin Tong had already caught a glimpse of it, and felt a shiver in his heart. This guy was quite generous with his actions. This was enough to buy more than 2000 kilograms of rice!