The Eight Winds of Rebirth

For more than a month, whenever he had free time, Gu Xiangtan would go to Shimen Temple. At first, the Zen master there didn't know about it, and Gu Xiangtan didn't make a fuss about it. The first few times I stared closely at Gu Xiangtan, but later I found out that Gu Xiangtan had nothing else to do except to burn incense and listen to scriptures, occasionally chatting with Zen masters, often kneeling in front of the Buddha for most of the day, and staying with him in Sumeru Hall It was no different, and gradually got used to his comings and goings.

On September [-]th, the pharmacist Liuliguang Tathagata’s Christmas, Shimen Temple held another three-day Dharma meeting, and Gu Xiangtan also went, but none of the princes in the palace accompanied him, but the abbot finished his lecture. Tan saw two familiar figures among the pilgrims.

Hou Bingchen was very low-key, wearing only ordinary clothes, but because of his tall stature, he was still spotted at a glance. He knelt behind the clean people who made offerings to Buddha, and beside him knelt down a woman in blue , no lips or thrushes, just a simple face, it is not as magnificent and beautiful as it was seen on the boat that day.

Su Xi also found them, and asked in a low voice, "My lord, isn't that General Hou? He's also coming to the Fa conference. Shall we go there?"

Before Gu Xiangtan could speak, Xiao Luzi, who was rarely allowed to come with him today, spoke.

"This...General Hou has a beautiful woman by his side, so it's not very suitable for him to go on now." Together with Su Xi and An Yin these days, he saw that they spoke very casually to Gu Xiangtan, and Lingfo had no airs, He was never harsh on his servants, so he learned to climb the pole and became more open-minded.

What Xiao Luzi didn't know was that this was what Gu Xiangtan wanted, so he didn't stop him at this moment, but instead asked, "Do you know this girl?"

Xiao Luzi didn't know that Gu Xiangtan had met her before, and thought it was the first time they had met her. Of course, he was very enthusiastic about being able to catch Hou Bingchen in front of Gu Xiangtan, and immediately said: "Lingfo doesn't know something, now There are rumors about this love affair with General Hou in Xiajingzhong, that woman is not a lady from a famous family, but the biggest gold-selling cave in Beijing... the number one singer of Huajufang, Qiu Yilou."

"Diva?" Su Xi was surprised, "Is that the kind..."

Xiao Luzi chuckled, and deliberately took Su Xi's words to the next level: "I don't know if she's a young lady. Anyway, she must have a lot of knowledge in the field of love and moon, and General Hou is also really obsessed with her. Speaking of this month, in the first ten days of the month, I went to Huajufang every day to support this girl, and it was uninterrupted from morning to night, and in the second ten days, I directly picked up the girl, and recently lived in the general. In the mansion, many people in the mansion have seen it, alas, everyone is saying now, I didn’t expect that a hero like General Hou who is so indomitable and unyielding will not be able to pass the test of a beauty in the end."

Gu Xiangtan listened to these unpleasant words, lowered his eyes and looked at Hou Bingchen for a moment.

Seeing his frown, An Yin hurriedly interrupted Xiaoluzi: "I don't even look at this place, I just talk about it on weekdays, but when I arrive at the temple, I dare to use these messy words in front of the Buddha to pollute the people here. Pure? Do you really think that Lingfo can break the rules if he doesn't care about you?"

Xiao Luzi was taken aback, and hurriedly turned pale and said, "Yes, yes, I won't dare anymore..."

After An Yin had taught him a lesson, he helped Gu Xiangtan to go out. It happened that Hou Bingchen and the girl named Qiu Yilou were on the same road, so the two groups met outside Shimen Temple.

When Hou Bingchen saw Gu Xiangtan, he naturally wanted to salute, and Gu Xiangtan also clasped his hands together to salute.

And that woman's eyes flashed with astonishment the moment she met Gu Xiangtan, like surprise and bewilderment, but it only passed for a moment, and she returned to normal the next moment.

Hou Bingchen stretched out his hand to the attendant at the side, and the attendant understood, and hurriedly took out a boxy wooden box from the carriage.

Hou Bingchen took it and handed it to Gu Xiangtan: "A few days ago, the people of Chenzhou quickly brought two treasured sandalwood incense burners. It is finished, although it is not a valuable and good thing, but it is also their heart, and one of them will be presented to you at the end. I wanted to wait until the Sumeru Palace to pay a personal visit, but I did not expect to see it at this moment. I handed it over directly, and I hope Lingfo can accept it."

Gu Xiangtan saw that the incense burner in the wooden box was round and delicate, and a crane with bright feathers was carved on each side, which was lifelike.

"The ritual utensils burned and melted in Chenzhou red soil are unique in the world, and they were presented by the people themselves. They are extremely precious, and Xiangtan cannot accept them."

"Where is it?" Hou Bingchen hurriedly said, "I have sent everything here. Why should I send it back at the end? The folks in Chenzhou know it. It seems that I have no place to put my face. If I don't send it back, I will be known." Well, it’s supposed to be me who swallowed it for myself, and it’s hard to explain. Since they are all offered to the Buddha, it doesn’t matter whether they are famous or not. The Spirit Buddha has won the hearts of the people, and I... have also won the hearts of the Spirit Buddha.”

The first half of his joke made everyone laugh, and the second half contained a profound truth. Gu Xiangtan, who felt the meaning, looked at Hou Bingchen and saw the expression of gratitude in his eyes. Gu Xiangtan understood that he must have read the letter he had written to Xue Yiyang, so he nodded, thanked him and accepted it.

Hou Bingchen asked again: "Is Lingfo going back to the palace? I will go to Jingulou to drink tea in a while. The autumn maple scenery in the garden there is also amazing. I wonder if Lingfo is interested?"

General Shenwu spoke up, so Gu Xiangtan naturally had no choice but to agree.

Hou Bingchen did not hand over the wooden box to Su Xi or An Yin, but to Xiao Luzi, and said: "Take this thing back to the palace first, so as not to bump into it along the way."

Xiao Luzi was naturally not happy, but he had no choice but to respectfully agree.

After he left, Gu Xiangtan got on a sedan chair and went with Hou Bingchen to the gate of the Jingu Tower. This place is not far away, just two streets away from General Shenwu's mansion. Because Gu Xiangtan seldom goes out, he unexpectedly I don't know at all.

After getting out of the sedan chair, a servant immediately came and invited the two of them to the private room on the second floor. Gu Xiangtan thought it was booked by Hou Bingchen, but it was just them. Who knew that there were already two people sitting inside the door. people.

One person's back was facing here, and the other was facing directly. The person directly facing was pouring water for the person whose back was facing away. Seeing Hou Bingchen, he hurriedly stood up.

"General Shenwu..." He made a bow, then looked at Gu Xiangtan again, "Lingfo is polite."

Hearing that sentence of Lingfo, the person whose back was turned also turned his head, it was Zhao Yuan.

Gu Xiangtan looked at Zhao Yuan, then turned away to look at the other person. Seeing the doubt in his eyes, the person immediately reported his family name.

"Xiaosheng Gao Jinting."

Hou Bingchen walked over with Qiu Yilou, first asked Gu Xiangtan to sit down, and then sat down himself, and then asked someone to serve new tea, and then said: "Lingfo has to guess, which family is this young talent?" son?"

Gu Xiangtan smiled slightly, and said directly: "The eldest son of Zuo Xiang's family?"

Several people around the table were surprised, especially Gao Jinting: "Lingfo knows Xiaosheng?"

Gu Xiangtan shook his head: "Obviously the young master knows me. General Hou didn't introduce me, but you can recognize me at a glance. You must be a third-rank official in the court or above or someone from his relatives. The surname is Gao, apart from the late Lord Zuoxiang, Xiangtan can't think of anyone else."

Since the former left chancellor Zhou Jingyan was deposed and the former right chancellor Fu Yalian resigned, Emperor Zongzheng now has only one right chancellor, Zhong Xuliang, and the position of left chancellor has been suspended since Lord Gao Tonggao passed away last year. Of course, Emperor Zheng wanted to reappoint them, but firstly, there was no one in the court who could be a great leader, and Qu Guang was not good enough. Secondly, Emperor Zongzheng did not dare to trust them, and would rather be short than excessive. A situation where talents are withering and dying.

Gao Jinting suddenly realized and nodded, then cupped his hands to Gu Xiangtan and said, "Lingfo really has eyes, I admire you." Inexplicably makes people feel good.

"In that case, let's make a formal introduction. Come on, this is Gao Tong Gao's son, Gao Jinting, this is Da Yeling Buddha, and this..." Hou Bingchen looked at Qiu Yilou, not because of her. He ignored her because of her identity, not only let her sit with everyone, but also introduced her neatly: "It's Miss Qiu Yilou."

"Yilou? Is it the Yilou of 'Two lovesickness has no plan to stay, the king is alone in a boat and his concubine leans on the building'?"

Qiu Yilou nodded, and said with a smile: "Master Jinting is very knowledgeable, that's what he means."

Gao Jinting shook his head, with a wry smile on his lips: "It's just that I happened to think of this poem these few days."

"Master Jinting must have a sweetheart."

Gao Jinting was startled, but did not answer.

Hou Bingchen laughed: "It's better not to break the boy's heart."

Qiu Yilou hurriedly said: "Yes, Yilou is reckless, please don't take offense, Mr. Jinting."

When Qiu Yilou was talking, Gu Xiangtan kept looking at her indifferently, seeing that she advanced and retreated gracefully, without any trace of fireworks, no wonder he pleased Hou Bingchen.

Hou Bingchen said: "What does Lingfo think of this place?"

To be honest, this Jingu Building is really good, with the scenery in the garden nearby, it is late autumn now, the maple trees downstairs are full of fire, and far away is the bustling Changping Street, where the two phases meet, which is very harmonious.

Gu Xiangtan nodded: "Very good, the tea is good, the scenery is good, and the people are good."

Hou Bingchen clapped his palms and slapped the table: "Lingfo is also a happy person, so here he replaces wine with tea to comfort the good time." He finished it with a quick gulp.

The servant brought tea again and wanted to fill it up. At this time, a person came in with him from outside the door, holding a wooden tray in his hand with some four treasures of the study in it. He moved aside cautiously, and said in a low voice: " Can the guest officer write poetry?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the boy scolded: "Hey, how did you come in? It's rare for you to make a living here, but it's not because you are so indifferent. Go, go!" Laughing to Hou Bingchen and others, "My lords, please don't be angry. This sour scholar has no winks and offended everyone. Let him go, let him go..."

Gao Jinting stopped him: "Wait, what poem are you writing?"

The young man looked that he was not yet weak, and he was wearing coarse linen clothes. He listened to Gao Jinting's question, but he still kept his head firmly down and did not dare to lift it up. The young man couldn't stand it and answered for him.

"I don't know, my lord. Most of the people who come to us to drink tea are elegant people, but this elegance can also be divided into true and false. People like you don't need someone to help you write poems. ... Cough cough, there are quite a few masters who don't know how to read or write. If you choose us to do business, you will often see the beautiful scenery, and you will also have some ideas for poetry and painting, so... there are people like him, and there are people like him. It can be regarded as a meal for the poor, I hope the adults will forgive me."

Gu Xiangtan stared at the young man for a while, then suddenly asked: "Are you a scholar?"

The boy nodded and bowed: "What a scholar, calling him that is definitely flattering him, he just knows a few words."

Unexpectedly, the young man suddenly interrupted him, and raised his voice: "The student is a Jinshi in the 11th year of Zongzheng."

The servant hurried to beat him, but Zhao Yuan asked coldly, "Are you a Jinshi?"

Gao Jinting also couldn't believe it: "How could the Jinshi in Daye two years ago..." How could he be reduced to writing poems and paintings for people in a teahouse to make a living? !