Da Wei Chun

Chapter 288

In the 480 temples of the Southern Dynasties, how many buildings were in the mist and rain.

Du Mu only felt that there were many temples in the Southern Dynasty, but he didn't know that four hundred and eight was not enough for a fraction of that in the Northern Wei Dynasty.

According to the official history of the Northern Wei Dynasty: Emperor Gaozu (Emperor Xiaowen) moved the capital to Yecheng, and Luoyang Yu Temple was established in 420.

By the time of the Western Wei Dynasty: the capital was 220 miles from east to west, 360 miles from north to south, with more than [-] households, a total of [-] miles (squares), and [-] temples.

It means that in every small community with a radius of about one mile in Luoyang City, there are at least six temples, and every seventy or eighty households must support one of them.

This is Luoyang. A few years ago, the former city king Yuan Cheng wrote in a memorial to the current emperor: Roughly speaking, there are 200 million monks and nuns, and more than [-] temples...

However, according to the official records of the Great Wei, there are only more than [-] million households nationwide, which is equal to more than one-third of the people who do not work and rely on the state and the court for support. What kind of concept is this?
In contrast, the influence and harm mentioned in the memorial that "the concubine enters the monk's room during the day, and the children stay in the nun's room at night, like a pagoda covered in fishy smell, and the spirit is not in lust..." can be almost ignored.

If things go on like this, will the country see a ghost if the country will not die?

Thinking about it this way, as long as I have a little conscience, this reaction must be made...

Li Chengzhi sighed secretly, and asked again: "What day is it today?"

Even if there were many monks and nuns, they wouldn't all flock to the streets. This was clearly a festival.

Li Xie pinched his fingers and made the calculations: "Mr. Binglang, today is May [-]th!"

Li Chengzhi suddenly realized: No wonder, it turned out to be a "small kitchen meeting" where Buddhism and Taoism must meet every seventh day, just like temple fairs in later generations.

And such a large gathering, the inner city will never open the door until the end, so entering the inner city at this time has become a luxury.

Li Chengzhi had no choice but to leave the horses and carts at the post station outside the city, let Li Xie take a few people to guard them, and then took Li Rui and three guards to play.

It was just for shopping, and a few people wandered aimlessly with the flow of people.

There are many people, some in coarse linen clothes, and many in brocade and jade shirts.Wherever he passed by, from time to time, noble ladies or young ladies waving round fans stared at Li Chengzhi fiercely.Those who are bolder will wink at him...

Li Chengzhi smacked his tongue as he watched, secretly feeling the openness of the Northern and Southern Dynasties.

There are also a lot of delicious things, such as peaches and fresh apricots, dried fruits and meat, and plum wine cheese.Li Chengzhi also saw a few people blowing sugar with sugar.

The five of them ate and drank all the way, and wandered eastward with the flow of people.But as he walked, Li Chengzhi suddenly discovered something different.

The further east you go, the closer you are to the inner city, the fewer monks and nuns, and the fewer pedestrians. The originally impenetrable official roads are almost able to run horse-drawn carriages.

Looking forward, it turns out that there is no monk's Dharma altar under the inner city wall, but it has become a Taoist altar.

There are not many Taoist altars, only three or four, probably less than one-tenth of monks.

Not to mention juggling, I couldn't even hear a yell. Although the Taoist female crowns on the stage were giving out porridge, they all looked cold and didn't even say a word. They looked like "will you come if you like?" .

The number of believers in the audience was even pitiful, there were not even a few beggars receiving porridge.

Li Rui was very puzzled: "Why is there such a big difference between the two sides?"

Li Chengzhi thought for a while, and felt that it was too troublesome to explain, so he simply remained silent.

One is that the ideas advocated by the two religions are different, and the other is that the class composition of believers is different.

Taoism advocates quietness and inaction, transcending the vulgarity, and only the self is crossed. Not to mention the mystery, the audience is still narrow.

In addition, Kou Qianzhi's improved new Taoism of Heavenly Masters follows the upper-class route, a group of nobles, who are all the children of the powerful and nobles, how many believers can there be?
Buddhism, on the other hand, pays attention to the universal salvation of all living beings, and the theory of reincarnation of riches and honors in the afterlife. It is easy to understand, and ordinary people feel hopeful when they hear it.

Let’s put it a bit more popular: In terms of the average life expectancy in this era, when it is time to tell right from wrong, it is almost the age when the soil has been buried to the waist and the end can be seen at a glance. Do you let him believe in Taoism in this life, or in the next life of Buddhism?

The gap between the two has been widened countless times.

Only the aristocratic class who have reached the end of their careers, spend a lot of money, have too many women who can't even remember their names, are tired of playing all the tricks they can think of, and feel that their spiritual life is extremely lacking will I like the Taoist tune.

This is also the reason why metaphysics flourished among the aristocracy during the Northern and Southern Dynasties...

There is nothing to go shopping, and it is also close to the inner city, so you can enter the city as soon as the city gate is opened.Li Chengzhi wanted to find a place to sit and wait.

There is a porridge shed under the altar, which can also provide shade. He picked a place at random and led Li Rui and others to walk there.

When he walked past the nearest Taoist altar, he didn't know what he found. Li Rui said in a low voice, "Look, sir!"

As soon as Li Chengzhi raised his head: there was a yellow flag standing on the stage, with the words "Wuji Temple" written in the middle, and a couplet on each side: The high altar invites strange guests, and thousands of dollars reward strange guests!
daughter?

Even if the gold here refers to copper, one thousand catties can buy two to three million catties of grain.

Li Chengzhi suddenly became interested and took a look at the stage.

The Taoist altar is decorated very gorgeously, with a shed on top and felt blankets on the bottom, and the tables on the stage are also glossy, crimson and fresh apricot.

There are a few things on the table, and a silk scarf next to each, with densely packed small characters written on it.There is a female crown standing on each side, which seems to be ready for guests to ask questions at any time.

Look at the words on the towel again: three questions, each one will be given a hundred gold (copper), and all three questions will be solved, and one thousand gold will be given.

After reading the three questions, Li Chengzhi had a strange expression on his face: Is it true or not?

Is the money in Luojing City so easy to earn?
Seeing Li Chengzhi's extraordinary appearance, the two women's crowns stood together: "Tan Yue is polite!"

"Polite!" Li Chengzhi nodded slightly, and asked Li Rui again: "How many questions can you solve?"

Li Rui glanced at the silk scarf, then scratched his head again: "I can only untie one, just light the lamp with a flick of a finger..."

Li Chengzhi nodded.

There are specializations in the art industry, and the focus is different. It's not bad that Li Rui can solve one.If Li Liang, who had been trained by him personally, would not be a problem with any of the questions.

The two asked and answered very casually, but the eyeballs of the two female Taoist priests were about to fall out.

If these words come from the mouth of this gentleman, they might still believe it, but the thin man next to him is clearly just a servant, but he can solve a problem with his mouth?
The two women's crowns stared at Li Rui for a moment, and asked in unison, "Tan Yue is serious?"

Li Rui responded casually: "Of course it is serious!"

The two female Taoist priests were startled, and after looking at each other, they turned their heads and walked in, not knowing whether they were going to fetch copper coins or calling for someone.Another respectfully invited Li Chengzhi and others: "Several, please take a seat!"

Idle is also idle, just as to earn some private money for Li Rui, Li Chengzhi didn't refuse, and went to the high stage.

Hearing a noise behind the stage, Li Chengzhi turned his head and saw seven or eight Taoist priests running out from behind before his butt touched the futon.

There are men and women, the one in the middle is particularly conspicuous, wearing a white robe, and looks very white and quiet, not to mention the thin skin and tender flesh, it seems quite elegant.

Seeing Li Chengzhi, the Taoist priest seemed to be stunned, and a blush appeared on his face.

Seven or eight men and women came out together, all young and beautiful in silk robes and robes.It was impossible for Li Chengzhi to just stare at him alone, so he didn't notice the abnormality of the Taoist priest.

After looking around, Li Chengzhi guessed that this Taoist priest who was wearing a white robe was wearing a lotus crown. This should be the highest rank among them.His rank should be similar to that of Guo Shouzheng, the master of Taiping Temple in Jingzhou, and he can already be called a celestial master.

Although he looked young, at most in his early twenties, Li Chengzhi didn't find it strange: since Emperor Taiwu worshiped Kou Qianzhi as his teacher, among the disciples of heavenly masters and Taoists were not only the children of powerful families, but also the descendants of the princes with the surname of Yuan. Therefore, whether it is beautiful clothes, or extraordinary appearance, or being a high-grade celestial master at a young age, it is normal.

He didn't dare to take it big, stood up and cupped his hands.But before he could say any polite words, the white-robed Taoist priest ran over like flying, grabbed Li Chengzhi's hand, and said excitedly:

"These three questions, can Jun really solve them?"

Looking at the Taoist priest's appearance, Li Chengzhi guessed that the white-robed Taoist priest was stumped by these questions, or even made some bets on it, which is why he was so urgent.

But it has nothing to do with me, just make money and leave...

Just as he was thinking about it, Li Chengzhi realized that the two of them were very close to each other, almost clinging to each other when there was a very strong scent of powder in his nose.

The Northern and Southern Dynasties can't help being masculine, even men who don't like masculinity are normal to wear powder, and there are not a few people who put on blush and rouge, but Li Chengzhi is not used to it.Coupled with the hot weather and sweating, this smell is indescribably weird.He instinctively waved his hand and took two steps back.

The Taoist was slightly taken aback, as if he had been humiliated, his face suddenly turned pale.

"I didn't solve the problem!" Li Chengzhi was a little bored, put his hands behind his back, wiped the hem of his clothes twice, and pointed to Li Rui, "It's me...it's my brother. It can be solved. Of course, your daughter must be real..."

As soon as he heard that all three questions could be solved, the unhappiness on the Taoist priest's face dissipated a lot, and a smile appeared on his face again, and he waved his hand lightly: "Bring it up!"

A female crown respectfully responded, and came over with a red lacquered square plate covered with a layer of red silk.

"How can this be a hundred catties..."

Li Rui just muttered a few words, but was stared back by Li Chengzhi.

There are so many things that are worth a thousand dollars, and it doesn't have to be copper.

He had already guessed a few points, and when the white-robed Taoist priest lifted the red silk, a golden light was reflected, and Li Chengzhi secretly praised: Sure enough!

Ten gold collars were neatly arranged in the lacquer tray, each only two fingers wide, half a finger long, and one finger thick.Although it looks small, there is no doubt that each piece weighs a lot.

One piece of gold is worth a hundred coppers, and ten gold collars are worth more than a thousand catties of copper.

The white robe Taoist looked at Li Chengzhi with a smile: "Please!"

It's not me, this Taoist priest can't understand people's words or something, why does he keep staring at himself?

He slandered in his heart, and urged Li Rui: "solve the first question first, use nitrous powder..."

The original question is called flicking the lamp: an oil lamp is lit at night, and after it is blown out, some Taoist priests can re-ignite it with a little finger, or flick it from the air.

It sounds absurd, but it’s actually worthless to put it bluntly: there is something like gunpowder hidden in the fingernails of the Taoist priest who flicked the lamp, and while there are still sparks on the wick, he will naturally catch it with his finger.

The reason why it is chosen at night is that it is afraid that the medicine powder will fly out and be seen by others.

There are records in the Taoist golden alchemy that saltpeter and sulfur are extremely flammable when exposed to fire. The reason why the white-robed Taoist did not expect this is because his thinking was restricted and he did not turn that corner.

Although there is only a layer of window paper, the only thing missing is the hint of inspiration when you stretch out your finger, so including the seven or eight male and female Taoist priests next to him, no one thinks that this young man is nothing more than that, on the contrary, they all admire him Looking at Li Chengzhi.

At this point, unless he is blind, he will not be able to see that it is actually him who solved the problem.

But the white-robed Taoist priest was not only not happy, but instead muttered and cursed with a dark face.

His voice was a little low, and his mouth was vague. Li Chengzhi didn't hear the words clearly, and only vaguely heard "Grandpa's thousand pieces of gold..."

Li Chengzhi couldn't stop his heart from beating.

Judging by his dress and behavior, he doesn't look like a person who changes his face just for a thousand catties of copper.

Then it can only be a thousand real gold... Does your family run a mine?

While the white-robed Taoist priest was furious, Li Chengzhi took a step forward and walked to another table.

On it was a wooden carved dog, roughly the size of a Pekingese.

The title reads: If you recruit, you will go away.The general content is: There is a Taoist priest who can drive away dead things.After chanting a mantra, he waved to the wooden dog and shouted "Come", and the wooden dog slid over as if it had grown legs.If you shout "retreat" again, the wooden dog will slip backwards.

If it was a wooden bird, it would have flown there, which is amazing.

Li Chengzhi stretched out his hand to weigh it again, and realized that the weight was wrong, so he knew that this wooden dog should be made by a white-robed Taoist priest, not the one used by the Taoist priest who bet with him.

Li Chengzhi pondered for a moment, then whispered a few more words in Li Rui's ear.

To put it bluntly, it is still worthless: the wooden dog hides the magnet, and the Taoist priest also hides the magnet in the sleeve...

As soon as he finished speaking, Li Rui slapped his forehead with a slap, his face full of annoyance.

It's so simple, I didn't expect it?
It is really simple for him, just because he has been to Hexi with Li Chengzhi, has seen the magnet with his own eyes, and knows what it is useful for, of course, it is easy to understand.

There are also records in ancient books, such as "Lushi Chunqiu" and "Huainanzi", which have detailed descriptions of this thing.

But these two books are classified as the study of "miscellaneous families". If they don't particularly like the way of miscellaneous families, the children of ordinary aristocratic families basically don't read them.In addition, the role of magnets is not wide. In ancient times, apart from making Sinan and compass, it seems to have no use, so there are not many people who understand its characteristics.

And this white-robed Taoist priest happens to be the kind of person who does everything except his business, and he understands everything when he hears the magnet.

Seeing his gritted teeth, as if wishing to slap him like Li Rui, Li Chengzhi guessed that the one who was cheated this time was probably a few "thousand gold"...

After hating for a long time, the white-robed Taoist finally recovered his senses, forced a smile, and looked at Li Chengzhi expectantly: "There is one last question, please solve it!"

The last question is called hanging money with silk ash: two or three copper coins are hung with a silk thread.It will not disconnect unless the silk ash is touched by hand.

This question is a bit troublesome, and the explanation will be unclear for a while, and even if it is explained, no one can understand it.Moreover, there are no suitable raw materials at hand, let alone verification on the spot.

Li Chengzhi pondered for a while, and said to the white-robed Taoist priest: "You can find a salt pond, or a place where salt is boiled, take a thread and soak it in the brine, soak it for three to four days, take it out and dry it, it is the burning ashes and hanging money. The Taoist leader will know when the time comes..."

As he spoke, he pointed at the lacquer plate again: "It's not easy to verify this question immediately. If the Taoist priest doesn't believe it, it's okay to take it as a trick. You just need to exchange the two golds from the first two questions!"

"Believe it, how can someone not believe it? I will wrap it up for Mr. Lang..." The white-robed Taoist priest's voice trembled.

No wonder he was so excited, this last question was about a house in the inner city, let alone a few catties of real gold, if Li Chengzhi opened his mouth, he would be willing to give up a hundred catties of real gold.

What's more, she is still so cute, not only born like a fairy, but also proficient in so many thaumaturgy, a hundred times better than that Cui Yanxia... Good luck today, let me meet him?
It's so beautiful...

The white-robed Taoist priest was thinking in his heart, looking at Li Chengzhi as if seeing a peerless treasure, the light in his eyes almost overflowed, "You are so knowledgeable and proficient in strange arts, you are really a genius. If you join our country, you will definitely know It shines brightly... If you want to, even if someone is not talented, but protecting you as a celestial master is safe..."

Li Chengzhi had a strange look on his face: Your family started the Tao of Heavenly Master?
I have a lot of ability to show off my talents, and I use my clothes to deceive people?
He shook his head like a wave drum: "Thank you, Taoist priest, for your kindness. I don't speak strange powers, and I am a Confucian scholar who doesn't believe in interpretation... The reason why I can solve these three questions is not because I am proficient in thaumaturgy. It's just to read more I read some miscellaneous books and know a few tricks..."

Hearing this, a Taoist priest in red robe next to him turned cold, and stared at Li Chengzhi with his eyes like knives, as if he was looking at an enemy of life and death.

If he hadn't been intimidated by the power of the white-robed Taoist priest, he would have rushed forward to fight Li Chengzhi...

The white-robed Taoist was stunned, as if he didn't expect Li Chengzhi to say this.And gently persuaded: "Nowadays, there is no sect view, and the three religions are advocated as one. You really don't have to worry..."

Seeing that Li Chengzhi didn't seem to be tempted, the Taoist changed his tone: "So what you want to be an official of this court? I'm not talented, but I still have some connections, and I can make a plan or two for you..."

This tone is getting louder and louder, it feels like apart from the Heavenly Master Dao, it seems that this imperial court is also opened by your family?
Why is it endless?
Li Chengzhi was a little impatient, but he still spoke politely: "Someone is going to enter the city, and the kindness of the Taoist chief is appreciated..."

Seeing that the smile on his face faded a lot, how could the Taoist not know that the young man has already annoyed him?He sighed leisurely: "Why does your lord refuse to listen to persuasion like this? Sure enough, he is a barbarian from the north. I'm afraid he hasn't suffered a lot. I don't know that the water in this capital is deep and shallow..."

Following the Taoist priest's voice, the seven or eight male and female Taoist priests blocked up together and surrounded Li Chengzhi in the middle.

Li Chengzhi's eyes turned cold: "What does the Taoist priest mean?"

The Taoist priest was still smiling, but there was a blush on his face, and there was a little bit of charm in his eyes: "What else can I mean? It's just that I see Langjun's extraordinary appearance and unparalleled appearance, so I admire him and want to be with him. It's just a matter of making friends with each other..."

(End of this chapter)