I studied in modern times

Chapter 554 Was his soul taken away by evil spirits?

Gengwu (15th) in July of the first year of Yuanyou.

Zhao Xu was sitting in the Zichen Hall, watching Feng Jing, the governor of the Baoning Army whom he had not seen for more than a year, bowing his hands three times in the hall, and then bowing his head four times.

"The envoys of Baoning Army, the envoys of Zhongtai Palace, and the ministers of Henan Prefecture respectfully wish His Majesty the Emperor, the Empress Dowager, and the Empress Dowager long blessings."

"No courtesy!" Zhao Xu said softly: "I will give you a seat and tea."

Someone then brought a chair and placed it on the hall. Feng Jing carefully held the Chao Hut and sat down, and then took the tea.

"Xianggong Feng has been out of Henan for more than a year, and I often miss Xianggong Feng... Now that Xianggong Feng has returned, I should consult with Xianggong Feng about state affairs." Zhao Xu smiled and said formulaically.

Feng Jing quickly stood up and bowed: "I dare not, but your Majesty has asked something, and I will tell you everything I know!"

Now Feng Jing has long been filled with regret.

After the death of the late emperor last year, he returned to Beijing and entered the court. Looking at the direction of the government and the opposition, something seemed not quite right. He felt that the new party and the old party might be fighting together.

In the first year of Shaosheng's reign, Prince Taishi Feng Jing passed away and was given posthumously to Situ.

The Yan family was the pride of Bianjing City back then.

Among them, the Empress Dowager's biological mother was also included, who is now the Queen Mother of Qin and Lu.

Can this be tolerated?
I can't stand it!

But at this moment, the Empress Dowager remembered something and couldn't help but ask: "Feng Aiqing, is Madam Zhou Guotai in good health now?"

Then the problem is coming...

Especially Empress Dowager Xiang, seeing her son now able to overwhelm the elders of the four dynasties, made even a well-known veteran like Feng Jing feel very respectful and respectful.

As long as the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager are still there, as long as the Gao family and the Xiang family can still speak in front of the officials.

Zhao Xu looked at Feng Jing and smiled. He couldn't help but think of some things in his previous life.

It was also at Feng Jing's funeral that his son-in-law Cai Mao (now called Cai Wei) cried and knelt in front of Zhao Xu, confiding in his father Cai Que's unjust case and reporting and exposing the criminal activities of Yuan You's conspiracy to depose the emperor. !
As a result, Long Yan was furious, the Tongwenguan case began, and a great purge swept the country.

Looking at Feng Jing, who is still alive and kicking and seems willing to continue to shine for the Song Dynasty, Zhao Xu chuckles: "Then it's settled!"

In the future, his status in youth history and national history may exceed that of Feng Jing.

The key is that among the senior ministers who returned to Beijing with him at that time, those who stayed in Bianjing all made a lot of money!
Wen Yanbo won't talk about it, where are his qualifications?

He never expected that the New Party and the Old Party would not start fighting in Bianjing!
That’s all.

So he quickly grabbed the title of Jiedushi and ran away with the bucket.

Those who participate in it will naturally gain the respect of the two palaces.

Zhang Fangping got such a good job easily.

Two days ago, when the old lady sent someone to the Qingshou Palace to talk to the Queen Mother, she specifically mentioned the handkerchief handkerchief back then.

As the first elder of the Four Dynasties to die of illness after Zhao Xu came to power, Zhao Xu gave Feng Jing a very high honor - he came to offer sacrifices in person and comfort his children.

Inside and outside the words, there are words like "I miss you" and "I miss you".

This is something that can be understood by just thinking about it - Yuanyou Dictionary is a masterpiece compiled by the current officials in order to fulfill their filial piety and present gifts to the benevolent saints of the two palaces.

It’s also a ticket to wealth and wealth for your descendants!

The two palaces behind the curtain were relatively happy looking at this situation.

Mrs. Zhou Guotai was naturally Fu Bi's widow, Yan Shu's daughter, and also Feng Jing's old mother-in-law, Yan.

A daughter who belongs to someone else’s family!

"In a few days, I will consult with your husband in person."

At the same time, internal funds were used to finance the bookstore, allowing him to do things conveniently.

Especially Zhang Fangping - he first paid homage to Zhang Dejun Jiedushi, and at the same time, the small official still granted him the out-of-print title of Xuanhui Nanyuan Envoy.

What role did Feng Jing play in this matter?
As a party involved, Zhao Xu knew it clearly.

Then, in the name of being filial to the two palaces and offering gifts to the two palaces, the small official family issued an edict to appoint Zhang Fangping as the "Compiler of Yuanyou Dictionary" to take charge of all matters inside and outside Yuanyou Bookstore.

Now, he finally got his chance.

Because Feng Jing knew very well that what Zhang Fangping had in hand now was not just a good job.

This blessing will not diminish.

The key is that the benefits obtained by Zhang Fangping and Sun Gu made him envious and jealous.

Therefore, Feng Jing's days in Luoyang can be said to be like years. He cranes his neck every day and looks at Bianjing, dreaming of coming back.

however……

Feng Jing bowed again with great joy: "Old minister, I sincerely obey your will."

I don’t know how many Bianjing women I envied at that time.

Of course I can’t bear to leave anymore!
Even if it's a mess, he will try his best to stay as long as possible.

Not only is she born well, but she is also married well.

This alone has surpassed him in Feng's lifetime.

But actually...only God knows what the old lady is thinking?

When Feng Jing heard the Empress Dowager mentioning his old mother-in-law, he quickly replied: "I know your Majesty, my Lord Taishui, I am very old and have been suffering from many illnesses recently..."

"Oh!" The Queen Mother was quite disappointed when she heard this.

After all, she is famously filial!
Like her husband, he abides by filial piety and even has the courage to make enemies of the world.

Now that I heard Feng Jing's excuses, I felt somewhat unhappy.

He then said, "Is that so? That's the case, but God doesn't follow people's wishes."

"What a pity! What a pity!"

Feng Jing lowered his head after hearing this, holding the Chao Hut, not knowing what to say?
He understood the hidden meaning of the words of the Queen Mother who was sitting behind the curtain.

But the problem is that his mother-in-law is the eldest daughter of Duke Yan Yuanxiang and the first wife of Duke Zheng of Fu.

Now he is over seventy years old and his health has not been good.

Although it is close from Luoyang to Bianjing, it is not a day or two journey.

It's been a long journey, just in case anything happens.

He, Feng Jing, should stop being a human being.

But the Empress Dowager pressed hard!
Just when Feng Jing didn't know what to do, the young official on the throne turned back to the curtain and asked: "Mother, who is Mrs. Zhou Guotai?"

"Official family, Mrs. Zhou Guotai is the eldest daughter of Yan Yuanxiangong, the prime minister of the Renmiao Dynasty, and the first wife of Duke Fuwen Zhong!" The Empress Dowager smiled and replied to the junior official's words: "In the past, my mother had an affair with Mrs. Zhou Guotai, Some personal friends... Over the years, my mother has been missing her old friend. Unfortunately, Mrs. Zhou Guotai is far away in Luoyang and it is difficult to see her! "

"What a pity!"

"So that's it!" The voice of the junior official suddenly became awe-inspiring: "She is actually the eldest daughter of Duke Yan Yuanxian, the first wife of Duke Zhong of Fu Wen, and an old friend of the wives of Qin and Lu..."

"In this case, Sun Chen will have to treat him well!"

"That's what the officials said!" The Empress Dowager replied with a smile: "It's a pity that we have no chance to meet each other."

Feng Jing's face suddenly became extremely ugly. He understood the hidden meaning and hidden threat of the Queen Mother's words, so he could only lower his head.

Although his reputation is not very good, he respects his mother-in-law very much.

Because it was this mother-in-law who persuaded his Lao Taishan to take the initiative to marry Xiao Yan to him after Dayan's death - at that time, everyone in the world already knew that he, Feng Jingfeng, had a wife before he became the number one scholar. matter.

There are various rumors and some people even spread rumors that he, Feng Jing, forced to kill his first wife in order to cling to a wealthy family.

It directly turned him into a negative figure like Wu Qi in the field of public opinion. If this is indeed the case, then Feng Jing will once solidify his reputation.

Then he will never be able to turn over in his life!
It was the old mother-in-law's move to remarry his beloved daughter that cleared his grievances - rich families were willing to remarry their daughters. This at least proved that his original wife, Feng Jing, had indeed died of illness before he entered Beijing to take the exam, as he said. , instead of dying after he won the first prize.

Otherwise, how could a rich family remarry their daughter?

Therefore, the person Feng Jing respects most in this world is his mother-in-law.

Feng Jing was about to speak when he heard Xiao Guanjia continue: "Don't worry, Mother. Sun Chen has a way to solve Mother's problem."

"Oh?"

"In Sun Chen's opinion, it's better to do this..."

"A special edict is issued to order the descendants of Mrs. Zhou to send each other off on foot, and to give them a canopy. The prefectures and counties along the way are ordered to use state gifts to welcome Mrs. Tai to Beijing. Considering that it is hot today, I am afraid that Mrs. Tai will not be able to bear the heat, so she can also order Luoyang. On the other hand, a good doctor will be chosen to accompany you and check Mrs. Tai's pulse three times a day..."

"With such caution and careful service along the way, Mrs. Zhou Guotai's journey to Beijing will be smooth!"

"In this way, the wives of Qin and Lu can meet their old friends, and it can also demonstrate the dynasty's system of treating the widows of elders favorably."

Buhu, since the Han and Tang Dynasties, has been used by princes and nobles when traveling.

But after the founding of the Song Dynasty, the scholar-bureaucrats abandoned the bad habit of treating humans and animals.

Therefore, when the prime minister goes to court, he always rides his own horse.

Unless the emperor gives them a shoulder carriage, the ministers will not let anyone carry them.

In addition, generally in the capital, those who carry these ministers who are given a shoulder to carry to the palace are their descendants and clansmen.

For example, Wen Yanbo, among the benefits given to him, was "

When the grand master enters the court, the prime minister should hold the shoulder carriage and go to the place where the horse is dismounted, and ask one of the disciples to support his armpits...' stipulation.

When a prime minister carries a chariot, he shows respect for the elders, which is an honor for the prime ministers.

It is filial piety for children to support their armpits.

The same is true for the governors and elders, and so are their wives and concubines.

Although they were female relatives, they had to avoid suspicion when entering and leaving, and they were not allowed to ride horses, but they still rode horse-drawn carriages and ox-carts.

Utensils that relied on human power to lift, such as the buhu in the Han and Tang Dynasties, now require special orders before they are allowed to be used.

Feng Jing's eyes grew hot when he heard this, and he immediately bowed his head.

The Empress Dowager just wanted to fulfill her old mother's wish. Seeing this, she said: "What the officials say is true, so let's do it according to the officials' wishes."

Zhao Xu chuckled: "Mother Shengming."

"It just so happened that the imperial examination was in Japan, and I often told Sun Chen: Among the veterans of the country, Han Zhongxian is the most loyal, and Fu Wenzhong is the second most loyal..."

"Unfortunately, Sun Chen is not lucky enough to be able to meet the two elders."

"Since today is the Holy Mother's Day, it would be good to have the honor to meet the descendants of Mr. Fu Wenzhong."

In Zhao Xu's previous life, Mrs. Yan from the State of Zhou came to Beijing at the behest of the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager immediately met her in the Qingshou Palace and had a pleasant conversation.

Therefore, the Empress Dowager was rich enough to enjoy the temple of the late emperor.

But Mrs. Zhou Guotai, the eldest daughter of the Yan family who had been wealthy all her life, became sickly and died of illness in Bianjing the next year.

All I can say is that this is the willfulness of power!
Even if she is the prime minister's daughter, even if she is the prime minister's first wife.

In front of the imperial power, one has to bow one's head and even be humble.

……

After Feng Jingbu resigned, Zhao Xu followed the two palaces and sat in the Qingshou Palace for a while. After chatting with him for a while, he returned to Funing Palace.

Start reading and writing, then exercise, and then deal with some things Shen Kuo said.

Now, Zhao Xu is on summer vacation and does not need to attend the Sutra Feast - according to the Sutra Feast table prepared by Han Jiang's leadership last year.

Zhao Xu’s annual spring and summer scripture feasts are from the beginning of spring to the first day of June, and the autumn and winter scripture feasts are from the first day of August to the winter solstice.

The holidays coincide with the modern winter and summer vacations.

During the holidays, he, the emperor, did not need to attend sutra feasts, so he had more time to do his own things.

In the evening, after Zhao Xu had finished his dinner, Shi Deyi also came over from the Imperial City Department to greet him and report on the affairs of the Detective Department.

Zhao Xu quietly listened to Shi Deyi's report and chuckled: "Interesting, interesting!"

As expected, the great monks were active everywhere these days.

However, in front of Brother Kong Fang, all the methods used by the great monks lost their effect.

Both the scholar-bureaucrats who believe in Buddhism and the ladies of the clan who used to often burn incense have recently reduced the frequency of burning incense.

Even if he goes, he will send a servant.

Therefore, the great monks were so anxious that they sought medical treatment in a hurry, and even sent people to find monk Yuan Cheng who was living in seclusion in the Bathhouse Temple to find a solution.

I wish to become a monk, that is, the famous monk who was as famous as the monk Zhiyuan in Xining.

The two great monks are both good among monks. They have wide contacts and are eloquent.

And their life trajectories are surprisingly consistent.

Zhiyuan once tricked Fu Shaoting, Fu Bi's son, and Yucheng tricked Wang Anshi's son Wang Yu.

Zhiyuan followed Wang Shao to open the border, and Yuan Chengze and Zhang Dun went south to Kaimei Mountain.

The two great monks both earned a purple robe, which represents the highest status of a monk, by serving the country.

But now the two great monks have reached different turning points in their lives.

Monk Zhiyuan is now thriving in Xihe, and is showing signs of establishing his own sect.

Yuan Cheng has been staying in Bianjing. Moreover, he was deeply influenced by Jin Zongchi. He is now a senior Tantric monk and has been learning how to give initiations to others.

This is known from the place where this great monk lives in seclusion - Bathhouse Temple.

This is a temple located in the Third Tianshui Lane in Bianjing.

After exiting the gate of the temple, there were hooked railings all around, and obscene words were heard behind each ajar door.

Although it is said that the four elements of a monk are empty, the so-called beauties and beauties are all red and pink skulls with white bones and flesh.

But a place like Sweetwater Lane might be a little too exciting and depraved even for a Buddha!
If this person who wishes to become a monk lives in a place like this, can his Buddhist practice be profound?
Zhao Xu expressed deep doubts, and at the same time, this was something that a monk could do - back then, he volunteered to go to Meishan with Zhang Dun, and then, he failed to control his belt in Meishan and was almost beaten by the locals - -Fortunately, he was a monk and the locals respected Buddhism and did not kill him.

"So, Yucheng agreed?" Zhao Xu asked.

Shi Deyi lowered his head and replied: "I don't know, but when I heard that I wanted to become a monk, I seemed to have written a letter and went to Jiangning."

"Jiang Ning?" Zhao Xu frowned.

"This great monk is ignorant!" He commented softly.

"Has his soul been taken away by evil spirits?"

As soon as Shi De heard this, he felt cold all over his body.

"Send someone to catch up quickly. I want to see the contents of the letter he wrote!"

"If his soul is really taken away by an evil spirit..."

Zhao Xu looked at Shi Deyi seriously.

Shi De immediately understood - his soul was taken away by evil spirits and he was no longer human!

Anyone can kill ghosts that are not human beings!

(End of this chapter)