Lord: Start with a book of Water Margin

Chapter 410: Discussing Marriage in Xuannv Temple (Two-in-one, 200 monthly tickets this month)

Talking about the situation in Qingzhou, Zhao Zhen said, "I heard that Hu Yanzhuo in Yanzhou killed no less than 3,000 Qingzhou bandits in the first battle with his linked armored cavalry. I heard from brother Tang Long that the hook-and-sickle spear is the best weapon to break the linked armored cavalry. I wonder if the teacher is interested in training a battalion of hook-and-sickle spear soldiers to prepare for battle?"

Today, Tang Long has told Xu Ning about the current military situation in Liangshan Prefecture. Xu Ning came here, fully prepared to serve as a chief military officer in other camps.

Quan Ke could imagine that Zhao Zhen valued him so much that he even wanted him to lead a battalion on his own, so he agreed without hesitation.

Zhao Zhen said, "Brother Tang Long has complained to me many times that he cannot lead the army into battle. I would like to ask you to be a military officer in the army. When the war horses are fully equipped and I lead the cavalry, you can also take over the battalion's hook-and-sickle spearmen. What do you think?"

Tang Long said happily: "That's the best. Thank you for your concern, sir."

Xu Ning also thanked him repeatedly, saying, "Sir, this is the best arrangement."

As he spoke, he pulled Xu Sheng out from behind and said, "I heard from Brother Tang Long that the master is also a teacher at the farm, teaching the children of the brothers. My wife asked me to send Sheng here, and ask the master to send someone to teach him together."

Zhao Zhen said, "Alright, although there is no fixed teacher in the farm, Xuejiu, Zhu Wu, Xiao Rang and other brothers take turns to come here to teach. My wives Cheng Wan'er and Liu Hui Niang are the most knowledgeable and often teach these children. There is no problem with literacy and arithmetic. We only teach some superficial martial arts, which are only used to strengthen the body. Fighting on the battlefield, each family has its own tradition, and brothers also need to teach themselves carefully."

After listening to this, Xu Ning nodded repeatedly.

Then, Zhao Zhen asked: "Teacher, how about calling this battalion's hook-and-sickle spearmen [Golden Spear Commander]?"

Tang Long said: "Very good, it fits my brother's nickname, 'Golden Spearman'."

Seeing that Xu Ning had no objection, Zhao Zhen asked, "Teacher, what do the soldiers in your camp want?"

Xu Ning heard this and said, "Sir, if it is just for ordinary use, it doesn't matter who you are. But if you want to break a horse with chainmail, you have to choose a strong man with a hook. When you see a horse coming, you can flip the hook over and use the hook to catch it."

"When my brother first came home, he only learned the method of fighting on foot, and he never learned the method of breaking the chain-armored horse. In the past few days, I have also taught my brother the three secret methods of hooking the hoof and pulling the leg. When the soldiers of the [Golden Spear Battalion] are selected, it will be just right for him to come with me to train the soldiers."

Zhao Zhen heard this and said, "In that case, please ask Brother Tang Long to take the teacher to various places to have a look. If there is anything wrong, just tell me and I will have someone to rectify it and then go to Wanzi City to select soldiers."

"As for Xu Sheng, you don't have to worry. He is just like everyone else. There will be a carriage to pick him up in the teacher's house every morning and evening."

After hearing this, Xu Ning and Tang Long thanked him and left.

A day later, Chen Xizhen and his daughter, who had previously accompanied Bai Sheng to various places in Liangshan to meet heroes, came to the village to pay a visit.

Because of the presence of [female flying guard] Chen Liqing, Zhao Zhen invited Liu Huiniang and Hu Sanniang to accompany him.

After they sat down, Zhao Zhen asked, "Uncle, I've been to the state. Do you have any ideas?"

Chen Xizhen said, "My dear nephew and son-in-law, although the state is busy, the officials are all dedicated. If there is chaos occasionally, it can be quickly settled. Since I started practicing Taoism, I have become indifferent to official affairs and resigned from the job in the South Camp of Bianjing a long time ago. If it weren't for this evil obstacle, I would have caused trouble at the temple fair and Gao Yanei saw me and wanted to marry me back home, but I will spend the rest of my life in Bianjing."

"I don't care about anything else. I talked a lot with my brother-in-law Liu Guang. The state is banning wild temples, but I want to find a temple on the mountain to practice Taoism."

Zhao Zhen heard this and quickly advised: "Uncle, Sister Liqing is still young, how can you abandon her? You must help Sister Liqing get married."

Chen Liqing also said after hearing this: "Dad, why do you want to abandon your daughter to become a monk?"

Chen Xizhen said: "What are you talking about? I am just practicing Taoism. Who said I don't want you anymore?"

Then he said to Zhao Zhen: "I am now at the age of knowing my destiny, and I don't care about fame, wealth and fortune. If I were to serve in your place, it would only make me entangled in worldly things. If you are interested, why don't you let me be a Taoist official with a leisurely life, practice Taoism on weekdays, and when I feel very quiet, I can investigate the village for you."

Zhao Zhen heard this and could not persuade him further, so he could only ask, "Uncle, do you have any Taoist temples that you like?"

"I was chatting with Gongsun Yiqing, and I heard him say there is a village in Yuncheng County called Huandao Village, surrounded by high mountains, with a stream at the foot of the mountain and only one road in the middle. There is only one road to this village, and there is no other road. Usually no one comes to this village. There is a temple of the Goddess Xuannv in the woods at the head of the village. I plan to live there and practice Taoism. This place is only an hour's journey from the farm. Liqing stays at the farm of the great master, so it is convenient for me to visit her."

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhao Zhen said, "Uncle, this temple is indeed registered, but it is now dilapidated and there is no Taoist fireman to take care of it. It must be rebuilt before we can live in it."

Chen Xizhen said: "Don't worry about that. I also have some property. Apart from Li Qing's dowry, repairing this Xuannv Temple is no problem."

Zhao Zhen shook his head and said, "How can I ask my uncle to pay for it? Apart from the family temple and the cemetery, all the temples and monasteries in the state are state property, and the monks and Taoists in the temples and monasteries all hold state certificates. Since my uncle is optimistic about this Taoist temple, I will ask Tao Zongwang to repair it."

"Uncle, I heard that practicing Taoism does not just involve seclusion. My senior brothers Gongsun Sheng, Qiao Daoqing, and Fan Rui all have Taoist skills. Why don't you join them?" Zhao Zhen asked.

Chen Xizhen said: "What I practice is not the Quanzhen alchemy, nor the art of talismans. I don't practice the yellow and white ascension. I only focus on fasting and mystical cultivation. I have also read the "Tao Te Ching", "San Tong Qi", "Yin Fu Jing", "Wu Zhen Pian", "Qinghua Mi Lu" and the inner and outer alchemy classics, and the secret method of talismans. Although there is no problem in communicating, it is not the same path after all."

"Our ancestor Chen Tuan practiced Qigong and fasting for more than 20 years, and only drank a few glasses of wine every day. According to the records of our ancestors, when the ancestor slept, he could not wake up for more than a hundred days. I still have a long way to go in my Taoist practice, so I chose this place, which is not only less disturbed by people, but also not far from human habitation."

Chen Liqing said: "Dad, I have never been there, I must go and take a look."

Liu Hui Niang also said: "Sister, you are right. If it is not suitable, we should make plans early. Why don't you and I go with uncle?"

Zhao Zhen said, "I have nothing to do either, I will go with you."

As he said this, he asked Hu Sanniang to gather the female riders, all dressed in military uniforms, and ride on horseback to Huandao Village in Yuncheng.

After more than half an hour, Zhao Zhen and his party passed a forest and saw an ancient temple.
The walls are dilapidated and the palaces are leaning.

Moss grows on the painted walls of the two corridors, and green grass grows on the flower bricks on the ground.

The little ghost in front of the door, with his arm broken, does not look ferocious.

The judge in the palace would be considered impolite if he did not wear a hat.

Spiders are weaving webs on the bed, and ants are building nests in the incense burner.

Foxes often sleep in paper stoves, and bats never leave the god's tent.

Chen Liqing said disdainfully: "Daddy, this Xuannv Temple is too shabby."

Chen Xizhen glared at Chen Liqing and scolded, "You are the only one who talks too much."

Zhao Zhen said: "The scenery here is quite nice. After some renovation, it will be a good place to visit. However, this temple is less than two miles away from the village, so I am afraid it will not be very quiet in the future."

Chen Xizhen said: "That's okay. This temple must have donors and believers. If there are no incense, it can't be considered a temple. It's better to build a hut and live in it." After saying that, Chen Xizhen dismounted, walked forward and pushed open the temple door.

Zhao Zhen saw this and went into the temple with Hu Sanniang and others. The female riders, under the orders of Gu Dasao and Hua Baoyan, scattered around the temple.

Zhao Zhen stepped into the hall and saw a beautiful lady sitting on a nine-dragon chair in the middle of the hall, with two girls in green standing beside her.

Everyone looked around, and Liu Hui Niang said, "Uncle, the beams and pillars of this temple have been damaged by insect bites and ants. It's already the end of October. If we prepare the materials this year, we can repair it next year."

Chen Xizhen said: "That's true."

Hu Sanniang looked at Zhao Zhen, who was staring at the statue motionlessly, and called out softly, "Sir, Sir."

Seeing that Zhao Zhen seemed to be infatuated, Hu Sanniang reached out to pull him away, but she heard Chen Xizhen yell in a low voice, "Don't touch me."

As he spoke, he walked forward quickly, waved his hand in front of Zhao Zhen's eyes, and then walked forward to take a closer look, twitching his nose slightly and said, "Don't worry, my dear nephew-in-law has been invited by the queen to be a guest, and he will wake up naturally later."

Liu Hui Niang asked worriedly, "Uncle, how can you be sure it's the Empress?"

"Smell carefully, is there only the scent of sandalwood?"

Hu Sanniang said: "There is indeed a fragrance."

"This is a sign of divine descent. I never thought my nephew-in-law would have such good fortune. If it were an evil ghost, there would definitely be a fishy smell. There is no need to worry about it." Chen Xizhen said.

Liu Huiniang and Hu Sanniang heaved a sigh of relief after hearing this, but they kept staring at Zhao Zhen, fearing that something might happen to him.

Zhao Zhen entered the temple of the goddess Xuan Nu, and at first he felt nothing unusual. When he looked at the goddess Xuan Nu, he suddenly smelled sandalwood, and in the blink of an eye, he saw two girls in green clothes and spiral buns standing in front of him. They both bowed and kowtowed.

The Taoist boy on the left said, "Star Master, the Queen wants to see you."

Zhao Zhen seemed to have forgotten where he was, and followed the two Taoist boys out of the hall. After turning around a corner door in the back hall, he saw a sky full of stars and a fragrant breeze.

He immediately became alert and realized that his current state was exactly the soul-leaving body state that Gongsun Sheng had told him about.

Focus your mind and follow the two boys in green.

After passing through a forest, Zhao Zhen could hear the sound of gurgling streams. When he looked up, he saw a bluestone bridge with red railings on both sides. On the bank, there were exotic flowers and plants, lush pines and bamboos, green willows and peaches. Under the bridge, water was rolling like silver snow, flowing through a stone cave. After crossing the stone bridge, he looked up and saw a palace.

Two boys in green led Zhao Zhen into the hall, where they saw the goddess Xuan Nu, who looked like the clay statue outside, sitting on the seven-treasure nine-dragon bed in the middle.

The boy led Zhao Zhen to sit on a brocade cushion, and the lady at the top asked, "Star Master, how are you?"

Zhao Zhen frowned and said, "I don't remember any Star Lord at all."

The empress did not take it too seriously and said, "The Jade Emperor has temporarily punished the Star Lord because his evil heart has not been broken and his practice has not been completed. Now that the Star Lord has gathered most of the stars, he has punished evil and promoted good. His merits are complete and he will be able to ascend to the Purple Palace again. The Star Lord should keep this in mind."

Zhao Zhen took out the Tian Gang Di Sha Order in his hand and asked, "My queen, now that the Di Xing Star, Di Zhuang Star, and Di Wei Star have died, is there any trouble?"

The empress said, "You can seal another star with the order. After completing it, you will accumulate merits and it will be natural. I have three volumes of heavenly books here, you can take them for reference. The Earth Comet, Xiantian Lightning Mother Xiu Yuanjun, Qingxu Leifu Xiantian Rain Master Nei Xiang Zhenjun, and Axiang Goddess Yuanjun are still waiting for you. After drinking, you can go back."

After that, a boy brought three volumes of heavenly books to Zhao Zhen, who put them in his sleeves. The boy brought wine over and poured it into a jade cup. A girl, who was the leader, held the jade cup and handed over the wine. Zhao Zhen took it and drank it in one gulp without refusing.

Zhao Zhen felt that the wine was fragrant and delicious, like a revelation, and he couldn't help but say, "Good wine!"

Another boy in green clothes came with a plate of dates, which were as thick as a thumb and six inches in size, to persuade Zhao Zhen. Zhao Zhen picked up one and put it in his mouth. The date was as sweet as honey and juicy. After eating it, only a five-inch long, needle-thin date core was left. Zhao Zhen took a look and thought, isn't this the immortal date?

Just as he was about to eat more, the girl handed him another glass of wine, which Zhao Zhen took and drank again. Without waiting for the girl to persuade him, Zhao Zhen took a date for himself.

After eating, the girl handed Zhao Zhen more wine, and he drank it again, becoming slightly tipsy.

Looking at the dates on the plate, Zhao Zhen stuffed them into his other sleeve and said, "My lady, I am already very drunk. Please take these dates back and let Madam taste them. If you have any fairy wine, please give me a pot."

"The Star Master is drunk. The boy asks the Star Master to go back. The spiritual energy in this land is weak and the evil spirits have dissipated. After meeting the Star Master, my clone will leave. The Star Master should also ascend to heaven as soon as possible to prevent changes in the world. We will meet again in the future."

After that, the two boys carried Zhao Zhen out of the hall and hurried to the stone bridge. Without waiting for Zhao Zhen to react, the boy in green pushed him down. Zhao Zhen screamed and woke up in the hall.

When Liu Huiniang and Hu Sanniang saw Zhao Zhen wake up, they hurried forward to ask.

Zhao Zhen recounted what had just happened and stretched out his palm again, revealing two date pits.

Chen Xizhen said: "It is the dream that I entered the Immortal Palace. Does the Queen have any instructions?"

Zhao Zhen said: "I am the reincarnation of the Star Lord. I must gather stars and accumulate merits in this life. I will be able to ascend to the Purple Palace again in the future."

Chen Xizhen said, "My dear nephew and son-in-law must have been an extraordinary person in his previous life. Now that he has been called by the Queen, he will surely achieve great things in the future. From what you said, the five people in the palace also have their backgrounds. Hui Niang and Hu Niang are both your concubines. How about I entrust Li Qing to you?"

Everyone was surprised when they heard this.

Chen Liqing said: "Daddy..."

Chen Xizhen interrupted, "You were born with supernatural powers and are braver than any other man. You have learned all the skills I have learned in my life, and you have also learned to use a bow and arrow, which can hit the target every time. It is very difficult for you to have the opportunity to fight in the battlefield. You have devoted yourself to Mr. Zhao, like Lady Hu, to train the soldiers and fight in the battlefield. Isn't that what you want?"

After hearing this, Chen Liqing blushed but said nothing. She looked at Zhao Zhen and Liu Huiniang.

Liu Hui Niang said, "From what you said, it seems that we are destined to be together in our previous lives. If you marry Li Qing, it will be a closer relationship."

Hu Sanniang also said: "Sister Liqing's martial arts are a little better than mine. It would be best if Sister Liqing could help me in the battle."

Chen Xizhen continued, "That's right. I can pass on my family's teachings to you."

(End of this chapter)