I became an immortal in the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 182 Li Du’s article (+15)

The officials in the Prince's residence were in a great panic.

No matter what the subordinate reported, it went in one ear and out the other, and he couldn't hear a word. In the end, he simply waved his hand and told the other party to leave.

I may have unintentionally offended a master. What should I do?
He hesitated for a long time before taking another piece of paper.

Spread it out and dip it in ink.

He solemnly wrote down his apology.

He wrote several hundred words, each character elegant and upright. The official in the prince's mansion blew the ink dry and looked at his own writing, wondering if the master had accepted it. He tried to speak, but still no sound came out.

After thinking it over, the officials in the Prince's residence decided to steel themselves.

He picked up his pen and began to write.

He raised his hand to summon a servant and asked him to bring a brazier.

He blew on the brazier, making the flames float.

The officials in the prince's residence burned the apology note in the fire, hoping it would reach a wise person who would forgive his mistake...

Zhang Guolao chuckled.

He quipped, "Sir, this person is actually burning paper money for you; that's quite ingenious."

Jiang She also laughed.

He remembered what Ao Bai had told him.

Stroking the cat in his arms, he casually told Zhang Guolao the story:

“I once met a water deity who mentioned to me that people often worshipped the Wei River by throwing offerings into it.”

"If it were cattle, horses, sheep, or pigs, dogs, or chickens, that would be better."

"At least the fish and shrimp in the marshes can have a full meal."

Zhang Guolao and the monk listened attentively.

"Chang'an is better now, but I've heard that in previous years, some people would tie up infants and women and throw them into the water, hoping to receive the blessing of the Lord of the Water."

Zhang Guolao asked.

What happened next?

Jiang She smiled.

"I heard that the man who made the decision later accidentally encountered a water disaster and drowned."

Zhang Guolao pondered the meaning of the word "accidentally".

He laughed loudly, "Sir, you are being so mischievous. Come to think of it, it's quite horrifying that the Water Lord, who lives peacefully in the water, would leave behind a dead person!"

The Old Deer Mountain God also felt this way.

He picked up his wine cup.

“Since the Tang Dynasty, things have actually gotten much better. Many years before that, there were often cases of ‘throwing people into the mountains to worship the gods,’ which is also recorded in the Huainanzi.”

The monk was hearing about this for the first time, and he looked at the mountain god.

Bowing and asking questions:
"How do you know so much, old man?"

Old Deer Mountain God didn't look at him, but glanced at Zhang Guo beside him.

He changed his self-reference and said with a smile, "This humble god is not very talented, but I have lived a long time."

Zhang Guolao lowered his head and drank his wine.

The monk was taken aback, so much so that he asked a rather rude question.

"Little God?"

The old deer mountain god responded.

Adjusting his sleeves, the mountain god's robes were seamless and embroidered with mountains, rivers, grasses, and trees. His face was old, and his beard and hair were all white, just like the legendary old immortal.

Recalling his days of cultivating and seeking the Dao, the old deer mountain god suddenly lost his naive thoughts of comparing himself to Zhang Guolao.

He stroked his beard.

He made no mention of his glorious life as a mountain god or the worship of the local people.

He could only sigh and say.

"It was once protected by a mountain for eight hundred years."

"Fortunately."

While they were talking, Prince Qi in the palace was breathing heavily and coughing violently. The imperial physicians carefully prescribed medicine for him, and the eunuchs and maids in the palace looked grave and worried.

Jiang She drank wine and listened to them talk.

Suddenly, I sensed something, as if something unusual was happening.

He raised his hand and did a quick calculation.

……

……

At this moment, the governor's face was gloomy as he hurried along the road with a group of constables.

"Is that really what they say?"

The servant said, "That's what everyone says. There were so many people talking, it's spread everywhere."

The governor was so worried that he pulled out two hairs from his beard.

He truly couldn't understand how simply asking his son to deliver a message to the Wang family could cause so much trouble; he was practically driven mad with worry.

"If the Prince of Qi is unharmed, then that's fine."

"If something really happens to the Prince of Qi or the Prince of Hedong and they die in the next two days, how am I supposed to face the Sage?"

The servant remembered something. He quickly said:

“There was an old man before, I mean, I mean… Zhang Guolao, didn’t he also say that Prince Qi wouldn’t live much longer? It’s not entirely Alang and Liulang’s fault.”

“You don’t understand,” the governor said, stroking his beard with worry. “That was what Zhang Guolao said, but today’s words were asked by my son.”

He said bitterly.

"That kid's mouth should be sewn shut!"

The servants remained silent.

After a while.

The governor glanced around; a few steps behind him, a large group of people were still following. "Where is that house? I need to find that so-called expert and apologize to Prince Qi in person."

The servants stood by and gave directions.

"There's an alleyway under that tree. Just follow the alleyway in. I've already asked around."

They walked on and on, but could not find any trace of the house.

After wandering around, I ended up back at the alley entrance.

It's still that familiar tree.

It looked as if something was blocking it.

The governor of Yanzhou even had a ridiculous thought.

He heard that when officials went to take up their posts in prefectures and counties, they would occasionally encounter strange things when they stayed in the mountains or passed by cemeteries. No matter which way they went, they would always end up going around in circles in the same place.

The governor of Yanzhou scoffed at this heresy.

But now...

I dare not speak, I dare not think.

The servant beside him grew frightened, his voice trembling slightly: "My lord, isn't there something fishy going on here? The Wang family said that person is indeed a master, I'm afraid..."

It is not something that ordinary people can pay homage to.

……

The neighbors stood at a distance, watching the high-ranking official in his robes circle around the area several times, seemingly oblivious to their presence. One whispered, "Who is that high-ranking official? Why is he circling back again?"

Some people are knowledgeable.

"The one wearing the red robe is of high rank."

"More powerful than a county magistrate?"

"That's for sure!"

They were talking. Du Fu heard them talking, went out of the alley to take a look, and saw that Governor Luo was followed by many servants, as if they were on official business. He did not go up to disturb them.

Back home, my uncle was counting the New Year's gifts.

The servants were so tired they kept wiping away sweat, and Du Fu also stepped forward to help carry it out.

When his uncle finished his work and saw him, he said, "Perfect timing, you're back. These are for the neighbors next door. I'll take you there in a bit."

"For Mr. Jiang?"

Du Fu's eyes lit up.

Du Langjun laughed loudly, "All you ever think about is going to the neighbor's! When we get back to Luoyang, your father will say I've led you astray."

The two knocked on the door.

Li Bai and Yuan Danqiu had finished writing their letters to Meng Haoran and were reading each other's writings.

A knock on the door was heard.

Yuan Danqiu, clutching the letter, went to open the door.

The Du family and a pile of New Year's gifts stood at the gate, crowding the courtyard.

Du Langjun raised his hand in a gesture of respect.

They said with a smile, "I wonder if Mr. Jiang is here? We've come to deliver New Year's gifts."

Yuan Danqiu looked at the mountain of New Year's gifts and felt a chill in his heart, fearing that he would end up like the Pei family, sending only cured meat.

"Young Master Du is too kind, bringing so many things. Please come in quickly. The master is not home right now, please move in first."

When he raised his hand to greet him.

A gust of wind blew, knocking two sheets of paper to the ground.

Yuan Danqiu then realized that he had brought the letter written by Taibai with him.

Du Fu bent down and picked up the two pieces of paper from the ground. They were covered with frozen soil and cold snow. He carefully wiped them off and glanced at the words on them.

I couldn't help but be engrossed in watching.

It seems she was recounting her experiences along the way. Initially, she apologized for not being able to return as promised, hoping the man known as Master Meng would be lenient. Then she spoke of the interesting things she had seen, such as traveling with her master in spirit, slaying demons in the snow at night… I don’t know if it’s true or not.

The brushstrokes are elegant and flowing; these are fine characters.

A well-written and elegant piece of writing.

It's surprisingly well-written.

Finally, a poem was inscribed on the letter, which Du Fu couldn't help but read aloud.

"I admire Master Meng, whose elegance and charm are known throughout the land..."

He stood there blankly for a while.

He looked up and asked, "Was this letter written by Master Yuan?"

【Ask for monthly ticket】

(End of this chapter)