Northern Dynasties Imperial Industry

"Master, this Li Changshi seems to have bad intentions..."

After arriving at the side hall, the abbot reported to Master Tanjing with a worried look on his face: "The grandson of the Yan family did not receive ordination to enter the world, but because the family assets were not worth the return, he was forced to live as a slave in the temple."

When Master Tan Jing heard this, his expression changed again, and the abbot continued: "There are also believers from the state who are involved in the matter. It seems that some members of the Yan family have sued the government. I didn't pay attention to this matter at first. But listen Li Changshi said frankly that he and the Yan family had some connections, and they might be somewhat involved."

Master Tan Jing’s frown deepened, and after a moment of silence he continued: “This man relies on his superiority, and is indeed quite arrogant and domineering when interacting with others. But he is now in a considerable position, and if he is determined to cause trouble, it will be troublesome. , Have the descendants of the Yan family been found? Try not to give him a reason to blame him. "

"There are a large number of slaves in the temple and they are scattered in many places. It is difficult to find them at once."

After hearing the words, the abbot replied with an expression of embarrassment.

"Then keep looking."

Master Tan Jing first gave instructions in a deep voice, and after a brief pause, he warned: "No matter what the purpose of this Li Changshi came, it seems that he is not a devout believer in worshiping Buddha. He is in a high and powerful position, and it is inevitable that he will use his power to overwhelm others. However, he must not Don't worry. Since his close relatives are separated, go and get a copy of the Ullambana Sutra, and I will inspire him with the scriptures of the great Maud Lian on saving his mother!"

When he returned to the hall with the scriptures in hand, the smile on Master Tanjing's face became even more enthusiastic. He spread out the Buddhist scriptures and began to explain to Li Tai the story of Mulian rescuing his mother. A sincere act of filial piety leads to liberation.

According to this analogy, Li Tai and I naturally have no sins. As long as Li Tai shows a little piety, he can certainly ask the Buddha to protect him.

Moreover, Buddhism talks about sins differently from the secular world. Maybe I made some vows and begged for something but forgot about it afterwards, accumulating a lot of bad karma. Therefore, this kind of troubles and hardships were added to my life, even if I was kind to them. The entire Yan family was affected.

This logic was so clear but impeccable that Li Tai was confused for a moment. Could it be that this was really the case?

According to the psychology of normal people, this specious and unfalsifiable inference of the law of cause and effect does make people feel a little uneasy. Even for peace of mind, they want to spend money and avoid disaster.

What made Li Tai unable to object was that the old monk used filial piety as an excuse. If he categorically refused this proposal, it would be a violation of both religious and ethical taboos.

Since coming to this world, Li Tai has never been so speechless by anyone. Whether he is powerful or rogue, he has a way to deal with it. But facing this old monk, he was a little at a loss.

If you don’t know how to deal with it, you can only resort to the most direct and simple means. Before that, Li Tai really just wanted to find Yan Xin's grandson and take him away. He had no intention of taking any action against the temple, but he didn't expect that his own self-discipline would lead to the monk's extravagance.

If you don't cause this to happen and let you have a taste of my methods, Governor Li, you will really be sorry for yourself!

Li Tai thought this in his heart, and his face gradually turned pious and eager. He looked at Master Tan Jing and said excitedly: "Master Tan Jing is really superb in Buddhism. Even a fool like me who is not familiar with Buddhism is convinced after listening to the teaching." Inspired by it, I feel more and more aware of the law of cause and effect, and I want to do good deeds and receive blessings! But although I have this intention, I don’t know how to express it, and I still need to ask the Master for advice.”

Although Li Tai's change of attitude was slightly abrupt, it seemed normal to Master Tan Jing. He had been living in Longyou for many years, and he had seen believers change from full of doubts to worshiping at a faster rate than Li Tai.

Out of trust in his profession, he did not feel that Li Tai was deliberately trying to confuse him, so he looked pleased and thoughtfully provided Li Tai with various plans, from the most basic to copying scriptures. Praying for higher-end cave statues, and even more grand water and land monasteries and Bon Bon festivals are listed here.

After listening to the old monk's introduction, Li Tai couldn't help but sigh that the monk could know the world without going out, and he was actually a good monk who kept pace with the times.

In today's world, although there are many people who believe in Buddhism in the Southern and Northern Dynasties, relatively speaking, the Buddhist rituals in the Southern Dynasties are much richer and grander than those in the Northern Dynasties. After all, there is a living Buddha in the Southern Dynasties, Xiao Lao Bodhisattva.

The Water and Land Dojo and the Bon Festival, which are familiar to later generations, were gradually invented by Bodhisattva Xiao over the past few years. Li Tai had never seen this kind of Buddhist ceremony in Guanzhong today, but he did not expect that an old monk far away in Longyou was very familiar with it.

Since Master Tan Jing is so powerful, Li Tai certainly can't let others down the chain and waste time on introduction. He even waved his hand and said with a heroic face that all these are included. He doesn't seek the best, but seeks the most expensive. !

Master Tanjing was probably the first time in his life to meet such a generous customer. He couldn't believe it at first. After confirming several times that he heard correctly, he was overjoyed and summoned all the monks who were in charge of Buddhist ritual matters into the temple. The entire temple worked together to create a complete set of luxury plans tailored for Li Tai, a wealthy businessman.

Li Tai was not very familiar with these matters and was too lazy to join in their discussion, so he comfortably acted as party A and stood up to leave first, agreeing to let them come to the state capital tomorrow to submit a plan to him.

The monks reluctantly sent Li Tai out of the temple. After returning to the temple, Master Tanjing said with a serious face: "You don't have to follow the previous Buddhist ritual specifications, you must make it as grand as possible!"

Hearing this, the monks couldn't help but take a breath of cold air. If they really wanted to do this, the budget would be endless. The abbot monk couldn't help but said: "Li Changshi seemed to have quite a lot of money when he bought camels and scattered them among the rural households, but after all, he is new to Longshang. If Buddhist rituals were to be built here, he might not be able to afford it. "

"What I want is that he can't afford it! These wealthy children like to be grandiose and shock the world, and they also like to set an example of human ethics. This time I pray for his elders. If the deeds are not grand enough, they will not be enough to show his filial piety. He will definitely agree! "

Master Tanjing said with a smile, holding the pearl of wisdom in his hand: "When he has used up all his wealth, the ceremony has to be abandoned halfway. In his desperation, if he does not want to become the laughing stock of this world, he can only turn to me. Then I will naturally use his power. !”

When the monks heard this, they all praised the master for being really clever. They had used similar methods in the past with great results. Therefore, Guangming Temple has grown to this point in more than ten years.

Not to mention the calculations of the monks of Guangming Temple against Li Tai, after Li Tai returned to the state city, he immediately summoned a close aide and ordered: "Return to Chang'an quickly and order Xiaoyong to lead the villagers west to Long without passing through. When you leave Longguan, take the narrow road of Chencang! Be careful where you go and don’t show off to others.”

He did not bring many troops to Long this time, only a few hundred armored soldiers around him, and because he had to follow him in and out, the target was too conspicuous. If he really wanted to do something, he would not be able to attack directly. He would have to shake people from the pass. If you don’t take off all the old monk’s underwear this time, then it’s because he’s not wearing any!

Both sides planned their own plans, and in the morning of the next day, representatives of the monks from Guangming Temple came to the state capital to ask for an audience. Li Tai summoned the abbot monk in the side hall and saw that his eyes were bloodshot. He must have stayed up late to prepare the plan, so he raised his hand to signal him to start explaining.

Guangming Temple has become famous in Longyou in recent years, and has naturally accumulated a wealth of professional experience. In order for Li Tai, a person who is not familiar with Buddhism, to understand it, the abbot has also prepared several explanation methods, including text, pictures, There are models and even monks performing small-scale demonstrations on site, which is extremely considerate.

After Li Tai finished admiring it, he couldn't help but feel that it was an eye-opener, but he quickly shook his head and rejected the plan. The reason was also very simple, he had no money!

"As an official, I still need to rely on the government for food and drink. Even if I have some small assets, they are all far away in Guanzhong. Moreover, if I use up all the materials, I will be lucky enough to reunite with my son next year but have nothing to support. Isn't this even worse? Big unfilial piety?”

After hearing the reason for Li Tai's refusal, the abbot monk was speechless for a moment. Why was this different from what the Master had guessed? Of course he can't say that you are worrying too much. If you don't perform the ceremony, you won't even be qualified to support him. After all, the key to this kind of thing is ambiguity. If you really say it outright, your sign will be smashed every minute.

However, the passionate planning of the monks of the Hesi Temple was rejected outright. After all, it was a bit difficult to accept. So the abbot monk thought for a while and said that the scale of each ceremony could be slightly reduced as appropriate. To control expenses.

But after hearing this, Li Tai became furious and started to protest. Although I am poor, I have backbone. You asked me to settle for second best. Do you think my father is not worthy of the best? Either don’t do it, or get the best one!

Although Li Tai's reaction returned to Master Tan Jing's prediction, the conversation could not go on. The abbot monk was scolded bloody and left in fear.

In the afternoon, Master Tanjing came in person, first apologized to Li Tai, and then began to ask if there was any compromise. Guangming Temple could advance part of the investment to get things started, but Li Tai needed to make some mortgages.

When Li Tai heard this, he roughly understood their thoughts, which were focused on his batch of camels and the trade rights represented by the camels. And he coaxed himself into the game by advancing funds, and when things got hot, he was in trouble.

This time Li Tai did not refuse directly. Of course he was not afraid of a second mortgage. Anyway, it had to be his own in the end.

But seeing that the monk was so eager to promote this matter, he honestly and politely put forward his own suggestions for revision and massively reduced the size of the Bon Festival. He did not bother to offer food and drink to the monks from all directions. Although he did not spend his own money, The dietary materials that need to be prepared do not meet my requirements.

Instead, the scale of the Buddha statue viewing ceremony was increased, and the need to cast gold and silver Buddha statues and worship Buddhist utensils was specified. As a result, Guangming Temple needs to prepare a lot of precious metals such as gold and silver, gemstone pigments and other materials.

Although these items are not suitable for eating or drinking, under the circumstances of limited time and limited transportation capacity, they are the items with the highest value year-on-year.