Rise From the Humble

Chinese people like to talk about things at dinner parties. This has been a dinner party culture since ancient times, and today is no exception. After the wine was drunk, Zhu Pingan heard the main table begin to talk about offering sacrifices to the sea, so he pricked up his ears.

"Regarding the sacrifice to the sea, I wonder when and where Mr. Zhao is planning to offer sacrifices to the sea?" Someone at the main table asked Zhao Wenhua.

"The Japanese invasion is becoming more and more serious, so the sooner the better, the sooner the Japanese invasion can be eliminated, and the earlier the Japanese invasion can be restored to the people, peace and tranquility can be restored. Of course, it is faster, but we also need to choose a good and auspicious day."

Zhao Wenhua replied.

"Yes, you must choose a good and auspicious day to ensure good luck and success. By coincidence, the famous Jinshan Temple is not far away in Zhenjiang. It is this temple that White Snake refers to as "water overflowing the Jinshan Mountains". I am an old acquaintance with Zen Master Huishan, the host of Jinshan Temple. You can come forward and ask Zen Master Huishan to choose an auspicious day for worshiping the sea."

When it comes to good times and auspicious days, an official can't wait to recommend Zen Master Huishan from Jinshan Temple. His family invites Zen Master Huishan for weddings and funerals, and everything goes smoothly.

"Ahem, Mr. Wang is greedy for drinking again, why are you talking about drinking? There are many famous Taoist temples near us, it is better to ask a few Taoist priests with great virtues and profound cultivation to choose a good and auspicious day."

The official next to him coughed and spoke slowly.

Nowadays, as a saint, you should choose a good and auspicious day to practice Taoism. You recommend an eminent Buddhist monk. What do you mean?

If you follow the above guidelines, does it mean that in your eyes, Buddhist eminent monks are more powerful than Taoist Taoists? Is Buddhism more powerful than Taoism? Is Buddhism more reliable than Taoism? Aren't you trying to lose face?

"Ah, yes, yes, I'm too drunk to talk nonsense. Mr. Zhao and all of you, please don't take my drunken words seriously."

Mr. Wang also realized the seriousness of the problem. His forehead was dripping with cold sweat. He felt regretful and wanted to slap himself a few times. What could I do if I just tried to succeed? What kind of eminent monk could I recommend? What a sin. I hurriedly apologized.

"It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter. Mr. Wang is dedicated to serving the public. Even if he drinks too much, he does not forget to offer advice and suggestions for the occasion of worshiping the sea. What he says is also out of good intentions. However, Mr. Zhang is right. It is better to have a good time and auspicious days. Several Taoist priests with high virtues and profound spiritual practices are choosing a recent auspicious day that is most suitable for worshiping the sea."

Zhao Wenhua said with a smile and an open mind, defining Mr. Wang's words as well-intentioned words.

"Thank you, Mr. Zhao, for your understanding and consideration." Mr. Wang looked at Zhao Wenhua with a grateful face, and thanked him repeatedly.

With Zhao Wenhua's endorsement, he no longer has to worry about getting into trouble for his remarks just now, and he has no worries at all.

Mr. Zhao is really a kind and kind person. Mr. Wang was immediately grateful and admired Zhao Wenhua, and what he wanted in his heart...

Seeing that Zhao Wenhua is so tolerant and considerate of himself and others, all the officials put aside their worries and made suggestions one after another. On the one hand, they made a sense of presence in front of Zhao Wenhua, and on the other hand, they also hoped that they would be included in the credit book in the future. name.

"As for the place to offer sacrifices to the sea, it must be the seaside. Although our coast south of the Yangtze River is thousands of miles long, the most suitable places to offer sacrifices to the sea are the cities along the coast with beautiful scenery and good Feng Shui."

"You can't just choose beautiful scenery and good feng shui, but you also need to pay attention to safety. Nowadays, Japanese pirates are becoming more and more rampant. More than half of the land along the coast of Jiangnan is unsafe. Ligang, Zhoushan, Zhejiang, is occupied by Japanese pirates Wang Zhi. Japanese pirates rob Taizhou and Wenzhou. , Ningbo, Shaoxing, Suzhou and Huaibei and other coastal areas; Huating, Zhelin, Chuanshawa and other places in Songjiang Prefecture were occupied by Japanese pirates. According to investigations, more than 40,000 Japanese pirates have gathered, and they come out from time to time to rob various places in Songjiang Prefecture... This Damn Japanese pirates, they have ruined so many blessed places with good winds and water, catching them and cutting them to pieces one by one will not be able to eliminate their karma!"

"I think the Jianghuai area is good."

"No, no, no, it's better to go further south."

The big guys at the main table began to discuss each other, and the atmosphere became more and more lively.

"Thank you all for your suggestions, sir. However, the location of the sacrifice to the sea was jointly selected by the Cabinet, the Ministry of Rites and the Qintian Supervisor before I came here. It was decided between Jiangyin and Changshu, where the dragon vein of the Yangtze River extends, where water and sky meet. place."

Zhao Wenhua said with a smile and cupped his hands.

"This location is well chosen. The dragon's veins extend and water and sky meet. Moreover, there are few Japanese pirates in Jiangyin and Changshu, so it is relatively safe."

“Very good, very good”

The officials present praised him one after another.

"Now that the location for sea worship has been selected, please ask the Taoist priest to choose an auspicious day and start worshiping the sea as soon as possible."

Zhang Jing said, hurry up and sacrifice to the sea, and then take Zhao Wenhua to inspect the troops and send him away as soon as possible.

"What Governor Zhang said is absolutely true." Zhao Wenhua nodded in agreement.

"For the sake of safety, firstly, the time and location of the sea sacrifice must be kept secret and not allowed to be known to the outside world; secondly, the scale of the sea sacrifice must be strictly controlled. I think everyone at our table will accompany Mr. Zhao to the sacrifice. sea, I will send troops around

Martial law, within a radius of three miles, no other people are allowed to approach; thirdly, it is not appropriate to make a grand ceremony to worship the sea, save energy by saving red tape, simplify the process, and complete the worship of the sea quickly. "

Zhang Jing stroked his beard, glanced at Zhao Wenhua and the officials present, and spoke slowly and methodically.

The officials present naturally have no objections to this. The scale of the sea sacrifice and the complexity of the procedures do not matter to them, and it is also for safety. Naturally, they will not refute Zhang Jing's face.

However, Zhao Wenhua shook his head slightly.

Since arriving in Yingtian, Zhao Wenhua has always followed the good deeds and behaved like a good gentleman. He accepted whatever Zhang Jing said. Regarding the Imperial Envoy Yamen that was not suitable for long-term residence, the shabby reception banquet, etc., Zhao Wenhua accepted them all. Zhang Jing’s arrangement.

This was the first time that Zhao Wenhua had different opinions on Zhang Jing's arrangements, and Zhang Jing couldn't help but frown.

"Governor Zhang, the purpose of offering sacrifices to the sea is to pray to gods, destroy Japanese invaders, and bring peace to the people. It cannot be kept secret, and the scale of the offering to the sea cannot be controlled. On the contrary, the offering of sacrifices to the sea needs to be a large ceremony, a grand event, and a huge event. It must be widely publicized to ensure that everyone can enjoy it. Know, to show the determination to destroy the Japanese pirates, to frighten the Japanese pirates, and to encourage the common people; officials of fifth grade or above in Jiangnan and local officials regardless of grade must participate. All famous gentry in Jiangnan can participate, and ordinary people can also watch the ceremony. Jiangnan is widely invited Famous Taoists and immortals in the area participate in sea worship. In short, it is best to widely participate so that there is a sea of ​​people. In addition, the process of sea worship cannot be simplified and must be strictly followed to avoid being disrespectful to the gods, displeasing the gods, and lowering the standard. It has the effect of offering sacrifices to the sea.”

Zhao Wenhua said with a serious face, demanding big things to do, which was completely opposite to Zhang Jing's opinion.

"What? A grand event? Everyone knows it? There are huge crowds of people? How to ensure safety? What if the Japanese pirates take the opportunity to cause trouble?! How much money will be spent with such a huge momentum?! So much money, why not use it to reward the soldiers of the three armies? Reward the warriors heavily to destroy the Japanese!"

When Zhang Jing heard this, his brows instantly wrinkled, he snorted and slapped the table hard.

"Governor Zhang, the purpose of worshiping the sea is to exterminate Japanese pirates. If we just fight in a small way because we are afraid of Japanese pirates, what will happen? We cannot abandon our martial arts for the sake of safety."

Zhao Wenhua insisted.

"I disagree!" Zhang Jing shook his head vigorously and said decisively.

"Governor Zhang has organized a grand ceremony to hold a sea sacrifice, which has been reported to the imperial court for approval. Furthermore, the imperial edict has just been read out, and the emperor ordered me to preside over the sea sacrifice. With the cooperation of Jiangnan officials, can it be that Governor Zhang wants to disobey the edict and disrespect it?"

Zhao Wenhua said softly.

"You, hum! You are so troublesome! I have important military matters to deal with, so I won't accompany you!"

Zhang Jing immediately scolded Zhao Wenhua for being troublesome without mercy, and then walked away with a displeased look on his face!

Since he became the governor, no one has obeyed his orders. Zhao Wenhua retorted in public, how could he bear it!

You are an imperial envoy sent by the imperial court, and I am also a governor sent by the imperial court, and my official position is much higher than yours!

You have the support of the Holy One behind you, and I have the support of the Holy One behind you. Besides, I also have the Holy One’s decree to “act expediently”!

Who do you think Zhao Wenhua is?