The Romance of the Famous Marshals of the Early Tang Dynasty Li Jichuan

Chapter 3 Visit Yicheng Temple

In the early autumn morning, the sky is clear, the breeze is blowing, after breakfast, Xu Gai, Sun Anfu, Xu Maogong, and the housekeeper Xu Quan are four people and four horses, and they embark on the journey to Yicheng Temple. Xu Gai and Sun Anfu rode side by side, and Xu Maogong and housekeeper Xu Quan followed side by side on horseback.

Sun Anfu said with a smile: "The younger brother asked Sun Wu to take the first step, and told his father in advance that Brother Xu was going to visit Master Huitong, and then asked the servants to buy some ingredients, and when Brother Xu returned from visiting Yicheng Temple, he had to make a few famous dishes and invite his father to taste them." ”

Xu Gai replied: "Brother Xian, when you return from visiting Yicheng Temple, Brother Yu will make a few famous dishes, please Ling Zun taste them." Out of Lihu County, the four of them rode their horses and whipped and galloped in the direction of Yicheng Temple.

galloping for more than 130 miles, I vaguely saw two people waving to them next to the official road, Sun Anfu pulled the reins of the horse and said with a smile: "Brother Xu, someone from the family has come to greet us." ”

Xu Gai pulled the reins of the horse, turned his head and shouted, "Someone has come to greet us." All four slowed down, and the four rode up to the two waving hands.

A hundred-year-old beech tree next to the official road has lush branches and a huge umbrella-shaped canopy, leaving a large area of shade underground. Next to the old beech tree, there is a village monument with four big characters on it: Sun Huayuan Village. Under the old beech tree, stood two men dressed as servants.

But seeing one of them leading two horses, it was Sun Wu, and a tall and thin man was standing next to him. The tall man stepped forward, bowed, and said loudly, "The old lady has ordered the two of us to greet the two masters here." ”

Sun Anfu smiled: "No courtesy." The tall man stood up straight and said with a smile: "The old lady was very happy to hear that Sun Wu said that Master Xu was coming, so I traveled a mile to welcome the two masters." ”

Sun Anfu pointed to the tall man and smiled at Xu Gai: "This is Sun Dayou, the housekeeper of our mansion." Then he pointed at Xu Gai and smiled at the tall man: "This is Brother Xu." The tall man bowed and said with a smile: "Hello Master Xu." ”

Xu Gai smiled: "No courtesy, the housekeeper has worked hard." ”

Sun Anfu turned around and pointed at Xu Maogong and said with a smile: "This is Xu Maogong, the eldest son of Brother Xu." The tall man bowed and said with a smile: "Young Master Xu is good." ”

Xu Maogong smiled: "No courtesy, good uncle housekeeper." ”

Sun Anfu turned around and pointed at the housekeeper Xu Quan and said with a smile: "This is Xu Quan, the housekeeper of Brother Xu's family." The tall man bowed and smiled: "Steward Xu is good." ”

The housekeeper Xu Quan returned the salute and said, "Fortunately." Butler Sun Dayou and Sun Wushan were on the side of the road, making a gesture of please, Xu Gai and Sun Anfu rode side by side, Xu Maogong and housekeeper Xu Quan rode side by side, and the tall man and Sun Wu got on the horse and followed behind.

Everyone walked slowly for about a mile, but saw a blue brick and gray tile mansion compound next to the road, the courtyard door was wide open, there were six servants in green clothes and small hats standing in front of the door, and a thin old man stood in the middle, everyone dismounted and came to the old man, Sun Anfu introduced Xu Gai, Xu Maogong, and housekeeper Xu Quan to the old man in turn, and then smiled at the three people: "This is the father." ”

Xu Gai stepped forward and said with a smile: "Little nephew Xu Gai greets his uncle." He bowed as he spoke.

Father Sun smiled: "Virtuous nephew, no courtesy." ”

Xu Gai smiled at Xu Maogong: "Maogong, come and meet Grandpa Sun." ”

Xu Maogong bowed and said, "Grandson Xu Maogong greets Grandpa Sun." ”

Father Sun stretched out his hand to help Xu Maogong, stroked Xu Maogong's head with his left hand, and asked, "Maogong, is it more than ten years this year?" ”

Xu Maogong replied: "Grandpa Sun, I am twelve years old this year. ”

Father Sun smiled and said, "Everyone, please come in." Father Sun pulled Xu Gai with his right hand, pulled Xu Maogong with his left hand, and walked into the house with a smile, Father Sun sat in the center, Xu Gai sat on the right, Xu Maogong sat next to him, Sun Anfu sat on the left, and the housekeeper Xu Quan stood behind Xu Gai, and the servants offered tea and snacks.

Father Sun said with a smile: "Virtuous nephew, half a year ago, Wu'er was injured by gangsters in Lihu County, and thanks to the help of Xian's nephew, he got out of danger, and also sent a sedan chair man to send Wu'er home, and the old man was grateful." ”

Xu Gai said with a smile: "With a lot of effort, my uncle has a good reputation." ”

Father Sun said with a smile: "You are tired after driving more than 100 miles, eat some snacks, rest well, drink wine and eat meat and then visit Yicheng Temple, disrespectful to Buddhism." The old man listened to Sun Wu say that the virtuous nephew had superb cooking skills, and he worked hard for dinner to cook a few famous dishes, and the old man was also full of food. ”

Xu Gai said with a smile: "The little nephew listens to his uncle's orders. ”

Sun Anfu called the housekeeper Sun Dayou and instructed: "Butler, take the worship sticker, go to Yicheng Temple, and inform Master Huitong that Sun Anfu will accompany the distinguished guests to visit." ”

The housekeeper Sun Dayou responded, "Yes." Turning around and leaving, Benyicheng Temple sent a worship sticker.

Sun Anfu, Xu Gai, Xu Maogong, and housekeeper Xu Quan used tea and snacks, and rode to Yicheng Temple, about a mile away, and came to Yicheng Temple.

Under a few vigorous ginkgo trees, there is a large-scale temple, and there are already temples in the temple, the supervising temple, and the housekeeper Sun Dayou, who came out to greet them. Everyone dismounted and went to sit down on the pavilion outside the mountain gate. Master Huitong, the abbot of the temple, learned that he led the first Huiyuan Zen Master, Vena, and waiters to go out of the mountain gate to greet him.

Sun Anfu, Xu Gai, and Xu Maogong stepped forward to give a salute, and Master Huitong inquired and said, "Sun Yuan came out and missed the welcome." ”

Sun Anfu replied: "The little nephew came to visit with the distinguished guests. Master Huitong said: "And please invite the staff and the abbot of your guest to have tea." ”

Master Huitong walked forward, the first Huiyuan Zen Master followed behind, Sun Anfu, Xu Gai, and Xu Maogong followed Master Huitong into the abbot's room of Yicheng Temple, and the guests and hosts sat down. I saw Xingtong bring out tea. After tea, Xingtong took the tea cup and tray and exited the abbot's room.

Master Huitong asked Sun Anfu, "Virtuous nephew, Lord Lingzun has always been good?" ”

Sun Anfu replied: "My father is tough, but the amount of food has been a little smaller in the past year, and Master Xie is worried. ”

The housekeeper Xu Quan and the housekeeper Sun Dayou settled the horses, and together they moved the box into the abbot's room and placed it in front of them.

Master Huitong asked Sun Anfu, "Virtuous nephew, your mansion has already received this year's almsgiving, why did you send gifts again?" ”

Sun Anfu pointed at Xu Gai and replied: "The little nephew was robbed by robbers in Lihu County half a year ago, robbed all the money, and was injured. Thanks to the help of this big brother Xu, he was able to get out of danger. ”

Master Huitong nodded to Xu Gai, Xu Gai stood up, bowed and said, "Meet Master Huitong." ”

Master Huitong said: "Virtuous nephew, please take a seat." Xu Gai smiled and sat down.

Sun Anfu continued: "Two days ago, the little nephew was injured and went to thank Brother Xu, without the permission of Master Huitong, the gift given by the master to the little nephew --- Maitreya Buddha and transferred it to Brother Xu's eldest son, and asked the master not to blame. ”

Master Huitong asked, "Virtuous nephew, how much is Gongzi Xu?" ”

Sun Anfu replied: "Twelve years old." ”

Master Huitong said: "That is not the gift of Maitreya Buddha is just right for Xu Gongzi." ”

Sun Anfu continued: "Brother Xu learned that our mansion has a lot of connections with the abbot of Yicheng Temple, so he asked his little nephew to introduce him, and he will also be the benefactor of Yicheng Temple, Tan Yue." At the master's convenience, ask the master to point out his eldest son, Xu Maogong. ”

Master Huitong beckoned to Xu Maogong, Xu Maogong stepped forward, bowed deeply and said, "Meet Master Huitong." ”

Master Huitong said: "No courtesy." Stretched out his hand and pulled up Xu Maogong, and after carefully looking up and down, he asked, "Xu Gongzi, do you like that gift?" ”

Xu Maogong replied: "I like the fragrance of sandalwood, and I like the opening and laughter of Maitreya Buddha." ”

Master Huitong continued: "The Maitreya Buddha is carved by the old monk according to the appearance of the Maitreya Buddha enshrined in the middle of the Tianwang Palace. Xu Gongzi, do you want to go to the Tianwang Hall to see the Maitreya Buddha? ”

Xu Maogong replied, "I want to see it." ”

Xu Maogong took a step forward, bowed down and said, "Master Huitong, can I touch the smiling face of the Maitreya Buddha in the Heavenly King Palace?" ”

Master Huitong smiled: "That can't be done, how tall is the Maitreya Buddha in the Heavenly King Palace." ”

Master Huitong instructed: "Senior Brother Huiyuan, lead Xu Gongzi to the Tianwang Palace, see the Maitreya Buddha, and then walk around the major halls in the temple." ”

Zen Master Huiyuan responded, "Yes." ”

Zen Master Huiyuan walked up to Xu Maogong, took Xu Maogong's little hand, and walked towards the door of the abbot's room.

Xu Gai instructed: "Xu Quan, go take care of the young master." ”

Butler Xu Quan responded: "Yes." He also ran to the door of the abbot's room. Wait for the three of them to go out of the door of the abbot's room.

Sun Anfu seemed to understand Master Huitong's intentions, and hurriedly ordered: "Sun Dayou, Xu Gongzi is coming to Yicheng Temple for the first time, go and take care of the old man." ”

Butler Sun Dayou responded: "Yes." He trotted out of the abbot's room, closed the door gently, and chased after the three men.

Sun Anfu stood up, clasped his fists and saluted: "Gongzi Xu came from afar, and asked the master for some advice." ”

Xu Gai also stood up, clasped his fists and saluted: "Please also ask the master to give advice." ”

Master Huitong pondered for a moment and said: "Master Xu, you are still young, today's events, God knows, the earth knows, you, me, and him know, and you must not let outsiders know about it." ”

Sun Anfu said: "It's all up to the master's orders. ”

Xu Gai said: "Today's matter is related to the future of Maogong, and the little nephew will never leak to others." ”

Master Huitong said, "Two virtuous nephews, please take a seat. Sun Anfu and Xu Gai sat back in their original seats.

Master Huitong said: "Master Xu, the great noble, the martial arts are handsome, and the literature is famous." ”

Sun Anfu asked: "According to the master's words, when Xu Gongzi becomes an adult, will he join the army like a master?" ”

Master Huitong replied: "The virtuous nephew has a reputation for the old monk, before the old monk became a monk, he was only a young general in the Northern Qi Dynasty, and after a few decades, Xu Gongzi's achievements are much higher than the old monk." ”