Three years later.

Ten miles outside the city of Kaifeng, on the mountain.

A tall man dressed in filial piety clothes sadly said to a grave under a pine tree: "Father, it's your sacrifice day again, and the child has come to see you." It's been three years, and the child has a lot to say to you, but you can't hear it anymore! ”

The weather was cold and windy.

It rained, very much, and a bolt of lightning shone through the cracks in the trees, shining on the man's face and on the stone tablet.

This man has a well-defined rectangular face, a pair of tiger eyes, two thick eyebrows, and his white clothes are puffed up by the wind, and he looks extraordinary, not angry but self-assured, even among tens of millions of people, he is also the most eye-catching.

On the stele, there are five big characters written - the tomb of Zhao Hongyin.

"Father, three years ago, you went to hunt down Murong Yanyun, but you fell seriously ill on the way back, and you were killed by the thieves of the Nine Ghost Realm." The man choked up and said, "If I had known that something bad would happen to you, Yuen Long would have stopped you no matter what!" As he spoke, Tiger Eyes burst into tears.

This man is none other than Zhao Kuangyin, the son of Zhao Hongyin.

Zhao Hongyin had five sons under his knees, and the eldest died early. Zhao Kuangyin is the second-oldest, with high ambitions and a smooth career. He has the highest prestige among the Zhao brothers. Because of his busy official duties, all the affairs of the family are handled by the third brother Zhao Guangyi's father. Since the day his favorite fifth brother Zhao Guangzan was taken away by his father's friend for treatment, he has never returned home. He was deeply saddened by his father's death three years ago and vowed to avenge his father.

"Master, please mourn ......" Zhao Fu, the old housekeeper of the Zhao Mansion, stepped forward and persuaded: "The old lady has been gone for three years, and in the past three years, the old man has been thinking about his old man every day, you have to cheer up, the Shenlong Sect and the imperial court still rely on you." ”

Zhao Kuangyin stopped crying and said, "Old brother, hasn't King Qin Guang of the Nine Ghost Realm been found yet?" I'm going to cut him with a thousand knives to avenge my father!" ”

"Master, King Qin Guang hasn't found ...... yet" Zhao Fu sighed and said: "According to your intentions, I have sent all the strength of the Shenlong Sect to find it, I believe that as long as he dares to show up in the rivers and lakes, he will definitely be able to catch him as soon as possible and avenge the old lady." ”

Zhao Kuangyin nodded.

Zhao Fu asked: "In the past three years, because of his filial piety, most of the affairs of the court and the central government have been kept out, and you have not even gone to this battle of Huainan." That Murong Yanyun also lived for three more years because of this, and today the filial piety period has expired, I don't know what the master has planned? ”

Zhao Kuangyin said: "It's time, I can't stay in Xianyang all the time, otherwise the court and the rivers and lakes are afraid that they will forget that there is still me Zhao Kuangyin!" ”

Before he could finish speaking, a flash of lightning pierced the sky, with a roaring thunder, resounding across the earth, as if responding to him!

Two months later, Kaifeng court.

On the dragon chair in the main hall sits the Great Zhou Emperor Chai Rong, he is thirty-four or five years old, born with dragon eyebrows and phoenix eyes, bright teeth and red lips, three teeth to cover the mouth and beard, wearing a crown of jewels, a yellow dragon robe, dignity, quite an emperor's appearance. He looked down at the ministers in the palace, and when he saw that most of them were old, he couldn't help but sigh.

After the dispersal of the dynasty, he left Zhao Kuangyin alone.

Zhao Kuangyin saw that Chai Rong's expression was a little depressed, and said, "Your Majesty, why are you worried?" I wonder if the minister can share His Majesty's worries? ”

Chai Rong said: "Zhao Aiqing, this time the battle of Huainan was a great victory, the commander was the young general Murong Yanzhao, I heard that the Southern Tang Dynasty didn't even dare to cry when he heard his name, this is the general of my Great Zhou!" ”

Zhao Kuangyin understood in his heart, and said secretly: "Most of the civil and military ministers of the Manchu Dynasty are old, and the emperor is going to change young people." But he pretended not to know, "Your Majesty, General Murong is young and promising, this is a fortunate thing for the Great Zhou, why are you worried?" ”

"Zhao Aiqing, you see that the civil and military forces of this Manchu Dynasty are mostly useless old ministers, and they are already overwhelmed by the heavy responsibilities of fighting wars and discussing state affairs. Now there is a lack of young talents like Murong Yanzhao in the court, these old ministers are high and powerful, and it is difficult for young people to be selected, I don't know what good plan Aiqing has? Chai Rong said gloomily.

Zhao Kuangyin said: "It is better for Your Majesty to follow the example of your predecessors, reopen the imperial examination, and select talents." ”

Chai Rong was overjoyed when he heard this, and nodded in praise!

"What Zhao Aiqing said is very true, only by reopening the imperial examination and recruiting talents from all over the world can we show that my Great Zhou Dynasty is meritocracy, and strengthen my Great Zhou National Prestige!" Chai Rong praised.

Zhao Kuangyin thought to himself, "This plan is to gain His Majesty's trust, and second, to take the opportunity to insert henchmen and plump up his wings." Everyone in the world says that Chai Rong is witty, but today he fell for my plan to kill two birds with one stone, and it seems that this is not the case. ”

The next day in the court, Chai Rong first asked some political questions, and said slowly: "Everyone, Aiqing, I intend to hold the imperial examination and select young talents, I don't know what you think?" ”

Chai Rong said that, and there was an uproar in the court.

"No!" Suddenly, a person from the head of the literary class walked out, this person was over sixty years old, his hair was white, and he was already trembling when he spoke.

Chai Rong saw that it was Taishi Feng Dao who came out of the class, and his face couldn't help but be a little ugly, and he thought, "Feng Dao, you are so old, but you are not confused, you have seen the way out, and it is really hateful to go out of class to stop me in order to keep your black yarn." ”

Zhao Kuangyin saw that Chai Rong's face changed, and hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, the minister thinks this move is feasible. He turned his face to Feng and said, "Master Feng, what is your intention to openly oppose this holy act of benefiting the country and the people, and prevent me from selecting talents in Da Zhou?" ”

Feng Dao said: "I think that at the beginning, Sui set up the imperial examination II and died, and Tang Yan imperial examination was finally destroyed, besides, how can Your Majesty compare with Tang Taizong, the imperial examination system is really not a clear move!" ”

"Hahaha" Zhao Kuangyin laughed and said: "Master Feng, what you say is also ridiculous!" Don't talk about others, just you, if there is no imperial examination, you are just a country old, where are you qualified to judge Your Majesty here. You became an official at a young age because of the imperial examination, and now Your Majesty wants to open the imperial examination again, but you block it, and what kind of Sui and Tang Dynasty are used to curse Your Majesty, you really deserve to die! ”

Feng Dao was robbed by Zhao Kuangyin for a while, and he didn't know what to say.

Zhao Kuangyin then said to Chai Rong: "Your Majesty, Feng Dao is bullying the monarch with nonsense, please give Feng Dao death, otherwise how can I save face in Da Zhou?" ”

Feng Dao saw that the situation was not good, so he hurriedly knelt down and kowtowed again and again, "Your Majesty is angry, it is the old minister who is confused for a while." ”

"Zhao Aiqing, Feng Aiqing is old, so the death penalty will be spared." Chai Rong said leisurely.

Feng Dao saw that Zhao Kuangyin was so trusted by Chai Rong, and sighed, "Thank you, Lord Longen, the minister is old and sick, and he is not suitable to be by His Majesty's side, the minister hopes to return to his hometown and retire for the rest of his life, and please ask Your Majesty for permission." ”

"Feng Aiqing, you are an old minister of the first dynasty, you have always been diligent in the king's affairs, and after coming to my Great Zhou, you are even more worried about the country and the people, and you have become ill from hard work. I know that you have always been indifferent to fame and fortune, and you are old and frail, so you should stay away from court disputes, but it is really condescending to return to your hometown, so you should go and guard the soul of Taizu. Chai Rong said with some regret.

"The ministers are willing to return to their hometowns." Many old ministers in the palace saw that Feng Dao had ended up like this, so they resigned one after another.

Chai Rong just pretended to dissuade him, but he appreciated Zhao Kuangyin even more in his heart.

Feng Dao heard Chai Rong's words, his heart was cold, and he said secretly, "I thought that Zhao Kuangyin was a loyal and good man who worked in the country, but he was a flattering villain, and now he has forced us old ministers to end up like this, and he is really a minister!" ”

Several old ministers who resigned also scolded Zhao Kuangyin in their hearts, "Traitor, the Great Zhou Dynasty will be destroyed sooner or later, Your Majesty is confused!" ”

The turmoil caused by the reopening of the imperial examination soon subsided, and the court of the Great Zhou temporarily returned to its previous calm.

When the people in the world heard that Da Zhou was going to open a department to take a scholar, they gathered in Kaifeng for a while to prepare for the exam.

At the foot of Songshan Mountain in Henan, there is a scholar Liu Sanlang, who changed his name to Baoen in order to gain fame. His parents died when he was a child, and he was helped by the villagers to live, although this is the case, but he is rich and rich, and he has outstanding appearance, and he has always had the heart to serve the country. Recently, the villagers heard that Kaifeng City was going to hold a imperial examination, so they lent him money one after another, hoping that he could take this opportunity to become an official and glorify his neighbors. Liu Baoen thanked him for his kindness, bid farewell to everyone, and rushed to Kaifeng.

It was already evening when Liu Baoen arrived in Kaifeng City. The city is full of shouts of buying and selling, you can see shops everywhere, and the people in the city have smiles on their faces.

is walking, suddenly see a big temple not far away, the temple is very magnificent, above the gate is written four big characters "Daxiangguo Temple", the temple is crowded, the incense in front of the hall is extremely prosperous.

"I remember that my father once said that if I have the opportunity to go to Kaifeng City in the future, I must go to Daxiangguo Temple to make a vow, and now that I have finally arrived here, it is better to go in and burn two incense sticks." Liu Baoen thought about walking into the temple.

Liu Baoen invited three incense sticks, bowed three times in front of the Daxiong Treasure Hall, and was about to leave, when a little monk came to him, folded his hands and said: "Amitabha, this benefactor, the little monk Miyuan, the abbot of this temple, Master Pudu, has invited the donor to go to the apse to see." ”

"Why doesn't the abbot invite others to just invite me Liu Baoen?" He thought curiously.

"Amitabha, donor, please." Mi Yuan said and guided Liu Baoen to the apse.

The apse is not as lively as the front hall, but it is even more elegant, and the little monk stood in front of the main room of the apse, and said to the inside: "Abbot, the donor is invited." ”

After a while, an old voice inside said, "Donor, please come in." ”

Liu Baoen responded: "Excuse me, master." As he spoke, he pushed open the door and walked in.

What caught my eye was an old monk sitting cross-legged on the monk's tomb, this old monk closed his eyes, as if he had settled down. After a long time, he slowly opened his eyes, and two brilliant rays of light shot out of his eyes, which were very amazing.

Liu Baoen said in his heart: "This master has such a strong internal force!" ”

"Amitabha, as soon as the donor came today, the old man only felt that the temple was full of light, and the courtyard was fragrant. I wonder if the donor can tell the old man about his birthday? Pudu said leisurely.

Liu Baoen and Pudu said eight characters, and Pudu was surprised: "Donor, are you here to open the seal for the imperial examination?" If so, Lao Wei advises you to stop, if your eight characters enter my Buddhism, you will definitely be a monk in the future, and I am afraid that you will not be able to last long as an official! ”

"Is what the master said true?" Liu Baoen was a little surprised when he heard this.

Pudu said: "Monks don't speak. ”

Liu Baoen was embarrassed: "Master, Xiaosheng has indeed admired Buddhism since he was a child, but the imperial examination is not my own business, and I bear the trust of the villagers. ”

Pudu nodded and shook his head, "What the donor said is also reasonable, only if you have picked it up once can you understand what it means to put it down." ”

The two talked about the three watches in the room. During the conversation, Pudu found that many of Liu Baoen's ideas were very consistent with the essence of Buddhism, and he was also very angry with himself, that is, the person he was looking for.

Pudu said: "I have not long been away from doing it, you and I are destined, the old man will pass on the whole body power to the donor, and the donor will not let me down this skill." ”

"Thank you, Master!" Liu Baoen has been practicing martial arts since he was a child, but he suffered from the lack of guidance from a master, and he couldn't help but be overjoyed when he heard the master say that he wanted to pass on his skills to himself.

"Donor, please sit cross-legged beside the old man." Purdue Road.

Liu Baoen sat cross-legged in front of the old monk as he said. ”

The master's palms gently rested on Liu Baoen's back, and the true qi continued to pass through his arms into Liu Baoen's dantian, and guided this true qi to run in Liu Baoen's body for thirty-six weeks, opening up the second vein of Ren Du in Liu Baoen's body, and then slowly stopped.

Liu Baoen only felt that there was a true qi in his body like a surging river, and the real qi was circulating, and his body was light and fluttering, like a fairy.

Pudu looked at the waning moon outside the window, as if he was looking at the whole world, and his eyes gradually changed from nostalgia to clarity and thoroughness.

"Donor, the old man has a wish, I hope the donor can complete it for the old man." Pudu is weak and authentic.

"Master, please speak, as long as I, Liu Baoen, can do it, I will do my best." Liu Baoen said gratefully.

"Lao Qu was originally a Shaolin lay disciple, when he accidentally killed the wrong good person, he was expelled from Shaolin by the abbot, and then Lao Qu became a monk in this Daxiangguo Temple, but he has always hoped to return to Shaolin in his heart, and now it seems that he can't, if the donor can really convert to my Buddha in the future, please go to Shaolin and complete this wish for Lao Ke." Pudu was extremely tired.

"Okay, I remember, but I'm sure the master will return to Shaolin one day." Liu Baoen said firmly.

Pudu smiled bitterly and shook his head, "The old man is tired, so the donor will stay in the temple tonight." ”

Liu Baoen saw that it was late at night, so he stayed in the temple.

Early in the morning of the second day, Liu Baoen heard the bells in the temple ringing, the sound of monks chanting, and faintly mixed with the cry of grief.

"What's wrong?" Liu Baoen was startled, and hurriedly got up and went out to check, the sound of chanting was so loud that it was definitely not a morning class in the temple, but it seemed to be doing something. As soon as I came to the main hall, I saw hundreds of monks gathered in the hall, and there were many foreign monks.

Liu Baoen saw that yesterday's little monk Miyuan was crying on the side, and hurriedly asked, "What's wrong?" ”

Mi Yuan saw Liu Baoen crying even more fiercely, "Donor, what did you say to the abbot yesterday, he actually sat down ......"

"What, Master Pudu is gone?" Liu Baoen was stunned after listening to the little monk's words, how could he have thought that Master Pudu was still talking to him and teaching his skills yesterday, and he would never see him again today.

"This morning I went to the abbot to ask about some things in the temple, and when I opened the door, I found that he had sat down, and there was only a letter to the benefactor and three books by his side, and he still had a smile on his face...... "Mi Yuan choked, took out the letter and book from his arms, and handed them to Liu Baoen.

Liu Baoen opened the letter and saw that it was written, "Master Liu, the old man's wish depends on you, don't lose the old man." "Look at the three books again, one is the Shaolin Juexue "Yijin Sutra", the other is the Shaolin Wei Tuomen martial arts, and the other is the "Diamond Sutra" that has been yellowed.

Liu Baoen shed tears when he saw things and people.