Fifteen years have passed since that scene occurred in the Great Thanksgiving Temple.

Fifteen years is not a long time, but it is not too short to allow the monastery to rise and fall.

Decay comes with war. The army outside the city pressed the border, and the people in the city were panicked. The monks ran clean, and only crows wandered around the huge temple.

The invaders came from the west, and it was Rong Di, known as the "White Tiger Fan". They came out of the snow-capped mountains, bypassed Shudi, and reached Huangzhou. From the city walls, the enemy was on horseback, and the white robes stretched out from the horizon like an overwhelming avalanche.

At that time, everyone in the world thought that Huangzhou City could not be defended, but Zhang Xiaoqing, the son of King Qin, told them: As long as the surname Zhang still has a breath, Baihu Fan will not want to take a step across the city!

This usually idle gentleman burst out with amazing energy in the war. On the first day of the battle, he beheaded the defenders of the city who were ineffective. As a result, the whole army was silent, and no one dared to mention a word about the surrender.

Huangzhou City is like a rock blocking the footsteps of the White Tiger Fan's eastward advance. They held back an army of 100,000 for forty-five days.

On the forty-sixth day, reinforcements from the imperial court finally arrived. Seeing that there was no hope of victory, the White Tiger had no choice but to retreat. When everyone was ready to celebrate, they found that Zhang Xiaoqing had already put on his armor murderously, and behind him was the elite of Huangzhou, a full 5,000 ironclad cavalry.

Zhang Xiaoqing doesn't want a victory in the general sense, he wants a victory that is enough to leave a name in history.

It was freezing and snowing heavily. The soldiers of the White Tiger spread the felt mats, wrapped them in warm animal skins, and went to bed early. Little did they know that there was an army lying waist-deep in the snow behind them, waiting for their time.

These people drank snow water and ate ice. His teeth chattered, and his fingers couldn't bend because of the cold. But their eyes shone like wolves. It is impossible for a wolf to retreat until it has killed its prey.

Late at night, the hunt begins.

No one knows what a terrible night the White Tiger Sergeants went through. When the sun rose the next day, the snow was red with blood. The dead warriors and horses are in a distorted posture, like a herd of ice sculptures.

"The moon black geese fly high, and they flee in the night.

If you want to chase away the light horsemen, the snow is full of bows and knives. ”

After this battle, Zhang Xiaoqing's reputation was far and wide, and it became a legend of mothers scaring their children.

The city of Huangzhou was saved, and the people who fled to other places were able to return to their hometowns.

More than ten years have passed, and the incense of the Great Thanksgiving Temple is flourishing again. There are more and more good men and women, and a rumor with no head and no end suddenly spreads, and the whole city knows: the statue of Guanyin Bodhisattva on the Daxiong Treasure Hall has received a lot of incense, and sooner or later it will turn into a human form and appear holy!

This is really not a small matter, and the people who came to offer incense almost broke the threshold, but the Bodhisattva still sat there as if he did not remember anything. There are only two vague tear stains that tell the story of the past.

This day is the Mid-Autumn Festival, and every household is making moon cakes and Zhang Luo banquets. The Qin Wangfu was even more busy. Zhang Xiaoqing won another big victory in the Hexi Corridor, and the troops had returned, and it was estimated that they would be able to enter the city in the evening.

In order to celebrate the prince's success, and just in time for the Mid-Autumn Festival, a grand dinner is naturally indispensable. Just listening to the clashing of pots and pans in the kitchen, coupled with the smoke that wafts from time to time, the scene is both chaotic and lively.

But in the corner of the kitchen, next to a small stove, a little girl of about ten years old was stepping on the bench, staring nervously at the oil pot. She held her breath, everything around her seemed to have nothing to do with her.

At this time, a wisp of green smoke suddenly came out of the oil pot, and the little girl shouted: "Ugly monster, it's smoking!"

There was also a young man standing behind the board, who looked to be fourteen or fifteen years old, born extremely ugly, with mottled skin like sores, and his left arm and left foot were wrapped in green cloth, which was born with a disability.

But his right hand was so nimble that he cut a cabbage as thin as a hair. Hearing the girl's scream, he just let out a soft "um", still bowing his head and chopping vegetables.

At this time, the smoke came out, and the girl became even more nervous, shouting: "Ugly brother, it's almost over, wait a little longer and the pot will be fried!"

The ugly boy knew that she was alarmist, so he stood on tiptoe and limped to glance at it, and nodded, "You stay out of the way, don't let the hot oil splash on you." ”

The girl was three points scared, but seven points curious, and only gave in a little, but still stretched her neck.

At this time, the boy brought a large plate of raw rabbit meat and poured it into the pot. I only heard a "sting" sound, the hot oil burned the rabbit meat, and the flames jumped up, burning the bangs on the girl's forehead.

The girl screamed "Ahh

The young man quickly turned the frying spoon and added bean paste, garlic, shredded cabbage, green and red peppers, etc., and after a while, the aroma was overflowing.

He skillfully scooped up a little soup and tasted it, smacked his lips, and shouted with full anger: "Stir-fry rabbit meat, serve!"

Ignoring the pain in her buttocks, the girl quickly grabbed a piece and stuffed it into her mouth, and immediately inhaled it even hot, but she still said vaguely: "It's delicious, it's delicious......"

But this dish was snatched away by someone else and passed on.

It came to the hands of the housekeeper, and then handed it over to the maidservant, and then the maidservant took it through the garden rockery, the water pavilion, and finally reached the end, and was respectfully placed in front of Zhang Xiaoqing, the king of Qin.

Zhang Xiaoqing picked up a piece of gold-inlaid ivory and put it in his mouth, and suddenly lost his voice and said, "It's delicious!"

So he took another piece and handed it to the young man beside him: "Son, you can taste it too." ”

I saw that the young man was about twenty years old, with a slender figure and a face like a crown of jade. The outside is covered with a brocade robe, lined with a royal blue satin midcoat, and the forehead scarf is inlaid with a bright and sparkling eastern pearl.

He said respectfully, "The boy thanked his father. Then he took the rabbit meat and chewed it carefully, and his every move was gentle and elegant, all of which were just right.

Zhang Xiaoqing's eyes were full of love, and he asked, "How is it? Is it delicious? If you like it, I will ask the cook to make more." ”

The young man said: "What my father gave me is coarse tea and light rice, and children love to eat it." But this year's drought in the northwest, Longyou has no harvest, and the children should be thrifty. Please father, don't bother anymore!"

Zhang Xiaoqing nodded again and again: "Okay, good! My son is benevolent, and I am deeply gratified for my father." Si Ming, tell my father, have you encountered any trouble in guarding Huangzhou City during these days?"

It turned out that this young man's name was Siming, and he was Zhang Xiaoqing's adopted son.

At that time, the princess left an ugly baby in the Great Thanksgiving. Zhang Xiaoqing read the blood words on the ground and vaguely guessed what was happening.

But that kid was so ugly. Moreover, in Zhang Xiaoqing's eyes, he changed from a monster, and killed his beloved wife, and he was already benevolent and righteous if he didn't kill him.

So he lied that the baby was picked up and dumped it to his subordinates. In short, whether they throw it away or give it away, it has nothing to do with themselves.

But the people thought the child was pitiful, and they disobeyed Jun's order and adopted him. There was no shortage of food in the palace, and the child was hungry and full, but he slowly grew up.

Because of his incomplete limbs, everyone named him "Li Remnant".

Although he is ugly, he has a good heart, and he has known to help adults since he was four or five years old. The cook taught him to cut and stir-fry vegetables on a whim, and he actually learned it well. After more than ten years of hard work, his craftsmanship is no less than that of any famous chef in the northwest, especially the "stir-fried rabbit meat" is even more amazing.

Yet, like everyone else, he doesn't know who he really is.

At this time, the front hall was full of sheng songs and bright lights. Suddenly, Zhang Xiaoqing flew sideways, gently beating the jade cup with a golden chopstick, while staring at the dancing beautiful lady humming.

Siming's mind is not on singing and dancing. He said in a low voice: "Father, the bureaucrats have been working faithfully for more than a month, and there is nothing wrong with it. But...... A folk rumor made the child a little concerned. ”

Zhang Xiaoqing narrowed his eyes: "Oh, what's the matter, you say come and hear it." ”

"Recently, it has been rumored that a statue of Guanyin in the Great Thanksgiving Temple has been nurtured by incense, and has gradually developed Buddha nature, and will be manifested in the near future. The people spread the word of mouth, and there were many followers. Among them, there are many associations and sacrifices. I'm afraid that someone is secretly plotting and using the legend to plot against him!"

Zhang Xiaoqing's eyes lit up: "What is the basis?"

"The child is just speculating. Si Ming's face showed a maturity that did not match his age.

"Throughout the history books, anti-thieves often use the banner of strange forces and chaos. For example, the Yellow Turban Rebellion and the Red Eyebrow Rebellion are all like this. My Huangzhou is the northwest gateway of the imperial court, and it has a lot to do, so I have to think more. ”

Zhang Xiaoqing muttered: "Great Thanksgiving Temple...... What an ominous place...... Si Ming, you did the right thing. ”

He suddenly waved his hand: "Someone!"

A relative followed the voice and saluted respectfully.

"Tomorrow you will send a hundred Hujie troops and search from house to house. If you encounter someone suspicious, arrest them all!"

Sing a song with you, and you are about to leave. But I saw a herald trotting through the antechamber, pulling a long tail and saying, "Report-"

Before the words fell, everyone suddenly stopped throwing their cups and threw their glasses, and their eyes looked straight outside. A soft voice came slowly: "Lord Wang, arresting the believers is detrimental to yin morality, please let them go on the thin side of the poor monk." ”

Zhang Xiaoqing looked at it fixedly, and it turned out to be a nun in white.

She was about thirty or forty years old, her face was not very outstanding, her facial features were not particularly delicate, and even her skin was slightly dark. But once others set their eyes on her, it was difficult to look away. There is a breathtaking beauty in this man.

Because of those eyes.

The eyes were clear and pure, and the pupils seemed to reflect the white peaks and the deep sky.

Suddenly, someone shouted, "Look! It's the Bodhisattva who has appeared!"

The nun smiled as if she were silently commanding, and the bureaucrats immediately fell to their knees more than half a moment after hearing the sound of plopping in the room. People felt that the only way to be at ease in the face of this holy woman was to kneel.

Zhang Xiaoqing didn't think so. In the northwest, he is the only one who is the master, and people should only kneel to him, not to kneel to a woman of unknown origin.

He coldly squeezed out four words from between his teeth: "It's just in time!"

Before the word "good" landed, swords suddenly broke out.

Out of nowhere, dozens of warriors in helmets and armor appeared, holding large shields and spears, protecting the father and son of King Qin in the center, aiming at the comers with bright weapons.

These internal guards, as long as Zhang Xiaoqing gives an order, let alone a Bodhisattva, even the King of Heaven, Lao Tzu, will not hesitate to wave a knife and kill.

The singers and dancers had never seen this meeting, screaming and fleeing in all directions. A good party became murderous.

The white-clothed nun clasped her hands together: "Lord, the poor monk was originally a statue of a clay fetus and a wooden sculpture, because he listened to the monks chanting the scriptures day and night, and felt something, so he turned into a human form. I didn't come to the house for money, and I didn't want power, just to save people's lives. Why do you have to use swords and spears against each other?"

Zhang Xiaoqing sneered: "Demon nun, my son has just told me about your deeds." This king was about to take you to the Fa, but you sent it to the door. Left and right, take it for me!"

The inner guard agreed like a thunderstorm, but the nun smiled and did not speak, but just recited the scriptures by herself, like a gnat moaning and echoing in an empty valley. As soon as they read a few words, everyone felt dizzy and drowsy, and could barely hold the blades in their hands.

Siming exclaimed, "Father, this is the Tantric Seal Mantra, don't listen to it anymore, cover your ears quickly!" But before the words fell, his whole body staggered like drunk.

Zhang Xiaoqing was shocked in his heart, and then lifted his spirits: "Hujie Army, sing war songs!"

This voice was like a mountain, and dozens of people sang loudly:

"Fighting in the south of the city, dead in the north of Guo, for the king to cross the east flowing water;

Under the battle mountain, the top of the dead mountain, smashing the Taishan rock for you;

Fight into the battle, die out of the battle, and the loyal soul will drain blood to replenish the sky!"

This is a song in Zhang Xiaoqing's army to stimulate morale, and the intention of killing comes out, making people's blood swell, and it has the miraculous effect of breaking spells. After singing, everyone really sobered up a lot.

But although the nun's momentum decreased slightly, she was calm and relaxed. I saw her chanting and slowly walking towards Zhang Xiaoqing. Although everyone was sober, they couldn't move, and could only watch her approach.

She came to Zhang Xiaoqing's side and suddenly lightly opened her lips: "Does the prince still remember the baby in the Great Thanksgiving Temple fifteen years ago?"

Although the voice was soft, it was like five thunderbolts to Zhang Xiaoqing. He had always been convinced that the secret would never be revealed. At that time, the guards who traveled with him were all personal and loyal. As for the midwives and housekeepers, they have been confidants for many years, and even if they borrow 10,000 guts, it is impossible to say more than half a word.

So where did this nun get the news?

The nun seemed to know his thoughts, and said, "Lord, have you forgotten? Back then, the poor monk sat in the main hall and watched!"

The main hall ...... There is only one statue of Guanyin in the main hall, is it really her?

Sweat trickled down Zhang Xiaoqing's cheeks, and he asked in a lost voice, "What's your name?"

"The poor monk changed the bodhisattva body with a mud fetus, and the Dharma name was 'mud bodhisattva'. She suddenly shook off the dust: "Lord, I haven't seen you for fifteen years, you have always been good?"

The place, time, and events are all right, and it seems that this person is not fake.

Zhang Xiaoqing wiped the cold sweat on his forehead, and suddenly said: "As the saying goes: it is difficult for the mud bodhisattva to cross the river by himself. You don't enjoy the incense in the temple, but you are greedy, angry, stupid, and suspicious, and what are you doing in the world?"

The mud bodhisattva sighed: "The poor monk has no five poisons, only one compassionate heart. Lord, I'm here to save you. Look—" She looked up and pointed to the night sky, only to see that the spark in charge of the calamity was emitting an eerie glow.

"The poor monk watches the stars at night, and sees the glow and guards his heart. Within a month, there will be a bloody disaster in the Qin Palace, and I am afraid that the prince's life will not be guaranteed!"

As soon as this statement came out, everyone was shocked.

Zhang Xiaoqing smiled and said, "Mud Bodhisattva, you are laughing." Little Wang Rong has been on the horse for half his life, and the 100,000 army of the White Tiger Fan can't hurt me, what danger can there be in this palace?"

The mud bodhisattva shook his head: "Lord Wang, it is not a mortal who will harm you, but a demon god named 'Obsidian Star'. He has great magical powers and strong mana, and even poor monks are afraid of three points. ”

Zhang Xiaoqing's attitude towards this kind of thing has always been "rather believe that it exists than believe that it does not exist." In addition, the mud bodhisattva just revealed a hand of the "Tantric Seal Mantra", this person is by no means an idle person, maybe he really saw the bad omen.

It was he who hugged his fists and said, "Bodhisattva, I don't regret my death." But Xiao Wang is in danger of the northwest, and he can't take risks easily. Please save me for the sake of the people!"

The mud bodhisattva recited the Buddha's name: "Good! The prince has great compassion." But there are a lot of people here......"

Zhang Xiaoqing waved his hand without waiting for her to finish: "I understand!"

The guards immediately changed from the rear to the front, and quickly surrounded the two of them and left.

As soon as the host left, how could the guests stay any longer? The bureaucrats also dispersed. Not long after, the Qin Palace, which was still brightly lit before, became silent. The moonlight is like water accompanied by the miserable chirping of insects, infinitely gloomy.

The moonlight illuminated the shrine in front of the court, and a small statue of Guanyin on it suddenly cracked.