Ming Dynasty: My Father Zhang Juzheng

Chapter 113 Master Zhao Reveals His Traces Again

It was the coldest time of the year, and after several days of heavy snow, Beijing had become a world of ice and snow. But the monks' anger did not subside at all because of the severe cold, but became even more intense.

Fight with the soldiers today, and fight with them again tomorrow.

Although they are all small-scale fights, when combined together, the scale is quite large.

Early in the morning of that day, a middle-aged Taoist priest wearing a green Taoist robe and a three-strand beard slowly walked into a teahouse.

It was Master Zhao, who had some connection with Han San before.

Master Zhao’s real name is Zhao Yuanda, and he is actually a young Taoist priest in Longhu Mountain.

However, he is different from other Taoists. While other Taoists focus on practicing Taoism and refining medicine, he, on the other hand, concentrates on developing aphrodisiacs.

Once, because he accidentally put aphrodisiacs into a well, all the brothers and sisters in the temple became passionate. The current master of Longhu Mountain was furious and expelled this guy from Longhu Mountain.

After leaving Longhu Mountain, he managed to make ends meet by relying on aphrodisiac drugs.

After he and Han San conspired to trick Liang Mancang's family last time, he left in a hurry and spent some time in Hebei and Henan.

I thought that since more than half a year had passed, the rumors should have died down and I could return to the capital.

As soon as he returned to the capital, Zhao Yuanda heard that Prime Minister Zhang was going to punish the monks. He knew that his chance to turn things around had come.

He walked into the teahouse, ordered someone to boil a pot of good tea, and served a few plates of cakes, then sat there and waited quietly. After about a quarter of an hour, a warrior rushed in angrily from outside.

It was Han San.

When he saw Zhao Yuanda, his eyes widened and his voice was like a bull's roar: "Didn't I tell you not to return to the capital? You really ignored my words, didn't you?!"

"Master San, don't be angry. I know you've been upset lately, and I'm here to help you get rid of your worries." Zhao Yuanda chuckled and took the opportunity to take out a silver note and put it into Han San's hand.

"Tell me what you are talking about. If you dare to lie to me, my fists won't recognize anyone!" Han San took the banknote and his tone softened a lot.

"I want you to help me introduce someone. You can't make the decision on this matter." Zhao Yuanda smiled and stood up to pour Han San a cup of tea. He said respectfully, "This matter still needs Master Zhang and Prime Minister Zhang to make the final decision."

Han San glanced at him, took the tea and drank it, and urged: "Tell me quickly, how do you know that I can't make the decision?"

"Okay, let's talk about it." Zhao Yuanda laughed and asked, "Why do you think the current Prime Minister forced the monks to take the test, and those who failed to pass had to return to secular life?"

"Nonsense, of course there are too many unqualified monks, and the court can't support these bald monks for nothing."

"Yes, the monks are just phonies. I know that there are also many phonies among the Taoists."

"What do you mean?"

"Zhang Tian. Oh no, Master Zhang from Mount Longhu asked us to come to the capital, saying that as long as the Prime Minister restores his title of Heavenly Master, he can issue orders and constrain the Taoist temples in the world to cooperate with the Prime Minister in the assessment."

Han Sanyi slammed the table and shouted, "You are so bold! In the past, Emperor Hongwu personally went to Mount Longhu to claim the title of Heavenly Master and called himself the True Man. Emperor Hongwu once said, 'How can there be a master in heaven?'"

"Even when Emperor Jiajing was in power, the people only called him Heavenly Master. Do you still want to ask for a title now?"

"Third Master, it's just a title. As long as Master Zhang takes action, those monks will lose the confidence to shout. This is a great thing that benefits the country and the people." Zhao Yuanda didn't care at all.

"I can't make the decision."

"Didn't I just tell you that you insisted on listening?"

Han San remained silent upon hearing this. Zhao Yuanda continued, "Please introduce me to Master Zhang. If this succeeds, you will also be credited with the recommendation. If it fails, I will bear the consequences alone."

"Okay, that's what you said." Han San nodded in agreement and led him straight to Zhang Yunxiu's residence.

When the three met, Han San first introduced them, and then sat down with the etiquette of host and guest.

Zhang Yunxiu glanced at Master Zhao and saw that he had a fine figure and a flowing beard, so he asked, "Do you know the head of Longhu Mountain?"

"I know him." Zhao Yuanda quickly stood up and answered.

Zhang Yunxiu motioned him to sit down, and then asked, "If that's the case, why don't you stay in Longhu Mountain and come to the capital?"

"It doesn't matter how I got here. What matters is that I can help you, young master, out of your urgent need."

"Don't even think about the title of 'Heavenly Master'. Besides, even though the imperial court has taken away your title of Heavenly Master from Mount Longhu, doesn't the common people still call the person who manages the mountain Heavenly Master?"

Even though Emperor Hongwu stripped him of the title of "Tianshi", the common people still did not change their tune.

Since there were many devout Taoists in the court, the court turned a blind eye to this.

"Young Master, it's just a title. Compared with the actual taxation, it's nothing." Zhao Yuanda still didn't give up.

"Then please go back and tell the guy on Mount Longhu that now he is the one who is eliminating the bad guys, we can still give him some face. If we wait until we have dealt with the monks, then we will deal with him. He must not beg for mercy."

Zhang Yunxiu's tone was resolute.

Monks and Taoists are all parasites on the country.

They do not engage in labor, do not provide taxes, and simply rely on others for support.

If there are too many monks and Taoists, the people will become lazy and flock to become monks in order to reduce taxes.

"Since you are so determined, I can't say anything more." Zhao Yuanda said, intending to leave.

Zhang Yunxiu picked up a cup of hot tea, sipped it, and looked straight at Zhao Yuanda.

The two looked at each other, and Zhao Yuanda was quickly defeated: "My lord, how about this? I think the title of Heavenly Master doesn't need to be given up. As long as you can persuade the Emperor to go to Mount Longhu to pay tribute, the mountain master will definitely be willing to lend a hand to you."

"Han San, show the guest out." "Yes."

Zhang Yunxiu shouted casually, and Han San immediately stood up to chase Zhao Yuanda away. Zhao Yuanda was completely anxious now, and he quickly changed his words: "Hey, hey, hey, if the young master is unworthy, it will be the same if the emperor goes and the prime minister goes."

"Go back and tell him that we can negotiate, but we have to get the job done first." Zhang Yunxiu signaled Han San to stop, walked to Zhao Yuanda's body, and said with a smile, "Besides, the Prime Minister is busy with all kinds of affairs, so how can he have the time to spare? How about this, when the time comes, we will do it for him."

"this?"

"Why do you look down on us?"

Zhang Yunxiu's face suddenly darkened.

"No it's not."

"Then do it quickly. You see, your head of the mountain is named Zhang, and so is mine. Five hundred years ago, we might have been one family. As long as he can get this done, your head of the mountain will have great merit. We will personally beat the gongs and drums from the capital to Mount Longhu."

Zhao Yuanda nodded in agreement.

The next morning, Zhao Yuanda and Han San went straight to Longhu Mountain from the capital in the wind and snow. They traveled day and night and reached Longhu Mountain in just seven days.

The leadership of Mount Longhu has been passed down to this generation for the fiftieth time.

The head of the mountain this generation was called Zhang Guoxiang. He was the cousin of the previous head of the mountain, Zhang Yongxu. In the fifth year of Wanli, he inherited his uncle's position.

As soon as they entered the palace of Mount Longhu, someone recognized Zhao Yuanda and couldn't help but sneer, "Oh, isn't this the great immortal Zhao who made the elixir? Why didn't you go to the capital to seek wealth and fame, and come back again?"

"Tsk tsk, look at his stray dog ​​look, it's obvious that he can't make it in the capital and wants to come back to beg for a bite to eat."

"Hahaha, maybe he has mastered refining the elixir and is returning home in glory."

The discussions and ridicules of the crowd mixed with the cold wind, like steel needles, piercing Zhao Yuanda's heart.

He clenched his fists, his eyes bloodshot, and glared at the mocker, then walked straight towards an old Taoist priest with white hair and a youthful face.

"Master Qingyuan, please help me introduce the mountain master. I have something important to discuss with him."

"The mountain master is not here." The old Taoist shook his head.

"If he's not here, then where did he go?" Han San asked anxiously.

The old Taoist glanced at Han San and saw that he was tough and full of blood. He knew that he was probably a character that was not easy to mess with, so he said respectfully: "I don't know. He walked on the snow and didn't know where he was going."

"Who is in charge here?"

"Without the mountain master here, none of us can take charge."

The old Taoist priest bowed and then walked away.

"What should we do now?" Han San asked Zhao Yuanda.

"Wait." Zhao Yuanda uttered one word like a deflated ball.

"I can't wait any longer. You made me make this trip in vain. Tell me, how should I deal with this?" Han San felt that he was being teased and was immediately furious.

Zhao Yuanda knew he was in the wrong, so he didn't dare to say much. He lowered his head and didn't dare to speak.

That day, the two men descended from Longhu Mountain and found an inn to stay at the foot of the mountain.

Han San immediately ordered his cavalry to search for Zhang Guoxiang everywhere, and at the same time sent someone on horseback back to Beijing to inform Zhang Yunxiu of what had happened.

After finishing all this, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.
The long journey over the past few days had already exhausted him. Previously, he still had a belief to support him, but today, when he arrived at the end of the field, his legs began to tremble. If he had not been concerned about his work, he would have fallen to the ground.

"Master San, if you eat this, I guarantee that your legs will be strong." Zhao Yuanda, who was standing by, saw that Han San looked tired and took out a small porcelain bottle from his arms.

"What is it?" Han San asked.

"The tonic we prepared will definitely keep you full of energy."

Isn't that an aphrodisiac?

Han San glared at Zhao Yuanda with disdain, snatched the porcelain bottle from his hand, and ordered: "We will give you seven days at most. If that damn mountain master still can't come back within these seven days, we will return to the capital immediately."

"Little one understands, little one understands."

Zhao Yuanda nodded repeatedly, he knew that this was also a great opportunity for him.

If he could rely on someone from now on and use him to sell his own pills, it would be twice as effective with half the effort. He had no intention of high official salary, he just wanted to open a pharmacy and sell his own magic medicine throughout the Ming Dynasty.

Tell those stinky Taoist priests that this is the real panacea!
Having gained benefits, Han San looked at Zhao Yuanda with a pleasing look. He asked the doctor to sit down and asked, "Zhao Yuanda, tell me, why don't you want to be a good Taoist priest and use these lousy aphrodisiacs?"

"This is not an aphrodisiac, but an aphrodisiac," Zhao Yuanda insisted.

"Okay, okay, aphrodisiac, aphrodisiac. I heard that you were kicked out of Longhu Mountain because of this thing?"

"That's because they don't understand the magic of this elixir. As long as you are a man, there is no man who doesn't want to be full of energy!"

This is quite true.

Han San smiled at him and consoled him, "Work hard. When this is done, I will help you sell this medicine overseas."

"That's a good feeling!"

(End of this chapter)