Inheriting a Taoist temple, the story begins with Wu Zetian offering incense.

Chapter 168: Is Sending Zhang Shuye as an Envoy to the Liao Kingdom a Reliable Idea? [Seeking Monthly Tickets]

In the Qingshuihe Villa District of Yiyang City, Fang Hongyan and his family personally came to the gate to welcome Zhou Yi to their home.

Fang Yuanyuan dyed her hair back to black, and she was no longer decadent and depressed. She had the vitality unique to young people, and she was a completely different person from the delinquent girl she was last time.

Upon arriving at Fang Hongyan's home, after exchanging pleasantries, Zhou Yi introduced the accompanying Peony Fairy and then examined the feng shui of the house.

Now, the fate of Fang Hongyan's family has changed, and Fang Yuanyuan's loneliness has also faded a lot under the influence of good fortune.

“My daughter has taken a liking to living in an apartment and has been staying there recently. Master Zhou, will this have any negative impact on her?”

The Book of Changes says:

"No, the longer she stays in the apartment, the more benefits it will bring her."

Fang Hongyan's wife asked:

"Why? Is the feng shui there better than my house?"

Zhou Yi nodded:

"It's much better than here. I won't go into details, but that shopping mall and the apartments above it are your family's lifeline. Don't sell it or transfer the shares."

He had wanted to mention the imperial decree designating the blessed land, but explaining it would be too troublesome, and the family might brag about it, so he decided against it.

Being unaware of one's own good fortune is actually a blessing in itself. The real problem is knowing that one's family's shopping mall is a blessed place, but failing to protect it, turning that blessed place into a hot potato.

After taking a couple of sips of tea, Fang Hongyan arranged for his butler to hire a chef from a nearby hotel to prepare a grand meal for Zhou Yi.

Zhou Yi didn't stand on ceremony with him and led Wu Meiniang to the rooftop of the villa. He took out binoculars and looked at a three-story building deep in the villa area. It was said to be the residence of a director of the Feng Shui Folk Association.

"Immortal Master, can you discern anything?"

Wu Zetian thought the scene of Zhou Yi, dressed in a white Taoist robe, holding a telescope and observing the distance was beautiful. It was a pity that she was not good at painting; otherwise, if she had painted this moment and hung it on the wall of her room, it would have had a unique charm.

After observing the surroundings, Zhou Yi put down the binoculars with a puzzled look:
"That villa doesn't have any feng shui-related layout, but upon closer inspection, you can vaguely feel the feng shui of the entire community converging on that villa... How is that possible?"

The Book of Changes (I Ching) can evoke a sense of helplessness when dealing with areas of ignorance. This feeling of knowing there's a problem but not knowing where it is is incredibly frustrating.

During the meal, Zhou Yi did not drink alcohol, so Fang Hongyan asked the restaurant staff to make fresh juice.

The table was full of fresh seafood and unusual ingredients, but both Zhou Yi and Wu Meiniang thought the barbecue last night was more delicious.

It's not that I don't like seafood, it's just that the atmosphere is different.

Zhou Yi subtly inquired about the feng shui master at the very back of the residential complex:

"You live in this neighborhood, do you know anything about that family?"

Fang Hongyan was busy with work every day and didn't know much about it, but his wife said thoughtfully:

"I heard from the housekeeper that the family has a lot of nannies, maybe seven or eight. Every time they recruit a nanny, a lot of people come, but the family doesn't care about looks or housework skills. They only look at the birthday. If the birthday is right, they will hire the nanny. But usually, they will replace the nanny with a new one in less than six months."

Birthday?

Is this guy setting up some kind of Seven Star Formation in his villa?

The Seven Star Formation originated from the Big Dipper Formation and is one of the commonly used formations in Taoism. The common magic sword is the Seven Star Sword, with the Big Dipper symbol engraved on the blade.

However, a typical Seven Star Array usually doesn't involve birthdays and can't alter the feng shui of the entire neighborhood.

That heretical cultivator must have other methods; I should investigate him when I have the chance.

After the meal, Fang Hongyan learned that Hunyuan Palace could invite statues of gods, and hoped to invite one statue each for his home and the shopping mall.

Zhou Yi used his birth chart to deduce that it would be fine to have a statue of the Supreme Emperor Ziwei, who is free from all taboos, in his home. The Supreme Emperor Ziwei is also a celestial official, and worshipping him would ensure that there are no taboos in the home.

Ordinary families don't need to invite such high-end deity statues, but Fang Hongyan is different. He was once targeted by evil cultivators, and a director of a feng shui folk association lives in the community, so they have to be careful.

Zhou Yi recommended an 88-centimeter-tall bronze statue, which would be very suitable for the villa.

As for the shopping mall, Zhou Yi recommended a giant mahogany carving of the goddess Houtu. The earth is under the jurisdiction of Houtu, and it is said that this goddess was willing to transform into the six realms of reincarnation to save the dead for the sake of humankind.

Now that the shopping mall has been designated as a blessed place, it is natural that the Earth Goddess Houtu should receive blessings. Moreover, with people coming and going in the mall, it is a good opportunity for her to experience the joys and sorrows of modern people.

In order not to affect the normal operation of the mall, Fang Hongyan placed the statue of Houtu Niangniang in the office area.

In the office area, there was a small hall with a ceiling height of five or six meters. Fang Hongyan originally planned to install an indoor fountain, but too many children sneaked over to play in the water during the summer, so he had it demolished.

That place has been empty for a while now, so it's perfect for placing a statue of a deity.

The statue was chosen to be a standing statue, 3.6 meters tall, carved from pure rosewood. Such a large statue could not be enshrined in Hunyuan Palace and had to be transported directly to the site. After installation, Zhou Yi would come and perform rituals for three consecutive days so that Houtu Niangniang could send a wisp of her divine thoughts to the statue.

Zhou Yi received 210,000 from the two statues combined.

Fang Hongyan happily transferred the money and then loaded several cases of Moutai into Zhou Yi's car:

“The price of Moutai has dropped recently, and all my friends who hoarded it have lost money. Take these bottles and drink them. If you need more, I’ll send you more.”

After placing his order at Uncle Ming's shop, Zhou Yi said goodbye to Fang Hongyan's family and drove away. However, he didn't go straight home. Instead, he found a movie theater with an IMAX screen and watched a movie with Her Majesty the Queen.

In the Kaiyuan era of the Tang Dynasty, Granny Gongsun arrived at Wuwei Garden behind Yiyuan Temple, carrying a bag of food.

"Little Taiping, look what delicious food I brought you."

Princess Taiping came out to greet her, wearing a T-shirt and long skirt that Wu Zetian had bought for her, looking no different from a modern middle-aged woman.

Aunt Gongsun looked at her with a smile and asked:
"Wow, you've changed into modern clothes! How does it feel?"

Princess Taiping gestured to her chest, a little embarrassed, and said:

"That bra... is a little small."

"Next time I'll buy you a size up. You and your mother are both blessed with amazing figures; I'm truly ashamed of myself... By the way, Little Taiping, has Grandson Xue decided to go to Japan?"

Princess Taiping nodded:

"It's decided. He submitted a letter yesterday, but we haven't received a reply from Sanlang yet. We don't know if he will be allowed to leave."

Just then, the sound of horses' hooves came from the direction of the main gate, followed by Xue Chongjian's voice:
"I have met the Azure Lotus Immortal. May I ask if my mother is here... or if the Hermit of Peace is here?"

When Princess Taiping heard that her son had arrived, she hurriedly went back to her room to change into her Taoist robes. Then, she and Granny Gongsun went to the quiet room in the side hall and met her son, Xue Chongjian.

Xue Chongjian knelt down and bowed respectfully:

"Chongjian has met his mother, his great-aunt, and his great-uncle."

Calling someone "Master Qinglian" was used outside. Now that it's inside the quiet room, family members are speaking together, so the way they address each other will naturally change to how relatives address each other.

Aunt Gongsun laughed heartily, took a box of Snickers from her backpack, and handed it over:

“Good boy, you are much more polite than Li Longji. This is a Snickers bar. Eat one when you feel weak and you will immediately feel refreshed.”

Xue Chongjian thanked him, sat down, and said:

"His Majesty has approved my appointment as the Inspector General of Japan, and I will be accompanied by one hundred attendants to Japan. I have sold my family house and plan to buy a small courtyard in Daozheng Ward to move my family here. If anyone bullies me, I would appreciate it if my great-aunt and great-uncle could lend a hand."

As the son of Princess Taiping, Xue Chongjian already carried an original sin, and his marriage to Wu Sansi's daughter only compounded his crime.

To avoid harming his wife and children, he had no choice but to move to the vicinity of Yiyuan Temple, hoping to receive the protection of the immortals.

Princess Taiping poured her son a cup of tea:
"I'm here at home. Even if it costs me my life, I can protect their safety. This trip to Japan is fraught with danger. I hope you can achieve something."

Gongsun Da Niang echoed:
"The Immortal Master will pray for you at the Sanqing Hall, and hopes that your journey will go smoothly."

Li Bai encouraged him, saying:
“In the past, Ban Chao led thirty-six followers and conquered the Western Regions without losing a single soldier of the Han Dynasty, thus expanding the territory of the Han Dynasty. Now you have brought a hundred followers, hoping to conquer that small land.”

Xue Chongjian bowed again:

"Simplicity will surely live up to expectations!"

Li Bai also gave him a topographical map and a map showing the distribution of influence of Japan during the Tang Dynasty, as well as mineral maps and other materials, all of which could be found online.

These pictures have all been laminated, making them waterproof and moisture-proof, so they won't be damaged easily.

Princess Taiping held her son's hand and repeatedly told him to be careful.

As it was getting dark, Xue Chongjian took his leave. Li Bai gave him some antidiarrheal medicine, antipyretics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and anti-allergy medicine, telling him to keep them with him and use them if needed.

No sooner had Xue Chongjian left than Granny Gongsun, carrying a plastic bag, swaggered into the gate of the neighboring Prince Shen's residence and knocked on it. Li Chengyi hurriedly came out to greet her.
"I am deeply sorry for not being able to welcome you properly, Auntie. Please forgive me."

Gongsun Da Niang said:

"Grandson Xue is going to conquer Japan single-handedly. His family will be staying in our neighborhood soon. If anyone bullies them, you know what to do, right?"

Li Chengyi immediately stuck out his enormous belly and said:

"Don't worry, Auntie. I'll arrange this first thing tomorrow morning. Chongjian is my cousin, and his family is my family. If anyone dares to bully him, I'll smash him to death with my belly."

Gongsun Da Niang was quite at ease with Li Chengyi's work. She opened the plastic bag, inside were several bottles of frozen mineral water:

"Take it and make some iced drinks. The Immortal Master is planning to buy me a small refrigerator, so I can make you more cold drinks then."

"Thank you, Auntie! Thank you, Immortal Master Yiyuan!"

It was the height of summer, and Li Chengyi was sweating profusely from the heat. He was overjoyed to receive the frozen mineral water and danced with delight.

While the Northern Song Dynasty was sharpening its swords and preparing to attack Japan, Emperor Zhezong of the Northern Song Dynasty, Zhao Xu, after reading "The History of the Fall of the Northern Song Dynasty," turned his attention to the map of Western Xia:

"Such fickle little countries should be eliminated as soon as possible, but before that, we should send someone to the Liao Kingdom to reaffirm the resolutions of the Treaty of Chanyuan... But who would be the most suitable person to send?"

As he was pondering, Zhang Shuye, the interpreter, walked in carrying the latest memorial. When Zhao Xu saw him, his eyes lit up... He had found the person to send as an envoy to the Liao Kingdom!

(End of this chapter)