The Splendor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 155 Debating
It was almost dawn, and Xiao Yi didn't have time to entertain Chen Guanghui. After breakfast, he invited him to join in the military drills.

It wasn't to show off to his former superior, but to ask Chen Guanghui to help assess the elite status of his soldiers.

Chen Guanghui's expression was shocked, even showing disbelief and jealousy.

It makes sense. Last time they parted ways, the Twenty Battalion only had twenty men, but now it is the first commander of the fully-staffed Palace Guard. In terms of rank, the two are equals, with Xiao Yi even slightly higher.

Back in his duty room, Chen Guanghui couldn't hold back any longer.

"After capturing Kaifeng, there were no more opportunities to make meritorious contributions. How did you manage to rise through the ranks?"

"I didn't get promoted; I was demoted directly from the inner palace, which was appointed by the Empress Dowager."

"This……"

This is what Chen Guanghui didn't understand: in officialdom, meritorious service is not the same as promotion; appreciation from other factions is more valuable.

All they know is to huff and puff to make a living; what's the difference between them and a donkey pulling a millstone?

"It seems Brother Chen doesn't pay much attention to me."

"I went back to Chanzhou to fetch my family. What happened to you?"

"Since you haven't heard any of these rumors, Brother Chen, there's no need to pay them any mind."

Xiao Yi waved his hand, thinking to himself, Chen Guanghui is good at fighting, but he is not well-informed and will not have a bright future.

"I'll get straight to the point: why did you chop off my military commander?"

"Private fights are just the way things are."

"It can't be that simple."

Xiao Yi did not answer.

Chen Guanghui hesitated for a moment, then adopted a frank tone and said, "I have never wronged you, and I waited for you in your camp all night. Tell me the truth, okay? Could it be that His Majesty wants to kill a meritorious official?"

"Brother Chen, are you worried about Marshal Wang?"

"Yes."

"Don't worry, it has nothing to do with him."

"Give me a straight answer, what exactly happened?"

Seeing Chen Guanghui's earnest gaze, Xiao Yi knew that he was doing this on behalf of Wang Yin, which showed his loyalty.

After some consideration, I think he's someone I can help.

"Brother, is it right or wrong to allow soldiers to plunder?"

"you?"

"Regarding the measures Your Majesty has taken since the founding of the nation, and the differences in our views at that time, what is your current perspective?"

“It’s not that I think looting is right, it’s that I believe we shouldn’t punish our brothers so harshly. You can’t just kill them because you want to…”

Xiao Yi didn't want to waste time arguing with him, so he pursed his lips and stared at him coldly.

After a long pause, Chen Guanghui sighed.

"Okay, I was wrong. Military discipline must be followed. Is that settled?"

"If you know your mistakes and can correct them, there is no greater good."

"Speak, why did you cut off my commander?"

“It’s simple. His Majesty wants to raid all the Buddhist temples in the country, but the Buddhist community itself is not the problem. What we are worried about is the collusion of interests behind it. Bai Zairong is a typical example. Execute him and see how others react. Once we see that the situation is under control, then we can take action.”

Simply put, Xiao Yi knew that Guo Wei wanted to play it safe and kill Bai Zairong first, so there was no need to play it safe any longer.

Chen Guanghui suddenly realized, his eyes darting around, and asked, "If there's a vacancy, who will fill it?"

"That depends on who is willing to serve His Majesty. Brother Chen, are you a Buddhist?"

"Sometimes I believe."

Xiao Yi smiled knowingly and said, "Brother Chen can go and find Minister Wang Jun."

"No, this scoundrel is against the military governor, and I will never betray him and join his ranks! I advise you not to associate with him either."

“I’m not personal, I’m talking about the issue. So, if you’re ambitious and have an opportunity to make a contribution, I’ll let you know.”

Chen Guanghui hesitated for a moment, but still wanted a promotion. He clasped his hands in a deep fist salute and said, "Thank you!"

"Brother Chen, would you like to have lunch together? I eat three meals a day here."

"No, goodbye."

After checking the progress of the prison construction, Xiao Yi changed his clothes and prepared to go out.

At this moment, a soldier reported: "General, someone outside the gate wants you to come out and meet him."

"Who?"

"The visitor refused to reveal his identity, but the maidservant spoke with quite audacity."

Xiao Yi was puzzled. He went out of the gate and saw a carriage parked there. It did not look luxurious on the surface, but the bottom of the carriage was made of bamboo and wrapped with cowhide to reduce bumps. It was low-key and comfortable.

"May I ask who invited me?"

"Pfft."

A silvery laugh rang out from inside the carriage, followed by An Yuanzhen's voice.

A slender hand reached out of the car window and beckoned.

"Come up quickly."

As Xiao Yi boarded the carriage, a handkerchief was thrown at him.

"You rascal, who gave you permission to sneak off this morning?"

"On duty."

"But I miss you."

"Ahem, from now on, when you go out, don't dress up too beautifully. It will attract attention and make it easy to reveal your identity."

"Pretty?"

"It's too bright."

An Yuanzhen's eyes lit up with joy. She lowered her head and chuckled to herself, then whispered, "Then... will you help me wipe off my lipstick?"

After an unknown amount of time, they suddenly heard someone shout outside.

"Hey, that carriage is swaying even when it's not moving!"

An Yuanzhen quickly pinched Xiao Yi and scolded, "You scoundrel, you're so good to me. I can finally go out. I've been so bored."

Where are you planning to go for a stroll?

"Will you stay with me? No, am I being too clingy? You're probably afraid of being bothered by women, that's why you ignore them."

"I'm relatively free these next two days, but I'll be very busy after that."

"Then come with me to the East Market. I've been in the capital for almost half a year and haven't been to the East Market yet."

"I need to go somewhere on business. Will you come?"

"Okay, okay, I'll go with you."

Xiao Yi lifted the carriage curtain and instructed, "Dengjue Temple, northeast of the city."

"Yes."

"Burning incense and praying to Buddha?"

"Find a highly virtuous monk, Master Yan Jun."

"What do you want from him?"

"If you want to achieve success, take off your headdress and dress up as my maid."

"Pah! You wish you could have the Empress as your maid!"

“From now on, when you go out, you need to have a different name. Let’s call you ‘Xi Ren’.”

"No way, that sounds awful, like I attacked you."

"It means 'the fragrance of flowers overwhelms the senses.'" "Wow, suddenly it sounds nice! Don't I smell wonderful?"

"Let me smell it..."

It felt like we had arrived at Dengjue Temple in an instant.

After getting off the carriage, I looked around and saw that there was still a small hill in the northeast corner of Kaifeng City, but I don't know how it disappeared later.

Xiao Yi draped his old crane cloak over An Yuanzhen, covering her silk and colorful clothes.

Upon arriving at the mountain gate, the guest monk immediately dismissed everyone else and went only to greet the two of them.

"Amitabha Buddha, are you two here to burn incense? Please follow me."

Xiao Yi nodded and handed over the incense money.

Looking back, devout believers who couldn't afford incense money were crowding together and kneeling in worship at the foot of the stone steps.

The main hall was quite quiet, with wisps of smoke rising from the incense burner. An Yuanzhen restrained his playful nature and became solemn before the Buddha, offering incense, clasping his hands together, and closing his eyes to pray for blessings.

In front of the Buddha niche in the side hall, a high monk wearing a red robe was talking to a richly dressed old woman. He glanced over, stepped forward, and calmly turned the prayer beads in his hand.

“Amitabha Buddha, the two benefactors are unfamiliar, but they possess wisdom and are destined to be connected with the Buddha.”

His voice was soft, yet it carried a calming power.

Xiao Yi smiled faintly.

An Yuanzhen exclaimed joyfully, "Really? Buddha will bless me, right?"

“The female benefactor is of simple and pure heart, with a clear and bright mind; she is surely of immeasurable nobility.”

"To be honest, Master, my daughter has indeed had a smooth life, with only one major setback..."

“Amitabha, the female benefactor just now asked for a marriage. From what I see, the two of you are of the same blood and are destined to grow old together in harmony.”

After saying this, the high monk put his palms together in respect and then drifted away.

An Yuanzhen was both embarrassed and pleased. Without looking at Xiao Yi, she beckoned the guest monk over and asked, "The Buddha in your temple is very efficacious, isn't it?"

"Amitabha Buddha, sincerity brings results."

"Of course I'm sincere. How much did that woman give?"

"Madam Chang donated two hundred strings of cash today."

“Then I will donate three hundred strings of cash.”

Xiao Yi waved his hand and said, "No rush. May I ask where Zen Master Yan Jun is?"

“Amitabha, the Zen master does not receive guests.”

I want to see him.

An Yuanzhen said, "I will donate five hundred strings of cash so that we may see Zen Master Yan Jun."

"Please wait a moment, esteemed benefactors, while I inquire with the abbot."

As soon as the monk left, Xiao Yi's arm was put on by An Yuanzhen, and he didn't even realize that they were in front of the Buddha.

"Wasn't that the eminent monk you just saw the Venerable Yan Jun you wanted to see? His Buddhist teachings are so profound."

"That's Master Chanlu, who runs a gambling den, brothel, and brokerage firm. His eye for talent is indeed remarkable."

"What? How could this be?"

"It's all business."

A short while later, the guest monk returned and said, "This humble monk can only take the two benefactors to the Zen temple behind Yishan Mountain."

"Good work."

After exiting Dengjue Temple through the West Corner Gate, a dirt road led through the woods, where a thatched hut came into view in the distance.

The monk stopped and said in a low voice, "Grandmaster Yan Jun dislikes being disturbed, so I will not go any further. Whether you two can meet depends on fate."

"Thank you."

Xiao Yi stepped forward, and before he reached the thatched hut, he encountered a middle-aged monk sitting cross-legged on a blue stone, silently writing scriptures.

"May I ask, Master Yan Jun, is Zen Master Yan Jun residing in your thatched hut?"

"No."

"Where did he go?"

“If you seek him out for preaching, the scriptures are on the shelf; if you seek him out for discussing the Dharma, the Dharma is in the clouds; if you seek him out for helping others, he is still in the mundane world.”

The middle-aged monk pointed to the distant city of Kaifeng with his left hand, and after speaking, his gaze was focused on the scriptures.

An Yuanzhen said, "This bald monk is so rude. Let's go to the thatched hut and wait."

Xiao Yi found this monk rather interesting. He looked him over and saw that he was wearing a gray monk's robe that had been washed until it was almost white, with neat patches on the elbows. He was extremely thin, so thin that he seemed to have no burden at all and was as light as if he could float away at any moment.

"I sought out Zen Master Yan Jun because of his reputation."

"Please extend your hand, benefactor."

Xiao Yi extended his hand.

The monk picked up a fallen leaf from the ground and poured the melted ice water into his palm.

"what for?"

"Your name melts away like snow on a leaf; you have obtained what you sought. Please return."

An Yuanzhen was so angry she laughed. She pulled Xiao Yi's hand over, wiped it clean with a handkerchief, and held it in her palm, saying, "You bald thief, you took my alms and are now going around in circles. How annoying! Tear down this dilapidated hut."

The monk didn't take it to heart and said, "If the mind has no attachment, everywhere is home."

Xiao Yi's mind raced, and he asked, "Could you be Zen Master Yan Jun?"

“A benefactor can also be stern.”

"I'm not here to engage in Zen riddles with you. I've come to invite you to the Emperor's court assembly to ensure the continuation of Buddhism's flame."

"Don't go."

"I haven't mentioned the consequences yet."

"If you don't want to go, you don't want to go. Plant the seed of 'not going,' and you will reap the fruit of 'not going.'"

"Aren't you afraid I'll burn all your scriptures and kill all your disciples?"

"Plants wither and flourish, the sun and moon rise and set, life and death are but fleeting illusions."

"May I ask, Master, how old are you?"

"If you ask about the order of years, there are fifty-four; if you discuss reincarnation, it is but a moment."

Xiao Yi was surprised.

I thought the person in front of me was only in his thirties, but upon closer inspection, I noticed that his beard was sparse and already gray, and his skin was rough. However, there were no wrinkles of worry on his face, and his eyes, in particular, were clear and innocent, like those of a child.

It's as if time has aged his appearance but hasn't added a trace of worldliness to him. Wealth, power, beauty, and even everything that people desire haven't eroded him, leaving him with a childlike innocence.

Xiao Yi had imagined that he would encounter a compassionate old monk who could coerce him with the promise of continuing the Buddhist teachings. However, the real Zen Master Yan Jun was not like that; he was devoid of emotion and thought, having already transcended the world.

Those who have renounced worldly life cannot be persuaded.

How to do?
Just then, An Yuanzhen said, "You're so clever! How did you know he was Zen Master Yan Jun?"

"He is different from any other monk I have ever met."

"What's the difference? If he won't go with you, just take him away."

Xiao Yi thought it made a lot of sense.

Professional matters should be left to professionals. Take it back, and Yin Cheng will naturally have a solution.

He simply reached out and grabbed the severe Zen Master by the back of the neck, lifting him up.

He was very light; he had never mentioned such a light adult male before.

The problem was immediately solved; why should a mere martial artist reason with a monk?

(End of this chapter)