On the first day of the tenth month of the lunar calendar, the people of Chang'an City woke up one night and suddenly found that snowflakes were falling outside, and thick snow had accumulated on the eaves and on both sides of the streets.
The first snow of winter in the second year of Zhenguan came quietly.
On this day, Qin Hao went out as usual and rode on Chi Yue to Chang'an. The horse's hooves stepped on the snow, making a creaking sound. Chi Yue didn't seem to like this kind of weather and seemed to have no energy.
After arriving at the palace gate, he sent Chi Yue into the stable, and after checking his belongings as usual, Qin Hao came to Jixianyuan again.
Song Ziqian was obviously surprised when he saw Qin Hao. He was stunned for a while before bowing to him.
Qin Hao saluted him back, then sat down in his previous position and continued to read the remaining Taoist classics.
Song Ziqian looked at Qin Hao's back with a complicated expression. He really didn't expect that Qin Hao would come in such bad weather. However, you have to say that he was serious. He was reading so fast. What kind of tricks could he see?
Rather than reading a book, it is better to say that it is flipping through a book.
However, just when Song Ziqian was about to turn around and do his own thing, Qin Hao suddenly stood up from the couch, holding a scroll of Huang Ting Jing in his hand.
"Did he find what he was looking for?" Song Ziqian's heart moved. He had long suspected that Qin Hao's purpose of coming here was not to read, but to look for something. His boss had also told him that if he found anything strange about Qin Hao
, report it as soon as possible.
Song Ziqian did not dare to neglect and hurried to the back hall with small steps.
Qin Hao did not notice Song Ziqian's actions. At this moment, all his attention was attracted by what was in front of him.
What attracted him was not the Huang Ting Jing, but the "Nei Jing Picture" included in it.
This "Nei Jing Diagram" not only has detailed explanations of the meridians and exercises, but also uses pictures and texts to explain the principles of internal power operation. Unlike those Taoist classics, they always use some mysterious and mysterious professional terms to make themselves look taller.
different.
The exercises inside are completely described in vernacular, and the pictures and texts are also very vivid. Qin Hao's only doubt is, if the exercises on this "Nei Jing Diagram" are true, why were they shelved?
But it was rare to find such a detailed "qigong training method", so Qin Hao couldn't help but want to try it.
His eyes couldn't help but look at the "Nei Jing Diagram". Suddenly, Qin Hao was shocked. The "qi" that had been running in his body seemed to have some kind of connection with him.
"Is this skill real?"
With distracting thoughts and impure thoughts, in an instant, that mysterious and mysterious state disappeared without a trace, as if it had never appeared.
But Qin Hao was very sure that he had indeed pulled the "qi" for a short distance just now. This feeling was unmistakable.
He closed his eyes again, but he couldn't enter the previous state at all. Qin Hao didn't force himself. He knew that this was caused by an uneven state of mind. Taoist exercises paid most attention to the state of mind. If you practice it forcefully, you can easily go crazy.
Taking a deep breath, he finally found some clues. Qin Hao was not in a hurry. In the world of a great master, he had been waiting for decades, so this little time was nothing.
On the other side, after Song Ziqian reported to his boss, he was verbally praised a few words and then sent away.
A spy from Baiqisi passed on the information, and not long after, the Huang Ting Jing, including the original manuscript of the "Nei Jing Picture" inside, appeared on Li Shimin's desk.
"Are you sure this is what he is looking for?" Li Shimin asked calmly after unfolding the Huang Ting Sutra.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, Secret Agent Baiqisi saw with his own eyes that the Qin County man's expression was different from usual after seeing this object. It must be that this object touched him, which is why he behaved like this."
"Well, you go down first, continue to observe, and don't let go of any details."
"promise."
Li Shimin took the Huang Ting Jing and looked at it, and asked someone to find another version for comparison. He found that there was no difference, so he put down the Huang Ting Jing and picked up the "Picture of the Nei Jing"
"Could this be the purpose of his joining the world?"
Li Shimin looked at the eunuch beside him and suddenly asked quietly: "Do you think there are really immortals in this world who can live forever and live in the nine heavens?"
The eunuch was so frightened that he broke into a cold sweat. He lay on the ground and did not dare to move: "Reporting to Your Majesty, there has been a legend about seeking immortality since ancient times. It must not be entirely false..."
"Well, get up. Seeing how timid you are, go change your clothes and serve again."
"promise."
Li Shimin called another eunuch: "Go and find Yuan Tiangang for me."
"promise."
After passing down the decree, Li Shimin had no intention of continuing to deal with government affairs. Since ancient times, which emperor has not fantasized about immortality? At first, he thought these were all illusory, nonsense used by Taoists to deceive believers, but when the opportunity really appeared in front of him.
But he couldn't refuse.
Emperors are also human beings, and humans have seven emotions and six desires. Even because of the great power they control, their desires are much greater than ordinary people. In the past, Li Shimin has been restraining his various desires because he has a more ambitious goal, and he wants to make it happen.
To build the Tang Dynasty into an unprecedentedly powerful empire, he wanted to eclipse the Qin Emperor and the Han Dynasty with his achievements...
However, in the face of immortality, all these seem not to be so important. No matter how great your martial arts skills are, you will still be unable to ride a horse and bend a bow twenty years later. No matter how high your achievements are, they will be nothing more than a handful of loess after a hundred years.
"Your Majesty, Yuan Tiangang is waiting outside the palace."
Li Shimin waved his hand in a deep voice: "Pass!"
"It is said that Yuan Tiangang is here to see you."
"Caomin Yuan Tiangang pays homage to His Majesty."
Li Shimin looked at the old Taoist, who was dressed in a green Taoist robe and had piercing eyes. He looked like he had the spirit of an immortal.
"Are you Yuan Tiangang?"
"It's the grassroots people."
"Get up. I have a diagram of the Nei Jing in my hand. Maybe you can get a glimpse of its secrets?"
After Li Shimin finished speaking, the eunuch had already walked to Yuan Tiangang holding the inner scripture diagram on a wooden tray.
Yuan Tiangang's heart moved. He thought that these were test questions given to him by Li Shimin, and he wanted to test his Taoism. He immediately focused on it and picked up the Nei Jing diagram.
At first glance, Yuan Tiangang frowned.
Li Shimin's heart skipped a beat when he saw this: "What's wrong with this picture?"
Yuan Tiangang bowed and saluted: "There is nothing wrong with it, but this picture has been recorded many times in Taoist classics, so there is nothing surprising about it."
"Oh? Did you see clearly?" Li Shimin stared at Yuan Tiangang suspiciously, not knowing for a moment whether to believe this old man or the secret agent of Baiqisi.
Li Shimin was still a little unwilling and continued to ask: "Have you ever practiced this Nei Jing diagram?"
Yuan Tiangang nodded slightly: "Of course I have practiced."
"Oh? How's the effect?"
"This is a method of practicing Qi. Sitting and breathing every day can make you feel refreshed, energetic, and prolong your life."
Li Shimin was greatly disappointed. What he wanted was immortality, not a Taoist priest with a pure heart and few desires.
"You mean, the exercises on this picture are fake?"
Hearing this, Yuan Tiangang waved his hands quickly: "No, no, this picture has been circulated in Taoism since ancient times. It must not be fake. It's just that ordinary people like us don't have a 'true seed', so we have no chance of being on the Taoist path."
"What is a 'true seed'?" Li Shimin asked.
"According to the records in many ancient pre-Qin books, the 'true seed' is a ray of innate true energy. Unfortunately, after a person is born, he is polluted by the turbid air of the world and eats whole grains. Over time, those who possess the innate true energy are probably no longer alive.
Save one.”
Yuan Tiangang has said similar clichés countless times in his life. Anyway, if you can't practice, that means you don't have immortality.
Li Shimin's face darkened, he was not that easy to fool: "Can you tell that this person possesses the innate true essence?"
"Nature can't help poor people." Yuan Tiangang has not yet realized the seriousness of the problem.
Li Shimin raised his eyebrows: "Oh, then take a look at me, am I the one who possesses the innate true essence?"
Yuan Tiangang was instantly dumbfounded. Isn't this a proposition? But he is an experienced veteran. He quickly realized that Li Shimin asked this question, which meant that he was already interested in seeking immortality. This was a huge benefit.
information.
Since Li Shimin came to the throne, he has been suppressing both Buddhism and Taoism. No new ultimatums have been issued for two consecutive years. Those who become monks without ultimatums will have their Taoist temples and temples sealed off, and then the monks and Taoist priests will be forcibly ordered to return to secular life.
Taoist temples, temple properties, and gold vessels were all confiscated, killing three birds with one stone.
Both Taoism and Buddhism wanted to do what they wanted, so that Li Shimin could be open to others, and it would be best to kill their competitors.
Although there is a crisis in front of him, is it also an opportunity? Yuan Tiangang decided to seek wealth through danger.
"Your Majesty, please look at this from the perspective of a poor Taoist. I am afraid that your Majesty will have no chance of immortality in this life."
"Be bold!"
Before Li Shimin opened his mouth, the eunuch beside him couldn't help scolding him.
An ordinary person would have been frightened to death, but Yuan Tiangang pretended to be calm and bowed deeply to Li Shimin: "His Majesty Pindao Temple is the reincarnation of the Nine Heavenly Dragons. He was born in response to the calamity in this world, and he has made great achievements in this life.
After a great deed, he takes off his mortal body and naturally ascends during the day."
"Well, you old Taoist priest, after all, it's still ambiguous. Okay, you can help me look at one more person. If you can see it accurately, I will spare you. If you can't see it accurately...
." Although Li Shimin didn't finish his words, the threat was already obvious.
Yuan Tiangang secretly complained, despite looking outside, he is a "living god" with infinite glory. Facing the imperial power, he is just an ant that can be crushed to death at will. The so-called "living god" must be alive to be a god, and dead
It's nothing anymore.
Along the way, Yuan Tiangang was sandwiched by two Jinwu guards and followed Li Shimin until they reached the entrance of Jixian Yuan, when Li Shimin pointed to a young man in the corner and spoke.
"Old Taoist priest, what do you think of this person?"
Yuan Tiangang looked in the direction of Li Shimin's fingers, and suddenly his eyes seemed to be frozen, and he kept moving his hands with incomprehensible fingertips, and muttered something in his mouth.
"How could it be possible? How could there be such a strange destiny?" Yuan Tiangang murmured to himself.
Li Shimin was a little impatient: "Old Taoist, what do you think?"
Yuan Tiangang directly bowed to Li Shimin: "Your Majesty, there are countless old Taoists who are good at facial recognition, but looking at this son's face, he is not from this world. He is willing to accept the crime. Please forgive me!"
"Not from this world?" Li Shimin suddenly felt something in his heart.
In fact, Qin Hao had noticed the movement at the door a long time ago. It wasn't until Yuan Tiangang made a big noise that he pretended to have just discovered it.
When Li Shimin saw Qin Hao looking over, he simply walked over with Yuan Tiangang.
Along the way, the officials of Jixian Yuan paid homage to him one after another. For these small officials, it was an honor to have the opportunity to see the emperor.
"Your Majesty." When Qin Hao saw that Li Shimin was coming for him, he quickly stood up and saluted.
Li Shimin smiled and waved his hand at Qin Hao: "Qin Aiqing doesn't have to be formal. I'm just a little tired of dealing with government affairs, so I just wander around. I haven't seen Qin Aiqing for a month. Is it possible that she has always been in this Jixian Courtyard?"
Qin Hao didn't believe that Li Shimin didn't know what he had been doing this month. Since the other party was pretending to be confused, he would naturally cooperate.
"Reporting to your Majesty, it is true that I have been reading Taoist classics this month."
"Oh? Why is this?" Li Shimin asked pretending to be curious.
"When Master was alive, he especially loved this Tao, so he looked it up first."
Anyway, without any proof, Yun Ye could say that the master ran away from "Bai Yujing". He said that the master liked to practice Taoism and there was no conflict.
Li Shimin did not go into details, but introduced Yuan Tiangang with a smile, praising Yuan Tiangang until he was almost embarrassed, and then tried to show off.
"I see that Qin Aiqing seems to be very interested in this picture of the Nei Jing, but there is something puzzling about it. This Yuan Tianshi is known as the 'living god' among the people, and he is very familiar with the Taoist classics. It is better to ask him for advice.
"
Qin Hao naturally scorned the so-called "living gods", but he had heard of Yuan Tiangang's name, and there were indeed some things he didn't understand in this Nei Jing picture, so he was worried that no one would ask for advice.
"In this case, I will trouble Yuan Tianshi."
"Until you have been granted a title by the imperial court, you will definitely not be worthy of the name of Heavenly Master. If Lord Qin asks something, I will definitely know everything and tell you everything."
He dare not say it. Yuan Tiangang is sure that if it weren't for the existence of the man in front of him, he would still be of some use. It is estimated that Li Shimin just ordered him to be beheaded. This also made Yuan Tiangang very curious about the identity of the young man in front of him.
, to be able to get such attention from Li Shimin.
"Taoist Master Yuan, according to the inner scripture diagram, the true meaning is slightly guarded in the Dantian. When the 'qi' is sufficient, it will move on its own. I have tried to guide it, but in the end it all ended in failure. I don't know why?"
Yuan Tiangang was shocked when he heard this: "Are you sure you can feel the qi circulating in your body?"
"Sure!"
Li Shimin secretly wondered, could it be that what Yuan Tiangang, an old man, said before was true and did not lie to himself, and that the so-called "innate true essence" really existed?
Yuan Tiangang subconsciously touched Qin Hao's wrist, and Qin Hao let Yuan Tiangang do whatever he wanted. He really wanted to see what kind of ability Yuan Tiangang had to detect the "qi" in his body.
"This boy has such strong internal organs, strong energy and vitality, and piercing eyes. Could it be that he is an expert in both life and life?"