Yang Zhaoxi naturally ignored the grievance between Long Zaitian and Tongxuan Guan. Just looking at the quarrel between him and Qu Bingyu the night before, it was obvious that the contradiction was difficult to reconcile.
Long Zaitian smoothed his dirt-adhered beard and said calmly: "First, of course, I have to practice Taoism well. If my human race's Taoism cultivation realm and magic skills exceed those of demon cultivators, why should I be afraid of what it will do..."
When Yang Chaoxi heard this, he almost fell to the ground and cursed in his heart: What do you need to say? If I have the ability to move mountains and fill seas, why would I come to you to do this?
Long Zaitian ignored his sullen expression and continued: "Second, it is to connect people in the Taoist gates in the city. If one side is in trouble, all parties will support it. Especially the experienced Taoists who know some methods of subduing monsters. We must know the pros and cons and ensure that we take full action when the time comes..."
After hearing this, Yang Zhaoxi no longer had any hope: This old beggar is obviously "talking the talk but not practicing the tricks". This kind of thing is naturally only feasible in theory. After all, people have different opinions. If it is really a critical moment, I won't do anything to you. The person who kicked him into the tiger's mouth and paved a way out for him is already a noble person. Isn't there a saying that a dead Taoist friend will not die a poor Taoist!
Long Zaitian still talked eloquently: "Thirdly, there are some magic weapons for subduing monsters. Xunzi said, a gentleman is not different from others, he is good at things and fake things. That is to say, if you are not powerful enough to be a Taoist priest, if you have magic weapons in your hands If you are powerful enough, you can sweep away the decline and make one person equal to ten..."
At this time, Fang Qidou, who was calmly sipping the tea soup on the side, began to become unable to sit still: "Senior Long, please don't show off. If there is any magical weapon that can restrain monsters, I, Fang Qidou, can ask for it or borrow it. , whether it’s stealing or robbing, we must do it!”
Long Zaitian frowned slightly, as if Fang Qidou interrupted him and was quite unhappy. He glared at Fang Qidou, then pulled out a wooden box with peeling paint from under the desk, locked the mechanism, and pushed it gently Opening it, many strange-shaped objects were immediately displayed in front of the three people.
Long Zaitian took out the objects one by one: "This is a cooked copper mirror, which can reflect the original appearance of monsters; this is a white jade seal, which can defeat ordinary magic; this is a Shangqing Xiang Sword, which is made of lightning-struck wood, which can Destroy ordinary demons; this is the canopy ruler, which can break the demon's courage and block its offensive; this is the imperial flag, when encountering a big demon with strong magic skills, you can summon the divine generals and heavenly soldiers to work together to eliminate the demons; this is It's the Heavenly Iron Barrier Peach Talisman, which can cut off monsters' escape routes..."
Long Zaitian was like a shopkeeper selling goods. He took the trouble to introduce the magical weapons in the wooden box one by one. There were fifty or sixty kinds of them!
Yang Chaoxi and Fang Qidou felt dazzled and amazed. Regardless of whether it worked or not, the comprehensive collection alone convinced them both.
Yang Zhaoxi couldn't help but stand up, clasped his fists and saluted: "Senior Long has learned a lot and keeps it hidden. He is worthy of being a master of the Tianshi Cave in Qingcheng Mountain. But I don't know how to use these magic weapons? And... how much money do I need to pay? , are you willing to let me two take you away?"
Long Zaitian's eyes widened and he looked alert: "The magic weapon is not for sale!"
Yang Chaoxi was stunned for a moment, and continued to slander: You old beggar! Since you are not selling, you just said so many things in a clear and logical manner, are you just teasing me? Or do you want to wait for the price?
Fang Qidou said humbly: "Senior Long, don't you hear that 'people can make the best use of their talents, and everything can be put to its best use'? These magic weapons have been lying in the box all year round, with no place to use them, just like the talents of heaven have nowhere to display, how can you Will there be no resentment? Now that the Taoist sect is facing a calamity, it is a good opportunity for these magical weapons to test their abilities. Can the seniors have the heart to let them continue to gather dust?"
Yang Chaoxi was overjoyed when she heard this, and secretly sighed that this man who had read poetry and books was really extraordinary! It was just a trivial matter of bargaining, but he could still make a reasonable and generous speech! Looking at Long Zaitian's face again, he showed that
In an emotional state, he couldn't help but give Fang Qidou a thumbs up.
Long Zaitian pondered for a long time, and made a gesture of pain: "The old beggar still understands the principle of giving treasures to destined people. But... the old beggar has wasted half his life, and there is still one unfulfilled wish, and a destined person needs to help him.
If you are willing to accomplish this, all these old things will be given away to each other, so why regret it?"
When Yang Chaoxi saw the old beggar relenting, he hurriedly said: "Senior Long, if you have any wishes, we are willing to do our best to help you!"
Only then did Long Zaitian reveal a wry smile: "The old beggar has been scrimping on food and clothing for many years. He just wants to build a 'Jixiantang', so that he can have more than a hundred houses and shelter the poor people and make them happy. Now I am a beggar."
The number of children's gangs is increasing, but it is not a happy thing. If everyone in the public servants can be as honest as water, love the people like children, and make the people rich and well-fed, who the hell is willing to join my beggar gang?!"
After Yang Chaoxi and Fang Qidou heard this, they were both silent for a long time. It turned out that their horizons were too narrow and they almost misunderstood the old beggar.
Being able to do such kind deeds is no less impressive than the squire who helped the refugees, the Confucian scholar who was full of benevolence and righteousness, and the Buddha who saved all sentient beings! The two of them stood up at the same time and bowed their hands.
Yang Chaoxi said with shame: "Senior Long did not do it for his own selfishness. I am willing to do the hard work of dogs and horses! There is some money here, and I can buy some cloth to eat, so that the brothers and sisters of the Beggar Gang will be less cold and hungry."
After saying that, Yang Zhaoxi took out all the money he had on him and put it on the table. Fang Qidou also took out a bag of broken silver from his sleeve pocket and pressed it in front of him: "It's just a little talent, this is a small thing."
My nephew has saved a little private wealth without telling my wife. Please help me accept it!"
Long Zaitian also stood up, bowed and bowed to the two of them. He was wearing a tattered robe hanging on his thin body, and his black and yellow skin was vaguely visible through the holes.
At this time, voices were heard one after another outside the hall. The little monkey who had just added some tea soup put down the teapot and fled out of the main hall with uncontrollable excitement:
"Sister, sister! You're back! I met a kind man today and gave him nine big bucks! I spent four bucks and bought your favorite biscuits..."
As the little monkey spoke, he took out a dirty oil paper bag from his arms and opened it carefully. He bought it at noon and saw the two round biscuits. Until now, they had remained intact. Yang Zhaoxi saw them in his eyes.
, my heart is sad and the corners of my eyes are slightly moist.
The one called Sister was a sallow-looking woman, about thirteen or fourteen years old, with a slight limp in her right leg, a thin shirt and skirt, and a face that was vaguely similar to that of a little monkey. She said angrily: "What are you buying these for? What a mess.
Spend money. Have you ever thanked a good person?"
The little monkey was startled for a moment before he remembered his elder sister's daily teachings. He turned around and knelt down in front of Yang Chaoxi who had just walked out: "Thank you, the great benevolent person, thank you, the great benevolent person..."
The thin yellow woman also stepped forward and bowed Yingying: "I would like to thank you, the great benefactor!"
Yang Chaoxi solemnly clasped his fists and returned the salute. Then he saw the thin yellow woman turned around, walked up to the little monkey, spread her right hand and said, "Bring it here."
The little monkey shook his head first, and then put two biscuits in her hand. The thin yellow woman didn't appreciate it, and spread her left hand out: "Bring it here!"
Tears suddenly burst out of the little monkey's eyes, but without crying, he silently took out the remaining five coins and put them into her hand reluctantly.
The thin yellow woman got a lot of money, so she walked towards Long Zaitian, holding up the five big coins: "Father, this is the little monkey's share today." With that, he took the money from his arms again.
He took out three big coins and said, "Today's harvest is not good. As long as I get three coins... what the little monkey spent, I... I will make up for him another day..."
There was a kind look in Long Zaitian's eyes, and he stretched out his hand to cup the thin yellow woman's palms: "Little Douzi, you can keep it! The little monkey also wants to make you happy. When the money is enough, he can find a doctor to cure him.
Good for your leg injury."
The thin yellow woman named Xiaodouzi had a sad expression on her face: "Father, my leg cannot be cured...there is no need to waste money."
After saying that, he stretched out his hand and put the eight big coins into Long Zaitian's hand again. He picked up the little monkey and gave him one of the Hu cakes. The sister and brother ate the Hu cakes and walked side by side to the kitchen.
Yang Zhaoxi and Fang Qidou were about to say goodbye and leave, but the old beggar Long Zaitian tried every means to persuade them to stay, so the two returned to the main hall to talk about other topics. After learning about the life experiences of Xiaodouzi and the little monkey sisters, the two
Everyone lamented:
The two sisters were originally from a farm outside Luoyang, making a living by farming. Their biological mother died early, and they had to live with their father. There was a severe drought the year before last, and the fields failed to harvest. After paying the rent, there was only half a bushel of millet left.
Dad is helpless
, I heard that the people in Luoyang City were being recruited to dredge the rivers, and apart from the deductions, they would get a hundred dollars a day, so they went there happily. Unexpectedly, after three days, there was some improvement at home, but on the fourth day, he drowned for no reason.
Death!
The two sisters clamored for help, asking the neighbors in the village to bury their late father. However, as the eldest sister in the family, the burden of future livelihood fell on Xiaodouzi. Xiaodouzi was also easily deceived, and was unable to do anything, and was soon betrayed by the village.
One of the libertines lured her to Ya Po, who then sold her to Liuxiang, Hua Street, Nan City. The libertine and Ya Po were overjoyed when they each got money, so how could they care about the life and death of the two sisters?
Xiaodouzi fell into the hands of the godly mother-in-law and was starved for two days. Then she was told that "you can only eat when you receive guests." When Xiaodouzi refused to obey, he was beaten with a stick by the monk in the street, and his right knee was injured.
She was beaten at that time. Fortunately, Long Zaitian passed by and saw this scene of anger between humans and gods, so he got angry and took action to save her from being poisoned.
After that, Long Zaitian gave her money to redeem her from the pious woman. He returned to the village with her and found the little monkey huddled in the corner of the kang, dying of hunger, so he pulled the two of them into the house.
In the next few days, Long Zaitian found the prodigal and Yapo again, recovered the money, beat them up, and then handed them over to Zhang Wuhou for custody.
As for the bit of land left by their deceased father, after the sisters nodded with tears, they sold it to their neighbors in the village. The money obtained, together with the money recovered, was collected by Long Zaitian, preparing for the marriage when the two grew up.
Xiaodouzi knew that her sister was beaten and lame in order to save the lives of the two of them. She had been grudges about it and wanted to save enough money to cure her leg injury. That was how the scene they saw just now happened.
After Long Zaitian told the life story of the two sisters, his eyes were slightly red: "There are so many poor people in the world. With the help of one person and a group of people, I can save as many as I can. Xiaodouzi's leg injury
If she wants to be cured, there is little hope, and she knows it herself. It's just that the little monkey is still young, and having such persistence and hope in her heart is more useful than reading many books by sages!"
While several people were talking, a small pot of thick mixed porridge was placed on the table. The person serving on the side was Xiaodouzi, who was sallow and skinny.
Yang Zhaoxi watched her walking around strenuously, serving the mixed porridge in the basin to the three of them. Wanting to relieve the gloomy atmosphere, Yang Zhaoxi asked softly: "Xiaodouzi, what is your name?"
Xiao Douzi smoothed her messy sideburns and replied in a low voice: "The Nu family... The Nu family does not have a big name. My father's surname is Dou, so he called me Xiao Douzi. Later, the children in the village called me Xiao Douzi... My mother's surname is Hou.
, so my little brother... became a little monkey."
Yang Chaoxi thought about the fact that both her parents had died, and that their nicknames had the surnames of their parents. She had just asked a question, but it had revealed a scar, and she couldn't help but be speechless for a moment.
Fang Qidou saw that Yang Zhaoxi was silent and the atmosphere was a bit awkward. As soon as his thoughts changed, he interrupted: "Xiaodouzi, do you want to learn martial arts? Once you learn martial arts, no one will dare to bully you in the future."
The light in Xiaodouzi's eyes suddenly brightened, and then dimmed again: "I'm still a little monkey, but I'm like this...can I learn from it?"
Yang Zhaoxi suddenly smiled brightly, covering up all the moisture in his eyes: "Of course you can learn it! If you continue to practice the art of inner elixir, perform Qigong exercises, relax your muscles and activate blood circulation, maybe your leg injury can be cured without treatment!
"
"Why don't you hurry up and become your master!" Long Zaitian said with a faint smile, but he was already serious.
Xiaodouzi quickly put down the wooden spoon in his hand and called to the little monkey squatting under the eaves to eat porridge. The two knelt down together and kowtowed three times to Yang Zhaoxi respectfully.
Yang Zhaoxi touched the body for a long time, and although she was happy, she couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed: As a new teacher, she couldn't find any suitable objects at the moment, so she gave them to the two disciples who picked them up in a daze.
Long Zaitian smiled at the side and said: "It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter. Your master is here in a hurry today. I need some tokens. If you can, I won't. Eat your porridge quickly! Otherwise it will get cold."
Yang Zhaoxi could only smile and nod: "There must be a token. I didn't bring it with me this time. I'll give it to my two disciples another day." After saying that, he picked up the bowl of mixed porridge and started to eat it.
The porridge contained grains, vegetable leaves, egg blossoms, and shredded pork, which reminded him of the poor days he spent in Yangliu Villa when he was a child.
I also think of the firewood ash on my mother's hands when she bent over, the sweat on her forehead, and the always-full smile on the corners of her eyes and brows...