Cui Yongjian looked out from the crack of the door and saw that there were only two people on the other side. After pondering for a moment, he asked: "Who are you?"
"Master Cui, and little Zhang San, are the slaves of Duke Baoguo." The person who just spoke outside the door replied.
Upon hearing that the other party was from the Duan family, Cui Yongjian relaxed his guard and opened the door with a creak.
After letting the two of them enter the room, Cui Yongjian carefully closed the door and asked anxiously: "What are you doing here?"
"This place has been exposed. Mr. Cui, please follow us and choose another place..." Zhang San saluted and said with fists in his hands, his attitude was extremely respectful.
"Wait a moment, I'll get something." Cui Yongjian replied happily.
With that said, he turned back to the bed and picked up a small package.
Just like an ant on a hot pot, now that he heard that it was an ally who came to rescue him, Cui Yongjian certainly did not doubt that he was there. At the same time, he asked casually: "Thank you two for coming to report. I wonder how Duan Erlang is doing now?"
"My second young master is doing well. It was the second young master who asked us to come here."
Just as he lifted his legs to go out, Cui Yongjian seemed to have thought of something and was shocked.
Wasn't Duan Cui arrested by Baiqi? How could he send someone here to inform him?
Cui Yongjian's expression did not change, but he stopped in his steps and said to Zhang San and the other two: "You guys go out first, I still have something to do."
Seeing Cui Yongjian's procrastination, Zhang San urged with some displeasure: "The situation is urgent now. Please don't delay Mr. Cui. If there is anything, we will have someone bring it to you."
That tone didn't sound like the words spoken by a servant at all, it seemed like an order.
Cui Yongjian further confirmed his suspicions and shouted angrily: "Who are you? Wasn't Duan Erlang caught by Bai Qi? How could I send you here? You want to deceive me, damn it!"
Zhang San and his accomplices looked at each other, and their expressions darkened: "Mr. Cui, please don't toast me and eat as a penalty."
Cui Yongjian took two steps back and smiled proudly: "I am the third son of the Cui family, what can you do to me? No matter which faction you belong to, please think twice before you act."
At this moment, the sound of horse hooves was heard in the distance, and anxious and low voices were heard outside the door.
"Captain Zhang, the entire Tongfu Temple is surrounded by Baiqi, what should we do now?"
Looking at Cui Yongjian uncertainly, Zhang San smiled sadly, gritted his teeth and said: "Master Cui refuses to leave, then you don't want to leave."
As he spoke, he waved his hand to his companion: "The master of the house has an order. If Mr. Cui refuses to cooperate, he will be dealt with on the spot."
Cui Yongjian was shocked: "You are not afraid of the Cui family's retribution..."
Before Cui Yongjian finished speaking, Zhang San's companion grabbed him by the neck and lifted him up.
As a dandy, Cui Yongjian had no power to fight back. Although he kept slapping his hands, it was a pity that it did not help.
In the end, I kicked my legs hard a few times, only to make a few grunting sounds and then there was no movement.
With wide eyes, he could not believe until his death that someone actually dared to kill him.
Zhang San's expression remained unchanged, and he said coldly: "After packing up, evacuate immediately."
After saying that, a few more people came in outside the room, busy with something.
Yang Fan, on the other hand, yawned while riding slowly alongside Li Junxian, while Qin Huaidao had already led Baiqi to Tongfu Temple in Xingdaofang.
The sharp cold wind couldn't help but make Yang Fan tighten his collar and complained to Li Junxian: "Brother, you are too unloyal. You are just catching a playboy who has no power to tie a chicken. Why did you drag him down?"
its me?"
"Since we are brothers, of course we share blessings and hardships, and we have great achievements. Of course I can't abandon you, brother." Li Junxian smiled awkwardly and said with a guilty conscience.
Isn’t this like General Li’s style?
He gave Li Junxian a strange look, but Yang Fan didn't think much more about it. He only thought that this guy was afraid that he wouldn't be able to catch him, so he pulled him along.
Unexpectedly, Yang Fan secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Li Junxian seemed to be relying on him!
Although I really don't want to meddle in these nosy matters, after all, I have His Majesty Li Er's imperial order, so I really can't shirk it.
Without asking any more questions, Yang Fan raised his riding whip to increase the speed of the war horse. He did not want to accompany these gentlemen to starve and freeze all the time.
Soon, the two of them arrived at the entrance of Tongfu Temple, and Yang Fan felt his eyes light up.
Looking up, this temple has a series of palaces, buildings like scales, and sandalwood incense and Sanskrit sounds are low.
This temple is located in a busy section of the market, which looks a bit weird.
At the same time, Tongfu Temple was surrounded by Baiqi soldiers, but these soldiers did not enter.
Qin Huaidao also stood respectfully outside the gate, as if waiting for something.
Yang Fan glanced at him on the horse and asked, "Why don't you go in and arrest him?"
Qin Huaidao quickly replied: "My subordinates have asked Baiqi to block Tongfu Temple. Now I am waiting for orders from the commander-in-chief and Marquis Zhongyi."
Yang Fan frowned: "I'm going to have to deal with your fate, not to mention it's such an urgent matter, what are you waiting for?"
No matter what position you are in, being decisive is the best quality. Being indecisive will not lead to great things.
Originally, Yang Fan was very optimistic about Qin Huaidao, but now he was a little dissatisfied with his procrastination.
This kid has always been very smart, I don't know why he made such a stupid mistake at this time.
If you delay for one more minute, the suspect may escape. Nothing in this world is guaranteed.
Of course Qin Huaidao saw Yang Fan's dissatisfaction and said hesitantly: "This Tongfu Temple cannot be touched lightly."
After saying that, he looked at Li Junxian with a grimace as if asking for help.
There seems to be something hidden?
Yang Fan was really speechless!
Turning to Li Junxian, he asked: "Is the backstage of this temple very hard?"
I have some doubts in my mind, it’s just a Buddhist temple, what’s the big deal?
What background can make Baiqi feel afraid?
Taoism is the state religion, and Baiqi can't just check it whenever he wants. How can a Buddhist temple have so many concerns?
Li Junxian said helplessly: "This Tongfu Temple was built with His Majesty's personal permission back then. The purpose was to recite sutras and pray for Empress Dowager Xiao. He ordered soldiers not to enter."
Yang Fan was slightly startled!
Queen Mother Xiao?
The background is really big!
However, Yang Fan reacted quickly, looked at Li Junxian suspiciously and said, "Brother, you deliberately asked me to come with you. I'm afraid it's not to share the credit, but to make me the scapegoat, right?"
"Since you know that soldiers can't enter, why didn't you tell me earlier? What's the point of asking me to come?"
Li Junxian smiled awkwardly, and Cancan said: "Brother, what are you talking about? Brother, am I that kind of person?"
Yang Fan said coldly, not intending to give Li Junxian face: "Haha, isn't it?"
All the evil people have done evil to me, how can I give you any face?
Qin Huaidao interrupted at this time: "My subordinates have already communicated with the abbot of Tongfu Temple. They wanted to go in quietly to search, but he refused."
"He said that this is a temple built by His Majesty Chrysostom. At this time, Empress Dowager Xiao is chanting sutras and praying inside, so she cannot go to disturb it."
"It's not good to be too tough in your humble position. I can only wait for you, Marquis Zhongyi, to come forward."
What does this mean? Can you just let yourself show up?
When did you have such a great reputation?
Yang Fan was a little curious: "Do I know this abbot?"
Li Junxian said quickly: "I don't know whether you know me or not, but the abbot of Tongfu Temple knows you, and even Queen Mother Xiao has a close relationship with you, brother."
Yang Fan was even more confused: "Oh? How do you say this?"
After listening to Li Junxian's explanation, Yang Fan suddenly realized.
It turned out that the abbot had bought a glass Arhat at Yang Fan's auction house.
And Xiao Shiyun in the Zhongyihou Mansion has a close relationship with the Empress Dowager Xiao.
"That's it!" Yang Fan nodded clearly.
But I was secretly complaining in my heart.
When you used those glazed arhats to deceive the Buddhist sect, it was enough not to be resented by them, but you didn't even have the chance to give them face?
Could it be that Li Junxian wanted him to use Xiao Shiyun's banner to gain favors?
But I don't know this Empress Dowager Xiao, so what does Li Junxian mean?
But then again, it's incredible that Queen Mother Xiao has so much energy that even Baiqi Naren dare not enter!
Could it be that His Majesty Li Er really had an affair with this Empress Dowager Xiao? Otherwise, how could he be so caring?
This is too ridiculous!
The Queen Mother Xiao was at least sixty years old when she returned from the Eastern Turks, right?
Now he is in his seventies.
In ancient times, this was considered a long life.
I can’t understand why Li Er, an old woman like this, would like her!
You know, the eldest grandson Wugou is so beautiful that His Majesty Li Er has already stopped touching her when she is only in her thirties!
I really can’t imagine what charm Queen Mother Xiao has that could attract His Majesty Li Er!
Yang Fan's thoughts suddenly drifted away.
Seeing that Yang Fan was stunned and didn't speak, Li Junxian coughed dryly and asked: "Brother, do we still want to go in and search?"
After glaring at Li Junxian, Yang Fan said angrily: "We're already here, of course we have to go in and search. Who will take the blame once Cui Yongjian escapes?"
"Marquis Zhongyi is mighty!" everyone responded in unison.
But Yang Fan was a little depressed.
No wonder Li Junxian asked if he should report to His Majesty Li Er first when he was stationed at Baiqi.
I didn't know there was such a rule at first, so I didn't take it to heart.
Now that it is difficult to get off the tiger, it is of course impossible to go back and ask for orders from His Majesty Li Er.
Anyway, this is not the first time that I have disobeyed the Holy Order, and it seems that I have to act stupid again!
Although he was involved in this assassination case, since he heard Wu Meiniang's analysis and knew that His Majesty Li Er just wanted to kill chickens to scare monkeys, Yang Fan had no interest in continuing the investigation.
But this case must be investigated. In order to understand the matter as soon as possible, catching Cui Yongjian is the best way. As for the future, His Majesty Li Er can do whatever he wants, he doesn't care!
Thinking of this, Yang Fan waved his hand, and groups of hundreds of powerful soldiers with bright armor and swords followed Yang Fan into Tongfu Temple.
As soon as I entered the temple gate, I saw an old monk walking out with a group of novice monks.
The old monk was wearing a golden-red cassock, with clear and bright eyes, and a gray beard under his chin. He was tall but as thin as a bamboo pole. His cassock fluttered in the wind, giving him the appearance of an eminent monk.
The old monk was very impressive. He probably knew that the soldiers were wary. As soon as he came out, he waved to the novice monk to block the way of Yang Fan and others:
"Amitabha Buddha, a pure place of Buddhism, uncontaminated by the world's mundane things. The blood evil spirit of all the donors is too strong. Please fast for a few days before coming back!"
Li Junxian's face suddenly darkened, and he stared at the abbot with a very unkind expression.
Yang Fan knew that the commander of the Hundred Cavalry was actually very aggrieved.
Originally, His Majesty Li Er was already dissatisfied with him because he could not investigate the person in charge.
This time I just had some idea, but I was blocked by a small Buddhist temple. It's strange that I was in a good mood.
It is estimated that at this moment, Li Junxian is thinking about how to give this old monk a good beating.
Even if His Majesty Li Er removes him from the post of commander of a hundred cavalry, so what?
Obviously, the commander-in-chief was holding a fire in his heart.
However, Yang Fan couldn't let the commander-in-chief act recklessly. Once this guy was removed from his post, His Majesty Li Er might really let Yang Fan temporarily command Baiqi!
Yang Fan was not interested at all in the position of spy leader.
So he coughed, looked at the abbot and asked with a smile: "May I ask the master's name?"
The abbot was stunned for a moment and recited a Buddhist name: "I am Tokugawa, the abbot of Tongfu Temple. I wonder why Lord Marquis came here?"
Yang Fan said with a smile on his face: "It turns out to be Master Tokugawa. I heard that the Master is a master of Buddhism, so I took the liberty to come to visit you today. I hope you won't be surprised, Abbot."
The old monk didn't take Yang Fan's advice at all. Instead, he looked angry and scolded: "The soldiers of Marquis Zhongyi unsheathed their swords, cocked their arrows, and surrounded Tongfu Temple with murderous intent. Marquis Zhongyi said that he came to visit, which is a bit unreasonable.
?”
Seeing the old monk's stubbornness, Yang Fan was too lazy to give in and said straight to the point: "I have been ordered by Your Majesty to apprehend the assassin. There is intelligence that this person is in the temple. Please help me."
The old monk was still indifferent: "My Buddha is compassionate, and those who enter my temple are all people who are destined to my Buddha. Why do you say assassination?"
"What's more, His Majesty once had an imperial edict that soldiers are not allowed to enter the temple at will, so as to pollute the quiet place of Buddhism."
Yang Fan chuckled: "Your Majesty is doing this as a wise and generous king with a broad mind. However, Buddhist teachings emphasize that good and evil will be rewarded by cause and effect. If a person does something wrong, it cannot be solved just because he is in Buddhism."
"Moreover, to encourage people to be kind, to be indifferent to their nature, to be able to cultivate their mind and nature, and to live without fighting with the world, this is also the purpose of pursuing and studying Buddhism."
"If good and evil are not distinguished and cause and effect are unclear, wouldn't it violate the original intention of Buddhism?"
What Yang Fan said was very clear.
The reason why Your Majesty does not allow soldiers to enter Tongfu Temple at will is because of his magnanimity.
Buddhism emphasizes the retribution of good and evil, which I also appreciate and agree with.
Abbot, you are a smart man. You should understand that today I am arresting the assassin on the emperor's order because the assassin committed a crime.
If you dare to stop me, it will inevitably be inconsistent with your Buddhist teachings of cultivating the mind and cultivating one's nature and not fighting against the world.
Moreover, if a person does something wrong, he cannot escape disaster by living in Buddhism, because this goes against the Buddhist doctrine of cause and effect.
The old monk is in a dilemma now.
He didn't know if there were any so-called assassins in his temple.
If it is really discovered, it will be a serious blow to the reputation of Tongfu Temple.
More importantly, once this precedent is set, what will happen if others rush to imitate it in the future?
Since then, hasn’t Tongfu Temple lost its transcendent status?
However, if they are blocked, these arrogant and powerful generals in front of them will obviously not retreat despite the difficulties.
Especially this Zhongyihou, he will definitely not give up and will definitely break in and search.
If the assassin is really found, then Tongfukuji will be even more passive!
This Marquis Zhongyi is so annoying!
Although it is said that this guy has unparalleled poetic talent, he is not as gentle and elegant as any literati.
The words were very tactful, but they were aggressive and tough!
The old monk really couldn't imagine the serious consequences if he tried to stop him and this guy found an assassin in the temple.
He could only droop his eyelids like tree bark and said to Yang Fan: "It's okay to let Marquis Zhongyi go in to search. However, Donor Xiao is worshiping Buddha at this time. It's not appropriate to disturb her. Marquis Zhongyi, can you wait a moment?"
"However, if the assassin cannot be found, I will definitely impeach Marquis Zhongyi for his willful and reckless behavior to His Majesty the Emperor. I wonder if Marquis Zhongyi has thought about the consequences?"
Yang Fan didn't care about his threat at all, and smiled slightly and said: "Look at what you said, I didn't say that there must be assassins in Tongfu Temple!"
"Besides, this is just a routine search. I am also thinking about the reputation of Tongfu Temple."
"As a highly moral monk, Archmage, you don't want to be charged with harboring an assassin, do you?"
"Furthermore, I have believed in Buddhism since I was a child, so I naturally want to help Tongfu Temple get rid of the suspicion."
The old monk's eyes widened. How could this loyal and righteous Marquis be so shameless?
Do you believe in Buddhism? Believe in a ghost!
When the Sixteen Arhats were put up for auction, he was simply a greedy and hedonistic guy.
Every time I think about this, Master Tokugawa makes people angry to death.
No wonder people in Chang'an City call him Bang Chui?
Don't I have to thank you for letting your men run rampant and search the temple?
After saying that, Yang Fan ignored him and waved his hand back: "Hurry in and search! But be careful, don't disturb the Queen Mother Xiao's Qing Dynasty..."
promise!
When the soldiers of Baiqi heard the order, their expressions perked up.
Marquis Zhongyi is still awesome, there is nothing he can't accomplish as long as he takes action.
Tokugawa is even more depressed!
Didn't you already say that you have to wait for a while? This prince is simply not following common sense.
Looking at the menacing soldiers, Tokugawa did not dare to stop them.
Soon, Li Junxian and Qin Huaidao each led a team and rushed into Tongfu Temple.
The three of them formed a small team, each searching separately, looking after each other and relying on each other.
In this way, we can quickly search every corner and support each other in time in emergencies, which is the essence of the art of war.
Li Junxian was not good at plotting and obtaining intelligence, but he was still very good at leading troops.
Seeing that Yang Fan was such a rogue, Tokugawa was worried. He was afraid that these tough soldiers would demolish the entire temple because of their rough hands.
She was even more afraid that these people would disturb Empress Dowager Xiao. She was about to go in for surveillance, but was held back by Yang Fan!
"Master, you are knowledgeable in Buddhism and are praised by the world, but you don't know how to understand these Buddhist verses: 'Bodhi has no tree, and the mirror is not a stand; there is nothing in the first place, how can it attract dust?'"
In order to hold back this old guy, Yang Fan directly threw a big move.
This is one of the essences of Eastern Zen traditional culture, the core of which is enlightenment, which should not have been mentioned yet.
The word "enlightenment" contains many contents.
Enlightenment of Zen, Enlightenment of Buddha, Enlightenment of Buddhism, Enlightenment of Tao...all are enlightenment.
People "enlighten" it and understand the original way through reading scriptures, meditating, enlightening, and practicing.
Master Tokugawa just glanced at Yang Fan in surprise at first. He didn't expect that this lawless stick could actually understand Buddhist verses.
But as he thought deeply, these verses contained supreme Buddhist principles, which shocked him.
"Bodhi has no tree, and the mirror is not a stand. There is nothing in the first place, so how could it cause dust?" It expresses the highest state of practicing Buddhism and enlightenment.
It can be understood as a state of purity and inaction in which everything is empty.
Isn’t this the ultimate truth in Buddhism that all things (things) are empty?