Ever since the Tang Dynasty poet Zhang Jiju returned to his hometown and moored at Maple Bridge at night, he became famous for his popular poem "Moored at Maple Bridge at Night". The ancient temple of Mount Cold became famous all over the world. How could he not visit Mount Cold Temple when he came to Suzhou?
Suzhou's richest man, Wu Jiyuan, respectfully invited the Taoist master Zhang to his mansion to pray for the old master. It was also the first time that the Zhang siblings came to Jiangnan. They had long heard of the scenery of Taihu Lake and wanted to go to the lake to pick water caltrops and boating. They specially sent someone to Hangzhou to invite Yang Ling. The three chief eunuchs of Jiangnan were of high status and power. Since Yang Ling lived in the Mo mansion, Wu Jiyuan certainly would not leave Eunuch Mo of Jiangnan aside, so he invited Eunuch Mo and his wife to go together.
The official boat sailed along the ancient canal and happened to pass by Mount Cold Temple. The Taoist master Zhang siblings and Wu Jiyuan were waiting by Maple Bridge. Today, Yang Ling had changed into a light gown. If it were not for the group of foreigners carrying bows and knives beside him as his living signboard, with his appearance, people would inevitably think of him as an elegant gentleman.
Although he had long heard that the imperial envoy was very young, Wu Jiyuan still could not help showing a trace of surprise when he suddenly saw his appearance. The richest man in Suzhou was about fifty years old. Looking at his appearance, he looked gentle and elegant. Although the Wu family had been doing business for generations, they also had a large piece of land in the Suzhou and Hangzhou area. The children of the Wu family were also mostly famous, so they could be regarded as a wealthy and influential family in Jiangnan.
Today, the Taoist master Zhang was the host, and the guest was the imperial envoy, Mr. Yang. But speaking of familiarity, Mo Qinghe and Wu Jiyuan were more familiar with each other. Mo Qinghe introduced Yang Ling to Wu Jiyuan, and Wu Jiyuan introduced the Taoist master Zhang siblings to Mo Qinghe. The group of people talked and laughed as they walked into Mount Cold Temple.
Today, Mo Qinghe also changed into a casual dress. He was tall and had a dignified appearance. With this dress, you really could not see that he looked like a eunuch. Standing together with the charming and charming Madam Mo, they really had the feeling of a talented man and a beautiful woman.
When the abbot of Mount Cold Temple heard that the imperial envoy from the capital and the chief eunuch Eunuch Mo were going to visit the temple, he did not dare to neglect and went out early to greet them. The old monk was over eighty years old. His hair and beard were all white, his face was red, and his body was very strong.
He put on his scarlet kasaya and led the temple's elders, reception monks, and a dozen young acolytes to respectfully welcome Yang Ling and the others into the temple. Although this Cold Mountain Temple had a great reputation, it was actually a very small temple, so it would not take too much time to walk around. As soon as they entered the temple gate, they saw that the big copper tripod was burning a lot of incense, two finger-thick incense sticks were inserted into the tripod by the devotees. From afar they could smell the choking smell of smoke.
Although Mount Cold Temple had a great reputation, it was actually very small. It did not take much time to walk around. As soon as they entered the temple, they saw that the big copper tripod was full of incense. The two finger-thick incense sticks burned by the believers were inserted into the tripod. They could smell the choking smell of smoke from a distance.
The temple did not turn away the other pilgrims because of the imperial envoy's visit. However, the foreigners rushed into the temple first and stood around. Anyone who saw the momentum knew that a big shot had come. The old abbot, who rarely saw guests, personally accompanied and explained, so the believers had already tactfully avoided to the side. Celestial Master Zhang was the Taoist Supreme Master. When he came to this Buddhist holy land, he also felt that his identity was a little awkward. As for Mo Qinghe and Wu Jiyuan, they were used to traveling. Although the old abbot was very attentive, everyone was not very interested in traveling.
With this, the small temple became even faster. In less than an hour, Yang Ling had arrived at the back of the temple. He circled around the statue of the Buddha in the pavilion in front and saw two monks kneeling on a praying mat with their palms clasped together. Yang Ling initially thought that the monks were meditating and doing their homework, so he quickly stopped in his tracks. However, he was curious as to why they were kneeling behind the statue of the Buddha.
The old abbot thought that the imperial envoy would not come to the back courtyard so soon, so he did not tell the monks in the back courtyard to leave. Seeing that they had affected the envoy's interest, he quickly waved his hand to signal the reception monk to drive the two grey-clothed monks away.
Yang Ling saw that the two monks' robes were different from those of the monks in the temple. The two of them also carried a bamboo hat on their shoulders. They seemed to have come from afar. Looking at them, he felt that they were a bit strange and familiar. He frowned and thought for a moment. He suddenly remembered that the monks in Japanese comics were dressed like this. He could not help asking, "Abbot Master, are these two monks from your temple?"
The abbot respectfully said, "Imperial envoy, these two monks came from Shide Temple in Japan. They came to our temple to pay their respects and ask for Buddhist scriptures, statues, and other things."
Wu Jiyuan smiled and said, "Sir, during the Zhenguan period of the Tang Dynasty, there were two eminent monks in this temple. Their names were Han Shan and Shi De. Later, the monk Shi De went east to Japan and built a 'Shi De Temple' to preach and teach scriptures. He was very respected by the local people. Therefore, if Japanese monks and believers come to the East, most of them will come to Mount Cold Temple to pay their respects. "
"Oh?" Yang Ling saw that the abbot of Mount Cold Temple and Wu Jiyuan were talking about Japan with calm expressions, without the slightest trace of resentment. At first he was somewhat astonished, but then he remembered that Japan had not yet committed any heinous crimes against China. Although the Wokou pirates along the coast had done many evil deeds, those pirates were still considered outlaws in Japan. Moreover, there were many Chinese pirates among them, so the common people did not vent their anger on the Japanese. He could not help but smile in relief.
He walked toward the two Japanese monks who were about to leave the hall. He first took a glance at the place where the two monks were paying their respects. He saw a shallow portrait on the wall. The portrait looked very old. It was the portrait of two charmingly naive and even somewhat comical monks. The abbot came forward and said with a laugh, "Sir, these are the portraits of the two eminent monks, Han Shan and Shi De."
Yang Ling nodded. He saw two lines of characters on the left side of the portrait. These two lines of dialogue were indeed very famous. He had heard about them before, but he did not know the source. Now that he saw them, he knew that they were from Han Shan and Shi De.
Without thinking, he recited, "The people of the world slander me, deceive me, humiliate me, laugh at me, belittle me, despise me, hate me, cheat me; how can I deal with them?"
Immediately someone beside him answered, "Just endure them, let them, let them, avoid them, endure them, respect them, ignore them. Wait a few more years and you will see them."
Yang Ling turned his head in astonishment and saw it was one of the two young Japanese monks, who was answering him with clasped palms. Yang Ling could not help laughing and said, "This monk, you remember it very well."
Hearing his praise, the Japanese monk could not restrain his face from showing a happy expression. "Thank you very much for Sir's praise," he said, "Poor monk Yuan Ren, a monk of Japan's Shi De Temple. Poor monk still remembers Han Shan Dashi once asked, 'What else can I hide from?' Shi De replied, 'Maitreya Bodhisattva once said,' If someone scolds the Old Zhuo, the Old Zhuo will only say good; if someone beats the Old Zhuo, the Old Zhuo will fall asleep. Saliva on the face, let it dry on its own. I can also save energy, he also won't have to worry … "
That gatha had more than three hundred characters. This monk remembered it clearly and recited it one by one in cadence. After the Abbot heard it, he clasped his palms together happily and said, "Excellent, excellent."
Yuan Ren smiled slightly. With a reserved expression, he clasped his palms together toward the Abbot. It was obvious that he was somewhat pleased. Wu Jiyuan chuckled at the side and said, "Master Shi De went to the east to preach his teachings. Sure enough, he has many followers. His merit is really boundless."
Yang Ling looked at this monk who was reciting the gatha of a senior monk with a proud expression on his face. He thought of the future generations when their entire country turned into bandits and came to the central plains to burn, kill and loot. He could not help but smile indifferently and said, "Master Shi De's words indeed contain profound Buddhist principles. Master's memory is indeed very proficient. Then let me ask you, can you recite it … can you do it?"
Yuan Ren was startled. After thinking for a while, he replied solemnly, "I can't do it."
Yang Ling asked again, "Then … your esteemed country has a country that believes in Buddhism. How many people can do it?"
Yuan Ren was silent for a while. His forehead was dripping with sweat but he could not say a word. Yang Ling smiled and said, "Even if one can recite the Buddhist scriptures backwards, that Buddha is just hanging on the lips. You just said … to comprehend the true logic, the sun and moon are neighbors. Is this how you comprehend the true logic?"
The monk Yuan Ren was silent for a moment. He gave a deep ninety degree bow and said calmly, "Sir's words are like a blow to the head. This poor monk has learned something. Thank you very much for your guidance."
Yang Ling smiled and said, "I dare not. To say it casually, it is you who comprehend it. The last sentence of Master Shi De's gatha really has some Buddhist meaning. 'To comprehend the true logic, the sun and moon are neighbors'. Hehe, the sun and moon are also bright. If your esteemed country can really be kind to others, then wouldn't the brightness of the sun and moon — My Ming Destiny's court be your good neighbor and good companion? "
Upon hearing this, the monk Yuan Ren raised his head and looked at him. He said with some alertness, "What Sir is saying … is it because your esteemed country is plagued by pirates, so you are venting your anger on the people of my country?"
Yang Ling smiled and said, "Do you dare to deny that among those 'pirates', there are no nobles who are blinded by greed who sent troops to pretend to be pirates to commit evil?"
These matters were already public secrets. Many people in Ming Destiny's court knew about it, not to mention Yuan Ren who came from Japan. Yuan Ren's face turned red when he heard this. He did not dare to refute. He thought for a while and said, "But … has your esteemed country ever expressed goodwill? My country wants to get along well with your esteemed country and exchange what we need. But your esteemed country unreasonably demands that my country must meet you with the courtesy of a subject.
If we follow the courtesy of a subject, your esteemed country does not hesitate to reward us. My country's people want to trade equally, but your esteemed country does not allow it. Just for this Buddhist scripture, my country's monks often have to cross the ocean to bring some back with them. After much effort, we are still unable to satisfy the needs of our believers. But we are willing to pay a large sum of money to buy it. But your esteemed country is inconvenient because my country is not willing to treat us with the courtesy of a subject. If not for your esteemed country being so harsh, we … we … "
When he said this, his face turned red. It was obvious that he also felt that it was shameless to snatch someone who was not willing to do business with him. This reason was too unreasonable.
Yang Ling naturally knew these reasons. When he read history in the past, he found that the ancient people of China were really 'stupid'. They would rather have fame than profit. If another country was willing to consider themselves as a subject, even if they sent a basket of grass, they would be willing to give ten times the amount of gold to express the generosity of the Celestial Empire. But if the other party was not willing to consider themselves as a subject, even if it was a transaction that was beneficial to themselves, they would never trade with the other party as a punishment.
He saw that although this monk Yuan Ren spoke indignantly, his face was full of shame. Obviously, he was ashamed of the behavior of his countrymen. He unconsciously had a good impression of him. He smiled and said: "What you said, I also know some of it. I will report these things to the emperor and ask the emperor to allow us to open the trade port and strengthen exchanges between us. But … those pirates of your esteemed country, no matter what the reason is, as long as they come, we will give them a good beating. "
After Yang Ling finished speaking, he took a deep look at the monk Yuan Ren, who seemed to be deep in thought. Then, he slowly walked back with the Taoist master Zhang, Mo Qinghe, and others. Yang Ling saw Wu Jiyuan's thoughtful look. He couldn't help but ask: "Is Mr. Wu still thinking about what the monk Yuan Ren said just now?"
Wu Jiyuan was taken aback. He quickly cupped his hands and said: "Ah! Yes … no … this commoner … "
Yang Ling said with a smile: "Mr. Wu doesn't need to panic. You are the richest man in Suzhou. Your family has land, weavers, and shops. You must know more about these things. This official came to Jiangnan this time to investigate taxes. Not only is the tax inspector honest and clean, but I also want to understand the source of taxes and the method to increase taxes. Mister just speak frankly, this official will never blame you."
Wu Jiyuan glanced at the Taoist master Zhang. Seeing him nod in encouragement, he plucked up his courage and said: "Daren, in this commoner's opinion, in fact … if the imperial court is willing to open a trade port with Japan, not only will it be beneficial to the people, but the imperial court's taxes will also be greatly increased.
There are many things in short supply in Japan, such as raw silk, cotton cloth, silk, mercury, and even needles, iron chains, iron pots, porcelain, lacquer ware, felt blankets, medicinal herbs, seasonings, and so on. Especially the Confucian and Buddhist scriptures, which are in high demand. If we sell them, we can earn ten times the profit. "
Although Yang Ling knew that trade would be profitable, he did not expect that these inconspicuous things could be so profitable in Japan. If these daily necessities were sold in large quantities to Japan, wouldn't Japan's silver flow to Ming Destiny like water? Yang Ling did not forget the Japanese cars and Japanese electrical appliances that flooded the China market in the future. It turned out that in history, there were also times when they crazily pursued Chinese goods. How could he miss this opportunity?
Yang Ling was half surprised and half excited: "Is there such a big profit? Mr. Wu, please elaborate. "
Wu Jiyuan saw that he was beaming with joy and became more courageous. He thought for a moment and said: "Daren, please don't think that this commoner is talking nonsense. This commoner will give an example. Our silkworm farmers, silk farmers, and weavers have to work for a year from raising silkworms to spinning silk. In the end, they can only sell raw silk for five or six taels of silver per catty. After deducting the capital and taxes, they can barely make ends meet.
But if we transport raw silk to Japan, we can sell it for five or six taels of silver. It's a difference of ten times! Here, even a needle can be sold for seven cents of silver in their place. That's a small capital, but it's a huge profit. Of course, they also have good things that we need, such as copper, sulfur, wood, and so on. We buy them and process them, then sell them back to them. It's another profit. "
Wu Jiyuan was after all a businessman. As he spoke, his timidity disappeared and he unconsciously beamed with joy. No matter how he listened to Yang Ling, it sounded like a copy of the economic situation between China and Japan in the future. It was just that the supply and demand side was reversed. He could not help but laugh and said: "The Japanese are not stupid. Those daimyo and generals are so eager to do business with us. Is it because the people need it that they are so concerned?"
Wu Jiyuan laughed and said: "That's natural. Their screens, fans, boxes, and inkstone boxes are exquisite. The rich people here are also willing to pay a high price to buy them. If we trade with each other, the imperial court may import a large number of knives from them. The quality of Japanese knives is far better than ours. If we sell them, we can get at least three times the profit. "
Listening to him, Yang Ling nodded his head silently. As he walked out of Cold Mountain Temple's gate, he suddenly stopped and said to Wu Jiyuan in a serious tone: "Mr. Wu, please write down everything you know in detail, the more detailed the better. When I return to the capital, I want to report these things to His Majesty!"
Wu Jiyuan stared at him with wide eyes. It was a long time before he said excitedly: "Daren … is what Daren said true? Are you willing to speak to His Majesty about this business of peddling merchants? "
Yang Ling shook his head and said in a deep voice: "This is not a matter of peddling merchants, this is a matter of national importance!"
Hearing this, Wu Jiyuan's eyes flashed. He bowed deeply to Yang Ling and said solemnly: "With Daren's words, I will tell you everything I know. This commoner will write down everything I know in detail and deliver it to Daren as soon as possible."
Yang Ling nodded his head. He had secretly decided that when he returned to the capital, he must report this matter to Zhengde and persuade him to open a business exchange. He also knew that those officials who stuck to the old ways, who believed that the Celestial Empire could be self-sufficient and that trading with foreigners as equals was a loss of face for the Celestial Empire, would definitely step forward to intervene. However, he also understood the importance and timeliness of this matter. This matter must be done. As long as it was done well, the imperial court and the common people could taste the sweetness, this mouth would be opened wider and wider, and no one would be able to stop it.
Wu Jiyuan straightened up and said with a smile: "This commoner's words have made Daren talk about official matters again. Today, Daren is here to relax. We will talk about this matter later. This commoner knows that Daren is coming, and the first stop must be this Mount Han temple. There is a Mount Han vegetarian restaurant nearby with a unique flavor. This commoner has already booked a banquet. Daren, please go and have a taste first. Later, we will tour the autumn scenery of Taihu Lake together. "
Mo Qinghe was startled: "Daren is touring Suzhou in a private capacity today, so I did not inform the Suzhou magistrate. However, I have already informed Li Daxiang to hold a banquet for Daren at the Lion House. Daren, what do you think …"
Yang Ling thought for a moment and said: "Forget it. It will waste some time to go back and forth to the city. Besides, it is inconvenient to announce this large group of people. After going to Taihu Lake, we will stay for the night. We still have to rush back to Hangzhou. Don't bother him."
Yang Ling was in a hurry to go back and forth. In fact, he wanted to go to Haining to meet Min Wenjian on the way back. However, if he told Mo Qinghe in advance, he would definitely inform the Haining government office. The arrival of the imperial envoy and the preparation was bound to cause chaos in Haining.
Yang Ling already had a headache about the feeling of being surrounded by a large group of people without any freedom. He did not want to go to Haining and see that the people there were still on guard as if they were facing a formidable enemy, so he did not tell Mo Qinghe. When Mo Qinghe heard that he was in a hurry to return to Hangzhou, if he stopped him, it would seem that he was afraid that he would be investigated in Hangzhou, so he did not say anything more.
The Mount Han vegetarian restaurant faced Maple Bridge to the west, the Mount Han temple to the south, and the Fengjin River to the north. Drinking by the railing, climbing the stairs and looking into the distance, one could see the beauty of Gusu. The vegetarian dishes made here, such as Buddha's hand bamboo shoots, virtuous golden thighs, Luohan vegetarian dishes, eight treasures mixed together, emerald balls, stir-fried crab meat and other vegetarian dishes, were carefully selected. The taste was good enough to pass off as genuine.
The place was not far away. The group of people did not take a sedan chair. They walked there, talking and laughing. Wu Jiyuan led everyone to the Mount Han Vegetarian Restaurant. Just as he was about to go inside with a smile, Steward Liao, who had been waiting there, rushed over in a flustered and exasperated manner and said, "Master, something went wrong. This lowly one booked this restaurant and waited for the imperial envoy's arrival, but who would have thought that Master Li Gui would come back from fishing by the river and insist on having a taste of the food here. This lowly one has already explained to him that this place has been booked by Master, but he still won't listen …"
Hearing this, Wu Jiyuan was startled. He hadn't expected to run into his nemesis Li Gui here, but … this Steward Liao really didn't know how to handle matters. As long as he said that he had invited the imperial envoy and Celestial Teacher Zhang, even if Li Gui had the guts, would he dare cause trouble here?
Wu Jiyuan glared angrily at Caretaker Liao and was about to reprimand him when he suddenly noticed that Caretaker Liao kept glancing at Yang Ling while talking to him. Wu Jiyuan suddenly understood what Caretaker Liao was trying to do. He laughed in his heart and immediately put on a troubled expression. "This … Has the restaurant been booked by Li Gui? This is a bit difficult. "
The Wu family had lived here for more than 160 years. Sixty years ago, they had become the wealthiest family in Suzhou. And this Li Gui was a nouveau riche who had suddenly sprung up in recent years. He was a nouveau riche who used money to make exorbitant profits.
No one knew this Li Gui's background. They only knew that when he came, he seemed to have a strong capital. Every time there was a natural disaster, especially after the Wokou pirates plundered, he would sell large amounts of grain to the farmers on credit. Once he released the money with interest, how many farmers could pay it back?
The farmers who used to drink poison to quench their thirst had no way out. They could only use their land to pay off their debts. They went bankrupt and became his tenants. Some became jobless and were employed by papermaking, silk weaving, and other handicrafts. Those who were too old and weak to survive became beggars and wandered everywhere.
Relying on this method, in a few short years, Li Gui bought a large amount of land in Suzhou and Hangzhou. Today, he was the largest landlord in Suzhou and Hangzhou. He had thousands of servants. He lived in tall houses and big mansions. When he went out, he wore fresh clothes and rode horses. His power and influence were already above that of the Wu family.
His actions were naturally despised by the local gentry in Suzhou. In addition, the local people also had a xenophobic mentality. These gentry reported Li Gui's evil deeds to the government. But they didn't know what Li Gui's background was. When the prefectural yamen received the report, they turned a deaf ear to it.
For a rich family with a huge network of connections like the Wu family, they reported the matter to the administrative commissioner and the inspector's yamen. Unexpectedly, there was no follow-up. Only then did the large families know that Li Gui's backer must be very powerful. They couldn't pull him down and were afraid of his revenge. They could only order the people in their mansions to have less contact with this evil person.
Li Gui was domineering in Suzhou. The Wu family was a large family. How could they completely avoid him? So the servants and stewards in the family suffered a lot from him. Recently, Li Gui had begun to have ideas about the Wu family's business. The relationship between the two families was like fire and water. Steward Liao deliberately didn't say that the imperial envoy was coming to eat. He wanted to borrow Yang Ling's hand to vent his anger.
Mo Qinghe listened to this matter from the side. His face suddenly twitched. He angrily stepped forward and said, "Li Gui? Is it that country gentleman who can't be seen in public? Hmph! Usually he relies on his money to be domineering. This time he actually puts on airs in front of the imperial envoy. "
Yang Ling suspiciously asked Wu Jiyuan, "Who is this Li Gui?"
Although steward Liao's status was low, he came on the same boat as Yang Ling. He was more familiar with him than his master. He rushed forward a few steps and added oil and vinegar to describe Li Gui's character. Yang Ling listened and frowned again and again.
Mo Qinghe laughed and said, "Among the rich people in Suzhou, this Li Gui is the most unkind. Although he has never done anything against reason and nature, his face of a nouveau riche is annoying. Today, he dared to offend the daren. I took the opportunity to teach him a lesson and make him behave."
Although Yang Ling felt that Li Gui was annoying, he didn't do any blatant evil deeds. It wasn't against the law to release money. If he was severely punished just because he offended Yang Ling, the imperial censors would definitely report him. So, Yang Ling didn't want to do anything. However, after listening to Mo Qinghe's words, Yang Ling knew that he wouldn't go too far, so he smiled and didn't say anything.
Mo Qinghe saw that he agreed and turned to the steward and said, "Old Li, give me a good beating to that ignorant thing. Tell him to restrain himself in the future. You take him away. Don't spoil the daren's appetite."
Steward Li responded with a grin. He waved his hand and led a few people to the door. Just as they walked to the door, the door was opened. A man in his thirties with a dark and chubby face, with his hands behind his back, rolled his eyes and said proudly, "Who did Master Wu invite for a vegetarian meal? I'm really sorry, but I have booked this restaurant today. "
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
