No, gentlemen also guard against

Chapter 848: The Lord Leaves, the Buddha Comes, the Hundred and Eight Bells Ring

He stuffed two boxes of ink sticks and a bottle of ink essence into his sleeve.

Ouyang Rong took Dongmei, who had been fed by Shisan Niang, and walked through the downtown alone, ignoring Miaosi.

During this time, he glanced at the sun and estimated the time.

He planned to reach Xunyang Ferry before the curfew in Xunyang City.

Because before the farewell last night, Hu Zhongshi and his entourage were originally planning to board a boat at Xunyang Ferry, but later they temporarily changed the ferry and arrived at Shuangfengjian.

Therefore, the boat that Ouyang Rong originally planned to take to Longcheng Tanlang Ferry in a low-key manner also stopped at Xunyang Ferry.

However, Ouyang Rong was not as anxious as they were.

Slowly walking out of the market, he led his horse along the official road on the outskirts of the city.

The sun sets in the west and the sky darkens.

Looking back, the golden water of the Xunyang River in the distance dimmed, and from Ouyang Rong's perspective, he could only vaguely see a black shadow of the Buddha's head sinking into the river.

While Ouyang Rong was lost in thought, a group of travelers came towards him on the official road ahead.

Most of them wore bamboo hats, and those who did not had bald heads with incense scars from taking the precepts on their heads. They wore the same grey monk robes, and all of them had ordination certificate bags hanging from their waists, and held wooden staffs for traveling.

His appearance doesn't resemble that of people from the south of the Yangtze River, but more like that of northerners.

Ouyang Rong raised his head, looked at the dusty group of monks coming towards him, pulled the reins, and tried to get out of the main road.

This group of monks stopped at the fork in the road ahead. Leading them was a thin middle-aged monk who unfolded a map in his hand and was studying it carefully in the afterglow of the setting sun, occasionally looking around.

Hesitating in place.

The companion next to him came over curiously, as if to urge him to ask for directions. The thin monk looked serious and gestured for silence, but his eyes were also confused.

Xunyang is a transportation hub in the southwest of Jiangnan Road. It has a prosperous business and a large ferry traffic. There are countless foreign travelers passing by Xunyang every day. Some of them are dressed in strange clothes, but Ouyang Rong does not find it strange.

He led his horse past the monks not far away. After walking a few steps, a polite voice suddenly came from behind:

"Amitabha, donor, please stay, please stay."

Ouyang Rong paused slightly.

The thin monk in the lead had already put away the map, walked forward, raised one hand, and saluted him:
"Donor, can you lend me a hand..."

It is the accent north of Guanlong.

Ouyang Rong pretended to reach into his bosom to feel around, then pulled his hand out empty-handed and shook his head:
"I'm sorry, Master. My family is poor."

The thin monk and his companions were stunned for a moment, looked at each other, and smiled bitterly.

The thin monk took out three copper coins from his sleeve and handed them to him:

"You have misunderstood, that is not what I meant. I just wanted to ask for directions. Can you buy me a bowl of wine to quench my thirst?"

Ouyang Rong nodded:

"Well, I cannot refuse the elder's gift."

A group of monks: ...

He put away the three copper coins with a clear conscience, and under the speechless looks of the younger gray-robed monk and others, he casually asked:
"Where are the masters going?"

The thin monk remained calm and asked kindly:
"Does the donor know how to get to Xunyang Grottoes?"

This time, it was Ouyang Rong's turn to be stunned.

He asked directly:

"Why are you looking for Xunyang Grottoes?"

The thin monk smiled when he saw this, but then suppressed his smile:
"It seems that the donor knows, that's good. It's like this. I and my fellow apprentices are from Longyou, Jingzhou Dayun Temple, and we have traveled through mountains and rivers to get here.

"I heard that Jiangzhou Governor Ouyang Lianghan built a rare large grotto on the riverside of Xunyang City. In addition to the Donglin Giant Buddha, there are hundreds of vacant grottoes. I came here because of his reputation..."

He spoke slowly. A gray-robed monk in the back interrupted him with a blunt statement:

"Are you a local? Your Xunyang City is indeed a place of beauty in the world, with many bends and turns, it is a good place. For a hundred years, our temple has been wanting to spread Buddhism to the south and transfer the relics here."

The thin monk turned around and glared at the gray-robed monk. The latter stopped talking, and then he spoke seriously:
"The abbot of my temple has heard about the Xunyang Grottoes for a long time, so he specially ordered me and my fellow disciples to come and inspect the grottoes. We are going to discuss with the local government whether we can borrow an empty grotto to facilitate our temple to store the stone sarira casket and spread Buddhism in the south..."

Ouyang Rong fell silent as he listened.

The thin monk asked:
"Donor, do you know how to get to this cave?"

The gray-robed monk in the back muttered: "Why are you so silent? You can't say a word."

Ouyang Rong was not annoyed. He remained silent for a moment, turned around, and pointed to the road he had come from:

"This way."

Everyone looked over.

In the direction he pointed, the dark river water was tirelessly washing a certain Buddha head, but it was too dark to be seen with the naked eye.

The monks finally found the way and were very happy. The thin monk in the lead bowed to Ouyang Rong and suddenly asked:

"Thank you very much, benefactor...By the way, have you ever met Jiangzhou Governor Ouyang Lianghan?"

Ouyang Rong asked, "What's wrong with this man?"

"It's nothing. I'm just a little curious about this southern gentleman. People say he is upright and honest. The headmaster of our temple heard about his deeds and said he has the appearance of a Buddha and can promote the spread of northern Buddhism to the south. His merits are immeasurable... If I can meet him, it will be worth the trip."

Ouyang Rong shook his head and said seriously:
"Whatever Buddha or Taoist appearance is, it is all human appearance, and all that is seen is vulgar."

The gray-robed novice monk who loved to grumble suddenly became unhappy and said in a dissatisfied tone:
"This is not an ordinary person. If you knew what he did, you wouldn't say such arrogant words. You look like a scholar because you are wearing a scholar's robe. If you knew that he still said this, then you are really an arrogant person."

Ouyang Rong still shook his head gently:
"I'm not a madman, I'm just an ordinary person."

"Okay, Yikong, don't be rude."

The thin monk stopped his companion and smiled apologetically.

But they did not get along well and did not ask his name. They passed by this "crazy and vulgar man" and went away, heading towards the longed place as if they were seeking Buddhist scriptures.

Ouyang Rong stayed where he was, watching them disappear.

Afterwards, he stood in silence for a long time.

The line of sight seems to remain on the Xunyang Grottoes on the north bank.

But it was not clear. The dark, Buddha-less caves on the north bank had been overshadowed by the lights of the Shuangfengjian ferry on the south bank.

At this moment, Ouyang Rong's mind unconsciously recalled the first Master Shandao who came to ask for the empty cave.

"Immeasurable merits? It has indeed increased too much... Master, Master, you are right. Although the big Buddha is destroyed, there is a Buddha inside..."

At this moment, the sky had completely darkened. There were bright lights in Xunyang City and Shuangfengjian Ferry at both ends of the official road, but the official road was pitch dark and the specific faces of the passers-by could not be seen clearly.

The young man in scholar's robe came back to his senses and seemed to smile.

He raised his hand to adjust the white hairpin on his head, smiled as he led the horse, turned his back to the Xunyang Grottoes, where "the image of Buddha was destroyed", and slowly walked away.

There were thousands of lights in front of him, which became light in his eyes.

……

The morning bell of Donglin Temple still rings 108 times.

The evening bell is the same.

One hundred and eight days and nights.

After a new rain today, the air in the mountains and fields is fresh and clear.

The morning bell echoed in the mountains and forests, the green leaves swayed, the whole forest was in motion, and the eaves of the temple hidden among the lush green leaves were faintly visible.

"Your Excellency has come from afar, and I am ashamed for not welcoming you."

"It doesn't matter."

Inside the temple, on the corridor, Ouyang Rong and Master Shandao were walking slowly and chatting, one in front and one behind.

"I was planning to go to Xunyang in two days to take a look at the main grotto and ask Master Ming when he would come for recuperation. I didn't expect Master Ming to come so soon, and this time he was alone... Would Master Ming like to go in and ask for a stick of incense?"

Master Shandao stopped in front of the main hall, smiled and spread his hands to signal.

Ouyang Rong glanced at him, stepped into the hall first, took three incense sticks, lit them, and bowed.

Just then the morning bell outside ended, and the last bell echoed in the hall.

Ouyang Rong was very focused as he inserted the three incense sticks into the ashes one by one.

The voice of Master Shandao came from behind:
"Does the lord know why the bell sounds 108 times day and night?"

"I don't know, please ask the master."

Master Shandao sang:
"The Great Wisdom Treatise, Volume 7, says that each of the six senses has six kinds of afflictions, and multiplying this by three lifetimes makes it the 'hundred and eight afflictions'...There are one hundred and eight kinds of afflictions in human beings, and the ringing of the morning bell one hundred and eight times is to alert people and help them get rid of the one hundred and eight kinds of afflictions."

He gestured to the rosary in his hand and smiled:

"The best quality rosary for chanting Buddha's name is one with 108 beads. Chanting day and night is also a warning to oneself to break through."

Ouyang Rong clasped his fists:
"Been taught a lesson."

Master Shandao asked:
"Does Mr. Ming have anything to say to me?"

Ouyang Rong glanced at the old monk:

"Master, why do you say that?" Master Shandao was wearing a purple gold cassock, holding top-grade Buddhist beads, standing with a smile on his face, looking like a great monk.

He did not answer and changed the subject:
"Mingfu sent someone to deliver a message in advance, saying that no vegetarian temple will be prepared. Do you want to live in Sanhui Temple with Aqing's family?"

"Ah."

"Mingfu, you climbed the mountain at dawn, right? After entering the temple, did you go to Sanhuiyuan?"

"I've gone. I've left my luggage in the yard."

Master Shandao stroked his beard slowly and said with emotion:

"Donor Ah Qing will definitely be happy to see Master Ming."

"Ah Qing is not here. I heard from Yunniang that she went to Meilu Garden to clean up yesterday and spent the night at the foot of the mountain."

"It's okay. You will be able to see the donor Ah Qing in the evening. Every time she comes back, she will bring some snacks from the mountain to Xiu Fa and the others. Sometimes she will even help the old monks in the temple to mend their robes... She is really kind and virtuous."

Ouyang Rong walked out of the hall quietly, and Master Shandao followed slowly, telling him some stories about Ah Qing's family, such as how Liu's mother recovered from her illness.

Ouyang Rong listened silently. At some point, he suddenly turned around:
"I want to go to the Pure Land Palace to have a look."

Master Shandao nodded immediately:

"Please follow me."

When passing by Ouyang Rong, the old monk looked down at the cake box in his hand and sighed:
"Amitabha, Xiuzhen has been in the underground palace for many years, and many of the brothers and sisters in the temple have forgotten him. It is rare that Master Ming has this kind of heart and still remembers him."

Ouyang Rong looked at the old monk's back and did not reply.

The two of them came all the way to the Beitian Nursing Home.

The orphanage was a benevolent policy led by Ouyang Rong. After he left office, it was still strictly implemented by County Magistrate Diao to adopt the poor, disabled, elderly and children.

Ouyang Rong followed Master Shandao through the yard in silence and came to the dry well in the backyard.

Three years have passed.

There isn't much change in the backyard, except that it's a little greener.

The mouth of the well is still surrounded by high stone railings. Ever since the young county magistrate and three or two patients fell into the well late at night that day, Donglin Temple has strengthened its protection.

The two stopped in front of the well. Just as they put down the ladder, Ouyang Rong turned back to stop Master Shandao from going down:
"Master, go ahead and do your work. Just leave a ladder. I'll go down and take a look around by myself."

"it is good."

Master Shandao seemed to want to say something but stopped himself.

"Master, what else do you want?"

"Mingfu, you are welcome at the Lantern Festival..."

Ouyang Rong changed his tone at this moment:
"I won't go, Master. Please don't spread the word that I'm recuperating in Donglin Temple."

Master Shandao looked at the young man's calm face and nodded calmly:

"I understand. You came here alone because you really like quietness... I will ask the monks to stay away from Sanhuiyuan and take a detour during the morning classes so as not to disturb you. You should have a good rest. If you have any instructions, please notify Xiufa or me."

Ouyang Rong suddenly said:

"Prepare a set of ordinary monk's clothes, old or new, or the clothes of the pilgrims and long-term workers in the temple will also be fine. Prepare them today and send them to Sanhuiyuan."

Master Shandao looked at the young governor with some surprise.

His eyes fell on his blue scholar's robe that had been washed so much that it looked pale.

Master Shandao nodded slowly:

"I understand. Since the Ming Mansion is in retreat and wants to keep things simple, I have a suggestion."

"What."

"Ring the bell 108 times a day, once in the morning and once in the evening, to dispel worries and enlighten the mind."

Ouyang Rong lowered his eyes, and after a moment, he nodded.

Master Shandao left leisurely.

Ouyang Rong went down to the underground palace.

He came to the dull monk who stood up and advised him not to go to the hell above, sat on the ground and opened the food box.

He put out a few plates of cakes and spread out his hands to signal.

"It's not wedding candy, I don't know if you'll just eat it. I'll definitely do it next time."

Xiuzhen sat down happily and ate with relish.

Ouyang Rong supported his chin and was lost in thought for a long time.

After a while, he stood up, walked to the north stone wall, and touched the murals on the wall.

He thrust his arm into the wall without any obstruction.

Next came his body, which walked directly into the painted wall in front of Soo-jin who was concentrating on eating.

Golden light surrounded his entire body.

But soon, he walked out of the wall again and shook his head slightly.

There is no Yunmeng Lake behind the mural.

After searching to no avail, he gave up and left.

It took about three breaths from passing through the wall to returning, and the golden sword energy dissipated.

This golden sword energy is one of Emperor Wen's changeable Dingjian magical powers, and it is of a defensive nature.

Ouyang Rong discovered that with the help of the golden light, not only could his entire body become invisible, but also parts of his body could become invisible. Even objects he touched, such as clothes, could carry the sword energy.

Ouyang Rong is still a little unfamiliar with the use of it and is still exploring it.

Ouyang Rong turned around and looked back at the empty underground palace.

I don’t know what I’m thinking about.

Xiuzhen was still concentrating on eating pastries.

Ouyang Rong closed his eyes and entered the Tower of Merit.

He glanced at the blue-gold font above the little wooden fish.

【Merit: 3,218】

Since that day when I said goodbye to the traveling monk who asked for directions, my merits and virtues surprisingly increased a lot.

But this time, Ouyang Rong finally understood the source of the recent surge in merit.

It was the Xunyang Grottoes presided over by Pei Shisan Niang... He couldn't help but think of the beautiful woman who was hesitant to speak when he reported it at the beginning. It turned out that what she wanted to say at that time was that the Xunyang Grottoes were in great demand.

Ouyang Rong stayed in the underground palace for the entire day and did not leave until the evening.

A lone figure travels westward, goes up to the bell tower alone, and strikes the bell 108 times, one after another.

Then, in the afterglow of the setting sun, he turned around and went downstairs.

He returned to Sanhui Temple alone.

From afar, there was a light on in Sanhui Courtyard, waiting patiently, and the aroma of food wafted from the courtyard.

Bedridden old women and young women were waiting at the door.

Ouyang Rong saw a pretty girl sitting on the doorstep, with her chin on her hands, looking eagerly. When she saw him enter the yard, she jumped up and ran towards him.

"Brother!"

It’s Ah Qing.

Long time no see.

Ouyang Rong didn't know how to start.

Seeing the clear girl rushing towards him, he subconsciously opened his arms.

Ah Qing came in front of him, but then braked and stopped, just looking up at him, then stood on tiptoe and jumped lightly, comparing Ouyang Rong's height with hers.

Ah Qing smiled brightly: "Brother, I'm not taller, I'm just thinner."

Ouyang Rong touched her head helplessly:

"Ah Qing has grown taller. It's true that girls change a lot when they grow up."

"You've lost weight, so the clothes have to be made a size smaller. Forget it, I'll measure you tonight."

Ah Qing grabbed Ouyang Rong's sleeves with both hands and pulled him into the main house.

What comes into view is a table full of hot home-cooked meals.

Liu's mother and Yunniang sat down aside and asked about her well-being.

Ah Qing smiled happily, ran to get the food and stuffed it into his hands.

Ouyang Rong held the bowl in one hand, sat down slowly, listened to the laughter of the three people, and ate his meal in silence.

Just like three years ago.

(End of this chapter)