Datang First Chef

Zhongheiyang felt wronged and went to find Mo Wenyuan. He never expected that he would see a frenzied scene. He saw Mo Wenyuan sitting in front of a low table with a handsome monk. Steamed cakes, steamed buns and luxurious vegetarian dishes almost covered all the offerings he made to the Bodhisattva, and there were some new dishes that Zhongheiyang had never seen before.

Even when it was his birthday, there was no such grand pomp!

He watched helplessly as the monk ate his favorite sweet-scented osmanthus lotus root, his favorite peach steamed cake, and his favorite pastry...

Zhong Heiyang couldn't bear it anymore, and burst out a series of "baa baa baa baa baa baa baa baa", accusing Mo Wenyuan of partiality: Even Guanyin Bodhisattva has never been treated like this!

Of course, Mo Wenyuan would not ignore Zhongheiyang's various reactions, he immediately introduced: "Yang, this is Master Xuanzang."

Master Xuanzang?Zhongheiyang had met Tang Sanzang before, he himself was met by Tang Sanzang and Sun Wukong on the westward journey, and then he was sent to Chang'an. He carefully looked at the monk's face, and he was really kind.

Tang Sanzang put a piece of sweet-scented osmanthus candied lotus root into his mouth and tasted it carefully. The glutinous rice was thin and sticky, and the lotus root was a little old. However, the texture became soft after the brown sugar was boiled. Desire, this thing can definitely rank among the top three things he has eaten.

He sighed contentedly: It's wonderful.

Seeing Zhong Hei Yang's protests getting louder, he reluctantly put down his chopsticks, looked at Zhong Hei Yang and said: "It's been a few years since we parted last time, and I've grown up a lot, so it seems that following Living around Mo Dalang is also very comfortable."

Tang Seng's voice was cool and very Zen-like, and he sounded suitable for chanting sutras. Mo Wenyuan felt his ears burn when he heard him speak, but when he thought of the other party's appearance of transforming monsters with a Zen stick in his hand, he dared not think about anything. I just feel that the other party is majestic and majestic, and he is a real man.

Mo Wenyuan was beside him and said: "I went to the street to buy pears, and suddenly met a monster, who wanted to eat my meat. Master Xuanzang passed by here, so he cooked the monster and helped me a lot." He praised, " The mage's skills are extraordinary, and he danced with a Zen stick in such a powerful way that it is unforgettable to see."

Master Xuanzang also said modestly: "Where is it? When I arrive, Mo Dalang already intends to take down the demon pestle. Even if I have not arrived, Mo Dalang can deal with the monster if I want to come. Besides, Dalang has entertained me with such delicious food. It’s worth doing anything.”

The two flattered each other, and the black sheep didn't know what to say.

He was stupefied, Monkey King staggered in, saw the table was full of delicacies, he took a pair of chopsticks, followed a few dishes to eat, Zhong Heiyang became more anxious after seeing it, "baa baa baa baa" said he wanted to eat.

Mo Wenyuan refused righteously: "On weekdays, if you want to eat sheep, I can make it for you, but this time I can't. Master Xuanzang is a guest, and you are the master. How can the host steal the guest?" eat?"

Zhongheiyang was so sad and indignant that he almost burst into tears. Dao has never been like this even when he sees guests. It is obvious that Mo Xiaoyuan is biased!

Mo Wenyuan: Master Xuanzang is so handsome!

……

After the mission team arrived in Magadha, the performance of Mo Wenyuan and others in Kucha arrived belatedly, and the news was heard by everyone in Chang'an.The first thing I knew was monks. Kucha is a place where Buddhism prevails. There are many monks. They often travel between Kucha and Datang. Monks and merchants brought rumors about Mo Wenyuan into the city.

A monk brought untranslated scriptures to Daxingshan Temple to practice. He heard that Mo Wenyuan was an apprentice of Huiyuan and Huizhi. In the temple, he went to pay homage to monk Huiyuan first.

Huiyuan heard that the eminent monk in Kucha wanted to see him, it was very strange, he is not well-known in Chang'an City, but it is impossible for him to be famous in other countries, thinking of this, he immediately thought of his apprentice, If it wasn't for what Mo Dalang did in other countries?

Seeing Huiyuan, the eminent monk from Kucha had a solemn expression and a dignified demeanor, and immediately performed a very high-standard Buddhist ceremony. It was not like the first meeting of an eminent monk who had never met before, but it seemed that a little novice had met and presided over it.

He was shocked and said: "Master, don't do this, you and I are just meeting each other for the first time, how can we make a big gift?"

"Master Huiyuan's words are wrong. Mo Dalang and the master have the rites of master and apprentice. He solved a great disaster for our country. Later, Mo Dalang came and went in a hurry and left Duyan City in a few days. We have no chance to thank him. , it is also worthwhile to perform this ceremony on Zen masters.”

Mo Wenyuan's last letter hadn't arrived from Qiuci to Chang'an yet, so even he didn't know what his apprentice had done, so he had to ask the mage. Fifty-ten said.

The more Master Huiyuan listened, the more shocked he became, and in the end he almost lost his dignified and kind appearance.

It is true that Mo Wenyuan is quite talented, and it is also true that the middle black sheep on his mount has a little supernatural power, but he never thought that the power of the middle black sheep can be like this, and his apprentice is too comfortable with Bi Fang What's more, even experienced mages will feel frightened when encountering such spirits and monsters. It's really hard core to "take out the magic pestle and copy it on its head".

He also talked about the ability to escape the sky and enter the earth, and how to swallow Bi Fangniao in one breath with his huge body. This is talking about sheep, and his supernatural powers are too great.

Monk Qiuci was quite good at reading expressions, and after he finished speaking, he even said: "What I said is absolutely true, without any exaggeration." He is a devout believer in cultivating the mind, and he does not lie when he speaks on weekdays. Huiyuan Monks can see it too.

After saying goodbye to the monk, he was still a little dazed, and as soon as he realized it, he sat down at the low table with a flat paper and a pen in his right hand. The flame of inspiration flashed in his mind, as if he drank the fine nectar brewed by the Queen Mother himself There is a sense of enlightenment, clear thinking, brilliant writing, holding a brush, and it can be done overnight.

Mo Dalang's folk tales of Qiuci and Bifang were woven bit by bit under his hands.

……

Wang Xuance's letters were also rushed to the hands of the sage.The letter arrived much earlier than the time when the first batch of monks entered Chang'an.

When the letter was sent to the Daming Palace, Li Shimin's confidant ministers were worrying about whether to send someone for Qiuci, that is, send the master who subdued demons and demons, and whom to send.

They didn't discuss the first question for too long. The sage had already intended to take back the Turks. Kucha is a big Turkic country, and most of the iron weapons in this area are made in this country. Take Kucha.

If Datang sends out people to help drive away the monsters this time, Yu Gong and Kucha’s yearly tribute will increase, and they will also owe favors. Yu privately, they can show this country the majesty of the glorious country and make them feel that the East is a big country. Tang Houzhong's strength, the spiritual level is to exert pressure.

But there is a problem first, they don't know if Bi Fangniao is easy to deal with, and they don't know where the disaster in the country has spread. If the mages and Taoists they send are not deep enough to deal with spirits, they will lose their wife and lose their soldiers. Not only did the small country underestimate them, it also damaged the master.

There are too many aspects to consider, and the ministers have been arguing for a long time without a result.

At this juncture, Wang Xuance's letter came, and the saint ordered his attendant to read the letter. The atmosphere in the palace was condensed and fell into silence. In the end, it was the saint who reacted first and said, "So, I will wait until there is no need to argue. Just look at the geometry of the golden years in Kucha."

Mo Wenyuan actually served Bi Fangniao, which really made all the officials unresponsive. Although they had heard of the name of the other party's Buddha, compared with the world-famous Tang Sanzang, all the monsters he once transformed were all It's a small fight, not to mention that he is very good at cooking, and it is inferred from the heart of ordinary people that if a person is good at a certain skill, he may not be good at other aspects.

But he didn't expect that the name of his disciple, Zhen, had the meaning of Master Xuanzang's second.

Mo Wenyuan: I am not!I don't!

He just cooks better dishes, and he can't do without him, why is Xuanzang second?

The sage said: "Great kindness, with Mo Dalang's actions, we don't have to bother God."

"We have to wait for this matter to spread. With this news spreading to the surrounding areas, Qiuci will inherit the great favor of Datang."

"But is there something wrong with this matter? There is already Tang Xuanzang in Buddhism, and Mo Wenyuan will come out at this time."

"No, Mo Dalang has not been ordained yet, so he is not a Buddhist figure."

"There is nothing wrong with worrying about this. There are too many romantic figures in Buddhism, and it is inevitable that the common people will be more fond of Buddhism."

"Is it the kingdom of the world? No matter how prosperous Buddhism is, it is also my Tang sect. Even if the incense is more prosperous, it doesn't matter much."

The debate lasted for a long time without reaching a conclusion, and finally the sage said: "It's okay, many gods and Buddhas protect the Tang Dynasty, otherwise they won't let Yudi go to the west to learn scriptures. Come on, so that the surrounding people will know my great Tang name."

After discussion, the tone of this matter was set. It is a good thing that benefits the country and the people. It needs more publicity and publicity, which has laid a solid foundation for the development of the monastery's popular teaching activities.

……

Besides, Li Sanniang was very upset when she heard that Mo Wenyuan and Zhongheiyang had confronted Bi Fangniao.Although she doesn't have supernatural powers and doesn't know much about monsters, but she heard that no one in the whole country of Qiuci can deal with this bird, so she knows its tricky point. She clearly remembers teaching Mo Wenyuan that self-preservation is the best thing to do when encountering this, how would she know? He still took the lead, and she felt chest tightness and shortness of breath, and was afraid for a while.

Fortunately, nothing happened to Da Lang, otherwise she really didn't know what to do.

Monk Huiyuan’s vulgar lectures are almost finished. He puts his heart into this vulgar lecture. He not only listened to the words of the Kucha monk, but also visited the merchants and other monks who came from the Western Regions. He is bound to compile the complete scene. come out.

After inquiring, he found that many people saw the incident that day. Apart from the monks who went with him, there were also ordinary people in Duyan City. Therefore, many of the versions he heard were that Mo Dalang "strengthened the mountain and surpassed the world", and single-handedly dealt with Bi Fangniao.

There are even some "a glaring white light flashed across the sky" and "the figure of a Buddha appeared faintly behind Mo Dalang" he took it as a joke and just laughed it off.

After collecting the opinions of hundreds of schools, he added artistic exaggeration, embellishment of words, and Buddhist meditation, and compiled a very good vulgar lecture, and prepared to give a popular lecture on a suitable day.

Before the lecture, he specially invited Li Sanniang to come and watch it, and Sanniang readily agreed, and then told the story to a group of apprentices who were helping the cook. Go to those people left behind restaurants.

Li Sanniang hurriedly waved her hands after listening to the audience and said, "Don't be so troublesome. I told you that it's just a joke. It's not a big deal." The reason for traveling together?

Even so, on that day, more than half of the people will go to the gate of Daxingshan Temple to listen to the vulgar lectures. The people from the restaurant are surrounded by Li Sanniang. The stars hold the moon.

It was almost time, and the rest of the monks surrounded the rapid descending platform first. The secular monk stepped on the stage, and everyone opened their eyes wide. Far monk.

Although monk Huiyuan is a lay monk, he has been taking care of lay things in Daxingshan Temple for the past few years, which has become a symbol of the temple to the outside world. The young monks or the disciples and grandchildren who passed on his skills in this area, the skills are not bad, but the nostalgic Chang'an people still mention monk Huiyuan from time to time.Everyone was shocked that he actually appeared in person at this popular lecture.

"However, it is said that after Mo Dalang traveled to the country of Kucha with the embassy, ​​the king of this country hosted a banquet for the embassy. During the banquet, he mentioned that Mo Da had surrendered the squid. There was a ghost near Yandu City..."

Everyone had never heard of this vulgar lecture before, and monk Huiyuan's words were extremely exquisite, and he also described the scenery of Kucha in the desert.

Li Sanniang was even more focused, wanting to know how her Dalang dealt with Bi Fang and whether he was injured.Although she knew that the content of popular lectures would undergo a certain degree of artistic exaggeration, the notebooks written by monk Huiyuan were always realistic, which was quite guaranteed.

After more than half an hour, the vulgar lecture finally came to an end. Monk Huiyuan coughed lightly. The cough sounded like a gavel, grabbing the audience out of the world constructed by the vulgar lecture.

"I saw the sheep's stature soared, opened its bloody mouth, and swallowed the fleeing Bi Fangniao. This move must be a divine beast!"

As the saying goes, after the end of the meeting, everyone wants to leave. The book written by monk Huiyuan is really good, and the story is also very exciting. People who have heard it are still talking about it.

"I heard that King Peacock Ming also swallowed West Heaven Tathagata Buddha into his belly. Judging from this, the sheep following Mo Dalang must have a deep divine nature. Otherwise, how could it be so big that it could eat Bi Fangniao?"

"I've heard that gods and Buddhas don't kill living beings. Although Bi Fangniao attracts fire, is it against the harmony of nature to swallow it rashly?"

"This statement is wrong. There is a saying in Buddhism that there is a wrathful-eyed vajra, that is, Master Xuanzang has an image of a wrathful-eyed vajra when he casts down demons. It is a good deed for sheep to devour spirits and harm people. Why not?"

"I've seen that sheep before, and I often follow Mo Dalang around, eating delicious food made by him. I heard from the restaurant staff that this sheep is very wonderful. It has a tongue that is more refined than a human. You can't eat it unless it is delicious."

"Doesn't that mean that Bi Fang's meat is delicious?"

"It's so beautiful, can you get a piece to eat?"

"That's true."

Li Sanniang came up with some unique ideas after hearing the common sayings. She is Mo Wenyuan's aunt, and she is willing to listen to the common sayings about her son. What's more, there are more and more common sayings about him, which can form a series.

Before this, the only folk tales that could form a series were Master Xuanzang, and the stories about Master Xuanzang were not limited to the monks' folk tales, but also entertainers of all kinds of operas. This story is told by the stall beside the show.

In the Tang Dynasty, Baixi has already had a preliminary development.

To be able to expand the restaurant, Li Sanniang is sure to have a lot of wonderful ideas than others. At this moment, she focused on the folk lectures. You said that this temple holds folk lectures, which are so popular, attracting a large number of people from afar to specialize in it. Listen, if the monks were moved to the restaurant, wouldn't it also attract more diners?

Moreover, if she talked about Mo Wenyuan in the wine shop, so that more people would know her son's reputation, it would be a waste of money, and she agreed.

Not to mention that she reckoned that she would not spend money in vain.

After she had an idea, she directly talked to Monk Huiyuan, and Huiyuan was a little surprised when he heard it: "A common lecture in a restaurant?"

Li Sanniang was very embarrassed: "It's not that you are such a highly respected monk. I see that there are many lay monks in large and small monasteries. If you want to use it proficiently, you have to practice a few more times, I would like to invite young monks to talk about Dalang in the wine shop."

"Of course, offerings to the masters are inevitable."

Monk Huiyuan couldn't help being moved when he heard it. What Li Sanniang said was indeed right. There are not very few monks who have mastered the skills of folk teaching, but there are not many who can really take the stage, and most of them are inexperienced.

Even if you go to a small temple to do popular lectures, the rewards you can get are enough. During the three major Buddha festivals, all major temples compete to hold lectures, and people often choose to go to large temples with open mountain gates, and those small temples are left out in the cold. ?

If you talk about it in a restaurant, one is to hone one's body, and the other is to earn offerings. In the Tang Dynasty when monks had to do small businesses to support themselves, this was almost a good job.

He readily agreed: "When I go back, I will discuss it with other lay monks. If it is successful, I will bring those people to discuss with Sanniang."

"In that case, thank you Master."

……

Li Sanniang Restaurant is the busiest restaurant in Chang'an City, every meal time, diners flock to the restaurant to compete for some delicious food.After the meal, the merchants and family members all left to carry out the work of the day, the restaurant was far from deserted, and there were not many people there.

Qin Baichuan is a merchant who travels to and from various places, he is a native of Guangdefang, he has a little friendship with Li Sanniang, this time he just returned to Chang'an from the Western Regions, he wants to rest for a while, and then go on a long trip next year.He had nothing to do, wandered around the West Market all morning, finally got tired from walking, and wanted to find a place to rest, so he went into Li Sanniang's restaurant, ready to order a pot of wine.

Tang people always eat two meals, one early and one late. This dinner is usually between four and five in the afternoon, and by seven o'clock everyone has fallen asleep.

Qin Baichuan entered the restaurant at around two o'clock in the afternoon. He thought that the restaurant should be empty and there were not many diners, but he didn't expect the restaurant to be full. It can be said that there were no empty seats.

Seeing this situation, he felt very strange, so he went in and sat down in the only vacant seat, ordered a jug of wine and two plates of pastries and snacks.

After eating for a while, he knew why there were so many people in the store.

A young monk on the inside of the seat on the first floor was talking about Mo Dalang's journey to the west. Qin Baichuan was shocked when he heard it: "Could it be a monk talking about it?"

But if it is a common saying, shouldn't it be in a temple, why come to a wine shop to talk about it?

Tang Ren has always been forthright and enthusiastic, and the people around him took the initiative to answer the question: "It's just the monks saying, are you new to Sanniang Restaurant?"

He said in detail: "I have been here before, but I went to the Western Regions a few days ago, and I just returned to the capital, so I don't know if there are any new changes in the store."

"In the common saying, Mo Dalang is the son of Li Sanniang. Now his name is spreading more and more widely. Sanniang is honored, so I invite monks to give a common lecture here, so that all the diners will listen to him."

"This vulgar lecture is only held for one hour in the afternoon, and we all come to listen to the lecture."

Qin Baichuan thought in his heart: Sanniang is Sanniang, this move is really a good idea, it not only makes customers come to his restaurant continuously in their free time, but also promotes Dalang's reputation, it kills two birds with one stone, very wonderful.

If Mo Dalang knew about it, he would be very relieved.

Mo Wenyuan:? ? ?

No, I don't want to be popular!

……

Mo Wenyuan: "Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah!" After several sneezes in a row, he stretched out his hand to wipe his nose. Recently, he didn't know what was going on, as if a thousand and ten thousand people were talking about him behind his back. , Sneezing all the time, but not catching a cold, it is very puzzling.

Tang Seng stopped in concern: "Is Dalang in good health?"

"It's all right, it's just an itchy nose, I'll go on."

The larger middle black sheep carried Mo Wenyuan away, snorting as he walked. He was not very happy to walk with Monkey King, Tang Xuanzang and others. He was just looking for turmeric, as long as Mo Xiaoyuan and I were there. Well, why bring someone else?

Crane Sixteen, Weasel Spirit, and Shuo Mouse Spirit who were traveling together: "..."

Heartbroken. Heartbroken.

Now that he has come to Tianzhu, there is one seasoning that Mo Wenyuan must not miss, that is turmeric.

Turmeric is not ginger, but a plant root that can be made into sauce. The curry that is popular all over the world in later generations is made with it as the absolute center.

It is said that turmeric was introduced in the Tang Dynasty, and it was recorded in "Tang Materia Medica", but Mo Wenyuan did not find it in the territory. It happened to be in Tianzhu at this time, and he must look for it.

It's a pity that there is not a lot of turmeric planted in the territory of Magadha. If you want to find this thing, you have to go to a neighboring country.

The distance between a country in Tianzhu is comparable to the distance between a small city in the future market.

Master Xuanzang had been to the country where a large amount of turmeric was grown, and it happened that he had something to do in this country, so he went with Mo Wenyuan.

Mo Wenyuan naturally readily agreed.

When asked what he was going to do, Master Xuanzang replied generously: "It is said that there is a demon in this country who calls himself the Yellow Wind Monster. He was originally a yellow-haired marten at the foot of the Lingshan Mountain. The Bodhisatta heard from me that he was hiding in the country rich in turmeric."

"Since I am a disciple of the Buddha's sect, after hearing about this matter, I will naturally do my best. It is good that the Yellow Wind Monster can be transformed, if not..."

He made a meaningful pause, not only Mo Wenyuan but also Zhongheiyang shuddered to hear the murderous intent in the other party's words.

Mo Wenyuan: I'm about to watch the hardcore Tang Seng transforming demons online, I'm a little excited to think about it!