home

search

Chapter 15: Baidi Building by Yunmeng Lake (Part 2)

  However, his sister was already used to it. She didn't notice the beautiful scenery around her and took out a textbook instead, reading softly: "Tang's inscription on the tripod says: If you can renew yourself daily, daily renewal is indeed new every day. The Kangde Emperor said: Create a new people. The Book of Poetry says: Although Zhou is an old state, its mandate is renewed. Therefore, a gentleman uses his utmost effort in everything."

  "What are you reading?" Fang Xin was taken aback.

  "Textbook, don't forget, the mid-term exam is coming soon, how can you not review? This is an important academic credit!" Fang Shixin despised her brother again.

  Fang Xinyu was speechless, and he snatched the book away: "What's the hurry to read a book in front of the princess's palace? It won't be late if you read it later. Come, I'll hold onto it first and return it to you later."

  Fang Shixin didn't say anything this time, she just hummed and continued to follow the crowd.

  Fang Xin, however, still took a glance, and this immediately matched his memory.

  After a while, I entered the temple. The temple is divided into three layers. The first one is the courtyard, on which there is a " imperial edict", all written in ancient Chinese characters, describing the heavenly edict that enfeoffed two goddesses as the masters of this land. There are only a dozen or so words. Next are the imperial edicts added by emperors of past dynasties.

  Xiao Bing enumerated them one by one, explaining which emperor of which dynasty had bestowed each one, including the most recent one, over a hundred years ago, from the wise and enlightened Emperor Hua Ming of the constitutional monarchy era.

  On both sides of the second hall, there are all kinds of strange beasts and military generals. These are the guards guarding the temple. Until the end, it is the main hall where Xiang Jun and his wife are worshipped. Inside the hall, almost all incense is smokeless. Everyone comes forward to worship, very solemn and dignified.

  However, due to the large number of people, each person is only given a short amount of time and is only allowed to wash their hands, burn incense, and make three bows.

  The female priestess of this place, of course, knew Xiao Bing. She smiled friendly and although she didn't speak, directly handed over the incense. Then Xiao Bing, who had already washed her hands, stepped forward with a solemn expression, offered the incense, then bowed down to pay respects without making a sound.

  Fang Xin hastily pulled his sister and also hastily followed Fu Li.

  After three bows, the two retreated and left the temple by another route.

  Out of the temple, Xiao Bing said: "Let's go to Bai Di Building, we can get 20% off, and I have a meal card, let's go eat, the fish there is really delicious!"

  "Is this your home?"

  "Although it's considered my home, this is actually a public institution and I won't be living in the temple!" Xiao Bing said: "Unless I inherit the priest's responsibilities."

  As he spoke, he led him to Jiuxian Island. Since the island itself is only 1 square kilometer in size, Baidi Tower was not far away. However, it wasn't until they reached the entrance that he felt its grandeur.

  Bai Di Tower stands proudly in the western corner, overlooking Yunmeng Lake. As soon as you see the gate, you'll see a stone carving on it that reads: "Yunmeng is the best water under heaven, Bai Di is the best tower under heaven."

  Bai Di Lou is a four-pillar, three-layer, flying eave and helmet-top brick-wood structure building with its own unique style. Upon entering the grand hall, one can see that all around are hung with inscriptions of famous people from past dynasties.

  "Look, the Bai Di Lou Ji, written by Tang Taizu himself, we also have it in our textbook!" Xiang Hu's identity was indeed useful here, and he quickly obtained a seat on the floor. Fang Shi Xin pointed to a carving with pride, and bowed again to show respect.

  On the second floor, in the middle of a twelve-piece purple sandalwood carved screen, "The White Emperor Building Record" was prominently displayed. Fang Xing bowed and paid his respects, then took a look, and couldn't help but let out an exclamation.

  Only to see his brush dancing like a dragon, turning and condensing heavily, easily flipping into curves. Although Fang Xin wasn't very clear about calligraphy, he also knew that this was the work of a master. However, the content above made his heart churn with turmoil, almost wanting to shout out loud to vent the absurd feelings in his heart.

  "In the spring of the fifth year of Shengyuan, I arrived at Balingshan County and worshipped at Xiangjun Temple. To commemorate this event, a temple was built, and this White Emperor Tower was constructed. As I gaze out at the scenery of Balingshan, it is as if I am in a dream, with mountains and rivers stretching out before me like a vast expanse of silk. The sun rises in the east and sets in the west, casting a kaleidoscope of colors across the sky; this is the grand view from White Emperor Tower, which has been described by people of old. And yet, to the north lies Wu Gorge, while to the south lies Xiangxiang Lake; travelers and poets often gather here, and their emotions as they take in the sights are surely not different from mine."

  If the rain is continuous and the sky is overcast for months; if the gloomy wind howls loudly and the turbid waves surge into the air; if the sun and stars are hidden from view, and the mountains and hills are shrouded in mist; if merchants and travelers cannot proceed on their journey, and the sails are torn and the oars are broken; if at dusk all is dark and obscure, and tigers roar and apes wail; then when one ascends this tower, he will have a longing for his native country, anxiety about calumny, fear of being ridiculed, and a feeling of desolation everywhere, which will move him to extreme sorrow.

  In the spring and bright scenery, waves are calm, the sky is reflected in the water, a vast expanse of green; sandpipers fly together, fish swim, the shore is covered with fragrant grasses and orchids, lush and green. Sometimes a long mist fills the air, the moon shines brightly for thousands of miles, the light dances on the ripples, the reflection sinks deep into the water, fishermen's songs answer each other, this joy is boundless! Climbing to the top of this tower, one feels carefree and joyful, forgetting all troubles and worries, raising a cup of wine to the wind, overflowing with happiness.

  Alas! I have often sought the hearts of ancient rulers and ministers, which are different from those of modern times. What do you seek in the way of ministering? Not rejoicing in material things, nor sorrowing for oneself; dwelling in the high halls, then worrying about the people; living in distant rivers and lakes, then worrying about the ruler. Whether advancing or retreating, there is worry. I am emperor today, ascending this tower, can it be called joyful? However, this is not the joy of the sacred way. When will the sacred way bring joy? It must be said: First, worry before the world worries, and later rejoice after the world rejoices! Ah! Having obtained this, I urge you to strive with me! April 15th, year 4.

  "Look, the Tang Taizong wrote 'The Record of the White Emperor Tower', one sentence 'Do not rejoice in material things, do not grieve for oneself; living in a high palace, worry about the people; being far away from the rivers and lakes, worry about the ruler.' It fully expresses the essence of the minister's way. And 'Before the world worries, worry; after the world is happy, be happy', it also fully reveals the true intention of the emperor's sacred way. For thousands of years, it has been passed down, still not forgotten today, indeed a great emperor for all eternity!" A nearby tourist sighed and said.

  Fang Xin listened, his mouth twitching involuntarily, and he found it even harder to speak.

  Isn't this Fan Zhongyan's "Notes on Yueyang Tower"? How did it end up here and become Emperor Taizu of Tang's "Notes on Baidi Tower"? And with this change, it really does capture the essence of the way of ruler and minister. This guy must be a time-traveler, he must be a time-traveler, he exclaimed to himself.

  Luckily, Fang Shixin interrupted his thoughts as she was carefully selecting dishes from the menu. After a while, she turned around and saw her brother staring blankly at the counter, unable to help but ask: "Brother, what are you doing? You look so serious and your expression is so strange?"

  "Huh? I'm deeply moved, deeply moved!" Fang Xin suddenly asked: "Ah, Xiao Bing, what do you think is the best thing to eat here?"

  "Silver fish is of course the most delicious, now there's aquaculture, it can be eaten all year round." Xiao Bing laughed and said, directly starting to order dishes.

  Yunmeng silver fish, born in the lake behind Junshan Mountain, with a silvery white body, no scales and no thorns. It tastes extremely delicious, and its price is expensive. I didn't expect it to be the same here!

  Fang Xìn took a look at the menu and couldn't help but take a deep breath, on the menu, the prices were usually in the hundreds of yuan, in this world where food was abundant, it was really expensive!

  Just then, Fang Shixin had also ordered the dishes, and the two of them sat in their seats holding their breath. Although there were many customers in the store, the food was served very quickly.

  The food is extremely delicious, and the scenery is no less impressive.

  Seated beside the Lake of Cloud and Dream, under the sun's rays, the water surface shimmers with a brilliant light, like gold phosphorus, radiant as numerous stars. The nearby fountain shoots up over ten meters high, suddenly revealing a rainbow, reflecting the flowing light. Looking further away at those hundreds or thousands of years old giant trees, their greenery seems to flow, and the peach trees planted along the roadside are even more so, competing in fragrance and beauty, their colors as simple as clouds and mist. The fragrance wafts far and wide, refreshing the heart and spleen.

  Appreciating the beauty here, it's extremely good. It turns out that this is the world-renowned "Cloud Dream Pavilion's Peach Blossom Fragrance". With such a wonderful life, how can one not be content at this moment? It truly lives up to its ancient fame.

  At this moment, Fang Xin truly realized that he had been reborn, and his previous life was no longer related to him. It turned out that his dream of coming back once more had come true.

  A beauty like jade, will soon enjoy prosperity at this time, except for what's in front of her eyes, the fish is fresh, the peach blossoms are fragrant, the clouds and dreams are surging, there is nothing else.

Recommended Popular Novels