in2ebook Chapter 115 The Last Prince of the Former Dynasty
Chapter 115 The Last Prince of the Former Dynasty
In a corner of the capital, in a simple and elegant courtyard.
"Your humble servant Tang Zang greets Prince Duan." The thin middle-aged man bowed.
Chu Shiyu nodded and sat down on the stone bench in the pavilion. Looking at the green bamboos around him, he didn't know how to ask. Should he ask, "Can you check if I'm sick?"
"Your Highness, why are you here?" Tang Zang also sat down on the stone bench opposite, picked up the heated kettle and brewed some tea.
"Are there any Gu in this world? For example, a love Gu that can make people fall in love?"
In fact, Chu Shiyu felt that this could be explained, but it was impossible that it was just Liu Rusi who planted it. Perhaps someone else had planted a love poison in him, and it accidentally took effect on Liu Rusi.
"I have never seen it, so I don't know if it exists. For such mysterious matters, Your Highness should ask the Buddhist Records Office or the Taoist Records Office. The Imperial Astronomical Observatory is responsible for observing celestial phenomena and setting the calendar."
The slender hand took the teacup and placed it in front of the distinguished person opposite.
"Many monks and Taoists are frauds who steal reputations. I don't have the time to distinguish the real from the fake." Chu Shiyu didn't care much about this matter. If the doubt could be easily resolved, that would be fine. If not, then forget it.
But speaking of Taoist priests, Chu Shiyu thought of one person and asked hesitantly, "Is the supervisor observing the heavens? Is it possible to know the secrets of heaven?"
Tang Zang looked at Prince Duan intently and said calmly, "Looking up at the sky is observing the heavens, observing the wind and rain and the changes in the stars is observing the celestial phenomena, and whether it will rain tomorrow is also a secret from heaven."
This ambiguous way of speaking seemed to be of the same kind, so Chu Shiyu asked directly: "Does the Supervisor know the Baitian Temple? Do you know the abbot there?"
His thin face trembled, and he put down the teacup in his hand. Tang Zang looked directly at him and asked, "Where did you hear this view, Your Highness?"
Chu Shiyu saw that the other party had a strange expression, but he didn't know why for a moment, so he said vaguely: "I heard on the way back to Beijing that there is a fairy in this temple who can know the past and future."
Tang Zang hesitated for a moment and said, "Your Highness, if you encounter this temple and its master in the future, you'd better be careful."
"Why is this?" Chu Shiyu was even more confused. He had already climbed up the temple and met the abbot. Apart from the note that made him worried for some time, there was nothing unusual.
"I have also heard about some of the past events..."
"But it doesn't matter."
"Your Highness, do you know the position of astronomical observer in the previous dynasty, the Si Tian Jian?"
Chu Shiyu's expression was slightly solemn. The Great Xia Dynasty had been established for more than fifty years. Although the remnants of the previous dynasty were already like dead wood, they still needed to be guarded against.
Tang Zang saw that Prince Duan was interested, so he continued, "The central temple of the Sitianjian is called Baitian Temple."
"Your Highness should know that the previous dynasty came from the northern grasslands. Our people were not numerous, and many official positions were held by people from our tribe. Therefore, after the fall of the previous dynasty, our Great Xia directly retained many officials from the previous dynasty, and even took over some non-confidential departments in their entirety, such as the Imperial Observatory."
This is also what Chu Shiyu is confused about.
"The position of astronomical observer is necessary, but it does not have the power to influence government affairs. Even if someone from the previous dynasty escaped and established the Baitian Temple, what would happen?"
"It's not just about the Sitianjian itself."
Tang Zang refilled the tea for Prince Duan and himself, and then said, "Positions in the Imperial Observatory are usually inherited from father to son. My humble ancestor was the director of the Imperial Observatory. In other words, the Imperial Observatory basically inherited the entire Imperial Observatory, except for the Baitian Temple."
He paused and refilled the teapot with hot water.
Chu Shiyu glanced at him coldly. This supervisor looked pure and simple, and it was hard to believe that he liked to be hesitant and keep people in suspense.
Seeing Prince Duan's cold eyes, Tang Zang smiled slightly and said, "Because, when Emperor Taizu Xia entered the capital, the Baitian Temple was burned down by a fire, and many of the books on divination were also burned."
Hearing that he was about to stop, Chu Shiyu coldly said, "Who burned it?"
"The last prince of the previous dynasty." Thunder suddenly sounded.
Ruifeng's eyes widened. An ordinary official of the previous dynasty and a descendant of the royal family are two different things! Chu Shiyu asked in a slightly solemn voice: "You mean, the newly built Baitian Temple is related to the prince of the previous dynasty?"
"Not necessarily, but nine times out of ten."
Tang Zang no longer tucked his clothes in and spoke freely, "The last prince of the previous dynasty disliked government affairs and was obsessed with the art of divination. As long as the emperor of the previous dynasty did not summon him, he would stay in the Baitian Temple and not leave his room."
"At that time, Emperor Taizu of Xia was approaching the imperial city. The last prince learned of the crisis of his country and family. He shouted and screamed in the Baitian Temple, accusing the heaven of injustice. All the officials and soldiers of the Sitianjian were driven out."
"Then a fire broke out in Baitian Temple. It was during a time of chaos and war, and no one went to put out the fire, and no one cared whether the last prince was still inside."
"Until the situation in the capital was settled, the Baitian Temple had become a pile of burnt wood and black ash. Later, when the mess was cleaned up, no bodies were found inside. Because the fire was so big, many people thought it was burned to ashes, while others thought that the last prince took advantage of the fire to cover up and escape."
Rui Feng narrowed his eyes. In other words, the abbot of Baitian Temple that he met was most likely the last prince of the previous dynasty?
However, the master of the temple saved him in Xingzhou City, and also saved Liu Rusi and her son...
He is an old and feeble man, with no relatives or friends except Tianqing who was picked up by him.
It seems that there is no need to eradicate the problem completely...
Chu Shiyu raised his auspicious phoenix eyes and looked at Tang Zang, then asked, "The Tang family has been practicing the art of yin and yang for generations. Can they tell fortunes for people?"
Tang Zang said quietly, "I dare not."
Chu Shiyu frowned slightly. He was about to change the subject and ask about his own business.
As expected, Tang Zang continued talking to himself and continued with the previous topic.
"The secrets of heaven cannot be revealed. If you know them, there is a risk of them being leaked. If you delve deeply into divination, you will be punished by heaven for five disadvantages and three deficiencies. The more profound your skills, the heavier the punishment will be... In fact, there are widespread rumors among people in this field that it was precisely because the last crown prince was obsessed with observing the sky that the previous dynasty was destined to perish within a hundred years."
"Humph, the previous dynasty fell because of its corruption and chaos, division and internal strife. The last ruler was incompetent and cruel, and the people in various places were miserable and rose up in rebellion. Even if Taizu had not come to the city, the previous dynasty would still fall, sooner or later."
Although Chu Shiyu believed in the mysterious destiny of heaven, he did not believe that the fate of a country could be simply attributed to five disadvantages and three shortcomings.
"Your Highness is right. In fact, the art of divination is like seeing a leopard through a tube or a flower in the fog. Frequent calculations will only add to your troubles. Therefore, I only focus on the wind, rain, and seasons, and only calculate the calendar, and do not consider worldly matters."
Glancing coldly at Tang Zang, Chu Shiyu seemed to see a middle-aged version of Qin Hao, beating around the bush, and in the end just to brag...
Putting down the teacup, Chu Shiyu stood up. Since Tang Zang was not going to get involved in Xuanling's affairs, then forget it.
"Your Highness, you came here to ask why your temperament has changed so drastically, right?" Tang Zang smiled and added new tea to Prince Duan's cup.
"you know?"
Chu Shiyu glared at him coldly, and somehow understood King Kang's state of mind when facing Qin Hao. He wanted to strangle him to death, but it seemed like an exaggeration if he really did.
"The capital has been buzzing with rumors for a long time. Prince Duan is obsessed with a widow and takes good care of her. He is now a completely different person than before. There are rumors that His Highness has been bewitched." Tang Zang finished his words slowly, blowing on the hot tea in the cup.
Chu Shiyu walked straight out! This is another irrelevant answer. If you don't want to say it, don't say it. Why keep it a secret? Do you think he can still be spoiled?
"Hey! Your Highness, don't go! I still have something to say!" Tang Zang hurriedly put down the teacup and chased after him to stop him.
Helplessly sighing, Chu Shiyu turned around and said coldly: "If the supervisor's tongue can't speak straight, this king can help you cure it."
"Your Highness, why are you in such a hurry? Is it because the tea here is not fragrant? Come, come, please sit down, and I will tell you in detail." Tang Zang welcomed Prince Duan and sat back in the pavilion.
"As for the Gu worm, I really don't know much about it."
Tang Zang paused for a moment, and when Prince Duan showed displeasure again, he immediately added: "But there are several ways in the world to change a person's temperament, and I know a few of them."
"Speak." Chu Shiyu scolded coldly.
"The first type is something that everyone can understand, which is encountering a major change that caused the person to be frustrated... Your Highness's attack in Jinyan City can also be considered a major change, right?" Tang Zang asked.
Outsiders may find this statement reasonable, but Chu Shiyu himself knows that although he experienced life and death that time, it was not enough to shake his resolve.
But Chu Shiyu did not comment, and said calmly: "Tell me everything you know."
Tang Zang took the opportunity to drink a sip of tea before continuing: "The second type is caused by physical abnormalities. The internal organs are affected by emotions and will also change emotions. Many people's temperaments are very different when they are sick and when they are healthy. They are irritable, depressed, and low..."
"If there really are poisonous insects, they probably affect emotions by controlling changes in the body. For example, find a pair of insects that can sense each other and place them in the bodies of two people. If they can't sense each other, they will disturb the body. The pain is mild and difficult for people to detect, but it is enough to make people feel uneasy. When the two people meet, the poisonous insects calm down, and the host feels at ease and comfortable, and then can't bear to leave the person. The host must think that he has fallen in love with that person."
Chu Shiyu lowered his eyes slightly. It was very similar, but he was very clear about his affection for Liu Rusi, and what he pursued was not just to be together. Even if he was really poisoned, it should be driven by his natural emotions.
"Can the insect cure the poison?" Since he loves Liu Rushi, he doesn't need some small insects to add to the mystery.
"I am just guessing. I don't even know if there are such wonderful insects in the world."
Tang Zangxiao watched as Prince Duan's face darkened even more. Before Prince Duan could get angry, he quickly added, "There is a third possibility. Your Highness, do you want to hear it?"
Chu Shiyu secretly adjusted his breathing. He realized that Tang Zang enjoyed stirring up other people's emotions, so he said calmly, "Please speak, Supervisor."
As expected, the joy on Tang Zang's face faded a bit, and he continued with some boredom: "The third type is a more mysterious situation, but it is not uncommon. I have also encountered it. It is usually called a collision."
"Oh? Could you please tell me about your experience?" Chu Shiyu responded calmly.
"Your Highness should have heard of this. Five years ago, a man in the capital suddenly went mad. He rushed into the street with an axe and killed passers-by at will, killing seven and injuring five. In the end, he was shot to death by the city guards."
Tang Zang narrated the story in a straightforward manner: "Afterwards, I looked for the reason and found that the man was a kind and charitable person in the eyes of his neighbors. His family was well-off, and his parents, wife and children were all healthy and harmonious. It was a blessed family that everyone envied."
"The government could not find out why the man suddenly went mad, and since he was already dead, the matter was left unresolved. Only the man's family members were still upset. They did not believe that the man would chop people with an axe, so they went out to find the reason for his sudden change in temperament, and found me here..."
"Shouldn't we go look for temples or Taoist temples?" Chu Shiyu brought up Tang Zang's initial excuse for refusal.
"Well, my wife and that man's wife are sisters... Since they are related, it is natural that he would think of me first." Tang Zang explained.
"I asked a lot of detailed questions, but the family said the same thing: the man went to the northwest of the capital for an outing, and when he came back he looked ferocious, took out the axe from the woodshed and rushed out to the street."
Chu Shiyu looked on indifferently, and a hint of pride appeared on Tang Zang's face.
"I have found the friend who went on an outing with that person and asked him to take me back to the place where they were going. When they reached a forest, the friend suddenly remembered that the person had gone into the bushes to relieve himself and had come back in a trance. Later, they lost interest in the outing and ended it early."
"I went into the woods and carefully explored. Based on the traces of broken grass leaves, I found the path that the man had walked. I walked along the way and suddenly felt upset when passing by a few trees. I immediately knew I had found the reason."
Seeing that Tang Zang wanted to stop again, Chu Shiyu asked calmly, "What's the reason?"
"Your Highness Prince Duan, do you know that music can affect people's mood?" Tang Zang began to answer irrelevant questions again.
"I know." Chu Shiyu was neither arrogant nor impatient, and sipped his tea calmly.
Tang Zang tutted his lips in dissatisfaction, but continued: "Human will and emotions can be transmitted and infected by external objects. For example, literature can make readers laugh, scold, cry and cry. For example, paintings can make people feel the mood of the painter..."
"From what I have thought, music is a good way to instantly influence emotions. I have hired some farmers to dig and search the forest. To prevent the farmers from going crazy, I will play the zither in the forest to soothe their anxiety."
"But is it a good law?" Chu Shiyu felt that this matter had nothing to do with him, but it would not hurt to listen to it.
Tang Zang was already full of pride: "It is indeed a wonderful method! Most farmers are calm and peaceful, at most a little impatient, but no one loses their will and goes crazy."
"Can anything unusual be discovered?" Chu Shiyu asked further.
"Among the weeds, we found many broken armors, rusted swords, and a few dry bones."
Chu Shiyu was slightly stunned. He had a bad feeling in his heart, but he couldn't figure out why... He asked in a deep voice: "Do you know whose remains these are?"
"The bones of a famous general from the previous dynasty." Tang Zang sighed.
"I have reported this to the higher authorities, and the historians have confirmed that it was the defeated army that broke through the siege and escorted several princes of the fallen nation to escape after Taizu captured the capital. There are rusty arrowheads next to the bones, which means that they were seriously injured and died in the woods and weeds with hatred."
Chu Shiyu frowned and asked, "Is it related to the previous dynasty? Could it be that the people of the previous dynasty were proficient in such supernatural things?"
Tang Zang shook his head and said, "No, the people of the previous dynasty were just mortals like my clan, and those who were proficient in metaphysics were rare."
"However, I feel that people with simple minds are more likely to leave their will behind because of their pure thoughts. Most of the foreign tribes in the previous dynasty were brave and good at fighting but not good at scheming, so they conquered the country but could not keep it stable..."
"The evil spirit of the corpse must have been caused by this."
"When a general who has spent his whole life in the military has lost his country and his family, he will inevitably feel a surge of hatred when he is dying. Although he is dead, his bloodthirsty murderous intent remains and is enshrined in his corpse."
"That person entered the woods and probably bumped into the remains, causing evil spirits to attack his heart, causing his personality to change drastically. He was probably able to control himself towards his friends and family... but when he saw a stranger from our tribe, he could no longer control himself. He was swept up in the hatred of the dead general, found an axe, and went out to the streets to kill people."