"Commander Fu Gui, come here for a moment, I have something to say."
After days of training, even iron-willed bodies like Zhou Fu Gui's couldn't endure it. As training concluded that day, Zhou Fu Gui had planned to sleep early, but his fellow villagers, Yi Ji Sheng and Liu Qing Miao, suddenly stopped him and said:
"What is it?" Zhou Fu Gui asked, a little displeased. "Old Yi, how is the matter of improving bows and arrows and other weapons coming along?"
"Old Yi is working hard..." Yi Ji Sheng replied, rubbing his hands.
"There's something new happening at the City God Temple, why doesn't Commander come and see?" Liu Qing Miao said.
"What is it? See what? Aren't you tired? You should rest early." Zhou Fu Gui shook his head.
"Hey, Brother Fu Gui, you're thinking about... ah? Let's go, there's nothing else to do, let's go see the excitement." Xu Man Cang, with his mouth wide open, almost let something slip.
"What 'ah'? A little cat, a little dog?" Dian Meng teased upon hearing this.
"You little... old turtle!" Xu Man Cang glared at Dian Meng with his ox-like eyes. Dian Meng knew about Little Qing and was deliberately teasing.
The constant training had made everyone feel extremely bored and listless.
After fiercely glaring at Xu Man Cang and Dian Meng, Zhou Fu Gui was dragged out by the two towering figures of Xu Man Cang and Dian Meng.
...
The City God Temple was located outside Guangling Commandery city, about ten li from the Yan army's camp. It was a small, dilapidated temple. Winter had arrived, and the crumbling walls were covered with dead leaves. The temple had been severely eroded by time, and only the surviving mythical beasts on the eaves hinted at its former grandeur.
"Offerings for Buddha!"
When Zhou Fu Gui and his companions arrived at the City God Temple, two disheveled men blocked their way, reaching out for money.
Tathagata? Seeing their appearance, Zhou Fu Gui thought they resembled wandering ascetics. The term "Tathagata" referred to monks who traveled and begged for food, and there was a distinction between true monks and Tathagatas. True monks had to renounce the world, with tonsure marks on their heads, and ordination certificates, like the old monks at Longtan Temple. Tathagatas, however, did not have to renounce the world and could roam the rivers and lakes, collecting alms.
At this moment, two Tathagatas were collecting alms from Zhou Fu Gui and his group. Although the amount was not much, only four copper coins per person, it still displeased Zhou Fu Gui.
However, Zhou Fu Gui did not argue with them. He honestly counted out over twenty copper coins, handed them over, and then walked into the City God Temple.
What did these wandering ascetics want? At this point, Zhou Fu Gui's curiosity was piqued.
The City God Temple was not large, but it was filled with people. Zhou Fu Gui and his group could barely find standing room.
"Make way, make way, clear some space." Dian Meng and Xu Man Cang, like two giants, pushed their way through the crowd in the temple.
"Commander Zhou?" As the person being pushed was about to get angry, he suddenly turned and saw Zhou Fu Gui, exclaiming in surprise. Subsequently, several people cleared a spot for Zhou Fu Gui to sit.
Given the stir Zhou Fu Gui had caused in the Yan army camp, many people in the Han army recognized him.
Most of the people crowded in the temple were Han soldiers, primarily from the lowest ranks. There were almost no officers, and a banner commander like Zhou Fu Gui was considered a high-ranking official to them.
"Brother, where are you from?" Zhou Fu Gui nodded his thanks and asked, sitting down beside someone.
"I am from Zhuozhou, my humble name is Qian Liu..." Qian Liu from Zhuozhou replied obsequiously. "Commander Zhou, a man of your stature, has also come to listen to the Dharma today?"
"Oh? Why are you calling me 'a man of my stature'?" Zhou Fu Gui asked with a smile, not taking it seriously.
"Oh my, you don't know, Commander Zhou's name is resounding among us right now, and you are so young. You are truly a young hero, with an immeasurable future ahead of you." Qian Liu continued his obsequious flattery.
"Oh? Is that so?" Zhou Fu Gui smiled and asked, "Why are we listening to the Dharma?"
"A master is lecturing on Buddhist scriptures. I heard he is a master from Xianmiao Mountain, a living immortal!" Qian Liu replied.
So, it's an old monk chanting scriptures... Zhou Fu Gui thought to himself.
In times of chaos, the lives of the common people are difficult, so they place their hopes in some ethereal matters. Even if they can't eat their fill, they find spiritual solace. But as for an old monk chanting scriptures, he feared he would fall asleep listening...
Zhou Fu Gui was immediately disappointed and lost all interest, wanting only to return to camp and have a good sleep.
If only he could sleep with Little Qing in his arms... The more Zhou Fu Gui thought about it, the more lewd he became.
"Dong... Dong... Dong..."
Just as Zhou Fu Gui was indulging in pleasant thoughts, lost in his daydreams, and feeling a tickle of desire, the temple bell rang several times. A group of ascetics escorted a middle-aged ascetic out.
The middle-aged ascetic was disheveled, but his hair was tied with a golden fillet. He also wore a brocade robe, unlike the other ascetics whose clothes were tattered and reeked of foul odor.
The middle-aged man was, of course, the legendary living Bodhisattva and living immortal from Xianmiao Mountain. Behind him were even several women. One of them, in particular, caught Zhou Fu Gui's attention.
Who was she? The woman's face was veiled, so her features were unclear, but her figure... Zhou Fu Gui felt a sense of familiarity but couldn't recall who she was, no matter how hard he tried.
"All life is suffering, death is also suffering, all sensations are suffering, all beings are suffering!"
"Amitabha!"
"When a person dies, all four hundred and four ailments strike simultaneously. The four elements are about to disperse, and the soul is uneasy. At the point of death, the knife-wind dismembers the form, causing pain everywhere, and cold sweat breaks out."
"Amitabha!"
"Family members, relatives, wives, and children, all share deep affection. But one day, it will be shattered, and they will be scattered by robbers, separated into different directions. The father to the east, the son to the west, the mother to the south, the daughter to the north, not just in one place, but sold into servitude, each weeping bitterly. Their hearts will break, in the dark abyss, sad and miserable, with no hope of meeting again."
"Amitabha!"
Whether the middle-aged ascetic was chanting scriptures or something else, Zhou Fu Gui was completely bewildered. He spoke of the myriad sufferings in the world, and with each phrase he uttered, the people in the hall echoed, "Amitabha!" Many were teary-eyed, overwhelmed by grief.
The middle-aged ascetic's chanting resonated with the inner suffering of the crowd.
They were all auxiliary soldiers and Han soldiers who had left their homes to come to this place. Their families were separated, and their futures were uncertain. All these circumstances amplified their shared feelings, and some even wept uncontrollably.
Zhou Fu Gui, Xu Man Cang, Dian Meng, and the others were also captivated. Zhou Fu Gui, who was known to fall asleep whenever scripture was chanted, was surprisingly listening with great interest, nodding continuously.
The middle-aged ascetic's chanting seemed to possess a magical quality, drawing everyone's attention.
"For decades, the barbarian tribes have been in rebellion in the Central Plains. All the prefectures of the Central Plains are occupied by barbarians. For decades, these brutal barbarians have oppressed the Han people, killed our citizens, and seized our ancestral temples. They treat us Han people as servants and dogs. The Rong Di now call themselves the 'countrymen,' indulging in lavish lifestyles, gambling, horse racing, extravagant construction, and rituals, all at the expense of the Han people's blood and sweat! The Rong Di are inherently greedy and degenerate, indulging in luxury and pleasure, while our people toil year-round, with wives and children starving and freezing, unable to eat a single full meal. What do you all think?" the middle-aged ascetic suddenly changed his tone and said loudly.
"We obey!" the crowd roared in unison.
"Amidst plagues, droughts, and famines, these wretched and wicked barbarians, the Rong Di, do not think of providing relief. Instead, the levies and taxes increase daily, and officials become more corrupt. They are truly tyrannical! The Han people have suffered exploitation for too long! Today, the Rong Di are invading from the south, threatening the Jiangzuo region. If you all rise up righteously, the four directions will surely hear the news and respond. Within ten days, ten thousand men can be gathered. We will kill all the barbarians in the world and restore the Han dynasty's foundation, with lighter taxes and levies to ease the burden on the people. Who in the four directions will not bow in submission and come to pay homage? Will you all contribute?" the middle-aged ascetic continued.
"Good!" the crowd roared again.
This wasn't scripture anymore. This wasn't scripture anymore. At this moment, Zhou Fu Gui finally realized what was happening. He was greatly alarmed, his face turned pale, and he was drenched in sweat. He quickly whispered to Xu Man Cang and the others, "Let's go, let's go, let's get out of here quickly!"
"What happened?" Xu Man Cang, who had been listening with great interest and had even roared along with a clenched fist, now turned to Zhou Fu Gui and asked in surprise.
"We are in great trouble!" Zhou Fu Gui, without time to explain in detail to Xu Man Cang, said anxiously, and then signaled Dian Meng and the others with his eyes.
Thus, Dian Meng dragged Xu Man Cang, Suo Da Cheng dragged Yi Ji Sheng, and Pan Jian Gui dragged Liu Qing Miao. Along with Zhou Fu Gui, the seven of them, like dogs fleeing their homes and fish escaping a net, squeezed through the crowd and rushed out of the temple.
The Xianbei are not foolish. They must have many spies and informants embedded within the army. If such a commotion is happening at the City God Temple, wouldn't the Xianbei know about it? Perhaps they already knew about the actions of these ascetics.
What were these ascetics doing? They were plotting rebellion, and no matter the dynasty or the ruler, rebellion could not be tolerated. There would inevitably be a massive crackdown, without mercy.
Zhou Fu Gui had inexplicably become involved in this matter and deeply regretted this trip to the City God Temple.
"Stop!"
"Where do you think you are going?"
As Zhou Fu Gui and the other seven rushed out of the City God Temple, dozens of figures suddenly emerged from the darkness, pointing their swords and spears at them and shouting.
"Hehehehe, the master's sermon has greatly enlightened us. Because the sermon was too profound, we are returning to digest it slowly and comprehend it." Zhou Fu Gui signaled Xu Man Cang and the others not to move rashly and gave a vague explanation, hoping to get away with it.
On this trip to the City God Temple, Zhou Fu Gui and his companions had only brought a few waist swords and not even bows and arrows. How could they possibly be a match for these people? Moreover, the people in the temple were all their followers. If they were to suddenly make a move, Zhou Fu Gui and his group would surely be in grave danger.
At this moment, Zhou Fu Gui's status as a banner commander was useless.
"The Holy Master is still lecturing, and you are so impatient to return and digest and comprehend?" one of the ascetics sneered, then loudly ordered, "Seize these seven people and tie them before the Holy Master!"
At the ascetic's command, over ten crossbows were aimed at Zhou Fu Gui and the seven.