Chapter 24: Daoist Celestial Master

Jia Cong asked curiously: "Brother Liu, this person has such a big momentum. Who is he?"

Liu Bi smiled: "There is only one person in this world who can drive four horses, hang the imperial-bestowed bright yellow, insert talisman flags, and pattern the Zhou Tian Bagua and Yin-Yang double fish."

"That is the current Celestial Master Zhang Zhang Yuzhen, who inherits the teachings of the Orthodox One, and is in charge of all Daoist affairs in the world."

Jia Cong suddenly realized. The most respected family in the world was the Kong family in Qufu, Shandong. That was a true thousand-year family, which even the royal family of each dynasty could not compare to.

As for the love of submitting surrender tables, that was a matter of later generations, so I won't mention it here.

If there was any other family in the world that could be mentioned in the same breath as the Kong family, it would be the Zhang family, who inherited the Daoist lineage of Zhang Daoling from the Eastern Han Dynasty.

Jia Cong felt surprised in his heart. Prince Prince Jia Shun had such a big face.

This Nanxi Literary Gathering was a gathering for scholars to exchange ideas. Originally, there was no reason to invite a Daoist leader to participate.

But this Zhang Zhang Yuzhen was not an ordinary Daoist leader. He had loved reading since he was a child, was proficient in the Hundred Schools of Thought, and was especially good at poetry and calligraphy.

Liu Liu Yanxiu stroked his beard and replied: "Naturally, I remember. That Heart Sutra of Buddhism is very profound, and that calligraphy is also ancient and elegant. It has already formed the style of a sect, which is very rare."

If it were someone powerful, they would just get along indifferently, but Liu Bi admired Jia Cong's amazing calligraphy and his elegant and indifferent nature, without the slightest bit of the arrogance and shallowness of a wealthy family.

At this time, Liu Bi was still thinking about the topic just now, and asked again: "Brother Cong, which elder of your family brought you here? Let me pay my respects so as not to lose etiquette."

Zhou Zhou Changyan, who was standing behind Prince Prince Jia Shun, recognized Jia Cong at a glance. It had been more than ten days since they last met, and Jia Cong looked a bit different, which surprised him.

For example, like Jia Cong, everyone knew he was a concubine-born descendant of the Lady Rongguo Mansion and would be separated from the mansion in a few years, so he would no longer be able to touch the dignity of the Duke's mansion.

When he met someone more capable than himself in some places, he would become enthusiastic and easy-going. This was probably a strange temper cultivated by a literary family—high vision, respecting talent but not power.

Jia Cong said: "No elder brought me here. I came by myself."

He thought about it again, patted Jia Cong on the shoulder, and said angrily: "Never mind, when the time comes, you will be with me. We will follow my grandfather. Who will stop you? Since you are here, you must open your eyes."

If he hadn't taken over the position of Celestial Master, he would have become a literary saint like Liu Liu Yanxiu. Such a person participating in the Nanxi Literary Gathering was naturally complementary.

Liu Bi's voice was a bit loud unconsciously, and the few people chatting on Prince Prince Jia Shun's side all looked over.

Liu Bi was born in a wealthy family and had seen many scenes, but he had rarely encountered this kind of situation today.

Whether it was the elegant and talented Prince Prince Jia Shun or the Celestial Master Zhang who held the bull's ear of the world's Daoism, they were all big figures who supported the tripod for a time.

Especially that Celestial Master Zhang, who was wearing a dark blue wide-feathered Daoist robe, a seven-star lotus treasure gold crown on his head, and his pair of bright eyes were shining, extremely deep, and looking at them seemed to make people dizzy.

This atmosphere made Liu Bi, who was usually careless, feel some inexplicable tension, and a trace of embarrassment and suppression appeared on his face.

On the contrary, Jia Cong, who was much younger than him, was steady and calm, which made Liu Liu Yanxiu and others feel curious.

They saw Jia Cong standing tall, his black hair like ink. Although he was a bit thin, his features were as handsome as a painting, and his eyes were clear and calm.

Wearing a bright red scarlet felt cloak, reflected by the snow light everywhere, he was like a red cloud, even more outstanding.

Even when facing everyone's scrutiny, he remained calm and composed, not panicked or impatient. That kind of bearing and expression was absolutely hard to see in an ordinary child.

Liu Liu Yanxiu and Celestial Master Zhang felt surprised and cheered in their hearts. The Jia family, a martial family that was declining day by day, still had some remaining blessings to raise such a teenager.

"Junior Jia Cong, I have met the Prince, Mr. Jing'an, and Celestial Master Zhang."

Prince Prince Jia Shun smiled: "This Prince admires your calligraphy very much. Today I have finally seen the real person. It is rare for a teenager to have such bearing and talent."

"I hope you will do a good job as a recording official today and add color to the Nanxi Literary Gathering."

Jia Cong replied: "Your Highness is too kind. Jia Cong will do his best and not live up to expectations."

Liu Liu Yanxiu saw that although he was only at the age of a young boy, his response was steady and clear, and his words were humble and calm, and he couldn't help but show a smile on his face and nodded secretly.

It was just that Celestial Master Zhang Zhang Yuzhen on the side had deep eyes. He looked at Jia Cong, who had an extraordinary bearing, and his right hand kept moving, as if he had realized something.

(End of Chapter) ===== CHAPTER 25 =====

Liu Liu Yanxiu, as a master of literature of his generation, was profoundly learned and well-traveled, and he knew that talented people in the world emerged one after another.

But what Prince Prince Jia Shun said was truly somewhat beyond common sense, and he remained half-believing and half-doubting in his heart.

He recalled that day when the Retired Emperor, because the New Year was approaching, held a prayer banquet at Jinyang Palace, inviting them—the retired old officials and the elders of the imperial clan—to the palace for a banquet and chat.

That Heart Sutra was hanging in a conspicuous place in the hall, and the old fellows present were all people who knew their stuff; soon, someone noticed this excellent piece of calligraphy.

Many people praised the profound and magnificent Buddhist scripture, as well as the unique and elegant calligraphy, all believing that the combination of the two was truly a work of divine craftsmanship.

Liu Liu Yanxiu had spent half his life immersed in the scholarly world and had seen countless fine pieces of calligraphy, but this was the first time he had seen such a script, thinking it must have been created by the calligrapher himself.

He still clearly remembered the look of pride and joy in the Retired Emperor's eyes at that time.

Only later did he learn that this piece of calligraphy was a gift from Prince Prince Jia Shun to the Retired Emperor.

The Retired Emperor, who had always been immersed in Buddhist studies and was also a lover of calligraphy, couldn't put this piece down, and in his joy, he even rewarded Prince Prince Jia Shun with many rare ancient books.

Now, to be told that the stunning Heart Sutra was actually written by this child, Liu Liu Yanxiu felt a shock in his heart that was hard to express.

"Bi'er, why are you still standing there? Bring that little brother over together to pay respects to the Prince and Master Zhang Zhang Tianshi."

Liu Bi was stunned upon hearing this; it was one thing for his grandfather to ask him to go over to pay respects to his elders, but why bring Jia Cong along?

Jia Cong's heart stirred upon hearing this, but his face remained calm as he followed Liu Bi over.

At this moment, the gazes of Prince Prince Jia Shun, Liu Liu Yanxiu, and Zhang Zhang Yuzhen were all focused on Jia Cong.

Liu Bi was born into a great family and had always seen much of the world, but he had rarely encountered a scene like this today.

Whether it was the refined and talented Prince Prince Jia Shun or Zhang Zhang Tianshi, who held the reins of the world's Daoism, both were great figures who held up the tripod of the era.

Especially that Zhang Zhang Tianshi, wearing a wide dark blue feathered Daoist robe and a seven-star lotus treasure gold crown, his pair of bright eyes shining brilliantly, incomparably deep, and looking at them seemed to make one dizzy.

The atmosphere of this moment made the usually carefree Liu Bi feel an inexplicable nervousness, and a trace of embarrassment and oppression appeared on his face.

It was Jia Cong, who was much younger than him, who remained steady and unhurried, which made Liu Liu Yanxiu and the others feel somewhat curious.

They saw Jia Cong standing tall and elegant, his black hair like ink; although he was somewhat thin, his features were as handsome as a painting, and his eyes were clear and tranquil.

Draped in a bright red scarlet felt cloak, reflected by the snow-covered ground, he looked like glowing red clouds, appearing even more outstanding.

Even when facing the scrutiny of the crowd, his demeanor remained calm, neither panicked nor impatient; that kind of bearing and expression was something absolutely hard to see in an ordinary child.

Liu Liu Yanxiu and Zhang Zhang Tianshi were secretly surprised and praised him in their hearts; the Jia family, a house of meritorious nobles that was declining day by day, still had some remaining fortune to be able to raise such a youth.

"Junior Jia Cong, pays respects to the Prince, Master Jing'an, and Master Zhang Zhang Tianshi."

Prince Prince Jia Shun smiled and said, "This Prince greatly admires your calligraphy, and today I have finally met you in person. For a youth to have your bearing and talent is truly rare."

"I hope you will do a good job as the recording official today and add luster to the Nanxi Literary Gathering."

Jia Cong replied, "The Prince overpraises me; Jia Cong will certainly do his utmost and not fail your expectations."

Seeing that although he was only of childhood age, his response was steady and clear, and his words were humble and unhurried, Liu Liu Yanxiu couldn't help but reveal a smile and nod secretly.

It was just that the gaze of the Zhang Tianshi Zhang Zhang Yuzhen on the side was somewhat deep, sizing up the extraordinary Jia Cong, his empty right hand twitching, as if he had realized something.

(End of chapter)