Chapter 36: Buddhist Information

Zhang Mai was surprised to hear that Lingjun actually found the deeds of an imperial envoy traveling west from the family tree, and was shocked when he claimed to be in secret on the ruins of Xinxuye City. Ma Xiaochun even shouted: "Major Protector! It turns out that you are from Dunhuang."

Both monks in the thatched cottage were shocked: "Major Protector?"

Ma Xiaochun smiled and said, "This is the Great Protector of Anxi Protectorate, the governor of the Four Towns, and the descendant of the imperial envoy who traveled west in this genealogy, Zhang Maizhang."

During this period, Zhang Mai's reputation in the Western Regions was well-known. When Monk Lingjun heard this, he hurriedly said: "It turned out that Zhang Dadu protected the light. I was abrupt in my words and I was guilty of sin."

Zhang Mai smiled and said, "Master, don't be polite. If you follow this genealogy, you and I are still the same clan. I have to call the master uncle by calculating algebra. However, monks probably don't care about these things. Although the ages have been long, even if they are close, Master Jing is a monk with great virtue and honor."

The two sat down again, and Zhang Maicai pointed to the scroll and asked Lingjun: "What do these five words mean?"

He refers to the five words "Gao Yao planted virtue", Lingjun said: "Gao Yao is to act, and to be born. Practice virtue is to cultivate oneself, and to be born is to govern the country. This sentence was said by Dayu. The original text is: 'I have no virtue and will not be able to overcome it. Gao Yao planted virtue and virtue will surrender, and the people will be grateful for it.' It means that my virtue and career have not been established, so the people do not follow it. Gao Yao can practice virtue and virtue, so the people will return to it. Although it is only five words, it talks about the great essence of the way of the former kings, the inner sage and the outer king."

Zhang Mai thought to himself: "This old monk is not a simple person, and meeting here is definitely not a coincidence. My father gave me this name, and when he flipped the dictionary, he just pointed to the word Mai, but he could say so many things when he put it here." He had guessed the other party's purpose and asked again: "Now I am not aware of my virtue and career, so the people do not return. What should I do as the master said?"

Ling Jun said: "The Protector of the Great is humble. Since the rebellion, the Protector of the Great has been doing all to punish the people and punish crimes. After taking Shule, the people of Shule have been fed and fed for food and clothing and formed an alliance with Khotan. The merchants of Khotan benefited from this. Not only have they established virtue, but they are also promoting virtue."

Zhang Mai said: "I really want to do my best to serve the people, but since I attacked Kucha, I feel that the more I go east, the greater the resistance. I hold the Tang Dynasty flag high, but I feel that some compatriots in the East seem to be as guarded as if I were a thief, which really puzzled me."

Lingjun said: "Although the virtues of the Great Protectors are established, the people do not know. Although they need to be good, they have not obtained the law. The people and the Great Protectors have not yet established trust, so they do not follow it."

Zhang Mai asked again: "Can the master speak more clearly?"

At this time, Shi Jian came in and said that the soldiers had eaten and had enough food and drink and rest. Should they continue to go on the road? Seeing that Zhang Mai's subordinates had eaten, he and Ling Jun had not eaten yet. Although Zhang Mai wanted to continue to discuss the people's sentiments of Hexi and Beiting with Ling Jun, he thought that the military situation in Tianshan could not be delayed, so he invited Ling Jun to accompany him and said, "It's going to snow. These cottages cannot stop the cold wind. Why don't the master come with me to enter the city? After entering the city, I will continue to ask the master for advice on Lidebude."

Ling Jun did not refuse, and Zhang Mai pointed to the scroll again and said, "These five words are in line with my name. I wonder if the master can give it to you." Ling Jun agreed happily, and Zhang Mai arranged a team of cavalry to escort him, leading the troops to Tianshan first.

This place is less than twenty miles away from Tianshan Mountain. Although it was walking at night, it was still quite fast. It arrived at Tianshan County that night. When the Tang army in the city heard that the PRINCE arrived, cheered and cheered. Murong Chunhua came out to greet him in person. At this time, in addition to his seven thousand horses, the troops in the city also arrived at three generals from the Zhechong Mansion. Zhang Mai had more than 10,000 troops in his hands and was very calm. He also asked about the whole story of Xue Fu's actions, the food and grass conditions in the city and the recent changes in Gaochang area, Murong Chunhua explained in detail one by one.

When Zhang Mai heard that there was only 15,000 people in Tianshan County that were only available for less than two months of food and grass, he frowned and said, "So little?"

Murong Chunhua said: "There are quite a lot. Tianshan is not a city, it is just a small county. There are so many food and grass that I have to rely on Jie Li's blessings. He went to the Yinshan Mountain, and the food and grass were transported from Gaochang. Although most of the food and grass were taken away by him when he retreated to Gaochang, he still left some. When Shiba attacked the city, the defender ran too fast and did not take it away. Otherwise, what we guarded today would be just an empty shell."

Zhang Mai said: "Then you have to inform Xue Suding quickly and let him transport the food." But as the air is getting colder and the snowflakes are getting tighter, it is not easy to transport the food.

On the second day, a group of Viaga rushed to the city of Tianshan and tried to attack the city, but the one who came was Yochang.

Zhang Mai went to the city personally and deliberately put on the mask first, then took off the mask. He put on the mask first to attract the enemy's attention, and then took off the mask to confirm that the enemy was himself. Zhang Mai opened the archery arena in Shule and did a few extremely high-profile things. Gao Chang also sent a detailed investigation. At this time, an envoy in the army recognized Zhang Mai and told Yo Chang, and Yo Chang was shocked: "Zhang Mai? How is that possible! Unless he has a clone technique!"

In addition, someone who recognized Zhang Mai was sent to recognize him, but after returning, he told him: "It's really Zhang Mai!"

Then Yochang paused and shouted: "We were deceived by him, we were all deceived by him! After the battle in the Modunmen Grassland, he only saw the Red Satin Blood Spear but did not see him. It turned out that he had already copied it here!" His momentum became a little discouraged.

When Zhang Mai saw that, he urgently ordered Murong Chunhua to attack. Murong Chunhua immediately led 5,000 cavalry out of the city and roared into the Youchang army. The Youchang army was in a turbulent state of fear and fear, and hurriedly ordered a retreat. Murong Chunhua chased for twenty miles before slowly retreating.

The Uighurs were afraid, but the Tang army was also worried. Seeing that the large army of Vijay had arrived, Murong Chunhua persuaded Zhang Mai to withdraw his troops even though he was defeated this time.

Zhang Mai was also unfamiliar with strangers in Gaochang, and the food in Tianshan City was supplied to 20,000 people for less than two months. He could not survive this winter if he wanted to transport grain from Yanqi, based on the current road conditions. If the troops were unfavorable and were surrounded by Via and Jieli, the Tang army would probably be in a big mess.

Zhang Mai asked Murong Chunhua, "I heard you also suggested to be cautious at the beginning. Now that our army is not coming, you are coming. Do you think you really have to retreat?"

Murong Chunhua said: "I opposed General Xue's strong initiative when he first advocated a rapid advance. The Uighurs occupied Gaochangda for decades and were deeply rooted. How could it be so easy to overthrow their rule? When we were in Yanqi, I was the master and Viaga was the guest, so we were able to win steadily. But now we have turned around. The other party is the master and our army is the guest. Now it has entered winter, and it is not easy to attack the city. Moreover, General Xue misjudged the situation and issued a manifesto to attack Viaga, only two of the seventeen tribes of Gaochang responded. It can be seen that Gaochang's people's hearts are still at Viaga. The last general thought that he should take advantage of the moment that Jie Li had not yet contacted Naifu, and Viaga could not understand our reality and retreat quickly before they surrounded him. Otherwise, our situation would be very dangerous. Gaochang would not fly again. If there is a chance in the future, he would advance east again."

Zhang Mai has always attached great importance to Murong Chunhua's opinions, and felt that he had a good analysis. He was a little unwilling to do so, so he wanted to send someone to summon Xue Fu and Shi Ba back. After the order was drafted, he always hesitated and kept asking if there was any new progress on the eastern front. After hearing this, Murong Chunhua rushed to say, "The Great Protector, Gaochang is not as good as Yanqi. There are no confidants in the city. Xue Fu and Shi Ba together have only 6,000 people. At most, they will force outside Gaochang City to fight a victory and show off their military power. It is impossible to capture the city. Now transfer Xue Fu Shi Ba back and can go back within ten days, which can ensure that our entire army will escape without losses. If it is delayed for too long, if the weather changes, it may not be possible to leave at that time."

Zhang Mai said: "Yes, yes." But he still refused to issue the order.

Murong Chunhua said: "Major Protector, you should be indecisive and suffer from chaos! What should you do? Please make a decision quickly!"

Zhang Mai pondered: "Let's talk about it tomorrow."

Murong Chunhua was stunned and Zhang Mai had already avoided when he wanted to persuade him again. Murong Chunhua knew that Zhang Mai could not give up, so he sent people out of the city overnight, divided the troops from two battalions to occupy the two high grounds, east and west, and then sent a thousand Muqi cavalry to come and go at the south gate, pretending that the support of the Anxi Tang army continued to open.

When Ma Xiaochun saw Zhang Mai avoiding Murong Chunhua, he asked a little strangely: "Mao Duodu, why are you hiding from him? If you don't want to leave, don't leave. We will definitely win."

Zhang Mai snorted, "What do you know!" In his rationality, he agreed with Murong Chunhua's proposal, but he had the urge to take advantage of the victory to win Gaochang. Reason fought against the desires of heaven and man, and he couldn't help but feel irritated. At this time, it was not Murong Chunhua who was hiding, but himself.

Until the evening, he still paced at the temporary center of the Tang army. This temporary center of the Tang army was the official office of the Tianshan County Government during the Tang Dynasty. After the Uighurs occupied the place, they changed it to the mansion of the city lord. At this time, they were captured by the Tang army as the command center of the Tang army in the Gaochang Basin.

As he walked, he was suddenly called by someone. Zhang Mai recognized it as the sea seal and said in a daze: "Oh, you are here too." It turned out that Monk Lingjun was not walking fast and arrived two hours later than Zhang Mai. Seeing that Zhang Mai was able to talk to him, Ma Xiaochun arranged him nearby.

Haiyin also said that Master Nai had prepared some good tea and invited Zhang Mai to have a tea. Zhang Mai thought about it and agreed. In the ear room, Ling Jun had already changed into a cassock. The cassock was woven in high-quality silk. Not to mention the exquisite handicrafts, the materials alone were already valuable, which was completely different from the cloth clothes he wore when he was in the thatched cottage.

Zhang Mai smiled and said, "Looking at the outfit of a great monk, he doesn't look like a monk in a small temple."

Lingjun smiled and said, "I am the host of Sanjie Temple. This robe is filial to the children and grandchildren of the clan."

There are many famous temples in the Western Regions, and Zhang Mai, the Jokhang Temple, did not recognize them before coming to this world. He was shocked when he heard the Three Realms Temple because it was the place he had visited in his previous life. He blurted out: "Sanjie Temple, isn't that the place of Mogao Grottoes?"

Ling Junqi said: "Major Protector knows Mogao Grottoes?"

It turns out that although the Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang were famous all over the world in later generations, their status at this time was not outstanding. They were just one of the many scenic spots in the Western Regions.

Zhang Mai said: "I used to think the master was a free monk, but he was the host of a large temple. How could he have time to come to Gaochang?" According to the information sent back from Jialing, Zhang Mai knew that the Sanjie Temple was one of the largest temples in Dunhuang. The so-called "Lingtu Temple in the city and the Sanjie Cave outside the city" had a great influence in Shazhou where Buddhism was prosperous.

Ling Jun smiled and said, "Why can Zhang Dadu come to Gaochang, why can't I come?"

Zhang Mai said: "I came to Gaochang because I got here in war."

Ling Jun said: "I came to Gaochang because I passed the Dharma here."

Zhang Mai sat down cross-legged and said, "Monkey, I know that you are popular in Buddhism, but I don't like it. I can even tell you in a blunt way: I don't believe in Buddhism. Let's open the skylight and speak loudly. It's not by chance that you come to see me, but I don't understand, how can you predict my whereabouts?"

Lingjun did not answer, and sat down to make tea and said, "Majority Protectors do not believe in Buddhism, so what do they believe in?"

"I don't believe anything!" Zhang Mai said: "If you have to say that you believe in something, you believe in my own judgment."

"Then the Great Protector has been here all the way with his own judgment?" Ling Jun asked.

Zhang Mai said: "My judgment is one aspect, and luck may be another aspect. Another more important thing is to work together with my brothers and friends! We can fight here from Xinliye City, not rely on heaven or Buddha, but on people! Although we respect the Tathagata in Shule, it is just following the local customs, not saying that I really do things according to the Dharma."

Lingjun smiled slightly and said, "Master Dadu is very honest."

"I don't need to hide now." Zhang Mai said: "In some occasions, polite words are to be said, but now I don't think there is a need."

Ling Jun said: "What will the Great Protector treat Buddhism if he can get what he wants in the future?"

Zhang Mai said: "It's not clear now. In short, policies will be formulated according to actual needs. My mother believes in Buddhism, so although I don't believe it, I still have a good impression of Buddhism. But if Buddhist affairs affect state affairs, it will not work - this is my attitude!"

Speaking of this, his eyes flashed with a terrifying glow without realizing it. Lingjun was completely unresisting and even admired it a little, and said with a smile: "Everyone outside says Zhang Mai is strong and domineering. It's really good to see it today. However, since the Protectorate is full of confidence in himself, why are he still irritable today?"

Zhang Mai waved his hand to stop him and said, "Monkey, you have asked too many questions, but you have not answered the questions I asked yet."

"That's because the question asked by the Great Protector is not important." Ling Jun said: "In fact, why didn't the Great Protector ask me directly, what is the Shazhou side's actions, what is Cao Linggong's intention, and what will the Guiyi Army be preparing to do next."

Zhang Mai's heart was stern and said, "Do you know these? Even if you know, can you tell me the truth?"

Ling Jun said: "Daduo Daduo wants to know if I know, why don't you ask? Daduo Daduo just said that he believed in his own judgment, so just use this judgment to determine whether what I said is true or false, isn't it enough?"

Shiba led the elites of the three palaces, but there was no resistance on the way. He drove all the way to Gaochang City and sent someone to knock on the city gate and shouted: "Viga has been defeated by us at Modun Gate. He knew the truth and hurried out to the city to surrender! If the young master takes action, there would be no good results."

All the people in the city were afraid, but the generals said, "The other party has only 3,000 or 4,000 people, and this is our land. When we were in the northern part of the desert, we were invincible. How could we be bullied to the door of our house?" They all took the initiative to fight.

Jie Li ordered seven thousand Uighur soldiers and drove them out of the city.

Shi Ba saw the Gaochang city gate open, and someone suggested rushing over. Shi Ba said, "Run over now? Isn't that going to block the city gate? Besides, our losses will be very heavy when they shoot arrows on the top of the city." Instead of advancing, he ordered two hundred steps to retreat and the entire army dismounted and rested so that Jie Li could reorganize the army.

Jie Li's deputy general Ge Lan smiled and said, "I heard that there was a Duke Xiang of Song in the history of the Han people who paid the most attention to be kindness and righteousness and face. He did not attack before the enemy crossed the river. He did not attack before the enemy crossed the river. He did not attack while the enemy had not yet steadily. Instead, he waited for the opponent to arrange troops before he was sent to the door. This general of the Tang army is probably such a person."

After Jie Li left the city, he arranged the cavalry, Shi Barong arranged him, and Ge Lan presided over the army, lined up in four rows, about two miles across. Shi Ba saw the enemy's flag clearly, among which the main flag beside Jie Li was the most obvious. Shi Ba said to the lieutenant: "We are fewer people than the other party, and we are fighting under the opponent's city. This battle must be decided quickly. No matter what else, all the forces will surge towards the main flag! After taking the flag, the other party will be in chaos. At that time, they will use the battalion as units to fight, and what will happen if they kill. Do you understand?"

The lieutenant said in unison: "I understand."

"If you understand, then get on the horse!"

More than 3,000 people were riding on the horse together, and Ge Lan was shocked by the neat movements. At this time, Jie Li's formation was about to be completed, and Shi Ba raised his fangs and rod and shouted: "Go on!"

The soldiers of the three prefectures turned into three dragons and rushed towards him! Ge Lan suddenly felt uneasy when he saw this power. His evaluation of the Tang army general just now flashed through his mind, and suddenly he found that using that evaluation to trap the current situation seemed absurd! When Chu and Song fought for hegemony, Chu soldiers were strong and Song soldiers were weak, but the current situation was the opposite. Viagra used troops that day, and those who restrained the Silver Mountain were empty, and the north road was the roundabout attack was real, so most of the elite soldiers and generals were transferred there. Jie Li was mostly tribal troops, and even the Uighurs' people were not considered elite.

But Shiba was completely the same - those were the three mansions under Zhang Mai who were the most capable of fighting. Although the number of people was nearly twice that of the Uighur army, the strength of the momentum was exactly the opposite.
Chapter completed!