Chapter 159: The Immortal on Mount Zhongnan, Li Mi
When the group saw a group of Taoist priests, they immediately trotted over.

The noble lady in particular shouted angrily, "Daoists, quickly catch them! They dared to hurt people in the Taoist temple. This is blaspheming the Taoist Patriarch Taiqing. Their crime is even more serious!"

She was very happy because her husband was well versed in Taoist teachings and had connections with Fan Yun.

He thought Fan Yun would help them.

"Nonsense! It was your son who spat in the Lingxi River. This is a great sin of blaspheming the Great Qing Dao Ancestor. I have decided to report this matter to the Saint."

Fan Yun said righteously.

He had already recognized who they were, Chen Xilie's family.

The young man in red robe is Chen Xilie’s son Chen Lu.

Because the sage admired Taoism, Chen Xilie once explained "Laozi" and "I Ching" to the sage, and was therefore highly regarded by the sage.

Some time ago, Chen Xilie was a strong candidate competing for the position of Left Prime Minister, but unfortunately Li Linfu was not strong enough.

But in Fan Yun's eyes, Chen Xilie could not compare to Li Xuan, the general of the Left Dragon Guard.

If you ask some pilgrims who come to pray, you will certainly find that many of them don’t know Chen Xilie, but few of them don’t know the name Li Xuan.

What's more, he heard that when Li Xuan was washing her face in Lingxi, Chen Lu spat into Lingxi.

This is insulting!

"Master, my husband is Minister Chen..."

The noble lady thought Fan Yun had forgotten her and pointed out that she was the wife of Chen Xilie, the Minister of Works.

"This is General Li, the General of the Left Dragon Guard and the ambassador of the Hexi Longyou Military Region. He has come to pray for the Saint and the Imperial Concubine..."

Fan Yun clearly told the lady and Chen Lu not to think about causing trouble.

Li Xuan's status is even worse than that. Even if you bring this to the attention of the Saint, you will not get any good results.

Sure enough, as soon as these words were spoken, the noble lady and Chen Lu turned pale.

Chen Lu no longer felt the pain from the injuries on his body.

Everyone in Chang'an knew that Li Xuan was a ruthless character. He beat Luo Xishi to death and expelled Wang Yu. Let them know that this was not only General Li, but also the most trusted minister of the saint.

Chen Xilie was very capable, but he never became a prime minister. In every aspect, he was still far behind Li Xuan.

"It's a misunderstanding, it must be a misunderstanding... I didn't know General Li was here, I hope you don't mind. Wu Lang, apologize to General Li."

The lady's expression changed immediately. She was like an eggplant hit by frost. She apologized to Li Xuan and asked Chen Lu to apologize.

Although she was arrogant and domineering, she was not stupid. She knew that it was not appropriate to conflict with Li Xuan and make things difficult for her husband.

Although Chen Xilie's family was rare in Chang'an City, he met Li Xuan, a man who could do whatever he wanted in Chang'an.

Not to mention that the fault lies with Chen Lu, even if the fault lies with Li Xuan and others, Chen Lu has to bow his head.

"I am good friends with Minister Chen, so I won't argue with you too much."

Seeing Chen Lu, with a bruised face and nose, bowing to him, Li Xuan didn't want to delve into it.

Chen Xilie was not Li Linfu's confidant, but a weak and easily controlled person, a fence-sitter as the saying goes.

He will submit to whoever is more powerful.

This is also the reason why Li Linfu wanted to recommend Chen Xilie as prime minister. Such a Chen Xilie must be a tool who can only stamp the seal of the Ministry of Personnel.

"Thank you, General Li..."

Even though they were angry, the lady and Chen Lu had to bow to Li Xuan again.

They were also tactful and knew not to attract Li Xuan's favor, so they left Zongsheng Temple immediately.

Fan Yun exchanged greetings with Li Xuan again before leaving with a group of Taoists.

"General Li..."

When Pei Lingxi heard Fan Yun address Li Xuan as the Great General, he quickly guessed that this was the young hero General Li.

Although she did not live in Chang'an, she could always hear about General Li's talent and heroism, and she admired him very much.

There were many people in Yishou City who admired General Li. It was said that some knights even went outside the Great Wall to look for General Li.

Now that the real General Li was right beside her, her heart couldn't help but pound.

"Do we still need to be flogged forty times now?"

Li Xuan asked Pei Lingxi in a teasing tone.

Pei Lingxi, who had been so calm and confident just now, was too embarrassed to respond to Li Xuan's words and stammered, unable to say anything.

Li Xuan understood that, like Li Yuying's friends, some men and women really could not answer him for a while.

"General Li, I can recite all the poems you have passed down!"

After a while, Pei Lingxi heard the gurgling stream and her heart calmed down. She was no longer shy and took the initiative to talk to Li Xuan.

"For example, "Helongqu"? "

Li Xuan was skeptical.

Could it be that the girl is also interested in frontier poems?
Although Pei Lingxi seemed to understand "Dou Song", his poems were not popular for long and were far less popular than those of Wang Wei and Li Bai.

"Black clouds are pressing down on the city, threatening to destroy it; the armor shines in the sun, with golden scales..."

Pei Lingxi recited it softly, without any delay.

"I am short-sighted. It turns out that this young lady is actually a talented woman!"

Li Xuan recognized Pei Lingxi and apologized to her.

"The general is a man of great talent, but I am not one of them!"

Pei Lingxi lowered his head.

She could only recite a few poems, including some by Wang Wei.

The poems she wrote were so poor that she didn't even dare let her father see them.

"good……"

He seldom talked so much with ladies, and Pei Lingxi's brightness and clarity made Li Xuan feel very comfortable.

"Are you coming to Zongsheng Temple alone, young lady?"

Although Li Xuan knew that she was the prime minister's granddaughter.

But Pei Yaoqing's lineage was already in decline, unlike Pei Guangting's lineage, which was taken care of by Li Linfu.

"My carriage is outside the temple. My grandfather asked me to go back in the afternoon."

Pei Lingxi replied to Li Xuan.

She felt that being able to talk to Li Xuan was a beauty she could never experience even in her dreams.

"Well! When you go back, give my regards to your father."

Li Xuan said this to Pei Lingxi.

Pei Lingxi knew the hierarchy clearly. As Li Xuan was a great general, he didn't need to greet his father. She didn't know why Li Xuan said that, so she looked at him with puzzled eyes.

"I admire Master Pei. His descendants should also be graceful!"

Li Xuan said casually.

Pei Yaoqing was indeed a very pragmatic prime minister. Even Li Longji carried Pei Yaoqing's edicts with him to remind himself to care for the people at all times.

"I will……"

Pei Lingxi then nodded.

"Go back as soon as possible!"

Li Xuan gave Pei Lingxi a final reminder.

"it is good!"

Pei Lingxi left with a smile on her face.

Although she didn't want to leave, she couldn't disturb General Li.

She was already very satisfied to be able to talk to Li Xuan.

Following the lower reaches of Lingxi River, like a quiet woman hesitating...

She didn't know how much time had passed, but when she looked back again, she found that Li Xuan was gone.

Although disappointed, she was also glad.

Fortunately, Li Xuan didn’t see her looking back.

……

On the way back to his residence, Luo Xing said to Li Xuan: "Qilang rarely talks to ladies like this, you can propose to her family..."

Although Pei Lingxi was not as beautiful as Changli, Changli was a prostitute after all. Even if Li Xuan was willing, she could only be a concubine at most.

Although Pei Lingxi's family is not prominent, the name of Wenxi Pei's family still exists. It is a real famous aristocratic family, and it is also embellished by the identity of the prime minister's granddaughter.

This era is open, although there were many examples of mismatched marriages during the heyday of the Tang Dynasty.

But given Li Xuan's status, it would be better for him to find a match of equal status and win over the gentry.

"You talk too much!"

Li Xuan did not answer Luo Xing.

Getting married is a major event in life. Although you can get married later, it cannot be too late.

He is a man who does great things, and he must have descendants to stabilize people's hearts.

But the person he likes must be gentle, virtuous, tolerant and generous.

Don't create any "backyard fire" in the future. There are too many examples of this in history.

I just met Pei Lingxi. Apart from her young age, I have a good impression of her.

But we'll have to wait and see.

……

The next morning.

Zongsheng Temple is temporarily closed and visitors are not allowed.

Hundreds of Taoist priests and Taoist children from the entire Taoist temple gathered under the Taiqing Hall.

In the Taiqing Hall, the deity enshrined is Laozi Li Er.

Li Tang’s Supreme God!

The person who presided over the blessing ceremony was not Fan Yun, but Qingshanzi.

An old but energetic Taoist priest.

Li Xuan saw in him a kind of "supernatural" and "indifference to the world".

This is the true "practitioner".

The abbot of Zongsheng Temple is more like a manager. Although he is also a Taoist priest, perhaps what he has in mind is not the great way, but the "broad road".

Li Xuan took a bath, changed his clothes, and put on his Taoist robe.

He didn't eat any meat for the whole day.

Taoist children placed offerings such as fruits and grains.

At 3:30 a.m., Qingshanzi recited scriptures in front of the temple, and Li Xuan held incense and worshipped. Then he sat cross-legged on the side and prayed for blessings.

Seeing that Qingshanzi seemed to have some Taoist skills, Li Xuan obediently blessed the saint. Anyway, he didn't believe in these things.

"clang……"

"Boom..."

The bells and drums are beating.

It’s very light and slow, and although it’s a relatively “violent” instrument, it makes people feel calm.

Taoist priests sat cross-legged below, receiving the bath of "Purple Air Coming from the East".

They also recited Taoist scriptures softly.

When the incense is burned out, it means the prayer is over. "The general's mind is not very peaceful."

After praying, Qingshanzi said to Li Xuan.

"Why did you say that, Taoist Priest?"

Li Xuan was puzzled. Wasn't this old Taoist chanting scriptures the whole time?
"Because the general is closing his eyes tightly and coming here with something on his mind."

Qingshanzi pointed at Li Xuan's eyes.

"After all, I am young!"

Li Xuan smiled awkwardly. He thought Qingshanzi could see into people's minds. He did close his eyes slightly when praying.

After all, he was not sincere, so he just made an excuse.

"My teacher once composed a piece of music that can calm the mind and focus the spirit. If needed, I will prepare it for the general."

Qingshanzi also smiled kindly. He had seen countless people and knew that Li Xuan was a rare genius and it was difficult to guess his thoughts.

"Good work!"

Li Xuan nodded. Although his piano skills were average, he also wanted to see what the music Sima Chengzhen composed was like.

After bidding farewell to Qingshanzi, Li Xuan asked Fan Yun, "Master, do you know where a hermit named Li Mi is in Zhongnan Mountain?"

"Li Mi...I heard that he was a child prodigy and had been to Zongsheng Temple, but I don't know where he lived in seclusion in Zhongnan Mountain."

Fan Yun pondered for a moment, shook his head, and reminded Li Xuan: "There are many hermits in the mountains, and they often visit each other."

After receiving this reply, Li Xuan left Zongsheng Temple with his personal guards.

They first left their horses at Zongsheng Temple and waited to ride them when they returned.

Li Xuan came to a valley from the other side and headed towards the "hermit" residential area.

Along the way, Li Xuan saw many luxurious manor villas.

I don’t know which princes, ministers, or eunuchs these belong to.

There are many kinds of hermits in Zhongnan Mountain.

Some are talented but unappreciated scholars, some are those who resigned from office and retired to seclusion before their ambitions were fulfilled, some are admirers of Buddhism and Taoism, and some are hermits who are indifferent to fame and wealth and have clear aspirations...

In addition, every autumn and winter, thousands of scholars came from all corners of the country to take the imperial examinations. After the examinations, these people often did not rush back to their hometowns, but stayed in Zhongnan Mountain.

Literati like to choose to read in the mountains and forests to pursue some inspiration. Some literati temporarily live in temples in Zhongnan Mountain. If they fail the imperial examination, they will review and wait for the next year.

"May I ask if you know Li Mi?"

Li Xuan found a valley with many thatched houses and asked them.

After asking several households, a Taoist priest finally said, "Is it Li Mi who believed in and pursued immortality?"

"Yes, it's him. You are also a Taoist priest. Don't you want to be immortal?"

Li Xuan nodded with joy and asked the Taoist priest.

There are many Taoists in Zhongnan Mountain who do not join any Taoist temples and live alone.

During the Kaiyuan and Tianbao periods, when Taoism was highly valued, there were too many Taoists, and it was difficult for them to become as famous as Sima Chengzhen and Wu Jun.

"Taoists cultivate their nature and cultivate their character. Most Taoists are not pursuing immortality. Li Changyuan is too obsessed with it."

The Taoist shook his head.

"Excuse me, Taoist priest, where is Li Changyuan?"

Li Xuan then asked the Taoist priest.

Everyone has different beliefs. Li Mi chose to enter the officialdom only when he felt that immortality was unattainable.

If one blindly pursues the life of a Taoist priest, he will become a "god" like Sima Chengzhen.

"Li Changyuan has gone further than us. He is in the mountains nearly ten miles away from here. The road is difficult to travel..."

The Taoist pointed to the mountain where they had to travel through the valley and jungle, and answered Li Xuan.

"Can you take us there?"

Li Xuan thought it would be easier by leading the way.

"Haha, I just heard Li Changyuan's story and I haven't crossed the mountains to get there. But there are many hermits like Li Changyuan in the mountains. You can ask them when you meet them."

The Taoist shook his head and replied.

"Sorry for bothering you!"

Li Xuan bowed and left, going into the mountains to search personally.

They had already prepared some dry food and water.

There are obvious traces of mountain roads.

This is a road that is frequently traveled.

Sure enough, I encountered quite a few thatched houses.

The locations chosen for these thatched houses are mostly valleys with soil, which are also used for farming.

After asking along the way, they finally arrived at the thatched cottage where Li Mi was at sunset in the afternoon.

Li Mi's residence was in a not very wide valley, which was deep enough and generally no one would come here.

If we really want to go deeper into Taibai Peak, we will run into trouble.

At the stone table outside the thatched hut, a young man was reading a book, completely absorbed in his studies.

This young man was about twenty-three or twenty-four years old. Although he looked thin, he had an extraordinary temperament, especially his eyes, which were bright and sharp.

It was only when Li Xuan and his personal guards came within a dozen steps of him that he reacted.

Li Mi looked at these people and found that they were all unfamiliar faces and their behavior did not seem like that of hermits or people who had retired to seclusion.

These people were carrying knives and swords, and they were protecting Li Xuan secretly.

Look at Li Xuan again, so handsome!
That kind of determined gaze was extremely deep, and this was definitely not the look of an ordinary prince.

"What are you doing here?"

Li Mi's intuition told him that Li Xuan and others were not here for sightseeing.

"But Li Changyuan?"

Li Xuan looked at Li Mi and felt that it was most likely true, but he still asked out of politeness.

"It's down!"

Li Mi stood up and bowed.

He was from the Liaodong branch of the Zhaojun Li family, and his sixth-generation ancestor was the famous Northern Zhou Grand Tutor Li Bi.

"I finally found you. I'm Li Xuan."

Li Xuan smiled, introduced himself, and bowed.

"Could it be General Li, the governor of Hexi and Longyou?"

Li Mi was stunned.

If it was true, this identity was too noble. He learned that this person was so popular in front of the saint that even the powerful Prime Minister Li Linfu was a little less arrogant in front of him.

"Exactly!"

Li Xuan nodded.

"Excuse me, excuse me, General Li, what brings you to my humble abode?"

Li Mi is still a young man after all, and he couldn't imagine why Li Xuan would condescend to see him.

He had heard of Li Xuan's name a long time ago. He was a great poet who was famous for his military achievements.

He also learned about Li Xuan's battle record, and that he was very good at defeating the larger force with the smaller one, and defeating the strong with the weak.

Whether it is a big war or a small war, we will achieve a great victory at a very small cost.

In this respect, he is unique in history!
When he was invited to the Left Prime Minister's Mansion, he gave a little hint and the Left Prime Minister Li Shizhi withdrew from power. In return, Li Xuan is now free from suspicion and has achieved fame and honor.

At that time, Li Mi felt that this family had very rational people who knew how to make choices.

"I came to Mount Zhongnan for only one reason. I heard about Li Changyuan's talent and fame, so I came to visit him."

Li Xuan bowed to Li Mi again and told him the purpose of his visit.

"General Li, please take a seat. Unfortunately, there is no good wine in the mountains, only coarse tea. Please forgive me for the poor hospitality."

Li Mi was deeply touched by such courtesy.

He invited Li Xuan to sit at the stone table and brought a pot to boil tea in front of the stove.

Soon, the fragrance of tea filled the valley.

"It's better to be a god. We mortals can only envy you."

After the tea was served, Li Xuan took a sip, looked at the surrounding scenery and smiled.

"In this Zhongnan Mountain, most people are immortals out of necessity. How can they compare to the wealth and honor of the human world?"

Li Mi hit the nail on the head.

There are very few true hermits. Most of them are frustrated people and those who want to take the "shortcut to Zhongnan".

"That's right! Wen Changyuan is pursuing the art of immortality. How is his learning going now?"

Li Xuan asked this question again.

This is critical.

Li Xuan was also unsure. According to history, it was not until the tenth year of Tianbao that Li Mi presented a poem to Li Longji to ask for an official position.

Before becoming an official, Li Mi had been traveling between Mount Zhongnan, Mount Hua and Mount Song.

It is because we believe in immortality that we pursue it so persistently.

Only after realizing that everything is empty will one step into reality.

"It's still a little short. It's a pity that I didn't meet Bai Yunzi, otherwise he would have been able to give me some pointers."

Li Mi didn't feel confident.

Being exposed to Taoism since childhood, coupled with the strong atmosphere of Taoism in the court and the country, made him firmly believe that there are real immortals in the world.

"It should be difficult to achieve immortality. Do I need to travel more mountains and rivers to understand it?"

Li Xuan reminded Li Mi.

See if he has any intention of leaving these fairy mountains.

"Where else can one get in touch with immortality better than Mount Zhongnan?"

Li Mi asked Li Xuan a question.

"Become an immortal in the human world."

Li Xuan answered slowly.

"It's difficult!"

Li Mi shook his head. This went against his path of immortality.

"Changyuan, do you think I have a future?"

Li Xuan thought about it carefully and decided that it was still early, so he changed the subject.

"General Li is young and promising, and he has a bright future!"

Just like the court ministers praised Li Xuan, Li Mi also praised Li Xuan.

"It's just that I recently heard some discussions saying that I saved the saint but lost my future. They all say that I am young and promising, I don't understand, so I came to ask Changyuan."

Li Xuan asked Li Mi solemnly.

He needs to test Li Mi first.

Before he rebelled, he would never tell anyone, including his father Li Shizhi.

(End of this chapter)