Xiangyang was about nine hundred miles away from Bianliang in Shangjing, so the two got up early and packed their luggage to ride on their horses.
After a day of running around, they arrived at Xiangyang at around 10:00 pm. Then, they found an inn and checked in with their luggage.
After making tea for Qiao Feng, she began to cultivate and refine Qi.
On the second day, Qiao Feng rode a horse and brought Li Shishi to tour Xiangyang City.
They first came to Gulongzhong, where Liu Bei had visited the thatched cottage three times.
"The mountain is not high but elegant, the water is not deep but clear; The land was not wide but flat, and the forest was not big but lush. This beautiful natural landscape was the most beautiful stroke on the Jingchu painting scroll. It was also famous for eight hundred years because of Zhuge Liang.
When Zhuge Liang was young, he came from Nanyang. He personally farmed the fields and handed over ten years to this unworldly land. Later, Liu Bei visited the thatched cottage three times and was unrivaled in the world. This place was also known as the cradle of the wise and the source of the world.
The stone archway was a landmark building in Longzhong. It was about thirty feet wide and twenty feet high. The words " Gulongzhong " were carved on the stone tablet in the middle of the archway, and the words " Indifferent and Clear Will " and " Tranquility and Far Away " were carved on the gatehouses on both sides. Standing under the stone archway, he raised his head and recited the poem on the stone pillars on both sides. It was as if he had understood the years of turmoil and the loyalty of an old official at this moment.
After passing through the stone archway, the fields were in front of them. When Zhuge Liang was living in Longzhong, he and his younger brother Zhuge Jun once cultivated the land and were self-sufficient. Stepping into this field, the scenery was beautiful. There were flowers and fragrances, green shade and cool air, and the fragrance of rice. There was a pavilion built in the middle of the field, and the eaves were raised. It was very simple. There was a stone tablet in the pavilion, engraved with the words " Cultivate Long Mu ". Standing in the pavilion, one could see the crops in the four fields, green mountains and green trees.
Xiaohong Bridge, across the middle of the stream, was the only way in and out when Zhuge Liang lived in Longzhong. There was an interesting incident on the bridge. When Liu Bei braved the wind and snow to visit Zhuge Liang for the second time in Longzhong, he met Zhuge Liang's father-in-law, Huang Chengyan, on this bridge. At that time, Huang Chengyan was singing loudly,"Riding a donkey over a small bridge, singing the thin plum blossoms alone." Seeing this, Liu Bei thought it was Zhuge Liang, so he dismounted and went forward to greet him. Therefore, the small rainbow bridge became a very important scenic spot in Longzhong.
After crossing the bridge, they arrived at Longzhong Academy. The academy was built in the Tianfu period of the Five Dynasties and had been renovated several times. The current Longzhong Academy was rebuilt on the old site during the Song Zhenzong period. The courtyard was divided into six sections, the Preface Hall, the Encouragement Hall, the Diligence Hall, the Honest Government Hall, the Admonition Hall, and the Vision Hall, which focused on Zhuge Liang's life.
The Temple of Marquis Wu was built in the Jin Dynasty. It was a temple dedicated to Zhuge Liang. It was located on the mountainside of Longzhong. After the Sui, Tang and Song Dynasties, it rose and fell frequently. The current building was rebuilt in the first year of Zhiping. The ancestral hall was a four-door, three-courtyard, and three-story tabletop building. In the main hall, there were statues of Zhuge Liang and his descendants Zhuge Zhan and Zhuge Shang for people to admire and worship. There was also a golden osmanthus tree in the temple that had been around for more than five hundred years. It had a lot of spiritual aura and bloomed every year in the golden autumn. It had never broken its promise.
The Hall of Three Visits was the memorial hall where Liu Bei visited the thatched cottage three times. The main body of the existing Sangu Hall was rebuilt on the original site in the second year of Zhiping. In the middle of the hall of the Hall of Three Gus, there was a group of statues of "Longzhong Dui Ce", which recreated the historical story of "Longzhong Dui". The images of Zhuge Liang, Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei were full and vivid. In the middle of the courtyard, there were two crape myrtle trees. The flowers bloomed for a hundred days, and it was the most beautiful scene in the ancient courtyard.
Zhuge's thatched cottage was hidden in the green trees, quiet and peaceful. This was a Han styled building. The words " Zhuge Liang's Grass Hut " were very eye-catching. The grass hut was divided into two courtyards. In the middle of the simple courtyard, there was an ox cart. It was specially copied by later generations according to the story of " Zhuge Liang's ox cart welcoming the bride." When strolling in the thatched cottage, he would always think about how satisfied he would be if he could also own a few acres of fertile farmland in such a clear land and turn the idyllic life into a poem.
The hexagonal well could be said to be the treasure of Longzhong. This was the water well used by Zhuge Liang when he lived here. It was also the only relic of his life that remained after he left the mountain. It had a history of more than 800 years. There was still water in the well, and it was clear and bright. The hexagonal well was named after its hexagonal appearance. According to historical records, the well was originally five feet deep, but due to the passage of time, the mud at the bottom of the well had accumulated, and it was now less than two feet deep.
A hundred meters east of the Three Gu Hall, there was a building that remembered Zhuge Liang's long chanting when he lived in Longzhong. It was the Knee-hugging Pavilion, which was rebuilt during the Zhenzong period. Legend has it that there used to be a big stone here, and Zhuge Liang often sang the tune of his hometown,"Liang Fu Yin." The pavilion is hexagonal in shape, with three eaves and three floors. There are wooden ladders in the pavilion to climb the stairs and enjoy the scenery.
On the back of the pavilion, there was a "Grass Hut Stele", which was erected during the period of Zhenzong. On the front of the stele, there were the words "Grass Hut" written by Shinan Jiang Huidi. The handwriting was bold and powerful. The back of the stele was engraved with the words " Dragon's Resting Place ". Before Zhuge Liang left the mountain, his teacher Pang De Gong gave him the elegant name " Wolong ", so his residence was also called " Dragon's Resting Place " by later generations.
The Old Dragon Cave was the last scenic spot in Longzhong. It was located at the foot of Longzhong Mountain, surrounded by pine and cypress trees and lush forests. It was said that the water in the Old Dragon Cave was sweet. Zhuge Liang's wisdom was due to drinking this water. Here, you might as well walk into the tea room to taste Longzhong fragrant tea. Behind the Old Dragon Cave was the Peony Garden. Flowers bloomed in spring, and its name shook the ancient city.
After the tour of Zhuge Liang's former residence, they rode their horses to the Moon Flower Valley. The Moon Flower Valley had the feeling of a " secluded valley ". The terrain was flat and open, and there were abundant flowers and lush trees. Especially in spring, tulips, cherry blossoms, and other flowers were in full bloom, swaying in the wind, and the fragrance of flowers assaulted people.
"Is Gu Longzhong fun?" Qiao Feng asked Li Shishi after they finished shopping in Gulongzhong.
"It's so fun. Gu Long Zhong is so big and so quiet. I really want to live there and cultivate and refine Qi every day!”Li Shishi said happily.
"I'll bring you to the Water Mirror Manor later. It's the former residence of Zhuge Liang's master, Sima Hui.”Qiao Feng said.
"Yes, alright. Let's go!" Li Shishi said.
"Yes, alright." Qiao Feng said.
Soon, they arrived at Water Mirror Manor.
Water Mirror Manor is also known as White Horse Cave. Two miles outside the south gate of Nanzhang County. It is backed by Yuxi Mountain, which is covered with layers of green mountains. It faces the Yi River below and the spring water gurgles. There was a natural stone chamber on the cliff of the mountainside. It was called the White Horse Cave, and the words " Paradise " were engraved on it.
The cave is more than sixty feet deep, more than thirty feet wide and more than ten feet high. Shuijing Village covered an area of 900 acres. There were animal landscapes such as gray storks and squirrels. The historical culture and the natural landscape complemented each other. It was an ideal place for leisure and sightseeing. There are more than ten precious cultural relics of the Han Dynasty, nearly 100 poems, 50 inscriptions, 100 paintings and calligraphy of famous people, and 50 couplets. The earliest poems and essays are nearly 100 years old.
There was a huge cave in Shuijing Village, which could accommodate a hundred people. It was said that it led to Sichuan. Because a white horse ran out, it was named "White Horse Cave". Most of the buildings in the scenic spot were pavilions, with flying eaves in the air. They were imposing, with golden windows and carved beams and painted buildings.
Halfway up the mountain, there were the "First Heavenly Gate" and the "Second Heavenly Gate". They climbed up the stairs like a ladder. In front of the main gate of the manor, there was a wooden and iron chain bridge that flew across the river. The tourists strolled leisurely and had a different mood. The Shuijing Manor was backed by the towering Yuxi Mountain, and the three-mile stone wall corridor was magnificent.
Inside the Water Mirror Manor, there were many pavilion-style buildings with upturned eaves in the air. The atmosphere was imposing, with golden windows and painted beams.
The jade statues of Sima Hui, Pang De Gong and his students Zhuge Liang, Xu Shu and Pang Tong are vivid. Halfway up the mountain, the "First Heavenly Gate" and "Second Heavenly Gate" were like climbing a ladder. In front of the main gate of the manor, there was a wooden iron chain bridge that flew across the three rivers. Passers-by strolled leisurely, and there was a special feeling in their hearts.
"Liu Bei Meets a Hermit in Nanzhang" was a story that happened in Shuijing Village in Nanzhang. In the 12th year of Jian 'an, Liu Bei jumped into Tan River and came to Shuijing Village to visit Sima Hui.
Sima Hui said,"Do Confucian scholars and ordinary people understand the current situation? A wise man understands the times. There is a dragon and a phoenix here. If the two of them get one, the world will be at peace." Who is it? "Zhuge Liang and Pang Shiyuan." Sima Hui recommended Zhuge Liang to Liu Bei, which led to stories such as "Three Visits to the Cottage" and "Longzhong Dui", which achieved the pattern of the Three Kingdoms. Shui Jing Zhuang thus became the source of the Three Kingdoms story.
"Water Mirror Manor is also quite fun!" Li Shishi said.
"Yeah, as expected of Zhuge Liang's master!”Qiao Feng said.
"Where are we going next?" Li Shishi asked.
"Let's go to Lumen Temple again!" Qiao Feng said.
"Yes, alright." After Li Shishi finished speaking, the two of them rode to Lumen Temple.
During the Eastern Han Dynasty, Emperor Guangwu Liu Xiu toured Lumen Mountain and built an ancient temple, Lumen Temple, with hundreds of halls. When Lumen Temple was first built, it was large in scale. Famous monks of all generations often came to preside over Buddhist affairs. It was the most prosperous since the Song Dynasty. Lumen Mountain was surrounded by peaks and dense forests. Since the Han and Tang Dynasties, it had been a Buddhist resort and a gathering place for scholars. Many famous scholars from all over the world gathered here and left behind many poems. It became a literary and artistic exchange center at that time.
At the end of the Han Dynasty, Pang De Gong, a famous scholar, did not accept the invitation of the governor Liu Biao several times. He took his family to Lumen Mountain to collect herbs. Meng Haoran, a poet of the Tang Dynasty, lived in Lumen Mountain in seclusion due to his frustration in the official field. He was very interested in chanting mountains and rivers. Pi Rixiu, a writer in the late Tang Dynasty, once lived in Lumen Temple. Zhang Zirong, Bai Yun, Wang Jiong, and others had lived here in seclusion. There was a saying in history that "the high scholars of Deer Gate were proud of the emperor".
It is said that Sun Taifeng, the first emperor of Qin, once stationed troops on Bawang Mountain. Sima Hui, Mr. Shui Jing, Zhuge Liang, Mr. Wo Long, Li Bai, Wang Wei, Mi Fu, Zeng Gong, and other historical and cultural celebrities once stopped and lingered here, leaving immortal poems and monuments. Zeng Gong, one of the Eight Great Masters of the Tang and Song Dynasties, once lamented that he did not step on the stone of Su Ling, but made a false trip to Xiangyang.
After touring Lumen Temple, the two of them rode back to the inn.
"Did you have fun today?" Qiao Feng asked.
"This is so awesome. It's really an eye-opener. Shishi seems to have learned a lot of things. She knows a lot of famous historical figures, Zhuge Liang, Liu Bei, Sima Hui.”Li Shishi replied.
"Yes, actually, there are still some scenic spots in Xiangyang, such as Xijiachi, Zhaoming Platform, and Zhongxuan Tower. It's just that Qiao Feng still has some matters to attend to, so he can only bring you around Xiangyang for a day, so he can't visit all the scenic spots.”Qiao Feng said.
"There will be more opportunities in the future. Let's go shopping next time.”Li Shishi said.
"Alright, you can start cultivating and refining Qi!”Qiao Feng said.
"Yes, alright." Li Shishi began to refine her Qi.
The next day, Qiao Feng and Li Shishi woke up and went to the Da Yong branch of Beggar's Sect in Xiangyang.
"Chief Qiao, greetings from Zhang Rang of Da Yong's branch!”Da Yong's branch chief wanted to greet Qiao Feng when he saw him.
"Brother Rang, this Qiao greets you!" Qiao Feng said.
"May I know what instructions Sect Leader Qiao has for visiting the Dayong Branch in Xiangyang?”Zhang Rang knew that Qiao Feng had come to Xiangyang for something.
"Hehe, then I won't hide it from you, Brother Rang. This Qiao has indeed come to Xiangyang for something. Beggar's Sect's Black Tortoise Tribe is in a tight spot now, can you get some silver and men to support Black Tortoise Tribe?”Qiao Feng said.
"I might not have too much, but it should be fine if it's too little.”Zhang Rang asked.
"How about 100,000 taels of silver and 1,000 people?”Qiao Feng asked.
"I don't think we can get that. Leader Qiao, you also know that Xiangyang City is not as prosperous as Shangjing and Bianliang, and it's not the capital city.”Zhang Rang said.
"Sigh, then tell me, how much can we get?”Qiao Feng asked.
"At most thirty thousand taels of silver for five hundred people.”Zhang Rang said.
"Alright then, how long will it take?”Qiao Feng continued to ask.
"About three months. There are still many things for me to handle in our branch!”Zhang Rang said.
"Mm, alright then. Tell brother to remember to gather these after you're done with your matters. The silver was sent directly to Xiong Province's Beggar's Sect's Black Tortoise Sect through the escort agency. The people sent them directly to Xiong Province, and Chief Ma would arrange for their food, clothing, and accommodation.”Qiao Feng said.
"Alright, don't worry, Chief Qiao. I'll do my best.”Zhang Rang said.
"Then we'll take our leave, Brother Rang!" Qiao Feng then led Li Shishi out of Da Yong's branch.
When they returned to the inn, Exemplary Lee brewed some tea.
"Where are we going tomorrow?" Li Shishi asked.
"Let's go to Chang 'an. Let's go to bed early today. We have to wake up earlier tomorrow.”Qiao Feng said.
"Yes, alright." Li Shishi said.
This book is provided by FunNovel Novel Book | Fan Fiction Novel [Beautiful Free Novel Book]