DEMI GODS AND SEMI DEVILS Book 1 of 5 (Adventures of The Youth) by Jin Yong

Hiss Of The Tiger, Moan Of The Dragon Part 4

There were tens of large monasteries outside the nation's capitals, and over a hundred small ones. The 'Flower Gathering Monastery' was far away from civilization, and few joss sticks were burning in front of it. Even if one was a citizen of Dali, one might not know of the place.

Emperor Baoding stood silently in front of the monastery for a short moment, then strode forward and lightly knocked three times at the gate. After quite some time, the monastery gates opened and a novice monk came out. He politely asked, "A respected guest has brightened our doorway. What worthy purpose has led you here?" Emperor Baoding replied, "I'd like to trouble you to inform Master Huangmei [lit. 'Yellow Brows'] that an old friend, Duan Zhengming, is requesting to see him." The novice monk said, "Please, enter."

Turning, he respectfully waved him in. Emperor Baoding lifted up his foot, preparing to step inside the monastery. He suddenly heard two clear 'ding' sounds emanate from a chime the inner courtyard. All of a sudden, his entire body felt cool and pure. His thoughts became tranquil, and his spirit filled with peace.

Freed of anxiety, he entered the monastery and headed for the inner courtyard. The novice monk said, "Respected guest, please wait here. I will go report to my master." Emperor Baoding said, "Alright." Folding his hands behind his back, he stood in the middle of the courtyard.

There was a gingko tree standing in the courtyard. He watched as a single yellow leaf slowly drifted down from it. In his entire life, there had been extremely few instances of him standing outside and waiting for someone else. But as soon as he entered the 'Flower Gathering Monastery', customs and conventions died away. He totally forgot that he was the emperor.

Suddenly, an aged voice laughed. "My worthy younger brother Duan, what problems do you have in your heart?" Emperor Baoding turned around, seeing a tall, lofty old monk with a face full of wrinkles push open the door from a small residence. On this old monk's face was two long, sickly yellow eyebrows, the tails of which sagged downwards. It was the Yellow Browed Monk.

Cupping his hands, Emperor Baoding said, "Excuse me for disrupting your meditations." The Yellow Browed Monk laughed. "Please, enter." Emperor Baoding strode forward and entered the small residence. Two middle-aged monks immediately cupped their hands, paying their respects to him. Emperor Baoding knew that they must be the disciples of the Yellow Browed Monk, and quickly returned their salute. He sat down on a prayer mat to the left of the main prayer mat, which the Yellow Browed Monk took.

After the Yellow Browed Monk seated himself, Emperor Baoding said, "I have a nephew named Duan Yu. When he was seven, I carried him here, and we listened to you, martial brother, expound on the scriptures." The Yellow Browed Monk let out a small smile. "That child has an extremely remarkable comprehension. He's a good kid. Good kid!" Emperor Baoding said, "He has been enlightened by Buddhism doctrine and has a merciful heart. He was unwilling to learn martial arts in order to avoid killing others." The Yellow Browed Monk said, "If one doesn't know martial arts, one can still kill others. If one learns martial arts, one still might kill others."

Emperor Baoding replied, "Yes!" Thereupon he related the story of how Duan Yu was firmly opposed to learning martial arts and ran away from home, how he met Mu Wanqing, and how he was trapped by 'The Most Evil Man in the World', Crown Prince Yanqing, inside the stone house. A small smile on his lips, the Yellowed Browed Monk listened quietly, not interjecting a single time. The faces of his two disciples, who were standing behind him and waiting on him, didn't change in the slightest.

After Emperor Baoding was finished, the Yellow Browed Monk slowly said, "This Crown Prince Yanqing is your older male cousin. It's inappropriate for you to fight with him. It's even inappropriate for you to send your subordinates to fight with him." Emperor Baoding replied, "Martial brother, you see things clearly." The Yellow Browed Monk said, "The elder monks of the Heavenly Dragon Temple are extremely virtuous, and their martial arts exceed yours as well, worthy brother. But by entering Buddhist orders, they have severed their ties with the Duan dynasty. It's also inappropriate for them to side with you, worthy brother, in an internicine dispute. Thus, you cannot request aid from the Heavenly Dragon Temple as well." Emperor Baoding said, "Exactly so."

The Yellow Browed Monk nodded. He extended his middle finger slowly, then pointed towards Emperor Baoding. Emperor Baoding let out a small smile, then pointed out with his own finger as well. Aiming at the Yellow Browed Monk's middle finger, he pointed towards it. Their figures swayed, and they immediately withdrew their fingers. The Yellow Browed Monk said, "Worthy brother Duan, the force from my 'Vajra Finger' cannot overcome your 'Solitary Solar Finger'." Emperor Baoding replied, "Martial brother, your wisdom is deep and your intelligence is vast. You can achieve victory without purely relying on the power of your fingers." The Yellow Browed Monk lowered his head and was silent.

Emperor Baoding rose to his feet. "Five years ago, you told me to revoke the salt taxes. But I did not, for two reasons. First, the country did not need it. And secondly, I desired for Duan Zhengchun to assume the throne after me, and intended for him to do it in my stead, thereby winning the hearts of the populace. But tomorrow, I will immediately order for the salt taxes to be abrogated."

The Yellow Browed Monk stood up, then knelt and respectfully prostrated himself before the Emperor. "Worthy brother, you take such care of your people. This old monk is endlessly gratified." Emperor Baoding also knelt down and returned the bow. He said nothing more, and quickly glided away from the monastery.

Returning to the palace, Emperor Baoding immediately ordered the servants to summon Minister Ba. He ordered him to abolish the salt tax. Ba Tianshi kowtowed, thanking the Emperor for his benevolence. "Majesty, your great benevolence is the utmost fortune of the common people." Emperor Baoding said, "Make sure that our own use of salts is reduced and restrained whenever possible in the palace. Go discuss this with ministers Hua and Fan and see if you can think of any areas where we can cut back." Ba Tianshi agreed and left the palace.

Ba Tianshi immediately arranged for a meeting with Minister Hua Hegen, and together they arrived at the manor of Fan Hua, the Minister of War. He informed them of the abolishment of the salt tax. With regards to the matter of Duan Yu being kidnapped, he had already informed them earlier.