Zhang Jiuling’s short story
Xian'an Temple advocates Jiuling
It is said that Zhang Jiuling (678-740), a minister of the Tang Dynasty, was a literary scholar. Zishou, a naturalist. A native of Qujiang, Shaozhou (now Shaoguan City, Guangdong Province). He was extremely filial to his mother, and tried every means to find Pan Liaoquan, a famous Taoist at that time, and asked him to find a good Feng Shui for his mother. I was ashamed of the founder's long admiration for Jiuling's poems and his kindness, so he readily agreed and took him to travel around Guangxi and Guangxi. The famous mountains and rivers in Guangdong and Guangdong provinces. One day, they came to the ground in eastern Guangdong and admired the Jieling Mountains that wind for hundreds of miles. They discovered the Paradise Mountain with its unique peaks. They were very happy. Standing here is like sitting on the platform of a heavenly palace, with Bijia Mountain on the left, Tianpingding on the right, and hundreds of mountains prostrating themselves at their feet. If you choose the "Shenglongkou" for burial, it will definitely be a blessed place for princes and generals. Zhang Jiuling wanted to make a "living residence" (grave) here. But I was ashamed that my ancestor had other things on his mind, so he smiled and said to Zhang Jiuling: "This mountain is indeed a resort where dragons and tigers sit, but according to the Song of the Twelve Dragons: Qiankun Gen Ao is born, Yi Gui Ding Xin Guan takes the position, the twelve dragons must be down-to-earth, and the water matches the real dragon to regulate qi. It is a coincidence to be born prosperous, and the ins and outs can form a situation, and the wealth and prosperity will be long and prosperous here. To regulate Qi, it is not related to Feng Shui, but to a famous nunnery. Therefore, it is best to build a Buddhist temple.” Zhang Jiuling shook his head and expressed doubt. The ashamed Patriarch said to him: "Don't you believe it? Let's make a bet." Zhang Jiuling asked: "What's the bet?" Zen Master Pan said: "Today, we built a stone here to serve as a stove for daytime food, but by today next year, the charcoal fire in this stove will still be hot. Do you believe it or not?" Zhang Jiuling thought: "Here The climate is humid and it rains all year round. How is this possible?" He responded: "I don't believe it, you are bragging!" The ashamed Patriarch said: "If I am right, I will build a nunnery here and you will be the benefactor. If what I said is wrong, I will build a residence for your mother here." Zhang Jiuling readily agreed, and the two high-fived.
The next year, they made an appointment to visit this place again. Zhang Jiuling stretched out his hand to test the temperature of the stove. Sure enough, it was scorching hot. He blew away the ashes and the charcoal fire was still strong. He couldn't help but sigh: "What a wonder! What a wonder!" The ashamed Patriarch smiled and clasped his hands together and said, "Good! Good! When Donor Zhang helps build Tiantang Temple, Pindao will naturally point out another famous mountain and point it out for you. The feng shui of "noble people go to the temple" will ensure that you will become a famous official in the dynasty."
After that, every minister and monk followed his promise, Zhang Jiuling became the benefactor of Tiantang Temple, and Zen Master Pan chose him again. Another famous mountain in the state built a residence for Zhang's mother and Ding family. Less than ten years after Zhang's mother was mourned and buried, Zhang Jiuling became an official and went to Lingnan Road to serve as an inspector. He was highly regarded by Zhang Shuo. After Zhang Shuo's death, he took charge of Jixian Academy affairs as his secretary, Shaojian. In the 21st year of Kaiyuan (733), he served as the Minister of Zhongshu and Pingzhangshi under Tong Zhongshu's family. The following year, he was appointed Zhongshu Ling and supervised the compilation of national history. During his tenure as prime minister, there was a tendency to give direct advice. It has been suggested that people should be employed regardless of their qualifications. Ten interview envoys were reinstated to cultivate rice in Henan and so on. He also advocated punishing An Lushan for the crime of defeating the army in order to curb his arrogance. In the twenty-fourth year of Kaiyuan (736), he was ridiculed by Li Linfu and dismissed as prime minister. In the 28th year of Kaiyuan, he died of illness in his hometown of Qujiang at the age of 63. He was famous for his poetry and prose at that time, including his book "Qujiang Collection"