Who is Cao Guojiu? How did Cao Guojiu become the Eight Immortals?
Cao Guojiu, also known as Jingxiu, is the Eight Immortals. Song Shi was called the national uncle because he dedicated the eldest brother of Empress Dowager Cixi (a native of Ningjin, Xingtai) to Ci Shengguang.
Cao Guojiu is the grandson of Cao Bin, the king of Northern Song Dynasty, and the son of Cao Gui, the king of Wu. Cao Shizu was born in Ningjin and Cao Yun, and was Cao Bin's father. After his death, Cao Yun's father and Cao Shi were buried in his ancestral home, Cao Shizu, Bai Yan Village, Ningjin County. Later generations moved to Lingshou, and Lingshou became a member. While Cao Bin let the fifth son Cao Gui live in Ningjin, guarding the ancestral grave of Cao Shi in Ningjin County. Injong was made Queen Wu, Cao Gui's daughter was called into the palace and was canonized as Queen, and Cao Shu, the eldest brother of Queen Cao, became Cao Guojiu. According to historical records, Cao Guojiu was a native of Ningjin, Xingtai, and the younger brother of Cao Empress. Later generations were honored as one of the Eight Immortals of Taoism.
Cao Guojiu is the most outstanding figure among the Eight Immortals of Taoism. Despite his high status, he was named Uncle Prince and brilliant, but he did not like to enjoy a rich life and use privileges, but liked Taoist practice.
Cao Guojiu has a younger brother who thinks he is a relative of the emperor's house. He tries to be brave and do evil, robbing people of their land for himself, and most illegal villains come from their own homes. My uncle tried to persuade him from beginning to end, but he couldn't make him turn over a new leaf. In the end, he was regarded as the enemy. My uncle said, "The principle of the world is that those who accumulate good things prosper and those who accumulate evil things die. This cannot be changed. My family is rich today by doing good deeds and accumulating good deeds. Now my brother is extremely evil. Although he can escape the punishment of the criminal code in the light, he can't escape the punishment of the law in the dark. If a disaster happens and all the family members die, it is impossible to lead the yellow dog out of the East Gate at that time. I am very embarrassed and afraid that this will really happen. "
So he scattered all the wealth in his family and gave it to the poor. Finally, he bid farewell to his family and friends, dressed in cassock, and hid in rocks to cultivate his mind and cultivate his nature. After several years, he has reached the realm of unity of heart and mind and apotheosis of form. Suddenly, one day, Han Zhongli and Lv Dongbin swam to his monastery and asked him, "What did you do when you lived in seclusion?" The prince's maternal uncle replied, "Other people have done nothing but build monasteries." The second fairy asked, "Where is the Tao?" My uncle pointed to the sky. The second fairy asked, "Where is the sky?" My uncle pointed at my heart. Li Zhongxiao said: "The heart is the sky, and the sky is the Tao. You have learned the true meaning of Tao. " So he was awarded the "true secret order" and asked him to practice carefully. Before long, he introduced my good nephew from Han Zhongli and Lv Dongbin. Cao Guojiu's deeds can be found in Chunyang Shenji, History of Song Dynasty, Examination of Yu Yu, History of Immortals in Past Dynasties and Mirror of Immortals.