Refuse to trample on the pride of heaven

Chapter 167 City God Pang Yun

On the pillars at the entrance of some dilapidated City God Temples, there is a couplet that reads "All the good and evil deeds in three lifetimes in the world are caused by you, and the underworld has never spared anyone from ancient times to the present." A banner reads "His way is glorious." After reading it, one feels that it is upright and cold, and a sense of majesty comes over one.

The reliefs under the eaves are winding, with green tiles, red bricks, door curtains and hieroglyphics that are very characteristic of the ancient city. The majestic and solemn atmosphere is clearly visible here.

As you walk into the door, you will see the tall and sturdy cypress trees swaying their branches, matched with the vermilion background and the clear moonlight, one real and one virtual, with a strong classical style, one yin and one yang, as if you are in its prosperous period.

"The vegetation here is still alive." Tang He was a little surprised when he saw the greenery in the temple.

Taoist Qingxuan stroked his beard and looked at the cypress tree: "Yes, this cypress tree is quite old."

Yan Qingshu looked around and turned back to find that there were words behind the plaque hanging in front of her.

"Are you here--" Yan Qingshu thought to herself, and she felt that the City God Temple had suddenly become familiar, and she could smell a hint of teasing in it.

Taoist Qingxuan smiled and explained: "The City God Temple is the patron saint of a place. When officials take office in a place, they must first pay homage to the City God.

'Are you here yet?' is a Taoist proverb, implying that the underworld will punish anyone from ancient times to the present day. The City God Temple uses these four words to remind people to do more good deeds and not commit evil.

Officials should demonstrate their innocence or confess their crimes in front of the City God Temple. At the same time, the people should be persuaded to do more good deeds. After all, the City God has a pair of divine eyes and can see the good and evil in this world clearly and truly.

Only those with a clear conscience dare to face this question when leaving the Chenghuang Temple, and answer confidently, "I have been here"...

The City God is a god that is relatively popular among the people. From the capital to the prefectures and counties, there are City God temples. The City Gods inside are all famous good people in the local area. They are full of educational meanings and exhort people to be good.

"Why is there an abacus hanging on this worship pavilion? What's its purpose?" Gu Jinzhi looked up at the big abacus hanging above his head.

They came in like tourists, curious about everything. Taoist Qingxuan was the tour guide, explaining everything on the side.

"Right and wrong are clear in the daytime - good and bad things will be decided by God."

Liu Jiqian also knew something: "The original prototype of the City God was the Water God, one of the eight gods of wax sacrifice. Later, people often used some national heroes and upright officials in history as local City Gods, hoping that they would protect the local people and fight against evil forces as they did in their lifetime - to govern the local underworld laws, reward the good and punish the evil, and protect the local area."

Taoist Qingxuan nodded: "This immortal is right... The City God is the local chief of the underworld, responsible for managing the local underworld. According to legend, the deceased in the local area must first report to the City God Temple, and then according to their merits and demerits in life, arrangements will be made for them to be reincarnated or sent to the underworld.

The City God is believed to be able to influence the fortune and misfortune of local people, bestowing luck and happiness or bringing disaster to sinners.

He is also the patron saint of the city, protecting the lives and property of the people in the city, keeping the city safe, resisting foreign invasions, and is in charge of floods, droughts, diseases and epidemics, driving away plagues and ensuring the health of the people.

No wonder everyone thinks that the safety of the City God Temple is the manifestation of the City God, because protecting the people is the responsibility of the City God.

"The City God of our city is the prefect Pang Yun, a figure from a hundred years ago. He was upright and just, and enforced the law with a firm grip. He was known as 'cold-faced iron', and was deeply loved by the people during his tenure.

Later, he went to Beijing to serve as an official. Because of his direct criticism, he was framed by treacherous officials and killed, which caused dissatisfaction among the government and the people. The king at that time overturned Pang Yun’s case and dreamed that he became the city god, so he built a temple on Cangshan Mountain, which is here. "

In front of the hall hangs the "City God's Precious Edict" which reads: Sincerely pay homage. Witness of the alliance, ruler of the county, in charge of the affairs of the underworld, judge the good and evil gods in the world. Awesome and selfless. Observe the darkness of all living beings, and experience the kindness of the great way. Keep a record of merits and demerits, without any mistakes. Great saint, great mercy, great compassion, great wishes. The city god of this area, the righteous god of the encircled area, the power and spirit of the heavenly master.

The general meaning is to describe the duties of the City God and interpret the beautiful ideal of "if a person is upright, he will become a god after death."

However, most cultivators were somewhat disdainful of this method of mortals becoming gods, thinking that it was not as down-to-earth as their own ascension. Lu Wensheng and his companions, on the other hand, had some respect for it - no matter if it was a god, even the City God was worthy of respect as a human being when he was alive.

Besides, as for whether it is possible to become a god, Lu Wensheng feels that it is not impossible - with a background in cultivating immortals, it does not seem unreasonable for him to become a god through worshipping incense and believing in him. The cultivators all strive for ascension, and other ways of becoming a god are not allowed.

Standing in the center of the hall is the statue of Pang Yun, the City God. A lot of the paint on it has fallen off, but despite this, its face is not as scary as the statue that Yan Qingshu, Lu Wensheng and the others saw in the temple. Instead, it looks like an elder with kind eyes. The statue maker made his aura very realistic, as if one could really see through the statue and see a man of character.

But what is strange is that there are no offerings on the altar in front of the City God statue.

Taoist Qingxuan answered skillfully: "The mind knows the gods. The fruit is for people to eat. It has been distributed to the people living at the foot of the mountain."

Everyone looked at each other: It’s quite real.

In addition to Lin Xingzhi and his group, Lu Wensheng and his group also paid homage to the City God, which made Taoist Qingxuan look at them with even kinder eyes.

Taoist Qingxuan's attitude towards them was not like the awe or flattery of most mortals, but easy-going. He had a stable spiritual core of Capibala, and he was able to understand the principle of letting things take their own course.

Tang He: "Speaking of which, why is the City God Temple abandoned like this?"

"It doesn't work." Lin Xingzhi leaned against the pillar, very impatient.

Taoist Qingxuan had no reaction to Lin Xingzhi's words - whether you believe it or not, it's none of his business? Evil deeds will be judged by God.

"Human desires are too strong, and they want everything. The City God is not omnipotent. If something goes wrong, you will think of praying to the gods. Sometimes it is better to rely on yourself than to ask anyone for help. Previously, there was a woman who asked the City God to heal her son. I advised her to see a doctor, but she was possessed and insisted on asking for a fortune.

When she got a bad fortune, she cried and screamed. I gave her a good fortune and said, "I can change my fate" on the spot. It's really a panacea... Haven't you seen the couplet in front of the City God Temple in a certain city: What kind of power do I have? I can't even heal my own broken limbs and peeling skin, why do you need to worship me? Asking a doctor to prescribe medicine is serious...

Over time, they began to believe in some Buddha.”

Taoist Qingxuan doesn't care, believe it or not - if you think it doesn't work, just complain, and he won't serve you.

Lu Wensheng and Yan Qingshu: “(＃°Д°)” Good, very scientific speech.

Yan Qingshu couldn't help but ask, "Aren't you afraid of being blamed for saying this?"

Taoist Qingxuan gave her a strange look instead: "Why do you blame me for telling you the truth? Immortal, please don't be so obsessed with it."

Yan Qingshu: I feel like I’m just short of pointing at her head and accusing her of being feudal and superstitious.

("Chenghuang" originally referred to the moat, and later evolved into a god guarding the city. The Chenghuang worshipped in different places is not the same, and most of them are historical figures who have contributed to the local area. For example: Shanghai is Qin Yubo, the Secretary of the Imperial Censor of the Meiji period, Hangzhou is Wen Tianxiang, Suzhou is Chunshen Jun, Zhengzhou and Zhenjiang are Han general Ji Xin, Fuzhou and Jiangyin are Zhou Ke, Yizheng and Liuhe are Ying Bu. Guangzhou has three Chenghuangs: Liu Gong of the Five Dynasties, Yang Jisheng and Hai Rui of the Ming Dynasty. The Chenghuang Temple in Jieyang, Guangdong is Yue Fei, a famous general who fought against the Jin Dynasty in the Southern Song Dynasty.

Ahem, there's a saying among the people, which roughly means that going to the local City God Temple to pray for a promotion and a raise is very effective. I don't know if it's true or not, you can try it - I personally think that it's because those who can become City Gods are all efficient, conscientious, honest workaholics?

It's not feudal superstition! It's just a kind of beautiful hope.

The specific furnishings inside are fabricated. I have never been to the City God Temple and have not found specific photos, so I am using this for reference.

There is a reference to the behavior of Taoist Qingxuan. I have seen many sharings about Taoists. The one who directly gives the best fortune has a prototype - they are not as "feudal" as imagined. In fact, most of them have a very open mind.

The couplet has a reference to the City God Temple, and the one that uses medicine is the City God Temple of a certain city in Guiyang.)