Preface:
The stories of legendary figures in history are often the most moving. They are not willing to be mediocre, dare to fight against fate, and devote their lives to realizing their ambitions. Yao Guangxiao is one of them. He was born in a scholarly family, but he was willing to take the name of "demon monk", traveled in the clouds to seek the way, and finally lived a legendary life in the Ming Dynasty.
In the Ming Dynasty, there was a different monk, he was known as the "demon monk", and later assisted Zhu Di wholeheartedly to help him ascend the throne, and then entered the dynasty as an official and became the famous "black-clothed prime minister".
1. Unwilling to be dull and become a monk to find the Lord
How many people seek an official and a half-job in their lives, Yao Guangxiao is one of them. He came from a scholarly family, but he yearned for the path of the world, and traveled as a monk to find the Lord. By chance, he became Zhu Di's confidant and counselor, assisting Ming Chengzu to win the world. He has always been indifferent to fame and fortune, and in his last years he only wanted to release an old friend. This is the story of the "demon monk" Yao Guangxiao.
Yao Guangxiao was born into a medical family and had small assets. He has a strong personality, and since he was a child, he did not want to be constrained by his homeschooling, and he was eager to achieve great goals.
His parents wanted him to inherit the family business, but he had no interest in medicine and was always looking out the window. He often thinks that life is like a big dream, and he must live a more wonderful life, and he cannot be bound by the shackles of the world.
When he was 14 years old, a senior monk gathered in the crowd on the street, Yao Guangxiao immediately decided to cut his hair and become a monk and enter the Buddhist gate. He hopes to find meaning in life and realize his ambitions by becoming a monk. That night he packed his bags, sat in front of the bed dripping water, and made up his mind overnight. At dawn the next day, he left a letter behind and set out on his own path to the Buddha's gate.
2. Seeking the Way in the Clouds and Getting ahead
He wanted to realize his ambitions by becoming a monk, but found that the temple life was uneventful, at odds with his ambitions. He spent his days facing statues in the hall, cleaning the courtyard, and comprehending the Dharma, which was too boring for him. So he began a long career in the clouds, hoping to find meaning in life.
During the cloud journey, Yao Guangxiao met the Taoist priest Ying Zhen, and the other party's Taoist learning was quite insightful, which won Yao Guangxiao's heart. They walked in the mountains all day, and they talked all day. Ying Zhen instructed Yao Guangxiao how to use the five elements of yin and yang to deduce the development and change of things, Yao Guangxiao was intelligent and studious, and was particularly fascinated by this kind of learning that explained everything in the world. He then worshiped Ying Zhen as a teacher and devoted himself to studying the Taoist yin and yang studies.
He also met Yuan Jue, a scholar, and the two met each other. Yuan Jue judged Yao Guangxiao's fate through his facial features, and then told him in surprise that he would definitely get ahead and become famous. Yao Guangxiao was overjoyed when he heard this, which strengthened his determination to devote himself to the career. He thought that he was born in an ordinary family, and if he did not have the guidance of Yuan Heng's old brother, he was afraid that he would eat and die all his life. Now it is rare for someone to be optimistic about himself, he must be an outstanding official, and he cannot live up to the prophecy of the old man.
A monk from a Buddhist family, but so obsessed with Taoist teachings, it is no wonder that people at that time called Yao Guangxiao "demon monk". But Yao Guangxiao never cared about these rumors, only concentrated on studying, accumulating strength, and waiting for the opportunity to come. He wanted everyone to know that he Yao Guangxiao was definitely not an idle person.
3. Entering the palace to recognize the Lord and offer advice
Later, Zhu Yuanzhang wanted to revise the scriptures and summon senior monks from all over the country to work together on this matter. Yao Guangxiao went to answer the call with the expectation of making a name for himself, thinking that this would be a great opportunity for him to show his ambitions. However, his talent was rare and he was only awarded a monk's robe and was not selected as he wished. Yao Guangxiao was disappointed, but he was not discouraged and continued to wait for the next opportunity.
Finally, during a lecture in the palace, Yao Guangxiao met Zhu Yuanzhang's fourth son, Zhu Di. He was keenly aware that the county king was full of talent and ambition, and was more wise and powerful than his other brothers. So he took the initiative to hint to Zhu Di that he could help him ascend the throne. Zhu Di was brilliant and had the idea of seizing the throne, and he was moved at the moment, and asked Yao Guangxiao to give frequent lectures in Fuzhong, and gradually left him by his side.
At this time, Yao Guangxiao was overjoyed, and he finally found a Ming Lord who could support the upper position. From then on, he began to disguise himself as a monk, secretly plotting to help Zhu Di seize the imperial throne. During the day, he ostensibly taught Buddhism, and at night he gathered henchmen to plot great causes. However, on the day before the uprising, there was a rebellion in the southeast, and many military generals thought that this was a bad omen of providence and wanted to postpone the date of the rebellion.
Yao Guangxiao used his Taoist knowledge to judge the situation, signaling that this was an auspicious omen. He analyzed the changes in the yin and yang elements, indicating that the wind and darkness were when the dragon and tiger were fighting, and the oath master could win the world today. Sure enough, under his strategy of treating the hearts of the people and breaking the enemy on the election day, Zhu Di finally seized the imperial throne in the turmoil.
Fourth, in old age, only one person is sought
After becoming famous, Zhu Di returned Yao Guangxiao to the dynasty several times. But Yao Guangxiao never put down his monk's robes, because he knew in his heart that the imperial throne should not belong to Zhu Di. During his auxiliary reign, he presided over the compilation of the first encyclopedia of the Ming Dynasty, the Yongle Dian, to compensate for the transgressions of the court.
In his later years, Yao Guangxiao, who was seriously ill, was summoned by Zhu Di again. Ming Chengzu sincerely said that the reason why he was able to win the world, the most grateful thing in this life was the grace of Guangxiao Master's knowledge. He once again pleaded with Yao Guangxiao to make his wish.
Yao Guangxiao pondered for a long time, and finally opened his mouth to ask Zhu Di to release a person, named Fu Qia, who had befriended Yao Guangxiao in the past, and was later imprisoned for standing in the wrong team. Over the years, Yao Guangxiao has silently paid attention to the safety of his old friends. He is indifferent to fame and fortune in this life, but in the end, he only wants to save a soulmate. He knew in his heart that he had fueled the ambitions of the monarch when he was young and frivolous, and in his later years he wanted to make up for his past mistakes, hoping that this last bit of power in his hands would bring freedom to his old friends.
Zhu Di immediately agreed to his request. Soon after, Yao Guangxiao died in Fuzhong. After a lifetime of ups and downs, he finally got his wish.
Fifth, the true self persists in magnificent waves
Yao Guangxiao is an outlier among the monks. Unwilling to be dull, he went in and out of the court and passed by the monarch. Many people can't understand his choice, but he only obeys his heart and relentlessly pursues his ambitions.
Everyone has their own life code. Yao Guangxiao deciphered his code and bravely embarked on the road of no return that belonged to him. It is precisely because of this insistence of his true self that his life is magnificent and vivid. Although his choice lacks virtue and dementia in the eyes of the world, in his heart, the eldest husband can show his ability in the world, so that he has no regrets in this life.
Epilogue:
Yao Guangxiao's life is difficult for many secular people to understand, but he always walks with his heart and insists on his true self. It is this attitude of life that reconciles with his heart that allows Yao Guangxiao to flourish freely on the road and finally live his own wonderful life. People have their own aspirations, but they are inseparable from them. Yao Guangxiao's story inspires us to dare to pursue our own dreams, and only by being faithful to ourselves can we have no regrets in this life.