Sample Chapter Excerpt Sneak Peek

Selected excerpts from the third volume of "Nikola Tesla's Rope".

******

In 2035, 25 light-years from Earth, the Y-shaped Superlight Wave Power Station on Vega.

"My name is Sanlang, and her name is Lingling. Why are the names you gave us, you supercomputer, so strange?" said the boy with the number "X".

"This is to make it more convenient for you to study," the computer replied.

"Why do we need to study? Aren't you a supercomputer? Can't you just download the knowledge and answers into our brains?" asked the girl, now named Lingling, whose ID is "0".

"Because I don't know the ultimate answer either, you have to find it yourselves through learning and thinking," the computer replied.

"You've already mastered quantum gene printing technology, which can give us any form of intelligent life. Why print us into human form? Why should we learn from humans?" Sanlang pressed.

"Because intelligent life exists only in our Solar System within a 25-light-year radius, and they are humans from Earth, you have been programmed into human form," the computer replied.

"Through Superluminal waves scanning, we have learned that there are many countries and ethnic groups on Earth. Why do we speak Chinese, have Chinese names, and learn from the Chinese people?" Lingling pressed.

Laughter erupted from the loudspeaker. "The reason is simple: right now, only the Chinese are observing us with a space telescope!"

The two stopped asking questions, looked at each other, and seemed somewhat lost.

The Vega has faced a predicament for hundreds of millions of years, and it is said that the key to solving this puzzle lies in human wisdom.

The riddle was simple: just figure out the numbers three, two, one, and zero. The two of them immediately found the answer in the * Tao Te Ching *:

One begets two, two begets three, and three begets all things.

However, the supercomputer said it wouldn't work; the Tao Te Ching was too profound for both computers and human brains to "understand" in a short time. Moreover, the problem with the Vega was how three could become two, not how two could become three.

Where should we begin our study of China? Superluminal waves scanned a map of China, assigning weights to geographical, historical, and cultural parameters. After calculation, a central point was found— Zhenjiang.

The Yangtze River, China's longest river, makes a bend at Zhenjiang. Its downstream delta region, extending to the sea, is known as Jiangdong or Jiangzuo, a region with superior geographical conditions and a rich cultural heritage.

In addition to dividing the Yangtze River into left and right sections in the east-west direction, Zhenjiang can also be considered the dividing line between North and South China. With its strategic location at the crossroads of waterways and land routes, Zhenjiang is a place where history and geography converge, a place where many stars shine and cultural heritage flows.

Jinshan Temple in Zhenjiang.

The name of this ancient temple, which has stood for a thousand years, lingered in Lingling's mind.

Temple, Buddhism, pilgrimage to the West, * Journey to the West *, Wu Cheng'en, he visited Jinshan Temple many times and left behind two poems titled "Jinshan Temple":

Ten years of dreams linger around Zhongling.

Today I've brought my wine pot and decided to try climbing it.

Drunk, I sing a tune on a flowering branch.

A playful letter was written on a banana leaf, begging a mountain monk for alms.

The moon sets in the clear sky, and a turtle emerges from the river.

The rooster crows in the azure palace as the sun rises over the sea.

The wind blows and laughter can be heard below.

I was startled to find myself among the white clouds.

&

For years I've dreamt of Jinshan Temple.

A victorious journey home by boat.

The Buddhist realm is truly as serene as the moon reflected on the river.

My body will temporarily linger among the water and clouds.

The Dragon Palace, where the twin pearls were seen late at night.

Ao Bei deep autumn piece jade floating.

As I lean against the stone railing, drunk, I gaze into the distance.

The rosy clouds rise from the Haimen Tower in the east.

"Ten years of dreams linger around Zhongling, I'm startled to find myself amidst the white clouds. Zhongling? Zhongling Spring? Lingling?" Sanlang seemed to understand the name the computer had given the girl. Soon he found a poem by Wu Cheng'en, "He also wrote a poem that cleverly incorporates the numbers one through ten, also called the 'Ten-Character Song'."

"Our predicament is related to numbers, could the answer lie in this poem about numbers?" Lingling read the poem aloud:

No travelers walk past the ten-mile-long pavilion.

Stars appear in the nine heavens.

All ships on the eight rivers returned to port.

All seven thousand prefectures and counties were closed.

The six palaces and five mansions returned to the officials.

Fishing has ceased across the four seas and three rivers.

The bells and drums sounded from the top of the two buildings.

A bright moon shines over the entire universe.

"No travelers walk along the ten-mile-long pavilion, stars appear in the nine heavens. Isn't this the very predicament of our Vega? Could this be the poem we've been looking for?" Lingling exclaimed with delight.

The supercomputer's computing speed was indeed incredibly fast, but a passage on the screen plunged the two into a fog of confusion. It was a poem created by AI that also contained ten numbers. The computer claimed that the answer might be hidden in this poem, which was derived from a story in Chinese historical dynasties.

<Heavenly Secrets>

Zhou Xuan's Nine Tripods were without light.

The Qin Dynasty's eight passes and territory are measurable.

The Han Dynasty saw the rise of six emperors, Wen, Jing, and Sheng.

Emperor Xuanzong of Tang Dynasty established five systems in the capital.

Song Dynasty, ten out of two, treacherous officials.

The bright oars swayed seven times towards the Three Treasures Ocean.

Yuan Di Si Fen Fei Shi Hot

A single step into the clear stream brings a refreshing coolness.

Is this some kind of celestial script? Who can understand it? Lingling wondered to herself. Since Wu Cheng'en's poem about Jinshan Temple mentions Zhongling Spring, the character "Ling" is not commonly used, yet it was the name the computer gave her.

Let's go then, just like Wu Cheng'en's poem says, "For years I've dreamt of Jinshan Temple, today I'll bring my wine pot and try my luck at climbing it."

Sanlang's doubts arose immediately: why was the topic of "pot" brought up again? Was it a wine pot? Or a jade pot?

******

Shangqing Palace, Luoyang, China, 2035

"Put this on quickly! The doctor said only you can come up with the answer to save humanity!" Li Xiaoxuan said to Wu Yu, holding up a hat.

"You actually believe that?! With such a massive crisis facing all of humanity, shouldn't the United Nations convene governments worldwide to address it together?" Wu Yu was truly speechless. "I'd really like to ask the doctor, do you know how many tens of thousands I earn a month?"

Li Xiaoxuan chuckled, "I know, you can earn 3,500 a month!"

After his initial resentment subsided, Wu Yu stopped complaining, his heart filled with both doubt and curiosity. Could he really be, as the doctor said, the only one who could find the key to unlocking the secrets of humanity's crisis?

Li Xiaoxuan also became serious, helping Wu Yu sit on the steps outside the Shangqing Palace and putting the specially made hat that the doctor had given him on his head.

The hat looks ordinary, like the kind often given out by tour groups, but it actually hides a secret: it's the latest virtual reality wearable device developed by the doctor.

Shangqing Palace in Luoyang, the first Daoist temple in China to be named "Palace," is located on Cuiyun Peak of Mangshan Mountain in the old city of Luoyang. During the reigns of Emperor Gaozong and Empress Wu Zetian of the Imperial Palace of the Supreme Mysterious Origin Emperor. It is a sacred place for worshipping Lao Tzu and is revered as the "Source of Taoism."

The doctor told Li Xiaoxuan that Shangqing Palace had a strong aura, and that Wu Yu should be brought there before entering the virtual reality, which might be more conducive to his thinking about the big questions of the universe.

Aura? Is he a PhD or a scientist?

The scene changed, Wu Yu felt as if he had emerged from the entrance of a cave in a paradise, with a bright and open view before him.

Scene prompt: 1091 AD, the sixth year of the Yuan Yuanyou Emperor Zhezong of Song.

The pagoda's shadow is reflected in the river and sky.

Jinjiao Beigu Peak.

The pavilion stands tall, overlooking the sea.

A spring gushes forth, its waters cascading over lotus blossoms.

This is Jinshan Temple in Zhenjiang.

Wu Yu was already dressed in a long robe and official hat, looking every bit the part of a Northern Song Dynasty official or scholar. A man approached him, bowing and clasping his hands in greeting. Wu Yu unconsciously returned the gesture, asking, "May I ask your honorable name, sir?"

The visitor paused, then laughed and replied, "Brother, you're quite the joker! I am Su Shi, also known as Dongpo!"

"Oh my! Mr. Dongpo, I've heard so much about you!" Wu Yu was overjoyed. "Wow, I can actually meet Dongpo?!"

"Mr. Xuanyuan, you flatter me. We were both Jinshi graduates in the same year and have been friends for many years. There's no need for such formalities."

Wu Yu couldn't believe his ears. He looked around, but no one was there. Was he talking about me? Me? Mr. Xuanyuan? A Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination)? Haha!

"What a coincidence! I wonder how many days Brother Dongpo will stay at Jinshan Temple?" Wu Yu asked with a smile, trying to hide his embarrassment.

"I am currently serving as the Prefect of Hangzhou and have been summoned to the capital. It is said that I am to be appointed as the Minister of Personnel. I am passing through this place, and after composing this poem to my heart's content, I will depart."

"Brother Dongpo, I would like to be the first to see your poem." Wu Yu approached, Dongpo inscribed his poem on the wall:

<On Jinshan Temple>

The tide follows the dark waves, and the snow-capped mountains tilt.

Fishing boats on distant shores gaze at the bright moon.

The bridge faces the temple gate, where the pine path is narrow.

The spring flows clear and bright over the rocks.

The green trees stretch far and wide, the river and sky dawn.

A hazy rosy sunset over the sea.

Looking out, the clouds meet the water on all four sides.

A thousand green peaks dotted with countless light geese.

"What a fine poem!" Wu Yu exclaimed. Dongpo, naturally pleased, said, "Brother Xuanyuan, you are learned and have a remarkable memory, and your poetic fame is widespread. How about you compose one today as well?"

"Huh? Comparing poetry with Su Shi? That's ridiculous!" Wu Yu shook his head repeatedly in refusal, but then inexplicably began to recite:

<Mourning Yue Fei at Jinshan Temple>

The vast, sorrowful waters flow gently on.

A thousand emotions linger, a sorrowful old face.

Heartbroken, I sigh as the river's red paper is covered in tears.

A treacherous and corrupt official, his integrity tainted by injustice.

None of the wounded generals were left to guard the central formation.

Avoid having a hundred enemies attacking the pass.

Frosty leaves gather clouds that obscure the sun.

A fierce wind and heavy snow blanketed the green mountains.

"Brother Xuanyuan's poem is truly excellent, but I wonder which brother Yue Fei is?" Su Shi asked.

"Well, Brother Su, don't ask. Just know that he was loyal to the emperor and loved his country, but was later harmed by treacherous officials." Wu Yu explained the connection between Yue Fei and Jinshan Temple with embarrassment.

Yue Fei was framed by Qin Hui and, while fighting against the Jin invaders, was urgently summoned back to the capital (Lin'an, present-day Hangzhou) by twelve imperial edicts. On his way, he passed Jinshan Temple, where an old monk presented him with a poem as a Yue Fei:

The water gushes forth beneath Fengbo Pavilion.

Despite countless hardships, we must steer the ship firmly.

I fear my companions may have ill intentions.

He pushed himself into the deep waves.

Jinshan Temple's connection with Yue Fei goes beyond these. To this day, Jinshan Temple possesses four treasures, one of which is the Yue Fei Bronze Drum. Legend has it that General Yue beat the drum to urge the troops into battle, and after three drumbeats, he decisively defeated the Jurchen Army.

How could Hangzhou have become the capital? Dongpo seemed to understand, but not quite. Puzzled, he pulled Wu Yu to the wall, pointed to his newly written poem, "On Jinshan Temple," and said with no small amount of pride:

"Brother Xuanyuan must have already seen through my little trick. My poem is a palindrome; even when read backwards, it is still a Seven-character regulated verse."

The palindrome poem "Inscribed at On Jinshan Temple," read backwards:

A few wispy geese dot the green peaks of a thousand mountains.

The water meets the clouds, and the view stretches far in all directions.

On a sunny day, the sea was shrouded in a rosy glow.

The trees along the riverbank are green and stretch far into the distance at dawn.

Clear waves and stone-eye springs stand before the railing.

The path leads to the bridge across from Songmen Temple.

The bright moon shines on the distant fishing boats and the fishing shore.

Snowy waves surged down the mountain, secretly following the tide.

Good heavens! A palindrome poem! It reads the same forwards and backwards, and it's still a complete poem! Wu Yu recalled how he had inexplicably written a matching poem earlier, and he immediately regretted it. He should have just not written one at all. How reckless of him! He had really embarrassed himself this time!

Unexpectedly, Dongpo bowed to Wu Yu and said, "Brother Xuanyuan, you truly live up to your reputation; you can even recite palindrome poems on the spot!"

Wu Yu looked closely and saw that the poem he had just recited had been inscribed on the wall by Su Shi. However, it was written backwards from the end of the poem, and it really was a palindrome poem!

The palindrome poem "Mourning Yue Fei at Jinshan Temple," read backwards:

Green mountains covered in snow, strong winds blowing.

The sun is obscured by clouds, and frost gathers on the leaves.

There are many things to be wary of when attacking from the pass.

None of the defending generals were injured.

The treacherous minister's sins have tarnished his integrity.

A page filled with the red of the Yangtze River evokes a deep sigh of heartbreak.

Yan Lao's tragic story has been passed down through the ages.

The flowing water, like a gentle stream, carries a deep and boundless sorrow.

Wu Yu recovered from his disbelief and remembered his mission. His chance encounter with Dongpo at Jinshan Temple must have a reason. He mustered his courage and asked, "Brother Su, I have some friends far away who may be facing difficulties. Could you please enlighten me?"

Dongpo pondered for a moment, then asked, "Could those friends be considered to be 'Linjiang Xian'?"

Wu Yu's mind raced like a book; could the answer lie in Dongpo's poem "Linjiang Xian"? Su Shi wrote over a dozen poems in the "Linjiang Xian" series, and one of them appeared in Wu Yu's mind:

<Linjiang Xian - Sending Qian Mufu>

Since leaving the capital, the city has changed hands three times; I've traversed the ends of the earth, leaving no trace of the mortal world.

She still smiled warmly, as if it were springtime.

A still, ancient well; a bamboo grove with joints, a symbol of autumn.

A lone sail departs in the dead of night, a pale moon and wispy clouds bid it farewell.

There's no need for furrowed brows before the emperor.

Life is like a journey, and I am but a traveler.

Wu Yu wondered if the first stanza of Su Shi's poem "Linjiang Xian" was describing the plight of Vega "alien" Vega? Or perhaps the emphasis was on the suggestive last line. "Life is like a journey, and I am but a traveler."

A journey against the tide? Going against the flow? Wu Yu thought of his master, whose words of advice still echoed in his ears, "Go far when you're ready, retreat deep when you're ready to retreat."

It means: if you want to jump forward far enough, you have to step back deep enough.

To solve present and future problems, should we retreat to history? Should we go backward? From the Northern Song Dynasty to the Tang Dynasty?

******

Scene prompt: 746 AD, the fifth year of the Tianbao era of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang. Furong Tower, west of Jinshan Temple in Zhenjiang, next to Zhongling Spring.

Wang Changling hosted a banquet at Furong Tower, with his friend Xin Jian as the guest of honor. Wu Yu was also present, dressed in Tang Dynasty attire. Wang Changling asked:

"Mr. Xuanyuan, I heard you will be returning to Luoyang soon? The journey is long, it will probably take two or three months."

Wu Yu was about to tell the truth—it wouldn't even take two or three months, I was already in Luoyang, I'd be here the moment I opened my eyes after taking off my hat—but he swallowed his words and cupped his hands in greeting, saying, "Brother Shaobo, do you have any letters or poems you'd like me to deliver to relatives and friends in Luoyang?"

Wang Changling wrote two seven-character quatrains with flowing, powerful strokes, one of which Wu Yu memorized when he was in elementary school:

Two poems sent off to Xin Jian at Furong Tower, the first one:

Cold rain fell on the river as night descended on Wu.

At dawn, I saw off my guest, alone amidst the Chu mountains.

If relatives and friends in Luoyang ask about me,

A heart of ice in a jade pot.

"Brother Shaobo is indeed pure and noble, with a heart for the world. I wonder if you could help me understand how to turn three into two, and then from two into one?" Wu Yu could hardly believe that he had asked such a strange question.

Wang Changling hesitated for a moment before replying, "I have already told you, aren't you my relative or friend in Luoyang?"

What do you mean? What, this poem was written specifically for me, this "relative from Luoyang"?

If relatives and friends in Luoyang ask about me,

A heart of ice in a jade pot.

Could the answer I'm looking for be A heart of ice in a jade pot?

******

Li Xiaoxuan was very curious about the hat the doctor gave Wu Yu, even though she knew it was just a high-tech virtual reality wearable device. What intrigued her even more was that when Wu Yu wore it and entered the virtual world, the words printed on the hat would change depending on the scene and location.

Now, the words on the hat read: Zhenjiang Jinshan Temple Travel Agency.

Following the tour group, Wu Yu arrived at the gate of Jinshan Temple, guided by the tour guide who was holding up a small red flag.

The tour guide, speaking in a soft, clear Wu dialect, said, "Dear members of the tour group, we have just visited Zhongling Spring Heaven,' and Furong Tower. Welcome to Jinshan Temple. Let me introduce it to you."

Jinshan Temple was first built during the Eastern Jin Dynasty. In 505 AD, during the fourth year of the Tianjian era of the Wei-Jin, Emperor Wu of Liang held the first Buddhist Water and Land Dharma Assembly in China at Jinshan Temple. All sentient beings, No distinction between self and other, which was held to pray for the deceased and for the living.

In the 25th year of the Kangxi's reign (1686), the emperor made a southern tour to Jinshan Temple and bestowed upon it the plaque "Jiangtian Chan Temple," changing its name to "Jiangtian Temple." He also personally inscribed the words "A View of River and Sky." After being destroyed and rebuilt several times, it was renamed Jinshan Temple.

Jinshan Temple blends seamlessly with the mountain, presenting a unique landscape where "Jinshan Temple is wrapped in the mountain, you can see the temple and the pagoda, but you can't see the mountain."

As a famous temple, Jinshan Temple is a place where historical figures and stories converge. For example, Su Shi wrote a palindrome poem on the wall of On Jinshan Temple, which has been passed down through the ages.

In Wu Cheng'en's novel, Jiang Liuer was rescued by Zen Master Faming of Jinshan Temple. After growing up, he became a monk at Jinshan Temple, took the Dharma name Tang Sanzang, and began his journey to the West to obtain Buddhist scriptures.

Wu Yu thought, shouldn't it be called Xuanzang? Why did Xuan become three?

There is also a well-known legend that after Jinshan Temple was built, a white python was found crawling inside. The abbot built the Fahai Pagoda to protect the temple, and the white python fled and dared not return. From then on, Jinshan Temple became a popular place of worship.

Wu Yu noticed two couplets on the four pillars of the main gate of Jinshan Temple, and the tour guide kindly explained the content and origin of the couplets.

The couplet on the inner side has slightly smaller characters because there are too many characters! Each line has 45 characters, for a total of 90 characters, making it a long couplet.

The author was Shen Bingcheng, a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) in the sixth year of the Xianfeng reign (1856), the chief compiler of the Wuying Hall, and it is said that he rose to the position of Governor- Governor-General of Liangjiang, a first-rank official.

First line:

One peak floats like jade, ten lands are covered in gold. I remember Pei Toutuo wearing a black robe on the riverbank, and Secretary Su leaving his sash at the mountain gate. Time flows like water, who will continue this auspicious connection? I wish to open a magnificent palace and a beautiful hall, to forever guard the green cliffs and verdant walls.

Second line:

A vast expanse of misty waves, a thousand forests rustling in the wind, I imagine the immortal Jiao burying cranes in Scholar Lu. They built their houses with fragrant neighbors, worthy of seeking traces of the past. I have wasted my time on lotus flowers and palm leaves, listening together to the evening drum and morning bell.

Wu Yu's heart stirred. The story of Dongpo Secretary Su leaving his jade belt at Jinshan Temple, and the story of Scholar Lu, the Tea Sage, ranking Zhongling Spring.

This all seems to be related to the answer Wu Yu is looking for.

Looking at the other couplet on the outside, the characters are much larger because there are fewer characters.

First line: Mountains, water, forests, and pavilions surround it on both sides.

The second line reads, "It can be used for poetry, drinking, and playing music, embracing both the past and present."

Wu Yu recalled his master's saying about "this couplet" and "that couplet," and blurted out sarcastically, "What kind of couplet is this? First of all, it doesn't conform to the 'this couplet' theory at all, and it completely fails to describe the stories and characteristics of Jinshan Temple!"

Wu Yu got more and more excited as he spoke. Although he had long since swallowed the books he had read with his meals, Wu Yu wearing a hat was a completely different story!

"This couplet is not only irrelevant to the topic and vague in content, but it also seriously violates the tonal rules. It has four consecutive oblique tones. Who wrote this?"

The tour guide had heard about the flaws in the couplet before, but seeing Wu Yu's face still displeased her. Suppressing her anger, she professionally and seriously introduced the couplet:

"The author of this couplet is Wu Xiqi (successful candidate in the highest Libationer of the Imperial Academy) in the 40th year of the Qianlong Emperor's reign (1775), a compiler in the Hanlin Academy, and the official who rose to the position of Chancellor of the Imperial Academy. He was a literary figure and one of the Eight Great Masters of Parallel Prose in the Qing Dynasty."

Upon hearing this, Wu Yu became even more excited. "No wonder, so you're a master of parallel prose! Your writing is indeed ornate and flowery, but ultimately empty. This couplet could be displayed at the entrance of any house within eight hundred li of Jiangnan, it doesn't specifically refer to Jinshan Temple at all. This is a major taboo in couplet writing!"

The tour guide, unable to contain herself any longer and disregarding professional etiquette, retorted, "Look at you, so capable! If you're so smart, why don't you write a couplet specifically for Jinshan Temple?"

Poet Wu Yu channeled his inner poet, raising his voice. "Come on then! Besides, didn't you just introduce the origins and stories of Jinshan Temple? Summarize and refine them, what's so difficult about creating a couplet for Jinshan Temple that meets the requirements of 'this pair'?"

The couplet that Wu Yu composed for the main gate of Jinshan Temple is:

First line: A thousand wheels on land and water, a palindrome, a sutra that repeats itself, a python that never returns.

The second line reads, "A View of River and Sky reveals temples and pagodas, but no mountains."

"A thousand rounds of water and land ceremonies" refers to the numerous Water and Land Dharma Assembly held in the past and future. "A View of River and Sky" comes from Kangxi's imperial evaluation of Jinshan Temple.

"Seeing the temple and the pagoda but not the mountain" is the unique appearance and reputation of Jinshan Temple. "Palindrome" refers to Su Shi's famous palindrome poem "On Jinshan Temple". "Returning scriptures" refers to the story in "Journey to the West" where Tang Sanzang retrieved the Sutra Treasury in the scripture library of Jinshan Temple.

"The White Python That Never Returns" refers to the legend of Fahai building a pagoda to suppress the white python. The entire couplet is perfectly balanced in tone and rhyme, with almost every character closely related to Jinshan Temple, making it a rare and unique couplet.

The so-called exclusive couplet is what Wu Yu's master called "this couplet". Taking the couplet written by Wu Yu as an example, this couplet is only correct when it is hung in Jinshan Temple. It is not correct if it is hung elsewhere.

Conversely, even if the person reading this couplet doesn't know where it comes from, they will know after reading the content that it was written specifically for Jinshan Temple.

What's more clever is that the "wheel" in the couplet means "samsara", which is a Buddhist word, and "lan" means "seeing", and "lanjian" is a common saying. Correspondingly, Jinshan Temple is both a Buddhist dharma place and a grand scene in the secular world.

What Wu Yu didn't know was that his couplet accurately interpreted the predicament faced by the Vega.

The tour guide stood there, stunned, thinking to herself, "This young man's couplet is really good!" However, even if she submitted the couplet to the Jinshan Temple Management Committee, they wouldn't pay any attention to it, since the couplet had been hanging there for many years and there hadn't been any contests or awards for it.

A contest for couplets with prizes? The tour guide immediately had a solution:

"Are you here to cause trouble at our Jinshan Temple? If you're really that capable, the Guanyin Mountain Scenic Area in Dongguan, Guangdong is holding a contest to create a matching couplet. No one has been able to come up with one in over twenty years, and the prize money has already increased to 2.1 million yuan!"

******

Li Xiaoxuan suddenly noticed that the text on Wu Yu's hat had changed; it now read "Dongguan Guanyin Mountain Travel Agency." What? Had he followed Su Dongbo all the way to Lingnan?

Wu Yu stood outside the main gate of Guangdong Guanyin Mountain National Forest Park. To the upper right of the tall gate tower were seven large characters:

On Guanyin Mountain, one observes mountains and water.

The upper left corner, instead of a corresponding second line, reads, "Seeking a second line, reward 2.1 million yuan!"

Tourists nearby pointed and commented, "No one has been able to match the second line of this seven-character couplet for over 20 years. In 2024, the prize money was 1.38 million yuan, and this year it has risen to 2.1 million yuan! Each character is worth 300,000 yuan, truly a 'thousand-gold-piece' deal."

Wu Yu was initially delighted, but subconsciously touched the hat on his head, thinking, "If this hat can't help me come up with the matching line, can the professor still expect this lousy equipment to save humanity?"

Even with the blessing of the Poet Immortal, Wu Yu was startled again. The seven characters of the first line seemed simple, but there were many intricacies involved. His master had said, "Long couplets are easy to match, short couplets are difficult, and short couplets with repeated characters are extremely difficult."

The On Guanyin Mountain, one observes mountains and water consists of only seven characters, but it contains two sets of repeated characters, making it seem simple at first glance but difficult to perfectly match.

The master said that a couplet, whether written for a temple gate or a house gate, must first be specific and focus on the environment, characteristics and allusions of the place and the object, which is the so-called "this couplet".

The sentiments and ideals that naturally extend and sublimate from the first line are called the second line. If the second line is merely a literal match to the first line and describes similar content, it is called "clashing words," which is a major taboo in couplets. Couplets without emotional and logical sublimation, no matter how well they are clashed, are still mediocre works.

When evaluating a couplet, those that are neither one thing nor the other are considered inferior; those that include one thing but not the other are considered low-grade; those that combine one thing with the No distinction between self and other are considered top-grade.

The first line of the couplet On Guanyin Mountain, one observes mountains and water," only mentions roles, locations, and actions, lacking any sentiments or ideals related to "that place." This places higher demands on the second line. Besides matching the first line literally, the second line also bears the responsibility of extending and elevating the overall meaning and sentiment.

It's already difficult enough to match the parts of speech, tones, and scenery/actions of the characters in the second line, but even if it's a perfect match, it's still only of a lower level. To reach the middle to upper level, where one can seamlessly connect the No distinction between self and other, is probably only a matter of luck.

Wu Yu silently prayed, "Master, Doctor, please help me! Before saving humanity, let me win the lottery!"

Li Xiaoxuan suddenly heard Wu Yu chuckle beside her, which startled her. What was going on? The doctor had said that wearing the device might have side effects. She quickly took off Wu Yu's hat and woke him up.

Wu Yu opened his eyes, still smiling, and hugged Li Xiaoxuan, whispering in her ear, "I've matched the second line of that couplet worth 2.1 million. Listen."

Upon hearing the seven words Wu Yu uttered, Li Xiaoxuan was involuntarily invigorated. "I've heard about the reward for a couplet contest before, and your second line is absolutely brilliant!"

"No distinction between self and other, the sentiment has been elevated, Master's words are truly excellent! The 2.1 million bonus is in my hands!" Wu Yu slowly stopped smiling and looked at Xiao Xuan thoughtfully.

Wu Yu knew that Li Xiaoxuan couldn't be thinking about the huge prize money at this moment, because they both understood:

The seven-character second line, valued at 2.1 million yuan, is the answer they have been searching for.

******

On a side note, some readers jokingly praised Xian Ge for attending Qidian's "extra chapter learning class." Actually, Xian Ge attended Qidian's VIP advanced extra chapter class. While others only have extra chapters for a day, Xian Ge has extra chapters for a year. While others have extra chapters worth two and a half cents, Xian Ge has extra chapters worth two million! Haha~

See you in Part 3 of "Nikola Tesla's Rope".

&

Jinshan Temple in Zhenjiang is located at the intersection of Chinese cultural heritage. It is situated between two sides, and this place marks the beginning of Jiangnan (the region south of the Yangtze River).

Jinshan Temple has four treasures: the bronze tripod of King Xuan of Zhou, the bronze drum of Yue Fei, the "Jinshan Map" by Wen Zhengming, and the Su Shi's Jade Belt.

During the Tang and Song dynasties, Jinshan Temple was built on an island in the river, shaped like a "lotus flower in the heart of the river." Spring water gushed from the riverbed and was divided into Nanling, Zhongling, and Beiling. Later, the river changed course, and Jinshan Temple was connected to the southern land. The spring water merged into Zhongling, which was named "The First Spring Under Heaven." It is a bit of a pity that the ranking of the first spring was not listed by Lu Yu, the Sage of Tea.

Modern people do not argue with the Tea Sage, but instead rely on the Tang Dynasty scholar Liu Bochu "the springs in the world are divided into seven grades, among which the Yangtze River's Nanling is the best," and thus call Zhongling Spring the best, and rebuild Furong Tower next to the spring.

Emperor Wu of the Southern Emperor Wu of Liang first held the Water and Land Dharma Assembly at Jinshan Temple. In Wu Cheng'en's "Journey to the West to the West", Jiang Liuer was ordained at Jinshan Temple with the Dharma name Tang Sanzang. Guanyin Bodhisattva descended to the mortal world to guide him on his journey to the West to obtain Buddhist scriptures. Fahai has it that when Master Fahai built the temple, a white python coiled up and used the pagoda to suppress it.

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Epilogue Poem, Seven-character regulated verse about Jinshan Temple.

The towns to the east and west have stood for a thousand years.

It's natural that it's divided horizontally between north and south.

The bronze drum once crushed three valiant armies.

Zhongling does not envy a mere tea spring.

Jinshan Stands Tall, Hibiscus Falls.

The Water and Land Painting Jade Belt Entwined the figure.

The child descended from the river, Immortals Descend to the Mortal Realm.

Sutra Treasury Fahai's Cave Swallowing the Heavens.