Li Zhen left the Buddha's altar and went to the stone wall of his house. Every time he came to Mogao Grottoes, he would take a look and then think about when he could realize his grandfather's last wish.

The stone wall of Li Zhen’s family is located in the northern area of ​​Mogao Grottoes. It is located in a relatively remote location and is a place that most people look down upon. There are no Buddhist caves in this area. There are weeds growing under the cliffs, and swim snakes often appear, and few people come here.

But today is different from usual. Li Zhen saw a group of people standing under the stone wall of his home from afar. In the middle was a thin old man, surrounded by everyone like stars and moonlight. He was holding a scroll in his hand, looking at something in front of the stone wall of his home.

Li Zhen was surprised and walked up slowly, listening carefully a few steps away from them.

"Our hometown, among the three stone walls, this one is the most suitable. First, it is in the northern area, where the statue is in line with the tradition of the emperor facing north and south. Secondly, the hardness of the rock is better than the other two. Several old craftsmen have carefully identified it. If this stone wall statue can at least be carved first, and then on the basis of the stone tire, it can be maintained for thousands of years without damage, and it also meets the requirements of the last time."

The old man nodded, and he also knew that because the cliff where Mogao Grottoes was located was sandstone, it was impossible to make stone statues. They were usually sculptured clay statues. Even if they could carve stone fetuses, it would be a big deal.

"Are you sure you can carve a stone tire here?"

"Reporting to the head of the hometown, several old craftsmen are sure."

The old man pointed to the stone wall and said to the person next to him: "There are small Buddha caves around, but this one is very complete. Go and find out which temple's stone wall is this. I want to buy it."

"Old master, we have asked in advance that this is not the stone wall of the temple, it seems to be the stone wall of the Li family."

"Li family?"

The old man was stunned for a moment, then nodded slowly, "I understand, it's getting late, let's go back!"

Everyone surrounded the old man and walked south from another road, and Li Zhen then flashed out from behind a rock.

He was surprised that the old man actually took a fancy to the stone wall of his house. It seemed that he wanted to carve some statue and bought it. He was behind him. Did he not come to ask himself?

Just then, someone next to him smiled and said, "A Zhen, why are you here?"

When Li Zhen turned around, he saw three craftsmen standing next to him. The person he called him was Xiaoxi's father. Xiaoxi's father was named Yao Hong, the most famous sculptor in Mogao Grottoes. He was about forty years old, with rough skin and weather-beaten on his face, but his smile was very kind, and he always liked Li Zhen very much.

Li Zhen hurriedly stepped forward to salute, "Uncle Hong, Uncle Wang Er, Uncle Wang San, aren't you in the South District?"

Li Zhen has been learning art in Dayun Temple since he was a child. Several craftsmen knew him. Yao Hong smiled and said, "We were originally working in the southern district. We were very busy these two days. We saw that the Buddha Cave was about to be completed, but today a big man came and called us all to accompany us."

"Is it the old man just now?" Li Zhen asked, pointing to the backs of the group of people who were about to disappear.

"It's him, it seems to be the master of the Suo family!"

Li Zhen was stunned, "The master of the Suo family." Could it be that the old man just now was Suo Qing?

Li Zhen knew that the head of the Suo family was Suo Qing, but he had never seen him. What did Suo Qing do when he came to see the stone wall of his house?

"Uncle Hong, what image do they want to carve here?" Li Zhen asked again.

Another craftsman next to him laughed and said, "We only heard a little wind, as if we were to carve a statue of Maitreya for the female emperor in the capital. The master of the Suo family has been here three times. A few days ago, there were also big figures from the capital, and the governor Li accompanied him."

Li Zhen was a little stunned. He immediately thought of Gao Yanfu. The big man from the capital must be Gao Yanfu.

But what he thought of at this moment was not this, but the statue of Dunhuang Peking University left behind in later generations, that is, the statue of Maitreya sculptured with the appearance of Wu Zetian. Could it be that the statue of Dunhuang Peking University is the stone wall of his home?

"Uncle Hong, has the head of the Suo family decided to make a statue on this stone wall?"

Yao Hong smiled and said, "It's not that he decided, but that they must make statues here. People from the capital made it clear that they are not allowed to make clay statues, nor are they allowed to use giant stone statues outside to move in. They can only carve statues on the rock walls. This is the request of the female emperor in the capital.

We were also present at that time, and we all knew very well that to meet these requirements, we could only be here with statues, and not other stone walls."

"Are there a few empty stone walls there?" Li Zhen asked again pointing at the stone walls in the distance.

Yao Hong shook his head, "The entire northern cliff is seriously eroded by wind and sand, and cannot support the big Buddha. It is only suitable for building small Buddha caves there. This is the only stone wall to build such a big Buddha with a whole cliff. We have carefully investigated it, so there will be no mistakes."

Li Zhen had already fully understood that the stone wall left by his grandfather was the location of the Peking University statue of Mogao Grottoes in later generations. Moreover, the Suo family took a fancy to this stone wall. Could it be that the Suo family wanted to come to their own family to discuss buying it?

.........

The next morning, the inner hall of Suo Mansion, Suo Qing, the hometown owner who had just returned from Mogao Grottoes, was pacing back and forth with his hands behind his back.

On the table next to it was a picture of the copying of the Maitreya statue brought by Gao Yanfu from the capital. This is also the true appearance of the emperor. The emperor was going to sculpt the Maitreya statue in Dunhuang, which had already disturbed Suo Qing's mind.

The Suo family must seize this opportunity. For this reason, he has convinced the other three aristocratic families to withdraw. He also went to Mogao Grottoes for on-site inspection three times. The Suo family also had a stone wall in Mogao Grottoes. In order to be foolproof, he also bought a stone wall next to him.

He was very prepared and he was bound to win this statue of Maitreya. Unexpectedly, Gao Yanfu made a request that shocked him after inspecting Mogao Grottoes.

The statue must face north and south, and must be made of stone statues, and not clay statues. To ensure the Buddha's spirit, it must be carved on the stone wall. It cannot be carved with stones outside and moved in.

This series of requests undoubtedly negated both stone walls that the Suo family had worked hard to prepare. Yesterday, he finally found a stone wall that meets the requirements in the northern area of ​​Mogao Grottoes. Unexpectedly, the stone wall actually belonged to the Li family.

This made him feel difficult. Will Li Jin give this stone wall to him Suo Qing?

Especially in the last Martial Examination, the Li family did not receive Wang Xiaojie's recommendation letter, and Li Jin was dissatisfied with him. In this case, would the Li family take the opportunity to take this matter over?

It's very likely! He Suo Qing knew the importance of this matter, how could Li Jin not know?

At this time, a burst of rapid footsteps came from the yard, "Father, there is news!" This was Suo Mao's voice, and the tone changed a little.

Suo Qing was excited and hurriedly came out, "How is it?" he asked anxiously.

Suo Mao entered the lobby and gasped, "The child has already found out that the stone wall does not belong to the Li family anymore. Twenty years ago, the stone wall was distributed to the Li clan members."

Suo Qing had just felt a surge of ecstasy in his heart, but he was hit into the abyss by the last sentence. His face sank, "Isn't this the same thing? It's still in the hands of the Li family."

"Father, that's not the case. The Li clan member has long passed away. Now Shibi is in the hands of his grandson. It's Li Zhen, who got Wang Xiaojie's recommendation letter last time, is the one who is very good at riding and shooting."

"Wait a minute!"

Suo Qing's heart seemed to have a ray of sunshine. He seemed to see a glimmer of hope. He walked a few steps behind his hands and sorted out his messy thoughts.

He remembered that last time Li Jin put pressure on the young man and forced him to withdraw from the military examination, but was strongly resisted by the young man. Li Jin came to ask for the Suo family, so he made a concession. If it was that young man...

"You mean, this stone wall originally belonged to the Li family. Twenty years ago, the Li family distributed it to Li Danping. After Li Danping passed the stone wall to his grandson, it was that Li Zhen. Is that the case?"

"That's true. Shibi's right is now in the hands of the boy, and the child also found out that Li Jin is not in Dunhuang now, and he has gone to Longxi and will not be back after a few days."

Suo Qing nodded. Li Jin was not in Dunhuang, so he would be the best. He immediately said to his son: "You can go to the young man's house immediately and ask them to offer the price. You can agree to the offer no matter what price you offer. Be sure to get the Shibi's right deed."

"Boy understand!"

Suo Mao turned around and was about to leave, and Suo Qing called him again, "Time is very tight. Although Li Jin is not in Dunhuang, the Li family's Presbyterian Church can still make decisions. The news has spread and they will not stand by, so they must get the Shibi deed within two days today and tomorrow."

"Don't worry, father, go now!"

Suo Mao hurried away, and Suo Qing looked at the sky and said to himself, "God bless Suo's family!"
Chapter completed!