Tang Zhaozong said to Empress He: "You mean, let me give up fighting with Tang Zhangwei?" ”

Empress He said: "No, but before you are sure of winning, don't easily provoke Tang Zhangwei." Besides, in the eyes of ordinary people, people must learn to be grateful, otherwise they will be no different from beasts. ”

Tang Zhaozong said: "However, we are not ordinary people, I have tried to do it according to the rules of ordinary people, but we, like those nobles, are born not to do those small and hard things. ”

Empress He said: "I didn't let you follow the rules of ordinary people, I just advised you to be cautious." ”

At this time, Bian Tuanshan, a nobleman of the Tang Dynasty, walked in.

Bian Tuanshan said to Tang Zhaozong: "I have gathered a group of people from the rivers and lakes for Your Majesty, and the nobles who have Tang Zhangwei's plan. ”

Tang Zhaozong said: "Are these people loyal to me? ”

Bian Tuanshan said to Tang Zhaozong: "We gathered together to deal with Tang Zhangwei, they are very loyal to the emperor. ”

You can hire sixty builders and build the whole church at the same time, not a little from east to west; That might just take eight or ten years. If there were more than 60 craftsmen building a building of this scale, it would hinder each other and reduce the speed of work. ”

Philip nodded, he didn't seem to have any difficulty in understanding. "However, even with only thirty craftsmen, I can finish the east end in five years."

"Yes, you can pray there and build a new shrine to the remains of the saints of Adolphus."

"Really." Philip was really excited, "I used to think that it would take decades for us to build a new church. He looked at Tom with a sharp gaze, "Have you ever built a cathedral before?" ”

"No, but I've designed and built smaller churches. But I worked at Exeter Cathedral for a couple of years, and by the end of the day, I had become a co-builder. ”

"You want to build this cathedral yourself, do you?"

Tom hesitated. It's best to be honest with Philip, this man has no patience for rhetoric. "Yes, Father. I would like to ask you to appoint me as a builder," he said as calmly as he could.

"Why?"

Tom wasn't expecting to ask this question. There are so many reasons for this. Because I've seen badly built cathedrals, and I know I can do it. For there is nothing more satisfying for a builder than to exercise his skills, except perhaps with a beautiful woman**. Because this kind of work adds meaning to one's life. Which of these answers is Philip most eager to hear? The vice president probably liked that he had something pious to say. He was bold enough to tell the truth. "Because it's beautiful," he said.

Philip looked at him strangely, and Tom wasn't sure if he was angry or something. "Because it's beautiful," Philip repeated. Tom began to think that this was a stupid reason, and was about to say something more, but he couldn't decide what to say. Later he realized, Philip had no doubts—he was moved. Tom's words touched his heart. Philip finally nodded, and seemed to agree after some thought. "Yes. What could be better than to be able to do something beautiful for God? He said.

Tom was silent. Philip hasn't said yet, "Okay, you're going to be a builder." Tom waited.

Philip seems to have come to a conclusion. "In three days I will go with Bishop Wallen to Winchester to meet the King," he said, "I have no idea what the Bishop has planned, but I am sure that we will ask King Stephen to help us pay for a new cathedral for the King's Bridge." ”

"Let's expect him to grant your wishes," Tom said.

"He owes us a favor," Philip smiled intently, "and he has to help us." ”

"What if he helps?" Tom said.

"I suppose God has sent you to me for a purpose, Tom the builder," said Philip, "and if King Stephen gives us money, you will build this church." ”

This time it was Tom's turn to be moved, and he barely knew what to say. His lifelong wish was finally fulfilled – but on the terms. It all depended on Philip getting funding from the king. He nodded, accepting the promise and the risk. "Thank you, Father," he said.

The evening prayer bell rang. Tom picked up his plaster plate.

"Do you need it?" Philip said.

Tom realized that it was a good idea to leave the plaster tray here. This keeps reminding Philip. "No, I don't need to," he said, "and it's all in my head." ”

"Yay. I want to keep it here. ”

Tom nodded and headed for the door.

It occurred to him that if he didn't ask for something for Agnes at this time, he would never have a chance again. He turned back again. "Priest!"

"What?"

"My first wife...... Agnes, that's her name...... She died without a priest and was buried in a place where there were no sacrifices. She is not guilty of sin, but because of ...... Environment. I don't understand...... Sometimes a man builds an altar or gives money to a monastery in the hope that God will remember his piety when he dies. You see, can my design help bless Agnes' soul? ”

Philip frowned. Abraham was commanded to sacrifice his only son. God no longer asks for blood sacrifices because the highest sacrifice has already been made. But the lesson of Abraham's story is this: God asks of the best we can provide, the most precious to us. Is this design the best thing you can give to God? ”

"It's the best except for my kids."

Tom devised three sections of the nave wall—with arcades, aislameries, and high side windows—in a strict three-to-one ratio. The arcade occupies half the height of the wall, and the parapet is one-third the height of the arcade. Everything in the church is proportional, and it gives the whole building a sense of sublime integrity. Tom looked at the picture and thought it was very solemn and beautiful. But would Philip think so? Tom could see rows of arches walking down the length of the church, the lines and carvings outlined by the afternoon sun...... But will Philip see the same of these?

He began to draw his third drawing. Here is the floor plan of the church. In his imagination, he saw twelve arches in the arcades. The church was thus divided into twelve chambers, called compartments. The nave will be six compartments long, with the altar accounting for four compartments, and the seventh and eighth compartments in the middle are reserved for crossings, with two corridors stretching out on either side, surmounted by towering towers.

(End of chapter)