Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 256 No Money
"Thank you, benefactor."

The young novice monks who were welcoming guests stepped forward and performed Buddhist rituals.

The young novice was usually peaceful with everyone, but he added a smile when facing Benefactor Xie. After all, he had not yet become a Buddha, so it was alright to show a little favoritism.

If it weren't for the benefactor Xie, the winter would have been exceptionally difficult for them. This year is even colder than usual. It's thanks to the temple having enough lotus root charcoal that everyone was able to perform their morning and evening prayers on time.

Last year, a fellow disciple froze to death while performing evening prayers in the winter. I, a novice monk, still remember this incident vividly. If benefactor Xie had come to Baode Temple last year, that disciple would surely still be alive.

Mr. Xie is truly a kind person to them.

Moreover, with the establishment of a market at the foot of the mountain, Baode Temple has become even more bustling, attracting many pilgrims every day. The funds for rebuilding the main hall have long been raised.

The patrons at the foot of the mountain would make monks' robes, shoes, and socks for them in their spare time, and those who came to buy things would also buy them and send them to the temple. Now each novice monk has one or two sets of brand-new monks' robes, a stack of new socks, and several pairs of new monks' shoes.

Xie Yuyan asked, "Is the abbot here?"

The young novice immediately looked up. His master had been on the high platform just moments before, but now... he was gone.

Seeing the fleeting surprise and embarrassment on the young novice's face, Xie Yuyan said, "It's alright, Master can stay in the temple."

That's an easy answer. The young novice replied decisively, "Yes."

Xie Yuyan led Mother Yu towards the temple. After climbing only a few steps, they saw Yan Sui running towards them.

"Thank you, benefactor," Yan Sui said happily as he ran forward, "You're back."

When Xie Yuyan met Yan Sui, he had grown quite a bit taller, his complexion was rosier, and his eyes were filled with barely suppressed joy.

“Everyone has been missing you during your absence.”

Especially him.

Yan Sui would go down the mountain every day to listen for news about Xie Yuyan among the crowd. When he heard that Xie Yuyan had been arrested, he tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep. Even when his master led him in reciting Buddhist scriptures, he still couldn't calm his mind. When he finally fell asleep, he dreamed of the time when he was begging for food and encountered some starving people on the road, almost being captured by them.

He still remembers the look in those people's eyes; it was more terrifying than a wild beast glowing green in the night.

When his master woke him up, his pillow was soaked with tears.

He didn't know why he liked Benefactor Xie so much. Even though Benefactor Xie hadn't said much to him, the way Benefactor Xie looked at him was different. Perhaps this was what his master meant by fate.

Xie Yuyan took a blue cloth bundle from Mama Yu's hands.

“This is for you,” Xie Yuyan said, “a few books, and some writing brushes, ink, paper and inkstones.”

Yan Sui's eyes immediately lit up.

Mother Yu handed over another item, which Xie Yuyan also gave to Yan Sui.

Yan Sui hugged the blue cloth bundle, then reached out to take it; it was a small wooden sword.

"It's just an ordinary toy. I wonder if the temple can keep it?" Xie Yuyan said, lowering her voice before Yan Sui could respond, "It's okay if they don't allow it. You can hide it behind the Buddha statue and take it out to play with when no one is looking."

Yan Sui blinked. This was why he liked Benefactor Xie; every word Benefactor Xie said resonated with him.

The little wooden sword was the perfect size for him, and he couldn't resist wanting to try it out right away.

"And another thing," Xie Yuyan took out a cloth bag from his sleeve and handed it to Yan Sui, "is for you to put your money in."

It was just a bag made of ordinary blue cloth, and Xie Yuyan remembered that her master in her previous life had a particular fondness for this kind.

Yan Sui lowered his eyes, the corners of his eyes slightly moist, but he didn't want others to see. He used to have a small cloth bag like this, which he kept close to his body when he was a child. It must have been left to him by his family. The money inside was long gone, but he always kept it as a treasure. But one day when he woke up, he couldn't find the cloth bag. It was probably stolen by a rat or another beggar.

"From now on, put any odds and ends in the cloth bag." Yan Sui reached out and took it. He looked up and stared blankly at Xie Yuyan. After a while, he wiped his eyes and smiled, "It's so good that Benefactor Xie is back."

"Is Benefactor Xie here to see your master?" Yan Sui asked. "I will show you the way."

The monk Zhiyuan, who was sitting in a side hall preparing to study Buddhist scriptures, couldn't help but sigh when he heard footsteps outside.

Before he could even settle in, Benefactor Xie found his way here.

"Amitabha." Monk Zhiyuan rose and greeted Xie Yuyan.

"How have you been these days, Master?" Xie Yuyan asked. "I have been very concerned about the temple while I was away from home. I heard that the money for rebuilding the main hall has been raised, so I came to congratulate you."

Monk Zhiyuan chanted the Buddha's name again: "Thanks to Benefactor Xie's help, things went so smoothly."

That beautiful face was full of smiles, but... Monk Zhiyuan still sensed a lingering murderous aura.

Could it be that he has killed another person?
Amitabha Buddha, he knows nothing.

"Master, let's sit down and talk."

Xie Yuyan looked at his grandmaster, who had taken half a step away, and said, "I have also prepared some items for the newly renovated main hall."

Monk Zhiyuan's hand trembled involuntarily.

Last time she brought lotus root charcoal and then made a clay stove, what is it now?
He had never been so afraid of people coming to give alms.

Master Zhiyuan said, "Amitabha, the temple's finances and supplies are all prepared..."

"I still think it's not enough."

"enough."

"Giving alms can create many good connections, eliminate greed, and cultivate good roots."

When Xie Yuyan brought this up, the abbot could only shut up. That was true, but Xie's donation had absolutely nothing to do with that statement.

“I also told people that Baode Temple would be holding a Dharma assembly on the second day of the second lunar month, and that I came here specifically for the Dharma assembly.”

Master Zhiyuan's hand, which was moving the prayer beads, immediately stopped. He was about to refuse, "The Dharma assembly..."

"Saving one life is better than building a seven-level pagoda."

"Baode Temple wasn't prepared to hold..."

“Master,” Xie Yuyan said, “Spring planting is just around the corner, and the people are short of seeds. If they borrow from the gentry, they will have to repay three times the amount of money after the autumn harvest. If you are willing, Master, you can set up a granary in the temple to provide seeds. After the autumn harvest, you can only take 20% of the profits.”

Master Zhiyuan opened his mouth.

Xie Yuyan continued, "Oxen can also be rented to households, but this requires the novices and masters in the temple to go down the mountain to inspect them, so as to prevent anyone from using them for other purposes."

Master Zhiyuan opened his mouth, then immediately closed it again. After a long while, he said, "Thank you for your kind intentions, benefactor. Why not just set up a charity granary? This monk doesn't understand these things."

“I would like to do it too,” Xie Yuyan said, “but I’m afraid I’ll be hindered by the wealthy and powerful.”

She's afraid? Zhiyuan didn't believe it. Apart from using the word "afraid" in her speech, there was nothing else about her that suggested it.

Xie Yuyan sighed: "Besides... I don't have any money."

Zhiyuan choked on his own saliva and started coughing.

(End of this chapter)