Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 283 Hot Sale
At this point, neither Han Si nor Shen Zhongguan could do anything but stand there and let themselves be manipulated.

Han Si glanced outside. It was freezing cold, but the people of Daming Prefecture seemed unfazed by the cold, crowding around in layers, showing no sign of leaving.

It was only when Wang Yan spoke that the surroundings quieted down again.

Wang Yan looked at Master Zhiyuan: "Baode Temple donated the secret recipe for Buddhist charcoal and took in refugees. The imperial court bestowed grain seeds upon Baode Temple as a reward."

The monks immediately performed Buddhist rituals.

After Wang Yan finished speaking, some servants carried grain seeds into the courtyard, an action that once again attracted the attention and discussion of the people.

"The monks in the temple have saved the court land for their own use. After I return to the capital, I will write a report to the court. If all Buddhist temples in Daliang could do this, more land could be left for the people. Wouldn't that be a meritorious deed?"

Several high-ranking monks in the main hall changed their expressions upon hearing this, as if they had heard a hidden meaning in the words.

The temple they belong to is different from Baode Temple. Not only are the land for offerings sufficient, but they are also involved in selling ordination certificates. If the imperial court really investigates, they will probably be punished.

After they return, they will discuss with the abbot whether they can take advantage of Baode Temple's popularity to donate some monastic land, thus avoiding this calamity.

After Wang Yan finished speaking, he considered the official business concluded. Then he looked at Xie Yuyan and said, "The imperial court's selection of porcelain for the border market is a major event. Since the court has taken a liking to your porcelain kiln, Madam, you must carefully supervise this matter."

Han Si clenched his fists. Wang Yan's public pronouncements were a final word.

Madam Xie must have bribed Wang Yan to get him to speak on her behalf. Thinking this, Han Si carefully observed Wang Yan's expression, trying to discern something amiss.

But Wang Yan remained calm and composed, acting as if it were business. When he looked at Madam Xie, he also carried a sense of authority and distance, making Han Si realize that he had been overthinking things.

Given Wang Yan's background and reputation, he wouldn't be tempted by such a small bribe.

Is everything today really just a coincidence?
"Rest assured, sir, we will certainly not neglect our duties," Xie Yuyan said, then looked at Han Si, "We have just built a new kiln and there are still many things we would like to ask Elder Xing for advice."

Under Wang Yan's gaze, Han Si dared not refuse: "It is the proper thing to do. If there is anything I can do to help, I will certainly not refuse."

Shen Zhongguan smiled, since these were all things Han Si had said and had nothing to do with him.

Xie Yuyan then looked at Master Zhiyuan.

Zhiyuan sighed inwardly, but had no choice but to say to Shen Zhongguan, "There are meditation rooms in the temple. If you gentlemen are willing, you may stay here."

Shen Zhongguan's eyes lit up. He couldn't be more willing. The chief eunuch who had just passed away last year had gone to a temple to cultivate after leaving the capital, and had passed away without any suffering. He had heard from the monks that the chief eunuch had achieved enlightenment. Eunuchs like them couldn't have children, so they only hoped for a better end. He hoped that one day he could also attain enlightenment like that chief eunuch.

Shen Zhongguan immediately performed a Buddhist salute: "If that's what you say, Master, then I won't stand on ceremony."

Han Si immediately became anxious: "Lord Zhongguan, we still have duties to perform."

“There’s still time,” Shen Zhongguan said. “We just need to get back before the end of February. You can use this time to give the porcelain kiln some pointers and make sure there are no mistakes.”

Since Shen Zhongguan wouldn't leave, Han Si had no choice but to stay in Daming Prefecture. He had originally planned to leave from here and go elsewhere, but now it was as if someone had grabbed his leg, and he couldn't break free.

This is not a temple; it's a den of thieves who devour people without spitting out their bones. They not only take people's money but also want to keep them there, as if they want to strip them naked.

Master Zhiyuan personally led Shen Zhongguan to the meditation room, accompanied by several eminent monks. Shen Zhongguan was thrilled, glad that he hadn't missed the ceremony.

Han Si suddenly felt isolated and helpless. He couldn't go after Shen Zhongguan. Shen Zhongguan wouldn't be impeached since he lived in the temple, but he might not be.

He was the one at the bottom of this whole affair, and if anything went wrong, he wouldn't be able to escape.

"Where does Elder Xing reside?" Xie Yuyan asked. "How about moving to an inn not far from the porcelain kiln?"

Han Si hurriedly said, "There's no need for such trouble. Daming Prefecture isn't very big; it's just a few more steps." "How can we let Elder Xing go to such lengths?" Elder Wei suddenly said, "The three of us go to the porcelain kiln every day. We'll pick Elder Xing up and go together then."

“Yes,” said Old Geng, “that would be best, as long as Old Xing doesn’t mind…”

Old Yao suddenly coughed, as if to remind the two of them.

Old Wei and Old Geng suddenly stopped talking.

The two fell silent, and the hall immediately became quiet. Han Si felt all sorts of suspicious gazes directed at him, and he had no choice but to say again, "How could I possibly dislike you?"

The atmosphere in the main hall returned to a friendly one.

The three old craftsmen all smiled and said, "Then it's settled."

Just as Han Si was surrounded by people, Wang Yan looked at Xie Yuyan. When their eyes met, the aloofness and majesty in his eyes melted away, and then a smile appeared on his face when no one else noticed.

If Han Si had seen Wang Yan's gaze at that moment, he wouldn't have doubted his guess.

……

The believers gradually descended the mountain, and many went to the various stalls in front of the temple to buy porcelain.

Even though Grandma Li and others repeatedly said that the plates were not for sale, some people still offered high prices.

Money can move people's hearts, and there will always be people who get what they want because of it.

However, many more people went to the Yang family's porcelain shop, believing what Madam Xie had said: all porcelain is the same, and there's no need to spend a lot of money.

Everyone has seen how well Madam Xie's business of selling Buddhist charcoal and clay stoves is doing, so this time her porcelain must be just as good.

This was soon proven true.

Sure enough, the Yang family's porcelain shop had freshly fired porcelain.

A bowl costs between fifteen and thirty coins, and plates are about the same price. There are also porcelain stoves, pots, bottles, medicine boxes, and cosmetic boxes made of porcelain.

Many people originally only intended to buy offering plates and porcelain incense burners, but were suddenly drawn to these porcelain items.

"It's half the price of the porcelain from the Xie family before."

"Madam Xie's new kiln is indeed excellent."

"Of course! Haven't you heard? People have come to Bianjing to select porcelain from the new kilns. The eunuchs in the imperial city want to exchange one hundred taels of incense money for a porcelain Buddha statue."

"So, Baode Temple will be able to cast golden Buddha statues in the future?"

“I don’t think the abbot will use it to cast a golden Buddha. There have been rumors that Baode Temple is going to donate grain seeds. If you don’t have money to buy grain seeds, you don’t need to borrow from the rich. Just go to Baode Temple.”

Naturally, discussions about the Buddha's miraculous appearances were also inevitable.

Soon, the "new porcelain" that everyone was talking about became "Buddha porcelain".

People gradually lined up outside Yang's porcelain shop.

(End of this chapter)