Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 430 The High Monk's Wish
The Venerable Zhiyuan kept his eyes closed and his mind focused, seemingly unaware of anything unusual around him. However, he lost his footing and almost tripped over a pebble.

My back felt chilly, not because of the cold weather, but because I was covered in sweat.

He had never seen anything like this before, even in the small Baode Temple. More and more people gathered around, forming a dense, impenetrable circle.

Zhiyuan extended his hand in a Buddhist gesture of respect, and many people immediately returned the gesture.

They really came for him.

Zhiyuan secretly gasped.

He was suddenly summoned by the emperor, and he thought it best to come quietly and leave in a hurry. But as soon as he entered the city, all his plans were in vain.

What happens next? Will I be able to get home safely?

“Master, I understand,” Yan Sui’s eyes shone brighter. “You were actually a highly respected abbot of a great temple. You felt that Bianjing was too prosperous, so you secretly went to Baode Temple in Daming Prefecture. Now that the officials have found you, you have no choice but to return to your old home.”

Upon hearing this, Zhiyuan wanted nothing more than to slap his disciple on the head. What a ridiculous thing to do, dreaming in broad daylight.

How could someone so capable not even know it himself? A highly respected abbot? He even managed to move Baode Temple to the capital.

The master and disciple traveled together, and before meeting the officials, they would stay at a temple. Monk Zhiyuan couldn't wait to get to the temple so he could get away from the onlookers.

But the people from the Buddhist Registry ahead weren't in a hurry at all, and seemed to be deliberately leading them through the streets.

"It's just ahead."

The people from the Buddhist Registry finally arrived at Zhiyuan's side: "Everyone has been looking forward to the Master's arrival in the capital for a long time. If we travel slowly, we can fulfill everyone's wish to worship Buddha, which can be considered a meritorious deed. Don't you agree?"

The Buddhist Registry was naturally pleased to see such a lively scene. In recent years, many temples had encroached on land, ruining their reputations. Moreover, they had also lost face because of the Yunqi Temple incident, and could only salvage some dignity through Zhiyuan and the reliquary.

Zhiyuan bowed in Buddhist salutation and said, "Amitabha."

The monks in charge of the Buddhist Registry also knew their limits, and soon they headed east of the city. Yan Sui became more and more convinced that his guess was correct. If his master had never been to Bianjing, why would the onlookers have been clearing the way ahead so early? They obviously knew where they were going.

"Master," Yan Sui tugged at his master's sleeve again, lowering his voice, "Is our temple big?"

Master Zhiyuan sighed inwardly. There was no point in saying more; he had to see for himself.

"It's right in front."

The monks from the Buddhist Registry pointed to a spot not far away, and Yan Sui strained his neck to look ahead, as if he could see the ancient temple's brackets and eaves.

Yan Sui's eyes showed surprise.

Such a beautiful temple...

Thinking of the drafty Baode Temple, he turned to look at his master. He used to think his master was as pitiful as he was, but now he thought his master was a bit foolish.

Master Zhiyuan ignored his young apprentice, who, being so young, seemed to have lost his composure upon seeing the prosperity of Bianjing.

The group finally arrived at the temple.

Zhiyuan discovered that there was no plaque on the temple.

The monks from the Buddhist Registry said, "The plaque is ready. After it is renamed in a few days, it can be officially hung up."

Master Zhiyuan nodded; he would just listen and let it go, as it had nothing to do with him.

As the monks from the monastic administration were talking, several novices and monks filed out of the temple.

"Because the nuns in the temple have just moved out, there are not many monks moving in yet, only 163 on the register. We will have to make arrangements slowly later."

Master Zhiyuan nodded. “With such a sudden change in the temple, it’s inevitable that some things will fall short of expectations. Fortunately, spring plowing is over, so planting hasn’t been delayed.” The monks’ clerk said, staring at Master Zhiyuan, “If you feel there’s anything inappropriate, you can come to the monks’ clerk’s office to discuss it.”

Master Zhiyuan wondered if he had misheard, but he felt that the man in front of him was speaking strangely. He was only staying for a few days, so why should he worry about these things?

"Then let's go into the temple!"

After the monks from the Buddhist Registry finished speaking, they looked at the young novice monk beside them.

The young novice immediately stepped forward and respectfully said to Master Zhiyuan, "Abbot, please come with me. We have prepared your meditation room..."

As they were talking, a novice monk went to take the bundles from the master and his disciple.

"The abbot's... meditation room?" Master Zhiyuan was taken aback. "No need for that. Just a regular room will suffice."

The novice monk looked bewildered, as if he hadn't understood what Master Zhiyuan had said.

The deputy registrar of the Buddhist Registry seemed to only realize this belatedly. He looked at Master Zhiyuan and asked, "Master, are you unaware that this place is to be renamed Baode Temple?"

He deliberately avoided mentioning the matter to the master and disciple, intending to test whether they knew about it beforehand. If they did, then the events at Yunqi Temple might have been arranged by Cining Palace long ago.

However, the master and apprentice looked completely dazed, indicating that they were utterly unaware of the situation.

"Why?" Master Zhiyuan finally asked after a long while.

If this place is called Baode Temple, what will happen to the Baode Temple in Daming Prefecture?
The deputy abbot smiled and said, "Since the master is going to be the abbot here, the monks of Baode Temple will naturally have to move here as well."

Master Zhiyuan subconsciously looked at Yan Sui; even he was confused now.

Could it be that he's mistaken? He really was once the abbot of a temple in Bianjing?

“This…is there a mistake?” Master Zhiyuan finally lost his composure.

The deputy monk said, "This was arranged by the Emperor. Baode Temple is famous for its Buddhist charcoal. The Emperor appreciates Master Zhiyuan's achievements and has issued an edict to bestow this ancient temple with the name 'Baode Temple'. The monks of Baode Temple will be moved to Bianjing together. Moreover... the reliquary that was previously enshrined in the temple will also be sent to the temple in two days."

Upon hearing the word "relic box," a figure suddenly appeared in Master Zhiyuan's mind.

So this temple in front of us is related to Benefactor Xie?
After walking around the temple grounds, Master Zhiyuan still couldn't believe that this temple was going to become Baode Temple. Didn't Madam Xie come to Bianjing to trade porcelain? How did she end up building a temple?

The deputy monk said, "Logically speaking, Master has traveled a long way and needs to rest for a while, but the matter of enshrining the relic box is imminent, so Master should start preparing the ritual as soon as possible."

Upon hearing this, Master Zhiyuan immediately understood.

By enshrining the relic box, Madam Xie wanted him to repeat what he had done in Daming Prefecture.

He originally thought that he could get away once Madam Xie came to Bianjing, but he was eventually summoned to Bianjing to continue helping to sell porcelain.

How can this be done again and again?

Monk Zhiyuan felt he should rebel.

The deputy abbot, having not heard a reply from Zhiyuan, asked, "Master, is there some difficulty you are facing?"

Master Zhiyuan bowed in Buddhist salutation: "Amitabha, this humble monk understands and will make preparations for the Dharma assembly."

The deputy abbot nodded: "Master, you can instruct the temple craftsmen to repair any areas that need repairs."

A thought flashed through Master Zhiyuan’s mind: he wanted to demolish all the meditation rooms in the temple where lay Buddhists and philanthropists could rest. He wondered if this wish could be fulfilled.

Don't wait until tonight, there might be an update, or it might be tomorrow morning. I'm a little tired.