Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 493 Gratitude
Zhao Zhongliang reached out and lifted the curtain of the cabin. The cabin was not large, and he could see the situation inside after taking two steps forward.

A woman dressed in a monk's robe is writing at a table.

But with just one glance, Zhao Zhongliang knew that she was not a Buddhist nun; she was completely different from the nuns chanting sutras on the boat.

Even with incense burning in the cabin and the clear chanting of the nuns in her ears, she still felt out of place. She didn't belong to this ceremony; she was the one controlling it.

She put down her pen and looked up.

Zhao Zhongliang met those clear eyes. Their gazes locked, and in her calm eyes, there was a certain confidence that she could control the situation.

Without a trace of speculation or doubt, Zhao Zhongliang's heart suddenly calmed down.

The fact that she dared to infiltrate the nuns at this time, avoiding Liu Yigui and his men, and lead him over to talk shows that she had already figured out his background and plans.

And she trusted him; otherwise, she wouldn't have waited for him alone.

They had never even met before.

How difficult is it to meet someone like that?

Even in ordinary times, when he speaks of his grievances, he may not be understood by others.

Yet, at such a critical moment, there was someone willing to believe and take action, risking everything to come and solve his predicament.

What kind of feeling is that? Others may not be able to understand it.

Zhao Zhongliang clearly felt his emotions at that moment, and he was willing to repay them with everything.

Zhao Zhongliang bowed respectfully to the woman.

He had already guessed her identity; she was Madam Xie from Daming Prefecture.

He had seen her from afar once, and although he couldn't see her face clearly, he easily confirmed her identity when they met again.

Her actions at this moment are consistent with her behavior in Bianjing.

He suddenly understood why Zhou Guangyuan had told all his secrets to Madam Xie.

Zhao Zhongliang stepped forward.

Xie Yuyan handed over the pen in his hand, but asked, "What brings you here, benefactor?"

After a moment's thought, Zhao Zhongliang understood what she meant: Madam Xie was afraid that someone would overhear their conversation.

Zhao Zhongliang grasped the pen, and the next moment a map of the Bian River unfolded before him. Zhao Zhongliang's chest pounded wildly, and his hand holding the pen trembled slightly.

All obstacles have disappeared. He doesn't need to elaborate on the current situation; he can simply point to it on the map to explain his current predicament to the other party.

After all these years, he finally got someone to come and meet him.

Zhao Zhongliang said, "There is something I would like to ask the nun."

Xie Yuyan nodded: "Please speak, benefactor."

"When I was young, there was a famine, and my parents and relatives were separated..."

Zhao Zhongliang drew a circle on the Bian River and wrote the character "方" (square).

"Later I heard from my fellow villagers that his parents had passed away first, leaving behind two brothers."

Zhao Zhongliang moved to another spot and drew two more circles.

Xie Yuyan nodded again, confirming that Xia Ziqiao and Ge Ying were cousins.

“I searched for my family for a long time and finally reunited with my brothers. We wanted to bring our parents’ remains back to the ancestral grave, but unfortunately, we searched many times without success. Our most important parents were lost.”

“I often dream that they are wandering around, unable to find their way home, and I don’t know what to do to lessen their suffering?”

Xie Yuyan said, “Reciting scriptures, Buddhist ceremonies, and setting up memorial tablets can all help the deceased be reborn in the Pure Land. Even if the remains cannot be found, they can still guide the deceased to a better life. If one’s spiritual practice reaches a certain level, the deceased can regain liberation through good karma.”

Zhao Zhongliang looked at Xie Yuyan and asked, "Master, could you help me with my cultivation?" Xie Yuyan replied, "Of course. If you wish to hold a Dharma assembly, you only need to come to Ciyun Nunnery and discuss it with the abbess."

As she spoke, she handed over a brass whistle.

Zhao Zhongliang quickly clenched his fist: "My parents have been gone for a long time, and I'm afraid they have many lingering attachments, making their passing difficult." He still hadn't figured out where the Third Manager was, and he was afraid that if things got chaotic, even if Madam Xie brought people to help, it wouldn't end well.

Xie Yuyan looked at Zhao Zhongliang: "When the conditions are right, your wishes will come true."

These words contained both promise and reassurance.

Zhao Zhongliang put down his brush and said, "Thank you for your guidance, Master."

He got up to leave; he couldn't linger in the cabin, or the people watching him would become suspicious. That's why he and Madam Xie communicated through cryptic exchanges, rather than writing everything down.

“Benefactor,” Xie Yuyan called to Zhao Zhongliang, “Buddhism is in the world, and enlightenment is inseparable from the world. Only when the living are at peace can the deceased be liberated.”

Zhao Zhongliang trembled. Madam Xie was advising him not to risk his life for revenge.

Zhao Zhongliang did not speak, but bowed again.

As he stepped out of the cabin, a gentle breeze blew, softly ruffling his bangs. Zhao Zhongliang recalled the days when he was cherished by his parents, and a warm feeling welled up in his heart.

"donor."

As soon as Zhao Zhongliang boarded his boat, the nun brought him a stack of prayer flags: "You may hang these prayer flags at the place where the deceased passed away for seven days. After you have finished using them, you may return them to the nunnery."

Zhao Zhongliang took the prayer flag and thanked the nun.

On his way back, Zhao Zhongliang saw the lotus-shaped treasure boat on the river again, and the sadness in his heart lessened considerably, replaced by a lot of renewed confidence.

Tonight he is not alone; he has the help of Madam Xie and the company of his family.

……

When Liu Yigui saw Zhao Zhongliang return, he immediately went to greet him: "How was it?"

Zhao Zhongliang handed the prayer flag to Liu Yigui: "The people on the boat are all nuns, performing a ritual. I looked around carefully, and there was no one else on the boat."

“I told the nuns above that my parents had passed away while I was away and I wanted to use 100 strings of cash to perform a memorial service for them. They agreed and even talked to me about some Buddhist teachings. In the end, they gave me these prayer flags.”

Liu Yigui wasn't interested in prayer flags, but he did take a closer look. They were the kind you see in ordinary temples, so he reached out and tossed them onto the boat.

Liu Yigui asked, "When will they be able to leave?"

“About half an hour,” Zhao Zhongliang said, “after sending off the Dharma boat, the next step was to release the fish. When I left, the nuns were carrying the fish they had prepared in advance to the side of the boat.”

Liu Yigui scoffed, "Release these? You might as well just give them to us for a treat."

Zhao Zhongliang said, "I'll have my brothers keep an eye on those two boats. Once they're gone, we can finally breathe a sigh of relief."

Liu Yigui nodded.

The two people separated and went their separate ways.

Liu Yigui then called his subordinate to his side. The man had been swimming behind Zhao Zhongliang and eavesdropping on Zhao Zhongliang's conversation with the nuns.

Now that Zhao Zhongliang had left, he carefully reported what he had heard and seen to Liu Yigui.

Upon hearing this, Liu Yigui's brows finally relaxed: "It seems I was being too cautious."

The subordinates dared not say anything, but they felt the same way. They could tell that Zhao Zhongliang was genuinely willing to work for them, but they couldn't stand Manager Liu's constant meddling.

Liu Yigui said, "You and Zhao Chuan keep an eye on those two boats. Once they've left, come and report back to me."

His subordinates had no choice but to agree.

There will be more at night