Journey to the West: Beginning with the Apprenticeship of Bodhi Patriarch

Chapter 340 No saint, building a rain-praying platform

Meanwhile, Zuo Liang was treating refugees in the city, looking around in bewilderment, wondering when he would be able to finish treating them. However, the speed at which he was treating them was not as fast as the speed at which the 'disease' was spreading. What should he do?

Zuo Liang was bewildered when suddenly a refugee cried out in a mournful voice, "Does the Celestial Master refuse to heal us?"

Upon hearing this, the refugees were filled with sorrow and said, "Please, Heavenly Master, heal us. If you refuse to heal us, we will perish."

Upon hearing the words of the refugees, Zuo Liang bent down and helped one of them up, saying, "You may all stand up. There is no need for bowing. I will do my best to help you."

The refugees cheered and, in an orderly fashion, begged Zuo Liang for help.

Zuo Liang drove away the diseases afflicting these refugees one by one, and instructed them to find a clean place to wait for the court's relief. When he finished his work, he looked up and saw that the sun had already set.

Zuo Liang got up, intending to leave.

Suddenly, I heard shouts behind me.

"Are you a miracle doctor?"

Zuo Liang looked back and saw two young men there. Both of them were dressed in fine clothes and were from wealthy families.

One of the boys had a somewhat fierce appearance, while the other was plain-looking but somewhat handsome.

Zuo Liang asked, "Who are you two?"

The fierce-looking youth bowed and said, "The son of the Huang family in the city, whose given name is Chao, is my friend. The son of the Wang family in the city, whose given name is Shou, is also my friend."

Huang Chao, Wang Shou.

Zuo Liang laughed and said, "Why do you two ask me if I am a divine physician?"

Huang Chao asked, "We have been watching you for a long time and have seen that you can cure diseases with your hands. You are truly a divine doctor. That is why we ask you this question."

Zuo Liang said, "A miracle doctor? He certainly deserves the title."

Huang Chao asked, "But I wonder why the divine physician held back, instead of completely curing those people and eradicating all the lesions?"

Zuo Liang was somewhat puzzled and asked, "When did I hold back?"

Huang Chao pointed out the direction the refugees were heading and said, "Why not cure their poverty?"

Upon hearing this, Zuo Liang smiled and asked, "Your question shows that you have some insight, but do you think the root of the problem lies in the people or in the court?"

Upon hearing this, Huang Chao fell into deep thought and remained silent, unsure of how to respond.

The young man Wang Shou stepped forward and said, "Sir, the problem lies not in the common people, but in the court, in the princes and nobles, and in the civil and military officials!"

Upon hearing this, Huang Chao's eyes widened in surprise, as his friend had blurted out such treasonous words.

Wang Shouchao looked at Huang Chao and laughed, "What's wrong? Are you so cowardly now? Just a few disrespectful words and you react like this. When you were young, you called us to play together. Back then, you drew a city on the ground with stones and called yourself 'King Huang'. You weren't afraid then, so why are you afraid now?"

Huang Chao said, "It was just a joke when I was young. It shouldn't be taken seriously!"

Wang Shou said, “What I said in my youth was a joke, but what I say now is not a joke. The court is corrupt, warlords are everywhere, and there are countless refugees in the country. Even a divine physician like him cannot save them. This is the fault of the court.”

Huang Chao was terrified, feeling as if he were meeting his friend for the first time. He was usually silent, but he never expected that his heart was filled with such turbulent emotions.

Zuo Liang looked at Wang Shou with admiration in his eyes and said, "You have some insight, but what do you think is the best way to remove this lesion?"

Wang Shou said, “I do not possess your divine medical skills, but as I said, if we want to cure the disease in the court, we must change the bones. I have heard that at the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, a famous doctor proposed to split open the skull with a sharp axe to eradicate the disease. The world today should be treated in the same way.”

Zuo Liang said, "You're quite something. Would you like to come with me and travel the world to see more of the people and help them?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Shou was stunned for a long time. He was about to refuse, but for some reason, he inexplicably blurted out, "I am willing."

Zuo Liang nodded in satisfaction upon hearing this, but did not say anything more.

Huang Chao suddenly grabbed Wang Shou and said, "How could you agree to learn medicine? Didn't you promise me that we would study together and take the imperial examinations together in the future? I would be the top scholar and you would be the third-ranked scholar. Why do you want to learn medicine now?"

Wang Shou shook his head and said, "In the past, I truly wished to study with you to pass the imperial examinations and become an official. But now, in the court, can one truly become an official? Will one go along with the corrupt officials, or become an outcast and die in despair?"

Wang Shou rose and bowed deeply to Zuo Liang, insisting on going with him to study medicine.

Wang Shou said, "Sir, I hope you can allow me to say goodbye to my parents and then travel with you."

Zuo Liang laughed and said, "That's only right. I'll go with you to meet your parents and explain things to them."

Wang Shou said, "I'm so sorry to trouble you, sir."

The two then got up and headed towards the Wang family's residence.

Huang Chao followed closely behind, walking somewhat bewildered.

Along the way, Wang Shou told Zuo Liang about their two families. They were well-known wealthy families in the city. The head of the family was a salt merchant, but not an official salt merchant. Instead, he was a private salt merchant who made huge profits by selling smuggled salt.

Both families were wealthy but powerless, so they both hoped that the two of them would pass the imperial examinations and become officials, which would bring prosperity to the family. To this end, the families hired many teachers to teach the two of them, all in the hope that the two of them would succeed in the imperial examinations.

Upon hearing this, Zuo Liang stroked his beard and laughed, "But your family has high hopes for you, how could they possibly allow you to learn medicine from me?"

Wang Shou shook his head and said, "Everyone has their own ambitions. My ambition is not in the imperial examinations, nor in becoming an official. Besides, if you teach me to be an official, wouldn't that be teaching me to be a corrupt official?"

Zuo Liang smiled and nodded, saying no more.

Huang Chao wanted to refute, but he didn't know where to begin. Since An Lushan's rebellion years ago, the world had been in chaos for a long time. Where was the way out? He didn't know, but he always wanted to take the imperial examination. Perhaps if he became an official, he could change this chaotic situation.

The three walked for a short while before arriving at the Wang family mansion.

Wang Shou led the two into the mansion, and after a short while, they met Wang's father. Wang Shou then explained the matter to his father.

Zuo Liang had thought that the king's father would refuse the matter and sternly stop the king from guarding it, but to his surprise, the king's father was so excited when he saw Zuo Liang that he came forward to pay his respects.

Zuo Liang, puzzled, asked, "Why are you bowing to me?"

The king's father said, "Celestial Master, don't you remember me?"

Zuo Liang was somewhat surprised, as he indeed did not remember his father.

Mr. Wang said excitedly, “Several years ago, I personally led a batch of salt out and encountered a group of bandits on the way. It was the Celestial Master who rescued us. Since then, I have often inquired about the Celestial Master’s name in various places. I know that the Celestial Master is benevolent and saves people. I feel very close to him, but I have never had the chance to meet him. Now I finally have the chance to meet him.”

Upon hearing this, Zuo Liang shook his head and said, "But I've saved countless people, I can't remember, I can't remember."

Father Wang bowed and said, “The Heavenly Master may not remember, but I do. I will remember this kindness. Now that I have seen the Heavenly Master, I hope that he can stay in my house for a while so that I can repay this kindness and do something to repay him.”

Zuo Liang smiled and said, "That's excellent."

Wang Shou stepped forward and said, "Father, I wish to follow you to learn medicine and give up the imperial examinations. Please grant me permission."

Wang's father looked at Wang Shou and asked, "Have you thought this through? This is no small matter, not something you can play around with as children. If this is done, there is no turning back."

Wang Shou nodded and said, "Father, I will not regret it."

The king's father said, "May I ask you what you are thinking?"

Wang Shou said, “Father, I see that the court is corrupt and the regional warlords are seizing power. This is a sign of a chaotic world. How can I do good if I am an official here? I know that I have neither the strategy of Zhuge Liang nor the ambition of Cao Cao. Therefore, I wish to follow you to learn medicine and save the people. I will save as many people as I can.”

Wang's father sighed, "You have been talented since childhood, I know that, but unfortunately you were born in this era, it is not your fault. Enough, enough, enough. I know the Heavenly Master's abilities, if the Heavenly Master allows you to follow him, I will certainly agree." Upon hearing this, Wang Shou turned and bowed to Zuo Liang.

Zuo Liang smiled and said, "Rise and go. No need for formalities."

Wang's father rose and bowed to Zuo Liang, saying, "I entrust my son to the Heavenly Master. I hope the Heavenly Master will discipline him on my behalf. If he does anything disobedient, the Heavenly Master can deal with him as he sees fit."

Zuo Liang nodded with a smile.

Huang Chao was puzzled by this, but he didn't say much and got up to leave.

……

Huang Chao returned home, found his father, and told him what had happened.

His father smiled and said to him, "Everyone has their own ambitions. Just follow your own path and don't worry about others."

Upon hearing his father's words, Huang Chao said, "Father, I am determined to become the top scholar in the imperial examination. I can change the world and become a high-ranking official, so that there will be no more vagrants in the world."

The father smiled and praised Huang Chao, saying, "My son has great ambitions. Since that's the case, you must study hard."

Huang Chao said, "Father, but I cannot stop learning martial arts. I want to be proficient in both literature and martial arts."

The father asked, "Studying literature is for the imperial examinations, but what is the purpose of studying martial arts?"

Huang Chao said, “Father, learning martial arts is useful. First, if I become a high-ranking official in the future, I will definitely suppress the rebellion, which requires martial arts skills. Second, the world is in great chaos now, and transporting salt at home is fraught with danger. We need martial force to keep our home safe.”

Upon hearing this, the father agreed wholeheartedly and said, "My son is very talented. In that case, you should study military strategy, not martial arts."

Huang Chao responded with a smile.

The father and son talked for a long time before parting ways.

……

Several days passed in the blink of an eye.

In the Wang family, Zuo Liang will eventually leave, and Wang Shou should follow him and leave together with Zuo Liang.

The father saw the two off and brought two horses, which he handed over to Zuo Liang.

Zuo Liang did not accept it, but instead smiled and said, "To measure the world with one's own two feet, this is the principle of cultivation."

The father had no choice but to give up, but he brought a lot of gold and silver and gave it to Zuo Liang.

Zuo Liang still did not accept it.

The king's father had no choice but to hand it over to Wang Shou.

Zuo Liang didn't say much about it, bid farewell to his father, left the city, and went elsewhere.

As Wang Shou walked beneath the city walls, he turned back to look for Huang Chao, hoping to spot him, but after a long time, he saw nothing, which made him sigh inwardly.

Zuo Liang asked with a smile, "Are you looking for your friend?"

Wang Shou nodded and said, "That's right, that's right. But this person is a friend of mine for many years. He should know that I am leaving, but I don't know why he didn't come to see me off."

Zuo Liang said, "Your future friend is no ordinary person. Judging from his appearance, he is not a kind soul."

Wang Shou was somewhat surprised and said, "Sir, we are not medical students, so why do you sound more like a Taoist cultivator than a medical practitioner?"

Zuo Liang asked with a smile, "How do you know?"

Wang Shou said, “But you told my father that measuring the heavens and earth with your own two feet is the principle of cultivation. You also told me about physiognomy. This seems to be the way of a Taoist priest, not a doctor.”

Zuo Liang laughed and said, "I am a cultivator, not a Taoist. I only learned medicine by chance."

Wang Shou asked, "What is the difference between cultivation and the Way?"

Zuo Liang said, "Cultivation is practice, but practice is not entirely the same as cultivation."

Wang Shou seemed to be deep in thought. After a long while, he asked, "If that's the case, then am I a cultivator?"

Zuo Liang shook his head and said, "It doesn't count yet; it can only be considered as following me."

Wang Shou asked, "If that's the case, then what constitutes cultivation?"

Zuo Liang smiled and said, "This is in you, not in me."

Wang Shou pondered for a moment, then said nothing more, asking, "Sir, where should we go now?"

Zuo Liang said, "Wherever there are refugees, that's where we'll go."

Wang Shou nodded, seemingly understanding but not quite.

……

Time flies, and before we knew it, more than five or six months had passed.

Wang Shou followed Zuo Liang to many places and saw many refugees, all of whom he personally helped treat with Zuo Liang.

Zuo Liang also frequently passed on many medical skills to Wang Shou.

Wang Shoujie studied diligently. He didn't have much talent for medicine and found it difficult to master even simple medical skills. However, he had an excellent memory and could memorize prescriptions after just one glance. He was able to assist Zuo Liang in saving lives, and they complemented each other perfectly.

One day, Zuo Liang and Wang Shou continued their journey and arrived in Xuzhou. They found that the area was suffering from a severe drought, and the people had no harvest. There were far more displaced people in the area than in any other place.

Wang Shou stood at the city gate, looked out for a long time, and said in silence, "Sir, even if we work ourselves to death, we still cannot save so many people."

Upon hearing this, Zuo Liang pondered for a moment, but ultimately remained silent.

Wang Shou was somewhat tired and said, "Sir, in the cities we have passed through on this journey, I have heard from some refugees that new refugees appear soon after we leave, and we will not be able to save them all."

Zuo Liang said, "There are many refugees here, let's try a different way to treat them."

Wang Shou, not understanding his meaning, asked, "Sir, what method should we use to treat him?"

Zuo Liang said, "Come with me to see the magistrate of this city and have him build a rain-praying platform. I will pray for rain to relieve this severe drought."

Wang Shou stared in disbelief and said, "Praying for rain? This is not a legend. How can a person pray for rain?"

Zuo Liang laughed and said, "How can cultivators not be good at praying for rain? Let's go and find the magistrate of this place. If he is unwilling to help, then ask the local powerful families. If the powerful families are unwilling to help, we will pay out of our own pockets to have the refugees build a rain-praying platform for us."

Wang Shou said, "Can cultivators really pray for rain? I am ignorant and unaware of this matter. Please wait here for a while, sir. I will go and find the magistrate of this place now."

Say it.

Wang Shou found a place to serve Zuo Liang to rest. After Zuo Liang was settled, he got up and went to the city to find the county magistrate.

Zuo Liang looked at Wang Shou's figure and nodded to himself. This man was kind and benevolent. If there was an opportunity, he could take him as a disciple. Relying on him alone to treat the patients would not be enough to make a difference. There were too many refugees in the world, and he was powerless to save them.

(End of this chapter)