A thousand enlightenments in one night, starting from being a menial apprentice.

Chapter 453: Building a Temple
Ruyi carried the food box and returned to the villa. She placed the dishes on the table.

Duan Rong had been hiding in Wuji Mountain for a day and a night, and had not had a drop of water during that time. He was already hungry, and when he saw the steaming dishes, his appetite was immediately aroused. He quickly swept away the steamed pork with rice flour and the bowl in front of him. He also drank the pot of rice wine to the bottom.

Duan Rong put down his bowl and chopsticks, wiped his mouth, and burped comfortably.

Ruyi immediately brought the freshly brewed tea.

Duan Rong took a few sips of tea, looked at Ruyi who was picking up the dishes, and said, "Ruyi, go get some paper and pen."

"Paper and pen?" Ruyi's eyes moved. Duan Rong has not touched paper and pen since he moved into the villa.

Ruyi knelt down and bowed, put the food box in the corner, took out a handkerchief to wipe her hands, then went to the drawer of the cupboard on the wall, took out the four treasures of the study, and ground the ink for Duan Rong.

Duan Rong sat there and rested for a while. When he stood up, he saw Ruyi on the other side of the table, holding up her sleeve with one hand and slowly grinding with the other hand, which was quite elegant and interesting.

Duan Rong smiled faintly and said, "Are you quite skilled at grinding this ink?"

Ruyi lowered her head and replied softly, "In the courtyard, my mother taught me personally."

Duan Rong said "oh" and sat down in front of the desk calmly. The inkstone was full of dark ink. He picked up the brush on the pen holder, dipped it in the ink, and started writing on the white paper.

The moment Duan Rong picked up the pen, Ruyi had already retreated to a slightly further side and stood there quietly. She was not sure if Duan Rong was writing about any secrets. Even if she wanted to know, she had to leave at this moment.

But after a few breaths, Duan Rong put down his brush, turned his head to look at Ruyi, pulled the paper out from under the paperweight, handed it to Ruyi, and said, "Then..."

Ruyi was slightly stunned, looked at Duan Rong with a look of astonishment, and asked, "Did you write this to me, sir?"

Duan Rong smiled faintly and said, "It's not really written to you, it's just a prescription, and I'm asking you to get the medicine."

"Unilateral?" Ruyi took the paper and looked down. Before she read the content, she could see the elegant handwriting and her breathing slowed down.

Duan Rong saw Ruyi's expression and knew that she was a connoisseur. Although his attainments in calligraphy had long surpassed those of ordinary calligraphers, as the saying goes, "highbrow works are appreciated by few", and those who can appreciate his calligraphy must have some talent.

Duan Rong said: "This prescription is for Qiu Luan."

"Qiu Luan?"

Duan Rong nodded and said, "He has been drinking alcohol for many years, and his lungs have been damaged. With his drinking habit, he will be coughing up blood all year round in less than a year. Go to the herbal medicine shop tomorrow morning and get him seven doses of medicine according to this prescription, one dose a day, and boil each dose twice."

In fact, Qiu Luan abused himself, which had nothing to do with Duan Rong. But he met Qiu Luan after all, and Qiu Luan served as his bodyguard for a few days, which was quite responsible. If he didn't know medicine, it would be fine. Since he had seen his symptoms, he prescribed a prescription and gave him a few doses of medicine to delay the disease, which was also considered to be doing his best.

Ruyi heard this and said hesitantly, "I can make some medicine for him. But that guy won't even eat, how can he take the medicine obediently?"

Duan Rong smiled and said, "That's fine. Tomorrow, boil the medicine and pour the juice directly into his wine jar. Tell him that I told him to drink it, and he will drink it."

Ruyi didn't know whether this method was feasible or not, but since Duan Rong had ordered her to do so, she just did it.

Seeing that Ruyi seemed to have no doubts, Duan Rong stretched himself. After staying in Wuji Mountain for a day and a night, he was indeed very sleepy.

He was just about to go to bed when he suddenly saw Ruyi spread the paper in his hand on the table, picked up the pen he had just dipped in ink, and started writing next to Duan Rong's handwriting.

Duan Rong was curious, so he leaned over to see what Ruyi wrote.

I saw Ruyi writing a few small words next to it: seven sets, two decoctions for each set.

After Ruyi finished writing, she held the pen and smiled as if a little embarrassed: "Don't blame me, sir. My memory is not very good. I am afraid I will forget it tomorrow."

Duan Rong looked at the words written by Ruyi with a slightly bright look in his eyes and praised: "Ruyi! I didn't realize that you are a half-expert. These words are already quite interesting. It's just that the details are not smooth enough."

When she saw Duan Rong praising her, her face turned slightly red and she replied in a low voice: "When we were in the courtyard, my mother asked a teacher to teach us music, chess, calligraphy and painting. If we didn't learn well, we would not only not be given food, but also be beaten."

Duan Rong was stunned, and the smile on his lips slowly faded. He didn't expect that such a beautiful handwriting would also lead to a sad story.

He looked at Ruyi and said, "Don't be sad about the past! There is darkness in everyone's life. As long as you grit your teeth and pass through this dark tunnel, you will see the light."

Duan Rong knew that Ruyi had a miserable life, but he just said some toxic chicken soup from his past life to comfort her.

After Duan Rong finished speaking, he yawned and said, "Okay, let's take a rest."

As he spoke, he turned and walked behind the screen.

Ruyi stood there, staring at Duan Rong's back, as if savoring his words. After a while, when Duan Rong had already turned around the screen, she murmured to herself, "Sir, but... this dark tunnel of Ruyi is too long... I'm afraid I can't get out..."

Duan Rong sat on the bed for a while before Ruyi came in with a basin of hot water.

She squatted there, took off Duan Rong's shoes and socks, and put Duan Rong's bare feet into the hot water.

Ruyi kept her head down, and Duan Rong didn't notice that her eyes were slightly red at this moment.

After Ruyi dried Duan Rong's feet, Duan Rong lay down on the bed. He was already tired after a busy day, and fell asleep as soon as he touched the bed.

After Ruyi finished pouring the water for washing feet, she saw that Duan Rong was already asleep, so she moved a stool over, blew out the candle, sighed softly, and lay down in the dark...

Around the hour of Yin in the second half of the night, outside the gate of the villa, Qiu Luan was lying on the big rock and seemed to be asleep, but he suddenly opened his eyes, jumped up, and slipped through the door.

As soon as he passed through the gate of the villa, he saw a figure in the dim light.

Qiu Luan put his hand on the knife at his waist and was about to attack when he heard a familiar voice, saying coldly, "It's me!"

It was Zhu Zhengfu’s voice!

Qiu Luan's hand holding the knife loosened and he moved away a little. The dim light shone on the face of a figure not far away. It was Zhu Zhengfu, who was still wearing an official uniform.

Zhu Zhengfu glanced at the dark courtyard, turned to look at Qiu Luan, and asked, "Has the master gone to bed?"

Qiu Luan was slightly startled and thought: It's already the middle of the night and the dogs have gone to bed.

Seeing Qiu Luan ignored him, Zhu Zhengfu turned his head and looked at the dark courtyard again. A hint of hesitation flashed across his eyes. He struggled for only a moment before his eyes froze and he said to himself, "No! This matter can't wait. I have to wake up the adults!"

As Zhu Zhengfu spoke, he quickly walked towards the villa. Qiu Luan ignored him and just lay back down on the big rock.

Zhu Zhengfu walked to the door and began to knock on it vigorously. While knocking, he said in a low voice through the crack of the door: "Sir! Sir! I have something to ask you!"

The dark room was originally very quiet, with only slight breathing sounds floating in the darkness. Duan Rong and Ruyi were both fast asleep.

Zhu Zhengfu's knocking on the door woke them up.

Duan Rong opened his sleepy eyes and turned over. He heard rustling sounds coming from Ruyi's side, so he asked in a hoarse voice, "Ruyi, what time is it now?"

Ruyi replied half asleep, "Sir, I don't know either."

Duan Rong sighed and said, "Go and open the door for Lord Zhu." "Yes, sir." Ruyi had already sat up and started to get dressed.

She stood up and walked out to the cupboard in the dark, took out a tinder, lit a candle, and walked forward, saying as she walked, "Here I come, Master Zhu!"

After hearing Ruyi's response, Zhu Zhengfu stopped knocking on the door.

Duan Rong then stood up and hurriedly put on his clothes.

As he walked out from behind the screen while buttoning his clothes, Zhu Zhengfu was already standing at the door of the room. The dim light of a candle was shining on his face, and his slightly plump face was full of fatigue.

As soon as Duan Rong walked out of the screen, Zhu Zhengfu immediately knelt down and said, "I deserve to die for disturbing you so late at night!"

Duan Rong said, "It's okay! Master Zhu, get up quickly! I've been waiting for you."

Zhu Zhengfu didn't expect Duan Rong to say that. He looked up and was slightly startled.

As soon as Zhu Zhengfu got up, Duan Rong asked, "Master Zhu, what time is it now?"

Zhu Zhengfu felt a little embarrassed when he heard this, and replied, "Sir, it's already five o'clock in the morning, and it's just past the hour of Yin."

"Oh!" Duan Rong nodded and said, "Then it will be dawn in a little while."

Duan Rong suddenly stood up, glanced at the sky outside the door, then turned to look at Zhu Zhengfu and said, "Master Zhu, you came a little later than I expected!"

After hearing Duan Rong's words, Zhu Zhengfu became even more uneasy and secretly thanked God that he did not return.

To be honest, he had witnessed the bizarre death of Li Shensi at the Temple of Heaven in Wuji Mountain. Although he didn't know how that happened, it was obviously Duan Rong's doing. Originally, he was trying to curry favor with Duan Rong, but at this moment, he truly respected and feared Duan Rong.

Zhu Zhengfu immediately bowed slightly and said, "Your Excellency, there are so many things going on tonight, and it is not easy for me to come here at this time."

Duan Rong said: "Master Zhu, sit down and talk!"

At this time, Ruyi had already brewed two cups of tea.

Zhu Zhengfu immediately picked up the cup of tea and took a sip. Ruyi had already closed the door and left.

Duan Rong sat there and waited until he was sure that Ruyi had walked out the door before looking at Zhu Zhengfu and saying, "Master Zhu, go ahead!"

Zhu Zhengfu said: "Sir, Li Shensi is dead."

Duan Rong was speechless for a while, curled his lips, and thought: I killed him, how could I not know?

Zhu Zhengfu immediately understood Duan Rong's expression and continued, "After Li Shensi's death, Dali Temple Minister Chen Shanmeng, Remonstrance Doctor Ge Hengtai, and I were temporarily responsible for the preliminary investigation of this case."

Duan Rong's eyes flickered slightly, and he asked, "Whose idea was it?"

Zhu Zhengfu said: "It was Chen Shanmeng who proposed this to the Palace Master Wang Maochun."

Duan Rong frowned. Chen Shanmeng obviously saw at the first moment that Li Shensi died in the political vortex of the struggle between the two sides.

Zhu Zhengfu continued, "However, we are only responsible for the preliminary evidence collection. The person who died was Shangshu Ling after all. The specific investigation of this case still needs to wait for the order of the sect. The palace master Wang Maochun has already sent a notice to the sect."

Duan Rong nodded. This was the usual procedure. He looked at Zhu Zhengfu and said, "Go on. What else is there?"

Zhu Zhengfu said, "Also, some people died on the top of Wuji Mountain due to trampling and shoving. As soon as the heaven-offering team returned to the government office in the prefectural city, many relatives of the dead and injured people surrounded the government office and made trouble. Fortunately, Wang Maochun was alert and asked the Grand Protector Jiang Zhuoyun to dispatch heavy armored cavalry to surround the government office in advance, so that no chaos occurred."

Duan Rong asked: "What about now? Have the people who caused the trouble been evacuated?"

Zhu Zhengfu said, "They have all been persuaded to go back. Wang Maochun promised to give them compensation, and the officials who persuaded the people told them that this was caused by evil spirits, not the government's fault."

"A demon is causing trouble!" Duan Rong was startled and asked, "Who said that? Did the clerks in the government say that?"

"Yes!" Zhu Zhengfu said, "It must be Wang Maochun's idea, otherwise those officials wouldn't dare to speak nonsense, and their statements are so consistent."

Duan Rong nodded and said, "Anything else?"

"There is more." Zhu Zhengfu said, "I have also been operating in Shenyun Mansion for many years, and I have quite a few spies planted everywhere. I just returned to the mansion and received some news."

Duan Rong looked at Zhu Zhengfu with interest. Zhu Zhengfu paused, lowered his voice, and said, "Some wealthy local gentry are planning to recruit people to invest together to build a temple for the Rhinoceros Immortal near the mountain temple on Wuji Mountain!"

"Build a temple?!" Duan Rong was slightly surprised.

"That's right!" Zhu Zhengfu answered affirmatively.

For the first time, Duan Rong picked up the teacup beside him and took a sip.

Things went even more smoothly than he had imagined.

After all, this world is still in ancient times, not the era of flourishing knowledge and advanced technology like in the previous lives.

People still believed in supernatural beings, ghosts, and foxes. Moreover, the story of the Rhinoceros Immortal was witnessed by countless people on the top of Mount Wuji.

As the saying goes, seeing is believing!
Duan Rong was quite distressed when he first thought about how to kill Li Shensi while preventing public opinion from turning into a political whirlpool.

Because, it is really difficult!

The more ignorant the people are, the more they like conspiracy theories. Moreover, two consecutive Shangshu Lings have died mysteriously.

Li Shensi’s death will surely become a hot topic among the people, and will surely ferment into a political whirlpool.

After all, the sect leader changes every fifty years, which is something that is already well known in the secular world. Moreover, the term change will come in a little over a year, but at this time, two consecutive Shangshu Lings have died mysteriously, and Li Shensi has only been in office for two months. If you say it has nothing to do with the sect's term change, I'm afraid even a dog wouldn't believe it.

Duan Rong thought about it for a long time before he finally came up with an idea.

It's impossible to suppress it by pressure. This kind of thing cannot be suppressed.

The only way is to give the people a topic that they are more enthusiastic about, more convinced of, and more willing to discuss, and to firmly introduce Li Shensi's death into that topic.

The only way to make people forget the story of the political whirlpool is to give them a more exciting story.

Through monitoring public opinion during those days, Duan Rong was certain that the people in this world were most interested in ghosts, monsters, and foxes. Most of the storytellers in the teahouse talked about this kind of subject. During those days, Duan Rong had heard several versions of the story of Wong Tai Sin.

Therefore, when I saw the description of the autumn hunting and sacrificial ceremony a few days later, a story about Li Shensi dying at the hands of a monster in public gradually took shape.

At this time, after hearing Zhu Zhengfu's story, it was clear that things were developing more smoothly and thoroughly than he had imagined. Some wealthy gentry were already planning to build a temple for the Rhinoceros Immortal.

As he expected, the public opinion did not ferment into a political whirlpool, but turned to the theory of ghosts and foxes...

(End of this chapter)