The weak scholar in the end of ancient times

Chapter 6 Prying

Wen Gu was thinking about other things, but he did not stop talking to several leaders in the village.

After discussing several questions about the dock drawings, the village leaders will talk about the materials and construction arrangements in the village. However, some of the content involved, such as the reconstruction of warehouses and cellars, cannot be known to Wen Gu, an outsider.

Both Wen brothers are going to leave and are complete outsiders.

Several village elders spoke more directly to avoid offending the scholar. The village chief planned to speak first and ask Wen Gu to go back.

But then Wen Gu said, "Actually, there's one more thing I'm not sure if I should tell you... I've been thinking about it for a long time and decided to ask."

The village chief stopped talking and said, "What's the matter?"

Wen Gu's face was filled with worry. "An ancient sage said, 'A person's blood, energy, and spirit are what sustain life and permeate his being.' This means that to live, one must have both blood, energy, and spirit. I see that everyone in the village nowadays... seems a little listless."

Speaking of this, several leaders in the village were also worried and were not in a hurry to kick Wen Gu out.

How could they not know the problem that Wen Gu mentioned?
Although they have not read the books of sages, they have their own experience and insights.

If people lose their energy, they will easily become weak and get sick.

So many times, they don’t need to understand medicine or pharmacology. Just by looking at the other person’s mental state, they can know the general condition of the other person’s body.

The current population of the village is relatively large, but given everyone's current mental state, even if we review the blueprints and the time for the season change has come, do we have the energy to build a dock?

Can you carry stones and wood?

I'll collapse after just one day's work!

Their health is far from what it used to be when they worked the fields. Their fields are abandoned, their spirits are broken, and except for the patrolmen sent by each household, the other villagers stay at home all day, worried and preoccupied, either lifeless or quarreling all the time.

What their village is about to begin is the fort-building task in late autumn and throughout the winter!

When the weather gets cold, people will suffer even more.

But in today's world, everyone is forced to go out and collect materials and supplies when the weather is cold and the evil creatures are restricted by the low temperature.

For a moment, the several people in charge who were originally excited by the fort couldn't help but sigh.

What can be done?

It doesn't make sense, and I can't find any other way.

Taoist Qingyi’s rituals can exorcise evil spirits for everyone, but they cannot continuously refresh the mind!

Wen Gu sensed the subdued atmosphere and said slowly, "Why not try to improve the villagers' spiritual life?"

A village elder asked, "What is spiritual life?"

Wen Gu explained bluntly: "Just to have some fun."

"Where's the fun in this situation?" Are you joking, scholar?

"Do we need a storybook?" Wen Gu asked.

The room suddenly became quiet.

The village chief looked over and said, "If it were in the past, I would definitely like it, but life is hard now. What's the use?"

“You won’t know until you try it.”

Wen Gu was not sure, but he wanted to give it a try, hoping to get the support of several people in charge, so he expressed his idea:
"I want to try to write a storybook about diseases and epidemics. It can not only teach people about how to ward off evil spirits and epidemics, but also satisfy their spiritual needs. It can also lift their spirits so that they can do things more effectively."

The village chief thought it sounded reliable and asked Wen Gu to talk more.

Wen Gu thought so. Now that the evil epidemic is spreading, self-protection is the top priority. Praying to the gods all day long is useless. Don't always think about those supernatural things.

Through storybooks, villagers are taught about parasites and how to protect themselves in their daily lives and work.

Hiding at home to boil water and heat food, just endure day by day?
But firewood and food eventually ran out. In the village, supplies were distributed according to work; whoever contributed the most received more.

The village is about to build a dock, which will definitely require more manpower, and those people will not be allowed to continue hiding in their homes.

Most of the villagers have lived at the bottom of society for generations and lack knowledge about many things. But at this time, the fact that so many people can still survive in this village shows that they obviously have a certain level of knowledge, are willing to listen to advice, and have the ability to discern.

People are afraid of the unknown and panic because of fear, which makes them more likely to make mistakes and even endanger their lives.

It would be better for everyone to learn more about epidemic prevention and have a plan in mind, which will be more efficient.

"After I write it down, I can ask the literate people in the village to read it to everyone," Wen Gu said.

Several people in charge in the room were indeed tempted.

Are they stories like those told by storytellers in towns and county towns?

If it is possible, they also want to listen to the storybook.

There is not much entertainment in the village, so these old men stay in front of and behind the house all day long. When they have nothing to do, they look through the gaps in the fence, crying in the wind as they see the fields in front of them becoming increasingly deserted.

When I feel depressed, I want to just go to the mountains and save my family some burden. But I can't let go. There are some things that young people really can't handle well.

Of course it would be best if one storybook could solve so many problems.

Without waiting for others to express their opinions, the village chief nodded first: "Let's give it a try!"

Wen Gu nodded slightly and continued, "Since this is a storybook for everyone in the village, it must of course suit everyone's preferences."

He had to adapt his works to local customs and tastes, adapt to local conditions, and connect with the local spirit. Just don't keep repeating those supernatural things.

"So, what types do you prefer?" he asked.

Everyone is very willing to express their opinions on this issue.

When the world is peaceful, they are not picky. They are interested in listening to stories about talented men and beautiful women, and they also like gossip from the countryside.

But now the world has changed. They are no longer willing to listen to gossip about talented men and beautiful women or local affairs. They just want to hear about—

"Gods, fairies, ghosts and monsters!"

"Like when Saint Zhong Kui subdues demons! I heard it once at a restaurant in town."

"I love to hear gods and Buddhas conquer demons!"

……

Revisiting the past left me speechless.

In the end, it's still those weird things.

He hesitated, "In today's situation, writing a book like this...will everyone accept it? Will it cause more psychological pressure after listening to it?"

Everyone was determined: This is how it should be!

Don’t tell me anything else at this time, I just want to listen to gods and ghosts!

The village chief said, "We don't understand what psychological pressure is. We just want to listen to this kind of story."

"OK then."

As long as the purpose can be achieved and good hygiene habits and protection awareness can be guided, gods and ghosts can be gods.

If you insist on telling the villagers that "the words of gods and ghosts are all false", you will be beaten up.

After understanding the needs, I reviewed the past and decided on the genre: "Then let's write about exorcism and epidemic prevention?"

"Yes! Yes! Yes!"

Several people in charge sitting nearby nodded in unison.

The map of the fort is almost finished, but a lot of paper is needed to write the storybook.

The village chief remembered this time and went to the warehouse to get a large stack of new paper.

Although it is not the top-grade calligraphy and painting paper used by the nobility, this kind of paper was difficult for ordinary people to get in the past.

However, no one in the village uses it on a daily basis, and now that it concerns the village’s “spiritual life”, the village chief is willing to give it up.

"Thank you for your hard work on this storybook!"

Wen Gu took the paper, felt the slightly heavy texture in his hand, and said sincerely, "I should give more consideration to the village."

Well, by the way, I can increase my influence among the villagers. It would be even better if I could lure out the one who makes the elixir.

Of course, he couldn't just focus on the Taoist priest. He had to look at the people living in the village to see if there were any suitable talents.

Dou Miao, the village chief's grandson, who had once been an apprentice at the county medicine store, had been quietly tending to the herbs. Just before Wen Gu left, he reminded him:
"We villagers don't have much knowledge, so please try to write in a simple and plain way, Brother Wen."

What I mean is, don’t use too much flowery stuff, we won’t understand it.

Return the favor with a gesture of respect to show that you have remembered it.

Alas, this apprentice in the pharmacy is pretty good, but it’s a pity that he can’t be poached.

Not to mention that the village won't let him go, if they really use some means to poach him away, the village will basically be ruined.

When he returned with a large stack of new paper, Wen Gu looked towards the room where the Taoist priest was again.

Passing by here, one can smell the aroma of medicinal herbs. Everyone in the village knows that this Taoist priest in seclusion is refining elixirs.

From time to time, I could hear the sound of pounding medicine, but I had no idea how the pills were made.

The windows facing the outside were closed, and one could not see what was going on inside the house.

Wen Gu withdrew his gaze.

The apprentice can't move the thing on that side, so he has to pry it from here.

In the following days, Wen Gu will focus his main energy on the storybook. And in his free time——

Lift weights secretly when no one is around.

Be polite when there are outsiders around.

Because I had a plan in mind, I wrote the story quickly.

Three days later, Wen Gu handed the first manuscript to the village chief.

The village chief was very satisfied after reading it, but felt that one copy was not safe enough, so he wanted his grandson Doumiao to copy it again and keep a copy for himself just in case.

Dou Miao was helpless: "Master, you are making things difficult for me. I can recognize all the characters, but copying? I am the only one who can recognize the characters I write. If I had the ability to copy books, I would have gone to the bookstore to take the job!"

In the end, Wen Gu took the initiative to take over this task.

"Then I'll copy it again and make some minor revisions."

We also asked them what parts of the first draft were difficult to understand and asked them to write a "people-friendly version".

The village chief took the first manuscript and went to find someone in the village who was suitable to be a storyteller.

As for the storytelling venue, of course, I wouldn't dare disturb the Taoist priest while he was refining his elixir. I chose an empty shed far away, fumigated it with herbs, and it was ready to use. I had the storybook read three or five times a day, and anyone who wanted to listen could go there on their own.

The effect of the storybook was immediate.

The dull atmosphere in the village became lively again. The villagers who went out changed their previous mental state and talked more.

By observing these villagers, we can take this opportunity to better understand the family composition and speech and behavior styles of each household in the village.

The last time these people saw Wen Gu was a few days ago when the Taoist priest was performing a ritual. At that time, everyone was wary of each other and was reluctant to speak.

This time there was much more enthusiasm.

Wen Gu responded with the same enthusiasm.

----

A ritual was performed not long ago, and medicine was sprayed everywhere in the village. The smell has not yet dissipated.

There were many people sitting in the newly built hut early in the morning.

The small bundle of herbs in the brazier was first lit. Amidst the smoke from the herbs, Zhang Erzhuang, the former accountant of a restaurant in the county town and now the person in charge of accounts in the village, walked to the front, sat on a raised wooden chair, and began today's storytelling routine.

He had told it many times, at home and continued to tell it here, without getting tired of it at all.

Now he can speak fluently without looking at the book, and can also add some personal thoughts and express his own opinions.

He had also seen storytellers hired by restaurants. Even if they could only learn a few words, it was enough to boost the morale of the villagers.

His spirits were visibly lifted and his face was glowing.

"Immortal Qingyi once said that evil causes plagues. This poisonous insect is the root of evil and is bringing disaster to the world!"

It is said in the storybook that the divine fire between heaven and earth kills the poisonous insects that harm the human world.

In the storybook, the plot is full of ups and downs. When the disaster was about to be resolved, heavy rain suddenly hit the local area!

"The power of the divine fire has greatly decreased, but the morale of the poisonous insects has greatly increased, and they are rushing along with the water."

The villagers in the house were anxious.

"It's a pity that the heavy rain made them run away!"

"If the poisonous insect escapes into the water, it can't be caught!"

Zhang Erzhuan, who was standing in front, shook his head. "This poisonous insect comes alive when it encounters water. It was severely injured by the divine fire, but once it escaped into the stream, it quickly healed and was able to flow with the water again... Alas!"

The other villagers also sighed, their faces full of worry. What should they do?
They feel particularly involved in the suffering of the people in the world.

Zhang Erzhuan's mood changed, and he waved his sleeves: "There is still a chance. We can intercept the stream before it flows into the river!"

The atmosphere was so lively that he felt as if he was back in the bustling streets of the county town, full of passion and excitement.

"Poisonous insects live in the water, depositing toxins along the wet soil on both sides of the stream..."

He talked about how the divine fire tracked down the stream, and downstream of the stream were farmers living there, as well as city dwellers who were out for fun.

Some people wash their hands with stream water, and wash the fruits and vegetables they pick briefly by the stream before eating them directly.

Some people even step in it and play in the water.

"Unfortunately, the stream water has been infested with poisonous insects, and toxins still remain on both sides of the stream. The food washed with the stream water will be mixed with the insect toxins and swallowed along with the food. It will enter the stomach and intestines after a while, and within a few moments, the poison will be severe..."

"And those whose fingers were pricked or arms scraped while picking flowers and weeds, the insect poison penetrated the skin and blood vessels and spread throughout the body..."

"And those shirtless and barefoot people playing in the water? In the past, it wouldn't have mattered. But now, even if they're strong and healthy, they've still exposed their flaws!"

Sighs rose and fell in the room.

"The poison invades the arms, legs, and feet, causing the victim to convulse and wail, losing consciousness and becoming insane..."

Listening to those people who knew nothing about the situation, whether they were villagers or children of nobles, who were getting closer and closer to danger and falling into the trap one after another, the villagers who were listening to the story also felt their hair stand on end and could empathize with them.

"Ugh!"

"Isn't it?"

"Taking advantage of the opportunity, how cunning indeed!"

"This food needs to be scalded with boiling water. If that doesn't work, wipe it with a clean cloth. Everyone in our village knows this. It's not like a wealthy family can't afford firewood, so how could they be so careless?"

Zhang Erzhuang in the front had a changed expression again, a look of compassion, and imitated the monks he had seen in the temple, putting his hands together... But then he thought it was not right, and immediately changed to the Taoist etiquette of Bao Yuan Shou Yi.

"If the remaining insect poison gets on someone, all their sins will be recorded on them. After death, they will be judged in Hades' Palace and sent to hell!"

No matter if they are royal relatives or common people in the countryside, for people of this era, what happens after death is a big deal!
"The blood of people poisoned by poisonous insects is poisonous. If ordinary people come into contact with it, they will also be poisoned..."

"For example, if someone secretly wears stripped clothes without removing the toxins, and then wears them directly, and then they have wounds, the insect toxins will penetrate the wounds..."

He talked about how to deal with the corpses of people who were poisoned by evil insects.

"Burial with fire allows the fire god to purge away evil, return peace, and rest in peace. Do you know why it's burned?"

Without waiting for the villagers to express their opinions, Zhang Erzhuang continued, "Even if it doesn't burn, there are still karmic fires burning in hell. There's no escape. It will burn you once, and then your soul will be burned directly!"

He not only spoke the contents of the script, but also mixed in his own understanding.

"Is it the body that is burned? No, it is the karma and sins that are burned..."

As the plot progresses, Shenhuo finally catches the poisonous insect and is about to use his ultimate move...

Those who had originally quarreled over different opinions on burning the corpse immediately quieted down, their eyes burning, their fists clenched, and their whole bodies seemed to be exerting strength.

At this time, in another part of the village.

The half-grown children who missed the morning show gathered in groups of three or four to discuss the contents of the story and learn the special skills of the magic fire in the story.

However, I have to be more cautious in my actions than before. I must not give the evil insects a chance to take advantage like those fools in the storybooks!

A house not far from them.

Master Qingyi is configuring new things.

The village is so small that even if you are far away, you will inevitably hear some noise if it is loud.

If you stand a little closer, speak a little louder, and concentrate on listening, you can hear the general content.

At first, there was some commotion, but the Taoist priest ignored it, thinking that someone in the village was possessed by evil spirits again, or that there were outsiders fleeing, or that something else had happened.

He ignored it. Village affairs should be handled by the villagers. It's none of my business!
He continued to busy himself with his own things, but his ears accurately caught some sensitive words coming from outside.

"Lin——"

The Taoist priest paused.

"Soldier——"

His eyes showed horror.

"fight--"

His complexion was visibly ugly.

"The one—"

His eyes were sharp and a little flustered, and he was about to curse out loud, but he was so excited that he choked on his saliva and coughed miserably. After a lot of effort to adjust himself, he managed to return to the demeanor of a master.

Take a deep breath.

I cursed in my heart.

Your uncle's!

Who the hell is reciting my Taoist Nine-Character Mantra? ! !

Could it be that a colleague appeared here? !

I suddenly became alert and almost jumped up in anxiety.

With the living conditions nowadays, such a small and broken village cannot afford a second "immortal". If there really is one, it will be a fight to the death!
There is a mortal hatred between colleagues!!!

(End of this chapter)