The weak scholar in the end of ancient times

Chapter 7 How to Convince People

Taoist Qingyi was pacing around the room in frustration, wanting to go out immediately to see what was going on.

But on second thought, I still have to stay calm.

Leaving in such a hurry would damage his image as a master in the eyes of the villagers.

Wait and see first.

Although he didn't go out, he was always paying attention to the movements outside and waiting for the opportunity.

He doesn't need the villagers to deliver food, he just needs firewood and clean mountain spring water.

When he first came to the village, he instructed the villagers to use bamboo to bring spring water from the mountain.

The person responsible for delivering things to the Taoist priest was also appointed by the Taoist priest. This person is honest, doesn't talk much, and can keep his eyes open.

But on this day, after delivering the things, the villager seemed to be hesitant to speak. He couldn't hide what was on his mind. He looked extremely conflicted, with a cowardly look on his face, as if saying, "I have something to say, but I dare not."

Taoist Qingyi was originally thinking about how to get information from this villager, but when he saw this, he glanced at him calmly and dignifiedly: "What's the matter?"

The villager couldn't help but ask carefully, "Master, does Taoism have a nine-character mantra to ward off evil? It's the 'Lin Bing Dou...'"

With every word the villager said, the Taoist priest's face became uglier and his long beard became tense.

The villager was so frightened that his voice became barely audible at the end of his words and he dared not continue.

The Taoist thought to himself, this is what I’ve been waiting for!
He said with a serious face: "Yes, it is my Taoist secret technique! It is not something that ordinary people can use!"

The villager was no longer afraid, his face flushed with excitement. "It's true...it's true! What Wen Erlang wrote is true!"

Taoist Priest Qingyi: ???
This is actually related to that dog scholar?
After a few more probing questions, it was confirmed that it was all caused by that dog scholar!

It’s good that we are not in the same industry.

The worry in my heart subsided a little, but I also felt a sense of urgency.

That dog scholar is really good at winning people's hearts.

When it comes to fooling people, I have never lost!

Thinking about this, Taoist Qingyi said to the villager forcefully, "Go get that storybook written by Erlang of the Wen family and see if it will damage the reputation of our Taoist sect."

The villager didn't dare to refuse, so he walked out of the door timidly and slapped himself.

Let you talk too much!

He usually doesn't talk much, so why didn't he control himself this time?!

Look, the notebook is gone.

Then I thought, Wen Erlang is indeed a scholar, he even knows the secret techniques of Taoism!
The Taoist priest ordered that no one dared to delay. After the villagers went to inform the village chief, they took the script and hurriedly delivered it to the Taoist priest.

At this time, the village chief felt that he was really wise. He prepared two copies of the storybook, one for the Taoist priest and one for himself.

On the other side, Taoist Qing Yi got the original manuscript and flipped through it quickly.

He sneered disdainfully.

"It's really just a bluff!"

However, that dog scholar does have something special!
Many of the descriptions in this storybook have some similarities with the Taoist theory of the Three Corpses. Even he, a Taoist, is not clear about some of the details.

Well, I learned it.

On second thought, he clenched his fingers around the manuscript of the story.

Could it be that that dog scholar wants to eliminate me and replace me?
With the scholar's ability, he might be able to change the villagers' stance with just a few words. If he could also create some "auspicious signs" or other miraculous deeds...

The more I thought about it, the more doubts I had.

I decided to go out and find out for myself.

However, after only a few days of seclusion, he came out immediately after hearing the "Nine-Character Mantra" outside, as if he was in a hurry.

No, he can't go out right away, it would seem like he's scared.

We need to find another time.

……

At the village chief's house, Wen Gu sat there holding a cup of herbal tea, listening to several people in charge talk about the construction of the fort.

Now the villagers' spirits are getting better, the time for seasonal change is approaching, and they are about to make big moves.

After several modifications, the dock map was basically completed.

Seeing that the village chief and his men were about to finalize the design, Wen Gu suddenly seemed to remember something and said sheepishly, "Although I've drawn the diagram, my understanding of feng shui and yin and yang is really limited. Should I ask the Taoist priest to review it before making a decision?"

When the others heard this, they all agreed.

They would choose an auspicious day to raise the beams when building their own houses. Now that the village is going to build a more important fort, they have to pay more attention to it.

Wen Gu's words reminded them.

I've heard for a long time that the wealthy families in the city who build large courtyards always invite masters to check the feng shui, and the more sophisticated ones even go so far as to set up formations!

Taoist Qingyi has great magical powers and must be very good at feng shui.

I usually don’t dare to bother with trivial matters, but this is a big event in the village.

arrangement!

So, they once again sent something to the Taoist priest. Seeing that the Taoist priest was free, the villager, thinking about the instructions given by the village chief, tentatively asked:

"When will the Taoist priest come out of seclusion? The fort map has been drawn, and the village chief hopes you can help look at the feng shui and see where any changes are needed."

Taoist Qingyi, who was thinking about how to get the question out of him, was very happy to hear this.

Just right!

However, in order to maintain his image, he did not go there directly after agreeing, but instead asked the village to send the drawings over in a serious manner.

After examining the blueprints, he walked around the village again, even going to the storyteller's house to observe from outside and listen to the villagers' discussions along the way. He confirmed that the Nine-Character Mantra and the storybook were indeed created by the scholar. Apart from that, there were no other unusual things in the village.

Then he slowly came to the village chief's house.

At this time, several leaders in the village who had received the news were already waiting at the door.

Wen Gu, along with everyone else, gave the Taoist priest enough face.

Taoist Qingyi maintained his aloof and indifferent demeanor, his eyes lightly sweeping over the few people. He paused for a moment on Wen Gu before saying:
"There are several layout orientations on the drawings that need to be changed."

Wen Gu continued, "I have prepared pen and ink."

The Taoist priest refused: "No need."

He flipped his hand and took out a pen that did not conform to the current aesthetic standards from somewhere - a thin ink stick wrapped in cardboard.

The texture is just the right amount of soft and hard, writing is clear and smooth, and it looks solid and wear-resistant.

Wen Gu stared at the pen for a moment, then asked in surprise, "What is this?"

Taoist Qingyi said proudly: "It's just something I got by chance while refining the elixir."

Wen Gu observed Master Qingyi's expression, not missing any subtle changes.

Maybe, this Taoist priest really figured it out himself!

He sincerely admired: "The Taoist priest is indeed extraordinary!" He can even make a pencil, what a genius!

The idea of prying people away became stronger.

Taoist Qingyi did not feel happy when he heard Wen Gu's praise. Instead, he felt uncomfortable all over. He always felt that this dog scholar was hiding something evil!
Without looking over there, he simply said to the village chief and the others, "Traveling in the Jianghu... exploring the great Dao, practicing in the world, these mundane things are enough."

He wouldn't say that wealthy families look down on this thing.

Take a pen and make a few more changes on the drawing, then call it a day.

Noticing that Wen Gu was still staring at the pen in his hand, Master Qingyi raised his voice slightly:

"Although this charcoal pencil looks crude and simple, not everyone can use it. Ordinary scholars cannot handle it."

Wen Gu stretched out his hand: "Can I..."

Taoist Qingyi didn't care and raised his hand to let the item go. He secretly wanted to laugh at the joke.

He took the charcoal pencil and, in front of everyone, held it as a writing brush. He tried it twice, but seemed to feel something was wrong. He adjusted his fingers one by one, then held the charcoal pencil in the right position and slowly began to write on the paper.

As the Taoist changed his pen-holding posture, the contemptuous smile on his face gradually disappeared.

Wait until the text is out of place and write beautifully.

Taoist priest: "..."

Wen Gu smiled modestly and said, "People say that a good writer has no choice of pen."

Look at me, I can write well, no matter what kind of pen I use!

Taoist Qingyi calmed down and returned to his alchemy room:
"Dog scholar!"

Before this, this dog scholar was depressed and confined to his sickbed, and posed no threat.

just now……

Even more disgusting than before!

Thinking about what had happened, his mind was in turmoil and his eyes were gloomy.

……

Two days later, Wen Gu strolled over to the village chief. He originally wanted to hear about their next big move, but when he entered the house today, he saw the village chief holding a list with a worried look on his face.

When he saw Wen Gu, the village chief did not avoid him.

It seems that it is not a secret in the village.

Wen Gu walked over slowly and asked with concern, "What's troubling the village chief?"

The village chief forced a smile and said, "I was just thinking about how to gather all the things that the Taoist priest needs."

The Taoist priest would make a list of the needed supplies for the villagers, and hand them out in batches each time. They would prepare them in batches, otherwise it would be difficult to collect so many things at once.

Only this time, the burden was indeed greater.

Even though the village has a lot of savings, it is still stressful to see all these categories listed on the paper.

As soon as some outrageous thoughts arose in my mind, they were suppressed by timidity and awe of the Taoist priest.

The village chief looked very conflicted.

I'm curious and want to take a look.

The village chief hesitated for a moment, but still handed it to Wen Gu.

It is no secret that every time the village prepares to offer supplies to the Taoist priest, many people know that in addition to selecting from the warehouse, they may also need to exchange some from various households.

Wen Gu looked at the various supplies listed on the paper and raised his eyebrows.

"Does refining the elixir require so much glutinous rice?"

The village chief said as a matter of course: "The Taoist priest said that glutinous rice has strong yang energy, which can restrain evil spirits and remove bad air."

There are indeed similar sayings in legends about gods and ghosts, as well as in the customs of some places.

Wen Guxin said, you used to grow glutinous rice in your fields, so why didn’t you see that the land could drive away evil spirits?

There is a demand for brewing wine and making pastries in the city, so many villagers have grown glutinous rice.

It's not just this village, it's the same in all the surrounding villages. So many villages have been wiped out.

However, Wen Gu did not debate with the village chief on this matter.

Because of the special aura of glutinous rice, it has been endowed with special powers by countless strange stories, religious cultures and local customs. Every household cherishes it very much, and the stock is limited and will not be distributed easily.

The only one who would make them take it out voluntarily was this Taoist priest.

And every time he offered glutinous rice, his eyes were full of piety.

Reviewing the past will help you understand it.

It is the same even when the world is peaceful. Many people are so poor that they cannot even afford to eat at home and still have to go to the temple to burn incense.

No matter what happens, you still blame yourself for not putting enough money into the donation box.

However, since entering the village, Taoist Qingyi has always struck a balance, neither causing resistance from the villagers nor allowing himself to gain tangible benefits.

Now, it seems impatient. Is it greed or...

After a pause, he flipped over the list and looked at the items listed there again.

His eyebrows twitched.

The dog Taoist priest is running away?!
Wen Gu looked at the village chief and asked, "Has this Taoist priest Qing Yi ever expressed his intention to leave?"

The village chief nodded and said in a low voice: "Yes, the Taoist priest said when he came here at the beginning of the year that his magic power was damaged and he was resting in our village. When his magic power recovers a little, he will go to pursue the great way again."

Wen Gu thought: Isn't it up to him to decide when the magic power will be restored?
And what is he pursuing? The great way? The great way of deception?

The village chief continued, "That's why we asked the Taoist priest to make more medicine to ward off evil spirits for the village before he left."

If they hadn't wanted the Taoist priest to leave behind more elixirs to ward off evil spirits, they wouldn't have gone to such lengths to collect all kinds of herbs and supplies to offer to him.

The things in the warehouse are first provided to the Taoist priest.

This is also for the villagers themselves.

Wen Gu listened to the village chief's words and then looked at the list in his hand.

The dog Taoist priest wants to escape early?!
"Have you ever thought about asking the Taoist priest to stay?" he asked.

The village chief was helpless: "Master Qingyi said he wanted to pursue the great way. How can we mortals get in the way? We will be punished by heaven!"

Wen Gu looked worried: "What should we do if the Taoist priest leaves and the elixirs he left behind are used up?"

The village chief was also worried and glanced at Wen Gu several times.

Wen Gu replied considerately, "How about I go to the Taoist priest and try to persuade him? Even if I can't stop this immortal from pursuing the great way, I can try to get some evil-repelling items for the village to protect themselves."

The village chief smiled suddenly, and the deep wrinkles on his face relaxed. He looked at Wen Gu with an extremely friendly look and said gratefully:

"You scholars know a lot, and you always talk about how to convince others..."

Wen Gu humbly said: "Convince people with reason and convince people with virtue."

(End of this chapter)