Taoist Master, wishing for a sacrifice-based system

Yunzhou City, Bureau of Culture and Tourism, Deputy Director's Office.

Director Chen sat behind his large desk, his brow furrowed, his fingers tapping impatiently on the surface.

Beside him was a thick manila envelope containing more than a dozen neatly printed complaint documents, along with a USB drive.

On the computer screen, a local news interview was paused. In the video, Abbot Jueyuan of Da Ci'en Temple, with a kind face, was saying in a seemingly fair but actually malicious tone: "It's never good to lead people into feudal superstition..."

"Director Chen, this matter is causing quite a stir online, and the mayor's mailbox has also received several anonymous complaints, all pointing to the Qingyun Temple in the suburbs."

Standing opposite the desk was Lao Wang from the law enforcement team. He opened his notebook, looking somewhat helpless.

"The charges reported are consistent: suspected of illegally carrying out feudal superstitious activities, using online live streaming to defraud worshippers, and disrupting the normal religious tourism and cultural market order in the city."

Director Chen rubbed his temples and let out a long sigh.

"A dilapidated Taoist temple that's about to collapse and a young man in his early twenties have managed to steal most of the visitors from the Great Ci'en Temple these past few days."

Director Chen picked up his thermos and took a sip of goji berry water. "Da Ci'en Temple is a cultural landmark of our city. Its annual tourism revenue and its positive impact on the surrounding areas are obvious to all. Although Abbot Jueyuan hasn't said anything explicitly, these whistleblower letters are being submitted one after another. The pressure on the higher-ups is immense."

Old Wang nodded: "Understood. Then...shall we just go over and seal it off?"

"Nonsense!" Director Chen glared at him. "This is a society governed by law, and it's the internet age! That little Taoist priest streams every day, watched by thousands upon thousands of people. If you don't have solid evidence to shut down the door, our bureau will be trending on social media tomorrow!"

"So you mean...?"

"Investigate! Investigate thoroughly!" Director Chen tapped the stack of complaint letters with his fingers. "Focus on whether he openly promotes feudal superstition, whether he charges fees for illegal activities, and whether he induces people to spend exorbitant amounts!"

"If even one piece of evidence of fraud or illegal profiteering is found, proceed immediately according to the rules! If not…"

Director Chen paused, his tone becoming more serious: "If there's no substantial problem, give him a warning and tell him to behave himself a bit lately. Keep a close eye on him. Go, take Xiao Li with you, turn on the body camera, and make sure he behaves properly."

"yes!"

……

Forty minutes later, an enforcement vehicle painted with official markings stopped at the foot of the mountain where Qingyun Temple is located.

Old Wang led the young clerk, Xiao Li, as they walked along the uneven dirt road, their steps uneven.

"Brother Wang, do you think anyone would come to scam people in this run-down place so early in the morning?" Xiao Li complained as he walked, his shoes covered in dust.

"Stop talking nonsense. Be smart when we get there, don't turn off the dashcam."

The two turned a corner, looked up, and were both stunned for a moment.

At the edge of the view, a small but tidy Taoist temple stands quietly at the foot of the mountain.

Although the building's style is old, the exterior walls were clearly recently painted, giving it a clean and simple look. The most eye-catching feature is the brand-new plaque with gold lettering on a black background hanging directly above the main gate—"Qingyun Temple".

The gold lettering gleamed in the sunlight.

The gate of the Taoist temple was open, and a young girl wearing a white T-shirt and with her hair in a ponytail was carefully wiping the stone tablet in the courtyard with a dry rag.

On the steps leading to the main hall, a young man wearing a faded old Taoist robe was slurping as he ate a bowl of instant noodles with two braised eggs.

Old Wang and Little Li exchanged a glance and stepped into the courtyard.

"Hello, are you the person in charge of Qingyun Temple?" Old Wang walked up to the steps and showed his work ID.

Qin Du swallowed the noodles in his mouth, put down his chopsticks, wiped his mouth with a tissue, and then slowly stood up.

He glanced at Lao Wang's work ID, then at the body camera flashing red on Xiao Li's shoulder, his face showing no sign of panic.

"I am Qin Du, the nineteenth Celestial Master of Qingyun Temple. What brings you two here?"

Old Wang spoke in a businesslike tone: "We are from the Cultural and Tourism Bureau's enforcement team. We recently received reports from the public that your Qingyun Temple is suspected of using online live streaming to conduct feudal superstitious activities and is suspected of defrauding worshippers of money. We are conducting a routine inspection in accordance with the law, and we ask for your cooperation."

Upon hearing this, Su Nian, who was wiping the stone tablet, paused, immediately put down the rag, and walked over to Qin Du.

"Reported? Who reported it? We broadcast live here every day, with thousands of eyes watching. How could it be fraud?" Su Nian frowned slightly, her tone a bit sharp.

Xiao Li glanced at Su Nian and felt that the girl looked familiar, but he couldn't remember for a moment that she was the shop-exploring blogger with hundreds of thousands of followers.

"Young lady, we are enforcing the law impartially. Whether it's fraud or not, we'll only know after we investigate."

Old Wang waved his hand, staring sharply at Qin Du. "Mr. Qin, we received a report that you are promoting 'wish fulfillment guarantees' online, which has led to serious consequences such as car accidents and arrests for many worshippers, all in an attempt to attract attention."

"At the same time, someone also reported that you collected as much as 100,000 yuan in 'devotion fees.' Do you have any explanation for this?"

Qin Du, upon hearing this, was not angry at all; instead, he chuckled softly.

He put his hands in the pockets of his Taoist robe, slowly walked to the stone tablet in the courtyard, and pointed to the words on it.

"Boss, I will cooperate 100% when you come to inspect."

"But to say I'm a fraudster is too much of a accusation; my little Taoist temple can't withstand it."

Qin Du tapped the stone tablet twice with his finger.

"Three sticks of incense, one wish. Making a wish is free, fulfilling a wish is up to fate."

"Here, I don't sell expensive incense, I don't promote consecrated religious items, and I don't do fortune telling or interpret divination slips. All worshippers who come to me and want to offer incense will receive three sticks for free. What they wish for is none of my concern; how Heaven grants their wishes is even less of my business."

Qin Du turned around and looked into Old Wang's eyes, his gaze clear and open.

"As for the car accident and arrest you mentioned, the traffic bureau's liability determination clearly states that the perpetrator ran a red light; the police arrest warrant also clearly states that he was driving under the influence and had a prior criminal record. What does that have to do with me?"

"Does that mean that if they burn incense here, and something happens to them in the future, I'll be held responsible? Legally speaking, that's considered a lack of causation, isn't it?"

Old Wang choked for a moment.

Before coming, he had considered many possibilities, such as the Taoist priest would feel guilty and try to explain himself, or he would argue unreasonably.

But what he never expected was that the other party's logic was so rigorous, even... bulletproof.

If there is no forced consumption involved, you cannot legally classify it as commercial fraud.