Chapter 40
Heng Yu always preferred to persuade people with reason.
This “reason” could be eloquent arguments or the simple truth of “might makes right.” A smart person should be flexible and adaptable.
For example, now, the people by the well were intimidated by her “reason” and were willing to listen to Liaowu quietly.
Liaowu joined his hands together and looked at the fearful faces of the people, sighing softly. “Benefactors, this poor monk knows that your ancestors believed in Buddhism. But for centuries, your lives haven’t improved, and wars have caused countless deaths and injuries. This poor monk’s purpose here isn’t to change your impression of the Buddhist sect, but to prevent the conflict from escalating.”
“As this Fellow Daoist beside me said, there are many Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment Buddhist cultivators in Hanshan Temple, but when you attacked the temple, did any of them retaliate? They silently endured your doubts and anger…”
As Liaowu spoke, Heng Yu observed the people’s expressions — some looked uncomfortable.
As he continued, shame gradually appeared on their faces.
“Amitabha.”
Liaowu turned his prayer beads and didn’t say anything more.
To truly resolve the conflict, they had to address the root cause. A few words of persuasion weren’t enough.
Heng Yu played with her sword and said with a smile, “It seems everyone has been persuaded by your grand principles and will behave for a while.”
As she spoke, the blade of her sword slipped out of its sheath.
The sharp blade gleamed in the sunlight, reflecting light into the people’s eyes.
“Oops, my hand slipped. I dropped my sword. Speaking of which, I’ve been clumsy and irritable lately. Could it be because I haven’t seen blood for too long?”
Heng Yu murmured, her face showing confusion and bewilderment, her beauty captivating.
But the people by the well couldn’t appreciate her beauty.
Their expressions had changed from slight shame to fear.
Liaowu chuckled inwardly.
He knew Lord Luo was trying to protect him, so he didn’t find her behavior excessive, only amusing.
“I’ll chant a calming mantra for you when we return.”
Heng Yu: “…”
He was definitely doing this on purpose! Knowing she always fell asleep when he chanted, and he still wanted to chant a mantra!
She transmitted her voice to him, rebuking him seriously, “I helped you, and this is how you treat me!?”
“Was this poor monk not sincere enough?”
“You know it yourself.”
Their voice transmission ended, and Heng Yu looked at the people, knowing she had gone far enough.
She stretched, her hair swaying in the wind, the sunlight filtering through the trees and falling on her face, making her look even more stunning.
“Until we meet again.”
Heng Yu bowed with a smile and turned to leave, her laughter echoing.
As the saying went, “Morning bells and evening drums.” Walking up the mountain as the sun set, Heng Yu heard the deep sound of drums as they approached Hanshan Temple.
Liaowu handed her a peeled chestnut, and Heng Yu popped it into her mouth.
It was delicious.
The chestnut vendor in the north of the city hadn’t wanted to sell to them, but there were other chestnut stalls in Huai City. Passing by the market, Liaowu had bought her a pound of chestnuts. Too lazy to peel them herself, she had Liaowu do the work.
Along the way, one peeled, and one ate, a harmonious scene.
“Finished,” Liaowu handed her the last chestnut. The paper bag now only contained empty shells. “After today’s experience, Lord Luo, do you have any good ideas?”
“It’s difficult to solve the problems of the entire Yan Kingdom. If it’s just Huai City, it’s not that difficult.”
“Please enlighten me.”
Heng Yu took a bite of the chestnut. “I need to think about it some more.”
The Yan Kingdom was vast and impoverished. The best solution was to develop agriculture — but this would be restricted by various factors.
But for Huai City alone, as long as they gave the people hope, they wouldn’t resent the Buddhist sect.
She had some ideas, but they weren’t fully formed yet.
“Senior Brother Liaowu, let’s walk around Hanshan Temple,” Heng Yu suddenly suggested as they walked back to their rooms.
Liaowu didn’t ask why and simply agreed.
The paths in Hanshan Temple were steep.
They walked along the stone path, through a long corridor, passing novices performing their evening prayers.
Soon, they reached the main hall.
This was the central building of the temple, housing a giant Buddhist statue.
The statue was imposing. Looking up, Heng Yu saw a faint golden aura surrounding it, exuding a powerful pressure that made it difficult to look directly at it.
Heng Yu looked away, walked forward, and picked up a long incense stick and a candle.
She wasn’t going to pray. She didn’t believe in Buddhism. She simply wanted to examine them closely.
The incense and candles were finely crafted. Heng Yu asked, “Are the incense and candles in the temple made by the novices?”
Liaowu walked over to her and nodded. “Almost all temples’ incense and candles are made by novices.”
“I think you could consider teaching the people in the city below how to make incense and candles, and the temple can buy them from them and sell them to worshippers. Besides that, things like marriage knots and peace talismans can also be made by those struggling financially.”
Buddhist temples in the cultivation world didn’t rely on these things for profit.
They had novices make them as a form of training.
But there were many other ways to train them.
Liaowu picked up three incense sticks, lit them carefully, and placed them respectfully in the incense burner in front of the statue.
Smoke curled upwards, enveloping the statue.
“This method could indeed bring income to some people, allowing them to have enough to eat.” Liaowu paused, then looked at Heng Yu, who was smiling silently, seemingly finding his words too shallow.
Liaowu smiled and continued, “But this is just the most superficial benefit. Thinking deeper, this is actually Hanshan Temple showing goodwill to the surrounding people. Those who benefit will surely praise the Buddhist sect. Subtly, the sect’s reputation will improve.”
Heng Yu put down the incense and candle. “Exactly. When the Buddhist sect’s reputation improves, Hanshan Temple will naturally prosper again, increasing the demand for incense, candles, talismans, and other items. With greater demand, more people will be needed to make these things, and the cycle will continue.”
So, in essence, Hanshan Temple only needed to spend a small amount of money to revitalize itself.
Of course, this was just one method. To truly resolve the conflict —
Following Heng Yu’s train of thought, Liaowu said, “We can also buy Bodhi cakes from the people and sell them to worshippers, with the temple providing the main ingredient, Bodhi leaves…”
Heng Yu snapped her fingers. “Exactly.”
Liaowu continued, “If so, Hanshan Temple can build a new hall, and some of the existing buildings need renovation. This will be a large project, requiring many artisans. It’s currently the off-season for farming, so I think many people would be willing to work.”
Heng Yu thought, as expected of Buddha-son Liaowu.
She had only mentioned a few ideas, and he had already thought of using large-scale construction projects to create job opportunities and alleviate the conflict.
“You’re truly amazing,” Heng Yu praised sincerely.
Liaowu looked at her, his eyes gentle. “This is all thanks to Lord Luo.”
He didn’t take credit.
After discussing their plan, they went to find Abbot Wule of Hanshan Temple.
Abbot Wule was the deceased abbot’s junior brother and the most likely candidate to succeed him. But unfortunately, his lifespan was also nearing its end.
He sat cross-legged on a meditation mat, his eyebrows completely white. After listening to Liaowu, he joined his hands together and thanked Heng Yu. “Thank you, Benefactor. This method truly solves the crisis of Hanshan Temple.”
Heng Yu didn’t take credit. “You’re too kind, Abbot.”
She hadn’t come up with these ideas for Hanshan Temple.
If it weren’t for Liaowu, she wouldn’t care about the temple’s fate. It had nothing to do with her.
Abbot Wule smiled. “This poor monk will arrange these matters tomorrow. We’ll start implementing the plan by the day after tomorrow at the latest.”
After bidding farewell to Abbot Wule, Liaowu left his room and walked down the corridor.
He walked a few steps, then, not hearing Heng Yu’s footsteps behind him, turned around.
She stood under the night sky, looking up at the stars, a smile on her lips.
For a moment, Liaowu was mesmerized, feeling as if the stars were reflected in her eyes.
“What are you looking at?”
“What are you looking at?” Heng Yu looked at him intently.
Liaowu paused, unsure if it was his imagination, but the atmosphere seemed to have changed.
He looked away, his gaze falling on the empty space. “It’s late. This poor monk will escort Lord Luo back to your room.”
He turned his prayer beads and walked ahead.
Heng Yu held a slender bamboo branch and lazily followed him.
Looking at his shiny head, she couldn’t resist brushing the bamboo branch across it. The small leaves on the branch tickled Liaowu’s head.
He sighed helplessly. “Lord Luo, please behave.”
He reached out, took the bamboo branch from her, and placed it beside him. Heng Yu, standing two steps away, also held the other end of the branch.
He maintained this posture, holding the bamboo branch that connected them, walking back to their rooms under the gentle starlight and moonlight.
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