novel bin Chapter 118 Giving Dharma Ceremony
Chapter 118 Giving Dharma Ceremony
"Six coins to enter the city, plus two more coins for livestock."
The soldier, wielding a sword and axe and wearing simple armor, glanced at the two men and two horses and then spoke indifferently.
"If you are unwilling to pay, then leave. Do not linger here and obstruct the people from the rear from entering the city."
A hint of murderous intent gradually surfaced on Fang Hongxuan's increasingly gloomy face, and the sword at his waist was almost drawn.
"For hundreds of miles around, I've never heard of any town being qualified to collect customs duties. Your Huai City is so audacious; could it be that you intend to raise a separate banner and plot a rebellion?"
"My lord, please calm your anger..."
"Gentlemen, we will pay their customs duties..."
Behind the two men emerged an old man, thin and hunchbacked, wearing a tattered, smelly coat. He was somewhat listless. He put down his carrying pole and pulled a piece of red cloth from his pocket, which had been patched countless times.
After moistening his index finger with the salty water from his lips and tongue, he carefully peeled back the layers one by one. Inside lay dozens of ancient copper coins of varying ages.
"this...."
Fang Hongxuan, already furious, was enraged even more upon seeing this. He was about to teach the two arrogant soldiers in front of the city gate a lesson when Daoyuan stopped him from behind.
"Originally there was nothing, so where could dust settle? Amitabha, benefactor, you are attached to appearances..."
Even the jade pendant inside his chest was burning hot, which instantly brought Fang Hongxuan back to his senses. He took a few deep breaths, finally suppressing the vexation in his heart.
Why are tariffs so high?
Seemingly realizing how difficult Fang Hongxuan was to deal with, the two soldiers stopped putting on airs and instead explained to Fang Hongxuan in a friendly manner.
"In the past few days, the Great Temple has been holding a charity ceremony, so countless people have come to visit. If the city's population had increased by 10% or 20%, it wouldn't have been a problem, but people from hundreds of miles around have flocked in."
Where does Huaicheng, already overcrowded, fit in?
"Therefore, we have no choice but to raise the threshold for entering the city a bit."
"Furthermore, these tariffs are taken from the people and used for the people; we would never embezzle them."
The two of them explained the ins and outs of the tariffs in a back-and-forth conversation, but at this moment, someone in the long queue began to voice their dissatisfaction.
"If you're not going into the city, don't block the way. We're just about to share our midday vegetarian meal!"
"Absolutely! Absolutely!"
"If you want to wait and see, then step aside..."
Having no copper coins on him, Fang Hongxuan had no choice but to accept the old man's kindness. After entering the city, he silently followed behind the old man, carrying his Dao Yuan. Inside Huai City, crowds thronged, and amidst the hustle and bustle, one could faintly hear the shouts of peddlers, the cries of shopkeepers, and the boisterous shouts of drunken men playing drinking games in the taverns. However, most of the noise came from whispers and indistinct murmurs among the crowd.
"Why does this hero follow me, an old man?"
"Sir, as the saying goes, one should not accept a reward without merit. I am capable and have a clear mind; how could I be the kind of person who would covet petty gains?"
After saying this, Fang Hongxuan tried to force the money pouch in his arms to the old man, but the old man carrying a shoulder pole quickly waved his hand in refusal.
"Do good deeds and don't worry about the future. All I've done is pray for my good-for-nothing grandson. Since I started praying so sincerely, my daughter-in-law has indeed given birth to a baby boy. Three years have passed since then... and this year is the last one..."
The speaker may not have meant anything by it, but the listener took it to heart.
Fang Hongxuan and Daoyuan exchanged a glance, then looked at the old man in unison.
"As the master of Da Ruo Temple said, Maitreya Buddha incarnates in the world to enlighten people in the vast sea of humanity... It is a rare and fortunate coincidence that the two of you have appeared beside this old man. Therefore, there is no need to mention the customs duty again."
"Since that's the case, then I'll accompany you on this journey, for it can be considered fate..."
"Hahaha....So...very good...very good..."
The hunchbacked old man stroked his beard and laughed heartily, his joy turning into an excited blush spreading across his cheeks.
"Have you heard... Yesterday, Master Huiming of Da Ruo Temple enlightened thirty-six people who were destined to become Buddhists... I wonder how many more will be able to take refuge in Buddhism this afternoon... If only we could be chosen too..."
"Hmph, only someone as intelligent as me has a slim chance of being enlightened... Look at yourself, what a filthy creature you are! I bet you've eaten too much cobbled-together vegetarian food, which has given you unrealistic fantasies!"
The crowd erupted into chaos. Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw that the person who had made the mocking remarks was a burly man with a bulging physique and a fierce-looking face full of fat.
"Butcher Zheng... don't push your luck!"
"Even you, a butcher who slaughters countless animals every day, think you can convert to the Great Monastery? I think you're just deluding yourself!"
The man who refuted the man's appearance had shifty eyes and was so thin that he looked like skin and bones. Even from several steps away, Hongxuan could smell the stench emanating from him.
Just as a dispute was about to break out, the crowd of onlookers immediately cleared a large open space.
"you...."
The gaunt man, who was all bark and no bite, was now speechless and stammered. He walked backwards and bumped into Fang Hongxuan's strong arm in just a moment.
Their eyes met, and the already anxious and apprehensive gaunt man trembled even more when he met Fang Hongxuan's indifferent gaze, almost collapsing onto the bluestone bricks.
"Oh? Could it be that you're going to stand up for this scoundrel? He still owes a certain amount of money."
The familiar scene made Fang Hongxuan narrow his eyes, and his indifferent voice instantly resounded throughout the surroundings.
"What you intend to do is none of my business. If you are foolish enough to implicate me, then I will definitely treat you to a meal of noodles. If you don't believe me, you are welcome to try."
"Perhaps Dao Yuan's bald head was too conspicuous, attracting the attention of unknown forces within the city..."
"Amitabha... This benefactor, lay down your butcher's knife and instantly become a Buddha... With such enlightenment, you will surely be able to smoothly convert to Buddhism."
Dao Yuan clasped his hands together and spoke to Butcher Zheng with a devout expression.
"Hahaha... This young master, I wonder where he came from and where he's going..."
Butcher Zheng burst into laughter, his face beaming with joy, as if he had received a tremendous blessing.
"This humble monk comes from the West. I have come to the city to return to the Great Monk Temple here, to fulfill my master's wish."
Upon hearing this, the surrounding people all showed expressions of surprise. They looked at Dao Yuanfen with disbelief, while whispering among themselves, creating a noisy commotion.
"Really...?"
"Doesn't that mean he's of a very high seniority?! After all, as far as I know, only monks of the Hui generation are qualified to accept disciples from outside!"
"If what he said is true, wouldn't Ōrō-ji Temple need another abbot?!"
Butcher Zheng and the gaunt man exchanged a silent glance, and then Butcher Zheng let out a hearty laugh.
"In that case, I won't bother you any longer, Master..."
"Disperse, everyone disperse!"
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