Chapter 4: The Monk and the Cunning

Shopkeeper Zhu smiled broadly and hurriedly expressed his gratitude: "Master Tang, thank you for your trouble. I will find someone to carve a plaque and hang it up right away. With your words on it, I am sure the business will thrive."

Someone praised him so much that Tang Xiucai felt quite pleased with himself. Following the sound, he saw two monks passing by. The one in front was about fifty years old, wearing a robe full of patches, which in Buddhism is referred to as a "natha"; only those of a certain status are allowed to wear it. As for ordinary monks, they can only wear gray cloth robes like the little novice behind who was carrying a basket.

The monk Shoumei chuckled and said, "I, a humble monk, have been ordained at the Pujisi Temple, and just a month ago, I arrived at the Tianfei Palace. My Dharma name is indeed Liao Zhen."

Tang Yi finally erupted in anger, after listening for a long time, he thought he had encountered a good person, but unexpectedly, they were waiting here instead

After the monk finished speaking, he strode away, and the young novice followed closely behind, soon disappearing from sight

Setting up a stall to write characters is the easiest profession for a down-and-out scholar. Just look at the old man's appearance; he can't do anything else. Anyway, I don't expect him to get rich; as long as he can temporarily support the two of us, that will suffice

As he unfolded the oil paper bag, a fragrant aroma wafted into his nostrils, and Tang Yi's stomach began to rumble.

Scholar Tang was truly angry; in a fit of rage, he slammed the table.

Yi'er, you don't need to be so startled all the time; it is all voluntary on my part

Two letters from home earned twenty wen, spent three wen on a pig's head and pork, leaving seventeen wen. Tang Xiucai said as he took out the copper coins and placed them on the table, "Take it, buy some buns to eat tomorrow morning"

Yi'er, at such a young age, how can you always harbor malicious thoughts about others? No matter when, there are always more good people in the world. The true master did not ask me for a single cent, remember, there is no such thing as a stall fee

Tang Yi pulled his father aside, pointed at the clothes they were wearing, and said: "It's not from the characters that you can tell he is a monk, but from the clothes!"

What are you pointing at!

Tang Yi looked at his father with a belly full of doubts, "Isn't it really asking you to pay a stall fee? For example, fifty percent of the daily earnings go to the Tianfei Palace?"

Then the old monk shall await your arrival

This is truly the cunning aspect! Tang Yi gritted his teeth and said: "A gentleman can be deceived by his principles, the old monk has you completely figured out!"

"Clothes, what happened?" Tang Xiucai still did not understand, they are quite clean

Tang Yi was completely driven mad, "Father, how do you still not understand? I ask you, how much is a Buddhist scripture worth?"

What work is this

Setting up a calligraphy stall, I remember there is a calligraphy stall in front of the Tianfei Palace. With a true master in charge, the number of worshippers at the Tianfei Palace will surely increase, and so will the calligraphers. Yes, let's do it this way. Yi'er, you go home first, and I will head to the Tianfei Palace now.

Do you really not need to do anything at all, and just have the writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone provided to you?

This afternoon, I copied half of the Tripitaka.

It turns out to be a true master; the student will definitely pay a visit when free

Upon waking from a deep sleep, the sky had already darkened, yet my father had not returned. Could something have happened? Tang Yi, frightened, hurriedly sat up, got dressed, and prepared to go out to check. Before he could even rise, the door swung open, and Tang Xiucai burst in, holding an oiled paper bag, cheerfully shaking it.

Has it really changed its nature

Father, how did you end up eating at the temple?

Tang Yi took a bite of the steamed bun, then ate a few slices of pig's head meat, and suddenly frowned

The sun has truly risen from the west; looking at the old man's appearance, even Tang Yi could not help but doubt it.

Father, how many copies did you write at the stall today

Isn't it the same? Why don't you consider why he is presenting it to you? Isn't it just for show!

This is it! Tang Yi clapped his hands forcefully, startling Tang Xiucai.

Yier, are you hungry? Here are two steamed buns and also 200 grams of pig head meat. Hurry up and eat

As for this, how would I know? However, Buddhist scriptures should be more valuable than the Four Books and Five Classics, as they are rarely printed and published, perhaps around one or two taels of silver

Tang Yi returned to the bamboo house, read for a while, and then felt a bit dizzy and weak. He lay down on the small bed at m.hetushu.com and fell asleep.

Tang Yi snorted, remaining silent. In his previous life, he had shaved his head to pay for tuition, working as a fake monk in a scenic area for two months. Since then, he had become a staunch atheist, more effective than any political textbook.

Wonderful, floating like a cloud, soaring like a startled dragon, slender like a withered tree in the depths of winter, constrained like a famished servant in a strict household. Such mastery cannot be achieved without over a decade of hard work

Amitabha, the writing of the benefactor is faint, ethereal, and naturally elegant; the strokes are graceful and flowing, with a technique that is both serene and extraordinary. Yet, why does this old monk sense a hint of discontent within? Could it be that the benefactor harbors some resentment in their heart?

Indignant, of course indignant

How many Buddhist scriptures did you copy in a day

"That is like Jiang Taigong fishing, where those who are willing take the bait." Tang Yi sat on the edge of the bed, his cheeks puffed up in anger, counting on his fingers and said: "Half a volume of the Buddhist scriptures, even if it is worth eight coins of silver, when converted to copper coins, it amounts to at least six or seven hundred wen, which is a full thirty times the amount of this money"

How could a mere monk discern it just from the handwriting? Could it be that he truly possesses such remarkable eyesight? Tang Xiucai couldn't help but furrow his brows, unable to make sense of it.

Snap

Father, have you eaten?

Scholar Tang furrowed his brows and suddenly said with a smile: "By the way, Yi'er, your father has thought of a task."

Scholar Tang had never thought of it this way, but according to his son's words, he couldn't help but ponder; it seemed to make some sense. Could it be that the big-headed child was really taken away? In any case, he could not label that amiable monk as one who exploits and oppresses.

After all, no one forced me; it was my own willingness to write.

"If we don't go to the Tianfei Palace, where else can we go?" Tang Xiucai's eyes widened: "Are you still doubting the true master? He is truly a benevolent monk who helps others. Do not always think of others with a sordid mind. Your father originally wanted to set up a writing stall, but he had no brushes, ink, paper, or inkstones, and just happened to run into a little monk beside the master. Before long, I was invited in, and after chatting for a while, the master, upon learning of my situation, lent me tables and chairs for free, and even provided a brand new set of brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones. Your father originally wanted to set up a writing stall, but he had no brushes, ink, paper, or inkstones, and just happened to run into a little monk beside the master. Before long, I was invited in, and after chatting for a while, the master, upon learning of my situation, lent me tables and chairs for free, and even provided a brand new set of brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones. He even marked out the best spot at the temple gate for me to set up my stall. What a great kindness! Once we become successful, we must not forget this."

Tang Xiucai has devoted great effort to the study of calligraphy since childhood. His elegant slender gold script, although not quite on par with the renowned masters of his time, surpasses that of ordinary Jinshi candidates

Well, you must be careful

"One cannot say that!" Tang Xiucai sighed and said, "When Master Liao Zhen first arrived at Tianfei Palace, the paint and decorations inside were peeling off, and many couplets and inscriptions had fallen off. There were also numerous Buddhist scriptures that had been eaten by insects or gnawed by rats, incomplete and in need of being copied anew. On the table of the master at https://m.hetushu.com, there was a large stack of them. Seeing him working hard, I offered to help him copy the scriptures. You must remember, it was I who took the initiative to offer, not because the master requested it!"

Hehe, you should eat quickly. Father has already had a vegetarian meal at the Heavenly Consort Palace, and it was truly delicious. When you have time, Father will take you to try it.

Upon seeing the monk, the scholar Tang quickly clasped his fists and humbly said, "Master, you flatter me; I am truly unworthy of such praise"

The master's Buddhist teachings are profound, and even his calligraphy is so skilled that it commands admiration. It is just that one wonders where the master has taken monastic vows

Oh, that makes sense!" Tang Xiucai frowned and suddenly asked, "Yi'er, why do you think so poorly of the master?"

"Good, truly good! Manager Zhu, you have made a fortune!" The surrounding people continuously expressed their admiration

Scholar Tang gazed at the receding figure and couldn't help but exclaim: "To see through a person's heart with just a few words, truly a high monk. Yi'er, we must invite him to offer us guidance in the future"

Tang Xiucai simply held his head and pretended to be an ostrich

If one cannot even afford to eat, how can one not feel depressed

"Clean is clean, but when added together, can it be worth a couple of taels of silver?" Tang Yi said with a cold smile, "Your writing is so good, yet you dress so poorly; aren't you just a down-and-out scholar? How can you not feel resentment in your heart? Isn't this just stating the obvious?"

After exchanging a few polite words, Tang Xiucai intended to turn around and take his leave, as he still needed to find a job to earn money to fill two stomachs