Chapter 8: Divine Acting

Tang Yi blinked and suddenly said with a smile: "Master, I am starting to respect you a bit!"

Upon hearing this, Xu Chen hurriedly knelt on the ground and said pitifully, "Master, I have no choice. There are so many worshippers; if everyone were to establish a shrine, wouldn't the entire Tianfei Palace be unable to accommodate them? Therefore, therefore..."

Little Master, I have a matter I would like to inquire about

With a frown, he resolutely shook his head and said: "Benefactor, you jest. Our temple accepts alms from all directions and also gives back to all directions. How can we be concerned about the amount of alms? A bowl of porridge or a meal is a merit, and mountains of gold and silver are also a merit. Both are acts of giving, with no distinction between them"

Master, please allow me to speak a word. The southeast is a land of poetry and literature, where virtue and filial piety are the foundation of one's character. When our ancestors depart, to be honored in the temple is the heartfelt wish of many filial sons. Master, you must not obstruct my intention to show filial piety!

Those who wear silk and satin naturally do not wish to be like the common folk; whether it is offering incense or making donations, they must contribute more in order to display their status

"You are not even in the top one hundred, how could it possibly be given to you?" The little thin boy's eyes widened in disbelief

What a filial son he is! Although the old gentleman has passed away, he is fortunate, for his descendants are exemplary!

Tang Yi outside the window let out a muffled grunt, almost bursting out, "To be able to say such a thing, Master, what an incredible performance!"

He truly saw everything clearly, feeling frustrated in his heart. How could he not have thought of such a simple matter

It is said that your esteemed temple can establish spirit tablets for deceased ancestors, allowing them to enjoy offerings. Is this true

Hehe, how fresh. As far as I know, the Laozi Huajing was created by the Buddhist community when Buddhism had just been introduced to the Central Plains, primarily to attract business. It is mostly a pseudo-canonical text. How could you believe in it?

Xu Tiancai nearly spat out a mouthful of old blood; he had worked so hard to come here, and if he were to stop now, it would all be in vain, how could he accept that! Moreover, this old monk was indeed quite extraordinary; while others came to beg for alms, he, on the other hand, had silver presented to him but stubbornly refused it.

At this moment, still immersed in shock, Tang Yi employed these small tricks, which greatly stimulated the worshippers. In fact, the temple fair is not only attended by devout believers, but also by many who come to see the spectacle. They do not understand much; they all think that spending a little more is better than spending less. By giving more to the Buddha, they believe they will receive more blessings in return. Even those who are usually reluctant to spend money will toss in three or five coins, not for any other reason, but to find peace of mind, emphasizing the importance of participation.

Before long, they arrived at the entrance of the Tianfei Palace. Xu Tiancai jumped down from the carriage and glanced around; there were dozens of people queuing at the entrance, waiting to offer incense, while the young monk busily attended to them.

I see, upon hearing the words of the Han, everyone couldn't help but give a thumbs up

Their entire conversation was overheard by the person inside the carriage on the road, whose name is Xu Tiancai. He is just over thirty years old and took over the family silk business at the beginning of the year

Well, you have a point; it seems that I have been muddled. After some consideration, I said: "Let's do this, inform everyone to cease the matter of the spirit tablet! We will act when we have a foolproof plan!"

This young man certainly knows a lot, and with a slight smile, he said: "Amitabha, whether you believe it or not, I, an old monk, believe it. I cannot allow my disciples to believe in an external religion!"

Xu Chen looked up and down at the newcomer, who was dressed in satin and wore a jade pendant at his side, clearly not an ordinary person. He was exactly the fat sheep that Tang Yi had mentioned, and it would be utterly unreasonable not to take a cut at him

Xu Tiancai sat down and immediately asked, "Master, I have heard that your esteemed temple only requires the burning of ten taels of silver for the establishment of a spirit tablet for the ancestors. Is this true?"

To strengthen what one intends to weaken, one must first solidify it; to abolish what one intends to discard, one must first elevate it; to take what one intends to acquire, one must first give it. Although this principle may seem minor, it is indeed not insignificant!" Liao Zhen smiled faintly.

Since it happens every year, it is not particularly remarkable, merely regarded as a formality

If I could set up a spirit tablet for my father at the Tianfei Palace, enjoying the incense offerings would also help to fill the void in my heart. In the midnight hours, when I dream and return to the past, I would not have to wake up in fright so often

Understood

Thinking of this, I hurriedly smiled and said: "Benefactor, please follow me!"

Xu Tiancai furrowed his brows; with so many people, how long would he have to wait? He was in a hurry to return to Taicang! Just then, a young monk ran over, and he reached out to stop him.

It seems that simply spending money does not guarantee the establishment of a sign. What should one do then?

Master, this benefactor wishes to set up a spirit tablet for their ancestors

The robust man laughed heartily: "You know nothing, yet you dare to boast. Let me tell you, I spent ten taels of silver, burned a stick of incense, and the master gifted me a statue of Guanyin. He also promised to place my father's spirit tablet in the main hall, where the master will chant sutras for his liberation every day." At this point, the man's eyes actually became somewhat moist.

The slender middle-aged man was taken aback, as the other person's was clearly of a higher quality than his. Unwilling to accept this, he asked, "How did you obtain that?"

Whether genuine or feigned filial piety, people often compete to burn incense and generously donate money for offerings, all in order to place the ancestral spirit tablets, so that everyone can see how willing they are to spend money

With a furrowed brow, he recited a Buddhist chant, his face reflecting a deep compassion for all beings. Shaking his head with a bitter smile, he said: "Amitabha, benefactor, you are putting this old monk in a difficult position"

Xu Chen led Xu Tiancai to bypass the main entrance and enter the Tianfei Palace through the side door, directly arriving at the guest room where the true host was seated inside

As for myself, I initially intended to observe a period of mourning for one hundred days, but due to the demands of my business, I could only adhere to it for three days before hastily attending to business matters with - images - and - books.

Don't! Until when will this be postponed

Hehe, let me tell you, it was given by the master at the temple

Amitabha, please speak, benefactor," Xu Chen said politely

These few sentences are delivered with such nonchalance, truly a master, the insight is indeed unparalleled

Master, a monk holds the teachings of Daoism as a guiding principle, is he not ashamed! Tang Yi said softly from behind

Looking again at the tattered monk's robe and the dignified face, one cannot judge a person by their appearance, just as the sea cannot be measured by a mere cup. It truly seems that he is a wise and virtuous monk!

Did you see? This amulet was personally consecrated by the master, it possesses spiritual significance and can protect people! It's just a pity that if you had come earlier, you could have received a Buddha statue. The thin, middle-aged man expressed some regret, but then smiled and said: "However, having something is better than having nothing. Don't get your hopes up; only the first one hundred people receive gifts. If you want something, come earlier next time!"

Everyone turned around abruptly, and indeed a tall and robust man appeared, dragging a colorful statue of Guanyin with his large black hand

Master, your disciple greets you respectfully

My father was the boatman, and he died in the river, not even leaving a complete corpse! Now it's good, with the master chanting sutras every day for his liberation, he can ascend to paradise early, and I can be considered to have fulfilled my filial duty!

Hearing everyone's praise, the Han's vanity was completely satisfied, and he was extremely happy, walking with a spring in his step

Hearing the Han man mention his father, Xu Tiancai could not help but think of his own father. His father worked hard all his life, accumulating such a large family fortune, yet he enjoyed none of it.

However, along the way, I noticed many pilgrims chattering and laughing continuously. Whenever someone took out items such as Buddha statues, prayer beads, or safety talismans, it would elicit a wave of envious admiration.

As the sun rose high in the sky, the number of worshippers in the Tianfei Palace increased significantly, not only including the villagers around Liuhe Fort but also some wealthy individuals from Taicang Prefecture who had come over.

As soon as these words were spoken, several worshippers displayed expressions of regret, but suddenly someone behind them chuckled in a deep voice, saying: "Look at your demeanor, what is there to boast about? I have a Buddha statue right here."

With a faint smile, he casually replied, "Young benefactor, you do not understand this. I, having passed through the Hangu Pass to the west, transformed the barbarian into the Buddha, and then Bodhidharma crossed the sea to come here. Every sip and every peck is a cycle of cause and effect"

Xu Tiancai looked at Xuchen for help, and Liao Zhen's expression darkened as he said in a low voice: "Xuchen, what on earth is going on? I instructed you to assist the benefactors in providing a convenient passage, to help the souls of the deceased, to do good deeds and accumulate merit. How did you end up getting tainted by the smell of copper?"

Upon hearing the boss's command, the driver hurriedly cracked the whip, and the cart sped away at an incredible pace

It is all unfilial to think of it!

Hurry, quickly go to the Tianfei Palace, I want to offer incense" Xu Tiancai shouted anxiously

"Please, no need for formalities, take a seat!" With a warm smile on his face, he resembled the Maitreya Buddha at the temple gate, ready to grant any request.