Tanzhou Weishan, on the mountain road leading to Tongqing Temple.
"Dad? Is this where your benefactor lives in seclusion?"
The accessories and bells on her body kept ringing with her footsteps, and Yue'er ran happily in front of Zou Qiwu. It was not possible to see the impatient look on her face just now.
For such a fifteen or sixteen-year-old girl, emotions are like the weather in May, they come and go as quickly as they come.
"Yes! This is Tongqing Temple!"
Looking up at the temple whose outline could be vaguely seen, Zou Qiwu did not breathe heavily, but the fatigue between his brows could not be hidden no matter what.
After all, first I was hungover, and then I drove a carriage up the mountain early in the morning...
Even a tough guy like Zou Qiwu was already a little overwhelmed at this moment.
But when he thought that he was about to meet the benefactor from twenty years ago, he immediately cheered up and walked towards Tongqing Temple step by step.
"This place is much more remote than I thought..."
"But there are a lot of interesting gadgets along the way."
Yue'er followed the winding "Beauty Stream" and suddenly discovered some pipes built with bamboo pipes leading from the canals to the top of the mountain.
Driven by curiosity, Yue'er cautiously approached the bamboo tubes.
But they found that the stream that originally flowed from top to bottom was intercepted in the middle, and flowed along the bamboo pipe to Tongqing Temple at a slow but steady speed.
In addition, Yue'er saw some structures similar to water pumps, gates, and water outlets, forming a complex but complete "tap water" system around the "Beauty Stream".
Although Yue'er had never seen anything like this elsewhere, she was gifted and intelligent and could see the function of this "tap water" system at a glance.
With this complex and sophisticated "tap water" system, the stream flowing in the "Beauty Stream" will naturally be introduced into every corner of Tongqing Temple.
"This system is more troublesome than digging a normal well, but it can make life in the entire temple more convenient."
Zou Qiwu also saw the value of this "tap water" system. Zou Qiwu didn't know how to praise the developer of this "tap water" system. He could only exclaim in a low voice.
"It is indeed the place where my benefactor lives in seclusion. Its mystery is far beyond what we mortals can understand."
While the father and daughter were talking, they finally walked out of the winding mountain road and officially arrived at the gate of Tongqing Temple.
Because it was relatively early, there were not many pilgrims coming to the temple gate yet.
Except for a small number of scholars and monks who stay overnight in Tongqing Temple, the other pilgrims are lay Buddhists who come to the mountain early in the morning to burn incense and worship Buddha.
At a glance, Zou Qiwu even saw a few pious squire ladies in the crowd.
"Eh? Dad, look over there!"
Suddenly, she stretched out her hand and tugged at the corner of her father's clothes. Yue'er, whose eyes became clearer, pointed at the innermost hall of the temple and shouted.
"Isn't that Mr. Pei's son? Why is he here?"
Looking in the direction pointed by Yue'er, Zou Qiwu saw a man dressed in plain clothes, but exuding elegance and wealth in his words and deeds.
"Pei Hong?"
Frowning slightly, Zou Qiwu naturally knew the identity of the man.
In addition to being Pei's eldest son, the other party is also the county governor of Ningxiang County and a seventh-rank official appointed by the imperial court.
Zou Qiwu actually knew a little bit about the relationship between the Pei family and Zen Master Lingyou.
Because Zou Qiwu was able to meet Pei Xiu in the first place because he was introduced to him by Zen Master Lingyou.
However, what Zou Qiwu knew better was that since the "Auspicious Incident" twenty years ago, the Pei family and Zen Master Lingyou had completely severed contact.
In fact, this is the reason why Zou Qiwu knew that Zen Master Lingyou lived in seclusion in Weishan, but never revealed anything to Pei Xiu.
But judging from the current situation, it seems that the Pei family has long known that Zen Master Lingyou is living in seclusion in Weishan?
[When did the Pei family find out? Why did Pei Hong come here? 】
Such thoughts flashed through his mind, and Zou Qiwu himself felt that it was not simple.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
At the same time, in front of the main hall of Tongqing Temple.
"Sir, you don't need to go there personally for something like this."
Standing respectfully behind Pei Hong, the old butler who had served him for many years couldn't help but speak softly.
"Of course I don't have to come, but if I don't come, I guess you won't even be able to see my brother."
It's like a forced smile, but also like helplessness...
Although Pei Hong only met Pei Wende once, he had already deeply understood the character of his compatriot brother.
To put it nicely, it sounds like you are upright, but to put it worse, it sounds like you are a stubborn donkey.
"Besides, it's not like you don't know the situation of the girl from the Sun family. Maybe only 'they' can save her."
There was sadness in his eyes. When Pei Hong talked about the girl from the Sun family, a lonely look appeared on his face.
"..."
The old butler was silent this time, but there was also a hint of sadness on his face.
"For both public and private purposes, I must come to Tongqing Temple this time."
Taking a deep breath, Pei Hong did not continue to struggle with this issue, but instead turned his attention to the still closed hall.
Squeak...
As if in response to Pei Hong's expectations, the closed door was finally pushed open at this moment.
Then, under the gaze of the surrounding pilgrims, Zhang Chusheng, who looked somewhat like a young novice monk, walked out from the inside of the gate and quickly lit the incense burner placed in front of the main entrance.
"The Buddhist hall has been cleaned up. Lay Buddhists who need to offer incense and make vows should do so themselves."
"If you are a layman who needs to ask for answers to your questions, please follow me here to draw lots. After my senior brother finishes his morning class, I will answer your questions."
"If you want to hear my master teach Zen, please tell me in advance. I will have other arrangements later."
"Also, if any of you want to come and debate scriptures, our temple will not hold any Buddhist scripture debate activities for the time being."
"As for those lay people who want to stay overnight, please take out your ultimatum or official certificate and register with me first."
Various arrangements were made in an orderly manner, because after these few months of running in, Zhang Chusheng had long been accustomed to this kind of daily life in the temple.
Zhang Chusheng only needs to wait until Pei Wende finishes his morning classes and can take time to study.
Under normal circumstances, the content Zhang Chusheng studies includes but is not limited to scriptures, Buddhist scriptures, arithmetic, and even martial arts and archery. They are all tailor-made learning programs for him by Pei Wende and Zen Master Lingyou.
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