Eastern Region, Southeast Taoist Temple.
"I kind of regret leaving you here."
Looking at the night sky from the top of this mountain, the stars are dotted and looming.
Under such a bright starry sky, Master Zhuang was not in a particularly good mood.
"Why?"
"You are so good at eating. You can eat enough for two people by yourself."
"...I have expenses! But are you willing to accept it, uncle?"
"..."
It's okay not to mention that title, but now every time Yin Yi mentions it, Master Zhuang feels like something is blocking his heart.
"Bring it here. My good nephew." Reversing his previous forbearance, Zhuang Zhenren chose to stretch out his hand and ask for it from Yin Yi.
Seriously? Yin Yi felt a little out of place, but he just said he had it, not that he wanted to give it to him!
"Guanzhu." Fortunately, Daoyuan appeared in time and broke the deadlock, which made both of them breathe a sigh of relief.
"What's the matter?" It would be best if someone came out to bring the atmosphere back to normal. Master Zhuang put down his outstretched hand. After all, he didn't want to get too tense with his good nephew.
"There is another news from Chun Da Jijiu, requesting you to enter the palace as soon as possible and take up the position of Jijiu."
It's okay not to mention this matter, but when it comes to mentioning it, Zhuang Zhenren, who wasn't so uncomfortable just now, feels even more uncomfortable.
Seeing the suspicion in his nephew's eyes, Master Zhuang explained straightforwardly: "That's what the academy requires. As for why, I don't know."
"However, even the upright Mr. Ke was expelled from the academy by that old man. I'd better not join in the fun because I'm such a loser. Daoyuan, you go and have a chat with Chun Daji again, and then say..."
"I have said that Chun Da will offer sacrifices to me. Master, you are not allowed to refuse anymore."
At this time, Daoyuan seemed to be transformed into the messenger of the great wine sacrifice. Even Zhuang Zhenren, a teacher, seemed to have no dignity.
Master Zhuang also had a headache: Go to the Academy to teach? He has even taught the disciples in his own territory crookedly, so why don’t we let him harm the Chinese students? At least at this moment, Zhuang Zhenren's conscience was bursting.
Short-term matters can be solved with urine escape, but serving as a sacrificial wine is not a short-term matter. What's more, in the Eastern Territory, there is the second and third child in the Heaven and Earth, and the third in the Academy. Under the Academy, there are Xingtan, Huaigu, etc. that can compete with the Academy. His Southeast Taoist Temple may still be an inferior existence. But as for how to escape, Master Zhuang already had a complete plan in mind.
"When you reply to Chun Da Jijiu, say that the master of this temple is already looking for opportunities in the Beihai area, and he probably won't be able to come back for a year and a half."
"You can't refuse the grand sacrificial wine."
"I didn't refuse. It's just that I am in Beihai now. You don't know where I am in Beihai, so you can't contact me."
"Come again." Daoyuan muttered, "So you won't come back for a year and a half this time?"
Zhuang Zhenren thought for a moment: "Well, I'll leave this to you." He turned to Yin Yi and said, "Uncle Master didn't entertain you well. Wait until Uncle Master comes back to play with you, you bastard."
"Uncle, let's go slowly." For some reason, Yin Yi felt a little reluctant to let go of this uncle whom he had just met for a few days.
The main reason is that he finally understands why the senior fellow in the Taoist temple is so free and easy. He leaves as soon as he wants to be the master of the temple and does not come back for a year and a half. He heard from the senior fellow that this is not the first time. Isn't this a typical case where the upper beam is not straight and the lower beam is crooked?
The next day, Yin Yi got up as usual. After taking care of my clothes, I walked out of the room and heard this discussion among the senior brothers:
"Hey, did you hear what Senior Brother said? This time the temple master won't come back for a year and a half."
"I heard. Alas, this time Senior Brother will be the patriarch for a year and a half."
"It doesn't seem like it's been this long before."
"Yes, yes, it was long enough last time, just over two months, but this time it was actually a year and a half."
Hearing it interesting, Yin Yi joined their conversation.
"Brothers, is one and a half years a real number or an imaginary number?"
"It's my junior brother. According to usual practice, if the temple owner says how long it will take, then it must be how long." A senior brother explained patiently.
"But it is possible to exceed this number. For example, one time, the temple owner said he would leave for seven days, but ended up coming back after ten days." Another senior brother added.
"Which time?" Another senior brother asked.
"You still have the nerve to ask? That time you destroyed the temple owner's residence, which caused the temple owner to find a place to stay at the foot of the mountain for three days. He didn't come back until we repaired it." Just added to Yin Yi Senior brother said.
"That time I... don't mention it."
"So, the patron will usually come back on time, unless there are special circumstances?" Yin Yi realized that the topic was a little off-topic and quickly grabbed it back.
"It's understandable. Generally, you won't come back early. In the words of the Guanzhu, it's like putting on a show and doing a full set. If someone discovers it, it won't be so good if you use this excuse to escape in the future." The original first senior brother replied.
"Is that so? During the period when the temple leader is away, will the senior brother be in charge?"
"Yes, all of them."
"That's a lot of hard work, senior brother." The group of inconspicuous senior brothers in front of me was really torture for the relatively normal and capable senior brother.
While everyone was discussing, a figure flashed in and said, "It's so lively. What else can I say?"
"Hello, senior brother!" everyone greeted. The senior brother who had previously destroyed the Guanzhu's residence spoke without restraint: "We are saying that it was really hard for Senior Brother when the Guanzhu was away, especially this time for such a long time. Thank you for your hard work, Senior Brother." .”
"No problem, no problem. Junior brothers, you're welcome." Daoyuan had a kind smile on his face, but actually roared in his heart:
"Did you just find out?! Can't a bunch of idiots save me some trouble? Where is your conscience!"
…
Eastern Region, Academy.
Chun Dajiu rolled up the bamboo slips in his hands, yawned secretly, and was about to go to rest. When someone came, he had to sit back again.
"Mr. Ji, why are you here so late?"
"Back to the big wine ceremony," Mr. Ji bowed first and replied, "I just got two pieces of news, related to the wine ceremony to be held."
"Oh?" Chun Dajiu became a little more energetic: "Please tell me."
"Large wine ceremony, news came from the Southeast Taoist Temple. Master Zhuang has gone to Beihai to look for opportunities. It is said that he will not be able to come back for a year and a half, and he cannot be contacted there."
"Come again?" Chun Da Jijiu frowned: "At this time... I don't care about him, what is the other news."
"Just now, Master Kuang and his disciples entered the palace."
"Master Kuang? Okay! Now it's time to call Kuang Jijiu!"
Although Chun Da Jijiu was a little happy, Mr. Ji saw Chun Da Jiujiu's tiredness, and reminded him: "Dajiu Jiu, take a good rest. There is no rush to choose the wine sacrificer. At this moment, Ji took his leave first." After that, he saluted. Then leave.
"Mr. Ji." Chun Da Jijiu stopped him.
"What are your orders for the grand ceremony?" Mr. Ji replied.
"How about leaving the vacant wine-offering position left vacant by Master Zhuang to you?"
Mr. Ji raised his eyes and met the eyes of Chun Da offering wine. From being a teacher to offering sacrifices to wine, this is not only an increase in status and salary, but also a testimony of strength and an increase in power.
When he should be happy, Mr. Ji is not in a good mood. I have known Dajijiu for many years and know his character well. It is absolutely impossible to joke about this kind of thing.
However, he brought it up at this time, and combined with the anomalies observed in the academy recently, he found that the position of offering wine at this time may be a big trap for people without absolute strength.
Perhaps seeing the other party's hesitation, Chun Da Jijiu did not make things too difficult: "Mr. Ji is still a little hesitant, so I will give you the answer in a few days. What you are saying is that anyway, a Jijiujiu has already arrived. I'm in a hurry now. It's getting very late, so I won't send it off."
Mr. Ji breathed a sigh of relief: "Have a good rest, Dajijiu. Ji will take your leave." After saluting, he quickly fled, fearing that he would be stopped by Dajijiu again.
After Mr. Ji left and drank half a cup of tea, Chun Daji stood up, picked up the oil lamp on his desk, and walked out of the room slowly.
