Royal Gold Magistrate

The second day, the bulletin boards on the streets were updated again.

The interpreters enthusiastically explained to a group of people, “Everyone! Everyone! Yesterday’s event at Fuyun Temple was too popular, and the prayer beads are insufficient!”

“To thank the patrons for their kindness, Fuyun Temple said everyone can bring their personal belongings from home to have the masters bless them!”

“Also! The patrons who go today will each be given three copper coins, but those who went yesterday won’t get any!”

Someone in the crowd complained, “Why don’t those who went yesterday get any! Isn’t Fuyun Temple swindling people? Going early has no benefit, but going late can still get three copper coins. Is there such logic in this world?”

“Exactly! Exactly! Aren’t they just fooling people?”

The interpreter scoffed. “Then you can disguise yourself and go again. With so many people, who will know who you are?”

“*Tsk*… That’s right! Then I’m going!”

…

After some inquiries, Abbot Hongcheng already knew what was going on.

It turned out he had been played by the government. However, with the current unclear situation, he didn’t dare act rashly. He thought he would go to the government office to discuss after resolving the remaining patrons the next day.

A day of high-intensity prayer bead rubbing had caused blisters to form on the eminent monks’ hands. The most severe was Huijue, whose hands were swollen like pig’s trotters… It seemed he usually rubbed prayer beads the least.

Abbot Hongcheng used all sorts of persuasion to convince everyone to agree to bless for another period of time the next day.

But when he opened the gates of Fuyun Temple the next day, he was stunned by the scene before him.

This time, the patrons rushed into the temple carrying all sorts of random objects.

Some brought broken bowls and basins, and some even carried shoulder poles.

The most egregious ones even brought chamber pots…

Abbot Hongcheng felt like his throat was being strangled. He asked in a trembling voice, “Dear patrons… Why did you bring so many things today?”

The people below laughed loudly. “Didn’t you say there weren’t enough prayer beads, so we should bring personal items to be blessed? Don’t worry, Abbot. We’ve brought them all. We definitely won’t disappoint you eminent monks!”

“Also, where do we get those three copper coins?”

Abbot Hongcheng’s voice trembled even more. “What three copper coins?”

“Didn’t you say each patron would be given three copper coins? You’re not trying to renege, are you?”

“H-How could I! How could my Fuyun Temple go back on its word! Dear patrons, please have them blessed first. Each person can collect three copper coins after the blessing…”

Three coins per person… How much money is that! Is the incense offering money earned recently enough to give out?

Abbot Hongcheng stared straight at the crowd, constantly pondering in his mind.

His hands under his kasaya were already clenched so hard they bled… Abbot Hongcheng couldn’t figure out who he had offended! Why target Fuyun Temple like this!

The eminent monks behind him were in an even worse state.

Their faces were drained of color, shaking like sieves…

What a sin! After chanting scriptures for a lifetime, they had to suffer this in the end! Where is the justice in heaven!

The most miserable was Huijue. He looked like he had lost his parents. His hands, swollen like pig’s trotters, trembled slightly as he mumbled nonstop.

Fang Zheng… It must be Fang Zheng’s doing.

I just wanted to make some extra money, and you have to torment me… I was already tormented once. Will this ever end!

Even so, the eminent monks still forced themselves to calm down, knelt on the prayer mats, and began blessing the objects one by one.

There was no choice but to do it! They were already stuck in a dilemma yesterday… Today, quite a few people were still in line from last night. If they didn’t get blessed, not only would Fuyun Temple be smashed, but they would also have a hard time escaping disaster.

Huijue took the chamber pot handed over by a grinning ruffian in front of him and began “fiddling” with it in his hands.

His mouth once again started singing rap.

The ruffian found it amusing and said, “Master, you must bless it well. This chamber pot has been passed down for three generations in my family. It has extraordinary significance!”

I want to smash this chamber pot on your face!

Huijue suppressed the anger in his heart and said with a smile, “Don’t worry, patron. This poor monk will do his best…”

“Thank you, Master! But… what happened to your hands? They’re swollen.”

Son of a bitch!

…

It was another day of fighting. The eminent monks, whose hands had already developed blisters yesterday, were now in a state of heavy bleeding on both hands.

If it were prayer beads, it would be fine. They were round and had little friction. But now, all sorts of random things were being brought up, including bamboo baskets and dustpans, that kind of crap.

Those things were prickly!

If they didn’t rub them in their hands, the patrons would immediately give them fierce glares.

You rubbed the prayer beads, but you won’t rub my things. What do you mean? You look down on me? Can the blessing still be effective then?

Under everyone’s “coercion,” the eminent monks could only grit their teeth and rub the miscellaneous goods.

A group of villains in the temple saw that the eminent monks’ hands were bleeding, but instead of feeling any heartache, they became even more excited!

This was the blood of eminent monks. It could ward off evil and avoid disaster. The blessing effect was directly maxed out!

As for whether you’re in pain or not, what does that have to do with me?

Eminent monks, ah, bleeding a bit is no big deal!

Seeing that there were too many people, Abbot Hongcheng personally joined the ranks of rubbing miscellaneous goods.

However, everyone clearly looked down on the monks of this district. The eminent monks from other districts were more popular.

There were obviously fewer people lining up in front of him compared to the other monks.

Even so, Abbot Hongcheng’s hands still developed blisters from rubbing.

It was already dark. Looking at the dense crowd in the courtyard, Abbot Hongcheng’s heart turned cold…

The merit money in the merit boxes had all been given out. There were still who knows how many people waiting to be blessed and receive money.

Even if they could muddle through today, what about tomorrow?

For a moment, Abbot Hongcheng’s mind was in a mess.

After being dazed for a while, he finally couldn’t help but stand up and shout, “Everyone! Everyone, it ends here! The blessing is over! Our temple is also out of money. Please go back, everyone!!”

As soon as he shouted this, it immediately caused a huge commotion below.

“What! I’ve been in line for two days! Are you messing with us, you son of a bitch!”

“Swindler! Swindler! Swindler!!”

“Now there’s no blessing and no money! How are you going to compensate us?”

“Yeah! How are you going to compensate us!!”

A group of unruly people below were shouting with great enthusiasm, afraid they wouldn’t be able to take advantage.

At this moment, the evil of human nature was fully displayed. Perhaps only if Buddha himself appeared could the matter be resolved.

Abbot Hongcheng said in despair, “That’s all there is. What else do you want this poor monk to do for you to be satisfied!”

“This event wasn’t organized by our temple!!!!”

“Lies! Then why didn’t you say so earlier?”

“…” Abbot Hongcheng was now like a mute person eating bitter melon, having grievances he couldn’t express.

“We can forget about the blessing! But after waiting here for a day, you should at least give the three copper coins!”

Abbot Hongcheng said with grief and indignation, “There’s no more money! Our small temple doesn’t have that much money!”

“With so many patrons, you’re telling me there’s no money!”

“Swindler! Swindler! Swindler!!”

Tears of despair slid down from the corners of his eyes. Abbot Hongcheng helplessly looked at the eminent monks who were still numbly rubbing the miscellaneous objects. Their hands were already rubbed into a bloody mess, and their mouths were still mumbling rap.

“Then… do as you wish.”

Hearing him say this, the eminent monks stopped their hand movements and let out a long sigh, as if a heavy burden had been lifted…

One of the eminent monks silently put down the hoe he had been rubbing halfway.

The patron in front of him instantly became anxious. “Master, don’t listen to them! Keep blessing! The blood hasn’t fully covered it. It’s only half blessed!”

*Slap!* A huge bloody handprint appeared on the patron’s face.

“Bless your mother!”