CHAPTER 154: CHAPTER 154: CUTTING FLESH (PART 2)

Master Pusuan drank a cup of hot tea at the county government and chatted with the Commandery Princess for an hour before taking his leave.

No one knows who spread the news, but as soon as Master Pusuan left the county government, many religious followers and commoners gathered around. Men and women of all ages were present, and those devout in Buddhism directly knelt down and kowtowed.

The Commandery Princess, who personally escorted Master Pusuan out of the county government, suddenly smiled and said, "In the eyes of the people, Master Pusuan is the embodiment of Buddha."

Master Pusuan clasped his hands together, "This humble monk only aims to propagate the Buddhist teachings, hoping the people have kind hearts and live in peace and happiness. I dare not consider myself Buddha’s embodiment. You praise me too highly, Commandery Princess."

Then, he raised his voice and said, "Everyone, please rise. Yesterday, Buddha awakened this humble monk in a dream, revealing that Zhi County remains peaceful thanks to the Commandery Princess’s protection of its people. I came to the county government today to thank the Commandery Princess for her kindness towards the people of Zhi County and the White Cloud Temple."

The people immediately began shouting praises to the Commandery Princess in a disordered chorus.

This old bald donkey is indeed an old fox; he knew exactly what she wanted.

Jiang Shaohua chuckled inwardly, while maintaining a warm smile on her face, "Everyone, get up and return home! There are complicated issues regarding the murder case at White Cloud Temple, and it will be interrogated and resolved there in a few days. The temple will soon be unsealed, so everyone can rest assured."

The people, who prayed to Buddha daily, saw the sealing of the White Cloud Temple as a great disaster. Hearing the Commandery Princess’s promise made them smile with joy and disperse quickly.

Master Pusuan couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. This Nanyang County Princess conducts affairs skillfully, showing exceptional acumen with a keen sense of proportion.

In the future, White Cloud Temple should indeed restrain itself somewhat.

An hour later, Master Pusuan returned to White Cloud Temple.

His disciples, including Ci’en, gathered around him, and Master Pusuan announced the decision to donate grain and a Buddha statue. Ci’en was so pained that his eyes turned red.

The Martial Monk, responsible for the "accidental death," was filled with regret, punching his own chest hard, "It’s all my fault! I shouldn’t have locked the thief in the firewood room that day; I should have driven him away immediately to avoid all this dispute."

Master Pusuan said lightly, "You might escape today, but you won’t escape in the future. Even if you drive this thief away, what about the second or third one? Or what if a gang of robbers comes and sets White Cloud Temple on fire? What would you do then?"

The Martial Monk drew in a sharp breath.

Ci’en gritted his teeth and whispered, "I do not believe the Commandery Princess would dare treat White Cloud Temple this way!"

"Ci’en, when we, as teacher and disciple, talk privately, we should not casually mention the Commandery Princess," Master Pusuan reprimanded with a somber face, "What does any of this have to do with the Commandery Princess?"

Ci’en was so frustrated he nearly spat blood.

Then Master Pusuan said, "Send all the stored grain from the temple to the county government. The Buddha statue, too. Remember, do it as quickly as possible, without a hint of resentment or dissatisfaction."

For external affairs, it was generally Ci’en who took charge. Ci’en was about to nod in agreement when Master Pusuan named another disciple, "Ci An, you go."

Ci’en was shocked, "Master! Why not send me?"

He is the chief disciple and the Guest Monk of White Cloud Temple!

Master Pusuan cast him a sidelong glance, "Your heart is unsettled; if your words or actions reveal this, it will anger the Commandery Princess. Ci An has a milder disposition than you, so let him go."

"If you continue to cause a stir like this, there will be no need for you to remain the Guest Monk."

Ci’en’s face turned pale, and he dared not utter a word.

...

Early the next morning, the grain and Buddha statue from White Cloud Temple were delivered together.

Ci An, a few years younger than Ci’en, had a round head and big ears, and smiled with humility.

Chief Clerk Wen, under the Commandery Princess’s order, was sent to receive and count the grain, spending almost half a day to finish the tally. When he went to report back, he couldn’t help but sigh, "The grain from White Cloud Temple is all top-quality new grain, totaling two thousand dan. It’s enough to replenish the Taiping Grain Warehouse!"

"A temple’s grain being more abundant than the county government’s grain warehouse—who would believe it if word got out!"

No wonder the Commandery Princess wanted to take action against White Cloud Temple.

Of course, he wouldn’t utter this last sentence, just thought it to himself.

That day, the Commandery Princess convened a meeting with Chen Zhuo, Song Yuan, and Meng Dashan. Just a few days later, the murder case at White Cloud Temple erupted. Chief Clerk Wen, pondering the situation several times, began to understand.

Jiang Shaohua nodded slightly and instructed Chief Clerk Wen, "The grain must be sent to the grain warehouse and carefully recorded and managed. These tasks are for Chief Clerk Wen to handle."

Chief Clerk Wen accepted the order respectfully.

As for the six-foot tall Buddha statue, dealing with it would require some effort. Ma Yaosong volunteered to undertake the task and go find an artisan.

Jiang Shaohua called over Yang Zheng, "Yang Shi, tomorrow you should go to White Cloud Temple to conclude this case."

Yang Zheng hesitated for a moment, then coughed, "I wonder how this murder case should be concluded. Please guide me, Commandery Princess."

Jiang Shaohua curled her lips slightly, looking over with a faint smile, "Monks hold compassion; they caught a thief stealing and beat him with sticks for minor punishment. This thief died of an acute illness at midnight, so it’s not necessarily the fault of the martial monk in White Cloud Temple."

Yang Zheng felt relieved, cupped his hands, and replied, "I understand your intentions, Commandery Princess."

Jiang Shaohua relaxed her brow and praised with a smile, "Yang Shi, I trust your work."

Yang Shi, pinching his nose and pretending to carry the blame, smiled somewhat bitterly, "I receive the Prince Mansion’s salary, so it’s natural to work for the Commandery Princess."

It’s just that these blames come one after another, with no end.

This way of adjudicating cases, one by one recorded, might bring disgrace to the Yang Family in the future.

While Yang Shi was lamenting, Jiang Shaohua smilingly said, "I will note down all your hard work in coming and going, Yang Shi. When I return to the Prince Mansion after inspecting the fourteen counties, in terms of meritorious service and rewards, you’ll have the first share."

Yang Zheng’s slight sadness vanished immediately, and he quickly smiled and bowed to express his thanks.

...

The next day, Yang Shi, accompanied by Chief Historian Chen, County Magistrate Lei, and others, went to White Cloud Temple for the trial.

As for the Commandery Princess, she did not make an appearance.

The Commandery Princess, causing numerous waves in Zhi County with such skill, didn’t even set foot in White Cloud Temple from the beginning to the end.

Many people were prompted to gather outside White Cloud Temple upon hearing the news. Unfortunately, the temple gates were tightly shut, and the people waiting outside longingly could neither hear nor see anything.

After waiting half a day, the gates of White Cloud Temple finally opened.

Yang Shi announced to the people that the real cause of the thief’s death was an acute illness, unrelated to the martial monk at White Cloud Temple. Consequently, from today on, the temple is unsealed.

The people cheered and celebrated joyfully.

Guest Monk Ci’en, after this event, became much steadier and more patient, guiding the people in order as they went into the temple to burn incense. When some wanted to donate after burning incense, Ci’en spoke up, "Master said, from today onwards, White Cloud Temple will accept offerings only once a month, with just three to five coins each time."

In the hearts of the people, Master Pusuan is nearly like a demigod, so naturally, they listened to his words.

Two days later, the Commandery Princess led her entourage in leaving Zhi County for Wuyin County.