Chapter 1349: Chapter 1327 Friends

Why does everyone have to rush to the mountain to worship before the farming season, during festive periods, or in their free time?

Because not only do the villagers need to farm, but the Daoist monks also have to farm; neither side has the time.

In the past, villagers from nearby were all poor, so when they came to the mountain to worship, they rarely brought anything, at most a few handfuls of vegetables.

However, Abbot Shouqing and the others grew their own vegetables, so they weren’t really interested in the villagers’ offerings. Nonetheless, as a gesture of respect to Taishang Laojun, they accepted them. If they couldn’t finish them, they would dry them to make dried vegetables.

At that time, Daohe and Daoxu were even poorer than Manbao, who still had some New Year’s money saved up and could occasionally enjoy some candy, while the two of them barely managed to have enough to eat.

But ever since the rumor spread that Manbao was the reincarnation of a fairy, everyone believed that Taishang Laojun recognized this temple’s venue. Perhaps to occasionally protect the reincarnated fairy, Taishang Laojun would occasionally come to take a look, right?

So initially, it was the nearby villagers who loved to come and worship. Later, even people from the town and county would join in, and now, even people from neighboring counties would travel a long way to worship.

The incense in the temple became prosperous, and Abbot Shouqing received substantial donations. After some simple renovations in the backyard, there were accommodations for two guest courtyards, so even when pilgrims from afar came, they could temporarily stay at the temple.

The entire Dali Village became much livelier.

Originally, the village at the foot of the mountain only had people during market days, but now it’s not certain anymore. When many people arrive from outside, nearby villagers would temporarily set up stalls selling eggs and vegetables.

Sometimes visitors can’t make it back in one day and, unable to stay at the temple, would stay at Dali Village, where meals and lodging cost money.

Daohe and Daoxu serve tea and water to the guests or introduce places to stay, always managing to earn some reward money.

Daohe and Daoxu saved money this way, but the two handled their finances in completely opposite ways.

Daoxu mostly spent his money on food and clothing, while Daohe spent his on books, pens, ink, and paper.

Currently, Daohe’s ideal is to learn well so he can, like his master and uncle, explain the Dao, preach, and resolve people’s concerns. The money earned from offering insights and guidance is much more than reward money.

Daoxu, however, finds that the pilgrims love stories similar to Manbao’s mythic tales. Sometimes, when he tells them well, the money comes in strings.

He thinks the meanings his master teaches are too difficult, the scriptures too hard to interpret, and involve too many calculations. Among them all, storytelling is the easiest way to make money.

But if someone were to make him believe Manbao is a reincarnated fairy…

He lowered his head to look at Manbao, just as Manbao raised her head to look at him. Both shivered simultaneously and refused, saying: “Forget it, I’m afraid Heaven Master will come to find me in my dreams tonight.”

Daohe laughed, shook his head, and said to Manbao: “Did you really treat royalties in the palace?”

Manbao nodded, “I treat the Empress and the Crown Prince, but matters concerning royalties shouldn’t be talked about outside. So, you guys should stop thinking about making money with this.”

Daohe was astonished, “Is your medical expertise already that advanced?”

Manbao proudly said, “It’s alright, I’m not worse than some veteran doctors in the capital or palace physicians, and in some aspects, not lacking. I’ve already started taking apprentices now.”

Daohe pondered, “I originally wanted to ask you for some advice on medicine.”

He said, “Recently my Master began teaching me the yin and yang of herbs, the monarchs and ministers, even passed down a few formulas. In the future, I’ll be treating believers coming to seek medicine. I wonder if you could advise me, to see if I’ve committed any taboos.”

Generally, those who pursue Dao learn some medical skills, not to become doctors, but because the nature of Daoist studies involves understanding the essence of things, including studying the body.

Of course, currently Abbot Shouqing and the others aren’t thinking about this. They believe learning some formulas can also save lives. When incense was not prosperous before, they relied on gathering some herbs to give to believers seeking medicine.

Manbao had also taken medicine given by Abbot Shouqing as a child, and her mother had too, so she certainly knew this little bit. She laughed, “What taboo is there in this?”

Thinking for a moment, she said: “If you want to learn, perhaps I could send you a copy of the medical book I’m compiling. It contains many case studies and medicinal formulas. If you find them unclear, you can write to me.”

Manbao said: “Old Master Bai sends things to the capital every three months, and sometimes there are letters coming back and forth too. You can write a letter and send it to my house, have my family hand it to Old Master Bai, and when he sends things to the capital, he will include it.”

Daohe, eyes glistened, said gratefully: “Thank you.”

Manbao also smiled brightly, “You’re welcome.”

Bai Shan then asked her, “You’re giving him the booklet, then what will you give Ms. Doctor Liu and the others when you return to the capital?”

Manbao said, “I hadn’t planned to give him the original booklet; you’ve been pretty idle lately, so when I’m compiling it, you can help copy one.”

Daohe, hearing this, looked at Bai Shan, smiling at him cheerfully.

Bai Shan, feeling helpless, replied, “Alright then.”

Daohe’s face lit up with joy, he raised his cup to offer slightly a toast.

Bai Shan and Manbao raised their tea cups in response, took a sip, then wrinkled their faces simultaneously.

Daohe said, laughing: “I truly think this tea is good, but maybe this pot wasn’t roasted well. I have another pot Uncle Master Shoushi roasted, I’ve wrapped three bags, you can take them back to try. If you find it tasty, drop by before heading to the capital, I’ll give you another bag.”

Bai Shan and the others don’t really enjoy tea, but their teacher loves it, so they didn’t refuse his offer of tea leaves.

Daohe handed them three bags of tea leaves and three charms. “These are protective charms, laid under Taishang Laojun’s seat for eighty-one days; they are the best in our temple. Take them with you for a safe journey on your travels.”

Manbao and the others accepted them and said: “When you set out to travel one day, be sure to let us know.”

Daohe said with a smile: “I’m still quite young, my Master won’t let me go out for now.”

Next to him, Daoxu said: “That’s not necessarily true, this year, we not only accepted two little Junior Brothers, but also took in one little Junior Sister. In a couple of years, once they’re grown, we might be able to go out.”

The three were surprised, “You have Junior Brothers and a Junior Sister now?”

“Indeed,” Daoxu said proudly, “Come on, let me introduce you to them.”

The three followed him to go deeper into another courtyard, where he pushed open a door. Taoist Shoushi was inside with three children, and seeing them enter, he immediately waved, saying: “You’re here just in time, hurry up, your Junior Sister made a mess, come help change her diaper.”

Bai Shan looked up to see a child wrapped in a swaddling cloth lying on a couch against the wall, and beside Shoushi, there were a one-year-old and a three-year-old child.

The three: …That’s quite small, isn’t it?

Daoxu frowned with disdain but went up to change his Junior Sister’s diaper, while Manbao and the others greeted Shoushi. Seeing him feeding the two children, they quietly sat and waited.

Taoist Shoushi was familiar with them, smiling as he asked if they had come, and explained the origin of the three children, “They were all found at the temple gate.”