Chapter 27: Puzhi Chan Temple

  Trudging through knee-deep snow, they had to pull sleds loaded with grain like oxen. The hardship can be imagined. And Ding Hao was the most hardworking among all, because the load on the sled was too heavy and the strength of the mules was insufficient. He not only had to wear a rope to pull the sled but also had to run back and forth from time to time, taking care of the entire team's progress, directing the villagers to re-tie the scattered frames of the sleds.

  So exhausted, on the third day, Ding Hao finally collapsed due to overexertion and fell ill. He could only lie on the sled, being pulled along by others. His high fever wouldn't subside, and the medicine they had brought with them didn't seem to have any effect when brewed for him. His forehead was scorching hot, a bit frightening.

  This place is desolate and uninhabited, with no medical treatment available. Ding Yu Luo was both shocked and frightened, so she could only use her own silk handkerchief to wrap ice and snow on his forehead to cool him down, lest he damage his brain due to the high fever. Ding Hao had been dazed and confused throughout the journey, with moments of clarity few and far between. He only knew that the entire caravan was still moving forward in the endless snowy wilderness. If they couldn't see Guangyuan City soon, this exhausted team would probably collapse completely. The human body has its limits, after all, and it's impossible to rely on sheer willpower to defy the heavens.

  On the fifth day, early in the morning, Ding Hao's fever had subsided a bit and he was somewhat lucid. Ding Yulou was overjoyed and she pulled Xi'er along while turning her head to talk to Ding Hao, just as she was telling him about what had happened over the past two days, when suddenly a strange howl like that of a wild beast rang out.

  Ding Yuluo was shocked and quickly turned his head to look, only to see that the team had already turned over a low hillside, and on the vast snowy field, a group of buildings appeared in the distance. From afar, it was clear that it was a temple. The front edge of Feng Dapeng's whip was like pouncing into a snow heap, and when he climbed up again, he danced with his hands and feet, shouting loudly, as if he had gone mad.

  Originally, this temple was called Puzi Temple, the largest temple outside Guangyuan City. The abbot Kongkong Dashi's Buddhist teachings were profound and his reputation was outstanding. Many wealthy and famous people in Guangyuan City often came to the temple to burn incense and listen to Kongkong Dashi's lectures. Such a famous temple, Feng Dapeng naturally recognized it.

  Because they ventured into the wilderness, they didn't take the road, and with the heavy snow covering everything, there were no clear signs, so Feng Da could only proceed in a general direction, without knowing where he had arrived. It wasn't until they reached this place that he realized he was already outside Guangyuan City. From here to Guangyuan City is only half a day's journey, of course, that's the speed at which people normally travel lightly, but at their current pace, it would take them another whole day.

  Upon learning that they had arrived at Guangyuan City, the entire caravan was overjoyed, like a group of madmen. They summoned their last bit of strength to pull the grain carts and rushed wildly towards Puzi Temple.

  Four young monks in front of the gate of Puzi Temple were vigorously sweeping the accumulated snow with large brooms. Suddenly, they saw a group of people coming from afar, accompanied by countless mules and pulling strange carts without wheels. The men's clothes were disheveled, and they made strange noises as if calling out to each other. The monks thought they were bandits or robbers who had come to plunder the temple, and in an instant, their souls flew away in fright. The four young monks dropped their brooms and hastily rushed inside, closing the gate behind them. Then, crying and wailing, they went to see Master Kongkong.

  Inside the Daxiong Treasure Hall, bells and chimes rang out in unison, incense wafted through the air, and Master Kong and a group of senior monks were engaged in their Buddhist exercises. Upon hearing the young monk's report, Master Kong's hand tightened into a fist, shattering the wooden fish drum. The supervisor and the duty monk immediately rushed off to assemble the warrior monks, while the abbot, the chief seat, and other high-ranking officials hastily ran to the front courtyard with burning anxiety.

  Outside the mountain gate, there were endless shouts and screams. Some were hoarse and frantic, some thanked heaven and Buddha, and some pounded on the door. The sound of extreme joy and crying was like a group of demons dancing wildly, scaring the enlightened monk, Kong Kong Da Shi, pale-faced. Seeing the monks in chaos, as the master of the temple, Kong Kong had no choice but to take responsibility. He ordered someone to set up a ladder, held his rosary, and muttered "Amitabha Buddha" in his heart, trembling with fear as he climbed over the wall to sneak a peek outside.

  The old monk was indeed more knowledgeable than the young Sha Mi, and after secretly observing for a while, he felt that these people outside didn't seem like bandits or mountain thieves. He plucked up his courage to ask, and only then did he learn that they were actually the Ba State Ding family transporting grain to Guangyuan. Only then did the empty monk order someone to open the mountain gate and welcome them in.

  In front of the abbot, etiquette cannot be neglected. Ding Yu had finally met someone from Guangyuan, and she had a lot to ask, but at this moment, she didn't dare to lose her manners. She suppressed her anxiety and followed the abbot into the Mahavira Hall, finished paying respects to the Buddha and burning incense, before hastily saying: "Master Kongkong, I don't know if your temple has any masters who are skilled in medicine? The manager of my carriage team, Ding, has contracted a cold and is running a high fever that won't subside. He's in a critical condition now, and if we don't treat him as soon as possible, I fear for his life."

  In the temple, there were many monk doctors. Kong Kong hurriedly said: "Old Shu's younger brother Kong Jian is skilled in medicine, Madam can bring the patient to the guest room and let him diagnose and treat." After speaking, he turned to the reception monk and said: "Kong Wen, quickly go and call your older brother Kong Jian to come to the guest room for diagnosis and treatment."

  Kong Wen responded to the sound and left. Ding Yuluo said gratefully, "Thank you, Master, for your compassion. My family's caravan encountered a heavy snowstorm on the road and was in a very difficult situation. Today, we were able to arrive at Puzi Chan Temple, which is truly the manifestation of the Buddha's spirit. This is a thousand taels of silver, donated by the faithful as funds for incense oil, please accept it with a smile."

  Master Kong is indeed a great virtuous monk. Probably because he often receives large donations from wealthy families, it's no wonder that he has been through the storm and remains calm. It's said that when Ding Yu Luo donated a thousand taels of silver for incense oil, Master Kong remained composed and serene, with only a slight nod of his head, he thanked him lightly, revealing the demeanor of a great monk. A disciple who was standing by stepped forward to accept the donation on his behalf.

  As soon as the silver ticket fell into his pocket, Kongkong Daoshi's expression became even more benevolent, and he slightly revealed a smile: "Female donor, please go to the Chan room for tea and conversation. Kongzhi Shidi, you go and arrange for the Ding family's carriage team."

  Because of Ding Yu's impressive skills, the abbot personally received her. Since she was a female guest, to avoid suspicion, when the abbot invited her to his quarters for conversation, he also invited Master Kong Xing from Puji Temple, each bringing two young monks to sit in the meditation hall together.

  A steaming cup of tea had just been placed on her desk when Ding Yuluo hastily asked, "Master, I've come from Ba Prefecture to transport grain to Guangyuan. On the way, we encountered bandits and heavy snow, which delayed us for several days before arriving here. I heard that this winter, northern barbarians have invaded our borders, causing great chaos. What is the current situation in Guangyuan City?"

  At this point, Ding Yuluo's heart was already hanging high, fearing to hear any bad news. Puzi Temple is very close to Guangyuan, if Guangyuan falls, Puzi Temple will not be as peaceful as it is now. Based on this speculation, Ding Yuluo guessed that the current situation in Guangyuan would not be too bad. However, even if the Guangyuan army did not lose the city, if they suffered a few defeats, it's hard to guarantee that the officials wouldn't shift the blame onto the Ding family. They are officials, while we are commoners; at that time, there might not even be an opportunity to appeal in writing, how can one not be afraid?

  Unexpectedly, Kongkong Daoshi heard this and slightly raised an eyebrow, actually twirling his mustache with a smile. Ding Yuluo was astonished and said: "Master?"

  On the side, Puji Temple's first seat Kongzhi smiled and said with his hands together: "Female donor, when did you hear this news? Indeed, this winter is extremely cold, and the northerners have no aid for food or clothing. It is true that they launched a large-scale invasion of our border, plundering our wealth and capturing our people. Fortunately, the northerners are in internal turmoil, and the bandits who invaded our border retreated seven days ago."

  Ding Yuluo heard this and was overjoyed, but suddenly all her energy seemed to be drained away. She sat there for half a day without making a sound, feeling so exhausted that she didn't even want to move a finger.

  Kong Zhi saw her expression and thought she was still bewildered, so he explained again: "The Northern Emperor Yelu Dashi was cruel and fond of killing, and his rule was tyrannical. Therefore, during the winter hunt, he was assassinated by the ministers Xiao Siwen, Yi Libi, and Ya Lishi, who sent a servant named Sula to hide a dagger in his tent. Now, as they contend for the throne, the various tribal leaders of that country are gathering their troops, who still has the heart to march south?"

  "Thank you... thank you, Master." Before Ding Yuluo could finish speaking, hot tears had already begun to flow down her face, this time, however, they were tears of boundless joy.

  In front of the Merit Hall, a bright and radiant little monk was dragging a large broom, looking at the empty-handed monk who was hurrying by with a puzzled expression. He asked a monk in a bewildered tone: "Master Xuanshuo, why is it so lively up ahead?"

  That great monk said, "The Ding family's grain team just passed through here, it has nothing to do with you, go and sweep the main hall properly. Bi Xiu, if you continue to be lazy like this, even if Master Sheng is lenient towards you, the abbot will not tolerate you."

  "Yes, yes, yes……" The handsome and slender wall servant bowed and sent off Master Xuanzhuo, muttering to himself: "It's them again, they came quickly, such a large grain team, and they've been through such a big snowstorm, it's really hard for them. It seems that those lazy servants didn't give them too much trouble, huh! If it weren't for the fact that Master has another target in Puzhi Temple this time, I would have to tease you guys again."

  Bixiu finished speaking and shouldered his broom before dashing into the grand hall...