Chapter Eleven: Little Monk Goes Down the Mountain to Buy New Clothes

  It was another morning with a thin mist, Zhao Zhuang woke up from his dream, staring blankly at the roof, with a faint bitter smile still on his lips.

  More than a month has passed like this, day after day of dull and uninteresting life, even with luxurious living, it's still boring.

  A clean and spacious Zen room, bright windows, elegant furnishings, sandalwood incense, no strange smells.

  The bed was covered with a woolen blanket from Xiazhou, which was very comfortable and warm to sleep on. The only thing lacking was the company of a beautiful woman with a soft and fragrant body.

  These were originally used by officials and nobles who came to the temple for Buddhist rituals and fasting, but now they belong to Dashi Shixiong.

  That's right, Master!

  The times have changed, and now is different from the past. After witnessing Zhao Zhen's self-inflicted death, all the monks dare not be even slightly slow in their movements, and they treat him with utmost respect and courtesy.

  Xiao He Shang directly upgraded to become the first disciple of Ding Li Yuan, commonly known as Big Master Brother.

  Zhao Zhuang doesn't care about this at all!

  The next day after returning from the imperial palace, he expressed his intention to return to secular life to Master Jingkong.

  Master Jingkong didn't want Zhao Zhuang to leave, and Xiaohe the little monk saved the royal noble. With a slightly thicker face, it can also be said that Dingli Temple's escort had merit.

  There are not a few famous temples in Bianliang City, and the competition between them is not small. In the past, because of the favor of Empress Dowager of Later Zhou Dynasty, Dingli Temple was in good condition, and it could even be mentioned together with Xiangguo Temple.

  But now the dynasty has changed, and almost everyone is busy disassociating themselves from the previous one. The number of pilgrims to Dingli Temple, especially the nobles and lords, has suddenly decreased. Not to mention the decline in status, the incense money has also greatly reduced.

  However, Jingkong Fashi was not in a hurry. Due to some twists and turns, Dingli Temple also had a deep connection with the imperial family of the Great Song Dynasty, and the link was precisely Zhao Zheng.

  As long as he is still a young monk who has renounced worldly desires, he will be the core strength of the Revival Temple and its greatest hope.

  He still has great potential and value to be developed, if he were to suddenly return to secular life now, it would be a significant loss for Dingli Temple, and Master Jingkong naturally does not want to let him go.

  It's not good to say it outright, and they don't dare to detain him. The current situation is different from the past, and Qian Yue is a lifesaver for the royal family, with a status that is not ordinary. Moreover, his extraordinary martial arts skills are what they have witnessed with their own eyes, and he can take someone's life in an instant, so who dares to offend him lightly?

  Having no other choice, Master Jingkong had to make up an excuse, saying that even secular affairs require choosing auspicious days, and they must choose a lucky day.

  Zhao Cong's head is full of black threads, isn't Huang Dao Ji Ri a Taoist saying? Does Buddhism also pay attention to this?

  Without waiting for him to ask, Master Jingkong said: "There is no suitable day in the first month, and it will be at least until February. We'll choose a good day then."

  There is still one more month...

  Zhao Zhuang was depressed at that time and wanted to negotiate again, but seeing Master Jingkong's expectant expression, he couldn't say anything more.

  After all, for the past three years, if it weren't for Master Jingkong's kindness, Wu Lang might have starved to death on the streets long ago, so he should at least show some respect.

  What's more important is Zhao Kuangyin's attitude, the guards of the Imperial Guard changed into casual clothes and still waited at Dingli Temple. Under such circumstances, even if he returned to secular life, where could he go? What could he do?

  It's better to stay in Dingli Temple, continue being a little monk, still having three meals a day of vegetarian food without oil or water, but the variety has increased a lot. No need to carry a broom and do chores every day, just live a life of luxury and comfort, it's quite comfortable. Only when the young brother looks up at the sky in the early morning, there is a slight resentment.

  It's just been too long since I've had a boring day, and it's inevitable that I'll get fed up with it sometimes.

  It seemed like it would be over quickly, but it was a monotonous and long month that just dragged on.

  According to the laws of film and television, this month should be the golden period for the rise of crossers. But what about me? Being so miserable, am I not the most unlucky crosser?

  How embarrassing!

  Rescuing the emperor's family, I thought it was a great opportunity, the most awesome way to rise to fame, and could take me to the top. Now it seems that I was wrong, leaving behind hidden troubles and causing more problems. If I had known this earlier, I would have rather copied some poems or worked on some small inventions...

  It's not right to waste time like this either, Zhao Zhuo thought about it and decided that mundane things still had to be put on the agenda.

  After repeated requests, Master Jingkong finally nodded in agreement.

  Delayed for more than a month, the effect is still good. The Princess of Yan State (Zhao Yanyan) came several times, and the newly promoted dignitaries of the Song Dynasty followed suit. The incense of Dingli Courtyard remains prosperous as ever.

  Since Monk Hua is determined to return to secular life, it's not good to force him to stay. It's better to end things on a pleasant note and maintain a good relationship. Otherwise, if he were to anger the Crown Princess of Yan, it would be a loss for everyone involved.

  Jingkong Master was the most clear, every time Yan Guo Princess came to burn incense, she would ask about the situation of Jiezhi. The old abbot guessed in his heart that if it weren't for Zhao Zhen being a layman with the same surname as Zhao, Dingli Temple might very likely produce a prince consort!

  February 16th!

  Master Jie Kong chose an auspicious day to hold a secularization ceremony for Xiao He Shang, and also promised a generous sum of hongbao money as a settlement fee.

  Not bad, Zhao Zhuang was very satisfied with this arrangement!

  How much is a little primitive capital? Zhao Kuangyin's side has no movement, and it may not have the opportunity to mix in ancient official circles. Then let's do some small business, and being a rich merchant is okay!

  Before he knew it, February 15th arrived. Zhao Zhuang had been feeling stifled in the temple for a long time and felt somewhat oppressed, so he wanted to go out for a walk.

  The reason is that tomorrow will be returning to secular life, can't wear monk's robes anymore, have to buy some secular clothes.

  The plainclothes guards of the Imperial Guard did not stop him, and Zhao Kuangyin did not restrict Zhao Jiong's freedom, and he could go out completely.

  But Zhao Zhuang had a number in his heart and was sure that there would be a tail following him, anyway, he wasn't doing anything shameful, so it didn't matter!

  After having breakfast, at around 9 o'clock, the fog had already dispersed.

  It's the season when the willow wind is not cold on the face, and the warm sunshine shines on the body, feeling very comfortable.

  Zhao Zhuang stretched his waist and walked out of Dingli Courtyard with a few strings of copper coins in his pocket.

  While walking, he hummed: Little monk goes down the mountain to buy new clothes, old monk is very pleased...

  *

  *

  As the spring breeze blows gently, the willow branches on both banks of the Bian River have already turned green, and the red apricot blossoms that stretch out from the courtyard wall are about to bloom.

  Under Zhao Kuangyin's strict control, the Chenqiao mutiny did not result in a bloodbath, and only a handful of people died. The lives of the citizens of Bianliang were not affected, the streets were still bustling, the vendors' calls rose and fell, and although the pedestrians on the road were not crowded shoulder to shoulder, they were also thronging.

  For the first time, Zhao Zhen witnessed the prosperity of the Song Dynasty. He and the country bumpkin who entered the city for the first time were no different, finding everything fresh and exciting.

  If it weren't for the monk's robe, I'm afraid there would be a lot of disdain. The kind-hearted Bianliang people are very friendly to a young monk who is not familiar with worldly affairs.

  It's less fun this way. Passing by the baozi shop, seeing freshly steamed bamboo and pork baozi, Zhao Zhen drools three feet. Although it's still quite different from the baozi of later generations, with fresh bamboo shoots mixed with meat filling inside, the taste should be pretty good.

  Unfortunately, after handing over a few coins, what he got in return was always just a vegetarian bun. Zhao Zhuo could only sigh and complain about the detestable rules and regulations.

  When passing by the entrance of Yingchun Temple, the heavily made-up sisters would inevitably say a few dirty words and tease the handsome young monk. Zhao Zhuang could only avoid them with a black line on his head, but he thought to himself: if you behave like this again tomorrow, I will definitely teach you a lesson and make you obey me.

  Pfft! How utterly disappointing, the mediocre women from the pleasure quarters are not even worth looking at? How can one stoop so low, at the very least, they should be top-tier courtesans...

  Until he entered a clothing store, Zhao Zhuang finally put down his grievances and selected several sets of clothes. The clothes of this era were mostly wide robes with large sleeves, mainly made of hemp fabric. There was no way, in the early years of the founding of the country, when frugality was advocated, not many people could afford to wear silk, and Zhao Zhuang had not reached that level for the time being.

  When he has money, it's better to find someone to tailor-make, Zhao Zhuo had no choice but to reluctantly choose a few sets and leave. The commoner's clothes were settled, but the hair was a headache.

  In this day and age, it's all about the body being given by one's parents, and men should also have long hair. Perhaps with a loose robe and large sleeves plus long hair and beautiful whiskers, that would be considered elegant! Otherwise, even if you wear a high hat and wide belt, a round and shiny bald head will look extremely out of place.

  But wanting long hair down to the waist, it's impossible in just a year or two. Zhao Zhuo furrowed his brow, and wondered if there were any sellers of fake hair in the Song Dynasty?

  Forget it, a handsome face, combined with elegant and free-spirited temperament, should make up for the inadequacy of hairstyle, without affecting the overall image that makes thousands of girls crazy!

  Zhao Zhuang smiled, seeing the sun had already set in the west, and thought it was time to head back. A monk strolling through the streets looked a bit strange, but he planned to return the next day to enjoy the bustling streets of Bianliang, and if he could bring one or two beautiful women with him, that would be even more perfect!

  Just as they stepped out, the quiet street suddenly changed. Several fast horses escorted a carriage flying over, pedestrians dodged in all directions, but a little boy got separated from his parents in the chaos and was frightened to stand still in the middle of the road.

  A very clichéd plot unfolded, according to the script, there must be a skilled and agile hero who saves the day. This time, Zhao Zhuang played this role.

  Zhao Zhuang stood still with the child in his arms after the horse carriage had disappeared at the end of the long street.

  "What kind of person is this? How dare he be so arrogant?"

  "It's as if he were the son of the Taiyuan military governor!"

  "Really?"

  There is no doubt that roadside newsstands are the most convenient source of information for this generation.

  Who is the Jiedushi of the Zhao-Yi Military? Zhao Zhen didn't know and thought he must be a spoiled son.

  Zhao Zhuang didn't bother much, handed the child over to his parents, and calmly accepted the thanks and applause before turning around and leaving.

  Go back and have a good sleep, waiting for a better tomorrow!

  *

  PS: This chapter is a turning point, I've been writing it with dissatisfaction for a long time, and have revised it many times. The update was delayed, sorry!