Chapter 1 For Such Questions

Everyone had long prepared standard answers for such questions, coordinating their stories in advance. Bi Xiaoqing bowed slightly and said, "We came from Chunnan..."

"Could it be, could it be that you are part of the group accompanying the Frankish master craftsman's daughter from the city?" the Daoist asked.

"Exactly," Bi Xiaoqing said, feigning embarrassment. "We originally wanted to take a good look at the Zhu Jun Temple. Who knew we'd be stopped here? Now, it'll be difficult to report back."

The Daoist asked strangely, "To see the Zhu Jun Temple? Why?"

"Isn't that the idea of the Frankish old man who hired us? He said it's a rare opportunity to come to the Central Plains. He went to Danyang himself, but he sent his daughter and those pampered young ladies to find interesting architectural designs. How could those pampered young ladies endure hardship? They're still resting at the inn in the city. Usually, drawing and such is done by us brothers," Bi Xiaoqing sighed.

The Daoist seemed very interested and continued to ask, "Are you craftsmen as well?"

It was difficult to impersonate a craftsman. The various marks on their hands and their understanding of materials and techniques were not something an outsider could quickly grasp. Wu Ping'an followed the prearranged story and said, "We're just laborers, not earning the wages of craftsmen. Only he is..." As he spoke, he pointed to Ye Tao, who was shrinking in the corner, acting shy and reserved. This vivid performance made everyone secretly laugh.

"Truly young and promising," the Daoist's interest grew. The rise in status of craftsmen was inseparable from the rise of the Ye family's workshop and the Dai family's construction firm. In the past ten years, the construction industry had a clearer division of labor. Of course, now, except for Dongping, no other country or construction company had separated the duties of architects, engineers, and builders, and formulated detailed regulations for construction, engineering, and project management. However, everywhere was beginning to realize the huge difference between project management and planning and design. Craftsmen who could take on the work of architects had greatly improved their status and treatment. But generally speaking, those who had that kind of knowledge and ability either came from a family of craftsmen, or had a relatively good family background and the ability to support their children's professional studies. Starting from the bottom as an apprentice, climbing up layer by layer, gradually gaining recognition, getting the opportunity to learn, and finally becoming an indispensable backbone of a construction organization required too much tempering. But the Daoist glanced at Ye Tao's hand. The rough edges of his palms and the various small cuts on his hands showed that he was not a pampered guy.

"No, I'm not that capable. I'm just a draftsperson," Ye Tao said modestly, waving his hand.

The Daoist seemed to know a little about the trade and asked, "Draftsperson? ... Did you study drafting at the Ye family's workshop?"

Ye Tao said respectfully, "Yes, it was last year. The company happened to send a few people to Yicheng to learn skills. The manager favored me and gave me a spot. I really learned a lot in those two months."

In the Daoist's mind, the assessment of this young man rose another level. Although the people of the Dao Ming Sect regarded the Ye family's workshop as an enemy, the more the Dao Ming Sect continued to build various temples and towers to show its increasingly orthodox and lofty status, to permeate its influence into all aspects, the more it felt the benefits of that rigorous and complex construction technology and standards, even if they only understood a small part of it. And the Ye family's workshop didn't seem to have any sense of holding on to its own treasures. As long as you paid enough tuition, you could have a place in the Ye family's workshop training system, and learn a lot of things that you couldn't understand anywhere else, even some knowledge that had a lot to do with the military, such as geological survey. Compared to the Ye family's workshop in Danyang, the Yicheng headquarters, where the Ye family started, was regarded as the best place for this type of training. Not only did those merchants and construction companies that had various cooperation with the Ye family's workshop think so, but even the Ye family's workshop's own apprentices, workers, technicians, and engineers all thought so. Among the Ye family's ten top technicians, only one master craftsman specializing in ceramics came from Danyang, and that guy was originally from the workshop under the inner court. After the inner court and the Ye family and the White Stone City steward launched a comprehensive cooperation, he entered the Ye family's workshop to focus on ceramic process research and development.

Being able to complete courses such as reading and making drawings after two months of training in Yicheng meant that this young man must be diligent and intelligent, and he must also be a key person being cultivated by his company.

"Since you've come here, why don't you tell me what you think of this Zhu Jun Temple?" the Daoist asked, seizing the opportunity.

"Great Master... then I'll be frank," Ye Tao said, deliberately looking uneasy and hesitant. "Although the Zhu Jun Temple looks like a very orthodox palace-style building from the outside, I'm afraid... there's something strange about the inside. Although I can't see it clearly here, I also think that the height of the front of the Zhu Jun Temple and the proportion of the roof look very strange. I boldly speculate that the Zhu Jun Temple did not really use strict palace building Dougong (a unique structural element of interlocking wooden brackets) style when it was built. When it comes to the craftsmanship and proficiency in Dougong, even Dongping's Ye family and Dai family are probably not as good as those masters in my Chunnan. I'm afraid the Zhu Jun Temple distributed the weight of the stacked roofs to the walls on both sides, converting the vertical weight into horizontal force. The walls on both sides are certainly solid, but they are somewhat incompatible with the rammed earth walls on the front and rear. Moreover, how should I put it... this kind of form is not a long-term solution after all. When the time is long, problems such as wall cracks and roof leaks will appear."

The problems Ye Tao raised had indeed begun to gradually appear. The original Dao Ming Sect did not have the huge financial reserves and talent network that it has now, but the Zhu Jun Temple, as the core of missionary work, had to be built. There were many hidden dangers in the architectural planning and design stage. A major renovation of the Zhu Jun Temple had been carried out a few years ago, taking advantage of the reshaping of the golden body for Zhu Jun, and the cost spent on building maintenance every year was growing more and more.

The Daoist was silent for a while, then suddenly slapped his forehead and asked with a smile, "I haven't asked this young brother's name yet."

Ye Tao scratched his head and said, "My surname is Guo, and my given name is Fen."

After everyone exchanged names, the Daoist said with a smile, "Since you young brothers have come to see the Zhu Jun Temple, then let's do this. My words carry some weight here. Wait here for a while, and I'll ask the Yu Shi (Daoist priest) on duty today to take you in for a look. It just so happens that Master Craftsman Xin Zai Xi of our sect is also here today. I wonder if you are interested in chatting with Master Xin?"

Xin Zai Xi was not only the chief master craftsman of the Dao Ming Sect in charge of building temples and palaces, but also one of the few architectural theorists in the world. His book *Ying Dian Shi Lun* (Ten Discourses on Building Palaces) has always been one of the standard readings for industry insiders. Perhaps the vast majority of Dao Ming Sect believers were not familiar with this old man, but as people in the same construction industry, it was impossible not to know this guy. To be honest, with Ye Tao's current status in the industry, Xin Zai Xi may not even be qualified to be mentioned in the same breath as him, but at this juncture, if he dared to show any disapproving expression, it would be terrible.

Ye Tao showed a surprised expression, stood up and bowed deeply to the Daoist, saying, "That's great... I'll have to trouble you, Great Master."

The Daoist chuckled and waved his hand, saying, "It's nothing, it's nothing. You just wait a moment. I'll be right back."

As soon as the Daoist left, they immediately sat down and looked at each other. The events that had happened in an instant caught them somewhat off guard. But if they turned around and left at this time, it would really expose their guilty conscience. Not only would they not be able to leave, but also the various disguises of the several groups of people who had been carefully prepared would be ruined.

Under these circumstances, they had to grit their teeth and wait for the Daoist to return.

Before long, the Daoist came over with another Lian Shi (Daoist priest), leading them into the Zhu Jun Temple together. The surrounding Dao Ming Sect believers looked at them with envy, but they knew their own suffering.

Xin Zai Xi was directing the construction of a new porch in the side hall behind the Zhu Jun Temple. Looking at the Daoist leading a few young men over, he asked with some suspicion, "Old Song, are these the guys you were talking about? So young?"

The Daoist called Old Song said with a smile, "Exactly."

"Junior has met Master Xin," Ye Tao and his party bowed and saluted.

"Easy, easy. You said there's a problem with this Zhu Jun Temple, that's right, there really is a problem. I've spent a lot of effort on it in the past few years. But the Zhu Jun Temple is really too small now. I estimate that a major renovation will start next year. I'm thinking of simply lengthening the renovation time, keeping the appearance unchanged, rebuilding the Zhu Jun Temple, and smoothing out those internal problems. Running to the north here year after year, my old bones can't take it," Xin Zai Xi said cheerfully.

"Rebuilding?" Ye Tao was shocked. This was no small project. However, if Xin Zai Xi really had a good understanding of palace architecture and Dougong, and if manpower and material resources were not a problem, the structural reconstruction would actually only take a few months. What took more time was precisely the elaborate and complex decorative work. Ye Tao quickly praised, "That's a great idea."

Xin Zai Xi was, after all, a master of his field. Seeing that Ye Tao seemed to have understood his idea between his furrowed brows, he was greatly curious. He casually began to examine Ye Tao, and the porch that was being built in front of them was itself a very good topic. Ye Tao had never been interested in palace architecture, but it wasn't like he didn't know anything about it. In addition, he was himself a much greater figure than Master Xin Zai Xi. Even if he didn't count his knowledge of architecture, engineering, and so on from his original time and space, just his incredibly rich architectural experience in this time and space could overwhelm Xin Zai Xi. He answered casually, smoothly, and made Xin Zai Xi and the Daoist named Old Song even more surprised.

"You little brat is a bit interesting. What kind of work did you come from?" Xin Zai Xi asked.

"I grew up on construction sites. I started helping the old foreman who adopted me snap chalk lines at the age of four, and I started helping with odd jobs in the workers' shed at the age of nine. I started as a carpenter at the age of eleven, and later I also worked as a mason, a stonemason, and a sculptor... I'm familiar with a whole set of jobs," Ye Tao replied respectfully.

Xin Zai Xi didn't have a very direct understanding of these experiences. He had always been at the top of the construction industry, and he never knew how hard the workers at the bottom were. On the other hand, the Daoist Old Song on the side showed a surprised and admiring expression.

Xin Zai Xi just nodded and said, "Boy, you're very good. Stay and be my apprentice. What the Dao Ming Sect lacks is young people like you. Run errands for me for a few years, and you'll have a good life in the future. Building temples and shrines is also no small merit. As for the benefits of being famous for thousands of years, I naturally don't need to say more."

Ye Tao's reaction to this obvious solicitation and temptation was very simple. He bowed and then shook his head, saying, "Junior doesn't dare to have such extravagant hopes."

Xin Zai Xi obviously didn't expect to be rejected. He snorted and walked away extremely rudely. Seeing the atmosphere suddenly cool down, Ye Tao didn't feel anything. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Bi Xiaoqing said to the Daoist Old Song with great "apology", "Great Master, it's Little Guo's fault for angering Master Xin... We wouldn't dare to disturb you any further. Let's say goodbye, shall we?"

The Daoist Old Song sighed and said, "Alright, I'll take you out."

They were silent all the way, but when Ye Tao and the others retrieved the batches of horses they had temporarily left at the restaurant, the Daoist Old Song suddenly asked, "Little Friend Guo, this poor Daoist really can't figure it out. Since you are also a person without any ties, why didn't you accept Master Xin's invitation? Do you think it's not good to serve my Dao Ming Sect? Or... do you think that the Dao Ming Sect can't let you give full play to your talents?"

Ye Tao looked at the Daoist Old Song strangely. Asking such a question in this setting was too suspicious of his intentions. Although this was their last chance to ask before they parted, there were really too many Dao Ming Sect believers and low-level clergy around. As long as Ye Tao said anything disrespectful to the Dao Ming Sect, the consequences would be hard to say.

Ye Tao shook his head and said, "It's just that I don't have such ambitions. Master Xin and us poor people who sell our labor are, after all, from two different worlds."

The Daoist Old Song frowned and said, "What kind of statement is that?"

"Master Xin is knowledgeable and knows the past and the present. We all read the books he wrote. With Master Xin's reputation, he is still a master no matter where he goes in the world, but we are different. In Chunnan, although the work is inevitably heavy, we are still valued by our employers and can earn a good wage. Although we have no relatives, we have many friends... To leave our hometown and come here? Has Master Xin ever thought about whether we would be able to survive? ... These things, Master Xin doesn't understand."

Ye Tao glanced at the Zhu Jun Temple and said, "Building temples and worshipping gods is naturally great merit. Giving those poor and homeless people food to eat and winter clothes to keep warm is even greater merit... But what about besides that? If they are really desperate, being rescued is all well and good. But so many people, with hands and feet, can all be considered strong laborers. Are they really unable to survive? If they can't survive, they can naturally rely on the compassion of your sect, but if they can survive, if they can work hard for a better life but give up their efforts and put their hope in others, then it would be a bit sad. ... This is the same reason as my choice. Since I can rely on my own hard work to get others to recognize my abilities, why should I let Master Xin give me this opportunity? You also saw just now, Master Xin's temper... is not easy to get along with."

Ye Tao sighed and said, "Great Master... Master Xin can be so compatible with your sect, naturally there is his reason. He doesn't know what we people who have climbed up step by step need. The Three Saints enshrined in your sect are the essence of heaven and earth at the beginning of Hongmeng, and they have always been able to summon wind and rain. Do they... do they really know what we ordinary people need? The compassion of the Three Saints is certainly to allow the vast number of homeless people to survive, but it has also raised a lot of lazy people." Ye Tao glanced at some people queuing up to receive disaster relief grain on the side, somewhat disdainful. He continued, "If it were me, if there was a glimmer of hope, even if I had to die for this glimmer of hope, I would not be willing to accept someone else's relief... And relief, is this really the true meaning of the Three Saints?"

The Daoist Old Song said somewhat angrily, "How do you know that this is not the true meaning of the Three Saints? You are not the Three Saints!"

Ye Tao's words were heard by some people around him, and many people turned their heads, obviously unwilling to face this kind of accusation. Ye Tao ignored those people. His smile was so calm. He followed the Daoist Old Song's logic and said, "But you are not me, so how do you know that I don't know that it's not the true meaning of the Three Saints?"

The Daoist Old Song was stunned for a moment before he understood what Ye Tao said from this very logical but very complicated sentence. He sighed and said, "Little Friend is indeed not something that can be confined to a small pond. ... There are still many affairs in the temple, so I won't see you off. Goodbye everyone."

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I sent the wrong chapter. I've been trying to change it since I found the problem, but I can't log in to the backend. Sorry everyone.

This chapter is 5,000 words long. I'll give you the extra as a free apology. Sorry for making it unpleasant for everyone to read.