Quanlin Temple, nestled by mountains and water, is surrounded by numerous springs. The Shengzu Emperor Kangxi, known as Mazi Ge, and the Gaozong Emperor Qianlong, called Qianlong Laogou, stayed here ten times respectively. Mazi Ge inscribed "A Record of Quanlin" and left a stone tablet as a memento. Qianlong, always eager to follow suit, not only left his own inscription but also penned ninety poems.
Logically, with two generations of emperors having visited and paid their respects, Quanlin Temple should have been world-renowned. However, its scale and historical depth fall far short of famous ancient temples like the Northern and Southern Shaolin or Xiangguo Temple. Consequently, its fame is largely confined to the vicinity of Sishui County.
It was only after Zhu Xiaosong had ransacked the Sishui County yamen that he became aware of Quanlin Temple's existence.
From then on, Zhu Xiaosong had been contemplating a visit to Quanlin Temple to seek lodging and to offer a stick of incense to the Buddha.
Zhu Xiaosong chuckled twice and said, "Why be so courteous, venerable monk? As the saying goes, ignorance is not a crime. I am not a petty person, and I certainly won't hold it against you."
Wu Zhi's expression remained unchanged. He chanted another Buddhist phrase, saying, "May I ask what brings you to our temple today, Benefactor Zhu?"
Zhu Xiaosong smiled and replied, "That young novice monk was far too timid. He rushed off to report without hearing me finish. It seems I must reintroduce myself."
Zhu Xiaosong cleared his throat and addressed the assembled monks of Quanlin Temple, "I, Zhu Xiaosong, have always acted on behalf of Heaven, and I am no vicious brigand who enjoys murder and arson."
"To date, I have only eliminated a hundred or so wicked gentry families. I have only killed four magistrates, and a total of sixty to seventy minor officials of the eighth and ninth ranks. As for officials of the fourth rank, like military governors, there is only one."
"So, everyone, please do not be afraid."
As Zhu Xiaosong finished speaking, the monks of Quanlin Temple took a collective step backward—they were even more frightened!
Monk Wu Zhi inwardly pondered whether this person named Zhu was introducing himself or boasting about his deeds of killing officials and rebelling. What was his intention?
At this thought, Monk Wu Zhi's heart skipped a beat. He realized something was amiss. If Zhu Xiaosong hadn't said these things, Wu Zhi could have pretended not to know him, and as long as he could protect Quanlin Temple, he wouldn't mind enduring some humiliation. But now...
Observing Monk Wu Zhi's changing expression, Zhu Xiaosong smiled and said, "Venerable monk, do not be alarmed. I have come to your Quanlin Temple today not to debate Buddhist principles, nor to commit murder or arson. I am here for only two matters."
Monk Wu Zhi felt a slight sense of relief, thinking, "Even if it were two hundred or two thousand matters, as long as they are not too outrageous, this humble monk will agree!"
Zhu Xiaosong raised his right hand, extended his index finger, and said, "The first matter is that I wish to stay at your Quanlin Temple for one night and will depart tomorrow morning. Whether you report me to the authorities afterward or not, it is entirely up to you."
Monk Wu Zhi immediately nodded in agreement, "Benefactor is a guest from afar, and there is no issue with staying for one night. However, may I inquire about the second matter you mentioned?"
Zhu Xiaosong chuckled again, extended his middle finger, forming a gesture like the English letter "Y" with his fingers, and shook it slightly, saying, "The second matter is that I have been acting on behalf of Heaven recently, and as a result, I have become somewhat impoverished. Therefore, I intend to borrow some gold and silver jewelry from your Buddha."
Monk Wu Zhi stared at Zhu Xiaosong, utterly bewildered and inwardly furious.
Borrowing money from the Buddha? What kind of person would utter such words in a sacred Buddhist site?
"Amitabha, sin, sin," Monk Wu Zhi murmured a few Buddhist sutras and looked at Zhu Xiaosong, saying, "Benefactor, speaking such preposterous words in a sacred Buddhist place, are you not afraid of being blamed by the Buddha?"
The smile on Zhu Xiaosong's face slowly vanished. He stared coldly at Monk Wu Zhi and said, "I am borrowing money from the Buddha, not from you, Monk Wu Zhi. If the Buddha does not agree to lend me money or wishes to blame me, then he should come and speak to me himself."
Monk Wu Zhi's expression stiffened. He thought, "Is there any difference? You say you are not borrowing from me, but then you expect the Buddha to deliver the money to you?"
Monk Wu Zhi clasped his hands together and slowly said, "Amitabha, sin, sin. The monks of Quanlin Temple are all ascetics who subsist on simple meals. Even the Buddha and Bodhisattvas in the Great Hall are merely clay figures gilded with gold. How can there be any gold or silver for Benefactor to speak of?"
Zhu Xiaosong let out an "Oh," and his expression grew colder, "Did I not make myself clear earlier? I said I killed four magistrates, and the last one was the magistrate of Sishui County!"
"Quanlin Temple owns half of the thousands of acres of fertile land in its vicinity, collecting half of the rent each year. If there is a famine, they even lend money at exorbitant interest rates. You spared no expense in preparing for Emperor Qianlong's imperial tour, didn't you?"
"Furthermore, although the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in this hall are not made of pure gold, they are cast in pure copper and gilded. How is it that in your words, Monk Wu Zhi, they have become mere clay figures adorned with gold?"
Speaking thus, Zhu Xiaosong took another step forward and said sternly, "I heard that Buddhism has a precept against falsehood. I wonder how you, Monk Wu Zhi, have cultivated yourself?"
Monk Wu Zhi's expression changed drastically. As if losing control, he took a step back, while Zhu Xiaosong advanced another step. "Venerable monk, I am here today to borrow money from the Buddha. I have no intention of killing or arson, so, do you understand?"
Monk Wu Zhi lowered his head and chanted, "Amitabha, sin, sin."
Zhu Xiaosong, however, let out a laugh and turned to instruct Zhu Laosan and Liu Erniu, "You bunch of idiots, why are you just standing there? Hurry up and send someone to get the money from Monk Wu Zhi! If there's no money, then go and borrow from the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in the main hall!"
Afterward, Zhu Xiaosong tossed the wild rabbit in his hand to Zhu Er, saying, "Pack it up and borrow some salt from Monk Wu Zhi to roast it. Leave one rabbit leg for the Buddha to taste. If there's no firewood, go find some scriptures."
Hearing Zhu Xiaosong's utter lack of reverence for the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, and his intention to use scriptures as firewood, Monk Wu Zhi could no longer contain himself. He angrily exclaimed, "If Benefactor wishes to lodge here, this humble monk will oblige. If Benefactor wishes to borrow money, this humble monk will lend it. However, Benefactor's blatant disregard and disrespect, even if the Buddha does not blame you, we monks of Quanlin Temple cannot tolerate such presumptuousness!"
The monks of Quanlin Temple behind Monk Wu Zhi were also seething with anger. They shouted in unison, gripping their staffs, and stood behind Monk Wu Zhi. The young men from Yuhuang Mountain also drew their blades and stood behind Zhu Xiaosong.
As a confrontation seemed imminent, Zhu Xiaosong let out a hearty laugh, took a step forward, and with a crack, slapped Monk Wu Zhi across the face.
Zhu Xiaosong looked at Monk Wu Zhi, whose face was filled with disbelief, and said with a cold smile, "What did I say earlier? Hmm? If the bald eagles can burn down the Southern Shaolin, do you think I wouldn't dare to burn down Quanlin Temple?"
Monk Wu Zhi finally remembered Zhu Xiaosong's earlier words—only a hundred or so wicked gentry families were eliminated! Eliminated! A hundred or so families!
Zhu Xiaosong continued, "If you were merely poor villagers, or if you strictly adhered to Buddhist precepts, I wouldn't have been so set on coming to your Quanlin Temple."
"But you are not poor villagers, and you cannot uphold the monastic rules. Instead of diligently observing fasts and reciting scriptures, you conspire with the officials to oppress the common people.
"Tell me, am I wrong to come to your Quanlin Temple?"
After scolding Monk Wu Zhi, Zhu Xiaosong turned to Zhu Er and Zhu San, saying, "Why are you still standing there?"
As the saying goes, brothers fight together, and fathers and sons fight on the battlefield. Just as their elder brother, Zhu Xiaosong, had no respect for Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, so too did Zhu Er and Zhu San.
Zhu Er grinned menacingly and began preparing the wild rabbit right in front of the monks of Quanlin Temple. Monk Wu Zhi was now completely desperate. He looked up at Zhu Xiaosong and said, "Since Benefactor wishes to borrow money, please send someone with this humble monk to retrieve it."
...
The next morning, Zhu Xiaosong first checked the several chests he had gathered, then went to the Great Hall to offer an incense stick to the Buddha.
Watching the curling smoke, Zhu Xiaosong clasped his hands in prayer and then mumbled softly, "Buddha, please forgive me. It's not that I wanted to leave you here, but there's no way I can take you with me, so you'll have to endure it for now."
Zhu Er and Zhu San also offered incense in the same manner as Zhu Xiaosong. Zhu Er, however, whispered, "Why don't we go borrow some handcarts from the nearby village?"
Zhu San whispered back, "Second Brother, don't joke. We're offering incense to the Buddha right now—aren't we heading to the Quanlin Imperial Palace later? That's an imperial palace; it's much better than Quanlin Temple!"
Speaking of which, Zhu San turned his gaze to Zhu Xiaosong, "Elder Brother, are we really going to smash the Quanlin Imperial Palace?"
Zhu Xiaosong grunted, "What's wrong?"
Zhu San said, "If we don't smash it, perhaps Qianlong Laogou and his corrupt officials will remain oblivious. But if we smash it, there will be no room for turning back!"