Chapter 226: Chapter 226: Drought (Part 2)
County Magistrate Lei had been waiting for this moment! He immediately whispered, "In response to the Commandery Princess, this grain was ’voluntarily’ donated by White Cloud Temple."
As for how to get White Cloud Temple to ’volunteer,’ there’s a whole art to it.
For example, County Magistrate Lei frequently visited and sighed over the hardships of livelihood in front of Master Pusuan. Occasionally, he would mention the Commandery Princess’s heroic stature when she wiped out bandits. This year, with the Commandery Princess again leading her trusted aide to inspect the fourteen counties, County Magistrate Lei felt more confident and assertive.
In short, White Cloud Temple "donated" half of the offerings from its devotees to Buddha. Consequently, the Taiping Grain Warehouse is fully stocked, enough for Zhi County to survive this year’s drought.
Jiang Shaohua uttered a sound of acknowledgment, raising an eyebrow with a slight, enigmatic smile: "White Cloud Temple is quite generous."
County Magistrate Lei, keeping a straight face, smiled and said, "Buddha is merciful. Protecting followers is only right."
Jiang Shaohua smiled faintly.
That’s why negligence is unacceptable. Whether it’s urging or motivating, the attitude of county magistrates in performing their duties has become much more active during this year’s inspection of the counties. This is indeed commendable!
Because of the drought, Jiang Shaohua’s discontent quietly dissipated a lot.
After spending a day inspecting the grain warehouse, the next day, County Magistrate Lei eagerly suggested, "White Cloud Temple is bustling with incense, the most spiritually effective. Why doesn’t the Commandery Princess visit White Cloud Temple, offer incense to Buddha, and pray for rain? Perhaps, with Buddha’s divine intervention, Nanyang County might soon see rain."
Jiang Shaohua thought for a moment and said, "I never believed in Buddha and don’t care for temple visits. However, since County Magistrate Lei said it reasonably, then arrange for my visit to White Cloud Temple."
County Magistrate Lei’s spirit lifted as he quickly agreed with a smile.
In his mind, he calculated swiftly. As a county magistrate, his leverage on White Cloud Temple relied heavily on the Commandery Princess’s authority. With the Commandery Princess visiting White Cloud Temple, he could also create a stir within White Cloud Temple.
Jiang Shaohua fully understood County Magistrate Lei’s calculations but did not expose them.
Her visit to White Cloud Temple was not solely to support County Magistrate Lei but also for the people of Zhi County to witness.
If the heavens won’t bring rain, the Commandery Princess personally offers incense to pray to Buddha, asking for rain on behalf of the people. When the severe drought comes, fields yield poorly, and sustenance becomes scarce, the people won’t have much interest in believing in Buddha.
By then, when the county government opens the warehouse to distribute grain and promotes the Commandery Princess’s benevolence, the people will know that the person providing them food is none other than the Nanyang County Princess. The day of allegiance will not be too far away.
...
The Commandery Princess’s visit to White Cloud Temple is also significant for White Cloud Temple.
This Nanyang County Princess is strategic and capable. Having dealt with her last year, Master Pusuan suffered silently and dared not underestimate her. Upon receiving news, he immediately ordered the entire temple to prepare.
The current guest monk named Ci Huai is much more gentle and soft compared to his senior brother Ci’en. Upon Master Pusuan’s command, Ci Huai immediately busied himself, leading several martial monks to clean inside and outside White Cloud Temple thoroughly.
Ci’en now follows Master Pusuan, chanting scriptures and worshiping Buddha, having had much of his previous arrogance worn down. Privately, he still spoke plenty.
"The Commandery Princess will come to White Cloud Temple tomorrow. What does Master plan to do?"
Master Pusuan glanced at his disciple dismissively: "The Commandery Princess comes to offer incense and worship Buddha, praying for rain for the people of Zhi County out of benevolence. We should act as we usually do."
"Just like this?" Ci’en felt somewhat aggrieved, showing a hint of resentment: "In the past six months, County Magistrate Lei has abused his power frequently. A lot of the incense offerings we’ve accumulated in White Cloud Temple over the years have been taken by County Magistrate Lei. The grain in those Taiping Grains Warehouses belongs to White Cloud Temple. With the Commandery Princess visiting, Master should say something."
Master Pusuan glanced at him again: "From your perspective, how should it be said?"
Ci’en immediately became enthusiastic: "Since the grain has been donated, it’s impossible to take it back. We must establish our reputation and let the people know. In the future, when the county government opens the grain warehouses, it will be our White Cloud Temple they thank."
Master Pusuan sighed: "Your skill in self-cultivation is insufficient. Enough, tomorrow you should stay in the Zen room and not show your face."
Ci’en: "..."
Ci’en widened his eyes incredulously, mouth agape: "Master! What did I say wrong?"
"Your intention to consider White Cloud Temple is inherently correct," Master Pusuan said softly: "Your mistake was not understanding the Commandery Princess’s personality."
"If White Cloud Temple wishes to keep its incense flourishing, it must bow to the Commandery Princess and act in accordance with her wishes. Otherwise, disaster will be imminent."
Ci’en’s face altered repeatedly, gritting his teeth: "Should we just let ourselves be bullied like this? In a couple of days, Old Madam Xue will come to White Cloud Temple. Does the Commandery Princess dare to suppress White Cloud Temple in front of Old Madam Xue?"
Master Pusuan no longer wished to waste words, giving a terse command: "As long as the Commandery Princess remains in Zhi County, you should stay out of sight."
Ci’en: "..."
...
The next day, Jiang Shaohua entered White Cloud Temple. Song Yuan and Liu Hengchang led a group of personal soldiers in the entourage.
Eight hundred robust trusted aides wielded sharp weapons, guarding both inside and outside White Cloud Temple, instantly adding a solemn, intimidating atmosphere not seen on regular days.
Whether intentional or unintentional, it was indeed an impressive show of force.
Master Pusuan led the temple disciples to greet her: "I am Pusuan, honored to welcome the Commandery Princess’s arrival." The disciples clasped their hands together in respect, bowing deeply.
Jiang Shaohua smiled warmly: "Rise, everyone!"
In truth, seeing White Cloud Temple from another perspective, it’s comparable to the Tang Family in Xi’e County or the Ma Family in Biyang County, both top households in Nanyang County. As long as they bow in submission and obey Prince Mansion’s orders, and don’t hesitate when they need to contribute, the Commandery Princess’s tolerance can always be accommodating.
Master Pusuan, seeing the Commandery Princess as approachable and friendly, understood in his heart and welcomed the Commandery Princess into the Buddhist Hall.
Jiang Shaohua, in her previous life accompanying Empress Dowager Zheng in the palace, saw such devout worship frequently; with her familiar ease and elegance, her actions of offering incense and making wishes were entirely flawless.
Master Pusuan, not knowing the reason, assumed she had practiced privately and felt quite gratified: "The Commandery Princess, with her concern for the people, specially prays for rain. Buddha, moved by the Commandery Princess’s benevolence, will surely grant the precious rain."
Jiang Shaohua responded with a smile: "I hope, as Master Pusuan said, it rains soon to alleviate the drought so the people can harvest more grain."
Master Pusuan clasped his hands together: "Buddha is merciful."
Jiang Shaohua smiled faintly: "In my heart, White Cloud Temple is the embodiment of Buddha."
The implication being, if Buddha doesn’t bring rain, resulting in crop failure, then it’s Buddha who must compensate.
Master Pusuan uttered another "Oh Buddha": "If that day comes, White Cloud Temple will set up porridge booths to aid the people."
One can only choose between fame and gain; being too greedy is not wise.