The Monk That Wanted To Renounce Asceticism

Songwu County’s county head, Qi Dongsheng, who had yet been promoted, couldn’t contain his laughter. He immediately got someone to begin the planning of this event and got someone to be responsible for the security and other jobs. He couldn’t help but be happy. This Frost Bamboo Tea Festival wasn’t just a tea event.

The main point was that a Southeast Asia tycoon and One Finger Village had jointly invested in a tea factory. The first round of funding exceeded a hundred million yuan!

This was definitely a huge fortune for the remote Songwu County!

To Qi Dongsheng, this was also a great achievement in his political career. He had received the best gift before his promotion.

In short, Songwu County was very lively… There was even the festive feeling of the new year.

However, there was one place that wasn’t worse than Songwu County. It was One Finger Monastery!

“Master, there are many people outside who came to ask for tea. They have been lining up outside for several days. They come early every day,” whispered Monkey.

Fangzheng waved his hand and said, “Let whoever created the trouble settle it. I’m very busy now. Don’t disturb my train of thought…”

Monkey said, “Patron Wang has no solution. Ever since our mountain restricted the growth of Frost Bamboo, the number of Frost Bamboo is limited. Furthermore, it’s winter and the Frost Bamboo sprout very slowly. With so many people, it’s not enough.”

When Fangzheng heard that, he put down the blade in his hand and looked up. “Why does This Penniless Monk have to give it to them when they come begging?”

Monkey was stunned.

Fangzheng said, “There’s no free lunch in the world. If there’s one, it’s definitely a trap. This Penniless Monk encourages everyone to do good, but a gift for no reason isn’t a good deed, but a disaster. Look at the entrance. There are so many people. If you give them a little, it will give them even more hope. They will wait longer. More people will come as well…”

Monkey was stunned. He had never considered this problem. He only felt that with so many people standing at the door, with many of them the elderly, he found them pitiful especially in this wintry land. That was why he came to Fangzheng.

Fangzheng said, “Jingzhen, you don’t have to worry about this matter. Just like what I said, let whoever created the trouble settle it. There’s no need for you to worry about others.”

Monkey scratched his head and said, “I’m afraid everyone will say nasty things about Master.”

Fangzheng laughed out loud. “What This Penniless Monk has done will be judged by the world and history. When it’s happening, few people can be clear about it, even if they are saints. Alright, the judgment of others doesn’t matter. What matters is this.”

Fangzheng pointed at the heart.

Monkey was enlightened as he pressed his palms together. “Master, I understand. I’ll go now.”

At the same time, a group of people stood at One Finger Monastery’s entrance. However, there was a path in the middle. It was reserved for visitors to offer incense.

“Master, that monkey has been inside for so long. Why isn’t he coming out? We’ve been here for two days already. We haven’t even drank a mouthful of hot water, much less a mouthful of Frost Bamboo tea.” The man who had watched the commercial squatted for a while before standing up again. He stomped his stiff feet and grumbled, “Master, why don’t we follow the local…”

The old man was also very cold. He held a hand warmer. When he heard the young man say that, his face sank. He cut him off and said, “How can pleading for something result in definite results? There are so many people waiting. Why are you the only one who’s anxious?”

The man said bitterly, “But… When will this waiting end? Furthermore, it’s just a little bit. Even if we split it equally, we won’t be able to get much of it.”

The old man said, “Whether we get it depends on fate. What’s the rush? Have you forgotten what I taught you?”

Seeing that the old man was a little angry, the man immediately became obedient and stopped talking. He rubbed his hands and jumped.

Beside the two sat a woman. She was wearing very thick clothing. In front of her was a small fire basin with a bag of charcoal behind her. Clearly, she had come prepared.

When the woman heard them, she chuckled. “I’m really impressed with the two of you. You guys didn’t prepare anything warm despite the cold mountain weather.”

The elder said with a bitter smile, “I thought I would be able to get it if I came. I never expected… Sigh…”

The woman pursed her lips and said with a smile, “You came here before you finished watching the advertisement, right?”

The old man subconsciously nodded.

The woman pointed at the group of people at the back and smiled. “No wonder. They came quite early. But the cold winds sent them back down the mountain. After they were ready, they ended up behind. You guys are interesting too. You didn’t even finish watching the advertisement before running here…”

The old man said with a bitter smile, “I never expected this tea to be so precious. There’s only 250 grams a year. It’s even more expensive than Da Hong Pao…”

The woman said with a sigh, “It’s indeed expensive. Otherwise, why would we be here? How should I address you?”

The elder said, “My surname is Tang…”

Before the old man could speak, they heard a delighted laugh from afar. “Oh my, Old Jia, you’re here too?”

Everyone turned to look and saw a rich-looking, middle-aged man approach with a smile on his face. He greeted another middle-aged man.

The other middle-aged man was balding, and he had come prepared as well. With a charcoal fire beside him, he looked much more comfortable.

When he saw the rich-looking, middle-aged man coming over, he also stood up and said, “Ah, Boss Qian. Boss Qian, you have always been a busy man. What brings you here to suffer the cold?”

“Haha, it’s all because of One Finger Monastery. Of all things, it had to do tea. The advertisements are everywhere, so I came to take a look and see what they are up to?” Boss Qian’s tone was clearly nasty.

The woman sitting beside Tang frowned when she saw Boss Qian. She cursed under her breath, “What bad luck. I actually ran into this bastard!”

Tang asked in surprise, “You know him?”

The woman nodded and introduced herself. “My name is Song Ming. My father likes history. My eldest brother’s name is Song Yuan. I’m the second child.”

Tang smiled and said, “Then if you had a younger brother, wouldn’t he be called Song Qing[1]?”

Song Ming shrugged. “Actually, that’s true.”

Tang immediately laughed. The man beside him also smiled and introduced himself, “Nice to meet you, Sister Song Ming. My name is Tang Chen. This is my grandfather, Tang…”

Elder Tang said, “Muddled Tang.”

Song Ming said in surprise, “Elder Tang, your name…”

Tang Hutu smiled and said, “It’s rare for one to be muddle-headed in one’s life. It’s good and relaxing to be muddle-headed. That’s why I’m called Muddled Tang.”

Song Ming smiled and said, “Old men like you are really…”

Tang Chen said, “Sister Song, tell me about Boss Qian. Why are you scolding him? Do you have a feud with him?”

Song Ming shook her head and said, “Not really. I just can’t stand his style of doing things.”

Tang Chen asked, “What do you mean?”

Song Ming said, “Elder Tang, do you know how China’s tea leaves were forced out of the European high-end market?”

Elder Tang nodded slightly, but Tang Chen asked in confusion, “Why? Sister Song, tell me.”

Song Ming smiled. “Alright, I’ll tell you.”

[1] It’s a play on the names of the last three dynasties of China, Yuan dynasty, Ming dynasty, Qing dynasty, so the ages of the three children would go according to the chronological order of the Chinese dynasties.