This was not the first time for Chu Chen to come to Wanquan County. He came to the Guishensi Yamen of the County with ease.
As the deputy governor of the county, he did not need anyone else to inform and guide him, so he went straight to the governor's compound.
As soon as he arrived at the Duguan compound, a monk wearing cassocks and a kind face greeted him, led him into the courtyard pavilion and sat down, served him tea and water, and said with a smile:
"Fellow Taoist Lingxiao, how come you have time to come to the county today?"
Chu Chen took the teacup and held it in his hand:
"Thank you Master Tongda."
The monk who entertained Chu Chen was none other than the governor of the Ghost and God Division of Wanquan County. He was called Master Tongda and was from the Vajra Temple, a major Buddhist sect.
He was born in a Buddhist sect, but he defeated countless Taoist masters and took the post of governor of Wanquan County. Master Tongda's strength is evident. He is a top fifth-grade expert, ranked among the Crouching Dragon and Phoenix Young Rankings, and is expected to reach the realm of great supernatural powers.
The Buddha Immortal Miao has extraordinary magical powers and is the true overlord of the party.
If a strong person with great magical powers does not come out, a strong person like Tongda Mage can basically walk sideways.
"Fellow Taoist Lingxiao, are you encountering difficulties in the construction of the Taoist temple? It is better to urge the doctor to train manpower. If it is the latter, I will be unable to do anything. We will have to wait for a few days."
"That's not true, I have other things to do."
Chu Chen had dealt with Master Tongda several times, and he knew his character well. He was a compassionate and eminent monk, so he immediately told the truth about his trip to the Golden Toad Festival to redeem his fellow human beings.
"Master, I am here for the first time in Wanquan, Yunzhou. I don't understand the situation. I would like to ask if Yunzhou has any intention of issuing a rescue order in the near future?"
"Amitabha~"
Master Tongda pronounced the Buddha's name:
"It turns out that Fellow Daoist Lingxiao doesn't know that the rescue decree has been drafted in the past few days. The prince has given instructions. The imperial edict has been issued to all major states and counties. Once the frontline army suppresses the demon army, the eight southwest states will start to expand their borders.
The land will be used to build cities and towns, and it will be officially announced to the public at that time."
"Saving one life is better than building a seven-level pagoda. Fellow Daoist Lingxiao paid a large sum of money to redeem his compatriots without knowing the rescue order. He has a good temperament and I admire him!"
Chu Chen was overjoyed, not because he was praised by everyone, but because he heard good news.
If the Celestial Empire took action in this regard, the power it would unleash would be different.
At that time, thousands of human compatriots who have become monsters and beasts will be saved, protected by the Dachang Clan, and live a "human" life.
"Master, I wonder what the rescue order is like?"
Master Tongda smiled. As the deputy governor of the county, he was qualified to know the inside story. He would know it by just asking the superiors. He did not hide it, and said:
"It's similar to the previous rescue orders from Guanwaizhou County. Whether it's redemption or rescuing our fellow human beings from demons, the Celestial Court will reward us at 70% of the market price."
When Chu Chen heard this, he felt happy.
For example, in the demon market, an ordinary adult male and female slave costs about 100 jade. If you redeem it and give it to the Celestial Court, the official subsidy will be 70 jade.
At first glance, it seems like a loss.
However, many people who practice the right path are happy to suffer "losses".
Saving someone's life is a great merit.
Rescuing fellow human beings is the best way to accumulate merits, which is more meritorious than slaying demons.
A true Taoist monk does not value external things such as money, but only values two things, one is to refine oneself and become a Taoist, and the other is to help the world and save others.
There is a Celestial Court that subsidizes spiritual practice. For a truly righteous monk, there is no better thing than this.
To say the least, many monks do not redeem people honestly.
For example, a serious and honest man like Chu Chen did not simply redeem people, but saved his compatriots, stepped on the spot, and directly killed the demons in one go.
Afterwards, not only did he not lose money, but he made a fortune.
If the rescued people are handed over to the Chinese authorities for resettlement, he can get an additional reward.
In this way, rescuing fellow human beings not only performed meritorious deeds, but also benefited from it.
Because of this, once a rescue order is issued, many people will participate in the rescue, and countless fellow human beings who have fallen into the hands of demons will be liberated.
Chu Chen felt relieved when he learned that the rescue order was about to be issued.
He has been caught in the rain, feels the same way, and is willing to hold an umbrella for others.
However, manpower is sometimes poor, and his own strength is limited. He can only hold up an umbrella to protect a few people from the wind and rain, but in the end it is only a drop in the bucket.
When the heaven takes action, the big umbrella it holds can cover the sky and the sun with great force.
"Fellow Daoist Lingxiao, a better time than a good time. Although the redemption order has not been announced to the world, Mr. Mingjing has stamped it with a treasure seal and it is now in effect. The Immortal Court will reward you."
Master Tongda thought of something and added:
"You deserve this reward, so don't refuse it."
Chu Chen was not a hot-blooded boy, so he naturally knew why Master Tongda emphasized that he should accept the bounty.
Having lived in two lifetimes, he knew the allusions of "Zigong redeems people" very well.
Rejecting bounty subsidies satisfies personal ethics and greatly damages public ethics. This is a bad start.
"That poor Taoist would be disrespectful."
"Great kindness!"
Master Tongda nodded slightly in approval.
The two had another conversation, talking about all aspects of Wanquan in Yunzhou and even the entire Border Prefecture and County.
"It is not easy to open up territory and expand territory. It is like a mortal planting grass in the desert. After finally opening up a land and building a place, the evil winds and demonic winds will come over, and the wind and sand will sweep over the sky and cover the earth. If you are not careful, all the previous efforts will be in vain."
“It’s very difficult to open up frontier areas and it’s extremely difficult.”
Although Master Tongda was complaining in his tone, his eyes were firm and showed no fear or flinch. He was just expressing his feelings.
Chu Chen nodded slightly and quite agreed with Master Tongda's words.
Oasis in the desert are precious.
The cities in Bianhuang County are oases of life, miracles and hope.
It is precisely because countless people with lofty ideals came to the wilderness one after another to contribute their efforts, and the desert oasis was born out of united will.
Chu Chen wanted to say something, but Master Tongda cupped his hand again before he could speak:
"Fellow Taoist Lingxiao, we people are planting grass in the desert, but fellow Taoist is planting trees in the desert. Whether we in Wanquan County can take root deeply depends on our fellow Taoist's enlightenment, educating people and planting trees."
"Master's words are serious."
When Chu Chen heard this, he understood what Master Tongda meant.
Only with big trees taking root deep in the earth can we keep water and soil from being lost, and only then can we hope to build a building that can withstand monstrous sandstorms.
It takes ten years to grow trees and a hundred years to cultivate people.
Chu Chen felt a heavy feeling.
Immediately, he nodded slightly and said quite solemnly:
"Master, I will run the Taoist temple with all my heart, and try my best to cultivate towering trees that take root in the earth for Wanquan County, and prosper my Wanquan County!"
After finishing speaking, Chu Chen had a clear idea.
Unknowingly, he clarified his future path of spiritual practice - to work hard and teach others until the day he came to Shuimu Tsinghua University.