"Mingyue, get two doses of medicine for the old gentleman."
The old Taoist shouted, holding a writing brush in his hand, he quickly wrote the prescription on the paper.
The little Taoist priest hurried over, took the medicine according to the prescription, crushed it with a medicine roller, and wrapped it in lotus leaves. In the meantime, he had to deal with other patients. He was so busy working that a layer of sweat formed on his forehead.
The old man stood awkwardly and watched the little Taoist priest busy. When he took the medicine wrapped in lotus leaves, his hands were shaking a little. He walked up to Taoist Ji Xin and hesitated to speak. He waited for Taoist Ji Xin to finish the medicine for another patient and then spread the medicine.
He opened his palms and murmured in a low voice: "God, please have mercy. The little old man is from the north and has just found a place to live. The child just found a job at the ferry yesterday. The wages will not be paid until next month. I only have these few pennies in my hand."
…”
Taoist Ji Xin wrote another person's prescription and handed it to Mingyue to grab the medicine. He looked up at the old man and sighed softly, "Old man, these are enough for the medicine. Don't worry about the medical expenses. It won't be too late to send them to you when your family is rich. First,
Let’s put it in the account.”
After Taoist Ji Xin finished recording everything in his thick account book, the old man left with a grateful face.
Qin Sang sat at the end, watching the master and apprentice busy and their thoughts wandering. Unknowingly, the sky had darkened, and there were only two people in front of him who were helping him up the mountain.
I saw more than a dozen patients in a row, but more than half of them came from the north. Most of them were billed for consultation, and some couldn't even pay for medicine. One afternoon, in addition to a couple who came to ask for talismans to ward off evil spirits, an old lady
Asking for signatures, there was no one who offered incense, and the old Taoist failed to put in any money. However, there was no trace of impatience on the faces of the master and the disciple, which made Qin Sang sigh with emotion.
"Little brother, lift your legs."
After the patient in front had finished reading, Qin Sang walked over with a stick and lifted the injured leg as instructed by the veteran.
Watching the old Taoist finish writing the prescription, ordering the medicine to be taken, and then keeping accounts, Qin Sang couldn't hide the fatigue in his voice. Qin Sang's heart moved slightly, and he said softly: "Taoist Master, I heard that there is a steady stream of people fleeing from the north, and they will come to see you for medical treatment in the future.
There must be more and more people. There are only two of you and the Taoist priest in the temple, and we have to go up the mountain to collect herbs. I'm afraid we will be too busy..."
Without saying anything, Qin Sang glanced out of the corner of his eye and saw the little Taoist priest's eyes shining brightly, looking at the master expectantly.
Taoist Ji Xin didn't even raise his head, and interrupted Qin Sang, "Little brother, you have just seen the situation in the temple. The believers who come and go are all poor people. The poor Taoist has the will but the power to do it. He can't make a few pennies in a year, and he can't support him.
Even a Taoist priest can’t afford to pay his little brother’s monthly salary.”
Little Taoist Priest Mingyue's eyes dimmed and he pouted.
Qin Sang didn't expect the old Taoist to speak so directly, but he didn't give up so easily. He said with a smile: "To be honest with you, Taoist Master, I really want to find a place to stay. Unfortunately, I accidentally injured my leg and it was difficult to find a way out. I just saw two people."
The Taoist priest was busy, so he came up with the idea. I don’t ask for monthly money, I just want a shelter from the wind and rain, and food to eat."
Taoist Ji Xin raised his head and glanced at Qin Sang, stroking his long beard and said: "Brother, you are in your prime years. Why should you go to the ferry to find a decent job so that you can start a family? This is the right way."
Seeing that Taoist Jixin's tone was relaxed, Qin Sang quickly struck while the iron was hot, "Taoist Master Mingjian, I have studied with the Master in the village for several years. I can write and draw. I can help the Taoist Master transcribing records and grinding herbs. I will follow you after the injury is healed."
You go up the mountain to collect medicine. If the Taoist priest doesn't mind, just keep me for a month to try. If I really can't use it, then drive me down the mountain..."
Taoist Ji Xin was indeed moved. He squinted his eyes and looked at Qin Sang for a long time, "That's all. I am a poor old Taoist, and I am not afraid of my little brother trying to be poor."
As he spoke, Taoist Ji Xin took the brush and pulled out a piece of yellow paper.
"Write two words and let me see."
Qin Sang took the pen, dictated a few words, and looked at Taoist Ji Xin anxiously.
He didn't know how to use a calligraphy brush in his previous life, but fortunately Qin Sanwa learned it, but the writing was quite difficult. He could only say that it was not broken and he could understand it, and there were still two words that he had not written.
However, Qin Sang also understood that this world is similar to the ancient times in previous lives. There are very few people who can read, and he can be regarded as a high-level talent.
Seeing Taoist Ji Xin holding the yellow paper in silence, Qin Sang said, "I have been eager to learn since childhood. Unfortunately, there have been changes in my family. I have only studied for a few years. If I am accepted by the Taoist priest, I will definitely study hard and practice hard in the future."
.”
"Alright."
Taoist Ji Xin nodded, "The Taoist temple is full of Taoist scriptures and medical scriptures. If my little brother is willing, you can read the scriptures with Mingyue at night. Also, the conditions in the Taoist temple are simple and the food is not very good. How can I endure it?"
"Taoist Master, just call me Qin Sang," Qin Sang said quickly, "I also come from a poor family and can endure hardships. Don't worry, I will abide by the rules and regulations and not cause you any trouble."
Taoist Jixin shook his head and said, "You have never become a monk, so there is no need to be too restrictive. There is only one thing: you are not allowed to bring women into Hutianhu. Outside the Taoist temple, poor Taoists will not restrict you, but if you act recklessly and cause trouble,
It has nothing to do with Pindao. You have to speak up now. Don’t blame Pindao for being unkind in the future.”
Finally, he was taken in, and Qin Sang agreed, "I will obey the Taoist Master's instructions."
…
"Mr. Qin, no one lives in any of the houses here. You can choose one. I'll cook first and bring you the bedding and Taoist robes in the evening."
After taking Qin Sang in, Taoist Ji Xin waived the medical fee and asked Mingyue to take Qin Sang to the back to choose a place to live. Bedding and Taoist robes were given as gifts. From now on, he would also eat with them, and Mingyue was responsible for cooking.
"Junior brother Mingyue, we both work under the Taoist priest. I am a few years older than you, so you can call me senior brother. Calling me young master is too awkward."
Qin Sang pulled Mingyue Tao close to him, "I'll help you light the fire in a moment. You can introduce me first. Which house do you and the Taoist priest live in?"
Mingyue lived with Lao Tao and had never had many friends. Suddenly a senior brother came and felt close to her. She pointed to a room with a smile and said crisply: "Brother, master and I live there!"
Qin Sang looked over and saw that Mingyue was pointing to the row of houses behind Qingyang Hall.
The entire Qingyang Temple has four entrances. There are three rows of houses behind the Qingyang Temple, with six rooms in one row. A stone-step path in the middle leads to the end of the Taoist temple, with three rooms on each side.
The houses are all made of stone, and the frame is intact. Only the roof is severely damaged.
Taoist Ji Xin and Mingyue lived in the three rooms on the left in the first row.
Mingyue pointed to the other three rooms and said: "These houses have beds made of bamboo. If there are lay people staying overnight, or the patients have no time to go down the mountain, they can stay here. The patients sometimes don't need any money, and the lay people pay a penny a night and don't have to eat."
Qin Sang followed Mingyue and listened to his introduction.
Arriving at the last row of houses, Qin Sang suddenly heard the sound of gurgling water and walked up. It turned out that Qingyang Temple had no back wall and ended up in a large bamboo forest. Deep in the bamboo forest, spring water flowed down from the top of the mountain, forming a stream through the forest.
As we passed, the spring water was tinkling, birds were chirping and insects were chirping, and the environment was very quiet.