From Qingkou Town to Wuji Mountain, it is about a hundred miles, and there is no official road yet. Zhao Ran walked very quickly, climbing over mountains and ridges, crossing rivers and ditches, almost walking in a straight line, and arrived at the foot of Wuji Mountain in the afternoon.
It seemed that there had just been a heavy snowfall yesterday, and it was thickly covered on the mountain paths of Wuji Mountain. When Zhao Ran arrived, the fire workers of Heyuan were all cleaning the snow on the mountain paths, which was quite busy.
Zhao Ran saw Jiao Tan and Zhou Huai at a glance. Each of them was holding a big broom and sweeping the snow on both sides along the stone steps.
Zhao Ran is now the temple priest of Junshan Temple, and a figure at the level of eight deacons in Wuji Temple. Anyone who has heard of him knows that he also has an identity as a monk in the pavilion.
The Jingfang Jingtou who was in charge was Zhao Ran's classmate who studied scriptures with him in the Sutra Hall. He recognized him at a glance and came over to say hello and chat briefly.
"You go about your business, I just want to have a few words with Jiao Tan and Zhou Huai."
"Okay, Junior Brother Zhao... If Zhao Miaozhu needs anything, just say it. Do you need to go up and see the brothers? The Directorate of Supervision has not come back yet."
"Next time, I have something to do today and I have to go back to Junshan soon."
Jingfang Jingtou was too lazy to go up. He stood at the lowest stone step of the mountain path and shouted: "Jiao Tan, Zhou Huai!"
The two people looked up and looked down. They were stunned for a moment, then walked down together, past many fire workers who were clearing the snow, and walked directly to Zhao Ran.
They were very embarrassed when they met Zhao Ran. Four years ago, Zhao Ran was driven to the Junshan Temple that did not exist yet by Dong Zhikun to become a temple blessing that no one was very optimistic about. At that time, he tentatively asked Jiao Tan and Zhou.
Huai, do you have any intention to go to Junshan together?
Zhao Ran didn't say anything clearly in what he said, he just mentioned it casually, but neither of them had an answer, so Zhao Ran just gave it up.
After the two people stayed, they were not deliberately suppressed. Neither Dong Zhikun nor Zhang Ze really paid attention to small people like them, but it was extremely difficult to make any progress. Until now,
The two of them are still one in the water room and the other in the clean room. There is no change.
But this is normal. Most of the fire practitioners in the Taoist temple came here like this. When the ten years of fire residence are over, they can resign and return to their hometowns to live a decent life.
But what they didn't expect was that the small Junshan Temple would prosper and become famous not only in Guyang County, but also in the entire Long'an Prefecture.
Zhao Ran even transformed into an immortal master practicing in the pavilion, with a great reputation.
The two of them didn't know how to open their mouths. They just held the big broom and said: "Temple blessing..."
Zhao Ran smiled and asked: "I seem to remember that you have been a Huoju for almost ten years, right?"
Jiao Tan sighed and said, "Nine years have passed in the blink of an eye, and next year it's time to go back to my hometown."
Zhou Huaiye said: "I am two months behind Senior Brother Jiao."
Zhao Ran asked: "What are your plans after resigning?"
Both of them looked a little confused, and they didn't know how to answer for a while.
After a moment of silence, one person said: "Go home and study..."
Another said: "Go home and do business with your elders..."
In the Taoist Shifang jungle, most of the firework laymen have no chance to receive the ultimatum. After the ten years are over and they have contributed to the peace and wealth of their families, they can only choose to return to their hometowns.
These people are not the eldest sons of the family, and most of them are even concubines. In the past ten years, those who know how to work hard, have a better life, have wide contacts, and have great skills, will naturally be relied upon by the clan after they return;
Those who are first-class can accumulate some money for the family, and the Taoist sect also supports them to establish a new branch and live separately; those who do nothing, except for a talisman for themselves, usually feel confused and uncomfortable.
Jiao Tan and Zhou Huai were in the last situation. Their uncertainty about their future life position made them feel at a loss. Just like Lin Shuangwen, a layman of the fire industry in Xizhenwu Palace, even though he had no shortage of food and clothing after returning home,
, but still came to Junshan to seek refuge with Zhao Ran.
Zhao Ranyin said: "You probably know that my situation in Junshan has improved a lot since it was founded. When I entered Wujiyuan, I was well cared for by the two brothers, and now I have some abilities.
You can put some thought into it.”
The two men immediately listened attentively, showing hope.
"I have two suggestions. One is that you continue to work in Wujiyuan for ten years, resign and return to your hometown. If you want to be an official, take the exam, and I will guarantee you a county exam, and there will be no problem in the government exam.
, there is nothing I can do. Or if you want to buy land to start a family, or want to make a living, I will also find a way to deal with you..."
"What about the second option?"
"Secondly, if you don't want to leave the Taoist sect, you should first go to Dian Zaofang and resign. Although the contract was signed for ten years, it doesn't matter one or two years in advance. I know that every year in Wuji Yuan, there are people queuing up to wait for the fire master.
You are making way for others, and it is too late for Dian Zaofang to be happy. After resigning, come to Junshan to find me, but you can only continue to be a fire dweller, and you will find a way to accept the ultimatum after a few years."
After listening, the two men hesitated for a while.
Seeing that the two of them could not make up their minds, Zhao Ran said again: "The Huoju in Junshan Temple is different from other places. It is about doing things seriously. But there is no rush in this matter. I went back and thought about it carefully. After I figured it out, I resigned and came to Junshan. I don't want to do it anymore.
It doesn’t matter if you are a Taoist, we will still be good friends from now on.”
Everyone has different opportunities for creation, and Zhao Ran can only go so far. Jiao Tan and Zhou Huai missed an opportunity four years ago, and they don't know if they can seize it this time.
Zhao Ran didn't stay too long in Wujiyuan, and rushed back to Junshan after saying what needed to be said. Although he only left for less than a month, it made Zhao Ran feel like he was in another world. He had never thought about it before going there.
, to be able to achieve his goal at this point, even ten days ago, he was almost considering the option of giving up his cultivation and starting over with the Lou Guan Sect's own skills.
When I left, there was only a thin layer of snow in Junshan, but when I came back, it was covered with snow and covered with snow. Zhao Ran was very satisfied, as this heralded a good harvest in the coming year.
Zhao Ran entered the Jade Emperor's Palace and found that several Junshan people were praying and offering incense, but there was no one on duty in the palace. Not only Jin Jiu was not there, but Lin Shuangwen and Qu Fenghe were not there either. He couldn't help but feel a little angry. He thought to himself that these guys have only just had their day.
If you feel better, are you starting to slack off?
According to the rules of Junshan Temple, Guan Er and Lu Jin are responsible for the security and inspection of Junshan area. Zhong Sanlang often travels between villages on weekdays, playing a role in transmitting public sentiments. It is normal for them to be absent. But Jin Jiu, Lin Shuangwen and Qu Fenghe
The three people who have learned scriptures all have the duty to pay respect to pilgrims. If no one is here at this time, it would be a dereliction of duty.