As the saying goes, the spring rain is cold to the bones, and the summer rain is as cold as the head. This means that the spring rain is freezing and biting on the body, making it easy for people to catch cold and get sick; the summer rain is fine when it hits the head, just like taking a bath.
The next day, Wang Jianguo, Li Guohua, Mr. Jia, Li Yanjing, and Yuan Fang all had fevers to varying degrees. Lao Tan asked Baolitu to rub the bodies of the three men to dissipate heat, while Yue Guimei was responsible for the women.
At the same time, they cooked hot noodle soup, adding a head of garlic to each bowl, and asked them to cover themselves with quilts and sweat after eating the noodles to force the coldness out of their bodies.
The five people broke out in sweat and fell into a deep sleep as if exhausted. When they woke up, their fever subsided.
When the five of them were having dinner in the evening, Mr. Jia made fun of Yuan Fang, saying that she almost died taking a photo, and even invited four people to accompany her. Everyone laughed.
Wang Jianguo said: "The main reason is that it disturbed the drinking situation and had to invite us to drink."
Yuan Fang said: "Don't worry, I will definitely treat you to a drink."
Li Guohua said: "It sounds very dangerous, but there is a deep stream below. If you fall, you will die."
Li Yanjing said: "I was shocked out of my mind at the time."
Yuan Fang said: "I wasn't too scared at the time, but I was scared after I came up, and my heart skipped a beat."
Lao Tan said: "It seems that that place is destined for you, so you should build a pavilion there."
A word reminded Yuan Fang, and she said: "Yes, build a pavilion there." Then she asked in a dilemma: "Where can I find a craftsman?"
"I'll ask you a knowledgeable person in the temple. He has connections with the craftsmen and knows how to repair it," Lao Tan said.
At this time Li Xia said: "If you want to practice cultivation, count it on me and give me some charity."
"Count me in too." Yue Guimei and Li Yanjing said at the same time.
The four women wanted to pay to build the pavilion. The three men looked at each other. Wang Jianguo said: "You build the pavilion and we will build the road. By the way, we will also build a pavilion at the Donggou Spring."
At this time, Mr. Jia said: "If you don't build a pavilion at the spring, you should build a well."
Lao Tan said: "Yes, instead of building a pavilion, build a well." Then he warned: "You have discussed it. If you really want to build it, I will go to the temple and ask."
Wang Jianguo said: "If you are really cultivating, then there are fake ones." Then he asked with his eyes, Li Guohua and Yuan Fang all nodded in acquiescence.
After dinner, it was dusk. The sun had set over the mountains, and the golden glow shrouded the mountains. The mountains and rivers were silent, and the valleys were leisurely.
Lao Tan left the pilgrim courtyard and came to the temple, and entered the old lama's Zen room on the east side of the main hall.
The old lama had just finished offering incense and was sitting on the earthen kang, twirling Buddhist beads and chanting sutras. He stopped when he saw Lao Tan coming in. He wanted to get down to greet him, but Lao Tan quickly stopped him. Then he put his slippers on the kang and sat down cross-legged.
A young lama made tea and brought it to them, and the two of them drank tea across the kang table.
Lao Tan took a sip and praised: "Good tea!"
"Gifted by pilgrims," the old lama said.
"This is the best Maofeng."
"I got a bracelet in return."
"It's a pity that I don't like bracelets, otherwise I would have to ask for one."
"As long as you have Buddha in your heart."
Old Tan laughed and then told Wang Jianguo and others about the donation to build the pavilion, road and well. The old lama said it was a good thing and told the rules.
The rule is to find a craftsman in the temple, and the donor will explain to the craftsman the project to be repaired. For example, what kind of pavilion to build, what materials to use, how high, how big, etc. The craftsman will start work and materials according to the requirements and calculate the cost.
The donor then gave the money to the monk Zhike, who was responsible for supervising the construction and paying the wages.
Why should we give money to the monk Zhike? Because the pilgrims who go up to give alms often go down the mountain after giving money, and it is not certain when they will come back. Only the monk Zhike worked hard on the project. Another point is what kind of repair and how to repair it.
What's the point? If the talisman conforms to the rules of the temple, the temple has the final say. If you can't donate it, people can repair it however they want. That would cause chaos.
The old lama asked someone to call the monk Zhike, and asked the monk Zhike to contact the craftsman to go up the mountain.
After the monk Zhike left, Lao Tan wanted to leave, but the old lama stopped him.
"Donor, who is the young man following you?"
Old Tan knew that he was asking about Baolitu and said, "He is one of my employees, his name is Baolitu."
"Is he here to take care of you?" the old lama asked.
"Yes." Lao Tan nodded and asked with enlightenment, "Master, do you think he has a destiny with Buddha?"
The old lama nodded and said, "He is my Buddha."
Lao Tan was surprised, "Really?"
Seeing Lao Tan's surprise, the old lama asked: "Does the donor believe in reincarnation?"
"To be honest, I don't believe it, but Buddhism talks about the six paths of reincarnation, which is also one of the main doctrines of Brahmanism. If people don't seek ultimate liberation, they will naturally live in the six paths endlessly, so there is the theory of reincarnation.
This is also the compassion of our Buddha and the way in which merit is given. After three lives, three lives, and six reincarnations, only after experiencing all the suffering in the world can we save people from suffering and achieve happiness.
It is not superstitious to explain it with current scientific explanations. The space we live in is not just three-dimensional, there are four-dimensional, five-dimensional, and six-dimensional existences. The soul depends on it and the soul exists naturally outside the three-dimensional world. It is a world that we cannot see.
It's normal to have reincarnation," Lao Tan said.
"The donor can see clearly," the old lama said.
"I can't see through it. It's just that after taking this employee up the mountain, I found many phenomena in him that were not seen before. It seemed that he was born with a predestined relationship with Buddha."
"He was originally from my Buddhist sect, and he met you because of cause and effect." The old lama said.
"Master means-"
"I hope the benefactor will be successful." The old lama gave a slight salute.
Lao Tan said: "Master, I can't make the decision. I have to go back and ask him. I also have to ask for his sister's opinion. He has a sister."
"good."
It was already dark when Lao Tan came out of the temple. The mountains were shadowy in the distance, and the sounds of trees and wind could be heard from the mountains, as if they were whispering.
A lone lamp was on in front of the temple, and everything was dark and quiet.
Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, returning to the primitiveness makes people feel as calm as water.
There is no need to worry about who will disturb you, and there is no need to fantasize about feasting and feasting. There are no grudges or intrigues in the world. There is just peace, nature, primitiveness, a place of heaven and earth, a day and a night, sunrise and sunset.
Lao Tan walked slowly, feeling vaguely that this might be the home of the reckless Baolitu, but he was not sure whether it would be good or bad for Baolitu.
Maybe that's okay, he thought.
The night is quiet and warm.
He wanted to sit for a while, so he sat on the ground and let the mountain breeze caress him.
In the provincial capital, the night market barbecue food stalls in Santaizi Market are filled with smoke, and the alluring smell of cumin chili noodles wafts far away, attracting people passing by.
Zhang Li, Zhongqing, Hua Qing, Wang Hong, and Lao Fang were eating skewers and drinking wine at Laoba BBQ restaurant.
Zhongqing just came back from Beijing and hasn't arrived home yet.
"How's it going in Beijing?" Zhang Li asked.
"It's good. Even though it's hot, there are not many people eating dumplings." Zhongqing said.
"Our provincial capital is better than last year," Hua Qing said, and continued to eat the chicken head.
"I think the first day of the Lunar New Year is quite good. I heard from his family that Zhang Xiangdong is planning to open a store again." Wang Hong said.
"Well, I've heard about it too, and I'm planning to open it next to our house." Zhang Li said.
"What's going on? Are you fighting with our family?" Hua Qing got excited and spat out the chicken bones in his mouth.
"I guess they knew that Lao Tan was ill, and since our family won't open a store this year, we wanted to seize the market," Zhang Li said.
"Then he underestimated Master Tan too much. I think Master Tan's strategy is right. Others take advantage of the good market and start to expand. We cultivate our internal strength and stabilize the market. In the end, we will win." Zhongqing said.
"When he opens a store, he has to come to ours to poach people." Wang Hong said worriedly.