Kingdom of Heaven and Han

Chapter 1030 Wine and Food

After hearing this, Father Meng thought for a while and said, "Maybe." Then he said nothing again.

Xu Cai and Chen Yun had no choice but to chat for a while and then left.

Father Meng sent the two of them out without asking them to stay or saying anything about staying for dinner.

When he came outside the house, Xu Cai said: "This is the human world. Even if my son is made a god by the court, he can't stop the people who live in the human world from messing around. The biggest fear of temples is that there are few people. Now the temple in Mengdu is here, but it is I asked his father to visit the temple, alas——"

After saying that, the two walked towards the village. Not far away, I saw a middle-aged member of staff walking towards me.

Walking up to him, the middle-aged member asked, "May I ask if you two are officials from Beijing?"

Xu Cai said: "We are not from Beijing, but from Luoyang."

The middle-aged member said happily: "Isn't Luoyang Xijing? When we talk about Luoyang here, we are used to saying that we are from Beijing. I am Li Zhengli Quming from the local area. When you come to the local area, I should be the one hosting you. I haven't received any news before. How offending."

Xu Cai said: "It turns out to be the local Li Zheng. We have something to ask you."

Li Quming said: "Since you have something to ask me, you can ask me during dinner. My home is in the village in front. Let's go over and have dinner together."

Including Li Zheng, all officials now have money. Li Quming, for example, now has thirty-six guan of money every year, and his family is free from corvee. Someone from above came down and was entertained by Yuri Zheng, who paid two hundred cents for a meal. In the countryside, Li Zheng always made money out of a meal of two hundred cents, so Li Quming was very active.

The village where Li Quming lives is about three miles away from Chuantou Village. Several people were talking and walking, and they arrived quickly.

Li Quming's home is at the east end of the village, not far from Luohe River. A fence surrounds a large yard, with five thatched cottages as the main house and three side rooms next to it. Five peach trees were planted in the yard, and the peach blossoms were in full bloom at this time.

After entering the courtyard, Li Quming took some handouts and asked everyone to sit down. The daughter-in-law poured tea and urged everyone to drink it.

After taking a sip of tea, Li Quming said: "I wonder if you two have anything to ask? We country people are stupid, so don't be dissatisfied."

Xu Cai said: "Last year, Meng Hujun's temple was built in the next village. We went to see it. Why does it seem so deserted there?"

Li Quming said: "It's all the fault of Father Meng, who is looking at the temple! He thinks that Mengdu is his son, and the temple must be done according to his wishes. Originally, a market was formed in front of the Mengdu temple two months ago. As a result, Mengdu was his son. The father thought it was too noisy and had to shut it down. When the market was closed, he went to the county government office to make trouble. He was the father of the guardian, and the county government could not offend him. In the end, the county magistrate couldn't stand it anymore, so he closed the market. It was closed. Since then, there have been fewer and fewer people visiting Mengdu Temple, and now it’s much deserted.”

Xu Cai said: "Why is Father Meng like this! In a temple, of course, the more people the better, what is the so-called fireworks atmosphere? It seems to be deserted now, and there are many fewer people going! If Meng Dou became a god, he wouldn't Love this!"

Li Quming said: "Who says it's not the case?"

Xu Cai said: "This won't work! Mengdu won the honor of protecting the army and built temples and sacrifices. It is an honor given by the country. How can he be limited to the calculations of one family? The county magistrate will take care of this matter! If Father Meng does not change, Then let someone else look after the temple!”

Chen Yun said: "Allowing family members to see the temple is a decision of the court and a reward for the hero's family. If Father Meng is not allowed to see the temple, who will be allowed to see the temple?"

Xu Cai said: "Except for Father Meng, there can't be anyone left in the Xu family!"

Li Quming shook his head: "Except for Father Meng, there is really no one in the Meng family. Meng Du's brother is too young and not old enough. If he is old enough, the county magistrate will definitely replace Old Meng with Meng Hujun's brother Daddy."

"This is a bit difficult to handle." Xu Cai frowned.

At this moment, Xu Cai's family prepared lunch and served it. There was also a gourd of wine, and I poured a bowl each for Xu Cai and Chen Yun. Xu Cai picked up the wine and drank a bowl. The wine tasted strong and he couldn't help but frown.

The wine was strong liquor brought from the supply and marketing cooperative. It was only aged for three months. It tasted more spicy but lacked flavor. But for country people like Li Quming, this wine is full of flavor and cheap, making it a very good wine.

After having enough wine and food, I looked up at the sun in the sky, which had already passed its zenith.

Xu Cai stood up and said to Li Qushi: "Thank you Li Zheng for your hospitality. Thank you later. Let's walk around again and listen to the voices of the people."

After bidding farewell to Li Quming, Xu Cai said to Chen Yun: "Let's go to the county town and see how the Mengdu Temple in the city is. It is not affected by Father Meng, so it should be different."

The two of them got on the road, crossed the river at Luohe Ferry, and headed all the way to Pucheng County.

When we arrived at Pucheng County, it was already dark. Since the Mengdu Temple was outside the city, they found an inn to stay.

Early the next morning, the two of them left the city and walked directly to the Mengdu Temple in the east of the city. On the way, I saw an endless stream of people going to Mengdu Temple. And many people were holding incense candles, obviously going to offer sacrifices.

Xu Cai said: "It seems that the temples in the county are much more lively than those in the countryside."

When we got closer, we saw a large temple standing outside the city. Not only is there a temple, but it is also surrounded by walls. Outside the temple gate, there are many people selling things.

When I walked to the temple, I saw a guest standing outside the door. Whenever a pilgrim approaches, Zhike will put his hands together and salute. After entering the temple gate and walking through a large square, you arrived in front of the five-room main hall. When you step into the main hall, you will see the statue of Mengdu. It's just like in Mengdu Village, except that the eyes are deeper.

There are several mats in front of the statue for people to worship.

Xu Cai and Chen Yun stepped forward and couldn't help but bowed a few times.

The two turned around and left the main hall, looked around, and Xu Cai said: "This temple is handed over to the monks. I don't know which temple the monks are from. It's so prosperous."

Chen Yun said: "Let's go and ask."

After asking Zhike, I found out that they were monks from Longquan Temple dozens of miles away, and the abbot was not in the temple today. The monk was not supposed to be the abbot of such a temple, but the abbot admired Mengdu deeply and took the initiative to bring his disciples to be the abbot.

They thanked the monk Zhike and walked to the temple gate. Looking at the crowds of pilgrims, Xu Cai said: "This is what a temple should be like, what's the matter with Father Meng!"

Chen Yun said: "Perhaps, this is a kind of temple. Father Meng is indeed too much, but there is a kind of temple that is solemn and solemn, and does not ask foolish men and women to worship. Mengdu Temple may be like that. "

Xu Cai said: "Maybe it's like that, but it's definitely not like Father Meng."

Chen Yun nodded silently, expressing deep agreement.

Indeed, what Father Meng did went too far. The temple looked like it was not open to strangers.

(End of this chapter)