The Northern Stories of Chef Lao Tan

Chapter 478 Giving
As the saying goes, the spring rain is cold to the bone, and the rain is drenched in the head.It means that the rain in spring is icy cold on the body, and it is easy for people to catch cold and get sick; it is okay to pour the rain on the head in summer, 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 Bao Litu to rub the bodies of the three men to cool down, and Yue Guimei was responsible for the women.

At the same time, they boiled hot noodle soup and added a head of garlic to each bowl. After eating the noodles, they were asked to cover themselves with quilts and sweat to force out the cold air in their bodies.

The five people sweated and fell asleep like a prostration. After waking up, the fever subsided.

At dinner, the five of them got well together. Mr. Jia made fun of Yuan Fang, saying that she almost lost her life by taking a picture, and even brought four companions, everyone laughed.

Wang Jianguo said: "The main thing is that the drinking situation was disturbed, and we had to be invited to drink."

Yuan Fang said: "Don't worry, I will definitely invite you to drink."

Li Guohua said: "It's dangerous to say, but there is a deep ravine below, and you will die if you fall."

Li Yanjing said: "At that time, I was scared to death."

Yuan Fang said: "I wasn't really scared at the time, but I was scared when I came up, and my heart was pounding."

Old Tan said: "It seems that that place is destined for you, let's build a pavilion there."

One sentence reminded Yuan Fang, she said: "Yes, build a pavilion there." Then she asked in difficulty: "Where can I find a craftsman?"

"Let me ask you the wise guest in the temple, he has contact with the craftsman and knows how to repair it." Old Tan said.

At this time, Li Xia said, "If you repair it, count me in, and give a little."

"Count me in too." Yue Guimei and Li Yanjing said at the same time.

The four women wanted to pay to build the pavilion, and the three men looked at each other. Wang Jianguo said, "You build the pavilion and we build the road. By the way, we will also build a pavilion at Donggou Spring."

At this time, Mr. Jia said: "The spring is not repaired, but the well."

Old Tan said: "Yes, instead of repairing the pavilion, repair the well." Then Ding Dui said: "You have discussed it. If you really want to repair it, I will go to the temple to ask."

Wang Jianguo said, "It's true cultivation, but it's still fake." Then he asked with his eyes, and Li Guohua and Yuan Fang all nodded in tacit agreement.

After dinner, at dusk at the end of the day, the sun has set on the mountains, and the golden rays cover the mountains, the mountains and rivers are silent, and the valleys are leisurely.

Lao Tan came out of the small courtyard of pilgrims to the temple, and entered the meditation room of the first old lama on the east side of the main hall.

The old lama just finished offering incense, sitting on the earth kang, twirling Buddhist beads and chanting scriptures, he stopped when he saw Lao Tan coming in, and wanted to go down to greet him, but Lao Tan hurriedly stopped him, then slipped his shoes on the kang and sat down cross-legged.

A little lama made tea and brought it, and the two of them drank tea across the kang table.

Lao Tan took a sip and praised: "Good tea!"

"Sent by pilgrims." The old lama said.

"This is the best Mao Feng."

"I returned a bracelet."

"It's a pity that I don't like bracelets, otherwise I would have to ask for one."

"It's enough to have a Buddha in your heart."

Old Tan laughed, and then said that Wang Jianguo and the others wanted to donate to build pavilions, roads and wells.The old lama said good things and said the rules.

The rule is to find a craftsman in the temple, and the donor will explain the project to be repaired to the craftsman.For example, to build a pavilion, what kind of building, what material to use, how high, how big, etc.The craftsmen start work and cut materials according to the requirements, and calculate the cost.Afterwards, the donor gave the money to the Zhike monk, and the Zhike monk was responsible for supervising the construction and paying the wages.

Why do you want to give money to Zhike monk?Because the pilgrims who go up to give money often go down the mountain after giving money, and it is not certain when they will come back. Only the zhike monk has worked hard on the project.Another point is what kind of cultivation, how to cultivate, what to pay attention to, and whether the talisman conforms to the rules of the temple. The temple has the right to do it, and the donor can't do it as he wants, because it will be messy.

The old lama asked people to call the Zhike monk, and asked the Zhike monk to contact the craftsmen to go up the mountain.

After the Zhike monk left, Lao Tan wanted to leave, but the old lama stopped him.

"Benefactor, who is the young man following you?"

Old Tan knew that he was asking about Baolitu, and said, "It's one of my employees, named Baolitu."

"He came to take care of you?" the old lama asked.

"Yes." Lao Tan nodded, and asked if he had realized something: "Master, does the master think that he has a predestined relationship with the Buddha?"

The old lama nodded and said, "He is one of my Buddhas."

Old Tan was surprised, "Really?"

Seeing Lao Tan's surprise, the old lama asked, "Does the benefactor believe in reincarnation?"

"To be honest, I don't believe it, but Buddhism talks about reincarnation in the six realms, which is also one of the main teachings of Brahmanism. If people don't seek ultimate liberation, they will naturally be born endlessly in the six realms, so there is the theory of reincarnation.

This is also the place of my Buddha's compassion and the way of merit.Three lives, three lives, and six lives in the cycle of reincarnation. Only by experiencing all the sufferings in the world can people be freed from suffering and find happiness.

It is not superstitious to use the current scientific explanation. The space we live in is not just three-dimensional, but four-dimensional, five-dimensional, and six-dimensional.The base of the soul and the existence of the soul are naturally outside the three dimensions, a world we cannot see, and it is normal to have reincarnation. "Old Tan said.

"The benefactor can see clearly." The old lama said.

"I can't see through it. It's just that after I beat this employee up the mountain, I found many phenomena in him that didn't exist before. I really thought he was born with a predestined relationship with Buddha."

"He was originally a member of my Buddhist sect, and it was a cause and effect to meet you." The old lama said.

"Master means—"

"I hope the donor will be fulfilled." The old lama saluted slightly.

Old Tan said: "Master, I can't decide this. I have to go back and ask him, and I have to ask his sister's opinion. He has a sister."

"it is good."

When Lao Tan came out of the temple, it was already dark, and the mountains in the distance were shadowy, and the sound of trees and wind came from the mountains, as if he was talking.

A solitary lamp was on in front of the temple, and the surroundings were dark, and everything was quiet.

Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, the return to the original makes people feel as calm as water.

You don't have to worry about who will disturb you, and you don't have to fantasize about feasting and feasting. There are no secular grievances or intrigues.Some are just quiet, natural, primitive, occupying the world, day and night, sunrise and sunset.

Old Tan walked slowly, secretly feeling that this might be the home of the reckless Baolitu, but he was not sure whether it was good or bad for Baolitu.

Maybe it's okay, he thought.

The night was 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 stalls in Santaizi Market are filled with smog, and the tempting smell of cumin chili noodles wafts far away, attracting passers-by.

Zhang Li, Zhong Qing, Hua Qing, Wang Hong, and Lao Fang were sipping skewers and drinking wine at Lao Ba BBQ.

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 no fewer people eating dumplings." Zhongqing said.

"Our provincial capital is also better than last year." Hua Qing said, continuing to gnaw on the chicken head.

"I think the first day of the new year is also very good. I heard from his family that Zhang Xiangdong is going to open a store again." Wang Hong said.

"Well, I've heard about it too, and it's going to be opened next to our house." Zhang Li said.

"What's the matter? Are you fighting with our family?" Hua Qing got excited and spit out the chicken bones in his mouth all the way.

"It's probably because I knew that Lao Tan was ill, and our family will not open a store this year, so we want 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 market to start expanding. Let's cultivate our internal skills and stabilize the market. In the end, we will win." Zhongqing said.

"His family has to come to poach our house to open a shop." Wang Hong said worriedly.

(End of this chapter)