Looking north towards the rivers and mountains

Chapter 181 The Local Tiger

"Boom!" The mountain gate was opened from the inside, and more than ten people rushed in, knocking the two monks who came to stop them out.

"You audacious thieves! This is a sacred Buddhist sanctuary; how dare you act so presumptuously?" a middle-aged monk shouted angrily, brandishing a monk's knife.

No one bothered to talk to him; the dozen or so people continued to rush in.

The monk brandished his monk's knife, seemingly trying to stop him, but Wu Shangyuan, the swordsman and shield bearer, stepped forward and skillfully used a rattan shield to block it.

A long spear suddenly thrust from behind, startling the monk who dodged it by turning his body. However, another spear came from the left, piercing his shoulder. Before he could even scream, the swordsman Li Fu slashed his calf with his sword.

In an instant, the four men struck with lightning speed, taking down the top fighter of Chong Sheng Temple.

Without any hesitation, the spearmen thrust their spears again, pinning the monk firmly to the ground.

Several more monks emerged from the main hall, carrying bundles. They were surprised by what they saw, and then somewhat frightened.

Wu Heizi, leading a dozen or so others, advanced rapidly in two columns, quickly arriving at the main hall and surrounding the monks. Shao Shuyi, protected by Tie Niu, strode forward and asked, "Where is the abbot?"

The monks looked at each other but didn't answer.

"Slap! Slap!" Wu Heizi grabbed a monk by the collar and slapped him twice across the face, yelling, "Think again, where is the abbot?" The man trembled, and under Wu Heizi's intense gaze, he stammered, "He left early yesterday morning."

"Where did you go?"

"I went to perform a ritual at someone's request."

"Slap!" Wu Heizi slapped him again and said, "I asked him where he went, not what you did."

"I don't know either." The monk was almost in tears. He said, "He didn't say where he was going to perform the ritual. He only took two people with him, and they haven't returned for a day and a night. How would I know?"

Wu Heizi was about to fight again when Shao Shuyi stopped him.

"Forget it, he probably doesn't know." Shao Shuyi sneered. "That bald monk is very clever. He knew something was going to happen yesterday, so he took his confidants and hid. If we were captured by the patrol officers, he would come back; otherwise, he wouldn't."

As soon as the words were spoken, Wu Heizi and the others were still unfazed, but the monks were dumbfounded and stood there stunned for a moment.

Shao Shuyi stepped forward, snatched the monk's bundle, opened it, and found nothing but dry food and money. He then asked, "Where are you going?"

"The abbot did not return home all night and was filled with fear. He wanted to find a boat to go to Jiangyin and seek refuge at Ganming Guangfu Zen Temple for a few days."

Shao Shuyi chuckled twice and said, "Why go to Jiangnan? Isn't the Chong Sheng Temple perfectly fine? Aren't we staying there?"

The monk remained silent.

Shao Shuyi beckoned for the monk Huiyong to step forward and asked, "Do you recognize him?"

Hui Yong met their gaze and lowered his head.

"I recognize him," the monk, whose bundle had been taken away by Shao Shuyi, replied with difficulty. "He used to work at Chong Sheng Temple, but later he went out to manage a nunnery for a wealthy family."

"Do you remember what you conspired with him about?" Shao Shuyi asked with a sneer.

The monk was deathly pale and didn't know what to say.

Shao Shuyi looked up at the main hall and the surrounding buildings, and said, "I think this place is good. It can be used for living and working. There is also a vacant lot behind the temple. If we level it, it will be more than enough to make a martial arts training ground."

The monks' expressions turned even more grim.

Some who are deeply versed in Buddhist teachings constantly chant the Buddha's name.

Those whose cultivation level is insufficient will tremble uncontrollably and will be unable to stand.

"Where are Masters Huinian and Huishen?" Shao Shuyi suddenly asked.

No one answered.

"I think you all want to die." Wu Heizi was furious. He picked up the wooden cudgel that was at his feet, as if he wanted to kill someone.

The monks stirred, looking at each other, but no one spoke up.

"Good sir," Huiyong whispered from the side; "I checked, Huinian isn't here, he probably went with the abbot. Huishen is still here, the one standing by the pillar."

"Go forward and point it out," Shao Shuyi said.

Huiyong sighed inwardly, then stepped forward with a forced smile, pointed at the monk Huishen, and said, "It's him. The abbot conspired with Huinian and Huishen; these were the three I saw that day. The others should be unaware. I hope you will..."

"Kill them." Shao Shuyi gave the order without further ado.

Wu Heizi sneered coldly, brandishing the wooden club, and brought it crashing down in Hui Shen's terrified gaze.

"Crack!" Everyone seemed to hear the crisp sound of the skull cracking.

Hui Shen was in great pain and wanted to curse, but he collapsed to the ground with a thud.

Wu Heizi, fearing he wasn't quite dead, slapped him twice more until Hui Shen's head was covered in red and white smears, as if he had opened a dye shop, before he stopped.

Shao Shuyi withdrew his gaze and looked at the crowd again, saying, "Chongsheng Temple originally had twelve people. Now, three have escaped and two have died, leaving seven." As he spoke, he seemed somewhat dissatisfied and said, "I'm not a murderer. Why are you all looking down? Raise your heads and look at me." The monks gradually raised their heads, their eyes darting away.

Shao Shuyi glanced around and said, "The matter of abbotship is none of your concern. From now on, just focus on worshipping Buddha and don't entertain any more delusional thoughts."

Half of the buildings of Chong Sheng Temple will be allocated to you. The front courtyard and the main hall will be yours, but you are forbidden to enter the back courtyard.

Half of the 100 bushels of rice collected annually will be set aside and stored in the temple; you are not allowed to take any of it.

Upon hearing this, the monks felt as if they had been granted a pardon.

Some of those who were just barely standing were now limp and collapsed, a sight that was both laughable and pathetic.

Fifty shi of rice was only enough to feed the remaining seven monks, which is equivalent to two sheng per person per day—quite a lot, as most ordinary people couldn't afford that much.

But this is only for food. If we take into account the expenses of religious ceremonies, temple repairs, and daily incense and candles, it's not enough. We either have to save from our own food, ask believers for donations, or allow nearby people to cut firewood and grass in the temple area to exchange for some money.

In short, Shao Shuyi didn't care. He only took half of the house and fifty shi of grain. You'll have to figure out the rest yourselves.

As for what to do with the houses that were taken away, they were naturally used as barracks.

He now employs "full-time" soldiers, not "part-time" ones. According to the rules, professional martial artists live in military camps most of the year and can only go home when they are on leave.

Everything should be done according to the rules!

The first batch of thirteen professional soldiers and their families have moved to Ma Tuo Sha. From now on, the families will live in nearby villages, while the soldiers will live in the barracks inside the temple and train regularly at the drill ground behind the temple.

On days when we're not training, we either maintain the equipment or do some relatively light training, such as learning how to use other equipment, or we sit together and talk about the battle examples recorded in military books and think about them together.

As for teaching them to read, the process is likely to be very painful and difficult. Shao Shuyi doesn't plan to teach them himself; he doesn't have the time. He can only find an extra tutor.

The village head, Gao Jian, has two sons. He didn't send one of them over as a hostage last night, which was already out of consideration for Gao Jian's new arrival and his reluctance to escalate the conflict. Once he has established himself, he will definitely need to send a hostage to join him. He can use the hostage as a teacher and help with bookkeeping.

On the afternoon of the first day of the second lunar month, the thirteen soldiers went home to retrieve their personal belongings, preparing to stay at the temple.

Shao Shuyi comforted each of their families, but as he was about to leave, he noticed that several women working in the fields were wearing red headbands, and his face immediately fell.

Without waiting for instructions, Yu Yuan immediately stepped forward to inquire. A moment later, he jogged back and whispered, "Brother Gongming, they found it very convenient to wear red headbands while working, as they didn't have to wipe away sweat all the time. So they took the headbands from their husbands and brothers."

"Was anyone else seen?" Shao Shuyi asked.

They said no.

Shao Shuyi remained silent, pondering the matter; it was difficult to say.

The area where they live is sandwiched between Chong Sheng Temple and Yaqian Port, and is relatively remote and desolate. But what if someone sees them?

Shao Shuyi summoned Gao Daqiang and recounted what had just happened, saying, "Write down his name. Considering it's his first offense, give him five lashes and send him to the temple to level the land for ten days as a warning to others."

"Yes, sir." Gao Daqiang knew the gravity of the situation and carried out the order.

Shao Shuyi sighed softly. After all, he was not omniscient and omnipotent; he would make mistakes and overlook things. He could only be more careful in the future. On the second day of the second lunar month, Shao Shuyi led Wu's team of more than ten people to Yaqian Street.

Zhang Dawang's nephew was getting impatient waiting here. Shao Shuyi treated him to a meal and told him to be patient. He said he would send someone to Jiangyin tomorrow to pick up the livestock.

They then went to the nearby Yue Wang Temple and sent someone to the patrol office to report to Jiang Guanbao.

As a result, we didn't see him until the sun was almost setting.

"Don't be offended, Cao She. I was just handling a funeral in the countryside and rushed back after hearing the news," Jiang Guanbao said, wiping away his sweat. "How many bows does the department have?" Shao Shuyi asked.

"There's only one left," Jiang Guanbao replied.

"Give it to me," Shao Shuyi nodded, speaking as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

He now has six bows. One of them was purchased and used by Liang Tai himself. Of the remaining five, four are used in rotation by Tie Niu, Gao Daqiang, Wu Heizi, Li Fu, Wu Shangyuan, Jiang Sanbao, Wei Erdi, and others—or more accurately, they are used for learning.

With the addition of the position of deputy inspector of the Ma Tuo Sha Patrol Office, he now has seven deputy positions, still a bit short of the thirteenth.

"Do you have the first-class uniform?" Shao Shuyi asked again.

"There were two sets of leather armor, one was mine, and the other was worn by the clerk. The clerk is currently recuperating in Jiangyin and hasn't returned since the New Year." "The clerk took the leather armor with him?"

"No, he locked it in a box."

"Smash it open and give it to me."

"Yes." Jiang Guanbao's face was full of bitterness, as if he was unwilling, but he forced out the words, "Perhaps it won't fit..."

"We can always find someone who fits," Shao Shuyi said nonchalantly. "What do you do if your department's equipment breaks down?"

"According to regulations, the matter should be reported to the prefectural judge for his decision."

"Ma Yuanchong?"

"Yes," Jiang Guanbao said. "However, I've heard that things in the yamen are very complicated. Often, reports are submitted but there's no action for months or even a year or two. But the equipment needs to be used frequently, so the department has to raise money and find someone to repair it themselves."

"Do you know any skilled craftsmen?" Shao Shuyi asked, his eyes lighting up.

"Yes," Jiang Guanbao said. "They're brothers, living over at Maqiao. The elder brother is a blacksmith, and the younger brother is a leatherworker. The department only hires them." Shao Shuyi leaned closer and lowered his voice, asking, "Can you make armor?"

Jiang Guanbao was startled and lowered his voice, saying, "Cao She, hero, ancestor, please don't do anything rash! That blacksmith, he's only capable of secretly making a few swords or spearheads, and even then, it has to be someone he trusts who comes to ask him. He ignores most people, saying he only knows how to make farm tools. As for iron armor, nobody dares to make it. Hey hero, I beg you, I'll listen to everything else, but let's just forget about this, okay?" "Look at you, acting like a coward," Shao Shuyi said sullenly. "Iron armor won't do, but leather armor will do, right? Don't give me that nonsense. The pirates love wearing leather armor. Where did they get it? They couldn't have stolen it, could they?"

"Perhaps it came from foreign lands?" Jiang Guanbao argued.

You know what? It's actually possible!

If someone in Goryeo (Korea) had connections and guaranteed that the leather armor would not be sold in Goryeo but instead transported back to the Yuan Dynasty, it wouldn't be impossible for them to order some. Moreover, if the design of the leather armor was the same as that used by the Yuan army, could you tell the difference?

However, Shao Shuyi didn't have that channel at the moment, so he could only press Jiang Guanbao, saying, "Stop talking nonsense and write me a list of all the craftsmen your company has been assisting with for years. For the next few days, don't hold any funerals; come with me and run some errands."

"Okay..." Jiang Guanbao replied somewhat nervously.