“Hehe, fat monk, you’re getting on in years and look like an enlightened master, but you’ve shown your true colours so quickly. Talking about ‘forging a connection’—you’ve heard about our lord’s new additions and come to sell your beads at a high price, haven’t you?”
The guard at the gate burst into scornful laughter when the fat monk pulled out two prayer beads, claiming to forge a connection.
“Not so, not so. You’re caught up in appearances, benefactor. A connection, a connection—if I asked for money or silver, how could it be a true connection? Wouldn’t it just be a crude transaction? These two beads come without any cost. Listen well, benefactor: I take no payment of any kind, not even a sip of tea or a bite of food. All I ask is to see the little nobles in person and recite a Buddhist scripture for them. Amitabha, may goodness prevail.”
The fat monk chuckled, shaking his head slowly, and ended with a chant of the Buddhist phrase.
No payment at all!
Hearing this, the guard looked at him again and couldn’t help but feel he was indeed a high monk, untouched by the slightest trace of worldly dust.
“Amitabha. Forging a connection on the path of cultivation is a rare and precious thing, whether in Buddhism or Taoism. Long ago, when Empress Wu Zetian, the peerless emperor, was born, Yuan Tiangang forged a good connection with her—one achieved supreme rulership, the other ascended to immortal status. Closer to home, you know Yang Bancheng, the richest man in Yang Family Village, northwest of Shaoxing, don’t you? When he was born, his family was dirt-poor, but he met a scabby-headed monk who forged a connection with him. In less than ten years, he became the wealthiest man in Yang Family Village and even Xiao County. They say his wealth accounts for half of Xiao County. That scabby monk, through the merit of that connection, became the abbot of a great temple and attained the rank of Arhat. Even the villager who guided the monk to Yang’s family became Yang Bancheng’s steward, living a prosperous and happy life under the Yangs, taking three concubines…”
The fat monk twirled his prayer beads, smiling as he spoke to the guard. “Today, the little nobles’ karmic bond has arrived, as has mine, and yours too. Are you willing to pass on the message and seize this boundless fortune?”
“Master, please wait. I’ll go report this at once.” The guard, filled with the monk’s inspiring words, couldn’t possibly refuse.
Soon, the guard reached the second gate.
“Little Erhei, why aren’t you guarding the front gate? What business do you have coming to the second gate to report to the governor? If it’s not urgent, don’t disturb him. The governor has just welcomed a young master and young miss—his first time as a father. He’s busy doting on them with his wife and relatives.”
The old servant Wang Pozi, who was on duty at the second gate, recognised the guard. They were from the same alley, practically kin. Seeing Erhei approach, she cautioned him.
“Auntie, a true enlightened monk came to the front gate. He said he saw two beams of auspicious fortune stretching hundreds of metres above our residence’s rear courtyard. Pinching his fingers to calculate, he knew two little nobles had been born here, of immeasurable worth. He wants to gift two prayer beads blessed by a high monk to the little nobles to forge a good karmic bond.”
Guard Erhei explained.
“You’re getting on in years, but have you got a dog’s brain? What ‘forging a connection’? It’s just a scammer posing as a monk, trying to swindle the master’s silver!” Wang Pozi shook her head upon hearing this, nearly spitting in Erhei’s face.
“Auntie, I’m not daft. Would I report this without checking? This is a genuine enlightened monk. Those two beads are like night pearls—big, round, and lustrous. The monk wants no payment, not even tea or food. He just wants to recite a couple of scriptures for the little nobles in person to forge a good bond.”
Guard Erhei waved his hands, earnestly explaining, denying he’d been fooled and insisting the monk wasn’t a fraud.
“Truly no payment?” Wang Pozi paused, surprised. “Then he might actually be a master.”
“Auntie, please pass the message inside. Whether to see him or not, let the master decide. If we block a monk bearing blessed beads that could protect the young master and miss, wouldn’t we be doing them a disservice?”
Guard Erhei persuaded her.
“You’ve got a point. Fine, I’ll pass the message.” Wang Pozi nodded, leaving another servant to watch the gate while she went to report.
In less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Wang Pozi returned from the rear courtyard.
“Well, Auntie, what’s the word?” Guard Erhei asked eagerly, desperate to know the outcome.
“When I step in, how could I fail? At first, the governor refused, saying the young master and miss being born into our household was already the greatest bond, and there was no need for outsiders to forge another—let the monk seek connections elsewhere. The madam was also against it, saying the young master and miss were just born, and wandering monks are filthy, who knows how long since they last bathed. They might bring bad luck, so no meeting. But with my silver tongue, the master’s father-in-law insisted on seeing him, saying what if he’s a true enlightened monk? Blessed beads could ensure safety. Better to be fooled than miss out. He said to light a fire outside, have the monk pass through it to cleanse any bad luck, then bring him to the rear courtyard to recite scriptures for the young master and miss. Little Erhei, go fetch the master, and don’t forget to make him pass through the mugwort fire several times to burn away all the bad luck.”
Wang Pozi spoke with a smug air of accomplishment.
“Auntie, you’re brilliant! Don’t worry, I’ll light a proper fire and make the master pass through it thoroughly—no trace of bad luck will remain.”
Guard Erhei patted his chest confidently.
About the time it takes to burn a stick of incense later, the fat monk, his robes singed at the hem from the fire, appeared in the rear courtyard of the governor’s residence.
Upon entering the courtyard, he was led to the reception hall.
“Please wait a moment, Master, and have a cup of tea to warm yourself. Once the chill is gone, we’ll invite you inside,” Qin’er said, bringing a cup of tea to the hall.
“Thank you, benefactress. I understand—the little nobles are newly born, and no chill must be brought to them. But I’ll pass on the tea. As I’ve said, I’m here to forge a connection—no tea, no food, no payment of any kind.”
The fat monk chuckled, showing understanding of Qin’er’s words.
A master is truly a master, with a heart as vast as his belly.
In that moment, Qin’er was struck by the monk’s Buddhist aura and magnanimity, feeling he truly had the air of an enlightened master.
“Please wait a moment, Master. I’ll inform the master and madam.” Qin’er gave a respectful curtsey and went to the inner rooms to relay the message.
“Amitabha, thank you, benefactress.” The fat monk gave another one-handed salute, chanting a Buddhist phrase in gratitude.
“Master, Miss, the master is here. I’ve asked him to wait in the reception hall to dispel any chill he might carry,” Qin’er reported upon entering the main room.
“Good, the master’s here. Eldest, Second, come with me to meet him and see what he’s made of. If he’s all talk and no substance, we’ll throw him out. If he’s the real deal, we’ll let him come recite scriptures.” Master Li stood, leading his two sons out to meet the so-called enlightened monk and put him to the test.
