Chapter 1004

Hualala, hualala.

The moonlight was bright and clear, the soft green grass sprouted from the soil, only to be trampled into dust again.

Monks in the temple came and went without rest, each grabbing a large ladle to stir the pool, ice blocks clinking and clashing, shouting in crowds, each shout summoning a young novice carrying a large bucket back and forth.

"Quick, quick, quick, not enough, not enough, add more ice water, add more ice water! Remember to cut it into small pieces, it melts faster!"

"Huff, one hundred catties of moon spring water, mixed with ten thousand catties of jade spring water, truly exhausting, today I must deliver it to which household,

Have you figured it out?"

"Figured it out, figured it out, it's for Lord Bai, Lord Yangjin Lam, and Lord Wangji's households, several ladies will take it tonight for a bath, to prepare for the master's auspicious day in ten days, urged fiercely, that side has already been arranged, just waiting for the masters to dilute it."

Mie dang.

The noise was piercing.

Everyone stopped, seeing a wooden bucket overturned, the Bai Xue inside scattered like sugar, the young novice climbed up from the ground.

"You foolish thing, how many times must I say it, I want ice water! I want ice water! How dare you bring snow? Ice is pure, dustless, snow is impure, dusty! Whose Geshe are you?"

The monk seized the novice's ear as he rose, shouting curses violently, so forceful it nearly tore half his ear off, blood droplets falling large and heavy.

A monk beside him put down his ladle: "Enough, enough, you're a Gelong, what anger do you have with a Geshe, letting the master see you commit a grave verbal offense, he will surely scold you, be careful not to let blood droplets fall into the pool, this ten thousand catties of jade spring water will then be completely ruined."

"Go fetch ice water! Don't let your filthy blood touch it!"

The monk who pulled the ear released his grip, restrained his anger, kicked the young novice aside, the novice dared not complain, held back tears, covered his ears as he left, large beads of fresh blood dripping along his finger seams, seeping into the black soil from the leaf tips.

The moonlight was desolate.

The plateau vast.

Bats circled low, skimming over their heads.

On the eaves, the Bai Yu frog reported the conversation content in full detail.

Unlike Unlike Cha Qing Qing could also translate, but alas his strength was too low, unable to accurately discern what several people said in the courtyard, yet compared to the Bai Yu frog, his advantage lay in being human, and with intentional eavesdropping, he understood more about the snow mountain temple culture.

The two complemented each other perfectly.

The Bai Yu frog finished translating, then Unlike Unlike Cha Qing Qing spoke: "My lord, the so-called Geshe refers to a novice who has received the ten precepts,

Gelong is a higher rank, one who has received the full precepts, that is, a true monk.

As for the master, there are two interpretations: one may refer to the abbot within the temple, the other to a venerable great master; Moon Spring Temple is a small temple, so this master is the abbot about to celebrate his birthday, his strength not to be underestimated, having achieved perfection in the Tiger Hunt,

lacking only a thread of vital energy to ascend to Entering Zhen Xiang."

"Tiger Hunt Perfection? Not that strong." Liang Qu muttered, he could shatter the entire Moon Spring Temple with a single punch.

Unlike Unlike Cha Qing Qing wanted to speak but hesitated, finally saying nothing.

The strong are right.

The entire Moon Spring Temple is not enough for Liang Qu to toy with a few water beasts.

Hard to refute.

Liang Qu pointed again at the courtyard pond, the entire liquid like milk, glowing lustrously.

"Can this moon spring water still be diluted?"

"Ribbit, yes, yes." The Bai Yu frog spoke, followed by several small frogs behind him, planning to come mooch food and drink, "I asked my frog father, the water that springs up at midnight from the cold spring of Moon Spring Temple is moon spring water, at this time the water is the best, with many uses.

It can cleanse dust and nourish the complexion, drinking or bathing in it can restore radiance, like pearls; it can relieve pain, warm the body;

It can also preserve freshness with ice crystals, things soaked in it will not rot for at least seven days, many people outside demand it, supply cannot meet demand, the monks of Moon Spring Temple will dilute it for sale."

What a clever big frog!

Unlike Unlike Cha Qing Qing, worried his translation work would be snatched, hastily added: "My lord, Moon Spring Temple lies on the opposite bank of Blue Lake, I often hear of it in the market of Hantai Prefecture.

The bulk of the moon spring water is taken by the upper great temple, the remainder, half used by Moon Spring Temple itself, the other half sold, exchanged for other supplies.

Due to demand, the sold moon spring water will have a considerable portion diluted into jade spring water, to supply the officials and nobles visiting Moon Spring Temple for enjoyment.

Mostly used by noble ladies for skin care, value not insignificant, a bottle of jade spring water worth one tael of silver, moon spring even more so, I've heard, once you use this jade spring water you cannot stop, so there's no worry about selling it."

"Oh." Liang Qu exclaimed, "Such a thing? Cannot stop, how is it like Five Stone Powder?"

"Ribbit, what is Five Stone Powder?"

"A substance that makes people addicted, once eaten you cannot leave it, your whole body itches, scratching until skin festers and flesh rots."

"Ribbit, such things are not that exaggerated." The Bai Yu frog waved his webbed feet, "It's merely that diluted jade spring water and moon spring water differ, their potency varies.

Long-term use of moon spring water retains effectiveness, though slight, jade spring water truly only has surface appeal, once discontinued, after over three months, the true form will immediately be revealed, just as before use, those ladies certainly would not accept it, they can only keep buying."

Truly a lasting good business.

High-end cosmetics without side effects, forever eighteen years old.

Even the senior lady of the main household is no obstacle, relying on her natal family's power, for those younger concubines whose age advances, it is absolutely a necessity.

Liang Qu glanced at Long Eying, smiling cheekily: "Looking at this, my lady truly manages the household frugally, naturally beautiful, skin like white jade pearls, I don't know how much silver she has saved."

Long Eying did not buy this: "Shall we act now?"

"Wait, no need to rush, gentlemen, do you have any method to stir up conflict?" Liang Qu again asked the assembled heroes for strategies.

On the eaves.

Dragon people, Huai Kong, Unlike Unlike Cha Qing Qing, the toad, and various water beasts sat fully surrounded, shielded by the water curtain, concealed by night,

openly discussing how to deal with the Moon Spring Temple below.

Ice Wheel Bodhi Temple itself did not show up, instead finding its two subordinate temples, thus reducing conflict between them greatly.

To openly strike and destroy Moon Spring Temple without cause, the intent is undoubtedly too strong.

Liang Qu originally had no intention of targeting such a small temple, who let him just hear of this auspicious day.

With so many intestines, able to let monks use them steadily?

He came merely to cause trouble, naturally unafraid of trouble, especially since everything has come right before his eyes.

Yet the entire event's cause and effect are tangled, requiring a righteous cause.

Roof.

Several people stared at each other, and for a moment they truly couldn't think of a good solution.

"My lord, what if we deliberately sway past those two monks? They will surely see us and cannot help but peek, and we can use the excuse that they looked at us twice to launch a massacre?" Long Yanrui proposed.

Everyone glanced sideways.

Long Yanrui felt a bit embarrassed, coughed twice, and fell silent.

The hedgehog grabbed the hair on its head and fell into deep thought.

Can't even a glance from others serve as a reason for a massacre?

Bai Yu frog scratched its belly, coming to drink this month's spring water was truly troublesome; lucky it brought many clan frogs, but who would have thought it still had to use frog brains? It said bringing the way would allow soaking and drinking, didn't it?

After a long while.

The porcupine feigned hesitation, shook its quills, and displayed its presence before everyone.

"My lord, my lord, little hedgehog actually has a linked scheme, I don't know if it can also be used."

"Oh? A linked scheme?"

Liang Qu and the Jin Mao tiger below glanced sideways in unison.

The little Shen dragon secretly thought it was not good.

"What linked scheme? Speak."

The hedgehog shook a few fruits, distributed them one by one to everyone, and with its tiny paws pointed to the month spring water below: "We might as well make something of this month spring water? Tie everything together?"

"How to tie together?"

The hedgehog pondered for a moment, prepared its manuscript, and spoke eloquently.

"The month spring water of Month Spring Temple is mostly used by noble ladies; recently, for an especially auspicious day, they even brought out previous stock, sold much, and sent out invitation cards as gifts, grand and magnificent. Only a blue lake separates them, and some ladies of the Bai family will surely receive invitations.

The Bai family, to pacify and also to apologize to Long Lady for Bai Xingwen, coincidentally selected the undiluted month spring water, hot in the market, as one of many apologies, which is reasonable and proper, after all women love this thing, who doesn't love beauty? Giving it to the lady is also reasonable.

Who would have thought that after the lady used it, she would discover this month spring water is poisonous? Not only does it not nourish the complexion, but it also ruins appearance! Is this not the greatest pretext!

At this time, my lord can also link it to the matter of the two monks from Month Spring Temple coming to Hantai Prefecture to inquire, using this as evidence,

clearly it was a premeditated intentional frame-up! The purpose is for Month Spring Temple to stir up relations between the Bai family and my lord! To intensify the conflict,

deserving of death!"

Long Eying: ".."

The hedgehog hurriedly waved its paws to make amends: "Not truly ruin, not truly ruin, we just taint this whole batch of sold month spring water, then when others testify, it will suffice, the lady need not truly use it."

Long Yanrui felt this proposal was not better than his, and raised doubts: "Even the imperial court must openly punish and secretly reward, to pacify the Bai family; how would the Bai family voluntarily apologize?"

"Not impossible." Liang Qu stroked his chin, "Apologizing to Eying and making up for my accumulated resentment do not conflict. Admit fault where due, save face where due, treat them as two separate matters; from the Bai family's perspective, openly retreating to advance."

The hedgehog's eyes lit up: "Exactly, exactly, exactly! Retreat to advance! My lord's discernment!

I believe this move has many benefits: first, to find trouble and intensify conflict; second, to make the Bai family despise Snow Mountain Temple, so the youth turn against Great Shun; third, the plan echoes each other, link by link, reasonable and natural, hard to raise suspicion; Ice Wheel Bodhi Temple finding Month Spring Temple is itself a coincidence.

Furthermore, carrying out contamination is very simple; earlier the monks said, that month spring and jade spring cannot be polluted, right? Even snow water and ice water differ.

Moreover, just now everyone saw the monk scolding the novice; Month Spring Temple self-investigation will likely also suspect something went wrong during tonight's operation.

Liang Qu looked at Bai Yu frog.

Bai Yu frog nodded repeatedly for drinking the month spring water: "Although I don't know why, only ice water can be used, slowly melted and diluted, no other impurities allowed."

"Uncle Master, contaminating a batch, this move, fear it may harm heavenly harmony." Huai Kong advised.

For months, what we have seen and heard is shocking; those elderly ladies who need this perhaps are not innocent, gulping down the people's fat and ointment, but what if there really were one or two such?

Things cannot be absolutely stated.

"It doesn't have to be a deadly toxin; pick one that takes effect in the short term, can recover in the long term and is harmless; Huai Kong, if you're uneasy, hand it to you to handle, you should understand pharmacology, right?"

"Amitabha, entrust it to the little monk."

As an outstanding disciple of the Hanging Temple, Huai Kong naturally knows everything.

Even if not, there is still Medicine Buddha.

Although we've done some base things, I don't know if we can pass through this, to turn the Hantai residents toward Central Plains Buddhism?

The hedgehog was overjoyed, turned its head and hid in the shadows, secretly delighted, seeing the future of steady promotion.

Damn it!

Such a sinister and vicious scheme, only a sinister and vicious little beast could think of it!

The little Shen dragon clutched its dragon horns in distress, rolling uncomfortably on Long Eying's shoulder.

Blame only myself for being too simple, not as cunning and sinister as the hedgehog, nor as the flattering fat catfish A Feng.

The Jin Mao tiger under the wall secretly marveled, I once thought the hedgehog was just a fruit plate, never expecting such talent.

Another day of failing to notice beast talent, my king's path, arduous and long!

"Go, Huai Kong, you first prepare the medicine! Need anything, let Unlike Unlike Cha Qing Qing and them take you to buy; Third Prince, you find an opportunity to seek Bai Mingzhe, pay attention to concealment, secretly discuss this matter, he will surely not refuse, also a signal release, let him understand something; Binglin, you can go to the street and bump into those two Month Spring Temple monks, deliberately leave a few deep impressions."

"Yes!"

Matters issued one by one.

Each received orders.

Everyone landed on the ground, the Jin Mao tiger and wild boar carried the people across the highland, landed on the deck, then crossed half the blue lake, returning to Hantai.

The monks in Month Spring Temple were still savoringly stirring, using ice cubes to dilute the month spring water, unaware that several people on the roof had already discussed how to "slaughter" them.

Ze Ding trembled.

【Industry Triggered】

【Industry Accumulation: Two】

On the tiger's back, Liang Qu glanced at the Ze Ding information.

"Ling Xuan's statistics are still incomplete; compared to Hantai Prefecture, will the Snow Mountain region rise a bit——"

Preparing medicine, making contact, chance encounters—these arrangements are not accomplished in a day; one must seek opportunities.

After Liang Qu gave his instructions, he seized the time to make a trip, returned to Pingyang Prefecture, and completed one of his official duties.

"Offer the sacrifice!"

【Sacrificing to the Huaijiang, River Favor Degree +1.1147】

【River Control Degree: 0.1 (Favor Degree: 17.0046)】

Spring departs, summer arrives.

The vast Jianghuai marsh lies open to view, the river wind vast and boundless, garments fluttering.

Liang Qu and the flood dragon chase each other, fully focused on the foundation, one by one exerting strength.

The rest cannot even divide their spirit by a fraction.

About to step down.

【Controlling the Huaijiang, taking favor 0.1】

【River Control Degree: 0.1 (Favor Degree: 17.1046)】

Huh?

"Brother Shui, this is my first time presiding over the river god sacrifice—how did it go?" Lin Songbao came running over, full of vigor.

"Not bad!" Liang Qu came to his senses, raised his thumb, "You did no worse than Lao Chenxiang; do two more sessions,

and you'll surely surpass Lao Chenxiang. Later I'll issue a slip for you to claim two treasure fish yourself."

"Is this not proper?"

"What's the problem? Heposuo oversees water affairs; the Hexing villagers sacrificing to the river god is also a water matter. Do it well, and the people will live in peace and contentment—that deserves reward!"

"Got it!"

Lin Songbao is no one with a thin skin.

Spring departs, autumn arrives.

Last time Chen Zhaoan, due to advancing age and waning energy, requested to resign; I specially arranged for Lin Songbao to take over. This year, naturally, Lin Songbao is in charge of the sacrifice, with Chen Zhaoan as assistant.

A minor river god sacrifice may seem simple, but in fact involves many rules and procedures.

Fortunately, the youth who once could remember all the names and faces of everyone in Yixing is naturally familiar with all matters; organizing the sacrifice comes easily to him.

"By the way, Brother Shui, I also wanted to ask: since Lao Chenxiang helps so much, shouldn't we give him more meat?"

Liang Qu pondered: "The meat will still be divided according to Lao Chenxiang's share, but from now on, each time you organize the sacrifice, you'll give him an extra blue-backed carp of three jin or more. Previously hard to come by, now Heposuo dispatches boats monthly—such treasure fish are not hard to find. I'll issue the slip, and you'll go get it together."

"Done! I'll go arrange it right away."

Before long, Chen Zhaoan came over leaning on his cane to express thanks.

"Lord Liang, why go to such trouble—"

Liang Qu did not stand on ceremony here; his single gaze fell: "How is it, Lao Chenxiang—does this cane still serve you well?"

"Indeed it's handy and imposing, just a bit heavy." Chen Zhaoan laughed, tapped the cane in his hand, "A piece of Huang Huali, inlaid with gold—I truly don't dare use it on ordinary days."

"Hahaha!" Liang Qu laughed loudly, "Great occasions have their uses, small occasions have theirs. On ordinary days, Lao Chenxiang may not be used to it, but he still uses that wooden one."

Last August, Chen Zhaoan celebrated his eightieth birthday; I had not forgotten, sought out Liu Quanfu, and had him carve a Huang Huali cane as a birthday gift.

Speaking of the cane, Liu Quanfu, who once built boats for Liang Qu, studied woodworking for years at the shipyard and has long since become a master carpenter even noted within Fucheng.

Days renew and months change; everyone's life is in flux.

"0.1 control degree, take 0.1 favor"

After a busy spell, Liang Qu lay at home, checking Ze Ding news, silently pondering.

He had never understood the purpose of control degree—said to enhance water, yet it showed no difference from favor degree, and other effects remained unseen—until today, after the sacrifice, another 0.1 suddenly appeared. Previously, sacrifices had occurred for eight years, even said to span a little over ten years, yet never such a situation.

"Could it be that favor is taken once a year? The amount equals the control degree? Can I conjure favor from nothing?"

Liang Qu boldly guessed.

The appearance of control degree was last year, when the old monk began lecturing on the sutra dharma assembly; by now, exactly one year has passed.

Moreover, since control degree appeared, favor degree can be arbitrarily bestowed—"Is this favor conjured from nothing?" Liang Qu's mouth went dry, his tongue parched, as if he had stumbled upon something tremendous.

Now it is 0.1, taken once a year.

What if it were 10, 20?

A steady annual income?

But then again, this would create a contradiction: if it were ten, in the eleventh year, would there not be a total of one hundred ten favor?

And what, exactly, is the situation with the Jianghuai monarch's position fruit?

"Is the limit one person and one beast, with no limit on numbers? Is the position fruit amount unlimited? Or are there other conditions?"

Liang Qu felt a headache.

My understanding remains still too little.

Control degree has no known method of increase; I also know nothing of the flood dragon's condition; furthermore, what is the old dragon lord up to—dead or not? If not dead, what is he doing? Reincarnated and cultivating in secret, lurking behind the scenes, an invisible great hand? Are the mirage dragon and dragon lord merely different paths of some water sovereign?

After all, the Great Jiang gives birth to dragons with spirit; disappearing after two cycles must inevitably appear in the present, yet whenever the mirage dragon appears, throughout the long ages,

there has never been any news of a dragon lord's disappearance.

The Huaijiang dragon lord is a crucible; he will never remain obscure.

History is too ancient; many records are utterly blurred, so we still do not know the exact time of the old dragon lord's appearance after the mirage dragon's death. Moreover, the mirage dragon seems not to die instantly, making timing hard to verify.

"At last I'm home." Liang Qu suppressed his thoughts, called out to the kitchen: "Zhang Da Niang, today make me a bowl of stir-fried eel noodles."

"Coming right up!"

Liang Qu looked forward to the meal.

Within Hantai Prefecture, Long Yanrui brushed past two monks from Yuequan Temple.

Having dragon people beside Lord Yiyi is nothing new; their builds are extraordinarily huge, and the two monks had long heard of them. Suddenly spotting the target they sought, they instinctively glanced twice—only to be caught in the act by Long Yanrui, who likewise practices the Eye Recognition Method, and he snapped his head back.

What are you looking at?

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