Chapter 115 Land Consolidation

Why the commoners here still had food to eat was because their land had been annexed by Qianming Temple in exchange for it.

As for where Qianming Temple obtained so much grain, it was clearly hoarded through the method of land annexation in the past.

Yet, ironically, Jiang Chen could not even say that Qianming Temple was in the wrong.

Although they exchanged a few mu of fertile land for grain that would only cost a few dozen wen in normal times.

But one must know that in these times of famine, these few dozen jin of grain might just be a family's lifeline!

If not for this action by Qianming Temple, I fear this place would be no different from anywhere else.

When one is on the verge of starvation, trading a few useless acres of land for food—who wouldn't do it?

To Qianming Temple, this was naturally an illegal act of annexing land and taking in unregistered households.

But to the commoners, these were truly Bodhisattvas and living Buddhas saving them from suffering in their time of crisis!

"Daoist Priest Jiang, let us go see this Qianming Temple. Let us see what kind of great abbot it takes to profit from disaster in such a famine year!"

Jianzhen said with righteous indignation.

Jiang Chen nodded; this was certainly something that needed to be looked into.

Consequently, the two quickened their pace and headed in the direction from which those people had just come.

Soon, a temple with a grand Aura, from which bursts of Buddhist chants emanated, appeared before them.

On the plaque above the entrance were written three large characters.

Qianming Temple!

At the entrance, a young monk of thirteen or fourteen years, after sending off a group of people who had just exchanged grain, turned to look at Jiang Chen and his companion, then stared at their attire with some uncertainty and suspicion.

"Two benefactors, are you also here to seek grain alms from the Buddha? Did you bring your house deeds or land deeds? Or perhaps a deed of servitude will do, though for female family members, you must consult with the temple Elder."

Like a mechanical repetition, the young monk repeated the words to Jiang Chen and his companion.

"You say, you also accept female family members here?" Jianzhen asked in disbelief.

Seeing Jianzhen's strong reaction, the young monk became somewhat nervous and retorted:

"Are you here to trade with the Buddha or not? If not, please leave; there are people waiting behind you!"

Some people behind them also began to clamor.

Jiang Chen didn't care and said directly: "Where is the abbot of your Qianming Temple? This Daoist has a big business deal to discuss with him."

The young monk was a bit dazed, but before he could react, Jiang Chen had already pushed him aside and walked straight inside.

Jianzhen also deliberately kept a straight face and followed behind Jiang Chen.

At this moment, most people could tell that Jiang Chen and his companion were not here with good intentions.

"Amitabha, this poor monk is the abbot of Qianming Temple, Dharma name Abbot Kuming. May I ask for the honorable names of the two masters? What brings you to my Qianming Temple?"

At this moment, a middle-aged monk with a fat face and big ears, wearing a kasaya, walked out of the meditation courtyard to meet Jiang Chen.

He had noticed Jiang Chen and his companion when they were at the entrance, but he had not come out until now.

"This junior is Jianzhen of the Vinaya School, and this Daoist Priest is the direct Disciple of the great Immortal Master of the Maoshan Sect, Daoist Priest Jiang Chen."

Jianzhen introduced them stiffly. Upon hearing their backgrounds, the fat-headed abbot's heart thumped, and he felt somewhat uneasy.

Although he did not know if their origins were true or false, it was best not to offend them.

"Your Dharma name is Abbot Kuming? But looking at your life, it doesn't seem bitter at all." Jiang Chen said slowly.

Abbot Kuming smiled awkwardly. If an ordinary Daoist dared to mock him like this, he would certainly let the other party know on the spot what it meant for the Buddha to have the wrath of a Vajra.

But the person opposite him was not an ordinary Daoist; he was a direct descendant of the Maoshan Sect, so he was currently an Immovable Wisdom King.

Jianzhen said with a straight face: "This junior previously heard that Great Master Abbot Kuming has been exchanging grain for the commoners' remaining fields, which seems somewhat inappropriate."

Abbot Kuming forced a bitter smile, the fat on his face squeezing into folds.

"Master Jianzhen, may I ask what is inappropriate about this action? Has it violated the imperial laws, or has it violated the pure precepts of Buddhism?"

"Moreover, if not for our temple providing grain to the commoners, I fear the streets would already be filled with starving corpses."

Jianzhen was momentarily speechless. Although he understood the logic, when it came to debating, he was far inferior to these slick old monks.

"Monk Abbot Kuming, do not try to sophistically justify yourself. You are taking advantage of this natural disaster to exchange grain at prices far below market value for the commoners' fertile land. This act is explicitly prohibited by the Tang laws."

Abbot Kuming's attitude toward Jiang Chen was much more cautious than it had been toward Jianzhen.

"Daoist Priest Jiang, those words are absolutely incorrect. This humble temple strictly adheres to the laws and pure precepts; we would never dare to do such a thing. The reason it is so is because the temple's grain is limited, while the commoners in this city are numerous. Even if we wish to save all living beings, we must act according to our capabilities."

"Therefore, distributing a few dou of grain to each household is all that Qianming Temple can manage."

"As for the matter of the land deeds, the commoners were unwilling to accept this 'food of charity' for free. I was truly unable to refuse them, so I had no choice but to use this as an excuse for this last resort!"

As he spoke, Abbot Kuming's old face actually could not help but sob. He stretched out a greasy hand to cover his fat face, not forgetting to squint through a slit in his eyes to observe Jiang Chen's expression.

Seeing that Jiang Chen's expression remained completely unmoved, he hesitated for a moment, then made up his mind and said:

"The reason I said we were exchanging grain for land deeds was merely an expedient measure, to allow the commoners to accept the gifts from my Qianming Temple with peace of mind."

"Once the famine passes, this poor monk will naturally return these land deeds to the people one by one!"

Abbot Kuming was righteous and stern at this moment; the fat on his face seemed to represent the responsibility and burden resting upon him.

As for whether it was truly as he said, only Heaven and Earth knew, and he himself knew.

"Then this junior also heard that your esteemed temple trades in servants and female family members. Is this true?"

"Absolutely not!" Abbot Kuming said resolutely.

"It was just said to us by a monk from your temple himself. Could that be false?"

Abbot Kuming first glared heavily at the young monk, who shrank back in fear.

"He must have expressed it wrongly just now. In reality, Qianming Temple hired some people to come and help reclaim wasteland. He misinterpreted the meaning; please do not take offense, the two of you."

Abbot Kuming explained with a bitter smile.

But how could this answer make Jianzhen and Jiang Chen believe it?

"Whether it is true or not, we will know once we investigate." Jiang Chen said indifferently. After speaking, he walked inside, passed through the gate, and headed toward the inner meditation rooms.

"Hey, hey, you two, this..."

Abbot Kuming hurriedly reached out to stop them, but before he could finish speaking, he was deterred by the gaze Jiang Chen shot at him like a sword.

Under this gaze, he felt as if he had encountered a natural predator; his entire body's True Qi seemed to be suppressed, and he could not move at all.

His intuition was frantically warning him of danger. Abbot Kuming did not doubt for a moment that if he continued to block them, Jiang Chen might draw his sword in anger and kill him.

Abbot Kuming was both shocked and afraid. At first, he had been respectful because of Jiang Chen's status.

But now, the strength Jiang Chen displayed was what truly made him feel terror.

At this moment, he truly believed in the Buddha a little bit.

Karma and Reincarnation, retribution is swift and sure...