Chapter 99 A successful idea attracts countless fans

On Wednesday, I woke up at daybreak. Unexpectedly, my brother-in-law was up even earlier. He ran into my room and said, "Shanhong, what if you don't have time to participate in the ceremony later? This ceremony requires two people to cooperate. What should we do?"

I thought about it and slapped the coffee table: "Brother Shi. His braised meat business doesn't need to be braised every day. Besides, his wife can handle it alone."

When my brother-in-law heard this, he also patted the coffee table and said, "He's a suitable candidate. It depends on whether he's willing."

I called and woke Brother Shi up from his sleep: "Brother, get up, I have some money to pick up, come here quickly."

Shi Ge came over quickly, and I brainwashed him as soon as I got into the room. He didn't want any brainwashing at all and agreed immediately.

I was surprised and asked, "Brother Shi, why are you so straightforward?"

Brother Shi asked me: "I am 1.8 meters tall and was a handsome guy when I was young. Now that I have shaved my beard, I am still handsome, right?"

I nodded and said, "Not very handsome, but very handsome."

"Yeah, I've been teaching Chinese for decades, so I'm considered an intellectual."

I smiled and said, "It's not a question of whether it counts or not, but you are a true intellectual."

Shi Ge said, “I’ve read Shen Congwen’s Border Town, in which there is a ceremonial attendant, clean-shaven and handsome, wearing a green robe. He folds his hands together, bends down, then slowly stands up, and bends down again, just like an opera actor.

That elegant look is eye-catching, especially for young girls. Now that I'm old, I'll let middle-aged women attract me. I just want to find the feeling of making others move their hearts."

My brother-in-law and I laughed out loud.

My brother-in-law said, "I understand how you feel. You've become a greasy man, stewing pork legs and pig intestines with your wife every day. You still long to be like when you were a teacher, when high school girls looked at you like an idol and listened to you recite 'The great river flows east, its waves wash away the heroes of the ages...' right?"

Shi Ge said, "A kindred spirit, a kindred spirit. I would do this job even if you don't want me to pay."

I said with a fierce face: "I must give you the money."

Shi Ge asked: "How do you do it?"

I smiled and said, "Brother, go shave first and then wash your face. Today, let's watch my performance. From now on, you will be the attendant and Gao Xu will be the master of ceremonies."

When Brother Shi heard this, he went home immediately.

My brother-in-law asked, "How much money will I give him in the future?"

I said, "I only want 20 percent, and you can split the rest equally."

My brother-in-law thought about it and said, “Alright, let’s get things done first.

At 8:30 in the morning, my family drove two cars, Brother Shi drove himself, and together with the neighbors who came to watch the fun, seven or eight cars drove to Fengyan Pavilion.

Xiaolin was quick and efficient, having already set up the square table. The live chicken was placed by the tree, dangling from a rope. I mentioned the chicken and said, "Miss Lin, you even thought of buying a rooster. You're quite capable."

I don’t know if it was because I suddenly changed my address or was praising her for being capable, but she blushed anyway.

Besides a few workers, many residents gathered around. Because I was wearing a formal attire, they all asked Xiaolin what was going on.

Xiao Lin couldn't explain it clearly, so he replied, "Just look."

Chinese people have a habit of asking more questions the more confused they are. As a result, no one knew what I was going to do, so Zhang San told Li Si, Li Si told Wang Wu, and more and more people gathered.

The property management rushed over, and one of them recognized me and asked, "Is that Master Wan?"

I looked solemn and said nothing, just nodded.

People were whispering, perhaps remembering that the master and I had held an inauguration ceremony, or perhaps they had never seen me before, but they knew that I was the Taoist priest's disciple.

After a while, they all knew that I bought a house here and would hold a "groundbreaking ceremony" downstairs today.

Although they had never seen such a grand groundbreaking ceremony, a person in the industry must have his own reasons for holding such a ceremony.

My brother-in-law placed the tablet of the Earth Bodhisattva on the table and placed meat and fish on it. At 8:58, my brother-in-law chanted: Fire the cannon—

Shi Ge lit the firecrackers, and they went off for seven or eight minutes. He had to set off so many so people could hear them.

The smoke and dust cleared, and the morning sun shone on my solemn face. I crossed the chicken wings with my hands, picked up a sharp knife, and cut the chicken throat. The chicken blood gurgled into the bowl.

Then I placed the chicken on the square table. Shi Ge helped me place a candle on the floor. My brother-in-law lit three incense sticks, bowed to me, and handed me the incense.

I took it, holding three incense sticks, and walked around the table. Shi Ge shouted at the side: "Don't push, go away."

I walked with the figure eight steps of a seventh-rank official on the stage. I stretched out my left foot, stopped, stretched out my right foot again, stopped, and walked around the table gracefully until I returned to the square table.

The steps of this play, which had a stage performance feel, stunned the audience.

My brother-in-law sang: Bow three times—

I hold the incense stick upwards and slowly bow, my waist almost forming a right angle, then lower it to almost the navel, slowly straighten my body, and then straighten it again. Repeat this three times.

Seeing my piety, the children watching were afraid to shout. If any child raised their voice, they were immediately glared at by an adult. This is the sacredness, this tranquility, that we want.

My brother-in-law sang: Reporting to the Earth Bodhisattva, the humble Wan Shanhong family has moved into Fengyan Pavilion, and is reciting the text:

I sang aloud:

Wujiang Prefecture - Fengyan Pavilion - 24th Du Huanggang Temple Earth Bodhisattva:

The worshipper, Wan Shanhong, prepared three animals and placed them in front of the courtyard, and worshipped the Bodhisattva in Buildings A and C. Shanhong was ignorant, and knew nothing of astronomy or geography, except that the land governed a five-li region. His family, life, and prosperity all depended on the Bodhisattva's protection.

"A bow." My brother-in-law improvised, catching me off guard, and I bowed immediately.

I chant again:

Times change, customs change. Living in this commercial house, there is no footing in front and no beams in the back, so before decorating, it is necessary to start the construction at the pavilion.

If it is not activated, how would the Bodhisattva know that the mountain herb lives in this place? Whether it is good or bad, the Bodhisattva does not care, whether it comes or goes, the land does not know. The mountain herb lives here, feeling uneasy, as if it were in a desolate hill, next to a wild grave.

"Bow again." My brother-in-law had a good grasp of rhythm. I followed the ritual and bowed as usual. After the ceremony, we chanted again:

Today I offer my respects, with a sincere heart. The Bodhisattva accepts my offerings and grants me the spirit of the hexagram. Living here in peace, wealth and prosperity flourish. A hexagram spins, offerings are made constantly.

I lifted my green gown, took a half step forward with my left foot, and followed with my right. My acting skills on stage were so superb and perfect that the audience drooled and forgot their predicament.

I picked up the table hexagram and tossed it into the air. It landed on the ground, and my brother-in-law sang loudly: "Good luck! The Bodhisattva appreciates your kindness! This is a very good hexagram."

I bowed three times with a solemn expression.

My brother-in-law yelled: "The ceremony is over, fire the cannon!" Shi Ge lit the firecrackers, and the noise was deafening.

I grabbed the chicken blood and sprinted into the elevator. My brother-in-law, Xiaolin, and my coworker followed. Several onlookers squeezed in. Those who hadn't gotten on were waiting for the next one.

After entering 2201, I made a gesture with my hand to stop others from entering the room (it was all my improvisation and creativity, there was no precedent), and everyone stood at the door, not daring to go in.

I went in, splashed the chicken blood on the ground, and shouted loudly: "Buddha bless you, there will be no taboos, everything will go smoothly, and good luck in the start of the work."

Then he made a gesture, indicating that everyone could come in. Those who arrived first and those who arrived later filled the room.

At this time, someone asked me, "Master Wan, do we understand what you are reciting?"

I said, "When we were in the countryside, when we were laying the foundation, shouldn't we tell the Earth Bodhisattva?"

Everyone rushed to answer: "Yes, the carpenter will worship the Earth Bodhisattva."

I asked, "Should I tell you when I put up the beams?"

Several people answered in unison: Yes, yes, yes.

I smiled faintly. "Now you live in commercial housing, in the territory governed by the Earth Bodhisattva of Huanggang Temple in 24th City. If you don't report to him, will he treat you as a human being?"

Everyone looked at each other.

Someone asked: "Now that we've moved in, can we still make up for the gift?"

This quote inspired me. A great man once said that only the masses are the driving force that propels history forward. I'd like to borrow this: only the masses are the great source that fuels the growth of my Wanshanhong pockets.

His casual question made me see a golden avenue ahead, with trees, flowers and fruits made of gold on both sides.

I said without hesitation: "It's not that you can make up for it, but that you must make up for it."

At this time, business came in, this one asked me to do it, that one asked me to do it, some people even pulled my sleeves. Even if I were Sun Wukong, who transformed into countless Wukongs, it would be difficult to get them to pull my hair.

I took a breath and said, "Take your time. It's best to coordinate with your and your spouse's birthdays." This sentence takes the initiative. When I say it will happen, it will happen.

The room was buzzing with activity. I pressed my hand down, and when they quieted down, I said, "I'm just a guest star today. From now on, you can find them."

Those people surrounded my brother-in-law and Brother Shi and started asking questions.

I was afraid they would have different stories, so I told my brother-in-law, "Give everyone your phone number and we'll contact you later."

At this time, my master called me.

I walked out to a corner and said, "Master, please say it again. It was too noisy just now."

He said, "Wash the car, fill it with gas, check its condition, and leave for the provincial capital tomorrow morning."