In the Ministry of Justice prison.

Inspired by Mr. Zhao, Wu Cheng'en finally got an idea and excitedly shouted to Xu Wenchang: "I declare that the best plot of the journey to the West is about to be born!"

"Really?" Xu Wei was immediately excited and hurriedly urged: "Then write it quickly!"

"Why are you in such a hurry? Let me think about it for a while. I thought everyone was like you, speaking without thinking and writing without hesitation!" Wu Chengen rolled his eyes at Xu Wenchang, then took Zhao Hao's hand affectionately and said:

"Come on, please take a seat, sir. Let's continue to talk about the following plot."

"Hey, I've finally found a life-saving straw." Xu Wei curled his lips, but looked at Zhao Hao expectantly.

"I really want to have a good chat with you, sir, it will make my life more comfortable!" Mr. Zhao picked up Qiao. "But we don't have time, we are going to Kunshan soon."

"Kunshan? Aren't Gui Youguang and Zheng Ruozeng's homes there?" Xu Wei's eyes lit up.

"Yes, sir, we will accompany you to Kunshan." Wu Cheng'en had made up his mind to stick to Zhao Hao like taffy and would not let him go until he finished writing "Journey to the West".

For a long-running serial writer, it is like walking alone in the middle of the night in the vast ocean. How happy and luxurious it is to have a beacon to guide the way...

"Oh, it's not working even in Kunshan." Unfortunately, the bright lamp had to be paid for. Mr. Zhao said with a sad face, "My father just started his career and he has to be the parents of a family. I am so worried that I don't have the leisure to think about anything else."

"Hey, what's my job? This is very simple!" Wu Cheng'en immediately took the responsibility and said, "I have been an aide to the county magistrate for ten years, and also served as the county magistrate for many years. I know everything about the government office. I will help your father to handle it, so you don't need to worry!"

"That won't do," Xu Wei said anxiously. "Then how will you have time to write?"

"Isn't this simple?" Then Master Zhao smiled and said, "Help him finish his daily chores, and let him write a book for you in the remaining time."

"You wish!" Xu Wei rolled his eyes and said, "Is it worthy of me to intervene in such trivial matters in the county?"

"In this way, I will be in the mood to help Mr. Sheyang with advice." Zhao Hao ignored Xu Wei and spoke to Wu Chengen.

"Okay, it's settled!" Wu Cheng'en thought this was a good arrangement. He sneered at Xu Wenchang and said, "If you don't help, don't expect to read another word!"

"No, no, I can't help you..." Xu Wei sighed helplessly. Alas, is it easy to be a book lover?

~~

Master Zhao had to use a lot of words to get the two old men, one tall and one fat...well, Xu Wei was the little old man, out of the Ministry of Justice's prison.

By the time they finished all the formalities and came out of Taiping Gate, the government office was almost closing.

Of course, this is also related to the fact that the government office closes too early.

Usually after the hour of Wei, officials in Nanjing would carry bird cages and lead dogs, and either leisurely return home or rush off to various places to have fun.

Zhao Hao originally planned to take the two half-human, half-ghost guys directly home and have the servants give them a thorough cleaning and grooming.

Unexpectedly, Xu Wei suggested going to Wengtang to take a bath.

Mr. Zhao readily agreed, gave a thumbs up and said with a smile: "In the morning, skin is covered with water, and in the evening, water is covered with skin. He is an old Nanjing person."

Wu Cheng'en was also quite interested. Taking a bath can not only remove the ashes, but also bring out inspiration.

Young Master Zhao had no interest in going into a bathhouse naked with a group of masters.

This doesn't suit my status.

But Xu Wei insisted on dragging him along, saying that he had suffered a loss during the day and had to come back to see it.

Zhao Hao had no choice but to follow the two old men, led by Zhao Shouzheng, to the Weng Hall outside Jubao Gate.

Weng Hall is right next to the Da Baoen Temple.

In order to commemorate the kindness of his biological mother, Concubine Yi, in raising him, Emperor Chengzu asked Zheng He to personally supervise the construction of the Da Baoen Temple.

After it was built, foreign envoys and dignitaries would come here to pay homage. Before paying homage, they would first take a bath here to purify themselves, so this was once the most advanced bathhouse in the Ming Dynasty.

Although the capital has long been moved to Beijing, and there are no more rules before entering the Da Baoen Temple, Wengtang is still the top bathhouse in Nanjing and is deeply loved by noble officials.

The gentlemen often stay in there for the whole day and treat bathing as their life.

At dusk, everyone came to the Weng Hall. Seeing the glittering glazed tower not far away, Zhao Hao slapped his head and said, "Oh, I almost forgot that I have an appointment with Master Xuelang today."

After saying this, he left as if escaping.

"You say you are honest, but you don't dare to be honest with others." Xu Wei curled his lips.

"Never mind him, let's go take a bath." Mr. Zhao dragged Xu Wei and Wu Chengen to the bathhouse. "How can young people know the benefits of taking a bath?"

"That's true." Xu Wei shook his long hair and walked into the urn hall that looked like two yurts covered with tiles.

~~

On the other hand, Zhao Hao actually had an appointment with Xuelang.

To be precise, it was Xuelang who asked him to come to Xiangguo Temple, saying that he had something good to show him.

If he doesn't come, I will bring someone playing the suona to invite him.

When Xuelang heard that Zhao was coming to keep the appointment, he was very happy and ordered the young monk to open the temple gate quickly and welcome Mr. Zhao with the highest courtesy.

Master Zhao was almost stunned when he saw the two vermilion lacquered doors slowly opening and dozens of monks in robes, holding alms bowls, chimes, bottles and wooden fish, marching out in two lines to greet them.

"What are you trying to do?" Zhao Hao looked awkwardly at Xuelang, who was wearing a colorful robe, a monk's hat, and holding a purple gold staff.

"It is all thanks to the help of Mr. Zhao that the Great Baoen Temple can rebuild its halls and temples." Xuelang said sternly, "If you know the favor but don't repay it, you are unworthy of being a monk. This is a small token of our appreciation. Thank you again, Mr. Zhao!"

Amid the sound of Buddhist chants, Xuelang bowed solemnly to Master Zhao and led him into the temple.

After putting some distance between himself and the monks below, Xuelang Fang asked for credit in a low voice: "Isn't it great? Usually only governors and dukes get this kind of treatment."

"Thank you." Zhao Hao rolled his eyes, thinking what the hell was going on. "It's raining, you're really making a fuss."

"This is also a kind of practice." Xuelang said with a pious face.

These words might have been more convincing if the two young monks who held umbrellas for him had left.

After saying that, he smiled faintly and said, "Besides, I will be leaving soon. If I don't make some effort, how can I justify my contribution?"

"Hey, aren't you the host?" Zhao Hao asked curiously.

It has been less than a year since Xuelang became the leader of the Da Baoen Temple by virtue of his contribution in raising 50,000 taels of silver.

"Being a host has a lot of worldly affairs, which interferes too much with spiritual practice." Xuelang answered seriously, then whispered, "Just enjoy it for the fun of it."

"That's true." Zhao Hao agreed deeply. For the reputation of the Ming Dynasty Royal Temple, this Hua Heshang should not be allowed to continue to be the abbot.

"Where are you going?"

“Kunshan Huiju Temple.”

PS This is the third update, the next one will be at noon.