The next day,
Before the sun had even risen high in the sky, Chen Zhancai got up early, washed, ate, and drank. After putting Liu Fengjiao and her son on the oxcart, he took incense, paper money, and fruit to burn incense and pray to Buddha.
The City God Temple is located at the foot of Shuangliu Mountain, more than ten miles away from Nanshan Village.
It is said that the City God Temple is very efficacious and its incense is extremely popular.
On the first and fifteenth of each lunar month, devout men and women from the surrounding villages and towns would flock to the area to offer incense, make wishes, and pray for peace.
After a bumpy ride, we finally arrived at the foot of Shuangliu Mountain, where a large crowd of people could be seen.
Chen Zhancai followed the crowd forward, sweating profusely as he squeezed his way from the mountain gate to the entrance of the main hall.
He wanted to quickly burn incense, kowtow a few times, and go home, but the person offering incense was taking too long.
Even the shortest time takes at least half an incense stick's time; after kneeling and kowtowing, they're still muttering to themselves endlessly.
He really wanted to turn around and go home, but then he thought, sincerity is key. If he didn't even have this much patience, how could the gods bless him to pass the imperial examination with flying colors?
Just then, a woman was seen kneeling before the Buddha statue, muttering incantations.
"Gods, please let me have another baby! It doesn't matter if it's ugly or handsome, as long as it's a boy. Our Wang family has had only one son for eighteen generations; we can't let the line end with me!..."
Chen Zhancai found it amusing and took a closer look at the woman. Seeing that she was over forty, he found it quite amusing.
The world is truly vast and full of wonders.
She's almost old enough to be a grandparent, yet she's still thinking about having babies.
The spirit is commendable, but even Buddha couldn't help with this kind of thing!
Having a child is a matter for the couple. If you could get pregnant just by kowtowing a couple of times, what would be the point of having men?
Suddenly, the voices of two women in front of him caught his attention.
"This Zhao Di's mother is really reckless! She's already so old, why does she still want to have a baby!"
"What can she do if she doesn't give birth? Her husband isn't very capable, but he has a terrible temper. If she doesn't give birth to a son, he'll beat her to death sooner or later."
"Yes, Zhao Di's life is really tough. She's had the worst luck to be stuck with such a patriarchal man."
"You can't say that. She's now blessed by the Bodhisattva, and once she gives birth to a son, her suffering will finally be over."
“You’re right. As long as she gives birth to a son, she won’t have to suffer anymore.”
"That's right, a mother's status depends on her son. To tell you the truth, I'm here to pray for a son for my daughter."
"That's not right. I remember you came here last year to pray for your daughter to have a child. Didn't you get pregnant?"
“What are you saying? The Bodhisattva in the City God Temple is the most efficacious. How could she not get pregnant? My daughter already gave birth to a big, healthy boy. It’s the same whether you herd one sheep or two. I just want to have another son.”
......
The conversation between the two piqued Chen Zhancai's curiosity. He thought to himself, "Is it really that effective? If you want a son, you can have one."
If that were true, wouldn't he rise to great heights?
The more curious she became, the more she wanted to know the truth, and she couldn't help but ask, "Ladies, is this place really that effective?"
Seeing that someone was speaking to them, the two stopped talking, turned around and sized up Chen Zhancai, and said impatiently,
"What are you talking about? The Bodhisattva here is very efficacious and will grant any request. How can you be allowed to question it?"
"That's right. I've never heard of sincerity bringing miracles. As long as you have a sincere heart, you might even find a gold ingot on the street."
"Really?" Chen Zhancai's eyes lit up. "You can even find gold ingots?"
One of the women glared at him and said, "You're obsessed with money. No one will bless someone with such a wicked heart."
"No, no, no, I was just saying,"
Chen Zhancai was thoroughly humiliated, but he wasn't angry; instead, he was unusually excited.
I'll have to have a good talk with the Bodhisattva later, no matter what.
If one is truly favored by the gods, future wealth and glory will be within easy reach.
Having made up his mind, he was no longer agitated and waited respectfully to offer incense and kowtow.
About two hours later, it was finally his turn.
Chen Zhancai straightened his clothes, approached the statue with a devout expression, lit the three yellow incense sticks in the candle flame, and placed them into the incense burner.
He then knelt down with a thud, ignoring the strange looks from those around him, clasped his hands together, and began to speak incessantly.
"By the gods above, Chen Zhancai from Nanshan Village has come to burn incense and pray. Let me first introduce myself."
I, a junior scholar, have studied diligently for decades, costing my parents a great deal of money. They sold grain and land, all so that I could live like a god.
As the saying goes, there are many ways to burn incense and worship Buddha; "sincerity brings results." Today, I come here with an extremely sincere heart to pay my respects.
I pray that the gods will bless me, Chen Zhan, so that I may be blessed with the talent of the God of Literature, that my thoughts may flow freely, that I may write eloquently, that I may pass the imperial examination with flying colors, and that I may return home in glory.
If this makes Buddha feel uncomfortable, he can choose something else.
As the saying goes, "Walking a hundred steps on your own is not as good as being helped by a benefactor; being guided by an expert is not as good as having a benefactor's assistance."
May the gods bless me so that I may meet a benefactor after arriving in Ningjing.
For example, a young and beautiful woman, preferably the daughter of a prime minister, or a daughter of a prince or nobleman.
Upon meeting you, he was deeply attracted by my refined demeanor and profound knowledge, completely captivated by me.
He fell in love with me at first sight.
"I will not marry anyone but myself... No, no, I will not marry anyone but myself."
Chen Zhancai grew increasingly pleased with himself as he spoke. If such a miraculous encounter were to occur, why would he bother taking the imperial examinations? He could simply change the brim of his hat from the top of his shoe and ascend to the heavens in one step.
Just as his mind was wandering, he heard a whisper behind him. The voice was low, but it reached Chen Zhancai's ears clearly.
"This guy is quite interesting. He's like a widow dreaming about a big dick, always having all sorts of fantasies. Is he still dreaming?"
"It's true that greed knows no bounds. Someone like him is lucky to even get a wife. He's dreaming of marrying a daughter of a high-ranking official or noble family. It's just wishful thinking."
"After his reminder, I'll give it a try in a bit. If a windfall comes my way, I won't have to farm those few acres anymore."
"Alright, stop making things worse. You're just making things difficult for the gods!"
At this moment, Madam Sun, Madam Lin, and Fu Gui's wife had also arrived at the entrance of the main hall. Hearing the whispers of the crowd, they tried their best to suppress their laughter.
He pushed his way forward, trying to see what kind of scoundrel he was, always dreaming of a windfall...
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