Chapter 2145
Even monks who have been practicing for many years cannot help but expose their deeply hidden emotions and desires in this extreme environment with an uncertain future. They were unwilling to leave Guangming Temple and unable to resist the forced relocation methods of the Haihan Army, so they could only project this resentment on Xiunian, a traitor who assisted foreign enemies. Even if Xiunian's original intention was just to save the lives of everyone in Guangming Temple, when his actions conflicted with the position of the vast majority of people in the group, he was destined to become an object abandoned by the group.
When Xiunian saw the complicated emotions in their eyes, she knew that she would never be able to return to that group. He also wanted to return to Gwangmyeong Temple and continue a peaceful life, but he knew very well that that was no longer possible. On the way to Seogwipo, Officer Haihan had already revealed to him that as part of the operation, everything about Hirado Port They will all be destroyed, and from now on people can only remember the past prosperity of the place through the ruins there.
Xiunian didn't understand why the Haihan people had so much resentment against Hirado, but he believed that they were not just threats, and that these people could really do what they said. Now that Hirado is gone, what's the point of worrying about Guangming Temple anymore? He originally wanted to tell the other monks the news, but seeing the resentful attitude of these people, he gave up the idea.
Xiunian does not want to take this to retaliate against his former companions, but believes that if they cannot resolve these grievances on their own, it can only mean that they have not practiced enough. There will be consequences only if there are antecedents. When they have practiced enough, they will naturally think Understand these issues. And what I am doing now and the path I am taking are all due to the various choices I have made before. No matter whether it is good or bad in the future, it is the "result" that I should face.
When Xiunian was in Guangming Temple, he was busy dealing with secular affairs and did not study Buddhism in depth. That is, he listened to the explanations of the older monks during morning and evening classes. The practice of Zen and Prajna Paramita are all based on the theory of cause and effect. Xiu Nian has also been influenced by this theory for a long time. Therefore, he can only use this theory to complete self-explanation for all situations he encounters.
As long as people can convince themselves, it will be easier to accept reality. And Xiunian is a very realistic person. Compared with other monks who are isolated from ordinary affairs all year round, he understands the value of money and connections better. In the future, if he wants to live in a completely unfamiliar environment, these two things are indispensable. He has no money or connections now, but thankfully, he knows what direction he should work in to improve his current situation.
Xiunian has found that his status as a monk seems to be easier for the Haihan people to trust. This is probably because monks will not participate in the war, which makes the Haihan people think that his position will not be too biased towards the Hirado official. And currently assisting them in managing immigration will obviously help them gain more authority from the Haihan people.
Xiunian was just thinking about what to do next when he heard someone calling him. When he saw that it was the Haihan soldiers who were responsible for guarding the camp, he hurried over to obey the order.
"Put this on so that you can easily identify yourself when doing things." The Haihan soldier handed him a red vest and asked him to put it on outside the monk's robe.
Xiunian was flattered and quickly bowed to take it. He knew the purpose of this red vest. In addition to the Haihan soldiers, other official staff in the camp, such as doctors, civil affairs officers, etc., all wore this as identification. These people wearing red vests are not all Haihan people. As far as he knows, there are also local doctors from Hirado who were recruited by the Haihan Army to treat the sick and wounded among the immigrants. They are also qualified to wear red vests. It seems that I am now a member of this privileged group.
"You can move around anywhere in the camp, but you are not allowed to leave the camp without authorization. If you encounter any uncertainty, please ask us for instructions first. Do you understand?"
"Understood, little monk understands!" Xiunian responded and quickly put on the red vest, fearing that the other party would regret it and took it back. He knew that after he had this extra thing, his status was subtly different from other immigrants. Although he could not be called an "official", he at least had a little bit of privileges.
And this little privilege, in this temporary camp full of Japanese immigrants, is already second only to the Haihan soldiers. As for how to use this power to benefit yourself, it depends on Xiunian's own performance.
The white porridge for the immigrants was cooked in a stove not far from the camp. Although it was only made of brown rice of very average quality, with some wild vegetables picked nearby and finely chopped salted fish added to it, it was really not that good. What an attraction, but for immigrants who have been hungry for a long time, it is still an irresistible temptation.
Not many people carry bowls with them in their carry-on luggage, so the porridge charity people specially prepared hundreds of earthen bowls. Each person had a bowl of porridge, and they didn’t even use chopsticks, because the porridge was so clear that it might be more appropriate to call it rice soup. Xiunian took a closer look and saw that a human face could even be reflected on the porridge.
But the immigrants didn't care about complaining. It would be nice to have something to eat under the current circumstances. Some immigrant families with a large family can only save a few mouthfuls for the children to eat to prevent the children from crying when they are hungry. After drinking the porridge, many people slowly licked the bowl clean before returning it, which made Xiunian feel quite sad.
At this time, the benevolent people who donated money for the porridge relief, accompanied by Officer Haihan, came to check on the implementation. Xiunian took a look and found that there was actually someone he recognized among them. When the man came close, Xiu Nian said hello: "Boss Yu, I didn't expect to meet here. Boss Yu donated food to these people. It is really an act of kindness and admiration!"
The person who was greeted by Xiunian was the Ming Dynasty businessman Yu Chengli. After discussing with Gonzalez the day before yesterday, he decided that the two of them would work together to organize a porridge relief event. Haihan officials were very supportive of this and even allowed them to come to the site. Participate in porridge relief activities. After all, doing good deeds is not in vain. At least you have to gain back your reputation and enjoy the gratitude from the recipient.
Of course, Yu Chengli didn't want his money to be wasted. Besides, on the one hand, this porridge relief activity was to gain the gratitude of the people, and on the other hand, it was not only a way to get closer to the Haihan people, so of course he had to be present.
Of course, with the little food they provided, it actually didn't cost much. It's not that they are stingy and don't want to buy more rice, but that almost all the grain within a few dozen miles of Seogwipo has been requisitioned by the government. Therefore, the local people still have some surplus grain for their own use, which can barely last until the autumn harvest. The food they bought for porridge relief had to be raised bit by bit from many families. In desperation, the porridge relief activity could only be turned into rice soup.
Yu Chengli is actually not interested in Buddhism. He believes more in the power of money than in the invisible and intangible gods and Buddhas. However, Guangming Temple was not far from his shop, so he knew Xiunian who often came out to buy various daily necessities. Last year, Guangming Temple made new clothes for all the monks. The fabric used was bought by Xiu Nian from Yu Chengli's shop. After completing the transaction, Yu Chengli even gave Xiu Nian a private kickback.
"It turns out to be Master Xiunian!" Yu Chengli looked at the red vest on his body and couldn't help but ask: "Are you... working for the Haihan people?"
Xiunian nodded, shook his head, and said softly: "Yes, and no. Others think I am doing things for the Haihan people, but I know that I am actually doing things for these people. It's good, it's good."
Yu Chengli secretly laughed when he heard him flirting with her, thinking that it's fine if others don't know about your show of love. I don't know who you are. You usually do things like a businessman. How can you do it in vain? A matter of strength. "I see, it seems that I still need to learn more from Master Xiunian on my way to doing good." Yu Chengli did not criticize the other party, and everyone carried the sedan chair. Since Xiunian had said good things about himself before, it would be enough to praise him a few words. Come and go without losing your etiquette.
Xiunian clasped his hands together and said, "You're welcome! Boss Yu has great power and should do great good deeds. A young monk's practice is limited and he can only do small things."
The two complimented each other, which also made the accompanying officer notice Xiunian. At that moment, someone came forward and reported the Japanese monk's situation in a low voice.
The Haehan Army did not prepare in advance for immigration measures before this operation, so there are currently very few full-time civil affairs officials in Seogwipo, and the military is mainly responsible for the management of immigration. Promoting some people who are willing to cooperate from among the immigrants to serve as managers has always been one of Haihan's usual measures in immigration operations, and these people selected from the immigrant group are often more diligent than civil affairs officials and have better management methods. It's also more ruthless.
The military's management of these immigrants is relatively extensive. If there are suitable full-time personnel to take charge of related work, the military will certainly be happy to see the results. As for Monk Xiunian's identity and his performance in recent times, he is indeed a pretty good candidate.
So Xiunian was once again promoted from the front line and appointed as the temporary civil affairs officer of this camp until he was transferred to the next station. And the authority he has is not only to help with porridge relief. He can make suggestions and requests to the military based on the situation in the camp, and he also has the power to punish people who do not obey the arrangements.
But the most important thing to Xiunian is not these, but the improvement in treatment. From now on, he no longer has to live and eat with the people in the camp, but enjoys the same food and accommodation treatment as the Haihan soldiers here. He no longer had to feed himself with rice water that was so clear that it could make people shine, and he no longer had to sleep on an open-air bed made of straw and leaves. From now on, he can live with more dignity than most people here.
Opportunities always favor those who are prepared. If Xiunian had not decided to stand up and do something, then even if he knew Yu Chengli who came to donate rice porridge, he might not be able to win the qualification for promotion.
But now Xiunian has been given the opportunity to go higher, and he knows that his prize is not just a red vest worn outside the monk's robe, but may also mean something more. Of course, further goals can only be achieved by working hard.
As the sponsors, Yu Chengli and Gonzalez also personally performed the operation and accepted the thanks from these poor people. However, due to the poor conditions of this camp and the fact that the immigrants had been imprisoned for several days, almost everyone smelled stinky. Yu Chengli and Gonzalez were usually very pampered people, so they did not last long before voluntarily resigning.
Yu Chengli left a North Korean behind and asked him to put away the rest of the porridge with Xiunian, and then he and Gonzalez took the escorting officer Haihan and the North Korean officials to dinner. This porridge relief is just a formality. Taking this opportunity to build a good relationship with these government officials is the main business. Now we may have to stay here for a long time. If these officials are watching over us, life will be easier. .
Xiunian and the North Koreans were responsible for completing the porridge relief activities, but they did not need to do the specific things themselves. They only had to stand aside and supervise.
"I am Yin Changxing, my home is in Seogwipo, and I am a fisherman."
"The poor monk Xiunian comes from Hirado Guangming Temple..."
The meeting between the two people was uneventful, because they both knew that the other person was just a servant doing things for others. Since neither was a big shot, there was no need to show humility in front of the other person.
Xiunian saw in Yin Changxing's eyes a kind of cunning that is unique to ordinary people. When he was at Guangming Temple, he saw many people with this trait. If it weren't for the strong fishy smell on the other person's body, Xiunian would probably treat him Recognize him as a small trader.
And Yin Changxing obviously had a deeper understanding of Xiunian. When Xiunian was talking to Yu Chengli earlier, he was listening nearby.
Yu Chengli can enjoy different treatment in Seogwipo, firstly because he is rich, and secondly because he is a Han from the Ming Dynasty. Both conditions are indispensable. If he were a Japanese businessman or a desperately poor Han sailor, he would still have to stay in the immigration camp and wait to drink rice soup.
But Xiunian stood out among these people and was promoted by Officer Haihan to serve as a temporary civil affairs officer. Yin Changxing felt that there must be something different about him. Especially when he noticed that there were dozens of monks wearing the same robes as Xiunian in the camp, this feeling became even stronger - those monks who were older than Xiunian could only wait in line. Although Xiunian received the relief food, he already had a superior status. This was probably not something that could be achieved by luck alone.
It is usually not easy to start a conversation in an atmosphere of complete strangers, but for them, there is a ready-made common topic to talk about.
(End of chapter)