vrcanaries Chapter 316 Poor guy
Chapter 316 Poor guy
In the backyard, there were many ragged women and children, but fewer men. Most of them were sitting or squatting, eating steamed buns and drinking porridge in the yard. There were also many monks, some of whom were eating and some were drinking porridge.
When the old monk saw Shen Changgong coming, he took the initiative to walk over and said,
"Donor, you are here. Seeing that there are so many of you, I have asked them to prepare some extra vegetarian food. I hope you will not mind."
Shen Changgong's face didn't look very good. Looking at the pitiful appearance of these women and children, many bad images appeared in his mind.
He asked with a stern face,
"What's going on with these people?"
The old monk sighed and said,
"Alas, these are the poor people in the surrounding areas who have lost their homes, husbands and fathers due to war and military disasters. Their food has been taken away by the soldiers, who claim that they are fortifying the city and clearing the land.
There was no food or money at home, so I could only go to Xiangguo Temple to eat a bowl of vegetarian meal.
Fortunately, there is still some food and incense money in Xiangguo Temple, which can provide them with food and drink. They are all poor donors."
"Are you so kind?"
"Donor, the Buddha has the virtue of loving all beings. Just do good deeds and don't worry about your future."
Shen Changgong didn't quite believe what the old monk said. He turned around and asked Tu Que Ling,
"Do you have anything delicious with you?"
Tu Que Ling shook his head, and the fat maid behind him suddenly took out a small handkerchief from her bosom and said,
"Your Majesty, this is the peach blossom pastry you gave me last night. I was greedy and saved some."
Shen Changgong took the cake and said to the guard,
"Go grab a kid."
"As ordered!"
Several guards in armor immediately stepped forward.
When the women and children saw this, they were immediately frightened and ran to the corners and into the room.
The guards grabbed a little boy of seven or eight years old and left.
The little boy's mother cried and tried to get it back, but was held down by other guards.
The other monks were furious and picked up sticks and shouted,
"What are you going to do!"
The guards immediately drew their swords and pointed them at them.
The monks were so frightened that they dared not act rashly.
"Give me back my child, give me back my child!"
The guard took the child and followed Shen Changgong out to a deserted place outside.
The child was so scared that he burst into tears.
Tang Xinyi squatted down and coaxed,
"Don't cry, little brother. I just want to ask you a few questions."
The child continued to cry.
Shen Changgong took out the peach blossom pastry, squatted down, and said,
"Don't cry, or I'll beat you. If you don't cry, I'll give you this to eat."
The child stopped crying immediately and stared at the peach blossom cake with a runny nose and longing eyes.
"Uncle, let me ask you a question. Who are you and where is your home?"
Tang Xinyi rolled her eyes.
I am your elder sister and you are your uncle. You are really taking advantage of me, right?
The little kid stared at Taohuasu eagerly without saying a word, as if he was determined not to release the eagle until he saw the rabbit.
Shen Changgong gave him the peach blossom pastry, and he immediately stuffed it into his mouth, along with his snot.
"Is it tasty?"
The little boy nodded repeatedly.
"Then uncle asks you, where are you from?"
The little boy pointed to the north. At his age, it was good enough that he knew which direction his home was.
"What does your father do?"
"A soldier."
"A soldier? When did you leave?"
"Two or three months."
Shen Changgong understood that his father must be a soldier from Nie Beibu who was conscripted into the army and no one knew whether he was dead or alive.
"Who asked you to come here?"
"We came here to ask for food."
"Are the monks here nice to you?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. Give me some food, monk."
"Have these monks ever bullied you? Have they ever bullied your mother at night?"
"Bully my mother? No, we beggars all sleep together at night, no one bullies us."
"Did you hear any screams?"
"Um... no, there's only snoring. Mrs. Sun snores too loudly."
"okay, I get it."
Shen Changgong stood up and said to Tang Xinyi,
"It seems these monks are really good people and are really helping them."
"Let me tell you, there are still many good people in this world."
"When did you say that?"
"Humph!"
Tang Xinyi wrinkled her nose slightly and rolled her eyes at him coquettishly.
Then, the two of them took the child back.
"Let her go."
Following Shen Changgong's order, the woman pinned to the ground was released, and the little boy threw himself into her arms. She anxiously checked her child's body.
Shen Changgong said to the old monk,
"Master, I misunderstood you. You are indeed good people and are helping them."
"It's just human nature. The fact that the donor thinks we are bad people just shows that he wants to protect them. He is a kind person."
"Well, is there still enough money and food in the temple?"
Hearing this, the old monk sighed and said,
"There are many people in Xiangguo Temple, and they usually buy food in Shengjing. During this period, they have been fortifying their walls and clearing the fields, and the food has not been allowed to flow out. There is not much left. At most, there is still some money left, but even if you have money, you can't buy anything. If you save money, the food will only last for five days at most.
In five days, we will go begging with them.”
"With just this little food, you're still going to cook for us?"
"Amitabha, monks are compassionate and provide free vegetarian meals. Everyone who comes is a guest."
"Don't beg for food anymore. Tomorrow the king will send you food and silver to tide you over this difficult time. The war won't last long. It will be over soon."
"Amitabha, you are so kind. I thank you on behalf of everyone."
Shen Changgong nodded and continued,
"Master, please ask someone to fetch some paper and pen. There must be quite a few men among these people, and all of them have been drafted into the army.
Many Kun troops also joined our army.
Write down the names and hometowns of the men in your family who are serving in the army. I will take them back and search the barracks. Perhaps some of them are still alive."
"I understand. Thank you very much, benefactor."
Then, Shen Changgong said to the guards,
"They cooked for us, so let's not waste it. Let everyone come and eat."
"As ordered!"
Shen Changgong pulled Tang Xinyi over, and two maids hurried to get them bowls and chopsticks to serve them food, and then the two of them sat on a long bench to eat.
After taking a bite, Tang Xinyi turned her head to look at Shen Changgong who was eating with relish.
Big, bright eyes.
Shen Changgong smiled and said,
"Why are you looking at me? I know I'm pretty, but beauty is just an adjective. Beauty can't be eaten."
"Pah, who wants to see you? I'm just curious."
"What are you curious about?"
“I never thought you would be willing to help these poor Kun people, willing to give them money and food, and even eat this porridge that only has salt and rice.
You don't seem like a high-ranking prince, but rather a wise ruler who understands the suffering of the people."