Fangzheng pressed his palms together . "This Penniless Monk will probably disappoint you . This Penniless Monk is lacking in knowledge and might only be able to provide a listening ear . "
Li Xueying's heart sank when she heard the first half of Fangzheng's sentence . She knew her problem well and was not seeking an answer from anyone . Yet she felt uncomfortable keeping it in her heart . She wanted to confide in someone reliable . Fangzheng made her feel comfortable . Although this was the first time she met him, she still felt a natural intimacy towards him . He felt reliable, a person who you could feel at ease with . Most importantly, the monk did not know her .
After hearing the second half of Fangzheng's sentence, Li Xueying heaved a sigh of relief and smiled, "Then, just provide a listening ear . "
Just as Li Xueying was about to start speaking, she suddenly heard loud voices coming from outside . People were shouting 'Li Xueying! Li Xueying!'
Li Xueying was flustered . . .
"Patron, it seems that they are looking for you . "
Li Xueying sighed, "Whatever . It appears that this will be the end of our conversation today . Well, if it's possible, can you not tell anyone what I told you today?" Li Xueying asked .
Fangzheng nodded . "This Penniless Monk can keep it a secret for you . "
"Thanks a lot . I enjoy the peace and quietness here . I also like how you do not put on a facade . You make me understand a principle," said Li Xueying with a giant smile .
Fangzheng asked out of curiosity, "What principle?"
"Sometimes, people overthink things . They might obtain something but also lose something else . Do things in a simple manner, a return to simplicity is true relief . Unfortunately, acting on this realization is difficult . I'm unable to do so . Sigh . . . "
With that said, Li Xueying turned around and walked away . There was a relaxed smile on her face but when she walked out the monastery, the smile faded . She hung a professional smile on her face as she silently wore her sunglasses .
Fangzheng stood rooted to the ground behind her .
"Do things in an easier manner, a return to simplicity is true relief . Return to simplicity, do things in an easier manner? Mountain is mountain, water is water?" Fangzheng suddenly snapped out of his daze as he roared with laughter . "Eureka! Zen farming! This Penniless Monk had been overthinking things! Farming is farming . Let go off all the baggage and just do the farming! Sigh . Zen . It's common to speak of it like a mantra . Despite knowing that emptiness is the natural way of understanding nature, returning to one's inherent nature, it is easy to forget about it when putting theory to practice . "
Fangzheng shook his head and laughed . After he closed the monastery's door, he happily went to bed . He could begin farming from tomorrow!
Fangzheng shook his head and laughed . After he closed the monastery's door, he happily went to bed . He could begin farming from tomorrow!
That night, Fangzheng had a dream . He saw crops ready for harvest as they swayed under the sun . . . It was gorgeous .
The next day, Fangzheng woke up before dawn . Next, he woke up the sleeping monkey . Fangzheng swept the temple hall while Monkey swept the fallen leaves . Lone Wolf was in charge of throwing the rubbish and Squirrel was thrown onto the rooftop by Fangzheng to clear any spiderwebs . Instantly, there was lamenting from all three species in the monastery . . .
Fangzheng's promise of food if a good job was done made all of them do their chores obediently .
After Fangzheng finished sweeping the temple hall, he cooked a pot of Crystal Rice . He took out some of the already plucked Wormwood sprouts and blanched it, removing any undesirable tastes . He scooped it back out and flicked away the water . Then, he took a bowl of sauce and placed the Wormwood sprouts into the bowl . Mixed with the sauce, he picked up a mouthful with chopsticks . His mouth was filled with fragrance the instant he put it in his mouth!
This was the unique fresh flavors of the Wormwood sprouts he had . With the slightly salty taste of sauce, Fangzheng felt like he was eating the taste of spring! Finally, he had a mouthful of Crystal Rice . Fangzheng narrowed his eyes in bliss .
Squirrel sat on the table and looked at Fangzheng with widened eyes .
Monkey began thinking . Could the food possibly be that delicious?
Lone Wolf darted a glance over before he continued eating his Crystal Rice . In his eyes, Crystal Rice was sufficient . Everything else was superfluous! Finishing his share first and getting more was of paramount importance!
Lone Wolf darted a glance over before he continued eating his Crystal Rice . In his eyes, Crystal Rice was sufficient . Everything else was superfluous! Finishing his share first and getting more was of paramount importance!
"What are you looking at This Penniless Monk for? Eat . Once you are done, we will be going to plant the Crystal Rice . Once this is planted and harvested, hehe . All of you will be eating to your fill every meal!" Fangzheng chuckled .
The animals turned restless the instant they heard that work was to be done . However, hearing of the benefits the work would have, it enlivened them .
Squirrel still hopped over and grabbed two Wormwood sprouts . He mimicked Fangzheng and dipped a little sauce before chewing on it . Following that, his eyes lit up . As he chewed on the Wormwood sprouts, he ate the Crystal Rice . He had a blast .
Fangzheng burst in laughter when he saw this . He took out a little bit of rice and a few stalks of Wormwood sprouts before dipping it into the sauce . Then, he took a vegetable leaf and wrapped a vegetable bun for Squirrel . Squirrel looked suspiciously at Fangzheng .
"You need to eat this in one mouthful to truly taste the combination of flavors . Try it . "
Squirrel closed his eyes and stuffed it straight into his mouth . His cheeks bulged as he began chewing on it while jumping excitedly on the spot .
Monkey did the same . He took a mouthful of Wormwood sprouts and Crystal Rice . Indeed, the flavor was brought out . It tasted excellent .
Instantly, the human, monkey, and squirrel made a clean sweep of the food . Lone Wolf realized that something was amiss and by the time he came over, the final Wormwood sprout stalk was already stuffed inside Squirrel's mouth . Lone Wolf became furious when he saw this . He whimpered as though he was saying, "You bunch of bastards . How can you not live by the code of brotherhood . . . You didn't even leave me some . "
Monkey did the same . He took a mouthful of Wormwood sprouts and Crystal Rice . Indeed, the flavor was brought out . It tasted excellent .
Instantly, the human, monkey, and squirrel made a clean sweep of the food . Lone Wolf realized that something was amiss and by the time he came over, the final Wormwood sprout stalk was already stuffed inside Squirrel's mouth . Lone Wolf became furious when he saw this . He whimpered as though he was saying, "You bunch of bastards . How can you not live by the code of brotherhood . . . You didn't even leave me some . "
After breakfast, Fangzheng left the monastery with the hoe and farming tools Zen Master One Finger used back in his day .
It was the end of March, and the weather was turning harm . At this moment, the northeastern regions did not start planting, especially on a mountaintop . The temperature was much colder than at the foot of the mountain, so it was impossible to do any planting . Crystal Rice was different . It was not picky over weather . Therefore, earlier planting meant an early harvest . Fangzheng was bent on escaping his poverty by having food to eat .
One Finger Monastery did not have a field originally but the village later carved out a field for it . It was early winter when Zen Master One Finger passed away . Therefore, no one tended the field . As for Fangzheng, he did not wish to descend the mountain . Since he could farm on the mountain, why would he need to do it at the foot of the mountain?
Hence, Fangzheng chose a flat plot of land with fertile soil and few rocks behind the monastery as his sustenance base .
The first problem was to rid the area of weeds . There were lots of weeds on the mountain . Although it was only the beginning of spring, with new weeds just sprouting, there were still many withered weeds from last year . This was not a huge problem for Fangzheng . After cultivating the Great Strength Vajra Palm, he had more than enough physical strength!
He swung the hoe and dug out an entire trail . It took him quite some time in the morning to dig up a small plot of land that was about a hundred square meters in area . After he dug up and threw away the useless rocks, he fenced the area . All he needed to do was water and scatter the seeds . The planting of Crystal Rice was just that simple . It was the subsequent tasks that were troublesome .
Fangzheng brought Lone Wolf with Monkey, down the mountain to draw the water with large basins . First, they poured it into the Buddha Vat to convert it into Unrooted Clean Aqua before irrigating the plantation .
Irrigating a rice field of a hundred square meters was not a trivial task . They only managed to irrigate about half the plantation after an entire morning and afternoon . Fangzheng smiled wryly, "I'm beginning to regret planting it on the mountain . This is going to be a lot of work . . . "
Fangzheng pressed his palms together . This Penniless Monk will probably disappoint you . This Penniless Monk is lacking in knowledge and might only be able to provide a listening ear . Li Xueyings heart sank when she heard the first half of Fangzhengs sentence . She knew her problem well and was not seeking an answer from anyone . Yet she felt uncomfortable keeping it in her heart . She wanted to confide in someone reliable . Fangzheng made her feel comfortable . Although this was the first time she met him, she still felt a natural intimacy towards him . He felt reliable, a person who you could feel at ease with . Most importantly, the monk did not know her . After hearing the second half of Fangzhengs sentence, Li Xueying heaved a sigh of relief and smiled, Then, just provide a listening ear . Just as Li Xueying was about to start speaking, she suddenly heard loud voices coming from outside . People were shouting Li Xueying! Li Xueying! Li Xueying was flustered . Patron, it seems that they are looking for you . Li Xueying sighed, Whatever . It appears that this will be the end of our conversation today . Well, if its possible, can you not tell anyone what I told you today? Li Xueying asked . Fangzheng nodded . This Penniless Monk can keep it a secret for you . Thanks a lot . I enjoy the peace and quietness here . I also like how you do not put on a facade . You make me understand a principle, said Li Xueying with a giant smile . Fangzheng asked out of curiosity, What principle? Sometimes, people overthink things . They might obtain something but also lose something else . Do things in a simple manner, a return to simplicity is true relief . Unfortunately, acting on this realization is difficult . Im unable to do so . Sigh . With that said, Li Xueying turned around and walked away . There was a relaxed smile on her face but when she walked out the monastery, the smile faded . She hung a professional smile on her face as she silently wore her sunglasses . Fangzheng stood rooted to the ground behind her . Do things in an easier manner, a return to simplicity is true relief . Return to simplicity, do things in an easier manner? Mountain is mountain, water is water? Fangzheng suddenly snapped out of his daze as he roared with laughter . Eureka! Zen farming! This Penniless Monk had been overthinking things! Farming is farming . Let go off all the baggage and just do the farming! Sigh . Zen . Its common to speak of it like a mantra . Despite knowing that emptiness is the natural way of understanding nature, returning to ones inherent nature, it is easy to forget about it when putting theory to practice . Fangzheng shook his head and laughed . After he closed the monasterys door, he happily went to bed . He could begin farming from tomorrow! That night, Fangzheng had a dream . He saw crops ready for harvest as they swayed under the sun . It was gorgeous . The next day, Fangzheng woke up before dawn . Next, he woke up the sleeping monkey . Fangzheng swept the temple hall while Monkey swept the fallen leaves . Lone Wolf was in charge of throwing the rubbish and Squirrel was thrown onto the rooftop by Fangzheng to clear any spiderwebs . Instantly, there was lamenting from all three species in the monastery . Fangzhengs promise of food if a good job was done made all of them do their chores obediently . After Fangzheng finished sweeping the temple hall, he cooked a pot of Crystal Rice . He took out some of the already plucked Wormwood sprouts and blanched it, removing any undesirable tastes . He scooped it back out and flicked away the water . Then, he took a bowl of sauce and placed the Wormwood sprouts into the bowl . Mixed with the sauce, he picked up a mouthful with chopsticks . His mouth was filled with fragrance the instant he put it in his mouth! This was the unique fresh flavors of the Wormwood sprouts he had . With the slightly salty taste of sauce, Fangzheng felt like he was eating the taste of spring! Finally, he had a mouthful of Crystal Rice . Fangzheng narrowed his eyes in bliss . Squirrel sat on the table and looked at Fangzheng with widened eyes . Monkey began thinking . Could the food possibly be that delicious? Lone Wolf darted a glance over before he continued eating his Crystal Rice . In his eyes, Crystal Rice was sufficient . Everything else was superfluous! Finishing his share first and getting more was of paramount importance! What are you looking at This Penniless Monk for? Eat . Once you are done, we will be going to plant the Crystal Rice . Once this is planted and harvested, hehe . All of you will be eating to your fill every meal! Fangzheng chuckled . The animals turned restless the instant they heard that work was to be done . However, hearing of the benefits the work would have, it enlivened them . Squirrel still hopped over and grabbed two Wormwood sprouts . He mimicked Fangzheng and dipped a little sauce before chewing on it . Following that, his eyes lit up . As he chewed on the Wormwood sprouts, he ate the Crystal Rice . He had a blast . Fangzheng burst in laughter when he saw this . He took out a little bit of rice and a few stalks of Wormwood sprouts before dipping it into the sauce . Then, he took a vegetable leaf and wrapped a vegetable bun for Squirrel . Squirrel looked suspiciously at Fangzheng . You need to eat this in one mouthful to truly taste the combination of flavors . Try it . Squirrel closed his eyes and stuffed it straight into his mouth . His cheeks bulged as he began chewing on it while jumping excitedly on the spot . Monkey did the same . He took a mouthful of Wormwood sprouts and Crystal Rice . Indeed, the flavor was brought out . It tasted excellent . Instantly, the human, monkey, and squirrel made a clean sweep of the food . Lone Wolf realized that something was amiss and by the time he came over, the final Wormwood sprout stalk was already stuffed inside Squirrels mouth . Lone Wolf became furious when he saw this . He whimpered as though he was saying, You bunch of bastards . How can you not live by the code of brotherhood . You didnt even leave me some . After breakfast, Fangzheng left the monastery with the hoe and farming tools Zen Master One Finger used back in his day . It was the end of March, and the weather was turning harm . At this moment, the northeastern regions did not start planting, especially on a mountaintop . The temperature was much colder than at the foot of the mountain, so it was impossible to do any planting . Crystal Rice was different . It was not picky over weather . Therefore, earlier planting meant an early harvest . Fangzheng was bent on escaping his poverty by having food to eat . One Finger Monastery did not have a field originally but the village later carved out a field for it . It was early winter when Zen Master One Finger passed away . Therefore, no one tended the field . As for Fangzheng, he did not wish to descend the mountain . Since he could farm on the mountain, why would he need to do it at the foot of the mountain? Hence, Fangzheng chose a flat plot of land with fertile soil and few rocks behind the monastery as his sustenance base . The first problem was to rid the area of weeds . There were lots of weeds on the mountain . Although it was only the beginning of spring, with new weeds just sprouting, there were still many withered weeds from last year . This was not a huge problem for Fangzheng . After cultivating the Great Strength Vajra Palm, he had more than enough physical strength! He swung the hoe and dug out an entire trail . It took him quite some time in the morning to dig up a small plot of land that was about a hundred square meters in area . After he dug up and threw away the useless rocks, he fenced the area . All he needed to do was water and scatter the seeds . The planting of Crystal Rice was just that simple . It was the subsequent tasks that were troublesome . Fangzheng brought Lone Wolf with Monkey, down the mountain to draw the water with large basins . First, they poured it into the Buddha Vat to convert it into Unrooted Clean Aqua before irrigating the plantation . Irrigating a rice field of a hundred square meters was not a trivial task . They only managed to irrigate about half the plantation after an entire morning and afternoon . Fangzheng smiled wryly, Im beginning to regret planting it on the mountain . This is going to be a lot of work .