The Princess of Northern Land

Chapter 172 - 172 172 Calculation from Various Parties (1)_1

?Chapter 172: Chapter 172: Calculation from Various Parties (1)_1 Chapter 172: Chapter 172: Calculation from Various Parties (1)_1 “This… this is a day’s earnings?” Master Hui Lian asked excitedly. Ding’an Temple is a prominent temple, and as the Guest Monk, he has seen plenty of silver in his time. However, earning from vegetarian meals was unheard of. In Master Hui Lian’s opinion, vegetarian dishes were too commonplace, and were usually beneath the notice of the wealthy nobility.

The price of the vegetarian meals was quite high, making it unaffordable for the common people. On the day the service was launched, he had expected no customers. However, the reality took him by a very pleasant surprise.

“Amitabha Buddha.” The host abbot closed his eyes and chanted the Buddha’s name, seemingly indifferent to the silver piled up before him.

Master Hui Zhen couldn’t resist making a playful, triumphant face at Lin Ziyin, to show his joyous mood.

“Soy sauce, seasonings, vinegar, chili, and spices; no one outside can replicate them. Hence, I have no worry about our vegetarian meals becoming famous. However, our family’s production ability is currently limited, so we might have to reduce our supply for the monks of the temple,” Lin Ziyin said.

“There is no need for self-reproach,” said the host abbot, finally opening his eyes. His gaze, clear and sharp, rested deeply on Lin Ziyin.

Lin Ziyin sat upright. She held the host abbot in great esteem; from her rare encounters with him, she knew him to be a kind and understanding man.

“The life of a monk should be unattached to all worldly things. Benefactor, your kind heart alone has already provided tremendous help to our temple’s monks. The temple is very grateful for what you’ve done. As for the matter of seasonings, please do not worry about it,” said the host abbot, gazing at her with respect and goodwill.

Lin Ziyin felt relieved after hearing his words. If she had any unnecessary mental burden regarding trivial matters of food seasoning with the monks at the temple, it wouldn’t have been good. The abbot indeed had an exceptional character.

Thinking of the relationship between the abbot and Chu Suifeng, as well as the temple’s previous kindness towards her family, Lin Ziyin decided to help the temple out once more. “Master Host, Master Hui Lian, I am not going to lie, my family is currently busy with the experimental farming. Would you be interested in joining?”

“What experimental farming?” Master Hui Lian asked with interest.

Master Hui Zhen shot him a glare and Hui Lian realized his overeagerness was unbecoming of his monk status. Glancing at the host abbot, who was watching him, he quickly bowed his head in subdued embarrassment.

Lin Ziyin smiled slightly, “As monks, you must live like humans, eating and drinking as they do. Here in Feng City, the weather is much colder than in Jiangnan. The yield of rice is unbearably low. If the Prince hadn’t mandated it, I suspect no one in Feng City would be willing to grow rice.”

After a deliberate pause, Lin Ziyin continued, seeing that they were hanging on to her every word. “The monks in this temple mainly consume coarse food. Particularly, there are many martial monks who need more nutrients due to their rigorous training. If it continues like this, it’s not good for the monks.”

“Benefactor Lin, you observe keenly. Indeed, winters in Feng City are longer and colder than in the south, making it unsuitable for rice planting. The rice yield here is pitiful. Depending on beans and millet for sustenance is not a sustainable solution for soldiers guarding the border,” Master Hui Zhen replied with a sigh.

“Feng City is abundant in rainfall and the summer and fall temperatures are not much lower than the south. So why doesn’t rice grow well here?” Lin Ziyin asked back, “Does the Master know the reason?”

“In every leaf and flower, there is a universe. This lowly monk does not have the answer,” said the host abbot in a serious tone.

“Though some of the temple land is managed by the monks, most of it is leased to nearby farmers. We monks merely rely on heaven for good harvest; we have no clue about the low yield of rice,” Master Hui Lian answered with a bitter smile.