Ming Zuo

Chapter 138 Chimelong Rice Store
"Zuo Menggeng, you..."

On the carriage back, Xu Ruolin seemed very preoccupied.

When Zuo Menggeng looked over, Xu Ruolin finally couldn't bear it, and asked about her worries for a long time.

"Are you really not half in awe of God?"

During the past few days, she got along with Zuo Menggeng day and night, and they were all Western missionaries. Xu Ruolin suddenly found that Zuo Menggeng didn't have the slightest sense of humility.

This discovery made her extremely flustered.

This boy was her only confidant, the only person in the world with whom she could openly communicate.

She thought that she had finally found her best soul mate.

But Zuo Menggeng's attitude towards the church made her very confused.

This is not in line with her beliefs, making her wonder how to face Zuo Menggeng and the Lord God at the same time.

But the problem that caused her torment was nothing to Zuo Menggeng.

"There are no gods in this world, so why should we fear illusory things? The Lord of the West is no different from Pangu and Nuwa in our mythology, but just a symbol of spiritual culture. If you want to talk about the benefits of the Lord , can be regarded as the final fantasy of human beings about truth, goodness and beauty."

Seeing that Xu Ruolin was a little confused, Zuo Menggeng said with relief: "Their teachings are good, you can learn them and guide your spiritual growth. But teachings and church are two different things, just like Xuan Hu Gong. While learning from them, Always be vigilant. Keep those two things separate and you won't be entangled."

Xu Ruolin is obviously not an expert at the ideological level, and her understanding of these things is not in place.

"How can doctrine and church be separated?"

Zuo Menggeng immediately made a metaphor for her.

"The White Lotus Sect also believes in Buddha, but what is the White Lotus Sect doing?"

Xu Ruolin was stunned, and then suddenly realized.

"Ah, what do you mean, teachings are good things to convey, but those who are responsible for conveying teachings can use them to package their real purpose?"

Zuo Menggeng couldn't help smiling.

"You are not too stupid."

Xu Ruolin was extremely ashamed, it was the first time she showed timidity in front of Zuo Menggeng.

"I'm not stupid, it's just... I haven't encountered these before."

She still has concerns.

"I am a believer, but you are not, according to the doctrine..."

Zuo Menggeng understood what she wanted to say.

"You believe what you say, but I don't believe what I say. Here, I respect anyone's freedom of belief."

Xu Ruolin was a little anxious, but also embarrassed to say it clearly.

"Oh, that's not what I mean. What I want to say is..."

Zuo Menggeng couldn't help smiling.

"This is China. Now that we are here, we have to change and abide by Chinese rules."

Xu Ruolin was dumbfounded again, apparently unable to keep up with Zuo Menggeng's train of thought.

"This... can this also be changed?"

Zuo Menggeng took it for granted.

"When Buddhism came to China, it was changed. If you don't change it, you will be killed."

Xu Ruolin is rich in knowledge and knows about history.After careful consideration, I found that although Zuo Menggeng's idea was overbearing, it was still a good strategy.

At this moment, Zuo Menggeng gave her even greater relief.

"Actually, your identity is quite good. In the future, you will be able to provide a lot of convenience in exchanges between the East and the West. But what you need to remember is that you are always a Chinese, and your position and interests must be on the side of China at any time." .In this way, you will not be confused."

Xu Ruolin felt that she had learned a lot of new things.

"Those missionaries said that the Lord is an existence that transcends countries, nations, and languages, and is the truth that pervades all mankind."

Zuo Menggeng hit the nail on the head.

"You can say the same when your home country is the strongest in the world."

This was beyond Xu Ruolin's realm, but she didn't want to appear incompetent, so she resisted asking.

After returning home, just ask Xu Guangqi for advice.

................................................

Zuo Menggeng had a lot of things to do during his trip to the capital, so he couldn't keep lingering with Xu Ruolin.

He went to visit the public office again.

"Hahahaha, having friends come from afar, it's hard to say! Take your seat quickly, and let me treat you well."

Gong Duan specially prepared a table of good wine and food, very enthusiastic.

Zuo Menggeng poured wine for the two of them, and joked: "It seems that Brother Baoxing is very leisurely in the capital."

The public drink wine into the heart, sighing.

"Isn't Guanglu Temple the Qingshui yamen? Now the national treasury is empty, and all the rituals are kept simple. Brother Yu, I'm really sick from idle time."

Guanglu Temple is in charge of sacrificial offerings, court gatherings, banquets, local wine and delicacies.

Among them, the court meeting is the most important, but that is the responsibility of the Minister of Guanglu Temple. Gong Duan, a small official of the Guanglu Temple, is not even qualified to get involved.

As for other functions...

After Chongzhen ascended the throne, he had nothing else to worry about except money.Forced to have no choice, the army had to be cut down, hoping to save money.

As a result, the troops in Xuanfu, Jizhou, Zunhua, and Yongping directly led to mutinies, and the entire northern defense zone existed in name only.

Under such circumstances, the imperial court naturally saves as much as it can in various etiquette activities, and does not do it if it can't.

So places like Guanglu Temple have become cold stoves, with no future in sight except wasting time.

Zuo Menggeng pondered for a while, and suggested: "Brother Baoxing, didn't you think about releasing it?"

Guanglu Temple's administrative minister is from the seventh grade. If it is released, it will be no problem to go to a remote place and become a county magistrate.

And when it comes to the place, it is the emperor of Tu, which is much better than being unknown in the capital.

Gong Duan looked over and asked, "Do you want me to leave the capital?"

Zuo Menggeng said casually: "Wait a few years."

Gongduan nodded and greeted: "Eat vegetables, eat. I cook this myself, and my skills are no worse than the cooks in the imperial dining room."

Zuo Menggeng tasted the food, and it was really extraordinary, but there were also shortcomings.

"Brother Baoxing's craftsmanship, even if you don't become an official, you can make a fortune by opening a restaurant. It's just that the rice is a bit short. I heard that the rice in Changlong rice shop is the best in the capital. Brother Baoxing might as well buy it and taste it. "

"is it?"

The public end is as good as a stream.

"Brother Zhongheng said so, then he must be right. Looking back, I asked Changlong Rice Store to deliver rice to my door."

....................................

Zuo Menggeng didn't wait for a long time, and the church received good news the next day.

"Left, can you really help us preach in Linqing?"

The church has figured out what kind of place Linqing is.

A big city with a population of one million, adjacent to the canal, and well-developed transportation, once you can preach here, the speed of developing believers is absolutely amazing.

Facing the aggressive eyes of the missionaries, Zuo Menggeng had already prepared his speech.

"It's a very important matter. I don't think it should be too public at the beginning. Mr. Deng can go alone. After there are no obstructions and changes in the local area, the church will send people over, and everything will be logical."

His words did not arouse any doubts in the Church.

The church very much hopes to preach in China, but past experience tells them that if they are not careful, they will encounter disaster.

Even though Zuo Menggeng is very energetic in Linqing, if things get serious, he can't control it.

As for why Zuo Menggeng appointed Deng Yuhan to be responsible for opening up the parish, the others did not understand.But although there are concerns, compared with opening up the diocese, such worries are not worth mentioning.

"That's it, thank you very much for your help."

As the president, Long Huamin made a decisive decision and made a decision immediately.

He looked at Deng Yuhan again, his intentions were undisguised.

"John, your condition is very serious, and I'm afraid you won't be able to help Paul anymore. But don't worry, we still have many talents here, and we won't abandon Paul."

Deng Yuhan suppressed his excitement and said respectfully: "Thank you, President, for your understanding."

Long Huamin stared at Deng Yuhan, and suddenly switched to Latin and said, "John, don't forget that you are God's people. If you get lost, the Lord will not forgive you."

At the critical moment, Deng Yuhan was very sober.

"I have dedicated my life, honor, and thoughts to the Lord. It is my lifelong mission to spread the Lord's gospel."

As for how much Long Huamin believed, only God knows.

The two chatted for a while, thinking it was a secret.As everyone knows, Zuo Menggeng understands Latin and understands everything clearly.

....................................

It's time to go back.

Zuo Menggeng stood outside the door, and Xu Ruolin stood inside.

"I want to go back."

"Ah."

"I know you are not happy here. If you want, I beg Xuanhu Gong, you can go to Linqing. The world over there is big enough for you to fly happily."

Xu Ruolin didn't answer, but she clenched her hands tightly, revealing her feelings a little.

The only difficult thing is that she, a girl who has not left the court, hastily ran to the man's house, how should the world think of her?

It can be seen that even though she is a believer, she is still the soul of Huaxia in her bones.

Zuo Menggeng was very reluctant to leave.Peeping around, there seems to be no one.Finally unable to hold back, he took a sudden step, tilted his head and kissed, and burned it on the girl's tender cheek.

The girl trembled, not daring to move a little, only to hear footsteps going away.

When that majestic figure was about to turn around the corner, she suddenly raised her head, her eyes filled with crystals.

Deng Yuhan joined the team on the return journey, sitting in the carriage, watching the appearance of the capital gradually fade away, but he did not feel any reluctance.

Finally freed from the shackles, the world ahead suddenly opened up, which made him very impatient, wanting to fly to the place called Linqing.

At the door of the shop on the side of the road, a beggar approached cautiously.

"Shopkeeper, do you employ people here? I don't want too much wages, just give them who stutter."

The shopkeeper looked at him and asked, "Can you carry the bag?"

"Can can..."

Fearing that the shopkeeper would not believe it, the man hurried over, grabbed a bag and carried it on his shoulder.Although it faltered a bit, it finally moved into the store.

The shopkeeper saw it, and said: "Well, from now on, you will be the guy here. Don't be lazy, or get out immediately."

The conversation caught Deng Yuhan's attention, and he turned his head to look, only to see a banner swaying in the wind through the crack of the window.

Vaguely, it seems to be a "rice".

(End of this chapter)