Chapter 77: Third Ladys Merit
Chapter 75 of "The Great Ming in the Box" opens revealing intense scenes: After finishing his moment of pride, Thirty-Two finally got down to serious business.The village still... Keep reading!
After finishing his moment of pride, Thirty-Two finally got down to serious business.The village still had plenty of matters to handle; it truly needed restoration in every aspect.
Li Daoxuan reached out and parted the building blocks surrounding the labor offenders. Over a hundred labor offenders emerged timidly.
They weren’t yet aware that a deity protected Gaojia Village, utterly baffled by how such massive walls could suddenly encircle them, then automatically open a gap to let them out.
In any case, sheer panic was the only appropriate response.
Thirty-Two stood before them, loudly announcing: “All you labor offenders, listen well! Starting today, you’ll work to atone for your crimes…”
To themselves, the labor offenders thought: Working, huh? After fighting all last night and getting no proper sleep, our bellies are empty. Now we have to work? Looks like we’re in for brutal treatment today.
Just as they finished this thought, Thirty-Two boomed: “Your first task is to cook. People of Gaojia Village don’t have time to tend to your meals, so you’ll only cook for yourselves.”
Upon hearing this, the group of labor offenders was dumbfounded.
Their first task… was to cook their own meal?
This didn’t sound like punishment. It sounded like a reward.
Stone and mud! In this severe drought, if you can fill my belly, I’d call you dear father! Yet you call this “using labor to reform one’s sins”?
Soon after, villagers of Gaojia Village lent them pots, bowls, and utensils. These offenders went to gather dried wood from the hillsides for firewood, fetched water from the big pond, set up cooking pots, and began boiling water.
A servant from the household of Thirty-Two pushed forth a giant grain of white rice as large as a millstone — this single grain weighed over a hundred pounds. He tossed it before the group: “This is your rice. Divide it yourselves.”
Seeing the grain, the labor offenders froze in disbelief.o save her. I’ve come to beg the gods at the City God Temple.”
The man adopted a solemn expression: “Old elder, do you not know? In the temple’s side hall, a devotee acts under Dao Xuan Deity’s decree to alleviate worldly suffering without charge. Poor folk like you who cannot afford treatment should visit that devotee. Seek divine medicine from Dao Xuan Deity—it may grant your granddaughter a flicker of hope.”
The old woman brightened joyfully: “Which side hall? My vision is feeble—I fear I cannot find it.”
The man replied: “Enough. I’ve vowed wholehearted goodness—might as well aid you fully. I’ll guide you there…”