"My esteemed sirs, your arrival so early in the morning truly makes this old Taoist feel flattered. May I inquire what brings you here today?"
After hastily changing his clothes, Wang Daolu, accompanied by over a dozen disciples, arrived at the refectory.
"Immortal Master, you are too kind. What matters could we have? We've come today merely to partake in your vegetarian meal and have a heart-to-heart chat with you!"
After a dry cough, Ma Wengui said with a forced smile.
"A heart-to-heart chat?"
Wang Daolu's mouth twitched. Could he be any more insincere?
On normal days, even during the Tianning Festival, this old fellow always equivocated when invited and refused to come. Today, he took the initiative to seek him out for a chat...
This preposterous excuse, he probably wouldn't believe it himself.
"That's right, we are here today to have a heart-to-heart chat with Immortal Master and to enjoy a vegetarian meal!"
Ma Wengui said with a smile.
"In that case, then let us..."
"Master, Master!"
Before Wang Daolu could finish, a young Taoist priest came running.
"Why the panic? Don't you see we have guests?"
Wang Daolu's expression turned grim. After all this time, why were these disciples still so ill-disciplined?
"But... but..."
Looking at the gentry, all dressed in their finest, the young Taoist priest hesitated, unsure whether he should speak.
"By the way, Immortal Master, the carriages outside are carrying our humble token of appreciation. Please accept it!"
Seeing the young Taoist's flustered demeanor, Ma Wengui immediately understood.
It seemed the news of the river embankment being breached had arrived!
He immediately took out a gift list from his sleeve and handed it over.
"Since it is your offering, this humble one shall accept it!"
Wang Daolu's heart bloomed with joy after a mere glance at the contents.
With so many people, each contributing three hundred guan, that amounted to nearly twenty thousand guan!
The incense money collected in just one day was equivalent to his income for half a year.
Although he didn't know what these old fellows were here for, with such wealth, Wang Daolu no longer cared about their purpose.
As long as they weren't here to commit murder and arson, what they were here for was none of his business!
"This young apprentice arrived in such haste; he must have something important to find the Immortal Master for. If you have matters to attend to, please go ahead. We can manage ourselves here with the vegetarian meal."
Seeing the greedy and lecherous old Taoist accept the gift, Ma Wengui smiled slightly and cupped his hands towards Wang Daolu.
"This doesn't seem quite right..."
Having just accepted so much money, Wang Daolu felt a bit awkward.
"It's not a problem at all, Immortal Master. Please go attend to your business. We have nothing else to do today, and it's fine if you attend to us later!"
"If that is the case, then I shall not stand on ceremony. Please, have a seat, gentlemen. I shall return shortly."
After apologizing to the gentry once more, Wang Daolu strode out of the refectory.
"What is all the commotion about? You're so flustered and have no manners. Is this how I've been teaching you?"
Once outside, Wang Daolu's expression turned grim again.
"Master, that new Magistrate Han has brought many laborers, and they are heading towards the river embankment now. They say they intend to breach the embankment and return the land we acquired years ago to the river channel!"
"What did you say? Say that again?"
Wang Daolu was stunned. Since his arrival in Neihuang County, this was the first time anyone dared to challenge him so directly.
"That new Magistrate Han is leading several hundred laborers to excavate the river embankment. They claim to want to return all the river beach land we acquired years ago to the river channel. They are likely already excavating!"
"Why didn't you say so earlier? What were you doing with such important news?"
Before the young Taoist could finish speaking, Wang Daolu furiously kicked him in the stomach.
Although it was only a few dozen mu of land, it was genuine river beach land.
Not only was the soil fertile, but for some unknown reason, the rice grown on this land had an exceptionally good growth. Every year, the harvested grain could be sold as seeds to the local populace at a high price.
Even with only a few dozen mu, the annual income was at least three to four thousand guan.
In a large city like Bianliang, a few thousand guan might not amount to much. However, in a small county like Neihuang, it was a considerable sum.
Of course, for a charlatan like Wang Daolu, any problem that couldn't be explained by common sense was attributed to spirits and deities. How could he possibly miss such an opportunity?
Because of these few dozen mu, every year before spring plowing, the common folk who wanted to buy seeds, after borrowing from the green shoot loans, would first come to the Divine Heavens Longevity Palace to offer sacrifices and pray for blessings.
Naturally, all these sacrifices and prayers cost money.
Although the amount was not much individually, it was the sheer number of people that mattered!
Over the past few years, the total income combined was likely no less than seventy to eighty thousand guan.
With such a money tree about to be cut down, it would be unnatural for Wang Daolu not to be agitated.
"But, but you told me not to speak earlier!"
The young Taoist said with a look of grievance.
"Useless! Get out!"
His words only made Wang Daolu even angrier. Without a word, he pursued the young disciple, kicking him repeatedly in the backside.
"Master, we should hurry! If we delay any further, by the time we arrive, it might already be a flooded expanse!"
Just as Wang Daolu was about to properly deal with the rascal, several other young Taoist priests came forward and whispered.
"Damn it, I was so enraged! Prepare fast horses immediately, and let's go!"
Their reminder finally jolted Wang Daolu back to reality. At this point, where could he afford to waste time with them...
Given the circumstances, he couldn't afford to care about anything else. With a call, he immediately led over a dozen strong Taoist priests towards that stretch of river beach land.