Chapter 1040 Fasting
Sun Shan followed the plan and fasted calmly regardless of wind or rain.
The so-called fasting requires a pure heart and few desires. How to be pure heart and few desires is to eat less, drink less, and abstain from women.
Why choose to fast in the City God Temple?
According to legend, the late emperor was very poor when he was young. He encountered a rainstorm and found a city god temple to take shelter for the night.
While he was sleeping at night, it seemed as if someone was talking in his ear, telling him that he would be invaluable and a dragon among men.
Later, the late emperor really became an emperor. When he recalled the dream of spending the night in the City God Temple, he felt that he was protected by the City God.
Gradually, City God Temples were built all over the country, and local officials were gradually required to stay overnight in a City God Temple when they took office, in order to express their sincerity to the City God.
During the reign of the previous emperor, the capital once suffered a severe drought, and the previous emperor sent an imperial envoy to Zhongshan to offer sacrifices to the heavens.
However, the minister did not go directly to Zhongshan, but went to Chenghuang Temple first.
It turns out that according to the rules, if there is something going on, one must first report it to the City God, who will then tell it to the Zhongshan God, who will then report it to the Heavenly Palace.
The City God is equivalent to a local official, the Zhongshan God is the governor, and the Heavenly Court is the imperial court.
As the local official in charge of a region, Sun Shan's corresponding figure is naturally the City God.
Therefore, one must go to the City God Temple to seek the protection of the City God so that one can govern the people well while in office.
The City God in each place is different, which is determined by local customs and culture. The City God in each place also has his own unique origin.
The city god of Jinling is Sun Ce, and the city god of Guangzhou is Liu Yan. People who have made great contributions to the local area will often become the object of admiration of the people.
Sun Shan first came to the City God Temple to worship, which represented accepting local customs and culture, respecting local living habits, and integrating into the local people.
It is equivalent to coming to the City God Temple to pay respect first, so that the people can see that he, as the parent official, respects and cares for the people.
Sun Shan sat quietly in the fasting room prepared by the old Taoist priest.
I tried to cultivate my body and mind, but I was a little tired when I first arrived, and I fell asleep while sitting quietly.
When it was noon, I heard a knock on the door and got up to eat.
Sun Shan not only arranged Gui Ge'er and Sun Dali to guard the door, but also locked it from the inside to ensure that people outside would not know that he was sleeping. Moreover, he slept so soundly that his face was full of saliva marks.
Gui Ge'er served white porridge and pickles, and said to Sun Shan, "Brother Shan, there are still many people watching outside, and they can't be driven away."
Gui Ge'er was happy that the people of Yuanlu County knew about the heroic history of his brother Sun Shan. However, they felt unsafe surrounding the City God Temple, fearing that some fanatical people might break in and get too excited and hurt Sun Shan.
Just like in Beijing, many of Shan Ge’s fans smash things from time to time, which hurts people.
Sun Shan's stomach growled and he quickly finished the food, then took out a handkerchief to wipe his mouth.
He said calmly: "When the people have seen enough, they will naturally go back. Don't worry about this."
After a pause, he continued, "You and Dali must keep a close eye on the door and don't let anyone in."
Sun Shan was afraid that someone would break through the encirclement and rush in, and saw that the brave and powerful Sun Shan was actually sleeping during the so-called fasting.
This would be a serious blow to his image and must not be allowed to happen.
Sun Dali patted his chest and promised solemnly: "Master, don't worry, I will definitely keep a close eye on the door and not let anyone in. Lest the people disturb your fast."
After hearing what Sun Dali said, Sun Shan felt a little guilty.
He asked calmly, "How are Steward Wang and the others?"
We arrived at Yuanlu County yesterday at noon, and the injured went into the city to see a doctor first.
According to Sun Dali, housekeeper Wang's waist was kicked hard by the bandits, and the force was too great, so it became red and swollen.
The doctor has treated Butler Wang, saying that he is a little older, so the injury is a little serious. Fortunately, it is only a bone injury, and the chest and internal organs have not been kicked, so he will recover slowly. It only takes time to wear off the pain.
As for the other guards of the Sun family, they only had minor injuries and illnesses, but they just applied some medicine and took some medication, and as they were young and strong, they recovered quickly.
Young Master Wang, who was the most seriously injured, was even worse off than the Sun family members. His calves were swollen and black, with a lot of blood clots accumulated inside. The doctor gave him acupuncture to reduce the swelling and blood clots, and the bones seemed to be a little cracked, so they needed to be fixed and healed slowly.
This process will be very long, and there is a chance that the baby will not be able to be raised properly.
The only thing to be thankful for is that Young Master Wang is young, so there is a great chance that the bones will heal perfectly.
Even in the worst case scenario, the only consequence is that he will become a cripple like Master Zhang in the future, but his life will not be in danger.
Sun Dali felt very guilty when he said this: "When Master Wang heard that he might become a cripple, he cried so hard that his tears and snot came out. He looked so pitiful."
Then he continued, "Hey, it's all my fault. I used too much force and that's why Young Master Wang was injured so badly. It's all my fault."
Sun Dali's verbal apology was devoid of substance.
He never thought about losing money or anything like that. If time could go back, Sun Dali would still insist on continuing to hit him with the stick.
When it is difficult to distinguish between friends and enemies, one’s own talents are the most important.
Even though Young Master Wang is lame, his family is rich and he will never have to worry about food and clothing for the rest of his life.
Sun Shan asked again, "What happened to the three bandits who were not yet dead?"
Sun Dali said, "Master, the three of them were seriously injured. Even if they survived, they would become disabled and their lives would be ruined."
Sun Shan said coldly: "Before I open the court, I will hang their lives."
As for after the court opens, those who deserve to die should die.
Food is so precious and ordinary people often go hungry. These three bandits deserve to be killed. It is better to let them die so that some food can be saved.
Sun Dali understood that he would only protect the lives of the three bandits for three days, and then torture them to death after being interrogated by their master of the Sun family.
Bah, the evil villain who has harmed the people should have died long ago. It is a blessing from God that he can still live for a few more days.
During the meal break, Master Zhang came in to report: "Master, the bodies of the bandits have all been placed in the charity cemetery. When you take office, have the bodies of these bandits transported to the yamen so that the people can see that the bandits will be punished for their evil deeds and will not have a good end."
Sun Shan understood what his advisor meant. He wanted Sun Shan to establish his authority and let the people know that their father and mother official had eliminated a major scourge for the local area as soon as he took office, so that Sun Shan's reputation would rise rapidly.
In fact, Sun Shan had no intention of making such a "scheming" plan at all, but as he was in the officialdom, he had to use these old-fashioned methods to market and influence public opinion.
Just like Lord Tang, he would hire internet trolls from time to time to spread his good reputation. Even though it was a mess, it was useful.
Look, he got promoted.
Sun Shan nodded and said, "Okay, I'll do everything as you say."
After the lawyer finished his report, Sun Dingnan came in and reported: "Master, the government has informed you to fast at the City God Temple. The government said that you will be invited to the city in two days."
Sun Shan nodded, "Okay. If someone from the government office wants to see you, go and greet them. Remember, talk less and do less. We can discuss everything after I enter the city."