Chapter 785 - 547: Temple Attendant (Part 2)
Cobbler, butcher, cook, locksmith, barber...
In these trades, skills are typically passed from father to son, strictly within the family, making it difficult for outsiders to access.
Similar professions like chefs, carpenters, and stonemasons also involve heavy physical labor, unsuitable for those with poor health.
Chen Shouyi pulled over a nearby chair, sat down, sighed, and said slowly:
"Initially, I wanted to send you to the medical clinic to become an apprentice and learn medicine from Dr. Wu."
"Your health isn’t good. If you learn medicine, you can better take care of yourself, and becoming a physician is indeed a very respectable career."
"But unexpectedly, just the day before yesterday, I learned that Dr. Wu’s nephew has already gone to the clinic first, and our family lacks connections."
"Later, your ninth uncle sent news that the Daqing rice shop in the county town is short of a clerk, which is also a decent job. If you work well, you might become a bookkeeper or steward in the future."
Switching from studying medicine to being a clerk is quite a leap.
Chen Sheng was about to say something.
But Chen Shouyi quickly changed the subject:
"However, yesterday the clan leader told me something, and I think it’s better than being a clerk."
"Your seventh granduncle, who works as a temple caretaker at the Dao temple in the south of the city, is getting old and plans to retire in the village."
"His descendants are not suitable to take over, so he’s considering choosing a literate young man from the clan to inherit his position."
Fearing Chen Sheng might not understand, Chen Shouyi quickly added:
"This temple is not just any small temple; it’s popular and officially registered with the government."
"Though temple caretakers are not as prestigious as Daoist priests and masters, they still have a recognized Daoist status."
"It’s quite leisurely usually, merely attending to devotees, maintaining the temple, interpreting divinations..."
"Temple properties, incense donations, ceremonial proceeds... there are numerous sources of income; while not excessively rich, it is stable and respectable!"
"Moreover, your seventh granduncle said this Daoist status is worldly, not requiring monks’ vows, and allows marriage and children, so it won’t hinder you in passing on the family name."
Chen Sheng slowly nodded, a hint of realization in his eyes.
He also knew a bit about the Daoist status in this era; not only does it offer some tax relief but also exemption from corvée labor.
Indeed, it’s better than being a rice shop clerk.
Chen Sheng nodded:
"Father, I want to go to the temple."
Upon hearing this, Chen Shouyi quickly nodded:
"This position really suits you; being closer to the deities might also improve your health."
"I’ll find the clan leader right away. Tomorrow morning, I’ll take you to the county town to meet your seventh granduncle and settle this matter."
...
Early the next morning, as dawn broke, Chen Shouyi woke Chen Sheng.
Chen Sheng changed into a clean long robe and followed Chen Shouyi on the road to the county town.
The two rode a simple donkey cart, slowly heading toward the county town.
The journey was all along narrow paths by the fields, with crops growing well on both sides, and occasionally, early-rising farmers could be seen plowing—a rustic rural scene.
Before long, the two arrived at Ning County’s county town.
Though the county town was small, it was bustling with activity.
On both sides of the streets, shops stood side by side, the sound of vendors and haggling echoed constantly, as people in all manner of clothes weaved in and out.
Chen Shouyi led Chen Sheng through several bustling streets to the Dao temple in the south of the city.
The temple wasn’t particularly grand, with a vermillion gate and the words "True Treasure Pavilion" carved powerfully on the lintel.
Around the temple, devotees occasionally approached, incense in hand, entering and exiting the temple.
Chen Shouyi led Chen Sheng through the side gate to a refectory behind the temple, where his seventh granduncle resided.
The courtyard door was ajar, and Chen Shouyi stepped forward and gently knocked:
"Uncle, are you home? It’s Shouyi, I’ve brought Sheng along to see you."
Soon, the door opened, and an elder with gray hair and wearing a blue Daoist robe slowly emerged—it was seventh granduncle, Chen Wugu.
"Come in!"
Chen Wugu’s voice was gentle, his gaze falling on Chen Sheng, assessing him up and down.
Chen Shouyi quickly pulled Chen Sheng, cupped his hands toward Chen Wugu:
"Uncle, this is my youngest, Chen Sheng."
"Sheng, quickly pay your respects to your seventh granduncle."
Chen Sheng slightly bowed:
"Greetings, Seventh Granduncle."
His posture was respectful, calm, and composed, which made Chen Wugu nod slightly and move aside to let the two enter.
The three walked into the room, which was simply furnished with a square table, a few chairs, a Daoist talisman hanging on the wall, and the faint scent of sandalwood in the air.
Chen Wugu gestured for the two to sit down, turned around, picked up a yellowed booklet from the table, and handed it to Chen Sheng in a flat tone:
"I heard you’ve studied for a few years and can read?"
"This is the ’City God’s Miraculous Sutra for Dispelling Calamities and Gathering Blessings,’ take a look, read a passage for me, and then write a few characters so I can see your foundation."
Chen Sheng took the booklet, understanding in his heart.
The Seventh Granduncle was assessing his literacy skills.
After all, a temple attendant needs to manage the temple, record incense money, and transcribe some scriptures and talismans, which is impossible without literacy.
Chen Shouyi, beside him, suddenly became a bit nervous and quickly tried to smooth things over:
"Seventh Uncle, when Sheng was young, he and his brother both went to the elder scholar’s under the next village for elementary education, studied for two years, and knows some characters, but he hasn’t reviewed much over the years and might be a bit rusty."
As he spoke, he secretly gave Chen Sheng a look, fearing that Chen Sheng might not perform well and miss this opportunity.
The reason Chen Sheng didn’t continue his studies back then.
Firstly, because both Chen Sheng and Chen Wu were average in their studies.
Especially Chen Wu, who was so unruly that he couldn’t sit still and was expelled by the elder scholar.
Secondly, because studying was too costly, the county’s academy tuition was ten taels of silver a year, plus the expense of writing materials, which was unaffordable, so both had to stop their studies.
An old saying goes, ’Poor for words, rich in martial arts!’
But for a farmer’s child, supporting a scholar often requires every effort.
Chen Wugu glanced at Chen Shouyi but said nothing, his gaze remaining on Chen Sheng, signaling him to begin.
Chen Sheng was not the least bit nervous.
After transmigrating here, to quickly familiarize himself with this world, he repeatedly reviewed his elementary studies using the original owner’s memories.
He even found some old books, studying them day and night, so his literacy foundation was much deeper than during his elementary education.
He opened the booklet, glanced over the text, and found the handwriting to be neat; the paper was somewhat yellowed but clear and distinguishable.
Clearing his throat, he began to read smoothly and clearly, word by word:
"With a reverent bow, I return to the City God, whose powerful spirit stabilizes the universe, protecting the nation, supporting the community, bringing sweet relief, and saving the people..."
Chen Wugu sat beside him, listening with closed eyes, the scrutiny in his eyes gradually turning to approval.
After finishing a passage, Chen Sheng put down the booklet and looked at Chen Wugu.
Chen Wugu opened his eyes and pointed to the writing materials on the table:
"Write a few characters."
Chen Sheng nodded, stood up, walked over to the table, picked up the brush, dipped it in ink, and with careful wrist movements, began to write stroke by stroke.
His handwriting wasn’t powerful, but it was neat, with careful attention to each stroke.
Chen Wugu stepped forward, picked up Chen Sheng’s writing, examined it carefully, and a satisfied smile appeared on his face as he nodded:
"Not bad, not bad, seems like you haven’t neglected your literacy over the years. Two years of elementary education, and having such a foundation is already very good."
Beside him, Chen Shouyi saw the Seventh Granduncle satisfied, and a weight lifted from his heart, joy appearing on his face.
He quickly took out a heavy cloth bag from his bosom, handed it to Chen Wugu, and spoke with respect:
"Granduncle, this is a little token, not much, please accept it."
Inside were thirty taels of silver, which was agreed upon by the clan beforehand.
Chen Wugu took the cloth bag without any surprise in his eyes, and slowly put it away:
"Shouyi, we’re family, so I won’t be formal, this money isn’t for me personally."
"The temple attendant’s Dao registration requires approval from the Daoist Administration, this twenty taels of silver is primarily for smoothing things over, otherwise, the registration wouldn’t be easy to obtain."
Chen Shouyi nodded rapidly, expressed his gratitude:
"I understand, I understand! Thank you so much, Granduncle, for your trouble, and for helping Sheng get the Dao registration done."
"Rest assured."
Chen Wugu nodded, looking at Chen Sheng, with a much more lenient tone:
"Sheng, from today, you’ll stay in the temple, follow me to familiarize yourself with the duties of a temple attendant, welcoming believers, managing incense, transcribing scriptures, these tasks, I will teach you slowly."
Chen Sheng slightly bowed, speaking respectfully and determinedly:
"Thank you, Seventh Granduncle, I will definitely learn well."