BookMe #2285 - Warm hospitality
#2285 - Warm hospitality
Hearing what Kou the Benevolent said, Chu Hao and Tang Sanzang and his disciples already understood the situation.
Although Tang Sanzang and the others had spoken with the people of Diling County, they had not revealed their identities.
But Kou the Benevolent actually directly stated their identities, so the reason for this was self-evident.
Kou the Benevolent should be someone arranged by the Western Heaven; the Western Heaven must have given him some instructions long ago.
But even so, Chu Hao and Tang Sanzang would not expose it. As for the Western Heaven, they only needed to cooperate and act.
Moreover, Chu Hao and Tang Sanzang also had another consideration in their hearts: although this Kou the Benevolent was a person arranged by the Western Heaven,
since they entered Diling County, they had witnessed Kou the Benevolent's righteous act of giving porridge and doing good deeds, and they had also heard the people's praise for Kou the Benevolent.
If this Kou the Benevolent was really a good person, then Tang Sanzang and the others would not have any opinions about him because of the Western Heaven.
Tang Sanzang and the others even thought that this Kou the Benevolent might have some unspeakable difficulties.
"Amitabha, this poor monk and his disciples are indeed they. This is Immortal Chu Hao. Although he is not a Buddhist, he is one of our companions.
Passing by this noble place, seeing that it is getting late, and hearing that Kou the Benevolent enjoys doing good deeds, providing alms to monks, and helping others, we have come to disturb you."
Tang Sanzang replied to Kou the Benevolent.
Confirming Tang Sanzang's identity, Kou the Benevolent was naturally even more enthusiastic and said to Tang Sanzang.
"Venerable Tang, you are too polite. How can there be any disturbance? You are my honored guests."
"Venerable Monks, please look!"
Kou the Benevolent said, pointing Tang Sanzang and the others to a plaque on the side.
The plaque was glittering with golden light, with four large characters written on it: "No Obstruction to Ten Thousand Monks!"
"Kou the Benevolent, what does 'No Obstruction to Ten Thousand Monks' mean?"
"Kou the Benevolent, what is the meaning of this plaque?"
"Could it be that ten thousand monks can enter?"
Hearing Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie ask this, Kou the Benevolent laughed heartily, but his smile was full of pride.
"I, Kou Hong, from the age of forty, made a great vow to do good deeds and accumulate virtue by providing alms to ten thousand monks. Now, at the age of sixty-four, I have provided alms to nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-six monks.
There are still four monks short of the number. Now that Venerable Tang and his disciples have arrived, it is just enough to make up the number of ten thousand. This is the will of Heaven, allowing me to complete my great vow."
Kou the Benevolent seemed a little excited, holding Tang Sanzang's hand and enthusiastically leading Tang Sanzang towards the door.
"It seems that this Kou the Benevolent is indeed a good person."
"Yes, to be able to provide alms to ten thousand monks, he is indeed worthy of the name of a benevolent person."
"Even if he is a person from the Western Heaven, it doesn't matter if he has a kind heart."
Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie whispered secretly. Currently, it seemed that Tang Sanzang and his disciples had a good impression of Kou the Benevolent.
"Don't just look at the surface."
Chu Hao shook his head. Although he had not seen any evidence of Kou the Benevolent's hypocrisy, he always felt that this Kou the Benevolent was too pretentious.
Take this "No Obstruction to Ten Thousand Monks" for example. Since he wanted to accumulate virtue, do good deeds, provide alms to monks, and give donations, then why did he have to stipulate a number?
He even made this "No Obstruction to Ten Thousand Monks" plaque glittering with gold, afraid that others would not see it.
Isn't this more about publicity than a heart of doing good? There are naturally many things worth considering.
Then, Kou the Benevolent introduced his family to Tang Sanzang and the others.
"This is my second wife."
Kou the Benevolent said, pointing to a woman beside him. This woman looked plump, and although she was wearing a veil, one could already see that her face had a bit of enchanting air.
"These are my son and daughter."
Kou the Benevolent continued to introduce. Kou the Benevolent was already sixty-four years old, but his son and daughter were only about twenty years old.
"Kou the Benevolent is truly a blessed person. An old husband with a young wife, and both a son and a daughter. This can be said to be human happiness."
Tang Sanzang chatted with Kou the Benevolent, while Chu Hao and the three of Sun Wukong only cared about eating and drinking.
"Venerable Tang, now that my great vow to provide alms to ten thousand monks has been fulfilled, I still need the Venerable Monks to help me with a favor."
After chatting for a few words, Kou the Benevolent said to Tang Sanzang and the others as if he was asking for something.
"Kou the Benevolent, I don't know what you need this poor monk and his disciples to help with?"
Tang Sanzang knew that this must be the key arrangement of the Western Heaven.
"My great vow has been fulfilled as desired. Naturally, I want to hold a merit dharma assembly to fulfill my vow and pay homage to the Buddha, and at the same time pray for the well-being of the people of Diling County.
Therefore, I would like to ask Venerable Tang and his disciples to stay for a few more days. After I have prepared, I will trouble Venerable Tang and his disciples to preside over the dharma assembly."
Kou the Benevolent said to Tang Sanzang and the others. This statement was also reasonable.
Since Kou the Benevolent was warmly entertaining them, and Tang Sanzang and the other four had a good impression of Kou the Benevolent, there was naturally no reason to refuse Kou the Benevolent's request.
"Kou the Benevolent is too polite. This is just a small matter. This poor monk and his disciples will naturally help."
Hearing Tang Sanzang agree, Kou the Benevolent was naturally even more delighted and enthusiastic.
"Wife, quickly use tea instead of wine to toast Venerable Tang and his disciples! And this Immortal Chu."
Kou the Benevolent said to his second wife beside him.
"Venerable Tang is indeed a person from the Great Tang. You are truly dignified."
The second wife came to Tang Sanzang, approached Tang Sanzang, and said with a charming smile.
"Madam, please."
The second wife obviously had some intention of teasing Tang Sanzang. Tang Sanzang naturally understood this in his heart and hurriedly drank a cup of tea to prevent the second wife from continuing to approach him under the pretext.
Regarding this situation, Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie couldn't help but shake their heads secretly.
Although this Kou the Benevolent seemed to have good character, his second wife was coquettish and flirtatious, like a woman of the demimonde.
As for Kou the Benevolent, he seemed to have not seen this teasing of the second wife and still smiled.
On the other hand, Kou the Benevolent's son and daughter couldn't help but darken their faces when they saw the second wife like this.
It seemed that the relationship between these two and the second wife was not very harmonious. They just didn't want to show it in front of outsiders.
"It's getting interesting."
Chu Hao muttered to himself softly, because Chu Hao also noticed a person.
This person was the Kou family's steward who had been standing beside him. When the second wife was teasing Tang Sanzang, there was obvious anger on the steward's face.
The look in his eyes towards Tang Sanzang also carried a bit of hatred. It seemed that some inferences and guesses could be made here.
This Kou family seemed peaceful and harmonious, but in fact, everyone probably had their own ulterior motives. As for whether Kou the Benevolent really didn't know or was pretending to be confused, it was really hard to judge.
After eating and drinking, it was almost late at night before they dispersed and went to rest.