PCJ – Chapter 109 The Patriarch Agreed

Liu Guocai only wanted to spend some money to avert disaster.

At this, Zhang Jiaohua’s eyes lit up. However, he knew that dealing with the ancestral temple was not a trivial matter.

“I’ll speak with the Patriarch and see,” Zhang Jiaohua said.

After speaking, Zhang Jiaohua’s expression became serious, and he began to chant a spell: “I respectfully invite Patriarch Zhang Wulang, urgently descend to the altar. Born in the year of Bingzi on the ninth day of the ninth month, at the hour of Hai, Zhang Wulang was born. At the age of twelve, he apprenticed in the arts, returning to his homeland at thirty-six. As he passed through Mount Longhu, he pondered where to establish his altar. Ahead, there was a camphor tree, which became the site of the Patriarch’s grand hall… I request the presence of the Patriarch himself, to receive a Sheng and a Yin divination.”

Zhang Jiaohua took out a divination block from his pocket, which he had asked Zhang Youping to buy in town.

To obtain a Yin and a Sheng divination, one must first get a Yin divination to signify that the deity has accepted the offering, then a Sheng divination to show divine blessing, indicating the matter will be successful.

Everyone watched Zhang Jiaohua’s ritual without blinking.

Liu Guocai, having traveled far and wide and being a mason himself, understood the intricacies of the craft. Seeing Zhang Jiaohua’s meticulous performance, he realized this child was not a mere charlatan. The Meishan rituals were complex, and for a child to understand so many rules was impressive.

“Brother Guocai, this kid really seems to know his stuff,” Liu Yunjun remarked, watching Zhang Jiaohua curiously.

“Of course, it was him who quelled the snake disaster last time,” Liu Guocai nodded.

Ma Lisong was nervous. Securing the funds for this school building had been difficult, and any problems could jeopardize his current position and future promotions. He was the only one in the district who had obtained special funding from the county education bureau. If this project failed, he would be immediately demoted.

The construction workers stood by, watching the spectacle and occasionally commenting. Though they didn’t understand the details, they had seen enough rituals to grasp the basics.

Some of the Meizi’ao schoolchildren peeked from behind walls, wishing they could be like Zhang Jiaohua and pocket the hundred yuan reward. A hundred yuan could buy a tank of wrapped candies!

Zhang Jiaohua said, “Patriarch, I invite you to my home and will offer incense to you daily. If you agree, please show a Yin divination.”

Zhang Jiaohua tossed the divination blocks, and they landed with a bounce before settling on a Yin divination.

Overjoyed, Zhang Jiaohua picked up the blocks and continued, “Patriarch, this place needs to build a school. If you agree to let them use a part of your temple’s wall, please show a Sheng divination. In the future, the villagers will rebuild your temple.”

As soon as he finished speaking, he threw the blocks again.

Everyone watched intently. If it showed a Sheng divination, construction could continue. If not, the classroom location would need to be changed, which would complicate things since the plans had already been submitted.

The blocks landed and appeared to show another Yin divination, but one of the blocks bounced and flipped over, showing a Sheng divination!

The Patriarch agreed!

Liu Guocai, Liu Yunjun, and the others were delighted. Ma Lisong was overjoyed. They all handed over their red envelopes.

Zhang Jiaohua didn’t hesitate to accept them. He wouldn’t do such risky work for free. After receiving the red envelopes, he asked Ma Lisong for leave.

Ma Lisong readily agreed, “No problem, take the day off.”

Zhang Jiaohua hurried home, not to store his newly earned money, but to immediately invite the Patriarch’s statue back. This sacred statue had to be handled with care. Bringing it home as a household deity promised many benefits.