The gust of wind left Judge Shi so befuddled that he ordered his retinue to separate and enter Daming separately and pretend to be strangers to each other acting like traveling merchants on a trip to the capitol. One after another they entered the city and checked in at the Luck Ascending Inn. Judge Shi told the host of the inn that he had met Huang Tianba on the road and asked for a room together and the owner and attendants of the inn were completely taken in.
That evening Judge Shi started his investigation in his room with a casual chat, "Inn Attendant, what is your surname and who are you, ya?"
"This little one is surnamed Lu and was the third born, so they all call me Little Lu the Third. And, what is your venerated surname sir?"
"I am surnamed Ren.”
"Where is your venerable abode, ya?"
"I travel from Beijing city."
“Right."
With the pleasantries out of the way Judge Shi got down to business. "Third Lu, let me ask you. Ten miles southeast of here there is a great big temple. What temple is that, ya?"
“Guan Wang Temple. The number one monastery of Daming."
‘Do Daoists live there or Buddhists and how many are there?
‘Honored sir is asking about the monks of the temple?”
“Some time ago a troublesome relative of mine left home to become a monk and I've heard it said that he stays at Guan Wang Temple in Daming. Since I was passing by, well, I thought to look him up. But, I don't know the name of the abbot there. Third Lu, do you know, ya?"
"Abbot Measureless is his name sir. This Abbot is in high standing with the local squires and since he has that great belly of his and also recites sutras, the local squires often spend their time relaxing there. But this past June he almost suffered a lawsuit. Not by the locals, but a lawsuit from elsewhere to seize him as a thief of women. But thanks to the influence of the local squires on the judge nothing came of it."
Judge Shi thought to himself, “So, this monk is no law abiding follower of Buddhism. He must be using his influence for protection. Let’s see if I can chase down some weak point in his explanation.” Judge Shi said, “Third Lu, have you ever seen Abbot Measureless?”
“How have I never seen him? March of every year, the temple holds a Land and Water Rites ceremony and I go there to enjoy myself for half a day. The abbot himself mounts the platform and pays homage to the Immortal Buddha and chants out scriptures of repentance. When he is done he descends the platform and goes to the abbot’s quarters and converses with the squires or elaborates on some of the scripture or discusses the theory of poetry and literature. I’ve never heard a word of idle talk out of his mouth. So, even if the squires hadn’t helped with the lawsuit, even the judge knows all about him. That lawsuit was really unfair."
Judge Shi thought, “Well, if Abbot Measureless isn’t engaged in illicit relations why did that strange wind arise? No wonder my retinue is not convinced. No matter, tomorrow I’ll go to the temple and see where my questions lead." Third Lu left and Judge Shi discreetly called Huang Tianba and Little West Guan to his room.
"Your Excellency, no need to be overly suspicious." Said Tianba, "Since Third Lu has explained that the local squires have such coming's and goings with him, it just goes to show that nothing evil is going on."
Judge Shi spoke, "Though the cadre doesn't think there is anything to it, But how is that there was a strange gust of wind? Even if the abbot is upright and honorable, there may be something else going on. Asking questions is not being meddlesome, but if we discover something strange going on and we right the wrongs of injustice then we won’t feel ashamed to eat the salary of our sovereign.”
Realizing that Judge Shi had made up his mind Huang Tianba said, "Since Your Excellency wants to go, your officers will follow."
"Don't bother. Since you anticipate nothing will come of it you can just stay in the city."
Tianba and Little West could only give their assent but in their hearts they thought, "Just because this old man saw a gust of wind he wants to court danger again. If nothing strange had appeared we could have forgotten about it by now, but one little thing out of the ordinary and we have to waste our time frightening ourselves half to death. Why eat such bitterness? When did anyone ever see a strange gust of wind? It is just this old man inviting problems from the wind!”
Seeing the doubt in their heart Judge Shi knew just what they were thinking, “Worthy brothers don't feel anxious, even if the cadre came along it is just to meet an unlikely danger, no need to exhaust you worthy brothers with this trip."
Hearing this Tianba’s three souls burned and his seven apertures smoked, “Your Excellency! What are you saying? You mean to say that your guards won't accompany you out of fear of hardship? We have our doubts, but we also fear for your safety. If out of one in ten thousand something ill appears then your venerated self will once again have to eat bitterness. Though we act this way, but it is all for you, how can you say that your guards fear an inconvenience? I beseech Your Excellency to look clearly into the bronze mirror! Since Your Excellency has put it this way, tomorrow we won't go with you, Your Excellency should leave early and return soon, and avoid worrying your guards."
"Well of course.” Answered the Judge.
Tianba and Little West left the room and quietly told the story to Open Road He, Seventh Marquis Li and the others and they all said that once again the Judge was meddling in the affairs of others. They spoke of it for awhile and each went to their rooms to rest for the night.
The next morning Judge Shi departed the inn alone and dressed as a scholar and by noon he’d come to Guan Wang Temple. Before the temple were three gates and a screen wall, above which were inscribed, ‘Namo Amituofo’ and above the gate was inlaid ‘Guan Wang Temple Built on Imperial Orders.’
Inside the gate was a shrine for Weituo and cross from Weituo's Hall was a courtyard leading to steps to a great hall. Judge Shi walked up the stairs and read a large plaque inscribed with three golden characters ‘Guandi Temple.’
Judge Shi thought to himself, “So, this is not the Buddhist hall, but Guandi's hall." He entered the great hall and faced Guandi's statue and performed the ceremony of ‘three kneels and nine kowtows.’ Finished paying his respects, he took one last look to the left and right and departed the hall. Gradually he made his way to the rear courtyard and another imposing hall with four vermilion characters ‘Daxiong Treasure Hall.’
"So, this is the Buddhist hall." He thought. Inside were three great Buddhas, with the eighteen Luohan to their sides, all covered in gold and extremely resplendent.
A young acolyte appeared and brought tea to Judge Shi. He took a sip, and passed the cup back to the acolyte and placed a copper in the tea tray. The young acolyte put the tea and money to the side while Judge Shi sat on the cushion.
“What is benefactor's venerable surname and from where are you from?” Asked the acolyte.
“Before you this one is surnamed Ren and has walked here from the city. Is the senior monk here?”
“Presently the abbot is in his chamber with two gentlemen composing poetry. Does benefactor know the abbot?”
Judge Shi casually replied, "We have met before" On saying that he got up and made his way out of the hall.
Translation Kevin Brazier
