Now, the monks went to the government office to lodge a complaint.
A clerk took their petition and turned to leave.
The monks sat outside the county office until dark, but no one paid them any attention.
When the monks had gone to collect their debts the day before, the ordinary people had not known how to respond, and many had obediently paid up. But those landlords and wealthy merchants were no pushovers. As soon as the monks left yesterday, they had informed the officials, so no one would accept the case today.
The monks waited all day without a reply, then beat the grievance drum again, only to be driven away by the runners.
"You've already submitted your petition. What are you still beating the drum for? Wait quietly, or you'll be charged with disrupting the government office!"
The abbot said, "When will His Honor hear this case?"
The runner said, "How should I know? His Honor handles ten thousand affairs a day. Once he finishes his other cases, he'll naturally hear yours. Stop blocking the entrance. How are other people supposed to seek redress? Are yours the only grievances allowed?"
The monks had no choice but to return to the monastery and wait.
Waiting in itself was nothing. After all, they had already waited more than twenty years.
But the deposit for repairing the monastery had already been paid, and the craftsmen had started work. They could not stop now. There were five hundred monks to feed and provide for, and the monastery's ever-burning lamps had to stay lit. How could a mere thousand taels of silver cover it all?
After waiting three days, the new abbot watched the silver pour away like running water, then looked at the government office, where nothing had stirred. He was beginning