What Is Barbecue?

Listening to the Old Ancestor recount these rare treasures one by one, Zhou Wanwan turned to the old monk beside her and said:

"You're pretty impressive!"

"I have no idea how you managed to collect so many good items."

The abbot snorted coldly and said:

"Isn't this simple? Many of the people who come to my temple to offer incense are high-ranking officials and nobles."

They come to my place often, and since I know a lot of information, I naturally want to get some benefits from them.

Zhou Wanwan looked at him and said, "Then I have to thank you for collecting so many good things, but now they all belong to me."

The abbot looked at Zhou Wanwan and said, "If you're willing to let me go, I have many more treasures to offer."

Zhou Wanwan chuckled and said, "A treasure? Oh! It's no big deal! I'll keep looking for you."

Zhou Wanwan walked out into the courtyard and looked at the trees that filled the yard:

"Do you have any way to help me find those treasures?"

If you can help me find those treasures, I will allow you to travel freely.

The trees chimed in, "I know, I know! There's a cave behind this temple, and part of his treasure is inside!"

A maple tree chimed in, "And there's another place beneath the temple's pagoda, where his treasure is hidden."

Zhou Wanwan looked at the abbot and said, "You're really amazing, hiding so many good things. Let's go check out the back mountain now!"

Not long after, Zhou Wanwan dug out a large pile of things in a cave behind the temple.

It was all women's items: gold jewelry, gold earrings, gold necklaces, and gold bracelets.

There were also hairpins and hair ornaments inlaid with jewels, a whole pile of Manman, all precious gold jewelry, so dazzling they made your eyes sparkle.

Zhou Wanwan turned to look at the abbot beside her, frowning as she said, "You don't even spare women's private parts?"

The abbot's face stiffened and he said:

"I didn't steal these!"

These were all given to me willingly by the women who came to offer incense; I didn't take them by force!

They come to the temple praying for peace and good fortune in marriage, and they all voluntarily donate these pieces of jewelry as offerings.

Zhou Wanwan ignored him and went to the only pagoda in the temple, which was called the Demon-Suppressing Pagoda.

The abbot's expression changed drastically:

"How... how did you find out about all this?"

You've found out all my treasures; you're not even human.

Zhou Wanwan frowned. "What do you want to say? I've already told you, it doesn't matter whether you say it or not."

Zhou Wanwan led her group of people straight to the foot of the temple pagoda.

Hidden in a corner of the tower base is a very well concealed small opening, just big enough for one person to bend over and squeeze through sideways.

The group bowed and bent over one by one, walking through the narrow entrance, only to find that the space inside was surprisingly spacious.

Beneath the pagoda was a hidden chamber filled with numerous objects.

The most eye-catching feature is the golden Buddha statue standing in the center, with a gilded Bodhisattva statue placed next to it.

Both golden statues were intact and stood there An'an, showing no signs of being melted down or recast.

Zhou Wanwan stepped forward and couldn't help but click her tongue in admiration:

"I never expected it to be hidden here. It was truly an effortless find."

This solid gold Buddha statue, along with the golden Bodhisattva statue beside it, would be priceless anywhere.

The abbot's face was covered in tears and snot:

"Waaaaah... I've been undetected for so many years, how was I ever discovered?!"

And these things, nobody knows where they're hidden! I just can't figure it out."

Zhou Wanwan said calmly:

"Move everything except this Buddha statue!"

And you, come back to the meditation room with me, there are some things I need to discuss with you.

Sitting in the meditation room, the abbot knelt on the ground with his head bowed and eyes lowered.

Zhou Wanwan looked at him and said, "You're quite impressive, aren't you? Ask your men why they kidnapped me here today?"

The abbot quickly replied:

"Aren't there several benefactors from the Lu Family residing in our temple?"

I gave them five hundred taels of silver today, and told them to tie you up and bring you in, or better yet... better yet, kill you.

"A benefactor from the Lu Family? Lu Zhiwei and Lu Yao really don't learn their lesson at all; even a new head wouldn't help."

The abbot knelt down and said, "Please calm your anger, I am willing to help you punish them..."

Zhou Wanwan waved her hand and said, "These things don't require your help, but you still need to give an explanation for stealing the golden Buddha."

There was nothing she could do. She wanted to kill the abbot directly, but if she did, she wouldn't be able to win!

The abbot immediately understood. "I'm willing to admit to stealing the golden Buddha, but as for the other things, I know nothing about them."

Zhou Wanwan thought this person was quite clever. She looked at the abbot and said, "From now on, you should repent and recuperate properly in the temple! Otherwise, your old life will be in danger."

There are more than a dozen ancient trees in the temple. These trees will watch over the monks and prevent them from doing evil.

The abbot kowtowed repeatedly, saying, "Don't worry, I will never do such things again."

Zhou Wanwan brought the abbot back to the provincial inspector's office that very night.

That night, Nie Shi'an was already asleep when he was forced to get up and go back to work. He dressed and returned to the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner's office, saying, "Zhou Wanwan, what's wrong with you? Why are you waking me up in the middle of the night?"

Zhou Wanwan smiled faintly and said, "It's not just you! There are many other people too!"

Nie Shi'an saw that everyone in the yamen was there, including many officials appointed by the imperial court.

Their faces darkened, and Prefect Fang looked at Zhou Wanwan and said:

Zhou Wanwan, are you sick in the head?

Why did you call everyone here in the middle of the night?

You're not sleeping? We want to sleep too!

Chen Ankang was also quite angry. "I had just lain down to sleep when she woke me up. What's wrong with you?"

Zhou Wanwan coughed and said:

"Hasn't the case of State-Pacifying Temple been solved?"

I just wanted everyone to come and be my witnesses, and then I'll treat you all to a barbecue to celebrate."

Upon hearing the word "barbecue," Shen Congrong's mouth almost watered.

"Wanwan, you should have told me sooner! In the future, if there are any good things like this, just call me."

Even if it means I don't sleep, I have to come.

An adult nearby asked, "Lord Shen, what is this barbecue?"

Shen Congrong swallowed hard and said:

"Delicious, especially delicious, Wanwan, I think you could put barbecue in your delivery service."

Sometimes I want some barbecue, but there's nowhere to buy it.

Zhou Wanwan nodded and said, "That's a great idea. I'll take it. Let's make a late-night snack again sometime."

Shen Congrong quickly nodded and said, "As long as there's barbecue, I'll order takeout every day."

Nie Shi'an frowned and said:

"Alright, stop talking about barbecue."

Get this done quickly, what exactly is going on at State-Pacifying Temple?

They investigated for a long time but couldn't find anything wrong.