The Great Mercy Temple of Chang 'an City was a popular temple in Chang' an City. Every year, a large number of male believers would go there to worship the Buddha. There were even many high-ranking officials and noblewomen who were frequent visitors of the Great Mercy Temple. They would always leave a lot of incense money.
In addition, the reputation of the Great Mercy Temple was also very good. Whenever there were poor scholars from other places or poor scholars who came to Chang 'an City and had nowhere to stay, the Great Mercy Temple would provide lodging for them free of charge. If ordinary people's family circumstances suddenly changed and they went to the Great Mercy Temple to ask for help, the Great Mercy Temple would also be generous.
Zhao Laohan, who lived in the suburbs of Chang 'an City, was a believer of the Great Mercy Temple. His wife, Zhao, was weak and sick. Every year, in order to pray for his wife, he donated a lot of incense money to the Great Mercy Temple.
However, during the New Year, his wife suddenly became seriously ill. He had no money to treat her. In the end, he borrowed three strings of money from the Great Mercy Temple and spent three months on treatment. Only then did she get better in the Mo Hospital.
The Hu Family!
Zhao Laohan came back with Zhao, who had just recovered. In order to treat Zhao's illness, they had spent a lot of their savings. It could be said that the family was very poor and had nothing but four walls.
"Fortunately, we met Doctor Sun this time. Because of him, there is hope for my wife to recover." Zhao Laohan felt lucky. Zhao's illness was very complicated. In the end, it was Sun Simiao who helped Zhao's illness get better.
Zhao had just recovered from a serious illness and her body was weak. Seeing the Hu Family with only four walls, she could not help but feel ashamed. "It's all my fault. Because of my weak body, this family is so difficult."
Zhao Laohan shook his head and said, "It's our bad luck that we were not born in the Mo Family Village. But fortunately, your illness has been cured. Everything will be fine."
Now that the Mo Family Village had become famous, the villagers' welfare could be said to be envied by everyone. Especially because the Mo Family Village was backed by Mo Hospital, the free medical treatment could be said to be everyone's dream.
"But how are you going to pay back the three strings of money you borrowed from the Great Mercy Temple?" Madam Zhao said worriedly. In order to treat her illness, this family had long been impoverished. Three strings of money was not a small amount.
Old man Zhao gritted his teeth and said, "You don't have to worry about that. I'll go to the Mercy Temple to ask for more time. Now that you're getting better, I'll go to the Mo's Village to work. With all my strength, I can pay it back within a year. You just stay at home and take care of the fields."
The average monthly salary in the Village of Mo's Village was about 300 copper coins. If they worked hard for a year, they could earn nearly 600 copper coins. Even if they lived frugally, they could still pay off their debts.
Mrs. Zhao was relieved. However, before Old Zhao went to the Great Ci 'en Temple, he saw the Great Ci' en Temple monk accompanied by Village Chief Li.
"So Almsgiver Hu has taken a turn for the better. Congratulations," Monk Tongji said with his palms pressed together.
Old man Zhao's face was filled with joy as he said, "I still have to thank Great Master Ji Tong for his help. If Great Master Ji Tong did not lend this old man three strings of money, how could I have cured my wife's chronic illness?"
Monk Tongji nodded his head and said, "This poor monk came here for this matter. When the Great Mercy Temple lent Almsgiver Hu three strings of money, they agreed to pay it back in a month. Now, three months have passed. I don't know when Almsgiver Hu will pay it back."
Old man Zhao's face suddenly showed a difficult expression, so he said, "Great Master Ji Tong, please give me more time. After this old man goes to the Mo's Village to work, I will pay back the money as soon as possible."
Monk Tongji's face suddenly turned cold, so he said, "You agreed to pay it back in a month. Now, it's been three months. According to the original contract, if you can't pay it back in a month, the interest will double. Now, it's been three months. You have to pay back 40 strings of money! You still want to give me more time? "
"40 strings of money! How is this possible? " Old man Zhao looked at Monk Tongji like a bolt from the blue. He didn't dare to think about the amount of 40 strings of money. He always thought that he only needs to pay back 3 strings of money.
"How is it impossible? It's written in black and white. There's also your handprint. Do you still recognize it?" Monk Tongji took out a contract and put it in front of Old man Zhao.
"This … … this … …" Old man Zhao couldn't help but look at Village Chief Li for help.
Village Chief Li took the contract and looked at it carefully. Then, he sighed helplessly: "It's written in black and white. It's written clearly, and the interest is also the market price. There's nothing wrong with it."
"But, at the beginning, Great Master Ji Tong didn't give me any interest!" Old man Zhao said with a red face. He could pay back the three strings of coins even if he worked hard for a year. However, forty strings of coins was a sky-high price. How could he pay it back? Not to mention, there was also the crazy interest.
When Village Chief Li heard this, he suddenly blew his beard and said: "According to what you said, the Great Mercy Temple will lend you money for free. You even dare to take advantage of Buddha."
"But, how can this old man pay back 40 strings of money?" Old man Zhao was a believer of the Great Mercy Temple, so he couldn't help but shrink his head.
Village Chief Li looked at Old man Zhao's house and shook his head secretly. He said: "It seems that it's impossible to expect you to pay back the money. However, your family still has more than 10 acres of fields. Although it's not worth 40 strings of money, Great Master Ji Tong will give me face. How about this? "
"Then, I'll give Village Chief Li face." Monk Ji Tong looked at Old man Zhao and nodded his head.
"You can't take away our fields. That's our lifeblood!" When Mrs. Zhao heard the news, regardless of her weak body, she rushed out of the house and begged. The Zhao Family has more than 10 acres of fields. It's the most valuable wealth of the Zhao Family. So, how can they easily give it away?
"It's natural to pay back what you owe. Your family can't pay back the money you owe, so you should pay back the debt with your fields." Village Chief Li coldly said.
Old man Zhao also woke up at this moment. He understood that he was tricked by Village Chief Li and Monk Ji Tong. He pointed his trembling finger at the two and said: "You are heartless. Aren't you afraid of the government?"
Monk Ji Tong coldly said: "How many of the officials in the imperial court stayed in my Great Mercy Temple to pass the imperial exam? With this layer of incense, who do you think the government will help?"
"Besides, is there a black and white paper here? The evidence is irrefutable. Even if you go to the emperor, you will be in the wrong. "After Village Chief Li threatened, he and Monk Ji Tong left.
How can the Zhao couple understand this? They can't help but stay there as if they lost their souls. For farmers, the land is the foundation of their survival. If they lose the land, they will have nothing.
In an instant, the joy of their condition getting better was swept away, leaving only endless desolation.
The next day, at dawn, the door of Old man Zhao's house was closed. When the sun was high in the sky, the neighbors pushed the door and looked inside. Suddenly, they screamed.
"Someone died!"
Immediately, the quiet Zhao Family Village was in an uproar. Some bold villagers entered the house, only to find that the Zhao couple had committed suicide.
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