Chapter 86: Chapter 86 Vegetarian Feast (2)_1 Chapter 86: Chapter 86 Vegetarian Feast (2)_1 Speaking to this extent, Lin Ziyin had no intention of concealing anything.
“Amitabha, I admire the benefactor for her kind heart and wisdom. However, such a major matter as privately cooked food, can’t be solely decided by this humble monk. Please, benefactors, wait a moment for me to consult with the abbot,” Master Hui Lian said.
“Alright.” Lin Ziyin nodded.
After Master Hui Lian left, one little monk served them incense tea and then retreated.
“Sister, do you really have a thousand menus in hand?” With no one else around, Lin Changshu asked her anxiously.
“Of course I do, brother don’t worry.” Lin Ziyin nodded, giving him a reassuring glance.
“That’s a relief.” Lin Changshu exhaled, no longer pursuing the matter.
Master Hui Lian came back after a long absence, accompanied by five or six other masters, one of whom was Master Hui Zhen who the Lin siblings knew.
“Are there any other conditions the benefactor would lay out for granting favors to Ding’an Temple?” The abbot looked at her, his eyes piercing.
“The menus and training will be my responsibility, but the temple must provide the room and chefs,” Lin Ziyin laid out her conditions.
There’s no such thing as a free lunch in the world!
The monks looked at each other after hearing her words, but it was only Master Hui Lian who spoke. “With the people and room provided by us, it seems like we get less of a share of the profit,” he said.
“What the master sees is just the tip of the iceberg, have you considered other business opportunities that privately cooked meals might bring?” Lin Ziyin asked lightly with a smile. The suggestion implied that the business deal was possible. “Well-cooked hospitality attracts more pilgrims. Don’t these numerous pilgrims need a place to stay and eat, let alone sightseeing in the temple? The vacant land on the left of the temple can be used to build rows of houses for lodging and catering. Of course, all the money earned from the inn goes to you.”
Master Hui Lian was rendered speechless from this counterargument. Indeed, no pilgrim would come to a temple empty-handed.
“You could also build some small shops for selling incense and candles. As for how to make candles, of course, you monks have to find your own partners,” Lin Ziyin said with a smile.
Master Hui Lian’s eyes lit up. Yes, if the temple acts as Lin Ziyin suggested, there’d be no worry about the temple’s expenditures for a whole year, and even the meals of the monks could be improved. The martial monks in the temple got especially excited at the talk of additional funding for their training.
“If the master agrees, I suggest hiring Master Yin who built our house. He can install firewalls in the rooms to keep them warm, even in winter,” Lin Ziyin added naturally after observing everyone’s reactions.
“Warm rooms all year round?” Master Hui Lian was joyful again.
“Yes, it’s warm,” Lin Ziyin nodded.
“Abbot, what do you think?” Being thoroughly persuaded by Lin Ziyin, Master Hui Lian turned to the abbot in excitement, waiting for his final decision.
“Amitabha, let’s leave this matter to Master Hui Lian and Hui Guang,” the abbot folded his hands in prayer to make the final decision.
“In that case, I want to sign a contract with you all tomorrow and rely on you to handle the matter with the Wang residence,” Lin Ziyin said.
“Amitabha,” the abbot replied, “Hui Ming, please make a visit to the Wang residence.”
“Yes, abbot,” monk Hui Ming replied.
After the abbot left, Lin Ziyin discussed the specific details and rules with the remaining monks before leaving Ding’an Temple together with Lin Changshu.
Until they left the market, Lin Changshu was still in a daze – he never expected that the impossible, in his mind, was realized by Lin Ziyin with ease.