ANTI-GOVERNMENT PROTEST 3

Why did the people hate him to such extent?

So, in their opinions, he indeed had failed to do his responsibility as a leader? In their opinions, he was no more than a despot, who enjoyed living over the people's sufferings? Who did not care about the misery of his people and instead preferred to stay comfortably in his big palace?

In their opinions, at the end, he was deserved to be hated by the people?

Another arrow was shot once again, together with another rock. One more time, Zhu Su had to avoid these attacks. He found that more and more soldiers got injured. They were sitting, grimacing in pain while treating their wound. He turned around, now watching other soldiers who were fighting with the rioters. They kept struggling, regardless of the serious pain burdening their bodies, they still kept fighting. And below, the rioters attacked fiercely, did not care what would happen with their lives, as if they were proud to become the death squads for Huan Shikang.

Then it meant... this riot occurred... all was because of his fault?

It was all because of him.

Absolutely! If only he was not infuriated, if only he did not blindly follow the iron fist methods his father and brother did - if only he did not enact "The Method of Jinyiwei" towards Huan Shikang and his cronies, then, this chaos would not have occurred. But now, this incident occurred, all was indeed his fault.

Zhu Su leaned his back to the wall. Suddenly he felt worn out. His entire body trembled hard. He needed support to help his weak legs stay strong.

He was in a complete state of shock.

Yet he was unable to clear up all of this.

The people hated the government so much - hated him so much.

***

Seven o'clock in the evening.

The chaos in Kaifeng had not yet subsided. The entire city was brightly lit by torches the rioters bringing high. No serene place could be found since everything was filled with devastation, attacks, moans, and yells full of hatred and lust for destruction.

Different from the chaos on the outside, Daxiangguo Temple seemed untouched by the commotion devastating all over Kaifeng. The sound of the wind chime was rhythmic with the sound of the rattling leaves. The gentle breeze blew, the atmosphere of the night was so quiet and solemn.

Daxiangguo Temple was one of the most famous Buddhis temples in Ming, and all around China even until now. Established in 550 AD, Daxiangguo Temple was originally named Jianguo. It was once ruined in the wars. The temple had its name changed to Daxiangguo because, in 712 AD in the era of the Tang Dynasty, Emperor Ruizong changed the name of this temple into Daxiangguo Temple in the memories of he once becoming Xiang Wang. Hence, in this early 15th century, the age of the Daxiangguo Temple reached 900 years old.

The sound of three pairs of footsteps broke the solemnity of the night veiling the Daxiangguo Temple. Three people walked gently into the main gate.

A teenage monk was sweeping the temple yard filled with dead leaves. He was yawning when those three people appeared before him.

"Hoaammm.... who's that?..." The teenage monk looked indifferently at those three people, who immediately approached him.

"Can you call the Abbot? I want to meet with him."

The teenage monk blinked. Why did these people want to meet with the abbot in this late evening? Moreover, the abbot was chanting paritta right now, how could he bother him? He did not like the idea to be scolded at night, it would cause him difficult to sleep later.

"The Abbot is chanting paritta * . You can come again tomorrow to meet with him." The teenage monk continued to sweep.

"But we should meet with him right now, can't wait until tomorrow..."

The teenage monk pouted. How forceful this man was! "The Abbot can't be disturbed when he is chanting paritta..."

"Is someone looking for me, Bao?"

Bao, the teenage monk, turned over, "Sir Abbot! You... aren't chanting paritta?..."

The abbot smiled. "Actually I was indeed about to chant paritta, but suddenly a very strong Aura called me. I know that somebody is looking for me. And this person... is not just anyone. He is a special person, even more special than an ordinary nobleman... Yes. You must be a royal. We should call you Your Highness, shouldn't we?"

The abbot's smile widened, and he now bowed to Zhu Su.

Zhu Su smiled back at him. "You are so incredible, Sir Abbot. Perhaps... you also know our purpose to come here?"

On the other side, Bao was dumbfounded. It was beyond his expectation that he was facing with Fan Wang! He remembered his impoliteness to Zhu Su earlier. He soon bowed deeply. "Ha... hail Your Highness! I am so sorry... please forgive my impoliteness!..."

"I've told you to be polite and kind to everyone. But you still don't heed my advice. What goes around, comes around!" The abbot scolded, made Bao bow deeper. He kept apologizing, repeated the same sentence many times.

"No big deal, Boy. You're too exaggerated," Zhu Su assured the teenage monk.

"Your grace is immeasurable!..."

"Well... you are so lucky since His Highness is so kindhearted. But such nice nobles like him are so few. So next time pay attention to your manner!"

"Yes, Sir! Many thanks to you, Your Highness. I agree with Sir Abbot, you're so kindhearted!" Once again Bao bowed reverently.

Zhu Su responded to him with a little smile. I am... kindhearted? After the whole Kaifeng condemn me as a despot, at last, this young monk says that I'm kindhearted?

He turned his gaze onto the abbot. "Sir Abbot, would you mind if we ask for your help right now?"

"Of course not, Your Highness. Please come in." The abbot invited.

Zhu Su thanked him. He, Hu Nayin, and Wu Qi thus went inside.

***

* paritta = the Buddhist practice of reciting certain verses and scriptures in order to ward off misfortune or danger, as well as to the specific verses and discourses recited as paritta texts (Wikipedia).