36: Official document, pointing the finger at the mountain gate.

On the seventh day after the working group returned to the county to report, a red-headed document numbered "Yun Government Office Issued [2024] No. 12" was delivered to the Yuntai Town Mayor's office by a confidential courier.

The title of the document: "Notice on the Establishment of the Yuntai Mountain Eco-Cultural Tourism Zone Development and Construction Leading Group"

The mayor put on his reading glasses and read every word carefully.

The specifications of the leading group were extremely high: the County Head served as the group leader, three Deputy County Heads served as deputy leaders, and the members included the top leaders of more than twenty departments such as Development and Reform, Finance, Culture and Tourism, Natural Resources, Housing and Urban-Rural Development, Transportation, Environmental Protection, and Religious Affairs. An office was established under the Culture and Tourism Bureau, with the Director of the Culture and Tourism Bureau concurrently serving as its director.

The wording of the document's text was rigorous, but between the lines, there was a sense of urgency:

"In order to seize the current window of opportunity for tourism in the Yuntai Mountain area and accelerate the transformation and upgrading of our county's culture and tourism industry... it has been decided through the executive meeting of the county government..."

Eight core tasks were listed, with the first three cutting straight to the point:

1. Complete the overall planning within one month;

2. Start the construction of phase one infrastructure within three months;

3. Advance the standardized management of religious sites according to laws and regulations.

Under the four words "standardized management," the mayor had drawn a line with a red pen.

The attachment was the "Implementation Plan for the Development and Construction of the Yuntai Mountain Eco-Cultural Tourism Zone (Draft for Comments)," which was thirty-seven pages thick. The mayor flipped to the "Religious Site Management" chapter, and his gaze stopped on a paragraph:

"...As a core cultural resource, Qingfeng Temple should actively integrate into the overall development of the scenic area. It is suggested that the County Daoist Association take the lead in conducting a comprehensive evaluation of the temple residents. Those who meet the requirements will be included in the unified management of the scenic area; those who do not adapt to development needs may be reassigned to other positions according to procedures..."

"Reassigned to other positions," the mayor chewed on these words as fine beads of sweat broke out on his forehead.

He remembered the phone call from Zhou Mingde the day before yesterday: "Old Chen, the document is about to be issued. Your town needs to do the preparatory work, especially the ideological work for the masses. You must make everyone understand that this is the trend of the times."

The trend of the times.

The mayor put down the document and looked out the window at the mist-shrouded mountain peak.

There, the outline of the temple was faintly visible in the morning mist, as quiet as an ancient painting.

On the afternoon the document was issued, Zhou Mingde brought a capable team to Zhaojiaao Village once again.

This time, the lineup was different from before: in addition to officials from the United Front Work Department, the Culture and Tourism Bureau, and the Religious Affairs Bureau, there were also two vice-chairmen of the County Daoist Association—one was a retired Deputy County Head, and the other was a locally renowned Old Daoist Master.

"We must speak of policy, but also of 'moral principles'," Zhou Mingde instructed in the car. "A two-pronged approach."

In the village committee meeting room, the atmosphere was solemn.

Zhou Mingde first read the document, emphasizing the requirements for "standardized management" and "integration into scenic area development." Then, he invited the Old Daoist Master to speak.

The Old Daoist Master's surname was Liu; he had white hair and a youthful complexion, and spoke in a slow, deliberate manner: "I have a deep connection with Qingfeng Temple. Sixty years ago, when I was still a young Daoist boy, I once stayed in the temple for three months with my Master."

He paused and looked around at everyone: "Qingfeng Temple has been a place of quiet cultivation since ancient times; this is fundamental. But everyone, times have changed. Nowadays, the government values traditional culture and is investing huge sums for development; this is a once-in-a-millennium development opportunity for the Daoist world."

"I have long heard that Daoist Master Li is young and capable, with profound Daoist arts," Daoist Master Liu changed the subject. "But practitioners should also comply with heaven's timing and serve all living beings. If, for the sake of one's own peace and quiet, one blocks the path to prosperity for thousands of people and the path to propagating the Dao, this... I'm afraid it goes against the Daoist Ancestor's teachings of saving the world."

These words were said subtly, yet they were piercing to the heart.

An official from the Religious Affairs Bureau added at the right time: "According to the 'Regulations on Religious Affairs,' religious activity sites shall obey the management of the national Religious Affairs department. As a registered religious site, Qingfeng Temple has an obligation to cooperate with the government's legal management requirements."

"Of course, we fully respect Daoist Master Li's personal wishes," Zhou Mingde took over the conversation. "So we are here today to ask the village committee to organize a few highly respected villagers to go up the mountain with us and communicate deeply with Daoist Master Li once more."

His gaze fell on Zhao Desheng: "Old Zhao, you are a veteran Party member and an old friend of the Abbot; this heavy responsibility must fall on you."

All eyes in the room focused on him.

Zhao Desheng sat in the corner, his fingers unconsciously rubbing the hem of his shirt. He wanted to refuse, wanted to say "I won't go," but when the words reached his lips, they became: "I'll... try."

The group going up the mountain consisted of nine people: Zhou Mingde, Daoist Master Liu, the Religious Affairs Bureau official, the Town Deputy Secretary, the Village Party Secretary, Zhao Desheng, and three recording personnel.

This time they did not take the tourist path but instead took a quiet side road. Although Daoist Master Liu was old, his steps were steady. As he walked, he sighed with emotion: "Sixty years ago, this road was full of thorns, but now stone steps have been built... It's changed, everything has changed."

Halfway up the mountain, they met two pilgrims coming down, an elderly couple.

The old woman was carrying a bamboo basket. Seeing Daoist Master Liu's Daoist robe, she pressed her hands together in greeting: "Is the Daoist Master also going to the temple?"

"Indeed," Daoist Master Liu returned the greeting. "Where have you come from, elders?"

"The provincial capital," the old woman said. "My husband's lungs are not good, but after drinking the well water from the temple, he coughs less. We came this time to fulfill a vow."

The old gentleman nodded: "That Daoist Master looks kind and has Immortal Qi."

Zhou Mingde's eyes flickered slightly as he stepped forward: "Elders, if the temple requires an entrance fee in the future, will you still come?"

The elderly couple looked at each other.

"We'd still have to come," the old gentleman said. "Sincerity doesn't care about money. However..." He paused, "If it's made to be like a tourist attraction, with people coming and going in a noisy bustle, then the flavor will change."

Zhou Mingde smiled and said nothing more.

The group continued upward.

In front of the temple's mountain gate, Li Muchen was interpreting lots for several pilgrims who had made appointments.

Seeing the people arrive, he nodded slightly, signaled for the pilgrims to wait a moment, and came forward to meet them.

"taoist greeting." He performed the ritual, his gaze sweeping over everyone and stopping for half a second on Zhao Desheng.

Zhao Desheng lowered his head, not daring to meet his eyes.

"Daoist Master Li, sorry for the intrusion," Zhou Mingde said with a pleasant smile. "This is Chairman Liu of the County Daoist Association, your Senior."

Daoist Master Liu stepped forward and performed an ancient Daoist greeting: "taoist greeting. I am Liu Zhiqing, greetings Daoist Master Li."

Li Muchen returned the greeting: "Chairman Liu's presence brings light to my humble abode."

After the pleasantries, Li Muchen led the group to the guest hall.

The atmosphere this time was even more subtle than the last.

Daoist Master Liu spoke first, not about development, but only about Daoist scriptures. From the 'Dao De Jing' to the 'Qingjing Jing,' from the Quanzhen Longmen School to the local Daoist Legacy. He was profoundly learned and cited various classics; for a time, only his aged and peaceful voice could be heard in the guest hall.

Li Muchen listened quietly, nodding occasionally and adding a word or two. Between the old and the young, one cited classics while the other was concise; there was actually a sense of discussing the Dao.

Zhou Mingde tried to interject several times but was stopped by Daoist Master Liu's gaze.

Only after a pot of tea was finished did Daoist Master Liu sigh softly: "Daoist Master Li is so young, yet your attainments in Daoist studies are so profound. It is rare, truly rare."

He changed the subject: "However, I have a doubt I would like to ask the Abbot."

"Please speak, Chairman Liu."

"The Daoist Ancestor said: 'The Saint has no constant heart; he takes the people's heart as his own.' Nowadays, the people at the foot of the mountain hope to escape poverty, and the government wishes to develop; these are both the 'people's heart.' By guarding your quietness alone, Abbot, are you perhaps... somewhat attached to the 'notion of self'?"

The question was sharp, pointing straight at the heart.

Everyone's gaze turned toward Li Muchen.

Li Muchen put down his tea cup, looked up at Daoist Master Liu, his gaze clear as water: "What Chairman Liu says is very true. The Daoist Ancestor also said: 'I do nothing and the people transform themselves; I love quiet and the people become upright.'"

He paused, his voice growing deeper: "The people seeking wealth is their nature; the government's development is its duty. I have never blocked them, so where is the attachment? It is just that the century of quiet in this Qingfeng Temple is where the mountain's Spiritual Qi converges and where the heart's blood of the Ancestral Master of past generations lies. If we destroy a century-old foundation for temporary gain, is this truly 'taking the people's heart as one's own,' or is it..."

He looked at Zhou Mingde, saying word by word: "Using a heart of greed and desire to replace the people's heart?"

In the guest hall, one could hear a pin drop.

Zhou Mingde's expression changed slightly, and he forced a smile: "The Abbot's words are too heavy. The government's development is precisely to protect the temple and allow its Legacy to be better passed down."

"Protect?" Li Muchen shook his head slightly. "Minister Zhou, my cultivation is shallow, but I also know that 'the Dao follows nature.' If it were truly for protection, why the need for cable cars spanning the sky and the clamor of horses and carriages? Why the need to turn a place of quiet cultivation into a ticketed tourist spot?"

He stood up, his moon-white Daoist robe flowing down like water: "The temple is here, and the quiet is here. If you Lay Practitioners truly wish to protect the Dao, then please preserve this quiet. If you insist on development..."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone: "Then please proceed according to your 'rules.' I only wonder if these worldly rules can govern the Dao in these mountains."

Having finished, he nodded slightly: "I still have pilgrims to receive, so I will not accompany you further."

He was directly dismissing the guests.

The smile on Zhou Mingde's face finally could not be maintained. He took a deep breath and also stood up: "Daoist Master Li, the county's document has already been issued. The development of Yuntai Mountain is a set policy and will not change for anyone."

He took a copy of a document from his briefcase and placed it on the table: "This is the draft for comments of the 'Implementation Plan.' According to regulations, religious sites have the right to provide opinions. But the final decision-making power lies with the Leading Group."

His tone was firm, with no further room for negotiation.

Li Muchen didn't even look at the document, only saying indifferently: "Then please let the Leading Group make the decision."

He turned and walked toward the door of the guest hall.

Outside the door, the sunlight was just right. A few pilgrims sat quietly under the ancient cypress tree, their eyes closed as they rested.

The mountain wind blew through the hall, rustling the red-headed document on the table, the pages fluttering loudly.

Zhou Mingde stared at Li Muchen's back, his hand clenched into a fist under the table.

Daoist Master Liu sighed softly and stood up, saying: "Since that is the case, I shall take my leave."

He walked to the door and suddenly looked back: "Daoist Master Li, I will say one more thing: That which is too firm is easily broken. Although the Dao is profound, it ultimately exists in the human world."

Li Muchen stood at the door, his back as straight as a pine tree.

He did not look back, only replying with eight words:

"The Dao is in the human world, and also in the Heart of Heaven."

Daoist Master Liu was stunned for a moment, then shook his head with a bitter smile and flicked his sleeves and left.

The group went down the mountain in silence.

When they reached the mountainside, Zhou Mingde suddenly stopped and looked back at the mountain peak.

In the afternoon sun, the temple was as quiet as a mystery.

"Chairman Liu," he suddenly asked, "what do you think his last sentence meant?"

Daoist Master Liu was silent for a long time before slowly saying: "He is telling us... that some rules are not set by the human world."

Zhou Mingde frowned: "You believe in that mystical stuff too?"

The Old Daoist Master did not answer, but only looked at the mountain peak and murmured to himself:

"A storm is brewing in the mountains..."

The wind blew through the mountain forest, and the sound of waves echoed.

In that sound of waves, it seemed as if something was awakening.