CHAPTER 211: Heavenly Inspiration Day
At noon, Li Daoxuan sat before a steaming pot of Cantonese beef offal stew, happily eating while browsing his video channel "Daily Life in Miniature Land."
Yesterday he'd uploaded edited clips of the "Northern Shaanxi Daoqing Opera." Waking today to check—tsk—the reception proved quite favorable.
"This Daoqing style is incredibly vintage!"
"That opera troupe is so damn rustic, full of countryside flavor. Did the creator travel to Shaanxi villages to find this amateur troupe just for this video?"
"Achieving such authenticity isn't easy."
"These old troupes are hard to find nowadays. Hiring them probably doesn't cost much, but locating them requires wandering Shaanxi villages extensively. The search likely costs more than the performance itself."
"You must be new here. Don't know this creator's style yet? He loves massive investments! Every video involves huge spending on effects, hiring professionals to perform."
"I absolutely believe he spent considerable money searching Shaanxi villages systematically to find such a rustic troupe."
Likes poured in rapidly. The shopping cart's plastic opera stages sold numerous units; plastic miniature houses also moved briskly, yielding another small tens of thousands in royalties.
Previously, earning money would excite Li Daoxuan slightly. Now, earning too much left him somewhat numb, barely noticing. He casually closed the tab, not examining further.
Just then, WeChat flashed.
Opening it—Cai Xinzi: "There's a micro-carving art exhibition. Interested?"
Li Daoxuan surprised: "What?"
Cai Xinzi: "That client who keeps ordering micro-carved Buddha statues from us just messaged. Said Shanghai's hosting a micro-carving artwork exhibition, inviting artists nationwide to participate—bring works for display, just for exchange. He thinks your pieces are impressive, qualify for exhibition."
Li Daoxuan laughed: "When would I have time to go to Shanghai?"
Cai Xinzi: "You needn't go personally. Masters can afford some aloofness—just have someone bring them for you."
Li Daoxuan: "For example, you?"
Cai Xinzi: "Exactly! I happen to attend a secondary merchandise business expansion conference in Shanghai anyway. You've earned me decent money; helping you with this small favor is nothing."
Li Daoxuan initially didn't intend to participate, but his gaze swept across his desk, landing on the "Dao Xuan Tianzun Cave"—the small temple collectively built by over a hundred villagers during the second wave's arrival. Later relocated to make space for the Hakka walled-house, he'd "retrieved it to the heavens."
This temple contained a "Dao Xuan Tianzun statue," small incense burners, candle holders, miniature tables and chairs. Playfully, he'd even placed a micro-scale Hanyu Pinyin book on a table inside.
This piece seemed rather nice?
Leaving it here felt wasteful. Might as well send it for exhibition—let everyone marvel at the curiosity.
"Fine! I have a micro-carved small temple here. Bring it to Shanghai for me."
"Deal. I'll fetch it tomorrow."
Closing WeChat, Li Daoxuan lifted his bowl again—just as a large crowd entered his field of vision.
Cheng Xu had returned; Bai Yuan also arrived, followed by masses of ragged, pale-faced, dispirited common folk.
Over three thousand people— the scene felt immense.
Gao Village currently housed just over a thousand residents. Suddenly witnessing so many arrivals inevitably caused alarm.
Gao Family Fort villagers startled. Many paused work, watching warily until spotting the militia and Bai Yuan, then relaxing somewhat.
San Shi'er and Gao Yiye swiftly stepped out to meet them.
San Shi'er called from afar: "Master Bai, you've brought all the Qingjian countryfolk?"
Bai Yuan smiled in response: "Yes! Fortunately not disgracing the mission—finally accomplished something for the Tianzun. These three thousand Qingjian people departed my Bai Family Fort at dawn, walking over two hours, thirty-some li to reach here. Everyone's exhausted and hungry. Third Steward, arrange some food first, help everyone settle."
San Shi'er smiled: "Food we have plentiful—the Tianzun bestowed generously. But cooking vessels..."
Dian Dengzi stepped forward: "Our people brought numerous pots."
San Shi'er: "However... firewood for cooking... we can't provide quickly. Trees near Gao Village were cleared earlier. Gathering firewood requires traveling farther. Cooking might take considerable time. The Qingjian newcomers may need to endure hunger awhile."
Everyone froze awkwardly.
Listening from above, Li Daoxuan sighed inwardly: Indeed, a thousand-person village accommodating three thousand refugees inevitably faces resource shortages—every aspect liable to bottleneck.
Such situations required his golden touch, offering a thick thigh to lean on.
Coincidentally, a pot of Cantonese beef offal stew sat on his table. Today, let the new little people enjoy a proper feast, letting them experience: "Later, I traveled everywhere, yet never found anything as delicious."
Li Daoxuan spoke: "Yiye! Inform everyone: today we celebrate a festival named 'Heavenly Inspiration Day.' Have everyone gather to share a proper meal."
Gao Yiye promptly relayed the celestial decree.
Her shout prompted surrounding Gao Villagers to cease work, happily converging. Over a thousand people soon assembled completely, each assuming pious postures, bowing toward the sky, thanking the Tianzun's great grace. Then the crowd stared with adorable wide eyes toward the low-hanging clouds.
Awaiting what "inspiration" the Tianzun would bestow.
The new three thousand felt bewildered. Dian Dengzi represented them asking: "Who is the Tianzun? What auspicious observance is 'Heavenly Inspiration Day'?"
Bai Yuan smiled: "Just wait and see! Our Tianzun establishes holidays when inspiration strikes. Last month we celebrated 'Sudden Dumpling Craving Day.'"
As the low clouds parted, an enormous chunk of meat descended from the sky. Just before landing, it halted mid-air. Then strange, non-absorbent paper descended, laid flat on the ground. The meat chunk settled upon the paper...
This meat differed from previous Tianzun-bestowed offerings. Previously, the Tianzun granted "raw meat"—like raw chicken or pork—for villagers to process themselves.
But this time, the Tianzun bestowed cooked meat, moreover drenched in sauce. From considerable distance, rich savory aromas already wafted.
"By texture resembling beef... could this be... a massive chunk of braised beef?"
San Shi'er, Bai Yuan, and Cheng Xu possessed some discernment. Yet this beef chunk appeared braised but smelled subtly different—added seasonings seemed more complex. One whiff confirmed they'd never tasted its like.