The Monk That Wanted To Renounce Asceticism

County Head Qi continued, “Therefore, the current negotiations basically consist of half the United Nations. And everyone’s wish is very simple. They are willing to compensate for your loss of reputation and are willing to globally apologize to you. However, they also have a request.”

Fangzheng immediately understood when he heard that there was an additional request. He did not say a word and continued waiting.

County Head Qi said, “They want China to make public your medical knowledge.”

Fangzheng smiled and drank a mouthful of Frost Bamboo tea. “And then?”

County Head Qi kept staring at Fangzheng. Seeing that Fangzheng didn’t react, he didn’t know what Fangzheng was thinking. Instead, he probed Fangzheng. “Master, aren’t you angry at their impolite request?”

Fangzheng put down his teacup and said, “Angry? They made a request. They aren’t stealing from me. Why should I be angry?”

County Head Qi was taken aback before he understood what Fangzheng meant. He said, “Master, you are so magnanimous.”

Fangzheng shook his head. “It’s not a big deal. It’s just that medicine is ultimately meant to save lives. After the previous incident, This Penniless Monk realized that not only can it save people, it can also harm others. This Penniless Monk doesn’t wish to cause too much conflict because of it. However, This Penniless Monk has his own principles to adhere to. As long as it doesn’t break This Penniless Monk’s bottom line, This Penniless Monk doesn’t care who acquires it.”

County Head Qi said, “Master, I’m relieved to hear that. However, the higher-ups directly rejected their requests.”

Fangzheng nodded. To him, making it public did not affect his life.

But to the country, there were immense interests at play! At the very least, China had to recoup everything that they had suffered previously.

County Head Qi continued, “After an intense negotiation, the other party compromised. They do not ask for the medical skills to be made public, but requested that China be able to teach the acquired knowledge in universities like how they do overseas. Furthermore, the medicine produced must be available across the globe. It can’t be monopolized.”

County Head Qi said, “The higher-ups wish to get your opinion on this.”

Fangzheng said, “The Chinese civilization has five thousand years of history. Our mainstream culture is never to be intrusive or bully the weak. In history, most of the wars were a result of other cultures invading us. Finally, they became part of mainstream culture. Just like how all roads lead to Rome, this also created present-day China. Of course, there were also powerful people like Genghis Khan, but his culture and ideas were not mainstream Chinese culture.

“From ancient times till now, China had always played the role of a monarch. It was strong but it didn’t bully the weak. Any feuds were quickly ended and we spread our culture across the world, to teach the world and bestow favors on others.

“This Penniless Monk is a monk. He wants to redeem more people and save more people. Therefore, This Penniless Monk doesn’t mind foreigners learning it. This Penniless Monk is only worried that people who have nefarious thoughts would use it to harm others. The reason why This Penniless Monk only opened it to the Chinese is only to bring about some well-being to his fellow men. When China fully acquires these medical skills, the medical skills on the stone monument can be seen and learned by all the kindhearted medical professionals in the world.”

Upon hearing that, County Head Qi was alarmed. “Master, this… This medicine of yours is a national treasure! If this gets out…”

Fangzheng shook his head. “What can save people are treasures. Those that can’t, to the point of causing conflict, are treasures of the Devil. Besides, China has already reached the forefront. If we can’t maintain our lead, we can only blame ourselves. Patron Qi, these are This Penniless Monk’s thoughts.”

“This…” County Head Qi laughed bitterly. “I can only be a messenger. I’m considered an official in the county, but in the eyes of the higher-ups, I’m nothing. I have no say at all. I can only pass it up one level at a time…”

“I understand.”

County Head Qi shook his head. He knew that although the monk in front of him was young, in terms of qualifications, he was probably more qualified than a county head like him! In the entire China, there wasn’t a second person like him who had the qualifications to speak to the higher-ups with just his person’s name!

County Head Qi said, “I’ll first pass the message. As for the rest, I’m afraid you will have to discuss it with the higher-ups directly.”

Fangzheng hurriedly thanked him. The two of them were busy people, so County Head Qi didn’t delay any further. He immediately bade farewell and left.

County Head Qi took a few steps when Fangzheng suddenly called out to County Head Qi.

County Head Qi asked, “Master, is there anything else?”

Fangzheng said, “Well, tell them to ask for more compensation.”

When County Head Qi heard that, the lofty edifice that Fangzheng had built in his heart instantly collapsed. He smiled bitterly and shook his head. “Don’t worry. We will make sure they bleed. Furthermore, I guess that the higher-ups will agree to your request. I heard that the higher-ups have no intention of holding back the knowledge. After all, some things need to be released to maximize the benefits.”

With that said, County Head Qi left.

Squirrel had been eavesdropping. After County Head Qi left, he jumped down and asked Fangzheng in puzzlement, “Master, are you really going to share your medical skills to the public? If that’s the case, wouldn’t our medical skills be worthless? If other countries exceed our country, wouldn’t we be at a disadvantage?”

Fangzheng ruffled his tiny head and smiled. “How fast can you run?”

“Quite fast…” Squirrel said.

Fangzheng pointed to the back door of the monastery and said, “Run there at your fastest speed possible.”

Squirrel didn’t understand what Fangzheng meant, but he still ran over very quickly. Fangzheng did a calculation. Squirrel only used twenty seconds to cover five hundred meters! This speed was definitely terrifying!

Squirrel said smugly, “Master, my speed is much faster than before!”

Fangzheng smiled. “You can still be faster.”

Squirrel was taken aback. “Faster? Impossible. That’s my fastest speed already.”

“I’ll help you run faster. How about that?”

Squirrel nodded excitedly. “Alright, alright!”

Fangzheng shouted, “Jingfa, come here!”

Lone Wolf immediately ran over and asked in a daze, “Master, what’s up?”

Fangzheng said, “Jingkuan, have a ten-meter head start. Jingfa will then chase after you. If Jingfa catches up to you, you can forget about dinner tonight.”

Squirrel immediately objected to it. “Master, with Eldest Senior Brother’s huge body, his single step is equal to several of my steps! You can’t be a bully!”

Fangzheng said, “Objection overruled. You can choose to give up. Of course, if you give up, tomorrow’s dinner is also gone.”

Squirrel ran when he heard that.

Fangzheng said, “Jingfa, chase after him. If you catch up to him, you’ll have more for dinner. If you can’t catch up to him, you will have three dinners deducted.”

Lone Wolf originally had a nonchalant attitude. He even wanted to go easy on Squirrel and help him. When he heard that he could have an additional helping for dinner, his eyes lit up. He shouted, “There’s no need to threaten me. Just give me a second helping. Awoo! Squirrel, here I come!”