Chapter Nine: The Petitioning Monk

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Liu Sanjun followed the direction the waiter pointed to and walked over. Before even entering the restroom, his eyes brightened as he noticed a two-meter square glass aquarium beside it. Inside were live creatures such as squids, oysters, and lobsters, but what caught his attention was a large turtle.

He quickly relieved himself in the restroom, then promptly came out and circled around to the glass aquarium. He carefully observed the large turtle submerged at the bottom, blowing bubbles, as if it were welcoming him with a watery salute.

The turtle’s shell bore signs of polishing, confirming to him that this was indeed the very turtle he had been searching for. It was truly a case of finding something precious without any effort after a long quest.

Of course, Liu Sanjun still had to put in some effort to actually purchase it.

He swiftly returned to the front desk. The waiter, assuming he was there to book a room, pushed a price list of various room types and floors towards him, saying, “Choose whichever you like!”

Without glancing at it, Liu Sanjun said, “I’m not staying here. I just want to buy the large turtle you keep in the glass tank.”

The waiter, a little annoyed at the refusal to book a room, scolded him, “Are you out of your mind? The hotel buys the turtle from outside to cook for guests. Why would we sell it again?”

Liu Sanjun replied, “Isn’t the hotel here to make money? I’ll pay twice the purchase price for the turtle. You’ll still profit, and it’ll be easier!”

Seeing Liu Sanjun was serious about buying the turtle, the waiter said, “Don’t come to me. Go find the head of procurement. They bought the turtle, so it depends on whether they’re willing to sell it.”

Following the waiter’s recommendation, Liu Sanjun went to an annex building at the back of the hotel and found the procurement department.

However, the procurement head was not in the office. A staff member told Liu Sanjun to come back during the afternoon shift, when the head would be available. Indeed, he met him then.

Hearing that Liu Sanjun was willing to pay a high price to buy the turtle they had purchased, the procurement head reluctantly explained that in mid-month, some distinguished guests from the mainland, friends of the chairman, were coming. Their menu was already set for a high-standard reception, and turtle meat was part of the dishes. They could not substitute it randomly. If Liu Sanjun really wanted to buy the turtle, he would have to get approval from the chairman, as the procurement head did not have the authority to sell it on his own.

Liu Sanjun then asked the procurement head to take him to see the chairman. The chairman listened as the procurement head explained the situation in dialect. Though he did not immediately refuse, he was puzzled why Liu Sanjun wanted to buy their turtle. He even asked, “There might be bigger turtles elsewhere. Why don’t you buy from other places? Why insist on ours?”

Liu Sanjun said, “I have my eye on your turtle. No matter how big or fat others are, I don’t want them.”

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Curious, the chairman, accompanied by the procurement head, came with Liu Sanjun to observe the large turtle in the glass tank behind the hotel lobby. Except for the polished marks on its shell, there was nothing particularly special about it. The chairman found the young man rather odd for insisting on buying it.

He pulled the procurement head aside to whisper for a moment, learning that the purchase price of the turtle was 80 yuan, which gave him a clear idea.

Returning to Liu Sanjun, he said, “Young man, this turtle is not for sale. It’s reserved. But if you insist on buying it, can you pay the price?”

Liu Sanjun replied, “Name your price.”

The chairman, with his thick inverted eyebrows arched, smiled slyly, thinking to himself, “I’ll raise the price a hundredfold from the original. Let’s see if he buys it.”

Then, in a tone meant to assert authority, he said, “I’m asking 8,000 yuan, no bargaining.”

“Deal!” Unexpectedly, Liu Sanjun accepted without hesitation and cheerfully pulled out 8,000 yuan, handing it over.

The chairman instructed the procurement head to take the money and carefully count and verify it. Then he lifted the glass tank’s lid and used a scoop to catch the turtle, which was still blowing bubbles underwater. He handed it to Liu Sanjun, who grabbed it, though the turtle had withdrawn its head again.

Just as Liu Sanjun was about to leave, the chairman, still curious, patted his shoulder and asked, “Such an expensive turtle — are you buying it for public or private use? What for?”

Liu Sanjun didn’t answer directly. Instead, holding the turtle with one hand and pointing to the polished mark on its shell with the other, he explained the story behind it. He said he had come to Guangzhou because the turtle appeared in his dream and gave him instructions. Now that he had found it, he had to buy it to release it into the sea. Otherwise, his sick child might not only fail to recover but could be in life-threatening danger.

Seeing Liu Sanjun’s helpless expression, the chairman believed his story and felt pity. He told the procurement head to return the 8,000 yuan to Liu Sanjun.

Liu Sanjun refused to accept it. The chairman said, “This turtle is special. You’re doing a good deed by releasing it. I want to contribute as well. You don’t have to pay.”

Grateful beyond words, Liu Sanjun held the money but hesitated to put it into his bag. The chairman reached out, opened the bag’s zipper, and placed the money inside.

Liu Sanjun was at a loss for words, only repeatedly bowing his hands in thanks to the chairman.

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At that moment, he placed the large turtle on the ground.

The turtle quietly extended its head from its shell after having kept it withdrawn for a long time. It no longer seemed afraid of people and appeared to understand human speech and intentions, frequently raising its head toward the tall, upright chairman.

The procurement head noticed this. He gently tapped the chairman’s sleeve, pointed to the turtle, and joyfully said, “Chairman, the turtle is thanking you!”

The chairman saw it and laughed heartily. He immediately crouched down and playfully picked up the turtle, saying, “No need to thank me. You should thank him! If it weren’t for him coming to save you, in a few days, we would have regretfully turned you into a dish on the banquet table! That was close! Really close! On behalf of myself and our whole hotel staff, I thank this young man. Spirit turtle, we are connected by fate. Otherwise, how would you have ended up here and been saved? If you have any spiritual power, bless the person who saved you, and of course, bless our hotel with abundant fortune and thriving business!”

With that, the chairman placed the large turtle into Liu Sanjun’s hands.

The turtle’s tail also emerged and wagged as if treating Liu Sanjun’s palm as a stage, performing a gesture of gratitude to the hotel chairman who had shown it kindness.

After Liu Sanjun released the turtle into the sea, his child, Liu Haisheng, truly recovered from his illness, and the family was overjoyed.

Seeking peace, that day, Cai Zhongsheng and his mother-in-law once again carried the child to Huiji Temple to burn incense and pray to the Buddha.

Later, Cai Zhongsheng lost the merit money and drew a lot.

The lot contained four lines of verse:
“The dark clouds disperse, turning to clear skies,
Every corner of the land is home.
Coastal ports harbor many dangers,
Only living inland brings peace.”

Cai Zhongsheng read the verses repeatedly but did not fully understand them. He showed them to his mother-in-law, who said nothing but presented the lot to the monk for interpretation.