I am a temporary worker in Jinyiwei, how did I become a powerful official?

Chapter 118: White Deer Arrives in Mount Putuo (-character chapter)

The old man said that he had seen a white deer, which made Lin Shisan's eyes light up.

Lin Shisan asked quickly, "Old man, tell me in detail, where did you see the white deer?"

The old man replied, "It was probably in the first year of the Hongzhi reign. I was ordered to go to Putuo Island on official business and saw it on Putuo Island. It's not rare. There are always one or two deer in a large group."

Lin Shisan was extremely surprised: "You said white deer are not rare?"

Li Shizhen interrupted: "Lin Chuanfeng, you came to Zhoushan to look for the auspicious sign of the white deer. Can I tell you a few truths?"

Lin Shisan replied: "Mr. Li, please speak."

Li Shizhen stroked his beard and said, "In fact, the white deer is not a good omen, but a disease."

"Whether it's a human or a deer, they all have internal organs and can be injured. Have you ever heard of a disease called vitiligo?"

Lin Shisan nodded: "Not only have I heard of white spot wind, I have also seen people with white spot wind on the street. His whole body is snow-white, just like the ghosts in the books."

Li Shizhen nodded: "White spot wind is caused by the imbalance of qi and blood in the person who suffers from it, blood vessels are blocked, and liver qi is stagnant. People have white spot wind, and deer have the same."

"The emperor is superstitious about cultivating immortals and asked about Taoism. Some people flatter him and said that the white deer is a Taoist immortal. In fact, the white deer is just a sick deer suffering from the disease of white spot wind."

Li Shizhen's words left Lin Shisan dumbfounded.

Li Shizhen added: "According to ancient medical books, if a person has vitiligo, one of the five relatives will definitely have vitiligo. And the closer the relatives are, the greater the possibility of giving birth to a baby with vitiligo."

"Humans have their own relationships. At most, they are cousins, brothers and sisters. But deer are different. They can even have mother-son or father-daughter relationships. So the possibility of deer suffering from white spot disease passing it on to the next generation is greater than that of humans."

Lin Shisan originally thought that the white deer was a mythical creature. But after hearing what Li Shizhen said, he suddenly realized that the deer was not just a legend, but a real thing.

Lin Shisan asked the old man, "Old man, you said that you saw a white deer in Mount Putuo in the first year of the Hongzhi reign? It was the eighteenth year of the Hongzhi reign, the sixteenth year of the Zhengde reign, and the thirty-fifth year of this reign. In other words, you saw the white deer sixty-nine years ago?"

The old man nodded.

Lin Shisan said to himself: "The life span of a deer is thirty years."

Li Shizhen said: "The white deer that the old man has seen died long ago. But as long as there are white deer in the herd, the disease will most likely be passed down from generation to generation."

Lin Shisan remained silent. Two little figures, one black and one white, seemed to appear in his mind.

The black man said: We have finally made it to Zhoushan Island after escaping death, so don't bother. Just stay here for seven days and report back. Why bother going to Putuo Island?
The sea is full of pirate ships. I was lucky last time and was rescued by Lu Tong. What if I encounter Japanese ships again when I go to Putuo Island?
The white man said: Lin Shisan, don’t forget your mission to the southeast this time - to serve in the fight against the Japanese invaders.

If we can catch the white deer and bring it back to the capital, the emperor will be very pleased. He will not only reward Hu Zongxian with the post of governor of Zhejiang, but also release Yu Dayou and Qi Jiguang and may even allow Hu Zongxian to form a new army!

Then you are a great hero in the war against Japanese invaders!
Needless to say, you have made great contributions in escorting the white deer. From the Emperor to Governor Lu, Eunuch Lu, and Lord Yan, everyone will reward you generously.

The black villain cursed angrily: You are so selfish! Isn't it just for your own reward? Why are you pretending to be so righteous?

Of the one hundred Northern Division comrades who were brought to Jiangnan, only about thirty remain. Do you have the heart to let them follow you to take risks? They are also born by their parents and have families!

Wouldn't it be better to stay in Zhoushan Island for seven days? After returning to the land, the surviving comrades can be rewarded for their merits!

Sun Yue pushed Lin Shisan and said, "Master, why are you so absent-minded?"

Lin Shisan said: "Call all the thirty-odd brothers from the North Division together. I want to discuss matters."

Lin Shisan has made his decision. He is going to Putuo Island.

As for whether the more than 30 comrades are willing to go with him, it all depends on their willingness.

Soon, more than thirty Beisi comrades gathered together.

Lin Shisan briefly informed them of the current situation.

After saying that, Lin Shisan bowed his hands to everyone and said, "Everyone, follow me to Jiangnan, and I have narrowly escaped death twice."

"Going to Putuo Island to look for the white deer is for the sake of the great cause of resisting the Japanese invaders. But I can't just talk about justice without considering human feelings."

"If you don't want to go to Putuo Island with me, I won't force you. You can stay on Zhoushan Island and protect Mr. Li Shizhen and Mr. Zheng Ruozeng."

"If you are willing to go to Putuo Island with me and do your best to fight against the Japanese, I, Lin Shisan, will be grateful to you."

A small flagman from the Northern Division stood up and said, "I would like to go to Putuo Island with General Lin. So many of my comrades have died fighting against the Japanese. I will never be a coward!"

"Since we are here to fight the Japanese, we must see things through to the end."

Another captain of the Northern Division said, "I think the White Deer is illusory. We can't risk going out to sea just based on a few words from a 93-year-old fool."

"It's not that I'm timid. I think it's better to be safe. Staying in Zhoushan to 'witness' the appearance of the white deer is the safest choice."

Lin Shisan said: "Brothers, I just said that everything is voluntary. Those who are willing to go to Putuo Island with me, stand on my left hand side. Those who are unwilling to go, stand on my right hand side."

There were a total of thirty-three Northern Division comrades, twenty of whom stood on Lin Shisan's left, willing to go with him.

The other thirteen stood on the right hand side.

Lin Shisan said, "Okay. Those standing on the left, go to bed early today. Follow me to Putuo Island tomorrow morning."

"Those standing on the right, please take good care of Mr. Li and Mr. Zheng on Zhoushan Island."

Then Lin Shisan found Chen Lin and Ji Qianhu and asked about the journey to Putuo Island.

After a conversation between Chen Lin and Ji Qianhu, Lin Shisan finally put his worries at ease.

Chen Lin said: "Putuo Island is only forty miles away from Zhoushan Island."

Captain Ji said, "Don't worry, sir. Even if you encounter Japanese pirates on the way to Putuo Island, they will never attack you."

Lin Shisan was a little surprised: "What do you mean?"

Ji Qianhu explained the whole story.

There is Putuo Mountain on Putuo Island, which is known as one of the four famous Buddhist mountains along with Mount Wutai, Mount Emei and Mount Jiuhua.

Legend has it that during the Tang Dynasty, a Buddhist monk went to Mount Putuo to worship Buddha and saw the appearance of Guanyin Bodhisattva in Chaoyin Cave.

Today, there are four major temples on Putuo Island, with more than a thousand monks.

Although Japan is a country of animals, their people, from the feudal lords to the samurai and foot soldiers, are all devout Buddhists. They are also extremely devout to Putuo Island.

The Shogun of Japan, Ashikaga, even issued a strict order that all feudal lords who came to Ming to "do business" were not allowed to kill people near Putuo Island.

After Ji Qianhu finished speaking, Lin Shisan breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed that this trip to Putuo Island was not as dangerous as the trip to Zhoushan Island.

The next morning, Lin Shisan, Chen Lin, and Sun Yue boarded the Fu ship with thirty naval brothers and twenty Jinyiwei comrades.

Everyone set sail eastward, heading straight for Putuo Island.

The sea distance is forty miles, and it can be reached in two hours at full sail and full speed.

After sailing for about fifteen miles, four Type 824 ships and a ship of strange style suddenly appeared on the sea surface.

Chen Lin was well-informed and said, "Oh no! They are the Japanese and Portuguese! That strange ship is called 'Garen'. It is a Western warship."

Lin Shisan asked, "How come Western warships appeared in the waters of Zhoushan Islands?" Chen Lin replied, "The Portuguese were involved in the smuggling trade along the coast. Sometimes they landed with the Japanese and went ashore to plunder."

"Order, load the gunpowder and muskets in the gun bay, light the matches and prepare for the artillery battle."

After about a moment, the Eighth Ship and the Galleon Ship were getting closer and closer to the Fuzhou Ship. Lin Shisan could already see their flags. Like the Fuzhou Ship before, they were flying the Five-sided Flag of Wang Zhi, the owner of the Wufeng Ship.

Chen Lin breathed a sigh of relief: "There's no danger. It should be the Pirate King Wang Zhi's Eighth Ship, protecting the Portuguese ship transporting smuggled goods."

"Wang Zhi's pirates are different from other pirates. They are more interested in doing business than looting."

Sure enough, the eight-ship, galleon and Fuzhou ships were heading in the same direction without any complications. They went straight west.

Chen Lin said: "Pass the order, extinguish the fuses in the gun cabin."

Lin Shisan said: "Although they did not fire their guns, the Japanese pirates and Western ships sailed in the waters of our Great Ming as if they were in an empty land. It has always been a shame for us, the military officers of the Great Ming."

Chen Lin said, "What a pity. The powerful Ming navy of the Sanbao eunuch era no longer exists. If Zheng He's fleet still existed in our dynasty, any Japanese pirates or Portuguese who dared to run rampant in Ming waters would be sunk and fed to the fish."

The group continued sailing and finally arrived at Putuo Island after two and a half hours.

There were actually quite a few Japanese ships around Putuo Island. They sailed around the island without landing or stopping. It seemed that they were praying for the blessing of Guanyin of Putuo Island.

Lin Shisan's Fu ship dropped anchor at Zhujiajian Wharf on Putuo Island.

Everyone landed on Putuo Island.

Most of the people on Zhoushan Island are military households and their families. Most of the people on Putuo Island are monks. It is one of the four great Buddhist mountains and is well-deserved.

After walking three or four miles east from the pier, Lin Shisan and his companions met at least twenty or thirty monks.

Going further, they arrived at Puji Temple.

There are four major temples on Putuo Island, namely Puji Temple, Fayu Temple, Huiji Temple and Baotuo Temple.

The monks have lived here for a long time, and Lin Shisan plans to ask them where the deer are on the island.

They entered the Puji Temple. Lin Shisan asked the gatekeeper to inform the emperor that he had come to worship Buddha.

Puji Temple did not dare to neglect them, and the abbot, Master Facai, personally received Lin Shisan and others.

Lin Shisan first exchanged some pleasantries with Master Facai, and then explained his purpose.

Master Facai said, "You want to find deer? You have to go to Buddha Head Mountain in the north of the island. There are many trees and lush grass there, and the deer like to live there."

"I will send you a young monk as a guide."

Facai called a young monk named Huicong, who was about fifteen or sixteen years old, with a pair of big eyes that showed his cleverness.

Now that we have come to the temple, we naturally have to worship the Buddha and pray that everything goes well in our search for the white deer.

Lin Shisan bowed in front of the Buddha statue and worshiped it devoutly. He thought to himself: Buddha, oh Buddha, it seems a bit inappropriate for us to look for Taoist immortal objects and worship them in front of you.

But Buddha, you are merciful. We are looking for the white deer for the success of the anti-Japanese war and the safety of tens of millions of people in the southeast.

Please bless us and wish us a smooth journey.

After Lin Shisan kowtowed, he set off with everyone to Buddha Head Mountain.

As Master Facai had said, Fotou Mountain was full of trees and lush grass. When they saw someone coming, hundreds of birds flew away.

Lin Shisan asked the young monk Huicong, "Are there any deer on Fotou Mountain?"

Huicong replied, "Yes! There are many. Every winter, the temple is worried that the deer will be short of food, so they send them some grass, radishes and other food. They are not afraid of people."

Lin Shisan asked again: "Have you ever seen a white deer?"

Huicong's answer disappointed Lin Shisan: "Never seen it before."

As Huicong said, the deer on Fotou Mountain were not afraid of people. When they saw people coming, they not only did not run away, but instead surrounded them to watch the fun.

Lin Shisan roughly counted and found that there were more than 30 deer surrounding him. Unfortunately, there were no white deer.

They searched the mountain for a whole afternoon and saw many deer, but no white deer.

Sun Yue said, "Master, is that 93-year-old man confused? Where is the white deer here?"

Lin Shisan said, "According to what Mr. Li Shizhen said, the white deer are sick deer with white spot disease. If there were white deer on the island seventy years ago, there should be some now. The disease is hereditary. If we search patiently, we will definitely find it."

Huicong, however, threw cold water on the side: "Sir, I often feed deer at Fotou Mountain. I have never seen any white deer. Maybe you have come to the wrong place?"

Lin Shisan ordered them to build a fire and said, "It's getting late. Let's eat some dry food and rest early. We will continue our search tomorrow morning."

Lin Shisan and his companions searched for the White Deer on Fotou Mountain for four days. They had almost walked all over Fotou Mountain, but where was the White Deer?
The comrades were somewhat disheartened. Sun Yue also backed off: "That old fool must be talking nonsense. We have encountered at least 200 deer in the past few days. How can there be any white deer?"

Lin Shisan always felt that something was wrong. He had a strong intuition that the white deer was in this Buddha Head Mountain.

It was evening again and everyone was resting by the fire.

Lin Shisan asked his fellow sailors and brothers from the Northern Division, "Do any of your relatives or friends have been diagnosed with vitiligo?"

A lieutenant from the Northern Division stood up and said, "My cousin has vitiligo. The elders in my family said that he got the disease because he married his cousin and there was an elder who had vitiligo three generations ago."

Lin Shisan became interested: "Oh? How is he different from ordinary people?"

The captain replied: "His hair and beard are all white. Oh, and he is afraid of light. When he sees light during the day, his tears start to flow, and his eyeballs tremble, and he can't see clearly."

"So he likes to go out at night and walk to strengthen his body."

Lin Shisan's eyes lit up: "You said your relative is afraid of light?"

The captain replied, "That's right. The doctor who treated him said that vitiligo patients are afraid of light. The doctor recommended that he go out for a walk at night to strengthen his body."

Lin Shisan clapped his hands, "I see! So this is the crux of the matter! Mr. Li Shizhen said that white deer suffer from the same disease as humans."

"Since the sick person is afraid of light, the white deer must also be afraid of light. It only comes out to look for food at night."

"We are looking for white deer during the day. We light a fire and rest in the evening. It would be strange if we could find a white deer!"

"Brothers, please work hard tonight and search in Fotou Mountain under the cover of darkness. You can rest early tomorrow morning."

Sun Yue said: "Hey, I never thought that this white deer is also a night wandering god!"

Lin Shisan said solemnly: "My fellow brothers, we went south this time and experienced two bloody battles on land and sea. We did not embarrass the Jinyiwei! We have made great contributions in killing the Japanese. If we find the white deer, it will be even more meritorious!"

"When we return to the capital, no matter what else, everyone will be promoted to a higher level for sure!"

"Okay, let's continue searching after dinner!"

Lin Shisan had a vague feeling in his heart: the white deer was getting closer and closer to me.

(End of this chapter)