In the long river of time, there is an ancient and peaceful small town. This small town seems to be forgotten by time. The bluestone-paved streets and antique buildings all tell the stories of the past. The people in the small town live a simple and fulfilling life. Neighbors help each other, and everything is peaceful.

However, in this seemingly peaceful small town, a kind-hearted merchant has fallen into deep trouble. The merchant's name is Li Zheng. He is upright and kind. He does business fairly and is highly respected by people in the small town. But recently, his business has been repeatedly frustrated. The originally negotiated orders were inexplicably canceled. The goods suffered heavy losses in transit due to accidents. Competitors also took the opportunity to suppress him, causing his business to plummet. Not only that, but there are also many troubles at home. His wife suddenly fell ill and was bedridden. The child also often had conflicts with classmates at school, which made him extremely worried.

Li Zheng searched everywhere for solutions. He visited many experienced merchants and tried various methods, but none of them could reverse the situation. When he felt desperate, he accidentally heard that there was a Taoist priest in the Taoist temple on the mountain who was good at performing rituals to dispel disasters and solve difficulties. This news was like a lamp in the darkness, giving Li Zheng a glimmer of hope. With a pious heart, he decided to go to the Taoist temple to seek help.

In the early morning, the sun shines through the mist and sprinkles on the small town. Li Zheng gets up early, packs his bags, and sets off on the journey to the Taoist temple. The mountain road is rugged, but Li Zheng's steps are firm and powerful. His heart is full of expectations, hoping that the Taoist priest can help him get out of trouble.

After a difficult trek, Li Zheng finally arrived at the Taoist temple. This Taoist temple is located on the top of the mountain. Surrounded by clouds and mist, it is like a fairyland. The buildings of the Taoist temple are simple and elegant, with red walls and green tiles and upturned eaves and arches, exuding a mysterious and solemn atmosphere.

Li Zheng walked into the Taoist temple and saw a Taoist priest wearing a Taoist robe and a Taoist crown. His face was kind and his eyes revealed profound wisdom. He quickly stepped forward, respectfully saluted the Taoist priest, and explained his intention. The Taoist priest listened quietly, nodded slightly, and then said: "Everything in the world has cause and effect. The predicament you are in now may be the cause of a previous life or the fate of this life. But don't worry too much. I can perform a ritual to pray for the protection of the gods for you and dispel disasters and solve difficulties."

After listening to the words of the Taoist priest, Li Zheng was filled with gratitude. He followed the Taoist priest to the main hall of the Taoist temple. Here, incense was curling up, and it was sacred and solemn. The Taoist priest began to prepare the things needed for the ritual. He lit incense and candles, placed offerings, and then picked up the scriptures and began to chant sutras and pray.

The Taoist priest's voice was low and melodious, as if it came from ancient times. The scriptures he chanted were full of mysterious power, and people's hearts were instantly calmed. During the chanting of sutras, the Taoist priest from time to time waved the horsetail whisk in his hand, as if driving away evil forces. Li Zheng stood quietly on the side, with his hands clasped together, piously listening to the chanting of the Taoist priest, and his heart was full of hope.

After chanting the sutras, the Taoist priest lit another incense burner. The curling incense rose and filled the entire main hall. He bowed deeply to the statue of a god, and then picked up a peach-wood sword and began to dance. The Taoist priest's movements were light and powerful. The peach-wood sword seemed to come alive in his hand, emitting a mysterious light. While dancing the peach-wood sword, he chanted incantations from time to time, praying for the gods to protect Li Zheng, eliminate his disasters, and solve his difficulties.

The ritual lasted for a long time. Li Zheng always maintained a pious attitude and did not dare to be the slightest negligent. Finally, the Taoist priest stopped his movements and said to Li Zheng: "The ritual is over. You can go back. In the future, you should do more good deeds and accumulate merit, and you can naturally ensure safety and smoothness."

Li Zheng saluted the Taoist priest again, and then left the Taoist temple with gratitude. On the way home, his mood was extremely comfortable, as if the boulder weighing on his heart had been removed. He secretly made up his mind that in the future, he must do more good deeds and repay the protection of the gods.

Not long after the ritual, a miracle really happened. Li Zheng's business gradually improved. A customer who had canceled the order suddenly contacted him and said that after consideration, he still decided to cooperate with him. Moreover, there were no more accidents in the process of transporting goods. His competitors also, for some unknown reason, suddenly changed their attitudes and no longer suppressed him. Instead, they sought cooperation opportunities with him.

The situation at home also gradually improved. Under the careful treatment of the doctor, his wife's illness slowly recovered. The child also got along well with his classmates at school and no longer had conflicts. Looking at all these changes, Li Zheng was filled with emotion. He deeply knew that all of this was the protection of the gods and the result of the Taoist priest's ritual.

However, Li Zheng did not become complacent because of this. He remembered the words of the Taoist priest and did more good deeds and accumulated merit. He often helped poor families in the small town and sent them daily necessities. He also sponsored schools so that more children could receive education. His good deeds were praised and respected by the people in the small town.

In Taoist thought, it is believed that everything in the world has cause and effect cycles. Good deeds are rewarded with good, and evil deeds are punished with evil. People should conform to nature, follow moral norms, do more good deeds, and accumulate merit. Only in this way can they get the protection of the gods, dispel disasters and solve difficulties, and be safe and smooth.

Li Zheng's experience is a vivid manifestation of Taoist thought. He sought help in times of trouble and received the protection of the gods through the Taoist priest's ritual. But he did not rely solely on the gods. After the ritual, he actively practiced Taoist thought, did more good deeds, and accumulated merit. It was his behavior that gradually restored his life to its former tranquility.

In this ancient small town, Li Zheng's story is passed down by people. His experience makes people believe in the power of Taoism even more, and also makes people understand a truth: In life, we will encounter all kinds of difficulties and setbacks. But as long as we maintain a pious heart, actively seek help, and at the same time do more good deeds and accumulate merit, we will definitely be able to overcome difficulties and welcome a better future.