I Became the Devil Queen's Heart Demon-Chapter 1067 - 395: Jiu Zhou’s Most Devoted! Fusion of Dao and Law! (Part 2)
"Under such great reputation, there are no insignificant figures; Mr. Chen is truly a great hero!"
"From what I see, we should establish a shrine for him, where the people can offer incense and tributes!"
"Indeed, not only to let the virtue of the great man be passed on to future generations, but also to constantly remind us to never forget our original aspirations!"
Seeing this, the other officials did not want to lag behind, surrounding him and loudly agreeing.
At such times, it doesn’t matter what is said; what matters is that one must show their stance, or else be sidelined.
"Since everyone has spoken so kindly, it is truly hard to decline; I won’t refuse then." Chen Mo nodded and said, "Let the shrine be established at Purple Cloud Temple; the offering halls there are ready-made, saving us from extensive construction and taxing the people."
?
With these words, the air instantly fell silent.
Everyone looked at each other with somewhat bewildered expressions.
They were just casually suggesting, yet this person took it seriously?
Moreover, the agreement came too swiftly, showing no sign of modesty!
"Cough, cough..."
Jiao Yu glared at the official who first brought this up, clearing his throat and cautiously said, "Regarding the establishment of the shrine, I fully support it with both hands, but having said that, it’s not something that can be decided by me alone; it has to be verified by the Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Examination Hall first."
Once such a matter enters the official procedures, it can take a long time; the documents moving up level by level, it’s unlikely to be approved within a year or two, and even if it is approved, he would have countless ways to suppress it—
In short, he wanted to force Chen Mo to abandon this idea.
The shrine is not just to record achievements but also represents some sort of spiritual totem.
As the chief of a province, establishing someone else’s merit monument in his jurisdiction while still in office would indirectly indicate that he is occupying the position without contributing, lacking both virtue and talent.
"Alright." Chen Mo said calmly, "Then I will now send a message back to the capital, to have the Ministry of Rites and Imperial Examination Hall issue the document immediately."
"Ah?"
Jiao Yu was momentarily stunned.
This tone seemed excessively arrogant, didn’t it?
The adjutant beside him gently tugged on his sleeve, whispering, "Mr. Chen’s father is the Right Deputy Imperial Censor at the Imperial Examination Hall, a third-level high official of the current dynasty! Moreover, he himself is also a third-rank Honorary Officer, granted by imperial grace!"
Chen Mo’s reputation was widespread, but only limited to Central State and the Southern Border.
Jiao Yu, having been transferred from Golden Sun State, knew of his deeds but was indeed unaware of these details, and upon hearing them, felt his heart turn cold!
He turned out to be an aristocratic scion?
And his background seemed incredibly significant!
"Ah, there’s no need to trouble yourself so much..."
Jiao Yu quickly changed his tone, rubbing his hands in an awkward smile, "If the people voluntarily build a shrine to honor the great man’s benevolence, the court generally does not prohibit it, which also saves those cumbersome procedures."
"Hmm." Chen Mo nodded in satisfaction, saying, "Very well, since Lord Jiao understands so much, then you will be responsible for this matter."
"I will take care of it," Jiao Yu nodded like pounding garlic.
"I haven’t finished yet; I have two requirements for this," Chen Mo said: "First, though it is built under the name of the people, workers must be hired at twice the market rate, and their wages must not be withheld; second, this money should not come from the state treasury, Lord Jiao will have to think of a way himself."
"..."
Jiao Yu’s expression momentarily froze.
This time he understood, it meant he had to pay out of his own pocket?
However, as long as he could safely get through this, even shedding some resources would be worth it.
"As for the period during which the shrine is under construction, Lord Jiao might find it difficult to manage, so as not to affect official duties, for now, all state affairs will be temporarily delegated to Deputy Magistrate Kuang," Chen Mo continued.
"What?"
"My lord, what do you mean by this?!"
Jiao Yu’s pupils suddenly contracted, his expression full of disbelief.
Chen Mo narrowed his eyes slightly and asked, "What? Does Lord Jiao have any objections to my arrangement?"
Facing those indifferent eyes, Jiao Yu’s breath hitched, his fist tightening within his sleeve, but ultimately he lowered his head, "No, everything as my lord arranges."
The other officials felt a chill creeping up their spines.
Unexpectedly, before the imperial envoy from the court even arrived, Mr. Chen planned to take action against the prefect?!
"Lord Kuang, is there a problem?" Chen Mo cast his gaze at Kuang Yinghao, standing behind the crowd.
Kuang Yinghao’s throat bobbed, he lowered his head and said, "No problem."
"Alright, then disperse, everyone return to your duties." After saying so, Chen Mo turned and left.
Silence pervaded the scene, the atmosphere suffocatingly heavy.
After that banquet where they exposed each other’s shortcomings, the trust among the state officials had collapsed, their eyes filled with caution and wariness as they glanced at one another, without saying much, they turned one by one to leave the government office,
Leaving only Jiao Yu alone, standing lost and desolate on the spot.
...
...
"Mr. Chen, please hold on!"
Just as Chen Mo reached the inner residence, a voice called out from behind.
He stopped, turned to see Kuang Yinghao hurrying over.
"Does Lord Kuang have business with me?" Chen Mo asked.
Kuang Yinghao approached, hesitated slightly, and said, "I think the arrangements just now were inappropriate."
Chen Mo raised an eyebrow, "Inappropriate in what way?"
Kuang Yinghao candidly stated, "Mr. Chen, you are also an official of the court, and should understand, in this great dye vat, no one can remain untainted; Lord Jiao, at most, just takes a little advantage; compared to others, he’s already a clear stream."
"There’s no need for you to target him so much, is there?"
Chen Mo snorted coldly and asked back, "So, Lord Kuang believes that as long as one doesn’t indulge in greed, they are a good official?"
"This..." Kuang Yinghao was momentarily speechless.
"In my opinion, as a local parental official, even if one usually fills their pockets, it’s forgivable, but when required, one must step up, not continuously evade responsibility."
