Chapter 677

The next day, at the site selected for the Taixuan Daoist Temple, boxes of copper coins were carried over under the protection of retainers and guards.

The boxes were placed on the ground, and copper coins spilled all over, quickly covering the ground in a thick layer, making the watching commoners swallow their saliva.

"These officials have gone mad, donating so much money!"

"Indeed, I counted; all the ministers in the court have donated, not a single one missed. Which true god is this, to have such a grand display?"

"In just half a day, the money donated here must be over ten million strings of cash. Being an official is truly profitable."

"I'm envious. When will my son be able to pass the imperial examinations?"

During the Northern Song Dynasty, official salaries were extremely high.

For a first-rank official, the base salary plus various benefits like clothing and millet amounted to over four thousand strings of cash in annual income on paper.

For a second-rank official, the annual income on paper was close to eleven thousand strings of cash.

For a third-rank official, the annual income on paper was seven thousand two hundred strings of cash.

The reason second and third-rank officials had higher salaries than first-rank officials was that first-rank positions in the Northern Song were honorary titles without real power.

And this was only the income on paper, which could be openly discussed.

The income under the table was likely even more terrifying.

The scholar-official families were mostly the landlord class, with land rent, trade...

Adding up all the gray income, the earnings of Northern Song officials were truly an astronomical figure.

Suddenly, a group of young officers surged over and rushed to the incense registration desk.

"My lord, we want to donate money too!"

"How much are you donating?"

"Five strings of cash?"

"Five strings of cash? Wait a moment, wait until the ministers have finished donating."

"My lord, our money is money too; please accept it quickly."

"Indeed, we all want to donate; we have to go back to duty after donating!"

"My lord, please have mercy; we truly believe in the Daoist Lord!"

A group of low-level soldiers surged over. The commoners thought there would be a good show, but they didn't expect these people to be here to donate money too.

And judging by their posture, they wouldn't take no for an answer.

The commoners were speechless.

What has gotten into these soldiers?

They've suddenly turned into kind-hearted believers!

"Official Zhang, since they want to donate, let them donate. It's all their sincerity toward the Daoist Lord." Gao Huaide looked at the crowd, saw a few acquaintances, and stood up to say a fair word.

"Very well, since you have the heart, this official will make an exception."

"Thank you, my lord! Thank you, Prince Consort!"

A group of young officers donated their money with profuse thanks, beaming with joy, and left quickly under the shocked gazes of the commoners, their feet moving as if they had just won a great battle.

"I don't understand, I really don't understand!"

"Those ministers donating money could be said to be flattering the Emperor, but these low-level soldiers, who are they flattering?"

"Exactly, isn't this like throwing money into the water? A waste!"

Hearing the commoners' discussion, Gao Huaide and the others smiled without a word. Some even wanted to borrow money to boost their ranking on the incense leaderboard.

After all, the higher the ranking, the more likely they were to be noticed by the Daoist Lord.

This was just like the spending leaderboard on a live stream.

Only the top donors get benefits; if you're at the bottom, people will at most call you "brother."

"Prince Consort, can't you let go of the second-place position?"

"Sigh, this official is also in a difficult position. The Princess has given instructions that this second place must not be lost."

"Official Liu, why don't you move?"

"Why should this old man move?! Hmph!"

"Official Zhao, look..."

"Look at what? Am I very familiar with you?"

The officialdom, which was originally harmonious, had now cast aside all pretense.

Whoever dared to compete for the ranking, they would get angry at them.

That day, a notice appeared in Bianliang City, attracting the attention of the commoners.

"Effective immediately, the Emperor is presiding over the construction of the Hunyuan Wuji Taixuan Daoist Temple. The wage is five hundred wen per day, settled daily. We are also sincerely recruiting skilled craftsmen from all industries; the treatment is excellent."

"Hiss... ordinary people can get five hundred wen a day; this is a sky-high price."

During this period, it was considered good for an ordinary worker to get one hundred wen a day.

Five hundred wen—five times the salary.

For the common people, this was a good thing falling from the sky.

"And it's settled daily; the imperial court shouldn't renege on it!"

"Seeing that they were going to start a major construction project, I thought they were going to conscript corvée labor. I didn't expect it to be normal recruitment. How much money must this cost?"

"You don't know, do you? For this temple, the ministers have all donated their family wealth. The money for building this temple is plenty. Enough talk, I'm going to the government office to sign up. If I'm late, will such a good thing still be my turn?"

"Brother, let's go together; I'm a carpenter!"

In just half a day, the workers and skilled craftsmen for building the temple were recruited.

Liu Wen took on the job of presiding over the construction and gathered everyone, looking down: "You all have great fortune to be able to sign up. Today, this official will give you a little benefit so you know the Daoist Lord's vast divine powers. You can also do your best when building the temple."

Having said that, he had everyone recite the mantra together.

After reciting, the workers and craftsmen were stunned.

"My strength has increased?"

"My eyes were a bit blurry, but now I can see things clearly."

"This is the Daoist Lord!"

"I originally thought it was just an ordinary Daoist temple; I didn't expect it to be a temple for a true immortal."

"I didn't understand why those ministers were so active in donating money before, but now I finally understand. This is to please the Daoist Lord!"

"Indeed, indeed. This is truly as Official Liu said; this is a great fortune. What a rare opportunity it is for us to build a temple for the Daoist Lord."

"I want to show off all my skills; I absolutely cannot leave any flaws. This is the Daoist Lord's temple; if there is even a slight mistake, it would be blasphemy."

Everyone discussed it heatedly.

Liu Wen coughed lightly and said: "Alright, it's getting late today. Construction officially begins tomorrow; I hope none of you will be absent."

"Rest assured, my lord, even if I have to crawl, I will crawl here."

"Indeed, if this opportunity is missed, I will regret it for the rest of my life!"

Liu Wen nodded with satisfaction and dismissed the group.

Over the next half month, because the workers and craftsmen worked hard, and the mantra increased everyone's strength, a luxurious Daoist temple was built, allowing many foreign merchants to witness the "Great Song Speed."

Even the people of Bianliang were shocked.

Building a luxurious and solemn temple covering hundreds of acres in half a month—when did the Great Song's workers become so capable?

With surprise, merchants from various countries and the people of Bianliang all went to the temple to pay their respects.

Worshipping more gods has no downsides; this is the common psychology of the Song people.

"Hey, I don't know if it's an illusion, but after worshipping the Daoist Lord, I found that my old cold legs are healed!"

"It's not an illusion; my arm was very numb, and now it's healed too. The Daoist Lord is a true god!"

"Me too, me too!"

"The Daoist Lord is indeed a true immortal; no wonder he attracted so many ministers to donate their family wealth. If I had money, I would donate a large sum too."

"Niu Er, where did you run off to?"

"To donate incense money! My mother worshipped the Daoist Lord; she couldn't walk before, but now she can run and walk!"

"Wow, I want to donate too."

In just one day, all the incense in Bianliang was attracted there, leaving other temples and Daoist shrines dumbfounded, yet helpless. ===== CHAPTER 678 =====