Chapter 219 - Virtue Monument
Tang Yue still had concerns that Zhang Chun might cause trouble if he visited, but he didn't anticipate that the Yueyang Marquis would personally escort him back two days later. The marquis appeared courteous and wore a satisfied smile.
Tang Yue noticed that something had happened. He looked at Boss Zhang, who had been brought back, and asked in astonishment, “What happened to him? Did he get into a fight? His eyes resemble those of a panda.”
Yueyang Marquis cast a sympathetic glance at Zhang Chun, and the affection in his gaze sent shivers down Tang Yue's spine. Was his father taking a liking to Zhang Chun and wanting him as a son? Or had he discovered that this young man was his illegitimate child?
“I'm utterly exhausted. I haven't had any rest for the past two days. Besides my visit to Xia Gong, I've been engrossed in examining the accounts. As soon as I deliver the results to my father, I'll collapse into sleep.” If he hadn't consulted physicians who diagnosed him as merely overworked, one might have assumed the Young Marquis had fainted.
Tang Yue arranged for attendants to transport Zhang Chun back and instructed the kitchen to prepare delicious food and hot water for his recovery.
Yueyang Marquis observed him issuing commands efficiently, considering every detail, and behaving like a capable host.
He sighed inwardly. Five years had elapsed, but it seemed that Tang Yue and the Crown Prince's destinies had not yet concluded. It appeared his son would not return after all.
“Father, did you uncover the issue?” Tang Yue brought Yueyang Marquis back to the present.
Yueyang Marquis smiled. “I've made some discoveries. I need to return and gather evidence. How's your food collection progressing?”
“No need to fret, we've collected enough. There are still numerous individuals eager to contribute food. My intention is to register them and announce it to the public. If I gain the King's approval, we can establish a Monument of Virtue and inscribe everyone's names on it. This way, more people will be inspired to donate.”
Yueyang Marquis stroked his beard and nodded with satisfaction. His son possessed not only medical expertise but also an adept sense of leadership. Amassing such a significant quantity of food in just two days showcased his ability to influence the affluent nobility.
While those individuals might hold a low opinion of the Crown Prince, Tang Yue appeared to have swayed most of them.
Over the past few years, Tang Yue had healed numerous patients, including nobles, commoners, and even slaves. Most of them held deep gratitude for him, and his humble and compassionate demeanor had earned him high esteem among the populace. It wasn't an exaggeration to say that he could rally hundreds of supporters.
The following day, the King of South Jin learned during court proceedings that the granary had suffered from gross mismanagement. Nearly a hundred stones of grain vanished annually, and almost ten percent of the new grain had been replaced with old, moldy grain at the bottom of the granary.
King of South Jin was incensed and ordered a thorough investigation. Xue Tingwei, upon receiving the order, surreptitiously glanced at Yueyang Marquis. He hadn't expected Wu Fu to be so meticulous.
This time, countless unfortunate individuals were in for a reckoning.
Whether they ate or not, they were about to face the consequences. The Imperial Court would not lack audacious officials.
Another matter emerged as well: State Duke Heng proposed erecting a monument of merit to honor those who had contributed money and food. He aimed to set an example for the world and reward those who had served the nation.
Most officials in the imperial court had made contributions this time, some more generously than others. When they learned that their names might become publicly known and grant them fame, they readily agreed.
Considering the role of being a role model, Tang Yue proposed the idea of constructing more than one merit tablet. They could establish one in each major city. This way, in the future, donations of money and food wouldn't be limited to just Ye City; other places could also participate.
However, Tang Yue didn't intend to go overboard. At the moment, he didn't plan to turn charity into a business; he simply wanted to assess the pressing situation.
Having lived in the 21st century, he was aware that charitable organizations like this were highly susceptible to corruption. Without a perfectly flawless system, he didn't recommend engaging in too many charitable activities.
State Duke Heng presented the list of donations. The King of South Jin carefully reviewed it, occasionally nodding and even smiling as he asked one of the officials, “Didn't Ma Aiqing claim to be the most frugal and stingy person? Why did she donate a thousand catties of food this time?”
The official named Ma promptly stood up and replied, “Your Majesty, Crown Princess's words are insightful. In times of prosperity with the people suffering, there's a sense of duty. Only by ensuring South Jin's swift victory can us officials hope to enjoy life sooner.”
“Oh? Crown Princess was the one who persuaded you. That's truly commendable.” King of South Jin pondered inwardly about what he'd just heard. He silently approved. Aside from the fact that Tang Yue's gender fell short and he had thoughts about the royal succession, he indeed made for an exceptional daughter-in-law.
If he could serve as an official within the court without being constrained by his position, he would contribute even more.
King of South Jin cast a disdainful glance at the composed Crown Prince, and his frustration resurfaced. Over the past few years, he had urged him to take concubines at least five times, yet he always found reasons to decline. It was a mystery whether the Crown Prince was fortunate or had carefully orchestrated this outcome.
If it was the latter, he wouldn't allow himself to be manipulated.
King of South Jin dismissed this notion and spoke with a deep voice, “This merit tablet must be erected. Not only must it be established, but it should also be placed prominently. It should be visible to all citizens of the nation. The rise and fall of the country is a shared responsibility. These sentiments must be conveyed.”
Little did Tang Yue know that one of his ideas would lead to the creation of the Merit Monument that would endure for centuries in this era. It would become the largest and tallest Merit Monument in history.
It was said that each generation of emperors added layers to these Virtue Monoliths and inscribed the names of those with great virtue on them. A thousand years later, many of these Virtue Monoliths had crumbled or been damaged, but they remained a beloved subject of study for archaeologists.
Some of the names on the merit tablets had become blurred and unclear. Some individuals recognized one of the names as “Tang Yue.” After extensive verification, it was discovered that he was the only male concubine in history. Furthermore, from his appearance, it seemed as though he had harnessed advanced technology. His developmental progress was akin to soaring on an airplane, rapidly rising before stabilizing at a relatively constant level.
Consequently, historians had offered various speculations and investigations about this figure. The conclusions they reached didn't align with the facts. No one could have imagined that this individual had actually transmigrated over a thousand years, bringing technology from that time to the ancient era and using all his might to alter that era, achieving remarkable feats.
Tang Yue was unaware that his legacy would span countless generations. Upon hearing that the King of South Jin had approved the Merit Monument's construction, he temporarily halted the acceptance of donations. Upon receiving this news, donors lined up outside the Crown Prince's Palace.
“Young master has a message. Please convey to all the lords to return with their contributions. We've collected enough food for now, but there's no need to be disheartened. The war won't conclude in just a day or two. When the need arises in the future, I hope all of you will demonstrate the same courage as today.”
Tang Yue didn't mind whether these individuals were seeking recognition or making genuine contributions. As long as they were willing to donate, they deserved the recognition they received.
In modern times, many criticized celebrities or wealthy individuals who donated money to gain fame. Tang Yue believed there was no need for such criticism. After all, they had donated substantial sums of money. What harm was there in them gaining some recognition for their contributions?
“After delivering everything, there's no need to return immediately. Manager, why not let the young master hold onto these items for now? If he wishes to use them in the future, he can do so as he pleases,” objected an esteemed elder.
Many others concurred, saying, “Absolutely right. Returning with the provisions in such a grand manner is unnecessary. What would others think if we were to retrieve them? It would be quite embarrassing.”
The manager wore a helpless smile. In this world, people were accustomed to compelling others to request things, but they had never heard of forcing others to offer items. Moreover, even if they accepted the provisions, they were not the Crown Prince's Palace's private property.
The Crown Princess had issued strict orders that no one was permitted to access that batch of provisions. They needed to memorize every entrance and exit meticulously and make it known to the public, simplifying public oversight.
Many found this procedure unnecessary. South Jin's future would belong to the Crown Prince. Everything within South Jin would belong to the Crown Prince. Decisions on usage should rest with His Highness. Why make it so complicated?
However, owing to Tang Yue's authority, no one dared to defy his directives.
“Is this ‘supervisor station' truly effective?” Crown Prince Zhao inquired of Tang Yue, providing him an opportunity to explain the modern social supervision system.
“In every era, corruption is prevalent among officials, particularly when the ruler is ruthless. Corruption is the easiest path. The Imperial Censorate comprises only a few individuals. Even if one had ten pairs of eyes, they couldn't adequately oversee them all. Hence, it's wise to engage civilians to monitor the conduct of officials.”
“Reporting by the people is far from easy. There are very few who can endure fifty lashes,” the Crown Prince wished to emphasize to Tang Yue that in this era, officials and commoners were not equal in status. The disparity between them was substantial.
Tang Yue had pondered this issue before, realizing that even if he couldn't fully establish the social supervision system, it could still serve a purpose.
The more authority an official held, the greater the need for oversight.
“We need not rely solely on people reporting. Each city can establish an anonymous letterbox for citizens to report any violations by officials. Of course, the Imperial Court must establish an independent department to collect and act on this information. Otherwise, it would be a mere formality and ineffective.”
Crown Prince Zhao didn't readily embrace this suggestion. While he recognized it as a valuable means to monitor officials, he knew that implementing it was more challenging than introducing universal education.
However, several years later, when he ascended the throne, he remembered Tang Yue's words. He gradually worked to establish history's first capital prosecuting office, despite encountering significant opposition. During his reign, the capital prosecuting office claimed the lives of numerous officials, becoming a contentious institution for a long time.
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