"Fifty percent? Did I hear that right?" Zhang Kuixian said in surprise.
He never expected the visitor to be so generous. He thought that getting an additional four or five percent would be a huge favor, but to get fifty percent at once!
"That's right, fifty percent. Don't you think it's too little!" the visitor said, lighting his cigar.
"Not at all, not at all, how could I think it's too little! I wouldn't, I wouldn't!" Zhang Kuixian replied with a smile.
Seeing that he had taken the bait, the visitor naturally found it easier to proceed. The two of them clinked glasses and drank heartily.
At this time, a piece of news slowly made its way to Xiahua Bank. The first to receive the news was Zhao Qiansun.
A slip of paper, detailing the amount involved with Zhang Kuixian and the transaction records, was very precise. However, the signature of the informant was left blank.
Upon seeing the note, Zhao Qiansun's first reaction was that it was a prank. But as a deity holding an official position in the Heavenly Court, who would dare to frame an official deity with such audacity?
However, judging by Zhang Kuixian's behavior, Zhao Qiansun couldn't believe he was innocent. He had been too busy with his banking duties to pay enough attention to Zhang Kuixian's affairs, and it was only today that he received such a note. To be honest, he felt a thrill of secret joy upon receiving it. In the official world, one could not get by without certain tactics.
He pondered for a long time and decided to report the contents of the note.
On the first day of the fifth lunar month, Zhao Qiansun, as usual, went to the Heavenly Court for a meeting. This was the time designated by the Heavenly Court for handling worldly affairs. While called a meeting, it was primarily a work report.
The Heavenly Court's office for Xiahua Bank was located on Wuyun Mountain, at Jia Sidao's dojo. For ease of management, the Heavenly Court's office locations were very flexible, with areas basically designated for cultivation and work based on their respective responsibilities.
Upon entering Wuyun Mountain, white clouds floated, lone pines stood tall, and streams gurgled. Walking along a winding stone path, the occasional cry of a crane could be heard.
"This environment is truly conducive to cultivation!" Zhao Qiansun couldn't help but exclaim.
If it weren't for his worldly affairs to attend to, he too would have sought a place to cultivate himself, focusing solely on the Great Dao. Walking along the mountain path, he soon reached the mountainside. Although he was a deity capable of magic, he always walked to the summit when reporting for work. It wasn't that he couldn't fly directly up the mountain, but he did it deliberately. Firstly, flying up would seem disrespectful to his superior; secondly, this seemingly arduous walk was, in fact, a form of cultivation. One should not underestimate this path. On this path on Wuyun Mountain, if one walks all the way up, one can experience five realms of cultivation. Each realm would open the Dao heart a little more, and each trip like this would bring Zhao Qiansun immense benefits. This was more beneficial than a year of cultivation in the mortal realm.
The time for work reports was fixed, occurring only two or three times a year. Besides the fixed date on the first of the fifth lunar month, the other two times were relatively flexible. Sometimes there were two reporting sessions, and sometimes only one. Therefore, such opportunities were truly rare.
Zhao Qiansun walked step by step towards the summit of Wuyun Mountain, where Jia Sidao resided in the Xiele Palace. Before coming, he had already planned how to report the matter of the note to Jia Sidao, so he focused on cultivation along the way.
Upon reaching the summit, he announced his arrival through a young attendant, and soon received permission to enter the Xiele Palace.
"What do you have to report this time?" Jia Sidao asked directly after exchanging pleasantries with Zhao Qiansun.
"There is something to report, but I am unsure if I should speak of it?" Zhao Qiansun probed Jia Sidao's attitude before reporting, preparing the ground.
"You are here to report, so speak what you have to say, don't hold back!" Jia Sidao said readily.
"Mm... alright!" Zhao Qiansun hesitated, then said, "A couple of days ago, I received a note."
As he spoke, he made to hand the note to Jia Sidao. Jia Sidao gestured for the attendant to take it, and the attendant complied.
" I am unsure what to do, and I hope for your guidance!" Zhao Qiansun said, clasping his hands and bowing towards Jia Sidao.
"Hmph! Who would write this when they have nothing better to do?"
"Yes, yes, yes, I also feel there is something strange about this matter. Our bank would certainly not have such issues. It must be that after many years of smooth operation, certain individuals, out of jealousy, are deliberately slandering us!" Zhao Qiansun echoed.
These were not his main points. He had long anticipated such a situation. In fact, if he were to submit such a note himself, his superior would surely not take it seriously. After all, Zhang Kuixian, as the Deputy Director, was originally tasked with supervising Zhao Qiansun's position. Whether it was for official reasons or personal revenge, Zhao Qiansun coming forward would surely be counterproductive. Yet, he had still done it, waiting for Jia Sidao's reaction.
Jia Sidao read the note and remained silent for a long time. Although his Dao heart was stable and he was dedicated to achieving the Great Dao, dealing with worldly affairs could not be entirely governed by the principle of wu wei (non-action). Otherwise, many things would be unmanageable, and there would be no need to establish Xiahua Bank.
Zhao Qiansun remained bowed, waiting silently for a long time.
"Alas, tsk tsk! How do you intend to handle this?" Jia Sidao asked.
"This... this..." Zhao Qiansun stammered. He had an idea, but he wasn't entirely sure if his superior would listen to him.
"Speak what you have to say, without any reservations!" Jia Sidao calmly instructed. This was a common phrase from leaders, which, while seemingly encouraging you not to worry, was actually a test of your problem-solving abilities.
"Alright. I have a less-than-perfect idea, and I hope for your criticism and guidance!"
"Tell me!" With Jia Sidao's affirmation, Zhao Qiansun began to speak.
"Since there's a report, we can take this opportunity to conduct a thorough internal review. This would achieve three things: firstly, to show the informant that our work is substantial; secondly, to serve as a warning, preventing our fellow disciples from having unstable Dao hearts and engaging in actions that go against the Heavenly Dao; and thirdly, to ascertain the truth, expose the identity of the person who deliberately slandered us, and give an account to the Heavenly Court!"
"Mm. You mean to investigate this matter?" Jia Sidao rephrased the core of the issue back to Zhao Qiansun.
"Yes, we must investigate!"
"But what if Zhang Kuixian is innocent? What will you do?"
"Me?"
"Yes! How do you avoid appearing to be deliberately causing trouble?" Jia Sidao's seemingly simple question was, in fact, a preview for Zhao Qiansun of how the situation might unfold.
"I plan to investigate the origin of the note, to see who wrote this slanderous paper!" Zhao Qiansun stated his intention.
"Mm, that's good. Continue the investigation and inform me immediately of any progress!"