Chapter 213 Establishing Prestige (5k9)
Red Maple City, Glorious Church.
The sun set on the top of the mountain twice and then rose into the sky again. In the cycle of day and night, two days had passed.
In the inner courtyard of the church, in the "Bishop Room" of the Holy Office, Luo Xiu finally finished processing the last file and leaned back heavily.
He finally finished reviewing all the files that had accumulated since the establishment of the church during the war and had not yet been processed.
In his previous life, Luo Xiu also had an unforgettable experience as a social animal. His first job when he first entered the society was planning and document management, so he has some natural experience in handling similar tasks.
Reviewing these files is not very difficult, it just requires a lot of time and energy. At this time, Luo Xiu only felt dizzy, and his spirit had inevitably fallen into exhaustion.
What he wants to do most right now is to go back to his 'Grand Festival Residence', lie down on the bed in the bedroom, and have a good sleep.
But now Luo Xiu feels that his legs are extremely heavy, as if there is an inexplicable force dragging him down, making him unable to stand up from the chair - laziness, when Luo Xiu finishes the heavy work, His body, mind and soul were occupied by an evil called "sloth".
"...Phew." Luo Xiu breathed a long sigh of relief, enjoying the long-lost relaxation.
However, he was thinking about other things in his mind, about some bad signs he found during the process of reviewing the files.
Including errors in the previous quotation of consumables, similar problems also appeared in many subsequent files.
This made Luo Xiu smell an aura called "corruption".
The priests of the "Preaching House" are highly suspected of embezzling public funds. But most of them are not large, and the entries are mixed. It is really difficult to find them unless you look carefully.
This is the early days of the establishment of the "Wartime Church". There are clergy members taking bribes internally. This is not a good thing at a time when foreign enemies are rampant...
These files, which were not covered up in any way, were presented to them like this. Do they think they can't find them? Or is it that they feel confident that the matter is not serious?
But before, he asked the chief officer of the mission, the "Chilanta", to come over to see him, but Chilanta has not yet appeared.
So, Chilanta may be the biggest beneficiary of the investigation into possible corruption in the "missionary office"...
Luo Xiu was thinking about this, and he gradually made a preliminary judgment about the church's "missionary office" during the war.
This may be the first opportunity to "establish his authority" that he has been waiting for for a long time.
…
At this moment, there was a knock on the door of Luo Xiu's "bishop's room".
——Dong dong, dong dong. After four crisp knocks on the door, the people outside the door stopped and waited quietly, waiting for Luo Xiu, the 'host of the ceremony' to give a "permit" or "reject" response.
"Please come in." Luo Xiu then sat up straight, resting his elbows on the table and supporting his falling head with his palms.
Bah... A small sound of friction on the wooden surface was heard, the door was pushed inwards, and Luo Xiu saw the figure of the visitor.
It was a clergyman with a somewhat haggard face. His skin was extremely white, which highlighted the dark circles around his eyes. His cloudy gray-blue eyes looked a little indifferent and lifeless, and his whole person revealed There was a listless atmosphere.
And he was wearing the white robe of an "deacon", which revealed part of his identity very well.
That is the chief officer of the "Preaching Place", the "Lord Chilanta" mentioned by the priest before... Through the detection of the panel, Luo Xiu has already understood the identity of the other party.
The chief officer of the "Preaching Place", Chilanta Novis, his profession is "Enlightenment Blessing", and he also belongs to the "priest" series of priesthood... Luo Xiu quickly browsed Chilanta's Detection panel, he then said to Chilanta:
"It's you, Chilanta. You are finally here."
"...You came to me, Lord Daiji. I have just finished the work at hand. I hope it is not too late." Chilanta responded.
There was laziness in his voice, and when he entered the room, he did not offer the sacrament to Luo Xiu. This made Luo Xiu's initial impression of Qilanta not very high, and he also had some rough judgments about him.
But before, Luo Xiu asked the guiding priest to tell Chilanta, "Come see him tomorrow." The actual time between now and the expected time is more than one day, which is enough to show that Chilanta's attitude is not good.
But Luo Xiu did not have an attack. He just smiled and said: "Please sit down, Qilanta. I have already reviewed the file you sent."
At the same time, Luo Xiu stretched out his hand and made a seated gesture to Qilanta.
Following the direction of Luo Xiu's finger, Qilanta took a seat in front of a wide chair on the side. After sitting down, Qilanta remained silent, waiting for Luo Xiu, who was "hosting the grand ceremony," to speak first.
"Kilanta. I asked you to come here. I mainly want to ask you a few questions."
Luo Xiu spoke calmly. He also pointed to the "problematic" stack of files beside him and said:
"These files should have been reviewed in advance by the clergy of the 'missionary office' you are in charge of."
"It's just that there are obviously many errors in this. Didn't those priests who were responsible for the inspection discover it?"
"..."
Chilanta did not respond. Instead, he reached for the file in question and glanced at it briefly.
Then, he put the file back on the table and said in a lazy voice: "This is normal... Lord Daiji. You have been here too short, and there are some things that you don't understand yet."
"Like this declaration about consumables, the difference is the profit due to the merchants and the responsible clergy. And this money does not need to be paid by us, it will all be paid to the main church above the diocese. Come pay it off.”
"Also, it is reasonable to purchase raw materials from private businessmen...at prices higher than the market price."
"Because we need to establish cooperative relationships with businessmen, so that we can stabilize our beliefs among the people."
"And you, Master Luo Xiu of the Great Sacrifice, all you have to do is write the word 'agree' on it. You don't need to work hard for this. Your attention should be on the greater sacred cause. ”
"..."
After Chilanta said this, she returned to her previous state of silence. He just stared at the "Great Sacrifice" Luo Xiu opposite him with a pair of dull eyes, waiting for his reaction.
And when he heard what Chilanta said, Luo Xiu suddenly felt a strong sense of disgust in his heart.
That was not just a moral judgment, but that his dignity as the "host of the grand ceremony" was threatened and challenged.
Chilanta's attitude was obviously confident, and he presented the "established facts" to make himself agree, but he didn't know that he had seen the wrong person this time.
"No, that's not the same thing, Kilanta."
Suddenly, Luo Xiu's previous gentle attitude was gone, and his voice had become cold, like a coldness that pierced the heart.
"I'm very pleased that you can take the initiative to tell me this. However, this obviously violates the commandments."
"Since you have admitted that your 'mission' has committed the crime of tarnishing the Holy Light, then you should be ready to accept the punishment."
"..."
"...Punishment?" Chilanta was stunned. He didn't expect that the young "host of the festival" in front of him would change his face so quickly.
Previously, Chilanta thought that the "host of the festival" was young. Even if he did have the strength of the fourth destiny, he must lack experience in the workplace.
The new "Master of Ceremony" is not necessarily weak, but if he distorts these established facts, even the "Master of Ceremony" will definitely be confused and at a loss, which is enough for them to destroy important evidence of guilt.
Without forceful interrogation on the spot, the records recorded in the dossier would not be enough to determine all their corruption crimes.
Chilanta originally thought about it this way, but what she didn't expect was that "hosting the grand ceremony" turned out to be a vigorous and resolute way of doing things... Chilanta suddenly regretted coming here.
At the same time, Chilanta saw that the young "Master of Ceremony" opposite raised his arm, and a bright golden light appeared in his palm, and an extremely surging spiritual surge emanated from it.
Holy Art... When did the Grand Priest finish praying for the Holy Art? ! Chilanta suddenly felt frightened, and fear spread from the depths of his heart.
Although it was not a destructive holy technique, Chilanta still felt an overwhelming power.
The next moment, the light group "broken" and turned into wisps of silk light that floated away.
At the same time, a deep cavity suddenly appeared at the sole of Chilanta's feet, and countless fine golden threads protruded from the hole, binding his legs.
Then, a huge and slender golden light gun emerged from the hole and completely penetrated Chilanta's body from back to chest!
That is the holy art of the "Evil Prison Temple"!
"You! How could you..." Chilanta was a little panicked. He never expected that the new "host of the festival" would attack him without any reason!
This is so unreasonable... Even in his original church, those senior "priests" would never do such a thing...
Kilanta was thinking about this in horror. He just wanted to try to struggle, but found that he could no longer move at all.
At the same time, the voice of Luo Xiu, who was "hosting the grand ceremony", came to his ears:
"Chilanta, these are extraordinary times, and the church is also hiring people. I didn't want to do this."
"However, your foolishness is too public, and you don't take me seriously at all. Therefore, this is the first punishment for you."
As he said that, a second light group appeared in Luo Xiu's palm. The light group contained the terrifying power of "annihilation". Qilanta just glanced at it, and strong fear continued to surge from the depths of his heart. Born.
He... He doesn't really want to kill me... Impossible... Impossible... Chilanta thought in horror, but the fear had already made his spine shiver, and sweat had wet his clothes.
"Of course, this is your last chance, Chilanta." Seeing Chilanta's teeth chattering in fear, Luo Xiu was very satisfied with the effect. He then went on to say:
"Tell me, are you the leader of corruption, or the connivator of corruption?"
"..."
When "Presiding the Grand Ceremony" Luo Xiu asked in a cold tone, Chilanta was simultaneously shrouded in surging spiritual pressure. He felt that his chest was dull and painful, as if he was about to suffocate.
"I... am not... dominant..."
Finally, Chilanta squeezed out intermittent sentences from between his teeth. Under Luo Xiu's "spiritual net", he could not tell a lie.
"It's...my subordinates...they think it's profitable...and promised to donate half of these profits to me..."
"..."
"I will give half of it to you... Chilanta, you really have a group of good subordinates."
After hearing the answer he wanted, a smile finally appeared on Luo Xiu's face and he said to Chilanta: "So, you are really not afraid of being discovered?"
"I thought...you...you wouldn't find this..." Chilanta said with a whimpering voice, "And as long as...you sign this...then you are...on a boat The...ahem..."
Chilanta was unable to continue speaking due to suffocation, but Luo Xiu already understood what he meant.
He deliberately brought these questionable files to me for approval. And as long as you write down "agree", then these files that are supposed to be "evidence of guilt" will be completely tied to you...
Regardless of negligence or other reasons, letting such signs of corruption pass under the nose will be a stain on "hosting the festival"... Fortunately, it was discovered in time, Luo Xiu thought to himself.
When Qilanta took the initiative to admit this, Luo Xiu restrained his spirituality slightly, allowing Qilanta to breathe for a while.
After that, he continued to say to Chilanta:
"So, Kilanta. Now, tell me who are the clergymen involved in the corruption."
"Okay... okay..." Chilanta nodded hurriedly, and he said in a hoarse voice, "Likoda Bilao, Arut Urbis, Savage Sheldon..."
Chilanta named seven people in succession, all of whom were priests of the "Mission." It wasn't until he finished speaking that Luo Xiu nodded and secretly wrote down these names.
After that, he completely restrained his spirituality, causing the pressure around Chilanta to suddenly lighten.
"Very good, Chilanta." Luo Xiu smiled and said to Chilanta, "Thank you for your cooperation. I will consider how to deal with you as appropriate."
…
At noon.
In the inner courtyard of the church, in front of the statue of Xu Zhen.
During the war, all the clergymen of the church were notified of the temporary emergency gathering, so they rushed here to gather without caring about the work at hand.
I thought it was just an ordinary routine gathering, but when all the priests saw that Luo Xiu, who was "presiding over the high ceremony", was already standing on the altar, and beside him was kneeling beside him was Qilanta, the chief officer of the "missionary office". Everyone had a vague premonition that something big was going to happen.
It was only when all the church clergy had gathered except for Anthony, Pamier and the clergy who were out to perform the "Holy Judgment" mission, did Luo Xiu speak loudly to all the clergy: < br/>"Dear fellow saints, I will announce an important change."
"We are all familiar with the words in "The Sound of Glory", 'I often mourn, mourning the injustice that pervades the world; I often suffer, and the pain taints the radiance.'"
"However, the words of the hadith are just a warning. The real degenerates have already appeared around us."
With that said, Luo Xiu pointed to Chilanta who was kneeling on the ground, and then said:
"There is solid evidence that the chief officer of the 'Missionary House', Chilanta Novis, used his position to amass finances."
"And Kilanta has also confessed to me the names of the other degenerates who conspired with him."
Luo Xiu's eyes swept across the priests in the audience, and the rich spirituality in his body suddenly emerged, making everyone feel shuddering.
"Likoda Bilao, Alute Urbis, Savage Sheldon..." According to the list given by Chilanta, Luo Xiu named these priests in turn, his sharp eyes It fell on them at the same time, and the priest whose name was called only felt a cold feeling on his back, and huge fear had risen and spread from the depths of his heart.
He named seven names in a row, and the eyes of all the priests would instantly focus on the named priests, making them feel ashamed.
"Priests whose names have been called, do you admit the crimes you have committed?"
Luo Xiu then asked the seven people in the audience. They looked at me, I looked at you, and then looked at Chilanta who was kneeling on the altar with his head lowered and not saying a word. Finally, they nodded silently in unison.
"You have truly failed to live up to the meaning of the word 'priesthood.'"
Luo Xiu said with a slightly regretful tone, and then his voice became low and cold, announcing the outcome of the treatment of these guilty persons:
"Based on the crimes you committed, I should have turned you over to the diocese and asked the archbishop to judge you. However, during this extraordinary period, I can give you a chance to atone for your sins."
"Likoda Birao, Alute Urbis, Savage Sheldon... you, as the official priests, from now on, you will be demoted back to the novitiate and be punished for half a year. Holy stipend.”
"You must re-learn the Holy Law and accept the supervision of the Holy Inquisition within the penalty period."
"Do you have any objection to this?"
"..."
"We have no objection." The punished people in the audience lowered their heads and whispered.
"Very good." Luo Xiu nodded.
His eyes then fell on Chilanta who was kneeling next to him.
"As for the treatment of Chilanta Novis, the original chief officer of the 'Missionary House'."
Luo Xiu said in a deep voice: "I will suspend all your positions and fine you one year's salary. From now on, you will belong to the 'Holy Inquisition', serve as an ordinary Holy Inquisitor, and be subject to the supervision of the two Holy Inquisitors." Strict supervision.”
"And your original position as head of the Mission will be taken over by Mayev. Do you have any objections to this?"
"...I have no objection." Chilanta lowered his head and said softly.
"Great, then, that's the first thing I want to announce."
When he said this, Luo Xiu's eyes glanced downward again. He found that the eyes of the priests in the audience were fundamentally different when they looked at him.
Before, most of the priests looked at Luo Xiu with contempt and suspicion. It was only now that Luo Xiu exuded the true spiritual surge of the "Fourth Path of Life" and dealt with the first batch of priests who "violated the precepts" vigorously and resolutely, that their impression of Luo Xiu had a fundamental change.
That is the "Presiding the Great Sacrifice" with an iron fist. He must not have any contempt for the Great Sacrifice just because he is young...perhaps one day, the righteous judgment of the Great Sacrifice will fall on his head...
Most of the priests thought this, and varying degrees of fear arose in their hearts.
"Then, there's the second thing."
When looking at the reaction from the audience, which had already brewed to almost the expected level, Luo Xiu then announced: "'I will not betray any devout believers for even a moment.' In this extraordinary period, I will not betray them either. you."
"From now on, for all the clergy of the wartime church, your salary will be increased by one-fifth, and there will be additional rewards based on your merits to the church.
In addition, the medicines you use for treatment and recovery will no longer be recycled from the stipend, but will be rationed. "
"I will discuss the details of the holy discipline of rewards and punishments with several deacons, and I hope you will abide by them."
"I rely on your strength, and 'Xuyu' will also witness everything you have. In extraordinary times, everything is for the final victory and peace. May the Holy Light shine forever."
After speaking, Luo Xiu touched his chest with his left hand, bowed slightly to the audience, and performed a pious and standard sacrament to all the priests.
And with Luo Xiu's final salute, the priests in the audience suddenly became excited.
If Luo Xiu made the first announcement, it was just to show his "iron fist", and the second announcement that followed was to actually improve the treatment of all priests without any bias. !
Showing an iron fist, and then giving all the priests new welfare benefits, this combination of positive and negative, one hard and one soft, immediately made all the priests present trust and fear Luo Xiu. The degree increases exponentially.
——This new "President of the Grand Ceremony" is a truly capable and capable person. You must not easily challenge his majesty, let alone betray him...
This is the current consensus of all the clergy.
"May you be bathed in the holy light forever, and perform the 'Great Sacrifice' to Lord Luo Xiu."
"Everything is for final victory and peace."
For a moment, all the priests in the audience put their right hands on their left chests and responded with the same sacrament to the "high priest" Luo Xiu on the altar.
They shouted in unison, declaring their loyalty to [Glory] and the church to Luo Xiu. Their shouts echoed in the inner courtyard, as if they could penetrate the clouds and reach the 'eternal' sky.
This is exactly the result Luo Xiu wants. As he looked at the clergymen in the audience, the corners of his mouth gradually raised slightly, and a gentle smile appeared on his face.
…
(End of chapter)