The next day,
Jiang Hao, Old Fox, and Hu Xinyue arrived together in Lanxi County. When they reached the Hu family's residence in the county seat, Jiang Hao walked around and inspected it. He found the compound tall and spacious; with only a few alterations, it could become a main hall, while the other areas could serve as side halls.
"Tear down the courtyard walls and turn the front yard into a square. From now on, the people of Lanxi may come in freely to worship," Jiang Hao said.
Old Fox nodded and immediately gave the orders.
Once inside, Jiang Hao spread out a sheet of rice paper. After thinking for a moment, he wrote three large characters on it: "Temple of Emperor Jun." This would be the name of the temple.
He then spread out another sheet and wrote a couplet: "Purple radiance shines forth, auspiciously answering the eight directions of the world; dark heaven displays virtue, bestowing grace upon the four continents."
He had someone take it away to carve the temple plaque and the couplet for the main hall.
"Hu Quan, find a piece of fine wood. The bigger, the better," Jiang Hao said.
"Son-in-law, what kind of wood do you need?" The Hu family also owned a lumber business, so they had no shortage of quality timber.
"Do you have boxwood?"
"Yes. I'll send someone to fetch it right away."
Hu Quan sent someone to retrieve the wood, and Hu Xinyue asked Jiang Hao, "Husband, what do you need the wood for?"
"I'll carve a statue of Emperor Qin Guan as a model. We can use the wooden statue to make a larger clay image," Jiang Hao said.
The wood arrived quickly. It was as thick as a water bucket, with no cracks in its heartwood.