With Chen Jiugong readily agreeing to help smooth things over, Chen Wei had achieved his aim.
Listen for the meaning in words, just as you listen for the note of a gong.
"Help smooth things over," translated into plain terms, meant that nobody had done anything wrong. It had merely been a paperwork misunderstanding between immortal government offices.
Everyone saved face, and everyone was happy.
As for how exactly it would be handled, that lay outside Chen Wei's jurisdiction. He certainly dared not offend the other party beyond repair. The Finance Department was one of the Heavenly Court's most influential offices, and the Censorate might need to rely on these gods of wealth someday. He absolutely could not make mortal enemies of them.
Besides, Taibai Jinxing had specifically instructed him not to publicize this matter. It had to be handled discreetly.
Only now did Chen Wei finally grasp the old Star Lord's deeper intent. Clearly, when handling the clerical error case all those years ago, the Star Lord had raised his hand high but brought it down gently, striking a balance through compromise.
Why?
Because the Heavenly Court had always operated this way. Above all, it valued the art of balance.
If every department were clear as water and bright as a mirror, without a single vulnerability, what would the Great Heavenly Venerable in Lingxiao Palace use to keep his subordinates in line?
Leave a few harmless stains on them, invisible in ordinary times, and a slight tug at the crucial moment would make them obediently fall into line.
That sort of political maneuvering created precisely the situation the Great Heavenly Venerable most liked to see.
Chen Wei slurped down the last mouthful of his plain noodles and drained every drop of broth from the bowl. Then he stood, cupped