Chapter 372: Ask the Hot Blooded Academy Students
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
The merchants were treacherous and cunning. Without enough benefits, it was impossible for them to come up with money. And giving a few places for the imperial examination was harmless to the Great Wei. There were so many people who participated in the imperial examination every year, but only a few passed in the end. So even if they were given a place, they might not necessarily pass the examination. And this place was of great importance to those merchants. At least it gave them the hope of changing their family’s fate.
In addition to this, Jian Qingqing also said another thing. “It doesn’t seem to be possible to just let businessmen donate. Businessmen will weigh the pros and cons. Some people may take a few days to consider before they agree to the final plan, so we still need to make other preparations.”
“What preparations can we make?” the Crown Prince asked, puzzled. He was now full of curiosity about what Jian Qingqing had to say.
Jian Qingqing said, “I’ve thought about it. Since those ministers are not willing to donate, it’s because they feel that there will be no benefit for them if they donate. Young people will not think so much. They are only hot-blooded. In this aspect, we can start with the students of those schools. I think they will be willing to do these things.”
After hearing this, the Emperor and Crown Prince looked at her with admiration. Although this was not a brilliant method, it was useful. Why had they never thought of this method before?
The students in the Academy were all precious to their families. If they went back and asked for the money, their families would not be able to refuse it even if they wanted to. After all, they had to consider whether it was worth it or not, but they could not teach their own children to be calculative people.
“Who should I give this task to?” the Emperor asked.
Jian Qingqing smiled and said, “If your Majesty trusts me, you can leave it to me. Didn’t I say that I would give you 50 percent of the tax for that bicycle? I’ve thought about it, and I think I can take out 30 percent to pay taxes, and then donate the remaining 20 percent.”
Speaking of this, Jian Qingqing smiled and said, “My three younger brothers originally took a total of 30 percent of the profits. However, when they heard that Great Wei was in trouble, they immediately said that they would donate all of their money. I also gave them my 20 percent and let them pay it. This way, they can get a lot of money. You can discuss with the Deans of the major Academies and ask them to organize the donation. By then, my younger brothers will openly hand it over in the Academy. Although children don’t think so much, adults have to think more. By then, I think the donations from the various families will be quite significant.”
The Emperor and the Crown Prince were very excited. They had never thought that there would be such a method. In the past, they would directly force the ministers to take out money, and the ministers were all unwilling. Then, because they took out the money, they also took a lot of benefits from the court. They could not say anything and were really very aggrieved. Jian Qingqing had opened up a new way of thinking for them. They had seen what it was like to save the country in a roundabout way.
“I will immediately order people to invite the Deans of the Academies here!” the Emperor said excitedly.
After he finished speaking, he ordered the Crown Prince and Ming Zhiyan to stay and accompany him, and then he left excitedly.
Jian Qingqing looked at the Crown Prince curiously and asked, “Your Highness, when are you leaving?
The Crown Prince frowned and said, “They should be leaving the day after tomorrow. Tomorrow, they will reorganize the army. Although Yu City has been taken, the previous defenders have retreated to Huan City. They can still hold on for a while. However, the provisions must be delivered as soon as possible to stabilize the morale of the army. Otherwise, I’m afraid that our morale will be low before they even attack..”