Chapter 373: Announcing the Donation Drive
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Jian Qingqing sighed. It was indeed difficult. If the families and merchants donated food, they could set off immediately. From here to Huan City, it would take more than ten days to travel at full speed. But if they donated money and had to exchange it for food, it would take more time. They might not be able to make it in time. The food in Huan City could last more than ten days, but it would be difficult to take more time.
The Crown Prince smiled gently. “Don’t worry, you’ve done enough. The current situation is much better than we thought. This time, we will definitely be able to take back Yu City. It’s all thanks to you.”
“It’s my duty,” Jian Qingqing said with a smile
The Academy’s Deans soon arrived. They had cultivated countless talents for the Great Wei Kingdom, so every year the Emperor would summon them for a banquet.
However, it was the first time that they were in such a hurry, and at this moment. Several Academy Deans met at the palace gate and looked at each other with confusion in their eyes, not knowing why the Emperor had summoned them.
“Deans, please come with us. The Emperor is already waiting for you,” said Eunuch Zhong with a smile.
The few Deans looked at the sedan in the corridor, and the doubt in their hearts grew.
This was the first time he had entered the palace in a palanquin. In the past, he had always walked in. It seemed that he was really in a hurry this time.
The three of them went in with doubts. When the Emperor saw them, he immediately greeted them with a smile. He did not bother with small talk and immediately told them about the Academy organizing donations for the students.
This was not a difficult matter, because being loyal to the monarch was also an important lesson for the students. The Deans readily agreed.
The next morning, the Emperor announced in the court that the Ministry of Revenue would organize a donation from businessmen. He also announced that donating 50,000 taels of silver would give his juniors a place in the next years imperial examination, and 100,000 taels of silver would give them two places, so on and so forth.
This government decree caused an uproar in the Imperial court, but it was not that hard for them to accept, because it was more difficult for them to donate money. So as long as money did not come out of their pockets, anything was fine.
Moreover, the Ministry of Revenue Ming Zhiyan had the final say. The
Emperor’s intention was not to discuss with them, so it was useless to object.
Everyone readily agreed, and this matter was naturally carried out very quickly.
After the morning court, Ming Zhiyan immediately ordered people to paste the notice that had already been prepared and read it out.
The moment the notice was posted, it immediately attracted the attention of the people. This was because the notice was not posted in one place like before. This time, it was posted in all the places that could be posted. It was at the most lively place in the market. Someone was beating drums and gongs to promote it.
Therefore, the contents of the announcement were made known to all the people in the city almost immediately.
“I didn’t hear wrong, did I? Donating 50,000 taels of silver can get me a spot in the imperial examination?
“Is there really such a good thing? My two boys are good in academics, but they have no interest in business. I don’t feel good seeing them depressed all day. If this is true, I’ll definitely donate 100,000 taels!”
“Don’t even mention 100,000, I would willingly pay 300,000. This is a good thing that can only be encountered by luck! 300,000 taels of silver, give me 6 places. I’ll ask all the younger generation in my family to take the exam. I don’t believe that none of them will pass!’
Hearing this, the officer standing in front of the announcement said with a serious face, “Of course it is true! Look at it, it’s stamped with the National
Seal, how can it be fake?!”
Everyone took a closer look, and it was true! The seal on the announcement was the National Seal!