In the capital, Ji Xuan received the news while watching the scene of thousands of people flocking to the city from the city tower.
“Your Majesty,” Xiao Yuanzi said with a smile, “in this way, the immortal’s fame will be spread throughout the world.”
"Hmm," Ji Xuan said, her expression unchanged, "Is there any news from Elder An?"
"Still hesitating, should we push them a little harder?"
"Wait another day. If a decision hasn't been made by tomorrow, then we won't have to show any mercy."
"This servant understands."
"Master, An San has sent a message."
"Bring it here."
After a cursory glance, Ji Xuan's face immediately darkened. "Go and investigate Lifang Palace, and also thoroughly investigate the harem."
"Yes, sir!"
"Your Majesty, has something happened?"
"Yes, the person sent to the Lady Protector of the Nation was tampered with."
Upon hearing this, Yuanyuan's expression changed drastically, and she broke out in a cold sweat. "This servant has failed in her duty. Please punish me, Your Majesty."
"Your salary for this year is gone. Go and receive ten lashes. Now, get out of here!"
"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty."
Yuanyuan wiped away the fine beads of sweat, her legs trembling as she went out.
He knew very well how much his master valued the Lady Protector of the Nation. He had compiled the list and submitted it, and despite careful consideration, a mistake still occurred.
Damn it, who on earth is reaching out so far?
If he finds out, I'll chop off his feet too!
After Yuanyuan left, Ji Xuan's lips curled into a smile.
Those in the inner palace who dare to meddle in the affairs of the previous dynasty—whoever they are, he will not let them off easily.
Anfu.
As time went on, more and more people benefited, and countless people flocked to queue up to receive the medicine. Some even stayed up all night just to wait until the next morning.
Among them, intellectuals were particularly enthusiastic.
Initially, they thought it was a scam and banded together to resist it. But after realizing the benefits, they fought tooth and nail to get their hands on it.
To win favor, he eloquently praised the immortal's wonders, and then a series of poems and essays praising the immortal followed.
In just three days, the immortal's fame had spread far and wide.
On the contrary, doubts about An Ge Lao are growing, and more and more people are questioning his ability to assume the position of leader of the Rushi.
“We can’t wait any longer,” Grand Secretary An suddenly stood up. “I will go to the palace to meet the Emperor right now.”
"Dad, are we really going to donate 50%?"
"That's not enough; we can only keep 20% at most."
"Can……"
"Enough," Elder An said, quite annoyed. "It's settled then. If anyone has any objections, let them come and talk to me."
"Oh well!"
Losing 80% of his wealth was more painful than cutting off his own flesh. An Congfeng was very unwilling, but he had no choice but to compromise.
First, he could not disobey his father's orders. Second, reputation was extremely important to a scholar; if it were ruined by money, it would truly be a loss.
Having made up his mind, Grand Secretary An did not dare to linger and immediately went to the palace, fearing that if he stayed any longer, he would lose the courage to enter.
Ji Xuan was not surprised at all when he heard his request. "This is a matter of great importance. Please consider it carefully, An Qing."
"Your Majesty, this old minister has made up his mind. The floods in Shandong have not yet been resolved, and the people are displaced and starving. I am deeply worried about this day and night. After much consideration, I have decided to give up most of my wealth. This meager fortune can help the people get through this difficult time, and it is also my wish."
After saying this, Grand Secretary An quickly lowered his head.
He was afraid that the emperor would see his old face bleeding from the pain.
Over the decades, the annual tributes of ice and carbon alone amounted to an astronomical figure, not to mention the various rewards and tributes.
Even excluding antiques, calligraphy and paintings, house deeds and fertile land, the amount is still close to ten million.
"I admire your noble character and integrity. The troubles in Shandong do not require so much money. There is no need for you to donate most of your wealth."
"Your Majesty's words are surprising. Besides the floods in Shandong, there are also military troubles in the northwest, the waterways in Jiangnan also need to be dredged, and the Great Wall on the border also needs to be repaired. Our Great Zhou is in a time when everything is in need of rebuilding, and the amount of money required is as vast as the ocean. My meager wealth is just a drop in the ocean."
As An Ge Lao spoke, he became more and more excited, and gradually, he even convinced himself.
It even creates an impulse to go bankrupt.
“That’s not appropriate,” Ji Xuan still refused to budge. “The affairs of state are paid for by the national treasury. How can we use your private property?”
"Your Majesty, without a country there is no home. For the sake of the Great Zhou Dynasty's prosperity, this old minister is willing to give up everything he owns."
After the performance of refusing and declining three times, Ji Xuan finally nodded her proud head.
"An Qing's noble character and integrity are praised throughout the world."
"This old minister is ashamed."
Although this was exactly what he wanted, Elder An still felt somewhat embarrassed upon hearing these words.
For the first time, I realized that I was too selfish and had flaws in my character.
When this news spread, the world was shaken. Countless people were puzzled as to why Grand Secretary An acted in this way, but the wise ones only showed a meaningful smile.
However, the people of the world were greatly shocked.
Immediately, people rushed to tell each other about Grand Secretary An's noble character and righteousness.
Ji Xuan did not mistreat Grand Secretary An, sending various rewards to the An residence in a continuous stream, especially the five jars of immortal wine that were priceless.
This matter reached its peak when Liu An announced that he would donate all his wealth.
When Grand Secretaries An and Liu donated their family fortunes, Grand Secretary Zhong was forced to follow suit and donate half of his wealth.
Under the leadership of the three Grand Secretaries, other officials in the court had no choice but to make their own statements.
Over the next few days, soldiers and carriages came and went in an endless stream, and gold and silver were continuously transported into the national treasury. The magnificent procession amazed the people of the capital.
"Little Yuanzi, how much silver is it in total?"
“It’s not finished yet,” said Eunuch Yuan with a serious expression. “It’s estimated to cost at least 50 million taels.”
“Fifty million taels,” Ji Xuan shook his head regretfully, “Unfortunately, the opportunity only comes once.”
With this extra money from three years' worth of taxes, we won't have to worry about running out of funds for future endeavors.
This time, everything went smoothly – the timing was perfect, the location was ideal, and the circumstances were unexpected – which led to this outcome. It's unlikely that such a good thing will happen again.
Upon hearing this, Eunuch Yuan secretly clicked his tongue in amazement.
They emptied almost all of someone's savings from decades of hard work in one go, and they're already thinking about doing it again?
As expected of a ruler of a country, his decisiveness is indeed beyond the reach of a nobody like him.
However, he was also very alarmed, "You gentlemen are all very wealthy. On average, each of you has a net worth of several hundred thousand."
The speed at which they made money was astonishing.
"Most of them are the accumulation of three generations of a family, which is normal."
As for those who were greedy, they were quite clever and knew when to make which choice, so they gave back a lot of things.
Ji Xuan was very pleased with their sensibility.
"Xiao Yuanzi, go and tally up who donated half of their wealth. If their character isn't too flawed, reward each of them with a jar of wine."
What about the rest?
“The palace still has pearls that were presented as tribute in previous years; each person will be rewarded with a bushel.”
Upon hearing this, Eunuch Yuan quickly lowered his head and replied, "This servant obeys!"
This differential treatment is too obvious. Apart from the three Grand Secretaries and a few generals, everyone else was only given a bushel of pearls. I wonder if the court officials would burst into tears if they knew about this.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com