[See that? This is what happens when you try to outdo my Empress in wealth.jpg]
Xiao Che's domineering "stance" shattered all opposition to the "Orphanage" in the capital with overwhelming force.
A “royal charity auction” not only raised a huge amount of money that would make the national treasury envious, but more importantly, it sent a clear and unambiguous signal to the world – the orphanage was the common will of the emperor and empress, and there was no room for doubt.
After this battle, those conservative officials who had been secretly observing or even sabotaging the effort completely fell silent. They finally realized that this young emperor and empress were beyond their control. Their henchmen had been cut off, their sources of income threatened, and now all they could do was tuck their tails between their legs and pray that they wouldn't be punished later.
Public opinion took an instant 180-degree turn.
The teahouses and taverns that had been spreading rumors of an "ominous place" suddenly changed their tune overnight. The Empress, with her compassionate heart, turned waste into treasure, using her boundless virtue to suppress the resentment of the previous dynasty and bring blessings to the capital; His Majesty the Emperor, doting on his wife and protecting his people, spending lavishly, is truly a wise and benevolent ruler unprecedented in history!
For a time, the entire capital city was filled with unprecedented anticipation for the "Orphanage".
Lin Wanwan was well-versed in the art of "striking while the iron is hot," and she gave those terrified opposition forces no chance to catch their breath.
The day after the auction, before dawn, squads of imperial guards escorted heavy chests of silver from the palace, heading straight for the abandoned villa known as "Hundred Herbs Garden" in the west of the city.
Following closely behind was the Empress's imperial carriage.
Lin Wanwan is going to hold the groundbreaking ceremony for the "Orphanage" in the most high-profile way!
The news caused a sensation throughout the capital. Countless people spontaneously put down their work and flocked to the west of the city from all directions, eager to witness this unprecedented act of kindness.
When Lin Wanwan arrived at Baicaoyuan, it was already packed with people, a hundred times more lively than when she came to choose the site three days ago.
This time, there was no doubt or panic among the crowd, only excitement, curiosity, and reverence.
The Minister of Works, leading his officials, was already waiting there. At Lin Wanwan's instruction, a tall foundation platform was quickly erected. Huge wooden chests filled with silver were opened in public by the Imperial Guards; the brilliant silver light reflected dazzlingly in the morning sun, eliciting gasps of amazement from all the onlookers!
They had never seen so much money before! And all of it was for those homeless orphans!
The people looked at the young empress on the high platform, dressed in her usual empress robes yet still exuding unparalleled nobility, with eyes filled with the most sincere gratitude and awe.
Standing on the high platform, Lin Wanwan looked down at the simple yet hopeful faces below, and her heart was filled with emotion.
She didn't use many fancy words, but simply explained the original intention of establishing the orphanage, and announced that the groundbreaking ceremony was officially beginning!
However, just as the master of ceremonies was about to announce the auspicious time, and just as the cheers of the people were about to erupt, the ceremony was held.
Suddenly, a discordant commotion arose from the back of the crowd.
"Get out of the way! Everyone get out of the way!"
A few thugs, who looked like street thugs, pushed through the crowd and squeezed to the front.
The ringleader, a thug with a scar on his face and a fierce glint in his eyes, was followed by several equally menacing accomplices. Their appearance caused the surrounding crowd to instinctively take a few steps back, their faces showing fear.
The Imperial Guards immediately stepped forward, intending to drive them away.
"Wait!" Lin Wanwan raised her hand to stop her.
She glanced at the group of thugs who were clearly up to no good, a cold glint in her eyes. She knew that although the outcome was largely decided, there were always some restless fleas who wanted to make a final, desperate attempt.
Seeing this, the scarred-faced thug assumed the Empress was afraid of their numbers and grew even bolder. He mingled in the crowd and, in an exaggeratedly compassionate tone, loudly incited them:
"Fellow villagers! Don't be fooled! This is the execution ground and mass grave of the previous dynasty! The Empress taking in orphans here is just gathering all the bad luck in the world together!"
He pointed at Lin Wanwan on the high platform and said viciously, "She's trying to use the well-being of the people of Beijing to gain her own reputation for benevolence! When disaster strikes, it's still us ordinary people who will suffer!"
His words were extremely insidious. He dared not mention "feng shui and dragon veins" again, but instead cleverly pitted the interests of the empress against those of ordinary people, attempting to use this "hatred of the rich" and "hatred of the noble" mentality to once again incite public panic.
Sure enough, his accomplices immediately joined in the commotion.
"Exactly! Why should it be built in the west of our city? It's bad luck!"
"If something goes wrong, the Empress can just walk away to the palace and enjoy her life, while we'll be the ones who suffer!"
Among the crowd, some people who were already restless or timid began to waver again under their instigation. Whispers spread like a plague once more.
Standing behind Lin Wanwan, Qin Zheng was so angry that her face turned pale. She was about to order the Imperial Guards to take down these scoundrels on the spot!
Lin Wanwan remained calm. She didn't even glance at the thugs who were jumping around.
Her gaze passed through the commotion and landed on a pale, emaciated woman holding a child at the edge of the crowd.
The woman was dressed in rags, and the child in her arms was no more than three or four years old, so thin that he was just skin and bones. The woman's eyes were filled with struggle, pain, and reluctance.
Lin Wanwan knew that these were the mothers who, due to poverty and having nowhere else to turn, were preparing to send their children to the orphanage.
She did not use the guards, nor did she argue with the thugs about ghosts and gods.
She simply lifted her skirt and, amidst everyone's astonished gazes, slowly walked down from the platform.
The Imperial Guards immediately surrounded her and made way for her.
She walked straight up to the mother holding the child.
When the woman saw the Empress walking towards her in person, she was so frightened that her face changed drastically, and she tried to kneel down while holding her child.
Lin Wanwan quickly stepped forward and personally helped her up.
"Don't be afraid." Lin Wanwan's voice was so gentle it seemed to soothe all the pain in people's hearts. She looked at the child in the woman's arms, who had big, innocent eyes, and asked softly, "Is this your child? He's so cute."
Touched by the Empress's gentleness, the woman's eyes instantly reddened, and tears streamed down her face uncontrollably. She choked back sobs, saying haltingly, "Your Majesty...it is...it is my child. His...his father died in battle two years ago...I...I really...cannot raise him..."
Her voice was filled with despair and heartbreak.
Lin Wanwan's heart was pierced with pain.
She reached out and gently touched the child's thin cheek.
Then, she turned around and faced all the people. Her voice, transmitted clearly through her inner strength, resounded throughout the entire square.
"Fellow villagers!"
All eyes were on her.
"I know that you all have doubts and fears. But I want to tell you today that what I am going to build is not just a cold, impersonal 'orphanage' for taking in orphans."
Her gaze fell once more on the mother, filled with both compassion and determination.
"Starting today, the orphanage will add a 'poverty relief fund'!"
She announced it loudly and clearly, her voice resounding with conviction!
"Families facing difficulties and unable to raise their children, yet unwilling to be separated from their loved ones, can apply to the orphanage for 'assistance funds'! The Empress and the Royal Family will provide assistance to help you overcome your difficulties and enable you to raise your children with your own hands!"
boom!
This announcement is more shocking than any before!
If adopting orphans was merely a way for the people to be grateful for the "benevolence" of the imperial family, then establishing a "poverty relief fund" truly shows that the emperor put himself in their shoes and understood their deepest pain and reluctance to part with their children!
What compassion! What empathy!
The mother holding her child was completely stunned. She looked at the Queen in disbelief, her lips trembling, unable to utter a single word.
The surrounding people were completely stunned by the Empress's words! The doubt and hesitation in their eyes were instantly replaced by a great sense of emotion!
Lin Wanwan did not stop. She took the mother's hand and led her to the high platform, making her stand beside her. Then, facing everyone, she uttered a declaration that was enough to be recorded in history and establish her status as the "Goddess Queen".
Her voice was clear and powerful, as if it carried a sacred radiance.
"Children, there is no distinction between noble and lowly; sincerity is the most precious thing!"
"My charitable institution will not only provide shelter from the wind and rain for homeless children!"
She paused, her gaze sweeping across the room before finally settling on the few thugs who were already ashen-faced. Each word she uttered was like the most solemn oath!
"We must do everything in our power to protect every single mother's love in this world that refuses to be separated!"
The moment the words were spoken, the entire room fell silent!
Immediately afterwards, someone cried out, though it was unclear who it was.
"Your Majesty the Empress...you...you are a living Bodhisattva!"
With a thud, the mother holding her child could no longer hold on and knelt down on the ground, kowtowing heavily to Lin Wanwan while sobbing uncontrollably!
Her actions, like a pebble thrown into a lake, instantly ignited the entire scene!
"Your Majesty is benevolent!"
"Pah! Those heartless beasts! How dare they slander Her Majesty's good deeds!"
The people's emotions were completely ignited! They were deeply moved by the Empress's words and actions, and instantly turned their anger towards those few thugs who had just been fanning the flames!
The angry crowd surged towards the thugs like a tidal wave! Shouts and curses filled the air!
Those thugs had never seen anything like this before. Terrified, they tried to escape in a panic, but were overwhelmed by the angry crowd and were beaten black and blue, crying for their parents.
Lin Wanwan effortlessly defused a meticulously planned crisis with a seemingly effortless skill, and in doing so, she further solidified her grip on public sentiment.
Looking down at the excited crowd, Lin Wanwan's smile was no longer cold, but full of warmth.
She knew that wasn't enough.
Pressing her advantage, she announced loudly again to those below:
"To demonstrate our sincerity, I hereby announce that the orphanage will begin recruiting artisans and domestic helpers starting today. All wages will be 20% higher than the market rate!"
"Furthermore," she paused, then dropped her final trump card, "anyone from a poor family who is willing to contribute to my charity will be given priority in employment!"
This announcement, like a giant magnet, instantly attracted the hearts of all the poor people!
Double the pay! Preference given to successful hires!
This means that the Empress not only has to help orphans, but also give these poor people who can't survive a way to live!
In an instant, a deafening cheer erupted from the crowd! Countless people rushed to the recruitment point set up by the Ministry of Works officials, afraid of being a step too late!
People responded enthusiastically!
The turmoil was thus completely averted. And the orphanage, amidst the support and anticipation of the people, officially broke ground!
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