Chapter 369 - Chapter 369: Donating Money
Chapter 369: Donating Money
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Xiao Hu and Xiao Lang looked at him in confusion. “Then why do we have to donate silver? Doesn’t the Imperial Court have silver?”
Jian Qingqing held her forehead and didn’t know what to say. She looked at the two of them speechlessly and asked, “Did you guys not listen to the class?
Xiao Hu lowered his head guiltily. “I-I did…”
Xiao Lang was extremely confused. “I did listen to Teacher’s words.”
Jian Qingqing looked at the two of them helplessly and said to Xiao Ye, “Xiao
Ye, tell them what happened.”
Xiao Ye kept a straight face and said seriously, “Teacher said that the war at the southwest border is very tense. Recently, memorials requesting money and grain have been sent to the Capital, but the situation at the other borders is also very tense, so the Emperor can’t possibly give all of the Treasurys money to the southwest border. I heard that the Emperor lost his temper in court and ordered all the departments to quickly raise silver.”
The Teacher guessed that the Emperor would not have given all the money in the National Treasury to the southwest border, but he himself felt that the National Treasury had no more money. Otherwise, the Emperor would not have thought of cheating the ministers of their money.
Xiao Lang and Xiao Hu were suddenly enlightened.
Xiao Lang quickly said, “Then I’ll donate all my money too! IVs more important to feed the soldiers!”
Many teachers in Xiao Lang’s Academy had been on the battlefield, and some of them had even lost their arms or legs in the war. These teachers often talked to them about the border, so he had a natural closeness to the soldiers.
When he learned that the soldiers were in trouble, he was very anxious and felt that the little money was not very important.
Seeing that his two brothers had donated, Xiao Hu also said, “Then I’ll donate mine too!”
Jian Qingqing looked at them with relief, but she suddenly had an idea in her heart. Since the Emperor could come up with such a way to trick the ministers, he must have no other way. There were wars every year, and those courtiers must be sly. If they could persuade the donations, the Emperor would not have to be so distressed.
However, the courtiers were sly old foxes, but those half-grown youths were not. They were just like Xiao Ye, full of hot blood, and it was much easier to persuade them than to persuade those sly old foxes.
Moreover, the students of the Academy were the treasures of their families. She did not believe that anyone would refuse to donate money to them when they went home and asked their parents to donate.
However, he would have to discuss this with the Emperor first.
Jian Qingqing glanced at them and said, “There’s no rush for this. We’ll talk about it in two days. The matter of paying taxes also has to wait for two days. Xiao Ye, finish that account book first. If you have any problems, go and ask Butler Zhang. Take this blueprint and send it to the craftsmen to make it. Ask them to rush the work.”
Xiao Ye nodded obediently. “I understand.”
After giving these orders, Jian Qingqing sat on the chair with some worry and pondered for a long time.
Although the Capital looked peaceful now, there was already a storm brewing in the dark.
Thinking of the soldiers at the border who had been sending reports to the Capital recently, her heart was a little heavy. She did not know if the Emperor had made any other preparations. Just waiting for this money was not enough.
With so many things in her heart, Jian Qingqing could not do anything else. She simply took out a piece of paper and listed a plan if she wanted the Academy students to donate money.
The next day, Jian Qingqing got up early and immediately ordered people to prepare a carriage. She did not even have time to eat breakfast before she entered the palace.
When she got there, the Emperor had not finished his morning court session. It was the Empress who received her.
The Empress was surprised and asked, “Qingqing, why are you here so early? Have you had breakfast?”