"About, about the donation of silver … I suddenly feel that we should do our part in such a good thing for the country and the people. Only by building more academies can more poor students have access to education and cultivate more talents for the country. Yes, that's it …"
The more Officer Zhao spoke, the more confident he became. In the end, the expression on his face became extremely sincere and proud, "So, I want to donate more silver to the academy. Lord Liu … let's talk about it in detail?"
County Magistrate Liu nodded and said with a smile, "I'm very pleased that Officer Zhao has such a kind intention!"
"Sir, please …"
"Officer Zhao, please …"
…
Three thousand taels of silver was not a small amount even for the Zhao Family.
However, he had worked hard for silver all his life. At this moment, silver itself was not so important to him. When one reached such a position, he would understand that some things couldn't be bought with silver.
Some things couldn't be solved with silver.
Therefore, after thinking for a long time, he gave another number.
It was thirty times more than the one hundred taels he had promised.
County Magistrate Liu said with a smile, "Officer Zhao, if you are generous, the poor students of the academy will remember you."
"It's all for the country …" Officer Zhao was waiting for this sentence. He couldn't confirm whether what County Magistrate Liu said was true or not, but he thought that County Magistrate Liu wouldn't lie to him. After all, County Magistrate Liu was a high-ranking official and couldn't lie to him.
"There's one more thing I need to ask of Officer Zhao," County Magistrate Liu said while looking at him.
"Sir, please speak your mind."
"I'm not familiar with the rich merchants around the capital city. I hope Officer Zhao can visit them. After all, one person's strength is limited. If there are more people as generous as Officer Zhao …"
"Of course. Don't worry, I'll take care of it!" Officer Zhao answered repeatedly with a burst of ecstasy in his heart.
The importance of this matter was self-evident. County Magistrate Liu actually entrusted this important task to him. If he could handle this matter well and properly, he would have a say in the county magistrate's office in the future, let alone in the long run.
This was something that couldn't be bought with three thousand taels of silver. No matter how he looked at it, he wouldn't lose money.
Of course, at the same time, he thought of another matter.
The Zhao family did have some money, but they were not arrogant enough to think that the Zhao family was the wealthiest merchant in the capital. Once everyone gathered and learned the truth, wouldn't they all rush to donate money?
At that time, it would be hard to say if his name would still be left on the Academy Stele.
After all, he believed that those people wouldn't reject the opportunity to leave their names behind.
Of course, he had just confirmed with County Magistrate Liu that after the funds of an academy were collected, the rest would be used to build other academies. This academy couldn't be named, but there would always be others. But for the sake of safety, he had to be careful.
He waved his hand at the housekeeper and said, "Go to the accounts room and withdraw two thousand taels of silver …"
When he returned to the chess room again, his friend could not wait any longer.
"County Magistrate Liu, what brings you here?" A stout middle-aged man looked at him and asked with great surprise, "When did you know County Magistrate Liu?"
Zhao Yuanwai smiled mysteriously and said: "Let's not rush this matter. I have something great to tell you …"
…
"As expected of Lord Li …" County Magistrate Liu walked out of the Zhao mansion, sighed, and murmured: "Brilliant, really brilliant!"
The five thousand … to be precise, it should be five thousand one hundred taels of silver. It was as easy as blowing off dust. He didn't even need to say anything, and the other party would take the initiative to come to him, as if afraid that he wouldn't accept it.
It was even easier than robbing.
He knew how cold the officials from the Ministry of Rites were treated when they went to visit each and every one of them.
It was really a world of difference!
Moreover, after walking out of the Zhao mansion, he thought of a more important thing.
It was true that merchants loved their names, but some people seemed to love their names even more!
In just a few days, the entire capital city would once again be bustling with noise and excitement.
A yamen runner stood behind him and asked: "Lord, where are we going now?"
"To the Xu mansion."
"Which Xu mansion?"
"Xu Mansion in the south of the city."
…
An hour later, a fat man with a protruding belly and a face full of fat sent County Magistrate Liu out of the mansion and said with a smile: "Take care, Lord!"
When he turned his head, his face instantly became gloomy.
"Damn, such an important thing, surnamed Zhao actually didn't tell me!"
Behind County Magistrate Liu, the yamen runner still understood and said with a smile: "Lord, I know. Let's go to Shopkeeper Zhang's mansion now!"
…
"Hee hee, father, you lost again!" The proud Lolita jumped up from her seat and shouted happily.
If she won ten games against her father, she could go out of the palace to play once. If she won twenty games against her father, she could also bring Yongning. Therefore, she now played chess with her father every day. She had saved up for many days. She had already decided in her heart that when she had saved ten days for both of them, she could go out of the palace with Yongning and did not need to come back for ten days.
Emperor Jing touched her head lovingly and said: "Shouning, go play first. Father is a little tired. We will play again in the afternoon."
"Oh."
The proud Lolita nodded obediently. Although she also wanted to save enough time to go out of the palace earlier, her father's health was not good. She had grown up and had to be sensible. She could not let her father be tired.
Looking at her jumping away, a trace of guilt appeared on Emperor Jing's face.
As a father, he still felt a little sorry for using such a method to keep his daughter by his side to play chess with him.
The most difficult thing was handed over to MIngzhu and Li Yi. There were no important state affairs these days. It was not easy to have a few days of leisure, but his heart was still worried about some things.
He put away the chess pieces and asked: "What has MIngzhu been doing these days?"
"Her Highness has been in the palace." Changde's voice came over: "Apart from practicing every day, there is no …"
"Oh, by the way, Her Highness is still learning to cook."
"Cooking?" There was some doubt in Emperor Jing's voice.
MIngzhu liked to play with knives and swords since she was a child, but it was definitely not a kitchen knife. When did she become interested in these things?
"Yes, cooking." Changde nodded and said: "She often asks the catering bureau to send things over to make soup and so on."
Emperor Jing was puzzled for a moment and no longer thought about these things. He asked: "What about Li Yi?"
"At home, he goes out occasionally, but it is to accompany his wife for a walk …"
Emperor Jing frowned and murmured: "What are they doing?"
He did not set a deadline for this matter, but the voices in the court about this matter were not small. The pressure that fell on them was certainly not light. How could they be so leisurely?
After thinking about it, he asked: "Has there been anything strange about the two of them recently?"
Changde said: "A few days ago, Her Highness went out of the palace with him to see the capital's governor, Liu Dayou. After that, the two of them did not have any contact with anyone."
Emperor Jing was not unfamiliar with the name Liu Dayou.
This person had some abilities. His most prominent characteristic was that he could stand in the perspective of ordinary people. He had a keen insight that many ministers in the court did not have. He could often find some problems that ordinary people could not notice. He was a rare talent.
Emperor Jing put away all the chess pieces and said: "Find out what Liu Dayou has been doing these days."
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