Chapter 484 – Spring Plowing (Part 2)
What do they think about it?
Is that even a question? Jiang Pengji’s proposal was undoubtedly a charm booster for them; if goodwill could be quantified, she might as well see that their loyalty had skyrocketed to the top tier of “Unwavering Loyalty.”
No matter what happens in the future, they would never waver.
Jiang Pengji thought for a moment and added, “If we open a restaurant, we’ll need a waiter, some people to work in the kitchen, and a shopkeeper to manage it. A medium-sized restaurant would require at least twenty to thirty people. Orphans and widows or those disabled from the war could find suitable positions to support their families. After all, forcing them to farm is just too much.”
This got everyone’s attention, especially Wei Ci, who looked lost in thought, immersed in his memories.
Competing with the populace for resources indeed brought criticism, but the money she earned was all spent on the war orphans and the elderly without caretakers.
And what of those soldiers who returned from the battlefield disabled? How could they make a living?
In Wei Ci’s memory, it seemed no other lord truly cared, aside from the person before him.
Many lords would delegate such matters to subordinates, merely seeking a reputation for benevolence. Once their fame was secured, their goals were achieved.
As for how things evolved afterwards, they showed no concern. This negligence led to a gradual decline in support, and the pensions meant for the elderly were peeled away layer by layer, ultimately leaving the orphans and widows with mere scraps.
But the Emperor was different; she genuinely did this.
Yet, despite her best efforts, her reputation was the worst.
Why was that?
Wei Ci stared blankly at Jiang Pengji.
It was because her personality was so casually proud. Anyone who embezzled from those funds was swiftly reprimanded, and those greedy individuals were made to pay back tenfold. With her strong demeanor, who dared to defy her? The result was always the same—heads rolling.
Yet these people had smooth tongues and could easily tarnish her reputation behind her back.
As for the Emperor?
【I value my time too much to stoop to quarreling with ants.】
In this life, he would be the one to quibble.
While Wei Ci was lost in thought, Feng Jin had already performed a bow, offering his respects.
“Your initiative is truly benevolent. I will wholeheartedly support it. Should soldiers fall in battle, their orphans and widows will have someone to rely on, and disabled soldiers can still make a living. If this initiative succeeds, then our warriors can fight without any worries.”
This act was considered kindness by Feng Jin and the others but was merely a matter of course for Jiang Pengji.
Since the soldiers gave their lives to her, it was only right to be worthy of their loyalty.
Feng Jin and the others marveled at Jiang Pengji’s growth, and the audience in the live stream began to discuss.
【Old Driver Alliance】: I started following the stream not long after it began. Looking back, the host has really grown a lot. Not that she was bad before, but she was too forceful and self-centered. Now, she has become more compassionate and is taking on the role of an excellent ruler, a blessing for the common folk in these chaotic times.
【Debt-Breaking Seven】: I hope that when I’m old, I can still follow my grandchildren to watch this stream and tell them how excellent this host is, even though she’s a bit of a schemer, leading her subordinates to conquer the world and provide a stable life for the people… Hee hee hee, you can’t let us down!
【You Beasts】: If I were a commoner, being sheltered by this host would be the happiest thing ever.
【Ignoring Ignorance】: I believe this host can become a true emperor for the ages—unprecedented and unmatched!
【Wang Ba Reading Scriptures】: May I witness my lord ruling the world in my lifetime.
The live stream was filled with commendations, and even Jiang Pengji, with her thick skin like a castle wall, felt a bit bashful.
“Then I’ll have someone organize the meal plan.”
Jiang Pengji thought for a moment and hesitantly said, “The income from the restaurant will be used entirely to support orphans and widows. Initially, the scale will be small and profits not high, so outsiders won’t pay attention to it. But as we expand and introduce unique dishes and flavors, the business will undoubtedly flourish, and profits will follow… I’m just a bit worried…”
If the profits are just a few coins, who would care?
But what if it’s tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands?
Jiang Pengji didn’t believe anyone could remain indifferent.
Li Yun was slightly naive, thinking to himself, how good could a restaurant business get? How high could the profits actually rise?
Not to mention, they hadn’t even opened the restaurant yet, and their lord was already worrying about future embezzlement…
He asked, “These profits used for the welfare of soldiers’ orphans and widows, for compensation… Could there really be beasts that would dare embezzle?”
Wei Ci smiled and replied, “Han Mei called them beasts; how can we measure them with common sense? I believe your concerns are not unwarranted, my lord. It’s better to be prepared than sorry. Since this plan is for the soldiers’ benefit, to ensure they can fight without worries, it must be treated seriously. We should punish those who embezzle severely to prevent disheartening the soldiers… What do you think, my lord?”
“Indeed, Zixiao has a point.” Jiang Pengji raised her eyebrows, “We only have a foundation in Xiangyang; the restaurant is small, and profits will be modest. This little bit of silver for aiding soldiers’ orphans and widows might be deemed absurd. How about this—I’ll donate twenty thousand coins as initial compensation, and if it’s still not enough, I can always add more later.”
Wei Ci’s fingers trembled as he nearly lost his composure.
Twenty thousand coins?
Had his lord ever been this generous?
Wasn’t she the same one who would rather split a single coin into four?
Looking around, it seemed no one found it surprising… This is twenty thousand coins, not two coins!
Others might not know, but Xu Ke was well aware of just how substantial the lord’s private coffers were.
Let alone twenty thousand coins; even twenty times that amount, she could easily afford… sigh, those wealthy foolish girls from the northern frontier were simply too generous, buying glass tea sets and jewelry as if they were common trinkets, unstoppable.
Not only that, but wool products were also selling well in Chongzhou, accumulating quite a bit over time.
Most of the first batch of money went to the construction of Xiangyang, purchasing grain, armor, and weaponry.
The second batch truly filled the lord’s private coffers, and upon receipt, she generously distributed large red envelopes to every subordinate, even preparing a gift for Changsheng from Feng Jin’s household, extravagantly to levels that were hard to fathom.
If a wealth ranking of lords ever existed, their lord would probably top the list year after year.
Jiang Pengji looked around, “Then this matter will…”
Originally, she considered handing it to Meng Hunyun or Luo Yue, as they were future generals more understanding of the soldiers’ hardships; but given the imminent battles after spring plowing, occupying their training time wouldn’t be right. So, after a moment’s thought, she decided to leave this task to Wei Ci.
