Chapter 374 - Chapter 374: Donation by a Rich Businessman
Chapter 374: Donation by a Rich Businessman
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Seeing this, the crowd became even more excited. A few rich businessmen shouted excitedlv. “Where do von donate? I’m going to donate 100.000 taels!”
“I’ll donate 500,000!”
“300,000!”
In an instant, the commoners’ expressions changed as they looked at the wealthy businessmen. They were really at odds with each other. They were still thinking about how many copper coins to spend, but these people donated hundreds of thousands of dollars. Did they think that this money was not money?
The officer smiled and said, “You can go to the Ministry of Revenue to donate. The door of the Ministry of Revenue is open now, and someone will receive you inside. However, it would be even better if you donate rations. I heard from my Lord that there will be a better discount if you donate rations.”
Whoosh! As soon as he said this, those who were interested in donating all ran away.
If he asked them where they were going, of course, they would run home to raise money. After all) no one would have hundreds of thousands of taels of silver on them for no reason.
They were afraid that if they were late, the Imperial Court would have collected enough money and they would not need to use them anymore. It was also impossible to raise the price on the spot. Therefore, the rich merchants who received the news all hurriedly went to raise money.
Some of the wealthy merchants were in the grain business. When they heard that there would be a discount if they donated grain, they immediately ordered people to go to their shops and take out all the grain inside, and then dragged them to the Ministry of Revenue.
Not long after the notice was posted, people kept coming into the Ministry of Revenue to ask about this matter. The officials of the Ministry of Revenue all received them with a friendly attitude. They served them tea and water, which scared the officials who went in.
Ming Zhiyan was sitting at the head of the table to receive them. Although he was young, his face did not seem unfamiliar. Looking at his serious expression, it made them feel more at ease.
Rich Merchant Wei had ordered his men to bring over 200,000 taels of silver. He asked nervously, “I wonder if donating 200,000 taels of silver will get me four spots for the scientific examination?
Ming Zhiyan nodded his head. “Yes, you can use this spot whenever you want.”
Seeing that Ming Zhiyan was so easy to talk to, Rich Merchant Wei heaved a sigh of relief. He continued to ask, “If my son doesn’t get in this time, can he get in the next time? Or can he continue to take the exam?”
Ming Zhiyan had discussed this with the Emperor and had found a solution, so he replied, if he can’t pass, he can donate another 20,000 taels of silver next time. This way, he can get a chance, and so on. Of course, you can also give him all the other places.
Rich Merchant Wei’s eyes lit up. This was much more worth it! He only needed 20,000 taels to get a chance, but this was a matter for the future. Perhaps the policy in the future would not be like this. What if they did not keep their word? It was better to get the quota now. In the future, even if his son did not need it, he could give it to other juniors.
“In that case, My Lord, I’d like to donate 200,000 taels of silver,” Rich
Merchant Wei said with a smile.
Ming Zhiyan thanked him calmly and completed the procedures for him. After recording his name, donation amount, and home address, Ming Zhiyan gave him four pieces of jade pendants. Although the jade pendants were not good jade and the workmanship was ordinary, they had different meanings. There were even words engraved on the jade pendants.
“Thank you, My Lord!” Rich Merchant Wei received it with a smile.
He took a closer look and realized that the words “charity” were written on it.
“When the time comes, you can use the jade pendant to exchange for a place in the imperial examination with the government. It doesn’t matter where you are,” Ming Zhiyan said..