Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
How do they feel about it?
Jiang Pengji’s suggestion was undoubtedly a feel-good weapon. If the degree of fondness could be quantified, perhaps she could see that her subordinates liking for her had soared to the highest level of wholehearted loyalty.
No matter what happened in the future, they would not easily have a change of heart.
She thought it through, then added, “If we open an eatery, we must engage a waiter, someone to be the head chef in the kitchen, and another to oversee as the innkeeper. A midsize eatery must employ at least 20 or 30 people. The orphans and widows or soldiers who became handicapped as a result of war and lost their livelihood, they can have a means to feed their family. After all, if they are tasked to plough the land, it is asking for too much.”
In response to Jiang Pengji’s words, they all were touched. Wei Ci’s expression became lost as he delved deep into his memories.
To fight for the rights of the people, she would be subjected to castigation. But the money she earned was all used to support orphans made so by wars. How about those elderly who had none to support them?
Moreover, those who became handicapped because of war, after they left the war zone, what were they left with to support themselves?
This problem was evident in Wei Ci’s memories. Besides the person before him, there was no other leader that took these issues seriously.
Many lords and masters just handed work to their subordinates to win a compassionate and humane name for themselves. When their reputation was well-known, they would have achieved their goal.
As for how things would unfold, no one had the energy to care. This led to a situation after some time, when the hype disappeared, the silvers for retirement that were made public were slowly being diminished, and in the end what was left for the widows and orphans were a pathetic few coins.
However, the Emperor viewed this differently. She really took measures to make it happen.
Although she did it best, her reputation was the worst.
Why was that so?
Wei Ci looked at Jiang Pengji in a daze.
Because this person’s temperament was too free-spirited and proud. Whoever coveted the coins meant for retirement, she was responsible for arresting them. This would deter greedy people from amassing tens or hundreds of silvers then returning it. Her stance was firm that whoever dared to pay lip service but oppose in secret, no exception would be tolerated, and they would end up beheaded.
Unfortunately, those people had articulate mouths that could rationalize anything. They tarnished her reputation behind her back.
How about the Emperor?
My time is precious, and I don’t care to argue with insignificant beings.
In this century, he was deemed the most calculating.
During the time when Wei Ci was stunned, Feng Jin had paid his respects and bowed in reverence.
“The lord’s action has truly displayed your loving-kindness. Jin will surely support you whole-heartedly. If any generals or soldiers pass on, the other orphans and widows will have mutual support and be provided for. Those soldiers who are handicapped will be taken care of at the camp. If this works out, the generals can be at complete peace and not have worries when they go to war.”
This action, to Feng Jin and the rest, was kind and humane. But from her perspective it was a given. Her generals worked for her with their lives, so naturally, she must be worthy of their loyalty.
Feng Jin and the rest were filled with emotions as they saw how she has matured. A conversation broke out among the viewers in the live streaming room.
Laosiji Lianmeng: “I have been following since the start of this livestream, and looking back, the streamer has indeed matured a lot. It isn’t that she was bad in the past, except she was too stubborn and self-centered. Now, she increasingly has the makings of a virtuous lord, and she’s getting closer to meet the qualities of an outstanding ruler. It is a blessing to the people in a chaotic world.”
Qianzai Poqile: “I hope that when I’m old, I can continue to follow the livestream with my grandchildren. They will learn of how extraordinary the streamer is. Although she’s just Jiang the exploiter, she led a group of people to conquer the world so the people could have a peaceful life… Heiheihei, streamer, you must not let my expectations of you down.”
Nimenzhexie Qinshou: “If I am a citizen, having the streamer to protect me like that, it will surely be an extremely blissful event.”
Buting Buting: “I believe the streamer will become a truly worthy and legendary Emperor, there is none before or after her!”
Wangba Nianjing: “Hopefully in my lifetime, I can witness the lord ascend the throne and reign supreme in the realm.”
The live streaming room was filled with high praises for her. Even Jiang Pengji, who had skin as thick as the wall, felt somewhat abashed.
“Since this is so, I will get someone to organize the meal menu.”
She contemplated, then spoke reluctantly, “The profits from this eatery business will go to supporting the orphans and widows. It will start off as a small business, without much profit, the others will not be interested. In future, we will set up more of these and together with these unique flavors and dishes, the eatery’s business will grow, the profits will also increase with such implementations… I am rather worried though…”
If it only had a few coins worth of profit, who would be enticed?
Yet how to count strings of tens of thousands of coins easily, or even hundreds of thousands?
Jiang Pengji didn’t think anyone would not be moved.
Li Yun was rather naive. From his viewpoint, no matter how well an eatery business went it would go nowhere. However much the profit was, how high could it really be?
Moreover, the eatery wasn’t even open yet, yet the lord was already worried others would become greedy and steal the coins.
He asked, “These profits will go to those orphans and widows that the soldiers who die at war left behind as compensation… which beast will blatantly stretch his hands in greed?”
Wei Ci smiled, replying, “Han Mei already mentioned they’re beasts, how can they be measured similarly to common man? Ci feels that the lord’s concern is logical. Preparing for potential problems to ensure a smooth flow of events is prudent. Since this measure is for the good of the generals and soldiers to allow them to go to the battlefields without any worries, then this matter must not be taken lightly. Those who are greedy will be severely punished to guard the soldiers’ hearts from becoming disheartened… What does the lord think?”
“Naturally, Zixiao’s words are wise.” Jiang Pengji raised her brows, “Presently, we only have Xiangyang district as a base, and the size of our eatery will be small, with fairly low profit. Using just this money to support the orphans and widows, the people might treat this as a joke. Let’s do this. I will donate 20,000 strings of coins as the initial compensation amount. If this is not enough, we will top up later.”
Wei Ci’s fingers trembled; he almost didn’t calm his expression in time.
20,000 strings of coins?
Had his lord ever been so liberal with her money? Hadn’t she always wished to transform one coin to four coins to spend?
Looking around, no one seemed surprised… but this was 20,000 strings of coins, not two coins!
The others may not have known, but Xu Ke knew best about how rich his lord’s private bank was.
She could give away 200,000 strings of coins, let alone 20,000. Xu Ke wondered who had asked the people along the northern borders to be so foolish. They had lots of money; those rich local women had way too much wealth and were generous in their spending. They even competed to buy glass tea sets and accessories and could not be stopped.
On top of that, the sheep’s wool fur business in Chongzhou was booming, and they had easily accumulated hundreds of thousands of strings of coins.
The first batch of profits was mostly used to rebuild Xiangyang district, buy army provisions and armor, and for the synthesis of weaponry.
The second batch of silvers were the ones which were kept in the lord’s personal warehouse. When she got the money in her hands, the lord generously gave each of her subordinates a big red packet. She even topped up Feng Jin’s daughter, Changsheng’s full month red packet. Her extravagance was unbelievable.
If in the future, a ranking based on the wealth of a lord was set up, his lord would probably be the top ranked throughout the year.
Jiang Pengji surveyed her surroundings, “Then this matter shall be…”
Initially she wanted to throw this for Luoyue to implement. After all, he was the future general in command and he could relate to the problems faced by the officers and soldiers. However, the war after the spring ploughing was at hand and taking too much of their training time was not ideal. She weighed this matter in her heart and tasked Wei Ci to oversee the effort instead.
