Can I get to the other side?.

Chapter 270: Carving a stone tablet to pass on to future generations

In the Xuanshi.

Jia Xu and Guo Jia discussed how to get the aristocratic families to voluntarily bleed and settle the refugees. They proposed various methods and means, but none of them could satisfy Liu Xie.

After pondering for a long time, Liu Xie suddenly had an idea and said, "I have a plan. I can ask all the noble families to voluntarily contribute money to resettle the refugees!"

"What good plan does your majesty have?"

Upon hearing this, Guo Jia and Jia Xu's eyes suddenly lit up and they looked at Liu Xie with anticipation.

The emperor today is no longer the emperor of three years ago.

Not only are their methods decisive and ruthless, they are also able to say some shocking things and come up with some strategies that others could not imagine.

And Yuan Xi was already prepared to praise.

He would applaud no matter what the emperor said.

Liu Xie smiled slightly and asked, "Fengxiao, Wenhe, Xianyi, let me ask you, what do the noble families care about most?"

Upon hearing this, Guo Jia, Jia Xu, and Yuan Xi answered in unison without hesitation: "Benefits!"

The world is prosperous, all for profit;
Everyone in the world is benefiting.

What the aristocratic families value most is profit.

For the sake of profit, they dared to rebel.

For the sake of profit, they dare to risk everything to become the emperor's followers, such as the Zhen family.

Liu Xie continued to ask: "What do they value most?"

"reputation."

The three of them spoke in unison again.

Individuals need a good reputation as a ladder for promotion.

There is no celebrity who does not care about his reputation, especially those who come from noble families, who are even more careful about their reputation.

For example, Yuan Shao, it was because he had an extremely good reputation that he was able to make great talents such as Ju Shou, Shen Pei, and Tian Feng die for him, and that he was able to make many people in the world believe that the emperor he supported was the real emperor.

Similarly, aristocratic families also need a good reputation to ensure the long-term prosperity of the family. Otherwise, no matter how prosperous your family is now, it will only be a flash in the pan.

Reputation is one of the family's foundations.

Once your family's reputation is ruined, no one will be willing to work for you, and your family's decline will not be far away.

That's why when Yuan Shao learned the news that Yuan Shu had declared himself emperor, he was so angry that he fainted, because that incident dealt a huge blow to the Yuan family's reputation.

Fame and fortune have always been tied together.

Without reputation, there will be little profit.

Without a good reputation, no one will work for you, and the family interests will become rootless and will not last long.

"I cannot promise those noble families any benefits now, but I can use my reputation to bind them and force them to contribute money and effort."

Liu Xie already had a plan in mind, and began to tell the three people his idea: "It will take about half a month for the Black Mountain Army to arrive in Yecheng."

"During this period of time, I will order people to post the imperial edict in various places in the city."

"As long as you donate money, grain, or materials to the court, no matter how much you donate, whether you are a peddler or a noble, it will be recorded in the imperial list, so that the world will know their good deeds and their sincere desire to serve the country."

"When the Black Mountain Army arrives in Yecheng half a month later, I will order craftsmen to carve a stone tablet and rank the top ten donors according to the total value of their donations on the imperial list. The top ten donors will have their names and families engraved on the tablet, and the tablet will be placed at the south gate for people all over the world to see."

"The one who ranks first on the monument of good deeds is personally chosen by me as the best person in the Han Dynasty!"

Since those noble families seek fame, then give them fame, and a great fame that will be praised and eulogized and monuments erected!

"What a good plan! Your Majesty is wise!"

Yuan Xi was the first to offer flattery, his face flushed with excitement - this was praise and joy from the bottom of his heart!

The Yuan family experienced the rebellions of Yuan Shu and Yuan Shao.

His reputation has plummeted.

As the only descendant of the Yuan family, he shoulders the heavy responsibility of revitalizing the Yuan family. The first step to revitalizing the Yuan family is to restore its reputation.

Now there is such an opportunity to buy fame from the emperor and even pass it on to future generations. It couldn't be more timely!
"I just promised Your Majesty that I would donate all of the Yuan family's property, land, money and grain, but Your Majesty immediately proposed to carve a stone tablet to commemorate the good deed. Your Majesty clearly wants to put the reputation of the Han Dynasty's best man on my head!"

"Your Majesty is so kind to me!"

Thinking of this, Yuan Xi was even more moved. He suddenly stood up and kowtowed: "Your Majesty, your grace is so great. I am deeply grateful!"

"I wish to transform my body into a sharp sword to clear away all obstacles for Your Majesty!"

Guo Jia and Jia Xu couldn't help but sigh when they saw this.

They can be said to be the people who know the emperor best.

Yuan Xi donated all his property and his family was exterminated, but he was still grateful to the emperor... Your Majesty is becoming more and more skilled in the use of imperial power.

Liu Xie smiled warmly and said, "My dear minister, you have donated all your family property. This loyalty is as great as the sun and the moon. You deserve the title of the best man in the Han Dynasty."

"Get up quickly."

Yuan Xi thanked him profusely and then stood up.

Jia Xu smiled and congratulated him: "Your Majesty still cares about Sikong. On the monument of kindness, Sikong and Yuan should be ranked first. This is a great reputation."

Guo Jia also laughed and said, "Sikong will definitely be able to change the reputation of the Yuan family and bring glory to the Yuan family by being the best man in the Han Dynasty."

After hearing what the two said, Yuan Xi was delighted.

Be it the Cui family of Qinghe, the Dong family of Hejian, the Yang family of Hongnong, the Fu family of Langya, or the Sima family, the Xun family, the Ju family, and the Xin family, none of them could surpass him in the monument of kindness, even if they also gave away all their family property.

The Zhen family could surpass it, but the price was to give up everything.

But Yuan Xi didn't care about Zhen at all. He was alone now, with only an old mother to support him. Even if Yuan's property was gone, the offerings from Sikong would be enough.

But the Zhen family was different. They needed a lot of money and food to maintain their large family. It was impossible for them to spend all their property on one gamble like he did.

"Your Majesty's plan is truly the first of its kind since the beginning of time. I am far inferior to Your Majesty."

Guo Jia also praised them, his face full of admiration and admiration: "The noble families pursue fame and fortune. Your Majesty, if you carve a stone tablet to record their good deeds, it will surely attract countless noble families to donate money and grain!"

Jia Xu smiled and said, "For the sake of reputation, those noble families have put in a lot of effort. Now, as long as they donate money and grain, they can be chosen by His Majesty as the best philanthropist in the Han Dynasty. Not to mention Jizhou, even the noble families in other states and counties will go crazy when they hear the news."

"Even if they know that this is your majesty's method, they will still flock to it!"

This is an upright method. The emperor has already put forward the opportunity to become famous. It is entirely voluntary whether to take the bait or not.

What matters is that both parties are willing to fight and be beaten.

Liu Xie smiled and said to Yuan Xi: "Xianyi, don't publicize your donation of family property for the time being. Wait until the last day to announce it."

"If you spread the news too early, those people will no longer think about competing when they see that you have donated all of the Yuan family's assets."

Which family can match the donation of all the Yuan family's assets?
If the title of the most philanthropic man in the Han Dynasty is secured, those noble families will have no motivation to donate.

What Liu Xie wants is for them all to roll up!
The more curled the better!

Yuan Xi nodded repeatedly: "Your Majesty, rest assured, I will take care of it. After I return, I will start to count the family property and compile it into a book and give it to Your Majesty for review."

Liu Xie nodded with satisfaction, and then began to discuss the specific details with the three people to perfect every detail.

……

The plan was made in the morning and the imperial edict was posted in the afternoon.

After Liu Xie finalized the donation plan, he immediately sent people to post the imperial edict, and this notice soon attracted a large number of people to watch.

"Donation? Where can I get the money to donate?"

"That's right, they can barely afford to eat at home, yet they're still donating."

"Why should a bunch of refugees care about them?"

"I heard that he was pardoned by His Majesty for rebelling."

The common people were talking about it, most of them started complaining after seeing the donations of money and food to settle the Yellow Turban bandits, because they had no good feelings towards the Yellow Turban bandits. The Yellow Turban bandits would do anything to eat and survive. A large number of Yellow Turban bandits pouring into Wei County would only make Wei County unsafe. What would happen if they robbed and killed people?

"Hey, you can't say that."

At this time, the official in charge of posting the imperial edict turned around and said sternly: "Who is born to be a bandit? Those refugees were ordinary people like us before, but they rebelled because they could not survive due to war and famine."

"Your Majesty has been merciful and pardoned their crimes."

"It's just that the war has just ended and the treasury is empty. The court cannot accommodate these hundreds of thousands of Yellow Turban bandits for the time being, so we are calling on everyone to donate."

"It's freezing cold out here. Are we going to watch hundreds of thousands of people starve to death or freeze to death outside?"

"Everyone, this is a good deed!"

The official patiently explained and at the same time held up another notice with the donation rules to the many people watching.

"And His Majesty has ordered that all donors, regardless of the amount of their donation, will have their names and families registered on the imperial list!"

"Those who donate the most every day, regardless of their status, will be honored to enter the palace and meet His Majesty!"

"After fifteen days, the names and families of the top ten donors will be engraved on the Benevolence Monument and placed outside the south gate of Ye City to be admired by thousands of people!"

"In addition, the top five donors will receive a plaque with the words 'Family of Good Deeds' written on it by His Majesty!"

"You have the highest total donation amount, and your majesty has chosen you as the best philanthropist in the Han Dynasty!"

Many of the people were illiterate, so the officials explained the rules in simple words in an impassioned tone.

At that moment, everyone was excited.

"No matter how much, as long as you donate, you can be listed on the imperial list?"

"Is this true... Can a refugee like me be included in the imperial list?"

"My name is Li Erniu. If it were to be listed on the imperial list, wouldn't my name be laughed at?"

"Oh my god! The one who makes the most daily donations can be summoned by His Majesty himself! Am I dreaming?!"

"The best man in the Han Dynasty! What an honor!"

"If I could engrave my name on the monument of kindness, it would truly be passed down through the ages!"

"Bring honor to our family!"

"I only regret that I have no property and am a scoundrel. Otherwise, I would have engraved my name on the monument of kindness!"

……

The people were shocked and extremely excited.

Not to mention being the first good man in the Han Dynasty and having a monument engraved to commemorate him, the mere prospect of entering the palace to meet the emperor is tempting enough!

That was a summons from the Emperor!
A short man carrying a shoulder pole squeezed out of the crowd and asked the official tentatively, "Anything is fine? How about my sesame cakes?"

"Hit, hit the mark very much!"

The official said confidently, "Whether you donate money, grain, or goods, your name can be written on the imperial list! Let everyone know about your good deeds!"

The man hesitated for a moment, took out three sesame cakes from the shoulder pole he was carrying, gritted his teeth and said, "Then I will donate three sesame cakes!"

"Okay! What's your name?"

The official asked someone beside him to take the cakes, and then asked the man.

The man rubbed his hands and said shyly: "My last name is Wu, I am the eldest in the family, and people call me Da Lang."

The official nodded, and then shouted to the people: "Wu Dalang donated three sesame cakes! This is a great act of kindness, and his good name will be listed in the imperial list!"

After saying this, he turned around and wrote the five big characters "Today's Donation List" on the blank imperial edict, and then wrote the words "Wu Dalang, donate three sesame cakes".

After writing, he smiled at Wu Dalang and said, "You are a kind man! If no one donates more than you before sunset, then the honor of receiving the emperor's summons today will be yours."

"Really, really?!"

Wu Dalang was so excited that he was at a loss what to do.

The dark face turned red.

He couldn't even imagine that he could have the honor of meeting the emperor with just three pieces of sesame cakes. It was like a dream!
"Of course it's true! The amount of donations is not important, but the heart of the donation is important! Your Majesty appreciates the kind people who have a sincere heart to serve the country the most!"

The official deliberately spoke loudly.

The people watching on the scene were also in an uproar at this time. They originally thought that being listed on the imperial list and having an audience with the emperor was just a gimmick.

But no one expected that just because Wu Dalang donated three sesame cakes, his name would actually be on the imperial list, and he might even have the opportunity to meet the emperor!

“I want to donate too!”

A fish vendor realized what was happening and shouted, "I'll donate five... no, ten salted fish!"

As he said this, he counted out ten salted fish from the cart he was pushing and handed them over. His action completely ignited the hearts of many people present.

"I want to donate a piece of cloth! I'll go get it right away!"

"I'll donate three strings of cash!"

"Don't compete with me! I will definitely be the one who donates the most today. I will donate five strings of cash!"

"How ridiculous! What's the point of showing off just five strings of cash? My Wang's dye shop is donating twenty pieces of cloth!"

"My Li's Rice Shop is not a pushover! I will donate ten stone of rice!"

While the people were donating enthusiastically, a big, fat-faced man pushed through the crowd and threw half a sack of copper coins and half a pig's leg in front of the official.

Then he glared and said in a muffled voice: "I'll donate twenty strings of cash! Half a pig!"

Many people took a deep breath.

Twenty strings of cash for half a pig's leg!
This kind of thing... is so terrifying.

Someone exclaimed, "Isn't this Fan the Butcher? He's so generous... That's twenty strings of cash!"

Many people were shocked by his handwriting.

Twenty strings of cash, this is an astronomical figure for ordinary people!

The official was also a little surprised when he saw the copper coins and pork in front of him. He asked Fan the butcher again and again: "Do you really want to donate so much? You can't take it back once you donate it."

"A real man's actions are to prove his worth with every spit!" Fan the butcher patted his chest loudly, "I have been killing pigs for half my life and have committed many sins. Now I want to do some good deeds and save people."

"Without this money and pork, my life will be a little harder at best; but for those people, it can save their lives. I know the importance of it!"

Butcher Fan's words sounded righteous.

The people around cheered loudly!

"Cheers! Butcher Fan is so righteous!"

"I really didn't expect that. Butcher Fan is usually very tyrannical and often shortchanges the weight of meat when selling it, but I didn't expect him to be so generous in donating."

"Fan the Butcher is a very kind man!"

"I'll take care of his business later."

Hearing the praises coming from all around, Fan the Butcher could not help but straighten his back, and a smug smile appeared on his fat face.

"Justice!"

The official bowed to Fan the butcher and praised him, then shouted: "Fan the butcher donated 20 strings of cash and half a pig! This is a great act of kindness, and your good name will be listed in the imperial list!"

……

With the people's enthusiastic donations and word of mouth, it didn't take long for the news to spread throughout Yecheng that donations could earn one the opportunity to meet the emperor, and even have their names engraved on a monument to be passed down for generations.

For a while, the whole city was discussing the imperial edict and the good monument.

The wealthy and powerful families who had originally been unwilling to contribute money or materials were also excited.

(End of this chapter)