Generous Aid!

Ming Jing stood on the stage, looking at Masao Kosaka with amusement. He had initially thought the old man would be stubborn and old-fashioned like most elders.

He hadn't expected someone his age to be willing to gamble like this... it was truly rare!

In Masao Kosaka, Ming Jing saw the shadow of another person. In Taiwan Province of China, there was a company worth 57.3 billion yuan called Formosa Plastics Group.

The founder of Formosa Plastics Group was Wang Yung-ching, known as the "God of Business." He took on the family's burden at fifteen, built a company from a small rice shop into Taiwan's second-largest private manufacturing group, with a total revenue of 2.185 trillion yuan in 2010, equivalent to about 454 billion yuan RMB.

Wang Yung-ching's last investment before his death shocked Taiwan. It was the Formosa Ha Tinh Steel plant in Vietnam. Yes, Mr. Wang Yung-ching invested tens of billions of dollars in a place like Ha Tinh, Vietnam, which had very ordinary conditions.

Masao Kosaka probably saw something in the interaction between Ming Jing and Fukuda Kō, and the old man didn't hesitate to make a move. Three million Ryo was painful for him, but if there was a big return, it was worth a gamble. Masao Kosaka had always believed that there was no such thing as a free lunch in this world.

Some quick-witted individuals immediately followed suit, raising their hands and expressing their willingness to contribute to the disaster area. One offered fifty thousand Ryo, another seventy thousand Ryo. In just half an hour, twenty million Ryo in donations were received. Although it was still a long way from Ming Jing's sixty million Ryo, it was a good start.

Seeing the smooth progress, Koji Kurama also spoke up, "The Kurama Clan has some assets and is willing to do its part to help the disaster victims. We donate ten million Ryo, please accept it, Prime Minister."

Ming Jing cupped his hands in a salute to Koji Kurama. "Thank you, Clan Head Kurama, for your generous contribution!"

The people present also applauded. Even if they guessed there would be a return, they still kept a part of their minds reserved. Koji Kurama, however, had no reservations, donating ten million Ryo without a second thought. The people present might not agree with his values, but they were moved by his benevolence.

"With the thirty million Ryo donated by everyone, the situation in the disaster area will surely improve significantly. Next, I will tell you about the so-called rewards!" At this point, Ming Jing snapped his fingers again. Everyone present trembled inwardly, fearing that Ming Jing would unleash another flood upon them.

"Don't be nervous. What I'm about to tell you is called a 'Work Relief Program.' The Prime Minister's Residence has decided to excavate a canal to connect the Land of Rivers, the Land of Rain, the Land of Fire, and the Land of Grass. Your donations will all be invested in the excavation of this canal. We will organize the disaster victims to contribute to the canal's excavation. Your donations will be used entirely to purchase necessities such as food, oil, salt, and clothing, which will then be distributed to the disaster victims based on their labor. We estimate that it will take five months to complete the canal. Once the canal is open, transportation between the Land of Rivers, the Land of Rain, the Land of Fire, and the Land of Grass will be more convenient, and five thousand acres of arable land will be developed on both sides of the canal. Oh, and this canal will be temporarily named the Imperial Grass River," Ming Jing said, his finger sliding as he spoke, displaying semi-transparent bird's-eye view maps. As Ming Jing explained, everyone gained a clearer understanding.

Seeing that everyone understood, Ming Jing smiled slightly and dropped a bombshell: "Anyone who donates more than fifty thousand Ryo today will have two options for their reward in the future. First, after the Imperial Grass River is completed, they can transport goods tax-free on the river for one year. This tax-free period can be extended based on the amount donated today and tomorrow. Second, they can choose a plot of fifty acres of arable land along the banks of the Imperial Grass River, which can also be accumulated. By the way, this land will have permanent usage rights. However, if you wish to sell it, you must first register with the Prime Minister's Residence, and the buyer must also give priority to the Prime Minister's Residence."

Masao Kosaka was stunned, then glared fiercely at Fukuda Kō. To be honest, the first option was too generous; even he couldn't help but be tempted! Of course, the second option wasn't bad either; as the saying goes, "A family with land feels secure."

The eyes of everyone else instantly turned green, and they eagerly expressed to Ming Jing how benevolent they were and how deeply they felt for the disaster victims, imploring the Prime Minister to allow them to donate more.

Ming Jing smiled slightly and pressed his hands down, and the crowd immediately quieted. Ming Jing then said, "Your sincerity truly moves me, but I must inform you of a fact: according to the calculations of the Prime Minister's Residence, sixty million Ryo is sufficient for this disaster relief. Therefore, the tax-free period for the canal will be capped at sixty years. Similarly, the arable land allocated as rewards will be three thousand acres. Think about it, how much wealth can a canal connecting four countries and thousands of acres of fertile land generate? Everyone, work hard!" With that, Ming Jing stepped down from the stage.

"What the Prime Minister said is absolutely correct. My Fukuda family will resolutely respond to the Prime Minister's call. I have decided to donate another ten million Ryo to support the disaster area," Fukuda Kō was the first to respond again. He had initially thought Ming Jing's tax-free limit was ten years! Now he realized how generous the other party was, so why wait? He'd just throw money at it! Including the previous five million Ryo, the Fukuda family donated a total of fifteen million Ryo, which meant the Fukuda family could use the canal for free for thirty years!

Damn it!

The faces of the other five family heads turned ashen. The Fukuda family had taken half of the sixty-year tax-free period. How could they compete now?

The five exchanged glances and immediately reached a tacit understanding: they would unite! Only by uniting could the transportation industry of the Land of Fire not be monopolized by the Fukuda family. The five gathered and decided to secure the remaining thirty years first, and then divide it among themselves later.

Thus, just as Ming Jing had finished negotiating with Fukuda Kō, the five men surrounded him.

A plump, amiable middle-aged man smiled and said to Ming Jing, "What the Prime Minister said today has enlightened us! Our five families have decided to follow the Prime Minister's lead. Our funds are not as ample as the Fukuda family's, so we have decided to pool together fifteen million Ryo to donate to the disaster area. Please fulfill our humble wishes to help the disaster victims."

"Then I will thank the five of you on behalf of the disaster victims for your generous contributions," Ming Jing said with a slight bow. The five men immediately became elated. The Prime Minister's words meant he allowed them to band together! So, what were they waiting for? After thanking Ming Jing profusely, the five men went home to gather the money.

Masao Kosaka walked to Ming Jing's side, leaning on his cane, and said with admiration, "Prime Minister, you are truly unfathomable. Such excellent methods and courage! The disaster victims will no longer have to worry about floods, the country will have an additional canal, domestic transportation will be more convenient, relations with the Land of Grass, the Land of Rivers, and the Land of Rain will improve, and the canal's water can be used for irrigation... killing multiple birds with one stone. This old man is amazed."

"You flatter me, old sir. Aren't you planning to donate more? Once this opportunity is gone, it won't come again," Ming Jing said with a smile, looking at Masao Kosaka.

"Prime Minister is right. This old man also feels he should contribute more. Then I will donate another seven million Ryo! I hope the Prime Minister can reward me with arable land," Masao Kosaka nodded. After all, he was old, and getting involved in a completely new industry wasn't suitable for him. It was more practical to opt for arable land.

"Old sir, you are truly calm!" Ming Jing couldn't help but size up Masao Kosaka. The roots of that big tree that would appear over a decade later could destroy the canal with a casual shove, and repairs would be costly and time-consuming. Arable land was different; at worst, it could be turned into a lake or a small hill.

But what did any of this have to do with Ming Jing? He would have stepped down years later. Let the Daimyo worry about these troublesome matters.

With tonight's events, sixty million Ryo would be secured.

He wondered what expression the Daimyo would have when he heard about what happened here.

It was truly something to look forward to!