Yuan Xi thanked him over and over before finally rising.
Jia Xu congratulated him with a beaming smile. "Your Majesty still has the Minister of Works at heart. On the Good Deeds Stele, you and the Yuan Clan shall take first place. What a splendid reputation that will bring."
Guo Jia chuckled as well. "With the title of Great Han’s Foremost Benefactor, the Minister of Works will surely reverse the Yuan Clan's reputation in one stroke and bring glory to its name."
Hearing their words, Yuan Xi's heart blossomed with joy.
Neither the Qinghe Cui Clan, the Hejian Dong Clan, the Hongnong Yang Clan, the Langya Fu Shi, nor the Sima Family, the Xun Family, the Ju Clan, or the Xin Family could surpass him on the Good Deeds Stele, even if they too gave away their entire fortunes.
The Zhen Clan could surpass him, but only at the cost of everything it possessed.
Yet Yuan Xi paid the Zhen Clan no mind at all. He was now alone, with only his elderly mother to support. Even if he kept none of the Yuan Clan's assets, his stipend as Minister of Works would be more than enough.
The Zhen Clan was different. It needed vast amounts of money and grain to sustain its enormous family and could not stake its entire fortune on a single throw as he could.
"Your Majesty's plan is truly the first of its kind since heaven and earth were cleaved apart. Your servant falls far short of you."
Guo Jia offered his praise as well, his face filled with admiration and awe. "The aristocratic clans pursue fame and profit. By carving their good deeds into stone, Your Majesty will surely draw countless clans into competing to donate money and grain!"
Jia Xu smiled. "Those Great