"Forget it. I can't afford to donate."
"It was only because hardly anyone donated on the first day that he got such a bargain. Later, a wealthy merchant had to donate five hundred shi of rice to take the top spot on the seventh day's Donation Ranking."
"You can't put it that way. He was willing to donate, and that's doing good and earning merit. If you're so capable, donate something yourself."
"Butcher Fan really is a righteous fellow."
Beneath the Imperial Notice, the gathered commoners buzzed with discussion.
The notice had been posted in the afternoon on the first day, and word had not spread far. As a result, Butcher Fan, who had donated twenty strings of cash and half a pig, had topped that day's ranking and been granted an audience with the Son of Heaven.
But starting on the second day, both the number of donors and the amounts donated had surged. That was why people said Butcher Fan had gotten such a bargain.
Of course, those making such snide remarks were a minority. Most people still admired Butcher Fan, because even twenty strings of cash was not a sum just anyone could produce.
"You flatter me, everyone. You flatter me."
Hearing the praise and greetings around him, Butcher Fan kept cupping his hands in acknowledgment. Even his back straightened a little, and joy blossomed in his heart.
His donation had only been a moment of hotheaded enthusiasm. After returning home that night, he had regretted it so much that he had slapped himself several times.
But what happened next had taken him by surprise.
The very next day, the Son of Heaven had summoned him and personally praised him. On top of that, business at his pork shop had become several times better than before.