The people were deeply moved.
They don't aspire to become superstars, but they absolutely believe in living with more dignity and happiness.
Who wouldn't want to live a life with dignity? But that was just a pipe dream before. Now, there's finally a glimmer of hope.
This hope comes from the current emperor.
Soon, doubts arose among the crowd. Someone poured cold water on the idea, saying, "His Majesty's intentions are good, but achieving this is harder than climbing to heaven. He's likely to fail."
In my opinion, this is probably just talk; you shouldn't get too excited.
The population of Great Liang is too large. If everyone were to be as numerous as dragons, it would require an enormous amount of resources to achieve that, which is simply too difficult.
His expression was mocking and disdainful; it was simply impossible.
Unless the emperor is a god, he has absolutely no such ability.
Everyone glared at him, but they couldn't refute him; it was indeed quite difficult.
But just then, a middle-aged man stepped forward from the crowd and said mysteriously, "This isn't just empty talk; His Majesty has already made efforts, you just don't know it!"
"What?"
Everyone's eyes lit up, and they all looked at the speaker. Could there be some inside story?
The person who had previously questioned him sneered, "Hmph, looking at your sleazy face, you're probably no good either. I think you're just trying to attract attention." This guy was clearly a scoundrel; how could he possibly know any secrets?
Everyone nodded in agreement. This guy was unkempt and didn't seem like a master at all.
You know nothing!
Seeing the puzzled looks on everyone's faces, the middle-aged man immediately became unconvinced and sneered, "I may not be anything special, but my uncle works at the Great Liang Royal Bank. He didn't come home all night yesterday, and my aunt was worried and sent me to check on him, only to discover something truly shocking."
Royal Bank?
Upon hearing this, everyone frowned and couldn't help but look at him, wondering what this had to do with the Royal Bank.
"Hmph, you guys don't know, do you?"
Seeing the curious looks on everyone's faces, the middle-aged man sneered, "My uncle is the gatekeeper of the Royal Bank. Last night, a batch of treasures was transported out of the palace."
A money exchange isn't a pawnshop, so why would it have these things? I overheard from the side and learned that the visitor seemed to be the Emperor's Grand Eunuch, the current Minister of Ministry of Revenue, Mi Zhu, who was there to sell things.
It turns out that the emperor decided to allocate 50 million strings of cash to enlighten the All Under Heaven, as if enlightening the people was the first step for everyone to become like a dragon.
Families with children will be able to receive free education, gaining a chance to change their destiny. Students pursuing academic research will also receive subsidies, ensuring you have no worries about your future.
He looked smug; this was top secret information, something most people wouldn't know.
Hiss!
At first, everyone was somewhat skeptical, but after hearing the rest, they couldn't help but gasp. If it were true, this news would be incredible.
No wonder this guy said it was a big deal; it's absolutely a momentous event.
This plan is simply too grandiose; no wonder it requires so much money to pave the roads. The Emperor is really going all out.
That's fifty million strings of cash! That's an astronomical figure, comparable to more than a year's income of the former Great Ning Dynasty. And the Emperor just took it out directly.
this...
"This can't be fake, can it? The newspapers didn't say the Emperor took out fifty million strings of cash. Who would be willing to spend that much money?" The person who had questioned it earlier was unconvinced and frowned.
"Yesterday?"
"Now that you mention it, it makes sense. Last night when I was setting up my stall, I saw the palace gates suddenly open, and then someone came out carrying things. It's probably true."
Upon careful comparison, everyone realized that it matched perfectly with the important matter this guy had mentioned.
It turns out the emperor sold everything he owned, including 50 million strings of cash, to enlighten the people of the All Under Heaven.
Once children start school, they can better understand things, learn more, and even have the opportunity to become officials. It will truly be a world where everyone is a dragon among men.
"Emperor!!!"
A murmur rippled through the crowd, a surge of warmth coursing through their chests, and even their eyes welled with tears.
In order to teach people about civilization and reason, and to help them understand themselves, the emperor actually pawned all his treasures and gave away fifty million strings of cash. What an extravagant gesture!
That's a fortune! It's like a mountain of gold and silver!
The old man burst into tears, lamenting, "So His Majesty's grand ambition was true! He sold all his treasures just so that everyone in the All Under Heaven could become like a dragon!"
Good heavens, what have I done to deserve this?!
"It's always the imperial court that asks the people for money. This is the first time I've seen the emperor give his own money to the people. Based on this alone, I approve of the emperor; he is a good emperor."
"The court's money has all been used for war. After all, the court hasn't asked us for money for war. That's why the emperor is short of money and has to sell his own treasures."
"My heart aches so much. I feel unworthy of being treated like this by the Emperor!"
"This is only the first step. How much suffering will His Majesty endure for this? I..."
"Why the hell should I take the money? I think we should donate it all to the Emperor; that's the only way we'll have a future!"
Some people in the audience choked up, feeling moved by their emperor's magnanimity. They all felt conquered, and to live under such a wise and virtuous emperor was simply the greatest happiness.
Countless ordinary people and students from impoverished families knelt on the ground, kowtowing towards the direction of the palace, their eyes filled with a piety comparable to that of a pilgrim.
Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!
The entire imperial city was filled with their cheers of "Long live the Emperor!" as they vented their excitement. They wanted the Emperor to feel their support and to show that they were not ungrateful people.
Many small vendors even took out their own earnings to donate to the emperor as a way of expressing their respect.
Unseen by them, Yang Xiu and the others watched this scene quietly, a satisfied smile appearing in their eyes; their goal had finally been achieved.
"Good lad, you really have a knack for this!" Lu Yafu looked at the excited crowd and couldn't help but smile wryly.
After Yang Xiu's actions, the people's respect for the emperor has reached its peak. If anyone were to say anything bad about him now, they would probably be drowned in a sea of spittle.
"Ha ha!"
Yang Xiu smiled and shook his head, saying, "I was just stating the facts. His Majesty has such a grand ambition, and although I, Yang Xiu, only have a meager strength, I must do my part!"
He immediately understood the key point of the Emperor's words from the hints given in the palace yesterday, which led to his actions today.
Openly repair the plank road while secretly crossing the Chencang pass!
It seems that his newspaper today contained no intention of praising the emperor; it merely stated some facts to give the people a general understanding.
He then arranged for people to spread the inside story he had created, which was the key to making the seed bloom and achieving such an effect all at once.
Because he knew in his heart that if this kind of thing were brought to the forefront, it would seem too deliberate and too obvious.
People can tell at a glance that this is flattery, so they will question its authenticity and may even feel disgusted, which is not in line with the emperor's wishes.
On the contrary, those rumors not only arouse people's gossip, but also give people a refreshing feeling and a sense of superiority that they are the only ones who are sober in a world of drunks.
This kind of message is far more effective than open flattery.