northernbook Chapter 253: About the Development of the Fiefdom (11)
Chapter 253: About the Development of the Fiefdom (11)
After visiting the orphanage, the emperor fulfilled his promise and donated a silver ingot to the orphanage.
The accompanying court officials also donated money, some donated eight taels, some donated five taels. Anyway, they could not donate more than the emperor, but no one did not donate, as it was all out of their good intentions.
This five or eight taels of money, if thrown into the water in Beijing, wouldn't even make a ripple, and a meal would cost more than this amount.
But in an orphanage, these five or eight taels of money might be the food ration for several children for a month. This is the disparity in the world.
The manager was very happy to receive their donations, and immediately took them to a house and asked the people inside to write down everyone's name and donation amount, and guaranteed that every penny would be used for the children.
The steward also said:
"In our nursery, we have a gratitude class every two weeks. This is also the princess's request."
"The princess said that we should let the children know that the reason they can avoid sleeping in the open and being displaced is because there are many good people in the world who are helping them. We should let them always be grateful."
"In the gratitude class, we will read the names of the masters to the children, so that they will remember your kindness. When they grow up, if they are willing, they will find ways to repay you."
After hearing this, the emperor couldn't help but sigh at the perfection of this system.
People who donate money are happy to donate, and people who spend money are grateful. Every account is recorded in the book. When you donate money, many people see it, which can also avoid corruption to a certain extent...
“If there were orphanages like this all over the country, these children would have shelter and support when they are young, so that they would not lose their lives to the imperial power at a young age. When they grow up, they will be of greater service to the country,” said the emperor.
Among the court officials behind him, some have already taken note of the emperor's words. After returning to the capital, they may be able to draft a regulation for the orphanage and implement it nationwide.
After donating the money, everyone left the orphanage. At this time, Lord Du, the Minister of the Dali Temple, said:
"Your Majesty, I want to go look for Mingyue. She has also come to her fiefdom. However, the whereabouts of the little princess of Prince Dun's family and the granddaughter of Grand Tutor Qin's family are unknown. I also want to know how the little girl is doing now."
The queen couldn't help laughing when she heard this, and she said:
"Lord Du, Mengyao and Qinglan have already made a name for themselves in the fiefdom. Mingyue came here with them, so she must have made some achievements. Why don't you ask someone if he knows Mingyue?"
Upon hearing this, Lord Du immediately refused:
"My lady, let's not do that. I'm afraid my daughter won't get a good reputation."
"Mingyue has always been stubborn and straightforward. She has no way of adapting. To put it in a common saying, she is like a stone in a toilet, smelly and hard."
"I'm afraid she has offended someone in her fiefdom. If I ask her rashly, it will cause disgust among everyone and disturb your Majesty and your pleasure."
Upon hearing this, the Queen sighed and shook her head:
"I'll go ask."
After that, she walked to a small vendor selling hairpins on the street, and while choosing a hairpin, she asked:
"Brother, I want to ask you about someone. Do you know Du Mingyue? I heard that she came from the capital with Master Gu Qinglan and Master Qin Mengyao."
When the young man heard this, he immediately started talking nonstop:
"Yes! How could I not know him?"
"Four female teachers from the capital! Everyone in the fiefdom knows about them!"
"The principal of the girls' school, Mrs. Chen Shuting, assisted the princess in promoting Chinese Pinyin, taught the female students music, chess, calligraphy and painting, and often held lectures at the girls' school. Men, women, young and old could all attend. She would tell everyone to pay attention to the power and ability of women."
"It was because of her lecture that I sent my daughter to a girls' school. As a result, my daughter was quite talented in studying and won first place in the school exam. Not only did she receive a certificate, she also received a bonus of five taels of silver!"
"I didn't know before that studying can make money. I have to stand here for several days and sell hundreds of hairpins to earn five taels of silver. But my daughter is amazing. She sits in the classroom, out of the wind and sun, and not only learns knowledge, but also earns money comfortably!"
"Master Gu Qinglan, a martial arts teacher, and Master Qin Mengyao, a literary teacher, are also remarkable women who deserve our respect. Master Gu formed a women's patrol team and helped catch thieves from other places several times. The children's enlightenment books compiled by Master Qin are now available in almost every household. People who were illiterate in the past have also learned a lot of words from the children!"
"In my opinion, the most powerful one is Lady Du Mingyue! She is the great ruler of our fiefdom!"
"I heard that Lord Du's father is a high-ranking official in the capital who is in charge of criminal justice. Lord Du is in our fiefdom. She has inherited her father's career and not only knows the laws of the Great Yin Dynasty by heart, but is also an expert in solving cases."
"As soon as she arrived, she thoroughly investigated all the unsolved cases and wrongful convictions that had been piled up in the fiefdom for several years."
"Just a few days ago, Zeng Lao Da and Zeng Lao Er from Zengjia Village poisoned each other to fight for a few plots of land. If it were the former county magistrate, he would probably not be able to find out the truth in three years. He would have to wait for others to let the secret slip before he could find any clues."
"As a result, Lord Du took a few yamen runners and coroners to their home to investigate, and solved the case on the spot. Hey, don't you think it's amazing? The case was solved as if she had seen it with her own eyes. Zeng Lao Da and Zeng Lao Er were both convinced!"
"Madam, are you a relative of Lord Du? If so, I'll give you this hairpin for free! It is precisely because of Lord Du's existence that there are fewer crimes in our fiefdom, because everyone knows that no matter what you do, it will not escape Lord Du's discerning eyes!"
"We, the honest businessmen, have also gained a lot of benefits because Lord Du has cracked down on many illegal traders!"
After hearing this, the queen picked out two beautiful hairpins and said:
"You still have to give the money. You are a small business owner and it is not easy to do business. Thank you for telling me this. I know everyone likes Du Mingyue very much. I am very happy."
After the queen finished speaking, she put down the money and turned away.
She returned to the team and said to Lord Du, the Minister of the Dali Temple:
"Master Du, it seems that you still don't understand your daughter. You said that she has a straightforward temper, is stubborn and stubborn, is there a possibility that she inherited your temper?"
"Ask all the civil and military officials in the court, who wouldn't say you are a stone in the toilet, smelly and hard? It is precisely because of your upright character that His Majesty put you in the position of Dali Temple, in charge of criminal cases, impartial and incorruptible, no one can escape from your hands. And Mingyue, she is just like you, so she became the great judge of the fiefdom!"
"Master Du, you underestimate Mingyue. What's more, she is also Master Du now. You, the father and daughter of the Du family, are both great!"