Eagle-eyed and wolf-watching

Chapter 1740

Although Ma Runchuan's point has some merit, donating all the money raised at the charity event to Licheng Public School would indeed have a relatively immediate effect.

However, Ye Mingsheng believed that the charity conference was held in the name of contributing to education in Shandong Province. Therefore, it would be unfair to give all the money raised to Licheng Public School under such circumstances. As a provincial public school, Licheng Public School has an advantage in the allocation of educational resources, which is a reality. However, you cannot keep it all for yourself!

Even if you're eating meat, you should at least let others have some soup too. Eating alone isn't a good habit. Your Licheng Public School has plenty of funding, but the other dozens of public schools are struggling to make ends meet!

Ye Mingsheng's idea was that half of the money raised at the annual charity event would be taken by Licheng Public School, and the other half would be divided equally among the various public schools below it, with schools having more students receiving more and those having fewer students receiving less.

In this way, each public school will receive several dozen taels of silver based on the number of students. At the same time, Licheng Public School will provide some scholarships. Children from other public schools who perform well can come to Licheng Public School to study after passing the exam. Licheng Public School will provide free room and board.

Ye Mingsheng believed that this would not only ensure the teaching quality of Licheng Public School, but also allow other public schools to share some of the profits and get a piece of the pie, thus reducing their complaints. Ye Mingsheng had not been in Qilu for long, but he had already heard a lot about Licheng Public School.

Those people said that Provincial Governor Ma Runchuan was biased, treating Licheng Public School as his own precious treasure, while the other public schools were like adopted children...
Ma Runchuan dismissed these sarcastic remarks with disdain, but Ye Mingsheng took them to heart. Ye Mingsheng did not pursue absolute fairness and justice, but he insisted on relative fairness and justice.

Perhaps he had been reading the memorial for too long, because Ye Mingsheng's neck was a little sore. Ye Mingsheng instinctively massaged his shoulders a couple of times. Just then, Ning'er came to Ye Mingsheng's side with a basin of foot-washing water and said:

"Your Majesty, you must be tired after a long day of inspection. Let me wash your feet!"

Ye Mingsheng was also feeling a bit tired at the time, so he didn't refuse Sun Ning'er's kindness.

Ye Mingsheng took off his socks and put his feet into the basin. Seeing this, Sun Ning'er asked with concern:
"Is Your Majesty's water too hot? Would you like me to add some cool water for you?"

"No need, the water temperature is just right! You can sit over there and rest!"

Sun Ning'er smiled and said upon hearing this:

"Your Majesty, I am not tired!"

After saying that, Sun Ning'er looked at Ye Mingsheng's shoulder and said:
"Your Majesty, shall I give you a shoulder massage?"

Without waiting for Ye Mingsheng's agreement, she came to his side and placed her hands on his shoulders.

Ye Mingsheng frowned slightly, about to say something, when he felt Sun Ning'er rhythmically pinching him.

Although Sun Ning'er's massage skills were still far from those of the palace maids who were dedicated to massaging Ye Mingsheng, Ye Mingsheng could feel that she had made great progress compared to last night.

Thinking of this, Ye Mingsheng couldn't help but ask:
Did you go to massage class during the day?

Standing behind Ye Mingsheng, Sun Ning'er nodded slightly upon hearing this and said:

"This humble servant desires a better Your Majesty..."

After saying that, whether intentionally or unintentionally, Grape gently brushed against Ye Mingsheng's back. Ye Mingsheng, however, ignored Sun Ning'er's little action and continued to calmly look at the memorial in his hand. Seeing that Ye Mingsheng was unmoved, Sun Ning'er was not discouraged and continued to massage Ye Mingsheng's shoulders.

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Sun Ning'er spoke again:
"Your Majesty, please rest for a while! You've been reading memorials ever since you returned, so you should take a break. I learned some massage techniques during the day, Your Majesty, please try them out and see how well I've learned them."

Ye Mingsheng, who was reading the memorial, didn't even look up when he heard this and said directly:

"Do not bother me!"

Feeling the cold indifference in Ye Mingsheng's words, Sun Ning'er felt a little wronged, but she didn't dare to bother Ye Mingsheng anymore. She could only obediently step aside and stand quietly.

About half an incense stick later, Ye Mingsheng finished reading the memorial. After sitting in his chair and pondering for a while, he began to write comments on the memorial. After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, he ordered someone to send out the comments. After finishing these tasks, Ye Mingsheng relaxed and lay down on the bed.

Although Ye Mingsheng didn't say a word, Sun Ning'er was a clever person. Seeing Ye Mingsheng's posture, she immediately understood his thoughts. Then, she swayed her slender waist and walked over, sat on Ye Mingsheng's lap, and began to massage him.

However, as she continued pressing, Sun Ning'er's true intentions were revealed; her hand stealthily launched a sneak attack on Ye Mingsheng's vitals...

Seeing that this woman was so reckless, Ye Mingsheng was no longer willing to let her go and immediately took out his weapon to start fighting!
After a short while, Ye Mingsheng, who had won a resounding victory, began to contemplate life and ideals, philosophical questions such as where people come from and where they are going. Sun Ning'er, sitting to the side, earnestly began to speak:
"To be able to serve Your Majesty is the greatest blessing of my life!"

Hearing Sun Ning'er say this, Ye Mingsheng didn't say anything. After all, he had heard similar things many times in the palace. However, Sun Ning'er's next sentence piqued Ye Mingsheng's interest.

"Your Majesty, do you know? You are the greatest hero in my heart!"

"Oh? How do you say this?"

"Your Majesty, you have defeated that devil Xu Zhaojie!"

"That bastard Xu Zhaojie is not even human! He not only wants money, land, and grain, but he also wants to conscript my father and force my mother into military service!"

"If it weren't for that, how could my father have led our family away from our hometown to Jiangnan? I will never forget the night our family went to Jiangnan. The water of the Nanjiang River was so cold. My father and mother were rowing the boat, and I was holding my two younger brothers and sisters. There was a thick fog on the river. I really thought we were going to die on the boat!"

"If it weren't for that devil Xu Zhaojie, our family could still be living happily in Huainan. My father could continue farming our land instead of working as a laborer at the docks, which would have prevented his ribs from being broken, and my parents wouldn't have sold me..."

Xu Zhaojie is a great villain who ruined my entire family. I wish I could tear him to pieces and sleep on his skin. Your Majesty, you killed him and avenged our family. You are naturally our great benefactor. Originally, I thought I would never have the chance to repay Your Majesty in this lifetime, and could only pray for Your Majesty day and night. I never expected that I would be blessed by Heaven and given such an opportunity!
Hearing Sun Ning'er say this, Ye Mingsheng, who was naturally suspicious, instinctively thought that she was just trying to please him with nice words.

However, seeing Sun Ning'er's serious expression, Ye Mingsheng could also sense the hatred this young girl harbored for Xu Zhaojie.

After pondering for a while, Ye Mingsheng suddenly had a whim and asked:

"Are you still in contact with your family?" Sun Ning'er nodded without hesitation.

"some!"

Hearing Sun Ning'er's straightforward answer, Ye Mingsheng was somewhat surprised. In his impression, places like brothels and entertainment venues usually did not allow their employees to have contact with their families in order to avoid potential trouble.

Seeing that Ye Mingsheng seemed interested in this matter, Sun Ning'er took the initiative to introduce it:

"Although my aunt was strict with us when she was teaching, she was very kind to us in general and never stopped us from contacting our family!"

"Auntie?"

"Yes! The aunt is the one who bought us!"

Ye Mingsheng, upon hearing this, also spoke with interest:

"Can you tell me about how you were sold back then?"

Although this was a deep-seated wound in her heart, and Sun Ning was very reluctant to reopen it, she knew she had no choice but to accept Ye Mingsheng's request. After organizing her thoughts, she said:
"My parents sold me to a man named Old Fan for twenty-five taels of silver. Old Fan bought many girls like me and sold them separately according to age and appearance. Because I was decent-looking, my aunt bought me..."

"My aunt taught me to read and write, as well as to play the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting. She wanted us to become courtesans so that she could raise our value and sell us for a good price!"

"About a month ago, we were bought by Wang Yaozu, and then we were assigned to serve Your Majesty!"

Ye Mingsheng nodded slightly upon hearing this and said:
"It seems that a complete industrial chain has been formed!"

"Your Majesty, what industry chain?"

"Nothing! You just said you've been in contact with your family?"

"Yes, my parents have returned to Huainan. All the money I've saved over the years has been sent home to pay for my parents' medical treatment, buy land, and help my younger brother get married!"

As Sun Ning'er spoke, her eyes lit up, but she soon seemed to realize something, and her voice stopped abruptly.

Seeing this, Ye Mingsheng smiled and praised:
"Ning'er, you are a filial and good girl!"

Faced with Ye Mingsheng's praise, Sun Ning'er said somewhat shyly:

"Your Majesty, you flatter me!"

Seeing that Sun Ning'er didn't seem to want to talk about her family, Ye Mingsheng respected the wishes of this unfortunate woman and didn't press her further.

He was quite exhausted at this point, and after chatting with Sun Ning'er for a few more minutes, he drifted off to sleep.

Looking at the soundly sleeping Ye Mingsheng, Sun Ning'er's eyes flickered, lost in thought...

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The next day at Ma Mansion
Upon receiving Ye Mingsheng's instructions, Ma Runchuan, the Provincial Governor of Shandong, immediately summoned his advisors, Zhao Dekai and Feng Yuan.

After the two arrived, Ma Runchuan shared Ye Mingsheng's instructions with them.

Upon seeing Ye Mingsheng's instructions and realizing that the plan to build the Qilu Arsenal and expand the steel plant's production capacity was hopeless, Feng Yuan, the advisor who had made the suggestion, also comforted Ma Runchuan, saying:

"My lord, the Qilu Steel Plant's current annual steel production capacity of 100,000 jin is more than enough. The Yujing Steel Plant's annual steel production capacity of 200,000 jin is really a waste!"

Feng Yuan meant to comfort Ma Runchuan with these words, but upon hearing them, Ma Runchuan's face immediately darkened.

Feng Yuan also noticed the change in Ma Runchuan's expression. Realizing that he had said the wrong thing, he was at a loss for words and wanted to say something to make amends, but he didn't know what to say.

Just then, Zhao Dekai spoke up:
"My lord, things have come to this point, and I feel there's no need to dwell on how much steel is produced each year! In my opinion, His Majesty is very interested in the resettlement of farmers after the disaster, as well as shipbuilding and education. We can start from these aspects!"

Upon hearing this, Feng Yuan echoed, "..."

"His Majesty has given special instructions regarding the charity conference. I think we can promote it more actively at the conference and encourage more people to participate!"

Hearing Feng Yuan say this, Zhao Dekai frowned. Although Feng Yuan's words sounded nice, such as promoting it more actively and calling on more people to participate, it was just high-sounding rhetoric. In reality, it meant allocating more money to more people.

Zhao Dekai had always opposed Feng Yuan's approach, believing that Ma Runchuan's charity event, though ostensibly charitable, was in reality nothing more than a hidden tax levied using Q-power...
Of those seemingly generous businessmen and gentry at the charity event, how many were truly concerned for the education of Shandong Province? They were merely paying for Ma Runchuan's personal gain.

In such a situation, people might tolerate it if you collect less, but if you impose more and more taxes, it could have the opposite effect!
Thinking of this, Zhao Dekai wanted to advise Ma Runchuan against exploiting the resources to the point of exhaustion. However, before he could speak, Ma Runchuan expressed his appreciation for Feng Yuan's suggestion:
"His Majesty said he wants to summarize the successful experience of our Qilu Charity Conference and promote it to other regions. This is a great thing that will bring honor to the people of Qilu, so we should encourage more people to participate. Feng Yuan, I'll leave this matter to you! I will hold another charity conference in seven days!"

Upon hearing this, Feng Yuan's face lit up with joy. He knew this was a lucrative position, and immediately expressed his agreement:

"Sir, you can rest assured that you have entrusted this matter to me. What we in Qilu have no shortage of people with passion is people with ideals. I guarantee that I will handle this matter well for you and raise at least three thousand taels of silver!"

Upon hearing the figure of three thousand taels of silver, Ma Runchuan remained silent, only glancing at Feng Yuan. Feng Yuan, adept at reading people, immediately understood that Ma Runchuan's appetite was even greater than he had imagined. After a moment's hesitation, he gritted his teeth and said:

"My lord, I have raised five thousand taels of silver..."