I started as a concubine, and I made the crown prince cry with my delicious food.

Half a month passed in the blink of an eye.

The entire Daliang was waiting for that exciting moment—the public lottery draw outside the Meridian Gate.

In the past two weeks, the Royal Lottery's sales have exceeded an astonishing eight million taels of silver.

This number made the Minister of Revenue's voice tremble when he reported it to Xiao Jingshi.

"Your Majesty, this...this is simply a miracle!"

Xiao Jingshi sat on the dragon throne, but his face did not show much joy.

He simply said, "Clear the accounts, deduct bonuses and operating costs, and put the remaining money into the national treasury. In addition, allocate one million taels to immediately begin the construction of the canal. Allocate another five hundred thousand taels to pay the soldiers in the northern border with military pay and pensions."

"yes!"

The Minister of Revenue was so excited he almost knelt down.

This new emperor is truly using this money to do real things!

The day of the lottery has arrived.

The square outside the Meridian Gate was already packed with people.

The people of the capital city began flocking here before dawn.

Everyone was clutching lottery tickets, their faces filled with anticipation and nervousness.

Wearing a bright yellow dragon robe, Xiao Jingshi slowly walked up the temporary platform under the protection of the Imperial Guards.

Ye An'an was also by his side, dressed in a phoenix robe, looking elegant and noble.

"This humble subject greets Your Majesty! Greetings to Her Majesty the Empress!"

In the square, tens of thousands of people knelt down in unison.

Xiao Jingshi raised his hand in a gesture of support: "My beloved ministers, rise."

"Today, I am here to thank each and every one of you."

His voice wasn't loud, but everyone present could hear it clearly.

"With just ten coins, you have supported the future of Daliang. Every lottery ticket you buy is the greatest support for this country."

"I hereby promise that every prize drawn today will be fully honored! No deception whatsoever!"

"good!"

A deafening cheer erupted in the square.

The lottery draw has begun.

Shen Wansan personally operated the machine, drawing out lottery tickets one after another from a huge wooden box in front of everyone.

Third prize, 100 winners, 100 taels each.

Second prize, ten winners, one thousand taels each.

Every time a winner's name was read out, a wave of envious gasps would erupt in the square.

Some of the winners burst into tears on the spot, while others fainted from excitement.

One hundred taels, one thousand taels—for ordinary people, that's more money than they could earn in a lifetime!

"Next up is the jackpot!"

Shen Wansan's voice made everyone's hearts leap into their throats.

He reached into the box and slowly pulled out the last lottery ticket.

"The jackpot winner is—"

He paused, deliberately teasing the audience.

"Wang Da Niang, in the eastern part of the capital city, at Caishikou!"

"ah?!"

In the crowd, an old woman with gray hair and patched clothes stood there blankly, clutching a bunch of green vegetables in her hand.

The people around her went crazy and pushed her desperately.

"Aunt Wang! It's you! It's really you!"

"Hurry! Get up there!"

Only then did Aunt Wang realize what was happening. She dropped the vegetables and staggered toward the stage.

She walked up to Xiao Jingshi, knelt down with a thud, and burst into tears.

"Your Majesty...Your Majesty...I...I've been infected?"

Xiao Jingshi personally helped her up, smiling as he said, "Yes, you've won. Two hundred thousand taels of silver, and a house on Zhuque Street, are all yours."

Aunt Wang cried even harder.

"I...I've only ever saved ten coins from selling vegetables all my life...I was just thinking...what if...what if..."

Her words brought tears to the eyes of everyone present.

Xiao Jingshi had the silver notes cashed out for her on the spot and sent the Imperial Guards to escort her home.

The entire square was engulfed in a frenzied atmosphere.

Everyone was cheering and celebrating.

They were celebrating not only Grandma Wang's good fortune, but also the fact that the country had given them a fair chance.

Even the poorest person may have the opportunity to become rich overnight.

And all of this was given by His Majesty the Emperor.

"Long live Your Majesty! Long live Her Majesty the Empress!"

Cheers resounded through the sky.

Just then, someone in the crowd suddenly shouted, "The Duke of Zhenguo is here!"

Everyone turned to look.

Then, Duke Zhenguo Li Yuan, leading a group of noble families, slowly walked over.

Their faces were etched with complexity.

Li Yuan walked down to the foot of the platform and bowed deeply to Xiao Jingshi.

"Your humble servant Li Yuan greets Your Majesty."

Xiao Jingshi looked down at him without saying a word.

Li Yuan gritted his teeth and continued, "This old minister...this old minister has come today to apologize to Your Majesty."

"A few days ago, the old ministers and others resisted commercial taxes on the grounds of ancestral rules. This was truly... short-sighted and ignorant."

"Now that I see Your Majesty raising such a huge sum of money for the national treasury in this way, I, your humble servant, feel extremely ashamed."

As he spoke, he pulled a silver note from his pocket and held it above his head with both hands.

"This is all the profits that this old minister has made from business over the years, totaling 30,000 taels. This old minister is willing to hand it all over to the national treasury to atone for his past sins."

The nobles behind him also pulled out silver notes.

"We, your humble servants, are also willing to pay commercial taxes!"

"Please forgive me, Your Majesty!"

Xiao Jingshi looked at them, a smile playing on his lips.

He did not immediately take the banknote, but turned to look at Ye An'an.

Ye An'an understood, stepped forward, and said softly, "Duke Zhenguo, esteemed officials, His Majesty has received your sentiments."

"However, His Majesty said that since you enjoy the privileges granted by ancestral rules, then this commercial tax will not be collected."

Li Yuan and the others were taken aback.

You're not accepting it anymore?

What does this mean?

Ye An'an smiled and continued, "However, His Majesty hopes that you will all set an example and do more things that benefit the country and the people. For example, building bridges and roads, opening schools, and providing disaster relief."

"These matters do not require coercion from the imperial court; they are entirely based on your own volition."

"Your Majesty believes that you, as descendants of meritorious officials, will certainly not bring shame upon your ancestors."

That was a perfectly watertight statement.

They were given a way out, but at the same time, they were put on the hot seat of morality.

Didn't you claim to be descendants of meritorious officials?

Alright, then you should act like the descendants of meritorious officials.

Li Yuan took a deep breath and bowed again: "This old minister... understands."

He knew that he had completely lost this round.

Moreover, they accepted their defeat wholeheartedly.

Xiao Jingshi stood up and said in a loud voice, "Duke Zhenguo, my beloved ministers, I have never intended to be your enemy."

"I only hope that this country will get better and better."

"I hope that together we can enable the people of Daliang to live a good life."

"Are you willing?"

Li Yuan raised his head and looked at the young emperor.

He suddenly realized that he was really old.

This country now belongs to its young people.

"This old minister...is willing."

His voice was somewhat hoarse.

The nobles behind him also knelt down.

"We, your subjects, are willing!"

Xiao Jingshi nodded in satisfaction.

He turned around, took Ye An'an's hand, and addressed all the people in the square, proclaiming loudly: "From this day forward, the Great Liang Dynasty will usher in a brand new era!"

"An era where everyone has opportunities and everyone can live a good life!"

Cheers erupted once again.

This time, even the nobles cheered along with them.

Nighttime, Kunning Palace.

Ye An'an is telling a story to her two children.

Xiao Jingshi pushed open the door and came in with a smile on his face.

"Today, I have won."

Ye An'an looked up at him and smiled: "You were destined to win."

"Because you stand on the side of the people."

Xiao Jingshi walked over and pulled her into his arms.

"Oh dear, I suddenly realize that being an emperor isn't so difficult after all."

"As long as you're here."

Xiao Jingshi looked at her, his eyes full of doting affection.

Marrying this woman was the best decision he ever made in his life.