Chapter 184: Miss Kou Arrives to Donate Silver

Chapter 184: Miss Kou Arrives to Donate Silver

With only a few days left until the New Year, discussions about the Dingbei earthquake were not subsiding; instead, they were increasing.

In the streets and alleys, tea houses and taverns, people were intensely discussing the dire situation in Dingbei, their hearts heavy with sorrow.

"This is truly tragic."

"Yes, I heard that entire families were buried, and only one child survived."

"It's New Year's time, and this has happened. Sigh!"

Someone entered the tea house, their eyes gleaming with excitement. "Have you heard? A tea merchant has donated five thousand taels of silver to the imperial treasury, asking that the money be used for Dingbei disaster relief."

"Is there really such a generous merchant?"

"Why is that surprising? Miss Kou from Qingsong Bookstore has also been distributing porridge and meat, spending a considerable amount of money. There are certainly many kind-hearted people among the wealthy families in our capital."

The person who had just entered clapped their hands. "You're exactly right. After that merchant donated the silver, several other generous merchants followed suit. The imperial court, grateful for their generosity, has decided to host a banquet on the twenty-eighth day of the twelfth lunar month at He Garden to honor them."

Soon after, another piece of news spread: at the He Garden banquet, Prince Xiu himself would personally attend to these benefactors.

For some wealthy merchants, this was quite tempting.

The Dingbei disaster relief was the focus of attention in the capital. Donating not only earned a good reputation but also provided the opportunity to attend a banquet hosted by a prince, which could be recorded in the family annals.

They must donate!

The trend of donations quickly spread among the wealthy families in the capital, and soon some officials began to contribute part of their salaries. Of course, most officials didn't donate much due to their meager salaries, with only those from wealthy families able to give more.

The wives and ladies of some official and noble families also took action, generously donating their personal funds for the cause.

The officials from the Ministry of Revenue, responsible for receiving donations, were kept busy, their abacuses clattering non-stop.

A member of the Jinlin Guard entered and was recognized by the official recording the donations. "Deputy Commander Yan."

Officials in the capital were numerous, and not everyone knew each other despite serving in the same court, but the Jinlin Guard was special. While most officials kept their distance out of respect, they also made an effort to remember the prominent members of the Jinlin Guard.

One had to be cautious; what if they accidentally offended someone?

Yan Chao handed over a hundred taels of silver notes, gesturing for the official to record it.

The official spoke flattering words but secretly marveled: he never would have expected that even a junior commander in the Jinlin Guard would have the awareness to donate money.

Yan Chao waited for the official to finish recording before taking out another stack of silver notes from his chest. "This is a token of goodwill from Lord He."

The official counted them, surprise flashing in his eyes.

Two thousand taels.

But soon, he wasn't that surprised. It wasn't difficult for the Jinlin Guard to make money, and besides, Lord He was a marquis.

"Lord He is truly benevolent." The official praised casually, carefully storing the silver notes and handing over an invitation to the He Garden banquet.

Yan Chao, not one for many words, took the invitation and was about to leave.

"Excuse me, is this where donations for Dingbei disaster relief are being collected?" A female voice came from behind.

Yan Chao found the voice familiar and turned to look.

"Miss Kou."

Xin You was somewhat surprised to see Yan Chao: "Deputy Commander Yan is here as well."

Yan Chao, with a quick thought, spoke on behalf of He Qingxiao: "Lord He asked me to deliver the donation on his behalf."

Nowadays, many of the brothers in the Northern Town Guard aimed to help Lord He win Miss Kou's hand, and he was no exception.

Cough, it wasn't that they were worried about their lord being of marriageable age, but mainly because Miss Kou was extremely wealthy.

A look of surprise flashed across Xin You's eyes. "Lord He donated money?"

She now understood Lord He's financial situation, and he still had money to donate?

Yan Chao felt puzzled: Was it really so surprising that their lord would donate?

"Yes. Our lord deeply sympathizes with the disaster victims in Dingbei, but he has been too occupied these past few days, so he asked me to come in his stead," Yan Chao's gaze fell on the box that Xiao Lian was holding. "Is Miss Kou here to donate goods as well?"

Nowadays, the trend of donations was widespread, and many women would donate jewelry and accessories. In Yan Chao's view, the box Xiao Lian was holding should contain gold jewelry.

This box of gold jewelry must be worth several thousand taels of silver, fitting for Miss Kou.

"Yes. Xiao Lian—"

Xiao Lian stepped forward and placed the box she was holding in front of the official in charge of verification and registration.

Normally, Yan Chao should have left, but he was curious about how much Miss Kou was donating, so he stayed.

The official, having handled numerous valuables over the past few days, remained calm. He opened the box calmly, then his eyes widened.

It was a box full of banknotes!

"One hundred, two hundred, three hundred," the official counted, then gasped, his voice trembling, "Fifty thousand taels!"

The other officials had already gathered around and looked at Xin You in shock.

"Miss Kou, are you really donating all this?" The official counting the money could hardly believe it.

Xin You nodded. "Dingbei is suffering from a disaster, and we are merely doing our small part."

Small part—

The stunned official from the Ministry of Revenue and the astonished deputy commander of the Northern Town Guard shared a moment of mutual understanding: How wealthy is Miss Kou?!

Everyone was too shocked to speak, but Xin You spoke seriously. "Please make sure to record it accurately, Kou Qingqing."

The official regained his composure. "Miss Kou, please rest assured, we will record it carefully. Ah, Miss Kou, please wait a moment."

The record-keeping official instructed his subordinates and rushed to report to his superior.

The official in charge of this donation matter was Zhang Jian, the Right Undersecretary of the Ministry of Revenue.

Among the six ministries, the Left Undersecretary was considered the most esteemed. In the Ministry of Revenue, there were two undersecretaries, Left Undersecretary Pei Zuo and Right Undersecretary Zhang Jian. It was said that Pei Zuo's good name put him above Zhang Jian.

This time, the Dingbei earthquake led to Pei Zuo being assigned the disaster relief mission, which would naturally be a greater achievement than those responsible for logistics.

The record-keeping official reported Miss Kou's donation of fifty thousand taels to his superior, who then hurried to inform Right Undersecretary Zhang.

Right Undersecretary Zhang was carefully reviewing the donation records from the past few days. Those who donated more than a thousand taels were listed on a special list for the He Garden banquet.

This fundraising event is highly valued by the Emperor, accompanied by the princes. It would be problematic if anyone were omitted from the list. Lord Zhang did not aim for distinction but sought to avoid mistakes, so he dared not be careless.

"Sir, I have something to report," said the subordinate.

"What is it?" Lord Zhang massaged his temples, somewhat worried. "Have there been fewer donations today?"

When they later reported the accounts and donor list to the higher-ups, undoubtedly, the more funds raised, the more pleased the Emperor would be.

A pleased Emperor would naturally be satisfied with their performance.

"Just now, Miss Kou from Qingsong Bookstore came and donated 50,000 taels of silver."

"How much?" Lord Zhang thought he had misheard.

"50,000 taels—Sir, are you all right?"

Lord Zhang pinched the bridge of his nose hard to keep from fainting from excitement. "Is that correct?"

"Miss Kou is still here."

Lord Zhang couldn't wait for him to finish before rushing out.

In his prime, Lord Zhang was quite swift. He only stopped just before the door, straightening his attire before entering.

"Miss Kou, this is Lord Zhang," the official reminded Xin You.

Xin You bowed in greeting.

Lord Zhang laughed boisterously. "Miss Kou, there's no need for such formalities. I have long heard of Miss Kou's reputation for beauty; today, I finally get to meet her in person."

Xin You's gaze briefly lingered on the nail mark on Lord Zhang's philtrum before she smiled courteously.