Chapter 1 Look at Mount Tai

Jiang Chen stood up and looked around the pavilion, finally standing on the stool, looking at the talented scholars around him.

"This poem is called Looking at Mount Tai."

Looking at Mount Tai?

Everyone was very surprised.

The previous poem seemed to have the meaning of climbing high and looking far.

Could this be His Majesty's ambition?

Someone thought in their heart.

"How is Mount Tai, the Great Peak? The green of Qi and Lu is endless. Nature gathers divine beauty, and yin and yang divide dusk and dawn."

Jiang Chen slowly recited the first four lines.

After these four lines were spoken, everyone looked a little dazed.

The technique of these four lines was similar to the previous one, but they didn't hear what His Majesty expected of them.

However, thinking of the shock of the poem just now, everyone patiently listened.

"Stirring my chest, layers of clouds rise; straining my eyes, returning birds fly in."

"I shall climb to the highest peak, and see all the hills dwarfed below."

Boom!

The last two lines were like a great hammer, striking heavily in everyone's heart.

"I shall climb to the highest peak, and see all the hills dwarfed below..."

Many people couldn't help but recite these two lines, trembling involuntarily.

How much expectation was contained in these short ten characters!

This feeling quickly swept through the souls of every talented scholar.

They all had a feeling of being valued, a kind of invisible recognition and approval.

Yuan Buyi and several other ministers were also stunned.

They had never thought that Jiang Chen would have such high expectations and spirit.

When they came back to their senses, Yuan Buyi was the first to kneel on the ground.

"Your ministers will certainly live up to Your Majesty's expectations!"

This loud shout awakened everyone around him.

Everyone knelt down in unison and shouted, "We will certainly live up to Your Majesty's expectations!"

Under Jiang Chen's encouragement, the subsequent Autumn Poetry Conference was no longer limited to the theme of autumn but allowed the talented scholars to express their feelings directly.

With genuine feelings, many famous lines emerged one after another.

These people even gave their money bags to Jiang Chen, so they directly wrote IOU's.

It wasn't until the end of the wei hour (1-3 pm) that the Autumn Poetry Conference ended with everyone reluctant to leave.

That night, when Jiang Chen came to Chengan Palace, the Shufei Consort ran over with an excited look on her face.

"Your Majesty, the donations received today alone amounted to more than 20,000 taels!"

"So much?"

Jiang Chen didn't expect these people to be so rich, but today's results did exceed expectations.

After all, he had taken out two poems that would be passed down through the ages; 20,000 taels was worth it!

"After the poetry collection is published, all the profits from the sales will be donated to the Charity Foundation," Jiang Chen said with a smile.

"Thank you for supporting me, Your Majesty."

The Shufei Consort quickly thanked him and then said, "Your Majesty, I would like to arrange for people to set up donation points in various major cities."

"That's a good suggestion."

Jiang Chen nodded in agreement. "However, you must be cautious when choosing people. Also, remember to record and publicize the names of all the donors."

Seeing that the Shufei Consort was a little puzzled, Jiang Chen said, "Most people are either after fame or fortune."

"Donating naturally has no profit to be made, so there is only fame."

"What's more, with fame, these people will have to do some good deeds, which is a good thing for the Foundation."

The Shufei Consort suddenly understood. "I understand, Your Majesty."

A few days later, the Charity Foundation officially began to operate.

Taking the capital as the center, it began to spread to the surrounding areas.

Those who could not survive because of the cold winter were all grateful after receiving relief.

For a time, Jiang Chen and the Shufei Consort's memorial tablets began to appear in the homes of the people.

This situation shocked everyone.

How could His Majesty, a man known as a tyrant, become an object of worship for the people?

Many ministers found it incredible.

However, as the poetry collection of the Autumn Poetry Conference was published, the ministers who found it incredible slowly stopped finding it incredible.

How could the person who wrote these two poems be a tyrant?

He was clearly a tyrant in name but a wise ruler in deed!

With this understanding, the ministers dared not slack off even more.

With the Charity Foundation and the granary relief working together, many poor families were also far away from the past life and death and began to prepare for the New Year.

Inside the palace, there was an atmosphere of joy.

For the Great Wei this year, there were many good news stories.

At the early morning court, Xu Changqing, the Minister of Revenue, summarized the court's income and expenditure for the year.

After experiencing two great victories in the war, there was still a surplus of 18 million taels of silver.

This conclusion startled all the ministers.

Although the ministers knew that this year's grain tax revenue was much higher than in the past after the redistribution of land, they did not expect such a big increase.

Some ministers couldn't help but say, "Minister Xu, did you calculate it wrong?"

Xu Changqing said with a smile, "Minister Liu, if you don't believe it, you can calculate it with me."

Minister Liu smiled awkwardly and did not speak again.

He was not questioning, but he couldn't believe it.

Because according to past experience, if the court experienced two major wars, it would be good if it was not emptied.

As for having a surplus, that was something he dared not even think about.

Jiang Chen nodded with satisfaction. With money, things could be done!

However, 18 million taels was indeed not much.

If he really wanted to develop everything, this amount of money would not be enough at all.

"How is the matter of cultivating grain seeds in the south?" Jiang Chen asked.

Xu Changqing said, "It has been through two generations, and the effect is not obvious yet. But according to statistics, the yield has indeed increased somewhat."

The ministers were shocked again.

They thought that what His Majesty said before was just a casual remark, but they didn't expect it to be really useful!

Jiang Chen nodded and then looked at Wen Fengli, the Minister of Rites: "What news is there from the westward journey team?"

Wen Fengli quickly said, "Reporting to Your Majesty, the envoys I arranged are searching and learning everywhere. I believe that there will be some gains by next spring."

Jiang Chen nodded and looked at Wei Zhengli, the Minister of Works: "Wei Qing, how is your shipbuilding going?"

Wei Zhengli quickly said, "Reporting to Your Majesty, after day and night research, half of it has been completed! I believe that it will be able to be launched soon."

Jiang Chen nodded again and said, "Then continue the research. What I want is something that can guarantee absolute safety!"

"Yes!"

Wei Zhengli responded, but he was a little puzzled in his heart, not understanding why Jiang Chen valued ships so much.

Afterward, Jiang Chen asked other ministers of the Ministry of Works.

With the strong support of the Ministry of Revenue's funds, many basic agricultural tools and water conservancy projects that were closely related to the people had also been completed.

The ministers were very happy after hearing this.

The Great Wei was gradually becoming stronger!

"Since that's the case, then let's end it here for this year. Everyone, go back and have a good New Year."

Jiang Chen stood up with a smile. "Next year, our Great Wei will become even better!"

Back in the bedroom, the imperial consorts also had happy looks on their faces.

Catherine was also among them.

Seeing Jiang Chen coming, Catherine, who had already learned some local language, said, "Your Majesty, you've arrived."

Jiang Chen nodded with a smile. "How is it? Are you still used to living here?"

Catherine nodded repeatedly. "It's warmer here than in my hometown."