Chapter 430 Your Majesty is wise, an eternal emperor

As Lin Qingge spoke, the expressions of the civil and military officials present changed in unison.

If they recalled correctly, this Lin Jingxing, the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture, was the top scholar of last year. It had been no more than seven or eight months since he took office.

Moreover, this Lord Lin had refused a position as a Hanlin Academy Compiler, a seventh-rank official, and had instead become a ninth-rank sesame official in Changzhou County.

One had to ask: how much monthly salary could a ninth-rank county magistrate possibly receive?

However, since Lord Lin had started it, if they didn't follow suit, even if the new Emperor did not blame them, Lord Lin would have gained prominence and been noticed by the new Emperor.

But if they did follow, how could they, these high officials, donate less than the Prefect of a Prefecture?

Thinking of their years of official service, some even decades, their chests ached.

Just as the civil and military officials were affectionately greeting someone's ancestors in their hearts, Yan Tinghao, who had just finished chewing the last piece of chicken leg, hastily stood up:

"Your Majesty, this humble servant is also willing to donate all the salary I have received since becoming a constable!"

Yan Tinghao finished speaking with great spirit, but Lin Qingge felt an urge to cover her face.

This was because she had never paid this simpleton a monthly salary.

Seeing this foolishness, did this simpleton think his monthly salary was a lot?

At this moment, whispers and discussions arose from the side:

"Hmph, the dignified King of Zhennan is only donating this much?"

"I didn't expect Yan Xiuping, that old fox, to have a moment of slipping up, giving birth to such a foolish son!"

"It must be that the sons born to the two lords are exceptionally intelligent."

Lin Qingge, who had somehow joined their table, grinned, revealing her neat row of small white teeth, and said with great understanding:

"To accumulate blessings for the young lords of Your Excellencies, and even more so to prevent what Your Excellencies have just said from reaching the ears of Lord Yan, Princess Pingyang, or even the Empress Dowager and His Majesty.

Your Excellencies must be willing to donate all your salaries from these past years to the disaster-stricken areas, won't you?"

...

Out of carelessness, or rather, not expecting at all that the other party's ears were so sharp and would overhear them, the two unlucky fellows who had been overheard weighed their options.

Whether it was out of fear of being targeted by the new Emperor, or out of fear of the 'King of Hell' or Princess Pingyang's reputation.

In any case, the two of them chickened out.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, this humble servant Qian Jin / San Jin is willing to donate all the salary received since entering officialdom, hoping to help the disaster victims in the south rebuild their homes soon!"

If Lin Qingge was the brick that threw out to elicit jade, then Qian Jin and San Jin were the fire that poured oil on the flames.

Although their official ranks were not high, the same as Lin Qingge's fourth-rank, they had been officials for a long time, at least twenty years!

Ignoring the odd months, calculated at a monthly salary of 100 taels for a fourth-rank official.

Twelve months a year would be 1200 taels, and twenty years would be 24000 taels.

And they were merely small fry at this banquet who couldn't even make the list.

Feeling as though she could already see countless little fortunes waving to her from the new Emperor, Lin Qingge quietly returned to her seat, her merits hidden.

Subsequently, more officials donated.

Among them were not a few truly honest and upright officials. The more such good officials there were, the more they placed the nation's righteousness before their own small families. Some had to sell their land, some had to sell their houses, to alleviate the urgent needs of the court and the people.

As if moved by the patriotic spirit of these officials, Xu Siyun also stood up:

"Your Majesty, this student is willing to donate her entire dowry, and I hope Your Majesty will fulfill this humble student's wish!"

In the Great Xia Dynasty, noble families often prepared dowries for their daughters early on. Xu Changling was incorruptible, but his late wife's dowry was quite substantial.

As he had only this one daughter, Xu Changling had handed over his wife's entire dowry to her management after Xu Siyun came of age.

When it was said to be management, it was basically handled by professionals, much like Yan Tinghao, the second-generation heir, who only needed to be a hands-off manager.

But regardless of the size of the dowry, among all the civil and military officials, the newly emerging top scholar, and a female top scholar at that, had completely overshadowed them.

Neither their dignity nor their pride as men allowed them to continue observing passively.

Thus, others followed suit, donating all the salaries they had received since becoming officials.

And those with higher official ranks, in addition to their salaries, also donated a large amount of disaster relief supplies in the name of their families.

Princess Yongning, who loved to join in the fun, was not to be outdone. She donated a batch of jewelry, saying that the money from selling the jewelry would be donated to the disaster area.

Finally, even Leng Ningyue, who usually spoke very little in public, made a statement:

"Chancellor Xu is a woman who is no less heroic than a man. This Princess will not only add a hundred thousand taels of disaster relief silver in Chancellor Xu's name but also make a promise here.

When Chancellor Xu marries, this Princess will personally prepare a generous dowry for her."

Although Prime Minister Shangguan had retired and returned home, his wealth remained. As his only daughter, Leng Ningyue had naturally inherited all his assets, including the Prime Minister's mansion.

Seeing that the Empress had also expressed her stance, the new Emperor added:

"When Chancellor Xu marries, I specially grant her the same courtesy as a Princess.

In addition, I have several vacant residences in the northern part of the city. If the esteemed officials who are selling their residences do not mind, you can move your entire families there.

This way, you will have a place to stay, and I will save the money for hiring caretakers. It's a win-win situation."

As soon as the new Emperor spoke, the honest officials, who had not expected such a reward, were immediately overwhelmed with gratitude and knelt to express their thanks.

Someone shouted, "His Majesty is wise, an emperor for all ages!"

The other civil and military officials followed suit, and the cheers grew louder and louder, eventually reaching the heavens and lingering for a long time.

Seeing this, the two prime ministers, seated on either side of the new Emperor, who called themselves 'incapable,' looked at the densely written donation list in their hands and exchanged smiles.

The enthusiastic Master Hua raised his head and winked at the unseen hero in a distant corner, who had raised the disaster relief funds and supplies in excess within the time it took for a stick of incense to burn. However, he received a pair of disdainful white eyes in return.

The banquet continued.

Although everyone who had made a significant financial contribution was somewhat dispirited, they still had to maintain appearances.

After several rounds of drinks, an official came to the open space in the center of the venue and knelt down:

"Reporting to Your Majesty, this humble official has something to report!"

"Granted."

"Your Majesty, there is something that has been weighing on this humble official's mind for a long time, and today, this humble official must speak his mind!"

The one who knelt was a military officer. His back was straight, and he spoke word by word, his voice resounding:

"Your Majesty, it is acceptable that you have permitted women to participate in the imperial examinations and enter officialdom.

But what if someone disguises themselves as a man, impersonates another, and infiltrates the officialdom, Your Majesty, what will you do?"