Chapter 331 Good Reputation
With the support of the Chu family and the Qian family, Qianhuan also reduced a lot of burdens. After all, the number of refugees was too large, and if she relied on Qianhuan alone, the money would be spent too quickly.
When Emperor Jingxi heard what Princess Jingrou had done, he sighed and said, "I have raised so many ministers, but none of them can compare to a little girl. I never thought that she would be the one who could share my worries in the end."
Li Dequan agreed, "Your Majesty is right. If the court officials were as selfless as Princess Jingrou and contributed money and effort to help the refugees, Your Majesty wouldn't have to worry as much as before."
"Well, Li Dequan, go and announce the decree and have Princess Jingrou come to the palace early tomorrow morning. I want to reward her in front of all the civil and military officials in the court, and let those old officials see that they can't even compare to a common girl."
"Yes, I will go and announce the decree right away."
On the second day, the emperor directly named Qianhuan Princess Jingrou and exempted all her properties from commercial taxes for five years.
Qianhuan did not take all the credit for herself, and also told others that both the Chu family and the Qian family had donated money.
His Majesty not only directly ordered the Chu family to be exempted from commercial taxes for three years, but also bestowed a plaque with the words "Zuixianju"!
As for the Qian family, the emperor didn't know what reward to give for a moment, so he asked, "Qian Aiqing, what reward do you want?"
General Qian Da stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, Princess Jingrou contributed the most money and effort to help the refugees. I have only done my little bit and I dare not take credit for it. I am very satisfied to be able to help the refugees and share your worries. I do not want any reward."
Emperor Jingxi was very pleased, and then he praised General Qian in front of all the civil and military officials in the court, "Look carefully, ministers like General Qian who can share my worries in everything are the role models for ministers all over the world."
All the ministers were so ashamed that they could not face anyone. Some clever ministers immediately stood up to express their loyalty, "Your Majesty, although my family is not rich, I am willing to lead my family to reduce clothing and food, and take out three thousand taels of silver to help the refugees overcome their difficulties."
With the first person taking the lead, there was also a second person, "Your Majesty, I am also willing to donate three thousand taels of silver."
"Your Majesty, I will donate two thousand taels."
"Your Majesty, I will also donate two thousand taels."
……
In the end, almost all the civil and military officials in the court donated money, and with this money, the refugees could be properly resettled.
Qianhuan stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, as far as I know, there is a barren land to the north of the capital. Now all the civil and military officials in the court have donated money. Your Majesty can use this money to help the refugees build houses and settle down on that land. On the one hand, the wasteland can be turned into farmland, and on the other hand, the refugees will be grateful for your Majesty's kindness."
Emperor Jingxi nodded repeatedly upon hearing this, "Princess Jingrou, your idea is very good, let's do as you say."
The refugees were initially very dissatisfied with the court and His Majesty. Now that the court is willing to distribute resettlement fees and land to them, they all knelt down and kowtowed to thank the emperor for his great grace. "Thank you, Your Majesty. Your Majesty is truly an enlightened and sage king who cares about the people."
The refugees took their resettlement fees and went to the barren land north of the capital. Although it was a barren land, the refugees were very satisfied. They believed that as long as they worked hard, the barren land could be reclaimed into fertile fields.
The refugee issue was resolved, and Emperor Jingxi finally breathed a sigh of relief. He was also very happy to learn that the people praised him as an enlightened and wise monarch.
The ones who were most unhappy about this matter were the Crown Prince and the Fourth Prince.
The Crown Prince blamed the Crown Princess, "Why aren't you the one helping the refugees? If you can help the refugees like Princess Jingrou did, my father will definitely change his mind about the Crown Prince's Mansion and maybe he will entrust me with important tasks again."
The Crown Princess held her newly revealed belly and said aggrievedly, "Your Highness, my father has almost emptied out half of the Prime Minister's Mansion to help you. How can we have the money to help the refugees? Moreover, I am pregnant, how can I run to the refugee camp like Princess Jingrou did."
The Crown Prince was speechless after hearing what the Crown Princess said, but he still said, "Having said that, it is also true that you are not as good as Princess Jingrou."
At this moment, Zhao Yanran hated Qianhuan even more in her heart. Ever since this woman appeared, she not only took away the man she loved most, but also took away all her glory. Now even her husband sided with that bitch. She really wished she would die immediately.
In the Fourth Prince's Mansion, the Fourth Prince was constantly complaining about Qian Yuying, "If only you were half as smart as Princess Jingrou, this refugee relief is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but I didn't expect that she would gain a good reputation and even get a commendation from my father."
Qian Yuying felt very aggrieved. Now that the Qian family no longer recognized her as a daughter, she was completely isolated and helpless. Facing the Fourth Prince's scolding, she could only apologize carefully, "My husband, I'm sorry. It's my fault that I was useless and couldn't help you."
"You are indeed useless. If you could offer advice like Princess Jingrou and share the worries of our father, our Fourth Prince's Mansion would not be neglected by our father until now."
Qian Yuying lowered her head and remained silent, allowing the Fourth Prince to vent his anger on her.
The affairs of Cangzhou have finally been dealt with. The Crown Prince and the Eldest Prince have made outstanding contributions in disaster relief and flood control, and are preparing to return to Beijing to receive rewards.
On his way back to Beijing, the Prince heard that Qianhuan had made great contributions in helping refugees and was named a princess by His Majesty. The Prince couldn't help but feel proud in his heart. His Qianhuan was so beautiful and kind-hearted. He was also very glad that he met her in Qingxi County and was able to get into her heart first. Otherwise, if she was snatched away by another man, he would regret it to death.
Thinking of this, the prince quickly asked his subordinates to spread the word in the capital that he wanted to exchange this merit for the emperor to grant him and Qianhuan a marriage.
The prince deliberately let someone spread the word first. On the one hand, he wanted His Majesty to be prepared in advance, and on the other hand, he was afraid that someone would make a fuss about Qianhuan's background and then stop this matter. Now Qianhuan has a high reputation among the people. I believe that the people will definitely stand on Qianhuan's side, which will also put pressure on those villains.
As expected by the prince, as soon as he made the statement, the unconvinced noble lady from the capital made a fuss about Qianhuan's humble background, and Crown Princess Zhao Yanran was also involved in this.
Those people spread rumors on the streets, "Princess Jingrou is just a peasant, how can she be worthy of our noble God of War General?"
"It is sheer wishful thinking for a little peasant girl to dream of becoming a phoenix."
However, when ordinary people knew about this, most of them expressed their blessings.
"Prince An is the most handsome man in Dayuan. Although Princess Jingrou comes from a peasant family, she is beautiful and kind-hearted. She was personally named a princess by His Majesty. I think it would be a match made in heaven for them to be together. If Prince An really wants to marry Princess Jingrou, I am 100% in favor."
"Yes, yes, I also think that only Princess Jingrou is worthy of our great God of War General."
"Well, they are indeed a perfect match. I really hope that His Majesty will agree to their marriage."
Seeing that the common people were supportive, those women who wanted to make a fuss about Qianhuan's humble background were at a loss.
The emperor also heard the rumors, and he couldn't help but say to Li Dequan, "It seems that my nephew has fallen into the hands of Princess Jingrou."
Li Dequan said, "Princess Jingrou looks like a fairy, she is smart and kind, it is natural for the prince to be attracted to her."
Emperor Jingxi smiled and said, "I originally wanted to marry him off with a noble lady from a good family, but since he likes her, I will grant his wish this time. Although Princess Jingrou is of a low birth and poor family background, fortunately she has a good character."