Chen Bohan and Gongyang Qing had faces that showed no will to live.
They wished they could find a brick and charge forward.
And smash Meng Guangzhi's brains out with a single brick.
Because of his donation of two million taels of silver and three million jin of grain.
He had instantly become a benevolent figure in people's eyes.
He had become a savior in the eyes of the common folk.
At this moment, the only thing they could do was to emulate him.
Only then would they not be outdone.
If Meng Guangzhi donated, and they borrowed money from the county yamen.
Then the difference would be clear.
The people would even scorn them.
This was absolutely not something they wished to see.
Just then.
Leng Qingmei stepped up to the donation spot and donated three million taels of silver.
Two of the five major families had already donated.
Even if they were reluctant, they had no choice but to do so.
In fact, they also knew that the money they lent out would likely never be recovered.
Rather than that, it was better to be magnanimous.
"Our Gongyang family also donates... two million taels of silver." Gongyang Qing wore a faint smile, but his heart felt like it was bleeding.
Although Chen Nan had asked him for one million taels of silver.
At this moment, he knew.
If he truly donated one million taels, what difference would that make compared to not donating at all?
After all, the Gongyang family was the second-ranked among the five major families.
After all, he valued his reputation.
Chen Bohan forced a smile and said, "The Chen family is willing to donate six million six hundred sixty-six thousand six hundred sixty-six taels of silver! We are donating this specific amount hoping for good fortune and wishing for us to overcome the flood soon."
A gasp!
As soon as he said this.
Everyone took a sharp intake of breath.
They never expected the Chen family to be so generous.
After all, the Chen family was the weakest in terms of assets among the existing five major families.
But who could have imagined they would donate so much money?
Han Zongyuan was also surprised, then said, "Thank you, Patriarch Chen, for your contribution to the people of Tongcheng. Your efforts will be remembered by the people and the imperial court."
Saying this, he looked to the scribe responsible for recording the donations and said, "Here!"
"Record that Constable Chen's father donated six million six hundred sixty-six thousand six hundred sixty-six taels of silver!"
???
Chen Bohan stared blankly.
I've already donated so much money.
Don't I deserve a name?
Isn't this a bit too much?
Han Zongyuan saw the grievance in Chen Bohan's heart and said, "Patriarch Chen, it is true that your name should be recorded, but your son is a divine constable of our county yamen, and once he becomes an Yin messenger, he is sure to rise rapidly."
"If this donation is recorded under your name, the Emperor might know of you and perhaps reward you."
"But think about it, what if it's recorded under your son's name?"
Hearing this.
Chen Bohan felt even more wronged.
I admit what you say is reasonable.
But he doesn't acknowledge me as his father!
However.
He dared not say this.
He continued to force a smile and said, "In that case, just write my son's name!"
Han Zongyuan replied, "That works too."
"..."
Chen Nan did not speak.
Although he didn't like this father.
But.
Why refuse free merit?
Moreover, this was a significant merit.
------
The news of the four major families donating ten million taels of silver caused a huge stir.
It made the common people feel genuine admiration.
The four major families all gained an excellent reputation.
However.
A discordant voice emerged from the crowd: "Why hasn't the First Family come to donate?"
"That's right, the First Family is the richest in Tongcheng, don't they want to show their support?"
Instantly.
A wave of discussion swept through the scene.
Chen Nan's eyes lit up, and for a moment, he thought the person was a plant he had arranged.
But.
He hadn't had time to find a plant yet!
He cleared his throat loudly, channeling his inner energy, and said, "Everyone, donating is a matter of capability."
"We cannot use our own morals and perspectives to constrain others; this is moral coercion."
"Constable Chen, you can't say that!" an old man said, "We indeed cannot use our own perspectives and morals to constrain others."
"But now Tongcheng is facing a flood that hasn't been seen in a thousand years. The people of Tongcheng are either paying money or exerting effort, all wanting to protect our homeland with practical actions."
"The First Family, as the richest in Tongcheng, has earned far too much money."
"Shouldn't they contribute their share at this critical juncture?"
"Why is it that they neither pay money nor exert effort, leaving others to defend Tongcheng's survival?"
"Aren't they a part of Tongcheng?"
As soon as this was said.
It immediately garnered much agreement.
"Exactly, they are also people of Tongcheng. Now that Tongcheng is in trouble, they must donate money and effort, or else we should drive them out!"
"Yes, drive them out, they are not fit to stay in Tongcheng."
Almost everyone harbored anti-rich sentiments to some extent.
It's just that.
They usually wouldn't dare to express it.
But now it was different.
Among the five major families, only the First Family had not donated money.
This had already aroused public anger.
Chen Nan gestured downwards with his hand.
Despite being just a humble constable, his influence among the populace was not insignificant.
Just by him beheading Liu Yu in the street, and beheading Wen Bohou and his son in court, he had become a guardian god in many people's hearts.
Therefore.
His word carried weight.
Chen Nan said, "Fellow villagers, I understand your anger and dissatisfaction."
"But..."
"We are all law-abiding citizens."
"We absolutely cannot act recklessly."
"Even if the First Family doesn't donate a single tael of silver, they have not violated any laws."
Someone interrupted Chen Nan and asked loudly, "Constable Chen, I think I saw you riding a horse towards the First Family earlier. What were you doing at the First Family?"
"What? Constable Chen actually went to the First Family?"
"Constable Chen seems to have visited all five major families."
Looking at the curious gazes of the crowd.
Chen Nan cleared his throat and said awkwardly, "I was ordered by Master Han to go to the five major families to borrow money, but except for the First Family, the other four families refused the loan proposal."
"They said that Tongcheng is in trouble and everyone has a responsibility, and they are willing to donate silver to help Tongcheng overcome the difficulties."
"As for the First Family..."
"Never mind, never mind!" He shook his head with a look of helplessness.
Seeing this scene.
The common people became displeased.
You've piqued our curiosity, how can you not say?
Chen Nan looked disappointed and said, "The people of the First Family naturally agreed to lend money, but they were afraid the government wouldn't be able to repay it, so they wanted the black gold mine, as well as control of the shipping rights after the river channel expansion is completed."
As soon as this was said.
The scene instantly erupted like a pot, with waves of angry curses: "I never expected the First Family to take advantage of the disaster to make a fortune from the national crisis, they are truly too disappointing!"
"I swear, if I ever spend a single cent in the First Family's businesses again, may I die a terrible death!"
"I want to burn down the First Family."
Chen Nan sighed deeply and said, "Merchants seek profit, and there is nothing wrong with that. Everyone, don't blame them."
"Also, you absolutely cannot take advantage of the fact that the law does not punish the masses and go trouble the First Family."
"Even if the law does not punish the masses, you cannot act like this!"
"You cannot act impulsively just because the law does not punish the masses!"
Leng Qingmei, standing by, felt her heart race.
Damn it.
You keep emphasizing "the law does not punish the masses" repeatedly. Are you trying to incite these angry commoners to destroy the First Family?