Chapter 417: Please Speak Frankly
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Although she didn’t care about her reputation, those were just superficial reputations like being virtuous and proper, not the kind that involved her standing in society. Mingzhu decisively refused, “Say the other one.”
Li Bochun whispered, “For this one, it requires a lot of time and effort, a large initial investment, and there is no possibility of making money in a few years. On the contrary, you will only see money continuously pouring in. But once successful, Wangfei will be renowned throughout the world. The benefits gained cannot be simply measured in terms of money.”
Mingzhu listened with interest, “What is it exactly?”
“Establishing a charity organization.” Li Bochun confessed and dipped his finger in tea to draw on the table for her to see. “Wangfei, please look. Nowadays, the country cannot be said to be rich and the people strong; natural disasters and man-made calamities are constant, and there are many people who are displaced. If you establish a charity organization to help these people in need, you will surely gain the admiration of the people. Then, even if you are a bit arrogant, whether you slap a rich girl today or scold a princess tomorrow, it doesn’t matter. People will only say that you are a sincere person, who hates evil and is not afraid of the powerful.”
Isn’t this the truth? Mingzhu smiled, “Go on.”
Li Bochun continued, “The reason why it’s said that there is a large initial investment and no possibility of making money in the short term is because there will be many people in need of food and clothing, as well as many orphans and the sick who are incapable and can only rely on your relief and charity. How do you make money later? Provide these people with tools, teach them skills, let them do whatever they can, and make the best use of their talents. In the future, you will rely on them to make money! They may become one of countless stewards and shopkeepers under your command, or they may rise to high positions. When that happens, no matter who you recommend them to, it will be a significant favor.
Of course, there are so many widows, orphans, and sick people in the country that you alone cannot manage. If you were to manage without restriction, your dowry would be depleted in less than a month. So we need to establish rules and selectively help people. Free assistance can only allocate a certain amount of money each year and is only for a short period. It’s impossible to manage for a lifetime. In this selection process, making money is secondary; cultivating connections and earning a good reputation are the most important. Of course, in the initial stage, we can do some other business to support it.”
Mingzhu was excited, but she also knew that it was just talk for now. It sounded good, but it would definitely be very difficult to implement. However, the two suggestions Li Bochun put forward seemed to be well-informed, closely related to Yuwen Chu’s ambitions and her future plans. If she wanted to ascend to the position of Empress and secure her position, such a good reputation and network would indeed be a great help. Even if Yuwen Chu regretted and grew tired of her, he would have to think twice.
Mingzhu smiled at Li Bochun, “Listening to Teacher Li’s words is like reading ten years’ worth of books. Teacher Li, was this idea not just conceived on a whim?”
In her previous life, Li Bochun had followed her to Linan Wang’s Mansion when she married, but he didn’t stay long. It seemed that in the spring of the third year, he resigned and returned to his hometown, citing that his elderly parents were sick and had no one to care for them.
At that time, although Mingzhu thought Li Bochun was capable, there were plenty of capable stewards. Since Li Bochun had the idea of leaving, many people asked to take over his position through connections, and she didn’t make it difficult for him, letting him go. Now she realized that the people her father and brother had picked for her were really good, and it was her own fault for letting them go.
Li Bochun stood up and bowed to Mingzhu, “This humble servant is just a servant under Wangfei’s seat, and dare not be called ‘Teacher'”
Mingzhu smiled, “It’s just a title, and capable people should take it. I know that this matter won’t be accomplished overnight. It sounds great to listen to, but it will be very difficult to do. But since Teacher Li has come up with an idea, please write it down in detail and send it over. I need to carefully consider and make a decision.”
Li Bochun happily withdrew, and Mingzhu, full of ambition, divided the dowry accounts, leaving some for daily expenses, some for emergencies, and some for the children. The rest was available for use.
Although Li Bochun’s suggestions seemed very tempting, she had to be prepared for losses. She still had to live her life and couldn’t invest all her money; there had to be a plan. As for the suggestions made by the other stewards, she thought they were worth considering. After all, the investment required for establishing a charity organization to train talent was too significant. There had to be other income to support it in the initial stages. This way, even if the charity organization failed, it wouldn’t be a complete loss. Besides, she had people under her command and plenty of useful connections. Why not make use of them all?
Before she could sort things out, Zheng Momo came in and said, “Your Highness, Mr. Meng requests an audience.”
“Please let him in.” Mingzhu was somewhat puzzled. Mr. Meng was Yuwen Chu’s most trusted advisor and usually received high regard from him. She also treated him respectfully for this reason. Although Mr. Meng was always polite and courteous to her, there was not much interaction between them.
Mr. Meng couldn’t discuss important state affairs with her, and she couldn’t bother him with trivial matters. The daily lives of the advisors were not her concern; Zhou Shuyi took care of them himself. So, Mr. Meng suddenly wanting to see her today was unusual. She instinctively felt that something must have happened to Yuwen Chu.
Mr. Meng, around fifty years old, had an air of elegance. He was of average height and had an ordinary appearance, but his eyes were sharp and compelling, making people not dare to underestimate him. Mingzhu had been taught to respect capable advisors like him at home. Therefore, after Mr. Meng entered, she naturally stood up halfway and respectfully invited him to sit down and offered tea.
Mr. Meng was not arrogant. After bowing, he thanked her and then took his seat. Without discussing business, he praised Mingzhu, “Your Highness looks well.” He then praised her performance in the palace during the Winter Solstice, “Only Your Highness possesses such momentum.”
“I dare not accept the praise. Mr. Meng, please speak frankly.” Mingzhu felt a bit uneasy. Usually, people beat around the bush before getting to the point, so Mr. Meng surely had something unpleasant to say next.
Sure enough, Mr. Meng changed the subject: “Not fearing to anger Wangfei, in the beginning, His Highness spared no effort to marry Wangfei, and we all opposed it. There was no other reason but that His Highness harbored great ambitions, yet his wings were not yet fully grown. It is best to conceal one’s brilliance, bide one’s time, and wait for the right opportunity. Once he marries Wangfei, it is equivalent to exposing his intentions to all the powers, and he will inevitably face suppression from all sides, making the journey ten times, a hundred times more difficult. However, His Highness had no fear and only wanted to marry Wangfei. For this, he was willing to lose the favor of the Great Empress Dowager and bear the stigma of snatching his brother’s wife. It’s all because he sincerely loves Wangfei.”
Mingzhu inexplicably felt a bit annoyed: “Mr. Meng, please speak plainly and stop beating around the bush.”
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