Chapter 1455: Chapter 1455: Sadness
After the morning court session ended, Elder Wen departed first for the first time, abandoning his usual leisurely gait and walking away briskly.
The ministers, maintaining their dignity, refrained from chasing after him and could only watch as Elder Wen ran ahead.
Zhou Shuren glanced at the Wen family’s in-laws and raised his eyebrows. This must have been prearranged. While the Wen family attracted resentment, they also gained a favorable reputation. People tend to forget; with the Wen family already toning down their behavior and focusing on maintaining their reputation, it’s likely that, in a few years, only their acts of kindness will be remembered—except by those with grievances against them.
Old Master Wang approached. “Shuren, how much are you planning to donate?”
The two families are in-laws, so coordination is necessary to avoid significant disparities that could hurt each family’s reputation.
Zhou Shuren extended a hand. “I cannot compare myself to the Wen family’s vast resources. I will donate five hundred stones.”
This is the maximum amount of grain he could spare. His family’s farmland simply cannot compete with the Wen family’s holdings.
Over the years, his wife had gradually purchased quite a bit of land, all located in Grain Continent; otherwise, even five hundred stones would have been impossible. Alas, ancient grain yields are so low that just looking at the data gives him a headache.
Old Master Wang stroked his beard. “The Wen family is donating on behalf of all its members, but are you donating as the entire Zhou family or just as the Minister of Revenue?”
Zhou Shuren squinted his eyes and clicked his tongue twice—it seems he had overlooked this detail. “I’m donating as an individual. My sons can donate their own grain. Old Master, the people desperately need food to save their lives.”
Old Master Wang fell silent. He had been an official for a lifetime, and in his mind, family came before the people. He looked deeply at Zhou Shuren. While most praise Zhou Shuren’s abilities and luck, they often overlook what he has done for the common people.
Over the years, because of Zhou Shuren, many policies had been promoted—policies that primarily benefited the common folk.
Old Master Wang smiled. “The Wang family will adopt the same approach to donating grain.”
Zhou Shuren tilted his head. “But the Wang family hasn’t divided its assets.”
Because he and Zhulan were from modern times, their multi-branch family businesses were left alone, and they even helped out. Every branch operated its own assets, and each of his sons had an adequate foundation to contribute grain. The Wang family, in contrast, hadn’t divided its properties, and everything was managed as a collective unit.
Old Master Wang nodded. “I have already drafted the division list and will allocate grain donations proportionally based on the distributed assets.”
Zhou Shuren gave a slight bow. “Old Master, your virtue is commendable.”
Old Master Wang could have donated a simple rounded amount like the Wen family, leaving no room for criticism, but his method of distribution would result in donating significantly more grain—grain that could save countless lives.
Back at the Ministry of Revenue, Qiu Yan, upon learning that the Wen family had taken the lead in donating grain, frowned. “How much do you think I should donate?”
Zhou Shuren glanced at Qiu Yan and sighed inwardly. Not every family knows how to manage its assets effectively. Major noble families control merchants who earn silver, while income from farmland accounts for only a small portion. Thus, donating grain doesn’t harm them much. Conversely, most of Qiu Yan’s household expenses rely on income generated from farmland and shop rents.
Zhou Shuren asked, “How much grain has your family sold?”
Qiu Yan replied, “Half.”
Half of their grain remained. Under Qiu Yan’s management, his family’s properties hadn’t significantly increased. Still, compared to those less fortunate, he felt content with their lifestyle. Who would’ve expected this year to bring such poor harvests? His wife was already planning carefully.
Zhou Shuren patted Qiu Yan’s shoulder. “Donate within your means.”
Qiu Yan gritted his teeth. “How about one hundred stones?”
“I said donate what you can afford. Don’t give away your food supply. Grain is scarce now, and this donation will lead some to hoard aggressively. When that happens, buying grain will become extremely difficult.”
Qiu Yan sighed. “If only I hadn’t sold so much grain earlier.”
“You were preparing dowry for your granddaughter; that silver cannot be saved.”
Qiu Yan sighed again. “Let me rethink how much I can donate.”
News of the grain donations quickly spread, and the Wen family acted swiftly. By midday, the Ministry of Revenue had already received one thousand stones of grain as well as husks and other contributions.
At the Zhou household, upon hearing the news, Zhulan instructed the steward to personally head to the estate and inform the eldest son to transport the stored grain to the capital.
Lady Li asked, “Mother, how much is Second Brother contributing?”
“I’ll send someone to the Liu household to inquire how much Sir Liu is donating. Chang Yi can adjust his contribution to align with theirs.”
Su Xuan asked, “What about Third Brother?”
Zhulan wasn’t concerned about Chang Lian. “News of the grain donations will spread across all provinces. Third Brother’s grain is already en route to Qiizhou Province; there’s no need to worry about it.”
While conversing, Xue Han returned to her parental home. “Mother, how much is the family planning to donate?”
Zhulan received news from Jingyan, saying, “Your father is donating five hundred stones. Your eldest brother is donating one hundred stones. Your second brother will follow the Liu family’s example. Your fourth brother is donating one hundred stones.”
Xue Han calculated that, excluding Third Brother, the family was donating at least seven hundred stones—a generous amount. “How will the donations be divided?”
Zhulan shook her head. “Not all at once. This way, we can contribute more. Why are you here without preparing grain?”
“I was worried the family didn’t have enough stock, so I came back to check if we needed more. You know the Qin Prince Residence has extensive farmland.”
Zhulan chuckled. “The Qin Prince certainly is affluent. Have you asked Princess Qi how much they’re donating?”
Xue Han replied, “News from the palace indicates that the princely households communicated by letter. The Qin Prince Residence, being the Emperor’s full brother and the wealthiest prince, cannot afford to donate too little without damaging face. We’re donating two thousand stones.”
This year, she had considered selling some grain but decided against it since her parental home hadn’t sold any. Thus, the Qin Prince Residence still had plenty of grain in storage!
“What about the Qi Prince Residence?”
Xue Han replied, “The other princely households are donating fifteen hundred stones each.”
Zhulan calculated the grain and sighed. “The Wen family indeed did a good deed this time.”
No matter the underlying motives, their significant contribution made it impossible for others to cut corners. This influx of grain considerably alleviated the shortage.
Yet Zhulan also felt a deep sadness. Impoverished commoners couldn’t even spare a few pounds of grain, while noble families held vast lands and donated amounts that would take ordinary farmers lifetimes to produce.
The tragedy of the era—the stark disparity in social classes—was evident. Resources remained concentrated in the hands of the powerful, whose tables still overflowed with meat, while the common folk counted grains to make it through their days.
Xue Han noticed her mother’s sorrowful expression. “Mother, are you unhappy?”
“I am happy, but I can’t help but think, if your father hadn’t passed the imperial exam, we would also be fretting over food.”
If they had stayed in Zhoujia Village, facing vagaries of the weather, they would have been powerless, forced to focus solely on protecting their small household.
But their changed status, and Shuren’s influence on the Emperor, led to the creation of fish cakes and other measures aimed at saving as many lives as possible.
In Zhangzhou Province, Chang Yi set out again, accompanied now by a family surnamed Wang and a doctor. Despite the presence of a sick child, Chang Yi wouldn’t delay his journey—his priority was to reach his daughter’s home early and avoid being snowbound in town.
Inviting a doctor to join their travels was already an act of great kindness.
Zhao, recalling her own experience as a refugee, paid special attention to the Wang family, sending over old clothes belonging to young servants and maids. With gratitude, she remarked, “Back then, I didn’t encounter anyone with such a kind heart.”