Chapter 308: Charity of the Wealthy |
“Father, please help me look at this. Is this real? Did Academician Sima really mention me in his article? I’m not dreaming, am I?”
Ma Xiaoyi circled around Ma Tianhao, dancing with excitement and gesticulating wildly.
Ma Tianhao cast an envious glance at his son and snorted, “This article isn’t that impressive. Any discerning person can see that I was the one who really donated the money. What money does this brat have?”
Ma Xiaoyi immediately snatched the newspaper from Ma Tianhao’s hands. “Father, don’t forget that I and my brothers also donated twenty thousand strings—that was money we earned from our gambling house operations. I won’t talk with Father anymore. I’m going out to show off.”
With that, he hurried out.
Ma Tianhao clicked his tongue and said regretfully, “If I had known this would happen, I would have gone myself. I really let that brat take advantage of a great opportunity for nothing. But who could have predicted that Academician Sima would write an article about it?”
Just then, the house steward entered the room. “Master Lu has arrived.”
At White Crystal Inn.
“Young Master, your luck has been really good lately. Over there you got promoted to Deputy Commissioner, and here Academician Sima personally wrote an article praising you. Oh my, I’m truly envious to death.”
“Yes! What’s the secret? Share a few tricks with us so we can also bask in some of your glory.”
A group of rich young masters surrounded Cao Dongdong, filled with envy, jealousy, and resentment. This guy was simply too outrageous—each of them was more outstanding than him, so why was he so successful?
Heaven was truly blind!
Cao Dongdong rested his chin on one hand, half-closing his eyes, thoroughly enjoying their envy and jealousy. He swept his slightly intoxicated gaze across each of his fair-weather friends’ faces and chuckled, “Alright, I’ll teach you one trick.”
Everyone leaned in to listen, except for Fu Shichun, who sat to the side holding his wine cup and drinking alone. He knew very clearly that this was all Zhang Fei’s achievement—this fellow was just reaping the benefits and had stumbled into good fortune.
Cao Dongdong stood up and recited, “In poverty, perfect one’s own virtue; in success, help perfect the world.”
Pfft!
Fu Shichun spat out a mouthful of wine.
Cao Dongdong glanced at Fu Shichun. “Brother Xiaochun, what do you mean by that?”
Fu Shichun wiped his mouth and said sheepishly, “Well said! Well said!”
“Alright! I’m leaving first.”
“What! You’re leaving already?”
“You’ve been envious enough. I’m going to Pan Inn to find the others to see how they envy me. Haha!”
“…?”
“Young Master, you haven’t paid for the wine yet,” Fu Shichun suddenly called out.
“You pay for it. I need to save my money to help perfect the world. Farewell!”
Cao Dongdong said without looking back.
This was absolutely the most domineering excuse for freeloading that Fu Shichun had ever heard.
At Bianjing Law Firm.
“You must be tired! Come have some tea and rest a bit.”
Seeing Xu Zhiqian wiping sweat as she walked over, Zhang Fei quickly stood up, gave her the most comfortable seat, and poured her a cup of tea.
“Thank you!”
Xu Zhiqian took the teacup, sat down, and sipped it gently, letting out a soft sigh. “I never imagined Academician Sima’s reputation was so great. One article brought so many people here to donate. In just this afternoon, we’ve received nearly a thousand strings in donations. Even places like Welfare Courtyard have never received so many donations.”
Once this article was published, it not only caused a sensation in public opinion but also prompted many people to spontaneously come and donate money and grain—as little as a few hundred coins, as much as several dozen strings.
The problem was that no one was at the firm since everyone was out doing tax calculations. Zhang Fei wasn’t good at writing, so only Fan Li and Xu Zhiqian could handle it. With no other choice, they had to borrow some people from Li Guozhong.
Li Guozhong owed Zhang Fei several favors and very readily agreed.
Zhang Fei smiled and said, “You’ve got it exactly backwards.”
Xu Zhiqian asked curiously, “Backwards?”
Zhang Fei nodded. “It’s not Academician Sima’s reputation that brought us donations, but rather my charitable organization that enhanced Academician Sima’s reputation. This is a win-win collaboration.”
Xu Zhiqian glanced sideways and curled her lips. “What you’re saying is utterly shameless.”
Zhang Fei rolled his eyes. “If you don’t believe me, you can have Academician Sima write another article for Welfare Courtyard and see if it attracts this many donors. Everyone is so eager to donate not because of Academician Sima, but because of Academician Wang.”
Xu Zhiqian pondered for a moment. “You’re referring to the New Policies?”
“Exactly.”
Zhang Fei said, “When His Majesty initially proposed the reforms, the two factions argued over this very topic—whether to continue the policy of “preserving wealth amongst the people”. But ultimately Academician Wang prevailed.
Many scholar-officials were dissatisfied with this. Now that the New Policies were about to be promulgated, they urgently want to prove this point to His Majesty, which is why so many people have come forward to donate.
But in your view, this all seems to be Academician Sima’s achievement, when in fact it has actually enhanced Academician Sima’s reputation considerably.”
Xu Zhiqian thought it over. “But if this article had been written by you or me, it probably wouldn’t have attracted so many donors either.”
Zhang Fei nodded. “I don’t deny that, but we are irreplaceable, while Academician Sima is replaceable. As long as we find a renowned scholar with high prestige to write it, the effect wouldn’t be much different.”
Xu Zhiqian nodded lightly, then suddenly asked, “So how do you plan to use these charitable funds?”
Zhang Fei pondered for a moment. “These scattered donations aren’t really suitable for business ventures. We’ll use them all to help the common people. Do you have any ideas?”
Xu Zhiqian nodded eagerly like a pecking chicken.
She had never done charity work with such abundant resources before.
It felt absolutely wonderful.
Zhang Fei smiled. “Tell me!”
Xu Zhiqian said, “Didn’t I help you investigate those residential areas before?”
Zhang Fei nodded.
Xu Zhiqian continued, “Besides livelihood issues, many residential areas lack adequate water supply and drainage ditches. This isn’t the government’s fault; it’s because too many people live there now, and the wells that were dug before simply can’t meet the demand. Therefore, I hope to use this money to help those residents dig wells and construct drainage channels.”
Zhang Fei said, “But this requires reporting to the government—it’s not something we can decide on our own.”
Xu Zhiqian replied, “You could approach the General Police Bureau!”
Zhang Fei pondered briefly. “Rather than approaching the Metropolitan Police, it would be better to donate the money directly to them and let them handle it. That would kill three birds with one stone.”
Xu Zhiqian hesitated. “That approach isn’t impossible, but I’m afraid…”
Zhang Fei smiled. “That’s exactly your responsibility—to supervise how they spend every penny.”
Just then, Li Si, who had been helping tend the shop in front, walked over. “Brother San, Young Master Fan requests an audience.”
Zhang Fei smiled. “My major patron has arrived. Please invite him in quickly.”
Then he said to Xu Zhiqian, “What’s coming up is adult conversation, so don’t listen if it will make you angry. Go rest somewhere else.”
“Profiteer!”
Xu Zhiqian spat, but still got up and left.
Fan Zheng entered the room and bowed respectfully. Seeing the gleam of amusement in Zhang Fei’s eyes, he said somewhat awkwardly, “It seems Brother San has already guessed my purpose for coming here.”
Zhang Fei smiled. “But I haven’t guessed your conditions. Please sit.”
“Thank you!”
After sitting down, Fan Zheng said, “Since that’s the case, I won’t beat around the bush.”
“Excellent!”
Zhang Fei smiled. “I’m quite busy right now—the shop is severely understaffed.”
Fan Zheng nodded. “White Crystal Inn is willing to donate 300 hectares of land.”
Zhang Fei was slightly startled. “It seems the conditions won’t be too easy.”
Fan Zheng smiled, then said seriously, “First, White Crystal Inn wants to participate in the management of the charitable organization; second, the charitable organization must be located at White Crystal Inn.”
Zhang Fei said, “But White Crystal Inn is a restaurant.”
Fan Zheng replied, “Between the south and east buildings, there’s a large room. White Crystal Inn is willing to lease it to the charitable organization for free, which would also count as a form of donation.”
He and his father had always hoped to develop White Crystal Inn into a comprehensive complex.
Moreover, Zhang Fei had previously advised Fan Zheng to build his own brand culture, so he hoped to house the charitable organization at White Crystal Inn. Once that charitable signboard was hung up, the effect would be obvious.
Zhang Fei naturally understood the benefits involved and said, “I still need to discuss this with the young master and Little Ma.”
“This is indeed worth discussing.”
Just then, Ma Tianhao walked in. “Xiang-guo Temple shall donate 600 hectares of land to ensure the charitable organization will be established at Xiang-guo Temple.”
Fan Zheng couldn’t help but frown. “Uncle Ma, Xiang-guo Temple has its own charity work. Why come here to compete for a piece of the pie?”
Ma Tianhao chuckled. “Nephew, it’s really not Uncle Ma trying to compete with you. Xiang-guo Temple approached me on their own initiative. Precisely because Xiang-guo Temple frequently engages in charity work, how could they hand over this position to others?”
Fan Zheng couldn’t help but show a worried expression.
He wasn’t foolish enough to try to compete with Xiang-guo Temple in terms of generosity.
Zhang Fei glanced at Ma Tianhao and chuckled. “Fan Zheng, don’t believe him. He’s lying to you.”
Ma Tianhao was stunned. “What makes you say that?”
Zhang Fei chuckled. “If Xiang-guo Temple truly intended to support my charitable organization, they would have only one purpose – they’re afraid of becoming too conspicuous, so they plan to cultivate another tax shelter to share some of the heat. They wouldn’t be foolish enough to want the charitable organization located inside Xiang-guo Temple.”
Ma Tianhao looked Zhang Fei up and down and chuckled. “I really couldn’t fool you, you little rascal!”
Then he turned to Fan Zheng with a chuckle. “Nephew, Uncle was just joking with you. Don’t take it to heart!”
Fan Zheng nodded awkwardly and secretly glanced at Zhang Fei, feeling somewhat dejected that he had been so easily fooled.
Ma Tianhao then said, “1,200 hectares.”
Zhang Fei showed no joy on his face. “What are the conditions?”
Ma Tianhao said, “Many academies nowadays are operating at a loss. Xiang-guo Temple hopes to donate more to these academies.”
Zhang Fei nodded slightly. “Xiang-guo Temple is truly full of talented people. This move is really brilliant!”
Then he looked at Fan Zheng. “You must also have special requirements, right?”
Fan Zheng was startled and quickly said, “I merely want to follow your example and donate to support the government’s technological research and development.”
Zhang Fei asked with a smile, “Such as brewing?”
Fan Zheng nodded awkwardly.
Zhang Fei smiled and said disdainfully, “Are you really donating money for charity? You wish you could make every copper coin worth ten.”
Ma Tianhao chuckled. “The feeling is mutual.”
“It seems I’m late again!”
Chen Maoqian came panting into the room.
Zhang Fei said, “White Crystal Inn donated 300 hectares, Xiang-guo Temple donated 1,200 hectares. Mogul, you can decide for yourself.”
Chen Maoqian blinked and chuckled. “Don’t try to fool me. I don’t believe it. The Cao family only donated 120 hectares, so I’m planning to donate just 60 hectares.”
After speaking, seeing that Fan Zheng remained silent, and knowing this nephew’s personality, he said, “Fan Zheng, you’re all being too ruthless. This is charity work, not business. Is this really necessary?”
Fan Zheng smiled sheepishly. “This was my father’s idea.”
Zhang Fei smiled. “Mogul, as you can see, I wasn’t fooling you. With 60 hectares of land, don’t tell me you want to donate to help the government build more public rental housing – though you could build a few public latrines.”
Chen Maoqian sat down and remained silent for a long time. Suddenly, he said excitedly, “Are you really doing charity work?”
“No,” Zhang Fei replied.
Chen Maoqian said, “Good, as long as it’s not. I’ll also donate 120 hectares, same as Old Ma.”
Ma Tianhao immediately said, “It’s not the same. My Xiaoyi also donated several thousand strings of cash.”
Chen Maoqian struggled for a while, then nodded helplessly. “150 hectares, that’s about right. You’ve turned this perfectly good charitable endeavor into something like a market auction.”
At that moment, Li Si appeared at the door again, breathing slightly heavily. “Brother San, Mogul Huang from the paper shop requests an audience.”
Zhang Fei complained, “Can’t you all come separately to reduce my workload? I was more comfortable shoveling manure at the police station.”