nucmednet Chapter 36 has the right to name it.
Chapter 36 has the right to name it.
Ying Wuyou was well aware of the uproar in Xianyang about raising funds for road construction. After all, the people of Qin didn't have many other forms of entertainment, so any rumors that surfaced would become their topic of conversation for a long time!
Therefore, Ying Wuyou specifically instructed Zhao Ran to spread this news, wanting to see how many people would be attracted to the top-tier private room at Yuxuan Pavilion to join in the fun. As long as people were willing to go, Ying Wuyou was confident he could find a way to get them to obediently hand over their money for road repairs.
This would solve the funding problem. Once the funds were in place, he was confident that he could complete the construction of this section of the main road fifty miles outside Xianyang before the end of the year. Thinking of this, Ying Wuyou couldn't help but smile.
On the tenth day of the tenth month, after finishing her classes, Ying Wuyou ate a quick meal and left the palace. Instead of going directly to the top-tier private room in the Yuxuan Pavilion, she booked a room next door, from which she could clearly hear how many people entered the top-tier room. Ying Wuyou sipped her tea while listening to the commotion next door. She mentally estimated the number of people, a satisfied smile appearing on her face.
At this moment, a waiter carried the food into the room and said respectfully, "Young master, your food and wine have arrived."
Ying Wuyou nodded, put down his teacup, glanced at the food and wine on the table, and suddenly an idea struck him. He beckoned the waiter over, whispered a few instructions, and slipped two taels of silver into the waiter's hand. The waiter immediately beamed, took the money, nodded repeatedly, and then left.
Not long after, the waiter came to Ying Wuyou's room again, holding a slip of paper. Ying Wuyou took the paper; it had some names and numbers written on it.
"Well done." Ying Wuyou smiled with satisfaction, then put the slip of paper away. He knew that these were the names of the people who had entered the top-tier private room.
The waiter knew most of these people, so he wrote down their names and the order in which they entered in great detail. Ying Wuyou was very satisfied with this and rewarded the waiter with two taels of silver. The waiter's eyes crinkled with laughter as he took the silver and left.
Ying Wuyou estimated that it was about time, and that there weren't enough people left in the top-tier private rooms. Ying Wuyou got up, tidied himself up, opened the door, and headed towards the top-tier rooms.
Ying Wuyou entered the top-tier private room and saw that there were already more than a dozen people seated inside. Ying Wuyou smiled slightly at everyone, bowed respectfully, and then found a seat. None of the others recognized Ying Wuyou, but seeing his polite demeanor and extraordinary bearing, although he looked very young, everyone understood that he must be someone of great importance. Therefore, they all stood up to greet him.
Someone asked Ying Wuyou curiously, "This young master looks unfamiliar. May I ask where he comes from? Is he here also to donate money for road repairs?"
Ying Wuyou showed no fear. She stood up abruptly and said bluntly, "It was I who proposed the donation for road repairs. Therefore, all of you here are here because I facilitated the connection."
Upon hearing Ying Wuyou's words, everyone looked astonished. These merchants had all heard of him to some extent, but it was truly unbelievable that this still-growing child was the initiator of the donation for road repair.
Before anyone could react, Ying Wuyou revealed her identity: "Everyone, I am Princess Jiayang of the Great Qin! Recently, I have been engrossed in researching some interesting things, and I have finally discovered a treasure. If we use it to build roads, the road surface can become very smooth, and even on rainy days, it will not become muddy. For this reason, I specifically requested my father's approval to build a road fifty li outside Xianyang City. However, as you all know, our Great Qin does not currently have the extra funds to build roads, so I came up with this idea of donating money to build roads."
Upon hearing Ying Wuyou's words, everyone hurriedly knelt down and paid their respects. Although they were just small merchants, they knew that Princess Jiayang was deeply loved by the King of Qin and was the only princess with a title, surrounded by admirers. Such a status was something that they, as small merchants, would never dare to offend.
Ying Wuyou did not stop everyone from bowing. After everyone had finished bowing, Ying Wuyou said slowly, "Please rise and sit down. I am here not to use my power to oppress people, but to cooperate with you all for mutual benefit."
At this moment, a seemingly shrewd merchant spoke up and asked, "My name is Zhang Fugui, and my family runs a silk business. I have come here today because I heard about the donation for road repairs and wanted to join in the fun. Since the princess requests my donation, I will donate two hundred taels of silver."
Ying Wuyou was not angry when he heard what Zhang Fugui said. Instead, he smiled, looked at Zhang Fugui, and then glanced at all the businessmen present before saying, "Gentlemen, I have already made it clear that I am not using my power to coerce you into donating, but rather for the sake of cooperation and mutual benefit."
After Ying Wuyou finished speaking, no one reacted and remained silent. Clearly, they did not believe in the so-called win-win cooperation at all. After all, in these six kingdoms, people were divided into scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants. Merchants were always the most despised. For a princess of Qin to seek out merchants like them, no one thought that anything good was about to happen.
Ying Wuyou took in everyone's reactions and understood their thoughts. She parted her lips slightly and said, "Everyone, please listen to my plan. First, I am not forcing you to donate. Second, you will receive unimaginable benefits after donating."
At this moment, a handsome young man of slightly younger appearance asked, "I wonder what benefits the princess can bestow upon us?"
Ying Wuyou looked at everyone and said, "After the donations are made, once the road is completed, I will have someone erect a 'Merit Inscription' next to the section of road that has been built. The names of all the donors will be engraved on it, starting from the name of the person who donated the most, from top to bottom. The more people donate, the higher their names will be, and the larger the font will be."
Upon hearing this, the group's breathing quickened. They had never expected that the princess's offer would be such a glorious thing that would make them famous for all time. Their eyes immediately blazed with intense desire.
Ying Wuyou continued, “Not only that, but the person who donates the most will also have the right to name this section of road. This means that if you, Zhao Fugui, donate the most, you can name this fifty-mile stretch of road from the main thoroughfare of Xianyang City whatever you like. For example, you can choose to name it ‘Fugui Road,’ and then this road will be known as Fugui Road. This right will belong to you personally.” After saying this, Ying Wuyou stared intently at Zhao Fugui, as if trying to pierce through his soul.
After hearing Ying Wuyou's words, Zhao Fugui felt an overwhelming surge of excitement. His eyes widened as he stared at Ying Wuyou in disbelief, his voice trembling as he asked, "Princess, is everything you've said true?"
Ying Wuyou nodded solemnly and replied, "Of course it's true! I assure you, I will keep every word I've said. As long as you are willing to donate and become the largest donor, you will be entitled to name this road. This is our way of rewarding and recognizing your generosity."
Upon hearing that the person who donated the most would have the right to name the bridge, everyone's faces flushed with excitement, their hearts pounding as if they could already see the glorious moment when the bridge would be named after them. They secretly calculated their own wealth and power, eager to pull out large sums of silver. Just then, one impatient man could no longer contain his excitement and blurted out, "Princess, how shall we donate our money?" His voice was filled with urgency and anticipation.
Ying Wuyou's lips curled into a faint smile, her eyes revealing confidence and composure. She replied softly, "This matter is not urgent. You may all return and consider it first. Tomorrow, you can go to the West Gate, where a public fundraising event will be held. At that time, the amount of silver you have donated will be clearly displayed to everyone, and you will be able to know your exact ranking."
After hearing this, everyone nodded in understanding. They realized that this was not just a simple donation, but a competition to showcase their personal strength and status. Everyone hoped to use this opportunity to demonstrate their generosity and ability, and become the center of attention. So, filled with excitement and anticipation, they hurriedly left to plan the donation for the next day.