Chapter 492: Chapter 243: The Death of Marquis Wu’an _3
By then, the annual income of more than five million silver taels will directly change to an annual income of ten million taels, and even twelve or thirteen million silver taels.
And on the side of Ninghai and Southsea, each year they will also assist with five million silver taels and four million stones of grain.
With these two combined, the military expenses can barely be covered.
Even if there is still some shortfall at that time, Lu Yuan can always look for other ways to make ends meet.
In this case, the military expenditure problem is supported by the current seizures for the first three years. After three years, there will be domestic taxes and aid from Ninghai and Southsea countries, which can be considered resolved.
With the remaining seven million silver taels after the two expenses of immigration and military spending, Lu Yuan took it as the royal family’s funds, put it into his private treasury, and used it as daily expenses.
However, in fact, there are more than five million silver taels stored in Lu Yuan’s private treasury.
Previously, the 20 million silver taels acquired from Dan Ding Path and Iron Sword Sect, after the Northern Expedition and various expenses, there were still five million silver taels left.
Therefore, Lu Yuan’s current private treasury deposit is more than 13 million silver taels, which can be called a huge sum.
Although the money is plenty, Lu Yuan did not misuse it casually.
Just like what was said earlier.
Three years later, no one knows whether the military expenditure will be enough. If it is not enough, at this point, it will be supported by his private treasury.
It was precisely because Lu Yuan had a private treasury with 13 million silver taels that he was not worried at all about supporting his 240,000 soldiers.
Of course, the money is prepared to be used on the edge of the blade.
However, taking out 200,000 silver taels at this time to win the hearts of scholars in the world can still be done.
Moreover, to be honest, winning the hearts of people in the world is fundamentally using money on the edge of the blade.
That’s not it.
After hearing Lu Yuan’s thoughts, Cui Changqing immediately praised: “The scholars in the city will be grateful to Da Wang for his benevolent governance, and they will return to their hearts from now on.”
Although ten silver taels are not much for those wealthy scholars, it may just be a meal for them.
But for the truly poor, it may be the cost of coming to take the imperial examination.
With Lu Yuan’s gifts, many scholars don’t have to waste time in the city after the exam, struggle in the market for travel expenses, and worry about making enough money for the trip back home.
Even for some extremely poor people, this sum of money may be tomorrow’s next lunch, the money that saves their lives.
How can such acts not be called benevolent governance?
And how can the king who cares so much about scholars not win their allegiance and gratitude?
Lu Yuan smiled: “Since this is the case, let’s go ahead and do it. I will have someone send the money later.”
Cui Changqing saluted: “I will take my leave.”
In the following few days, the imperial examination in Changsha City proceeded as scheduled.
After several rounds of examinations, 800 of the 20,000 scholars who participated in the examinations were eventually awarded the juren status, and from then on they were qualified to become officials.
After the examination, Lu Yuan’s kind act of giving ten silver taels to all those who participated in the examination did indeed receive a chorus of praises among the scholars.
Many who were actually saved by this sum of money were even more grateful to Lu Yuan, cheering for his long life and reign.
With this unexpected windfall, many people who had failed the exam had their spirits lifted and a better mood due to this sum of money.
Lu Yuan took the opportunity to harvest a wave of people’s hearts and Qi Luck.
After the provincial examination, the General Examination is held to test juren for the title of jinshi.
Considering that the two newly-established prefectures lack senior officials, there will be a shortage of department chiefs in the prefectures and counties.
Therefore, after careful consideration, Lu Yuan decided this time to recruit one hundred jinshi for the General Examination.
The time was set for five days later.
However, before the General Examination began, an urgent news from Jinling City took Lu Yuan’s attention away.
“Marquis of Wu’an has passed away?”
In the Grand Hall of the morning meeting, Lu Yuan was receiving a messenger from the Yue State court who had brought the news, and his entire face was full of shock.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The court messenger nodded and said, “In recent years, the court has been unfortunate, and there have been repeated disasters and rebellions in various places. Neighboring countries have also often been restless and wage wars with us.
Marquis of Wu’an, since leading the troops in the 28th year of Longqing, has been fighting for eight years until this January.
Since leading the troops, Marquis of Wu’an has been fighting battles every day, with numerous military affairs. Traveling long distances, he was extremely exhausted. Engaging with the enemy, he was worrisome and consumed.
Moreover, Marquis of Wu’an was already in his advanced age, and after all these accumulated fatigue, he ultimately could not hold on, and suddenly passed away in his residence in the capital on the 20th of February in the ninth year of Hongdao, aged 146 years old.
Now that the court has received the report from the family of Marquis Wu’an, it has started preparations for the funeral, and the date is set for the 20th of May in the ninth year of Hongdao.
As a diplomat, I was entrusted by the emperor to report this matter to your country and invite you to witness and participate in the ceremony.”
Being buried three months after death in today’s world is the treatment of a king of a country.
The court’s specification for Marquis of Wu’an shows the recognition and importance of this military god.
However, Marquis of Wu’an had been establishing various merits for the court by fighting countless battles for more than a hundred years.
Finally, before his death, he personally helped the court to quell the rebellion since Longqing, restoring peace to the present Yue Country.
Such a state funeral is well deserved.
And when Lu Yuan finished listening to the messenger, only one thought remained in his mind.
The Heavenly Pillar of Da Yue has broken.
Yes, the Heavenly Pillar of Da Yue has broken.
Without the Military God, Marquis Wu’an, the court’s deterrence against foreign countries can be said to have suddenly diminished by a third.
This is undoubtedly a huge disaster for the court, which is currently in a difficult situation, and the external crisis is heavy.
If this is not the breaking of the Heavenly Pillar, then what is?
Lu Yuan did not know whether the situation in various countries, which had finally calmed down, would be affected by Bai Mengyang’s death, causing some waves?
If so, it would truly be a catastrophe for the people.
Before the people of various countries have enjoyed a few months of peaceful days, they will have to face war again.