flstandardbreds Chapter 400: Bridge Building Charity
Chapter 400: Bridge Building Charity
After a series of measures by Chen Jia and Chen Jue to care for the long-term workers made the manor peaceful and various industries flourished, their business territory grew and their cooperation with all parties became closer. At this time, Chen Jia and Chen Jue realized that it was time to share the results of their struggle with the shareholders. At the same time, a new idea came to their minds - to remember the good deeds of helping many disaster victims and refugees rebuild their lives by building a bridge, so that this good deed can be passed on for a long time. So they decided to share dividends with shareholders first, and then discuss the bridge construction with the Crown Princess.
On this sunny day, Chen Jia and Chen Jue gathered with all the shareholders in the meeting room of Chen Mansion. The room was decorated solemnly and elegantly, and the table was filled with fruits and snacks. Chen Jue stood up, smiled, and saluted to all the shareholders: "Dear colleagues, I invited you all here today, firstly to thank you for your support and trust in our business, and secondly, our industry is now thriving, and it is time to distribute dividends to everyone."
When the shareholders heard this, they all smiled with joy and whispered to each other, looking forward to the dividend. An elderly shareholder smiled and said, "Mr. Chen, you and your wife have managed the business well, and we are lucky to be able to profit from it. It is really touching to see our industry grow from nothing to something."
Chen Jia also stood up with a smile and said, "This is all thanks to the great help of all shareholders. Without your support, it would be difficult for us to achieve today's achievements. This time, we will distribute the dividends according to the proportion agreed upon before and based on your investment."
After that, Chen Jia and Chen Jue's subordinates carried trays with dividends and walked to the shareholders one by one. The shareholders took the dividends and expressed their gratitude to Chen Jia and Chen Jue.
After the dividends were distributed, Chen Jia and Chen Jue discussed some follow-up plans for industrial development with the shareholders. After everyone left, Chen Jia looked at Chen Jue and said, "Husband, the dividends have been distributed successfully. Next, we have to find a suitable time to discuss the bridge construction with the Crown Princess."
Chen Jue nodded and said, "My lady is right. The construction of this bridge is of great significance. It is not only a commemoration of the achievements of work-for-relief, but also an encouragement for future public welfare undertakings. We will go to the palace to meet the Crown Princess tomorrow."
On the second day, Chen Jia and Chen Jue carefully prepared a detailed plan for building the bridge, including the site selection, design drawings, estimated costs, etc., and then went to the palace to meet the Crown Princess. In the Crown Princess's palace, the three of them sat down as host and guest.
Chen Jia spoke first and said respectfully, "Your Highness, the Crown Princess, my husband and I came here today because we have something to discuss with you. As you know, when the Yellow River and the Huai River flooded, we helped the victims and refugees rebuild their homes through work-for-relief, and achieved good results. In order to remember this good deed and inspire future generations, we want to build a bridge in the disaster area as a memorial."
The Crown Princess nodded slightly, with an expression of approval on her face: "Chen Jia, Chen Jue, you two are wholeheartedly serving the people, which is indeed a noble act. The idea of building a bridge to commemorate the relief work is very good. However, the cost of building a bridge is not cheap, and the project is also quite huge. Do you have a detailed plan?"
Chen Jue quickly presented the bridge construction plan and said, "Your Highness, this is our preliminary plan for bridge construction. The site of the bridge is located at a major transportation route in the Huanghuai region, where there is frequent flow of people and goods. The construction of the bridge will not only facilitate the travel of the people, but also contribute to the development of the local economy. We have designed a variety of bridge types that are both beautiful and practical. As for the cost, our Chamber of Commerce team is willing to bear part of the investment, and we also hope to get support from the court."
The Crown Princess carefully read the plan and nodded from time to time. After reading it, she said, "This plan is indeed very well thought out. However, this matter is of great importance, and I still need to discuss it with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince before making a decision. You leave this plan for now, and I will discuss it with the Crown Prince as soon as possible."
After Chen Jia and Chen Jue thanked the Crown Princess, they said goodbye and left the palace. Chen Jia said to Chen Jue with some concern: "My husband, I wonder if the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess will strongly support our idea of building a bridge."
Chen Jue comforted her, "My lady, don't worry. Our starting point is good, and if this bridge is built, it will benefit the development of the Huanghuai region. Your Highness the Crown Prince has always cared about the people, and I believe he will understand our painstaking efforts."
A few days later, the Crown Princess sent a message to invite Chen Jia and Chen Jue to the palace. In the Crown Prince's study, the Crown Prince, the Crown Princess, Chen Jia and Chen Jue sat together.
The prince smiled and said, "Chen Jia, Chen Jue, I have discussed this with the Crown Princess. Your idea of building a bridge to commemorate the work-for-relief program is very much to my liking. This is not only a commemoration of past good deeds, but also a promotion of the spirit of public welfare. The court will strongly support you and provide certain assistance in terms of funds and manpower."
After hearing this, Chen Jia and Chen Jue were overjoyed and quickly knelt down to express their gratitude: "Thank you, Your Highness the Crown Prince and Your Highness the Crown Princess, for your support. We will definitely live up to your expectations and build this bridge."
The prince helped the two men up and said, "Stand up. However, the bridge construction project is huge, you must ensure the quality of the project and make sure it is foolproof."
Chen Jue said respectfully: "Your Highness, rest assured, we will hire the most professional craftsmen, select the best quality materials, and strictly monitor the progress and quality of the project."
The Crown Princess also smiled and said, "Chen Jia, Chen Jue, I admire the wisdom and responsibility you two have shown in the work-for-relief program. If you encounter any difficulties in building the bridge, please feel free to ask me and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."
Chen Jia said gratefully: "Thank you, Your Highness, the Crown Princess, for your care. We will definitely do our best."
After coming out of the palace, Chen Jia and Chen Jue immediately convened the Chamber of Commerce team to discuss the specific details of the bridge construction. In the Chamber of Commerce's meeting room, everyone sat in a circle, and the atmosphere was lively.
Chen Jue said: "Dear colleagues, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and His Royal Highness the Crown Princess strongly support our plan to build a bridge. The court will provide financial and manpower assistance. Our Chamber of Commerce will also bear part of the investment. What do you think about this?"
A member of the Chamber of Commerce said: "Mr. Chen, this is a good thing! Building a bridge can not only benefit the people, but also enhance the reputation of our Chamber of Commerce. I think we should actively respond and do more."
Other members also agreed. Chen Jia smiled and said, "Thank you for your support. Next, we need to clarify our respective division of labor. Some people will be responsible for contacting high-quality building material suppliers to ensure the quality and stable supply of materials; some people will look for experienced craftsmen to form a professional construction team; and some people will help supervise the progress and quality of the project to ensure that the bridge is built on time and with high quality."
Everyone followed the order. A member of the Chamber of Commerce who was in charge of contacting material suppliers said, "Don't worry, Madam Chen. I will inspect multiple suppliers and select the materials with the best cost-effectiveness and quality."
The member in charge of finding craftsmen also said: "I know a lot of skilled craftsmen, and I will definitely form a reliable construction team."
The bridge construction project officially started. Chen Jia and Chen Jue often visited the construction site. At the site of the bridge, Chen Jia looked at the busy workers and said to Chen Jue: "My husband, looking at this bustling construction scene, it seems as if we saw everyone working together when we used work instead of relief."
Chen Jue said with emotion: "Yes, my lady. I hope this bridge can bring tangible benefits to the local people just like the work-for-relief program."
However, the project was not smooth sailing. During the construction process, they encountered a problem of funding shortage. The member of the Chamber of Commerce in charge of finance anxiously found Chen Jia and Chen Jue: "Mr. Chen, Mrs. Chen, it's bad. Due to the increase in the prices of some materials, the project costs have exceeded the budget. There is currently a large funding gap. What can we do?"
Upon hearing this, Chen Jia and Chen Jue immediately called together the members of the Chamber of Commerce to discuss countermeasures. Chen Jue said, "Everyone, the project is currently facing financial difficulties. Let's brainstorm and see if there is any way to solve it."
A member of the Chamber of Commerce said: "We can apply for some more financial support from the court and explain the current situation."
Another member said: "Maybe we can raise some more funds within the chamber of commerce and everyone can contribute."
Chen Jia thought for a moment and said, "We will do it on two fronts. On the one hand, my husband and I will go to the palace to explain the situation to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and His Royal Highness the Crown Princess and ask for additional funds. On the other hand, we will initiate a fundraising campaign within the Chamber of Commerce, and everyone can contribute as much as they can according to their own circumstances."
Everyone nodded. Chen Jia and Chen Jue immediately went to the palace and explained the shortage of funds for the project to the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess in detail. After hearing this, the Crown Prince said, "In this case, the court will add some funds to help you complete this good deed."
Chen Jia and Chen Jue were filled with gratitude: "Thank you, Your Highness the Crown Prince and Your Highness the Crown Princess, for your generous help."
At the same time, the Chamber of Commerce's internal fundraising also received a positive response, with members donating money to inject new funds into the bridge construction project.
With everyone's joint efforts, the funding problem was solved and the project continued to advance smoothly. After several months of intensive construction, a magnificent bridge finally spanned the Yellow River and the Huai River. The bridge is solid and the railings are beautifully carved, with stories of work-for-relief and the names of the people who participated in this charity.
At the inauguration ceremony of the bridge, people from the Huanghuai region came one after another. An old man said excitedly: "Mr. Chen, Mrs. Chen, and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and His Royal Highness the Crown Princess, you have really done a great thing for us! This bridge not only facilitates our travel, but also reminds us of the kindness of work-for-relief."
Chen Jia smiled and said, "Uncle, this is the result of everyone's joint efforts. I hope this bridge can become a new starting point for everyone's happy life."
The prince was also pleased and said: "Chen Jia, Chen Jue, your good deeds have set an example for me and the court. I hope there will be more such good deeds in the future to benefit the people."
Chen Jue said respectfully: "Your Highness, thank you for the compliment. We will continue to work hard and do more practical things for the people."