The Bookish Scholar of the Red Mansion

Chapter 117 Step by step (8.915)

The stage outside the city has been singing for three days, which is really strange. Many scholars in the academy felt a little incredible when looking at the refugees who were looking increasingly relaxed.

That is why ah? It didn't take much effort, but a few storytellers and opera singers showed up. Didn't they have this ability to turn decay into something magical? Then what are the sages’ books that we recited to the refugees before?

Someone relayed this question to Chen Heng. It can't be said that it is a test, or a request for advice.

Chen Heng smiled and did not hide his secrets. He expressed his thoughts in front of a group of classmates and other college people: Guan Zi has a saying: A person who has a solid warehouse knows etiquette, and a person who has enough food and clothing knows honor and disgrace. This is true. Not fake.

But we still need to use the knowledge in the book. Chen Heng gave an example to the audience, It's just a few mouthfuls of porridge and a quilt, and we haven't even talked about etiquette, honor and disgrace. when.

What we have been doing these days is to make people feel relieved. People who are nervous and fearful cannot listen to reason.

We have to give them their original life. They can listen to books and watch plays. Chen Heng looked at the camp outside the shed, where many sellers had come spontaneously and were pushing carts to sell.

Let them buy what they want. Only in this way can they start living and working in peace and contentment again.

After all, the original porridge shop was too small, and Chen Heng often had to talk to people about things. Chen Huaijin and Xin Suzhao built a shed outside the porridge shop for these students to gather and talk.

But they don't have much money, right? Seeing that someone asked a good question, Chen Heng smiled and nodded. That's what we do next.

In the past few days, he has become somewhat famous among the students. Although everyone is not very convinced, seeing Chen Heng's calm and confident appearance, they are still looking forward to the other party's method.

Is there anything we can do?

What do you want us to do?

Two or three people asked in unison.

Chen Heng saw this and was delighted in his heart. He immediately said loudly: Things have their own priorities. We must go to the city to 'beg for alms' now.

Alchemy? Everyone heard this a little strangely. They were all from Yangzhou, so they couldn't help but have a headache when they heard this.

Yes. Chen Heng did not pay attention to the expressions of these people and continued, We will send a hundred or so people to go to every neighborhood in the city, put up a banner, and ask the neighbors to donate some unwanted rags and old quilts. .”

Is anyone willing to give this...? Some people were confused and felt that this trip was inappropriate.

Didn't the government deal with big families in the city several times before? Why do they still do it?

Yes. Chen Heng nodded very confidently and firmly. He believed and had seen more than anyone else what simple and beautiful qualities the people living in this land have.

As long as someone tells them what to do, as long as someone takes the lead, they will immediately respond.

After all, there are only a few big households in the city, so how can they compare with the millions of people in Yangzhou. Only by letting them use their strength can these victims survive this winter.

Seeing everyone nodding in understanding, Chen Heng was not in a hurry. After something was done, everyone understood it.

Xue Biao, you have a lot of money. Chen Heng ordered two people to come out. You each bring fifty people. According to what I just said, go to each neighborhood in groups of three to set up stalls. One person will record it, and two people will collect it. Donors don’t want any money, only used clothes and items.”

Just as Xue Biao was about to answer his errand, someone asked another question.

Brother, why don't you charge money?

The New Year is approaching, and every household has a difficult time. Rich people donated money, and other people who came here will see whether they donate or not. Chen Heng said earnestly, Don't go too far in anything, we must guard our disaster relief. It’s my duty. I only collect clothes so that the people in the city won’t be hostile to the refugees outside the city, so they will feel pity.”

It suddenly dawned on everyone that a small gesture could have such profound meaning.

After saying this, Xue Biao and Qian Dayou took the order and left, and the students in the shed also dispersed and continued their business.

Du Yunjing seized the opportunity and ran to Chen Heng, Brother Heng, the things you asked me to organize have been prepared. What are you going to do with them now?

Chen Heng was overjoyed when he heard this. He didn't expect that the other party could really finish it in three days, so he immediately praised him sincerely.

Du Yunjing, with dark circles under his eyes, said proudly: Do justice for the people, even if you die.

Brother Heng, don't worry. I have corrected the records inside again and again. For some doubtful points, I also ordered people to inquire again. It is absolutely foolproof.

This is the benefit of Du Yunjing, a person like this. He is a man who is not afraid of those who are superior but shows mercy to those who are inferior. As long as it's for the victims, he will definitely work tirelessly.

Chen Heng nodded happily and hurriedly summoned Cui Youdao, Brother Cui, I have to bother you to go to the government office for this matter. Send these things to the prefect, and they will know what to do.

Seeing that someone had taken away his hard work, Du Yunjing looked a little unhappy. After seeing Cui Youdao go away, he didn't say another word.

How could Chen Heng not know what he was thinking? It was just because of the other party's temper that going to the government office to negotiate would risk causing trouble.

Fortunately, he has more important things to entrust to Du Yunjing, so he is not afraid of his temper and feeling that he favors one over the other.

Brother Du, before, the refugees were busy with their lives and couldn't cause any trouble. Now that everyone relaxes, there will definitely be disputes and quarrels.

This matter concerns our hard work, and I can’t rest assured if I leave it to others. I'm afraid they don't understand the law and don't have the wisdom to judge things clearly. This place is far away from the government office, and there is no one to complain about, so I can only leave it to you.

Hit the snake seven inches. As a Juren who has passed the Great Yong Law exam, it is most appropriate to be responsible for this matter. Chen Heng also has great confidence in Du Yunjing's temperament and believes that he can give a convincing answer.

As for perfection? Not to mention the county magistrate, even the government officials cannot convince everyone by saying that they have decided civil affairs.

In a word, I don't ask for everyone to be convinced, I just want to act impartially.

Upon hearing such an important matter, Du Yunjing immediately cheered up. After hearing it, he was very happy and said: Brother Heng, you trust me so much, I am really ashamed of you as a brother. Don't worry, Brother Heng, if there is any mistake in this matter, I will come to you with my head on my head.

You said it's okay to bear the burden of sin and plead guilty. What you said is so terrible. Just as Chen Heng was about to comfort him, Du Yunjing turned around and ran quickly.

Seeing this, he could only shake his head.

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When Xue Biao and Qian Dayou rushed to the city gate, they disrupted all the 100 people who were following them and divided them into several teams. They remembered Chen Heng’s instructions that all three of them could not belong to the same academy and had to be arranged cross-wise.

After the number of people was divided, everyone agreed on a time to meet and ran towards their destinations. Xue Biao took two other people with him, but the first place he went to was his own home.

What a great son of the Xue family!

Wait for Xue Biao to knock on the door and explain his intention to his parents. Xue Ai and Fan were both dumbfounded. While ordering their servants to pack their things, they asked their son to sit down with his classmates, have a cup of tea and chat for a while.

Xue Baoqin, who came after hearing the news, hid behind the screen and only glanced at the people in the hall from a distance. When he saw no familiar figure, a hint of uneasiness and worry flashed in his eyes. Then she saw that her brother's face was tired but full of excitement, which made her feel a little relieved.

In the past few days, Xue Biao went out early and came back late. Bao Qin even met him very rarely.

Thinking about her worries, she simply hid behind the screen and eavesdropped on her brother's talk about the situation outside the city.

These topics naturally cannot avoid the figure of Chen Heng. Xue Biao was happy when she said it, and Xue Ai was also surprised when she heard it.

I thought that this good friend of Zhu'er... Xue Qi praised Fan, being able to produce newspapers is already extremely impressive. I didn't expect that he also has such talent in doing things.

Fan didn't comment and just nodded in agreement, It's a good thing that Tao'er can have such a friend.

That's right. Xue Ai nodded happily. If it hadn't been for the incident involving Shopkeeper He, he would never have thought of letting his son come to Yangzhou to study, let alone that he would make friends like Chen Heng in the academy. Things are truly unpredictable.

When you go out to do errands, you should be more careful, and be careful when dealing with people. He warned his son a few words. He wanted to donate more money, but Xue Biao sternly refused.

When Xue Biao recounted Chen Heng's exact words, even Xue Ai himself heard it. He waited until his son left with his classmates, then said to Fan: How did you teach this child of the Chen family? It's really weird. People are itching to see him, and wish they could exchange him with Zhu'er and let him be my son.

Don't talk nonsense, Zhu'er is also a good boy. Fan suppressed her laughter and pulled her husband back to the chair, Be careful not to let him hear it, it will make you feel bad.

That's not true. Xue Ai was very confident in Xue Biao and laughed, He is not of such a temper.

Baoqin had already turned around and returned to the house when her brother left.

She made little movement, and her parents were busy talking and didn't even notice her coming or going.

All the way back to the house, Baoqin couldn't help but sit in his seat, thinking about what that person was doing outside the city at this time.

It can be said that it is admiration, it can be said that it is admiration, and there are more unspeakable emotions hidden in my heart. She suppressed her uneasiness and just clasped her hands and prayed to God.

God, please protect my brother and him. We must be safe and sound.

Miss, miss. Chunyan ran into the house with a bleat, The young master just asked the slave to take away a lot of your clothes.

I know.

Chun Yan also gave it to me.

Hahaha, okay, we will buy new ones in the spring next year.

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When Cui Youdao rushed to the government office, Lin Ruhai and Huang Weizhong were also sitting in the hall. There were also many government officials waiting here. When they saw Jie Yuan coming, everyone greeted him.

Wei Yinghong called him in front of him, took the information written by Du Yunjing and looked at it. He couldn't help but frown and thought in his heart: Are there so many helpless old, weak, women and children?

The Ding households marked in red letters on the list are all Ding households without adult men in the family. Either the grandma takes her grandchildren, or the wife takes her children, or the three generations of grandparents come together.

Seeing about four to five thousand such people, Wei Yinghong also thought about the method provided by Chen Heng.

Seeing that the magistrate was deep in thought, everyone did not say much in the hall. They only asked Cui Youdao to inquire about the situation outside the city. They spoke quietly and did not disturb Wei Yinghong's thoughts.

After a long time, when Wei Yinghong had made up his mind, he coughed lightly and said, There are thousands of old people who are homeless outside the city. What do you think we should do?

When the superior asked this, he naturally meant to take action.

But everyone has their own position and considerations, and what they say is not to find faults, but to put forward thoughts and opinions based on reality.

But after all, there is no way around the almshouse. The dispute is nothing more than how to arrange it, who should be allowed to come in first and who should be left behind.

After all, the almshouses in the city can only accommodate a limited number of people.

Wei Yinghong listened for a long time, but still felt something was wrong.

Probably because of the sentence in Chen Heng's brochure: If these people are settled, Yangzhou will have an extra 100,000 people in food, clothing, housing and transportation. They can only buy a piece of clothing and eat a mouthful of food. These expenses are not It’s still used in Yangzhou.”

Money in the treasury is just a dead thing after all, let it be turned around in the hands of the people and businessmen. Don't all the businessmen in Suzhou, Jinling, Hangzhou and other places rush to Yangzhou?

Chen Heng did not mention specific methods, but just wrote down his ideas in a booklet.

Wei Yinghong and Lin Ruhai are both smart people, and they understand the mystery after just thinking about it for a moment.

Although there was no knowledge of finance in the Yong Dynasty, there were already some early embryonic understandings of money, business, and people. Starting from the Song and Ming Dynasties, it was no longer like the previous dynasties, to the extent that talking about money turned ugly and talking about business was shameful.

Especially after the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty, business exchanges between various prefectures and counties became even more continuous. In regions with developed commerce such as Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Guangdong, commerce is something that every prefect must pay attention to.

Finally, Wei Yinghong finally expressed his idea and said with finality: Huang Zhizhou, go to the treasury and get 30,000 taels of silver.

When you get outside the city, ask the people on the list. If there is a person who does not want to leave Yangzhou within a year, give their family three taels of silver each. Take them to the city, two households in a team, and find a house for them in Yangzhou. It doesn’t matter if the house is smaller, just squeeze it in first.”

After he finished speaking, his eyes were already looking at Lin Ruhai, who stood up and said: Several newspaper shops and dental dealers have sorted out the rental information in various places in Yangzhou and sent it over.

Select the lowest bidders and tell them to halve the rental price. Their losses will be deducted from next year's taxes. Wei Yinghong said it simply and clearly, with a meaning that could not be refused.

Sir, what about the people who want to leave next year? Huang Weizhong asked loudly.

Two taels will be given to each person, and they will be taken to almshouses and major academies in Yangzhou for the winter. If they can't be put away, they will be arranged to be sent to various counties by post truck drivers so that the county magistrates can take good care of them. Next year, I will personally take care of this matter and let them take care of it. No matter how big or small, record everything.”

In any case, the money that was spread could not be separated from Yangzhou. Even though there were objections from his subordinates, Wei Yinghong still adhered to his own opinion.

When the discussion in the hall subsided, Wei Yinghong raised the next topic.

After a severe drought, there will be a severe flood. Let's also discuss the matter of recruiting civilian husbands. Wei Yinghong pointed to Du Yunjing's documents, those families with more than two males in the family.

By the way, we also discussed the wages of the peasant husbands.

Sir, with so much effort and effort, we don't have so many places to govern in Yangzhou.

Wei Yinghong laughed and said, Why not? There are still a few wastelands in the west of the city, which can be used for building houses. The silt of the Baoan Lake must also be cleaned, and the Chang and Huai rivers can take advantage of the drop in water level to repair the river channels and embankments. .”

What if the floods don't come? someone asked.

What if it comes? Wei Yinghong asked.

In the end, it was Lin Ruhai who came forward and put the records he had collected from history books in the past few days in front of everyone.

Looking at the tragic natural disasters at the end of the Ming Dynasty, everyone nodded in agreement with doubt.

Seeing that his subordinates had no doubts, Wei Yinghong said in a deep voice, Let's continue the discussion.

The second update is here, keep your promise. In the updates in the next few days tomorrow, you will see exciting and exciting ones, hahahahahahahaha.

Please vote, please vote. I’m so excited, I have 12,000 words today!

PS: I’m going to change it later, but my head is starting to hurt. I’m going to have dinner first, take a nap, and get up tomorrow to revise and polish it. Liver pain Liver pain.

PS: I have updated 12,000 chapters, so I am missing two chapters and I owe you more updates. It’s not too much. I love you with all my heart.