Zheng Wuji signaled everyone to be quiet, and then said: "The people on this first stone tablet are all Chenzhou's meritorious officials. They carved stones to record their merits, so that the people of Chenzhou will always remember their merits."
The front of the stone tablet is engraved with the time and project overview of the canal excavation, as well as the donations of money and materials, and the names of these people are on the back.
There is no Zheng Wuji's name on it, it is written as Xu Chunjun.
The name of the King of Huaiyang is also on it, and the money at the back is written as three thousand taels.
On Zheng Wuji's birthday, the steward of the Huaiyang Palace gave him three thousand taels of silver notes.
"I suggest that we salute and express our gratitude to these kindhearted people. Without their generous donation, how could the project be completed so smoothly?" Zheng Wuji said.
As soon as these words came out, the people immediately responded with a roar.
Zheng Wuji took the lead in bowing and saluting, and tens of thousands of people standing behind him also saluted.
This scene is very spectacular.
Everyone who was thanked was busy returning the favor. Although Zheng Wuji did this without telling them, it was also very beneficial to them, so these people had no objections to Zheng Wuji at all.
Their original intention was just to give Zheng Wuji a favor, but now Zheng Wuji spent their money on this place.
It can be said that you received favors and showed your face at the same time, the best of both worlds.
"The second and third stone tablets are engraved with people who participated in this project." Zheng Wuji pointed to the other two stone tablets and said, "This canal was dug and dug with the efforts of the whole state, and it will also benefit the whole country.
The people of the state.
Whether it's water for the boat, water for the boat, or water for washing, you can use it all yourself, and the government won't charge any money.
However, annual maintenance requires coordination from top to bottom, with money and effort required.
I have written on the stone tablet that this canal will benefit the people and will last for hundreds of years. It must be maintained with all efforts and must not be abandoned.
If there is damage due to siltation or reinforcement, depending on the river section, the local gentry and merchants will collect food and the young people will go to work.
The purpose is to ensure the smooth flow of rivers and long-term benefits.”
Zheng Wuji knew that after the canal was dug, nothing would happen to him if he was in office.
If he leaves, it will be unknown what the official status of the returning official will be, so this move will be engraved on a stone tablet as a warning to future generations.
If a place wants long-term peace and stability, it must hide its wealth among the people.
This canal is the greatest guarantee for people’s lives.
Now that field irrigation is guaranteed, people will no longer go hungry.
Everyone in Chenzhou knows that the fields of the rich are concentrated on both sides of the river.
Now that the river network is connected, the fields that used to have poor harvests have suddenly become good fields.
Many ordinary people can turn over in a few years by relying on their existing land.
In addition, sailing is tax-free, so people can run small businesses without being exploited.
The grain, melons and vegetables produced in one's own land can be sold by boat, and the price can be higher.
In the past, even if the harvest was better, it was difficult to sell it.
In ordinary people's lives, every family lives their lives carefully.
Every penny has to be broken in half to spend, not to mention that if you think about tax and loss, you may not be able to sell it at a high price, so it is often disposed of cheaply locally.
This news makes the people happier than giving them wages.
The wages are only temporary, and the canals are not dug every year.
With this guarantee, they will not have to worry about it for generations.
Therefore, without anyone having to say anything, the people started shouting spontaneously.
"Master Zhizhou is wise! We are grateful and will never forget him from generation to generation!"
"This is what I should do, and besides, I can't do such a big thing by myself." Zheng Wuji smiled without bowing at all, "These two stone tablets make it possible for the oldest and youngest people to participate in the project.
Several common people came up and took off the red silk!"
At this time, Mr. Wu's men had already supported the two old men and led the two children forward.
These two old people are both seventy years old, an old woman and an old father-in-law, and they have two children, a boy and a girl.
Everyone said: "This is really a rare sight. I have never seen ordinary people come up to reveal the lottery, let alone a woman."
"Master Zhizhou is different. Didn't you notice that he issued a notice a few days ago telling us not to kill babies anymore?"
"Go up and take a look later. Are our names really on top?"
"You can't read, how can you recognize it?"
"Aren't you literate? Just ask and remember."
At this time, some officials brought over hundreds of bamboo baskets.
Everything inside was filled with copper coins.
"These are everyone's wages. Each county is divided into five groups. There are dedicated personnel to check and half of the wages will be distributed first.
Everyone, please don’t mess up. Follow the order in the booklet and check the signatures of each household accurately before taking them away." Mr. Wu shouted loudly, "You cannot collect them on your behalf."
Those who are responsible for paying wages are the same people who were trained under Mr. Wu before. They are usually recognized by the people when they are in the same place.
Chen Sijing watched from the side and said to Cong Mingzhang: "Master Cong, you see, Zheng Zhizhou just wants to do something practical.
Those who accuse him of corruption, bribery and abuse of public power obviously do not know the depth of his intentions."
Although Cong Mingzhang was unwilling to give in, he also knew that they really couldn't find any reason to use against Zheng Wuji.
Whether it is these carved stone tablets or hundreds of baskets of copper coins, it shows that Zheng Wuji did not prepare hastily.
And those who came to Beijing to complain said that the bribes Zheng Wuji accepted exactly matched the amount of money behind each of their names.
A discerning person would know at a glance that these people took the initiative to bribe Zheng Wuji. Zheng Wuji accepted the money at that time, but did not explain the use of the money, and then spent it all on water conservancy projects.
It is even less reliable to say that he abused the power of the people. Zheng Wuji not only allowed these people to have enough to eat and receive wages, but the wages were not low.
The repair and excavation of these rivers have been completed, which has brought great benefits to the people.
If this still abuses people's power, there will be no officials in the country who can benefit the people.
Moreover, what Zheng Wuji did was not a one-time deal.
Not only did it save the country money, but it also paved the way for the future.
Every year there are projects in every state, which require funding from the court.
However, only less than one-third are actually implemented.
It is even more difficult to achieve the same level of unity as Chenzhou and benefit all people.
As an imperial envoy, Chen Sijing came here to witness with his own eyes, which not only did no harm to Zheng Wuji, but actually benefited him.
Both Cong Mingzhang and Yao Zheng, as well as several county magistrates, all understood that Zheng Wuji's serial plan was extremely clever.
He seemed to offend everyone at the beginning, but at the end everyone benefited.
Even if someone feels a little unfair in his heart, there is nothing he can do about it on the surface.
If anyone wants to make a fuss about this matter, it is tantamount to asking for death.
After all, everyone from the court had seen it, and Zheng Wuji would definitely receive a great reward if he reported back to the emperor.
He was originally appointed by the emperor himself. After this incident, he will only become more trusted. It will only be harder to shake him. This chapter has been completed!
