Huankou is where the Huan River merges with the Huaihe River, and is a river hub. It is the height of autumn, and the climate is refreshing. The cool breeze blows the vegetation on the shore, bringing moisture from the river, which makes it a bit wet and cold.
There are small boats in the water, and there are dense river workers on both sides. At a glance, there are over a thousand people, who are carrying out dredging. A large amount of sediment and fallen objects are being salvaged and bagged for transportation, accompanied by country tunes, it is a lively scene.
The head of the bank was occupied by officers for protection. A number of government officials gathered here, headed by Wang Pu, the chief envoy to Huaidong. This was his first visit to the front line for several times.
When the drought hit, the situation was the most serious in Hao, Si, Chu and other places. At this time, most of the principal officials from Sizhou came to accompany him.
The magistrate of Sizhou was appointed by the king, and he took office not long ago. As a person devolved to the emperor, the speed of promotion could not be slow, and Huainan was a place of employment, with many opportunities. After serving as magistrate for less than two years, he was promoted to Sizhou. The state knows the state.
Fortunately, he had just moved to his post and had not yet gotten to know his superiors. He was faced with a severe drought in Huainan. During this period, Wang Pu had been following the orders of the imperial court and Taotai to provide disaster relief and help the people. I'm so busy that my feet don't even touch the ground.
This time, Wang Pu went north again to take care of things. When he heard the call, he put down his job in the state government, hurried out of the city and crossed the river. He did not dare to neglect Wang Pu at all.
In less than two years, Wang Pu established a very high majesty in Huaidong, and everyone in the office was afraid of him. Because he used the law strictly and never showed leniency, and he frequently issued decrees, and those who were negligent were punished. The punishment caused the officials in various states to tighten their minds, fearing that Wang Pu would find any omissions and issue orders and punishments.
Because Wang Zhu was born in the imperial court and was at an important stage in his official career, he did not dare to neglect it.
"Your Majesty, the lower official has summoned more than 3,000 people to carry out dredging in the river section near Xuyi. It was carried out in three sections. Now more than 40 miles have been cleared!" At this time, Wang Pu stared at the dredging area with an expressionless face. The river worker took the initiative to report the incident and was very careful.
"The progress is good!" Wang Pu nodded and asked: "The Huai River runs through Sizhou, and the people living within it rely on its benefits. Only if the Huai River is connected can we benefit from it!"
"What the prince said is true! The government issued a notice, and the fishermen, river workers, and people in the territory all actively responded to the call!" Wang Zhu said: "The people make a living through the Huai River, so they naturally understand the truth!"
"Right now, floods are rampant in the Han Dynasty, and there are frequent flash floods in the Yellow River and the Yangtze River. The imperial court has also issued an edict. Although the drought has been resolved, we need to pay attention to the floods and be more vigilant!" Wang Pudao.
Wang Zhuzhu cupped his hands and said: "After receiving the order, I dare not neglect it. I will also mobilize civilians, money and food to find the river and cast plugs to reinforce it!"
He tilted his head and looked at Wang Zhu. Two years of experience in running state and county affairs had obviously made him grow a lot. Wang Pu still had a straight face, but rarely nodded and said: "Let the people have a place to live and have food and clothing. If the land is not left desolate, if the people's worries are relieved, if matters are resolved with justice, and if disasters are prepared, then great governance will be achieved!"
This was Wang Pu's advice to Wang Zhu. Wang Zhu understood it and said with a smile on his face: "Thank you for your teachings, Prince! I will definitely keep it in mind at all times!"
Nodding slightly, Wang Pu did not complain about this matter and said nothing more.
Two subordinate officials and several officers came to the shore and ran forward. Wang Pu immediately asked: "How deep is the water?"
One of the first people reported: "Your Majesty, my subordinates will choose a few places to test the depth. At the moment, the shallowest area in the river is nearly six feet, which is enough for a boat!"
After saying that, he also carried out the measurement pole, pointed it at the mark, and showed it to Wang Pu for inspection. Wang Pu also looked at it carefully, and then ordered: "You can inform that the Huaiyanfa ship has been lost to the north!"
"yes!"
"Everyone, don't stand with me anymore. In such an emergency, there will be trouble in the state." After glancing at the Sizhou officials who were respectfully paying respects, Wang Pu waved his hand and said calmly.
All the officials were stunned, but when Wang Zhu saw this, he scolded him lightly: "Didn't you hear what the envoy said clearly? Everyone returns to his duties and takes care of his own business, why don't you go quickly!"
"Yes! I'll excuse you now!" Then he came to his senses.
A group of Sizhou officials tensed their bodies and retreated respectfully. After walking far away, they relaxed. One of them glanced towards the river and couldn't help complaining: "This Wang Shijun is really not He is so easy to get along with, but he is too harsh and unkind. We are willing to accompany him, but we are driven away. With such a superior, it is difficult to have a good life!"
"Ha!" After hearing what he said, a worker next to him couldn't help but sneered: "The king makes it difficult for you to get along with him, and that's what the governor of the state should make trouble for. How can officials like us in the state get into the ears of the envoy?" If it weren't for the drought, would I be able to see his face? Even if I could see his face, how would I know your name? Therefore, there is no need for you to worry about it!"
"But!" As he said this, there was a hint of joking in this person: "If brother does something that is illegal, shocking, and harmful to nature, maybe he will be famous in the ears of the envoy..."
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"You guy, why are you so vicious with your mouth? Are you slandering me?" The complaining state official suddenly became angry.
"How dare! How dare! I just feel that I think too highly of myself..."
The discussions of the state officials had nothing to do with Wang Pu. He and Wang Zhu walked to the temporary shelter built by the dredging workers. Although it was not dirty and messy, it was particularly crude. The wooden rafts were closely connected to protect them from the wind. The bamboo bed was covered with a thick layer of withered grass to keep out the cold.
Sitting down directly, Wang Pu looked at Wang Zhu and said: "Winter is about to enter and the weather will turn cold. All the soldiers who are called upon should prepare grass and wood, charcoal fire to dispel the cold, and plenty of ginger soup. In addition, I still see the people, Those who drink river water for convenience must refrain from it to avoid insect diseases. Any water taken must be boiled before drinking. You also followed His Majesty on the southern expedition, how could you be negligent in this matter?"
Faced with Wang Pu's questioning, Wang Zhu felt innocent for a while. If it were in the past, he would have made some excuses, but at this time, he just handed it over and said, "It's because the lower officials' supervision is not strict, and it must be strengthened!"
Wang Pu is still satisfied with Wang Zhu's attitude. Of course, Wang Zhu is actually a little helpless in this matter. He issued the ban, and his original intention was for the good of the people. However, ordinary ignorant people will not listen to it. If you don’t have that awareness, of course you’ll just do what’s convenient and what you’re used to.
It is impossible for the king to whip people and fine them money just because they drink raw river water. Therefore, even now, in the Han Dynasty, it is really forbidden to drink raw water and boil it for drinking. Only among the army, it must be the Forbidden Army...
Wang Pu seemed to understand a little, so he didn't bother much about this matter. He ordered a servant to be summoned to inquire about the people's situation. In front of the officials, the majestic and intimidating Wang Shijun faced When he was just a country man, he finally put on a kind face.
"Is the old man a native of Xuyi? How many people are there in the family? What do you do for a living?"
"Exactly. There are six people in our family, including one wife, two sons, one daughter and one daughter-in-law! The younger son and the older son are farming at home. The government allotted twenty acres of land to my family last year. The second son doesn't like farming, so he gives it to me in Huaishang. People work as boatmen, running boats from north to south. This time the government is recruiting laborers, bringing their elder children with them to come and clear the silt..."
"Can a family of six have enough food?" After listening, Wang Pu asked softly.
The old man was stunned for a moment, a little puzzled. Seeing this, Wang Pu was stunned. He didn't understand, so he changed the question: "Did the fields suffer serious damage due to the drought this autumn?"
Mentioning this, the somewhat restrained old man immediately relaxed and became a little excited. He said in a heavier accent: "The wheat is so necrotic that it has lost 70 to 80% of it. This drought demon, even if it comes only a month late, can still rush in the harvest......"
"With five or six people in the family, can there be enough food for the winter?"
The old man replied: "In the past two years, the imperial court has reduced autumn taxes. After this disaster, tax exemptions are enough to survive the winter!"
Hearing the relaxed tone in the old man's tone, Wang Pu also smiled a little, and asked a question that he had asked many people: "Does the old man think that the current Han government is better, or the former pseudo-Tang government?"
No matter how ignorant the people are, they also know what to say. Although Wang Pu is not wearing formal clothes, he is wearing an official robe.
However, the common man's answer was simple and somewhat sincere: "Of course it is the Han government?"
"Why? Is it because of land distribution? Because of the abolition of miscellaneous donations? Because of tax cuts?" Wang Pu asked three times in succession.
"Everything is there!" The old man nodded and made another point: "More than two years ago, there was also a drought in Huainan, and the fields were harvestless. The court provided relief, but only those who paid taxes could have relief food. I remember it clearly. At that time, many people were forced to sell their fields to buy grain. The Han Dynasty court at that time allowed the people of Huainan to cross the river to Huaibei to buy grain rations, which saved many people.
There is another drought this year. Not only has the imperial court exempted autumn taxes, but also provides relief to those in need at home..."
After hearing the old man's answer, Wang Pu smiled again, and his smile became warmer.