We say we need to make a statement, but how easy is it?
In an era when paper was not even popular, it was extremely difficult to spread your doctrine.
From time traveling to the present, Shen Chen has relied on the different understandings of later generations of time travellers, and has learned a lot about the Seven Classics. Even Song Zhong praised his knowledge.
But this kind of knowledge only lies in itself. If it cannot be recognized by the world, it is meaningless. In the final analysis, it still lacks reputation.
Therefore, he must study deeply and clearly understand the social environment at that time, so as to make targeted improvements.
This kind of research cannot be done behind closed doors. You have to go out and walk a lot to understand the sufferings of the people, the methods of upper-level governance, and the underlying public opinion and social environment at that time.
So in the next few days, after Zhuge Liang had rested, Shen Chen traveled with him, often walking in the countryside pavilions around Xiangyang to understand the demands and wishes of the people.
In fact, from Xuzhou to Jingzhou, Shen Chen saw too many things. He came from the common people, was rooted in the grassroots, and knew very well what the common people wanted.
It's nothing more than food and clothing, and a relatively fair social environment.
For example, the ruling class in the countryside should not oppress them, should not arbitrarily make up reasons to raise taxes, and should not lose their heads just by looking at a powerful person.
But Shen Chen still felt that he didn't know enough about the world, so he would still choose to do things that he felt were meaningful.
Even though the people of Jingzhou are actually living a better life than the people of Xuzhou.
At least they can still barely make ends meet, and they can still enjoy relative security conditions. Warlords won't attack their place at any time, and there won't be a large number of soldiers massacring them.
For a few days, I traveled around the surrounding countryside, just like a grassroots survey under the leadership of the county. Sometimes the countryside was very quiet and nothing happened.
Sometimes there are unexpected situations, such as today Shen Chen and Zhuge Liang were riding in a carriage and came to Hanyin Ju again.
Hanyinju is located to the south of the Han River, a little north of the later Wolong Town, ten kilometers away from Longzhong where Zhuge Liang was located. It belongs to Deng County and is close to the Han River. It is a township with a vast plain and a very large population.
People like Shen Chen and Zhuge Liang who just hung out in nearby villages and chatted with local farmers were no different from lunatics in the eyes of people at the time.
People who do not work at home or produce, but wander around the countryside all day long, are generally called scoundrels.
The most famous rogue in the Han Dynasty was Liu Bang.
Today, the two of them wandered to Hanyang Ju again. After passing several village gatherings, they got off the carriage. The sixteen-year-old Zhuge Liang was seven feet eight inches tall, nearly 1.8 meters tall. He had a burly build and a sword hanging from his waist.
Twelve-year-old Shen Chen is about 7 feet 4 inches, about 1.7 meters. Since he and Zhuge Liang's daily routine is to get up in the morning to read scriptures, go out to wander around at noon, and then return home in the afternoon to exercise and practice martial arts, so his physique is Not bad.
The two people were walking along the country road. The fields on the left and right were lush and green. It was already April, and the wheat grown last winter was about to mature. Farmers were busy everywhere in the farmland.
As the saying goes, farmers have less leisure in the month, but people are twice as busy in May.
Before the introduction of Champa rice in the Song Dynasty, the north was the economic center because millet was planted from June to September every year, and wheat was planted from October to May of the next year. Double crops could be achieved in a year, and grain output was greatly increased.
In the south, rice could only be grown once a year, so the yield was far less than in the north. As a result, population growth and economic development in Jingnan and the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River were extremely slow.
Although Jingzhou is in the south, Nanyang and Nanjun north of the Yangtze River are mainly planted with alternating wheat and millet, while most of Jiangxia County is Yunmengze, and there are not even a few county seats.
Of the other four counties in Jingnan, only Changsha County is developing well. Therefore, in a sense, the most developed areas in Jingzhou are Nanyang and Nanjun. This is one of the reasons why Liu Biao is not very willing to give up Nanyang.
Today Shen Chen and Zhuge Liang walked into Hanyang Ju. After walking a few steps, several men walked out of the village in the distance. The leader was about thirty years old. When he saw them, he shouted: "You two young men. "
When they heard the shouting, the two of them stopped. They knew these people. They had chatted with them when they came a few days ago. They were farmers from nearby villages. They stood on the roadside and waited until they came over. , Shen Chencai asked: "Brother Zhao Lang, what's the matter?"
The man named Zhao was called Zhao Hua, a local citizen. He came over and said straight to the point: "Shen Xiaolang, it's like this. I lost a pig yesterday, and I heard that you had a pig in the car when you went back, so I I want to ask."
"Is that so?"
Shen Chen said to him: "Brother Lang, wait a moment."
After saying that, he turned back to look at Shen Qi and Deng Pi who were by the river not far away, and waved to them.
Shen Qi and Deng Pi were responsible for sending Shen Chen and Zhuge Liang to the surrounding villages. After they were sent to the place, they would guard the carriage at the same place and wait for them to return from a stroll in the surrounding villages.
Seeing Shen Chen calling, the two of them ran over. Shen Qi came closer and asked, "Xiao Lang, what are you calling us for?"
Shen Chen asked: "Where did you get the pig you got yesterday?"
Shen Qi said: "Didn't I tell Xiao Lang? I was waiting by the river for nothing, and there happened to be villagers driving pigs to sell at the Xiangting Market in the east. The two of us bought one and went back to prepare for slaughter."
Shen Qi told them about this yesterday. Shen Qi and Deng Qi are just Shen Chen's guards, not his slaves, so they have certain rights of autonomy.
Standing by the river and waiting for boredom, they saw someone driving a pig to sell at the market. It was normal for them to buy it and prepare to go back to beat the teeth for the festival. At that time, they also said that they would leave the best pig thighs for Shen Chen and Zhuge Liang to bake for them. Pigs eat.
Shen Chen explained the situation and then asked them: "Did you really buy it?"
Shen Qi and Deng Pi both said aggrievedly: "I bought it."
"Can you still find the pig seller?"
"I don't know who the name is, I'm afraid I can't find it."
"That's it, okay then."
Shen Chen nodded and said, "I believe you, but you go back and transport the pig first."
"Xiao Lang."
"It's okay, it's just a trip to let Brother Zhao Lang see if it's his pig."
"All right."
The two people looked at each other very reluctantly, but since Shen Chen had the order, they had no choice but to go back and drive the carriage towards Longzhong.
Because the distance was relatively long, even driving a carriage back and forth would take at least an hour. Shen Chen said to Zhao Hua: "It will take a while for them to come back. Why don't we wait here first, and let's go to the village for a walk."
Zhao Hua asked strangely: "These two young men often walk around the surrounding countryside these days. After meeting us, they often ask questions about raising livestock and planting wheat. I don't know why?"
Shen Chen smiled and said: "I come from Xuzhou. I know how people in Xuzhou grow wheat, millet and millet seedlings, but I don't know how people in Jingzhou do it. The climate in the north and south is different, and the planting time is also different, so I want to ask about it so that I can use it later."
"What to do?"
Zhao Hua wondered: "Could it be that Xiaolang is planning to come to Jingzhou for production operations?"
Shen Chen shook his head and said, "That's not the case. I want to see when the farming season is slack so that I can recruit students in the nearby countryside and teach them how to read and teach them some superficial knowledge."
"Xiao Lang wants to recruit students?"
Everyone was amazed.
When something happens in the countryside, it is easy for people to watch and discuss it.
This is the entrance to the village. After working in the morning, everyone would go home at noon to prepare for lunch in the afternoon. Therefore, everyone came back from the fields at this time. Seeing that there seemed to be a dispute, they came over one after another.
In a short time, there were more than 20 people around, men, women, old and young, which looked like an intelligence center at the entrance of the village in later generations.
Everyone was amazed when they heard that Shen Chen wanted to recruit students.
Someone said: "I'm afraid Xiaolang hasn't learned well himself, so he just wants to teach students. I'm afraid that won't work."
Another person said: "I wonder if Xiao Lang has any real talent or knowledge?"
"Regardless of whether he has real talent or not, judging from the way he dresses, he must be a son of a powerful family. It is definitely a good thing to teach our nephew how to read."
"That's true."
"It's just a pity that studying is a matter for those aristocratic families. We, the descendants of farmers, have to run around for food at a young age. During the slack time, we have to go to the mountains to catch birds and rabbits. Even if it's not easy, we have to herd cattle and sheep to dig wild vegetables. I'm afraid it won't be that good. A lot of effort.”
Everyone said something to me.
Although it is a good thing to have someone come to the countryside to teach children to read, children in ancient times basically worked for the family from the age of four or five. They herded cattle, sheep, chopped pigs, and dug weeds since childhood, and they never had a moment of leisure.
In fact, Shen Chen also knew this. When he was in Huangmenting, the children in the surrounding villages were like this, and he even came here like this when he was a child.
If they are sent to study, there will be one less labor force and one more mouth to eat, which will be a huge burden on the family.
So Shen Chen just smiled slightly and said: "I know, that's why I walked around the surrounding villages. First, I want to understand your sufferings and want to know how everyone is living. Second, I also want to find students, just in case. Is there anyone whose family is a little richer who is willing to send me to study?"
"So that's it."
"But it's not easy to find students. There are no wealthy families in the surrounding villages."
"There are children from rich families in Fengting to the east. I heard that there are people named Xu, Shi, Cui and Meng who moved here a few years ago. They seem to be children of powerful people."
"Children of powerful people don't need to be taught how to read."
The villagers were chattering.
After hearing their words, Shen Chen knew that the other party should be referring to Xu Shu, Cui Jun, Meng Jian, and Shi Tao, also known as Zhuge's four friends.
Since his uncle died of illness, Zhuge Liang has been living in seclusion in Longzhong and farming, and he often goes to Yuliangzhou to consult with Pang Degong.
Xu Shu and Pang Degong had a close relationship. Zhuge Liang's sister married Pang Shanmin, Pang Degong's son. After that, they got to know each other and became friends.
It happened that these four people lived in the west of Xiangyang City, only four or five kilometers away from Zhuge Liang's Longzhong, so they hung out together every day.
But that should have happened after Zhuge Xuan died of illness, at least Zhuge Liang is not familiar with them yet.
While everyone was talking, about an hour later, the sound of a carriage sounded.
Shen Chen looked back and saw Shen Qi and Deng Pi driving a carriage in the distance. They were unhappy and felt they had been wronged, so they rushed over quickly to prove their innocence.
After a while, the carriage arrived at the edge of the village, and the two stopped their horses.
Deng Pi untied the two very tired horses and led them to the river to drink water and rest. Shen Qi took the tied pig out of the carriage, placed it at Zhao Hua's feet and said, "Do you think this is your pig? "
The pig is not big, probably only about a hundred catties. Many people think that pigs should be very fat, and a standard fat pig must weigh two to three hundred catties.
But those are all varieties developed later, and they are usually ready for sale in just 200 kilograms.
Pigs in ancient China could not grow that big. They could be put into the slaughterhouse at around 100 kilograms. Pigs that could grow to more than 200 kilograms were very rare, so Shen Qi could carry them easily.
Zhao Hua looked down at the pig and frowned.
Several of his brothers around him said: "It looks like it's your pig, brother."
"It shouldn't be wrong."
"Okay, you stole our pig."
Immediately, the brothers around Zhao Hua glared at Shen Qi.
Shen Qi said angrily: "You are talking nonsense, we bought this pig for five hundred and twenty-seven dollars."
"Then this pig is exactly the same as the big brother's pig!"
Someone said.
Shen Chen looked at the silent Zhao Hua seriously and said, "Brother Zhao Lang, please confirm if this is your pig."
Zhao Hua was an honest man and said hesitantly: "It's eighty-nine points similar, but"
"Just what?"
"It's just that my pig's ears have tiny white spots, but this pig doesn't have them."
He pointed to the pig's ears.
In ancient my country, there were no white pigs, only black pigs.
If they are of the same weight, their appearance will not be much different.
But Zhao Hua's pigs had a characteristic, which was that they had white spots on their ears, so he hesitated.
"I see."
Shen Chen nodded and said: "In this case, you take this pig back first. Maybe someone stole it and sold it to my guard. Maybe it's not your pig. If one day your pig comes back, or you are sure that this pig If it’s not yours, can you please return it?”
Shen Qi almost lost his temper and said angrily: "Xiao Lang, this is obviously a pig we bought, how can you give it to others?"
Shen Chen smiled and said: "I'm not sending it away, I'm just leaving it with Brother Zhao Lang temporarily. As for the pigs, I actually want to clear your name. If you don't do this today, what will happen if the villagers say you stole the pigs?" Woolen cloth?"
"this"
Shen Qi was speechless for a moment, and it seemed to be the same reason. If the villagers falsely accused them of stealing pigs, and they were local snakes, it would be unreasonable, so it would be fine to put the pigs with them first to prove their innocence.
Unexpectedly, Zhao Hua said: "Whatever Xiaolang said, I'm just here to ask. If it wasn't my pig, I wouldn't want it, and I would never frame you."
Shen Chen shook his head and said: "I'm not saying that you are making a false accusation, I'm just afraid that everyone will misunderstand. If my guards bought someone else's stolen pig, then we don't know the person, so naturally we have to return it to the owner, right?"
"Xiao Lang is really a kind and righteous person."
"So sensible, it seems that he is indeed a young man who is well-read in poetry and books. It's a pity that my child really doesn't have time to study, otherwise I would definitely give him as his student."
The surrounding villagers immediately felt that Shen Chen was very interesting. If other people encountered this kind of thing, they would definitely grab the white spots and say that it was not Zhao Hua's pig. Even if they were so similar, Zhao Hua and the villagers said Nothing.
But in order to clear the suspicion, he simply put the pig at Zhao Hua's place to prove that he would never steal other people's property, and he was even afraid of buying stolen goods. This move immediately won the favor of everyone and they all praised him.
Zhao Hua also sighed: "Xiao Lang is really a sensible person. I am actually not sure whether this is my pig. The white spots are very small, and I don't know if they were painted black. But now it seems that I Although I don’t know if this pig is mine, I can be sure that Xiao Lang will never steal the pig. Xiao Lang, don’t worry, if I find the pig, or if I take the pig back and clean it, and there are no white spots, I will work with him. My brothers will carry the pig together and deliver it to your door in person."
Shen Chen smiled and said: "Brother Zhao Lang is also a righteous person. I believe what you say. I can give this pig to Brother Lang. I just don't want my guards to be charged with stealing the pig. Brother Lang, please take the pig with you." Let's go back."
"Thank you, Xiaolang."
Zhao Hua was ready to carry the pig home first.
At this time, in the distant farmland, an old man walked out of the field with a sad face.
He was accompanied by his three sons. When he saw the situation here from a distance, he walked over and took a look. When he saw it was Shen Chen, he immediately shouted: "Is it Shen Xiaolang?"
"oh?"
Shen Chen raised his head, saw the old man and said with a smile: "It turns out to be Mr. Du, what's wrong?"
This old gentleman had also chatted with him before.
Everyone was about to disperse, but when something happened suddenly, they all stopped and watched.
The old farmer walked up to them and asked in a deep voice: "You two young men, I wonder if you were here yesterday?"
"Um."
Shen Chen nodded, pointed to the east and said, "Yesterday we passed by Hanyang Ju and went to Fengting in the east. We did rest for a while at the entrance of the village when we came back."
Hanyangju is a village under Fengting. Going north across the Han River is Deng County. If you go east along the Han River, you can reach Fengting. From Fengting, walk more than ten miles east to Xiangyang. Xu Shu They live in Fengting.
The old farmer then asked, "Are Xiaolang's horses kept by the river?"
Shen Chen felt a little strange and asked, "What's wrong?"
The old farmer pointed to the wheat field not far from him by the river and said: "My wheat field has been gnawed by livestock, and there are several horse hoof prints."
Shen Chen and Zhuge Liang looked at each other and walked over to take a look.
Everyone also followed.
I saw that the corner of the wheat field near the southwest had indeed been gnawed, and not only one wheat field, but several acres of fields were also affected. Almost half of each acre was eaten, and the loss was probably four or five stones of wheat.
Seeing this, Shen Chen looked at Shen Qi again and asked, "Did you herd the horses by the river yesterday?"
Shen Qi said: "Yes."
Shen Chen looked at the old farmer's wheat field by the river not far away. Half of the wheat field was eaten, and he said, "Have the horses eaten the wheat field?"
"Absolutely nothing!"
Shen Qi immediately said: "The horses only graze by the river, and we have been watching them."
Shen Chen scanned the ground and saw that the footprints on the ground were messy. Because there was a light rain last night, the ground was muddy. The old farmer got up in the morning and was anxious about the wheat fields. He hurried over with his three sons, causing serious damage to the site.
However, if you search carefully in the wheat field, you can still see some special footprints. Shen Chen remembered the appearance of these footprints in his heart and said to the old farmer: "Old sir, look at these footprints first."
"Forehead"
The old farmer glanced at it rather reluctantly.
Shen Chen added: "I will compensate for your damaged wheat fields. If the real culprit is found in the future, please tell everyone that your wheat fields were not damaged by my horses."
The old farmer said happily: "This is nature, this is nature."
"Shen Qi, please give the money to sir first."
Shen Chen said to Shen Qi.
Shen Qi reluctantly took out his money bag and muttered: "After paying off the piglets and paying for the wheat, the family's rich wealth is not enough for the young man to spend like this."
Shen Chen just kept smiling and said nothing.
After a while, the old farmer happily took the money and left with many thanks.
Zhao Hua couldn't help but said: "Xiao Lang, this wheat grain is obviously eaten by wild boars, why should we compensate him?"
No matter how voracious the two horses were, it would be impossible for them to eat so much wheat at once, and the footprints in the field also proved this. They were all pig hooves, which could only be said to be a wild boar disaster.
This situation was too common in ancient times. There were fierce conflicts between humans and pigs. Especially to the west of this place is the Qinling Mountains in the upper reaches of the Han River. Wild boars swarmed in groups. Hunters could not catch them all and killed them. Every year during the wheat harvest, there were always wild boars. It will harm the wheat fields.
So the surrounding villagers knew very well that Old Man Du was just looking for someone to help him take the blame.
Shen Chen said: "Although I know that this wheat field was probably made by wild boars, firstly, there are indeed a few horse hoof prints on the edge of the field. Secondly, the number of stones and wheat is not a small amount. Mr. Du has so many children and grandchildren in his family." , without these grains, people may starve to death. So paying him some money can also save some lives."
When he said this, the surrounding villagers immediately stood in awe.
Someone said: "Zhao Hua's pigs are still somewhat controversial. Old Man Du's wheat grains should have been caused by wild boars, but the young man still gave him money. It's really kind and righteous."
"Yes, there are some foreigners who, let alone losing money, will steal when passing by and cannot be found. Compared with that, Xiaolangjun is really a gentleman."
"I don't know where Mr. Lang lives. If my family's harvest is okay this year, I would like to send my two sons to Mr. Lang to study from May to June."
Everyone admired him.
Shen Chen was very organized and sensible, which made them admire him very much.
However, not everyone admired it. Among them, there was a rogue villager. He rolled his eyes and suddenly shouted: "Young gentleman, when you came yesterday, the carriage scratched my trousers. I only have one pair of trousers at home. I have to go out with my brother when I go out." I change my clothes and whoever goes out wears them. If my pants are torn, how can I meet people?"
Everyone looked over and saw that there was indeed a big hole in the villager's trousers, but many villagers knew that this man was a scoundrel and a lazy man. He was discriminated against by the villagers because he was not engaged in production, so they all looked at him with disdain, thinking that he was making a false accusation. Shen Chen.
Only Shen Chen asked: "Are you serious?"
"Seriously, seriously."
The villager nodded repeatedly and said: "You were riding fast at that time. I wanted to argue, but you passed by in a flash and couldn't catch up."
Shen Chen shook his head and said, "I'm not asking if this is serious. I'm asking if you really only have one pair of pants at home. Do you need to change with your brothers when you go out?"
"That's true."
Zhao Hua testified: "It's just that this guy is lazy, and his brother works hard to support him every day. He drags him down to extreme poverty, and he can't even marry a wife."
The lazy villagers did not dare to talk back to Zhao Hua, but just muttered: "How can I go out to work when I only have a pair of pants at home?"
Shen Chen smiled and walked around asking, "Where is the old man?"
"The old man is here."
An old man stood up from the crowd and said, "Why is Xiaolang looking for me?"
Shen Chen said: "Shen Qi, please take 200 yuan and give it to the village elder."
"Why?"
Shen Qi was puzzled.
Shen Chen said: "Just do it."
"All right."
Shen Qi had no choice but to withdraw 300 yuan and put it in the hands of the village veteran.
Shen Chen said to the lazy man: "Although I know you are framing me, it doesn't matter. I will give 200 money to the village elder and ask the village elder to ask someone to go to the market to buy you and your brother two pairs of pants. Starting tomorrow, First, I want to see you and your brother working together in the fields. Otherwise, I will call the government and say that you falsely accused me of scratching your pants, extorted 200 yuan from me, and sent you to jail. Can you help me supervise him together?"
"good!"
The surrounding villagers have long been dissatisfied with the fact that lazy people like to eat and do nothing, and they all applaud him.
The lazy man's face suddenly stiffened and he said, "I remembered wrongly. You didn't scratch your pants. I don't have to pay for it."
Shen Chen's face suddenly darkened and he said, "Everyone, everyone has seen what he falsely accused me of before. If I report it to the official, will you be willing to testify?"
"willing!"
Zhao Hua was the first to shout.
Originally, the villagers would help the villagers in this kind of matter.
However, Shen Chen acted fairly and admirably, and Zhao Hua was an honest man, so he immediately supported him.
The people around him were hesitant at first, but there were many brothers in Zhao Hua's family, and he himself was well-known in the village, so they all agreed.
The lazy man's face suddenly turned pale. He never expected such a result. He regretted why he put on his pants and went out for a walk when his brothers came home from work to cook.
Now that the matter was finalized, although Shen Chen paid a lot of money for this trip, he didn't feel any distress at all.
After everything was settled, he and Zhuge Liang continued to walk around the village, heading north, and stayed in various villages in the surrounding area for two hours. They did not go back until it was almost dark.
On the way back, Shen Qi and Deng Pi were still a little emotional. Deng Pi said: "Xiao Lang, what are you talking to these villagers about? It's a waste of so much of our money."
Shen Chen smiled and waved his hands and said, "It's okay. You may not understand this kind of thing, but it's not a bad thing for me. It's like planting a tree. Plant the tree first and you will naturally reap the fruits in the future."
Zhuge Liang asked curiously: "My brother, are you planning to make a name for yourself in the village first, and then recruit students and give lectures first?"
"Roughly the same."
Shen Chen nodded, smiled and said to him: "I heard that many people in Xiangyang City want to teach me a lesson?"
Zhuge Liang said: "What you said in the academy that day spread out, and people said that you disobeyed the imperial court and attacked the king's division sent by the emperor to deal with the Xiliang army. You were treasonous. They are looking for you everywhere."
"It doesn't matter, let them look for it."
Shen Chen shrugged: "I also want to step on these people's heads and become famous. When it comes to debating scriptures, I have never been afraid of anyone."
Zhuge Liang thought for a while and said: "No one has come to see you in Longzhong now. If the news is released that you plan to open an academy and accept students to teach, then I am afraid that the people who come to you will be like crucian carp crossing the river. "
"Then there's Brother Lao."
Shen Chen looked at Zhuge Liang and smiled and said, although Zhuge Xuan died of illness, don't forget that he still has two very powerful brothers-in-law.
Zhuge Liang said helplessly: "You, it's true."
My little brother is only twelve years old. Why is he so fearless?