When she got up in the morning, Zheng Wuniang was dressed neatly and went to the housekeeper to ask for leave.
"I went out to buy some things."
"Go for it!"
Zheng Wuniang was very responsible. After arriving at Yang's house, she looked at Zhou Ning all day long. Whenever she had nothing to do, she discussed with others how to raise children. Therefore, Aunt Guan felt that she was a worry-free woman.
"Zheng Wuniang, are you going out?"
Zhang Siniang stood under the eaves, shrinking her hands and feet.
"Yes!" Zheng Wuniang smiled at her.
Zhang Siniang said, "Can you bring me half a catty of dried meat when you come back?" As she said this, she handed over the copper coins.
"Okay!" Zheng Wuniang was very talkative.
Zhang Siniang walked slowly under the verandah with a smile on her face.
Twisting his butt left and right, any normal man would get furious if he saw it.
Yi Niang was watching all this with cold eyes not far away.
In this backyard, except for her, Guan Auntie, and Zheng Wuniang, all the other women regarded Yang Xuan as a treasure and wanted to devour him in one gulp.
"Swallow? It depends on whether you have the ability!" Yi Niang put her hands in her sleeves and turned her eyes to look at Zhou Ning's belly, her eyes gradually becoming hot.
"Lang Jun's child is about to be born."
After leaving the gate, a cold wind blew. Zheng Wuniang looked around and then went out to the left.
In early spring, northern Xinjiang is still cold, but you can feel a touch of spring from time to time.
Zheng Wuniang went to the temple in the city and found Zhike Monk, "Do you have the peace charm that I asked for?"
The monk Zhike said: "Your peace talisman must be enshrined in front of the Buddha for ninety-nine and eighty-one days, but the time has not yet come. By the way, who did you ask for the peace talisman? If you are asking for it for yourself, then there is no need to do this.
"
Zheng Wuniang said: "I beg for the child."
"The child's spirit is not yet complete, so it is necessary to use the peace charm to suppress external evil spirits." Zhike Monk took her in.
After entering the main hall, she saw that the peace charm she had prayed for was enshrined in front of the Buddha. Zheng Wuniang slowly knelt down and recited silently.
"I ask the Buddha to protect my wife and give birth to the child safely. I ask the Buddha to protect the child. He will be smart and healthy..."
After praying, Zheng Wuniang stood up and thanked the monk Zhike.
"If you want to protect your child, you'd better bring it to the Buddha." Zhike Monk looked at the jade pendant around her waist and said with a smile.
The jade pendant was given by Zhou Ning. It would be embarrassing to go out without a decent accessory after entering the Yang family's backyard. The jade pendant given by Zhou's daughter is naturally of good quality, and most middle-class people would be reluctant to buy it.
The monk Zhike saw this and became more friendly.
After leaving the temple, Zheng Wuniang saw two beggars squatting and shivering outside, and asked, "Where are you from?"
A beggar raised his head, with a look of hope on his dark face, "I'll be coming from Wangu County."
Zheng Wuniang was surprised, "Wangu County, why did Wangu County come here?"
"There was a rain in early spring and many people drowned!" Another beggar raised his head and said, then shrank his neck and shivered from the cold wind.
"The place didn't distribute food?" Zheng Wuniang asked.
"No!" the beggar from earlier complained angrily, "Pushing us here, driving us there, no one cares about us.
Not to mention food, there was no place to live, and no one cared about those people who were turning blue from the cold outside, so they got firewood to burn.
At this time of year, the firewood is all wet and full of smoke. A group of people gathered around the fire to warm themselves up. After a while, it turned out that it was all black except for the teeth, which were white and yellow."
"Is that so?"
Zheng Wuniang took out a few copper coins and came out, "We will be giving out porridge in a few days. Just wait at the city gate. Take this money and buy some cakes to save some food."
"Thank you madam!"
The two beggars couldn't wait to take the copper coins and almost started fighting.
"This girl is rich!" A beggar pointed at Zheng Wuniang's back and said, "Why don't you... grab some?"
Another beggar hesitated and said, "This is a temple! I'm afraid that if the Buddha hears it, there will be thunder and lightning."
Zheng Wuniang went to buy dried meat and returned to Yang's house.
"Thank you very much." Zhang Siniang took the dried meat and tasted a piece, "Sure enough, his food is still delicious."
Zheng Wuniang went to see Yi Niang.
"Yiniang, I met two beggars earlier. They said they were from Wangu County. They said there was a flood in Wangu County and many people had no food and clothing."
Yang Xuan had told him that if the servants at home heard any important news when they went out, they should come back and report it.
Yi Niang was startled, "Why haven't you heard of it?"
She stood up and asked, "Where are those two beggars?"
"At the temple."
"Come here!" Yi Niang knew that this kind of thing was not easy, so she called a few guards.
The two beggars met Boss Chen Zhou's guards and were frightened out of their wits.
Later, the news came.
"conclusive."
Yi Niang sent people to the front to spread the message, and then called Zheng Wuniang.
"You have accomplished a great feat today."
Zheng Wuniang glanced at Zhou Ning who was walking in the yard, with a look of hope in her eyes.
This woman only has eyes for that child, and she is also an idiot.
"But be careful next time you go out!"
Zheng Wuniang was puzzled, so Yi Niang said: "Did you know that today you showed your wealth and those two beggars wanted to rob you?"
Zheng Wuniang: "I, I mean well!"
"With good intentions, you have to pay attention to methods in many cases, otherwise good intentions will bring disaster to yourself." Yi Niang warned.
But looking back, she rewarded Zheng Wuniang with one hundred coins.
In Lizhou, Yang Xuan got the news, glanced at the map and said: "Wangu County is adjacent to Decheng County in Xuanzhou. The place where the flood occurred is in the middle of the two counties. It belongs to the area of no concern. But the flood is like this, why is it there?
No disaster relief? Why didn’t you report it?”
He was a little annoyed, and Lu Qiang said: "I'm afraid the local official was negligent."
"Human life is at stake, how can we be negligent?" Yang Xuan looked slightly cold, "I'm about to inspect the place, so let's go and have a look."
Lu Qiang was older and had less taboos, so he asked directly: "Is it okay to travel at this time when your wife is expecting a baby? Otherwise, I'll go!"
"There are still times." Yang Xuan couldn't help but smile when he mentioned Zhou Ning and the child, "Speaking of which, before this child was born, I was reprimanded."
Lu Qiang was happy, "Because of this child, I didn't go to Chang'an at the end of last year, so I have a kind father's heart."
"My child!" Yang Xuan knew that he was not only concerned about his child, but also his mother.
Cao Ying said: "Local officials are cunning. If they were to make a big splash, they would probably have made preparations in advance."
Yang Xuan knew this, "I will take less people with me and go on a visit in casual clothes."
…
There is still no green in the early spring in northern Xinjiang.
In the vast fields, you can see a few birds poking their heads.
"The Waking of Insects has not yet arrived, the insects are hiding underground, and the birds have nothing to eat when they come."
Yang Xuan pointed at the bird and said.
"Lang Jun, what do they eat?" Jiang He'er, pretending to be a book boy, asked.
"They eat everything. In addition, some birds hid food last year." Yang Xuan dismounted, walked to the edge of the field, and looked carefully.
"What are you looking at, sir?" Jiang He'er was not interested in this place. "There seems to be a roadside wine shop ahead. Let's go and have a look!"
"Don't make any noise!"
Yang Xuan squinted at the wilderness and took a long breath.
"I'm looking at the weather."
Jiang He'er praised: "Back then, I followed my master all over the world, and I also met some very talented people. With just one glance, I could tell whether the land would be harvested this year. It would either be left fallow, or more plant ash would be burned."
Yang Xuan closed his eyes and rubbed the corners of his eyes.
"How?" Jiang He'er asked.
"Didn't see it."
Jiang Heer rolled his eyes, "I'm hungry."
There is a wine shop in front.
To call it a wine shop, it means just setting up a shed on the side of the road and placing a few benches.
The boss was a middle-aged man. When he saw Yang Xuan and the others leading their horses, he walked out with one leg and raised his hands, "What do you two want to eat?"
Yang Xuan took a look and saw that it was pancakes. There was a small stove next to it, and a clay pot on it was steaming. He could smell the smell of pig meat, but the smell was very fishy.
"Two pieces of cake, please."
"You don't want broth?" The man was a little disappointed.
"don't want."
Jiang Heer frowned.
After all, her family was quite well off, and the master she followed was not short of money. Even if she traveled around the world, she would never eat such fishy food.
"Is there no mutton?" Jiang He'er asked after sitting down.
The man smiled bitterly, "So there is!"
"What now?"
"There was no flood to wash it away."
Yang Xuan asked: "There's a flood?"
"That's right!" The man sighed: "There was a flood in early spring, and it was evil. So no one was prepared, and everyone was rushed away."
"Where did the flood hit?" Seeing the man looking at him, Yang Xuan said, "I have a classmate in Wangu. I haven't seen him come to study since the beginning of spring. My husband was worried that something might happen to him, so he asked me to come and take a look."
"That classmate of yours is near the San Guan area, right?" the man asked.
"Yes! I heard him say in the past that the place is close to Xuanzhou."
"Hey! This flood has flooded six villages with more than 2,000 people! How miserable!"
"There is no disaster relief in the state?" Yang Xuan asked.
"Hey! In the state, Commander Yang may have forgotten about us, Wan Gu!"
"You shouldn't!" Jiang He'er retorted, "Mr. Yang is doing well!"
This girl actually said that I am a nice person... Yang Xuan glanced at Jiang He'er.
"Whether it's good or not, Wan Gu has only met in the Ming Dynasty. How do we know?"
"Even if the state does not provide disaster relief, what about the county?" Yang Xuan asked.
"The county..." the man rubbed his cheeks and exhaled, "it was said that Fang Shaofu opened a warehouse to release grain, but was scolded and punished by the Ming Dynasty."
"We still have to hurry." Yang Xuan stood up, "He'er, let's go."
"Yes, Sir." Jiang He'er, dressed as a book boy, went over to lead the horse.
Behind him, the man said quietly: "Officials who work for the people will be unlucky, but officials who don't work for the people will rise to great heights. What's the truth?"
Yang Xuan and his wife arrived at the county seat of Wangu County later.
There is no problem with the road guide, Cao Ying personally took care of it.
At this moment in the county, Wangu County Magistrate Lu Jiao said with a cold face, "What are Fang Lin and his people going to do?"
The county magistrate Feng Ji rubbed his hands and put them on the charcoal pot to grill. He raised his head and said, "He said he took away the food stored at home and bought a lot. He pulled more than a dozen carts and prepared to go to the top.
Over there in Yangcun."
"He is just fishing for fame!" Lu Jiao was furious. "The territory of those six villages has always been unclear. When they get benefits, Xuanzhou says they are under their rule. When there is no benefit, they pass it to Wangu. In this case, why should we
Do you want to take over this matter?"
The room on duty was a little dark, and Feng Ji's face was a little red when illuminated by the charcoal fire. "If Fang Lin, Ming Mansion, has won over the people, once Yang Shijun finds out, it will be a credit!"
"Bitch bitch slave!"
Lu Jiao gritted his teeth and said: "If he does this, the people in Xuanzhou will definitely say that those six villages are under my rule, Wan Gu, and they will still be our fault. Spring has just begun, if such a big disaster happens under the rule,
My evaluation this year will definitely be bad!
This idiot has tricked me!
Let people go and seal off the Fang family first."
Feng Ji said: "What Mingfu means is that he is worried about Fang Lin's follow-up..."
"I ordered him to stay at home, but he dares to go out. These people are so bold that they don't seal off his home... If he sells his belongings to go to disaster relief, you and I will be in big trouble!"
"I'm afraid there will be thunder and anger over there." Feng Ji shuddered.
"That envoy..." Lu Jiao thought about how many times he put on Yang Xuang's shoes when he arrived in Taipei, and he couldn't help but regret slightly, "The best way to do this is to stay still. When asked by the higher-ups, he said
The state has nothing to do with us."
But Fang Lin took action and took over the responsibility.
"How about I go after him?" Feng Ji stood up and said.
"I'm going, you stay behind!" Lu Jiao said impatiently, "Get your horses ready!"
…
"Is Mr. Fang at home?"
A man and a woman came from outside the Fang family.
"Aye went to Dingyang Village." Fang Lin's son greeted the guests.
"Has the county provided disaster relief?" Yang Xuan asked.
"No, my father took all the food from home and bought a lot."
Yang Xuan's heart moved slightly.
"The two of us came to Wangu to visit a friend. I don't want my friend to be away. We are hungry and cold. Can we give you a piece of cake?"
He couldn't listen to one side of the story, so he wanted to test it.
A responsible and kind-hearted person would not refuse a piece of cake if they meet someone like this who comes to ask for help.
Fang Lin's son hesitated.
Could it be that it's just for fame and reputation?
Yang Xuan originally thought he had found a capable person, and would investigate again to see if he could be reused, but he didn't expect...
Fang Lin's son scratched his head and said, "There is no wheat flour at home. You two should drink water first and wait for me to buy it."
"The food at home..." Jiang He'er felt incredible. If it were the Southern Zhou Dynasty, even an upright official would not be able to give away all the food at home!
Fang Lin's son blushed, "I still have to sell some things, so you two can sit down!"
This man actually emptied his family's money.
Yang Xuan narrowed his eyes slightly, "Okay."
Chenzhou's current development speed is somewhat alarming, but it is obvious that a problem has arisen: the ability of the officials cannot keep up with the speed of development, and they have become a hindrance.
How to change all this?
Yang Xuan felt that on the one hand, it was necessary to teach officials to keep pace with the times and learn new management methods; secondly, it was the survival of the fittest, so that those officials who did not do things or could not do things should either go down or go home to eat old rice.
Fang Lin now feels that he has a sense of responsibility.
A sense of responsibility is the foundation of everything. Even if the person is less capable, as long as this foundation is there, he can be trained.
"Hey! What are you waiting for?"
After a long time, Fang Lin's son was preparing to enter the house with the things he had just bought, but he got into an argument with someone.
Several subordinate officials came forward.
"The good-looking young man learned that Fang Shaofu went out against the order. Mingfu was furious and ordered us to seal the front door of Fang's family. From now on, no one in the family is allowed to go out!"
Fang Lin's son knew what had happened. He straightened his neck and said, "My father has not neglected his duties, so why can't he go out? Today I want to see who dares to seal the door of the Fang family!"
The assistant smiled ferociously, "Young Master, I'm afraid you don't know, right? Your Majesty has offended the Ming Mansion, and the Ming Mansion has said that Fang Lin, that bitch slave, will be discredited and dismissed from his position. Young Master, your good life is gone."
Come on! Why are you trying to put on official airs with us? Come on, seal it!"
Several subordinate officials rushed forward, punched Fang Lin's son until his nose was bruised and his face was swollen, and they kicked him in.
"close the door!"
The leader of the subordinates shouted.
When the women and children came out of the mansion, they couldn't help but burst into tears.
The door was slowly closed from the outside.
Just when it was about to close, a foot stepped in.