With Zhang Yanling as his guide, Du Fu's next journey was obviously much easier.
Avoiding those dangerous mobs and bad roads, Du Fu followed Zhang Yanling, and finally arrived at the outskirts of Daning City with no dangers along the way.
Du Fu stood on the high ground and looked towards the end of his field of vision, the city of Daning standing on the ground. Looking from a distance, white bones were exposed in the fields, and the sound of crows echoed in the sky. Desolation rose in his heart, and he couldn't help but chant: "The cool breeze moves thousands of miles."
, a group of thieves are still running rampant. The book is sent from far away from home, and the autumn comes as a guest..."
Zhang Yanling interrupted Du Fu: "What is the use of reciting poems and writing rhymes?"
Du Fu looked at Zhang Yanling: "Poems and poems can reflect aspirations and recall the past."
Zhang Yanling: "Throughout the ages, have we ever seen any literary giant who can make those in power sympathize with the people's sentiments and work hard to govern with just one poem?"
Du Fu knew that several members of Zhang Yanling's family had died from famine, so he had a perverse temperament. He shook his head and sighed: "In case of this natural disaster, the court has nothing to do, so it can only deal with it slowly."
Zhang Yanling raised his eyebrows and said: "Before the disaster came, all the food in the relief warehouses had been embezzled. The government burned the empty warehouses with fire and lied to the outside world that it was leaked; the prominent families in the state and the government offices
They worked together to plunder land and raise food prices. The people exhausted all their wealth and could only buy one month's worth of food. They were so hungry that they wrapped themselves in corpses. Some disaster victims tried to bring Wanmin's book to the capital to ask for help, but they were either intercepted or killed on the way.
Drive back home..."
Du Fu listened to Zhang Yanling's narration and froze on the spot.
Zhang Yanling spoke for a long time, and finally stopped talking, paused for a moment, stared at Du Fu and shouted: "The people are homeless, the officials are greedy, and the one in the palace is even more indifferent. Three-thirds of the disasters you talk about come from heaven and earth, and seven-thirds
But it’s a man-made disaster!”
Du Fu was unable to refute, so he could only hold his hands and say: "You and I have been together for a few days, but I don't want to hide it anymore... To be honest, I am a court official from Chang'an, and this time I was sent to investigate the disaster situation in Guanzhong, Hebei and other places.
"When we enter Hebei Province, we will first visit Daning and then Taiyuan. When we return, we will write a memorial and submit it to the emperor."
When Zhang Yanling heard this, he didn't show the slightest surprise and said coldly: "I knew it a long time ago."
Du Fu was stunned.
Zhang Yanling: "You have the official fish charm hidden in your waist, and there are road signs and official documents in the package. Isn't it obvious enough?"
Du Fu: "So you know everything?"
Zhang Yanling: "Otherwise, why do you think I should meddle in other people's business and lead the way for you?"
Although Zhang Yanling was young, he was observant and careful in his actions. Du Fu was impressed and thanked him.
Zhang Yanling: "Farewell, I have a piece of advice for you to take note of... I've lived in Chang'an for a long time, and I'm afraid I'm used to being comfortable. Now there's famine everywhere, and people's hearts are sinister. You have to pay attention to your side at all times."
When Du Fu heard this, he bowed his hands in agreement.
Bidding farewell to Zhang Yanling, Du Fu entered the county seat of Daning County.
The situation in Daning County is almost the same as that in Guanzhongfang Prefecture.
When he arrived at the county government, Du Fu showed him the roadmap and official documents, and the county officials hosted a banquet in honor of the former.
Du Fu saw that there was wine and meat at the banquet, and thought of the hungry people in the city he had just seen. He felt sad and asked: "I have been traveling all the way, and all the capitals have been severely affected. How should Daning respond to the disaster?"
The reception official smiled and replied: "Daning is originally a large farming county. It pays countless taxes and tributes every year. Officials have been in the upper and lower ranks for more than ten years. Although there have been floods and droughts, the county government is united as one. Shangguan dispatches
With good methods, the people trust the government, and the big households in the county are generous and generous, so although the business is difficult, it can still be sustained."
After hearing this, Du Fu felt a little suspicious.
After all, starting from Chang'an, the people in the prefectures and counties along the way are all in dire straits. Daning, which is located in the hardest-hit area, is the situation still optimistic?
So Du Fu asked again: "There are twelve Guangji granaries in Daning, which are important granaries in Hebei Province. What is the situation now?"
Hearing Du Fu mention Guangjicang in Daning, a trace of imperceptible panic first flashed in the eyes of the reception official, and then he answered vaguely: "It's nothing."
Du Fu: "Nothing happened?"
Seeing that he could not hide it, the reception official could only say: "At the beginning of the year, there were thunderstorms in Luliang Mountain. Guangji Granary was struck by lightning at night, and a fire broke out, burning several granaries."
Du Fu opened his eyes wide and asked: "Lightning caused a fire and burned down the granary?"
Reception official: "This natural disaster has been recorded in the county annals, and everyone in the city is aware of it."
Du Fu: "How much grain was burned in total?"
Reception official: "It's really not much...but there is no need to worry about it. The county government has reported it and the matter has been properly handled."
Du Fu was greatly shocked and recalled the parting conversation with Zhang Yanling.
"Before the disaster came, all the grain in the relief warehouses had been embezzled. The government burned the empty warehouses again and lied to the outside world that it was leaked."
"One-third of the disasters you speak of come from heaven and earth, but seven-tenths are man-made disasters!"
Seeing Du Fu's uncertain expression, the reception official pretended to be unintentional and asked, "Where are you going next?"
Du Fu subconsciously said: "I plan to visit Guangjicang first, and then go to Taiyuan Mansion."
Reception officer: "Guangjicang is in a remote location, do you really want to go?"
Du Fu: "I have accepted the order from the Young Prison, so I naturally want to go and have a look."
Reception official: "It's a long journey and it's not peaceful on the way. Why don't we summon the chief minister to ask questions?"
Du Fu shook his head.
The reception official picked up the wine glass and used the toast to cover up the sharp look in his eyes: "In this case, let me take this glass of wine as a farewell to your distinguished sir."
The next day, Du Fu rented a carriage from Shuilu Xing in Daning County and drove along the official road to Guangjicang at the junction of Daning County and Yonghe County.
Halfway through the journey, Du Fu was exhausted and fell asleep.
When he woke up again and opened the curtain, he found that the carriage had left the official road and drove onto an unknown path.
Du Fu asked the driver: "Where is this?"
The driver didn't answer.
Du Fu asked again: "The sun is in the east, so we should be heading north. Why is it wrong?"
The coachman still didn't answer.
Du Fu said angrily: "Stop the car!"
The coachman stopped the carriage unsteadily, turned around and cupped his hands towards Du Fu, saying: "I am also entrusted by others. Please forgive me, sir."
After saying that, without waiting for Du Fu to react, the coachman untied the horse, jumped on its back, cracked his whip, and disappeared on horseback.
Seeing the wilderness everywhere, Du Fu knew something was wrong and quickly jumped out of the carriage, trying to find a way back.
At this moment, several men dressed in black and holding horizontal knives came out of the bushes and slowly approached Du Fu.
Although Du Fu was panicked in his heart, he kept his composure on his face and shouted: "What do you want?"
The leader of the gangsters shook the sharp knife in his hand and said, "We are here just to give you a ride."
Du Fu took a few steps back and shouted again: "I am a court official. You are trying to kill me. Aren't you afraid of beheading me?"
The gangster leader smiled and said: "In this world, human life is not as good as that of chickens and dogs. Even if you are an official, what can you do?"
After saying that, he stepped quickly, raised the blade, and prepared to cut.
Facing this scene, Du Fu could only close his eyes and cry out sadly: "My life is at stake!"
At this moment, an arrow shot from the woods and pierced directly into the back of the criminal leader.
Immediately afterwards, the bowstring sounded again, and another gangster was shot dead on the spot.
Just when everyone was in shock and doubt, a group of young men wearing tattered cloth and holding hoes and rakes rushed into the field and beat the remaining criminals cleanly.
Du Fu, who was still in shock, sat down on the ground and gasped for air. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw two people walking out of the woods.
One person is dressed as a hunter, carrying a strong bow on his back, and has a strong posture; the other person is still young and thin.
And the latter was none other than Zhang Yanling, who had parted with him before.