Set up porridge factories to provide relief, attract businessmen and persuade people to donate

After the outbreak of the Huanghuai flood, because Henan has been unable to provide disaster relief, so that after the flood went to the hungry people everywhere, the government was inefficient, the measures were panicked, the winter solstice of Wanli 21 years and the spring of Wanli 22 years gave birth to a famine, livestock were gone, bandits were everywhere, thousands of miles of bark and grass roots were wiped out, and even people actually cannibalized each other, Jia people flesh in the city, Henan Province has been like hell on earth. Therefore, Zhang Yiyuan, the governor of Henan, continued to ask the imperial court to coordinate the disaster relief.

In the first month of the twenty-second year of Wanli, Emperor Wanli Xiaoyu was in charge of the Ministry of Officials:

"Yesterday's disasters in various provinces, especially in Shandong, Henan and the places near the Xuhuai River. The people have stripped the bark of trees and grass for food, and there are also those who cut off dead bodies and kill people and eat them. Although I live in the deep palace, I am eager to be depressed, and I do not want to sleep in the dormitory, and I have repeatedly ordered relief, but I don't know if you have a division to pursue it? Do the small people have any benefits? At this time of public and private relations, I wonder if there is a cheap prescription for first aid in each place except for internal money, food or retention? The miners everywhere gathered in groups, and they didn't know if they were planted and returned to the peasants for defense?

At present, the Quartet is governed by officials, and they do not pay attention to the famine government, shepherd the small people, stop fighting the wind as the reputation, socialize as a profession, the cost is extravagant in the court, and the chase is all over the Lu. In the event of thieves, they either hide from each other or deliberately indulge in order to avoid the blame of local wrecks. They should also care for the officials only know to ask for relief, please ask, and ignore the current matter, do not know that the elimination of a harsh official, the reform of a bad law, the painful redundant expenses, and the province of virtual documents are always convenient for the people. In this way, it caused chaos, and I was very worried. ”

After the cabinet invited the secretary of the ministry to meet Chen Younian, the first assistant Wang Xijue took this opportunity to ask: "Listen to the emperor's edict and reprimand Yousi, Henan officials are like this, did the officials know in advance?" Chen Younian replied: "There is a labor first assistant bothered, since the beginning of the winter, the ministry has known the situation of Henan officials, corrupt officials and mediocre officials should immediately ask for dismissal, officials and the Metropolitan Procuratorate has also been re-investigated, Zhang Yiyuan, who was previously recommended by the cabinet, has been appointed governor of Henan since now it is difficult to make achievements, can only go to the disaster to report the disaster, the first assistant can consider sending another person?" ”

Wang Xijue said: "I have recommended to the emperor that Zhong Huamin be appointed as the imperial historian of Henan Province to preside over the disaster relief, and in recent times, the emperor should summon Zhong Huamin to personally investigate. Chen Younian heard that Zhong Huamin had been recommended, and he felt at ease: "Shoufu's eyes are like torches, Zhong Huamin is indeed a suitable candidate, and the emperor can rest assured that he will preside over the disaster relief." As for the food payment, how will it be raised? ”

Zhang Wei said: "In such a catastrophe, the imperial court will do its best to raise funds, but this alone cannot calm the disaster, and Zhong Huamin and the disaster relief officials need to act independently in accordance with the regulations and the actual situation." Zhao Zhigao also reminded Chen Younian that he should select officials for Henan as soon as possible: "And Henan officials should also go to the old and establish the new, otherwise how can they do their best for the victims?" Several have been dismissed before, and this time I also asked the officials to elect and play as soon as possible. ”

Chen Younian replied: "This is natural, and the officials will carefully select and inspect the disaster and do not miss the disaster." In this case, I will no longer disturb the affairs of the cabinet, and you elders will stay. Chen Younian was about to leave, when he overheard Wang Xijue say: "Many corrupt officials in Henan have dealings with cabinet ministers and are also related to people in the ministry. Chen Younian was stunned at first, and then smiled and agreed.

Emperor Wanli summoned Zhong Huamin to meet him and asked: "Zhong Huamin, the cabinet and the ministry have a very high evaluation of you, and now you know everything about the disaster in Henan, I ask you how to relieve the disaster?" Zhong Huamin replied: "Back to the emperor, the minister thought that he should first examine the victims and check them one by one, so as to avoid false claims and resettle the people; After that, money and grain were distributed and porridge was set up to curb the disaster. Then the government and wealthy businessmen were invited to fund urban and rural restoration and farmland cultivation, and work for relief, so as to gradually restore livelihoods; At the same time, it is necessary to treat the victims of the epidemic, redeem their children, and bury their bones to heal the pain of the disaster. In the end, the bandits, the displaced people resumed their business, persuaded the farmers to teach the mulberry, scattered the thieves and banned lawsuits, and the customs were kind, and the disaster could be calmed down. ”

Emperor Wanli was delighted: "Zhong Huamin, I order you to be the imperial history of Henan Province, give you the right to engage in it cheaply, and preside over a disaster relief affair. I have made personnel adjustments to Henan, and I have also asked the household department to raise money to help you in disaster relief. There must be no mistake in going to Henan tomorrow. "Zhong Huamin is grateful.

In February of the 22nd year of Wanli, Zhong Huamin rushed to Henan, and Zhong Huamin convened the governor and the ministers of the clan and said: "Everyone, if the disaster is relieved, the people will be dispersed, and the people will be dispersed. If you gather it, the people will turn into white bones, and if you scatter it, the ravines will rise from the spring platform. The top priority at the moment is to verify the victims, register them individually, cook porridge and scatter silver, prepare silver grain, and make special personnel distribute it on time and in accordance with the amount, and it is strictly forbidden to embezzle loose silver. The official and the capital will also strictly inspect and supervise the assessment by picking up the remains. Previously, the imperial court had brought all the great evils and huge corruption in a province to justice. As a lesson from the past, if there are still officials who take the opportunity to be corrupt and ineffective in disaster relief in the future, once it is verified, they will be beheaded immediately! The officials said that they would do their best.

Subsequently, Zhong Huamin and Zhang Yiyuan ordered the political secretary to be divided into prefectures and counties, and went to the villages to examine the poor households, and the poor were divided into three classes, and the roll call was given. Zhong Huamin himself also traveled through the countryside of the state to comfort the victims and inspect the people's conditions. Among the third-class disaster-stricken poor, the poorer ones will not receive relief, the second-poorest will be given loans by the rich people of the same township, and the extremely poor will be resettled by the government to wait for relief, which can also reduce favoritism and malpractice.

After the re-examination of the victims, Zhong Huamin held a rally and said: "Relief needs to be done quickly, and there must be no slackness. Due to the limited area of porridge relief, porridge factories should be set up all over the country, and it is better to move officials to serve the people than to work for the people. The abbot of the rich is especially insufficient, and the poor can be reborn with a spoonful of food. The state and county officials need to make every effort to provide relief, and the provincial and ministerial departments also need to work tirelessly and inspect constantly. ”

Zhang Yiyuan, the governor of Henan, said: "I have agreed with the disaster relief envoy that if a porridge factory is set up in the city, there will be many people wandering around, which is not conducive to rescue. It is located in the countryside, and it is difficult for the victims of the city to reach it. It is easy to be infected with epidemics when gathered, and it is moderate to be dispersed. It is more appropriate to set up 11 factories in each city and 19 factories in each township. ”

Zhong Huamin ordered: "All prefectures and counties should immediately record that one for the elderly, the young, women and children should be set up, and two meals a day would be given." The victims of the disaster sat on the ground two feet and five inches in each place, ate two meals a day, and ate two bowls per meal. Porridge must be cooked until cooked, not mixed with water, and not filthy, and those who eat porridge are not allowed to bring porridge to other places, and those who offer porridge are not allowed to reduce it without authorization. The officials hurriedly took notes.

Later, Zhong Huamin discussed with the political envoy: "Every time there is a major disaster, some victims will give loose silver because they are unwilling to accept porridge relief. The officials of all prefectures and counties shall make a guarantee agreement with the governor of the set, and the extremely poor and the second poor will be given small receipts, and the extremely poor households will be issued five coins of silver, and the second-poor households will be issued three coins of silver, and the officials will go to the villagers to issue them, and the date will be publicized first to prevent the victims from running and waiting. After the victims receive the silver, they need to be supervised by the government and the people, and if there is a strong and evil deduction and plunder, they will be severely punished. At the same time, it is necessary to prevent fraudulent claims, and each silver is issued with two prison scales, and it is distributed regularly every month, and the book is printed for inspection by the official at any time. What do you think? "The political envoy received the order.

Regarding the relatives of the clan and the poor students, Zhong Huamin thought about it again and again and discussed with Zhang Yiyuan: "There are always some down-and-out clan children and relatives of the emperor in the provinces, who are no different from poor peasants when they are affected by a catastrophe, and there is also a class of students who have no merit and have a poor family background, and these two types of people cannot be ignored. In particular, the children of the affected clans have roughly calculated that there are about 14,600 people in this province, and these people have nothing to do in their lives. ”

Zhang Yiyuan had no objection to this, and strongly agreed: "The tribe is becoming more and more complicated, the money and food are difficult to continue, and it is useful to obtain fame and fame, and it is really a burden for the country to empty the clan." Zhong Huamin said: "The most difficult thing is those poor students, these students are full of poetry and books, and would rather die than receive relief in order to keep the integrity of the temperament, but they are willing to receive the emperor's grace, so they must say that the emperor's grace is vast, so that they feel blessed by the Son of Heaven, and they will accept the relief to live." Zhang Yiyuan said with a smile: "The disaster relief envoy is really kind to people's hearts, so Henan is very lucky." ”

Governor Zhang Yiyuan ordered that mansions and temples should be used as porridge factories in each city, and each porridge factory in the countryside should have five rooms, one rice storage room and four rooms for the people, and each factory should take in at least 200 hungry people. The magistrates of each prefecture and county personally select people of good character to manage the porridge factory, and the local department has a department to check the number of rice, inspect the dishes every day, supervise the officials to be diligent and lazy, and reward and punish according to the truth.

Zhong Huamin and the governor and the vassal all over the office, inquiring about the suffering, supervising the officials, traveling hundreds of miles a day, every place must first eat porridge factory inspection, subordinates hurriedly asked: "Relief makes people work day and night, inspect all places, how can they only eat porridge to satisfy hunger." Zhong Huamin replied: "There are three benefits to eating porridge factory, and one is that there is no need to find my traces to serve food, which is a waste of public funds." Second, it can motivate the driver and the soup maker not to neglect and disobey. The three governors do not shy away from labor and eat with the people, which can bring the people's hearts together, and can also inspire their colleagues and try their best to help. ”

At that time, Liu Yiyan, a poor man in Guojia Village, was affected by the disaster and contracted the disease, and instructed his wife: "I don't have many days to live, you still have some strength, if you think about the husband and wife, don't stay here and starve to death, go out early to find a way to live!" After that, Liu Yiyu used all his remaining strength to drive out his wife. Liu burst into tears: "You are the heaven of the family, I should take care of you if you are sick now, and if you die, you should die together, I can't go!." ”

Liu Yiyu scolded angrily: "You crazy woman, you go quickly, leave here!" Liu said: "Barren mountains and wild mountains, where can you go?" I just want to be here. No matter how Liu Yiyu scolded Liu, he refused to leave, the husband and wife hugged each other in despair, and at this time, the government and the township searched for the lonely victims, and the two finally got relief and the couple was saved.

The Guangwu Temple in Yexian County gave relief to the victims of 5,000 day and night, and the old man deeply felt the emperor's grace, knelt down and shouted: "The grace of dripping water should be repaid by the spring, and my generation was repaid by the emperor's grace, how can we make up for it?" In the future, everyone will be safe and do nothing. "The generosity of the local victims is deeply appreciated. Students from all over the country and the royal relatives are on the back, burning incense to celebrate the holy birthday.

Due to the round-the-clock inspection and supervision of Zhong Huamin and Zhang Yiyuan, the victims in various parts of the country benefited from the relief and gradually became more vigorous. The officials of the feudal clan and the officials of various prefectures and counties, whether they were corrupt, sincere or afraid of crime, did their best during the disaster relief period, and by the overall arrangement, the disaster situation in Henan Province began to be suppressed.

But after all, during the catastrophe, the price of grain was inevitably high due to scarcity, and the original standing positions set up in various states and counties had long been gradually useless due to the decay of the bureaucracy.

When Zhong Huamin came to Henan, he had asked for 300,000 gold from the national treasury and 100,000 quintals of grain for relief. Inform all localities to abolish the ban on selling rice at high prices, so as to gather commercial rice to facilitate government manipulation. But then it gradually became insufficient, and in March, he criticized Wanli for ignoring the famine, and should stop weaving Taihe Mountain, saving funds for disaster relief. Wanli should not, continue to levy the Taihe Mountain incense tax and weaving for the emperor's private use and court sacrifices and rewards.

After the disaster situation was relatively stable, the phenomenon of favoritism and irregularities occurred again, and some officials took advantage of the fact that the victims did not know the amount of money and food to reduce or reduce their expenditures, so as to take bribes and deceive their superiors and subordinates. Zhong Huamin made public all the details of the taxes that should be handed over to the government and the details of the money and grain reductions and exemptions, so that everyone could know. Strictly supervise and curb corruption.

Zhong Huamin was ready to persuade the people to donate money and food for the lack of money, and discussed with Zhang Yiyuan: "Dutang, the disaster relief food is gradually insufficient, not long ago, the imperial court has repeatedly asked the emperor for money and food, and you and I have also asked for internal funds, but there has been no response for a long time. Therefore, I intend to persuade the people to donate money and attract merchants to sell grain. Zhang Yiyuan said: "If the people don't donate, what can they do? Time is running out, instead of repeatedly bothering words, it is better to force the rich people to donate, and violators will be punished. ”

Zhong Huamin said: "Persuade Shangyi first, the people of Shangyi can be virtuous, not powerful." As a result, donors will be able to prosper, and if they rely only on deterrence, they will gain a small amount, which will not be able to be used and will ruin the credibility of the government. Hou Zhong Huamin issued a proclamation: "After repeated famines, the government warehouse is like washing, and the hungry people are waiting to be fed." The world is crying, the Son of Heaven is sick for it, and the neighbors and villagers need to work together to overcome the famine. Those who produce millet are sent to the porridge factory, and those who produce the money are distributed in their own homes, and they are not allowed to mix with official funds. The official is not involved, the people are exempt from prostration, they are inspected according to the book, and they are rewarded according to the amount of donations, and the excellent ones are awarded plaques and crowns and belts, and they are exempt from servitude. and the porridge factory with the same reward. Zhong Huamin issued several notices in a row, and invited students and villagers from all over the country to publicize everywhere, and after ten days, the donations to enrich the people increased day by day.

In the process of attracting merchants to sell grain, because the ban on selling rice at high prices had been lifted before, grain merchants from all provinces and localities came one after another, and grain ships and grain trucks stretched for more than 50 miles, and the price of grain was reduced day by day. Zhong Huamin listened to his subordinates' reports: "The original price of rice in the disaster area is about five taels per stone, and after the grain price is opened, grain merchants in various provinces have been attracted, and countless miles have been transported, dozens of miles without stopping. Grain and rice from all over the country are concentrated in Zhongzhou, and it is difficult to transshipment, and the price of rice has become a competition, and now it has dropped to an average price of eight cents per stone. ”

Zhong Huamin clapped his hands and said: "Very good, let the local government strictly check, grain merchants must not falsely report the amount, must not falsify the scales, and must not buy * officials and people." Zhang Yiyuan, the governor of Henan, praised: "The use of liberalization of high prices to attract grain merchants, but to make them reduce the price of rice independently, the relief envoy is really thoughtful and resourceful." In this way, Henan no longer has to worry about food shortage, what should be done next? Please also ask for advice from the relief envoy. ”

Zhong Huamin said: "Dutang is serious, this is not my originality, fortunately there is a precedent. Now that the disaster situation has stabilized and the food payment has been worry-free, the next step should be to treat the epidemic and restore the livelihood of the victims as soon as possible. We'll talk about the details later. Zhang Yiyuan said yes.

At the same time, the victims also began to praise the deeds of Zhonghua again, and one person said: "This Zhong Yushi once served as Hui'an Zhi County in Fujian, which was Qingzhang Tianmu and was audited for conscription." But all the things that are harmful to the people are done by the wealthy and powerful, but they are all aware of everything and punished according to the law. The people can farm with peace of mind, and rice and grain are abundant. ”

Another person said: "Zhong Yushi rebuilt the broken bridge, summoned wealthy merchants to contribute, called on the people to contribute, not only donated money himself, but also ordered all the yamen officials to carry stones and pick up soil, and the people were deeply encouraged." Another person said: "I heard that when Zhong Yushi was in Leping County, successive officials were corrupt and bent the law, and the people's resentment was boiling. Zhong Yushi was also almost injured. Later, the backlog of cases was cleared and investigated and rehabilitated, and Leping took on a new look. He also edited and published "Records of Clearing Grievances". I heard that there are people from other counties who come to Leping to complain. ”

Another person said: "Zhong Yushi inspected Shandong, Shandong was in a great drought, the government still collected taxes as usual, arrested good people and bandits to ask for bribes, it was Zhong Yushi who asked for an order to personally supervise the government to retry grievances, exempt from forced labor, and severely punish the officials involved in the case." Later, he was impeached by local magnates for giving food and then reporting on the matter of grain relief, and was demoted and transferred to other places. ”

Another person answered: "Yes, Zhong Yushi later served as the imperial history of Shanxi Province, and he also reprimanded the evil officials who embezzled military salaries and rations and indiscriminately levied from the people. Zhong Yushi also entered Beijing to accompany him. Now that there is a catastrophe in Henan, the emperor can send Zhong Yushi to really see the sacred heart and know people well. "The local people in Henan gradually spread the word of mouth about Zhong Huamin.

Disasters are always followed by the spread of disease, and the victims are weak and hungry, so there are many sick people. At the beginning of the Ming Dynasty, Huimin pharmacies were set up everywhere to govern and control the pharmaceutical industry norms, and people who did not seek medical advice could get treatment through Huimin pharmacies. However, with the increasing conflict of interests and the increasing corruption of the government, Huimin Pharmacy is no longer subsidized by the imperial court, and the collapse of household registration has also led to chaos among medical households, and self-financing operation has gradually become difficult to compete in the industry, and Huimin Pharmacy has become increasingly abandoned. Although it has been revived several times, it is difficult for Huimin Pharmacy to regain its former style.

Zhong Huamin discussed with Zhang Yiyuan: "I want to revitalize Huimin Pharmacy, cooperate with local charity pharmacies to treat epidemics, allocate funds from the provincial treasury to select land for reconstruction, and also purchase medicinal materials from various places to select good doctors to enter the bureau." Since Dutang took office in October last year, have you ever known how many famous local doctors there are? ”

Zhang Yiyuan couldn't think hard: "The disasters are frequent, the people are scattered, and I have never heard of any good doctors, but I am afraid that I will die in the flood and famine, and the remaining pharmacies can only relieve the pain." Good doctors also need to be invited from other provinces, medicinal materials are scarce, and the price of medicines will also be doubled if they are imported from other provinces. ”

Zhong Huamin said: "Medicinal materials are not as good as food, and it is not impossible to do so, relatively speaking, medicinal materials are easy to get good doctors and difficult to find, so in the name of the provincial government, famous doctors from all over the world should be invited to treat the victims, but the remuneration is low, and the hope is that the doctors are benevolent." It is also necessary to be reasonable in writing notices, and when a doctor comes, it needs to be probed a little to avoid quack doctors getting involved. "Since the proclamation was issued, although many practitioners have come one after another, most of them have mediocre medical skills, and some of them are quacks who fish in troubled waters. The bitter and unscrupulous doctor made Zhong Huamin and Zhang Yiyuan very distressed. When I couldn't wait anymore, I made an urgent report outside the door: "The famous doctor is here!" Famous doctors are here! Zhong Huamin was taken aback, he didn't know who was here, and he hurriedly led Zhang Yiyuan to inspect it.