The Yang Causeway of Erbu has a unique scenery. Du Wenhao, who came out of Lepinggu to have lunch and wanted to drink some wine during the banquet, changed his habits, and simply ate some food, saying that he was a little tired, Liao Guibing and Zhang Tianning naturally did not dare to persuade him, and after eating, Du Wenhao suggested that he should walk for a while first, and then take a bamboo raft on the road.

Zhang Tianning, the magistrate of the county, thought that Du Wenhao was not satisfied with the simple arrangement at noon, so he decided to take the first step and go to Yangdi to make arrangements. Du Wenhao immediately agreed, and asked Liao Guibing to go with him.

Liao Guibing was a little reluctant, but this was the instruction of the Elder Justice. He didn't have much to say. left a few errands to accompany Du Wenhao to protect them, and then said goodbye and took Zhang Tianning and they left first.

Du Wenhao and his entourage followed the two errands to the west in a hurry, the weather was very cool, and the river breeze was blowing very pleasantly?

Du Wenhao saw that there was a person in the back, and he didn't speak, as if he had something on his mind, so he deliberately walked a little slower and waited for her: "Li'er, what are you thinking when you walk behind alone?" ”

Li'er seemed to be taken aback, and said in a frustrating manner: "No" I didn't think about anything, master. ”

Du Wenhao: "I see that you seem to be depressed, what's wrong?" ”

In Du Wenhao's view, among the five women, the one who has the most no character and assertiveness is Li'er. Probably has been living in the palace, everything is the master's final say, it has become a habit, after marrying himself, everything is the master and the lady's decision, never said a word. It's all good, it's okay, it's okay, all of them are soft-spoken and pleasant, even Ke Yao, who is the most difficult to serve, can't find fault with her, and this woman is a little abnormal today.

Qia Er smiled reluctantly, and saw that Pang Yuqin was looking back at herself, so she said softly: "Thank you for your concern, there is nothing wrong with the concubine, really." ”

Xue Jiao'er heard their conversation and said, "Brother, you want to ask something out of her mouth, unless you get her drunk." ”

Everyone laughed.

Ke Yao chewed on the wild fruits that Liao Guibing bought for them before, and muttered, "Since that's the case." We're going to get Sister Charle drunk tonight, and I'd love to hear what she has to say. ”

Seeing everyone talking about themselves, Qi'er blushed like a burning cloud, lowered her head and said, "I..."

Lin Qingdai smiled: "Don't embarrass her." She wouldn't say it, even if she was drunk. ”

Du Wenhao said with a smile: "That's right, I always like to hide things in my heart." Let me guess, you're worried about your mother, aren't you? ”

When she heard Du Wenhao guess her thoughts, a flash of gratitude flashed on her face, and she nodded lightly.

Du Wenhao sighed lightly: "Li'er has followed them since she was a child, and she is like a sister, so she should be worried." ”

Li'er looked sad: "Yes, in the past, Niangniang once took me to accompany the emperor on a parade, and when I saw the beauty of the landscape, I would think of Niangniang's laughter, but now she is blind in one eye, her face is also flowered, and she is seriously ill, and I don't know her."

Speaking of the back. Li'er choked up and couldn't go on.

Pang Yuqin said: "It's okay, don't worry, didn't Xianggong already prescribe medicine to your mother before leaving, and sent her back to her hometown, with her family to take care of her, she should be fine." ”

Cha'er blinked hurriedly, forced back the tears, smiled forcefully, and changed the subject: "That's right." I heard that Governor Liao said to Wu Zhixian earlier that he would go to the front to arrange some special game for us.

Ke Yao immediately said: "That's good, I like to eat delicious food the most." ”

Xue Jiao'er said coldly: "The people here can't even afford to drink porridge. What kind of game did they take us to eat, it was really full and hungry! ”

Li'er said: "Them" They are also to take care of us. ”

"Please! Would it be good to put more effort into the people? Didn't you notice along the way? Thousands of fertile fields are barren, and the fields are full of grass! Have you ever seen a single rice? This year, there is no harvest, what do the people eat? Not one. It's strange in the year of the catastrophe! What can you do if you don't sell your sons and daughters and sell your fertile land? ”

Du Wenhao stood still, looked at the barren paddy fields from afar, and sighed: "Yes, I want to visit the Li River not only to enjoy the beautiful scenery, but more importantly, to see how big the disaster is. Alas! Woe! ”

Pang Yuqin smiled reluctantly, and said to Du Wenhao: "Xianggong, don't be too anxious, Governor Liao, they should have already reported to the imperial court to allocate disaster relief money valley, and they won't watch the people starve to death." ”

Xue Jiao'er interjected: "Sister Yuqin, you are the lady of the fourth grade, you don't know what those officials in the court do, right?" Wait for them to take the money valley down. Let's not talk about how long we wait, it's not certain whether it can reach the hungry people! ”

Ke Yao also said: "Yes, when I was eating just now, I saw a few ragged children squatting in the corner of the alley, I took advantage of Lord Liao and Lord Zhang not paying attention, and asked Yingzi to bring them some food out, and then Yingzi came in and told me that those children were rolling their eyes when they ate, and Yingzi told them not to hurry and eat slowly, but they said that if they let the people of the government see it, they will definitely beat them to death." ”

Yingzi said: "Yes, you didn't see the eyes of those children when they saw the rice, and their eyes were about to fall out!" I don't know how many days I haven't eaten. I ran away with my job, and I didn't even have time to say thank you. I'm afraid I'll be caught. ”

Ke Yao said: "Doesn't the Yamen have a green seedling loan, you can borrow money from the Yamen, and pay it back when you have a harvest next year." ”

Du Wenhao sighed: "The Qingmiao loan is not a relief grain, it is an emergency not to help the poor, it is to watch the harvest, we must ensure that we can repay the loan, and we also need five associations" one to four points of interest!" But you see, the grains in the fields are harvested, and the autumn harvest is not up, and the green seedling loan cannot be recovered, and the officials will be removed from their posts and investigated! So who in the yamen would dare to lend money to these victims? ”

"You can mortgage the land, and if you have a mortgage, you can borrow money, I heard."

Du Wenhao smiled bitterly: "The field mortgage can receive grain, that's right, the harvest in the field is out, and the loan must not be repaid, at that time, the fields are all discounted to the green seedling loan, what land do you plant?" What do farmers eat if they don't have land? Besides, what about the landless tenant farmers? With what collateral? Moreover, there is an upper limit on the loan of the Seedlings Loan, and the money valley that can be loaned, no matter how much a family of five saves food, they can't support it for three months, but this disaster is a year, and what will the Seedlings Loan eat up again? ”

Ke Yao was dumbfounded: "Then" Aren't the people of this house "dead?" ”

Du Wenhao sighed, looking at the harvested fertile fields with his hands behind his back, and his mood was very heavy.

The fertile land in the entire Jingjiang Prefecture boundary area has been harvested, and the number of people affected by the disaster is large. It's also a drop in the bucket, and it's not enough to last long. It's only autumn. There is already a food shortage, and the people have to sell their sons and daughters to sell their fields to make ends meet, and when there is a harvest in the coming year, there is still a long year, how will the people spend it?

Seeing that winter is about to begin, the houses are sold, where to shelter from the wind and rain against the cold? What if you survive this long winter? If timely and effective relief measures are not taken, we are afraid that the starving people will starve to death, and the scene of collapsed corpses scattered in the field is not far off.

However, his identity is now only a criminal officer and a royal doctor, only in charge of the prison and the patrol doctor, and he is not in charge of disaster relief and food relief, how can he help these poor people?

When the women saw Du Wenhao looking at the fertile fields that had been harvested, they sighed for a long time, and they didn't dare to speak.

The scenery on both sides of the Yangdi is beautiful, but the tragic scene of empty paddy fields is a kind of poignant.

When they came to Yangdi, Zhang Tianning, the magistrate of the county, arranged for Du Wenhao and them to stay in a farmhouse-style bamboo building, surrounded by mountains and rivers, with pleasant scenery, but Du Wenhao was no longer in the mood to see the scenery?

He called Liao Zhifu and Zhang Zhixian and asked: "Two adults, this official came to Jingjiang Mansion, and saw that the scenery of this paradise on earth is really charming, but the crops in the fields are not harvested, do the two adults have a way to deal with this matter?" ”

"This" Liao Zhifu and Zhang Zhixian glanced at each other, and were silent for a while.

Du Wenhao smiled self-deprecatingly: "I'm sorry, this disaster relief and grain release is not within the scope of my official duties, but I just saw it and asked casually, if there is any inconvenience, the two adults don't have to answer." ”

Governor Liao hurriedly arched his hand and said, "My lord's words are serious. Adults care about the people and ask about disaster relief, how can there be any reason not to answer? Last winter was a warm winter, with little rain and snow, and after the beginning of spring, the sun was scorching, and the fields were cracked, and even the seedlings were dry and cracked, and there was no water, and the seeds could not grow seedlings. Pray to God for rain, nothing will work. From time to time, there are rumors among the foolish people that this natural disaster is due to the change of the law, and only the change of the law is abolished, and the nectar begins to fall. The words of the foolish people were not credible, but a few days ago, the imperial court stopped the implementation of the new law. It rained heavily for half a month! It's a pity that the season has passed, and the farming work is wrong, it's really a spring by mistake, and a year by mistake! ”

Zhang Zhixian also stroked his beard and looked gloomy: "Originally, there were still some farmers who lived by the river who worked hard day and night to carry water and water the land, and reluctantly planted the seedlings in the fields by the river. They all began to stabilize, but the torrential rain in the middle of the month led to mountain floods, and the fertile fields by these rivers that looked at some harvests were washed away again, alas! Not only is this the case in the county, but there are seven counties under the jurisdiction of Jingjiang Mansion, and none of them are spared! The prefect often said that when he thought of the suffering of tens of thousands of people in the province, he could not sleep and eat. ”

Du Wenhao looked at Liao Zhifu approvingly and nodded.

Liao Zhifu arched his hand and said: "This is a matter within the Cambodian position, and the humble post has written to the court several times in a row, stating the disaster situation, and asking the court to allocate disaster relief money valley." The household department has already replied that the disaster relief money valley personally approved by the emperor will arrive at the boundary of the province in the near future. Although it was a year of great disaster, the emperor's grace was immense, and all his colleagues worked together, and he had the confidence to lead the whole government and the people to tide over the difficulties together. I have sworn with my colleagues that even if we gnaw the bark of trees and eat grass roots, we will not let any of the people under our rule starve to death and freeze to death! ”

Du Wenhao praised the festival: "Well said! The people of Jingjiang have a good official like Liao Zhifu who loves the people like him, which is really a blessing for the people! ”

Governor Liao waved his hand again and again: "Shame and shame, the people are hot, what a blessing!" Alas! ”

"Natural disasters, it's just that God doesn't have long eyes and can't see the suffering of the people, as you said, there is the emperor's grace, and there are you good officials who think about the people, you will definitely be able to get through the difficulties?"

Liao Zhifu said gloomily: "This year's spring drought, all the prefectures and counties of the country, four or five out of ten have been affected, and there are too many places that need to be beneficial, I am afraid that I can get the money valley of the province, which is far from enough to help the victims." ”

Zhang Zhixian sighed with a look of lamentation and arched his hand: "Therefore, the prefect advocated saving food and clothing, saving the expenses of the yamen, and also organized several yamen officials to raise donations to help the poorest people in the province. But. It's still too far off. ”

Du Wenhao pondered and asked, "What are the plans of the two of you?" ”

"Fundraising!" Governor Liao sighed: "This is the only way." After the winter, the disaster relief food is almost used, and the lowly post will go to Beijing to beg for the people from the princes and ministers, this face is not ready to ask for the lowly job anyway, for the people's way of living, tear the skin and beg the grandfather to tell the grandmother, give the disaster victims one more point, one more quilt will be one more. That's all there is to it. ”

Du Wenhao praised repeatedly, frowning and thinking, but he couldn't think of a good way.

In modern times, the industrial height is high, and the disaster victims: Erbu goes out to work to earn money while reducing the number of people who need to be relieved. But in Beishu, Diao Yiyan does not have any large-scale workshops, let alone large-scale factories. I really don't know how to save these tens of thousands of victims, can I really only wander and beg and die in a foreign land?

While he was talking, a servant came in to report that an old gentleman had asked to see the eldest master of the criminal officer, saying that he had been recommended by Gonggong Ning of the Imperial Palace.

Du Wenhao was overjoyed when he heard this, and when he was in Hengzhou, he used emergency military intelligence to send Ning's father-in-law and asked him to help find a master who could write a fold. I didn't expect this father-in-law Ning to be really neat. Hurry up, please.

Liao Zhifu and Zhang Zhixian heard that Du Wenhao had visitors. So he got up and took his leave.

Not for a while. The official brought in an old man with a gray beard.

This old man is very thin, his eyes are squinted into a slit, mixed with the folds on his face, a little farther away, and he can't even tell which one is the fold and which one is the eye?

The old man came in, and after the official introduced, he bowed: "Old decay Shen Shengping." I've seen the Punishment Lord. This is a letter of recommendation from Father-in-law Ning, and he took out a letter from his arms. took a few steps forward, bowed slightly, and handed Du Wenhao both hands.

Du Wenhao took a look, and sure enough, it was Ning Gonggong's handwriting, tore open the envelope, took out the letterhead and unfolded it, and after reading Ning Gonggong's letter, Du Wenhao knew that the old man in front of him was extraordinary.

This person was originally a jinshi in the second year of Tianxi, who was appreciated by Wen Yanbo and worshiped as a guest. Since then, he has been following Wen Yanbo, giving him advice and helping Wen Yanbo to become the prime minister.

After Wang Anshi became a sergeant, he first set foot in officialdom, didn't understand anything, and was a thorn in the head, and he was straight. It's easy to offend people, so I haven't done anything big. Fortunately, the prime minister at that time, Wen Yanbo, admired his demeanor and recommended him as a group of herd judges, serving as the governor of Changzhou and Jiangdong Prison, and also recommended his master Shen Shengping to him to let him deal with officialdom.

At the beginning of the network, Wang Aishi listened to Shen Shengping's words very much, so his official fortune was prosperous, and he was transferred to the judge of the degree branch within a few years. Later, the imperial court appreciated his talent and prepared to transfer him to the Zhiji Xian Academy, where he lived with the initiates. He was unwilling to take up this idle position, Shen Shengping made plans for various activities, and finally changed his position to the Zhi Zhi Xuan, drafted the edict for the emperor, and picketed the prison in Beijing.

This, the official is very powerful, but Wang Anshi's thorn is not smooth, and he is self-sustaining and talented. The net was cautious for his own use, and he began not to listen to Shen Shengping's words, which offended many important ministers of the court. At this time, Wang Anshi's mother died of illness, and the court strongly recommended the emperor to be removed from his official position on the grounds of his mourning. Wang Anshi's mourning period expired and he was not hired. Until Shenzong succeeded to the throne. Shen Shengping used his familiarity with the hundred officials of the imperial court to make suggestions, and Wang Anshi also made compromises, which was reactivated by the imperial court and appointed as the prefect of Jiangning.

Under Shen Shengping's arrangement, Song Shenzong was able to appreciate Wang Anshi's talents, especially his insights on financial management, and Song Shenzong promoted him to a bachelor and lecturer of Hanlin. Later, he was appointed as the governor of the government and presided over the reform of the law in an all-round way. He then served as the prime minister, and implemented the new law nationwide and began a large-scale reform movement.

The implementation of the law change has been met with great resistance, and the effect is unsatisfactory, but at this time, Wang Anshi has the support of Song Shenzong, plus he has great power, so he does not need Shen Shengping, a master. His slow-moving personality made him unable to listen to Shen Shengping's words at all? Shen Shengping was sad and told Wang Anshi to return to his hometown. Wang Anshi immediately agreed.

Not long after, Wang Anshi's reform was hit hard, and even Song Shenzong lost confidence in him, and at the same time, under the pressure of the emperor's relatives and ministers who opposed the new law, Wang Anshi was removed from the position and reappointed as the prefect of Jiangning.

At this time, Wang Anshi remembered Shen Shengping again, and invited Shen Shengping to come out of the mountain. Shen Shengping once again mediated and helped defuse Wang Anshi's hostile forces, so that Wang Anshi was able to pay homage to the prime minister again the following year. Helplessly, Wang Anshi's personality dictated it, and after he regained power, he quickly went his own way and once again erected a strong enemy. He couldn't listen to any of Shen Shengping's opinions, Shen Shengping was disheartened and resigned again to return to his hometown. Wang Anshi agreed again.

Without Shen Shengping, he was sleek and sleek to resolve the contradictions. Wang Anshi is like a hedgehog, everyone who touches him is pierced, including even Wen Yanbo, who lifted him at the beginning. Such a thorn is not a good official, so it didn't take long for Wang Anshi to be dismissed again. Served as an idle position. Then, Wang Anshi followed Song Shenzong and Du Wenhao for a private visit, and what he saw made him extremely disheartened, resigned from his idle post, and lived a life of seclusion and ignoring things outside the window.

Shen Shengping once assisted Wen Yanbo and Wang Anshi, the two prime ministers, he was sleek, and he was very familiar with the personality and temperament of the court officials, which was in line with Du Wenhao's needs, so after Ning Gonggong received Du Wenhao's letter asking to recommend his master, he immediately thought of Shen Shengping. personally visited the door, told Shen Shengping about Du Wenhao, and invited Shen Shengping to come out of the mountain again to assist Du Wenhao.

Although Shen Shengping has retired over the years, his network is still there, and there are many relatives and friends in the capital. He is also an idle person, and he knows everything about the movements of the court. For Du Wenhao, the newly rising miracle doctor, he naturally knows and is very optimistic about Du Wenhao. For him, in his twilight years, if he can help such a person to succeed. It is also a quick thing, and with the personal recommendation of Father-in-law Ning, Shen Shengping is naturally even more difficult to refuse. I immediately agreed.

He took the letter of recommendation from Father-in-law Ning and went south alone. Finally met Du Wenhao in the pleasant scenery of Yangdi in Jingjiang Mansion.