In the autumn of the sixteenth year of Kangxi, the continuous lewd rain fell all over the sky, and God seemed to be crazy, and it rained vigorously. The water level of the Yellow River and the Huai River has risen sharply, and dozens of places have already broken the gap. The Grand Canal and its tributaries of the Yellow River and Huai River have changed their old appearance, and the muddy water roars, roars, roars, rushes away, rolls up the mud and sand, crashes the river banks, and hits the frightening whirlpool. Standing on a high place, looking around, I saw the mist transpiring, the turbid waves emptying, and there was an ocean everywhere.

At the junction of the Yellow River, the Huai River and the Grand Canal, there is a small Qingjiang county, because it is located in the important place of water and land transportation, the imperial court set up a grain road here. The salt road, the ships that connect the north-south Grand Canal, have to be sharpened and taxed here. This small county town originally had a population of just over 10,000, but now the flood has flooded the embankment, and disaster has fallen from the sky, and refugees from all over the country have flocked to the city, and the population has soared to more than 100,000 within a few days. In the streets and alleys, temples and temples, and under the eaves of the city walls, simple shacks were erected everywhere, and wet luggage was piled up, crowded with yellow-faced and hungry refugees. The shop was closed, the price of food skyrocketed, and on weekdays, it only took one big son to buy the baked cakes, but now it costs a tael of silver to buy them.

The magistrate of Qingjiang County is surnamed Yu, named Jackie Chan, in his thirties, and has been a county magistrate here for two years. He was honest and honest, and was very loved by the people. Coincidentally, he has a cousin of his own family, also named Yu Chengchan, the current governor of Shandong, who is upright and famous. People habitually call his brother greater than Jackie Chan, and call his younger brother less than Jackie Chan. Less than Jackie Chan lost his father when he was a child, and was raised by his mother Yu Fang, he is determined to uphold his mother's training and be a clean official like his cousin. However, how did he know that it was not easy to be a clean official. Last year, the emperor's uncle, Jiangnan Governor Ge Li, made a birthday, and other officials sent gold and silver gifts to celebrate his birthday, but he only sent a pair of black cloth shoes. This annoyed the governor, found a boy to join him, and dismissed the county order. Although the new county order has not come, Liang Shouyi, the seal collector of the Geli faction, has come to Qingjiang. However, this Liang Shouyi is very slippery. As soon as he saw it, Qingjiang County was besieged by a large flood, and it was difficult to protect the good fortune, and if he immediately took off Yu Chengchan's seal, he would have to take the risk for controlling the water and protecting the people. Therefore, when others came, they did not rush to pick up the seal. If he doesn't pick it, Yu Jackie Chan won't be able to deal with it, so he has to continue to take care of things.

At this moment, Yu Chenglong was holding his old mother who was over fifty years old and standing on the arrow tower of the city gate. He looked at the water outside the city, and the dozens of mud-covered servants around him, their thin clothes, unable to resist the autumn wind in the rain, and the two of them were so heavy that they couldn't help but shiver. Yu Fangshi looked at his son and said, "Look at this day, I'm afraid it won't be sunny for a while, right?" There are more than 100,000 people in the city, who are cold and hungry, how can they bear it? My son is the parent official of this place, so I have to make up my mind quickly! ”

Listening to his mother's words, Yu Chenglong let out a long sigh: "Alas, my mother is right, and I am worried about this matter, child." This Qingjiang County is the land of the imperial court's grain storage, but the grain depot is not under my control. Not to mention that the seal collector lives there now, just the Daotai Han Chun and the garrison Guo Zhen, who are in charge of the grain depot, are older than children and are in charge of several counties. They guarded the grain mountains and rice stacks, but they didn't care when they watched the people of the whole city starving! This morning, I have sent for them to come and discuss the release of grain. Mother, don't worry, there will be a way. ”

Yu Jackie Chan said and carried his mother to rest. He came out and called a few officials to prepare to go to the granary. just came out, but saw Liang Shouyi and Guo Zhen. Han Chun and the three of them came with a few masters. Han Chun was a Taoist platform, with the highest position, and he was also in charge of civil and military affairs, so he walked in front and saw Yu Jackie Chan standing on top from a distance, and hurriedly bowed his hand and said: "Brother Jackie Chan, hard work!" Alas, I haven't seen this weight in a few days, and I'm missing something! ”

Yu Chengchan saluted, and while letting them into the hall of the arrow tower, he sat on the stone bench and said: "Han Guan, Lord Liang, Lord Guo, I sent my family to Yu Lu Zhifu to present the post this morning, I must have read it?" ”

After listening to Yu Chengchan's words, the three of them looked at each other, and Han Chun said with a smile: "Dazha has already read it, and Mr. Fist and Brother who loves the people are already aware of it." However, opening a warehouse for disaster relief is unusual...... Hehe, dude has been here for more than two years, ah, don't you understand this rule? Brothers can't help it! ”

Liang Shouyi listened to the words and smiled: "That's it." In the past few days, we have been talking about the old man, and we are full of praise. Qingjiang City survived the flood safely this time, the water finally did not enter the city, and it was all up to the old brother to lead the people to protect day and night, Brother Jackie Chan, this is your great achievement. To tell you the truth, this brother was sent by Ge Xiantai to pick up the seal. However, my brother will not pick it up first, and go back to know Lord Xiantai, maybe I will have to re-enforce it! ”

After hearing this, Yu Chenglong pondered for a while, and said coldly: "Lord Liang has won the award." I was born as a scholar of Xiao Ran, and I would like to be a scholar of Xiao Ran. Since Lord Liang has not received the seal, the brother is still a city keeper at this time. The imperial court prepared grain for the people, and several adults knew that more than 70 people had starved to death in the city in the past three days. In the event of a civil uprising, there are no soldiers inside the city and no help outside the city, who will be responsible and how will the aftermath be dealt with? ”

Guo Zhen was guarding the grain depot, and after listening to Yu Chengchan's words, he said uneasily: "We came here to meet you, and we are also doing this." The people of the city were already deliberating on gathering people to grab food. Don't hide it, brother, yesterday at the gate of the grain depot killed three troublemakers......"

Yu Chenglong sneered: "Hey, since the people are making trouble, come and kill one by one, and kill one by two, how refreshing!" Since they are making trouble in the library, it is your Excellency who should take care of it, what can the brother do? ”

Guo Zhen was born in Wu Mang, where could he hear what Jackie Chan said, and said with a dry laugh: "That's, that's." If 10,000 people coax, the brothers are beyond the reach of the whip, not to mention that the soldiers guarding the library are all locals, and when it is critical, they are unwilling to start, so there is really no way. ”

Liang Shouyi picked up the words and frowned: "So we came here to borrow your prestige from my brother." I have seen these days, though my brother has been in trouble; But it is still the hope of all, and the people here will listen to you. If your brother comes forward and tells me to press it, I think it will work. After the day of the disaster, won't the imperial court come to help? - Is that the scene of ten days? ”

When Yu Fang's family in the inner room heard this, he couldn't help it, he came out with a few steps on crutches, stood at the door, his white hair trembled, and said loudly: "Ten days? That's a light point. Do you know what the consequences of a dozen days of food deprivation? That's a thousand lives! ”

Everyone was discussing it, and they were all stunned when they heard someone outside the bureau speak. Liang Shouyi was startled when he heard this, and when he looked back, he saw that he was a poor old woman, but he didn't know him. He snapped, "Who are you?" This is where you speak? You-"

Han Chun recognized that this old woman was Yu Chengchan's mother, so he hurriedly stopped Liang Shouyi and said, "This is Lord Yu's high hall." …… Old lady, you are an old man, so you can rest, aren't we discussing a solution? ”

Yu Cheng snorted, not only did not retreat, but instead pulled a stool and sat down, pondered for a moment on crutches, and said eloquently: "Women should not be involved in political affairs, don't I understand when I have been studying since I was a child?" But now that I am asking for the lives of the people, I can't take care of this rule. It is often said that the puppet advocates chaos, and responds to all calls, how many lessons are there in ancient times? Once the people are provoked, the old woman dares to ask who will bear it? ”

The old lady's righteous words, calm demeanor, and everyone's demeanor made several people stunned at once. They look at me, I look at you, and they don't know what to say.

After a long while, Han Chunfang came back to his senses and asked, "Then, what about the old lady's opinion?" ”

"In today's situation, there is no better way but to open a position for disaster relief!"

Han Chun sneered and said, "Old lady, you said this lightly, right?" Yes, there is food, but it is neither mine nor your son Yu Chengchan's, it is the imperial grain of the imperial court, and I still owe a million stone this year and have not had time to ship it to Zhili——"

Yu Fangshi interrupted him and said, "That's great, just to be used to relieve the urgent need." Jackie Chan, you have an IOU, since you still have a million quintals, then borrow one million catties of grain to help the victims, and pay it back as soon as it is over. ”

"Yes!"

Liang Shouyi was frightened when he heard this, and he waved his hand: "Slow!" Gege smiled and paced in front of Fang's family, bowed behind his back and said, "Old lady, one million catties is ten thousand stones, and according to one stone of rice and five coins, it is worth five thousand taels of silver." Ling Gongzi Yu's bag is empty, hey - where does this expense come from? Righteousness should be consulted! ”

Yu Fangshi laughed when he heard this, and said, "It's a shame that your adult's name is 'Shouyi'!" Do you not hear what is right, and do not avoid it, though it is harmful? I can afford 5,000 pieces of silver, and I don't believe that the people will not pay back the money in the future—please write with pen and ink! The officials stood inside and outside the arrow tower, and they were stunned. They have already run out of food at home, and they can't wait for this sound, so they are busy bringing out the four treasures of Jackie Chan's study.

Daotai Han Chun's office is located, and he knows that the stakes are very high, and he is afraid that he will not be able to bear this responsibility, so he said categorically: "No! This food is military salary, and the emperor has a special purpose to allocate it to Shi Lang's military training for military training. If you move a grain, everyone here is guilty! ”

"Well, well said! It seems that the lives of your officials are worth more than the lives of tens of thousands of people? ”

Guo Zhen, the garrison of the grain depot, saw that he was not speculative, and hurriedly came out to play a round: "Boss, you can't say that, this word loyalty and filial piety is loyal to the front." We are all emperor's courtiers, how can we disobey the mandate of heaven? ”

"Have you read the books of the sages? Mencius, the people are precious, the community is secondary, and the monarch is light—do you understand? ”

In fact, Yu Chenglong has long wanted to borrow food, but he knows that this matter is very important, and he is afraid that once he asks for guilt in the future, he will affect the old lady. Unexpectedly, my mother was even stiffer than herself, so I couldn't help but feel ashamed for a while, stood up and came to the bookcase, brushed and wrote a few lines, came to Han Chun, bowed and held it with both hands, and said, "Please sign and approve." ”

This guy was originally looking for Yu Chengchan to ask him to suppress the hungry people, but he didn't expect to touch this hard nail here. Yu Fang's mouthful of a saint's quotation made the three people look at each other, but there is nothing they can do. Han Chun was already impatient, and when he saw Yu Chengchan forcing him to sign, his face turned blue, and he said in an official tone: "Yu Jackie Chan, do you want to force this official - what if I don't sign?" ”

Yu Chenglong arched his hand and said: "My lord, I have been ordered to guard the Qingjiang River, and now there are 100,000 victims inside, and there is a flood besieging the city outside, it is a very opportune time, and everyone in the city is my people - even you are among them." I have long borrowed the grain of the rich households in the city, and those who hoard and live in strange places are not benevolent to the rich, and the county has the responsibility to rule the country by law! ”

Before they finished speaking, the three of them were already trembling with anger. Liang Shouyi "snapped" the case, and his face swelled like a pig's liver and roared: "Yu Jackie Chan, you are too arrogant!" I'll take your seal now! ”

Yu Chengchan looked up to the sky and laughed, "Now it's a little late, it's a little early!" As he spoke, he stood up: "It's too late, you should have taken the seal a long time ago, you are afraid that the flood will collapse the city and take responsibility; Speaking early, since I haven't picked it, I have to take care of it to the end, and when I finish putting the grain, I will naturally hand over the seal to you. ”

Han Chun saw all the officials standing at the door, he was a little timid in his heart, and regretted that he didn't even bring a few soldiers with him when he came out today, so he snorted and stood up and rubbed his hands and said: "Guo Zhen, Shouyi, it's not early, you can't grind your teeth here, let's go!" After saying that, the three of them stood up with gloomy faces.

Yu Jackie Chan sat back in the center, tilted his face and commanded: "Hmph, you can't go." Come on, close the door! ”

"Piercing!"

Dozens of officials responded in unison, beat a thousand children on the spot, and closed the door tightly with a "bang", putting on the style of hearing cases on weekdays, and standing on both sides of Jackie Chan in a figure-eight shape according to the row of geese.

Yu Chengchan's face was expressionless, and he said unhurriedly: "The rich Han Chun's family in this city has grain in stock. In order to save the people of a city, the county asked for 10,000 stones of rice. Han Chun, please sign it. ”

Han Chun was so angry that he fainted, his face changed color, he only felt that his heart was empty and there was nothing to rely on, and when he looked back at the two of them, they were also staggering as if they were in a dream and drunk...... After a little hesitation, all the officials shouted in unison: "Sign quickly, and take it!" Han Chun woke up in shock, shivered excitedly, and looked left and right at Jackie Chan's officials, all holding half black and half red water, fire and wood sticks, it seemed that as long as he hesitated again, he would be punished immediately. As a fourth-grade official of the imperial court, he was beaten to pieces out of thin air, and he really wanted to "leave a name for eternity". He gritted his teeth and said, "If the eldest husband can bend and stretch, I will sign it and see how you can escape the Holy Three-Foot King Law!" As he spoke, he picked up the pen and wrote a few words on the paper, and threw the brush in his hand on the ground with a "snap".

Yu Chenglong picked up the paper and blew the ink, "Well, good!" As long as you are willing to borrow food, this county will not care about your sin of roaring in court. Take it, hire someone to bring the grain to the Guandi Temple behind the county government, and come back to give it to me, and I will distribute it personally. ”

Guo Zhenyuan was a military attaché, and he wanted to use force, but he couldn't see it, first, because Jackie Chan was a powerful man, and secondly, because Jackie Chan was an official of the imperial court after all, if he started fighting, he wouldn't be able to take full advantage, and when he saw Han Chun signing, he said: "Yu Jackie Chan, the words have also been signed, and the grain has been borrowed, you kid should let us go, right?" ”

"No, no, no, I have to be wronged to sit for a while, and my brother has to borrow food to rest assured. Besides, brother, I have committed such a big royal law, and there will be a catastrophe in the near future, how can you bear to go immediately? The three of them had no choice but to be at the mercy of Jackie Chan.

That night, Yu Jackie Chan was busy all night and didn't close his eyes, and distributed the 10,000 stone rice transported to the Guandi Temple to the victims, and he was tired and had a sore back and legs. Han Chun and the three of them were not idle, and they jointly impeached Jackie Chan. As a result, less than ten days later, the governor's office arrived in Qingjiang and ordered Yu Chenglong, the county commander who had been dismissed, to be detained in the yamen. When the local gentry heard the news, the people were boiling and rushed to tell each other. So someone came forward to discuss writing an excerpt for Yu Chengchan and sending someone to the capital overnight.