Since the end of Jiajing, the Huanghuai flood has entered a period of high incidence. On the one hand, there are natural disasters, and on the other hand, water conservancy projects have reached the end of their life cycle.

In the first year of Longqing, Huai'an Prefecture belonged to 11 prefectures and counties.

In the second year of Longqing, Huai'an, Yangzhou and Xuzhou suffered from drought and flood.

In the third year of Longqing, Huai and Xu Dashui destroyed the city walls, destroyed the fields and houses, and drifted people and animals.

In an agrarian society, you can survive a year of disasters; suffered disasters for two consecutive years, but he was able to survive by relying on the imperial court and the relief of the township; After three years of disasters, even the imperial court was powerless. This is not an era when disaster relief materials were being delivered from land, sea and air as soon as the news was broadcast.

The end of the year is the time when the green and yellow are not harvested, the stored grain is eaten, the new grain has not grown, and even the seeds are gone, what else can I do except escape the famine?

Before the fifteenth day came out, Su Song saw the victims from the direction of Huai and Xu sporadically.

Xu Yuanzuo knew that it rained heavily in leap June last year, and the two Susong mansions reported floods, and they also exempted the Ministry of Industry from silver and increased the proportion of color folding. However, Su Song's commercial proportion is slightly higher, and in addition to self-sufficiency, grain can also be bought from Jiangxi and Huguang, so there is no panic in disaster years.

It wasn't until someone brought the child to the door of the Xu family that Xu Yuanzuo really saw what it meant to sell a child in a famine year.

"I beg the lord to be kind, this kid looks sick, he is really just hungry, he can do anything when he is full!" An old face full of wrinkles was eager to stick to Xu Yuanzuo to speak. If it weren't for the size of the strong man in the nursing home, who was comparable to five of him and hugged him, Xu Yuanzuo would really feel a little embarrassed.

This is a father who sells his son. He looked sixty or seventy years old, with gray hair and deep wrinkles, but he was actually only in his thirties. His body was overdrawn by the heavy labor, and the length of his life was overdrawn, making him look more like the child's grandfather. The child's mouth was slightly open. His hand tightly grasped his father's clothes that could barely cover his body, and looked up at Xu Yuanzuo.

Xu Yuanzuo saw fear, longing, confusion, and sluggishness in his eyes...... The disproportionate head is like a character coming out of a cartoon, but there is no hint of "cuteness". Because this is a pathological reaction caused by severe malnutrition. Experienced people concluded that the child would not live for a few days, and even if he was fed food, he might not be able to work, so his father went door-to-door to sell it himself.

Judging from the footprints and stick marks on his body, Xu Yuanzuo's neighbors also hide a cold-blooded squire who is not benevolent to the rich.

"Tea tea. Serve them some rice soup. Xu Yuanzuo commanded.

Cha Cha only felt that the root of her nose was a little sour, and ran to the back kitchen to rummage through things to eat and drink.

Qi Miao frowned, as if thinking about the big problems of social life.

Xu Wenjing couldn't bear to look at it anymore, and turned around and went back to her boudoir. Xu Liangzuo stuck to his brother's back and forced himself to look at it.

Xu Yuanzuo shook his back and said to Liangzuo: "Call my sister, boil some hot water, and scrub them." ”

Xu Liangzuo slowly retreated. I ran to find my sister.

"Master, you are a good person, a good person, and the reincarnation of a Buddha and Bodhisattva." The thin old man knelt on the ground, crying and kowtowing, still not forgetting his original intention: "The little one remembers your good for the rest of his life." ”

Xu Yuanzuo wanted to put on a customary smile - it was the one he had practiced repeatedly in the mirror, making people feel comfortable but reserved, respecting and controlling the distance. This mask was once invincible. Even people who are difficult to communicate with can't help but feel the word "sincere". But today it failed.

Xu Yuanzuo felt that his whole face was wooden. The corners of the mouth can't be raised, the eyebrows and eyes can't be opened, the facial features are completely unwilling to cooperate, and the forced appearance is probably more ugly than crying.

Fortunately, no one saw this face.

"I'm going out......" Xu Yuanzuo had just said halfway when there was another knock on the door. There was a knock on the door, and he opened it unsuspectingly. Saw the father and son. At this moment, I heard the sound of the door again, which made Xu Yuanzuo's feet stagnate, as if he was standing in the mud, and he didn't dare to go over and open the door for a while.

Qi Miao glanced at Zuo Ge'er.

Xu Yuanzuo nodded.

Qi Miao went over to open the door, and it was okay. It was an acquaintance - Cheng Zai.

"Jinglian."

As soon as Cheng Zai entered the door, he hurriedly said hello, and as soon as he lowered his head, he saw a homeless person kneeling on the ground, and a skinny radish head beside him. He coughed dryly, and secretly said that it was not good: Xu Yuanzuo is now a real figure in Tang Xing who can turn the clouds and rain, if he is angry, he doesn't know how to clean it up.

Xu Yuanzuo looked at Cheng Zai expressionlessly.

"This, isn't there a nursing home at home? How did you call them in? Cheng Zai pretended to be relaxed, and his eyes wandered between Xu Yuanzuo and Qi Miao.

"Most of them went home for the Chinese New Year, and the remaining few went to play in the streets." Xu Yuanzuo stretched out his hand and rubbed it, burning it on his face, and his tight skin suddenly relaxed. He finally succeeded in laughing this time: "Bo Xi didn't come to visit the door today, right?" ”

――Of course, I came to report and ask for instructions.

Cheng Zai couldn't help but feel resentful in his heart: from the original Mr. Cheng, to Brother Cheng after getting acquainted, and then to the later cousin Brother Boxi, now only "Bo Xi" remains. I wanted to be more detached, but I became Xu Jinglian's follower at the earliest. What kind of magic did this man do?

"Jing Lian, there are more and more victims outside the city, and it is said that there is a piece of Wuyang behind it!" Cheng Zai said: "Do you think you want to close the city gate?" ”

Tang Xing is a town, not a county, although there are city walls and gates, but there is no imperial court organization. In the event of a military disaster and banditry, it all depends on the decision-making of the gentry in the city. Otherwise, when you come back from a trip to Huating, the daylily will be cold.

Xu Yuanzuo is now the head of Tang Xing, he said that it can be closed naturally, and if he says no, then no one will definitely be able to close it. This mainly depends on the net worth assets, but also on who can withstand hundreds of sturdy old Zhejiang soldiers.

Xu Yuanzuo pondered slightly, and said, "How many directors of Renshoutang can summon?" I want to have a meeting. ”

Cheng Zai said: "You can decide this matter yourself, anyway, it is all the affairs of the yamen." He glanced at the man on the ground again: "There are quite a few people rushing into the city now, why don't you close the door first?" ”

Xu Yuanzuo lowered his head slightly: "Where are you from?" ”

"Huai'an Mansion, Sikou, is on the north side of the Huai River." The man said hurriedly.

"Come from Huaibei, how many days have you been gone?" Xu Yuanzuo asked again.

"We came out last winter, and we can eat a bite by stopping......" the man said bitterly. hugged his son and cried silently.

Xu Yuanzuo pointed to the father and son, and said to Cheng Zai: "How many of these people can go to Tanghang, and how many can continue to go south to Huating?" If Huating doesn't accept them, where else can they go? Jin Shanwei? East China Sea? ”

Cheng Zai's lips trembled, and a wisp of hot air sneaked out of his mouth.

Xu Yuanzuo stared at Cheng Zai, as if he insisted on an answer.

Cheng Jae couldn't stand such a stare. finally said: "Jinglian, this is a matter for the imperial court." He thought of Xu Yuanzuo's words and deeds before, and the more he looked at it at the moment, the more suspicious he became, it was likely that this Xu Yuanzuo in front of him was a hidden defender!

Taking the world as one's own responsibility at every turn may also be a common problem among young people. If you are really old and have experience, you will know that many things in this world are beyond human power.

"Jing Lian, if you want to help the victims, you can just move your fingers and go out for tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands of taels of silver. It's not something we can do. Cheng Zai said.

Xu Yuanzuo raised his head, and the sky was gloomy.

"I don't think the court can do it." Xu Yuanzuo sighed.

Cheng Zai's throat rolled, making a sound of "cooing" and "hehe", obviously trying to pretend to be laughing but not pretending.

"The princes of the imperial court ......" Xu Yuanzuo turned his head and spit out a sentence from between his teeth: "It's really contemptible for meat eaters!" ”

Cheng Zai said helplessly: "What can we do even if we know?" It's their meat-eating wretches who are in charge, even if we don't accept it, we can only bear it, right? ”

- It's like you're in charge in Tang Xing, even if we can't figure it out. You can only grit your teeth and gamble, right?

Cheng Zai secretly added.

"They are exempted, retained, and discounted...... There won't be anything else! Xu Yuanzuo suddenly burst into a foul mouth. Frightened, everyone looked at him blankly.

Cha Cha just came over with rice soup and flatbread, and he didn't know what to do.

Xu Yuanzuo slowed down his tone and said to Cha Cha: "Give them rice soup first, drink rice soup for half an hour, then eat porridge, and eat rice and cakes tomorrow." Seeing Cha Cha's doubts, he said again: "Otherwise, the stomach can't stand it, and it will kill people." ”

Cha Cha hurriedly hid the flatbread behind her. Let the father and son go to the root of the wall to drink rice soup.

Xu Yuanzuo and Cheng Zai's eyes followed the father and son in unison, and when they realized it, they took it back.

"These people have to be resettled, given relief." Xu Yuanzuo said: "We are far away here, and we can always save many lives." ”

Cheng Zai sighed: "That's it." I went to run errands and persuaded big families to get some rice and grain and set up a porridge factory. He added: "Fortunately, Renshoutang's dividend foundation last year was good......

Xu Yuanzuo shook his head: "Then it's no different from the court's contempt." ”

Cheng Zai choked: Blame me?

"The key is to give them a way to live, and more importantly, to give them a job." Xu Yuanzuo said: "As soon as Huanghuai dies, the people along the river will be uneasy for a day, is it all dependent on the porridge factory for generations?" ”

Cheng Zai shook his head and said, "How can the flood be so easy to treat?" We don't understand that. In my opinion, Jing Lian, let's set up a porridge factory first, and leave the rest to the yamen. Seeing that Xu Yuanzuo still didn't think so, Cheng Zai had no choice but to ask, "Then what do you say?" This sentence is like a fallacy, once it is spoken, as long as the other party does not open his mouth, he always pinched his nose and admitted it.

It's like surrendering and throwing in the towel.

"Selection. Farmers belong to farmers, craftsmen belong to craftsmen, and they are sorted and singled out. Xu Yuanzuo said: "Then the craftsman can work for people, and the farmer can plow the land, which is the placement." ”

Cheng Zai shook his head again and again: "Xiangzi can't pass this level." After all, the land is limited, they come to plough the land, what do the tenant farmers in the countryside do? They robbed the craftsmen of their work, what do our craftsmen in Songjiang eat? It's not right, it's not right! What's more, they may not be really capable. Cheng Zai felt that his tone was too hard, so he quickly softened down: "Xu Huai's crops are mostly grains, but our Songjiang is mainly based on cotton, linen, mulberry and bamboo, with different physical properties, and it is not something that can be done by arresting a person." ”

"Bo Xi is right, but his vision is only limited to Songjiang, which is too narrow." Xu Yuanzuo raised his head and held his hand: "The world is so big, why not Songjiang Mansion?" How can a living man suffocate urine? ”

――Hey, what does that mean, it seems that you want to harm other states and counties?

Cheng Zai waited quietly for Xu Yuanzuo to continue, and gradually felt a little relieved: This is the real Xu Jinglian!

Xu Yuanzuo paced left and right in the courtyard, and finally raised his head and said: "We can't wait for the yamen for this matter, we have to set up the rules first, and call the court to learn in the future." He stood still and said, "Beth, the gates of the city cannot be closed under any circumstances. Once the gate is closed, it will cut off the life of the homeless! Trapped beasts are still fighting, let alone people? When the time comes, there will be a civil uprising, and we will suffer the most. ”

Cheng Zai thought about it: barefoot people are not afraid of wearing shoes. If the city gates are closed and the city is safe, what will happen to the industries outside the city? However, if you think about it differently, if there is a civil uprising in the city, then even the lives of your family members will not be saved, so what is the use of the industry!

"I'm afraid...... Displaced people storm their homes. Cheng Zai said.

There are still decades left before the time when the homeless people have become "homeless bandits", and the vast majority of people do not have the consciousness of rebellion. Of course, they will not refuse to rob a small fortune.

Xu Yuanzuo said to Qi Miao: "You quickly go to Luo Zhenquan and ask him to summon all the old Zhejiang soldiers to come to Tang Xing." An additional 50 yuan per person per day will be added. Then gather the men and apprentices of Renshoutang and Xia Wei, and those who are willing to advance and retreat with me Xu Yuanzuo will bring their own dry food to Tang Xing to listen to. ”

Qi Miao quickly repeated, and seeing that Xu Yuanzuo did not mean to change his words, he rushed out of the door and ran to pass the word.

Cheng Zai's heart itched: This makes it like a war.

"This is not inferior to the world of Japanese criminals, and we must work together to tide over the difficulties." Xu Yuanzuo said.

Cheng Zai is a person who has really experienced the trouble of the Japanese Invaders, and he shuddered and said, "It's better not to mention the Japanese Invaders." You have made such a big battle, and the people are nervous enough. ”

"Bo Xi, I want to trouble you to convene the directors of Renshoutang, and it is best to find them together with the shareholders." Xu Yuanzuo said: "They are all people who are highly regarded in the local area, and someone will definitely have to pay for it at this time." Although we recognize money and don't recognize people, if anyone does cold-blooded and murderous things behind their backs at this time, don't blame me Xu Yuanzuo for being ruthless. ”

Cheng Zai saw that Xu Yuanzuo was so solemn that he didn't dare to resist anymore. Everyone else is a family with an industry, and if he tears his face, he can still fight against Xu Yuanzuo for a while, but he is just an identity who does things for others. Last year, because he was the chief shopkeeper of Renshoutang, he was quite respected, but if he didn't have Xu Yuanzuo's support this year, wouldn't it plummet?

After clearly understanding his position, Cheng Zai quickly moved. He is very aware of the status of the princes on the board of directors of Renshoutang, and if a person with a high position is like Yuan Zhengchun, he has to go there in person; If you are as low as Hu Chen, you just need to send a familiar face to run. Most of the others are similar and don't need to run in person.

As soon as Renshoutang moved, the entire Tang Xing also moved.

Xu Yuanzuo sat in Tang Xing, and sent people to gallop to Huating quickly, mobilizing manpower and money from Xu Mansion and the Guangji Association, preparing to set up the first shelter in Tang Xing to help those who had left their homes to survive the most difficult days.

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*(To be continued......)

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