The sun was setting, and the green fields in the distance swayed slightly in the wind. Climbing over the small hill in front of them, they could see many wildflowers blooming as far as the eye could see. The early summer of Chengdu Plain was peaceful and quiet.
Ning Yi and Chen Shanjun, the head of Niutou County, walked along the ridge. As they walked, Chen Shanjun pointed at the land in front of them and introduced Ning Yi to their work situation.
Chen Shanjun was in his early forties and had a dignified appearance. He came from a scholarly family and his ancestral home was in the Central Plains. He joined the Huaxia Army after his family died under the blades of the Jurchens. At first, he was depressed for a period of time, but when he walked out of the shadows, he gradually showed extraordinary ability to handle affairs. He also had his own self-restraint and pursuits, and was a key cadre of the Huaxia Army. When the Huaxia Army fought their way out of the three counties of Hedeng, he was naturally placed in a key position.
"… After we came here last year, we killed the original landlord, Huang Fuyao, and opened up more than four thousand mu of land. More than two thousand mu on the other side of the river, and another piece on the other side of the county. Together, it was distributed to the people who had worked hard … People from the nearby counties often came here. The Wu dynasty treated the people on the border as enemies and were always on guard against them. Last year, there was a flood that washed away the fields and caused a disaster, but the Wu dynasty government didn't care. They said that they took the court's grain and were afraid that they would turn against us. Hehe, then we went to help them … "
"… So this year, the people's hearts are united. We led the spring plowing. If there is no war, we can harvest a lot more grain this year … In addition, over at Zhongzhi County, the Wu dynasty County Magistrate hasn't dared to take office. The tyrant Ruan Pingbang has led a group of people to run amok and complain. Many people have come to ask us to uphold justice. Recently, we have been making preparations. If the situation is good, Mr. Ning, we can bring Zhongzhi over … "
"… Niutou County is also called Old Niutou. After coming here, I found out that it was named after the hill we are standing on. Mr. Ning, look, the main vein over there is the head of an ox. If we bend down here, it is one of the curved horns … The ox's head drinks water, and it has the feeling of wealth and fertility. In fact, the place is also very good …"
The group walked over the ridge and went around the river in front. They could already see the red sunset. From the other side of the ridge, Juan 'er ran over and told them that it was time to eat. Chen Shanjun was about to take his leave when Ning Yi urged him to stay. "There are still many things to talk about. Stay and eat with us. Actually, you're the host anyway."
Hence, they walked all the way back. When they reached the courtyard where they could see the county town below, they ate together. The red clouds on the horizon gradually disappeared, and the torches were lit. Chen Shanjun talked about the good people and good deeds that happened in Ox-Head County. Ning Yi listened and smiled in agreement.
Chen Shanjun had. He often. He would. He would he. He. He Niniutou. "He He He. He often. Last year, Old Ox Head distributed land, opened up wastelands, and built irrigation works. He mobilized many common people, and many touching deeds also appeared. The resources of the Huaxia Army were not as scarce as before. However, Chen Shanjun was still thrifty. Other than work, he had the habit of farming and raising chickens and ducks. When he was busy, the soldiers helped him. Most of the meat was distributed to the people around him. The resources of the Huaxia Army were no longer as scarce as before, but Chen Shanjun was still frugal. Apart from work, he also had the habit of farming and raising chickens and ducks. Of course, when he was busy, he still asked the soldiers to help him. After raising the chickens, most of the meat was distributed to the people around him.
The resources of the Huaxia Army were gradually not as scarce as before. However, Chen Shanjun was still thrifty. Other than work, he had the habit of farming and raising chickens and ducks. He had the soldiers to help him when he was busy. He also distributed most of the meat to the people around him. On the other hand, he also quite agreed with the democratic thinking of equality for everyone in the Huaxia Army. However, because of his relatively stable and introverted habits in learning, he did not show his edge in this aspect when he was in Hedeng County.
The sky gradually darkened. Chen Shanjun put down his bowl and chopsticks. He thought for a moment before bringing up the topic he wanted to talk about.
"Over the past few years, I think Mr. Ning's words are very reasonable."
Under the eaves of the courtyard, a torch was lit on a pillar. At this side of the small table, Ning Yi was still eating fish. At this time, he only raised his head slightly and smiled, "What is it?"
Chen Shanjun looked relaxed. He smiled and recalled. "It was … in the fourth year of Jianshuo. I joined the Huaxia Army. There was a war going on outside. At that time … it was the third time I listened to Mr Ning's lecture. Mr Ning talked about fairness and the issue of the means of production. "
Ning Yi picked at the fish bone. He smiled and nodded. "Brother Chen, you are from a scholarly family. It's not a lecture. It's just an exchange. Hmm. Now that I think about it, in the fourth year of Jianshuo, Lady Zhenren was going to attack. I was under a lot of pressure. They talked about big problems."
"No, no, no. I'm not from a scholarly family. I didn't read much when I was young." Chen Shanjun smiled. "To be honest, when I went there, I had some problems with my mind. I didn't pay much attention to what they were talking about. I didn't understand what they were talking about. It wasn't until the defeat of Little Canghe and I arrived at Hedeng that I suddenly remembered. What Mr. Ning said made sense …"
He slowly spoke until here, and his voice gradually grew softer and softer. He stretched out his hand to straighten the bowl and chopsticks in front of him, and his gaze traced back to something in his memories, "My family … has been a scholarly family for several generations. Although it's said to be a scholarly family, in truth, we're the landlords of the surrounding villages. After studying, people became kind people. Their grandparents, grandparents, parents … were all kind people who had studied. They were good to the farmers who worked at home. If someone was injured or sick, they would visit them and give them medicine. Everyone around us praised them … "
"My family is strict. My grandparents said that benevolence can be passed down for thousands of generations. I was righteous and hated evil. I didn't study well, but I was proud of the benevolence of my family … When my family met with disaster, I was filled with grief and indignation. I thought of those corrupt officials and the evil deeds of the Wu dynasty. I felt that the Wu dynasty deserved to die. My family was so benevolent and paid tribute every year. When the Lady Zhenren came, they donated half of their family's wealth. But they couldn't protect my family. With this thought in mind, I went to Little Canghe … "
He gazed at the bowl and chopsticks on the table, seemingly subconsciously stretching out his hand to touch the chopsticks that were placed slightly off-center, "Until … one day, I suddenly understood the truth that Mr Ning had spoken of. The means of production … I suddenly understood that I was not innocent … "
Ning Yi nodded. He slowed down his eating. Then he raised his head and smiled. "Yes." He continued eating.
"Words can be beautiful, and the family can always be benevolent. But for generations, those farmers still lived in broken houses. Some people's houses were bare. I was born different from them. Actually, what's the difference? If those peasant children had the opportunity to study like me, they would be much smarter than me … Some people say that this is the way of the world. Our ancestors also suffered and slowly climbed their way up, and they have to climb the same way. But because of this, the Wu dynasty was swallowed up. My wife, children, parents … those who should have died still died … "
Ning Yi put down his bowl and chopsticks.
Chen Shanjun murmured, "There must be a better way. This world will definitely be better in the future …"
At night, a cool breeze blew in Oxhead County. The residents who had finished their dinner gradually walked onto the streets. Some of them exchanged glances with each other and slowly walked towards the river. In the barracks on the other side of the county, the fire was brightly lit. The soldiers gathered and were about to carry out night drills.
In the yard on the mountainside of Old Oxhead Mountain, Ning Yi and Chen Shanjun sat opposite each other. Chen Shanjun slowly told him his thoughts with a smile. It was a friendly and calm communication.
"What Mr. Ning said is that people are the same. If I give something good to others, they will know it. If I help them, they will know how to repay me. At Old Ox Head's place, everyone is always helping each other. Slowly, the atmosphere of people willing to help others grew, and the same kind of people increased. Everything depends on educating people, but it's actually not as difficult as everyone thinks it is … "
Ning Yi nodded with a smile. "In fact, after you came to Hedeng, you were in charge of business at first and saved a few things at home. But later, you always helped others and gave all your things to others … I heard that when you got married to a young man in Hedeng, you even gave him your bed. Since then, you have been living on a shabby bed. Brother Chen, many people are touched by your noble character and unquestionable integrity. "
Chen Shanjun smiled slightly. "At first, I didn't think it through. It's also the habit I've cultivated since childhood. I'm greedy for pleasure, so my life is better than others'. But later, I thought it through and no longer stuck to it. Mr. Ning, I have found a vision that is enough for me to dedicate my life to. Whether the bed is good or bad, whether the tea is strong or weak, it doesn't matter … "
He continued, "Of course, there are many secrets in this. One or two people's enthusiasm can't support a big situation. The monks in the temple also help others, but in the end, they can't benefit the world. It was not until a few years ago, when I heard someone talk about a past event that I finally understood. "
"What past event?" Ning Yi asked curiously.
"At that time, I hadn't reached Small Canghe. I heard that when you, Duke Zuo, Li Pin, and the others sat down and discussed Taoism, you mentioned something called beating the local tyrants and dividing the land. It turns out that you already have a plan … In fact, after I came to Old Oxhead, I finally thought it through thoroughly. Why didn't you do it? "
"In this world, there is no such thing as superiority or inferiority. But if everyone in this world has their own land, and if we educate them strictly, then the world will belong to the people of the world. When foreign invaders come, they will naturally advance bravely, just like how the Hua Xia army taught them. Mister Ning, you've seen the changes in Old Ox Head. They're no longer muddle-headed, and there are more people who are willing to help others. Now that they've been given land, they naturally have a sense of responsibility in their hearts. With responsibility and education, they'll slowly come to their senses and awaken to become better people … Mister Ning, what do you think? "
Under the light of the torches in the courtyard, Chen Shanjun looked at Ning Yi with anticipation. He was a few years older than Ning Yi, but he couldn't help but use the word "Mr.". The nervousness in his heart replaced the smile from before. In the anticipation, there was more enthusiasm and sincerity from the bottom of his heart. Ning Yi placed his hands on the table and raised his head slightly, thinking for a moment.
"Although there are ownerless lands in the world that can be reclaimed, most of them already have owners. Most of them are not evil people like Huang Fuyao. Most of them are kind people like your parents and ancestors. Just as you said, they have gone through many generations to accumulate their family property with great difficulty. Beating the tycoons and dividing the land, do you only beat the evil people or the kind people as well? "
There was no hesitation in Chen Shanjun's eyes. "Although my family has been kind for many generations, when the Jurchen came, they couldn't avoid it. It was all because the entire Wu dynasty was wrong. They did things according to the rules, but they also walked to this step in the wrong rules … Mr. Ning, the world is already like this. If a new world is really going to appear, there must be new rules. Even good people shouldn't have so much production resources. Of course, we can be gentler in our methods against good people, but the fairness of production resources should be the core of this world. "
"… Let everyone return to a fair position." Ning Yi nodded. "What if after a few generations, the smart people go further, and a new owner appears? What should we do then?"
"All unfairness comes from the unfairness of production resources." Without any hesitation, Chen Shanjun replied. The moment he replied, Ning Yi's gaze shifted to the stars in the sky outside the courtyard. At that moment, the countless stars in the sky seemed to be proclaiming the meaning of eternity. Chen Shanjun's voice echoed in his ears.
"Therefore, the new rules should be dedicated to eliminating the unfairness of production resources. Land is the means of production. From now on, the means of production will belong to the country and not to private individuals. But because of this, it can also ensure that the tillers have their own land. Because of this, the country can become the country of the people …"
"… Hmm."
A soft sigh came from Ning Yi's throat. At some point, Hongti's vigilant voice sounded. "Liheng."
Her sword-wielding figure landed in the courtyard. Ning Yi slowly stood up from the table. There were faint sounds of people outside. Something was happening. Ning Yi walked through the courtyard, but his gaze stopped on the sky. Chen Shanjun's respectful voice sounded behind him.
Most importantly, you can't bear to move against those benevolent landlords and aristocrats … However, the world is already in chaos, and for the sake of the future, how can we care about these things at this time? Everyone is born equal. No matter how benevolent the landlords and aristocrats are, they shouldn't possess so many means of production. This is the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth. To explain this … Mister Ning, you once told others about the change from primitive society to slavery, and you once said that the change from slavery to feudalism, and that the means of production are shared by everyone. This is an earth-shattering change … Today, Shan Jun and my comrades are willing to defy universal condemnation and ask Mister Ning to lead us to carry out this magnificent deed that will benefit us for thousands of years to come … "
To Ning Yi, his voice seemed to echo from a very, very far away place. Ning Yi walked to the gate of the courtyard and gently pushed open the door. The accompanying guards had already formed a human wall. On the other side of the human wall, the people who had gathered here stood humbly or fearfully on the ground. They only whispered to each other and occasionally cast their gazes in this direction. Ning Yi's gaze passed over everyone's heads. For a moment, he closed his eyes.
Everything appeared gentle, but behind this, there was a deep restlessness that could be revealed at any moment. The Tiger Feng He. Behind him, Chen Shanjun lowered his head and bowed. He was still saying, "They have no ill intentions. Sir, there is no need to be anxious …" Ning Yi did not care about this tense situation.
What flashed before his eyes was that snowy night many years ago, when Qin Siyuan brought out the Four Books that he had annotated. It was light.
Hey, Old Qin.
He thought.
Look here …
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