While Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan were feeling anxious, Xiao Hong was also feeling the same. Originally, the people they brought were specifically responsible for delivering messages back and forth. Who would have thought that along the way, the chickens, ducks, and geese would lay eggs as they ate. Those who had been affected by the disaster were envious. With so many chickens, if they could bring them back, their families would not have to worry about food and drink.
They felt that it was impossible to steal a whole group of chickens, but stealing one or two shouldn't be too big of a problem. Thus, along the way, there were always people who wanted to steal chickens, ducks, and geese. Those who came with Xiao Hong and Cherries did not dare to relax for a moment. They took turns guarding the chickens, so that there was no one left to go back and report.
Even so, they still felt that there were not enough people. Those who wanted to steal, regardless of whether it was day or night, were looking for an opportunity. Some even knew how to hide and not be discovered, but some actually brazenly followed behind the group, wanting to find a chance to steal.
This made Xiao Hong feel a lot of pressure along the way. The chickens, ducks, and geese were not lost, but there were fewer eggs. These things did not care where they were, they would lay as long as there were eggs. Those who followed them would steal the eggs, or rather, snatch the eggs.
Xiao Hong saw this more than once. Just as her chickens finished laying eggs and were still warm, there would be people following behind to hold the eggs in their hands. When the people on the Zhuangzi asked for the eggs, the people on the Zhuangzi would say that the eggs were his. Why were they still warm? Of course, it was because he kept them in his arms.
People like them were scared and said that they would report it to the authorities, but they were not afraid. At that time, they would have already eaten the eggs. Besides, Xiao Hong did not have the leisure to do so. She thought of getting people to beat them up, but seeing how each of them looked like they were malnourished according to the young master, she could not bear to do so. She could only endure it.
After hurrying for a while, they finally arrived at their destination, Henan Province, Luoyang. As soon as Xiao Hong arrived with so many chickens, someone came to greet them. The prime minister arrived a few days in advance. Originally, he wanted to take a look and organize people to eliminate the locusts. Then, he would capture a few officials to take care of them. After that, he could go back. There were many things in the imperial court that he needed to deal with.
But at this time, County Magistrate Cheng arrived, saying that he had come himself with five thousand dan of grain. He wanted to give it to the prime minister for free to help with the disaster relief. Five thousand dan of grain was not a lot for such a large place, but it was still hundreds of thousands of catties of grain. If it was cooked into porridge, how many people could eat it? This was especially true for those who had not harvested a single grain. This was life-saving food.
It was a life-saving gift. Normally, with Prime Minister Yao Chong's status, there was no need for him to receive a seventh-ranked county magistrate. But the grain made him moved. When he arrived, there were already people selling grain. The price was three times the usual price. If he wanted to arrest them, he would say that they were hoarding. Those people had backgrounds, or they had transported the grain from other places. They spent a lot of money to transport the grain, so the price was really not expensive.
Therefore, when County Magistrate Cheng Lingxiang saw the prime minister, he trembled and said a few words. Then, he began to claim credit for Zhangjia Zhuangzi. When the prime minister heard this, there was no expression on his face, but there were waves in his heart. So much grain was actually provided by a Zhuangzi. In addition, that Zhuangzi had sold a lot of soy sauce to lower the price and was willing to pay to buy a worthless mountain to support Sanshui County.
This merit was not small at all. According to the county magistrate of Sanshui County, that Zhuangzi had shown auspicious signs and made meritorious contributions when renting the mountain. He had been granted a hundred family's land. Although it had not been returned yet, he had taken out so many things at once. It was enough to offset the taxes of those years.
County Magistrate Cheng looked at the prime minister's face as he spoke. His expression did not change, but his eyes flashed a few times. He knew that he should put in more effort, so he continued, "Sir, in addition to these, Zhangjia Zhuangzi also bought a lot of soybeans from outside. There was a problem with the soybeans in Sanshui County. It was all thanks to Zhangjia Zhuangzi's soybeans that the county was stabilized.
"Sir, the locust plague is so severe that Zhangjia Zhuangzi heard about it and has already sent people to bring over ten thousand domestic animals. They will be here soon to help this place eat the locusts. Those chickens, ducks, and geese are still laying eggs. Who knows how many will be lost along the way.
The old master of the Zhang family often says that they cannot disappoint their ancestors. Their ancestors could fight for the country, so they can also share the country's worries. Even if they use up all of their savings, it is worth it. At the very least, they still have a hundred family's land. If this land is also taken away, even if they have to farm their own land, they will still do their utmost to do something for the country.
"Sir, Sanshui County is also suffering from a disaster. There is a great drought. Zhangjia Zhuangzi gave the little water they had to the neighboring Ge family's Zhuangzi to let them plow in the spring. It is all because of this lowly official's incompetence that I am unable to protect the safety of the people in the county."
After County Magistrate Cheng said these words, Prime Minister Yao, who had been silent all this time, had no choice but to open his mouth. If it was some powerful family, perhaps doing this could be classified as putting on an act. However, that Zhuangzi was able to take out so many things. No matter what, it could not be said that they were seeking fame or putting on an act.
Hundreds of thousands of catties of grain and nearly ten thousand domestic animals had all come. The hundred family's land did not seem to be comparable to these things. Those domestic animals that laid eggs, with such haste, it was easy to imagine how many fewer eggs would be laid. That was all money. Buying soybeans to stabilize a county, producing auspicious signs, and giving water to others could all be considered fake. After all, he did not see it. However, the grain and domestic animals could not be faked. If there was, there was. If there wasn't, there wasn't.
"I heard that County Magistrate Cheng's county has produced auspicious signs twice. On the thirtieth day of the previous year, he personally delivered grain and oil to the common people. During the great disaster, he was busy all day. During the spring plowing, he came up with a new type of plow named Quyuan. From this, it can be seen that County Magistrate Cheng is truly a good official who makes decisions for the common people."
Yao Chong was indeed very busy. However, no matter how busy he was, when he received people, he had to have some information in hand. Otherwise, it would not be justifiable. After saying these things one by one, he was quite impressed with County Magistrate Cheng.
County Magistrate Cheng did not feel the slightest bit surprised. He had long known that the imperial court knew about his matters here. All of this was driven by Zhangjia Zhuangzi behind the scenes. Naturally, he wanted to fight for more benefits for Zhangjia Zhuangzi. Therefore, he said:
"Sir, you may not know, but those things given out on the thirtieth day of the previous year were all sent to the yamen by Zhangjia Zhuangzi. As for the Quyuan Plow, this official only mentioned it, and Zhangjia Zhuangzi's people made it. Without Zhangjia Zhuangzi, there would not be the current Sanshui County."
In the end, County Magistrate Cheng said such frightening words. Without Zhangjia Zhuangzi, there would not be the current Sanshui County. This was not a small matter.
"En." Yao Zai responded and did not say anything else. However, in his heart, he kept thinking, 'Zhangjia Zhuangzi, Zhangjia Zhuangzi, what kind of Zhuangzi is this? Every matter in Sanshui County seems to be related to Zhangjia Zhuangzi. Could it be that the Zhuangzi Zhuangzi's Zhuangzi is muddle-headed? '
"Sir, this official still needs to go and help receive those domestic animals. When I arrive, I believe that I will be able to clear out a peaceful place for this place." County Magistrate Cheng had said all that he needed to say. At this time, he had to leave.
"En, that's fine. Then County Magistrate Cheng will have to work a bit harder. Zhangjia Zhuangzi is not bad." Prime Minister Yao said lightly.
These words made County Magistrate Cheng happy. The Prime Minister, such a high official, actually praised Zhangjia Zhuangzi. When Zhangjia Zhuangzi's domestic animals arrived, that shocking scene would be remembered by everyone. He gave his thanks again and then turned to leave.
As soon as County Magistrate Cheng left, Prime Minister Yao shouted, "Someone, investigate Zhangjia Zhuangzi for me. Ask the commoners and the surrounding villages. Ask the villagers of Zhangjia Zhuangzi carefully and see if it is as Cheng Lingxiang said."
Someone at the door responded and then quickly left, leaving Yao Chong sitting there and carefully thinking about Zhangjia Zhuangzi's matter. He had already guessed a few things from County Magistrate Cheng's words. Zhangjia Zhuangzi wanted to protect the hundred households' food, but the price was really too high. After doing so many good things, if they were exchanged for money and he wanted to use the hundred households' food to earn it back, it wouldn't be enough even after several decades. Why was this so?
Naturally, he didn't know how much importance Zhangjia Zhuangzi's Old Master attached to this. He also didn't know that the Zhang family's Old Master had an incredible grandson. In order to help his grandfather achieve this wish, he had made countless arrangements. One matter after another added up, it could be said that he could turn his hand over the clouds and turn his hand over the rain. Not only could he obtain the benefits of reputation, he also had a lot of money.
If he knew that Zhangjia Zhuangzi was the one who sold the other several hundred thousand grains for three times the original price, who knew what he would think? If he knew that those poultry had come to eat locusts and lay eggs in exchange for things to go back and operate, how would he evaluate them?
These weren't important. What was important was that they had done good things, and many people knew about it. Cherries, who hadn't been granted an audience, hadn't been idle these past few days. She paid a visit to a few low-ranking officials and had them pass on a message. When the time came, Zhangjia Zhuangzi would provide them with a lot of eggs in exchange for things that they didn't need for the time being.
When Xiao Hong arrived with the team, Cherries, a few local officials, and County Magistrate Cheng were waiting to welcome them. It was a big scene. Perhaps they were full, or perhaps they felt a trace of unusual atmosphere, those poultry all obediently lined up in a messy formation under the lead of Fluffy Goose. They swayed as they walked on the road under the gaze of others.
There were nearly ten thousand birds lined up for two miles. That piece of land made people dizzy. It was really shocking. Some well-informed people knew that these poultry were all owned by the same Zhuangzi. They couldn't say whether they were envious or jealous. How much could the eggs they laid every day be sold for?
"Stop, Fluffy Goose." Xiao Hong came in front of Cherries and County Magistrate Cheng and gave the order to the goose at the front. At this time, Fluffy Goose really showed respect. It stopped and called back a few times. Those chickens, ducks, and geese also stopped.
This scene was even more shocking than before. Whose chickens, ducks, and geese could be so obedient? How were these still poultry? They were clearly like people.
Prime Minister Yao was also watching. He really didn't dare to believe the scene before his eyes. At the same time, he firmly remembered Zhangjia Zhuangzi in his heart and wanted to see for himself.
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