Today, there is an official who travels a thousand miles to come here. Glistening white rice, cook it for me to eat. Kindness far away in the water.
Today, there is an official who travels a thousand miles to come here. Fine it into salt and add it for me to eat. Kindness far away in the mountain.
I think, I think. The mountain knows, the river knows. Add to my clothes and feed me medicine. I am willing to rule with you.
After his son and daughter-in-law left, Zhang Zhong suppressed the worry in his heart and began to govern. There were only about four thousand people in a province. It was a small number, but no matter how small it was, they were still common people. Since they had come, they had to let the common people live a good life, even if their purpose was not. Ai! There was nothing to do anyway.
Opening the plan left by his son, Zhang Zhong read it from beginning to end. He had a rough idea of what to do. He ordered the servants in his family to start implementing the plan that very night.
Old Man Pi and the other two also stayed in the manor. It was not that they did not want to go to the front to take a look, but the weather was really unbearable. With their old arms and legs, they could only join in the fun with the Zhang family with the presence of a doctor. If they really had to march, they would die of exhaustion on the road.
The three old men could not find anything interesting to do. When they were about to go and see Xiao Bao and Cuckoo, they found a very serious problem. The two children were gone. They had seen them before, and Xiao Bao had even told them a story. How did they disappear in the blink of an eye?
After some questioning, the three old men were dumbfounded. The two children were too bold. They actually ran to the back of the army to help. If something happened, wouldn't the Zhang Family and Wang Family go crazy?
They immediately sent fifty guards to chase after them. Now that it was almost dark and Xiao Bao and Cuckoo had not returned, the people chasing after them did not believe them.
When they found out that two hundred of Li Xun's men had followed them, they were not so worried. They thought that as long as they followed behind and did not cross the border, nothing would happen.
That night, the Zhang Family and the Wang Family did not work overnight to build a house. Instead, they found thick branches and started a bonfire on the flat ground outside the city. They ate the oily roasted meat, drank the boiled rice wine, and sang and danced.
The commoners who helped out were also invited to join in the fun. Zhang Zhong did not mention anything about wages at all. When the commoners came to work, they had no intention of asking for money. When they saw the other party inviting them to work, they happily ate, drank, sang, and danced together.
The Zhang Family and the Wang Family had people in charge of entertainment. They knew many kinds of dances and were very adaptable. If there were locals who were willing to learn, they would teach them. If there were locals who danced by themselves, they would learn and dance with them. The atmosphere was very harmonious.
Even Zhang Zhong had put down his pride and pulled Jang Wong Clan to dance around the bonfire. Even the seven children were dancing and shouting. It was hard to tell what style they were dancing in, but they even sat on the ground.
The commoners originally liked to be lively. They would sing and dance when there was something to do. However, in the past, other than harvesting, farming, marriage, and funerals, it was very difficult to find a time when so many people gathered together.
The total number of people in the Zhang Family and the Wang Family was more than a thousand. This was not the village, but the inner courtyard and the doctors. Old Man Chang was alone, while Old Man Pi and Old Man Yao's family were more than five hundred people. This was under the condition that each family sent out fifty guards.
The two people were having fun on the flat ground outside the city. It was so lively that the remaining commoners in the city could not stay still. They all dragged their families out to join in the fun. If anyone wanted to sing for everyone, there would be improvised accompaniment by the band. There were even dancers who moved to the music.
The commoners did not know how good Zhang Zhong was as an official. They only knew that this new official was a good person. He was not like the previous officials who occasionally came to check on them. They ate and drank for free and did not pay attention to the commoners. They did not even sing or dance with the commoners.
The second impression was that the wine in this official's family was delicious, especially the rice wine that was cooked with shredded ginger and fruits. It was sour, sweet, and cold. Together with the powder in the roasted meat, it was also good.
The best impression was that this official's family members could sing and dance. They had many musical instruments. When they sang and danced, there was immediately someone who came to play with them. Where could they find such an official in the past? Good, good official. That official's wife was also very good. She could not even sing to her. This ability was worthy of respect.
The commoners were satisfied, but the three old men were dumbfounded. They had lived for so many years, but this was the first time they saw the Provincial Governor bring his family and commoners out to play in the middle of the night instead of sleeping.
"What do you mean?" Old Man Chang did not believe that Zhang Zhong was so free that he would mess around. Especially after understanding the Zhang family's way of doing things, it seemed that every action had a deep meaning.
Old Man Pi and Old Man Yao were also puzzled. This was not the style of the Zhang family. Didn't Zhang Zhong have a pattern when he became an official? First, he would find work for the commoners, then give them wages. When they worked, they would eat well. Then, he would find a way to lead the commoners to make a fortune together according to the local situation. In the process, he would also lend money to the commoners. The interest rate was very low.
What was wrong with him today? He actually did not give wages, nor did he mention anything about loans. Could it be that he was sick from being cheated here?
Old Man Pi drank a cup of medicine wine and also drank half a bowl of rice wine. He waved his hand and called over a person from the Zhang family's inner courtyard, who was in charge of delivering the wine.
"What is your family doing? If you don't sleep today, can you still get up tomorrow to build houses? "Old Man Pi asked the person who walked over.
"In reply to Sir Bi, there is no rush to build houses. Everything will be done according to the plan. Winter is still far away, so the houses can be built slowly," the person respectfully replied.
"What is the plan?" Old Man Yao asked from the side.
"The local economic development plan. Master said that every time I come, no matter what I do, as long as I am the provincial governor, I have the responsibility to let the commoners live a good life. Even if there is only one commoner, I can't ignore it, let alone more than four thousand people. When the war is over and I withdraw, I have to at least double the income of the commoners."
The person who came was still very respectful, but when he said these words, it made people feel his arrogance.
Old Man Pi and Old Man Yao looked at each other. The two of them really didn't expect the Zhang family to do things like this. They were still busy with logistics, but they didn't give up on this place. If it was any other official who dared to say that they could double the income of the commoners in Yizhou, they wouldn't believe it. But when it came from the Zhang family, they had no choice but to believe it.
Waving his hand, Old Man Chang signaled for the person to go back to work. He didn't ask for details, because he couldn't ask. The Zhang Family and the Wang Family each had their own division of labor, so the person who delivered the wine definitely couldn't know the details of the plan.
"If only all the officials of the Tang Empire could be like this. Zhang Zhong is a bit stupid, but he can't find fault with the way he acts as an official. He is wholeheartedly devoted to the commoners, has never been greedy for taxes, and has never accepted bribes. It's hard to find someone like him, really hard to find."
Old Man Chang took a big bite of meat, swallowed it, and evaluated Zhang Zhong.
Old Man Pi also drank the rest of the wine in his bowl and said, "That's because his family has the ability to make money. How much can he be greedy for? Even if he wants to accept bribes, he needs someone to dare to give it to him. Giving him money once isn't even enough to let him relax a little. The government makes a lot of money doing business, so who can afford it? If he gives less, wouldn't he be scolding Zhang Zhong? "
"That's true, but what's the meaning of Zhang Zhong jumping around now? Xiao Bao and Cuckoo have left, so it's not good to ask Zhang Zhong directly. "
Old Man Yao also admitted that the Zhang family's way of doing things wasn't easy to learn. The main reason was that there were very few officials who could make money like the Zhang family and think of ways to let the commoners earn money. Building roads required money, and if they didn't have money, they had to wait for the imperial court to give them. That would be troublesome.
"Since it's not easy to ask, then let's wait and see. I'll be able to figure out something. I'll write it down and let other officials learn from it." Old Man Pi drank some wine and felt comfortable after relaxing. He leaned back in his chair and narrowed his eyes as he waited for the results.
Zhang Zhong was still dancing with the commoners. He didn't have the talent for dancing, so he looked awkward when he danced. Fortunately, the commoners didn't care about how others danced. Most of them were actually dancing for themselves and for others to see. When they gathered together, there was food and drink, and they were happy when it was lively.
The bonfire party didn't end until dawn the next day. People were arranged to send the commoners who were tired from dancing and fell asleep in the middle of the night, as well as the commoners who drank too much and fell asleep to their homes. During this time, there were a few doctors here to take a look at them. If they were sick, they were directly sent home with medicine. They also wrote down the method of boiling the medicine. Those who couldn't read would naturally find someone to ask.
The next morning, both the Zhang Family and the Wang Family were sleeping. They only woke up when it was about to rain in the afternoon. The cook made a large amount of pastries, and the craftsmen used local materials to make a few hundred fishing rods. They also prepared the bait.
When it started to rain, Zhang Zhong opened a large umbrella and led a few dozen people to the riverside to fish. Old Man Pi and the other two also put on an extra set of clothes to fish with them.
The commoners who also woke up were busy with their own family matters, while others were holding prescriptions and asking people how to boil the medicine. There were also some who wandered out to see if the new official had anything to do.
When they saw the official who had danced and sang with them yesterday fishing by the riverside, they also came over to join in the fun. Zhang Zhong gave everyone fishing rods and prepared pastries at the same time. Suddenly, there were a few dozen more people.
After the commotion last night, the nearby strongholds on the mountain all knew about it. They all sent people to find out what the new official was going to do. It would be good if he wasn't going to force them to fight for rent.
After understanding the situation in detail, the people in the stronghold were puzzled, but they also had more expectations. They hoped that the new official would dance again so that they could join in. After all, the new official had many musical instruments at home and many people who knew how to dance.
When he was fishing, Zhang Zhong didn't care about how many fish there were. Every time he caught a fish, he would show off to the locals. Every time the locals caught a fish, he would go over and celebrate with them. He gave people the impression that he wasn't a provincial governor, but a very ordinary person.
After the Old Man Pi caught a big fish and was flattered by Zhang Zhong, he said in confusion, "Is this still Zhang Zhong? In the past, Zhang Zhong didn't do anything. He was polite and didn't panic. He didn't show any joy. He was so steady that it made people feel that he was like a towering mountain. Could this be a person changed by the environment? "
On the third day, there was no rain at night, so the bonfire party continued. This time, it was amazing. Not only did the people in the city come out, but many people in the stronghold also came out. The young chiefs of two strongholds also came out and joined in the fun.
They drank and chatted. Zhang Zhong and the two chiefs had their arms around each other's shoulders and walked around. From time to time, they would joke with each other. When it was dawn, he gave the people in the stronghold a lot of rice, salt, and cloth. He talked with the two chiefs and agreed that tomorrow they would go to one of the strongholds to play. If they wanted to eat mountain delicacies, it wouldn't be interesting if they didn't have enough.
The two chiefs also agreed and took away a lot of wine. They said that when they went back, they would let everyone have a taste. They had to come and bring their families, including the children. Otherwise, they would look down on them.
The people in the stronghold were very satisfied. This official was too good. He was so good that he didn't seem like an official, but like the chief of a stronghold.
The people were satisfied, but Old Man Yao and the other two were not. Zhang Zhong was such an official. Wasn't he smearing the face of the imperial court? They couldn't help but look for Zhang Zhong.
Zhang Zhong received the three old men in the tent. The charcoal stove was burning, and a teapot was sitting on top of it. A tea set was set up, and the West Lake Longjing tea was placed to the side. The melon seeds and dried fruits were also placed around it.
When the three old men saw this, they knew that Zhang Zhong was going to treat them to Kung Fu tea. When they thought of Zhang Zhong's actions yesterday and this morning, it formed a strong contrast, making it difficult for them to get used to it.
After watching Zhang Zhong heat the cups, pick up the tea leaves, wash the tea leaves, and rinse the water, the three old men each took a sip and poured away the remaining tea. Only then did Old Man Pi, who had been waiting impatiently, open his mouth.
"Yongcheng, Xiao Bao and Cuckoo went so far away. It's better to let them come back as soon as possible. They can go out and watch the fun. They can't delay their studies."
Old Man Pi didn't have the right to question them directly. He didn't have the right to question them, so he could only beat around the bush. When Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan said that it would delay their studies, even he didn't believe it himself. There was nothing left to teach. What needed to be memorized, the two people with high IQ had already memorized it all. They had the ability to understand adults and the memory of children.
Now, when Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan were together with Old Man Pi and Old Man Yao, they were mostly discussing or learning from the two old men's way of thinking.
When Zhang Zhong heard Old Man Pi mention his son and daughter-in-law, his eyes flickered. As a father, he didn't feel bad for them, but no one else did. If there was someone in the two families who could do this, other than Xiao Bao and Cuckoo, even if they were only half as good as his son and daughter-in-law, he wouldn't have to let the two children go out.
He sighed and said, "Other people's children are still young, but Xiao Bao and Cuckoo are older. If they want to go out and play, they can go out and play for a few days. I can't control them."
"Yongcheng, don't be like this. I think Xiao Bao and Cuckoo are not bad. Before they left, they told me about the people in Yizhou. Unfortunately, I didn't have time to ask them. Yongcheng, do you know what the two children are thinking?"
Old Man Pi casually asked Zhang Zhong as he took the third cup of tea that Zhang Zhong poured for him.
Zhang Zhong missed his son even more now. The plan didn't only write about how to carry out economic development, it also wrote about the reactions of the three old men. This was part of the development process. Otherwise, it would be really difficult to handle.
Thinking of this, Zhang Zhong directly poured away the small cup of tea in his hand, which was already cold, and poured another cup of tea for each of the three old men. He didn't need Old Man Pi to continue beating around the bush.
He straightforwardly said, "Sir Bi, are you here to denounce me? Say that I shouldn't have disregarded my position and played with the people like this? "
Once the words were out in the open, the three old men really didn't know what to do. It was not good to say yes or no, but they couldn't say anything. Old Man Chang was more straightforward. He replied, "I have such thoughts, not to condemn, but to ask what the deep meaning is. The Zhang family's way of doing things has always been difficult to understand. Learn from them. Yes, learn from them."
"Hey! Actually, I don't want to do that either. Wouldn't it be better to directly recruit workers and give them wages like the local people and Shuzhou? The same trick can be used back and forth, but it definitely can't be used. Just like the godson I took in Lu Zhou. Do I lack a son? If you don't take in the mountain people, they won't believe you.
The people here are the same. Each of the strongholds only listen to orders. Unless I am ruthless enough to send troops to suppress them, otherwise, they will be the same as before after I leave. If it really comes to a point where I have to use force to solve it, it can only mean that I have failed. If the officials are incompetent, the people won't cooperate. "
Zhang Zhong began to complain. What he said was not wrong at all. It was all the truth. If he didn't think about the link in his son's plan and didn't scheme against the three old men, it would be perfect.
The three old men didn't know that before Zhang Xiaobao left, he had dug a hole for them to jump into. When they heard Zhang Zhong's words and looked at Zhang Zhong's helpless expression, they felt the same way. Wing Zhou was not easy to govern.
It took a lot of effort to collect the annual tribute. It was not easy to beg. If they didn't use some other means, they could not expect the local people to cooperate.
Old Man Chang was not too particular. He drank the cold tea, smacked his lips, and said, "What do you have in mind?"
Old Man Pi and Old Man Yao listened attentively. They wanted to see what other means the Zhang family could come up with in the face of such a situation. This was different from before. When Lu Zhou was in charge, the mountain people cooperated. One reason was that Zhang Zhong did give them benefits and even took in a son. Another reason was that the local people were affected by the disaster. Now that Wing Zhou was not affected by the disaster, they couldn't think of a way to make others suffer.
Zhang Zhong didn't speak this time. He seemed to be thinking, but he didn't forget to pour tea for the three old men. When the tea leaves were brewed for the seventh time, he said, "My solution is simple.
Since I can't use my identity as an official to gain the people's trust, then I'll become brothers with them. I'll invite them to play now and go to their stronghold tomorrow. We'll give each other things. Don't let them think that they owe you, and don't let them think that you owe them.
After a period of time, when you're familiar with each other, you can discuss with them how to get rich as brothers. That way, they won't think that you're lying to them. To be honest, I've even prepared the rooster and yellow paper. I even asked someone to bring me a scalpel. I'm ready to drink blood and marry them.
I always feel that the prestige of an official doesn't depend on how powerful you are. It depends on whether you can make the people in the place you govern treat you sincerely, and whether you can make them live a good life. Even if I'm demoted now and don't have any official position, when I return to San Shui County, will I still lack face?
Will I lose face if I'm sent to Lu Zhou to be a scribe? Not to mention a little face, I'm even willing to give up my life. * * * * *, * * * * * *. "
When Zhang Zhong said what his son and daughter-in-law said to him, he suddenly felt noble.
The three old men were shocked. They did not expect Zhang Zhong to say such heroic words. At the same time, they had to admit that Zhang Zhong was right. This was especially true for Old Man Pi. He had seen with his own eyes the scene of thousands of people sending Zhang Zhong off when he left Hua Yuan County. He also knew how Lu Zhou came up with the Ten Thousand People Watch.
Not to mention that Zhang Zhong still had an official position, and the Zhang Family and the Wang Family still had business. Even if they had nothing, as long as they were still alive, as long as they were in a place like this, all they had to do was say hello, and thousands of people would get along well.
'So, if I don't do this, it's still wrong?' Old Man Pi suddenly had such a thought in his mind.
Zhang Zhong continued to pour the tea. This was the ninth time, and the color of the tea was still as strong. Old Man Yao was the first to react. He looked at the tea in the cup and asked, "What's wrong with your tea? Why is the West Lake Longjing tea so bland that I can't drink it anymore after eight steepings? How can your tea still be brewed? "
"It's not that the tea given to Master Yao is not good. It's just that we've recently adopted a new tea frying technique. Moreover, the tea we picked is really good. That's why I can make two more steepings. The tea will be bland if I make two more steepings, it's just two more steepings.
Please, "Zhang Zhong said modestly, but he was very proud in his heart. Of course, his son and daughter-in-law had to keep the good stuff for their own family. It was good enough that they drank it. The tea they sent to the palace only had seven steepings. They did not dare to send good tea. Otherwise, how would they explain if the tea was not good enough in a bad year?
Old Man Chang did not care about the number of steepings when he drank tea. He felt that the thick and large steeped jasmine tea was better than the current Longjing tea. He had nothing to do with 100 steepings. However, Old Man Pi and Old Man Yao understood that even if there were two more steepings, the price would increase by several times.
This method of drinking tea was no longer to eliminate indigestion. If one really wanted to aid digestion, it was better to drink black tea. There was no need to drink green tea. Drinking tea was a kind of status. If it was better, one would be better than others.
Old Man Pi looked at the small clumps of West Lake Longjing tea in the tea box beside him. He finally could not help but say, "The new technique is good. Let's try it later."
Zhang Zhong took out the three boxes that he had prepared earlier. There was this part in the proposal, and even the person who proposed it was indicated. Sure enough, it was not bad. What his son left behind was not a proposal, but a life-saving silk pouch. It was a foresight.
"Even if Sir Bi did not say it, I would have someone send the new tea over later. Let's see how the new technique is. Sir Bi, do you like outdoor sports?"
As Zhang Zhong spoke, he pushed the three boxes in front of the three old men.
Old Man Chang was the most straightforward. He held the box in his arms and was ready to send it to his master, Zhang Jiuling. He asked, "What kind of outdoor sports are outdoor sports?"
"It's sports outside the house, such as horseback riding, archery, and alpine skiing. This alpine skiing is suitable for this place. There is snow on the mountain now. When winter comes, it will be even more amazing. Use the skis to quickly slide down from the top. Feel the cold, the blood in your heart, and the heroism of flying."
Zhang Zhong awkwardly used the advertising slogan written by his son.
After seeing the three old men nodding to show that they understood, Zhang Zhong continued, "Even if this place is done according to the method of tourism, ordinary people are not willing to come here. There must be a special feature, which is alpine skiing. It is not convenient to transport things out, so it is better to lead people in.
Experience alpine skiing, find a relatively fast flowing river, and experience the singing and dancing of the local people. Then, write a few fairytale-like stories and print them into books. Build a fairytale-like world here. The local people will be able to earn money, and at the same time, it will promote communication with outsiders.
I hope that Sir Bi, Sir Yao, and Uncle Zhang can help with this matter. In the name of the three of you, invite officials or rich people from Jiannan to come here and write poems. The first time is free, and there will be gifts. "
Zhang Zhong was not afraid that the three of them would not agree. He had made it clear just now. If anyone did not agree now, they would be disregarding the livelihood of the people.
As expected, Old Man Pi and the other two nodded happily. They were also willing to do something. However, Old Man Pi felt that something was wrong, especially with the tea leaves. Why did they prepare it so well? It seemed like they had been tricked.
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