Sheng Fu

Chapter 630 Bitter annual rings
In Qiushui County, the number of households is less than 50. Although there are thousands of miles of fertile fields, the grain seeds can be sown, but the soil is always in a hurry. It has been 50 years since the last harvest.

50 years is enough for two generations to bloom.

Since the beginning of the Great War, Qiushui County has been hard to escape from the tyranny of increased taxes, and the lives of the people have become more difficult. There seem to be many stalls on the street, but the pedestrians on the road are already old, and most of the restaurants and inns have low business. No sign of redness.

After a closer look, most of the people here are thin, and you can tell at a glance that there is no oil and water in the rice bowl. Plain noodles and pickled vegetables are the main dishes of Qiushui County. Of course, this is just a portrayal of the lives of most people, not the rich people. scene.

Yu Wenjun was strolling on the street, he changed into a very simple black clothes, he didn’t look expensive, everything here is exactly as the master of the country said, the life of the people is very hard, the bustling city is still like this, the mountains, villages and small towns The life of the people here is naturally more difficult.

Different from Boya County of Dachun Prefecture that Gao Zhi and Chen Dian had helped, it had the advantage of the terrain and could work hard on aquatic products, but Qiushui County had no geographical advantage to rely on, and it was still far away from other prefectures and counties. There is no local inheritance of civil and martial arts at all. If the soil in a place is not vigorous enough, it will be difficult to thrive.

In the past hundred years, Qiushui County has not produced outstanding people, and the number of poor scholars is pitifully small. Looking at other states and counties, the well-dressed scholars in Qiushui County are not much different from the poor scholars.

One autumn rain and one cold, the name of Qiushui County is worthy of its real name.

In a restaurant, Yu Wenjun was sitting alone by the window. Outside, the snow was flying, the passers-by were shaking and swishing, and the small vendors in the open air rubbed their hands. Even if it was snowing, they were sticking to their business. No matter how windy or rainy, no matter how hard life is, you have to survive. People always have to eat. Even if they can be hungry, their wives and children cannot be hungry.

A pot of hot wine, a stack of peanuts, and a bowl of plain noodles with pickled vegetables are the rations for Yu Wenjun's meal. In fact, Yu Wenjun wants a stack of beef, but beef is a scarce resource for the poor, even if it is The country gentry and local tyrants seldom eat beef, usually pork.

"What's your name, little brother?"

Jiang Chai paused, and said to Yu Wenjun: "He hasn't chosen a name yet, I don't have much knowledge, I plan to do some work, save some money, and go to a town twenty miles away to find Mr. He takes a name."

The middle-aged man said: "Jiang Chai, the firewood for firewood."

Yu Wenjun glanced around, the floor in the room was full of bumps, wooden boxes were piled up on the corner, the wooden boxes were broken, Yu Wenjun opened his dragon eyes slightly, and saw the clothes inside through the gap of the wooden boxes, under the clothes were moldy cereals.

"Those scholars who say that they want to bring peace to all generations and benefit the common people, most of them just talk about it, and what they think about in their hearts are the indecent things of male robbers and female prostitutes."

This is a very simple name, and Yu Wenjun looked at the two or three-year-old child again, pretending to be gentle and said: "What about you, what's your name?"

"It's a pity that after the end of their term of office, that kind of officials returned to prosperous places and became extremely treacherous and cunning. When it comes to political affairs, they only want not to make mistakes, and they are greedy for the credit at their fingertips. "

squeak...

The middle-aged man with a physical disability lived in this area for several miles all year round. He was withdrawn, not good at speaking, and he didn't know how to treat guests, so he asked Yu Wenjun directly: "My brother is from the county? "

"Qiushui County has always been one of the intractable diseases in the north. In the early years, His Majesty also thought about setting up an academy here called Haoran Academy. Things go to waste."

In the field of vision, several children were playing snowball fights, their little faces were flushed, and their yells were clear and melodious, which vaguely tore a hole in the twilight surrounding Qiushui County.

The middle-aged man's body shook slightly, he stood up and walked towards the gate, only to realize that his right leg was limping, a cripple.

They are also local officials. Local officials in prosperous lands are different from those in barren lands, such as the gap between the poor and the rich.

Yuwen Junhu questioned: "What about the few scholars?"

On the half-mountain road, Li Hongshan looked at the thatched cottage not far away, and the blue-white smoke was lingering above the chimney.

Li Hongshan smiled lightly and said: "His Majesty the Emperor also cares about the people of Qiushui County, so I am here."

Inside the house, a middle-aged man with a broken arm and a child about three or two years old sat around the fire pit to enjoy the fire. Unfortunately, there were no sweet potatoes or potatoes in the fire pit.

As a somewhat conscientious politician, he naturally couldn't stand it.

"Afterwards, I will write a picture scroll of His Highness's actions today, spread it to the prosperous places in the north, and secretly buy a few well-known storytellers to create momentum."

When two or three-year-old children saw Yu Wenjun coming, they timidly kept their father's calf.

Li Hongshan smiled even more arrogantly, and said: "Those few people have insufficient understanding and too weak talents, so they can't see the situation in the eyes of the majority of scholars."

The road is full of mud, and it is difficult for horse-drawn carriages to pass. In such road conditions, at least a second-class war horse can clear the way.

"How do you call uncle?" Yu Wenjun asked.

Li Hongshan laughed and said: "That's okay. The son of a poor family who is close to the prefecture and county, who came to Qiushui County for a long distance to study, can indeed drive the crowds. I will speak to your majesty. As for political affairs, my understanding is not as good as your majesty's." , I dare not use an ax at His Highness's door."

Yu Wenjun said bluntly: "I am Yu Wenjun."

At a young age, I don't know the sufferings of the world. Is it a good thing or a bad thing?

Yu Wenjun stepped out lightly, and went outside the thatched cottage. The door was old, stained, and without a knocker, so Yu Wenjun had to stand outside the door and shouted softly: "Is anyone there?"

Seeing this, Jiang Chai's eyes became moist.

Jiang Chai insisted: "It's two different things. Choosing a name is a big deal. You scholars also spent a lot of money when you study."

Yu Wenjun did not despise this sloppy lunch, but ate it bite by bite. The only remarkable thing is that the pot of hot wine tastes very good and has not been mixed with water.

Only then did Yu Wenjun ask curiously, "Why did you appear here?"

The middle-aged man replied: "It's fine if you don't dislike it."

"The national treasury also tended to Qiushui County for a period of time to develop the domestic needs of the people's livelihood, but this hole is so big that it can't be filled at all, and many young and middle-aged people in Qiushui County have gone to other states and counties to make a living."

Yu Wenjun hastily smiled softly and said: "I am a traveler from another place. It is snowing outside. I pass by here. I want to avoid the wind and snow. I hope uncle will make it easier for me."

Outside Qiushui County, the Qianli Plain, not to mention majestic mountains and rivers, does not even have a single majestic lone peak. It is very flat and bitter, just like the days of ordinary people.

"Qiu Shui is like an old man. He has reached his twilight years, but after a while, it is difficult to die."

But soon, Yu Wenjun's heart sank. The two boys were wearing straw sandals with their toes exposed. This kind of straw sandals can only be used in summer. Naturally, they have no choice but to wear this kind of straw sandals in winter.

While talking, Yu Wenjun squeezed out a warm and jade-like smile and looked at the child nestled in his father's arms. The tension in the little guy's heart gradually receded, and he also showed a bright smile at Yu Wenjun, but this smile was like A sharp knife was inserted into Yu Wenjun's heart.

"Your Majesty really wants to see if the leader of Bagu in this era can prescribe the right medicine for Qiushui County."

In the local customs of Qiushui County, it costs money to find a husband to choose a name, and to choose a good name, you have to spend money, and you have to treat your husband to a meal afterwards.

Master Guoshi waved his sleeves and built a void passage. The moment the two entered the void passage, they came to a half-hillside. It was said that it was a half-hillside, but there were not many mature trees around them. They were all small trees swaying in the wind and snow. The tree has thick arms and slender branches. After being covered with a layer of snow, it adds a somewhat illusory and heavy feeling. I don't know if it can survive this winter.

Yu Wenjun didn't question His Majesty the Emperor's political actions to the National Teacher, nor did he insult the princes in the temple. A difficult and long task, but it may not be effective.

Qiushui County is like a useless man with no physical ability, no knowledge, no appearance, no Feng Shui, no parents, no wife and children, and he is still physically disabled. How to start?
Yu Wenjun pondered: "But there is still popularity here after all. I want to set up a Hengchang Academy here. For the work-for-relief matter, I can first build the Hengchang Academy in Qiushui County. I will build it here. A Hengchang Academy with a huge scale, which can accommodate up to [-] students."

Li Hongshan's smile grew wilder, looking at Yu Wenjun's eyes, as if looking at a clown who was confused about the future.

The more unrestrained the smiles on the children's faces, the more uncomfortable Yu Wenjun felt.

The two- and three-year-old child also looked at the door timidly. In his imagination, the person outside the door must be a very scary person.

"Your Highness has never been to Qiushui County in the past, and he is far away from the sufferings of the world. Now that His Highness sees it, what emotion does he feel in his heart?"

"It's this family, you'll know when you go and have a look." Li Hongshan said.

Yu Wenjun said softly: "It just so happens that I have read a few books. Although I am not very knowledgeable, it is still possible to choose a name. If uncle doesn't dislike it, I can name your son."

It is indeed a place where even the Master of the National Teacher feels that the people are suffering.

Li Hongshan said with a smile: "I remember many years ago, some talented young officials who did not understand the world were dispatched to Qiushui County as parents' officials. I thought that such officials would always come to their senses after experiencing the hardships of the world. Some truths can also cultivate a sense of righteousness and awe-inspiring spirit."

This amount of money is extremely heavy for a middle-aged man with physical disabilities.

Yu Wenjun walked out of this restaurant. He planned to leave the county and go to the surrounding villages and towns to take a look. As he walked, there was a sound of laughing and joking in front of him.

It is not enough to just set up a large-scale Hengchang Academy. There must also be commerce and local pillar industries, but Qiushui County obviously will not have local pillar industries.

Yu Wenjun smiled gently and said: "It's okay, it's just a trivial matter. It just so happens that I am also sheltering from the wind and snow here with my uncle. After going back and forth, we are evened out. Uncle don't have to worry about it."

The middle-aged man was surprised when he heard the voice outside the door, and there was a trace of panic. His hair was very messy, and there were more than ten patches of clothes on his body, and there was no cotton coat inside.

Whether it is a prosperous age or a troubled one, it is the lower class people who suffer.

"Thank you, brother, for giving me the name." Jiang Chai tremblingly said, two tears slid down the corner of his eyes, across the bridge of his nose, and stuck to his lips.

Yu Wenjun explained: "I've said it all, it's just a trivial matter, by the way, where is the child's mother?"

"Is anyone there?" Yu Wenjun outside the door called softly again.

Yu Wenjun said with a little worry: "It's okay, it's a great luck to have a shelter from the wind and rain in such a weather."

The middle-aged man opened the door and looked at Yu Wenjun with vicissitudes and horror in his eyes. This is what happens after he hasn't interacted with anyone for a long time.

The little guy looked at his father timidly.

When he came near, Yu Wenjun asked suspiciously: "Master Guo Shi is waiting for me here?"

Li Hongshan said calmly: "Xingluo is busy with affairs, and it coincides with the rectification of people's livelihood and aristocratic families in the north. This is a major event, so I came in person, so I don't bother Your Highness to visit the poor people in Qiushui County privately. I will directly take His Highness went to a farmhouse, that one was really miserable."

On both sides of the central hall, there is a hut on each side. In the hut on the left, a white-haired old man is sleeping. His breath is weak, and he is only skin and bones. It is estimated that the end of the year is approaching, and it is difficult to survive this year.

The young leader of Bagu hummed, and said: "I went out to collect wind and passed by here. I hope I will forgive you for disturbing me."

The man with the broken arm spoke very softly, which should be caused by the lack of energy and blood for a long time.

The streets are bleak and the county is in a state of depression. Yu Wenjun unreasonably recalls the past when he participated in the Bagu Banquet. He made the remote and poor village resound with the sound of reading aloud.

Looking around, the surrounding buildings are old, the roads are uneven, and potholes can be seen everywhere.

However, the children who played snowballs didn't care about this, they were used to it, they kneaded a snowball, and started a series of offensive and defensive battles. They didn't know that the cold and humidity had penetrated into their bodies through Yongquan Point, but they When you are young, you can still bear it. When you get older, you will have all kinds of rheumatism, wind and cold problems.

Jiang Chai immediately frowned slightly, not very confidently said: "But I have no money now, this is really..."

Yu Wenjun frowned slightly. After thinking about it, he carefully avoided these children playing snowball fights. He wanted to buy them some warm cotton boots. He knew that once he took care of these children A child, soon someone will surround him, waiting for his alms, there is no need to rush this moment.

The little guy looked at the two characters on the ground with suspicious eyes. He just felt that the characters were too difficult to write. He admired this handsome uncle for writing two characters so easily.

Outside the thatched house, there was no one there, only a fence made of bamboo strips, and upon closer inspection, the bamboo strips were close to decay.

The middle-aged man brought Yu Wenjun into the house. Although the fire in the fire pit was dazzling, the whole house was extremely dark and dusty.

"However, in the treasury, you have to give me some help."

"As for whether His Highness is far away from doing cumbersome things that will stain clothes, it depends on His Highness's will."

The middle-aged man said weakly: "The humble house is simple and simple. I don't look like an ordinary family from the way I dress, so don't dislike it."

The idea of ​​setting up a Hengchang Academy in Qiushui County has taken root in Yu Wenjun's heart.

Such a person has never seen the world, and will not know who is Yu Wenjun, who is Qiu Qing, who is Pu Weiqing, and who is Li Hongshan.

"Lead the way." Yuwen Jun said.

Yu Wenjun didn't feel that the national teacher was not sincere, he was busy with everything, and his personal feelings were really irrelevant.

The fine snow gradually turned into heavy snow. Yu Wenjun regretted that he did not bring the black lion to Qiushui County. After walking against the wind for a while, a towering willow tree stood in his vision. Under the willow tree, Li Hongshan, the national teacher, leaned against On the tree, he cast a playful look at Yu Wenjun.

Some things are hard to say, the poorer the place, the less falsified things are, but sometimes, the poorer the people, the more they like to falsify.

Yu Wenjun felt even more upset, so he took out a piece of smoking firewood from the fire pit, wrote the word "Jiang Sheng" on the ground, and said in a soft voice: "Jiang is his surname, which means magnanimity and long-term peace. It means that the future is bright, remember to practice these two words on weekdays."

Just as Yu Wenjun was about to answer, he suddenly discovered that there was a red bird crouching on the beam of the house.

Jiang Chai's eyes were blank for a while, and he said in a soft voice: "The dystocia left, I blame myself for being worthless, if I could have spent some money to have a doctor look at it, maybe the baby's mother would have survived."

"The child's mother is a widow, and her life is as miserable as mine."

Yu Wenjun didn't ask in detail, but after a little thought, he knew that there was an old man who was bedridden at home, and a two- or three-year-old baby. The physical work, coming and going, can only plan food in his own crops, not to mention the great future, just living is already a lot of hardships.

Fortunately, there is still a child, which is the hope in his heart, but in such a family, what can the child do when he grows up?

(End of this chapter)