Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 23: A True Righteous Man
At the canal wharf outside Xingji City, Inspector Chen Yun, accompanied by Magistrate Song Qing, Legal Adviser Li Weishao and others, went to the granary to inspect the grain storage situation.

Although the local government had made preparations in advance, Chen Yun still discovered many unusual things, but he just held back.

Chen Yun looked at the deserted dock, as if thinking of something. He pointed at the ships lined up on the canal and asked, "Are these ships that have not yet unloaded all grain ships?"

Song Qing didn't know the specific situation and was speechless.

Li Weishao replied, "Some are, some are not. Xingji's local grain is usually sold by Huizhou merchants, and the local granaries are always full... In a few days, the Imperial Inspector will arrive in Xingji, and then we can open the granaries for inspection. By then, no granary will be left out."

After hearing this, Song Qing suddenly felt that the money he spent on hiring Li Weishao was not wasted.

Not only did he remind Chen Yun about the local grain reserves, he also indirectly told Chen Yun that inspecting the granary was not his main responsibility. His task was only to inspect the local area, and the matter of grain should be left to specialized people.

"Ah."

Chen Yun seemed to have heard the implication and nodded slightly. "Speaking of which, the Huizhou merchants are well-known for their wealth. If they are responsible for the sale of old grain, they can make up for any shortfalls in time."

Song Qing smiled and said, "How can there be a loss? It's just a rumor, don't believe it."

Chen Yun looked at Song Qing and said, "County Magistrate Song, you are not involved in the details of the local water storage of grain. Are you clear about this?"

"No no."

Song Qing quickly distanced himself from the matter, "I was not aware of this. The water storages on both sides of the canal are managed by special officials, and I basically never ask about it."

"You've never been on patrol once?" Chen Yun frowned.

Just when Song Qing didn't know how to answer, Li Weishao hurriedly took over the topic: "Song Zhixian would take time out to inspect the storage every year, no less than twice, but the Ministry of Revenue sent more officials to inspect. Every time Song Zhixian went out for inspection, the granary was not allowed to enter unless there were special circumstances. I think you have seen what happened today, it's not that we don't want to, it's just that the access control is very strict."

Li Weishao was hinting to the financial sponsor that he could understand his desire to distance himself from the matter, but he could not fall into Chen Yan's trap. As the local official, the granary was right on his territory. Even if the deficit here had nothing to do with him, he could not say that he had never checked it.

Chen Yan glanced at Li Weishao, smiled and said to Song Qing: "You are a very eloquent guest."

After saying that, Chen Yun ignored Song Qing's slightly embarrassed expression and continued to walk towards the ferry dock.

……

……

There were quite a few boats lined up at the ferry waiting to unload. Chen Yun looked at them for a while and called Song Qing, who was giving instructions to the officials of the county government, over.

When Song Qing approached, Li Weishao was still following behind him.

"What advice does Censor Chen have?"

Song Qing asked cautiously.

Chen Yu pointed to the long line of boats at the ferry and asked, "Is this place usually so empty? Why are there so many boats docked here, but no one is loading or unloading?"

Song Qing could only look at Li Weishao again.

Li Weishao replied calmly: "You may not know that a new batch of medicines arrived in the city today, and all the young and strong laborers in charge of handling the medicines at the dock have gone to plant the medicines, so it is a little deserted. If it were any other day, I'm afraid it would be very busy right now."

"New medicine?"

Chen Yan frowned slightly.

Li Weishao said, "It's the student named Zhang whom I mentioned before. Isn't he the one who plants medicine to treat smallpox and epidemics? The medicine in the city ran out before, and it was only replenished today."

Chen Yan frowned and asked in a cold voice: "Is this matter still not settled?"

Li Weishao smiled and said, "Before, many people in the city did not believe it, but it is strange that the number of people suffering from smallpox in Xingji has decreased recently, and those patients have never been vaccinated before. If they have been vaccinated, even if they have been in contact with the patients for a long time, they will not show any abnormalities.

"The coolies on the docks are busy making a living all year round, and inevitably interact with all kinds of people coming and going from the south and the north. Others may stay indoors when an epidemic occurs, but they cannot, and have to grow medicine to prevent it."

After hearing this, Chen Yan frowned.

Li Weishao pointed at the scattered people at the ferry: "People in the world are not blind. If it is ineffective, why would so many people flock to it? Besides, Mr. Zhang is always involved in planting medicine for others, and he never avoids the common people. His reputation in the city is growing. Such a kind and righteous person is rare in this world."

When Song Qing heard this, he immediately felt his face light up, and said with emotion: "Whether his medicine is real or fake, this man is indeed kind and loyal, and never avoids patients... I'm sorry to make Censor Chen laugh."

After hearing this, Li Weishao quickly pulled Song Qing's official uniform from behind, meaning to remind the financier that he should not try to distance himself from the matter at the moment, but should stand firmly on the side of Mr. Zhang and say that his medicine was really effective.

Chen Yun said: "In that case, I have to go and verify it myself."

Li Weishao was surprised to hear this and asked, "Censor Chen is also going to grow herbs? That's not necessary... There are many idle people around the Yagu Temple, and all the new patients are sent there recently... How about this, there are many places in the city that also grow herbs, and the people in charge have all learned from Mr. Zhang, so just find one to come back and grow them for you."

The Jinyiwei standing by couldn't help but remind him: "My Lord, don't take risks."

Chen Yun's face turned serious, and he spoke righteously: "Wherever I go, I always put people's livelihood first...Now the people in the city all believe in Mr. Zhang's ability and are actively growing herbs. How can I sit back and do nothing? I will go and verify it myself, and then I can report this to the court."

Song Qing said: "Censor Chen is right. We should investigate what is happening in the local area. Whether it is true or not, we should report it to the court."

This time Li Weishao did not object to Song Qing's words.

Obviously, only the "political achievements" reported by the inspectors can be recorded. Even if Xingji has made contributions to the prevention and control of the plague this time, the magistrate Song Qing himself cannot say so.

Chen Yu asked, "County Magistrate Song wants to go with me?"

"Well... I am busy with official duties, I'm afraid... hehe." Song Qing does not have the kind of responsibility that Chen Yun has.

Let him go to the epidemic area where there are patients everywhere?

He cherishes his life so much, so he will not take huge risks. …

……

Chen Yun, accompanied by the county yamen runners and two Jinyiwei, went to Yagu Temple.

On the way, Chen Yu said to the two Jinyiwei: "I had smallpox when I was young, so I am not afraid of this disease at all. If you have never had it, you don't have to accompany me."

The Royal Guards said, "If you want to go, how can we not accompany you?"

"Ugh!"

Chen Yu said, "When I was young, smallpox was rampant in my family. Several of my brothers and cousins ​​died from the disease. I have personally experienced it and know the power of this disease. After you two go over, just watch from a distance. I will personally go up and ask questions."

As he was speaking, Li Weishao's voice came from behind him: "Censor Chen, please stay."

Chen Yan turned around and looked at Li Weishao: "Why are you here?"

Li Weishao bowed respectfully and then said, "My county magistrate said that we can send someone to invite Mr. Zhang and his son to the county government office."

"Father and son?"

Chen Yun was puzzled again.

"Yes, this Mr. Zhang treats people in the Yagu Temple. He brought his second son with him, reportedly to have extra care on a daily basis." Li Weishao said.

Chen Yun frowned, "If they really came out to cheat, they would not implicate their offspring... It seems that Mr. Zhang is very confident. I am afraid that it will not work if I don't go there in person... I would like to trouble Mr. Li to lead the way."

"This……"

Li Weishao suddenly felt as if he was being forced to do something he was not supposed to do.

I'm just here to pass on a message, are you trying to send me to death?
Jinyiwei asked, "Mr. Li, are you unwilling to lead the way? My master doesn't know Mr. Zhang, can you introduce him to him?"

"This... this... okay."

Li Weishao wanted to bang his head against the wall at this moment, but he could only sigh helplessly and quickly catch up.

……

……

The group arrived at the residence outside the Yagu Temple, but saw people waiting to plant medicine lined up in a long queue in an orderly manner.

The Jinyiwei standing nearby sighed, "It is said that people in the market always act in a herd, but it seems that is not entirely true. The local people are simple and honest, and there is not even an official to maintain order, but the situation is still not chaotic... How can the villagers be so orderly?"

Li Weishao smiled and said, "Speaking of which, County Magistrate Song does have a way of educating the local people, and he can see the big picture from the small details... Please come this way..."

When the people in the queue saw someone cutting in line, they rushed directly into the yard and glared at him coldly.

Chen Yan waved his hand and said, "How can you break the rules? Just wait in the queue at the back."

"This……"

Li Weishao was suddenly embarrassed.

He was already afraid of attracting disease and evil spirits, and now he could only stay behind, looking around from time to time in a nervous mood.

He wanted to send someone in to notify them, but was stopped by Chen Yun.

It was not until half an hour later that they followed the long queue into the courtyard. From afar, they saw Zhang Luan sitting in front of a tattered table with a medicine box and a book next to him. He was holding a silver needle in one hand and a porcelain bottle in the other, and was implanting medicine on people's arms one by one.

Because planting medicine involves lifting up the sleeves, only men plant medicine here, and no women are seen.

Behind Zhang Luan, Zhang Yanling was also busy. Many old people and teenagers were helped by Zhang Yanling, which greatly accelerated the progress of growing medicine.

Li Weishao saw Chen Yan staring at the father and son, and the person in front of him walked a little further but didn't catch up, so he couldn't help but ask in a low voice: "Do you still want to go?"

"go."

Chen Yu kept his eyes on the Zhang family father and son, and sighed from the bottom of his heart, "I have seen countless people, but how could such a generous and righteous person be a swindler? He is truly a righteous man."

Jinyiwei reminded: "Sir, it's not good to jump to conclusions."

Chen Yun ignored him and walked straight forward.

……

……

To Zhang Luan and his son Zhang Yanling, that day was just an ordinary day. The government had clearly informed them that they could go home after two busy days. The father and son were eagerly looking forward to returning home and reuniting with their family as soon as possible.

Zhang Luan was looking forward to having a wife and children and a warm bed, while Zhang Yanling wanted to go back and eat some of the delicious food made by Jin.

He had complained in his heart many times that he was only making money but not enjoying anything. It was a waste of time. He could have just gone with the flow and enjoyed wealth and glory, but he had to create trouble. Zhang Yanling couldn't help but regret what he had done.

But at this moment, several unusual people had come to the front of the queue.

Zhang Yanling quickly tugged at Zhang Luan's clothes and whispered, "Dad, isn't that someone from the county government? The people next to him are also wearing official boots, so their identities are not simple..."

(End of this chapter)