Zhao Defang's road to the virtuous king

"Thank you for the store." Jia Jun returned to the car with the snacks. "Master, the store said that you will reach Heitugang after [-] miles from the city. There is an inn over there. We can stay at night."

"Okay, let's go then."

A group of people left the city from the south gate of Yongcheng. Ling'er was very happy, stood up and jumped off the carriage. Baili was startled, and quickly stopped the carriage, "My little master! Why did you jump off!"

Ling'er ran to Defang's side, "Father! I want to ride a horse too!"

Defang got off the horse and said, "Ling'er! What if I jumped off like this and fell!"

"No, Dad, let me ride the horse." Ling'er smiled, Defang felt helpless, and touched Ling'er's head, "Okay, get on the horse, Dad will lead the horse for you."

"Thank you dad!" Ling'er gave Defang a hug, and got on the horse as soon as she stepped on the pedals. Defang smiled at Concubine Di, "Madam, Ling'er is really just like Madam, an incredible little heroine, haha Ha ha."

Concubine Di smiled, "Ling'er, your father always spoils you so much, you have to ride."

"Yes, mother"

Several people in Defang led their horses and saw that many farmers were plowing in the fields. The wheat was growing well in large patches. A family came out of the pavilion beside the road. Two old people were wearing straw hats. Three men were carrying hoes and rakes, and two children were carrying small baskets. Looking at their clothes, they looked like local farmers. Defang stepped forward and said, "How many of you are farmers here?"

Several people also bowed their hands and returned the salute, the old man said, "Yes, yes, my lord, where are you from and where are you going?"

"We came from the capital, and we are going to visit the south of the Yangtze River, so we passed by here."

"So that's the case, my lord, then you can go to various places in the south of the Yangtze River by walking along the official road, which is very convenient."

"Old man, is the black soil hill ahead?"

"Yes, we will be there in another twenty miles."

"Old man, how old are you?"

"Five out of seventy."

"It doesn't look like it, haha." Defang looked at the two old people, "You two look really tough. Is this wheat field yours?"

"Yes, it belongs to my family."

"How is the harvest every year?"

"It's very good, hehehe" the old man smiled. "Except for the [-]% handed over to the government, the rest is ours, and we can sell it for a lot of money."

Defang looked at the three strong men and children, "Old man, are these your son and grandson?"

"Yes, I have five sons, seven young grandsons and four young granddaughters. My two sons work in Yongcheng and help with farm work when they return home."

"The rice grain is abundant, and the house is full of children and grandchildren. You are very lucky, old man."

"It's good for the imperial court to build roads and reduce taxes. Now there are fewer wars, and life is easier." The old man pointed in the direction of Yongcheng, "Master Li, the county magistrate, often brings people here to inspect. Whatever difficulties, disputes and quarrels, unclear cases and so on, Mr. Li has handled them properly."

"Lord Li," Defang nodded, "Officials love the people like their own sons, and are diligent and pragmatic. It is indeed a blessing for the people and a blessing for the country."

"This lord," said the old man, "seeing how many of you are wearing, you should be a rich family in Beijing, right?"

"Hehehe, well, I'm a businessman, and I make a living doing antiques."

"Master, are these all your family members?"

"The one on the carriage is my wife, and the one on the horse is my daughter. These are the servants of the nursing home in my house. I have three sons who are taking care of business in Beijing, and now I have three grandchildren."