Chapter 47: County Magistrate Wang Asks His Son to Invite Madam Zhu
County Lieutenant Cao hurried to pull the man away, but he was too thin. Fortunately, the yamen runners helped him, otherwise he would have ended up with his body torn into pieces.
After the person was rescued, he couldn't help but curse: "I'm really tired of living. Don't you know where this place is?"
The middle-aged man was also frightened. His hands and feet collapsed on the ground, and he covered his face and cried:
"There's no food left at home, so I have no choice but to try my luck out here."
Upon hearing this, County Captain Cao’s expression froze.
There have been continuous heavy rains in the past few days, and many fields have been flooded. The harvest is only two months away, and now everything has been ruined by the heavy rain.
I guess many people will go hungry.
Thinking of this, he immediately called the yamen runner and asked him to guard here while he went back to the county government office to discuss things with the county magistrate.
"Don't worry, sir. I will definitely fulfill your orders!"
The bailiff wiped the rain off his face with a determined look.
County Magistrate Cao hurried back to the county town, but when he reached the street of the county government office, the street was so blocked that he couldn't get through.
The people in the city gathered around the county government office. They were almost out of rice, and some of the old houses had collapsed.
If this continues, they will all die.
The dense crowd, like a zombie siege, makes people tremble with fear.
County Magistrate Cao wanted to sneak past, so he took off his shoes and stepped into the water barefoot.
But unfortunately, someone saw it.
"My Lord is here."
Suddenly, everyone heard the sound and rushed over.
County Lieutenant Cao was almost squeezed into a meat patty, and his already thin figure looked even more fragile.
"Everyone, please don't push. Don't worry, our county magistrate will definitely help you solve your problems."
At the end of the day, his voice was almost hoarse, and his already small voice was immediately drowned out by the noisy crowd.
In the end, it was County Magistrate Wang who sent people to rescue him and promised to give all the people an answer as soon as possible before letting everyone disperse.
This is also due to County Magistrate Wang's reputation for loving the people like his own children. If other officials were in his place, these people might not have the courage to come and cause trouble.
The lobby of the county government office.
County Magistrate Cao changed into dry clothes and hurried over.
"Sir, how much food is left in Zhencheng?"
County Magistrate Wang understood what he meant and said, "I have already sent a letter to the prefect, hoping the court will agree to open our granaries and release grain."
County Magistrate Cao breathed a sigh of relief. "That's good, but I still hope this natural disaster doesn't get any worse, otherwise the consequences will be disastrous."
Although there are only a few hundred people in Zhencheng, there are about five thousand people in the villages under the jurisdiction of Zhencheng.
Even if the imperial court agreed to release grain, their grain reserves would probably not last for a few days.
County Magistrate Wang had a worried look on his chubby face. "How's the dam doing?"
"Don't worry, sir. Fortunately, we reinforced it in time. Now it seems that there shouldn't be any major problems."
This is the only good news in recent days.
County Magistrate Wang's expression eased slightly. "I'm worried now that it's not just Zhencheng that's going to be affected."
Upon hearing this, County Captain Cao was shocked. If this was really the case, how could the prefect take care of such a small place like Zhencheng?
He immediately suggested: "Sir, we need to make plans early."
County Magistrate Wang nodded and said, "That's exactly what I was thinking. Tell me what you think."
"Before the floods start, we will try to relocate the people to the East Mountain, which is the highest point in Zhencheng."
County Magistrate Wang frowned. Although there was flooding in the city, people had been sent to deal with it and he believed that the situation would improve soon.
The levee is now very stable. If the people in the city are asked to move, many people will probably not agree.
And the situation was exactly as he expected. No family agreed to move, and they did not believe that an unforeseen disaster would happen in the city of Zhen where their ancestors had lived for generations.
But he still agreed: "You go and handle this matter first. As many families as you can persuade will be better. If the disaster spreads, they will have to be forced to move out."
"yes!"
He had hardly had a drop of water the whole day, but now he picked up the water cup and drank it all in one gulp. He drank three full cups in a row before he felt better.
He rubbed his aching waist before bowing and taking his leave.
Master Qin also took the opportunity to suggest: "Sir, I think we can't just wait for news from the court. We need to arrange for food as soon as possible."
County Magistrate Wang was naturally concerned about this matter. "But where will the food come from?"
Master Qin: "Those merchants must have a lot of grain in their hands."
…
There are three rice shops in Zhencheng, and the largest one is the one where Zhu Mingqing bought grain before.
The owner of this shop is named Qiao. He looks as wealthy as County Magistrate Wang, but because he has been lame since childhood, he walks with a limp.
Shopkeeper Qiao and two other grain merchants were invited to the county government office.
They felt a little uneasy, and at this moment, they knew why.
"Manager Qiao, I heard that the county magistrate wants us to make a generous donation. Do you know?"
Shopkeeper Qiao hammered his calf, which ached whenever it was windy or rainy, and smiled bitterly.
How could I not know?
But he had no food left. If he had known this would happen, he would never have sold it all that day.
"The master has arrived!"
The three of them immediately stopped their whispered chat, stood up and saluted: "Your Highness, I greet you!"
He smiled and said, "Everyone, get up. It must be hard work to ask you to come here in this weather!"
Hearing such polite words, the three of them couldn't help but shudder.
It’s over!
It seems their guess was correct!
"Alright, I won't beat around the bush with you." County Magistrate Wang's face turned serious, and he put on the authority of a county magistrate. "For the sake of the people in this city, I want to buy grain from you. Don't worry, the price won't be less than yours."
When he said this, his expression was very serious, but no one knew that at this time, the money of the Zhencheng County Government had almost been spent on reinforcing the dam.
But he had to say this, otherwise the survival of the people in the county would be in question!
Shopkeeper Qiao pursed his lips, his eyes turned red, and tears fell.
"Master Wang, I..." He chiseled his chest and cried out in grief, "Now my family can't even afford to eat!"
County Magistrate Wang frowned: "What do you mean?"
Shopkeeper Qiao then told the story of how he had recently sold all his grain to a lady, crying as he spoke. It was so heartbreaking that anyone who heard it would cry.
Wang Qin next to him frowned fiercely, feeling a bad premonition in his heart.
"Do you know the other party's identity?" County Magistrate Wang asked hurriedly, "Is that person still in Zhencheng?"
Shopkeeper Qiao had delivered food before, so he naturally knew the address: "Madam Zhu of Lai Fu Inn, she has some officials around her, I didn't ask for details."
Official?
Could it be Lord Liang’s men?
But the other party is still in the county town, so that's easy.
Next, he discussed with the other two shopkeepers, although they also wanted to take the opportunity to make a fortune.
But in the end, he agreed to sell it at the market price.
Firstly, I don’t want to offend the county magistrate who is like a local tyrant. Secondly, if the rain continues, the grain will definitely become moldy, so I might as well sell it now at a good price.
After sending the three away, County Magistrate Wang hurriedly sent people to find Liang He, and at the same time said to Wang Qin, "You should go there too, to show our importance!"
Ever since he heard the three words "Mrs. Zhu", Wang Qin knew something was wrong.
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