Chapter 201 The Hardest Road
Lu Chenyang was not in a hurry to travel. His route plan was to go to Anzhou first, then to Ningzhou, and then to Beijing by water.
This was actually a roundabout way, but Lu Chenyang didn't care. He wanted to go and see how the refugees were doing.
Lu Chenyang traveled in a horse-drawn carriage this time, and Zhao Xi sat in the carriage with him.
Zhao Xi was also very happy to return to Beijing this time. She had not been back to Beijing for a long time. Since she came to the Lu family, the Lu family has become her home.
Even though Lu's parents are not around now, Zhao Xi is still very happy to go back and visit them.
That place was different for her, it represented rebirth and was the happiest time of her life.
Lu Chenyang first arrived in Anzhou, and the Anzhou governor Ding Zhengyang personally came out of the city to greet him, giving Lu Chenyang enough face.
Lu Chenyang felt embarrassed. After getting off the car, he bowed and walked towards Ding Zhengyang: "I'm so sorry to bother you, Brother Ding, to come pick me up in person. I should have been the one to greet Brother Ding."
He used the term "brother" instead of "official title" to express his closeness.
Although it was the first time the two met, they had been corresponding for a long time and could be considered to have a spiritual connection.
Lu Chenyang also had some understanding of Ding Zhengyang. Ding Zhengyang was a man of character, otherwise he would not have agreed to let Lu Chenyang interfere in Anzhou's political affairs.
He was the kind of person who acted on impulse. Lu Chenyang's letter was written with sincere words. When he read it, his heart was overwhelmed. Without thinking much, he immediately agreed.
He certainly has a heart for the people, but it's superficial; he only sighs and laments how pitiful the people are. He won't think of ways, let alone rack his brains to come up with countermeasures to solve problems.
His sympathy and compassion were superficial, as he could not empathize with the suffering of the people. He would give out porridge, but if there was no food, he would only sigh and think that he had done his best.
It can't be said that his behavior is wrong, it's just due to his identity and status. So he admires people like Lu Chenyang who can really solve problems.
If others have such ability, he is willing to follow them for the compassion in his heart.
People like Ding Zhengyang are very emotional, so it is most appropriate to talk about feelings with him.
Ding Zhengyang greeted him, "Finally, I'm meeting Brother Lu. I've been missing you for so long. Today, I finally get to meet Brother Lu. He's truly a handsome man, a rare talent. Today, I'd like to have a drink with you, Lord Lu. Please come!"
The Ding family has a good relationship with the Gao family, so he is naturally born into a wealthy family, and he will not compromise for the people.
So they live a very comfortable life.
Ding Zhengyang attached great importance to Lu Chenyang and prepared a very sumptuous welcoming banquet for him.
It was not even the beginning of spring yet, but green vegetables appeared on the banquet, and Lu Chenyang was extremely touched.
"How extravagant." Lu Chenyang sighed as he looked at the plate of green vegetables.
Ding Zhengyang thought for a moment and understood what he meant. He smiled and said, "I know that Brother Lu is being frugal for the sake of the people, and I admire that very much. I, your humble brother, don't have such a broad mind. I have always loved eating. Isn't the purpose of life to eat a mouthful of food?"
Ding Zhengyang believed that eating well was more important than competing for fame and fortune. He became an official for power; power allowed him to enjoy what others couldn't.
Zhao Xi agreed deeply with this and nodded heavily.
This was someone else's hobby, so Lu Chenyang couldn't say anything more. He himself lived a hard life, so he couldn't expect others to live a hard life too, right? That didn't make sense.
He was very grateful to Ding Zhengyang for helping to resettle the refugees. Especially since Ding Zhengyang came from a wealthy family, he didn't bother to covet the refugees' relief food, so all the food was used for disaster relief.
All in all, Lu Chenyang felt that Ding Zhengyang was already a very good official.
The two chatted happily, and then Lu Chenyang got down to business: "How many refugees have been resettled now?"
"Have all the houses been repaired? How much is left? Do you need any help?" Lu Chenyang thought for a moment and then said, "The Lu family army will be in Anzhou in a couple of days. How about asking the soldiers to come over and help?"
Ding Zhengyang was stunned. Could he even eat properly? He'd prepared such a large table of delicious food and such fine wine. He wanted to chat with him until he was drunk, from poetry and songs to life aspirations. He considered him a confidant, and he only wanted to discuss business with him?!
Ding Zhengyang looked at Lu Chenyang's serious face and had to try hard to recall the official business that he had forgotten after reading it.
Ding Zhengyang said, "The house is almost finished now. There are garrisons in Anzhou too. We can just have them come over to help. The house will definitely be finished soon. We can't delay the spring plowing."
"Absolutely, absolutely!" Lu Chenyang nodded repeatedly. "Is there enough food? I also brought seeds for several seasons of rice this time. Brother Ding, please distribute them to the people when the time comes."
Ding Zhengyang was shocked. He knew that Lu Chenyang was diligent and loved his people like his own children, but he didn't expect that he was so diligent.
He was thinking of bringing seeds with him when he went to Beijing to report on his work, and was worried about the spring plowing. No wonder he had so many vehicles with him; they were all loaded with seeds.
Ding Zhengyang was filled with admiration, yet also felt somewhat guilty. This was a kind of shame that came from seeing his own inaction highlighted by the motivated and hardworking people.
"Okay, okay, Brother Lu, don't worry. I won't let your kindness go to waste." He smiled and said, "With these rice seeds, the people can finally survive. No wonder they respect you so much, Brother Lu. Some refugees refuse to stay and insist on going to Lingnan to seek refuge with you."
Lu Chenyang was also a little surprised. He couldn't help but curl up his lips: "This... Lingnan is a long way away. If the people could live a stable life in Anzhou, they wouldn't have to travel such a long distance."
Ding Zhengyang said, "They know this is so obvious. But it still can't stop them from wanting to leave. They want to settle down in the place governed by Lord Lu. They trust Lord Lu more. This is all the result of Brother Lu's efforts. Your hard work has not been in vain."
So Ding Zhengyang is not jealous. Lu Chenyang really did it, so he won the hearts of the people.
The two of them praised each other again, and Lu Chenyang was good at sweet talk, which made Ding Zhengyang smile.
Lu Chenyang stayed for one night and was leaving the next day.
Ding Zhengyang felt inexplicably reluctant to leave and tried his best to invite him to rest for two more days.
"Why don't we go and see the refugees? Their houses have been repaired. They are able to survive because of Brother Lu. Why not go and take a look before leaving? It won't cost half a day." Ding Zhengyang said.
Lu Chenyang thought about it and refused firmly: "No, I'm sure Brother Ding can make good arrangements. I have to hurry on my way, so I won't stay any longer, so as not to keep the emperor waiting."
Ding Zhengyang never expected that Lu Chenyang actually took Emperor Qianyuan so seriously, and was afraid that the emperor would have to wait for a long time. He didn't know whether it was true.
Lu Chenyang did not visit the refugees in order to keep a low profile.
These refugees will settle down in Anzhou in the future. They just need to remember Ding Zhengyang's kindness and there is no need to be overly grateful to him.
He wanted to downplay his presence. Although Ding Zhengyang didn't look like a narrow-minded person, Lu Chenyang was just being cautious and didn't want to cause any more trouble.
Only if Ding Zhengyang governs this place well can these people live a good life.
Anyway, the disaster relief procedures have been arranged, so it doesn’t matter if he doesn’t show up.
Lu Chenyang set off quickly without disturbing anyone.
Ding Zhengyang saw him off and watched his convoy leave. He couldn't help but sigh, "This kid... has a bright future."
He is capable, ambitious, visionary, and most importantly, low-key and still so young. He is truly a young talent to behold.
Ding Zhengyang saw a nearly perfect person in Lu Chenyang, with almost no flaws in his career.
He was a top scorer in the imperial examinations, possessed outstanding abilities, and possessed both literary and military proficiency. His only weakness seemed to be his somewhat ordinary background, but his exceptional abilities more than made up for this slight shortcoming.
He shone brightly in Yanquan County, gained power without relying on family background, and became one of the most powerful men in Dagan. And he did all this in just six years.
It's terrifying.
In fact, if he had the help of his family, Lu Chenyang's development would definitely be better.
For example, the food problem that always troubled Lu Chenyang. Why was Lu Chenyang always poor? It was because he had always been hoarding food. Whenever there was a disaster, he spared no effort to provide disaster relief.
Most of his money was used to buy food, but if he had a strong family to support him and a stable trade route to provide him with food, he wouldn't have to work so hard.
This is also the reason why Lu Chenyang wants to support Shen Shiqian and Zhao Tingyuan. Even Chen Songyuan's family has become one of the objects of Lu Chenyang's support.
He dispersed this risk. Although he had no background, he promoted these merchants to become his helpers.
But this method is very troublesome after all, and is not as convenient and reliable as relying on one's own family. Lu Chenyang could have solved this problem through marriage, but unfortunately, Lu Chenyang also refused.
He seemed determined to take the most difficult path.
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