The villagers could hardly believe it when they heard this. Since ancient times, officials who did not exploit the people were already worthy of being praised as upright and just officials.
Now, Lu Tu is actually going to give them sheep for free? And to everyone in both villages at that! This news is just too exciting.
Making empty promises, no matter how sweet and tempting they may seem, is merely wishful thinking. Only when the benefits actually reach each individual will people genuinely support you.
Although it's just about getting everyone's help to raise the sheep, the lambs and the milk produced belong to each individual. There's no shortage of grazing land around the village, which means that with very little labor, one can have a life-sustaining hope.
More importantly, it lets the villagers know that Lü Tu cares about them, even the displaced people who didn't receive any benefits.
After witnessing Lü Tu's reward to the villagers, they became even more determined to settle down and continue working for Lü Tu.
Who wouldn't want to follow such a leader?
Seeing that they remained silent, Lu Tu continued, "Those 15 oxen can be lent to everyone for reclamation of wasteland during the spring planting season."
"Your Honor, you are our great benefactor!" Everyone present prostrated themselves on the ground, kneeling in gratitude for Lü Tu's kindness. Apart from this, these illiterate villagers did not know how else to repay Lü Tu.
This was also the result of Lü Tu's thinking. He led his men to drive the cattle and sheep back in a grand manner, hoping to silence the gossip. The best way was to drag the villagers into it as well.
This not only provided them with tangible benefits but also ensured that ownership remained firmly in their own hands.
Lu Tu raised his hand and said loudly, "Everyone, please stand up. I believe that as long as everyone works together, our future will only get better and better!"
What simple and unadorned words! The villagers, who didn't understand profound truths, felt incredibly reassured.
"Dong Yi!"
A man stepped forward from among the refugees, bowed, and said, "This junior is here."
"After spring, I will have a new school built, and you will be in charge of it. You will teach all the children to read and write, and you will not have to work. You will receive a monthly allowance, and I will have books purchased for you."
"This... Your Excellency shows such respect to scholars. On behalf of all school-age children in the village, I kneel to express my deepest gratitude for Your Excellency's grace!"
Dong Yi's hands were trembling involuntarily. He knew very well that he was excited. During his escape from famine, he was unable to carry anything and had no use for anything. Even when everyone was working, he was much slower than others and had suffered countless scornful looks. He had lived a truly miserable life.
Even if all he does now is teach children to read, it is still an opportunity for him to realize his ambitions and ideals. Logically speaking, he has already passed the imperial examination in his hometown and should not have to kneel before the county magistrate.
But he remained kneeling on the ground, his fists clenched: "Thank you for your kindness, sir."
Lu Tu helped him up and patted his shoulders, finding them thin and bony.
"Teach children well, for they are the future."
Dong Yi exclaimed in surprise, "Lord Lü's noble character and far-sighted vision are comparable to those of the sages in the books. I have learned a great deal from him."
Scholars really know how to flatter. Even if he didn't mean it, Lu Tu felt a sense of satisfaction hearing those words.
Having Dong Yi teach was not Lu Tu's way of seeking fame and winning people's hearts, but rather his instinct to do so. After all, having experienced how knowledge could change one's destiny in his previous life, he believed that improving the literacy rate of the people, even if the returns were not immediately apparent, was the right path.
"Alright, do a good job. Everyone, you can all go home now. Tomorrow, line up and find Liu Yang to collect your stuff!"
"Yes, sir!"
After the three returned home, Nangong Huiyu exclaimed in surprise, "Husband, I've discovered that your skills in winning people over are truly remarkable, no less than my master's!"
Lu Tu joked, "So, does that mean I can start my own sect?"
"If my husband is willing, I can still be a saintess, hehe."
Song Yuxi brought over a cup of tea. Although it was just some low-grade tea leaves, it was still a precious item in Wuchuan. She had paid for it herself out of concern for Lü Tu, and she herself was reluctant to drink it.
"My dear husband, you've worked so hard. Please don't make us worry anymore. My sister and I were terrified today."
Lu Tu gently put his arm around Song Yuxi's waist and lowered his head to kiss her cheek: "I know, I was wrong today and made my wife worry."
Nangong Huiyu also learned of Lü Tu's habit: once night fell, if Lü Tu spoke gently, it meant he was thinking of something bad.
As expected, Lü Tu didn't let her off the hook either, pulling Nangong Huiyu into his arms and stroking her affectionately until she lay down on the bed.
"Husband, you've been running around all day, yet you're still so energetic?"
Lu Tu smiled wickedly: "You are my gas station."
What is a gas station?
After Lu Tu whispered something in their ears, the two women exclaimed at the same time, "My husband is so naughty, I'm so embarrassed!"
...
The next morning, Lü Tu got up early and began to arrange his work. He still had an important matter to deal with, which was the batch of iron ore that had been seized.
The villagers were lining up to receive their sheep, and when they saw Lü Tu, they all greeted him with smiles.
After responding to each question, Lü Tu arrived at the refugee settlement area and called Dong Yi over to ask, "When you were counting the number of people that day, did you hear that there were blacksmiths among them?"
After pondering for a moment, Dong Yi shook his head regretfully: "There was indeed a blacksmith before, but he was noticed by someone in Huai Shuo and hired as a long-term laborer."
Lu Tu nodded: "Okay, you can start preparing for the school's affairs. If you need anything, just ask Liu Yang."
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