Chapter 301: The Speeding Maniac [Two-in-One]
The Six Arts of a Gentleman.
Ritual, music, archery, charioteering, calligraphy, and mathematics.
The "御" here doesn't refer to riding a horse, but rather the skill of maneuvering a chariot or war machine. A martial arts master can transform their martial energy into a bow and a horse, so naturally they can also create a chariot. Driving a chariot into battle is a skill that mid-to-high-level martial arts masters should possess!
Shen Tang blinked her round, almond-shaped eyes.
She asked in a small voice, "Is it not allowed?"
Gong Shuwu: "..."
Zhao Feng: "..."
Shen Tang said, "I thought it was the martial arts expert who could do it."
Gong Shuwu felt a strange sense of suffocation, suppressing a twitch at the corner of his mouth: "My lord, this isn't a matter of whether it's possible or not, it's simply asking the impossible. Besides, warriors drive chariots to conquer cities and seize territories, to..."
He suddenly stopped talking, as if remembering something.
Zhao Feng had previously used this reason to refuse to demolish the house, but his lord had completely fooled him. He was a tenth-rank Zuo Shuzhang, while Zhao Feng was a twelfth-rank Zuo Geng. They even did the demolition work, and they were no less capable of transporting the wreckage in chariots.
Gong Shuwu had little objection to this matter.
As a warrior with courage and determination, whether he is expanding the territory for his lord or driving a chariot, there is no essential difference—as for whether the chariot is carrying the lord or the wreckage of buildings that the lord ordered to be carried, as long as the lord doesn't mind, he has no reason to care.
But Zhao Feng was different.
They are foreign aid who came to repay a debt of gratitude.
If Zhao Feng is bothered by this, then things will be difficult to handle.
so--
What does Zhao Feng mean?
For a moment, everyone's eyes turned to Zhao Feng.
Zhao Feng: "..."
His decision to come and repay a debt of gratitude may have been a mistake.
Half an hour later, the old official in charge of the government sent a junior official to find the prefect to go back and deal with official documents—most of the books buried under the ruins had been dug out, and they all needed to be reviewed by Chen Tang—before they even got close, they could see from afar that hundreds of commoners had formed a spectacular human wall, some on tiptoe, some on stones, craning their necks to see what was going on.
The junior official looked on, completely bewildered: "???"
What happened?
"Excuse me, excuse me, please let me pass."
The junior official struggled to push forward, sweat beading on his forehead.
The common people around him, seeing his attire, voluntarily stepped back a little.
The minor official finally managed to peek out, his breathing becoming easier, but before he could even feel happy, he witnessed a truly shocking scene. Amidst the chaotic ruins, a makeshift road had been forcibly carved out, wide enough for three carriages to travel side by side.
On the main road, two war chariots sped along.
One of the chariots was occupied by a burly man, over thirty years old, with a leopard's head, ape's arms, a broad back, and a thick waist. He was over two meters tall, and his muscles were taut and bulging like hard rocks.
This man had a resolute face, his right sleeve was undone, revealing half of his arm, and he held both horse reins in one hand, looking completely at ease.
Judging from his posture, anyone who didn't know better would think he was driving a two-horse chariot, charging through a vast army!
only--
The chariots carried soldiers.
His chariot was dragging along rubble and debris.
The other tank was different.
What's different?
The minor official almost fainted when he glanced at it.
Because the person driving this chariot was none other than his target – Governor Shen, the Prefect of Heyin!
The minor official opened his mouth, completely unaware of what the two were doing, only hearing the excited shouts of the onlookers, "Hurry, hurry, hurry!"
There was even a group of elite private warriors who looked like martial arts experts, shouting in unison, using their palms as drums, and singing at the top of their lungs!
In terms of driving skills, the burly man was clearly more experienced and skilled, and he didn't panic even with one hand on the ground.
On the contrary, it was Shen Jun who was a bit flustered.
The tanks raced wildly, kicking up clouds of dust.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
Several question marks seemed to appear on the clerk's face.
"What...what happened?" After watching the two chariots speed away towards the end of the road, the excited commoners finally calmed down a little, and the minor official took the opportunity to ask the question that had been bothering him.
Actually, even these ordinary people didn't know.
They had initially been drawn by the commotion of Gong Shuwu and Zhao Feng's fight, but upon seeing so many energetic young men, they decided to stay and chat and feast their eyes. As they watched, one of them (Zhao Feng) suddenly stepped forward, clearing a path for them.
The drab boy and another person (Gong Shuwu) each drove a car. At first, they were doing fine, but the other person (Gong Shuwu) was a very good driver, and the drab boy was far from being able to keep up. After a few trips, the boy's skills improved by leaps and bounds.
He surpassed another person (Gong Shuwu) in rare ways.
Martial arts practitioners are all fond of comparison.
It's illogical that Shen Tang, a beginner driver, can drive faster than me, so the two of them gradually started to get angry!
Unfortunately, this was not Gong Shuwu's forte. You have to understand that chariots are subject to the terrain of the battlefield. Their mobility, flexibility, effectiveness in cutting through enemy formations, and impact are not as good as cavalry. This has led to the decreasing presence of chariots on the battlefield. Gong Shuwu did not put as much effort into chariot warfare as he did into horsemanship. But it is still absurd for a beginner to surpass him!
Gong Shuwu was eager to compete with him.
But Shen Tang, who quickly got the hang of it, rubbed him to the ground.
Friction, friction, is the devil's pace.
Zhao Fengdu couldn't stand it anymore.
Gong Shuwu is truly a disgrace to those brave warriors; he can't even drive a chariot as well as a twelve-year-old scholar!
How embarrassing! So incredibly embarrassing!
Zhao Feng, seeing the tension in the audience, personally boarded the chariot and raced against Shen Tang, naturally leaving Shen Tang far behind.
But Zhao Feng could also see that Shen Tang had an amazing talent for martial arts. Some of the chariot driving techniques he used were learned by Shen Tang in no time.
After learning it, you can also apply it in practice.
Zhao Feng was also aroused.
The two chased each other, locked in a stalemate.
The chariots were speeding through the air, and soldiers who were taking a break from their work came over to join in the fun, cheering for their general.
It gradually evolved into this _(:з)∠)_
After hearing the whole story, the minor official was speechless for a moment.
I have absolutely no idea what to say.
Zhao Feng's loud laughter could be heard from afar. Amidst the sound of the wheels hitting the potholes, he shouted at Shen Tang, "I haven't felt this good in a long time!"
The reins tightened, and the warhorse neighed and stopped.
Shen Tang jumped off the chariot, feeling her legs still trembling. She supported her aching back with one hand and the chariot with the other, frowning as she said, "We must make sure this road is smooth! The wheels are bouncing up and down so much that my internal organs feel like they're going to come out."
She was short and light, and no matter how stable her core was, she didn't look as steady as Zhao Fengche.
On the way back, I saw so many ordinary people watching.
He came up with a plan.
He immediately ordered Kang Shi to write a recruitment notice.
Demolishing houses, moving rubble and debris, and even laying foundations with wooden rammers—these physically demanding tasks that require little skill can be assigned to martial arts experts to speed up the project. However, the construction phase cannot be handled by them and still requires the participation of ordinary people.
Fugu was not a large place, but Shen Tang raided seven households (gangs) in Fugu in one night. The capital confiscated from their homes was considerable, enough to implement Yanzi's revitalization policy of providing relief to the starving people (work relief).
By conscripting commoners from the city, starving people from outside the city, and refugees, and exchanging their labor with sufficient money and grain, we can not only solve their food and clothing problems, but also give them surplus money and grain to get through the winter or to trade, and also maintain public order to the greatest extent.
You should know that when there are many starving people with nowhere else to turn, they are capable of anything when they get together.
Such as looting, murder, robbery...
They even evolved into a new kind of bandit.
Shen Tang didn't want to spend time and effort suppressing bandits next year; it would be better to nip their potential for banditry in the bud from the start.
Poor and desolate places breed unruly people.
Heyin is notorious for being a den of villains.
But most ordinary people in the world are the same—they are not greedy; they are content with enough to eat, wear, and have a house to shelter them from the wind and rain. They suffer from hunger, cold, and other hardships in life.
Who can easily let go of this?
Those who can let go of such thoughts are no longer ordinary people.
Before Shen Tang came to He Yin, he didn't have a good impression of He Yin, which was below average. But after he actually got to know the people there, he found that they were just like everyone else in the world.
When granaries are full, people know etiquette; when people are well-fed and clothed, they know honor and shame.
To get the people of Heyin to "abandon evil and do good," you don't need to teach them many profound principles or even brainwash them. Just make sure they are well-fed and clothed, and meet their most basic survival needs. Their moral standards will naturally improve.
Kang Shi did as instructed.
Previously, after the high platform trial of various local bullies, Shen Tang tried recruiting workers and successfully hired a group, but the number was far less than expected. This time, when recruiting again, more commoners came forward to apply. Shen Tang then asked Kang Shi to write several more notices and post them in various places.
Shen Tang hauled another batch of construction waste.
I was so tired that I was sweating profusely.
"I'm panting like this, even when fighting on the battlefield."
The dust on Shen Tang's face was streaked with sweat, and with her frequent wiping with her dirty sleeve, her face was filthy, making her look completely different from usual. Kang Shi moved closer and could smell the slightly sour odor of her sweat.
It wasn't heavy, but for literary figures with more acute senses than the average person, it was quite a torment.
Kang Shi: "..."
Hopefully, his cousin Qishan won't lose his composure after seeing this.
At this moment, a familiar-looking junior official jogged forward.
"I have met Mr. Shen."
Shen Tang got up and wiped her hands haphazardly.
"Is the administrative center ready?"
The minor official boasted, "Shen Jun dug them all up."
"...Mine was dug out? What about the others?"
The official replied, "They're still digging."
Because the burial was so deep, two elderly officials were even planning to leave work early and go home, intending to return the next day for their shifts. They could leave early or be late because their business was insignificant, but Shen Jun couldn't!
Everything must be done with Shen Jun first!
Shen Tang: "..."
For a moment, I didn't know where to begin complaining.
She even suspected that these old officials were doing it on purpose.
She just didn't have any evidence.
Shen Tang wanted to complain, but when she thought about what her four literary scholars were busy with, that thought immediately died down.
She inwardly scoffed.
Gu Chi led his men out to measure and record the land, Chu Yao was busy settling the refugees Shen Tang brought back from Sibao County, and also overseeing the construction in the southwest, while Qi Shan was nowhere to be seen. As for Kang Shi, he had only just finished the initial stages of re-registering the household registers.
On the way back, Shen Tang and Kang Shi deliberately chose back roads.
This is also to gain a clearer and more intuitive understanding of the lives of ordinary people at the bottom of Fugu City, to understand what they lack most and what they need most, so that we can address the root causes of their problems.
The more she saw, the heavier Shen Tang's heart became.
Although the seven local tyrants were apprehended in one fell swoop, a few "fish escaped the net" and the lives of ordinary people did not see any visible improvement. Looking at their poor and numb faces, she comforted herself, telling herself to take it slow.
This emotion was also captured by Kang Shi, who was following behind.
"My lord has done very well." Compared to the previous deathly silence, Fu Gu now has a glimmer of life.
This is like an old tree that has withered for many years—
As the spring breeze arrived that year, tiny green shoots sprouted from the bare branches. Although these green shoots were not yet noticeable, it was foreseeable that in a long time, the branches would be covered in lush greenery.
That day will be the day of rebirth.
Shen Tang sighed, "I know that you can't rush things, but it's inevitable to have negative emotions in this kind of environment. Ji Shou, I suddenly had an idea."
Her eyes suddenly lit up.
Kang Shi then asked, "What idea?"
Shen Tang suddenly turned around, put his hands behind his back and walked backwards, saying as he walked, "Isn't the New Year just over a month away? I'm thinking about whether to organize an event to add some festive cheer to the winter. Not only can the soldiers under my command participate, but it would be best if the people of Fugu City could also participate. The more people, the more lively it will be."
The New Year marks the end of one year and the beginning of another.
Kang Shi thought for a moment and guessed, "Is it a gathering?"
Or perhaps a lantern festival or similar event?
These are acceptable.
Speaking of this, we need to send people to encourage the merchants and other commoners in Fugu to go to other places to buy some New Year's goods. Fugu is too poor, and there is a lack of goods; they really have nothing.
Kang Shi silently noted this little incident down in his mind.
Shen Tang shook her head, her ponytail swinging wildly from side to side.
“Holding rallies is possible, but the effect will be minimal.”
The common people in Fugu City are all poor.
After the rally was held, people went out to watch the excitement.
Merchants can't sell their goods, so all their shouting is in vain. The prerequisite for boosting the economy is to ensure that some people have surplus grain in their hands. Speaking of which, the wages for "work relief" could be increased a little, or ordinary people who participate in labor could be allowed to receive half a month's advance payment. Only when they have money in their hands will they be able to focus on shopping for the New Year.
Only with circulation can stagnant water gradually come alive.
Kang Shi asked, annoyed, "Then what does the lord mean?"
Shen Tang laughed and said, "Hehe, let's hold a sports meet!"
Upon hearing this unfamiliar term, Kang Shi asked in confusion, "What is the sports meet that you mentioned, my lord?"
It sounds like it should be similar to a market or lantern festival?
It's as if Shen Tang has eyes in the back of his head; he can walk backwards steadily and precisely avoid obstacles on the road.
"This is what I thought of when we were racing chariots with Banbu and Dayi. We could organize a similar event, like horseback archery. We could divide the race into first, second, and third place based on who reaches the finish line first and who shoots the most accurate arrow, and give them a small reward. Commoners could participate or just watch the fun."
Kang Shi thought it was something else entirely.
These kinds of small activities are often played in private by young men from prominent families when they gather. They are usually for showing off their skills and for entertainment.
However, this has never been done before, allowing ordinary people to watch it.
Thinking of this, Kang Shi suddenly recalled the excited looks on the faces of the common people when his lord was racing chariots with Zhao Feng and the others. He suddenly realized that his lord's idea was actually quite good and feasible.
Commoners came to watch and join in the fun, soldiers could relax and have some entertainment, and a small market could even be set up nearby...
Hmm, killing two birds with one stone.
(`)
Momo's monthly pass seems to have plateaued in value these past few days.
(End of this chapter)
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