Chapter 233: Seeds of Foresight
What else can we do if we don’t let them get too arrogant? Although the drought has eased, it takes time for food to grow. The only solution now is foreign aid.
A few days passed, and Pei Qixu thought that his friend should write back to him, so he got up and went to find his long-time attendant.
Soon, he waited for the attendant who came back from the post station. When he saw his listless expression, he realized that his friend had not replied to his letter. He looked up at the sky and found that his friend had no food, or...
After not seeing each other for so many years, Pei Qixu didn't want to think about human nature. He could only sigh and find Su Yanli, "I'm sorry, sir, I'm afraid there's nothing I can do."
"Sir, you have done your best. Please don't blame yourself."
What can I do if I blame myself?
Although Su Ruojin seemed to be strolling around, she was actually going to the streets and alleys to check out the business of the grain shops in Weizhou County. There were five shops in total, large and small. The smallest one had been closed and locked and had not been in business for a long time. There was also a medium-sized shop, which was said to be the dowry shop of the original owner, Mrs. Bo, and it had not been in business since they took refuge in the mountains.
Of the other three, one was the troubled Ma Ji. The prices were ridiculously high and the sales were limited, but many ordinary people still squeezed in, hoping to buy half a catty to eat with wild vegetables so that they wouldn't starve to death.
The other two were small shops. It seemed as if they had an agreement. Today this shop opened and tomorrow that shop opened. The prices were the same, but they sold a variety of things, including soybeans, broad beans, yam eggs, taro, etc. They must have been collected by their shop assistants in the mountains. As long as they could fill their stomachs, people would buy them.
Except for the grain shops, other shops on the street have almost no business. People now only care about one meal a day, so how can they have the leisure to spend money?
Su Ruojin raised her head and gazed towards the sky.
At the end of August, the sky is high and the clouds are light, and the weather is fresh and pleasant. If we had no worries about food and clothing, how comfortable such days would be!
Productivity is low and everything depends on luck. It’s difficult!
Su Ruojin was about to go to the vegetable shop when she heard a child crying in the alley. She turned around and saw that more than a dozen children, big and small, boys and girls, were fighting. Some were crying and some were shouting, and the whole place was in chaos.
After being a big sister for so long, Su Ruojin had developed a problem with being obsessed with her younger brothers and sisters. She quickly turned around and went to the alley. Mao Ya led the way for her, but those naughty kids didn't give way at all and started fighting.
Mao Ya took action, as calm and gentle as today's weather, and immediately dispersed the fighting naughty kids. Some fell down, some leaned against the wall, and looked at the tall and thin girl with fear and admiration.
"Wow, so amazing?"
"Oh my god, is this a martial artist?"
…
Mao Ya was not a young boy and was not at all moved by the compliments. She had a cold face like a killer, which scared the children.
Su Ruojin looked at them and asked, "What's going on?"
A young lady who was supporting her two or three-year-old brother looked at the coarse steamed bun on the ground. The gray steamed bun had been stepped on to pieces. It was obvious that someone had snatched the steamed bun, and then the fight happened.
Su Ruojin glanced at Mao Ya.
She took out a coarse flour bun wrapped in oil paper from her pouch and handed it to the brother and sister who were covered in dust.
The young lady just looked but didn't take anything.
The little brother put his dirty little hand into her mouth, staring at it with longing eyes, but he didn't dare to take it because his sister didn't ask.
The group of children watching were so hungry that their eyes were dizzy. They wanted to reach out and grab the food, but they were afraid of Mao Ya's powerful skills and dared not move.
Mao Ya stuffed the coarse flour buns into the children's hands and distributed the remaining buns in her pouch to the younger children.
"Sanlang, watch them finish eating before you go back."
"Yes, sister." Su Sanlang replied loudly, raised his chin slightly, looked at the older children who were staring at him with a threatening look, "If anyone dares to snatch it, I will beat him down and make him unable to get out of bed for three days."
Su Sanlang is the son of a county magistrate. If he were in the capital, he would be wearing ordinary linen clothes, very simple. But in front of this group of dirty children, he was so clean and tidy that he looked like a rich young man.
Su Yanli is a seventh-rank county magistrate. In Weizhou County, Su Sanlang is truly the most honorable young master.
Those grown boys with shining eyes shrank back and dared not move, watching the little kids eat the steamed buns.
As Su Ruojin just walked out of the alley, she met Shangguan Yu.
"Master Shangguan, why are you here?"
"Just now a kid came to me and said there was a fight here and asked me to come and mediate."
When Su Ruojin was wondering why the child was looking for him, the young lady who had been squatting on the ground coaxing her younger brother came over happily, "Young Master..." She was shy to speak.
she:……
After leaving Wei County for some time, could something have happened that she didn't know about?
Shangguan Yu was still as gentle and polite as usual, "Are you okay, Qiao?"
"Thank you, sir. Just now a nobleman gave my younger brother steamed buns."
Although Su Ruojin was the one in charge, the young lady chose to look at Mao Ya with a grateful expression.
Su Ruojin: ...
What the hell is this.
"That's good." Shangguan Yu turned to Su Ruojin and said, "These children are all fatherless and motherless. After you went to the capital last time, the adults found that they had no place to live, so they found an empty house and settled them in. They also asked the cook in the yamen to give them a meal every day. But these children are in the period of growing up, so they can't avoid..." Go to the street to find some food.
Even rob.
"Is this what Master Shangguan is doing now?"
Shangguan Yu nodded, "Besides children, there are also the elderly, the weak, the sick and the disabled."
"So, Master Shangguan is doing the work of the Household Department, right?"
"Yes." Shangguan Yu and Su Ruojin said as they walked, "Mr. Pei discussed with the adults and asked me to count the population of Wei County to see how many people were lost during the famine and how many people fled here, so as to allocate land for autumn plowing."
Hearing Mr. Pei, Su Ruojin couldn't help but smile. She was right about the man. He was a capable official.
"Thank you for your hard work, Master Shangguan."
"What are you talking about, Madam Second?"
…
The two walked further and further away. The young lady bit her lip and looked down at herself. She was covered in dust and dirt. Compared with the beautiful daughter of the county magistrate, there was simply a huge gap between them.
A man like Master Shangguan, who is as bright as the moon, must like a young lady like this.
Shangguan Yu unknowingly walked to the vegetable shop and was about to return to the county government office. When he turned around, he seemed to want to say something but stopped himself.
Su Ruojin realized that she thought he wanted to ask about his uncle Su Yanzu, so she pretended not to see it and walked into the shop.
Shangguan Yu felt that Madam Su Er was different from ordinary young ladies. Lord Su was willing to call her when discussing things with Mr. Pei. Perhaps, if he proposed it, she might agree.
"Second Madam——"
Su Ruojin was most afraid of him yelling, but she heard it anyway. She made a facial expression, turned around, and asked with a fake smile, "Master Shangguan, is there something wrong?"
Shangguan Yu pursed his lips, "That..."
"My uncle is doing well in the capital."
Shangguan Yu was stunned.
Isn't it asking my uncle? Su Ruojin was embarrassed, "Mr. Shangguan, what do you want to say?"
"I... I mean, I want to run a private school for these children. On the one hand, they will have a place to live and food to eat. On the other hand, whether it is learning a few words or learning to count, it can also be regarded as a way to make a living for them in the future. What do you think, Madam?"
Su Ruojin couldn't help but give a thumbs up after hearing this, "Master Shangguan is very far-sighted."
Being praised by the young lady, Shangguan Yu, who was almost 30 years old, felt a little embarrassed. "For so many years, I have been sick and confused. Now my health is finally better. If I can do something for those who are in trouble, it will be worth my life."
Now it was Su Ruojin's turn to feel embarrassed. What love affair was that? She had already elevated her heart to caring about the common people.
"Master Shangguan is a man of high moral character." Su Ruojin said solemnly, "Once my father has finished the two important tasks, my father and I will fully support Master Shangguan."
Shangguan Yu also bowed solemnly to Su Ruojin, "Yu thanks you, sir, and the second lady on behalf of these children."
Su Ruojin dodged and quickly asked Hua Ping to help him up.
Shangguan Yu asked with interest, "I wonder what the two important things that Second Lady mentioned are..."
"One is autumn planting, and the other is introducing new grain merchants to Wei County."
The former county magistrate and the chief clerk still wanted to exploit the common people by monopolizing resources, but that was impossible.
"A new grain merchant? Could it be that the person Mr. Pei invited has arrived?"
This... shouldn't exist! Su Ruojin hadn't heard of it when she came out.
She shook her head, "I want my uncle to come over and open a grain store."
We should obviously not mention Su Yanzu, why is she bringing him up again?
Shangguan Yu's reaction was quite normal. "Yes, Shaobai's family is a grain merchant, and they are from Pingjiang Prefecture, which is an important grain exporter. If he were to open a shop, he would definitely be able to suppress the Ma and Ji families."
Well……
Why do I feel like we're going to break up peacefully? Or can we just be friends?
Su Ruojin quickly put away her gossipy heart and nodded in agreement, "Yes, that's what I think."
Of course, the more important point is that the backer of the Su family's Longmao Grain Store - Princess Yuehua, can always intimidate these local tyrants.
The growth period of Chinese cabbage is very short. It can be eaten in just a few days. It is best to harvest it 20-25 days after planting in late summer and early autumn. It is tender, large and heavy. After the tender seedlings in the fields are harvested, farmers begin to plow the soil one after another to prepare for planting winter wheat.
On the third day of September, not only did Zhao Lan come with winter wheat seeds, but Su Yanzu also brought people to Weizhou County.
Su Yanli was so happy, just like an old father waiting for his son to come back, he was so excited that he almost cried, "Jinzhi, I finally got you."
Zhao Lan bowed to the teacher and said, "The seeds were transported from the northeast by land, which took some time. I'm sorry to have kept you waiting for a long time."
"It's good that you're here, it's good that you're here."
After entertaining the boss, Su Yanli smiled at his brother again, but this smile was much more complicated, "Shaobai, can you do me a favor?"
Hmm? Su Yanzu raised his eyebrows and looked at his niece. It was indeed his niece's idea to let him come to Wei County to open a grain store. He couldn't help but smile, "Brother, you really gave birth to a good daughter."
Su Yanli: ...
He looked at his well-behaved daughter. This strange brother was so sarcastic as soon as he came. Did Ajin offend him?
If Su Yanzu knew that his unfamiliar brother thought of him like this, he would definitely be depressed. You saw my sarcastic tone with your eyes, but I was praising you, praising you, do you know that?
Su Ruojin smiled at him and said, "Last time I went to Beijing, I asked for Dad. Now, my uncle has agreed. I guess the people he brought with him are the shopkeeper and the accountant."
To be honest, my niece was the most amazing one. She could see clearly everyone she brought.
The two biggest livelihood issues were solved at once. Su Yanli was so excited that he immediately arranged to distribute seeds to the farmers.
Su Ruojin quickly stopped him, "Dad, there are still some preparations to be made."
Su Yanli glanced at Mr. Pei, then looked at his daughter in surprise, "When Mr. Pei and I were discussing this, you were there, and you even gave us some suggestions. Didn't we agree that those with money can pay for it, and those without money can buy it on credit. When the grain is harvested next year, you can return the seeds or the silver. What else is there?"
Being an official is different from being a businessman.
Two different fields, so Su Yanli and Mr. Pei discussed things in the yamen during the day. Even if she was called, she would not go. Things in the yamen have their own procedures.
But Su Yanli still liked to let his daughter stay in the study after dinner, and let her listen while he and his husband discussed the affairs of the government office during the day. Occasionally, she would give some small suggestions, and they were all practical suggestions.
Of course, Su Ruojin's suggestions were seen in the media in later generations. They were all effective and were summarized and published in the media. How could they not be good?
These past few nights, she had been listening quietly. Her father was becoming more and more competent as a county magistrate. Mr. Pei was indeed an old official with rich experience, assisting Su Yanli in handling countless matters of all sizes in the yamen.
If the county government is compared to a company, it is a large enterprise. In the absence of a county lieutenant, a county magistrate, or a chief clerk, just reviewing documents would make your hands numb, not to mention meeting the head of a pavilion, the head of a village, the wealthy, and the merchants. There are also the crimes in the county town, and there are so many things to do that you have to take them home to continue working on them at night.
She reminded him, "Did Dad forget about the incident ten days ago?"
Of course Su Yanli did not forget. Even now, he felt aggrieved when he thought about it. He knew that it was the local bullies who did the evil, but he couldn't do anything to them. He really wanted to beat them up.
"I didn't expect the young prince to come so soon. I thought you were still trying to figure out how to spread the seeds completely on the farmers' land."
The county government had a prescribed procedure for distributing seeds, which was to allocate the amount of seeds according to the amount of land in each township and village. The head of the pavilion and the head of the village would then collect the money from the farmers for the seeds. Those who had no money would sign a credit order.
After completing these procedures, the head of the pavilion and the head of the village will come to pay the money and then take the seeds back to the farmers to plant.
"I will sit in the government office and watch them receive the gifts myself."
"Then you can only watch over this section of the government office until they get out?"
Su Yanli said, "I have issued a document stating the interests involved. Anyone who commits fraud will be fired on the spot."
Under normal circumstances, this would be considered thoughtful.
Although Weizhou County does not even have a county magistrate or a chief clerk now, such a large county still has, in addition to Su Yanli, Mr. Pei, and Shangguan Yu, Hu Chubo, the six ministries' clerks, the township's headmen, and the village heads. All these matters have to go through them before they can be implemented step by step to the farmers in the village.
Every time it goes through the process, there is an additional risk, and there is a possibility of one less seed.
Going back and forth, whether it is money or seeds, they have to pass through the hands of the head of the village and the village head. If one is not handled properly, it is estimated that not much will reach the hands of the farmers, especially when the seeds are obtained in Weizhou County, but the surrounding counties may not have them yet.
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