Chapter 42, Method
"It's only been a few days since these refugees were resettled, right?"
Old Mrs. Yan was still very concerned about the refugee issue. Firstly, this was a major event concerning her eldest son's political achievements; secondly, on the way from their hometown to Linyi County this time, they had also pretended to be refugees and knew the hardships of the refugees. Naturally, they hoped that the refugees could settle down as soon as possible.
Yan Zhigao nodded. "That's right. It's because it's not long before the refugees are resettled. If we ask the wealthy gentry in Linyi County to donate at this time, it would be difficult to ask for it."
Old Madam Yan frowned and asked, "Is there no other solution from the county government?"
Yan Zhigao sighed, "Linyi County isn't wealthy, and the county government's limited savings were almost used up last time they resettled the refugees. We really can't spare any more money to help the refugees now."
Originally, he thought that this time he could gain the attention of his superiors by virtue of the refugee resettlement, and perhaps he could be promoted as a county magistrate. But now, if the resettled refugees freeze to death or starve to death, he would be lucky not to be held responsible, let alone promoted.
If the pressure wasn't so great, he wouldn't have brought up business matters at the dinner table.
Yan Zhigao's brows were tightly knitted together when he thought about the fact that the letters for help he had written to the county magistrates of several neighboring counties had not received any responses.
Officialdom is a world of fame and fortune. He came from a humble background, had no foundation, and was not wealthy. It was extremely difficult for him to get support from his superiors and colleagues.
"Dad, the refugees are so pitiful. How about we eat less in the future and give the saved food to them, so that they won't starve to death." Yan Yishuang suddenly spoke, with sympathy and pity on his face.
Yan Zhigao forced a smile on his face and praised Yan Yishuang, "My son is kind-hearted, but these are not your concerns. Eat your food well and don't think about saving it. You should know that if a child doesn't eat enough, he won't grow tall."
Yan Yishuang nodded weakly: "Daddy, you have to take care of yourself too. I see you haven't eaten much."
Hearing this, Yan Zhigao smiled with satisfaction and reached out to pick up a piece of food for Yan Yishuang with chopsticks: "Eat quickly."
Mrs. Li sat aside and watched. After thinking for a while, she said, "Master, there is still some food at home. How about..."
Yan Zhigao shook his head to stop Madam Li. "Even if we took out all our food reserves, it wouldn't be enough to help a few refugees. Okay, everyone, hurry up and eat. I'll go discuss this with the advisors tomorrow. We'll definitely be able to find a solution."
Daohua was eating the rice in the bowl silently, and suddenly her eyes turned and she quickly looked at her elder brother who was eating quietly beside her.
This elder brother usually has a heavy workload, so she doesn't want to disturb him too much. However, he is her own brother after all, so she still cares about him very much.
For example, she knew that her elder brother was very popular among teachers and students in the county school because of his good knowledge.
Yan Wenxiu felt Daohua's gaze, looked up, and smiled gently: "Big sister, is there something on my face?"
Daohua shook her head and asked with a smile, "Brother, I heard you have a lot of good friends in the county school?"
Yan Wenxiu didn't know what Daohua meant, so he nodded reservedly, "We're all classmates, and it's common for us to get together and discuss our studies."
Daohua: "Then all your classmates' families must be very rich, right?"
But she knew that in this era, except for a few with particularly good academics, the others who could go to the county school basically came from families with some background.
Yan Wenxiu didn't like Daohua always talking about money, and frowned slightly: "Sister, when making friends, knowledge and character are the most important. I don't care whether others have money or not."
Daohua paused, ignoring the elder brother's implication, and asked, "Brother, do you usually hold any extracurricular activities?"
Yan Wenxiu looked puzzled: "Extracurricular activities?"
Rice Flower: "For example, go out in the winter to collect some wind and snow, and then come back and write down some thoughts or something?"
Yan Wenxiu was silent for a moment. "The teachers in the county school do let us get together to write poetry, but we don't go outside. It's usually held inside the county school."
Daohua's eyes lit up. "What's the point of holding it at the county school? Big brother, look at the earth now, covered in a blanket of snow. How beautiful, so poetic! Why don't you suggest to the teachers at the county school that you go out and collect folk songs or something? It would be best to visit the refugee resettlement areas and experience the suffering of the world."
As soon as these words were spoken, the dinner table immediately became quiet. Everyone looked up at Daohua, even Yan Zhigao looked over.
Yan Wenxiu: "Big sister, what do you want to say?"
Daohua: "What I want to say is, big brother, look, when my third sister heard father talking about the refugees' lack of food and clothing, she even went on a diet to show her willingness to help them. After seeing the refugees' plight firsthand, wouldn't your classmates have any reaction?"
Yan Wenxiu was stunned for a moment, then looked at his father whose eyes lit up.
Daohua continued, "Look, the students attending the county school all have some assets at home. If you contribute a little, and I contribute a little, it will add up to a lot and help a lot of refugees."
"Besides, they are all the treasures of their families. If their parents knew that their children, so young, knew how to help the weak, they would definitely support it with both hands and feet." As he said this, he turned to look at Old Lady Yan, "Grandma, don't you agree?"
Old Mrs. Yan nodded with a smile: "Yes, if my eldest grandson wants to help the refugees, I am willing to give you 200 dan of grain to support you." This year, San'er transported all the grain harvested in his hometown to Linyi County.
Originally, she wanted to sell some of the grain while the price was high, but because of her experience as a refugee and seeing the hardships of life for the people underground, she gave up the idea. Now the grain is still stored in a rented warehouse.
The sons and daughters-in-law all looked moved when they heard what the old lady said.
Although 200 shi of grain is not a lot, it is not a small amount either.
However, except for a few dozen acres of land in her hometown that were left by her ancestors, the rest were purchased bit by bit by Old Lady Yan over the years. Therefore, her sons also tacitly agreed that these lands were the old lady's private property.
Since it is private property, the old lady can do whatever she wants with it.
Daohua smiled and turned to look at Yan Wenxiu, who was already stunned. "Brother, look, if Grandma is willing to give you 200 dan of grain, then your classmates' families will definitely support them as well."
"Once you have food, you can go with your classmates to distribute it to the refugees. This way, you can gain the refugees' gratitude and experience life at the same time. It's the best of both worlds."
Yan Wenxiu swallowed and said, "Do we still have to go and distribute the food ourselves?"
Daohua said as if it was a matter of course: "Of course, big brother, let me ask you, why are you studying so hard now? Isn't it to pass the imperial examination so that you can become an official in the future? And isn't being an official meant to serve the people? Now, you are just getting a taste of what you will be doing in the officialdom in the future."
Yan Wenxiu was still digesting Daohua's words, but Yan Zhigao was already excited.
This idea of the eldest daughter is good!
It is not easy for him to ask the rich gentry for help now, but their sons can ask for help.
Moreover, this is also a very good opportunity to accumulate fame. He is sure that if this thing is really accomplished, those wealthy gentry will definitely be happy to donate their things.
Yan Zhigao looked at the rice flowers with satisfaction.
In the past, his mother and third brother always talked about how smart the eldest daughter was. He didn't agree with them before, thinking that they just favored the eldest daughter. But what they said at the dinner table today made him realize that the eldest daughter was really insightful.
Yan Wenxiu was a little unsure: "But, can we students accomplish such a big thing?"
Daohua nodded seriously, "Brother, you have to believe in yourself. Everyone has a first time. Besides, don't you still have your father behind you? If you don't understand something, just ask him."
(End of this chapter)
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