Chapter 172
The golden autumn weather brought coolness. As it had just rained, there was a hint of moisture in the air. Lin Shuge took off his cloak and listened to several clerks reporting on the storage situation in the warehouse.
While listening to the report, he carefully looked through the records of grain input and output such as millet and wheat on the table, the statistical books of various repair projects in the county, and the records of daily inspections of warehouses by clerks.
"Sir, because there are more potatoes and cotton this year, we built an extra storey of warehouse. The grain harvest is good this year, so the warehouse stores twice as much grain as in previous years." said a clerk.
During this dynasty, officials would set up granaries in the central government and its counties to store grain. If a natural disaster or war occurred, they would use the stored grain to provide relief to the victims and prevent social unrest. Even officials' salaries had to be paid from the stored grain, so the inspection of warehouse reserves was extremely important.
There have been no major disasters in Qingquan County in recent years, and Lin Shuge has introduced potatoes. In addition, because of the strong enemies surrounding it, in order to be prepared for any eventuality, Lin Shuge took the initiative to store grain with the idea of accumulating food and fodder. As a result, a lot of food was accumulated in the entire warehouse, especially potatoes, which are durable. Many cellars were also dug in the county to store potatoes.
Lin Shuge saw that the official document was well organized, with every entry and exit recorded, and it was clear at a glance. He still used the table summary method he had taken out at that time, and praised it with a "not bad."
After hearing Lin Shuge's good comment, several clerks breathed a sigh of relief. In previous years, they would deliver the documents to the county government office, and then present them to County Magistrate Lin after County Magistrate Lu had reviewed them. But this year, for some reason, County Magistrate Lin actually came in person. They were so scared that they thought there were some mistakes in their work and watched County Magistrate Lin flipping through the documents with fear and trepidation.
"During this period, I will ask County Lieutenant Yang to send more people to patrol. Please do your best to inspect and check more times." Lin Shuge closed the last volume of documents, stood up and said.
Several people nodded in agreement and looked at Lin Shuge respectfully as he left.
"Why did you think of coming here today? I think those officials are almost scared to death." Lu Yuechuan had not said anything.
"It's almost the end of the year, can't we do a surprise inspection?" Lin Shuge wiped the ink marks on his hands with a handkerchief and said casually.
Lu Yuechuan looked at him suspiciously, totally disbelieving that he had such an interest.
Lin Shuge could only say, "Because of the war in the northwest, I ordered the county to store more food and grass this year. Besides, there are more potatoes in the past two years, so I have to come and see what is different compared to previous years."
"War in the Northwest? The Commandery has already set out, and they might have encountered the Huns. Marquis Jingyuan has made great military achievements, and with General Wei, they should be worried about the Huns. Maybe this time the war in the Northwest can be stopped for a few years." Lu Yuechuan said with a smile.
The autumn harvest is over, and many people have less work to do in the fields, but they are not idle either. Most of them have gone out to find work. Looking around the county now, there are all kinds of shops on the streets, especially garment shops. Lin Shuge can see several of them while standing on the street.
"Achuan, it is our wish that the people live and work in peace and contentment. I am also afraid that the changes we have made with great difficulty will go to waste. However, the Xiongnu are strong and no one can guarantee that they can be defeated. Since I learned that Mu Xie Chanyu has the intention to attack us, all I can do is make more preparations, such as food and weapons."
In the clothing shop not far away, people were coming and going. Several shop assistants were busy. A mother and daughter were running back and forth among the crowd, with smiles on their faces.
Lin Shuge was a little lost in thought. Lu Yuechuan said, "Your Excellency is right. I see that the people on the street are very different from when we first arrived."
Lin Shuge turned around, "Oh? What's the difference?"
Lu Yuechuan put his hands behind his back and bought two sesame cakes from the nearby vendors. He handed one to Lin Shuge, "In the past, I was busy just to fill my stomach, but now my eyes are filled with anger."
Lin Shuge understood what he meant to say that the mental outlook of the people had changed. In the past, they were poor and bandits were rampant, and the people lived in fear. Although life is a bit hard now, there is still hope.
Lin Shuge took a bite of the pancake. The crust was crispy and the inside was soft. No wonder the business was so good. "Achuan, I'll take you to see the Huiji Hall which was just built this year."
"Is this the place that the adults once mentioned to provide relief to the elderly and homeless orphans? I haven't been there yet." Lu Yuechuan finished the sesame cake in a few bites and asked after hearing this.
"Yes, this year's tax revenue has increased by a lot of money. The school has the support of merchants in the county, so I used part of it in Huijitang." Lin Shuge said.
Dayan ruled the country with filial piety and gave preferential treatment to the elderly. The court even issued a policy to provide monthly food supplies to people over 70 years old. However, it is rare for people to live to 70 years old. In ancient society where the average age was less than 30, such a policy had limited effect for some elderly people who had lost their ability to live.
Moreover, it is not easy for poor people to raise children. If a family has too many children, the taxes alone will become a burden that overwhelms the family. Therefore, abandonment and killing of infants were common in ancient times.
Lin Shuge established Huijitang in order to help these people.
"The old have a place to rely on, the young have a place to take care of, are you planning to build a city of great harmony?"
Lin Shuge shook his head. "I don't have such great ambitions, and I don't dare to talk about the words of saints in vain. I will just do my best."
Huijitang was not far away, and the two arrived there about a quarter of an hour later.
As soon as I walked to the door, I saw several women coming out. Seeing that the two were dressed in extraordinary clothes, I walked up to them and asked, "Do you want to donate money?"
Lin Shuge was at a loss whether to laugh or cry. When Huiji Hall was built, it was funded by the county government. He casually told his subordinates to save some money. The county middle school was built well because of the donations from merchants, but Huiji Hall did not have the same conditions.
Who would have thought that these people actually took it seriously? From top to bottom, everyone in Huijitang seemed to be the reincarnation of Pi Xiu. As soon as they saw them, they asked them if they were there to donate money. How was this different from soliciting investments in later generations?
After Huiji Hall was built, many merchants came to visit and were coaxed into donating a lot of money by them with tears in their eyes. It was a good relief facility, but because of this group of people, no merchant dared to come here.
"Why are you here, sir?" A woman heard the voice and came out.
She had a pretty face and wore a neat cotton dress. Seeing that the two subordinates had stopped Lin Shuge, she quickly asked them to leave. "Don't blame me, sir. They didn't know your identities and thought..."
"You thought we were one of the richest people in the county, and you were going to take this opportunity to persuade us to donate money, right?" Lin Shuge laughed heartily.
When the woman heard him say this, she also laughed and said, "To be honest, sir, Huiji Hall has so many people to support, and it's hard for them to ask people when they see them passing by."
Lu Yuechuan asked, "Is this the Miss Wu that the Master mentioned?"
"Greetings, County Magistrate Lu." Wu Yin stepped forward and greeted.
When Huiji Hall was almost completed, Lin Shuge issued a notice to recruit responsible clerks. Since there was no gender restriction, many women signed up. Wu Yin won the first place after passing all the tests and was appointed by Lin Shuge to be in charge of various affairs in Huiji Hall. Due to lack of manpower, Lu Yin recruited another group of women to do the work.
"Sir, please follow me in." Lu Yin made a gesture of invitation, and the other two women who had just learned the identities of Lin Shuge and the other two carefully stepped back.
"It's all your fault. You said you had seen Lord Lin, but you didn't recognize him just now." A woman said angrily.
The other woman stuck out her tongue and said, "I've only seen them once. Who told you to say that the two people in front of the door looked like they were rich? It's your fault."
Lu Yin coughed, and the two of them immediately shut up and retreated quietly.
Huiji Hall has a orphanage and a senior citizen support hall, with a wide open space in front. Lin Shuge originally wanted to have it built like a small park in later times, but due to funding and time constraints, only some trees were planted and a few pavilions were built for rest.
When a few people came in, they could see a few women helping a gray-haired old man walk around. There was also an entertainment area next to it, which was specially set up for young children. Lin Shuge also had the ingenuity to have a few seesaws placed there.
"The Huiji Hall was just opened this year, and many old people and children have come in. However, we have also screened them carefully. If there are any unfilial sons who don't want to support the elderly and send them here in their name, we will report them to the county government and let the adults punish them." Lu Yin said as he walked.
Dayan ruled the country with filial piety, and being unfilial to parents was a serious crime in Dayan.
"The people we recruited were carefully selected. They work efficiently and are very good at taking care of the elderly." She smiled cunningly.
Lu Yuechuan asked curiously: "What kind of statement is this?"
Several people walked into a house and heard a quarrel. An old voice said that he would not drink the medicine no matter what. He also said that he was already well and asked them not to waste the medicine and leave it to others.
Then a woman's voice came, "If you don't take medicine, your illness won't get better. If you don't get better, you won't be able to live in such a nice house. Look at Mr. Zhang next door. He lives a comfortable life every day. He eats well and sleeps well. He takes medicine when he's sick. Every time the doctor takes his pulse, he says he can live another 30 years."
The old man immediately said, "Madam Shu, I drink, I drink."
Lu Yuechuan burst out laughing. Lu Yin explained, "This is Uncle Li. He is used to saving money and always thinks that medicine costs money. But he is a good person and rushes to work as long as he can move." She lowered her voice and said, "Old Zhang and him don't get along. They don't like each other."
Lin Shuge just smiled and said nothing. He didn't know where Lu Yin found such a mischievous woman.
As they were talking, a young man came over with a medical box on his back. He looked a little thin. Lu Yin immediately said, "This is Doctor Meng from the county Chinese medicine clinic. He's here for a free consultation."
After seeing a few people, he bowed and said, "Greetings, Master Lin, Master Lu."
Lin Shuge waved his hand to tell him not to be polite, "Doctor Meng is a kind-hearted doctor."
Meng Siming replied: "It's just a small matter. Your Excellency is too kind to praise me. Compared with what you have done, it's nothing."
He left after he finished speaking. Lu Yin said, "Don't blame me, sir. He is just like that. But he is kind-hearted. He comes to Huijitang for free consultation every ten days. Huijitang never charges money for medicines. He also lends a helping hand to the people when they are in trouble."
Lin Shuge nodded and silently made note of this person in his heart.
"Sir, urgent news from the border." An officer ran in hurriedly and said.
Lin Shuge and Lu Yuechuan looked at each other, said goodbye to Lu Yin in a hurry, and rushed to the county government office.
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