The Yellow River flows eastward with great surging force, and its momentum continues unabated for tens of thousands of miles.
It was just after early spring. Not long ago, there was a storm in the upper reaches of the river. The dams were washed away and more than 100,000 acres of farmland were destroyed. Tens of thousands of people were homeless and fell into the river.
Floods in the Yellow River occur every year, so the court is not surprised that the people are ruined.
In the reeds by the Yellow River, Zhang Yue, Tang Jiu, and Wang Gong were here. They were going out for an outing in their spare time to see the majestic scenery of the Yellow River. They did not expect to encounter so many ragged people along the way.
It was still a time of peace, but after a severe flood, Zhang Yue almost saw the scene of troubled times.
"Master, let's leave quickly and don't run into the refugees." Tang Jiu said to Zhang Yue.
Zhang Yue also knew that he had to avoid it, so he immediately got on his horse and looked over. He happened to see a refugee fall down. Instead of helping him up, the people on his left and right took the opportunity to strip off his clothes and put them on themselves...
The rest of the people continued to behave indifferently...
Some people looked at Zhang Yue, came over and asked loudly, pointing to the grass sign on their head.
Zhang Yue couldn't understand what these people said, but he also knew that they wanted to sell themselves into slavery.
Tang Jiu said: "Master, don't pity these people. They don't have a proper background. Don't feel pity. In the past, thieves would mix among the refugees and sell themselves to rich families, and then... plot evil."
Zhang Yue knew that when selecting slaves for officials in the Bianjing family, they all had to be clean-blooded, and no matter how unlucky they were, they still needed someone to recommend them.
Zhang Yue said: "The world of this world drives good people to ruin."
The group left as a group. Seeing Zhang Yue and the others leaving, these people couldn't help but run a few steps. Finally seeing that they could not catch up, several people moved towards Zhang Yue and the others, spitting and smearing heavily, with weapons still exposed from their waists.
"This world is too difficult and dangerous!"
After riding away from these refugees on horseback, Zhang Yue and the others continued their journey, and then Zhang stopped to rest at a road pavilion in Junyi County.
There are many civilians and refugees here who want to enter the city, but they are guarded by officers and soldiers. Many people's teeth appear in and out of it. If they are young and strong men, they will look at their teeth like animals. If they are women, they will splash water on their faces to see if they are beautiful.
Many women and children knelt on the street, and the family members nearby shouted at them to sell themselves to them.
Wang Gong said: "It would be great if I could enter Bianjing. At least I would beg for food instead of selling myself into slavery."
Tang Jiudao: "Bianjing may not be good. There are many culverts in Bianjing. Many desperadoes usually live in them, and they call themselves Wuyou Cave. They even kidnap women and children and hide them here. Such a place is called a ghost mansion. "
"On weekdays, we see Bianjing in all its splendor. When I was in Bianjing and couldn't afford to eat, I met these people several times. They can be said to do all kinds of evil."
Zhang Yue drank a bowl of hot tea and ate some snacks by the road pavilion. When he saw a refugee child coming up to beg, he waved to the shop owner.
The shopkeeper arrived and asked with a smile: "What are the orders from the high official? But the food in the small shop is not to your liking?"
Zhang Yue put a handful of money on the table and said, "This is what we always do. I want you to make some snacks for the children."
The shopkeeper smiled and said: "The official is really a kind person. But..."
"But what?"
The store owner smiled and said, "Even if I talk too much, your money won't help."
Zhang Yue said: "I know, but about the ice on the Yellow River, I heard that the local officials have gone to the court to ask for relief. This Junyi County is at the foot of the emperor, and officials who are close to the people will do their duty."
The store owner smiled and said nothing.
At this time, someone on the side suddenly said: "It's a pity that even under the emperor's feet, there are still mediocre officials who do nothing."
The words fell.
Zhang Yue turned around and saw a man in his twenties or thirties wearing a t-shirt, with a rough face, a green belt wrapped around his waist, and an air of rebelliousness in his words.
Zhang Yue cupped his hands and said, "I wonder who you are?"
The other party said, "I'm Zheng Xia, the person who came to Beijing to take the exam this time."
Zhang Yue thought to himself, Zheng Xia, it couldn't be such a coincidence. Could it be that Zheng Xia was the one that the upper class wanted?
Zhang Yue inquired: "It turns out to be Brother Zheng, why do you say that?"
Zheng Xia looked at Zhang Yue and asked, "Brother, are you an official or a scholar?"
Zhang Yue said: "My surname is Zhang, and my bow is Zhang. My ancestors had Guanyin who came from Pucheng to Beijing to take the exam. Unfortunately, he failed in the provincial exam twice and has been studying at Xishan Temple. Unfortunately, he failed again in Qiu Wei this year."
After Zhang Yue finished speaking, he looked very melancholy, as if he had wasted his years in fame.
Zheng Xia nodded and said: "It turns out to be Brother Zhang. I am from Fuqing, and both Brother Zhang and I are from Fujian."
Zhang Yue said with a smile: "It's really a blessing to meet a fellow countryman thousands of miles away. Seeing that Brother Zheng talks well, I wonder who he is studying under?"
Zheng Xia said: "I have had many teachers, but when I was studying in Jiangning, I was under the tutelage of Jixian, the former king of Zhigao."
Zhang Yue thought to himself that the other party was indeed Wang Anshi's disciple, but on his face he deliberately exclaimed: "Is it possible that Brother Zheng is a disciple of Mr. Jiefu? I am really disrespectful."
Zheng Xia laughed and said: "Brother Zhang is so young, fame is not a big deal, so there is no need to be discouraged."
Zhang Yue obviously did not want to talk more about the topic of the imperial examination, but asked: "Brother Zheng, you said something wrong about local officials just now. But brother Zheng, your competition is coming soon. I want to remind you that you must be careful what you say, otherwise it will be spread." It will be difficult to get into the ears of the examiner."
Zheng Xia snorted and said: "It's just a mere fame, do you think you can stop me from speaking out? Brother Zhang is really a timid person. Brother Zhang, how many years am I older than you? I have something to tell you, be timid. How can I write a good article so that the examiner will appreciate it if I am so frustrated?"
Zhang Yue said sincerely: "Brother Zheng, what you have learned is that I am short-sighted."
Speaking of this, Zheng Xia said: "Brother Zhang, if you want to know about the relief work, just follow me to the porridge to have a look."
Zhang Yue followed Zheng Xia to the porridge shop. This porridge shop was run by the government and was guarded by soldiers on both sides.
There are a few heads with shaggy hair hanging on conspicuous heights. They may have been victims of the disaster who came here to grab porridge.
But I saw that the porridge farm had two places where they gave porridge to the refugees.
At one porridge pot, there was a long queue of refugees, almost hundreds of people, while at the other porridge pot, there were only a few refugees.
Zhang Yue asked Zheng Xia, "What's going on?"
Zheng Xia said: "One side of the porridge is free, but it is full of soup without a few grains of rice. The other side of the porridge is quite filling, but it costs ten cents a bowl."
Zhang Yue's expression changed after hearing this and said: "The imperial court has its own system for the desolate administration, and it all comes from Chang Pingcang. How can there be such porridge?"
Zheng Xia said: "You don't know something about this."
"How do you tell whether they are refugees? What if there are idle people among the local people who come here to get a bowl of porridge? Where can there be so much food in Changping Granary?"
"Therefore, even the idle people in the city will not want to drink the porridge that costs money. But the porridge that costs money must be bought by the victims themselves. If the local officials make a fortune from it, how can the court lose money?"
Zhang Yue was speechless after hearing this.
Zheng Xia said: "This is also the case. Nowadays, there is no good governance in various places. It's just that I really can't stand it."
At this time, a person in the porridge team suddenly fell to the ground. Immediately, officers and soldiers ordered civilians to carry the person away and throw him to a mass grave. The people complained that the porridge was not enough.
Seeing this, Zhang Yue immediately stepped forward and walked to the porridge, but saw someone cursing at the free porridge: "If you see a woman, scoop some more, but this is just for me, it's not even enough to rinse your mouth."
Zhang Yue crossed the long line of refugees, but was stopped by officers and soldiers. Seeing Zhang Yue's appearance, the other party couldn't help but ask: "Why are you here to drink porridge too?"
Zhang Yue said: "I am a scholar and I want to see you in charge."
After the officers and soldiers let him go, Zhang Yue came to the porridge, but he saw that the person who distributed the porridge gave each citizen only half a spoonful of porridge, and the porridge was really clear soup with little water. Even so, the eyes of the refugees who were nearby were like fire. Burning it, I can't wait to swallow the whole pot of porridge in one bite.
"Who is in charge?"
An official in his fifties stood up and asked, "Who are you?"
Zhang Yue said: "I am a scholar living in the capital. I traveled to Guixian today and saw this scene. The imperial court is subsidizing the victims, which is certainly the kindness of the heavenly family."
"But now I see that a bowl of porridge here can fill your stomach for ten cents, but if you don't pay for it, you can't fill your stomach. What do you think about the victims who are starving to death outside the porridge market?"
The official laughed and said: "This scholar is probably stupid because of his reading. He has his own rules for how to serve porridge. I am just doing my duty here. If there are many people outside who starve to death, what does it have to do with me? It's not me who starves them to death."
Zhang Yue said: "The rules are the rules, but the rules are nothing more than human feelings."
"Besides, ten cents can buy a bushel of rice. Is there a pound of rice in this bowl of porridge? Is there any rules here?"
The other party suddenly changed his expression and said: "You are a scholar, are you looking for trouble?"
The officials on the left and right glared at Zhang Yue, and Zhang Yue said: "I'm not looking for trouble. Today I'm here to teach you a way. Aren't you afraid of someone pretending to be a refugee? Then I'll teach you that everyone who drinks this bowl of solid porridge will be shaved. Half of my eyebrows fell off!”
When the refugees on the left and right heard Zhang Yue's method, they all applauded.
"This is a good idea!"
"You are truly worthy of being a scholar!"
"A truly idle man will not shave off his eyebrows over a bowl of porridge."
When the official heard Zhang Yue's idea, he admitted in his heart that it was a good idea, but he said "this".
"how?"
Just as the official was about to speak, he heard someone say from outside: "The magistrate of this county is here!"
Upon hearing this, the official hurriedly turned aside Zhang Yue and hurried out to greet him.
Zhang Yue looked around and saw an official in his forties wearing a blue official robe walking over under the crowd of government officials. This kind of momentum was worthy of Baili Hou.
The so-called Baili Hou means that he can keep his word within a hundred miles.
Of course, the other party was very prestigious in the county, but Zhang Yue saw the green robe on his body and knew that the other party was probably from a mixed background.
Because the officials of the eighth and ninth grades in the Song Dynasty all wore green robes, the county magistrate's position, whether in a large or small county, was exactly between the eighth and ninth grades. However, if you were a Jinshi, the emperor would give you a green robe.
At this time, Zheng Xia walked up to Zhang Yue and said, "This man is the local Magistrate Lan. He is not an easy person to get along with. I went to the county to talk about the inadequacy of the government, and I almost got a meal." , this is because he wants to take the provincial exam soon."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Yue looked at Zheng Xia and said, "You are really a dog. It turns out that you didn't tell me if you knew this was the case."
"Brother Zhang, let's go!" Zheng Xia reminded.
Zheng Xia really wanted to provoke Zhang Yue just now, to see if this person was brave enough to be chivalrous and worthy of friendship.
Scholars in the Song Dynasty had a high status, and an official might be concerned about your status, but now that the county magistrate is here, he will not take you seriously.
But when the blue county magistrate arrived at the porridge, he looked around, and then said in front of a group of officials and squires who were following him: "The desolate government of this dynasty is far better than that of the previous dynasty. The officials of all dynasties love the people like their own children and care about the people of the world. "
"Now that I am serving as a parent official under the emperor's feet, I will abide by the Holy Will. I will not be stingy with the rice grains in Changping Granary in this county just because they are refugees."
All the officials and squires said: "My husband shares the worries of the official family. He is truly a first-class capable official."
Xianggong is an honorific title for high-ranking officials, but in a county, local people often use this title to flatter the county magistrate.
Immediately, County Magistrate Lan walked to the porridge. Zheng Xia pulled Zhang Yue's sleeve and motioned for him to leave immediately. Unexpectedly, Zhang Yue stood motionless.
Zheng Xia couldn't help but wonder, could the other party be a fool. He wanted to leave first, but he felt embarrassed leaving Zhang Yue behind, so he stayed with him.
"Who are these two people? Why are they here if they are not refugees?" County Magistrate Lan frowned and asked the officials.
The official whispered a few words into the other party's ear.
Magistrate Lan showed a surprised expression upon hearing this, and walked up to Zhang Yue and Zheng Xia with his hands behind his back.
"It's you again? I spared you last time, why did you bring people to make trouble this time? Could it be that you want to destroy this porridge shop?"
At the words of Magistrate Lan, many of the refugees on the left and right trembled.
Just as Zheng Xia was about to speak, Zhang Yue said first: "My husband is such a powerful official!"
Magistrate Lan had never been robbed like this before in the county. Seeing that the other party refused to worship him as a dignified magistrate, he seemed to have some background in his behavior, which was neither humble nor arrogant.
"Who are you?"
Zhang Yue said: "I am just a scholar passing by in your county. The county magistrate's giving of porridge to save the people was out of good intentions and was a kindness from the emperor. But the magistrate was in this porridge, and in a moment I saw three people starving to death." Here, he was carried out!"
"Ms. sir!" The official on the side was about to explain in an emergency, but Magistrate Lan stopped him and said: "Why do I need a young man to teach me how to do things for me? This court has its own regulations on how to serve porridge. This county has its own regulations. The office has regulations to abide by, so what do you mean by openly saying that this county is not the right one?"
Zhang Yue said: "The regulations of the Huangzheng came from the promotion of the Changping Division. It is good for the Prime Minister to act according to the regulations of the Changping Division, but administration must not only follow the regulations, but also consider human feelings."
"Ten cents for a bowl of real porridge is quite expensive? Of course, there is a reason for the ten cents, but if you are afraid that the refugees will pretend to claim it and shave off a refugee's eyebrows..."
"Absurd!" the county magistrate said angrily: "Do you think your method can't be thought of by this county? But you are also a scholar. Don't you think that the body hair and skin are affected by your parents? It is also the scholar of your generation who shaves off people's eyebrows for no reason. Something?"
Zhang Yue said: "This is better than starving to death alone..."
"What nonsense!"
County Magistrate Lan said: "How can this county see you today who is so ignorant and so embarrassed? This county's good governance, which loves the people like a son, will turn into bad governance if you talk such indiscriminate nonsense!"
"Somebody come!"
Magistrate Lan shouted, and the officials on the left and right stepped forward.
But he saw County Magistrate Lan pointing at Zhang Yue and saying, "Cuff this man to me and show him to the public here!"
