"The ordinary Chinese people during the Tongzhi period were the most complex of the ethnic groups I have met. First of all, they had very high moral standards, and they could abide by them in life without relying on religious and legal supervision. This is a very rare kind. Self-discipline, but this kind of self-discipline has a drawback, that is, over-reliance on Confucian classics that have ruled people's hearts for thousands of years..."
"Observing moral self-discipline is a spiritual state that is highly respected by any nation, but it is too much and not enough. It is precisely because of the Chinese people's extreme blind obedience to Confucian classics that they have missed out on natural science, let alone have any influence on industrialization. positive connection, and some strange superstitions emerged..."
"I admire so much Mr. Xiao Letian, the sage of Western learning in the East. He was actually able to come up with such a bizarre and practical method of setting up industrial zones in China. Without destroying the overall situation of the country, let the rulers and elites try it first. Seeing the sweetness of industrialization, I think this is the only way for the ancient empire to move towards innovation..."
"I can feel Xiao Letian's love for this land, and I can even feel his cherishment of every life. Although he is a murderous military leader or even a cunning conspirator in the eyes of many people, But it is undeniable that what Xiao Letian did was to try every means to allow the empire to complete the preliminary industrial revolution with the least amount of chaos and blood..."
"He is a great man, a great man who can hold hundreds of millions of people in his heart. I have no doubt about this!"
The above remarks are excerpted from a book called "Matthew's Diary". Strictly speaking, this book was not written by one person, but by many people. Please come to more and faster chapters. There are American special envoy Matthew, Carnegie family member Mike, and American pastor Lewis, and even the little black man Simon has left his own words in it. Please come to more and faster chapters.
It's just that the person who started this book is the special envoy Matthew, so the title of the book "Matthew's Diary" is very strange, because it is a precious historical archive that looks at China's changes from a foreigner's perspective. Moreover, this book records Xiao Letian's actions in this great change in detail, and is a must-read classic for future generations to study China.
Matthew spared no effort in praising Xiao Letian in the book, not only because of the good personal relationship between them, but more importantly because he saw with his own eyes the various scenes of the market in the late Qing Dynasty.
"These ignorant Chinese people don't understand what the power of industry is at all. They even believe that the power released by machines is driven by ghosts. And they are convinced that these sensitive and suspicious people are very afraid of change. You can't even influence them with money..."
"I clearly remember that in the industrial zone plan, the government offered double or even triple the land price, but the people refused to sell the land to the special zone. They actually had a very strange reason, that is, the souls of their ancestors did not allow it. I'm really speechless. Is this really the greatest civilization in the Middle Ages? Why are their words no different from African savages? It seems that my friend Xiao really encountered a problem..."
Matthew's worries were unnecessary. Xiao Letian couldn't see any difficulties now. He had listened to Xiang Shaolong's report in the morning and had a very sumptuous lunch with Huniu and the beauties from the Grand View Garden at noon. Then I went to play treasures in the afternoon.
"Folks, make way, make way. We are from Lotte Matheson. We heard that there was a flood in the village and we lost a lot of firewood. I am here to provide disaster relief..." Xiao Letian held up a homemade iron sheet. The trumpet, standing on top of a cart full of firewood, was roaring at the top of its neck.
"It's a cold day. We know that everyone's life is difficult. They need firewood for cooking and hay for large animals. No one has a lot of money. If they really buy firewood, I'm afraid they will have to borrow loan sharks in the spring next year." ... We, Lotte Yang Company, are here to do good deeds today. Look at the twenty loads of firewood behind us. They are enough for all of you. Everyone, please give way..."
But no matter how Xiao Letian roared, the people blocking the village entrance would not give way, and many people in the crowd looked at him with hatred.
"Are you Xiao Letian? Are you a Japanese devil? Did you create this industrial zone? Come on, come on, we don't want your charity. We won't build ghost houses on our ancestors' graves..."
"Yes, yes, please leave quickly. We don't want your charity. Stop pretending to be a good person. This is your conspiracy..."
The people blocking the village entrance yelled slogans to attack Xiao Letian, but ordinary people also knew that they did not dare to offend someone like Xiao Letian who could publish books and talk to important figures in the court, so they were very restrained in their words. , dare not use dirty words. Please come to more and faster chapters.
Xiao Letian was not angry, because he had clearly seen through observation that although the people were yelling at them, their greedy eyes were all aimed at the cart.
How could the people not be greedy? Just at noon today, other Zhuangzi who had not gone too far had already come to take advantage of the situation. Those people who usually shouted loudly from the villagers actually asked for five silver coins per load for pulling firewood. This was too bad for his grandma.
Now, Xiao Letian has sent more than twenty loads of hay for free. People say they don't want it, but the little greed in their hearts cannot be hidden at all.
"Folks, think about it carefully. The best thing you can do to survive in this vast world is, are you really going to push yourself into a dead end just for some unreasonable legends? What's the trouble? I just asked about it. Zhuangzi around here gives you a The firewood actually costs five taels of silver, which is not bad. It seems that we can survive the whole winter without three or four taels of silver..."
"Everyone, do any of you have three or four taels of cash? Even if you do, if you run out of money next year during the lean period, won't you still have to borrow usury? Think about it, ladies and gentlemen, then Can we borrow loan money?"
Xiao Letian's persuasion obviously had a certain effect, and hesitant glances suddenly appeared in the crowd, but at this moment, Huang Liu, who regarded Xiao Letian as his mortal enemy, came over again. Although Huangjiazhuang is not far from here, running twice a day makes this frail scholar as tired as a dead dog.
"No...no way! Listen to me...oh my mother, I'm so exhausted. If I had known, I would have learned to ride a horse..." Huang Liu sat on the stone roller and gasped desperately.
"Folks, you can't listen to Xiao Letian's sweet words. He is trying to win people's hearts..."
Xiao Letian turned to him and said, "Am I trying to buy people's hearts? You don't want to buy them, but you use your firewood to help the people survive the winter? You just talk and want others to listen to you? Do you think you are a common people? So easy to fool?"
Xiao Letian pointed at the gloomy sky above his head, "Open your eyes and look. With the weather like this, there may be a northwest wind and heavy snow tonight. Everyone has no firewood to heat the kang tonight. This is what we are looking at." Big event in Pakistan!"
"Fart! It's a small thing to starve to death, but it's a big thing to be dishonest! We would rather starve to death than eat the food that comes..." Huang Liu jumped on his feet and yelled, pointing at the people in the village and cursing, "Who dares to accept Xiao Letian's favor, I will let you His descendants will never be able to go to school, and none of you can even think of entering the Saint’s Gate. I will do what I say..."
Xiao Letian was so angry now that he jumped down from the cart, grabbed Huang Liu by the collar and got up with a big mouth. Updated as soon as possible "Is there smoke in your wicked belt? You guard the hot bed, hold your concubine and have enough food and clothing, but don't let others have a handful of firewood for the fire. Are you reading bullshit sages' books? Confucius teaches you Is this your benevolence and righteousness? How can you teach a group of hypocrites..."
Xiao Letian threw Huang Liu to the ground, turned towards the cart, picked up a bundle of firewood, and threw it on the roadside. Updated as soon as possible "Do you like it or not? Anyway, I, Xiao Letian, am here to help you sincerely. I will throw these firewood here. There are gods three feet above my head. If I have the intention of harming you, I will let God thunder. Take me away!”
Actions are always stronger than words, and vows are always more effective than discernment. The moment Xiao Letian took action himself, the whole village was moved. They really didn't expect that the well-dressed noble man would unload the truck himself. At this moment, people subconsciously want to help.
At this time, Huang Liu jumped up and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, shouting with a cry, "I'm bleeding, I'm bleeding, I'm going to sue the official, I'm going to sue you... and you all, please listen clearly." , Whoever dares to use these firewood is an enemy of me, and that is an enemy of the Confucian officials in the world. Your children and future generations will never be able to enter school, and they will not be able to participate in the imperial examination. I see who of you dares to use these firewood..."
The people finally backed down. In an era when Confucianism controlled people's hearts, studying for the imperial examination was the only way for ordinary people to change their destiny. Huang Liu's threat seemed hollow to Xiao Letian, but in the eyes of these simple people, it was a big deal like the collapse of the sky. . Please come to more and faster chapters.
Xiao Letian was too lazy to talk nonsense to Huang Liu at this time. He just silently carried bundles of firewood and then threw them on the roadside. One bundle, two bundles... Xiao Letian's bald guards soon joined in, and the group silently threw the firewood on the roadside.
At first, the people could still stand, but the more they looked at them, the more they felt guilty, and the more they looked at them, the weaker their feet became, and some even had their knees bent.
The precious Shu brocade jacket was scratched by branches, which made the old people feel heartbroken. The fair and handsome face was turned red by the northwest wind, which made the young girl and the young wife feel sorry for themselves.
Even the hard-working men were filled with admiration when they saw Xiao Letian's palm being scratched by a sharp dead branch. At first, everyone thought Xiao Letian was pretending to fool people, but when the load of firewood was about to bottom out, people couldn't help but become convinced.
'Perhaps this Japs really wants to help us! Are we a little ignorant? ’ Countless people were muttering in their hearts. But Huang Liu was the exception. He looked at Xiao Letian like he was an idiot and thought to himself.
'This fool, who is also a master of Western learning, actually uses such an unfashionable way to win over the people. He is indeed a fool taught by Western Yi. This scholar must have the aura of a scholar, so how can he do such a despicable job? '
Under the complicated eyes of everyone, Xiao Letian and all the guards unloaded all the firewood. He clapped his hands and said to the villagers, "Did you see it? God didn't thunder and take me away, which means I didn't lie to you. The firewood is here now. I don't care if you use it or not... let's go." If you offload it to other Zhuangzi, I will win people's hearts, what can you do?"
At this point, Xiao Letian stared at Huang Liu and said gloomily, "Huang, aren't you very arrogant? I'll put this aside today. Your career as a scholar will be over in this life. As long as I'm with you, Xiao Letian." , you will never make any further progress in your career!"
Huang Liu shuddered when he heard the threat. He subconsciously took a step back and tripped on a stone and fell directly to the ground. He suddenly thought that although Xiao Letian didn't deal with the Qingliu adults, he still had some friendship with the Manchu royal family. If he was determined to trip up, he really couldn't afford to offend him.
But Huang Liu recalled his uncle who died tragically and the promise made by the envoys from the capital some time ago, and he mustered up the courage in his heart. He would fight to the end in this battle for people's hearts.
"Okay, what are you looking at? Isn't it just a Japanese devil? Do you really believe what he says? Don't say that I, Huang Xiucai, am ungrateful. When the new year begins and spring begins, I will personally find the enlightened children in your village. Good sir, if there are a few more talented people, it will bring glory to our ancestors! All gone, all gone..."
