Yan Laifu rolled his eyes and quickly took two steps back. He bowed deeply and said, "Although the younger generation's plan can save the situation, it may be offensive. I don't know if the old gentleman can accept it."
Hu Zhizhang couldn't move, he just nodded his head slightly: "As long as I can keep my land and property, I can bear any offense, no problem!"
"Then I will speak frankly..." Yan Laifu approached again and planned for him, "The people coming from the court are very anxious, and they will not be willing to wait like this. Sooner or later, they will send people to see the disease, and take the opportunity to force them out." I will take you to the county government to discuss matters. The old gentleman can take advantage of the time when the officials are about to arrive and call on all the villagers to worship at the Confucius Temple and meet him there. First, he should not dare to be presumptuous in front of the saint; second, he should not be presumptuous in front of the saint; Then the people will know the government's intention, and people will use words to provoke each other, fan the flames, and agitate the people's hearts until they are angry. It will be difficult for the government to implement the new policy. But I don't know whether your sick body can sustain it... …”
"I will drag these bones away even if I die, you don't have to worry about this!" Hu Zhizhang beat his hand twice on the edge of the bed and shouted with all his strength, "But those people may not understand my feelings, I'm afraid it's hard to Instigate. No, this is still a risky move..."
Yan Laifu was shocked, his hands slipped from the bed frame, his knees bent slightly, and he slowly knelt down in front of him, kowtowed twice, and cried loudly: "Old sir, nothing else. There is no good way, now I can only try to take a risky move! What's more, with your reputation and popularity, the villagers everywhere respect and fear you. It can be said that you keep your word! Everything is ready, junior, please don't do it again Tsukuru hesitated..."
Hu Zhizhang sighed, but gradually closed his eyes and stopped talking. Yan Laifu gave him time to think deeply, but he still didn't respond for a long time. He suddenly became anxious and shouted: "Mr. Hu! Are you still awake?"
"Don't worry, Brother Shi, I'm not asleep." He coughed twice, spittle flying out, "I've already decided, let's do it!"
"Mr. Hu is wise!" Yan Laifu sobbed, and a stone in his heart finally fell to the ground.
Hu Zhizhang held his hand again: "You and I are of the same mind now. I can't take care of foreign affairs these days. I hope my brother can help me a lot."
"This junior has no knowledge of foreign affairs, so I can't say anything about it; but now is the time to win over people's hearts. I hope to allocate the money in the treasury to benefit the people. Please give me your permission!"
Hu Zhizhang said: "Although I am sharpening my guns before the battle, I can do one more thing if I can. I have no objection."
Yan Laifu bowed his head and said: "The younger generation admires the old gentleman for being so generous! I wish you a good life and good health, and don't worry about foreign affairs. I'm going to say goodbye."
Hu Zhizhang nodded and watched him leave the room, his frown gradually unfurling.
Yan Laifu followed his calculations and ordered the government to allocate a hundred taels of silver to all the poor tenant farmers and the elderly and sick families (the farmers on the school field were also included in this). He also said that Mr. Hu would soon sacrifice to the saint as a sign of his legacy. Li, the holy virtue of the emperor. Most of the people worked on the fields of the Hu family and paid rent rice on weekdays. They were already extremely poor. Suddenly they saw the master rewarded him with so much white money. They were all happy, weeping and kneeling in front of him, praising Hu Zhizhang's great kindness. Great virtue.
At this point, he still felt that his efforts were not enough, so he waved his hand and selected the outstanding farmers' children to enroll in the Hu's private school. Shu Xiu only charged half of the tuition. This made the villagers even more grateful. They were so grateful to Mr. Hu. After much praise, many people also learned about Yan Laifu's contribution, and the two highly respected "village sages" became highly respected.
But the government was still in the dark, and they hadn't even finished processing the county magistrate's letter. The county magistrate waited in the Yamen for two days before sending the letter to the prefect and asking him to judge. The two clerks were furious and urged the magistrate to arrest the two squires and punish them. However, Chen Tongpao then proposed a compromise plan. He only ordered the county magistrate to send people to investigate the illness. If they were pretending to be ill, they would be punished. He was sent to prison and tortured severely. If he was really infected with the disease, he was ordered to go in a sedan without any delay. The second secretary's office was finally calmed down.
The approval sent back by the prefect was very fast, and it was delivered to the county magistrate in less than half a day. Faced with the harsh urging of the officers, he felt helpless and had to send a subordinate. After everyone dispersed, the county magistrate wiped the sweat from his face with a handkerchief and murmured: "Masters Hu and Yan are going to be in trouble..."
"Old sir, old sir!" Yan Laifu suddenly ran into the inner courtyard for some unknown reason, pushed aside the maid beside him, and walked straight into the bedroom.
After two days of recuperation, the fever in Hu Zhizhang's body had subsided slightly, and his hands and feet had gained some strength. He reluctantly sat up straight and leaned on the bedside to read a copy of "The Classic of Filial Piety".
"Yan Shidi, what's wrong?" He raised his head and asked.
"Old sir, I've heard that the people from the county magistrate have already set off. It's time for you to go." Yan Laifu said anxiously.
"oh……"
Hu Zhizhang first put the book under his pillow, then stretched out his two hands and asked Yan Laifu to slowly lift him up. He also handed him a crutch, then walked out of the room with him, and warned the slaves: "Hu The master wants to go to the Confucius Temple to offer sacrifices. Please take good care of your home. If you hear that there is a visitor, be sure to open the door slowly and don't ask for speed! If you don't listen to me, Mr. Hu will not be able to feel at ease. He will be punished when he comes back. !”
Yan Laifu sent his servants in advance to beat gongs and drums in every house in the village, shouted loudly, and repeatedly shouted: "There is a saying in the village that all villagers in the village must follow Mr. Hu to worship Confucius. If you don't go, you will be counted on the list and hit on the back with a big stick. You will never be forgiven!" The people listened in fear, put on their clothes one after another, and walked out of the alley. By this time, thousands of villagers had gathered, following Mr. Hu's sedan, rushing towards the Confucius Temple.
The visually ill subordinate had just arrived at the Hu Mansion. He looked at the deserted surroundings and no one on the street. He was puzzled and knocked on the door hesitantly: "Open, open the door!"
No sound was heard for a moment.
"I'm from the government, open the door!" He slapped the door panel with both palms.
"Damn it, it's haunted!" He was so anxious that he was spinning around the door.
"Oh, here it comes!"
I saw a slight crack in the door, and I saw an eye moving up and down.
"Where is your master?" The subordinate official looked sullen, "Is he recovering from his illness?"
"Keep it up."
"Whether you raise me or not, can you open the door and talk!"
The servant came out from behind the door obediently and stared at him blankly.
"Say it." The subordinate felt strange.
The servant bowed timidly: "Sir, to be honest, my master has gone to the Confucius Temple to offer sacrifices!"
