Zhuge Liang rubbed his eyes, as if he couldn't believe what he was seeing.
The mountains are high and the forests are lush, so the road should be rough, but this road is very wide and flat.
Moreover, on the flat land on both sides of the mountain road, a lot of wasteland has been reclaimed, and you can also see people working in the fields and ridges, enjoying themselves.
After crossing another mountain, there was a gorge between the mountains, as if there was light.
Zhuge Liang then went with Zhao Yun, and after walking dozens of steps, he suddenly became enlightened...
I saw roads extending in all directions, like a Bagua array, clearly dividing the houses. People on the roads were bustling and crowded, and there were many vendors on both sides of the road, waving their goods to sell.
There is a manor in the center of the city. It looks majestic and majestic from a distance. It covers an area as large as Liu Chan's government.
Zhuge Liang opened his mouth, not knowing what to say.
Could it be that I'm blinded?
Zhao Yun's eyes were full of confusion and he asked: "The world has been in chaos for decades. The people are exhausted and the population is declining. How can there be such a prosperous city? And it is still in the mountains and wilderness? It is simply sensational."
"you mean?"
"Could it be the power of ghosts and gods?"
During this period, people still had great respect for ghosts and gods, and used ghosts and gods to explain phenomena that they could not understand in life. There are even special ghost exorcism manuals compiled to help people drive away ghosts.
"Don't talk nonsense. Look at these people. They are dressed just like us. How could they be ghosts?"
Zhuge Liang explained, and then said: "Since we are here, we might as well take a look."
The two walked leisurely, and as soon as they reached the city gate, they couldn't help but exclaimed.
I saw that the market at the city gate was even more prosperous, and the people passing by were smiling and chatting with each other.
Although their clothes are not made of silk or satin, they are still ordinary cloth without any patches. The grin on his face couldn't be hidden at all.
Zhuge Liang really couldn't understand that he had been wandering all his life and had seen a lot of people's lives.
The vast majority of the people were depressed, walking around in a hurry, and busy with their own affairs with a sad look on their faces.
But...why are the people here looking so happy?
Isn't this too strange?
Zhuge Liang really couldn’t understand!
After entering the city, Zhuge Liang was even more surprised, because he saw the asphalt-paved road leading into the distance, and the pedestrians on the street were orderly.
Especially the shops on both sides are all in the same style, with white walls and black tiles, and hanging banners swaying in the wind.
It looks so lively.
Zhuge Liang even felt that he was really a Zhuge villager who had never seen the world?
"Tell me, how do the officials here govern, and why is this place so prosperous?" Zhuge Liang was also a talented person in politics, but he couldn't figure out why this place was so prosperous.
Zhao Yun thought for a while, then shook his head and said: "Prime Minister, could it be that this place is not connected to the outside world, so it has not been affected by the war, so it is so prosperous."
"No, when I pacified the Southern Barbarians, those tribes that did not communicate with the outside world lived in extremely difficult conditions, just like savages!"
"Boy, would you like a newspaper?"
A merchant held a pile of newspapers, waved them in front of Zhuge Liang, and asked with a smile.
"Newspaper? What is a newspaper?"
Zhuge Liang looked confused.
The merchant looked at Zhuge Liang and asked, "Oh? It seems like this is your first time coming to Qingshui County, right? Haha, this newspaper is our unique book in Qingshui County, and it records a lot of things..."
"Then give me a copy and let me see it." Zhao Yun handed over a few copper coins and exchanged them for a newspaper.
Zhuge Liang unfolded the newspaper and found that it was densely packed with various things.
There are mulberry farming, government orders, breeding, seasons, etc., as well as recent events in Qingshui County and regulations issued.
They were even worried that it would be difficult for ordinary people to understand, so they thoughtfully drew illustrations.
Everything is clear at a glance.
"The content of this record is too much, isn't it?" Zhao Yun murmured.
Zhuge Liang nodded and reminded: "Not to mention the contents of the record, look at the vendor just now, holding so many newspapers in his hands... How much manpower and material resources will be consumed if he copies them one by one?"
During the Three Kingdoms period, printing had not yet appeared, so people were usually hired to copy books.
This also leads to the fact that the right to study is in the hands of aristocratic families.
As for the common people and the heads of Guizhou, they are not qualified to read and write.
Between ordinary people and aristocratic families, there seems to be a huge gap that is difficult to bridge because of the shackles of knowledge.
"May I ask this shopkeeper, how many people did you employ to copy so many newspapers?" Zhao Yun grabbed the merchant and asked doubtfully.
Hearing this, the merchant smiled and held out five fingers.
"Fifty people?" Zhao Yun asked.
The merchant shook his head.
Zhuge Liang said: "That should be five hundred people?"
"No, no, no, I only hired five people to produce so many newspapers."
"Five people?" Zhuge Liang and Zhao Yun looked at each other in confusion.
The merchant counted on his fingers: "Of course, these five people can't all copy the newspaper. One of them is responsible for storage and one is responsible for food and daily life... Well, after all, it is just three people who are responsible for copying this newspaper. It can be done in one day. Print two hundred copies."
"Three people, copying 200 pieces?" Even with Zhuge Liang's intelligence, he couldn't figure it out at this moment.
The copying work is tedious and complicated, and there are only three people. Even if the brushes are sparkling, and they don't eat, drink or sleep for a day, it's impossible to copy so much, right?
"You don't believe it?"
Zhuge Liang shook his head and asked: "Is it possible that the three people you recruited are all knowledgeable and memorized, and have three heads and six arms, so they can copy very quickly?"
The merchant smiled and said: "My guest, what are you thinking about? These three people are all ordinary people. They only know simple words and their handwriting is crooked. How can they copy them?"
"Then why is this...?"
"This is because of the credit of our county magistrate. He invented printing and used only simple yellow mud to create characters one after another. Hundreds of copies can be printed every day!"
Zhuge Liang opened his eyes wide, printing? What typography?
Can the speed of transcription be increased so high?
In today's era, the value of books is very high. Some people even sew books with gold thread and customize special sandalwood boxes for the books.
"With so many newspapers printed every day, can they be sold?"
"Of course you can!" The merchant looked very proud when he talked about the county magistrate, and said loudly: "Two years ago, our county magistrate launched a literacy campaign, and now the people also know some simple words. Besides, there are also books in this newspaper. There are illustrations that are enough for the common people to understand.”
"The mulberry farming and breeding matters in this newspaper are of interest to the common people, so the supply of this newspaper exceeds demand every day."
"I see!"
Zhuge Liang understood. It seemed that the county magistrate was very talented, otherwise he would not know the printing technique. And looking at the people on the street, they are all smiling and smiling.
Obviously, this Qingshui County... is a peaceful and peaceful place.
Zhao Yun whispered: "Prime Minister, since there are talents in the wild, why don't we go and visit?"
Zhuge Liang thought for a while, then rejected the idea, shook his head and said: "The people in Qingshui County live and work in peace and contentment, and the county magistrate is also diligent and talented. Let them live a good life here and don't disturb them."
"Besides, we still have a lot of things to deal with, and we can't stay here for too long. Zhang He has already occupied the street pavilion and will cut off our retreat soon... We still have to put state affairs first."
"yes."
They wanted to leave, but they heard the merchant ask: "Two guests, are you from Shu?"
"how do you know?"
"Haha, I just made a wild guess. Our county magistrate is particularly fond of Zhuge Wuhou. He has said more than once that the foolish king of the Shu Han Dynasty has no talents and virtues and favors others. If it weren't for a wise man like Zhuge Wuhou, I just came to help, and Shu has been destroyed long ago..."
"ah??"
Zhuge Liang was confused again.
What is the composition of this county magistrate? Wasn't this Cao Wei's territory before?
Aren't you Wei Chen?
Why are you still a fan?
Isn't this an act of capitalizing on the enemy?
Seeing Zhuge Liang and Zhao Yun dumbfounded in front of him, the merchant hurriedly explained: "Our county magistrate often talks about Zhuge Wuhou's deeds. He was such a talented man, both civil and military, benevolent, righteous and moral. He was a model for the world's scholars... "
Zhuge Liang never expected that he would have such a prestigious reputation in this remote area.
"Ahem...what else did he say?"
The merchant said: "He also said that if he had come twenty years earlier, he would have kicked the big-eared thief away, and then he would have gone around the thatched cottage and tied Zhuge Wuhou out of the mountain!"
Zhuge Liang looked confused.
"How about... meet?" Zhao Yun suggested again.
"That's fine!"
Zhuge Liang nodded.
The two said goodbye to the merchants and walked towards the manor in the center of the city. After walking for about half an hour, they arrived at the gate of the manor. Zhao Yun wanted to announce his name, but was blocked by Zhuge Liang.
"The situation here is unknown, so we should be cautious. There is no need to reveal your identity, just say that he is a businessman from Sichuan."
"yes."
After handing over a greeting card and saying that he was a merchant from Sichuan, the gatekeeper hurried to report.
Not long after, guards led Zhuge Liang and the two into the manor.
"My adults are playing... busy with political affairs, so I will take you around."
The person who came out to greet them was Lu Qing. He made an invitation gesture and then invited the two of them into the house. As soon as they stepped through the door, the two of them felt dazzled.
I saw green bamboos planted on both sides, and a path paved with cobblestones in the middle.
Going further, there is a clear lake with koi carp swimming around, and beside the shore, rockery and jade are arranged in an extremely delicate way.
Bypassing the lake, there is a pavilion with a red pillar more than ten feet long at the four corners, which looks extremely strong.
The pavilion is surrounded by green trees and gurgling water, making it feel like walking into a fairyland.
Zhao Yun looked around and saw that the manor was very large and the layout was very exquisite. It was obvious that a lot of manpower and material resources had been spent. There were also many attractive women walking through it carrying fruit plates.
It is comparable to a royal palace.
He couldn't help but open his mouth and couldn't help but say: "Your county magistrate... really knows how to enjoy it!"
Lu Qing curled his lips: "Of course, for fun, my county magistrate is ranked second, and no one dares to be ranked first."
"But having fun like this is not what a wise person does."
Zhao Yun frowned and reminded: "Ordinarily, the county magistrate is so arrogant, extravagant and wasteful... As subordinates, shouldn't you remonstrate with him?"
"Hey, you're talking about this!" As soon as Lu Qing mentioned this, he immediately became energetic and explained: "Anyone who dares to speak out and advise the county magistrate will be dragged to do corvee work to build roads!"
"What?" Zhao Yun was stunned.
"Otherwise, do you think who built the roads in this city?"
"But this is against the law, isn't it?"
"What kind of law do you want? In our Qingshui County, what the county magistrate says is the law!"
"Then... what about the people? What if they don't obey?"
Lu Qing said nonchalantly: "Hey, the county magistrate has raised two thousand soldiers and a room full of crossbows and swords, all of which are almost rusty. Whoever dares to rebel will be killed by all the nine tribes the next day!"
Zhao Yun and Zhuge Liang looked at each other. They originally thought that Qingshui County was wealthy and peaceful, but it turned out that this was all an appearance...
It seems that this county magistrate is a cruel official!
He worked hard to squeeze the people to achieve such a prosperous situation.
"He is also a minister of Wei after all. What if the Wei court investigates him?"
Lu Qing rubbed his chin, shook his head and said, "My county magistrate was originally a bandit in the mountains. Later he killed the county magistrate here and became the county magistrate himself, so he doesn't care about the Wei Dynasty at all."
Zhao Yun looked at Zhuge Liang speechlessly, and Zhuge Liang also looked at Zhao Yun.
It turns out that this county magistrate has such a dark history!
As long as he has no morals, he cannot be sanctioned!
