Xiao Yi said with some embarrassment: "Every insect has its own unspeakable difficulties, so you don't have to ask anymore." Zhu Haiyi looked at Xiao Yi and said, "Sir." Xiao Yi said: "The people of Jinyang I'll leave it to you." Then he took a few steps back, looked at Zhu Haiyan, bowed and saluted, and said, "Zhu Da Chong, Xiao Yi, I'll take my leave now." Zhu Haiyan looked at Xiao Yi and returned the greeting, "Sir, all the way. Take care." Xiao Yi just said the word "good". Then he got into the car and led the disciples behind him slowly away. Zhu Haiyi looked at Xiaoyi's retreating figure, making him unable to leave for a long time. He stood there and just sighed, then got into the carriage behind him and drove back.
Zhu Haiyan drove to Jinyang City, stopped in front of the general's mansion, and entered the general's mansion on foot. General Daoyan, Jinyang Ling, and all the local officials and generals all stood up and said: "The county guard is a big insect." Zhu Haiyan looked at the officials and generals standing on both sides and said: "Generals and big insects, please sit down. Come on." The generals and officials sat on both sides. Zhu Haiyan sat next to the commander and said: "I don't understand war. In general, General Dao Yan is in charge of all military and national affairs. Jinyang Ling and I are responsible for the people's farming and production, providing military grain and material supplies and other civil issues." , I wonder, generals, what do you think about this?" The generals and you big insects clapped their hands and said, "Cai! We have no objection to this." Zhu Haiyan looked at General Dao Yan and asked, "Dao Yan General, before I came here, I heard that the drought in Jinyang was very serious. What I want to ask is how the people of Jinyang are settling in now?" General Dao Yan said: "The drought in Jinyang has basically been alleviated and production has been improved. Recover." Zhu Haiyi said: "Okay."
After the discussion is over. Zhu Haiyan, accompanied by General Dao Yan, walked into the place where Xiao Yi once lived. Zhu Haiyan asked: "Is this the place where Mr. Dao Yan once taught?" General Dao Yan replied: "Yes, Big Chong. "Zhu Haiyan walked into the auditorium. There was a portrait of Confucius hanging in front of him, with the characters "Heaven, Earth, Lord, Dear, Teacher" written on one side. Confucius is the teacher of thousands of people, and the little ant is determined to promote Confucian morality like Confucius. It looks up and sees a plaque with the title "Insect Saint in the Literary Circle". This is the highest praise it can receive from the people. Zhu Haiyan looked up at the plaque and said: "Sir, he has preached benevolence and righteousness throughout his life and is a great Confucian of our Zhao country. Your ambition lies not in a vassal state, but in the world, to realize the return of benevolence to the world." General Dao Yan said: "Sir, he is like It is the sun in the sky, and its benevolence and righteousness are like rays of light shining on the earth. We can only raise our eyes and look up at it." Zhu Haiyan turned to look at General Daoyan and said: "This is my county governor's mansion, and I always take this as my home. Remind me to keep the people of Jinyang in my heart." General Dao Yan said: "Okay, that's what I meant." Zhu Haiyan just nodded with a smile, and General Dao Yan withdrew. It is very close to the General's Mansion, so you can discuss with the General any important military and state affairs.
The next day, Zhu Haiyan took a servant and went out incognito to inspect the people's sentiments here. Looking at their outfits, they look like two ordinary people. The master and servant walked out of the governor's house together. The servant asked: "Master, where are we going?" Zhu Haiyan said: "Go visit the people and understand the local conditions and customs here." The servant said with some confusion: "Master, you can tell me to go down to investigate and come back. Just report it to the master, why do you need the master to leave in person?" Zhu Haiyan reprimanded: "You have been following me for so long, if you don't go there in person, how can you still understand the real people's sentiments?"
They walked to the bustling street, where there were many shops, restaurants, and insects coming and going. They were walking among the swarms of insects. There were traders selling horses or animal skins here. After inquiring, it was found that these traders came from Zhongshan Kingdom. There is a dazzling array of goods here, and everything you need is available. Its prosperity is equivalent to Handan, the capital of Zhao State. When they were tired of walking, they looked for a wine shop. They walked into a wine shop and took a rest. Here, the hall is full, and they are just looking for a corner to sit down. It's okay to sit here, by the window, and you can overlook the entire street scene of Jinyang City and the swarms of insects coming and going. It seems that General Dao Yan manages this place very well.
At the end of the Spring and Autumn Period, the Jin Dynasty was in chaos. The three families of Han, Wei and Zhao defeated Zhibo and divided the three families into Jin. The first king of Zhao made his capital here in Jinyang. Later, the territory expanded eastward and the capital was moved to Handan in the south. Jinyang became the military center of the Zhao State, and there were constant wars. Especially the Zhongshan State was a thorn in the side of the great powers in the Central Plains. It was always a headache to curb the development of the Zhao State.
The waiter came forward, bowed and greeted with a smile: "Two guests, what would you like to order?" Zhu Haiyan said: "One roast chicken, Roujiamo from Qin State, two liang of donkey meat, and one bottle of wine. Altar." After hearing this, the waiter said: "Sir, please wait a moment."
Zhu Haiying and his servants sat aside and looked at the guest insects sitting next to them. These guest insects were talking about the little ant praying for rain, each one speaking more energetically than the other. Zhu Haiyan looked at them and said, "Brothers, can you come over and sit down." These guests looked at Zhu Haiyan and his servants sitting behind them and said, "Who are you?" Zhu Haiyan said with a smile. "We, the two insects, have just arrived in Jinyang. We don't know much about this place yet. Would you like to make a few more friends?" Several guest insects sat over and asked, "Where did you come from? Where are you going? Go?" Zhu Haiyan said: "We came from Meng County, intending to settle down in Jinyang and find something to do." A worm began to worry about it and said: "Jinyang is very unsafe. When there is a war, especially in the Zhongshan Kingdom, these beetles will kill every insect they see. They rushed into a village and killed hundreds of insects. How miserable! You didn't see it." Another insect said: "You said so That's not right. There is a general in our Jinyang City. He is the God of War for our people. He once defeated the powerful Qin State. As long as he is around, those beetles dare not invade. A few months ago, we in Jinyang The army fought with the Zhongshan Kingdom army, and the generals went in and out seven times, killing several generals of the enemy country and defeated them." After saying this, he looked very proud. Zhu Haiyan looked at them and said, "You're talking about General Dao Yan, right?" They were stunned and said, "How do you know?" Zhu Haiyan said with a smile, "Hearsay, hearsay."
After a long time, all the dishes it ordered were served. The Zhuhai ant personally poured wine for them and said: "We can't finish all these dishes, so you can eat." Another insect said: "You are a good insect." The Zhuhai ant said: "It's a new arrival. I want to know more. Make some friends, maybe this is my sincerity." Then he said: "We are not hungry, you can eat." They were eating meat and drinking heavily, and the servants sitting next to them were drooling. .
Zhu Haiyi asked: "What were you talking about just now?" One insect said: "Five days ago, we had a gentleman in Jinyang. His name is Xiaoyi." Zhu Haiyi said: "I know Xiaoyi, he It is the insect saint of our Zhao country, and both the king and the prime minister respect it." When the little ants were mentioned, they became energetic. An insect stood up and said: "In other words, the insect saint ant came to Jinyang and did two great things for the people of Jinyang, you know." The Zhuhai ant nodded and said: "Well, you say." This one The insect was chatting and spitting, saying: "Speaking of the severe drought in Jinyang, there is no harvest in the fields, the earth is baked by the scorching sun, and there are handfuls of loess when you pick it up. We people are miserable. Accompanied by the general and the big insect from Jinyang, it went to the altar to pray for rain, but it was amazing. It said it would rain after midnight, and sure enough it started to rain after midnight. We people are very grateful to it and miss it." Zhu Haiyan Then he asked: "What about the second big thing?" The insect said: "It is to kill the wizard. A wizard appeared in Jinyang. He deceived gods and ghosts, violated the laws of nature, and said that a girl was a demon. We wanted to kill this girl. The girl was burned to death on the altar. It went up to the altar to save the little girl, but with a wave of its long sword, the wizard's insect head fell to the ground." Another insect sighed after hearing this, Sighing: "Alas! What a pity, what a pity!" Zhu Haiyan asked: "What are you pity for?" The insect said: "It has left us in Jinyang." There were ten thousand reluctances in its heart. Zhu Haiyan said: "Sir, his ambition is for the world. The people of the world are still suffering from the war. This is what he can't bear to see. If you want to save the people of the world, you must leave Jinyang and our country of Zhao. Do you miss me?" I miss it too and am waiting for it to come back.”
Zhu Haiyan and his servant walked out of the wine shop, but the servant said with an aggrieved face: "Master, do you think I'm still hungry? I finally ordered so many delicious foods, but they have eaten them all." Zhu Haiyan took out his food. When the Roujiamo came out, he said, "Look, what did I bring you?" The servant said happily, "It's the Roujiamo from Qin. Master, you can eat it first." Zhu Haiyan said, "I'm not hungry yet. You Eat first."
The Zhuhai ants walked between the fields. The grains grown at that time were millet, millet, broomcorn millet, wheat, rice, as well as beetroot, sorghum and other crops. The grains were the staple food. There is abundant rain in this season, which is the time to plant rice, but the common people eat hemp seeds. Cereals are mainly given to the court as salary or used as military rations. Zhu Haiyan stood on the bank of the field, raised his trouser legs, and was about to go down to the field. The servant at the side dissuaded him: "Master, you can't go to the fields." Zhu Haiyan scolded him again: "My ancestors have been common people for generations, why, now their status has changed." The servant could only lift up his trouser legs and talk to Zhu Haifan. The ants went down to the fields together and worked with the people.
Zhu Haiyan asked an old man: "Dad, this year must be a good harvest year." The old man stood up and looked up at the sky and said: "It depends on God. If God still doesn't rain, we people will starve again." ." Zhu Haiyan asked: "Didn't it rain the day before yesterday?" The old man said: "A gentleman came to the city to pray for rain for us people and saved our lives. We all respect him. But We common people are still suffering! Most of the harvest must be handed over to the nobles in the city, otherwise they will be severely beaten." Before dawn, there were domestic slaves urging them to get up to work or hand over food. They are said to be civilians, one level higher than slaves, and don't they suffer the same as slaves? No matter it's raining or the sun is blazing, you have to go to the fields to work, working day and night. When will it end! When they got sick, they couldn't afford to pay for a doctor, so they had to lie at home and wait to die. Zhu Haiyan said: "The imperial court will reduce your taxes." The old man said: "These officials protect each other and engage in corruption at all levels. There is really not much left in the hands of us ordinary people."
After Zhu Haiyan heard this, he was speechless. These nobles or ministers are backed by high-ranking officials, who protect each other. Even Prime Minister Bai Ding was born into a noble family. There is nothing he can do about it, because the first level of officialdom is the most powerful one, and no official dares to touch it. Even Zhu Haiyan did not dare to touch this red line, because touching this red line was equivalent to shaking the Prime Minister Bai Ding.
Zhu Haiyan returned to the governor's house, looked up at the portrait of Confucius, and said, "Sir, what should I do?" He could only report it to the court, write down the actual situation here in the memorial, and ask the king to reduce taxes, so as to provide relative relief to the people. burden.
