If Fang Chongyong wants to brew a large amount of Honglianchun, a high-quality water source is a must. River water with high sediment content is definitely not suitable, and he cannot use well water in the city. To make good wine, a large number of mountain springs must be introduced. It is impossible to rely on manpower to pick them. The only way is to use bamboos to make "tap pipes" and connect them to draw water from the top of the mountain into the city.
Whether making tea or wine, mountain spring is the first choice.
The people in the city volunteered. Some went to the bamboo forest outside the city to cut moso bamboo, and some went to the mountains to survey the terrain and choose a suitable water diversion route. They all actively participated in it.
On this day, in the bamboo forest north of Kuizhou Fucheng, many woodcutters in the city were chopping bamboos with joy. Each bamboo was as thick as an adult's arm. After these people cut off the bamboo, they opened the center of the bamboo and placed it aside. This bamboo forest has turned into a huge construction site. Since the mountain spring on the top of the mountain is quite far away from the city, the amount of bamboo required is also quite staggering.
Zheng Shuqing took Fang Chongyong and Fang Laique to the bamboo forest to check the progress of the project, and they were all very satisfied with it.
"Making wine doesn't require a lot of fighting. It's enough to rely on manpower to carry water. Why do you suggest that we need to overhaul the spring water pipeline and divert the mountain spring into the city? This is all paid for by the government."
Zheng Shuqing asked in confusion that the "little money" for repairing pipelines had not yet been noticed by the governor. After all, he had already seen "big scenes" like hundreds of thousands of dollars, but he just felt that there was no need to be blind. Just tossing.
To be honest, next year he will either end up in Chang'an and serve as a branch official in the central government, or he will be dismissed from office and return to his hometown in Xingyang. It is impossible for him to continue to stay in Kuizhou and be a salted fish.
Zheng Shuqing's days in Kuizhou Fucheng have entered a countdown.
Adhering to the principle of doing less, it is better to do more than to do less. In fact, Zheng Shuqing did not want to build any water diversion pipelines. It's troublesome, there are too many things, and it won't be recorded in the official assessment. When doing things for the local area, only "prosperous culture and education" will be recorded in the assessment. No matter how much other things you do, it will be useless.
This is just like you can't write an essay after the question in a math test. No matter how well you write, you won't be able to score!
Although the Tang Dynasty explicitly required every state to open new schools and recommend civil servants for the imperial examinations, in actual implementation, the tone had completely changed and it was reduced to a certain degree of formalism.
To take the imperial examination, if you don't rent a house around Chang'an, it's just tofu with hemp rope: forget it.
Everyone knows that the imperial examinations in the Tang Dynasty were not anonymous. They were "catfish" created by meat-eaters in order to motivate the children of the family. Why does the imperial examination have to live near Chang'an? I can only say that everyone understands it, and there is no need to explain it so clearly!
Since they are all just fake, who are they acting for? Who would really walk towards death even though they know that a road is dead?
Therefore, in many places outside Guanzhong, people who have the financial and material resources to take the imperial examination do not care much about taking the imperial examination route. Not everyone in the Tang Dynasty aspired to the imperial examination. This trend was also related to the narrow way out.
Take Kuizhou, for example.
Kuizhou is far away from the political center, so naturally the level of culture and education is not that high. There are no decent scholars here.
The local people disdain the imperial examination and focus on the square hole in the middle of the money! If working and doing business can lead to a future, then why should I take the imperial examination to become a Jinshi?
Du Fu wrote a poem describing the local folk customs of Kuizhou:
The husband in the gorge definitely takes death lightly, and he spends less time in the public gate and more time in the water.
The rich drive a big boat when they are rich, but the poor give it to a wanderer.
The children's knowledge stopped at the Analects of Confucius, and the older children stopped traveling with businessmen.
In the eyes of the imperial court, Kuizhou is a place where "unruly people come out of poor mountains and poor waters", and all that matters is money! Zheng Shuqing also had this worry and didn't want to waste his energy on useless things.
He only reluctantly agreed after Fang Chongyong's hard persuasion, which does not mean how highly motivated he is.
"Your Majesty, it doesn't matter that you are in office in Kuizhou, but it will create a huge problem for the next governor of Kuizhou."
Fang Chongyong couldn't help but tease Zheng Shuqing. He picked up the half-cut moso bamboo from the ground and found that this kind of bamboo was indeed stronger. If there are no animals on the mountain (such as tigers) to damage it, this pipeline should last for a long time.
"Why did I create a problem for the next governor?"
Zheng Shuqing was puzzled by this question.
"Because Lord Shijun plundered hundreds of thousands of coins for the saint when he was in office. Although this was somewhat accidental, the saint must have thought that Kuizhou was rich and had underestimated this place in the past. In the future, he must increase his efforts to plunder it! Don't say it. If you are fishing near the lake, you should at least set the net a few times and open it wide.
It is conceivable that the next governor of Kuizhou will have a mountain of pressure on his shoulders. The saint asked him to make more money, and he would definitely use all his strength to do it. In this way, is it difficult to imagine whether the people of Kuizhou will live a better life or a more miserable life? "
Fang Chongyong stared at Zheng Shuqing's face with his round eyes and asked.
"This...is not something I can change."
Zheng Shuqing said quietly, not daring to look directly into Fang Chongyong's eyes.
"So, since your Majesty has brought such a big disaster to Kuizhou, isn't it reasonable for you to build a pipeline for the people in the city to lead to the mountain spring, so that the people can drink safe water, and do some good deeds for the local area? Is it what it should be?"
Fang Chongyong yelled at Zheng Shuqing.
"Been taught a lesson."
Zheng Shuqing bowed and saluted Fang Chongyong solemnly.
At this moment, someone in the crowd exclaimed: "Big bug! There is a big bug!"
Fang Chongyong was stunned. His first reaction was not to be afraid, but to recall what the big bug was.
The ancients called all animals "insects". Those that fly in the sky, walk on the ground, crawl or swim in the water are all called "insects".
Even people are called bugs. For example, a particularly lazy person is called a "lazy bug" and a particularly lecherous person is called a "slut."
Tigers are called big insects, snakes are called long insects, and fish are called scale insects. The "big" here means "boss, number one" and describes the tiger as very powerful. The ancestor of Li Tang was called Li Hu. Obviously, this word was taboo in the Tang Dynasty, so tiger could not be called tiger. In written language, it was generally called "beast" (there are also poems directly written about tiger).
Folks generally call tigers "big insects".
"Master, step back, slave, come and hold the big insect back!"
Fang Laique stepped forward with an ax in hand and stood in front of Fang Zhongyong.
Zheng Shuqing, the governor of Kuizhou, was so frightened that he almost wanted to leave first, but he couldn't move.
The woodcutters who were chopping moso bamboo were shouting and running, but they couldn't care about Zheng Shuqing and the others. With a monthly salary of 800 yuan, you can’t do anything for anyone.
After all, it was Zheng Shuqing and the others who had not been in Kuizhou for a long time. They had always had smooth sailing and lost awe of the ferocity of nature, let alone Fang Chongyong who didn't even know the local roads.
Tigers in many places are afraid of people, but Kuizhou is different. Kuizhou Tiger lived among the Liao people and even became direct neighbors. Outside the capital city of Kuizhou, tigers are accustomed to crowds of people, and there is no fear of them at all. It is common for tigers to sneak into rural houses in Kuizhou.
The local Han people were also imitators. They cut down trees as fences and surrounded the four courtyards as barriers to prevent tigers.
In Kuizhou, Fucheng and Jiangdi Ferry are one world, and the mountains outside Fucheng are another world.
Du Fu wrote a poem about the suffering of local tigers in Kuizhou: The gorge is four thousand miles wide and contains hundreds of water sources. Humans and tigers live half-way with each other, and they end up hurting each other.
"Get out of the way and watch me give it a sliding shovel!"
Fang Chongyong snatched the bamboo-chopping ax from Fang Laique's hand, held it tightly with both hands, and looked straight at the colorful tiger in the distance that was dozens of steps away! The tiger stared at Fang Chongyong and his group, seeming to be calculating which one was more delicious.
After all, a tiger can only eat one person at a time! Eating others means that you are safe.
Zheng Shuqing regretted sending Yang Ruoxu to Yangzhou to deliver taxes. If Lao Yang was here, it would be difficult to be a tiger-fighting hero with his ability to hit the opponent's arrows without missing a beat, but forcing the tiger back would not be a big problem.
At this moment, the sound of desolate rhinoceros horns sounded, accompanied by the loud beating of drums!
A dozen or so men wearing double-breasted vests and shorts were rushing towards the tiger!
That’s right, it’s not the tiger attacking the man, but the man attacking the tiger!
The tiger slapped a certain soldier down with one paw, but the man rolled over to remove the force of the blow. A man who was traveling with him took advantage of the tiger's distraction and instantly shot out the bow and arrow in his hand, hitting the tiger in the eye!
The tiger roared in pain and rolled on the ground crazily!
Soon enough, several officials rushed forward. One person held down a part of the tiger and pressed it to the ground. The others rushed up and tied up the tiger with ropes three times and five times divided by two. Be strict.
Not to mention Fang Chongyong, even Zheng Shuqing was dumbfounded by the skill of fighting the tiger. If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he would never have believed it was true.
Most people are terrified when they see a tiger, but this group of officials treated the tiger like a stray dog. Fang Chongyong's "sliding shovel" was temporarily out of use, but he also saved his life, which was regarded as an escape from the tiger's mouth.
When the officials saw Fang Chongyong and his group, they naturally recognized Zheng Shuqing's official robes and warmly invited them to a nearby residence.
Unable to resist the hospitality, Zheng Shuqing sent an entourage back to report the news, and he led Fang Chongyong and Fang Laique to follow the group of officials to their residence.
It was a protruding flat land on the mountainside, with half of it hanging in the air!
The Liao people used many thick round wooden piles to support a huge "wooden courtyard". The space underneath was about half a person's height and was filled with debris and firewood.
Although the courtyard is not big, it is well-equipped. Not only does it have a shockingly large wooden water tank, which contains many white and slender silverfish, but there are also several cormorants with ropes around their necks.
To the Liao people, cormorants are like hunting dogs, specially trained for fishing.
After a while, these servants brought a ring-shaped cake. It looks like the twists made by Fang Chongyong in his previous life, with caramel made by himself on top.
This thing looks very difficult to make! Not to mention the Liao people, even if the Han people come to play, they can't often eat it.
"Jia Sixie's essential skills for improving the people include: steam and wrap the cupcakes in a seven-inch square, boil the rice, ginger, orange peel, parsley, garlic, salt, finely chop and boil the grits with black bean juice, and apply oil on the rugs , wrap it with a cross, put the grits on top, and bend it with grits again. This ring-shaped cake is the cabinet.
I have forgotten that today is a big day for the Liao people, and that tiger is used for sacrifice! "
Zheng Shuqing said suddenly.
The local Liao people in Kuizhou hold a large-scale sacrifice on October 1st every year, which is called "Zi Chen" by the Liao people. On this day, no matter how much grudges we have, we must put them aside and celebrate and worship together.
After listening to Zheng Shuqing's talk about these local common things, Fang Chongyong suddenly realized: No wonder the Liao people came out to catch tigers during the festival today, no wonder they were cordially invited to come here as guests. This is all the reason.
The Liao people caught the tiger not because the tiger was easy to bully, but because they wanted to celebrate the festival. Such complicated food is not made for the sake of appetite, but for celebration. Inviting Fang Chongyong and his party to come as guests was not only Zheng Shuqing's face, but also one of the main reasons why they were celebrating the festival.
"There are no horses in Liao Ren Mountain, so it's really strange that saddles are used as wall accessories."
Fang Chongyong couldn't help sighing and sighed, taking a mouthful of the cupcake. A strong "local flavor" filled his mouth. He swallowed it with difficulty and refused to touch it a second time. On the other hand, Fang Laique ate with gusto, as if every food was delicious in his mouth and he couldn't refuse it.
The Liao people are based on large families, which can barely be regarded as tribes. There are about ten men in a family, and there are more women than men. The clan leader came to salute Zheng Shuqing, and brought the teenage boy who had just shot the tiger blind with an arrow to Zheng Shuqing, and asked Zheng Shuqing in jerky Chinese whether he still needed any followers.
Fang Chongyong and Zheng Shuqing looked at each other, and the sentimental gang was ambushing them here. If someone invites you to visit, they must have something to ask for, and it won't be without purpose.
Even if the Liao people have been self-sufficient in the mountains and forests for a long time, they will inevitably go in and out of Kuizhou's capital city from time to time. Otherwise, they would not recognize Zheng Shuqing as the governor of Kuizhou, let alone have the idea of going out of the mountains. Many children of Liao people followed merchants passing through Kuizhou and served as guides or escorts. Information from the outside may be delayed, but it was never cut off.
"I am going back to Chang'an. In the future, I will be an official in the central government office and will not need any guards."
Zheng Shuqing pondered for a moment and said.
The Liao tribe leader's face obviously darkened a lot.
"But this one."
Zheng Shuqing pointed at Fang Chongyong and said: "His father is the supervisory censor of the imperial court. He is a big official and needs people around him. Do you think this will work..."
Having said this, he winked at Fang Chongyong, signaling the other party to agree.
Although the followers of Liao people have many shortcomings compared with ordinary Han people, they also have an advantage that no one else can match: interpersonal relationships are extremely simple!
Merchants here often hire servants as escorts and guides, because they are worried about being in an unfamiliar place and being killed by people with evil intentions! Even if the officials want to kill people and get goods, they have no channel to sell the stolen goods! The circle of officials also pays great attention to this kind of thing and deliberately avoids these conflicts.
Fang Chongyong pondered for a moment, and suddenly understood. He has nothing to offer now, and as a half-grown child, he can be easily controlled by others. If Fang Lai Que is brave, he is brave, and there is no problem with loyalty, but he is really cute and stupid, and is useless at critical moments.
As he was about to leave Kuizhou, he really needed someone with simple interpersonal relationships as his personal bodyguard. This young Liao man can be regarded as having a "life-saving grace", so it is better to take it for his own use.
Fang Chongyong nodded slightly and said, "Follow me from now on. What's your name?"
"A Duan."
The young man with superb archery skills said in a deep voice.
