Chapter 220: The rich are feasting and drinking, while the poor are freezing on the streets (Subscription Request)
wind.

It pours down from the northern part of Yanshan Mountain uncontrollably.

Bringing the biting cold of the Far North.

It also swept down the snow on the rolling peaks of the Yanshan Mountains.

The area in the northern part of Miyun County, located at the foot of the Yanshan Mountains, is still bustling with activity.

In this bitingly cold and unseasonable weather.

Miyun presents a lively scene where officials and citizens are enthusiastic and jointly govern their hometown.

Because there were so many people involved, the snow that had accumulated in the previous days had already mixed with the soil at the mountain pass where the dam was to be built.

Pitch-black routes, with the mountain pass as the core, extend in all directions, coiling across the land like black dragons.

"Grandpa, how long are we going to do this?"

The snow stopped, and even half-grown boys had to go out to perform the corvee labor that the government had just set.

The leeward side of the mountain pass.

The skinny old man who was putting soil into a sack looked up with sunken eyes at his grandson, whose face was red and cracked from the cold.

"When we can't do it anymore..."

The young man didn't quite understand when this would happen, and could only use his swollen red hands to hold open the sack.

Several government supervisors and those who were originally idle in the countryside and now worked as third-shift detectives hid in a thatched shed with a coal stove, looking outside from time to time to check the progress.

"quick!"

"We're still chatting!"

"If the construction progress is any slower today, no one will be able to eat!"

The grandfather and grandson, who were packing soil, quickly quickened their movements.

But they are one old and one young, so they don’t have enough strength in their hands.

A middle-aged man walked over, covered in mud and hot.

heat.

It's because of the constant work, the fever in the body, and the current weather that can freeze people to death.

The middle-aged man glanced at the thatched hut that was glowing with red fire, turned his back and spat.

Take the shovel from the old man.

"Let me do it."

The old man bowed his head and said, "Someone has to do it."

The middle-aged man frowned and said, "Have you forgotten how this kid's father died?"

There was no reaction on the old man's face, he just glanced at his grandson.

The child is also a little confused.

The middle-aged man sighed and shook his head: "We have to let the child live."

As he spoke, the middle-aged man still held the shovel and began to fill the sack with soil.

Wait until a bag is filled.

The middle-aged man wanted to carry it to the other side of the mountain pass, and have others pile it on the dam that was already ten feet high.

But the old man refused.

"We all have to work. My family has to work, and your family has to work too. We can't let you fall down..."

As he spoke, the old man picked up a full bag of soil on his back that could not straighten up, and walked towards the dam at the mountain pass under the gaze of the middle-aged man and his grandson.

heaven.

The heavy snow stopped.

But scattered snowflakes began to fall again.

The old man turned the corner and disappeared from the sight of the middle-aged man and his grandson.

A long muddy road where snow, water and soil blend together.

The old man was carrying a sack, and there were countless people in front and behind him, just like him.

The old man carried the sack and looked towards the mountain pass where there were more people ahead.

More people gathered.

Even in such icy and snowy conditions, the entire mountain pass was steaming hot.

That was the sweat of the Miyun people who were performing corvee labor for the government.

The old man walked silently, thinking that as long as he finished this busy winter, everyone would be able to live a good life next year as the government officials said.

suddenly.

The old man slowed down his pace.

There was a pothole on the muddy road ahead.

That's where my son fell yesterday.

There was no expression on the old man's wrinkled face.

"And the children..."

"And the children..."

After muttering a few words, the old man gritted his teeth and continued to move forward.

There was a clang.

The ground was covered with snow.

"fall down!"

"Another one fell!"

Many people gathered on the muddy road around.

Not far from the previous pit, there was another pit.

"I am frozen..."

"My stomach is flat..."

Loading place.

The child was still holding the sack and looked at the uncle who picked up his grandfather's shovel.

"When grandpa comes back, it will be my turn to carry the sack."

"Let Grandpa rest for a while..."

The middle-aged man forced a smile on his face: "Be good, I'll carry it later. You stay here, it's sheltered from the wind...it's warm..."

A cold wind blew.

The middle-aged man's teeth chattered.

……

"hot."

"Open the window."

Miyun County Government Office.

Houya.

There was a smokeless and fragrant charcoal stove in the house, burning fiercely and emitting endless heat in all directions.

There was music coming from the side room.

The actors sang the most authentic Kunqu opera tunes of the time.

A piece of peace.

In the main hall.

The wine is fragrant and the dishes are exquisite.

During the banquet.

There are several people sitting there.

He was the one wearing the red robe and sat in the main seat.

Everyone had a smile on their face and their faces were flushed.

Xu Fan looked to the side and spoke.

A woman swayed, walked to the window and gently pushed it open.

Outside, in the courtyard, tall and straight pines stand like dragons wandering among the rocks.

The falling snow weighs down the branches, alternating between white and green, all of which convey a sense of simplicity.

The window is open.

The cold wind penetrated through the window and entered the house. After being heated by the stove, it became a breeze that brushed the face, which was extremely comfortable.

Xu Fan held the wine glass in his hand and looked around at everyone present.

The magistrate of Miyun County seemed a little uneasy. He only dared to sit halfway on the stool, and his eyes kept looking towards the door.

On the contrary, the county magistrate and the county clerk seemed calm, even with flattering smiles on their faces, and they looked at Xu Fan who was sitting in the main seat from time to time.

They are all from Miyun.

As for the rest of the people present, they were mostly local gentry and wealthy families in Miyun.

As for merchants?

You don't deserve to sit here.

Xu Fan raised his glass and signaled to everyone.

Everyone immediately held up their wine glasses with both hands.

"Let me offer a toast to the Lord."

"The Lord of the Palace has come to our Miyun, which means that the great and kind man of Qingtian has come to Miyun."

"With the arrival of the Palace Master, good days for Miyun are coming."

"We are waiting for your respect!"

Everyone spoke flattering words.

Xu Fan, on the other hand, sat quietly enjoying the wine with a slight smile on his face, and moved his hand slightly towards the wine glass.

Drink the full cup.

"Where does the clear sky come from? Where does the great philanthropist come from? You are speaking too highly of me."

Xu Fan spoke with a smile on his face.

He glanced at everyone and finally took a look at the Miyun County Magistrate.

Although this guy still looked frightened after being scolded by me, he didn't dare to say anything.

Xu Fan put down his wine glass, raised his hands, and bowed towards the direction of the capital.

"The emperor is wise and has implemented many good policies."

"I am only here to do some work under orders from the Emperor."

This is said politely.

But who among those present dared to take it seriously?

There was another round of flattery.

Xu Fan had already restrained his expression and said in a deep voice: "However... the Miyun reservoir needs to be built faster. The two dams must be built before the beginning of spring."

Miyun County Magistrate immediately clasped his fists, held his head high, and said solemnly: "Although the governor is young, his wisdom and talent are not as short-sighted as ours. It just so happens that God has a good eye this year and it snowed heavily. The governor can give an order to build two dams, and when the snow accumulates in the mountains and thaws in spring, the reservoir will naturally be filled with water. If it weren't for the governor, how could we have thought of doing this."

Xu Fan just smiled and shook his head: "It's just going with the flow."

Said something.

Xu Fan changed the subject and said, "It's just that when we do things, we still need to be united."

As he said this, Xu Fan glanced at the Miyun County Magistrate.

He continued, "But recently, although I am in charge of the county government, I often hear people below talking about how the weather has been getting colder recently and the people are unwilling to go out to work?"

This statement came out.

The atmosphere at the table suddenly became tense.

The county clerk slammed the table and said solemnly: "Don't worry, Your Excellency! Which peasant dares not to come out to work? I will take the people and take him to the dam to work!"

It seems that he feels Miyun's attitude is not firm enough.

The county clerk continued to shout, "Even if a thousand people die! Even if ten thousand people die! These two dams must be built! We will not delay the master's grand plan!"

Xu Fan looked relieved.

A Miyun gentry at the table also spoke slowly, "The common people are ignorant, and have no idea of ​​the government's painstaking efforts. If we suffer today, we will enjoy happiness tomorrow. Your Excellency, please forgive me. In the future, such voices will never reach your ears again."

Xu Fan immediately looked at the other party and nodded, saying, "That's good. We must make it clear to the people. This is all for their future good."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Xu Fan then spoke up and said, "I think the so-called way of governing the people in Changping is just like this. Although there is a college in Changping now, the people outside the college are all ordinary people who are not literate and have no poetry, books, or farming and reading.

"Miyun has reformed the law and governed the people this time, and we will have to rely on you good people in the future. When the dam is built, the fields in various places should be leveled and divided again. At that time, we will have to trouble each family to lead the people and farm peacefully.

I will also lobby the imperial court with all my strength to build a textile factory and invite the people of Miyun to work in the factory to make cotton-padded clothes and uniforms for the imperial army."

All the gentry and wealthy families in Miyun present there looked around, nodded, and spoke in praise.

Wait until the Miyun reservoir is built this time.

The fields of Miyun will also be taken over by those present here.

At that time, those people only need to concentrate on farming, and they will naturally be responsible for passing on poetry and books.

As for the textile mills.

It's just a matter of asking the county government to issue an official document to conscript labor service.

When the time comes, let those peasants bring their own rations and go to the factory to work.

Everyone saw that Xu Fan had already made a promise.

There was an exchange of glances.

They all raised their glasses and stood up.

"Fu Zun."

"Let us toast to the Lord!"

Xu Fan's face was also flushed, and he stood up with a smile.

"Everyone!"

"Drink this cup together!"

During the banquet.

Push the cup to change the cup.

What a harmonious atmosphere.

outside the house.

The light snow turned into heavy snow again.

It was snowing heavily and the sky was grey.

A few ants were walking in a line under the corner of the wall.

But after a short while, he was frozen to the ground.

A gust of wind blew.

snow.

Just cover up the ants.

…………

Monthly ticket recommendation ticket

　When I wrote this chapter today, I felt very uncomfortable. I wrote it very slowly and with great difficulty.

I was worried that if I wrote it, the gentlemen would be disgusted and abandon the book, but I felt that I had to write it.

The people are suffering from many sad things, but the bureaucrats turn a blind eye and ignore the people.

After finishing this chapter, I couldn't help but sigh, lit a cigarette, but didn't take many puffs.

In the magnificent river of history, a few words often represent the entire life of a group of people.

In the first few chapters of the book, some readers said that the protagonist’s ideals were too great and glorious. In fact, what I want to say here today is.

Perhaps, each protagonist is an author. At least, I hope my protagonist can change something.

Even if it's a very small change. Of course, novels are still novels, and the plot where the protagonist pretends to be cool and makes his godfathers happy must be written! Let's just read it lightly!

I hope you all will not give up, and work together to change this damn world!

　
(End of this chapter)