Damn it, I'm in the garbage book I wrote

Chapter 803 Jade Dragon's Golden Light Shines Brightly Across the World
The power switch was turned on, and the few lamps in the Fuliang government office flickered a few times before lighting up. The brightness was average, but far superior to candlelight.

Almost simultaneously, the main street in front of the county government office was also illuminated by the lights, the warm incandescent bulbs making the street look like the rising sun.

For some reason, the surrounding people came forward to investigate. What they saw shocked them: although it was night, the lights along the entire street illuminated everything clearly.

Countless people tried to touch the light bulb hanging high on the wooden pole, but anyone who did manage to touch it would cry out and pull their hand back.

"Hot!" The person burned by the light bulb shook his hand and jumped down, but his face was full of excitement. He even kept staring at the light bulb above his head, unwilling to look away even though it was dazzling and painful.

And this lamp was lit all night long. Many idle people didn't go home at all that night. They gathered around the lamp in twos and threes, just to see when it would go out and when the lamp oil needed to be changed.

Unfortunately, the streetlights didn't go out until dawn, when the sky suddenly brightened, which made them feel incredibly surreal and magical.

Just as they were discussing what this rare thing was, the gates of the yamen were opened, and several officials carrying notices came out. When the people outside saw the officials come out, one of the familiar local constables stepped forward and asked, "Any news about the Lu family's son? What's that lamp outside?"

"Uncle Gou, they'll tell you soon enough. If you want to hear the excitement, go to the city gate."

Although it's called the city gate, it's really just the entrance to Fuliang. Fuliang doesn't have city walls, but everyone is used to calling this place the city gate because news from Fuliang is usually released here, and then officials will be there to explain it to the people. So, in Fuliang, hearing "see you at the city gate" usually means good news is coming.

Many people followed the officials to the city gate. They first posted the notice on the notice board, then turned around and said: "After discussion, it has been decided that the night market on the four streets around the county government will be fully opened from today. All merchants who wish to set up shop should report their identities to the government before the 15th of this month. After review, they can open for business on their own. Selected merchants will need to pay a management fee and sanitation fee of one tael and five mace of silver per year."

A little over one tael of silver a year is not a small amount, but those present thought about it carefully and realized that if the place was really as brightly lit as it was last night, then the amount of silver was indeed not a large sum.

However, it's only the beginning of the month, so let's see how things go in the next few days.

In the days that followed, the four streets surrounding the yamen were brightly lit. Children began to play around, and some elderly people would come here after nightfall to set up a chessboard and sit there until late at night.

Besides these four streets, there is also a small park not far away that is also brightly lit. Every night, it attracts many people to read and chat. Many young men and women even compare the lights to moonlight and whisper sweet nothings in front of everyone.

Of course, some students from poor families would come here to read and do their homework, which was an excellent place. The very next day, a small shed was built in the park, with a lamp installed inside. Although it looked out of place, everyone could tell at a glance that it was a place to read for those poor students.

Xia Lin once said that his ability was only that of a county magistrate, and he was only suitable to be a county magistrate. Within a county, he could ensure everything, but when it came to governing a country, his ability was indeed limited. But that didn't matter, because he could cultivate qualified people, because he was certain that people who grew up under such a light would have a scale in their hearts.

However, he didn't rest after the power was connected. In the past few days, he has been running around the reservoir and both sides of the Changjiang River, afraid that there might be some problems with those precious water turbines. Fortunately, because he had some technical reserves and made sufficient preparations before starting, the water turbines are running smoothly and can generate electricity evenly through gear limit. Now it depends on whether they can run for a long time. Generating electricity and storing water during the day and generating electricity and lights at night is a really good cycle.

In the end, we still have to rely on mobile phones. How did they even figure this out? If it were Xia Lin himself, he'd probably still be researching how to boil water to death.

But if he chooses to die on this path, he might not even see the street lit up with lights on the day he dies.

As for the reservoir, it is still storing water, and the staff around it are busy recording data, which is quite interesting to watch.

"I can't rest, I can't rest!" Xia Lin stretched his limbs on the dam, then sat down and stared blankly into space.

He didn't have this much pressure before; he could just charge around like a brute. But now he's become much more cautious because he carries the unconditional trust and hope of countless people. Even if it means betraying that trust, he absolutely has to persevere.

No joke. If it weren't for Xia Lin, no one else in the world could possibly raise millions of taels of silver in a single day. What is this? It's because the common people are willing to trust Xia Lin. They are the most honest and the most shrewd. To be able to get money from them so easily, Xia Lin's life must have been worthwhile.

But just being worthwhile isn't enough, right? He needs more people to trust him and support him, and that requires him to do more.

"Lord Xia, please have something to eat."

Someone went to the cafeteria and brought Xia Lin a meal. After taking the bowl and chopsticks, Xia Lin sighed softly, a hint of loneliness on her face.

"Lord Xia doesn't look happy."

"Of course I'm not happy," Xia Lin continued, then sighed, "It's alright, you guys go and get some rest."

But the person who came didn't leave; instead, he sat down next to Xia Lin. Xia Lin turned his head and saw Xiao Chenzi, whom he hadn't seen for many years. Xiao Chenzi, whom he met again, was no longer the fair-skinned, slick-haired young man he once was; instead, he looked like a weathered, unshaven middle-aged man.

"How did you come?"

“I arrived this morning. Didn’t you tell me to come back to relieve you? I need to come here in person to get the marshal’s seal.” Xiao Chenzi beckoned to Xia Lin with his finger: “Smoke.”

Xia Lin took out a cigarette and handed it to him. He skillfully took one out and lit it. After exhaling a puff, he frowned and asked, "Why does this taste different?"

"It was specially made for me by Dongniang, and it's different from your datura tobacco."

"This is boring." Xiao Yezi threw down her cigarette. "What are the plans for the future? I have nothing to do now."

Xia Lin did not deny it, because there is no doubt that a mature general will be replaced after being rotated out of command, otherwise there might be a problem of him holding too much power and becoming too influential, after all, they are the ones who are rotated out of command.

"By the way, how did you manage to switch garrisons with Liu Heita's troops?"

"Liu Heita launched a northern expedition against Huangya Pass, and Ye Liangchen cleverly devised a series of schemes." Xiao Chenzi lay down on the grass and said, "We changed locations easily. It wasn't difficult at all. It's no big deal for me. I'm a famous general."

His words made Xia Lin burst into laughter, and he turned to pat Xiao Chenzi's thigh: "Yes, yes, a famous general."

But jokes aside, Xiao Chenzi is indeed a top-notch general now. Ever since Yang Ying almost wiped out his entire army during the siege, he has taken the route of elite troops. With the support of the main camp, his combat power may not be able to surpass the new army, but he is definitely capable of confronting Li Shimin's Xuanjia Army head-on, and may even be able to crush them.

But Xiao Chenzi's soldiers were too loyal to him, which was too dangerous.

Sometimes, a rebellion doesn't necessarily involve a single person, but rather someone below secretly draping the imperial robe over the general while he's asleep.

When you're being roasted over a fire, you have no control over whether things turn out well or badly.

If we do not comply, there may be a mutiny.

Therefore, it is reasonable for Xia Lin to reduce Xiao Chenzi's military power. Xiao Chenzi also knows about this. He doesn't want to fight against the new army, so he might as well come and hand over the seal.

“I went to the yamen to look for you, but they said you came to the dam. So I came to the dam to look for you and asked the children. They said that Lord Xia arrived this morning and hasn’t had a drop of water since, so I brought you food.” Xiao Chenzi subconsciously covered his knee, which Xia Lin had patted. “What’s wrong? You’ve accomplished such great things, it would be an understatement to say you’ll be remembered in history, so why are you so melancholy?”

Xia Lin noticed the detail of him clutching his knee, then shook his head and smiled, "I'll tell you about this later. Now that my eldest son is back, you shouldn't go out. Stay here and help me."

"Me? Help you? What right do I have? No..." Xiao Chenzi even laughed out loud: "Ten years ago when I came here, I just thought it was novel. Ten years later when I come here again, I don't recognize it at all. I can't even understand the words on those signs, I don't understand what the household responsibility system is, and I don't know what hierarchical responsibility is. How can I help you?"

Xia Lin held her chopsticks and pursed her lips: "That's simplified Chinese characters, to reduce the illiteracy rate. You know, sometimes you need to make it easy for people to learn quickly. Actually, I prefer the elegance of traditional characters, but they're not as advanced."

"I don't care about any of that, I'm already outdated. After coming back this time, I really don't want to move anymore, my legs..."

Xiao Chenzi smiled sheepishly and gently rolled up his trouser leg. His knees were already abnormally swollen. Xia Lin reached out and pressed them, discovering that it was clearly severe rheumatoid arthritis, obviously caused by overwork in extreme environments.

"Is it so serious?"

"Hmm." Xiao Chenzi also sighed silently: "I'm a complete useless person in winter."

"Let's go." Xia Lin finished her meal in a few bites. "Are we still able to walk?"

"What are you going there for?"

"Go get treatment."

(End of this chapter)