The prince is more stable

Chapter 504 All living beings suffer
Few people have seen the scene of thousands of people crying bitterly.

Zhao Xiaoqian would rather never see her in this life.

They are just ordinary farmers, kind and simple, living in poverty all their lives. Their biggest wish in this life is to suffer enough in this life, and maybe God will have mercy on them in the next life and allow them to be born into a family with no worries about food and clothing.

Why are these hardworking and simple people from the lower classes who farm the land and support the powerful treated like grass by the powerful and exploited and harmed at any time?

They just want to survive.

Looking at the elderly, weak, women and children wailing in the valley, Zhao Xiaoqian felt uncomfortable.

In fact, he had always been vigilant against Han Wei and his group, and secretly ordered the Imperial City Division to keep an eye on them, but in the end, the people still suffered.

He was still careless and underestimated the evil of the powerful people in Bian Jing.

Capital is cannibalistic, and power is even more cannibalistic. These two things, money and power, themselves require the flesh and blood of the lower classes in order to survive and grow.

At this moment, facing the crying of thousands of people, Zhao Xiaoqian could only stand there quietly.

After a long while, the weeping in the valley died down considerably. Zhao Xiaoqian then slowly said, "Migration is a good thing. It would allow you to own more land and escape poverty. But, I'm sorry, someone messed it up."

As he spoke, murderous intent suddenly flashed in Zhao Xiaoqian's eyes: "I will give you an explanation with the heads and blood of those officials who bullied you."

Turning to look at Zhao Xin, Zhao Xiaoqian asked, "Where is Mr. Ge?"

Zhao Xin pointed into the valley and said, "Behind the gathering place, the Imperial City Bureau has opened up an open space specifically for injured farmers to receive medical treatment."

Zhao Xiaoqian started to walk away, but just as he took a step, his wrist was grabbed by Chen Shou.

Zhao Xiaoqian turned his head to look at him. Chen Shou whispered, "Prince, please ask someone to carry Mr. Ge over here. The people are in turmoil right now, so it's not appropriate for you to walk into the crowd."

The words were spoken subtly, but the meaning was clear.

Chen Shou was worried that the farmers would vent their own suffering on Zhao Xiaoqian, and Zhao Xiaoqian was afraid of being assassinated if he walked into the crowd.

Zhao Xiaoqian broke free from his hand and shook his head slowly: "If the people think I should be killed, then kill me. I deserve it."

After saying that, Zhao Xiaoqian walked proudly into the crowd and headed towards the depths of the valley.

When thousands of old, weak, women and children saw such a distinguished official like Zhao Xiaoqian coming, they subconsciously lowered their heads and dared not look directly at him, and automatically made way for him.

Zhao Xiaoqian walked very slowly, and his expression was not afraid at all. Instead, Chen Shou behind him nervously gripped the hilt of the sword at his waist, as if he was ready to draw his sword to protect him at any time.

What Chen Shou worried about did not happen.

The people at the bottom of society can distinguish right from wrong, good from evil. They know who is good to them and who is not.

They just lack the ability to punish evil and promote good.

The migration and land distribution were done by officials sent by the imperial court, and most of their suffering was caused by those officials in the capital.

But this prince never harmed them. Not only that, he also killed many corrupt officials in Zhending Prefecture and argued for the people. Only then did the court grant the people of Zhending Prefecture a three-year tax exemption policy.

From then on, Zhao Xiaoqian's prestige and reputation among the people of Zhending Prefecture rose sharply, and the people were grateful and revered him like a god.

Despite all the hardships he suffered, no one would vent their anger on Zhao Xiaoqian.

A good official is a good official. He will not change his attitude no matter when or where. If some things are not done well and the people suffer, it must be someone else's fault.

This is the most simple idea of ​​the people.

As he walked deeper into the valley, the people bowed their heads to make way for him, and some elders even bowed to him in awe.

Deep in the valley was a protruding rock. The rock provided a barrier, creating a sheltered area where five thousand wounded and sick elderly, weak, women, and children lay.

Zhao Xin was quite careful in his work. After finding the resettlement site, he immediately ordered people to invite several doctors from nearby villages and towns and bring enough medicine to treat the farmers' injuries and illnesses.

At this time, there were many charcoal stoves of various sizes placed at the edge of the open space. Medicine was being decocted in small pottery pots on the charcoal stoves, and a rich aroma of Chinese medicine wafted into the air.

Zhao Xiaoqian looked around carefully and found that there were about a hundred injured and sick people. Due to limited conditions, they could only lie on a tattered straw mat. Many people closed their eyes and groaned, while others were silent, with no movement in their chests, and it was unknown whether they were dead or alive.

Zhao Xiaoqian gritted his teeth secretly and clenched his hands hanging in his sleeves into fists.

Han Wei, Wang Yuan!
This is all the sin you have committed!

Zhao Xin, standing nearby, pointed to a haggard old man in a dark corner and said, "Your Highness, that is Mr. Ge..."

Zhao Xiaoqian walked quickly forward and squatted beside Ge Laozhang.

Mr. Ge has been tortured to the point of being unrecognizable.

The last time I saw him was in the Prince's Mansion. Although Mr. Ge was still poor at that time, he was still in good health and spoke with confidence. His cloudy old eyes were full of fatigue from life, but they still stubbornly shone with the desire to live.

However, at this moment, Mr. Ge was lying powerlessly on the straw mat. There were bruises on his face, his mouth and eye sockets were swollen, one of his legs was splinted by the doctor, and his ribs were wrapped with cloth strips.

At this moment, Mr. Ge looked no different from a beggar on the roadside who had only a glimmer of hope left.

Zhao Xiaoqian felt extremely uncomfortable.

I recalled in my mind the beautiful vision of the future that Ge Laozhang had when he was in the Prince's Mansion.

He said that after the migration, he might be given more land. If the court showed mercy and reduced taxes for a few more years, he might be able to save some grain, buy an ox, and build a big house. And if he dreamed even more boldly, perhaps he could even eat a bite of meat every month?

Zhao Xiaoqian remembers that he was very happy when he heard it. This small person with a small dream seemed to bring warmth to his life and his life.

Zhao Xiaoqian said, okay, then I will give you a working ox to celebrate your new home and to celebrate your promising future.

At that time, he couldn't help but immerse himself in Mr. Ge's little dream. At that moment, he suddenly felt that this was probably what so-called happiness felt like.

Unexpectedly, not long after, those beautiful little wishes were still fresh in my mind, but Mr. Ge had become like this.

At this moment, Zhao Xiaoqian only felt a burning pain on his cheeks and a heavy feeling in his heart.

That was the feeling of letting others down, and he was also slapped by Han Wei and Wang Yuan.

How to retaliate is a matter for the future.

Now Zhao Xiaoqian only has Mr. Ge in his eyes.

Reaching out and patting him gently, Zhao Xiaoqian suppressed his grief and called softly, "Grandpa Ge, wake up..."

Mr. Ge slowly opened his eyes, his eyes were dead, like a dead tree without any life.

Zhao Xiaoqian's heart sank, and he forced a smile, saying, "My father-in-law has suffered, and it's all my fault. Let's treat your injuries well and continue living our lives after we recover. This time, I will personally divide the land among you, give you a working ox, and build you a big house."

Some light returned to Ge Laozhang's eyes. He had recognized Zhao Xiaoqian, so he struggled to stand up and wanted to salute Zhao Xiaoqian, but was held down by Zhao Xiaoqian.

"Don't move, you are injured. Cooperate with the doctor in treating your injury. It was my negligence this time that caused the elders to suffer greatly. I will give you an explanation later." Zhao Xiaoqian said slowly.

Old Master Ge shook his head and said weakly, "Don't blame your Excellency. Those people were officials from Bianjing. The evil they did has nothing to do with your Excellency... It's our fate that's so unfortunate."

Zhao Xiaoqian forced a smile and said, "Don't talk about this. I will handle it myself. The important thing now is to recover from your injuries. Don't get excited. Better days are ahead."

Old Man Ge glanced at his splinted leg, curled his lips in a bitter smile, and muttered, "Yes, good days are ahead, but how far are these 'behind'? I'll never reach them in my lifetime..."

Zhao Xiaoqian suppressed his grief and said, "It will be soon, it will be soon. Once your injury is healed, good days will come."

Then, Zhao Xiaoqian thought of something and said hurriedly, "Oh, right, my Prince's Mansion is in need of a night watchman and gatekeeper. If you don't mind, why not come back and work for me? Besides, you'll have enough food, wine and meat, and a monthly salary. The work isn't tiring, just night watchman and gatekeeper. What do you think?"

Hearing this, Mr. Ge was startled. A smile suddenly appeared on his face. He struggled to bow and said, "You are so kind that you gave me a bowl of rice. I am so grateful. I must not have been a bad person in my previous life. Otherwise, how could I have met such a noble person who helped me in this life? I must have accumulated good deeds in my previous life."

Hearing Mr. Ge's thanks, Zhao Xiaoqian breathed a sigh of relief.

Being willing to accept kindness means that people still have the motivation to live, and that's all.

He lowered his head and carefully observed Ge Laozhang's injuries. They were not too serious, but his broken leg was a little bruised and swollen, and he didn't know if it could recover. It didn't matter. He would go back to Zhending City and find a good doctor to treat him. He could choose fine medicines and supplement them with a nourishing diet. It wouldn't be a problem for him to recover.

With his mind somewhat composed, Zhao Xiaoqian stood up and ordered, "Get a stretcher to lift the old man up, and then find a carriage to take him back to the Prince's Mansion in Zhending City."

Chen Shou and other imperial guards received the order.

Zhao Xiaoqian turned and walked out of the valley.

He still had a lot of things to do. He had to rescue the farmers under his jurisdiction and severely punish officials such as Han Wei and Wang Yuan. Bian Jing also had to quickly write a memorial and send it in, so as not to be bitten back by those powerful people.

Zhao Xin followed Zhao Xiaoqian and said, "Your Highness, those over a hundred people guarding the farmers are all servants and guards of the wealthy families in Bianjing. What should we do with them?"

Zhao Xiaoqian didn't even turn his head and said indifferently, "Kill them all. Don't spare a single one. Behead them in front of all the people."

"Yes!"

"Once the Imperial City Division finds a resettlement site for farmers, all those in custody will be treated similarly, leaving no one behind."

"Yes!"

After taking a few steps, he suddenly heard Chen Shou scream behind him.

Zhao Xiaoqian hurriedly stopped, turned his head and looked, his eyes wide open with anger.

Mr. Ge was being carried on a stretcher, with a sharpened piece of iron stuck in his chest over his heart. It wasn't a knife, but an iron sheet, as rough as the hunting tools used by primitive people on display in museums.

The stretcher was put down. Chen Shou looked at the piece of iron helplessly. He reached out several times but didn't dare to pull it out. The doctor next to him shook his head and sighed without saying a word. It was obvious that he was beyond saving.

Zhao Xiaoqian rushed to Ge Laozhang, knelt on one knee, and held Ge Laozhang's withered hand. His hand gradually lost its color, his body temperature gradually became cold, and blood was flowing out of the wound on his chest.

"Father-in-law, didn't you promise me..." Zhao Xiaoqian couldn't hold back any longer and choked with sobs.

Mr. Ge was dying, his eyes were dead, a look that showed he had no attachment to life anymore.

His throat was wriggling, and he was gasping for breath like a broken bellows. He spoke incoherently, "Thank you very much, my lord, but I... really don't have the strength to live any longer."

"In the next life... being an animal at the mercy of others is better than the suffering of this life... oh, ...

The breath became weaker and weaker, and finally only the lips could be heard trembling, but no sound could be heard.

Finally, Mr. Ge died.

(End of this chapter)