On the occasion of rebirth Zhou Sui

Chapter 117 Solving doubts for the people

Author: He Tiantian from Lotus Picking

Chapter 117 Solving doubts for the people

Zhou Zhoulang was originally a citizen of Licheng County. When the Yellow River burst its banks, his home was washed away and he had no choice but to go to the county town in search of food.

At first, the government served porridge. A few leaves floated in the big iron pot, and a little rice was put in it. It was almost a pot of water. It was not enough to fill the gap between the teeth, let alone fill the stomach.

Zhou Lang still remembers that the former county magistrate wiped his tears in public, saying that the treasury was empty, there was really no food left, and that he could not help the people of Licheng.

When everyone saw that he was sincere, they believed him and did not make trouble.

During this period, people kept falling down due to hunger and never stood up again, eventually becoming food in other people's stomachs to satisfy their hunger.

The word "cannibalism" has never been an unattainable legend.

Zhou Lang still remembers that day. It was late autumn last year. Cui Che, now the governor of Qingzhou and the consolation ambassador at the time, brought thousands of cavalry to Licheng and searched the house of the county magistrate who was wiping away tears and complaining about the empty treasury.

The amount of corn is nearly a thousand stones.

On the day when the former county magistrate and his minions were beheaded in public, the angry people of Licheng begged for his body and ate their flesh.

With Cui Shijun, everyone can finally drink thick porridge, and no one will starve to death.

When Cui Shijun came, he brought three million stones of corn. When he left, he had a breeze in his sleeves. He only took away Yan Rong, which eliminated a huge harm to the people of Qingzhou.

Just ask the people in the four states, who is not grateful to him?

Zhou Lang still remembers the scene when the people of Licheng lined the streets and cried to send Cui Shijun back to the capital.

But at that time, I never imagined that this great master of Qingtian would actually return to Qingzhou to take up a post.

‘I will definitely report to Manager Cui about the forced conscription of young men by Licheng County Magistrate!’

Zhou Lang secretly made up his mind.

The imperial court implemented the land equalization system, and everyone had a land share. It was said to be recruitment, but who was really willing to give up their land to work as a salt worker?

Not only Licheng County, but also other counties were in the same situation. Ding Zhuang among the refugees was forcibly recruited by the state and county and sent to Dongyang City.

Outside Dongyang City, there were many heads, all of them alive, not the heads that Cui Che had chopped off.

Thirteen thousand recruited salt workers were waiting under a temporary high platform for Cui Che to make the decision for them. Most of these people were recruited involuntarily and by force.

Amid great expectations, Cui Che, the fifteen-year-old manager of Qingzhou, stepped onto the high platform.

This was not the first time he gave a speech on stage. Cui Che showed no sign of stage fright. He looked at the tens of thousands of cheering salt workers in the audience, cleared his throat, showed a bright smile, and shouted to everyone cordially:

"I've kept you all waiting for a long time. You are welcome to come and be safe!"

The followers spread Cui Che's greetings, and the salt workers in the audience were shocked when they heard this.

The steward of Qingzhou is greeting us? Even the county magistrate usually doesn't take a serious look at these idiots. This is the steward of Qingzhou! The consort of the current saint is from the Bolingcui family. Such a person actually greets them cordially.

.

After a brief silence, there was even more enthusiastic cheers.

"I summoned you all today. The sage ordered Cui to organize people to reclaim beach fields and make sea salt. Cui is unable to do it alone, so he needs to rely on you."

As soon as Cui Che finished speaking, he saw someone in the crowd shouting:

"Without Manager Cui's relief, all five members of my family, Zhao Qi, would have been dead long ago. Manager Cui treated me with as much kindness as a mountain, not to mention opening fields to dry salt. Even if I went up to Daoshan or into the sea of ​​fire, I, Zhao Qijue, would not do anything.

Frown."

Taking a closer look, Zhao Qi was Cui Che's personal attendant, his childhood scholar Zhao Wen.

"That's right! Brother Zhao said it well! Although I, Wang Wu, have never read a book, I know that a drop of kindness should be repaid by a spring, let alone a life-saving kindness. If I don't want to repay, I am no different from an animal!"

Another one of Cui Che's subordinates squeezed into the crowd and echoed loudly.

Gradually, more and more people shouted to repay their kindness. Even Zhou Lang forgot his original intention and clamored to follow Cui Che to open fields to make salt.

Cui Che raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet, and then continued:

"Cui was previously appointed as ambassador of comfort. It is his duty to give porridge to save the people, so why do you need to repay him!"

Zhao Wen in the crowd sang and said:

"My lord, I say it is my duty, but how many officials in the world can be as self-denial and dedicated to serving the people as Lord Cui! It is a blessing for us Qingzhou people to have Lord Cui in charge of Qingzhou!"

Although it was too absurd for Zhao Wen to claim to be from Qingzhou in his Dingzhou Boling dialect, the salt workers did not find it strange.

In the past few years, the Northern Zhou Dynasty destroyed the Qi Dynasty, and then there was the Yuchijun Rebellion. Many people from Hebei fled to Qingzhou because of the war.

Cui Che looked ashamed and waved his hands:

"Cui does not dare to live up to the great reputation of Brother Zhao Qi. All Cui wants is peace of mind. I have gathered you all together today not to ask you to follow me to open fields to make salt in order to repay your kindness.

"Before Cui left Beijing, he asked the saint for salary for the salt workers. The saint sympathized with the difficulty of the salt workers and agreed to Cui's request. Today Cui is going to tell you about this.

"The sage has decreed that each salt worker will receive 3 shi of corn per year, the couple will be exempted from taxes, rent transfers, and corvee labor, and the government will provide three meals a day.

"Cui will select 3,000 salt soldiers from among you. Those who are selected will get 6 stones of corn every year, and the rest will be the same as the salt soldiers!"

After saying that, there was a buzzing sound in the audience, like a swarm of flies flapping their wings.

Cui Che, whose pseudonym was Wang Wu, followed Wang De and asked loudly:

"Manager Cui! Just now you said that couples will be exempted from rent transfer. Does that mean the government will still divide the land for my family?"

Wang De's words touched everyone's heart. With an annual salary of 3 dan per person and the government providing meals, even if he was exempted from taxes and corvee, he could barely support his family. He could only work as a salt soldier, earning 6 dan per person.

Only with an annual salary can you have a surplus.

If the government allocates farmland to your family and does not charge rent or transfer, that is, land rent or household transfer, then it would be much more cost-effective to cultivate the land yourself.

In fact, Yang Jian's willingness to offer such generous conditions was also attracted by the salt profit described by Cui Che.

One hundred thousand acres produce tens of millions of dendrobium, far exceeding domestic needs.

However, hard currency such as salt has no worries about sales. Whether it is sold to Turks, Nanchen, Tuguhun, or Goguryeo, it can bring a large amount of income to the court.

Cui Che smiled and said:

"The land will naturally be divided, but it is not given to you. You are a salt worker, so how can you have time to take care of the farmland! It is given to your wife, who is granted 40 acres of open air, and does not receive land rent, household adjustment, or the output of the land.

No matter how much, it’s all yours!”

Another wave of calls erupted from the audience.

Wang De suddenly said:

"Manager Cui, but I, but I'm not married yet!"

"Then go find a wife quickly! Do you want me to be your matchmaker?"

Cui Che's words made the audience burst into laughter.

With such generous treatment, no more salt workers thought about reporting to the county magistrate for forced recruitment. Instead, they were glad that they were selected. If they took the next step and became a salt soldier, their income would be even greater.

"Manager Cui, may I ask what the criteria are for selecting salt soldiers?"

This time it was finally no longer Cui Che who arranged for him to sing along with him, Zhou Lang asked loudly.

"It's nothing more than a test of your strength. Those who can ride a horse will be given priority. Those who are interested can make preparations early. Tomorrow, Cui will be here to select."

Cui Che replied.

(End of chapter)