Han Shizu

Chapter 608 Wang Shijun is in Sizhou
Dahanhuai East Road, Sizhou, Xuyi, Huankou.

Huankou is where the Huan River flows into the Huaihe River, and it is a river junction. It is at the height of autumn, and the climate is cool. The cool wind blows the vegetation on the bank, bringing the moisture of the river, which is a little damp and cold.

There are flat boats in the water, and there are intensive river construction on both sides. At a glance, there are thousands of people, dredging.A large amount of sediment and falling objects were salvaged, bagged and transported, accompanied by country tunes, a scene of excitement.

The shore is occupied by guards as guards.A group of officials in charge of the government will gather here, headed by Wang Pu, the governor of Huaidong, who has personally visited the front line several times.

When the drought hit, the situation was most severe in Hao, Si, Chu and other places.At this time, with the attendants by the side, the officials in charge of Sizhou basically all came.

The magistrate of Sizhou was written by the king, and he took office not long ago.As a person who is sent down by the emperor's side, the speed of promotion cannot be slowed down, and Huainan is a place where things can be done, and there are many opportunities.After being the county magistrate for less than two years, he was promoted to the magistrate of Sizhou.

Not fortunately, he had just moved to his post, and before he knew each other well, he was faced with a severe drought in Huainan.During this period of time, in compliance with the government orders of the imperial court and Daotai, to provide disaster relief and appease the people, Wang Pu ran around, doing his own work, so busy that he never touched the ground.

This time, Wang Pu went north again to inspect the affairs. Hearing the call, he put down his job in the state government office, hurried out of the city and came across the river.For Wang Pu, he dared not neglect at all.

In less than two years, Wang Pu established a very high majesty in Huaidong, and all the officials were fearless.Just because he used the law strictly and never leniently, no matter how frequently government orders are issued, those who are negligent will be punished by him, so that the officials of all states are tense in their minds, for fear that Wang Pu will find omissions and order punishment.

Because Wang Zhu was born in the imperial court and was at an important stage of his official career, he dared not neglect him even more.

"My lord, the lower officials have summoned more than [-] people to carry out dredging in the section of the river near Xuyi. It has been divided into three sections, and it has been cleared for more than [-] miles!" Hegong took the initiative to report and was very careful.

"Good progress!" Wang Pu nodded, and asked: "The Huai River runs across Sizhou, and the people living in the territory rely on its benefits. Only if the Huai River is connected can they benefit from it!"

"What the prince said is true! The government issued a notice, and the fishermen, river workers, and common people in the territory all actively responded to the call!" Wang Zhu said: "The common people use the Huai River to make a living, so naturally they understand the truth!"

"Currently, floods are rampant in the territory of the Han Dynasty. The Yellow River and the Yangtze River frequently have mountain torrents. The imperial court has also issued an edict. Although the drought is over, we must pay attention to flood damage and be more vigilant!" Wang Pu said.

Wang Zhuzhu cupped his hands: "After receiving the order, don't dare to be negligent. Another civilian husband, money and food will be transferred to find the river channel to build a fortress at a place where the river is easy to solve!"

Turning his head to look at Wang Zhu, the two years of experience in state and county administration have obviously made him grow a lot.Wang Pu still had a straight face, but nodded his head rarely, and said: "Let the people have a place to live, have food and clothing, and keep the land from being abandoned, so that the people can be relieved of their worries, and things can be done for the public, and then disasters can be prepared, and it will be enough to achieve great governance!"

This is Wang Pu's suggestion to Wang Zhu, and Wang Zhu understood, with a smile on his face: "Thank you for your teaching, my lord! I will definitely keep it in mind at all times!"

Slightly nodding his head, Wang Pu didn't make a fuss about this matter, and didn't say anything more.

Two subordinate officials and several servants came ashore and rushed forward. Wang Pu immediately asked, "How deep is the water?"

The first person said: "Your Majesty, my subordinates are waiting to choose a number of places to test their depth. Right now, the shallowest area in the river is nearly six feet long, enough for a boat!"

As he spoke, he lifted out the measuring pole, pointed at the mark, and checked it for Wang Pu.Wang Pu looked at it carefully, and then ordered: "You can inform, Huaiyan sailed north and lost!"

"Yes!"

"Everyone, don't stand with me anymore. In such an urgent situation, the state should be troubled." Wang Pu waved his hand and said calmly after sweeping his eyes and paying respect to the Sizhou bureaucrats.

All the officials were stunned, but when Wang Zhu saw this, he reprimanded lightly: "Didn't you hear what the envoy said clearly? Everyone should return to their duties and take care of their own affairs. Hurry up and go!"

"Yes! I'm waiting for you to retire!" Only then did I come to my senses.

A group of officials in Sizhou tensed their bodies and retreated respectfully.After walking far away, he just relaxed. One of them cast his eyes towards the river and couldn't help complaining: "This Wang Shijun is really not a good person to deal with. He is too strict and unreasonable. I will wait for you." Qu Yi accompanied him, but was driven away. With such a superior, it is difficult to have a good life!"

"Heh!" Hearing what he said, a worker next to him couldn't help but sneered and said, "It's difficult for the king to get along with the king, and that's what the state should do. If it wasn't for the drought, would you be able to see his face? Even if you see his face, how would you know your name? So, there is no need for you to worry about it!"

"However!" As he spoke, there was a touch of joking in this matter: "Brother, if you do something illegal, shocking, or outrageous, you may be famous in the ears of the emperor."

"You bastard, why are you talking so viciously, are you slandering me!" The complaining state official suddenly became angry.

"How dare! How dare! I just feel that I think too highly of myself."

The discussions of the state officials had nothing to do with Wang Pu, and he and Wang Zhu went to the temporary shelter built by the mud dredgers.Although it is not dirty, it is very simple. The wooden rafts are closely connected to avoid the wind, and the bamboo bed is covered with a thick layer of withered grass to keep out the cold.

Sitting down straight away, Wang Pu looked at Wang Zhu and said, "Winter is about to enter, and the weather will turn cold. All the servants who are called should prepare grass, wood and charcoal fire to dispel the cold, and prepare more ginger soup. In addition, I still see people, Anyone who wants to drink river water for convenience must be forbidden to avoid insect diseases. All water must be boiled before drinking. You also traveled south with Your Majesty, how could you be negligent on this matter?"

Facing Wang Pu's questioning, Wang Zhu felt innocent for a while. In the past, he would have defended himself, but at this time, he just clapped his hands and said: "It's because the lower officials are not strict in supervision, and we must strengthen it!"

Wang Pu is still satisfied with Wang Zhu's attitude.Of course, in this matter, Wang Zhuoshi was also a little helpless. He issued the ban, and the original intention was to serve the people themselves.However, ordinary foolish people can't listen to it, and they don't have the consciousness. Of course, they can do it as convenient and as they are used to it.

On Wang Zhu's side, it's impossible to whip a peasant and fine him for drinking the river water.Therefore, even now, in the Han Dynasty, the only people who can truly prohibit drinking raw water and boiled water are among the army, and they must be the forbidden army.
Wang Pu seemed to understand a little bit, so he didn't bother with this matter, and ordered a servant to be called to inquire about the people's situation.In front of the officials, the majestic and formidable Wang Shijun finally put on a kind face when facing a villager.

"Is the old man a native of Xuyi? How many people are there in the family? What do you do for a living?"

"Exactly. There are six people in the family, one wife, two sons, one daughter and one daughter-in-law! The villain and the eldest son farm at home. The government allocated [-] acres of land to my family last year. The second son doesn't like farming, so he gave it to me on the Huai River. People work as boatmen and run boats from north to south. This time, the government is recruiting labor, and bringing the older children together to dredge the silt.”

"Is there enough food for a family of six?" After listening, Wang Pu asked softly.

The old man was taken aback, a little puzzled.Seeing this, Wang Pu was taken aback. He didn't understand, so he asked another question: "Did the damage to the fields be serious due to the drought this autumn?"

At the mention of this, the restrained old man immediately let go, feeling agitated, and said in a more accentuated accent: "The wheat is so dead, it's [-]% to [-]% missing. Even if it's only a month late, the drought can still be cured." rush in the harvest."

"There are five or six people in the family, do you have enough food for the winter?"

The old man replied: "In the past two years, the imperial court has reduced the autumn tax, and this time there is a disaster, and the tax is exempted, which is enough to survive the winter!"

Listening to the relaxed meaning in the old man's tone, Wang Pu also showed a little smile, and asked a question he asked many people: "The old man thinks, is it better to be the government of the Han Dynasty today, or the government of the puppet Tang Dynasty?"

No matter how stupid the people are, they also know what to say. Although Wang Pu is not wearing formal clothes, Wang Zhu is wearing official robes.

However, the old man replied simply and with some sincerity: "Of course it is the Han government?"

"Why? Because of land distribution? Because of the abolition of miscellaneous donations? Because of tax cuts?" Wang Pu asked repeatedly.

"All of them!" The old man nodded, and made another point: "More than two years ago, there was also a drought in Huainan, and the fields had no crops. Only those who had to pay the taxes for the government's relief could have relief food. The villain remembers it clearly. At that time, many people were forced to sell their fields and buy grain. It was the Han Dynasty that allowed the people in Huainan to cross the river to Huaibei to buy rations, and many people were saved.

Drought happened again this year, not to mention that the imperial court exempted the autumn tax, but those whose families are in need will also receive relief."

After listening to the old man's answer, Wang Pu smiled again, and the smile became more warm.

(End of this chapter)