The eldest grandson of Emperor Ming Dynasty!

Chapter 224 Good guy, I guess I read you right
Chief Secretary of Henan Province, the worst-hit area of ​​the plague, in a certain county.

"My concubine has already said that if the master wants to help those poor families, I will not stop me. This is a good thing to accumulate Yin virtue."

"But master, with our family's foundation, why can't you keep some for yourself? Not to mention the status of the concubine, the eldest and the second are all relying on the master to eat."

"And there are so many servants in our yard, the master can care about the lives of other people's families, but not his own."

"Now, His Royal Highness King Yu paid attention to those of us who are suffering from the plague, and sent us a method."

"But our family is so poor now that we can't even afford lime."

"The plague outside is so serious. If other people have lime in their homes, but we don't have it, will the plague come to our homes?"

"Master! If this plague comes to our house, how will we live!!!"

The noble lady in sackcloth leaned her head on the table, crying continuously.

Seeing this, Song Lichang remained silent and did not speak.

Seeing his wife crying all the time, Song Lichang finally couldn't help it, smashed the teacup on the table, and scolded: "Enough!"

Immediately it became quiet.

"What do you know, woman? The government has issued a notice long ago that all the lime is free of charge, no matter how rich you are, so what? Could it be that the old Wang's next door, he can get more?"

After Song Lichang scolded, he explained.

When the woman heard the words, she retorted: "My lord, how much lime is delivered to the old Wang's house next door, how could he tell others?"

"At this time, we only need to use more money. Those servants, how can we not give more, as long as the money is given enough, the county magistrate can approve more for us."

Song Lichang said with a slightly angry voice: "A woman's opinion, the county magistrate is not such a person, no matter how much money he will take."

The woman didn't dare to argue, so she could only mutter: "The master didn't use the silver, how can he know the difference between using it and not using it?"

"Humph!"

Song Lichang snorted coldly, too lazy to answer.

Today, when the plague is so severe, there has been no plague in the Song Mansion. This is mainly due to Song Lichang's personal habit: cleanliness.

Song Lichang has a slight obsession with cleanliness, and he doesn't like to see mess. Even the pigpen, the back kitchen of the mansion, ordered his servants to clean it up.

After the plague appeared, Song Lichang spent a lot of money for disaster relief.

When the plague hit, some people who were infected with the plague and couldn't survive would attack the big families when they were hungry.

I'm about to die, why can't I be a full ghost?
Just like that, some big families in the city were directly destroyed by the plague.

The madness before death is difficult for normal people to understand.

However, due to Song Lichang's good reputation, no matter how poor the common people were, they did not choose the Song Mansion.

Hygiene plus reputation, this is the reason why there has been no plague in the Song Mansion so far.

One of them is that Song Lichang strictly implemented the notice issued by the government.

It is related to the prevention of plague compiled by Zhu Ying.

In addition to hygiene, it explains that the plague can be killed by high temperature.

It is recommended that the people in the plague area cover their mouths and noses, and at the same time kill the plague with boiling water.

In the Song Mansion, all those who go out must take a hot bath when they come back.

All clothes must be changed, and the changed clothes must be boiled in hot water before they can be used again.

In the front yard of the Song Mansion, a large pot was set up to boil water, just for this purpose.

Song Lichang left from the lobby and went back to the study to try to be clean.

Although what his wife said was not pleasant, Song Lichang also knew that the savings in the mansion were running out.

The harvest of early rice is not very ideal.

This shows that for a long period of time, he can only barely make ends meet. If the plague lasts too long, he can only sell some of his property to maintain his life.

Just when Song Lichang was in the study, thinking about what to do next.

Suddenly there was a loud noise outside.

Song Lichang, who had already been quarreled with before, couldn't help but frowned, and said to the housekeeper outside the door: "Old Zhang, go and see what's going on."

"Okay, sir." The 60-year-old housekeeper walked briskly to the front yard to check the situation.

"In this world, eh, it seems that life is getting better, why did such a thing happen, today, it is really difficult."

Song Lichang sighed in his heart.

Song Lichang's father died in the war at the end of the Yuan Dynasty, but the Song family is here, and there are enough clan members.

With the help of the clan relationship, Song Lichang stood up quickly.

Although Song Lichang was engaged in business, he was also recognized as a scholar and could be exempted from part of the tax.

Of course, on the surface, Song Lichang is not a businessman. Although he does rely on business to make money, it is naturally someone else in front of the stage.

This is also what many landlords do. Just find a servant who has signed a contract of sale to be a businessman. The actual operation is of course behind the scenes.

The real big merchants, or big grain merchants, are all like this.

Even if he doesn't have the fame of a scholar, he can at least be regarded as a scholar, that is, at the level of a scholar.

In the current Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty, there is a thirst for talents.

But there is no such a saying as a poor scholar.

If you pass the examination as a scholar, you will not only be exempted from personal corvee, but you will also be given some fertile land, at least you will not have to worry about eating and drinking.

However, being a scholar is not that easy.

One who has passed the boy's test is considered a scholar, otherwise he can only be called a boy student.

There are county test, government test, and college test for boys, and the benefits of being a scholar are not so easy to get.

The gray-haired children are everywhere.

Of course, the meager income of a scholar is not worth mentioning to Song Lichang who is a businessman.

At this moment, a rush of footsteps came over, and the door was pushed open.

The old butler looked excited and said, "Master, outside. Outside"

Song Lichang frowned and asked, "What's going on outside?"

"This old slave doesn't know what to say, please go and have a look, master." The old butler said hastily.

He has never read a book, so he doesn't know how to describe the situation outside.

Song Lichang got up when he heard the words, and walked towards the front yard with big strides.

At the gate of the front yard, many servants and maidservants gathered together, making a lot of noise.

"Noisy, what a formality!"

Seeing this, Song Lichang reprimanded him loudly.

When the servants heard the master's voice, they immediately fell silent.

"What's going on?" Song Lichang asked the nearest servant in a deep voice.

The servant quickly replied: "Master, there are a lot of lime outside."

"what!"

Song Lichang didn't believe it, so he didn't ask any more questions when he made a mistake, and walked directly towards the gate.

The gate was originally open, and by bypassing the screen wall, one could see the situation outside the gate.

Outside the gate, a white-haired old man, dressed in sackcloth, stood there quietly.

Beside him, is a large number of sacks.

Judging by the white powder that spilled out, that was all lime.

When Song Lichang saw the old man, he immediately recognized him as the head of a village near the county seat.

A village in Daming is almost a surname.

"Patriarch Zhao, what are you doing? Why did you bring so much lime here?" Song Lichang stepped forward and asked in confusion.

Seeing Song Lichang approaching, Patriarch Zhao hurriedly stepped back to keep a certain distance from Song Lichang.

Patriarch Zhao's face was covered with a silk cloth covering his mouth and nose.

I saw him bowing to Song Lichang from a distance, and after bowing deeply, he said: "Mr. Song, please stay!"

Patriarch Zhao's meaning is obvious. In the special period of the plague, we must keep a certain distance.

"I am ashamed to be the head of the Zhao family. Since the plague, more than half of the 580 households in the village have withered. In desperation, I have to ask for help from the county."

"We have nothing to do with the Zhao family. There is no work to do in this city. After eating dry food, we can only beg along the street."

"Mr. De's generosity is what allows my Zhao family to survive."

"My Zhao family is very grateful. The Zhao family can't repay this great kindness."

After finishing speaking, Patriarch Zhao bowed deeply again, then kowtowed to the ground.

Seeing this, Song Lichang wanted to go over to help him, but Patriarch Zhao's kneeling legs moved backwards, and Song Lichang had no choice but to give up.

After kowtowing, Patriarch Zhao got up and continued: "The Meng court will not abandon it, and His Royal Highness King Yu has given us lime to cure the plague."

"However, after receiving the lime, the old man learned from the official messenger that the whole city distributes lime according to the household registration."

"After the old man heard about it, he summoned his clansmen to discuss it. This is the time for me to repay my husband's kindness."

"Please sir, don't refuse!"

After Patriarch Zhao finished speaking, he bowed and bowed again.

At this moment, Song Lichang had mixed feelings in his heart.

Looking at the hundreds of bags of lime around him, he wanted to say something, but his throat was blocked.

The reason why he would spend all his family wealth to help poor families like the Zhao people was because of his father's teaching since he was a child.

Song Lichang's father was a refugee from the Yuan Dynasty.

The number of Han refugees in the late Yuan Dynasty was beyond imagination.

The reason why Song Lichang's father was able to survive was that he got help from others when he was about to starve to death.

When his father was temporary, he held Song Lichang's hand on the bed, and finally said: "The reason why I survived is because of the help of my benefactor."

"But I can't find any trace of Engong, and I don't know what he is like now or what his descendants will be like."

"Promise me that you will help others as much as you can, and if you do so, you will help the descendants, relatives and friends of your benefactor."

"Under the Nine Springs, I can rest in peace."

That's why Song Lichang has lost all his wealth today.

After patriarch Zhao bowed, he turned and left, obviously worried that Song Lichang would evade.

Seeing this, Song Lichang sighed deeply.

The old butler next to him came over and asked hesitantly, "Master, these limes."

Song Lichang looked at the back of Patriarch Zhao, and the Zhao family members who were hiding in the nearby streets.

Then bowed deeply.

After getting up, he said: "Move back to the mansion."

Many servants immediately became elated when they heard the words. Young and strong, they walked in with lime sacks on their shoulders.

The lime in the plague area is almost as valuable as gold.

And now the government is strictly restricting, no trading is allowed, only government quotas.

Even if you want to give gifts, you are not allowed to go through the back door and ask for more.

At this time, if you become a monster, you will lose your job.

After Song Lichang returned home, he happened to meet his wife who came to inquire.

The wife obviously knew about the situation and smiled happily.

"Master, concubine."

Song Lichang waved his hand, interrupted the conversation, and said, "Needless to say, remember to let the people use the lime properly, especially those mouse holes must be filled."

"My concubine understands."

After dealing with his wife, Song Lichang returned to the study, the corners of his mouth involuntarily raised slightly.

It is said that kindness is not reciprocated, but in this critical period, after receiving such a reward, Song Lichang's mood is completely different from before.

But things obviously didn't end so quickly.

Not long after Song Lichang returned to the study, the old butler came over again.

"Master, there are people from the Qunying Chamber of Commerce outside looking for it."

Song Lichang was a little puzzled, why did the people from the Qunying Chamber of Commerce come here at this time.

As an actual businessman, he is certainly no stranger to the Qunying Chamber of Commerce.

Not to mention the deep background of this behemoth in Daming, the annual profits of Snowflake Salt controlled by it are incalculable.

It's just that Song Lichang didn't interact with them much.

After thinking for a while, Song Lichang ordered: "Invite them to serve in the lobby."

The visitor was a guest, so Song Lichang naturally had no reason to refuse to meet.

However, the old housekeeper said with some embarrassment: "Master, this old slave has already greeted them, but they don't want to come into the mansion, they just wait at the gate."

"It is said that it is an order from the chamber of commerce, and no entry is allowed."

When Song Lichang heard this, a light flashed in his eyes.Then go straight to the gate again.

At the gate, Song Lichang saw two men who were wrapped up tightly.

Except for the eyes, even the hands are wearing silk gloves.

Apparently there is a high level of knowledge about the plague.

Seeing Song Lichang coming out, the two bowed to each other. Song Lichang returned the salute and said, "I don't know if you from the Qunying Chamber of Commerce have come to Bifu, what's the matter?"

The two looked at each other, and one of them took out a beautiful document from his pocket, handed it to Song Lichang with both hands, and said respectfully:
"According to the requirements issued by the General Assembly, the Qunying Chamber of Commerce invited Mr. Song to serve as the chairman of the branch of the Qunying Chamber of Commerce in Henan Province. Please take a look at it."

Hearing this, Song Lichang took the document in disbelief, and began to check it on the spot.

The content above is to invite Song Lichang to serve as the branch president of Henan Qunying Chamber of Commerce.

Song Lichang couldn't believe it.

It's pretty much pie from the sky.

It can be said that it is not an exaggeration to reach the sky in one step.

At the back of the document, there is also the monthly money about Song Lichang.

In addition to the basic monthly money, you can also enjoy the dividends of the entire Henan Qunying Branch and the quarterly total profit.

Although the number is not high, the total amount is difficult to estimate.

"Dare to ask Mr. Song if he can answer."

Seeing that Song Lichang didn't speak for a while, one of them couldn't help asking.

Song Lichang is a good man, but he is not a fool.

It shouldn't be, that would be stupid.

"I am favored, and Song dare not refuse." Song Lichang said with a bow.

The two looked at each other again, and one of them took out a booklet and handed it over again.

"President, this is the details of the supplies of the chamber of commerce in the city. It has been communicated to the higher authorities, and the city should dispatch it. Let the president decide."

It has been more than half a month since Zhu Ying arrived outside Ruyang City.

During these half a month, Zhu Ying, as the King of Yu, took care of all matters related to the plague.

There were originally [-] cavalry, but now there are probably less than [-].

The other cavalry are responsible for patrolling the checkpoints and supervising the delivery of food, lime, masks and other materials.

Zhu Ying never underestimated people's greed.

Whether it is an official or a businessman, it is really a miracle to expect them to show kindness at this juncture, in this world.

Song Lichang is a miracle, but don't take such a miracle as the norm.

Strict control is the most important thing.

However, judging from the daily entry and exit memorials, the plague in the entire Henan area has basically been brought under control.

An enormous number of cats were sent into the wild to catch mice.

The continuous use of rat poison in the city, coupled with policies such as lime and isolation.

There was no incubation period for the plague, and soon the situation began to improve.

In fact, as far as the plague is concerned, the reason why it is so terrifying and so many people die is mainly due to ignorance of the transmission route, strangeness, and fear.

As long as you know your weaknesses, there is nothing to be afraid of.

On this day, information about Goryeo was sent to Zhuying.

Ye Yueqing poured tea by his side, Zhu Ying sighed after watching, "What a mage Daoyan, he really dared to do it."

Zhu Ying never thought that Yao Guangxiao's courage was really big.

With the help of his trump card in Korea, he forced Li Chenggui and gave him an army.

Then it swept away 15 troops to fight against the Japanese.

15 troops.

What is this about suppressing the Japanese pirates? This is simply a direct attack on the Japanese country, okay?

From some of the meanings conveyed by Yao Guangxiao, Zhu Ying could see clearly.

After more than a month, we will go to Tsushima Island.

"Good guy, I guess I read you right, now Li Chenggui is really suffering."

(End of this chapter)