Biography of Qingwu

Chapter 58 Departure
According to Chen Qingwu's proposal, the food collection went much smoother.Chen Ling and Gao Zhan pretended to be merchants, and talked about it in restaurants and teahouses in the city of Binzhou. Rumors that Zhao Huaining wanted to increase taxes by [-]% spread widely. Suddenly, everyone scolded Zhao Huaining's tyranny.

In the streets and alleys, some people even rose up to oppose Zhao Huaining and bring down the tyrant.

On the other side, the people took their grain to the food collection place one after another.

"A few days ago, one hundred shi grains were five taels of silver, but today it is only three taels." An old man pulling a wooden cart asked cautiously at the grain requisition office, "We are all poor people, and we pulled them from the village early in the morning. Come here, officer, don't coax us."

The old man's clothes are clean, but they are full of patches, and his face is sad. From his appearance alone, he is a farmer who has lived a hard life.

"Old man, I am also following orders, but I dare not lie to you. You can go to the grain farms in the city to have a look. Their prices are even lower. A stone of grain is only two taels of silver." Looking at the trembling old man with a distressed expression, he asked for grain The officers and soldiers couldn't bear it, and said softly.

The old man's frown deepened, and he said: "This is also because I heard that the current emperor will double the tax after the autumn harvest, so I brought the grain to sell early in the morning, how did I get it and the price was reduced, we are all miserable people, There is not much food left at home, and there is going to be a war again, so I need some money to save my life, the old lady is not in good health, and she is taking medicine, hey, let’s take three taels and three taels.”

"Old man, don't worry, when our lord defeats the current tyrant, we will be exempted from taxes for half a year, and let the common people breathe."

The old man waved his hand and said, "Hey, it doesn't matter to us peasants who becomes the emperor. We only hope to be a benevolent monarch. The life of peasants is hard and they can't afford taxes."

After all, he unloaded the grain from the trolley. Seeing that he couldn't unload it, the officers and soldiers hurried to help.

A cart is only two shi of grain, which is probably the only surplus grain left in the old man's family. Two shi of grain is about [-] catties.

Chen Qingwu was wearing armor, and he came by the way to pass the order. He stood on the side listening to the conversation between the two, and his nose was sore. What a miserable people, I used to complain about my own life in the palace compound, but now I feel that compared to these peasants, it is not bitter."

Chen Qingwu nodded, "I hope the prince can win, so that these people's families will have surplus food, enough food, and warm clothing."

Chen Qingwu saw that the old man took the money and wanted to leave, so he hurriedly chased after him, took out five taels of silver from his pocket and stuffed it into the old man's hand, "Old man, this money is not much, you take it."

"My lord...this..." The old man hastily declined, but when he raised his eyes, he saw that it was a girl in armor.He quickly apologized: "It turned out to be a girl, but the old man has poor eyesight. I absolutely cannot accept this money."

Chen Qingwu stuffed the money into his arms, and said: "You can take it at ease, this is a subsidy for the poor. Not only you have it, but all poor farmers will have it. Once you live a poor life, these The money can be used to subsidize the family, and secondly, it is also to thank you for willing to sell food to us at such a juncture."

The old man was stunned, speechless, and nodded after a long while, "I know it's your kindness, girl, pity me, the old man, I have been through several wars, and I have never seen any official who gave subsidies, thank you Girl, I accept the money, girl, your kindness will be rewarded in the future."

The old man pulled the car away.Walking slowly, walking forward against the noon sun, Chen Qingwu was so blinded by the sun that he could only half-close his eyes and watch the old man leave.

Walking back to the food requisition place, two soldiers who collected food immediately stood up and saluted.

Chen Qingwu took out all the money in his arms, took off the helmet, took off the sterling silver hairpin from his hair, took off the gold beads on his ears, and the silver bracelet on his wrist in turn, and put them on the table: "Sell all these, and if such poor old people come to sell grain, you two will quietly give them some money to make their life easier."

"Miss Chen, you are really kind, Guanyin Bodhisattva." The two officers and soldiers collected the gold and silver on the table, "We will remember, and we will definitely not disappoint the kindness of the girl."

Yaxin also imitated Chen Qingwu's appearance, and took off the engraved gold plum blossom hairpin in her hair, and the black hair poured down instantly, making her very beautiful, she said softly: "This hairpin came from the palace, it was given to the empress by the first emperor The craftsmanship is extraordinary, and it can be sold for a good price, so let’s use it as a subsidy for these old people.”

Chen Qingwu was a little shocked, "This is the only thing you brought out from the palace, and it is so precious that you could hardly live without even thinking about selling this hairpin. Take it back quickly!"

When the two officers and soldiers learned that the hairpin was so valuable, they dared not accept it.

Yaxin said with a firm expression: "The hairpin was given to me by the concubine Yuan, so it has a different meaning, but if it can save dozens of people now, it is a good way to use it. The concubine Yuan is kind, and she will definitely not blame me .”

After hearing this, the officers and soldiers put away their hairpins.

Chen Qingwu patted his forehead and said, "Almost forgot the business." Turning to the two officers and soldiers, he said, "It's also noon, you go back to the military resources department, first press [-] shi, grain and grass first, the specific route, later It will be issued, this is an order written by the prince himself."

After receiving the edict, the two officers and soldiers nodded, and called to the officers and soldiers who were still working behind them, ordering them to transport all the grain they had received back.

"Continue to collect grain here, and transport the grain and grass there again in ten days. The specific route will be issued at that time." Chen Qingwu continued.

"Decree!" The officers and soldiers asked hesitantly: "Look at the girl's dress, is this going to war?"

Chen Qingwu nodded, "Depart in the afternoon."

"Miss Chen, we have also heard about your deeds. Nothing else, I really admire you. You are brave and resourceful. Please pay attention to safety when you go here. I hope you come back unscathed and triumphant!"

The words were full of admiration for Chen Qingwu, Chen Qingwu clasped his fists and said to him: "I will definitely!"

After finishing speaking, Chen Qingwu turned around and left with an elegant heart, his figure was tall and straight, and his steps were firm, like a female general, with a heroic appearance.

"Such an outstanding person, but not unruly, tolerant, kind, and pretty, I really don't know who will marry such a woman in the future." Seeing her going away, the two officers and soldiers yearned for her very much. The long one couldn't help but sigh.

"Anyway, you can't marry! You can only marry someone as hot as sister-in-law." The young one looked at him and said jokingly.

The elder raised his hand and slapped him on the head, cursing: "Be careful what you say! Your sister-in-law knows you said she is hot, so she won't scold you to death!"

The young begged for mercy repeatedly.

"Go back quickly and don't delay the business." The elder picked up the books on the table.

While tidying up, I heard the horn sounding to gather the whole army.

"Hurry up and go."

(End of this chapter)