Early Ming Dynasty: Turning Clouds and Rains into New Learning Saints

Chapter 141 Prejudice in People's Hearts
When Dao Tong heard this, he quickly looked up.

Sure enough, in the distance from the official road, a huge flow of people was rushing towards this side.

Those who are already close can see their faces clearly.

Although Daotong didn't know these people, but from their clothes, he could even tell from looking at so many young and strong people, that these people must be the people who were conscripted to build the city.

If under normal circumstances, the return of so many Minzhuang people would just solve his problem of lack of labor for disaster relief, that would obviously be a good thing.

But the key problem is that these are the people who are building the city.Daotong is very clear that it is definitely not completed at this time.

And that Yongjia Marquis was also very strong. He clearly said that building the city was the most important thing and he would not let anyone go.

In other words, all the powerful people in front of them have escaped.

With so many people, even Dao Tong was shocked.

From the looks of it, could it be that there was a rebellion by killing officials, and that’s why so many people came back together?

At the beginning of the founding of the Ming Dynasty, the world was uncertain, and rebellions should not be too common.Especially in Guangdong, where rebellion on land is untenable, those who can escape to the sea, to Nanyang.

However, soon, Daotong came back to his senses and felt something was wrong.

These people were watched by Marquis Yongjia.Then who is Yongjiahou?
He was definitely good at leading troops in battles. Only after he had made outstanding military exploits during the southern and northern campaigns, he would be granted the title of hereditary marquis by the emperor.

Not to mention anything else, Fujian and Guangdong were the two places that Yongjiahou led troops to conquer.He is also famous for his strict military management and ruthlessness.

Even if these people were given weapons and allowed to rebel under the eyes of Marquis Yongjia, they would definitely not be able to successfully rebel. It would not take much effort from Marquis Yongjia to suppress them all.

Confused, Daotong hurriedly came over. He wanted to find out what was going on?

"The County Lord is in danger, the County Lord is in danger..."

The men behind him reminded him anxiously, but they couldn't stop shouting.In desperation, they could only keep up.

Seeing so many people rushing over, many people's calves were trembling.

The Panyu County Dianshi who was accompanying him had the responsibility of arresting thieves. He had no choice but to go ahead of the county magistrate and greet him. He boldly shouted: "What are you doing? Aren't you afraid of the court's laws when you escape privately?"

The crowd stood still in front of him, and everyone started talking in various directions.

"We didn't escape privately!"

"Yes, then Yongjia Marquis is so vicious, do we dare to escape privately?"

"No, you don't even know how many heads have been lost?"

"..."

Dianshi was a little confused after hearing this. Didn't he escape privately?Then Beicheng shouldn’t have been repaired either?The county magistrate went to Marquis Yongjia to get Minzhuang back first, but he was almost beaten by Marquis Yongjia. This obviously means that it is impossible to let them back before the city construction is completed!

Daotong had also strode closer. Hearing Minzhuang's chattering voice, he was very surprised and asked loudly: "What's going on? Who can tell me clearly?"

Daotong has been the magistrate of Panyu County for many years. The people know that he is a good official and has gained prestige.

Therefore, upon hearing his words, even though there were still many people rushing over from behind, the scene fell silent.

One of the minzhuangs said to Dao Tong: "Your Majesty, what did Marquis Yongjia say about the prince-in-law's request? He stopped building the city and asked us to come back and provide disaster relief first!"

"Yes, let us shout together to say thank you to the consort for his kindness!"

"That's right, we asked us to call out many times, but we didn't see where the son-in-law is?"

"..."

Hearing what they said, Daotong was surprised and immediately asked: "Did Marquis Yongjia really say that because of the prince's request, he let you come back first?"

After he finished speaking, in order to avoid hearing unclearly, he pointed his finger in front of Minzhuang and said, "You answer, and others should not speak!"

So Minzhuang, who was named, replied: "Indeed, but we didn't see the consort. We just saw Yongjiahou and a few people and told us to leave. Then we will come back quickly." .”

After finishing speaking, he asked the doubts in his heart on behalf of the other people: "Xianzun, has the son-in-law really come to our Guangdong?"

Of course they discussed this along the way.

Anyway, they agreed that it was absolutely impossible for the Marquis of Yongjia to be so kind, and found a reason to let them back.

Of course Daotong knows this.Marquis Yongjia and the Chief Envoy of Guangdong jointly requested surrounding officials to go to greet him, and today, he just didn't go.

When he heard this, he was stunned for a moment, and then said with great joy: "The prince-in-law has indeed come to Guangdong. He should arrive in Guangzhou this morning and will be appointed as the county magistrate in Xiangshan County. In this way, it is really thanks to the prince-in-law. , so you can go home?"

Upon hearing this, these people immediately exploded.

"What, is he really the prince-in-law?"

"But, haven't you seen the consort's pomp?"

"Could it be possible that among the few people who talked to the Marquis of Yongjia, there was a royal son-in-law?"

"It's a shame. If you really want to know that he is the consort, you have to look at it no matter what!"

"..."

At this time, Daotong had figured out that the return of these people was legal and compliant. He was immediately happy and said loudly: "Stop talking. All of you from all walks of life should go back and prepare for disaster relief!"

When these people heard this, they immediately thought about the situation at home and dispersed quickly.

However, many of them were naturally still discussing.

"It seems that this prince-in-law is a good person!"

"No, if you want to serve as magistrate in Xiangshan County, then Xiangshan County will be lucky!"

"Yes, who is that? You, the magistrate of Xiangshan County, are actually the emperor's consort. I guess you will have a good life in the future!"

"Yes, Marquis Yongjia has to give face. Who will you, Xiangshan County, be afraid of in the future?"

"..."

Of course, there are some people who don't think so.

"As far as this matter is concerned, it's really not certain whether the son-in-law is a good person or not!"

"With such a big background, if he behaves randomly in the local area, no one would dare to do anything to him, why not just let him do whatever he wants!"

"You are right. Who dares to offend the prince-in-law of the dynasty, not even the powerful Marquis Yongjia. Who dares to stop him if he really wants to do something?"

"..."

Among these worried people, the majority are Minzhuang from Xiangshan County.After all, as long as we are human, we will worry a little more and not think about the best.

Daotong, for his part, had no intention of caring about what happened to this prince-in-law.Minzhuang came back, and he was busy organizing manpower. His top priority was to solve all the problems caused by the storm in the county one by one.

This gap in the river near the official road is the one that most affects people's livelihood.He is here, supervising and organizing the newly arrived Minzhuang to start busy.

I was so busy. I don't know how long it took, but a group of people came up the official road.Among them, two knights were clearing the road. About a mile away, there was another group of knights, both men and women, and a flatbed cart with several people sitting on it.The clothes and other things are a bit different from those of the knights.

Such pedestrians are relatively rare.Those working Panyu people would not just immerse themselves in their work, and they soon saw this strange combination.

After looking at it, someone suddenly shouted: "Look, is that the person with Marquis Yongjia? Could it be the consort?"

Upon hearing this, everyone immediately looked up.

Immediately, Minzhuang came back. He recognized it with sharp eyes, and immediately shouted in surprise: "Yes, it's the one talking to Yongjia Marquis. It must be the consort, right?" "Did you see those people on the flatbed truck? , aren’t they Zhang San and the others who were caught trying to escape from Xiangshan County, then hung up and beaten?”

"That's right, there must be a consort among those people. Didn't the county magistrate say that the consort went to Xiangshan County to be the county magistrate."

"..."

As they discussed this, more people stopped working and started to watch the fun.

This time, the overseer was shocked and immediately reported to Daotong.

At the same time, the people from the county government also went to communicate with the two knights who were walking in the front, and then hurried over and reported to the Taoists: "Your Majesty, the consort and the princess are here!"

After hearing this, Daotong looked at the group of people. It was indeed not the pomp and circumstance of the prince-in-law and princess as he had imagined.

So, he quickly took his men and hurried over to greet him.

"The magistrate of Panyu County, Daotong, has met the consort and the princess!"

Zhang Yifan was riding on his horse, looking at the county magistrate who was obviously not from Cantonese. His mind immediately thought of his original outcome of his wasted death. He was a good official.

Thinking like this, he smiled and said: "The county magistrate didn't go to Guangzhou to greet us together. It turns out that he was walking slowly and got here!"

"..." Daotong was stunned for a moment after hearing this, and then he immediately told the truth seriously, "Back to the Prince Consort, Panyu County has just been hit by a storm. Although the official received the order to welcome the Prince Consort, he really can't leave."

Having said this, he immediately turned sideways, pointed to the place where there were many people, and said: "In this storm, the river surged and washed out this river channel. Many fertile fields there were flooded, and even two villages were flooded. Part of it was flooded. I am so worried that I really can’t leave!"

After hearing this, Zhang Yifan looked up, then nodded and said: "Indeed, the disaster is quite serious. Okay, you go ahead and get busy, I have to leave too, Xiangshan County is probably not much better!"

After hearing this, Daotong glanced at Zhang Yifan, and then looked at the others. He probably knew what he knew, and then solemnly saluted Zhang Yifan and said, "I would like to express my gratitude to the consort for the disaster relief work on behalf of the people of Panyu County!"

After hearing this, Zhang Yifan immediately smiled and said, "It was the new Guangzhou Prefecture magistrate who stopped me and told me the situation. If you want to thank me, just thank him."

After saying this, he rode away.

Daotong was stunned when he heard this, but he didn't ask any more questions and bowed to say goodbye.

After Zhang Yifan and his party walked away, Dao Tong's subordinates asked him with some concern: "County Lord, if the consort took the initiative to mention that you didn't go to greet him, will it be detrimental to you in the future?"

"No!" Daotong heard this and said with confidence, "Judging from the time, the prince-in-law did not accept Yongjiahou and his companions' offer to marry him, and at the request of the Guangzhou Prefecture magistrate, he persuaded Yongjiahou to be released to the people. Strong. And there is no falseness in his words. The consort and the princess are indeed good people!"

"Is it true?" When his subordinates heard this, they all breathed a sigh of relief, but some were worried and asked, "Could it be an act?"

"No!" After hearing this, Daotong shook his head and explained, "This prince-in-law, despite his young age, dares to argue with the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty. Even the prime minister and the grand master cannot defeat him. I am just a seventh-grade county magistrate, why should I pretend to be someone else!"

Zhang Yifan's original deeds will of course spread in officialdom.After all, at that time, he was still a commoner, but he was able to challenge the civil and military officials of the court. Who else would dare to do that?

Upon hearing Daotong's introduction, all of his men were dumbfounded.

If it hadn't been for the words of the county magistrate they trusted, they wouldn't have believed that such a young prince-in-law had such an arrogant past!

..............................

When it was almost evening, Zhang Yifan and his party finally left Panyu County and were about to arrive in Xiangshan County.

Along the way, Zhang Yifan did see the damage caused by typhoons to people's livelihood.Compared with the villages north of Guangzhou, the people in Panyu County are obviously more optimistic. Men, women, old and young, and young adults are all busy trying to save themselves.

Among the crowds in each village, some people from the county government can also be seen.

This is the difference between having a good leader and not having one!
With this in mind, Zhang Yifan became a little worried about his own Xiangshan County.

The original Xiangshan County Magistrate died of illness while in office. In addition, Xiangshan County is far away from the sea, which is just closer than Qiongzhou. No officials are willing to come, so the position of the County Magistrate has always been vacant.

It is really because this place is remote enough for most officials, or for Zhu Yuanzhang, that it is set aside for Zhang Yifan to do the trouble.

Without a leader, what will happen to Xiangshan County after this seemingly huge typhoon?
Thinking about this makes me really worried.

But it didn't take long for his worries to be dispelled by other things.

I saw at least a few thousand people waiting on the official road ahead.After seeing Zhang Yifan and his group, they immediately started beating gongs and drums and blowing suonas, which was a lively scene.

In front of the crowd were some people wearing official uniforms, and behind them were people wearing silk and satin. Zhang Yifan and the others knelt down to greet them one by one before they even got close.

"Welcome to the Prince Consort, Your Highness the Princess!"

Countless people shouted together, in unison, and you could tell it had been rehearsed in advance.

When Zhang Yifan came closer, he saw that the man in charge was a fat man with a big belly. Judging from his clothes, he was the Dianshi of Xiangshan County and was temporarily acting as the agent for Xiangshan County government affairs.

He should have brought the entire county government with him. The group behind him should be the squires of Xiangshan County, and after that, they should be some people of Xiangshan County, right?

This welcome was very grand and grand.Again, if Zhang Yifan likes this kind of putting on airs, then seeing this scene, he should be very happy.

However, Zhang Yifan is not that kind of person!
Especially under the storm, this Dianshi was still so active. Zhang Yifan directly gave this Dianshi a bad review in his heart, maybe he was an official who liked to flatter.

With this in mind, he drove his horse over and stopped in front of the big fat man. Then he looked down at the big fat man and asked in a cold voice: "How was the damage done to Xiangshan County in this storm?"

The big fat man was stunned for a moment. Unexpectedly, the prince-in-law didn't say anything. When he opened his mouth, he asked how the disaster was.
After his heart skipped a beat, he quickly and respectfully replied: "Back to Prince Consort, our county did suffer from the storm, but with the help of the official and colleagues who took the lead in the disaster relief, it's almost over!"

Having said this, he paused and then quickly added: "The lower official knew that the prince consort must have been very tired after coming all the way, so he did not dare to cause the prince consort to suffer, so he dealt with the disaster early!"

"Oh?" Zhang Yifan was a little skeptical after hearing this. Shouldn't this be true?
Could it be that I was judging a person based on his appearance and misunderstood him?
Hearing that the prince-in-law didn't seem to believe it, the county officials and the squires behind him suddenly started talking about Dianshi.

"Everything the county consort, Master Dianshi said is true!"

"Yes, Mr. Dianshi has been working very hard these days. He is busy every day, and he said that he cannot let the county prince consort not rest until he arrives!"

"Our fertile fields over there were originally flooded, but thanks to Mr. Dianshi's personal supervision, they were quickly repaired!"

"..."

Zhang Yifan listened to them talking, glanced around, and found that no one disapproved of this canon history.

In doubt, he looked up and saw that the ordinary people further away were, at least in terms of clothing, better dressed than the people in Panyu County.

Is it possible that, although Xiangshan County is a lower-class county, in terms of people's lives, they are better off than Panyu County, a middle-class county next door?

How can this big fat man do a better job than the county magistrate Daotong of Panyu County?

Thinking like this, Zhang Yifan couldn't help but turn his head and glance at Zhang San and others on the flatbed truck.

He remembered that when Zhang San and others told him about the situation in Xiangshan County before, they also mentioned that Master Dianshi was very powerful and they were all afraid of him.

As for the specific details, when asked again, Zhang San and the others were vague.

At this time, Zhang Yifan noticed that the expressions of Zhang San and others were obviously a little uncomfortable.

So, Zhang Yifan turned around and said to the big fat man: "The princess and I are really tired all the way here. Please let them go. If there is anything else, we can talk about it tomorrow!"

After hearing this, the big fat man quickly agreed and asked the squires and common people to retreat to both sides of the official road. Then he gestured with his hands to invite the princess consort to move forward.

Zhang Yifan was not polite to him. With his prejudice against him, he drove his horse forward and at the same time began to observe the situation on both sides of the official road.

Needless to say, after entering Xiangshan County, the farmlands on both sides of the official road, or the villages not far away, can't see the damage after the windstorm.

It seems that they have really recovered from the wind disaster!

The sunset dyed the sky in the west red, and the county seat was already approaching.

Zhang Yifan couldn't help feeling a little suspicious: Could it be that he was really wronged?
Are the prejudices in people's hearts really like a big mountain?
　Ask for support!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)