Early Tang Dynasty: forge ahead

Chapter 58

"County Magistrate Chen! Eat biscuits..."

Shi Wuzi held two biscuits in his hand, stepped forward and placed them on the table.

Chen Qingsi said: "I've had breakfast."

Shi Wuzi thought for a while and said truthfully: "This is a biscuit made by Aunt Zhou herself. She asked her students to bring it to the county magistrate. She was worried that the county magistrate would not accept it and asked the students to say that it was bought by students. Aunt Zhou could not refuse her kindness, and the students I had to accept it.”

Chen Qingsi looked at the Hu cakes and said: "Since it is Aunt Zhou's kindness, I can't refuse it. You can also eat one and have a taste of Aunt Zhou's craftsmanship."

Shi Wuzi hurriedly refused: "My grandfather is busy with the county school, and there is no fire at home. The students have been buying some food at the market these days to fill their stomachs. Even if they ate Mrs. Zhou's biscuits, let the county lady try it. Zhou Auntie’s craftsmanship is excellent, and the Hu biscuits are very fragrant, soft, glutinous and delicious, and they are very popular."

Chen Qingsi tore open a little bit with her hands and tasted it. Her mouth was filled with the aroma of oil noodles: "It tastes really good. Just wait for me..."

He said and went to the inner hall with the biscuits.

Xiao Miaochen, Qianyan, Qingkong, what delicacies have you never tasted?
But I enjoyed eating this pancake, which had no special flavor other than oily noodles.

The talkative Qian Yan couldn't help but praise, "Master Lang has worked so hard, and this is the best reward."

Chen Qingsi was also a little happy. Although it was just two small cakes, it was also an affirmation of his work these days.

Returning to the front hall, Shi Wuzi stood aside as honestly as wood.

Chen Qingsi said: "Don't be so restrained. In view of your performance these days, I will promote you to be the assistant historian of Qingxi County."

Shi Wuzi thanked him quickly, with a trace of joy in his eyes. He came from a family of officials and looked down on this mere assistant, but he was happier than anything else after being recognized by Chen Qingsi.

Chen Qingsi asked about the situation in the market.

Shi Wu beamed with joy and said: "The market is already full of fireworks, just as County Magistrate Chen predicted. After the people sent their children to the county school, they themselves couldn't stop themselves. People like Aunt Zhou, who have some skills, Go directly to the market to set up a stall and sell some noodles. Some of them work odd jobs in the market, and those who are strong enough even go to the mountains to chop firewood. There are also many who are weak to collect dead wood. "

Chen Qingsi nodded with pleasure. Hardworking and not giving in to life are the most simple virtues of the Chinese people. As long as they can be given a stable life opportunity, they can create miracles with their own hands.

As Shi Wuzi spoke, there was a hint of sadness in his brows, but it was difficult for him to say the next words.

He is responsible for persuading and informing people to send their children to school in the county. He walks around the streets and knows the conditions of many families in the county very well.

There are not enough able-bodied men in the county, but some young women are in good health, their physical strength is no worse than that of the pampered young men, and they can take on some strenuous work.But there are still many old women and old men who are weak and have inconvenient legs and feet, and they have serious problems and hidden dangers.

But considering the situation in Qingxi County, Magistrate Chen is already very, very remarkable to be able to do what he is now.

Why say it out loud and only add to your troubles?

Chen Qingsi thought for a while and said: "In other words, there are still many people who can't find anything to do?"

Shi Wuzi said helplessly: "There's nothing we can do about it. It's winter now. There are no wild vegetables to eat in the mountains, and there aren't many tourist caravans coming and going. There really aren't that many chores for people to choose from."

"In this way..." Chen Qingsi said: "I issued a notice in the name of my official, saying that the county is recruiting hard-working employees, regardless of gender. There is an abandoned warehouse in the west of the city. You go to the craftsman Hu in the east of the city and ask him to He designed the warehouse, and I want to build a solitary courtyard there to provide a place for the lonely old people in the county." A look of respect flashed in Shi Wuzi's eyes, it turned out that the county magistrate in front of him knew everything.

The location of the warehouse was not bad, and many people were willing to pay a high price to buy it, but the county magistrate did not agree.

Looking back now, I think the other party must have had a plan in mind.

That's what's left of Duguyuan.

Duguyuan is the nursing home of later generations.

Respecting the elderly and loving the young is a traditional virtue of the Chinese nation. When the Xia Dynasty was still a slave system, there were already similar institutions.

There is a record in "Book of Rites: Kingship": The Xia family raised the country's elders in Dongxu, and raised their concubines in Xixu; the Yin people raised their country's elders in Youxue, and raised their concubines in Zuoxue.

During the Northern and Southern Dynasties, there were already formal nursing homes, namely Duguyuan.

"Magistrate Chen!"

Shi Wuzi did not accept the order immediately, but bowed deeply and said: "Your kindness and benevolence are no less than those of the sages. But maintaining a county school has already put a strain on the county's finances, and adding a solitary orphanage to support so many orphans, How can we continue to support it? Once the county cannot come up with surplus food and money to maintain it, the entire county’s revitalization plan will be completely frustrated.”

"Going too far is not enough. Please County Magistrate Chen think twice."

Chen Qingsi admired this subordinate a little more and said: "What you said makes sense. According to the financial situation of our county, it is impossible to maintain the ordinary Duguyuan. The Duguyuan I plan to build is different from the ordinary Duguyuan. It is different from children. At a child's age, studying is the first priority. The lonely old man has the ability to work. If he can't do physical work, he can do light work. If his legs and feet are not good, he can do what he does. Such as sewing and knitting. Cloth, as well as cooking, washing and other tasks they are qualified for."

"The problem they have is that they can't find any work to do, so our government comes forward to take some jobs for them and maintain the operation of Dugu Yuan itself. The problem is food. Even the county officials don't have regular meals. They can completely leave the responsibility to them. Another example is the Kuang police officer in our county. He is a gentleman. He is alone. He wears a set of underwear for seven days, wears it backwards for seven days, bask in the sun, and wears it for another seven days. I'm embarrassed to say anything about him because of his smell."

Shi Wuzi couldn't help laughing.

"Now that we have Duguyuan, we can spend a little money to get a fresh look. A man like him is still willing to do it."

Chen Qingsi said: "In my estimation, the government will have to provide some subsidies in the early stage. If it really starts to work, it might be able to increase revenue for the county."

I had never dared to take action before because I didn't know what to do.Now that I have Li Hongqing's [-] yuan, I am no longer afraid.

When the time comes, the county will be responsible for the expenses and income of Duguyuan. As long as Chen Qingsi does some tricks, the [-] ill-gotten gains can be easily washed into clean coins.

He shouldn't be too familiar with this method.

Shi Wuzi continued to think along Chen Qingsi's train of thought, and the more he thought about it, the more excited he became. His eyes sparkled, and he bowed deeply and said: "The ability of County Magistrate Chen to save the world and save the people is beyond the reach of students. Being able to follow the County Magistrate is the greatest blessing in a student's life."

Chen Qingsi smiled and said: "No need to be polite, you have helped me a lot these days. By the way, you are knowledgeable and can help me think of a name. Duguyuan is not auspicious."

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(End of this chapter)