Northern Song Dynasty: It’s a showdown, who said I, Zhao Zhen, don’t have a son?

Chapter 89 Bao Zheng’s kindness

On the first day of the new year, he visited Cao Lang and heard Cao Lang talk about this matter. Zhao He just tried his best to accumulate some virtue and wrote down some measures that would be used by later generations.

But Bao Zheng came in person, which made Zhao He feel frightened.

Is it possible that there is something in this book about government affairs?

Zhao He couldn't help but asked with some worry: "Master Fu, may I ask, is there anything wrong with this booklet?"

Bao Zheng looked solemn at the moment and questioned Zhao He as soon as he arrived, as if he was in trouble.

"Go in and talk."

Zhao He was even more panicked, and he was even more unsure of what Bao Zheng was doing.

In the room, Bao Zheng took out the book and opened it again. Zhao He glanced over there.

Is there a problem here?I don’t remember writing anything that satirized the government?

Of course Zhao He would not do such a thing that would cause trouble, but he still hesitated at the moment.

Sensing Zhao He's actions, Bao Zheng closed the book with a snap.

"What are you panicking about?"

Zhao He laughed twice and rubbed his hands quickly.

"Haha, what are you saying, Mr. Fu? I'm not panicking. I'm normal."

Bao Zheng seemed to see Zhao He's doubts, and sighed slightly: "Don't worry, I am not here to cause trouble for you."

This young man seems to be very wary of himself. Could it be that he has offended this young man in some way?
He believed that he was an upright official and had never done anything to oppress the people. What he did was just exercising his responsibilities as a governor of Kaifeng, so he did not understand Zhao He's immediate reaction.

Zhao He breathed a sigh of relief and felt less worried.

"Then I don't know why the Lord came here today."

Bao Zheng paused, then said: "Are you really writing the 32 disaster relief methods in this book?"

After saying that, Bao Zheng added: "I told you that I am not here to cause trouble for you today, so don't worry."

In order to dispel Zhao He's concerns, he repeated it specially.

Seeing this, Zhao He nodded: "I went to visit Director Cao earlier and heard that the Kaifeng Mansion is currently dealing with this matter. I dared to put forward these opinions for Director Cao, but I didn't expect that it would be in the hands of the Master."

Bao Zheng nodded slightly and said slowly: "I have recently calculated that more than a thousand people will die in Bianjing this winter. Although this happens every year, it still needs to be handled properly."

"And not only Bianjing, but many people will die in other places. Every spring, a small-scale plague will break out. If it is serious, I am afraid that Bianjing will be affected, so I have been thinking about how to deal with it."

After saying that, Bao Zheng's originally relaxed expression became serious again: "In your booklet, why do you need to burn the dead bodies with fire? This method is probably inappropriate and may attract criticism from the people."

Zhao He understood immediately. It turned out that Bao Zheng came today to ask about some reasons for the measures taken here. What else did he think he was going to do.

"Then how were these corpses usually treated before?"

Zhao He looked at Bao Zheng and asked.

The latter said in a matter-of-fact tone: "Then it's natural to bury it directly. The fallen leaves return to their roots. That's the principle." "But if you bury it on the spot, the hungry wild dogs will smell out the location, and there are some wild animals. Even if If they are scattered and buried, they may be dug out and eaten.”

"As long as these corpses rot in the air and are eaten by these wild dogs, some diseases will appear. Maybe one or two will be fine, but once there are too many, and a plague occurs, it will spread on a large scale."

"The burning method is the most effective way to prevent this kind of thing. Of course, the occasion and method of burning are also mentioned above. It is best not to burn in the open, which will also cause some problems. Moreover, it can also reduce manpower and make execution more convenient."

After hearing these words, Bao Zheng thought for a moment: "But his relatives are naturally unwilling to have the body burned."

Zhao He waved his hand: "People who can freeze to death in winter, not to mention their relatives, have long since lost their families. Even if there are some, they can just customize the coffins according to the original method. After all, there will not be too many such people. of."

Bao Zheng frowned slightly, but after thinking for a moment, he felt that this method was feasible.

He has also seen those wild dogs. As long as they can smell the smell, they can be thrown out no matter how deep they are. Besides, in winter, they can't be buried very deep.

One of the uses of coffins is actually to avoid these things from happening, so that the deceased can rest in peace without suffering any more pain. But with so many people freezing to death, it is impossible for the government to order coffins for them.

The content in this booklet is easy to understand. It even explains why you should do it and how to make people do it willingly. It also provides suggestions for rewards and punishments. For example, what kind of things will the local government record when collecting a dead person? Merit, as long as there is no plague in the place, it can also be a small contribution to the officialdom, which is the icing on the cake.

Bao Zheng felt that this plan was quite novel and practical, so he came to see Zhao He in person.

"I remember that you seemed to have said that you had never read a book?"

Zhao He smiled: "I'm just a commoner. I don't have the money to go to school. Now I can do some business to support myself. It's already very good."

Bao Zheng looked at Zhao He and said: "But I feel that your talent does not look like you have not read books, or that you have a talent that can be maximized if you study."

He picked up the booklet in his hand and said: "Although this method is only for the plague, you have considered all aspects, even the simple win over people's hearts."

"Although this thing cannot guarantee you an official position, it will definitely bring you some prestige, which will be of great benefit to the future. It can even change your qualifications for the imperial examination. If you are willing, I will submit it to the official tomorrow. What's the name of it?"

Zhao He's expression became a little strange, and Bao Zheng was also a little confused: "I am thinking about you and don't want to take your credit. Why are you looking at me like this?"

Zhao He shook his head: "This law was originally written by me as a favor from Supervisor Cao, just to reduce some unnecessary casualties. As for what the Palace Master said, I think about it and forget it."

"Besides, I think this method is just some improvement measures, and it can't be regarded as any merit. I should be the one who offered the advice to the master. I am grateful to the master for handling it fairly."

It stands to reason that it would make sense for Bao Zheng to find Zhao He and ask about some of the above matters, but his move to give the credit to himself made him confused.

He felt that Bao Zheng was planning something on him, because this was not in line with the behavior of officials in the feudal era.

These people always try their best to take the credit for themselves. Besides, this method is just a random idea of ​​his, but he really doesn't have any other ideas.

Although the person in front of him was Bao Qingtian, who was praised by everyone in later generations, Zhao He knew that this person's position was too high and his path was too dangerous, so it was better for him to keep a distance from him.

But for Bao Zheng, Zhao He was very interesting to him. Whether it was some things that he had not investigated clearly before or the booklet Cao Lang took out today, Bao Zheng's curiosity was deepened.

Ordinary civilians really can't even read a book, let alone write this kind of thing, they can't even read a single big character!
Bao Zheng, who had been silent for a long time, could not say anything after all.

The person in front of me seems to be secretive about officialdom. Is it because of something he has encountered?

Bao Zheng sighed and said, "Since you don't want to reveal your name, I will follow your wishes."

"But since you are talented, you should be loyal to the country and seek benefits for the people. I will not talk about unnecessary officials. You can think about it yourself..."

(End of this chapter)