The Bookish Scholar of the Red Mansion

An afternoon like this is probably considered normal in Yangzhou city throughout the year.

In the last few days of October, the sunshine is no longer as hot as September, and the air is visibly cooler.

Although we haven't waited for the autumn rain, we are already counting the days until the winter snow falls. There will always be new hope in the days.

On the golden Guarantee Lake, there are several boats playing soft strings. After all, there are only a few young masters who will come at this time. painting

There are not many boats, and they are hidden among the willows on both sides of the bank. Most tourists can only vaguely see the figures of the people on the boats after hearing the sound.

In the streets and alleys, everyone is living an ordinary day.

The salesman pushing the cart should be careful. From time to time, children will look at the fresh and good things and rush to his side and the front of the cart.

The adults who took them out could not stand the children's excitement.

If someone has a good temper, he will take the child and give him some instructions. If the child is in a bad mood and cries a little, he will most likely be beaten.

In the days of singing and dancing, it is always difficult for people to feel the changes in the outside world under this leisurely pace of life.

Until a mediocre boat approached Guazhou Ferry slowly and silently.

There is a small red flag on the bow of the boat that conveys a message. This is an official from a certain government telling the inns along the way that the messenger in the boat is carrying very important news and will provide convenience when he sees it.

The Yangzhou police officers stationed at the ferry were already in high spirits as soon as they saw the color of the flag. While instructing his colleagues to get ready, he quickly went up to pick them up.

The pedal to welcome guests had just been lowered, and before the boatman had time to tie the rope, more than a dozen people rushed out of the boat in darkness.

There were not many of them, but as soon as they landed, the cries of children and the shouts of relatives became a commotion.

These sounds are so weird and out of place.

It is like a stone hitting the sparkling lake, and like a sharp sword picking up the singing and dancing in Yangzhou.

The Yangzhou people in the shops along the street first came out feeling novel.

When they saw the refugees with sallow faces and thin muscles, they also noticed someone standing on the shore, struggling to reach out to rescue their relatives who accidentally fell into the water.

The expressions on the faces of these Yangzhou people immediately froze.

At this moment, most people didn't feel panic at this time, but just felt shocked and something was wrong.

Until they heard a voice, We haven't eaten in two days, please save us. Give my child a bite to eat, please.

Then, a chill like an electric shock ran along the backs of the spectators to the top of their heads. Their beards and hair stood on end, and their expressions were frightened and frightened.

The scene was too chaotic, and the officials at the ferry had limited capabilities, so they had to quickly ask people to stop the victims and stop them from running around.

Then he raised his voice and shouted to his colleagues at the outermost edge: Go and ask the prefect, hurry, hurry!

When the messenger among the victims heard this cry, he raised his hand with great effort and shouted, I am here, I am here. I am from Jining Prefecture, and the prefect sent me to deliver the message.

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Inside the government office

As soon as Wei Yinghong received the news, he ordered people to control the messenger and the refugees.

He made a quick decision. While ordering Huang Weizhong to go to the dock to take care of the refugees, he also asked someone to bring the messenger to the government office.

Wei Yinghong never expected that the disaster would come so quickly. He had imagined countless possibilities.

Shandong is a major grain-producing province and can serve as a barrier to the south of the Yangtze River. There should be a lot of grain stored in the two lakes. In addition, Yangzhou and Suzhou also transported grain to the capital. Why did the current situation become like this?

The messenger who was brought to him cried out about the difficult situation of Jining Mansion.

Logically speaking, this kind of official ship carrying messages should not hitch a ride on the refugees. It wasn't that the messenger was soft-hearted, but when he boarded the ship, the dock was already surrounded by refugees who wanted a way out.

At that time, there were not many options left for the messenger. He could either take a ride with others or be washed off the ship by a large number of victims.

When the messenger spoke of what happened on the road.

Wei Yinghong's eyes were wide open and his face was as gloomy as black, You said there are still people on the road who... fell into the water?

The messenger cried and nodded. There were too many refugees who wanted to take the boat.

Everyone is squeezing each other, and everyone is on guard against each other, and someone always accidentally falls off the boat.

Wei Yinghong, who was wearing an official robe, stood there stunned while the messenger continued to describe the situation in various prefectures in Shandong.

From time to time, officials from the government, big and small, arrived. They stood around the court in tacit agreement, packing their clothes and quietly communicating about the current situation.

When the messenger finished speaking, Wei Yinghong signaled for him to be taken down to rest peacefully.

He did not communicate with his subordinates immediately, he was still waiting. When the magistrate Huang Weizhong came back, he told himself the news from the victims.

The messenger talked for a long time, talking about how the disaster victims were everywhere in Shandong and the disaster was like a fire. But the messenger himself couldn't tell what was happening in the capital.

Wei Yinghong read through the letter written to him by the prefect of Jining. In the few lines, he talked about the situation in Shandong and rarely mentioned the capital. He didn't know whether it was to cover up the officialdom or whether the prefect of Jining didn't know about it at all.

Soon, Huang Weizhong rushed back to the government office. He first reported the resettlement of the refugees to Wei Yinghong, and after the magistrate nodded, he told the information gathered from the refugees' mouths.

What?! One egg, one penny each? Doesn't this push people to a dead end?

Dove eggs worth one tael each are really affordable for the common people?

Where's the porridge? We sent so much food, where did it go?

The official who asked the question had a subtle expression on his face when he heard that much of the relief food shipped from various places was taken up by nobles and wealthy families. He didn't know whether he should scold him at this time or pretend not to hear.

Wei Yinghong had no time to pay attention to the petty thoughts of his men, and with a dark face, he motioned for Huang Weizhong to continue speaking.

When I heard that there were still many refugees fleeing south in Shandong. He finally couldn't restrain himself and hit the court with his palm, making an ear-splitting noise.

When the bureaucrats around him saw the magistrate getting angry, they quickly stopped and whispered.

Officials in the government are not allowed to cancel leave starting today. We have gathered all the officers and are preparing to block Fishing Alley, Chunli Garden, Huafang and other places. Quickly summon county magistrates from all over the government to see me. Wei Yinghong gave the order, and naturally there were officials from the six departments. Start taking care of it.

Huang Weizhong.

Sir, my subordinate is here.

You are responsible for the granary, and everything from now on... Wei Yinghong finished his explanation in a few words. Seeing that Huang Weizhong understood what he meant, he added, Lin Ruhai.

Sir. Lin Ruhai stood up immediately and walked to the court.

I'll leave the salt merchants and grain in the city to you. Wei Yinghong nodded to him and added, I'll give you another fifty people. If they make any changes, regardless of their crimes, they will be arrested first and sent to prison for disposal after the disaster.

yes.

Zhu Guobao, take my letter with you immediately and invite Mr. Xin into the city.

yes.

After the orders were passed down one by one, someone stood up and asked: Sir, is this city gate closed or open?

Wei Yinghong thought carefully and replied: Starting from tomorrow, we will open for two hours every afternoon. Anyone leaving or entering the city who has no way to bring documents will be detained.

Seeing that things were almost explained, Wei Yinghong stood up. He had been in Yangzhou for several years, and all of his subordinates and colleagues had been carefully selected by him.

Knowing his reputation among his subordinates, Wei Yinghong changed his tone to a gentle warning.

Everyone, now the disaster is spreading, the situation is difficult, and people's livelihood is in decline. I hope everyone will work together to tide over the difficulties.

As long as you pass this level, I will explain your contribution to the court.

Everyone saluted and said yes.

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No matter how quickly the government handles the matter, it can't stop the spread of rumors.

Rumors that were previously suppressed are now spreading with even greater speed and exaggeration.

The person who had spread some gossip before was really very proud at the moment.

I told you a long time ago, I told you that a disaster was coming. When I saw so many northerners coming to the city, I knew something was wrong.

With people in such panic, no one has time to pay attention to such boasting.

Anyone who had a little money on hand crowded into various grain stores in the city, hoping to take advantage of this time to save more grain.

Unfortunately, their looting was quickly stopped by the officials who arrived.

The crowd who left in frustration did not dare to face the officers and soldiers holding knives and armor at the door.

Leyi Academy responded immediately. After a brief discussion between Jia Yucun and Pei Huaizhen, the students gathered in the lecture hall.

Jia Yucun told those children who are far away from home that if they want to go home, they can pack their bags today, and the academy will suspend classes from now on.

If there are those who don't want to leave, they can stay in the academy temporarily, and the academy will take care of their food and accommodation.

After leaving the lecture hall, Jiang Yuanbai looked the most worried and paced frequently in the dormitory. One moment I was thinking about going home, and the other moment I was worried about what to do after returning home.

Seeing that he had not made a decision for a long time, Chen Heng persuaded him directly: Brother Jiang, if the drought ends next year, staying at home is also a stopgap measure. If it doesn't end next year, it will be too late if you want to come to the city to take refuge by then.

Jiang Yuanbai looked shocked and asked anxiously: Then where will my family live?

Come to my house. Brother Heng's family is young. You have a sister here, so it's not convenient to live there. Qian Dayou spoke before everyone else, Didn't you just come to stay at my house a few days ago? All your things are still there. I Go back in the evening and let your parents clean up a room.

Okay. Jiang Yuanbai nodded gratefully, and suddenly remembered something. He asked Chen Heng, Brother Heng, do you want to use the money I saved to buy some rice now?

No need. Chen Heng shook his head. He knew that Uncle Lin and the prefect were planning to limit food purchases and suppress food prices, which were all things that needed to be done immediately. If I go to buy it now, I can’t get it if I want to buy it.

You keep this money for emergencies. If you see any food that is easy to store and carry on your way back to the county, buy some and bring it back. You don't have to buy too much. As long as you get to Yangzhou City, you will always have something to eat.

Okay. Jiang Yuanbai didn't waste any time and immediately started packing his bags.

Chen Heng and Xue Biao couldn't waste any time. They got up and ran to the Tiren Hall together.

At this time, everyone in the academy was busy working nervously and orderly, and not even a single person could be seen near the Tiren Hall.

The two didn't wait long when they saw Xue Baoqin and Daiyu sticking their heads out from around the corner.

Brother, I knew you would come looking for me. Lin Daiyu's frowned eyebrows relaxed slightly when she ran to Chen Heng.

Chen Heng nodded, and Xue Biao took his sister away one by one, and started talking to each other.

There was an uncle in the Lin family, so Chen Heng didn't have to worry. He was talking to Sister Lin about Wang Xianming.

The old man and the old lady are important family members to both of them. Lin Daiyu comforted Chen Heng, I just received a letter from my aunt three days ago. My aunt said in the letter that she and my uncle are ready to leave.

That's good. Chen Heng counted the days. It would only take three or four days at most, and the master and his family would be able to arrive.

Don't go out and run around these days. Chen Heng warned Daiyu, You and Jue brother should stay home and read.

I know, brother. You too, you have to be careful at the gate of the city. Lin Daiyu lowered her head. She originally wanted to tell Chen Heng today that she would not be able to come to the academy to attend classes after the Chinese New Year. How could she have expected that she would encounter to such a thing.

Then if something happens to my brother, how will he tell me?

Wouldn't it be better if I came directly to the door? It's not like I don't know the way. But when Chen Heng turned his head, he saw a slight worry on the other person's face, and his eyes staring at the paper cranes under the peach tree. Only then did Chen Heng realize that Daiyu was still affected by the tense atmosphere.

This is the bad thing about smart people. Whenever something happens, they tend to think through the worst-case scenario.

We are really going to run into trouble. Chen Heng deliberately spread his hands in a helpless resignation, and sighed, I will pack my bags and go to your house to take refuge.

Brother, if only you are really willing to come. Lin Daiyu couldn't help lowering her head and smiling, and said softly, Brother, you must pay attention to safety.

Okay. Chen Heng nodded heavily.

I have been thinking about whether I can write better. So I wasted some time, and there were a lot of things at work today.

After I finish updating the two chapters, I'll see if I can write a better version.