RPAGF Chapter 74 Rushing
Chapter 74 Rushing
Chapter 74 On the Road
Hanshan County is more than 80 li away from Hezhou Prefecture.
That day, the official road was crowded with pedestrians, all of whom were Hanshan people who had set off from Hanshan to seek an explanation from the prefectural magistrate.
Zhao Zhengxi wiped the sweat from his forehead and said to his mother on his back, "Mother, there's a teahouse up ahead. Let's go have some tea and rest."
“Go!” the old lady said.
Zhao Zhengxi nodded and carried his mother toward the tea stall.
The city entrance tax was suspended, and Wang Qingtian, enraged by this, fell ill and never recovered. The old lady, upon learning this, immediately became anxious. Then, hearing that her son was going to the prefectural capital to demand an explanation, she insisted on going with him. Zhao Zhengxi couldn't dissuade her, so he carried his mother along on his back.
The waiter placed two bowls of tea on the table and asked, "Are you hungry? Would you like something to eat?"
"Two bowls of tea will suffice; we'll bring our own food," Zhao Zhengxi replied.
Zhao Zhengxi took out a pancake and handed it to his mother.
The waiter smiled and placed two plates on the table: one plate of eggs and the other of steaming hot buns.
"No need!" Zhao Zhengxi quickly waved his hand.
"No need to spend any money!" the waiter said with a smile. "The eggs were purchased by Feng Yuantao, the esteemed official Feng, and the steamed buns were provided by our owners, Geng San and Geng the esteemed official Geng. We're all going to Hezhou to plead for the people, how can we let us go hungry!"
"There are still more good people than bad!" the old lady exclaimed.
The waiter smiled and said, "There's a teahouse every three or five miles along the way. If you get hungry, feel free to go in and eat and drink. I guarantee no one will charge you. Our boss said that Wang Qingtian is wholeheartedly concerned for the people of Hanshan. He's a native of Hanshan, so he has to do something for his fellow villagers."
"Thank you, Lord Geng!" Zhao Zhengxi quickly expressed his gratitude.
"It's all for the people of Hanshan, no need to thank me! You two eat while it's hot, I'm going to serve the others."
After the mother and son finished eating and rested for a while, Zhao Zhengxi carried his mother on his back and continued on his way.
"Taxation upon entering the city benefits the country and its people! Paying taxes is an honor! Paying taxes is a fundamental right of us citizens of the Great Ming Dynasty! No one has the right to deprive us of this right!" The neat slogans rang out, and the voices sounded like children's.
Zhao Zhengxi looked back and saw a group of children in school uniforms, led by their teacher, chanting slogans as they hurried along.
"Oh dear! Even the children know that paying taxes is an honor! How can the magistrate be so unreasonable!" the old lady complained.
"Who says otherwise! The prefect is definitely a corrupt and incompetent official!" Zhao Zhengxi said, cursing.
Because he was carrying his mother on his back, Zhao Zhengxi walked a little slower and was quickly overtaken by the group of students. A moment later, he heard the sound of orderly footsteps behind him.
“121，121……1、2、3、4！”
"This corrupt official is shameless! Paying taxes is an honor!"
Zhao Zhengxi tilted his head and saw a line of prisoners in labor camp uniforms. At the front of the line, two men were holding a banner that read "Labor Camp Phase Two." Zhao Zhengxi only recognized the character "two." Zhao Zhengxi envied the prisoners in the labor camp, who had teachers to teach them to read. If it weren't for his mother taking care of him, he would definitely have done what many others did: deliberately break the law to go to the labor camp for "learning."
"1, 2, 3, 4!" Wang Qiang shouted.
"Shameless corrupt officials! Paying taxes is an honor!" The one-eyed man stared straight ahead, head held high, and shouted loudly.
The labor camp was divided into two groups of one hundred people. One-Eyed had offended Wang Wenzhou, so he was imprisoned for a longer period. He was only transferred from the prison to the labor camp after the second group of prisoners had enough people.
In less than a month, One-Eye gradually grew to like the labor camp. Every day, a beautiful teacher taught him to read. Lord Wang also came to give lectures from time to time. Although One-Eye was mistreated by Lord Wang in prison, he grew to admire Lord Wang more and more.
After spending a long time with Lord Wang, One-Eye noticed that Lord Wang was unlike other officials; he had absolutely no airs of authority. Every day, the "principal" would invite several of the best-performing "students" to dinner together.
Having suffered in prison, One-Eyed immediately put on a show of his best. He was the first person in the second cohort to have dinner with the principal.
One-Eyed was deeply moved by what the principal said at dinner. The principal earnestly explained that bullying the weak is the most shameless thing a person can do! Only losers in life resort to such tactics. Even thieves have their code of honor; even robbers should have a conscience. Not paying for a meal is somewhat understandable. But not only refusing to pay but also extorting money is going too far.
Starting with the third phase of the labor camp program, it suddenly became a highly sought-after destination, with the vast majority of inmates having deliberately broken the law to enter. In the labor camp, not only was the food and drink plentiful, but they could also learn to read and write, acquiring knowledge—something no one else could have dreamed of.
One-Eyed gradually accepted his status in the labor camp, and a sense of pride welled up within him. Especially now, when he walks down the street, he frequently receives envious glances from passersby.
"It's all your mother's fault! Otherwise, you could have gone to the labor camp to learn to read too!" The old lady saw her son stop and stare blankly, and knowing what he was thinking, she spoke up.
“Mom! It’s alright! After I get married, my wife will take care of you, and then I’ll go to the labor camp,” Zhao Zhengxi comforted his mother.
"Let's hurry on our way! We, the people of Hanshan, are fortunate to have met an honest official like Wang Qingtian, but unfortunately we've run into a corrupt official like the magistrate. It's infuriating!" the old lady complained.
"Yes!" Zhao Zhengxi nodded, praying in his heart that Wang Qingtian would recover from his illness soon.
Wang Wenzhou wasn't sick; he was faking it. He was currently resting his head on Sheng Lan's lap, traveling by carriage.
He went with the large group to Hezhou because he was afraid of inciting the people, which would eventually lead to trouble if they got angry and caused a major incident.
"Oh! Young master, why won't you listen to my advice?" Wang Zhixin said plaintively.
"Old Wang, what can I do? You even tried to pull strings and plead with Lord Yu. But he's determined to stop the city tax. I had no choice but to confront him head-on!" Wang Wenzhou said with a smile.
“Young Master, you are inciting public opinion and stirring up a popular uprising. This could lead to the execution of your entire family!” Wang Zhixin said earnestly.
"Old Wang, I'm going to Hezhou with you! I'm just worried something might happen. Don't worry, with me here, nothing will go wrong," Wang Wenzhou said confidently.
Wang Zhixin shook his head with a wry smile; he couldn't refute it. The young master was highly respected by the people of Hanshan, commanding widespread obedience; he was practically a living Buddha in their eyes.
It wasn't until yesterday that Wang Zhixin discovered that the young master was inciting the people to go to Hezhou to demand an explanation. Old Wang rushed over to plead with the young master, saying that this method wouldn't work! But the young master stubbornly refused to listen and insisted on doing it this way. Judging from the young master's expression, he was determined not to rest until he brought Lord Yu down.
Wang Zhixin also disliked Yu Wuzhen. Wang Wenzhou's uncle had served as the Grand Canal Transport Commissioner for over twenty years, in charge of the canal transport. A prefectural magistrate was responsible for canal transport, and anyone with a modicum of sense would give Wang some face, considering his extensive connections. But Yu Wuzhen showed absolutely no respect.
Since Yu Wuzhen was showing such disrespect to the newly established Marquis's mansion, Old Wang didn't mind helping his young master out. Old Wang went to Hezhou with her to cultivate connections and submit a few memorials to Yu Wuzhen.