The Yellow River flows eastward with great surging force, and its momentum continues unabated for tens of thousands of miles.

It was just after early spring. Not long ago, there was a storm in the upper reaches of the river. The dams were washed away and more than 100,000 acres of farmland were destroyed. Tens of thousands of people were left homeless and fell into the river.

Floods in the Yellow River occur every year, so the court is not surprised that the people have been ruined.

In the reeds by the Yellow River, Zhang Yue, Tang Jiu, and Wang Gong were here. They were going out for an outing in their spare time to see the majestic scenery of the Yellow River. They did not expect to encounter so many ragged people along the way.

It was still a time of peace, but a severe flood almost made Zhang Yue see the scene of troubled times.

"Master, let's leave quickly so as not to run into the refugees." Tang Jiu said to Zhang Yue.

Zhang Yue also knew that he had to avoid it. He immediately got on his horse and looked over. He happened to see a refugee fall down. Instead of helping him up, the people on his left and right took the opportunity to strip off his clothes and put them on himself...

The rest of the people continued to act indifferently...

Some people looked at Zhang Yue, came over and asked loudly, pointing to the grass sign on their head.

Zhang Yue couldn't understand what these people said, but he also knew that they wanted to sell themselves into slavery.

Tang Jiudao: "Master, don't pity these people. They don't have a decent background. Don't feel pity. In the past, thieves would mix among the refugees and sell themselves to wealthy families, and then... plot evil."

Zhang Yue knew that when selecting slaves for officials in the Bianjing family, they all had to be clean-blooded, and even if they were unlucky, they would still need someone to recommend them.

Zhang Yue said: "The way of this world drives good people to ruin."

The group of people left. Seeing Zhang Yue and the others leaving, these people couldn't help but run a few steps. Finally seeing that they could not catch up, several people walked away. Zhang Yue and the others spat heavily, and weapons were exposed from their waists.

"This world is too difficult and dangerous!"

After riding away from these refugees on horseback, Zhang Yue and the others continued their journey, and then Zhang stopped to rest at a road pavilion in Junyi County.

There are many people who want to enter the city, but there are officers and soldiers guarding them. Many people are in and out of the city. If they are young and strong men, they will look at their teeth as if they are picking animals. If they are women, they will splash water on their faces to see if they are beautiful.

.

Many women and children were kneeling on the street, and the family members nearby shouted at them to sell themselves to them.

Wang Gong said: "It would be great if I could enter Bianjing. At least I would beg for food instead of selling myself into slavery."

Tang Jiudao: "Bianjing may not be good. There are many culverts in Bianjing. Many desperadoes usually live in them, and they call themselves Wuyou Cave. They even kidnap women and children and hide them here. This kind of place is called a ghost house.

"

"On weekdays, we all see the glamorous appearance of Bianjing. When I was in Bianjing and couldn't afford to eat, I met these people several times. They can be said to be evil-doers."

Zhang Yue drank a bowl of hot tea and ate some snacks by the road pavilion. When he saw a refugee child coming up to beg, he waved to the shop owner.

The shopkeeper arrived and asked with a smile: "What are the orders from the high official? But the food in the small shop is not to your liking?"

Zhang Yue put a handful of money on the table and said, "This is my usual policy. I want you to make some snacks for the children."

The shopkeeper smiled and said: "The official is really a kind person. But..."

"But what?"

The shopkeeper smiled and said, "Even if I talk too much, your money won't help."

Zhang Yue said: "I know, but regarding the ice on the Yellow River, I heard that the local officials have already gone to the imperial court to ask for relief. This Junyi County is at the foot of the emperor, and officials who are close to the people will do their duty."

The store owner smiled and said nothing.

At this time, someone on the side suddenly said: "It's a pity that even under the emperor's feet, there are still mediocre officials who do nothing."

As soon as the words fell.

Zhang Yue turned around and saw a man in his twenties or thirties wearing a t-shirt, with a rough face, a green belt wrapped around his waist, and an air of rebelliousness in his words.

Zhang Yue cupped his hands and said, "I wonder who you are?"

The other party said: "I am Zheng Xia, the person who came to Beijing to take the exam this time."

Zhang Yue thought to himself, Zheng Xia, it couldn't be such a coincidence, could it be that Zheng Xia is the one the upper class people are trying to figure out?

Zhang Yue inquired: "It turns out to be Brother Zheng, why do you say that?"

Zheng Xia looked at Zhang Yue and asked, "Brother, are you an official or a scholar?"

Zhang Yue said: "My surname is Zhang, and I have a long bow. My ancestors had Guanyin come from Pucheng to Beijing to take the exam. Unfortunately, I failed in the provincial exam twice. I have been studying at Xishan Temple. Unfortunately, I failed again in Qiu Wei."

After Zhang Yue finished speaking, he looked very melancholy, as if he was wasting his time in fame.

Zheng Xia nodded and said: "It turns out to be Brother Zhang. I am from Fuqing, and both Brother Zhang and I are from Fujian."

Zhang Yue said with a smile: "It's really a blessing to meet a fellow countryman thousands of miles away. Seeing that Brother Zheng is a good talker, who do you want to learn from?"

Zheng Xia said: "I have had many teachers, but when I was studying in Jiangning, I was under the tutelage of Jixian, the former king of Zhigao."

Zhang Yue thought to himself that the other party was really a disciple of Wang Anshi, but on his face he deliberately exclaimed: "Is it possible that Brother Zheng is a disciple of Mr. Jiefu? I am really disrespectful."

Zheng Xia laughed and said: "Brother Zhang is so young, fame is not a big deal, so there is no need to be discouraged."

Zhang Yue obviously didn't want to talk much about the topic of the imperial examination, but asked: "Brother Zheng, you just said something wrong about local officials. But brother Zheng, you have a competition coming soon. I want to remind you that you must be careful what you say, otherwise it will be rumored." It will be difficult to get into the ears of the examiner."

Zheng Xia snorted and said: "It's just a mere fame, do you think you can stop me from speaking out? Brother Zhang is really a timid person. Brother Zhang, how many years am I older than you? I have something to tell you, be timid. How can I write a good article so that the examiner will appreciate it if I am so frustrated?"

Zhang Yue said sincerely: "What Brother Zheng has learned is that I am short-sighted."

Speaking of this, Zheng Xia said: "Brother Zhang, if you want to know about the relief work, just follow me to the porridge to have a look."

Zhang Yue followed Zheng Xia to the porridge shop. This porridge shop was run by the government and was guarded by soldiers on both sides.

There are a few heads with shaggy hair hanging on a conspicuous height. It is estimated that they were victims of the disaster who came here to grab porridge.

But I saw that there were two places in the porridge farm that gave porridge to the refugees.

At one porridge pot, there was a long queue of refugees, almost hundreds of people, while at the other porridge pot, there were only a few refugees.

Zhang Yue asked Zheng Xia: "What's going on?"

Zheng Xia said: "One side of the porridge is free, but it is full of soup without a few grains of rice. The other side of the porridge is quite filling, but it costs ten cents a bowl."

Zhang Yue's expression changed after hearing this and said: "The imperial government has its own system for governing the country, and it all comes from Chang Pingcang. How can there be such porridge?"

Zheng Xia said: "You don't know something about this."

"How do you tell whether they are refugees? What if there are idle people among the local people who come here to get a bowl of porridge? Where can there be so much food in Changping Granary?"

"Therefore, even the idle people in the city will not want to drink this free porridge. But the porridge that costs money must be bought by the victims themselves. If the local officials make a fortune from it, how can the court lose money?"

Zhang Yue was speechless after hearing this.

Zheng Xia said: "This is also the case. Nowadays, there is no good governance in various places. It's just that I really can't stand it."

At this time, one of the people in the porridge team suddenly fell to the ground. Immediately, the officers and soldiers ordered civilians to carry the person away and throw him to a mass grave. The people complained that the porridge was not enough.

Seeing this, Zhang Yue immediately stepped forward and walked to the porridge, but saw someone cursing at the free porridge: "If you see a woman, just scoop some more, but this is just what you give me, it's not even enough to rinse your mouth."

Zhang Yue crossed the long line of refugees, but was stopped by officers and soldiers. Seeing Zhang Yue's dress, the other party couldn't help but ask: "Why are you here to drink porridge too?"

Zhang Yue said: "I am a scholar and I want to see your manager."

After the officers and soldiers let him go, Zhang Yue came to the porridge, but he saw that the person who distributed the porridge gave each citizen only half a spoonful of porridge, and the porridge was really clear soup with little water. Even so, the eyes of the refugees who were close to him were like fire.

Burning it, I want to swallow the whole pot of porridge in one bite.

"Who is in charge?"

An official in his fifties stood up and asked, "Who are you?"

Zhang Yue said: "I am a scholar living in Beijing. I traveled to Guixian today and saw this scene. The imperial court is subsidizing the victims, which is certainly the kindness of the heavenly family."

"But now I see that a bowl of porridge here can fill your stomach for ten cents, but if you don't pay for it, you can't fill your stomach. What do you think the victims will do if they starve to death outside the porridge market?"

The official laughed and said, "This scholar is probably stupid because of his reading. He has his own rules for how to serve porridge. I am just doing my duty here. If many people starve to death outside, what does it have to do with me? It's not me who starves them to death."

Zhang Yue said: "The rules are the rules, but the rules are nothing more than human feelings."

"Besides, ten cents can buy a bushel of rice. Is there a pound of rice in this bowl of porridge? Is there any rules here?"

The other party suddenly changed his expression and said: "You are a scholar, are you looking for trouble?"

The officials on the left and right glared at Zhang Yue, and Zhang Yue said: "I'm not looking for trouble. Today I'm here to teach you a way. Aren't you afraid that someone will pretend to be a refugee? Then I'll teach you that everyone who drinks this bowl of solid porridge will be shaved.

Lost half of my eyebrows!”

When the refugees heard Zhang Yue's method, they all applauded.

"This is a good idea!"

"You are truly worthy of being a scholar!"

"A truly idle man will not shave off his eyebrows over a bowl of porridge."

When the official heard Zhang Yue's idea, he admitted in his heart that it was a good idea, but he said "this".

"how?"

Just as the official was about to speak, he heard someone say from outside: "The magistrate of this county is here!"

Upon hearing this, the official hurriedly turned away from Zhang Yue and hurried out to greet him.

Zhang Yue looked around and saw an official in his forties wearing a blue official robe walking over under the crowd of government servants holding the moon. This kind of momentum was worthy of Baili Hou.

The so-called Baili Hou means that within a radius of a hundred miles, he will keep his promise.
To be continued...