Corrupt County Magistrate (9)
Thanks to the author Wu County Cheng's detailed description of the story of "Yuan'er's infatuation turned into a tree", the young men's interest was aroused, and they were all looking forward to the lantern festival in the evening.
The lantern festival, of course, was held in the evening.
In fact, this was the first lantern festival in Chui Liu. Chui Liu was very poor before, and most of the people could not eat enough. Who would have the leisure to hold a lantern festival?
But now it is different, because after Ji Changze took office, he was either repairing here or there, and more laborers were needed. He was not the kind of official who only wanted labor and did not pay to exploit people.
Because there are Yuanhuapi and the big and small shopping streets to make money, Ji Changze is very generous. Not only does he pay enough, but he also provides food and accommodation. In the past, when people heard that the government was going to repair something, they were extremely panicked, worried that the pillars of the family would be chosen to do the work. Not only would they not be paid, but sometimes they even had to bring their own food. Now it is different. When they heard that Lord Ji was looking for someone to do something, they ran faster than anyone else, just afraid that if they ran slowly, they would not be able to grab this opportunity.
Using labor to exchange for money, wouldn’t the hands be much more abundant than in previous years? I heard that there would be raffles and lantern riddles to exchange for prizes at the Lantern Festival. Although most of them are illiterate, what if they guessed it right?
Therefore, the first Chui Liu Lantern Festival was quite lively. The Chui Liu people who rarely participated in such a group recreational activity found the latest clothes at home and put them on. Influenced by Ji Changze, they all consciously went to the bathhouse to take a bath with their families before coming. There were also girls of appropriate age who gritted their teeth and bought new clothes with the money they saved so that they could dress up beautifully to participate in the Lantern Festival.
Yes, unmarried girls also have to participate in the Lantern Festival.
This was also Ji Changze's idea, because this Lantern Festival was to commemorate the non-existent girl Yuan'er. It was impossible to use this as an excuse every year in the future, so he directly positioned the Lantern Festival as a mask festival.
Everyone will be given a mask when entering the venue. Everyone puts on the mask and then enters the venue to play. Because wearing a mask, others can't see their faces. On the one hand, it is exciting, and on the other hand, they can do things they dare not do at ordinary times without scruples.
For example, scholars who study should be steady and self-restrained, but after wearing a mask, no one can recognize him. He can also go to those lively acrobatics, cheer and give money generously, and play the pot-throwing game without being afraid of being laughed at by others for being childish.
Especially those young girls who can't go out much on weekdays can come to the lively lantern festival with their peers, and they are not afraid of being talked about. If they are shy, they can just hide under the mask and play around freely. Moreover, this is a lantern festival organized by the government, and there are few elders who stop them. For them, this is a great temptation.
This kind of large-scale event can only be held if it is lively. This is the first time. If Ji Changze doesn't do something fancy, he is really afraid that not many people will come at that time, which is really embarrassing.
Fortunately, his good intentions were not in vain, because he had been promoting it before. Recently, he specially sent people to beat gongs and drums to walk around the entire Chui Liu during the day, notifying everyone that the Chui Liu Lantern Festival would be held tonight and remember to come and participate. When Ji Changze brought this group of young men from the capital to the lantern festival, there was already a long queue at the scene under the command of the staff, which made him proud.
It was not only the Chui Liu people who supported him that made him proud. Last night, these literati had just arrived at Chui Liu. They were tired and had no intention of seeing the Chui Liu scenery. After being taken to the inn, they slept in the room. The next morning, they all gathered together to see Yuanhua, so no one went to the street to see it.
When they saw it today, they were all surprised.
"This street is even cleaner than the one in the capital. There is not even a speck of dirt along the way."
"More than dirt, look at these people, brother."
The scholars who were traveling with him all subconsciously looked at the people walking on the road when they heard this. They all had smiles on their faces. Although some wore new clothes and some wore patched clothes, they all had clean faces, neatly combed hair, and clean clothes. Even the straw sandals or boots they stepped on were not covered with mud like the civilians they met along the way.
"Didn't they say that Chui Liu was poor? Why do I think the people here seem to be living a rich life?"
Ji Changze, who was walking in front, had sharp ears. He stopped slightly when he heard this and explained with a smile: "It's not that everyone lives a rich life, but there is a free bathhouse in Chui Liu. No matter where you go, there is hot water. You must wear clean clothes to enter the big and small shopping streets. Gradually, the people have developed the habit of washing frequently."
Such a poor place actually has a free bathhouse that provides hot water 12 hours a day? There is no such place in the capital.
Facing the surprised gazes of a group of scholars, Ji Changze coughed dryly, turned away as if embarrassed and said nothing more.
The ancients were all reserved and modest, how could he brag about his achievements shamelessly?
He had to let others praise him.
So he pretended to be silent, as if he didn't want to continue this topic, but his hand under his sleeve took advantage of everyone's inattention and gently pushed forward Wu County Magistrate, who was thinking about whether his wife and children came to the Lantern Festival.
The young men, who were full of curiosity, immediately looked at Wu County Magistrate.
Wu County Magistrate, who had already thought about whether he might meet his family by chance, said: "... You don't know, this bathhouse was built by our adults, and it was also decided by our adults that it was free of charge. All the expenses for building the bathhouse were borne by adults..."
He blabbered about how "our Lord Ji loves the people like his own children", and the scholars looked at Ji Changze with admiration.
Another young man asked: "There is no filth on this street, is it also managed by the government? It looks very clean at a glance."
Who doesn't like a clean and tidy environment without filth? It's just that in ancient times there was no centralized place to deal with garbage. Most of the poor people solved physiological problems anywhere, and threw away garbage at will, regardless of whether it was dirty or not.
There are people who specialize in cleaning, but no matter how fast they clean, they can't resist the large number of people who create garbage. Even in a place like the capital, it is still impossible to achieve the cleanliness of the weeping willows today.
Therefore, these people immediately thought that it was the government's mandatory control that created such a clean and beautiful street.
This is really not the case. Of course, the fact that the weeping willows can look like what they are now must be the achievement of Ji Changze.
But how can he have the nerve to praise himself.
So he gently pushed Wu County Magistrate again.
Wu County Magistrate, who was pushed to the front again: "..."
Although he had said it countless times in his heart, he still wanted to say it again. This boss is really a dog.
He took a deep breath and showed a professional smile on his face again: "This is all spontaneous behavior of the local people. It is because the adults found that composting can make the land more fertile and the crops grow better, and taught the people how to make fertilizer."
Since then, urinating and defecating everywhere has disappeared in Chui Liu.
Even if they can't hold it anymore, they will find a way to take it back home after they are done. The most common and difficult to clean garbage on the streets in the past, such as rotten vegetable stalks and something discharged by the human body, have now become treasures in the eyes of the people. Not to mention throwing it anywhere, if they see it on the road, they will pick it up and ferment their own land.
In addition, Ji Changze arranged people to clean it, and the cement floor is not afraid of water splashing, how can it not be clean?
When Wu County Magistrate explained this and that, these young men looked at Ji Changze with a little more admiration.
They had never been to Chui Liu, but they had heard about what a poor place is like. Now Ji Changze has made Chui Liu's people healthy and clean by himself, which is something that many county magistrates cannot do.
Ji Changze looked embarrassed and bowed his head slightly in front of their eyes, and said modestly with a good temper: "Wu County Magistrate is exaggerating. Chui Liu has become what it is now because of the whole county government. How can it be said that it is only my credit."
After saying that, he tapped Wu County Magistrate very skillfully.
Wu County Magistrate, who was also quite experienced, said: "... Your Excellency is too modest. Your achievements are visible to the whole Chui Liu."
The young men did not understand the alpaca running through Wu County Magistrate's heart at all, and they all sighed: "Master Ji not only loves the people like his own children, but is also so indifferent to fame and fortune, and never mentions his achievements. If it weren't for Wu County Magistrate, we wouldn't know that you have done so much for Chui Liu."
Ji Changze sighed and waved his hand: "I just did what I should do. Why should I brag about such a small thing?"
Silently touching Wu County Magistrate who had just been called to the place: "Hey, your Excellency is always like this, never greedy for achievements, fame and fortune."
The young men were even more amazed.
This Master Ji is indeed indifferent to fame and fortune, and has a noble character. He has done so much and never mentioned it. If it weren't for his subordinates, he probably wouldn't mention his own achievements at all.
It's really a clear stream in the viewing field.