PNB Chapter 199 What is Uncle Gu's intention?
Chapter 199 What is Uncle Gu's intention?
Chapter 199 What is Uncle Gu's intention?
Zheng Hao turned his head, his dark eyes looking at the young man, and asked, "What does Uncle Gu mean?"
Gu Lin pursed his lips, and Zheng Hao did not urge him, patiently waiting for the other party's reply.
After a moment, Gu Lin spoke: "You know I am not the original Gu Lin, I am not from this world."
When Gu Lin revealed this fact to others for the first time, even knowing that Zheng Hao already knew, he couldn't help but feel nervous.
He turned to look at the other person, and the young prefect nodded as usual.
His dark eyes gradually deepened, as if they had been dyed with ink. Uncle Gu was about to explain his origins to him.
Not noticing the change in the young man, Gu Lin looked away and said, "In my original world, the yield of wheat and rice was four or five times that of Daqian."
After he finished speaking, Zheng Hao's expression shifted slightly.
In the Great Qian Dynasty, due to geographical and climatic differences, the grain yield in the north was generally lower than that in the south. The wheat yield was usually 1-2 shi per mu, and even in the high-yield areas of the south, the rice yield was at most 4 shi. What Uncle Gu said was four or five times more than the grain yield in the high-yield areas of the south. If this were released, it would be astonishing.
Seeing Zheng Hao's calm demeanor, Gu Lin's unease gradually subsided.
After a moment's thought, Zheng Hao said, "From this perspective, the world that Uncle Gu lives in is far more advanced than the Great Qian Dynasty. Those high-yield grains must have been the result of years of research and development by generations of farmers."
Modern science and technology are very complicated to explain, so Gu Lin did not explain in detail.
He nodded and said, "That's about right. To increase grain production, we need to not only change the environment and geography, but also improve wheat and rice varieties."
Listening to the young man's explanation, and seeing the slight frown between his brows, Zheng Hao said, "The craftsmanship or technology required for this method is not achievable under the current circumstances of the Great Qian Dynasty, is that right, Uncle Gu?"
Without denying it, Gu Lin nodded.
Then, he changed the subject: "If we can find high-yield crops like corn, potatoes, and sweet potatoes, the predicament of Youzhou Prefecture should be resolved."
The young prefect looked at the boy beside him, his dark eyes revealing gentle patience.
He encouraged Uncle Gu to continue.
Gu Lin: "Corn, sweet potatoes, and potatoes don't need any modification; their yields are already extremely high." At this point, he seemed to remember something, and frowned, saying, "Given the soil conditions in Youzhou Prefecture, corn and sweet potatoes probably won't survive, but potatoes could be worth a try."
"However, I have never seen potatoes in all the time I have been in Daqian."
As the young man spoke, his brows furrowed deeper and deeper, which Zheng Hao noticed.
He raised his palm and gently stroked the other's brow. Feeling the warm touch on his face, Gu Lin was somewhat surprised and turned to look at the young man.
Without putting his hand down, Zheng Hao's fingers traced across Gu Lin's brow as he said, "Don't worry, Uncle Gu has given me a completely new idea. Even if we can't find potatoes, I can have people collect various crops to try."
"Didn't Uncle Gu teach me that there are more solutions than problems?" Zheng Hao said in a low voice.
Zheng Hao felt a slight stirring in his heart as he comforted the other person with the words the young man had once taught him.
Gu Lin, who had been seriously considering how to solve the problem of low grain production in Youzhou Prefecture, was taken aback after hearing the young man's words of comfort.
The embarrassment on his face gradually faded, leaving behind a determined look as he said, "You're right."
“When the caravan travels in the future, I will have them keep an eye on crops in various places. I don’t believe that we can’t find the results after trying them one by one, one year, two years, three years…”
Having regained his confidence, Gu Lin said, "We not only need to improve grain varieties, but also improve the environment."
The mountains are high, the rivers are rapid, the soil is barren, and the water is far away, making it difficult to irrigate farmland. This is why the grain yield in Youzhou Prefecture is so low.
Picking up a branch from the edge of the field, Gu Lin raised his hand and began to draw on the ground. With a few strokes, a delicate circular object appeared on the ground.
Pointing to the painting on the ground with a tree branch, Gu Lin explained to Zheng Hao, "This thing is called a waterwheel. It can use water power to solve the problem of irrigating farmland in Youzhou Prefecture instead of manpower. If the waterwheel is successfully made, in the summer, after the snow melts on Qilian Mountain in Youzhou Prefecture, the snow water will flow down the mountain peaks and into the streams and rivers. The waterwheel can then use the flood to draw the snow water into the fields, so that farmers will not have to carry water bucket by bucket."
Even in autumn and winter, when the snow-capped mountains of Youzhou Prefecture are frozen, there are still small streams, and with animal-powered waterwheels running, the grain yield of Youzhou Prefecture will definitely increase compared to the past.
As Zheng Hao listened to the young man's explanation, he pondered the feasibility of using waterwheels in Youzhou Prefecture.
This thing sounds ingenious; it can cultivate fields without human labor. If used in high-yield grain-producing areas in the north and south, it would certainly play an even greater role.
Zheng Hao asked, "Uncle Gu, what materials is this made of?"
This is to ask how much the waterwheel costs. The accounts of Youzhou Prefecture are really pitiful. If it will cost a lot to manufacture the waterwheel, Zheng Hao will have to think about it carefully.
Gu Lin explained, "It mainly uses wood, and there are some places where iron is needed, but I don't remember many places where iron is used. You'll have to consult with a craftsman for the specifics."
"nature."
Zheng Hao pondered for a moment, then said to the young man beside him, "Thank you, Uncle Gu, for thinking of this for me."
It was his business, yet Uncle Gu had to consider it for him.
Reaching out, Zheng Hao took the branch from the other man's hand and placed it on the ground. He then took out a handkerchief, grasped the young man's hand, and gently wiped the dirt off his hand.
After a day of surveying the land in Youzhou Prefecture, Zheng Hao and Gu Lin returned to the city. As for Gu An, Zheng Hao left him in the suburbs to take over Da Zhuo's task of distributing grain seeds to the farmers.
Knowing Zheng Hao's temperament, and knowing that his decision to leave Gu An outside the city was definitely not simply to have him replace Da Zhuo.
Gu Lin guessed that the young man was probably worried that the people in the city would find out about his relationship with Gu An and would turn to Gu An if they couldn't find him.
Thinking this, Gu Lin asked the question.
Without denying it, Zheng Hao added, "Besides, his articles seem superficial due to a lack of practical experience. Letting him go to the suburbs to see and do more can make up for this deficiency."
Gu Lin nodded thoughtfully.
The granary of the prefectural government was heavily guarded, and the accounts related to the lending of grain seeds were also taken away by the prefect's men. Many people in the city became anxious and wanted to meet the new prefect. However, no one expected that the new prefect would stir up a mess in Youzhou Prefecture, yet he himself remained very patient and refused to see anyone, no matter who came to his door, despite the constant rumors outside.
Two days later, Da Zhu strode in. At that time, the young prefect was having breakfast with the young man.
Seeing his master and husband eating, Da Zhuo paused, looking hesitant, and didn't speak.
Gu Lin looked up, and Zheng Hao followed suit.
Da Zhuo said, "If this is mentioned, it might affect the appetite of you and your husband."
Zheng Hao had no reservations about these things, but he was worried that Uncle Gu would be affected.
He said to Da Zhuo, "Go to the study first, we'll talk later."
Gu Lin felt he had eaten enough for breakfast. Seeing the anxiety in Da Zhuo's eyes, he said, "Go ahead and tell me."
As long as one of his husbands gave the order, Da Zhuo would not hesitate, nor would he wait for his own husband's instruction. He said, "This morning, a man tried to commit suicide in front of the government office, spreading rumors that you, sir, were guarding the granary and preventing the people from borrowing grain, thus delaying their spring planting, and that you wanted to embezzle the grain seeds."
Upon hearing this news, Gu Lin indeed lost his appetite.
He put down his chopsticks and asked, "Was the person who wanted to commit suicide saved?"
If someone dies, regardless of whether Zheng Hao was present or not, if the deceased bites him to death before committing suicide, Zheng Hao will not be able to find the deceased's spirit to confront him afterwards.
In a short time, Gu Lin grew increasingly disgusted with these treacherous and cunning gentry and landlords.
Seeing her husband's worried expression, Da Zhuo quickly nodded and replied, "Back when the Zhenbei Army was guarding the granary, the lord ordered his men to keep a close eye on the movements of those families in the city. Sure enough, these past few days, the lord has not received them, and they have become impatient. They sent the farmers who rented their grain seeds to the gate of the government office to commit suicide, hoping to force the lord to do so. Fortunately, our men were there at the time. When they saw that the other party was acting strangely and was about to crash into the stone statue in front of the government office, they quickly stopped him and prevented him from succeeding."
"After rescuing the man, my subordinates had someone take him to the clinic. Because he received timely treatment, his life was not in danger."
Gu Lin turned to Zheng Hao and said, "They're forcing you to step forward and give them an explanation."
Or rather, to force Zheng Hao to back down and release the account books and grain seeds.
Listening to Da Zhuo's report that he had almost gotten himself involved in a murder case, Zheng Hao remained calm, showing no signs of having his career nearly ruined.
He said, "Uncle Gu, don't worry. If they want an explanation, I'll give it to them."
It depends on whether they can bear the cost.
at night.
Several men in black evaded the soldiers' patrols and entered the government office. They searched their way to a house and stopped in front of it.
The leader of the men in black raised his hand, signaling the men behind him to keep watch. Then, he quickly entered the house and searched around.
After a moment, he came out and said, "This room is where the government office keeps its account books. Now that no one is here, let's quickly set it on fire."
As soon as he finished speaking, the man in black took out a tinderbox and some dry paper and lit them. Just as he was about to throw them into the house, several people came up behind him.
A fight was about to break out.
Seeing that their actions had been discovered, the man in black ordered without hesitation, "Leave no survivors."
The men in black behind him obeyed and began to act.
After taking all the men in black into custody, Da Zhuo emerged from the shadows, then turned to the young prefect and respectfully asked, "Sir, what should be done with them?"
Upon hearing this, the men in black on the ground all looked past Da Zhuo standing in front and landed on the handsome young man who was gradually emerging from the shadows. The young man was dressed in ordinary clothes, but according to the man, this was the new prefect of Youzhou Prefecture.
He looked elegant and refined, a gentleman like jade, and was now in direct comparison with the legendary top scholar who was said to be exceptionally talented.
Ru Mo's gaze swept over the group of people kneeling on the ground. Zheng Hao opened his mouth and said, "...Kill them all, and then send them back to their original owners."
Without the slightest hesitation, the young prefect acted decisively and swiftly, beheading the men in black before they could react.
Looking at the dismembered limbs and severed heads on the ground, Zheng Hao frowned, but it wasn't that he couldn't bear the disgusting scene before him.
His expression was cold as he turned to Da Zhuo and instructed him, "Clean it up properly, and don't let Uncle Gu hear anything he shouldn't hear."
"Yes!" Da Zhuo replied.
Song House.
In the early hours of the morning, the head of the Song family and his beautiful concubine had been fooling around all night. Just as they were about to fall asleep, they suddenly heard a series of banging sounds coming from inside the room.
He and his concubine were awakened by the noise. The head of the Song family shouted towards the outside, "What's making that noise? Get in here and answer me!"
Then, the guards outside jogged in, and the candles inside were lit. Just as the Song family head was getting drowsy, a servant outside the curtain cried out in surprise.
He was startled, and his beautiful concubine Jiao in his arms was fully awakened. She angrily complained, "Why is it so noisy outside? These servants don't respect you at all. Go and teach them a lesson. I still want to sleep."
The beauty in his arms was newly acquired, young and delicate, and the Song family head was very fond of her, so he naturally indulged her in every way: "You sleep well, and continue to serve the master tonight. The master will go and see who is so clumsy and disturbs our peaceful dreams."
After lulling his concubine to sleep, the head of the Song family lifted the curtain, and a strong smell of blood hit him. What came into view was a scene of dismembered corpses on the ground and servants lying unconscious beside him.
The head of the Song family was over sixty years old. He had been out partying all night and was exhausted. Now, seeing the horrifying scene before him, his eyes widened, a metallic taste filled his throat, and he fell to the ground with a loud thud.
He met the eyes of the black-clad man who stood not far away, now only a head remaining. The Song family head's wrinkled face trembled, and he uttered broken, guttural sounds: "...Come...someone come..."
Upon arriving at the prefectural government office in the morning, Wan Tongpan was informed by his subordinates that Lord Zheng had finally arrived. He hurriedly ran over to find him, fearing that if he wasn't careful, Lord Zheng might leave the city again.
Judge Wan ran into the room, and the young prefect happened to look up. Upon seeing him, he said indifferently, "Lord Wan."
Seeing Zheng Hao sitting obediently behind his desk handling official business, Wan Tongpan, who had been anxious for many days, was relieved and replied, "Lord Zheng."
"This is the time to urge the people to start spring plowing. What business does Lord Wan have with me?"
Judge Wan immediately asked, "Why did Your Excellency order the soldiers to guard the granary and prevent the people from borrowing grain?"
When Wan Tongpan asked the question, it was only natural for him to do so. However, when the young prefect looked up at him, Wan Tongpan couldn't help but feel guilty.
Zheng Hao said, "If the grain and seeds from the government granary are lent to the people, even if the people are in arrears, I will not stop them and delay the important spring plowing in Youzhou Prefecture."
"but"
Zheng Hao stared at Judge Wan with his dark eyes, making it impossible for the latter to look away or avoid the question: "The Youzhou government has some audacity. For many years in a row, they have been giving away grain seeds to local wealthy families, leaving the people without seeds for spring planting. They can only borrow grain and rent land from local wealthy families, and in the end, they have to sell their children!"
"······grown ups······"
Zheng Hao said calmly, "This matter could not have been accomplished by just a few merchants. To be able to borrow grain seeds for so many years in a row, there must be inside help from the Song and Bai families in the government office."
Unexpectedly, the young prefect was fearless enough to directly expose this veil of pretense. Even though the other party did not name him, Judge Wan could not help but break out in a sweat.
Finally, he looked at the young prefect as if he could see through his thoughts, and without saying a word, Judge Wan turned and left.
Da Zhu saw the other party out, and seeing Wan Tongpan's anxious and flustered appearance, he said with an ambiguous meaning: "Lord Wan may not know what important matters Lord Zheng has handled in the past. The Qingzhou Prefecture tax silver case was presided over by Lord Zheng."
Wan Tongpan was left stamping his feet in astonishment, while Da Zhuo turned and went into the house.