Corrupt County Magistrate (10)
Chapter 39
Ji Changze did not use his identity to go h0u'me:n, and the group of people queued up honestly among the people who came to participate in the lantern festival. While waiting in line, they listened to Wu County Cheng talk about some interesting things about Weeping Willow, which was not boring at all.
Slowly lining up, everyone put on their hair masks and entered the venue one after another.
As soon as they entered, these gentlemen were shocked by the scene in front of them. There were lanterns hanging above them, which were as bright as day even though it was night time. People wearing masks were walking on the street, and there were also vendors who had obtained business licenses long ago. Hawking behind prepared shelves.
"Sachet, handkerchief, please come and take a look at the fine craftsmanship~"
Two girls in skirts came up arm in arm. They lowered their heads and carefully selected. After choosing what they liked, they bargained with the boss in clear voices. Perhaps because they were wearing masks to cover their faces, there was a magnanimity in their voices. and joy.
There was a family of three out for fun. There was a child sitting on the husband's shoulders, wearing a mask specially provided by the lantern festival for children.
There are also young children who can run on their own in the crowd. The children are unsteady on their feet. If they accidentally fall, the strangers nearby will easily pick them up and pat their heads to let them go. careful.
There were also old people coming out. Pedestrians saw that the old man had difficulty moving and was leaning on a cane, so they all gave way. The old man's mask accidentally fell off, making it difficult for her to bend down. When the yamen officer who was standing aside and responsible for supervising security saw this, he stepped forward to pick up the mask and handed it to her. Got her.
The old man's wrinkled face was filled with kindness and gratitude.
This may be a very ordinary scene in the eyes of the people of Weeping Willow, because they are accustomed to giving courtesy to the elderly and children at the call of the county magistrate, but in the eyes of these young men from the capital, it is a complete sigh.
Respecting the elderly and Salesians, something that many people in the capital cannot do, seems to be a very common thing in Weeping Willow.
They were wearing masks, so Ji Changze could not see their expressions, but just from their frequent nodding expressions, he could guess the general psychological activities of these men.
In fact, it is very simple to get people to respect the Salesians. You just need to make up a few short stories about respecting the Salesians and getting rewarded, and then describe how noble Salesians are, and the people will naturally start to do it on their own initiative.
Of course, he also did not forget to make up a few stories about disrespectful old people and naughty children. Respecting the elderly and Salesians is a moral character. It is mainly for boiling frogs in warm water so that the people of Weeping Willow can gradually develop some habits. It is not for a small group of people to fight. Do whatever you want with your identity.
"Everyone, there are lantern riddles ahead, so you might as well go and have a look."
He made the invitation, and the others naturally did not respond. Although they had not started to fully visit the lantern festival, they already had a vague feeling that this night would be a night full of freshness and expectations.
For these gentlemen who came from the capital and originally wanted to watch Yuanhua, but saw such a prosperous and peaceful scene, this night was a surprise.
For Weeping Willow locals, the night was also a surprise.
Especially those girls who are not yet married. They are not allowed to go to the streets every year during the gatherings. Not only is it difficult for unmarried girls to come to such crowded places, but they are also worried that there will be photographers who will abduct them and sell them. , the elders often have stern looks on their faces and refuse to agree no matter how much they beg.
Now, without them having to pray, the elders themselves asked them to come to the lantern festival to relax.
Wu Sanniang is one of them. In previous years, she was so eager to go to the market but could not do so. This year, her parents took the initiative to let her come to the lantern festival.
After she was at a loss, she was a little afraid to go.
The sister she had made friends with came to join her, and she timidly tightened her handkerchief: "I heard from my parents that there are many people going to the lantern festival, and they all wear masks. I am a little afraid to go. If I meet someone who is taking pictures... …”
The sister smiled and said, "I was afraid before, but my brother at home said that the county magistrate sent many policemen to guard the lantern festival. There is only one door for entry and exit. Everyone who enters and exits must take off their masks and record them. If you encounter any evil person inside, just call the police and they will take action. If you really encounter a philanderer, you will not go out in a good manner, and you will not be let through at the door. This is all specially arranged by our county magistrate to allow us to have a good time. Yes, just feel at ease.”
Although the sisters said this, Wu Sanniang was still a little scared, but these fears were not worth the longing for going out to play in her heart, so she finally nodded and agreed to go with her sisters.
Before going, Aniang specially made her new clothes, bought a beautiful red headband, and a bamboo hairpin. She said that although she was wearing a mask and not showing her face, it was a rare opportunity to go out and play, so of course she had to dress up beautifully.
Wu Sanniang's fear in her heart was lessened. She knew that her mother-in-law had never been to such an occasion before she got married, so this time her daughter could go, and her mother-in-law was happy for her from the bottom of her heart.
On the day of the lantern festival, she got up early, cleaned up the house and cooked a meal. She waited anxiously and expectantly for the night to come. Finally, when it got dark, the sisters came to look for her. The two of them held hands and lined up together. Entered the lantern festival.
It was so big and lively inside, with everything for sale. Everyone was wearing masks, and no one paid attention to whether they were men or women. They walked freely among them, and felt more relaxed than ever before.
The sister said: "I really want to be like this in the future, Sanniang, I heard that Lord Ji wanted to open a textile factory and only recruit women. I want to go. I have thought about it. Now I am not married yet, and the money I earn will go to my family. When I get married, I can earn money, and my husband will not look down on me, and he will not be like Zhier's father, who took a concubine and beat her mother without saying a word."
Wu Sanniang hesitated: "But many people don't like their wives to show up in public. What if your husband doesn't want you to continue working in the textile factory after you get married?"
"I have to discuss it before I get married. If the man doesn't keep his promise after I get married, I will report him to the government. Lord Ji is a good official and treats women well. If not, how could he allow women to participate in the Lantern Festival? I heard that he loves his wife very much. I will find Lord Ji, and he will definitely be willing to make the decision for me."
Wu Sanniang was persuaded.
Even though she didn't go out often, she knew that Lord Ji was a good official. Although he had not been in office for a long time, he was praised and admired by everyone in Chui Liu.
To exaggerate, if someone said something bad about Lord Ji in the street, the people around him would definitely attack him.
Lord Ji was so prestigious in the hearts of the people of Chui Liu.
She was still so timid, but thinking that Lord Ji would definitely make the decision for them, she felt courageous again.
"Okay." She heard herself say, "I will go to the textile factory with you."
After the Lantern Festival, the next day, Ji Changze still brought Wu County Magistrate to look for these gentlemen. They talked and laughed, and found a restaurant to eat and drink together.
The restaurant is on the second floor, and the scenery downstairs can be seen. A young man was drinking and suddenly found that there were children running around with some things in their arms. They were all wearing the same clothes. He asked in confusion: "What do these children do? Why are they all wearing the same clothes?"
This time, Wu County Magistrate did not need Ji Changze to poke him. He stood up and explained automatically: "These children are all from the orphanage. The orphanage was built by Mr. Ji. Anyone under the age of sixteen can enter the orphanage. Those over eight years old will be arranged to work. These children are all over eight years old and are temporarily assigned to deliver light items and messages in Chui Liu."
He explained that the orphanage would deduct half of the remuneration after accepting the work, and the remaining half would be counted as the remuneration of these children, so that they could have some savings of their own before growing up and leaving the orphanage.
The young men looked at Ji Changze with more than just admiration.
This Lord Ji has been in office for less than half a year, but he has done so many practical things for Chui Liu. They didn't see how poor Chui Liu was before, but they can see clearly how happy the people of Chui Liu are now.
In the face of praise, Ji Changze was not arrogant at all, but waved his hands in shame: "What's the big deal, I just did my duty as an official."
Which official can do this!
Which official can support so many people by his own efforts!
Which official can build an orphanage just by saying so.
Look at the muscular constables patrolling the streets below, who make people feel safe when they see them, and the people are not afraid, but greet them with smiles, which shows how kind these constables are in the hearts of the people.
This is the real family of officials and people.
A gust of wind blew, and the petals of the scattered Yuanhua trees on the roadside fell, falling on the clean and tidy streets, almost forming a beautiful painting that people can't bear to break.
The gentlemen sat by the railing of the restaurant, looking at this scene, and were a little dazed.
This trip, they have admired beautiful flowers, tasted good wine, visited the lantern festival, seen the grand scene, and met a good official like Lord Ji who is mild-tempered, hospitable, talented, and can be so practical. It is really worth it!
They stayed in Chui Liu for nearly a month, and left reluctantly when the Yuanhua was gone.
After returning to the capital, they published all the poems and articles they wrote along the way to praise Chui Liu and Ji Changze, and praised them highly.
They either had a good family background or a little reputation, and they had free time and money. Otherwise, they couldn't go to Chui Liu as far away as a group.
Now they did this, and half of the people in the capital knew about it.
Chui Liu is now very different and prosperous.
The hero who made all this possible was Ji Qing Ji Changze, a handsome man who was selfless, dedicated to his work, and never boasted about his achievements. He was so humble that he would feel embarrassed to stop his subordinates from continuing if they mentioned their achievements.