Chapter 778 The People Are Very Angry

The early morning sunshine shone in the small courtyard of the inn, Xi Yu and Ouyang Lian sat at the table and finished a simple breakfast.

While packing his bags, Ouyang Lian said to Xi Yu, "Did you know? Because the conditions here are so bad, taxes have been reduced or reduced a long time ago."

Xi Yu nodded slightly, with recognition in his eyes.

"It should be so. People's lives are already difficult."

At this time, the innkeeper came over with a pot of hot tea, gave it to them, sighed and said: "You two adults don't know something. The people here are not living well, so there are many bandits. They are not here." The county robbed because there was really no money to be made in the county, so they all went to other places. "

After hearing this, Xi Yu frowned slightly, thinking in his mind: These bandits must have been forced to take this road by life, but robbing families and homes is not the right path after all.

He secretly made up his mind to improve the situation here.

He looked at Ouyang Lian and said with a serious expression: "This clue is very important. We must find a way to solve the poverty problem as soon as possible. We must also give these bandits a decent way out and we cannot let them cause trouble again."

Ouyang Lian nodded in agreement.

"Yes, we have to plan well."

Xi Yu stood up and looked at the dilapidated streets and few pedestrians outside the inn, feeling full of worry and responsibility. He and the others prepared their bags, faced the rising sun, and walked towards the town.

Xi Yu and Ouyang Lian walked into the village, and the sight in front of them shocked Xi Yu's heart.

Dilapidated thatched huts are scattered sparsely, the land is as dry and cracked as a tortoise shell, and a few withered crops are trembling in the wind.

Xi Yu frowned, his eyes full of pity.

He walked slowly, each step seemed to carry a heavy responsibility.

Ouyang Lian followed beside him, sighing secretly in his heart.

Ouyang Lian couldn't help but said: "Prime Minister, you see the situation is so bad. Even if you want to improve it, how should you start?"

He scratched his head with a sad look on his face.

After a while, he added: "The official is thinking that maybe relocating the people in the town is a solution. But where can we move the people in the wilderness? I know this may be a bad idea, but I really can't think of it. There’s something better out there.”

Xi Yu remained silent, just looking at this barren land quietly.

"There will always be a way. Let's take a closer look and find the advantages and resources here."

Ouyang Lian looked at Xi Yu's firm eyes and nodded slightly. Although he was still full of doubts in his heart, he was infected by Xi Yu's determination and decided to continue exploring.

Xi Yu was concentrating on thinking in the fields. The appearance of the greenhouse in his previous life came to mind, and he thought that if it was promoted here, it would definitely increase production.

Just as he was about to turn around and share this idea with Ouyang Lian, a group of people suddenly came over.

Each of these people looked evil and held wooden sticks. The leader of the group, a big man, shouted at the top of his lungs: "Who are you? You came to our village, get out of here!"

Ouyang Lian was a little panicked by this sudden situation, and he subconsciously leaned closer to Xi Yu.

Xi Yu was stunned at first, but soon calmed down. He raised his hands slightly, trying to calm everyone's emotions, and said: "Fellow folks, we don't mean any harm. We are just passing by here and seeing this land, we want to see if there is any Ways to help everyone.”

However, the villagers did not believe it. An old man walked forward tremblingly and looked at them with suspicion.

"Hmph, that's nice to say. Who knows if you are here to rob our little bit of land."

Xi Yu quickly shook his head with a sincere expression: "Old man, you misunderstood. We really just want to do something for everyone."

But the villagers still glared angrily and showed no intention of putting down the wooden sticks in their hands. The atmosphere was as tense as a bowstring.

Ouyang Lian was so nervous that beads of sweat broke out on his forehead. He whispered to Xi Yu, "What should I do? They don't seem to listen at all."

Seeing that the villagers were furious and unable to appease him, Xi Yu decided to reveal his identity directly.

He took out the token from his arms, raised it high, and said loudly: "I am the current Prime Minister, and I am here to solve your difficulties."

When the villagers heard this, they were startled at first and looked at each other. The scene instantly became quiet.

But soon, a young junior student shouted loudly: "So what if he is the prime minister? No official is good!"

There was a burst of agreement from the crowd.

An old man was leaning on a cane, his beard trembling with anger.

"You officials can enjoy the good things, but have you ever cared about the life and death of our common people?"

Xi Yu felt a pain in his heart and quickly explained: "Folks, I am different from those corrupt officials. I know that your life is difficult, and this time I am specifically here to find ways to improve everyone's life."

But the villagers didn't buy it. Someone snorted: "It sounds nice, but who will believe your nonsense!"

Xi Yu looked at the angry villagers and knew that they were heartbroken by the long-term suffering and the evil deeds of officials.

He did not flinch, but took a step forward and looked at everyone sincerely.

"I know that everyone has suffered a lot and has a lot of dissatisfaction with officials. But please give me a chance to prove myself, and I will definitely work for everyone's benefit."

Ouyang Lian also helped.

"Folks, the Prime Minister is sincerely doing good for everyone. You might as well listen to what he has to say first."

However, the villagers still glared at them, holding the wooden sticks in their hands tighter, and the situation was still extremely tense.

The villagers were gradually approaching, waving wooden sticks, and were about to drive away Xi Yu and Ouyang Lian.

At this tense moment, the secret guard suddenly appeared, stood in front of Xi Yu, and asked sternly: "Who dares to do this?" The atmosphere instantly became tense.

Xi Yu quickly raised his hand to signal the secret guards to retreat, and said with a serious expression: "Stand back, these are ordinary people, not enemies. There is no need to attack them."

The secret guard obeyed the order and left.

Ouyang Lian took a step forward and said loudly: "The Prime Minister is here to solve everyone's poverty problem. How can you say that he doesn't care whether the people live or die? Everyone, calm down first and listen to what we have to say."

The villagers stopped, but remained wary and hostile.

A middle-aged villager shouted: "You officials only talk nice words, why should we believe you?"

Xi Yu looked at everyone with sincere eyes: "I know you have suffered a lot of grievances in the past, but I came without any soldiers this time because I really want to do something for you. If you have any demands, you can directly contact us I said.

At this time, one person stood up.

"We have worked hard to farm year after year, but the land is barren, we can't even eat enough, and our children are crying from hunger. Can you solve it?"

Xi Yu felt sad and said firmly: "I will find ways to improve the land so that everyone can have enough to eat. I will also provide more support."

After hearing this, the villagers began to whisper and discuss among themselves. Although the hostility has not completely dissipated, the attitude is no longer as tough as before.

Xi Yu and Ouyang Lian looked at each other, saw a hint of a turning point, and were ready to further convince the villagers.

Xi Yu straightened his body, looked at the villagers with firm eyes, and said loudly: "I will give myself half a month to solve the farming problem. If I can't do it, I am willing to resign as prime minister."

When Ouyang Lian heard this, his eyes widened in shock. He quickly tugged at the corner of Xi Yu's clothes and whispered, "Prime Minister, why are you doing this? What if..."

Xi Yu shook his head slightly, indicating that he didn't need to say any more.

Xi Yu looked at the villagers and continued: "I do what I say, do you dare to bet with me?"

The villagers looked at each other with suspicion and hesitation on their faces.

At this time, a gray-haired and highly respected villager stood up and said, "Since he said that, it's better to believe him for the time being."

Xi Yu felt happy and said quickly: "I will never let everyone down. Now I want to live here."

The old man nodded and said: "I can provide you with a place to live, but the conditions are very difficult."

Xi Yu smiled and said nonchalantly: "It doesn't matter, as long as there is a place to stay."

Ouyang Lian looked at Xi Yu's determined look. Although he was still worried, he was also infected by his determination.

The villagers began to disperse, still talking quietly as they walked.

Xi Yu looked at their backs and secretly vowed to solve the problem within half a month and live up to the trust given by the villagers.

He turned to Ouyang Lian and said, "Let's start preparations. Time is running out."

Ouyang Lian took a deep breath, nodded, and walked with Xi Yu towards the residence pointed by the old man.

Xi Yu and Ouyang Lian followed the villagers to the dilapidated house arranged for them.

The thatch on the roof was incomplete, there were several cracks in the walls, and a damp, musty smell filled the house.

The few shabby pieces of furniture were crumbling, as if they would fall apart at any time.

Ouyang Lian frowned, looked around, and said to Xi Yu apologetically: "Prime Minister, you have been wronged. This place is really..."

However, Xi Yu looked calm and smiled calmly and said: "I came here to endure hardship, so don't worry about it. Compared to the long-term hardships that the people have suffered, what does this mean?"

As he spoke, he walked to an old table and gently brushed away the dust on it with his hands.

Ouyang Lian looked at Xi Yu with admiration in his heart. He stopped complaining and started to clean up the house.

"The Prime Minister is right. Now that we have made up our minds, we shouldn't care about these little details." Ouyang Lian said as he picked up some hay from the corner and prepared to spread it on the ground as a bed.

Xi Yu nodded slightly, walked to the window, and looked outside through the broken window.

The village was in ruins, but his eyes were full of hope.

After a while, people from the village came in a hurry.

As soon as he saw Xi Yu, he hurriedly knelt down and said with sincerity and fear: "Your Excellency, Prime Minister, the younger one is Li Zheng. I just heard that you and the governor were insulted by the unruly people. I am very angry. I hope that the two adults can forgive."

Xi Yu quickly stepped forward to help Li Zheng up and said gently: "Li Zheng doesn't have to be like this, I don't mind. They are all kind and simple people, but they do some extreme behavior because they are too poor. And I do it for Came to resolve this matter.”

Li Zheng raised his head, his eyes full of surprise and emotion. He did not expect the Prime Minister to be so magnanimous.

"Your Excellency, Prime Minister, you really love the people like your own son." Li Zheng said with emotion.

Xi Yu shook his head slightly.

"The people are suffering because of our fault as officials. I will definitely find a way to improve the situation this time."

Li Zheng nodded repeatedly.

"Sir, you have such a heart, which is a blessing to our whole village. I will do my best to help you."

Ouyang Lian watched from the side and admired Xi Yu even more in his heart.

Xi Yu looked at Li Zheng and asked seriously: "Li Zheng, you know the situation in the village best. What do you think is the most urgent problem to be solved at the moment?"

Li Zheng pondered for a moment and said: "Sir, the land in this village is barren and the harvest has been poor. It is really difficult for the people to make a living."

Xi Yu frowned, thinking about a solution.

"The land issue is the key. We have to find ways to increase food production."

Li Zheng looked at Xi Yu's focused expression.

Xi Yu's eyes sparkled and he excitedly began to tell Ouyang Lian and Li Zheng about the greenhouse.

"Do you know? There is a method called a greenhouse. We can use special materials to build a shed, so that we can grow crops in cold weather and make the crops grow faster and better."

Ouyang Lian frowned and scratched his head, filled with doubts.

"Prime Minister, what kind of novelty is this? I've never heard of it. Can you grow crops in a shed? Is this possible?"

Li Zheng also looked confused. He had lived in the village for most of his life, and all he knew were farming methods passed down from his ancestors.

"Your Excellency, Prime Minister, this greenhouse sounds very magical, but how on earth are you going to do it? I really don't understand." He said cautiously, fearing that his ignorance would offend Xi Yu.

Xi Yu looked at their confused looks and understood that this idea was too novel for them.

He mentally thought about how to explain it more clearly.

"It's like building a house for the crops. This house can keep warm and protect the crops from cold weather. We can use bamboo as a support, and then use some thick cloth or oil paper to make the roof and walls." As Yu spoke, he gestured with the shape of the greenhouse with his hands.

Ouyang Lian tried hard to imagine the scene Xi Yu described, but his mind was still a mess.

"Will this really make the crops grow well? How much will it cost?" he asked worriedly.

Li Zheng also nodded in agreement, thinking that the village was already poor and how could he have any extra money to build this greenhouse.

Xi Yu saw their worries and said patiently: "It may require some investment in the early stage, but once successful, food production will be greatly increased, and everyone will no longer have to go hungry in the future. We can work together to find ways to raise materials, or we can let Villagers help, there is strength in numbers.”

After hearing this, Ouyang Lian and Li Zheng were still dubious, but seeing Xi Yu's firm eyes, they couldn't help but have a little bit of expectation for this greenhouse.

Xi Yu said: "I will order the mobilization of taxes from other places to support this place. For now, we will solve the urgent needs first, and then we will discuss long-term development strategies."

When Li Zheng heard this, tears instantly filled his eyes, his lips trembled slightly, and he knelt down to salute again.

Xi Yu quickly supported him.

Li Zheng was so excited that his voice choked up: "Prime Minister, you have saved our whole village. We have been struggling on the edge of food and clothing. Your move is like lighting up a beacon in the darkness."

Xi Yu frowned slightly and said with a serious and sincere face: "Li Zheng, this is what I should do. It is my unshirkable responsibility for the people to suffer."

Ouyang Lian watched from the side, full of admiration for Xi Yu in his heart.

He knew that it was not easy to mobilize taxes from other places, which required huge pressure and many cumbersome matters, but Xi Yu made this decision without hesitation for the sake of the people.

Li Zheng calmed down and said, "Prime Minister, we will definitely cooperate and never let you down."

Xi Yu smiled and nodded: "I believe in everyone. As long as we work together, we will definitely make the village better."

At this time, the dilapidated house seemed to be full of hope, and the wind outside seemed no longer so cold and biting.

Several farmers who participated in the riot during the day sat together, candlelight flickering, reflecting their doubtful and uneasy faces.

They gathered in a dim home called Lei Tianlong.

A young farmer was the first to break the silence. He frowned and said, "You said that the man claimed to be the prime minister. Is it true? Could he be a fake?"

An old man next to him took a puff of dry cigarette and said slowly: "But they took out the token."

An impatient man answered immediately.

"Tokens may also be counterfeit. And we don't even know what tokens are real or fake."

At this time, a relatively calm person in the corner spoke.

"But if that's the case, what exactly is the purpose of coming here pretending to be the prime minister?"

Everyone fell into deep thought for a while, and the room was so quiet that only the occasional crackling of candlelight could be heard.

Lei Tianlong touched his chin, thought for a moment and then said: "If it is fake, we can make great achievements. Why don't we go to Fang County to report tomorrow."

Others nodded after hearing this, thinking this was a feasible approach.

A woman said worriedly: "What if they are really the prime minister? Will we be punished?"

Lei Tianlong frowned: "If it is really the Prime Minister, he should not care about us. Moreover, they said they would solve our problems, and we just want the truth."

After hearing this, everyone felt that it made sense, and began to discuss in a low voice the specific matters of going to Fangjun tomorrow, feeling both hopeful and a little uneasy.

Lei Tianlong stood up.

"I'll go to Fangjuncheng to report the news. This is the best way at the moment."

An old man stroked his beard and said slowly: "Tianlong, the journey here is difficult and dangerous, so you must be more careful.

"Lei Tianlong solemnly saluted the old man.

"Don't worry, uncle, I will fulfill my mission."

After everyone left, Lei Tianlong stood there, thinking about tomorrow's schedule, but heard a burst of hurried footsteps behind him. He turned around and saw his woman walking towards him with an angry face.

Her brows were furrowed, her lips were tightly pursed, and her eyes were full of dissatisfaction.

"Why do you have to go to the county town? Can't you let someone else go?" There was a little resentment in her voice.

Lei Tianlong looked at his wife, and a trace of guilt surged in his heart. He walked up, gently held her hand, and said softly: "Don't be angry, don't complain. I went to Fangjun City for everyone. When I come back, I will definitely buy you something good." (End of this chapter)