This winter has been extremely difficult for Li Ming.
Li Ming is an ordinary craftsman living in Yingtian City.
His meager income is barely enough to support the living expenses of his family.
However, this year, business has been particularly sluggish.
After a busy day of work, Li Ming returned home dragging his exhausted body.
It's very cold in Li Ming's home.
A thatched house with drafts on all sides cannot block much of the cold air.
In the middle of the room, there was only a small stove emitting a weak firelight.
However, this small stove is really too small compared to the entire house.
And in order to save money, Li Ming did not put much fuel in the stove.
This stove can only be said to be better than nothing.
Looking at his wife and children who were still shivering in their sleep, Li Ming couldn't help but let out a long sigh.
It seems that this winter is really difficult.
Today's winter is much colder than in previous years.
But their family no longer has any extra money to buy charcoal or briquettes!
Looking at the side face of his youngest son sleeping soundly, Li Ming couldn't help but feel sad.
They adults are fine, but can his little son, who has just been born, be able to withstand it?
His youngest son is likely to freeze to death this year!
In Li Ming's heart, all his internal organs were burned.
But no matter how sad he was, Li Ming had nothing to do.
Now he is working hard, but the money he earns is really pitiful.
He really can't afford the charcoal fire this winter!
With infinite sadness, Li Ming slowly fell asleep.
Early the next morning, Li Ming carried his toolbox as usual and prepared to go out to find work.
But just as he walked to the door, he heard a cry: "There is free briquettes at the door of the Wucheng Army and Horses Division. If you need it, you can get it."
What?
Free briquettes?
This sudden pie hit Li Ming on the head, making Li Ming dizzy.
This...is this true?
If only he had this free briquette, his little son could survive!
Without the slightest hesitation, Li Ming immediately found the official who had spoken, rushed forward and asked: "This official, are you telling the truth?"
"Is there really free briquettes available at the entrance of the Five Cities Soldiers and Horses Division?"
When the officer heard this, he also gave Li Ming a positive answer: "Of course we have free briquettes."
"If not, why am I still shouting here?"
"But I told you in advance that the quality of the free briquettes is far inferior to ordinary briquettes."
"Although free briquettes can also be burned, the smoke of free briquettes is much larger than ordinary briquettes."
"If you can't bear it, don't go get it."
When Li Ming heard that he had free briquettes, he immediately burst out laughing: "Hey, sir, what are you talking about?"
"This winter is so cold. We ordinary people are almost freezing to death. Why do we care about the smoke and dust?"
"Let me tell you, as long as this briquette can be burned, it is a great thing!"
With that said, Li Ming immediately ran to the Five Cities Soldiers and Horses Division.
Li Ming was afraid that if he was a step too late, all the free briquettes would be robbed!
Sure enough, Li Ming had a good idea.
After arriving at the scene, many people were already standing in line to receive free briquettes.
The queue for collecting coal stretched from the street to the end of the street, and it was almost endless as far as the eye could see.
On both sides, there were several police officers maintaining order.
When Li Ming saw this, he immediately became anxious.
With so many people, can I still receive free briquettes?
Li Ming quickly laughed along and asked one of the guards who was maintaining order: "Sir, do you know how much briquettes will be distributed today?"
"The little one came late. I wonder if there is any leftover briquettes?"
When the officer heard this, he also casually replied: "Just line up. I see that this morning, more than a dozen carts of briquettes were transported from Meishan."
"I'm afraid even if there were twice as many people, they would still be able to receive briquettes."
"And there is a limit on how much you can receive briquettes."
"A person can only receive up to five briquettes, not even one more."
This quota system was also proposed by Hu Changan.
In this way, we can ensure that everyone can receive briquettes.
Although each person can only receive a small amount of briquettes at one time, if you save a little, it is enough to maintain the basic expenses of a family.
When Li Ming heard this, he was also very happy.
In this way, you can definitely get the free briquettes!
After thanking the waiter, Li Ming patiently lined up.
No matter how long the queue is, it’s worth it for this life-saving briquette!
Li Ming was in the queue and waited patiently.
Finally, it’s Li Ming’s turn!
Li Ming got five briquettes from the guard and smiled so hard that he couldn't close his mouth from ear to ear.
In Li Ming's eyes, how can this be briquettes?
This is simply a life-saving straw!
But after a while of excitement, Li Ming had new worries.
I don’t know how many days can I get this free briquette?
If you can only get it for one day, it’s just a drop in the bucket and it won’t help!
Is there any essential difference between freezing to death a few days earlier and freezing to death a few days later?
Li Ming hesitated again and again, and finally asked the officer on the side who was maintaining order: "Sir, I wonder how many days will this free briquettes be distributed?"
"Do you still have the free briquettes tomorrow?"
When the officer heard this, he also laughed and said: "As mentioned above, the free briquettes will be distributed until next spring!"
"As long as you come and get it, everyone will have a share."
When Li Ming heard this, he was overwhelmed with joy.
Send it to next spring?
His youngest son's life was finally saved!
Although in the eyes of the powerful, five briquettes are nothing, to Li Ming, these five briquettes can definitely guarantee the minimum heating for their family!
It seems that their whole family will not have to suffer the cold this winter!
Li Ming was so grateful that he burst into tears.
Looking at the guard, Li Ming kept saying auspicious words, which was almost incoherent.
The officer looked at Li Ming's excited face and smiled heartily: "Why are you thanking me?"
"If you want to thank me, thank the emperor in the Forbidden City."
"It's because of the emperor's order that our government will distribute this free briquettes."
"In addition to the emperor, you also want to thank Mr. Hu who invented briquettes."
"It is said that this time it was Minister Hu who took the initiative to sell the briquettes to the government at a low price."
"If it weren't for Mr. Hu, you would never have gotten this free briquettes!"
Li Ming was also moved when he heard this.
It turned out that it was Minister Hu who indirectly helped their family overcome the difficulties and saved his youngest son's life.