Surrounded by the people, Liu Cong came to Old Man Zheng's house. In Mrs. Zheng's astonished eyes, he walked into the house laughing with Old Man Zheng.
"Old man, these are the only huts in your house?"
Hearing Liu Cong's inquiry, Old Man Zheng smiled and said, "I only have these huts in my house, and it's all thanks to you, Marquis of Chu."
"My whole family used to be tenants of the Fei family, and both of my sons died on the battlefield. If you hadn't divided the land for us, I really don't know how I would have been able to support my three grandsons."
Hearing what Old Man Zheng said, Liu Cong looked at the three timid children at the door of the house, "Your son died in the war, didn't the government pay him a pension?"
Old Man Zheng waved his hand and said, "Well, your father was in power at that time, and my two sons died in the battle in Changsha."
When Liu Biao was in charge of Jingzhou, there was a rebellion in the four counties south of Jingzhou. Zhang Xian, the governor of Changsha, rebelled. It was a critical moment of the war between Yuan and Cao, which also prevented Liu Biao from attacking Cao Cao with Yuan Shao.
While Liu Cong was thinking about the problem, Old Man Zheng continued, "Life is getting better now. My family has been allocated sixty-five acres of land, and there is no longer a master. The government taxes are not high. Old Man I can only make a living in a year."
I’ve saved up some savings.”
"I just don't know how long this old bone can live. If my three grandchildren can grow up, get married and have children, I would be willing to die now."
As long as ordinary people can live well and live a good life, they won't have so many extravagant desires.
Hearing what Old Man Zheng said, Liu Cong smiled and comforted him, "Old man, don't your grandchildren go to school? Isn't the school free?"
Old Man Zheng smiled and said, "I went, but there were too many people. Only one of the three children passed the test."
After the school opened at that time, because there were too many students, we had to conduct assessments to recruit students.
"Erdanzi, come here." Old Man Zheng said and waved to the child at the door.
"All three of you, come here." Liu Cong whispered to the children at the door.
The three children squirmed timidly and walked slowly towards Liu Cong and their grandfather.
Although the children were young, they also knew that Liu Cong was a big shot. Their grandmother was hiding in the back room and did not dare to come out. Of course they did not dare to cause trouble.
"Aweng."
"Hey, my dear grandson." Old Man Zheng smiled and took the three children into his arms.
"How old are you?" Liu Cong asked the three children.
However, the three children did not dare to talk to Liu Cong and buried their heads in Old Man Zheng's arms. Old Man Zheng smiled bitterly and said, "The children are still young and are afraid of others. It makes you laugh."
"The eldest is ten years old, and the second and third are nine. Their father died in the war not long after they were born."
"What about their mother?"
When Old Man Zheng heard this, he said bitterly, "The boss's wife was already in poor health. She learned that her father died in the war and she was gone not long after."
"The second son's wife went to a brothel and became a prostitute for the sake of her three children. She sends money to the family every month. Now that life is getting better, the old woman and I want her to come back."
"But she said she didn't have the face to face us, and she didn't want to smear the baby. We never blamed the child. All she did was for the sake of a few children."
When Old Man Zheng spoke, he had already begun to shed tears. Most of the people in Jingchu and even the world were like Old Man Zheng's family. They lived a hard life and tried their best to keep their families alive.
Maybe you look down on them and laugh at them, but you can't help it. People's lives are so difficult, especially in such troubled times.
People like Zhang Liu are already living a good life in a wealthy family, which is also the result of Liu Cong's preferential treatment of soldiers. More people are like Old Man Zheng, living in thatched huts and living a difficult life.
"Aweng, don't cry. When I grow up, I will take my mother back!"
"Hey, my dear grandson is sensible."
Although the child was young, he still knew how to comfort his grandfather. While Old Man Zheng was sad, he squeezed out a smile to comfort the child.
Faced with this scene, Liu Cong didn't know how to comfort him. He could only swear in his heart again that he must make the people's lives easier. He must do more things that are beneficial to the people so that they don't have such a difficult life.
"The longevity memorial arch in our home is the person in front of you. You have to thank them for being able to live a good life."
Old Man Zheng pointed behind Liu Cong and said to the three children, "Kowtow to the Marquis of Chu. It is only through him that our family can have land and Erdanzi can go to school."
Although the three children were still timid, they still listened to their grandfather's words and knelt down to kowtow to Liu Cong.
"Old man, you must not do this." Liu Cong hurriedly stood up and tried to help the three children up.
Old Man Zheng said sternly, "This is what we should do. It's all because of you that our family is what we are today. Are you dissatisfied because you want me to kowtow to you even though I'm an old man?"
"No, no, no, please don't. How can I afford it? Let some children get up quickly."
When Liu Cong entered the house, he saw the longevity memorial arch erected for him in the house.
If he still had thoughts of stabilizing his rule when he was in administration, at this moment, Liu Cong completely just wanted to make the people feel better.
The old man and three children in front of him are a reflection of countless ordinary people in the world. They are all just like this family and have difficulty living, let alone living.
After the children got up, Liu Cong continued to ask, "Uncle, how old are you this year?"
"I am sixty-eight this year. I don't have many years to live." Old Man Zheng replied with a smile.
"You will definitely live a long life. When your three grandchildren grow up, get married and have children, then the good times will come."
Hearing Liu Cong's blessing to himself, Old Man Zheng was also happy, "I don't ask for a long life, as long as my three grandchildren can be raised well."
"It is true that you will live a long life. There are not many officials in the world who are as good to our people as you are. We are not the only ones who have set up an immortal memorial arch for you at home. The people of Jingchu are all thinking of your kindness.
."
"Go to other homes and see. Every home has your longevity memorial arch. The people hope that you will live a long life. Only with you around can the people live a good life."
What Old Man Zheng said was from the bottom of his heart, but Liu Cong's eyes were already a little moist. The simple old man in front of him just lived the simplest life.
But he expressed his most sincere gratitude to him. He only did some of the most insignificant things, but it made the people's lives completely different from before.
"My lord, my wife has given birth!"
While they were talking, Xing Daorong from outside broke in and reported.
"Keep your voice down, don't scare people." Liu Cong scolded.
Xing Daorong chuckled, "My lord, am I not happy for you?"
"Just now the housekeeper of the mansion came to report personally that my wife has given birth to a child!"
"What?" Liu Cong came to his senses and stood up directly and asked Xing Daorong, "Please be more clear."
Xing Daorong smiled and replied, "Mrs. Sun and Mrs. Cai both gave birth! Mrs. Sun gave birth to twins, and Mrs. Cai gave birth to a son!"
The delivery dates of Sun Shangxiang and Cai Jia are almost the same, and they were both conceived in November last year.
Xing Daorong continued, "Housekeeper Cai said that when Mrs. Sun gave birth, Mrs. Cai was so nervous that she was about to give birth. Congratulations, my lord, for having two sons!"
"Old man, I'll take my leave now." Liu Cong bowed his hands to Old Man Zheng and hurried outside.