After more than a dozen bangs, Ge Huaimin's forehead was bleeding even though his skin was rough and his flesh was thick. Seeing that he still had no intention of stopping, Su Jin quickly signaled to his guards to step forward and stop him.
"Why is General Ge doing this? I am about to explain this matter to you people." Su Jin said lightly. He did not think that Ge Huaimin was just showing off. He could see that Ge Huaimin was indeed regretful at this moment, but naturally he could not forgive Ge Huaimin entirely.
After all, he has done a lot of inhumane things.
"Mr. Su, I, Lao Ge, have never regretted anything I did before, but today I saw the old man in Weizhou with a sallow face and thin skin. I really regret it. I am the deployment commander of Weizhou City appointed by the imperial court. I should have protected the people from misfortune.
, Fortunately, the Western thieves have not yet arrived, but it is the officials of the imperial court who are causing trouble and destroying the people. It is simply too inappropriate. I am guilty." Ge Huaimin kowtowed to the audience again.
Su Jin looked at the silent people in the audience and said loudly: "Dear fellow villagers, Weizhou Dude's commander Ge Huaimin once worked as a swindler, following Li Zhi, Xu Wei and others to participate in the corruption and reselling of relief grains. He should have been punished.
However, last night Ge Huaimin assisted our government in arresting Li Zhi and Xu Wei. In view of his ability to know his way back, and actively cooperated with our government in arresting those involved in the case, and he was an accessory, our government decided to give him meritorious service.
Opportunity, I wonder what fellow villagers think? If you feel that this government is treating you unfairly, I will take him to jail immediately."
The people finally understood that Ge Huaimin had rebelled last night and said that the magistrate could not be so capable. The more than 20,000 soldiers and horses in the city were all from Li Zhi and Ge Huaimin. How could he take Li Zhi down?
and brought to justice.
The people are kind-hearted. Even if Ge Huaimin once did something to hurt them, once the evil people give in, people with good intentions will not beat up the drowned dog. This is a common problem among Chinese people. People have bowed their heads and admitted their mistakes, and will not forgive them anymore.
If you hold on to someone, you will be regarded as not being forgiving or graceful enough.
Ge Huaimin's attitude today is also remarkable. His head was bruised and bloody after being kowtowed for more than a dozen times, and he was clearly distressed. With the prefect interceding on the side, he could only forgive even though it was unforgivable.
"Since this person already knows how to repent, we will not deny him a chance to change his ways," someone said.
Another person said: "Yes, General Ge has led his troops to fight several battles with the Western bandits, and he has also protected us. Besides, he is also an accomplice, not the mastermind; if he is the mastermind, he will never be forgiven..."
Everyone expressed their opinions. Su Jin did not expect that the people would forgive Ge Huaimin so easily. He felt quite emotional in his heart. The people were innocent and kind. More importantly, the people forgot the pain and forgive the sins too easily. This was probably also the case.
Being exploited by others, it is no wonder that there are so many people committing crimes and violating laws. I am afraid it is the kindness of the people that provides the soil for ugliness to breed.
"General Ge, did you hear that? The folks are so kind. Even if you haven't done anything for them, they have already forgiven you for your crimes. You must not let down the Weizhou folks and work hard to correct them in the future.
"
Ge Huaimin was full of guilt and bowed his head and said: "Master Su, can I still be considered a human being if I don't repent? From now on, I will do my best to protect Weizhou City and do one good deed every day to atone for my sins."
Su Jin nodded and smiled: "Okay, let's see how you do. Get up. There are still a lot of things to do. Get your soldiers ready. Let's start distributing food."
Ge Huaimin agreed and got up and came to the side of the stage to lead people to prepare. Su Jin turned to the audience and said loudly: "It's just nonsense. Since I have come to Weizhou, how can I allow the people under my command to starve and get sick? Now I will start
Distribute food. Since the food is limited, we will first have three buckets of food per person to ensure food for ten days. When receiving the food, the villagers will register their names in the official's registration book for the purpose of making a record.
Everyone in the family will receive the food together according to the number of people. If someone is sick or does not come, please report the name and address first to receive the food, and then I will send someone to verify it."
The people cheered happily. Food was finally going to be distributed, and each person was given three bushels of food, enough for ten days. Why not make people jump for joy, and they no longer have to go out to peel tree bark and chew grass roots to fill their stomachs.
Su Jin said loudly: "Don't be anxious, everyone. I keep my word in mind. Even if it is a government relief, there must be rules. These grains are food for survival, and the quantity is limited. We must ensure that everyone receives it fairly. If we find someone
I received it under my name, or falsely reported my population, or received it repeatedly. I was found out afterwards, but I can’t blame the government for being rude. Although Weizhou is a borderland, it is still an ordinary city under the jurisdiction of the Song Dynasty. The punishment of the Song Dynasty is here
The same applies."
The common people kept saying: "No, don't worry, Mr. Su, everyone will not do that. Does that still count as a human being?"
Su Jin chuckled and said: "That's the best. Now I have announced that everyone will line up from east to west and pass the platform entrance. I have arranged for ten places to distribute food. After taking the food, you can leave from the west end and pick up the food.
There are other arrangements coming down, and I will issue notices in the four cities to announce them."
The people burst into applause and spontaneously lined up in long queues. Under the protection of the soldiers, they slowly passed the food distribution office at the entrance of the platform one after another. After registering their name and residence, each person happily received three measures of food and left.
Although many departure points were set up, nearly 100,000 people still received only food until dark. However, the people in Weizhou were really patient. They queued up and waited peacefully without jumping in line.
There was no complaint at all, which made Su Jin, who witnessed the whole process, sigh with admiration.
For a whole day, Su Jin did not leave the scene. On the one hand, food distribution was a big deal, and secondly, it was also necessary to count the specific number of people in the city. Su Jin had already planned in his heart. One hundred thousand people would have at least 30,000 to 40,000 strong laborers.
, so many people are completely dependent on the government's relief, and it is not a problem to idle around every day. The most important thing is to be self-sufficient, or to give them something to do, and they must not cause chaos due to leisure, but this is just Su Jin's vague plan
, how to do this requires further consideration and research.
After sending away the last commoner who received food, Su Jin let out a long sigh of relief and sat on the brightly lit wooden platform. The evening breeze blew in, and he felt indescribably comfortable.
None of the accompanying officials dared to leave. Some of them had nothing to do with Li Zhihe's case, and some were minor officials under the yamen where the crime was committed. Su Jin was not polite to them;
With all the chief officials in custody, the operation of these departments will definitely be affected. Su Jin urgently needs manpower to help him take care of it. Although the deputy positions of these departments are currently temporarily filled, Su Jin's plan is to ask the court for someone to take charge.
The top of these deputy positions is.
"Master Su, the relief food has been distributed. You can go and rest. I will lead people to clean up the rest." Ge Huaimin, who had a thick scar on his forehead, stepped forward and cupped his hands.
Su Jin glanced at the small amount of food left and said: "There is not much food left. Just let Cangsi take the people to transport it away. General Ge has also worked hard. Come to the government office with me and have a drink to relieve your fatigue. I will also
I have something to tell you."
Ge Huaimin nodded and said: "Just listen to Mr. Su, I will lead the team back to the camp to make arrangements first, and I will come back later."
Su Jin smiled and waved, and led everyone back to the government office. The banquet in the evening was very sumptuous. Su Jin pretended to be a public servant and hired the cook from Zhaiyue Tower to serve as his cook. The ingredients stored in the ice cellar in the building were naturally
They all were confiscated for their own use. There were not many guests at the table. In addition to Su Jin, Ge Huaimin, Mahan and others, there was a tall old man with gray hair. Su Jin specially sent someone to invite him.
.
At the beginning of the banquet, Su Jin introduced the identity of the old man to Ge Huaimin. Only then did Ge Huaimin learn that the old man was just an ordinary citizen from Nancheng named Lu Laosan. Ge Huaimin wondered why he only invited a commoner to come to the government office to sit down. When Su Jin
Jin has solved the mystery for him.
"General Ge, do you still remember the wine Li Zhihe and the guards you brought last night drank?"
Ge Huaimin was stunned and said: "What kind of wine?"
The Su guys laughed and said, "You drank the poisonous wine that was poured out ten breaths after you drank it. You didn't taste it, so you don't remember it."
Ge Huaimin was startled, and then he remembered that those guards fell to the ground after drinking poisonous wine, and he was stunned and speechless.
Su Jin chuckled and said: "Don't think I didn't see some of you inserting silver chopsticks into the wine to test the poison. When I poured the wine, several officials pretended to be helping but were actually here to test the poison. I saw them all.
inside."
Ge Huaimin looked ashamed and said: "I'm ashamed. It's true. Li Zhihe has always been careful. If he drank it without thinking about what I said, he would think of testing the poison."
Su Jin smiled and said: "The more evil people do, the more frightened they are. You are careless, but he is guilty and afraid of ghosts knocking on the door, so he is careful everywhere. I used silver tableware to entertain you that night.
I just want to remove your wariness."
Ge Huaimin sighed: "It is indeed as the prefect said, that night Supervisor Li... no no... Li Zhihe brought several silver needles with him. Before leaving, he told me to test the poison before eating or drinking, just in case.
Got it."
Su Jin smiled and said: "It's a pity that I still fell into the trap. Since I came to Weizhou, even if you were extra careful, you still fell into my trap. You sent people to monitor me every day, and I did the same every day.
I'm spying on you, but what you see are all illusions, and what I see are some of your arrangements, are you convinced?"
Ge Huaimin said: "It doesn't matter if I don't mention it, it's all lard that has deceived my heart. If Master Su hadn't saved me, I would have been ruined in this life."
Su Jin chuckled and said: "You are the key. If you don't have the kindness in your heart, I won't look back no matter how much I try to persuade you. Fortunately, I didn't misjudge the person. You still have a conscience that hasn't been eaten up by dogs."
For those who have died, there is still a little bit left.”
Ge Huaimin stood up and offered Su Jin a glass of wine. After sitting down, he suddenly asked: "But Mr. Su, I don't understand something. Since the toxicity of the wine has been tested, why were the guards still poisoned? And I saw you
You and your men also drank a lot together, so why are you safe and sound?"
Su Jin chuckled and said: "You finally remembered to ask this. Your mind is not spinning very fast. I don't know if you ask me about this. The medicine in the wine was made by Mr. Lu, so you have to ask him."
.”
Everyone's eyes focused on Lu Laosan. Even Wang Chaoyang Mahan and others who had experienced the incident didn't understand the reason. They didn't take any antidote or anything like that. They just followed the instructions, but they didn't.