Benevolence
Instead of staying at an inn, he chose to stay with a friend at his house.
There is a high probability that the landlord's friend is also a landlord. As a local landlord, the friend is much more informed than Mr. Bai, who came from Qili Village.
He was delighted, laughing heartily, and instructing the servants to prepare wine and dishes. He said to Mr. Bai, "This time, we do not know if it is a stroke of luck from heaven or the deliberate act of someone, but we are all beneficiaries deserving of a celebration." "Come, tonight we shall not cease until we are drunk."
Mr. Bai clinked glasses with him and asked, "How did Mr. Wei decide to come to our Mianzhou?"
Mianzhu is not a major disaster area, and he is so busy with disaster relief that he should not have come here.
After taking a sip of wine, the friend smiled and said, "It is said that Mr. Wei, while on a disaster relief mission, encountered two disaster victims sitting by the roadside and discussed Mianzhou." They had come from Mianzhou, and Mr. Wei heard that many people here were affected by the disaster, so he decided to come here temporarily.
Lowering his voice, he chuckled, "But I always feel this is too coincidental; maybe it was planned by someone with intent."
Mr. Bai immediately thought of County Magistrate Fu, but he dared not say, "Who knows?"
"Who knows indeed?" Perhaps it is someone who dedicates themselves to the people, but certainly not our governor. The friend leaned back in his chair while still sitting cross-legged. Since Mr. Bai was no stranger, he followed suit and sat cross-legged as well, saying, "He just took office in the second year, and unless something unexpected happens, he may have to stay here for four years." As soon as the flood disaster occurred, he summoned us. Several households in Baxi have made multiple donations, with each subsequent donation being larger than the previous one.
Speaking of this, he was filled with resentment, "To this day, I have donated five times."
Mr. Bai was shocked. "So many times?"
"Our governor still thinks it is too little." Before, we jointly proposed that he petition for a reduction in taxes, not to be completely exempt, but at least to reduce them somewhat. Guess what happened?
Mr. Bai shook his head.
"He was lying to our faces, saying that the situation in Mianzhou is good, and we should not compete with the people of other states and counties for profit." After all, this money and grain mean little to us, but they are life-saving resources for the disaster victims. "He appears benevolent, but has painted us as unforgivable sinners," the friend said. "Yes, this money and grain may mean little to us, but every family here has impoverished relatives."
"This time, the disaster in Mianzhou is not as severe as in other places." Except for a few casualties, most families' houses have been preserved, but the critical issue is that the crops in the fields have not been preserved. He continued, "If tax relief had been granted, everyone could have tightened their belts and gotten through this year, but it was not reduced, and the autumn tax alone could suffocate people." Initially, the flood disaster did not result in any fatalities, but now people may die as a result of man-made disasters. "They seem to want to push Mianzhou into a desperate situation."
"Well, it is not as serious as you say." The court is currently focusing on Jiannan Road. "If he dares to push the people to such an extent, we have not taken action yet, but the court will not spare him."
"Hmph!"
"Has this matter been settled?"
"Not yet." Mr. Wei arrived in Baxi yesterday, and today he went out to inspect the area with others. Tomorrow, he may have to go to other counties to assess the situation. "Are you going with him?"
Mr. Bai felt that Mr. Wei had arrived too easily, and he also wanted to see the situation firsthand, so he nodded.
The friend smiled and said, "Then we will go together." By the way, how is the situation in Luojiang County?
"From what you said, in terms of the disaster, our situation is even worse than yours." County Magistrate Fu is dedicated not only to comforting the refugees entering the city but also to providing assistance to the displaced people whose houses have collapsed. The people's sentiments there are more united and optimistic than here.
The friend was curious, "How much money and grain did you donate?"
"Not much, just twice." The first time was for the disaster victims. I only donated three dollars. The second time, I donated twelve dan, mostly distributed to the villagers in Qili Village and Dali Village who were most severely affected.
Zuo Yanming was even more astonished, "Really?" "Did the County Magistrate not retain any share?"
Mr. Bai smiled and shook his head.
Zuo Yanming muttered in amazement, "That's not right." I recall that your county magistrate also has a fondness for money, though not to the extent of exploiting the people, but it is unreasonable not to keep any of it.
Mr. Bai hinted, "Our county magistrate has lofty ambitions and aims to advance further."
Zuo Yanming understood and brightened up, leaning in and asking in a lowered voice, "Are you saying it's him?"
Mr. Bai replied, "Do not speak of things without evidence."
"Alright, I won't say anything."
The two of them drank half the night, and the next morning they hurried to the city gate to gather.
There were many people traveling along, as tax exemption was a significant issue, especially for the wealthy landowners with numerous family members and servants.
Mr. Bai was not well-known in Mianzhou because he chose to live in the deep forests and mountains, so his reputation was not prominent. Therefore, when he joined the group midway, not many people paid attention to him.
However, it was strange that Mr. Wei immediately noticed him and called him over to speak by his side, "Are you Bai Li?"
Mr. Bai was surprised and bowed nervously, saying, "I am indeed Bai Li." May I know what the gentleman commands?
Mr. Wei chuckled, "There is no need for commands." I heard County Magistrate Fu mention you, saying you are a renowned philanthropist in Luojiang County, so I wanted to meet you.
Mr. Wei smiled and asked, "I heard that in this disaster, you not only waived the rents of the tenants but also donated a lot of money and grain to the affected people?"
Mr. Bai breathed a sigh of relief, lowered his head, and replied, "It is what Bai should do." He lives in Luojiang, interacts with the neighbors, and cannot simply sit idly by while they suffer from the disaster. It is just a small effort, a drop in the ocean. "To truly help them, it requires the assistance of County Magistrate Fu, the Governor, and people like you."
Mr. Wei smiled and said, "Rest assured, if the situation in Luojiang County is indeed as you all say, the court will not ignore it." I came to Jiannan Road this time to lead the disaster relief efforts. As long as the victims are not settled, I will not return to court.
Upon hearing this, everyone bowed, acknowledging, "The gentleman is kind and benevolent."
"The gentleman is very benevolent," Mr. Wei said meaningfully.
Mr. Wei did not send Mr. Bai away; instead, he asked him to walk alongside him. The disaster had occurred nearly a month ago, and the houses have been cleaned up. There was little left to see.
Mr. Wei was primarily focused on the situation in the fields. Unless someone intentionally guided him to view the fields in good condition, it could not be falsified.