novelapdf Chapter 12 Vice Minister of Works
Chapter 12 Vice Minister of Works
During the Spring Festival, the village is bustling with activity.
Especially in Chu Xun's courtyard, it was crowded with children.
Candy, peanuts, melon seeds, rice balls, popped rice...
There was also tea and fine wine bought from the Bai family's wine shop in town.
Even Li Shoutian made a point of bringing his whole family to Chu Xun's house for a visit after lunch.
In terms of popularity, no one in the village is better than Chu Xun.
A naked four-year-old child squatted by the door, staring curiously at the Spirit Pearl Grass in the corner.
As the New Year arrives, a new leaf slowly unfurls from the roots of the Spirit Pearl Grass.
The child curiously reached out, wanting to touch it.
As soon as he reached out, his hand was caught.
Looking up, I saw Chu Xun smiling as he took a candy out of his pocket, peeled off the outer paper coating, and put it into the child's mouth.
"You can only look, not touch, understand?" Chu Xun said.
The child, enjoying the sweet taste, nodded repeatedly, "I know, Xun-ge'er! I'll keep an eye on him for you. If anyone tries to touch it, I'll beat him up!"
The child's name is Qi Ermao. His father was seriously injured in a fight over water, although he did not die on the spot.
But he only struggled for a month or so before his family ran out of money to buy medicine, and he eventually died.
Another child ran over, clenching his little fists and shouting, "Who is Xun-ge going to beat up?"
This was the son of the woman who had previously harassed Chu Xun. He didn't have a proper name, only the nickname "Stone."
At this shout, a whole bunch of children came running over.
They were all flushed with excitement, as if they would swarm forward at Chu Xun's command.
Even the village chief would get a couple of punches from him!
Li Shoutian, his face glowing, sat on a wooden stool drinking tea and looked on with a smile, saying, "Look at Xun, he's become the king of the kids."
Li Tianjian's wife, standing nearby, scoffed, "He's the king of the kids; I think he'll be the village chief someday!"
Li Shoutian laughed and said, "If someone as smart as A-Xun is willing to stay and become the village chief in the future, it might not be a bad thing."
Upon hearing this, Li Tianjian's wife turned pale with anger.
Although the village chief is nominally elected by everyone, the position was passed down from the old man's generation to Li Shoutian.
Some members of the Li family already felt that the village chief should be someone with the surname Li.
Li Shoutian's words were tantamount to siding with outsiders.
Enraged, Li Tianjian's wife turned and kicked her husband, yelling, "Look at him! Look at you!"
Li Tianjian was also a little unhappy. "Second brother, you've been the village chief before, you've had your fun, but I haven't been one yet."
Even if it doesn't pass it on to me, it can be passed on to my son or grandson in the future.
Why did you appoint Chu Xun, who relies on the charity of many families, as the village chief?
However, Li Shoutian was not simply siding with outsiders; he genuinely believed that Chu Xun was no ordinary person.
Whether it's buying cattle or taking on the courage to reclaim thirty acres of wasteland, few people in Songguo Village, or even in the town, possess such boldness.
Right now, this kid is just like them, a farmer who toils in the fields.
But in a few years, that may not be the case.
Li Shoutian had a feeling that Chu Xun would amount to something great, and who knows, he might move away from Songguo Village one day.
If we can retain him by offering him the position of village chief, it will definitely not be a bad thing for Songguo Village.
Compared to Chu Xun's home, the town seemed much more lively.
Lin Xianzong, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works, has returned home for the Chinese New Year this year.
When the sedan chair was carried into the town, only the fifth-rank official who had come from afar was qualified to accompany Lin Xianzong when he settled down.
The county magistrate could only follow on foot, followed by the county assistant, the registrar, and the county constable.
As for the officials who came after them, there was no need to even think about it; there was simply too much room for them.
All of Lin's relatives, regardless of age or even those who were bedridden, were carried over.
The high-ranking official in the family has finally come back for a visit, how could he not show his face in front of him?
Even just saying a single word is a blessing that one couldn't earn in eight lifetimes.
As the old saying goes, "Wealth and honor without returning home are like wearing brocade at night; who will know?"
Although Lin Xianzong enjoyed great wealth and honor in the capital, he was surrounded by sycophants and flatterers.
But when he returned to town, the fawning and flattery from his great-aunts and relatives made him even happier.
He especially praised Lin Qiaoxi, saying he would find her a good marriage next year.
Lin Qiaoxi's parents were naturally so excited that their faces turned red, and they walked with a brisk pace.
A marriage arranged personally by Lord Lin, how could that be allowed?
He must at least be the son of a high-ranking official. When Lin Qiaoxi marries into that family, her entire household will rise to prominence.
Others were envious and jealous, yet they had no choice but to offer a few words of flattery.
Only Lin Qiaoxi was unhappy after learning about this.
Seeing her pouting and unhappy expression, Zhang Sanchun asked, "Does the young lady not want to get married?"
Looking at the honest-looking man, Lin Qiaoxi asked, "You're willing to let me marry someone?"
Zhang Sanchun scratched his head habitually; of course, he didn't want to.
Just thinking about never seeing the young lady again makes my heart feel like I've swallowed countless bitter herbs, or been cut a thousand times by a sickle.
But he felt that he was just a temporary worker for the Lin family, and how could he dare to interfere in the eldest daughter's marriage?
With his head bowed, he said in a muffled voice, "This is a matter of great importance to the young lady, and I dare not say anything more."
Lin Qiaoxi glared at him, then stomped her foot in anger, closed the door, and ignored him.
Zhang Sanchun was puzzled. Had he said something wrong?
The county magistrate sent over all sorts of delicacies, but Lin Xianzong returned them all, and even the county magistrate was driven away.
Let them be diligent in their duties and not waste their time as travelers returning home.
He simply stayed at home with the elders and fellow villagers, and ate a simple meal.
As simple and clean as you want it to be.
In his words, "Having served as an official for many years, I have witnessed countless people embezzling and breaking the law for the sake of their appetites. We should take this as a warning."
"Our current emperor is a wise and benevolent ruler throughout history; officials should therefore be even more honest, cautious, and diligent!"
"You all prioritize filial piety, while I prioritize integrity. I will share the burdens of my lord, serve the state of Jing, and persevere until my dying breath!"
His words immediately drew applause and cheers from countless people.
In the following days, Lin Xianzong paid homage to his ancestors and then took a tour of the nearby towns and villages.
Upon returning, he said, "Pingshui Town is too small, and the villagers cannot prosper. I feel deeply ashamed. Therefore, I want to build several roads to connect the surrounding villages and bring together everyone's strength."
"When the time comes, we'll build a big town, a major town! Attracting merchants from all over the world, and when the villagers' pockets are full and they have more money, and can eat meat every meal, then this official position won't have been wasted."
As he spoke, he took out two thousand taels of silver from his own pocket.
The Jing Kingdom valued integrity, and officials' salaries were 50% higher than in the previous dynasty.
The annual salary of a third-rank official was approximately 230 taels of silver.
Two thousand taels of silver, that's ten years' salary.
Seeing Lin Xianzong's old clothes, which he had washed for many years without ever changing, moved the entire Lin family to tears.
Two thousand taels of silver is no small sum; it takes a lot of frugality and thrift to save that much!
Instead of spending all that money himself, he donated it to help his fellow villagers repair roads and bridges.
Such a great act of merit!
Immediately, the county magistrate took the lead and donated 500 taels, while the registrar and the county constable each donated 350 taels.
Other officials received varying amounts, ranging from a hundred to ten taels.
Over the years, the Lin family members, who have prospered because of Lin Xianzong, have also contributed a lot of money.
In total, it amounted to more than ten thousand taels.
Lin Xianzong added that once he returned to the Ministry of Works, he would see if he could find a way to request some silver to help.
Given that His Majesty is focused on the people's livelihood, this shouldn't be too difficult for him.
As for how to repair the road and where to repair it.
Lin Xianzong pondered for a moment, then pointed in a direction: "His Majesty started his rebellion in the southwest, so we will begin our road construction from this direction."
Everyone looked in the direction he was pointing and quickly recognized that it was the direction of Songguo Village.
The wealthy landowners in the township who failed to secure the first road naturally felt a bit regretful.
But once Lin Xianzong gave his word, who could object? They could only envy him from behind.
A few days later, the county government sent someone to inform Li Shoutian.
Upon learning that Lin Xianzong had personally requested that the road from Songguo Village to the town be repaired first, Li Shoutian was overjoyed.
This is incredibly joyous news!
Putting aside everything else, the first road in Lin Xianzong's good deeds alone is enough to make Songguo Village famous for miles around.