Chapter 73

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The next day at noon, as Chen Xi had said, Zhao Yun and Jian Yong returned, looking wind-dusted but spirited, their moods quite good. After all, anyone seeing the bountiful harvests would be happy.

"Xianhe, Zilong, have you verified the tax records of each county?" Chen Xi asked, pouring them both a cup of tea.

"Great harvest. Except for those who planted late, the people everywhere have entered the autumn harvest season. We won't have to live so frugally next year." Jian Yong looked excited, after all, he had contributed a lot to this.

"Zilong, you should also speak. By the way, take these things with you when you leave. The people near Mount Tai sent them to you. I'm eating my share right now." Chen Xi turned to Zhao Yun, then pointed to a few baskets in the corner of the government hall, which contained chestnuts, pine nuts, and some mushrooms and black fungus.

These nuts and mountain delicacies were gifts from the people, who had brought them one after another since the start of the autumn harvest to thank Zhao Yun for his efforts. While Zhao Yun might not have accepted them, Chen Xi, on the other hand, accepted everything without hesitation, feeling no guilt in enjoying them.

There were also gifts for Chen Xi and Liu Bei, but compared to the constantly traveling Zhao Yun, the gifts for Chen Xi and Liu Bei were much fewer. After all, Zhao Yun's efforts in managing the farmland were widely recognized. In this era, encountering an official who cared for the people was a rare and precious thing, and everyone was deeply grateful.

"Zichuan, how can you accept gifts from the people? They work hard all year round, and it takes a lot of effort to gather these things. How can you eat these pine nuts so easily?" Zhao Yun, upon hearing that the pine nuts were from the people, immediately stopped reaching for them and said with a serious face.

Over the past three months, Zhao Yun had seen the hardships of the common people. They worked from dawn till dusk, facing the yellow earth every day just to grow the crops in their fields, praying to heaven and hoping for benevolent officials, only wishing for a full meal next year.

The more he traveled, the more he saw, and the angrier Zhao Yun became. He felt the weight of his responsibilities even more heavily. For the first time, he wished he had learned more about farming, even if it was just to increase the yield by a few bushels, which would be a great deed. This was more honorable than slaying enemy generals in battle, but unfortunately, he didn't know how. He could only help the people within his capabilities.

Chen Xi told him that experienced farmers knew how to grow crops well. If he wanted everyone to produce as much as these experienced farmers, he should seek them out, talk to them, and learn their techniques. So, Zhao Yun traveled throughout Mount Tai, using his own eyes to find the best fields and then seeking out the owners to learn their techniques.

Zhao Yun spent three months running around Mount Tai, finding and sharing all the techniques he could. As a result, the people of Mount Tai might not know Liu Bei, but they definitely knew the white-robed Zhao Zilong, who was always working in the fields.

To be honest, when Chen Xi learned about this, he was very impressed by Zhao Yun's spirit. He himself couldn't do such a thing. He was good at talking, but he couldn't run around like that.

Chen Xi believed that although Zhao Yun might not have been skilled in farming before, by the time he confronted Chen Xi over the land reclamation order, his knowledge of farming was no less than that of an experienced farmer. Even if Zao Zhi were to come, he might not surpass Zhao Yun in farming knowledge. At least Zao Zhi didn't have the energy to travel throughout Chenliu to gather all the farming techniques, while Zhao Yun had already ventured beyond Mount Tai.

"Zilong, you must accept these gifts. If you don't, they won't leave, and the people won't be at ease. They trust you, Zhao Zilong. If you accept, they will believe that you will lead them in reclamation next year and enforce this year's policies. If you don't accept, a group of people will kneel at your doorstep tomorrow, with their families." Chen Xi cracked open a pine nut, ate the kernel, and then looked up at Zhao Yun seriously.

"Zichuan is right. We must accept. At first, we didn't, but the people just waited with their gifts, returning every day. They seek peace of mind. Only when you accept their gifts will they believe you won't change this year's policies. This approach is simple but effective." Lu Su also cracked open a pine nut.

"It's that simple." Chen Xi nodded. "You can try not accepting them. People will keep coming to give you gifts. You can try it out."

Before Chen Xi finished speaking, an old man in a patched hemp robe carrying a small basket entered the government hall. Since people started bringing gifts continuously, Chen Xi and Lu Su no longer stopped them from entering.

"The old man greets the governor, the vice-governor, Mr. Jian, and Mr. Zilong." The old man bowed respectfully after putting down his basket, but his face showed obvious excitement when he saw Zhao Yun.

"Old man, please rise." Chen Xi smiled and took a cushion from the side, handing it to the old man. Normally, outsiders were not allowed in the government hall, and the number of cushions was limited.

The old man hesitated but was eventually seated by Chen Xi. He carefully sat on the cushion and took out a hemp-wrapped package from his basket.

"Mr. Zilong, thank you for leading our village in reclamation and teaching us farming techniques this year. Our village has no good gifts to offer, but these are jujubes from the old man's village. Please accept them."

Chen Xi glanced at the large bag of bright red jujubes, each one shiny and clearly of the highest quality, organic, and green.

Zhao Yun politely declined, and the old man became visibly distressed, pleading with Zhao Yun to accept the gift. Zhao Yun then explained that he would continue his efforts next year and that there would be no major changes, assuring the old man and asking him to take the gift back, saying that the gesture was enough. The old man, who had been stuttering, suddenly spoke fluently, insisting that he wouldn't leave until Zhao Yun accepted the jujubes...

The old man left, leaving the jujubes behind. Chen Xi took one and bit into it, then turned to look at Zhao Yun. "Zilong, what do you think?"

"I feel somewhat guilty," Zhao Yun sighed, a hint of heroism in his voice.

"Feeling guilty is a good thing. Make up for it next year by doing your best in your duties and making life better for the people." Chen Xi continued eating the jujubes. He wasn't as upright as Zhao Yun, and as long as he was at ease with his conscience, that was enough.

"Think about what we've brought to the people of Mount Tai, and you'll have the heart to eat. I, for one, have no guilt." Chen Xi crunched on the jujubes, eating them while declaring his clear conscience.

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