Chapter 23

In ancient times, in the hearts of the common people, a good and clean official was one who sat in the government office and did good deeds for the people; while a bad and corrupt official was one who sat in the government office and harmed the people.

The common point between the two was that, whether they were doing good or bad deeds in the government office, they would only do things while sitting in the office.

In this era, the concept of "equality for all" had not yet emerged. In the hearts of the people, government officials should be superior to others and should sit in the government office to issue orders.

However, Zhao Junchen's actions during the locust extermination completely overturned this notion in the hearts of the people.

After the sacrifice to heaven, the locust extermination campaign was launched with great enthusiasm. With the full support of all parties, everything went smoothly without any unrest. In just over a month, the locust disaster was under control, and the once overwhelming locusts were now only seen sporadically.

In Hedong and Taiyuan, under Zhao Junchen's coordination, the people in these areas also fully cooperated with the actions of Luan Prefecture. Due to the timely extermination, the locust disaster did not affect the autumn harvest in these two regions.

Under the organization of the local magistrates, the people of Hedong and Taiyuan also came to Luan Prefecture to help the people of Luan Prefecture exterminate the locusts.

For the people of Hedong and Taiyuan, the most surprising thing after coming to Luan Prefecture was that the respected imperial envoy Zhao Junchen was dressed in ordinary peasant clothes, working alongside the people of Luan Prefecture to exterminate the locusts!

Zhao Junchen's original intention was merely to put on a show to solidify his image as a "good official" in the hearts of the people of Luan Prefecture.

However, the people did not think Zhao Junchen was putting on a show. During the locust extermination, Zhao Junchen did not enjoy any special privileges or slack off. He ate the same thin porridge and pickled vegetables from the government soup kitchen as the common people and was always kind and courteous to everyone.

As a result, the people's gratitude and admiration for Zhao Junchen were beyond words. One could say that with Zhao Junchen's current status and reputation among the people of Luan Prefecture, not only would they be willing to exterminate the locusts, but they would also not hesitate to tear down the temple of the locust god if asked.

According to a scholar who was moved by Zhao Junchen's actions, throughout history, the four-character praise "loves the people like children" could only truly be attributed to Zhao Junchen.

If anyone dared to say "Zhao Junchen is a corrupt official" in Luan Prefecture now, being spat on would be the least of their worries; being beaten by the people was also a possibility.

With the help and explanations of the people of Luan Prefecture, Zhao Junchen's actions over the past few days became well-known to the people of Taiyuan and Hedong. Zhao Junchen's image as a "good official" began to be accepted by more and more people, no longer limited to Luan Prefecture.

In fact, not only Zhao Junchen, but also local officials like Liu Chang'an, although they did not understand, had to follow suit, taking off their official robes and putting on peasant clothes to work alongside Zhao Junchen.

As a result, Liu Chang'an, who had previously been a corrupt official who extorted and oppressed the people in Luan Prefecture, received many positive reviews during this period.

...

As the sky darkened and the sun set in the west,

Zhao Junchen, after a busy day, although quite tired, did not rest but continued to direct the people to burn the locust corpses.

According to Zhao Junchen, burning the locust corpses in the fields would enrich the soil, ensuring a good harvest for Luan Prefecture the following year.

The people firmly believed Zhao Junchen's words and followed his instructions.

When the locust corpses were set ablaze, with everything settled, Liu Chang'an, who had been following Zhao Junchen closely for the past few days, asked softly, "Sir, it's getting late, and you've worked hard all day. It's time to eat. Are we going to the soup kitchen again today?"

Seeing Zhao Junchen nod, Liu Chang'an's face showed a hint of distress. He was used to a life of luxury and could not get used to eating thin porridge and pickled vegetables every day. However, since Zhao Junchen, the imperial envoy, was eating these, Liu Chang'an, as a mere magistrate, had no choice but to follow suit, even if he was unwilling.

Seeing Liu Chang'an's distressed expression, Zhao Junchen smiled and said, "Sir Liu, I know you are not used to eating thin porridge and pickled vegetables. It has been hard for you these days. Why don't you find something else to eat today? You don't have to follow me. My actions these days represent only myself, and you local officials can act voluntarily."

Although Zhao Junchen said this, how could Liu Chang'an really agree? He quickly replied, "Sir, you are too kind. You have a broad vision and love the people like children. These days, I have learned a lot by following you. This is a good opportunity to continue learning from you. How can I miss it? I will do whatever you do."

Zhao Junchen shook his head and laughed, "This is your own choice. Don't blame me in the future."

"How could I, Sir? It is an honor to be by your side."

As they spoke, Zhao Junchen and Liu Chang'an arrived near the soup kitchen.

In front of the soup kitchen, the people were queuing up in an orderly manner.

This order was partly due to Zhao Junchen's influence, as he always queued up when he came to the soup kitchen. The people, seeing Zhao Junchen's example and knowing that the soup kitchen provided enough food, also followed suit.

When the people saw Zhao Junchen, they showed great respect and joy, kneeling and greeting him.

"Everyone, please get up. You have worked hard all day and don't need to kneel. I am not wearing my official robes, so there's no need for so many formalities."

Seeing the people kneel, Zhao Junchen quickly said and helped them up one by one.

After the people got up, their enthusiasm did not diminish. They greeted Zhao Junchen warmly:

"Imperial envoy, you must be very tired today!"

"Sir, go ahead and get your porridge first. It's no trouble!"

"Sir, stand in front of me. It will be faster this way."

Amidst the noise and greetings, Zhao Junchen just smiled and waved his hands in refusal.

Seeing this scene, the officials of Luan Prefecture, including Liu Chang'an, had mixed feelings.

In the past, when they appeared in public, the people would avoid them. How could they have experienced such warmth and enthusiasm?

The people's love gave these officials, who were only interested in money, a sense of fulfillment.

For these corrupt officials, it was impossible for them to change their greedy nature just because of this. In their eyes, silver was still more important than the people's love. However, if they could be loved by the people while still being corrupt, it seemed like a better choice?

Many people, like Liu Chang'an, the magistrate of Luan Prefecture, began to seriously consider this.

Through various channels, the officials of Luan Prefecture knew that Zhao Junchen's popularity had greatly increased, and he had also received a lot of silver, reportedly over 100,000 taels from the Shanxi merchants.

Gaining both fame and wealth naturally made people envious.

...

Leaving aside the complex thoughts of the officials of Luan Prefecture, Zhao Junchen, while chatting with the people, seemed to notice something. He paused for a moment and then quickly walked towards an old man not far away.

The old man was accompanied by two three- or four-year-old children. He was the old man who had spoken with Zhao Junchen a few days ago, claiming to be "smiling while waiting to die." He was also queuing up to get porridge.

Approaching the old man, Zhao Junchen smiled and asked, "Old sir, do you remember me?"

The old man nodded and respectfully replied, "You are the imperial envoy, a great and just official."

Zhao Junchen smiled and said, "It seems you have forgotten me. Do you remember that a month ago, not far from here, in that field, we met?"

The old man was slightly stunned, then carefully looked at Zhao Junchen a few times and finally remembered. He said with surprise, "So it's you, the imperial envoy! Oh, I am blind and did not recognize you that day. I was rude to you, please forgive me!"

As he spoke, the old man was about to pull his two grandsons to kneel and apologize, but Zhao Junchen quickly stopped him, saying, "That day, I was in disguise, and you did not know. Besides, you were not rude to me. What crime is there?"

After helping the old man up, Zhao Junchen asked, "Is your son's leg better now?"

The old man's face lit up, and he replied, "Thank you for your concern. After meeting you that day, for some reason, a doctor came to my house the next day and treated my son's leg for free..."

Halfway through his sentence, the old man suddenly trembled. Seeing Zhao Junchen smiling as if he already knew, he finally realized who the benefactor was. He pulled his two grandsons to kneel again, his expression agitated, and said, "Grandsons, quickly kneel and thank the imperial envoy. The person who cured your father's leg is the imperial envoy."

This time, Zhao Junchen could not stop them.

After finally helping the old man and his grandsons up, Zhao Junchen said, "Since your son's leg is better, I am relieved."

Saying this, Zhao Junchen patted the old man's shoulder and turned to leave.

After Zhao Junchen left, the curious people around gathered around the old man to ask for details. The old man loudly explained to the surrounding people, "This Zhao Junchen is a truly good official. You don't know, after my son's leg was broken, our family had no way to live. I even thought of dying, but then I met the imperial envoy in disguise that day..."