Chapter 178 Take it from the people and use it for the people

Luo Kangcheng was born in a poor family and knew best what it felt like to be poor and hungry.

After ten years of hard study, you will be nominated for the Golden Palace one day.

Because he was unwilling to join any force, nor to form cliques or participate in any factional struggles, this “fool” with only a sincere heart was thrown by his superiors to be the prefect of Yuzhou, the most dangerous place with the highest official turnover rate.

Luo Kangcheng is not a corrupt official and has never accepted any benefits from anyone.

Seeing that the difficulties of the people of Yuzhou were resolved, he felt happy and relieved, and did not have any greed for the rice shop and grocery store.

After buying the food and walking out of the shop, he saw Yun Jin still there, so he walked over and bowed to ask for help:

“Marshal, please take good care of Qiao’s shop. It is the only hope for Yuzhou.”

Yun Jin raised his eyebrows, thinking that he would of course protect his own shop.

He nodded seriously and promised:
“Don’t worry, the border troops still have to rely on them for food and fodder supply. I will do my best to take care of them.”

After buying things, Luo Kangcheng was about to go home.

I thought that after I return, I will instruct my men in the yamen to strengthen patrols around the rice shop to prevent theft or accidents.

The entire Yuzhou depends on these two shops, and nothing can go wrong with them at any cost.

Just as he was about to leave, Qiao Fa came out and invited him and Yun Jin to the inner room for a talk.

Luo Kangcheng readily agreed.

Qiao Fa took the two of them to the main room in the backyard, served them a pot of hot tea, exchanged a few pleasantries, and then slowly explained the purpose of his visit.

“Our boss is kindhearted. Seeing that the people of Yuzhou are having such a hard time, he wanted to help them.”

“She plans to donate all the money she earns from the rice and grocery stores to build the defensive wall of Yuzhou.”

“But this money may not be enough, so sometimes we should use food and vegetables to compensate for the wages.”

“What do you think, sir? Could you please help organize some manpower? If the government can also contribute some money, I believe the city wall can be built more solidly.”

Luo Kangcheng was surprised when he heard this.

I didn’t expect the owner of the shop to be so kind.

“Luo has been an official for more than a decade and has seen countless greedy and evil people. There are even fewer businessmen who can care about their country.”

“The owner of your store is kind and generous, willing to sacrifice personal gain for the sake of the overall situation, so why would Luo back down?”

Luo Kangcheng considered it carefully for a moment and quickly agreed.

“It’s just that Yuzhou is poor and the tax revenue is not much. I’m afraid that the silver money that can be mobilized at present is only about 8 taels.”

He felt a little ashamed when he said this number.

Luo Kangcheng thought he was honest and fair, but he was unable to lead the people of Yuzhou to prosperity.

The geographical location of this city is too special. Not only has it been in a state of war all year round, but this year it was also hit by a severe drought, resulting in a large population loss.

Shops closed one after another, fields had poor harvests or even became barren, and ordinary people had difficulty even getting food, let alone paying grain and taxes.

Seeing this, Yun Jin sighed softly and said:
“I’ll also contribute some money. After all, once the city wall is repaired, it will be much easier for the troops guarding the border.”

“It’s not a large amount, just 10,000 taels, just a small token of appreciation from my father and me.”

Luo Kangcheng quickly stood up and bowed to Yun Jin.

“Marshal, you are so righteous! Thank you for your efforts for the people of Yuzhou!”

“I am so lucky to have the help of two noble people in the most difficult time!”

Yun Jin waved his hand to tell him not to be polite, as he was exhausted from thanking him so much.

Qiao Fa didn’t dare to accept it, so he stood up, bowed, and returned the gift.

Several people discussed the details of cooperating to build the city wall in the house, and dispersed after an hour. Luo Kangcheng looked very relaxed, and anyone could see that he was in a good mood.

Even when he got home, there was still a hint of joy in the corners of his eyes and eyebrows.

Seeing this, Mrs. Luo asked him curiously, “Why are you so happy, husband? Did something good happen to you?”

Luo Kangcheng then told her about Qiao Ji donating money to build the city wall.

Mrs. Luo was not familiar with government affairs, but she could tell that this was a very rare situation.

I couldn’t help but feel a little worried: “Are there really such kind people in this world who don’t ask for anything in return? Are they hiding something fishy?”

Luo Kangcheng was full of confidence: “It shouldn’t happen. Qiaoji is only responsible for providing money and food, and will not interfere with other matters.”

“Recruiting craftsmen, organizing manpower, and even distributing wages and other miscellaneous matters are all the responsibility of the government.”

“Except when building the city wall, we may need to mobilize some of the border defense troops, but at other times, there is no trouble.”

“If there is a problem, the Marshal will be the first to step forward, so there is no need to worry about being at a disadvantage.”

Mrs. Luo thought about it and agreed.

There are so many civil and military officials watching Yuzhou, and Qiao Ji is alone and powerless here, so he should not be able to do anything.

After feeling relieved, she became happy along with her husband and looked forward to the new city wall being completed as soon as possible.

It was Yunzhen’s idea to build the city wall.

She had long been concerned about the ruined fortifications.

It is autumn now and there is no time to plant crops. So many people in Yuzhou have nothing to do and have to spend money to buy food and supplies every few days.

If you keep spending money and not earning it, your pocket will soon be empty and you won’t even be able to afford your basic living needs.

There was no point in Yunzhen keeping the money he earned from the rice shop and the grocery store.

Even if you want to collect antique coins, you don’t need so much, and there is no need to take them from poor people.

The best and most meaningful result would be if this money could return to the hands of the people through the construction of the city wall.

In this way, her original intention of helping Yuzhou can be achieved smoothly, and at the same time, it will not let everyone develop the bad habit of getting something for nothing.

Truly take from the people and use it for the people.

Speaking of antique artifacts.

Yun Zhen had previously told his ancestors that he wanted to exchange some Great Zhou currency with them.

It is best to have a complete set, such as copper coins, silver ingots and gold ingots issued in the same period.

The current emperor’s reign title is Jingyuan, so all newly issued currencies are Jingyuan Tongbao.

The Great Zhou had several emperors, and I hope to be able to put together a complete set of those that have been issued before.

Yun Jin felt very curious when he heard it.

I don’t understand what the purpose of this set of collection is?
Yunzhen explained to him using an example that people in later generations like to collect complete sets of antique cultural relics and give them value beyond imagination.

After hearing this, Yun Jin slapped his thigh and laughed:

“It’s so valuable?! Then our family should collect some, just like my dear grandson said, and try to keep a set of all the ones from every dynasty.”

“If our descendants in the future don’t live up to their expectations, or encounter desperate situations, we can sell our things and survive the difficulties!”

Yun Zhan, who was standing next to him, heard what was happening and poured a basin of cold water on him.

“If there really was such an unfilial descendant, the family fortune would have been squandered long ago. Can you just keep it there and use it when you need help?”

“By that time, we will be dead, and we don’t know whether we can help them.”