sjar Chapter 823: Alms and Gifts.
Chapter 823: Alms and Gifts.
Gu Sizhi frowned: "Brother, you didn't ride a horse, but came here on foot?"
Ye Kun smiled and said, “I’ll bring the carriage, and the servants will take care of it over there.”
"It's so cold, we should call the servants in for a cup of tea. Servants are also human beings." Gu Sizhi smiled:
"The emperor said that everyone should be equal, without distinction of high and low. I think this is a good statement. The current court has abolished the status of slaves. Except for people like us who have been exiled, everyone else is equal."
Ye Kun pretended to be surprised: "Brother, so you were exiled here?"
Gu Sizhi smiled bitterly: "Yes, I came here with my whole family in exile."
Ye Kun sighed: "Are you used to being in this icy and snowy place?"
"The court showed mercy and provided coal, grain, beef and mutton, so we can survive."
Gu Sizhi pulled up the corner of his mouth and smiled: "You have to get used to it even if you are not used to it. People who are exiled have no choice. If you can survive, go. After five years, the hard labor status will be cancelled and you can settle down in Xinlong City. But at that time, I may not go to Xinlong City. It's pretty good here, and I don't have to worry about it."
Ye Kun nodded and looked at Gu Liuguang on the side: "Liuguang, is she your daughter? It's a pity that her youth is also trapped here."
Gu Sizhi was stunned for a moment, then said, "I was planning to ask the agricultural officer here, Lord Ma, to find a husband for my daughter in Xinlong City after the spring comes. The girl is in poor health, and it's not good for her to stay here."
Gu Liuguang lowered his head, but glanced at Ye Kun curiously, guessing his identity.
Ye Kun asked again: "How many people are there in your family?"
"There are six of us, an old couple, with four children. Liuguang is the eldest."
"The court's policy, in order to promote large-scale immigration, is to exile the entire family of the offending officials. Logically speaking, this does implicate innocent children."
Ye Kun sighed, took out six gold coins from his pocket, and gently placed them on the table: "Take this little money and use it to improve your family's life and buy some cotton clothes. The conditions on the farm are difficult, but they will improve soon."
Gu Sizhi was surprised and said in astonishment: "Sir, we don't know each other, why are you giving me money? Although I am poor, I am not a beggar, and I will not take your money."
Gu Liuguang was also surprised and frowned without saying a word.
Six gold coins equals 60,000 coins.
A lot.
Ye Kun smiled and said, "In this freezing cold weather, being able to sit by the fire and chat in this little house makes me feel very warm. This little money is not a charity, but a gift from me to you."
“There is no difference between giving alms and giving as a gift.”
Gu Sizhi picked up the gold coin and returned it to Ye Kun: "No merit, no reward, please take back the coins. Although it's a bit hard here, but I can survive."
Ye Kun had no choice but to take back the money and asked, "Is there anything else you need my help with?"
"You can't help me."
Gu Sizhi smiled and shook his head, saying, "I just want to serve out my five-year sentence, obtain my status as a freeman, find a pasture nearby, graze and hunt, and support my family..."
Ye Kun asked: "How many years have you been doing hard labor?"
"Three and a half years, with one and a half years left in prison."
"Then I will help you. I will immediately cancel your hard labor status and give you freedom."
Ye Kun looked at Gu Liuguang again: "Miss Liuguang, when I heard you playing the piano and singing, I missed my hometown very much, didn't I?"
Gu Liuguang didn't say anything, but Gu Sizhi had already become suspicious and looked at Ye Kun again: "Sir, who are you? Are you an official sent by the court?"
Ye Kun took out another gold coin, placed it on the table, and pointed at the portrait on the coin: "Look at me, do I look like this person?"
"Ah, Your Majesty..."
Gu Sizhi was shocked. He took a step back, straightened his clothes, and saluted: "Sir, are you really the emperor? The guilty Gu Sizhi... pays homage to the emperor!"
Gu Liuguang's face also changed color with horror. He turned around and wanted to escape, but he stopped and bowed to Ye Kun.
Ye Kun stood up and clasped his fists towards Gu Sizhi: "I am Ye Kun, and I am lucky enough to be the emperor. You and your daughter don't have to be restrained."
Gu Sizhi lowered his head: "The criminal is guilty for not recognizing the emperor."
"You just didn't recognize me. What kind of crime is that? There is no such crime in the laws of the Han Dynasty."
Ye Kun shook his head, sat down again, and said to Gu Liuguang: "My carriage and entourage are all outside. Miss Liuguang, go and call Huo Qing and Lao Ma to come over."
"The people's daughter follows the decree."
Gu Liuguang bowed and left.
Huo Qing and others had been waiting there for a long time and would not dare to come without orders.
Hearing Gu Liuguang's call, Huo Qing and others hurried over.
Ye Kun told Huo Qing: "I will eat here at noon. Huo Qing, please bring some of the wine and food you brought over, and add two more heaters. Oh, by the way, the Queen asked me to bring some cotton-padded clothes for men and women, so bring them over and distribute them to the people left behind on the farm."
Huo Qing nodded and turned to do it.
Ye Kun asked the magistrate of Xinlongcheng County: "Do all criminals who are exiled to the north have to do five years of hard labor? I remember that there is no such rule in other places."
The county magistrate clasped his fists and said, "Your Majesty, this is the rule set by Marshal He Zhongshu. The entire Northern Kingdom is like this. Marshal He said that criminal officials are not afraid of the law, so they must be taught the rules."
Ye Kun shook his head: "The court implemented a large immigration policy to allow the Chinese nation to expand in all directions. Therefore, we must ensure the safety and living conditions of every exile.
Unless you are a person who has committed a very heinous crime, no one else should be subjected to hard labor.
Huang Ye, listen to my orders. "
Huang Ye stepped forward.
Ye Kun pondered and said, "Send a telegram to the Nine Departments to cancel the hard labor of all the criminal officials and immigrants in the North Country and make them free citizens. Eliminate the labor of these criminal officials and immigrants, change it from forced labor to paid labor, and give them the wages they deserve.
We must improve living conditions on farms, ranches and major labor bases across the country, especially ensure that warm clothing such as cotton-padded clothes and shoes, coal and coal stoves for heating, and grain and meat supplies are in place.
The Han immigrants can only stay here with peace of mind if the conditions are good.”
Huang Ye nodded.
The magistrate of Xinlongcheng County said, "Your Majesty, most of the slaves in the North are foreigners. How should we arrange for these foreigners?"
Ye Kun waved his hand and said, "First, ensure the safety and living conditions of all Han people. As for the foreign laborers, we should still manage them according to the regulations. They have enough food and clothing now, just don't let them freeze to death or starve to death."
The magistrate of Xinlongcheng County understood and stepped aside.
Huo Qing had already sent someone to bring wine, food, and two heaters.
There were also many cotton-padded clothes and shoes, which were given to Gu Sizhi's entire family.
Gu Sizhi thanked him and stood aside blankly.
"Gu Sizhi, let's have a drink, don't be restrained."
Ye Kun looked at Gu Liuguang: "Girl, pour us some wine."
Gu Liuguang stepped forward and poured wine for Ye Kun.
Lao Ma and others retreated and stood outside the door waiting.
Ye Kun turned around and said, "You all go to the carriage to eat. Gu Sizhi and I will drink. You don't need to wait on us here."
After Lao Ma left, Huo Qing and the magistrate of Xinlongcheng County hid under the eaves with a few guards.
Gu Sizhi leaned forward and sat opposite Ye Kun, not daring to speak.
Ye Kun raised his glass, drank a glass with Gu Sizhi, and asked, "You used to be the governor of Wuling County. Do you feel resentful when you were exiled here?"