C164

Chapter 164 - Xiao Letian unloading the carriage

"The ordinary citizens of China during the era of Tongzhi were the most complicated people I've ever met. Firstly, they had very high moral principles, and they were able to abide by them in their lives without the supervision of religion or the law. This is a very rare form of self-discipline, but this self-discipline has a drawback, and that is to rely too much on the Confucian classics that have ruled the hearts of people for thousands of years … "

"Moral self-discipline is a spiritual realm that is highly respected by any people, but it is because of this extreme Chinese blind obedience to the Confucian classics that they have lost contact with the natural sciences and are unable to produce any positive links to industrialization. Some strange superstitions have arisen because of this …"

"I am such a worshipper of Mr. Xiao Letian, the western scholar. He is actually able to think of such a bizarre and practical method to become a Industrial Zones in China. "Without destroying the country's overall situation, let the rulers and elites taste the sweetness of industrialization. I think this is the only way for the ancient empire to move towards the path of innovation …"

"I can feel Xiao Letian's love for this land, and I can feel even more how precious he is towards every single life of his. Although many people see him as a leader of the army that kills people without fear, and even more so as he is a cunning and scheming person, but the thing that cannot be denied is that Xiao Letian has done everything possible to make this empire use the least amount of chaos and blood to complete the initial stages of Industrial Revolution …"

"He is a great man, a great man who can hold billions of people in his heart. I have no doubt about that!"

Strictly speaking, this book was not written by a single person, but was written by a lot of people. Among them, there was the American envoy Ma Xiu, the Carnegie Family's member Mike, the American priest Louis, and even the little black Sai Men had all left their own words inside.

However, the person who started this book was the special envoy Ma Xiu. Therefore, the title of this book, , was weird, because this was a precious historical record that viewed Chinese change from a foreign perspective. Moreover, this book detailed records of Xiao Letian's actions in this major change. It was a classic that was required for future generations to study China.

In the book, Ma Xiu generously praised Xiao Letian, not only because they had a good relationship with each other, but more importantly, he personally witnessed the situation in late Qing at that time.

"These stupid Chinese people, they don't understand the power of industry at all. They even think that the power released by machines is driven by ghosts. "Furthermore, they firmly believe that these suspicious and sensitive citizens are extremely afraid of change. Even if you use money, you won't be able to affect them …"

"I clearly remember that in the Industrial Zones's plan, the government had set a price of two to three times that of the land, and those citizens did not want to sell the land to the special region. They actually had a very strange reason, and that is, the soul of their ancestors did not allow it. Why were their statements no different from those of the savages of Africa? "Looks like my friend Xiao has really met with trouble …"

Xiao Letian didn't seem to be troubled at all. He finished listening to Xiang Shaolong's report in the morning, and had a very sumptuous lunch with Hu Niu and the Grand View Garden's beauties. Soon after, he went to play tricks in the afternoon.

"Fellow villagers, step aside and open up a path! We are from Letian Firm, and we heard that the manor was flooded. Everyone lost a lot of firewood, and I came here to help …" Xiao Letian was standing on top of a cart full of firewood, holding onto a homemade iron horn as she shouted.

It's been a cold day. Letian Firm knows that everyone's days are not so good, they need to cook and burn firewood, the large animal also need to eat hay, and no one has much money left. If we really buy firewood, then I'm afraid we'll have to borrow money early next year. Our Letian Firm is here to do a good deed today. Look at the twenty carts of firewood behind us, it's enough for your entire village to use it.

But no matter how Xiao Letian shouted, the people who were blocking the village entrance did not give way, many people in the crowd looked at him with hatred.

"You are Xiao Letian? You are the Second Demon? Was this Industrial Zones made by you? "Let's go, we don't want your charity. Our ancestors' graves didn't have houses for ghosts …"

"Right, right, right. Hurry up and leave, we don't need your charity. Stop pretending to be good people. This is your scheme …"

The people blocking the entrance of the village shouted at Xiao Letian, but ordinary citizens knew that for people like Xiao Letian, who could publish books and talk to important figures of the imperial government, they would not dare to offend them.

Xiao Letian did not get angry, because he could already see clearly from his observations. Although these commoners shouted at him, the greedy eyes in their mouths were all staring at the chariot.

How could the commoners not be greedy? It was just a matter of time before the other villages came to rob them. Those villagers who used to shout and shout would actually ask for five taels of silver to pull a cart full of firewood. His grandma was really unlucky this time.

Right now, Xiao Letian had delivered over twenty carriages full of hay for nothing, and the people could not hide the little bit of greed in their hearts from him.

"My fellow villagers, please think about it carefully. The world is vast, and living is the most important. Are you really forcing yourself onto a road of no end just for the sake of some rumors? "It's not worth it, I've just asked around. The surrounding villages actually asked for five taels of silver to give you a cart full of firewood. If you continue to endure through the winter, three to four taels of silver won't do …"

"Everyone, which family has three to four taels of silver?" Even if there is, when next year's green and yellow season comes and you spend all your money, don't you still have to borrow money from the printing press? Think about it, aunties and uncles. Can I borrow the money for the stamp? "

Xiao Letian's persuasion obviously had some effect, and suddenly, the crowd hesitated to take action, but right at this moment, Huang Liu, who hated Xiao Letian to death, ran over again. Although the Huang Clan Manor was not too far away, this scholar was as tired as a dead dog from two trips a day.

"No …" This won't do! Everyone listen to me... "Aiyo, my mother, I'm so tired. If I had known earlier, I would have learned how to ride horses …" Huang Liu sat on top of the millstone as he gasped for air with all his might.

"Fellow villagers, don't listen to Xiao Letian's flowery words. He's trying to bribe us …"

Xiao Letian pouted the most at him. "Am I trying to bribe people's hearts? Why don't you take out your family's firewood to help the citizens survive the winter? You want others to listen to you just because you moved your mouth? Do you think the people are so easy to fool? "

Xiao Letian pointed to the dark and gloomy sky, "Open your eyes wide, you might have to scrape northwest wind and snow tonight just for this weather. Tonight, everyone's firewood on the hot brick bed is all gone, this is what's so important in front of your eyes!"

"Bullshit!" Hungry to death was not a big deal! "We would rather starve to death than eat the food that's free …" "Who dares to accept Xiao Letian's kindness?! I will make sure that his descendants will never be able to enter the academy, so no one can enter the saint's gate, I will do as I say …"

At this point, Xiao Letian was going crazy. He jumped down from the carriage and grabbed Huang Liu by the collar and gave him a big mouth. Are you smoking because you are wicked? You're guarding a hot brick bed, holding a concubine and eating without worry, yet you don't allow others to have a firewood. Is that what Confucius taught you? "How did they teach a bunch of hypocrites …"

Xiao Letian threw Huang Liu onto the ground, then turned and walked towards the carriage and picked up a bundle of firewood and threw it by the side of the road. Whether you like it or not, I, Xiao Letian, sincerely want to help you guys, so I'll throw these firewood here. There's a God in my head, if I have any intentions of harming you guys, then let the heavens strike me down! "

Action is always stronger than words, and vows are always more effective than discernment. The moment Xiao Letian personally acted, the entire village's people were moved. They never thought that the well-dressed noble young master would personally unload the carriage. Immediately, there were people who subconsciously wanted to help.

Just then, Huang Liu jumped up and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, then shouted with a sobbing tone of voice: "I'm bleeding, I'm bleeding, I'm going to inform the officials, I'm going to sue you … …" Also, all of you, listen up, whoever dares to use these firewood will become my enemy, and that is to become enemies with the Gui Chen. Your children and grandchildren will never be able to enter the academy, and will also be unable to participate in the Imperial examinations.

In this era where Confucianism controlled people's hearts, studying and studying was the only way for commoners to change their fates. In Xiao Letian's eyes, Huang Liu's threat was empty, but in the eyes of these simple commoners, it was as if the heavens were falling and the earth crumbling.

Xiao Letian was too lazy to bother with his nonsense now, he just silently carried the bundles of firewood and threw them on the side of the road. One bundle, two bundles... Immediately after, Xiao Letian's bald guards joined in, and the group silently threw the firewood on the side of the road.

At first, the commoners were able to stand, but the more they looked, the more guilty they felt. The more they looked, the softer their legs became, and some people even had their knees bent.

The branches of the tree tore open the luxurious jacket, causing the elderly people's hearts to ache uncontrollably. Her fair and handsome face was blown red by the northwest wind, causing the young daughter-in-law's heart to be filled with regret.

Even the brawny men, who saw Xiao Letian's palm being cut by the sharp branches, were full of admiration. At first, everyone thought that Xiao Letian was just pretending to be a fool, but when the cart of firewood went to the bottom, they couldn't help but be convinced.

'Maybe this second devil truly wants to help us! Aren't we a little too bad now? ' Countless people began to mutter in their hearts. However, Huang Liu was the only exception. He looked at Xiao Letian like he was an idiot, and thought in his heart.

'This idiot, and this Master of Western Studies, actually used such an unconventional method to win over the hearts of the people. He really is a fool taught by the westernization. 'A scholar should possess the aura of a scholar. How can he do such a despicable job? '

Under everyone's complicated gazes, Xiao Letian and all the guards removed the firewood. He clapped his hands and said to the villagers, "See, God didn't take me away, which means I didn't lie to you. Now that the firewood is here, I don't care if you need it or not … "Let's go and help the other villages. This grandpa will bribe the people, what can you do?"

Saying that, Xiao Letian stared at Huang Liu and spoke sinisterly: "Hey, Huang, aren't you very arrogant? This lord will stop talking today, your life as an Elementary Scholar is already over, as long as I, Xiao Letian, am here, then you can forget about making any further progress in your name! "

When Huang Liu heard these threatening words, his heart couldn't help but shiver. He subconsciously took a step back, tripping over a rock and falling straight to the ground. He suddenly thought that although Xiao Letian was not on good terms with the Qing Liu masters, he still had a bit of a relationship with the Manchu Royal Family.

But when Huang Liu thought back to his uncle who had died a horrible death and the promises made by the envoys in the capital, he mustered his courage once again.

"Alright, what are you all looking at? Aren't you just two devils? Do you really believe his words? Don't say that my Scholar Huang doesn't care about face. When spring breaks, I will personally look for my master to teach the children in your village. When the time comes, I will have a few more Elementary Scholars. "They're all gone, they're all gone …"