Flourishing of the Ming Dynasty Novel - Chapter 153

Chapter 153 Thirty Decrees
“Steamed buns, hot steamed buns that have just come out of the cage!” While shouting, wang Wu took a long burden and slowly walked on the streets of the capital, occasionally recommending to passers-by how juicy and delicious the buns he was carrying were.

Wang Wu was from Daxing County, and his daily livelihood was to sell the buns he had made with the Hun Family early in the morning to make a living. Although it was only a small business, because the price was really high and the items were really good, it was possible to live a peaceful life in the capital.

He was also familiar with this part of Daxing County, so he didn’t even need to search around. He relied on his memories to turn around a block and arrive at Yaqianjie. This was the busiest area in the vicinity, and there were also many peddlers carrying all kinds of food to peddle to the surrounding pedestrians. Wang Wu naturally wouldn’t let go of the business here, and immediately shouted loudly, in order to attract more customers to visit him.

Just as he passed by the county yamen, he discovered that there was actually a group of civilians gathered there, and a civil servant was standing in the middle of them preaching something. Seeing this, wang Wu only glanced curiously and hurriedly went over. He was just a lowly commoner, so it had nothing to do with what the Yamen Imperial Court wanted to pass down to him.

This was the case for the people at this time, because the literacy rate was generally low. There was a natural sense of fear and alienation towards the government, and there was even the saying that one could not enter the government and die in hell. As a member of the crowd, wang Wu naturally kept his distance from the county government.

But just as he wanted to avoid it, someone called over and said, “Wu Na, the bun seller, three bun for us to try and fill our stomachs.” However, a servant from the county government waved his hand at him.

Business came, and the county government messenger wanted to send the bun over, wang Wu naturally didn’t dare not disobey, he hurriedly took the burden and came up. Although he had a smile on his face, he was still complaining bitterly in his heart. These officials in the county government didn’t even pay for their food. Now that they were at the entrance of the yamen, they would probably have to pay for it. I only hope that this master wouldn’t be too ruthless.

“May I ask how many buns do you want?” Wang Wu quickly put down the burden and lifted the lid of the steamer. Instantly, a surge of hot air surged out, revealing the plump white buns inside.

“Let’s have a taste first.” The servant glanced at Steamed Bun and said casually. Wang Wu didn’t dare to neglect, so he hurriedly took out a large clip for him. The servant took a bite and smiled with satisfaction, “Yes, it’s juicy. This bun tastes good. Give me ten more. I’ll treat my brothers to it later!”

Upon hearing that the other party wanted ten buns, wang Wu’s entire face collapsed. It seemed that not only did he not earn any money today, he would also have to lose a lot of money. But since he had already told them the truth, he didn’t dare to disobey. He took out oil paper and wrapped ten buns for them.

Although he was reluctant to part, he didn’t dare to delay. After handing the oil paper bag over as he wished, wang Wu quickly packed up his burden and carried it back onto his shoulder, wanting to leave. He didn’t dare to stay here any longer. If he were to come out with two black-hearted messengers, he would have to pay for these two buns.

But just as he was about to turn around and leave, the servant behind him said, “Wait a minute. Are you leaving just like that?”

Wang Wu almost fell down and turned around to face the servant with an ugly smile that was even worse than crying, “What else does this messenger have to say?”

“You’re such a person. You actually forgot to take the money when you were doing business. Don’t you have to compensate for your death?” The servant shook his head and asked, “How much are ten buns?”

‘”Ah” wang Wu was stunned. Today’s sun was still coming from the east. Why did the poor men of the county government actually buy something and pay for it?

Looking at his stunned appearance, the officer quickly understood something. He smiled and said, “Don’t worry, we don’t dare to say anything about the other yamen, but the people of our Daxing County yamen will never ask for your things for nothing in the future. This is all our Lord’s intention. If you dare to offend us, we will definitely punish you severely.”

“Ah? Is that true?” Wang Wu asked in disbelief. It wasn’t that he didn’t believe the other party’s words, it was just that this matter was too strange.

“That’s natural. Look over there. The new rules of the county government are stuck on the wall in black and white. It’s clearly written on the wall. We, Daxing County, must act according to the rules in the future. If the rules are broken, regardless of whether you are an official or a citizen, we will punish you severely!” As the servant spoke, he nodded his mouth and pointed to the wall on the other side. There were quite a few people gathered there to listen to the announcement.

Only then did wang Wu believe that something really happened, and he was greatly moved in his heart, “Who would have thought that our Daxing County would actually have such a grand master? I heard that the people outside the city were affected two days ago, and our grand master was busy arranging for several hundred people?”

“Didn’t our county magistrate Lu arrange it? His words are like a mountain, so you can rest assured. The future Daxing County will definitely be different from the past. How much is it? Why don’t you give us a number?” As the servant spoke, he took out a purse.

Wang Wu hurriedly said, “You can give me fifteen cents for two cents a buns.” He didn’t dare to ask for money honestly, otherwise, who knew if this person in front of him would lose face?

The servant smiled, but he still counted twenty pennies and put them in his hands. “We people from the Daxing County Government will not take advantage of you.”

Wang Wu thanked him for taking the money. He was stunned for a long time before he finally believed that he really got the money from a county government messenger. This was an idea that he didn’t dare to have in his dreams in the past. This understanding made him unconsciously curious about Daxing County magistrate Lu DaSheng, so he went over to see what kind of poster was posted there.

He managed to squeeze his way inside, but what he saw on his back was a long list with a bright red seal of the county government stamped on it. However, wang Wu, like most people in this era, was illiterate. Fortunately, the county government was prepared and sent a clerk to guard the list. He loudly announced the meaning of the above to the surrounding people:

‘”This thirteenth rule prohibits theft. As long as the thief is caught, the county government will take 30 heavy responsibilities and flail him at the entrance for 5 days. Article fourteen, no one who is not allowed to go out at night is allowed to do so. Once taken, he will take 30 heavy responsibilities and be punished as a thief. Article fifteen…”

The civil servant took out the above clauses one by one, and many civilians nodded their heads repeatedly. To the people nowadays, what they were most afraid of was that the government would change its orders day and night without giving them any details, and now that the regulations were listed out like this, they were able to figure it out in their hearts. Moreover, these rules were normally followed by everyone, so they didn’t dare to make things difficult.

Of course, there are also some people who have other views on this: “These decrees of the county government are reasonable, but can he really control those officials and dignitaries? Or is it just against our ordinary people?”

These words resonated with the crowd, and they all nodded to show that they had the same doubts. Indeed, this is Beijing City. There are so many yamens, so many officials and dignitaries. Can a small Daxing County really make those people obey their rules?

In the whispers of the crowd, the civil servant had read all thirty decrees, and then said seriously, “This time, our county magistrate has already decided that these thirty decrees are not only aimed at ordinary people, but also at restraining everyone in Daxing County.” As long as someone breaks the law, regardless of whether they are poor or noble, whether they are citizens or officials, they will all be punished in unison and will not be selfish! “If everyone still doesn’t believe me, then it depends on what our county government will do in the future.”

These words were very forceful, and they had the aura of a single word, causing the people who were secretly suspicious to immediately shut their mouths. However, they still didn’t believe it in their hearts. The county magistrate was only a rank six official, and even an official in the capital was more respected than him. Why did he make these people obey his decree?

However, wang Wu was somewhat convinced of this. Since this county magistrate Lu was able to make the servants under him change their previous faults, he was naturally a person with great ability. It should not be a casual thing to make everyone in the county obey the law.

Of course, he did not know that this matter was simple, but if it was to be implemented, it would be very difficult, and he would inevitably encounter all sorts of resistance and trouble.

Of course, Lu Zhen also knew this, so when he promulgated these 30 laws, he already had the consciousness to fight against many forces in the county and even the court. In order not to fall into the trap of being forcefully accused of being uneducated and executed, he not only posted a decree at the entrance of the county yamen, but also posted a decree at several city gates.

In addition, he also dispatched a group of people to continuously preach the decrees formulated by the county government in the streets and alleys of Daxing County, so that all the young ladies and wives living in the deep residence would know about the decrees formulated by the county government this time.

When the clanging clanging clanging clanging clanging clanging clanging clanging clanging clanging clanging clanging clanging clanging clanging clanging clanging clanging clanging clanging clanging clanging clanging clanging clanging clanging clanging clanging clanging clanging clanging Looking at the county government publicizing these 30 laws, it was clear that they were determined to show their might this time.

Of course, there were quite a few people who were disdainful of this. When a proud young master heard this, he couldn’t help but put away the folding fan in his hand and snorted, “This county magistrate of Daxing is truly a fantasy. He actually dares to do such a thing in Beijing City. Do you really think that he is a character?”

“Young Master, you don’t need to pay attention to him. He’s just a small county government. Can he really do anything to us?” A man beside him smiled apologetically.

“This Young Master is just not used to seeing him. I want to see what he can do to us in Daxing County!” As he spoke, the young master sneered …