Volume 3: Dragon and Snake Movement Chapter 400: Before Leaving and with Earnest Advice
Although Zhang Shou had always been a proponent of limited use of corporal punishment since his previous life - for example, for certain violent crimes, he agreed to use corporal punishment to teach people a lesson, just like beating a naughty child who didn't obey. However, he believed that the upper limit of corporal punishment for general crimes should not be set at 100 as it is now.
Therefore, he did not think that the emperor or himself were anything worthy of praise.
It was the father's fault for not educating his child well. The emperor raised a bad son, and the people had to rebel in anger and be severely beaten for it. To be honest, he was just barely acceptable. But he believed that the emperor would rather have the eldest prince be a good son than be known as a benevolent monarch.
As for him, he knew that the promotion of the machine would cause a large number of workers to lose their jobs, but he still released this monster. Now he has finally achieved the goal of sparing the life of the victim and criminal. This so-called fair praise is ridiculous no matter how he thinks about it!
Therefore, before the jailer could rack his brains to continue to flatter him , he interrupted him directly and said, "Okay, stop talking nonsense. Since you know that the emperor is kind, then you should be more careful. I don't want to hear excuses like serious injuries, high fever, etc. in the future. Pay attention to ventilation, keep clean, and prevent heatstroke. From diet to medicine, follow the instructions at regular times and in fixed quantities."
Although they all had their own grievances, they were all adults and knew that what they had done was capital crime. Now they had escaped with their lives. Even though the beating was really severe, after being reminded by the chief jailer and given such instructions by Zhang Shou, no matter who they were, they could get over the hurdle in their hearts.
Realizing that they were blessed with the treatment they had now, the cries and groans of pain they heard when applying the medicine gradually subsided.
Xian Yunhe supported himself with his elbows and tried to look up, but before he could find Zhang Shou, he caught a glimpse of the familiar figure of Peanut. When the boy met his gaze, he opened his mouth as if to shout, but then he forced himself to hold it back, his teeth almost biting his lips to bleed. He could not help but nod slightly to the man with guilt, and then used all his strength to turn in another direction.
This time, he finally saw Zhang Shou, and immediately tried to ask in the calmest voice: "Doctor Zhang, the emperor is indeed kind, but we will also remember your grace of saving our lives. I just want to ask one thing, how many days do we need to release them?"
This question hit the nail on the head for everyone. They could bear the beating, as they were thick-skinned and could survive it, but they needed to be released and on the road within a few days, which was a very serious problem.
For example, if they were asked to leave within three to five days after they had just been beaten with a hundred sticks, and then travel thousands of miles to Hainan... that would be like killing them! Not to mention three to five days, even ten or eight days would probably be enough!
Zhang Shou looked down at Xian Yunhe, who was sweating profusely but still supported himself with his elbows and tried to stand up and look up at him. Then he said calmly, "According to the old rules for being sent to prison after being caned, the earliest you need to leave is the next day, and the latest is within ten days. You need to arrive at the place of exile within the prescribed time limit, otherwise it will be a serious crime."
Seeing that the news he revealed was like a bombshell and was about to shock the group of people, he smiled and added: "But this time is different from the past. After all, Qiongzhou Prefecture is too far away. You have to walk over mountains and rivers on foot, and the escorts will accompany you for thousands of miles. This is too tiring. I have already reported to the emperor that you will take a ship from Tianjin and go by sea."
"Of course, the Emperor has approved it."
Take a boat...go by sea! The crowd that was about to go crazy just now suddenly quieted down, especially Xian Yunhe who had experience in going out to sea. He knew how dangerous the sea was, and had personally experienced the strong winds and huge waves that almost made people despair and wait for death. But compared to walking thousands of miles by land, he certainly knew what going by sea meant to a group of people like them who had just been beaten up.
Although they might get seasick... but at least they don't have to endure the pain of traveling for more than six hours a day and having their wounds fester!
Xian Yunhe heaved a sigh of relief and collapsed to the ground. The other people lying on the ground were also relieved. No matter who it was, no one wanted to struggle to die after enduring such a painful punishment. The sea was certainly dangerous, but for the people of Cangzhou who were not unfamiliar with the sea, it was better to travel on a ship than to be strangled!
After the initial relaxation, Xian Yunhe struggled to stand up again. This time, he managed to control his bruised buttocks and legs, kneeling on the ground with all his strength. Then he kowtowed and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness and thank you, Dr. Zhang, for your advice!"
Some of the others managed to get up, but some really couldn't, and could only nod their heads to express their gratitude. Faced with these genuine gratitudes, Zhang Shou could only support them with a fake voice: "Just be grateful for the emperor's kindness. As for me, I have unfulfilled responsibilities and don't deserve your thanks. But even if you take a boat, I won't let you leave within ten days. After all, the wind direction is not right."
If you travel from the north to the south, of course you have to wait for the north wind to blow before sailing. Otherwise, even if you travel along the coastline, who will be responsible if you encounter a typhoon?
Xian Yunhe had been out to sea with Lao Xianyu before, so he naturally knew the wind direction every year. Hearing Zhang Shou say this, he was even more grateful. However, when he was about to say a few more words of thanks, Zhang Shou coughed again and suddenly said, "I have a few more important things to say. All the jailers please leave for now. Xiao Huasheng, you go and guard outside."
Although the jailers were all recommended by Zhu Tingfang and Cao Wu, and they were steady and tight-lipped, Zhang Shou still gave this order. Seeing that everyone followed the order without objection, Xiao Huasheng hesitated for a moment, then lowered his head and followed at the end. After walking a few steps, he suddenly turned back and glanced at Xian Yunhe. Zhang Shou knew what he was worried about, but he didn't say anything.
Only when the little fellow finally disappeared outside the door leading to the outer prison where lighter prisoners were held did he walk into Xian Yunhe's cell. He did not dislike the filthy place at all, nor did he worry that he would be held hostage by the prisoners.
"Although Qiongzhou Prefecture is known as the end of the world, it is a fertile place where rice can be harvested three times a year. However, the climate is hot. If there is a strong wind in the summer, the coastal areas may suffer from strong winds and huge waves. But Cangzhou sometimes encounters such a situation in the summer, so you just need to be aware of it. You are not allowed to live by the sea. As for the trees you need to plant there, there are two types."
"The first one is the cinchona tree. It was discovered by a ship on a continent in the east of the sea. The locals regard it as a sacred tree. The bark is scraped off and ground into powder, which is said to be able to treat malaria. The southern part of our dynasty is known for its rampant miasma, which is actually related to malaria. So if we can grow it, we can give an explanation to those old masters in the court, and it can also be considered as a way to atone for our sins."
Although they had escaped death and saved their lives, it was impossible to say that they were not afraid and worried about going to the distant Qiongzhou Prefecture. Even Xianyun River, who had been to the sea and the ocean, was no exception. Therefore, Zhang Shou's sincere instructions successfully calmed their extremely uneasy mood. The two words "sacred tree" were still very intimidating to the common people.
"Of course, you alone are not enough to plant trees. We will inevitably need to gather some more people. In order to verify the efficacy of the medicine and prevent people from gathering together and contracting malaria or other diseases, I have already reported to the emperor, hoping that he can send two doctors to accompany you. If your sores have not healed when you set out, they can also take care of them along the way."
Zhang Shou paused here, seeing that most of the eight people in the prisons on both sides, including Xian Yunhe, were overjoyed. He thought that even in Qiongzhou Prefecture, doctors were afraid of death, and most of them would hide as far away as possible. He had no hope when he reported to the emperor, and planned to search the prisons in northern Zhili to see if there were any doctors who had committed crimes.
Among the ten accused quack doctors who harm people, perhaps we can always find one who has offended someone or has been framed?
Who knew that the maverick emperor made all his worries and preparations go to waste - there was an ostracized weirdo in the Imperial Medical Bureau, and that weirdo imperial physician also worked part-time as a coroner for Wang Jie, the prefect of Shuntian Prefecture. Now that Wang Jie was not there, Duke Qin Zhang Chuan refused to accept the imperial physician to do this job, so that weirdo begged and pleaded to be transferred to Shuntian Prefecture to change his career, and this matter was somehow known by the emperor.
Since he had used herbal medicine to cure Concubine Yu's strange illness, the emperor, in line with the principle of utilizing talents - although he thought the emperor was just having fun and felt that such a freak was wasted in the narrow circle of the Imperial Hospital - gave him the job, along with two apprentices he had taught. Now, there was a doctor who followed the prisoner to Qiongzhou Prefecture!
"Dr. Zhang, thank you so much. We..."
Zhang Shou laughed and interrupted by shaking his hand, "No need to thank me. What I need is for you to plant trees in return. What's more, the cinchona tree is just advertised to the public. Its bark can only treat malignant malaria, but it can't cure it completely. It may not be able to cure some malaria. What I need you to plant more is another kind of tree, the rubber tree."
He gave a detailed description of the rubber tree tapping scene. Seeing that everyone was extremely surprised at the tree that could produce liquid like goat milk, Zhang Shou only mentioned the use of rubber trees in passing.
"The gum from this tree can be used in many places. But because you have to grow seedlings first and then transplant them, it's very troublesome. You may have to spend at least a few years. Of course, you don't have to worry about living in poverty in Qiongzhou Prefecture. After all, this matter was caused by me. Before there is any production, I will find a way to make up for your living needs one by one."
“How can this be possible!”
Xian Yunhe was the first to raise an objection, and now, the others also hurriedly rushed to reject it. The fact that the emperor could punish the eldest prince for the Cangzhou incident was beyond their best imagination, and then the emperor could reasonably deal with them and other people who had followed them in the trouble. In their opinion, this time the Holy Son of Heaven was indeed a mirror hanging high.
Zhang Shou talked to them about the future so calmly and promised them a good life. Who wouldn't feel embarrassed? Even if someone really wanted to accept this subsidy, if they found that their companions refused, they would have to follow the crowd.
"You don't need to say anything more, this is a done deal. When the time comes, you just need to follow the arrangements. Speaking of which, the environment in Qiongzhou Prefecture is very suitable for growing many special fruits in addition to trees. You may find it difficult to eat Cangzhou candied dates in the future, but if you have free time, you can also grow other fruits..."
When talking about food, Zhang Shou gradually smiled. He talked about refreshing and delicious coconuts, soft and sweet bananas, and sweet and tempting mangoes... No matter whether Qiongzhou Prefecture has these fruits or not, he gave examples one by one, making the prisoners forget the burning pain in their buttocks!
Although Xian Yunhe felt that Zhang Shou wanted to exaggerate that Qiongzhou Prefecture was a good place... as he listened, he still developed some hope.
Is there really a pure land in that high and far place where men farm and women weave?
Just as he was thinking this, Zhang Shou suddenly asked, "There is one more thing I forgot to ask. Do you have a wife, children or elders at home? If so, do you want them to follow you to Qiongzhou Prefecture, or stay in Cangzhou? Of course, it's up to you to go or stay. If you go, I will ask the ship and the locals to take care of you. If you stay, I can arrange for you to be good at weaving or cotton growing."
Needless to say, Xian Yunhe has been a bachelor for years, but other people are also bachelors, and some have parents, wives and children, but they can't help but hesitate.
Zhang Shou's statement of whether to go or stay really made it difficult for people to make a choice. If his wife and children followed him, they would not be lonely, but he was worried about whether they would suffer. If he stayed in his hometown of Cangzhou, it would be good to not have to leave his hometown, but would the words "prisoner's family" attract covetousness and discrimination in the future?
Seeing that everyone was hesitant, Zhang Shou simply explained the situation of the cooperative. When he finished speaking, Xian Yunhe was the first to react: "If we can really gather the scattered spinners, weavers, and cotton farmers together, without exploiting or deducting, so that everyone can have enough food and clothing, that would be great!"
It is impossible not to exploit or deduct. The only possibility is to exploit and deduct less, so that the originally bloody capital appears to have a little more tenderness. Moreover, when machines become popular, large-scale construction and other projects and jobs will be used to divert redundant labor...
Zhang Shou thought so in his heart, but he knew that this was a topic that could only be mentioned to a few people who could understand him, so he immediately said, "Anyway, you can take your time to think about the family matters, and then ask the jailer to report to me. Well, that's all for today, you guys should take care of your injuries."
After saying this, Zhang Shou turned around and left the cell, and then walked out. When he was about to reach the door leading to the outer cell, he heard a name behind him that made him extremely speechless.
That was not Xian Yunhe's voice, but his tone sounded extremely sincere: "Dr. Zhang, even though I hated you so much when I was beaten just now, and I'm still in so much pain now, after listening to what you said just now, I still want to call you Little Justice Zhang! If the magistrate of Changlu County was someone like you, we wouldn't have come to this point! If I'm full, my whole family won't be hungry. No matter if Qiongzhou Prefecture is so good or not, I won't come back to Cangzhou! Maybe I won't see you again in the future, but I will remember you as an official!"
