Chapter 164 1/3

Today the government office is closed, and Governor Zhang is indeed at home.

The September issue of “Anjiang Collection” has begun to be sold, and he is reading it.

In this issue of “Anjiang Collection,” there are still articles by Li Qingzhi. He has already read these articles, so he didn’t read them again, opting to read other articles instead.

Among them, Governor Zhang’s favorite is the article written by Taoyuan Jushi.

Like the Recluse Solitary, Taoyuan Jushi is someone who prefers not to use their real name, so they use a pseudonym.

And Governor Zhang happens to know who this Taoyuan Jushi is.

In fact, Taoyuan Jushi is none other than Fang Shanchang, and his article is titled “On Great Harmony.”

Fang Shanchang has always wanted to establish a society of Great Harmony and often writes such articles. These articles are often published under the pseudonym of “Taoyuan Jushi,” which allows him to express himself freely.

This issue of “On Great Harmony” incorporates some different ideas, similar to those drawn from the articles of “Recluse Solitary.”

Li Qingzhi is truly different from ordinary people.

Although he has thoroughly studied the Confucian classics such as the Four Books and Five Classics, and his essays are flawless, Li Qingzhi himself doesn’t take Confucian thought seriously.

Otherwise, there wouldn’t be a Recluse Solitary.

Governor Zhang had long realized this, but he didn’t mind.

In his view, ideological positions are not important; a person’s nature is more important.

Li Qingzhi’s nature is good.

After reading Fang Shanchang’s article several times, Governor Zhang felt the urge to write something. Just then, the gatekeeper of the Zhang Mansion came in: “My lord, it’s time for lunch.”

This gatekeeper, who had been with Governor Zhang for many years, was now actually the steward of the Zhang Mansion, but he still stayed at the gatekeeper’s house all day, just as he used to, taking care of Governor Zhang’s daily life along with his wife.

Governor Zhang closed the book and saw the food box in the gatekeeper’s hand: “What did they bring today? Lao Li, go get a plate and divide it in half.”

The food sent by Juewei Zhai was too much for him alone, so he would give half to his steward every day, and they would eat together.

“Master, they sent pork intestines today! There are also things from Master Li inside,” the steward said.

Li Qingzhi had previously received books sent by Governor Zhang and had written a letter of thanks. Governor Zhang didn’t know what was sent this time, but he figured it was probably articles.

He had told Li Qingzhi before that once he wrote an article, he could send it to him, and he could send it to Anjiang Academy.

As for guidance… Li Qingzhi’s current articles didn’t need much guidance from him.

“Put the food box here; I’ll eat and read at the same time,” Governor Zhang said.

Governor Zhang mostly ate out, but sometimes he ate in the study.

After all, he was alone.

“Master, I’ll go get your food,” the steward said, putting down the food box and leaving.

The food box had two layers. Governor Zhang opened the top layer and found a plate full of fried pork intestines inside.

He hadn’t eaten this in a long time and missed it. Opening the second layer of the food box, he found a plate of cured meats inside.

Chicken, duck, and tofu were all there, and even the chicken and duck meat were the best parts of the birds.

He knew that this was specially prepared by Chang Zhan for him, and he felt warm inside.

Bringing out the two dishes, Governor Zhang saw the envelope wrapped in oil paper at the bottom.

The envelope was sealed, and just as Governor Zhang was about to open it, the steward came in.

The steward brought a bowl of rice, a small plate of vegetables, and a bowl of soup, placing them in front of Governor Zhang, then took out two empty plates. “Master, now that the weather is getting colder, you can save some of this cured meat for your dinner, and if there’s extra, I’ll just help myself.”

“I’ll just eat whatever for dinner; there’s no need to save any for me,” Governor Zhang said.

“Master, since they sent it to you, you can’t not eat it,” the steward smiled.

Chang Zhan sent quite a lot of food to Governor Zhang, dividing it into three portions—one for lunch, one for dinner, and the rest for himself and his wife.

Governor Zhang knew that even if he tried to persuade the steward to eat more, he wouldn’t, so he didn’t say much and started eating with his chopsticks.

While eating, he took out Li Qingzhi’s article to read.

Li Qingzhi’s writing was particularly beautiful, and he could eat more while reading such articles.

However…

When Governor Zhang opened the envelope, he saw the words “Recluse Solitary.”

Li Qingzhi wrote the book titled “Record of Fleeing Famine.” It began with some of the Recluse Solitary’s own experiences, followed by encountering an old man fleeing famine. The old man recounted some things: “The water rushed over from a distance and washed away everything in our village. There were pots, pans, tables, chairs, and even stiff bodies in the water. My wife and I hid in the trees with our granddaughter, fearing that the trees would be washed away. My wife could have survived, but she saw a pig in the rushing water and reached out to grab it. In a moment of carelessness, she was swept away. I saw her hit a house that collapsed, and blood splattered out of the water…”

“The water didn’t recede for several days, and the bodies in it rotted…”

“When the floodwaters passed, our village had nothing left, not even firewood. My granddaughter was so hungry she couldn’t move, and I heard there was relief food, so I wanted to get some for her, but I didn’t see it…”

“When she starved to death, she said she saw her grandmother, so it must have been her grandmother who couldn’t bear to see her suffer and took her away… I won’t survive either…”

…

Governor Zhang realized what Li Qingzhi had written after just reading the beginning.

He had heard about Li Qingzhi before and knew that Li Qingzhi had come to

Chongcheng County to escape the famine six years ago.

Although he had heard about it before, he hadn’t thought much about it until now, after reading this article, he realized the severity of the flood disaster.

Six years ago, the flood disaster in Yuxi Prefecture caused a sensation. At that time, the official in charge of relief was a person of King Jin’s, but because he lost part of the relief funds, he was pursued by Lu Qingxi and eventually lost his position…

At that time, Governor Zhang was an official in the capital and heard a lot of things, but he didn’t know the specific situation in Yuxi Prefecture.

What they could see were just some cold numbers.

But now… those cold numbers were alive in Li Qingzhi’s book.

Governor Zhang remained silent for a long time.

After the steward finished eating and came in, he saw that Governor Zhang hadn’t eaten much: “My lord, what’s wrong with you?”

“I…” Governor Zhang had no appetite to eat, but he quickly thought of some descriptions in Li Qingzhi’s article.

The old man begged everywhere for a bite of food to save his granddaughter, but she still died.

“I got lost in reading the article just now,” Governor Zhang smiled and started eating.

He ate slowly, but he finished all the food in front of him.

After the steward took the bowl away, Governor Zhang began to write a letter to Li Qingzhi.

He suddenly realized that Li Qingzhi wanted to do something again.

And looking at Li Qingzhi’s article… King Jin really wasn’t suitable to be the heir apparent.

While Governor Zhang was writing a letter to Li Qingzhi, in the provincial capital, many people were talking about Li Qingzhi.

Some scholars in the provincial capital, like Governor Zhang, had already received the new issue of Anjiang Collection and saw Li Qingzhi’s articles on it, envying him: “Li Qingzhi’s articles have appeared in Anjiang Collection again!”