Transmigrated into a female county magistrate during a famine, leading her country to prosperity

Zhu Kongjia was the first to step forward and said, "Sir, today I and my colleagues have the honor to follow you to Tong'an County and see this farm. This is an experience we have never had before!"

"Yes, sir. Today, we, the subordinates, can be said to be enjoying ourselves with the people. This kind of wild fun is really fresh and new. How can we blame you, sir?"

Yu Zhengqing sneered, his eyes flashing with a light that no one could understand.

"Sharing joy with the people? Enjoying the wild life?"

Although everyone couldn't figure out what he was thinking, they knew from seeing his expression that his words had upset him, and they immediately fell silent.

Yu Zhengqing originally wanted to call out Shen Zheng's name, but then he remembered that there were several people crowding her field in the afternoon, so he could only glance at her with disdain and change the candidate.

"Yin Wencai, tell me, how do you feel today?"

The county magistrates breathed a sigh of relief and were secretly happy that their names were not called.

Yin Wencai stepped forward and said honestly, "Your Excellency, I am very tired and want to go back to my room to rest."

When these words were spoken, all the county magistrates were shocked.

This Yin Wencai is so brave. When Lord Yu asked him how he felt about working in the fields, he just said he was tired!

Isn't that a clear message to Lord Yu that they shouldn't be made to do hard labor? They cursed Yin Wencai in their hearts as a fool. Who among them wasn't tired? But who dared to say it in front of Lord Yu?

Only Yin Wencai is such a fool who speaks without thinking. No wonder his Baiyun County is so poor.

Unexpectedly, Yu Zhengqing chuckled upon hearing this, "You are right, I am tired too, I don't even want to have dinner, I just want to go back and rest. You and I are both so tired, I am sure you are all tired too."

The county magistrates were stunned when they heard this and didn't know how to respond.

It is quite hard to guess what this boss is thinking. Does he want them to be tired only when they do so?

Seeing that they were silent, Yu Zhengqing turned to Yin Wencai and asked, "Can you tell us how you feel so tired?"

Yin Wencai frowned and thought for a moment, then replied, "Your Excellency, I have pain in my waist, calves, wrists, palms, and the cuts on my body from the rice leaves."

Yu Zhengqing nodded with satisfaction: "How much land have you just mowed? You are really too old to be useful."

Zhu Kongjiafu was so happy that he suddenly realized something: "Sir, it is true that we are tired, but if we really want to talk about tiredness, we are not as tired as the people! I have only cut three acres of land today, while those quick people have cut an acre of land in one day!"

After being reminded by Zhu Kongjia, the county magistrates immediately understood Yu Zhengqing's meaning.

"Sir, the people work from sunrise to sunset, all year round, it's really hard work!"

"That's right. We are so tired in just one afternoon. What about these farmers who work day after day... Alas!"

Yu Zhengqing knew that these people's thoughts could not be changed by just letting them cut rice for an afternoon, but he just wanted them to understand what he wanted to convey.

"I won't say more. Although some of your counties are relatively wealthy, farmers are the cornerstone that supports a county, a state, or even a country!"

Everyone naturally knows this truth, but truth is truth. Who really looked down upon those peasants in the county in the past?

"Who knows that every grain of rice on the plate is the product of hard work? I will only tell you this once. Treat the farmers in your county well. I believe you all know why I called you to Tong'an County today. After Lord Shen sells the rice seeds to you, the per-acre grain yield in your county will increase dramatically. By then, I don't want to see the status of the farmers in your county become even lower!"

Yu Zhengqing's eyes swept over their faces, "I have no control over other prefectures, but remember, as long as you serve under me for one day, I will be able to deal with you for one day! What to do in the future, think it over before you go to bed today!"

Yu Zhengqing's gaze was as sharp as a knife, which made the county magistrates' backs stiffen. Even Zhu Kongjia lost the desire to flatter him.

Although he just said how hard and tired the farmers were, he felt in his heart that it was what they deserved.

If you find farming too tiring, why not take the imperial examination? After passing the imperial examination, you will become an official and no longer have to farm. But who can blame those people for not having the ability?

As if Yu Zhengqing heard his inner voice, he said in a cold voice: "I know that some people will not accept this, thinking that they have studied hard for many years and finally got a job as a county magistrate, which is a world of difference from the farmers who work in the fields. But I want to ask, if every household has the capital to study, who wouldn't want to study to earn money and become an official?"

Seeing that they were all silent, Yu Zhengqing knew that they had deep-rooted ideas. Even if he talked his mouth off, he would not be able to change their minds in an instant.

"Everyone should go back and think about it carefully."

Yu Zhengqing lifted his legs and left. The county magistrates breathed a sigh of relief and relaxed their backs. When he was halfway there, they turned around and called out, "Yin Wencai."

Yin Wencai was stunned, but still followed quickly.

......

When Shen Zheng returned to the county government office and had dinner, it was already midnight. She rubbed her waist and was about to change clothes and go to bed when there was a knock on the door.

"Who is it?" Who is knocking on her door so late?

"Yes...your subordinate." The voice of Xu Zhubu came from outside the door.

This was the first time in the past few months that Master Xu had come to see her late at night. She was a little confused, but still went forward and opened the door.

As soon as she opened the door, Shen Zheng saw Yin Wencai standing next to Xu Zhubu. She immediately realized that the person looking for her was Yin Wencai, not Xu Zhubu.

She was about to speak when Yin Wencai looked at her deeply, then suddenly lifted his robe and knelt on the ground.

Not to mention Shen Zheng, even Xu Zhubu was shocked.

Just now, Lord Yin only said that he had something urgent to discuss with you, but since he was a man and the magistrate of another county, it would be inconvenient to look for you late at night, so he asked him to go with him first.

He originally refused, saying that the adults should be asleep by now, but this Lord Yin seemed to be determined to stand guard at the door unless he was taken with him, so Xu Zhubu had no choice but to bring him in.

Shen Zheng hurried forward and tried to help Yin Wencai up, but Yin Wencai avoided her hand, looked up at her and said:

"Sir Shen, there are too many people here during the day and it's hard to bother you so late at night. Please forgive me."

Through Yu Zhengqing's words, Shen Zheng also knew what kind of official Yin Wencai was. He felt that he was not worthy of his kneeling, so he had to lift up his robe and squat in front of him.

"Master Yin, no matter what, let's stand up and talk. If you don't stand up, I will have to kneel down."

Yin Wencai's eyebrows jumped. He didn't expect Shen Zheng to say that he would kneel down, but he still said stubbornly: "Sir Shen, on the way back to the county government just now, Sir Yu told me in advance that I, Baiyun County..."

Before he could finish his words, Shen Zheng's knees softened and she fell to her knees opposite him.

Yin Wencai: “?!!!!”

Xu Zhubu: “?!” He lifted his robe and knelt down.