The Daily Life of a Rich Peasant's Boy in the Imperial Examination

When the people heard that they could buy bird droppings at the yamen, their eyes widened.

When did the government start selling guano? How come they didn't know about it?

Although they are just ordinary people, they have many relatives in the government office. If the government office has bird droppings for sale, they would have received the information long ago, not to mention making the headlines in Yuanlu.

One of the women asked doubtfully, "Sir, when will the yamen sell guano? Why haven't we seen any?"

Her son-in-law works as a runner in the county government. If there was one, he would have used it long ago.

There is no need to watch Lord Sun’s land reap a bountiful harvest like we are doing now.

Sun Shan smiled softly and charmingly, saying, "It didn't happen before, but it will happen next year."

This statement aroused suspicion among the onlookers. Why will it be available only next year? Shouldn't they say it is available now?

Lord Sun acts so mysteriously that it makes people suspicious.

Sun Shan pointed to the sacks of guano and said, "There will definitely be guano for next year's spring plowing. You can just come to the government office and buy it. If not, where did I get my guano? Rest assured, folks. You will definitely have guano for use next year."

After a pause, he continued, "Look at the rice here. Isn't it growing well? If you use bird droppings next year, you can definitely harvest a few more bushels of rice."

Everyone looked at Sun Shan with their eyes rolling around. He looked quite sincere, so he must be telling the truth, right?

A dignified official would not lie to them, right?

However, officials have two mouths, so it is really possible for them to lie.

Officials’ words can be trusted, and even sows can climb trees.

Everyone was still skeptical. Unless they actually used the bird droppings and had a real bumper harvest, they couldn't believe what Sun Shan said.

Sun Shan was not in a hurry. He smiled and said, "The rice will be ripe in a few days. Come and see if we can really harvest a few more bushels of rice by using guano."

Then, still maintaining a gentle attitude, he said, "Fellow villagers, when the millet turns yellow, I will notify everyone to come and witness it."

Everyone looked at the paddy field and then at Sun Shan. In fact, they didn't need to come over to witness it. They probably knew that this rice field grown with bird droppings would have a good harvest.

It’s not that they don’t believe that the rice yield is high, but they don’t believe that the government office has bird droppings for sale.

One of the elderly men stepped forward and asked, "Sir, is this bird droppings expensive? If it's too expensive, we can't afford it."

Whether or not you believe that there is bird droppings in the yamen is one thing, but whether or not you can use the bird droppings is another.

Even if there is bird droppings, they can't afford it because the price is too high.

Sun Shan looked at the old man approvingly. It was a good question.

He smiled faintly and said, "Don't worry, old man. As long as you are from Yuanlu, you can definitely afford it. Even if you are penniless, you can buy it on credit. Use it first, and after the harvest, you can use the grain to pay off the debt or sell the grain and pay it back later.

He paused and continued, "Old man, I am the father and mother of Yuanlu. If the people of Yuanlu can't afford the guano sold by the government office, what am I doing as a father and mother?"

Then he turned around, looked at the crowd seriously and earnestly, and said in a resounding voice: "We in Guangnan have a saying: If an official doesn't care about the people, he might as well go home and grow sweet potatoes. I am fortunate to be the magistrate of Yuanlu, and I will definitely serve the people of Yuanlu well. I solemnly promise here that as long as you are from Yuanlu, you can afford guano."

Such powerful words were spoken so forcefully that the onlookers could not help but be stunned.

How could this unattractive, short, thin and weak county magistrate look so majestic?

Why does it feel like there is a golden light flashing behind him, as if it is going to blind his eyes?

County Magistrate Wang, who was standing behind Sun Shan, was also stunned.

This Mr. Sun is so ambitious. Is he too young or just a fool?

County Magistrate Wang has been the second-in-command for so long, but this is the first time he has encountered such a top leader.

Why do I vaguely feel that Yuanlu will become different?

County Magistrate Wang didn't know whether things would get better or worse, but Yuanlu was about to change.

The crowd was stunned for a moment.

Suddenly, an old lady plucked up the courage to ask, "Master Magistrate, what do you mean by buying on credit?"

Seeing the essence through the phenomenon, the aunt quickly grasped the key to the problem.

She didn't believe the glamorous words that officials said.

When everyone heard this question, they instantly woke up from their trance, and the light on Sun Shan's back also disappeared.

Yes, Lord Sun only said that they could afford it, but he didn't say it would be free for them.

He also said that he was poor and couldn't afford it, so he could buy it on credit.

The so-called credit means that it must be repaid, which also means that the bird droppings need to be paid for.

Also, would buying on credit be a high-interest loan with nine out of ten returns?

Emma, ​​I was almost fooled by Mr. Sun’s sweet words, but fortunately there were still sober people in the group.

The onlookers kept asking, "Master Magistrate, what's the deal with buying on credit? It turns out you're not giving it to us for free. Oh my god, I almost got cheated by you."

Everyone looked at Sun Shan with condemnation.

Sun Shan: ...

The people of Yuanlu are not only gossipy, but also fantasize.

You can even think of it for free, it just seems like you're too easy to talk to.

The Sun family guards were so angry that they really wanted to curse.

They don't have to dig out the guano? They don't have to process it? They don't have to move it around? How can you even say it's free?

It’s a pity that the Sun family guards don’t understand the local dialect very well, otherwise they would have started cursing.

County Magistrate Wang looked at Sun Shan as if he were watching a play, and then looked at the onlookers.

Hehe, this Lord Sun is still a little naive. If it were him, he would have ordered his servants to curse and maybe even use sticks.

As a government official, there is no need for you to talk too much to the common people. It’s up to you if you want to use my services or not.

If the people of Yuanlu don't buy it, the neighboring counties will definitely buy it. Humph, I don't believe that the guano that makes the rice harvest good can't be sold!

This was Sun Shan's first time as an official, and he lacked experience in dealing with the masses. He wanted to take a people-friendly approach and speak gently, but it seems that sometimes one cannot be too people-friendly, otherwise it would be inappropriate.

Sun Shan couldn't get angry, so he patiently explained, "Fellow villagers, guano has to be made manually. If it's free, who will pay for it?"

After a pause, he continued, "These bird droppings are not free, but don't worry, they are definitely very cheap. Anyone from Yuanlu can definitely afford them.

Then he continued, "Fellow villagers, I'm giving you a heads-up today: the government office will have guano for sale next year. The specific price and sales schedule will be announced in a notice from the government office, and the village heads will be able to inform you. Don't worry, even if you don't have money, you can buy it on credit. And I guarantee you'll be able to pay back the guano on credit."

The onlookers still want to continue asking questions.

Sun Shan looked at the time and felt that it was getting late, so he had to go back to the yamen.

He said, "Everyone, the government will summon the head of the village and the head of the ward to the council in a few days. If you have any questions, please ask the head of the village and the head of the ward."

After saying this, Sun Shan climbed onto the carriage and ran away in a hurry, surrounded by his guards, without even looking back.

The crowd was too noisy, and he didn't want to face a thousand questions.