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墨書 Inktalez
No one expected that such a young boy would be so unflinching and decisive.
In their imagination, it would be normal for the boy to meekly submit to the intimidation from the Deputy Magistrate and County Constable. Who would have thought otherwise?
But did Yang Yichen not consider the consequences of his actions? The people below him had served alongside the Deputy Magistrate and County Constable for many years, their thoughts naturally aligned. Even if there were past conflicts, they would now stand united against him.
He could certainly foresee this, but the absence of the two highest-ranking officials in Linyi County provided him with the best opportunity.
"As I take office, it is unfortunate that the County Magistrate is unwell and the County Constable has matters at home. However, the affairs of the Linyi County Yamen must continue. From yesterday to today, I have gained a general understanding of the situation in Linyi. Although life for the people has improved as much as possible since last year's earthquake, that disaster has significantly lowered their living standards.
As officials, we are here to seek welfare for the people. I wonder if any of you have good ideas or suggestions?"
The people below all lowered their heads and remained silent, unwilling to speak. In their hearts, he was merely a young fellow; why should they treat him with respect?
Did he really think he was extraordinary? A hint of disdain flashed in their eyes.
Yang Yichen could naturally sense their contempt. Yes, no one wanted to suddenly accept orders and commands from someone else.
If an experienced person had come into this position, they would not have displayed such an attitude.
The varying expressions among them—some disdainful, some indifferent, some conflicted—were all noted by Yang Yichen.
Dressed in a blue-black official robe, he exuded an unexpected air of authority. His youthful face was serious as he looked down at them. He slightly opened his mouth: "I understand that you may feel discontented with my sudden arrival, and I can comprehend that. However, a person's ability is judged not by age or appearance but by facts. Whether you believe it or not, the Sovereign entrusted me with this position because he trusts my abilities. I will certainly live up to the Sovereign's expectations and serve the people well."
"We are officials to advocate for the people. If anyone's methods can improve the quality of life for our citizens, I assure you that I will not overlook your contributions. The positions in Linyi County are open to those with capability; perhaps it is a position you never even dared to imagine?"
The last sentence struck them like a heavy blow to the heart, and the suppressed desires from the past suddenly surged forth. Perhaps they all had a chance?
The unusual gleam that flashed across people's faces was keenly sensed by Yang Yichen; this was the effect he desired.
The slight upward curve of his lips was almost imperceptible, but everything was under control.
He tightly grasped at people's greed; each person's desires were difficult to satisfy, and since desire was endless, he did not believe that no one coveted the positions of Deputy Magistrate and County Constable. Look, they were indeed moved.
This is what it means to strike one by one. If those two had come and pretended to be harmonious on the surface, he would have to think of other strategies to deal with them.
But they hadn’t; they merely relied on their seniority in Linyi, unaware that when everyone else was fighting tooth and nail for those two positions, those two might not even be able to sit still at home.
Among the crowd below, a man in his thirties stepped forward and cupped his hands, saying, “My lord, I have an idea. May I speak?”
“Of course, please go ahead!” Yang Yichen quickly recalled this person's information. He was in his thirties, surnamed Wang and named Lin. He had passed the Scholar examination at twenty but had failed the Provincial Examination three times afterward. His family's circumstances no longer allowed him to keep taking the exams, so he held a position as a clerk in the Yamen.
However, passing the Scholar examination at such a young age was already quite impressive. Unfortunately, despite having potential, he had not been able to realize it and spent day after day recording trivial matters.
The conditions Yang Yichen had just mentioned were like a refreshing spring in the scorching summer or a warm sun in winter, illuminating his hopes.
Perhaps this was his opportunity. When County Magistrate Zhou was present, although he was devoted to the people, he did not attend to his subordinates meticulously. Moreover, County Magistrate Zhou spent most of his time understanding public sentiment and was constantly pressured by Jiang Weitong, leaving no room for advancement.
“My lord, living in the countryside gives me a deep understanding of the hardships faced by the common people. However, food is paramount; the most important thing is to increase grain production. Throughout history, no one has been able to solve this problem effectively. Yet we can observe that every year during harvest time…”
Wang Lin summarized a principle from his daily observations: older laborers have considerable experience in farming, and among this group, some consistently achieve higher yields than others.
Why is that? Ultimately, it comes down to technique: "People seek their advice because they have their own tricks. When farming, they generally do not use others' seeds. Instead, during harvest, they select the plumpest grains to keep as seeds for the next year. It's not just about choosing full grains; they pick the most robust grains from the largest ears or cobs."
Yang Yichen nodded in understanding; this was a great method. Choosing the best of the best might be worth a try, after all. It only requires a bit more effort.
"Well, I think it makes sense to select the best seeds for planting the following year. Naturally, with the richest nutrients, how could the crops not thrive?"
Just in time for this season's grain harvest, they could try this method when planting corn next season.
To achieve breakthroughs, one must have the passion and courage for bold innovation and the willingness to take risks.
Yang Yichen had never lacked these qualities. Suddenly, a brilliant idea flashed in his mind: perhaps he could create some tools to speed up people's work, such as for threshing wheat and corn or grinding flour.
This could significantly improve work efficiency, saving more time for people to engage in side jobs and enhance their quality of life.
After all, last year's earthquake had severely impacted the people of Linyi. After a year of recovery, many were still struggling to get enough to eat, relying on government aid and donations from kind-hearted individuals to get through difficult days.
However, giving someone fish is not as effective as teaching them to fish. A few rounds of relief can help temporarily, but over time? No amount of money can sustain so many mouths. The key is to address the problem at its source.
"Lord Wang is correct! Does anyone else have other suggestions?" Yang Yichen turned to look at the others.
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