Governor of the World Hu Linxi

Author: Deng Yiwu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-07-01
Features: To persuade people to donate, Hu Linxi ran around all day, and exhaustion and frustration had made him quite thin. At such a young age, his constant toil had left him looking haggard. Jing Juan, though deeply impressed by her husband's far-reaching ambitions and his concern for the people, also worried about his health. For the past ten days, her husband hadn't eaten properly or slept soundly, constantly traveling and toiling. Jing Juan watched him and felt her heart ache for him. She knew that persuading him was useless, so she often worried silently. That night, after returning from his teacher Cai Yongxi's place, Hu Linxi looked extremely tired. Seeing him come home, Jing Juan personally brewed a cup of Junshan tea for him and sat beside him. Hu Linxi was so exhausted, not just physically but also mentally. Over the past ten days, he had visited dozens of wealthy households, only to be told they had no grain, or that it had already been borrowed by relatives. Despite his efforts, they remained indifferent. At first, Hu Linxi was quite energetic, thinking, "This is my first time doing something like this. I must make a name for myself and show everyone that Hu Linxi is not someone to be trifled with." However, after ten days of struggling, he finally gave up. Jing Juan had never seen him so discouraged. Hu Linxi watched the tea leaves rise and fall in the cup and told Jing Juan about his attempts to persuade people to donate over the past ten days. He said, "On one side, there are those hoarding grain, and even worse, some local officials colluding to falsely report or exaggerate disaster relief. On the other side, the famine-stricken people are wandering and destitute, with corpses scattered everywhere, and it's always possible for something to go wrong." After finishing his story, he seemed reluctant to stop and added, "The rich are heartless—how hateful!" Jing Juan listened to her husband's account and said, "Why don't you treat them the way they treat you? If they are unkind, why should you be kind to them? Forcing them to donate isn't that the solution?" This sudden remark reminded Hu Linxi, "Yes! Force them to donate." Hu Linxi repeated this several times. Jing Juan continued, "Forcing them to donate under the guise of 'borrowing' gives them a 'name' while also allowing you to gain 'benefits' from them. Naturally, they'll have no way to speak out, and they fear famine riots. With the government applying pressure, they'll have no choice." Before Jing Juan could finish, Hu Linxi lifted her into his arms. "That's right! Borrow!" Hu Linxi exclaimed happily, his brow relaxing. That night, the meal was particularly lavish, filled with dishes Hu Linxi loved, such as phoenix egg chicken, shrimp skin eggs, and clear fish soup. Hu Linxi ate heartily and felt refreshed. Jing Juan looked at her husband, her heart filled with indescribable joy. Borrowing grain would be effective only if combined with the authority of the government, something Hu Linxi was not worried about. With his father-in-law serving as the Governor of Jiangnan and his own father holding a high-ranking position, the county magistrate would surely give him some respect. Moreover, this was a great cause for the nation and its people, and the government would have no reason to refuse. The next day, Hu Linxi discussed this plan with the county magistrate, who, after hearing it, praised him and adopted his suggestion. In reality, the forced "borrowing" was a way to help the poor during the famine. The government would collect grain and then lend it to the famine-stricken people. Although this "borrowing" might yield some interest, it was often the case that even the principal could not be recovered. The wealthy refused to donate, and the government forced them to "borrow"—it was essentially the same reason. In the Yiyang area, though known as a land of fish and rice, even in normal times, many people lacked clothing and lived beyond their means. The wealthy understood very well that it would be a long time before they could expect anything back from them, but if they provoked famine riots, the consequences would be even worse. It was better to "borrow" and gain goodwill and a good reputation. Thus, though they were reluctant in their hearts, they had no choice but to accept this temporary loss. Once the grain and silver were borrowed, to prevent famine riots, Hu Linxi proposed arresting local ruffians and thugs to prevent them from inciting trouble and becoming the source of chaos. He believed, "Famine-stricken people have no one to rely on and wander everywhere. If local ruffians take advantage of the situation to stir up trouble, they will quickly gather followers. Driven by hunger, the homeless are easily turned into rioters. Only by using virtue to pacify the good and authority to subdue the violent can social stability be guaranteed."