usatvline Chapter 110 Cutting Hair in Place of Head
Chapter 110 Cutting Hair in Place of Head
"Your Majesty, look at this..."
As more and more farmers and ordinary people gathered to watch, Liu Shan was also found among them.
His purpose in traveling incognito this time was to see how Zhang Yi would handle this matter.
Huo Yi, who was guarding Meng Huo, couldn't help but worry about him when he saw the scene of overwhelming public anger.
This isn't helping; it's practically a public execution!
Liu Shan, however, was completely unconcerned about this, and even seemed quite pleased with himself.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty?" Huo Yi asked, utterly puzzled, "Why aren't you worried at all?"
Liu Shan laughed and said, "Why should I worry?"
Huo Yi said, "Public resentment is boiling over, and people are hurling insults at each other. If it were me, I would have drawn my sword long ago."
Liu Shan countered, "Did Prefect Meng draw his sword?"
"No, not at all." Huo Yi shook his head, somewhat admiring Meng Huo's patience.
"The saying goes, 'A scholar can be killed but not humiliated.' Prefect Meng's arson of the mountain was understandable, but not only did he not defend himself, he also allowed the people to insult him. Is such forbearance not worthy of respect?"
Huo Yi thought it made sense.
Meng Huo was highly respected in Jianning County and even among the ethnic minorities in the entire southern region.
For someone of such a high status to willingly endure public humiliation demonstrates a level of forbearance that surpasses that of most people.
But then again, with the people's anger so intense, how could Meng Huo possibly escape unscathed?
Zhang Yi waved his hand, and everyone immediately quieted down.
"Gentlemen, the Imperial Academy was personally overseen by His Majesty in order to enable more people to learn farming methods, increase grain production, and have enough to eat so that they no longer suffer from hunger."
Everyone nodded in agreement after hearing this.
Although spring plowing had not yet begun, they had learned soil conditioning and fertilizer preparation from agricultural science classes and reaped a great harvest.
Furthermore, the agricultural tools improved by the imperial court could increase work efficiency and save physical strength, which were all tangible benefits.
They firmly believed that as long as they followed the imperial court and the agricultural science class, their future would be bright.
"However, these fruits of labor are only enjoyed by the people of a few counties in Chengdu. In some remote mountainous areas of Yizhou, many people still adhere to traditional farming methods."
"The land is no longer fertile, so we have to find another place to cultivate; without irrigation dams, there will be no harvest if it doesn't rain."
Their lives are so hard!
The murmurs among the crowd gradually subsided.
Those people who had been glaring angrily and pointing their fingers at Meng Huo just moments before fell silent.
Zhang Yi's words resonated with all the farmers, who wore complex expressions.
Although Yizhou was blessed with a superior geographical environment and few natural disasters, many of them had fled from the Central Plains and naturally understood what Zhang Yi meant by "if the land is no longer fertile, we will move to another place" and "if it doesn't rain, there will be no harvest."
They had tasted that kind of bitterness for generations.
Moreover, another major reason why Yizhou has been able to have bumper harvests year after year is the construction of water conservancy projects to irrigate farmland, which has enabled the crops to be plentiful.
These water conservancy projects are mostly concentrated on the Yizhou Plain.
Of the seven prefectures in the south, apart from the "Five-Foot Road" that Li Bing dug in Zhuti Prefecture, the other places only had small irrigation ditches.
This also means that although the South Central region has abundant water resources, they are difficult to utilize for agriculture.
"Gentlemen!"
Zhang Yi looked around, his voice not loud, but clearly reaching everyone's ears.
"This is Meng Huo, the newly appointed Prefect of Jianning Commandery by His Majesty. He is not from Chengdu, but is the leader of the Yi people in Jianning Commandery. Prefect Meng has not come to Chengdu for sightseeing. He has been ordered by His Majesty to come to the Imperial Academy to learn farming. Once he has mastered it, he will return and teach it to the people of the south."
He paused, then his tone became even more earnest.
"The people of Nanzhong are still practicing slash-and-burn agriculture. They cultivate a piece of land for two or three years, then leave it fallow, find new land, burn it again, and plant new land. It's not that they don't want to farm properly, it's that they don't know how!"
"What do you all think? Should the imperial court teach them?"
"We should teach them!" everyone responded in unison.
Zhang Yi continued, "But Prefect Meng is new here, and he still has the methods passed down from his ancestors in mind, relying on burning forests to grow crops. That's why he burned the hillside behind me, hoping to clear a piece of land to grow grain."
"But Prefect Meng was unaware that His Majesty's newly issued decree forbids burning forests, which led to today's disaster."
Although Zhang Yi expressed Meng Huo's helplessness, he did not gain the understanding of the people.
"My lord, you are right. But if Prefect Meng had listened to my advice back then, things wouldn't have turned out this way."
Meng Huo looked at the speaker, a sprightly old man who was the one who had advised him against setting the fire that day.
"Grandpa, I..."
Meng Huo was filled with shame and was about to speak when Zhang Yi stopped him.
"Old man, you are right. It is indeed wrong of Magistrate Meng not to listen to your advice, but it is also understandable."
The old man was somewhat angry upon hearing this and said, "Are we just going to let it go because he doesn't know the rules?"
Zhang Yi laughed and said, "Old man, the Analects says, 'To kill without teaching is cruelty.' The sage teaches us that if we punish someone without telling them what they did wrong, it is an act of tyranny."
"Prefect Meng comes from the south, where slash-and-burn agriculture and clearing land by burning mountains are ancient customs. When he first arrived in Chengdu, no one informed him that burning mountains was forbidden here. This is the fault of us local officials, not just Prefect Meng's fault!"
Zhang Yi's words caused many people to lower their heads.
The old farmer who had been cursing the most earlier also relaxed a bit.
Seeing that the crowd was somewhat moved, Zhang Yi pressed his advantage, saying, "Have any of you heard the story of Duke Huan of Qi and Guan Zhong?"
Most people shook their heads.
Most of them came from poor backgrounds and had never been to school.
"I've heard of it!"
Someone shouted from the crowd, and everyone looked in the direction of the voice. They saw a young man dressed in fine clothes, with guards by his side. He must be a young master from some noble family.
Zhang Yi was slightly taken aback when he saw who it was.
Meng Huo's eyes widened even more.
Who else could this be but Liu Shan?
"This young master seems quite learned. Why don't you tell everyone what you've learned about him?"
Liu Shan nodded and slowly said, "Back when Duke Huan of Qi was still Prince Xiaobai, Guan Zhong assisted Prince Jiu. Once, Guan Zhong shot an arrow that hit Duke Huan's belt hook, and Duke Huan almost lost his life. Later, when Duke Huan ascended the throne, he not only did not kill Guan Zhong to avenge the arrow, but also disregarded past grievances and appointed him as prime minister, respectfully calling him 'Uncle Zhong'. Guan Zhong was grateful for Guan Zhong's recognition and devoted himself to assisting Duke Huan. He united the feudal lords nine times, brought order to the world, and finally made Duke Huan the first hegemon of the Spring and Autumn Period."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the crowd.
"If Duke Huan of Qi could tolerate a single arrow's wrath, can't the people of Chengdu tolerate Prefect Meng's single fire?"
Some people in the crowd began to whisper among themselves.
A young man who looked like a scholar said loudly, "Lord Zhang is right! As the sage said, 'To punish without teaching is cruelty.' Prefect Meng is not guilty of ignorance, and we should not be so harsh!"
Another old man stroked his beard and nodded: "Duke Huan of Qi was able to tolerate Guan Zhong, which enabled him to achieve hegemony. Your Majesty, if you want to pacify the south, you must also tolerate Meng Huo. We commoners should not ruin the court's grand plan."
Zhang Yi was overjoyed, but remained outwardly composed. He cupped his hands in thanks to the crowd and said, "You all understand my great principles. On behalf of Prefect Meng, I thank you all!"
Just as Meng Huo was about to breathe a sigh of relief, Zhang Yi suddenly said with a serious expression, "But the laws of the imperial court are strict and cannot be violated."
After he finished speaking, he turned around, drew the swords from the waists of the officials behind him, and pointed them at Meng Huo.
The longsword gleamed coldly, and everyone was thrown into disarray, taking a step back in unison.
Even Meng Huo was startled and broke out in a cold sweat.
Is he trying to kill me?
Only Liu Shan understood Zhang Yi's actions.
Good heavens, this is imitating Cao Mengde!
Liu Shan immediately shouted, "Chief Secretary, according to the ancient principles of the Spring and Autumn Annals, the law does not apply to those of high rank. Prefect Meng is the leader of the Yi people in the south, and the court still needs him to stabilize the south. I hope the Chief Secretary will show leniency."
Although the common people did not understand the concept of "the law does not apply to the superiors," they had heard the saying "one should not act in the way of a high-ranking official" since ancient times, and they quickly tried to dissuade him.
"This young master is right, Chief Secretary, please show mercy."
A hint of surprise flashed in Zhang Yi's eyes.
Your Majesty understands me!
Then, feigning hesitation, he sighed and said, "Since these are the words of a sage, he should be spared the death penalty. However, while the death penalty may be waived, the punishment is far from over. Prefect Meng bears the heavy responsibility of maintaining stability in the south; he should cut off his hair in lieu of his head."
After saying that, Zhang Yi handed over the long sword.
Although Meng Huo was not well-read, he immediately understood the meaning behind Zhang Yi's words.
He took the longsword, pinched a strand of hair from his head, and pointed the sword at the hair, his expression serious.
"Gentlemen, I, Meng Huo, am a rough man, ignorant of etiquette. Burning the mountain was my fault. But I swear to Heaven, from this day forward, I will diligently learn your farming methods and cultivate the land properly. Once I have mastered them, I will return to Nanzhong and teach my people. I will ensure that the people of Nanzhong, like the people of Chengdu, can eat their fill and live a good life!"
"Furthermore, as long as I, Meng Huo, am alive, the people of Nanzhong will forever be loyal to the imperial court."
Having said that, he lightly touched the hair with his longsword and cut off a lock of hair.
People all know the saying, "Our bodies, hair, and skin are given to us by our parents, and we dare not damage them; this is the beginning of filial piety."
Meng Huo cut off his hair to represent his head, sincerely repenting, and the anger on many people's faces completely dissipated.
Taking advantage of the situation, Zhang Yi loudly announced: "His Majesty has decreed that Prefect Meng's burning of the mountain is forgivable. He is hereby granted a pardon by cutting off his hair in place of his head, thus avoiding imprisonment. He is ordered to study in the agricultural class of the Imperial Academy and work in the imperial fields every day to atone for his mistake."
The people nodded in agreement, finding the decision reasonable and justifiable.
The crowd gradually dispersed.
The old farmer who had been cursing the loudest walked up to Meng Huo, looked him up and down, and said in a gruff voice, "Prefect Meng, it was wrong of you to burn the mountain. But since you did it for the sake of the people of Nanzhong, then... then let's just let it go. If you don't understand anything in the future, just ask me, and I'll teach you."
Meng Huo paused for a moment, then nodded vigorously.
"Thank you so much, sir!"
The old farmer waved his hand, picked up his hoe, and walked away.
Zhang Yi walked up to Meng Huo and whispered, "Prefect Meng, I apologize for what happened earlier."
Meng Huo shook his head, let out a long sigh, and said, "Lord Zhang, I should thank you. If it weren't for those two anecdotes of yours, I'm afraid I would have really been in jail for the rest of my life."
Zhang Yi smiled slightly: "General, there's no need to thank me. If you want to thank someone, thank His Majesty."
Meng Huo then realized what was happening, turned his head to look outside the crowd, searching for Liu Shan's shadow.
But Liu Shan had already left at some point.
Meng Huo stood there, looking at the empty corner, and suddenly felt a lump in his throat.
He took a deep breath and murmured, "Your Majesty... I, Meng Huo, owe you something I can never repay in this lifetime."