nucmednet Chapter 986 With Bai Lu's help, Lin Wanzhi governed Qingyang County exceptionally well.
Chapter 986 With Bai Lu's help, Lin Wanzhi governed Qingyang County exceptionally well.
As the first batch of female students demonstrated their value.
Whether it's helping with household accounting or weaving fabrics that can fetch a good price.
The girls' school went much more smoothly.
Standing at the entrance of the girls' school, listening to the clear and melodious reading voices coming from inside, Lin Wanzhi smiled sincerely.
She knew that this third fire, though burning the slowest, was the most likely to illuminate the future.
She turned around and saw Bai Qi still standing not far away, like a shadow.
"General Bai."
Lin Wanzhi said softly, changing her form of address.
"Thank you for your hard work during this time."
A barely perceptible change seemed to appear on Bai Qi's eternally unchanging face. He simply replied with two words:
"Duty".
Lin Wanzhi smiled.
She knew that with the Marquis of Anguo's prestige deterring villains and General Bai's military power protecting her, her political ambitions were only just beginning on this land she had personally cultivated.
Two years later, in Qingyang County.
The female magistrate who once broke the deadlock with swift and decisive measures has now transformed in the hearts of the people of Qingyang County from a fearsome figure to a benevolent ruler.
People no longer call him by his given name, but respectfully address him as Lord Lin.
Children sang new songs in the alleys:
"Lord Lin has arrived in Qingyang, and his iron-fisted approach to eliminating corruption has put people at ease."
"Lord Anguo sent a divine general, and from then on, our county will be renewed every day."
These two years are enough for a seed to grow into a towering tree, and enough for a county that was in ruins to be revitalized to show unprecedented vitality!
Two years ago, most of the land in Qingyang County was controlled by powerful local magnates, taxes were unevenly distributed, the people suffered, and many fertile fields yielded low yields or even fell into disrepair because no one was carefully cultivating them.
Today, the scenery in the countryside of Qingyang is completely different.
The fields are neatly arranged with rows of ridges, and the ditches crisscross the landscape.
The moat that had been dredged and several other major rivers in the county were further dredged and widened by Lin Wanzhi's organization, and more than ten small irrigation canals and reservoirs were built.
This complete water conservancy system has allowed Qingyang County to completely escape the predicament of waterlogging during light rains and crop failure during severe droughts.
More importantly, it's about the land.
After the equalization of taxes, the cost for large landowners to hold land increased significantly, while the burden on ordinary self-cultivating farmers was significantly reduced.
Taking advantage of the situation, Lin Wanzhi issued an order to encourage the reclamation of government-owned land:
"Anyone who reclaims unclaimed wasteland within the county shall be exempt from taxes for the first three years, and then have their taxes halved for the next ten years."
At the same time, the county government established an Agricultural Affairs Department, staffed by experienced farmers, to promote new rice varieties and farming techniques, such as more effective seedling raising methods and how to use legumes to nourish the soil, etc.
Among them is the fairy rice of White Dew.
Many people from Qingyang who had originally fled to escape famine returned home after hearing about the changes in their hometown.
Those farmers who were once exploited and plundered by landlords are now working hard on their own land, their faces beaming with contented smiles.
Today, Qingyang County is a place where rice paddies ripple in the breeze and the air is filled with the fragrance of fish and rice.
The county granary was already full, and there was even enough grain to sell to neighboring counties in exchange for a large amount of fiscal revenue.
Once controlled by three major families and rife with corruption, Qingyang Wharf is now one of the busiest and most well-organized wharves in the entire Qingzhou.
Under General Bai's formidable reputation, all unspoken rules vanished.
All merchant ships entering the port must register.
Tax rates are posted publicly, ensuring fairness for all.
Initially, many businessmen who were used to taking shortcuts and engaging in unethical practices complained about this.
But they soon discovered the benefits.
Although the taxes were paid in full, there was no more extortion by the canal gangs, no more exploitation by clerks, and no more harassment from local bullies.
With fast loading and unloading speeds and secure transactions, the overall cost is actually reduced, while the profit margin is increased.
"Doing business in Qingyang is so much easier!"
This became a consensus among businessmen.
After word of mouth spread, more and more merchant ships that originally detoured to other counties began to choose to dock and trade in Qingyang.
The dock area was redeveloped, and warehouses, inns, and restaurants sprang up like mushrooms after rain.
Commercial tax revenue in Qingyang County has doubled for two consecutive years, becoming the second largest pillar of the county government's finances.
Also.
The county school was expanded twice. Lin Wanzhi not only hired famous teachers from other places with high salaries, but also established the Qingyang Scholarship to support students from poor families who were talented.
Under her influence, Qingyang County has developed a strong academic atmosphere.
The most dazzling gem was undoubtedly Qingyang Girls' School.
After two years of development, the girls' school has grown from a small school with only a dozen orphaned girls into a formal college with more than 300 students, divided into "Elementary Education Department", "Arts Department" and "Medical Department".
The elementary school teaches basic literacy and arithmetic.
The Faculty of Arts added courses such as painting and music theory to its existing curriculum of textiles and embroidery.
With its novel needlework techniques and elegant patterns, Qingyang embroidery has become a well-known tribute item in Qingzhou, bringing substantial income to female students and their families.
The most amazing thing is the medical school.
Knowing the difficulties women faced in accessing medical care in ancient times, Lin Wanzhi consulted Bailu, who helped her compile simple and practical gynecological and pediatric prescriptions from medical books such as the "Compendium of Materia Medica" and hired female doctors and experienced midwives to teach her.
The girls' school students not only learned basic nursing care and herbal identification, but were even able to treat some common gynecological and infantile diseases.
They either worked in clinics or opened small medical huts in the countryside, greatly improving the medical conditions for local women and children.
Today, the literacy rate of women in Qingyang County is the highest in Qingzhou.
They were either skilled with the abacus, adept at weaving, or had some knowledge of medicine; they were confident and independent.
When officials were sent down to inspect the area, they were amazed to see that even the vegetable vendors by the roadside could keep accounts.
Behind all these achievements, Bai Lu and Bai Qi deserve great credit.
Bai Qi was like a pillar of strength, stabilizing Qingyang County.
There were rebounds over the past two years.
Some landlords whose livelihoods had been cut off tried to incite their clans to cause trouble, while some out-of-town bandits wanted to take advantage of Qingyang's wealth to plunder it.
Without exception, they were all killed by Bai Qi.
He never said much, he just started beating people.
This made all potential troublemakers understand one thing: in Qingyang County, Lord Lin's rules are the only rules.
He rarely took action, but the mere sight of his signature gray robes on the roof of the county government office or as he strolled along a country road was enough to send all the petty thieves fleeing in terror.
When the people saw him, they would bow respectfully from afar, their eyes filled with awe and gratitude.
Lin Wanzhi's reputation also reached its peak during these two years of political achievements.
She was no longer just an iron-fisted county magistrate, but also a beacon of hope in the hearts of the people.
When she walks down the street, vendors will offer her the best fruits and vegetables.
When she went down to the fields, the farmers would warmly invite her to their homes for a bowl of freshly brewed rice wine.
On her birthday this year, the entrance to the county government office will be filled with colorful flowers and longevity noodles spontaneously placed by the people.
These things may not be worth much, but they represent the most sincere sentiments of the people.
In just two years, Lin Wanzhi, a seventh-rank county magistrate, transformed a county riddled with problems into a model county where people did not pick up lost items, doors were left unlocked at night, granaries were plentiful, and people knew proper etiquette.
Her achievements had already spread far and wide through the mouths of merchants traveling north and south, and scholars studying in all directions.
"There is a remarkable woman in Qingzhou named Lin Wanzhi."
The Qingyang County under his jurisdiction is comparable to the ancient road.
Such praise began to circulate in Qingzhou.
Inside the palace, the emperor sat high on the dragon throne, his face ashen, his gaze sweeping over the civil and military officials below.
There have been no major events in the court lately. With the help of the White Dew solar term, the borders are stable, and the national treasury is relatively full. The morning court sessions are mostly about trivial matters concerning the prefectures and counties, and the atmosphere is somewhat dull.
Suddenly an official spoke up loudly:
"Your Majesty, the report from the Censorate's inspection team is of great importance and requests Your Majesty's review."
The eunuch quickly descended the steps and presented a memorial to the emperor.
The emperor looked at the memorial from the Censorate.
The characters are strong and the writing style is sharp, clearly the work of a staunch and unyielding official.
"I am an imperial censor. I heard about the events in Qingyang County and initially thought that the villagers were exaggerating."
However, I personally dispatched my trusted confidant, who traveled incognito for two months. What he saw and heard was utterly shocking and mind-blowing, completely shattering and reshaping his worldview!
"Qingyang County, under the rule of the female champion Lin Wanzhi for two years, is no longer the Qingyang of the past. It can be called a miracle of the Great Wu!"
The memorial did not contain lengthy flattery, but instead listed a large amount of surprisingly detailed data.
"In Qingyang County, the old records show 18,000 hectares of farmland, most of which were secretly registered and hidden."
After Lin Wanzhi took office, she surveyed the land and verified that it amounted to 31,000 hectares!
According to the new law, taxes were levied on equal terms, increasing for the wealthy and powerful while decreasing for the poor.
In two years, the county's land tax revenue more than tripled, yet the people did not pay additional taxes and instead had surplus income!
"The Qingyang canal transport was formerly controlled by bandits and powerful clans, and the annual tax revenue was less than 10,000 taels of silver."
Lin Wanzhi cleaned up the docks, established new regulations, clarified tax laws, and merchants flocked to the area, creating a clean and honest atmosphere.
Last year, the tax revenue from the Grand Canal alone amounted to 180,000 taels of silver!
Unrivaled among all counties in Qingzhou!
"What is most commendable is the effect of education!"
Lin Wanzhi personally took charge of the county school and, breaking new ground, founded a girls' school!
Initially met with criticism, he guided them with incentives and transformed them with virtue.
"Now, Qingyang Girls' School has three departments: medicine, arts, and mathematics. Its students are skilled in weaving and embroidery, and a single piece of Qingyang embroidery can be worth a hundred gold pieces."
They were knowledgeable in medicine, which greatly reduced the number of deaths among women and children in rural areas.
The literacy rate among women in the county is unprecedented!
"In the Qingyang I have seen, no one picks up lost items on the road, and doors are left unlocked at night."
Merchants and travelers alike say that entering Qingyang is like entering a land of gentlemen, where trade is fair and people are safe and secure.
"The people are simple and honest, and the officials are clean and efficient. Looking at the three hundred prefectures and counties of our Great Wu, I'm afraid there is no one that can surpass them!"
At the end of the memorial, the censor wrote in an almost shouting style:
"His Majesty!
In the past, it was widely believed in the court and among the people that having a woman in office was like a hen crowing at dawn, an omen of disaster for the country.
However, the reign of Qingyang, like a resounding bell, suddenly awakened us, Your Majesty!
"Lin Wanzhi, a woman, transformed a county riddled with problems into a paradise comparable to a prosperous era in just two years!"
This is not only without fault, but also a great achievement!
"This is not an omen of disaster, but a blessing for our Great Wu!"
"In my opinion, Lin Wanzhi's talent is far beyond that of a county magistrate, and his achievements should serve as a model for officials throughout the country!"
"This person should be promoted and given an important position, even if it means breaking with tradition!"
The emperor was deeply moved. He slammed the memorial shut, his eyes gleaming, and surveyed his assembled officials, asking in a deep voice:
"My esteemed ministers, have you all heard that?"
"Lin Wanzhi, the female scholar who won the top scholar title in Qingyang County, Qingzhou."
What do you think?
An eerie silence instantly fell over the main hall.
Everyone was shocked by the contents of the report.
In just two years, they transformed a mess into a paradise on earth.
Tax revenue has increased dozens of times?
They even created an unprecedented girls' school?
This sounds like a fantasy!
The first to react was the Minister of Personnel.
He was the leader of the conservative faction in the court and was the most opposed to the imperial examinations for women.
He stepped forward, a mocking sneer on his face.
"Your Majesty, I believe this report is utterly absurd!"
Yan Song's voice was sharp and sarcastic.
"The censors are known for their exaggerated and alarmist remarks."
"The reports in this memorial, which mention things like soaring tax revenues and miraculous achievements in women's education, are nothing but empty talk and a whitewash of reality!"
"Oh?"
The emperor looked at him with great interest.
"How do you know, Yan Aiqing?"
"Your Majesty, please consider."
Yan Song spoke with great conviction,
"What extraordinary means does a mere seventh-rank county magistrate possess to accomplish in two years what previous officials couldn't do in decades?"
“Taxing the land will inevitably offend the local powerful families;
Reforming the canal transport system meant making enemies of desperate criminals.
"What right does she, a weak woman, have?"
"Do you think her little bit of poetry and songs can make those landlords, gentry, and bandits obedient?"
He paused, then raised his voice even higher:
"As for that girls' school, it's utterly ridiculous!"
"A woman's virtue lies in her lack of talent; this is a rule passed down from our ancestors!"
"She's really something else, openly gathering women together, teaching them to read and write, and even studying medicine!"
"Isn't this a blatant violation of human ethics and moral principles, and a threat to the very foundation of the nation?"
"In my opinion, Lin Wanzhi has not only done nothing wrong, but has actually committed a crime!"
"She uses petty benefits to bribe troublemakers and employs unorthodox methods to bewitch people and create a false sense of prosperity. This is a path to disaster!"
"Your Majesty, please issue an edict to thoroughly investigate this woman, so as to set the record straight and reassure the people!"
"Minister Yan is mistaken!"
A loud voice rang out, and Qin Haishan, the Minister of Revenue, stepped forward from the crowd.
He was a pragmatic and capable official who spent his entire life dealing with money and grain.
"His Majesty!"
Qin Haishan bowed deeply to the dragon throne.
"I don't care about human ethics and moral principles; I only care about money, grain, and tax revenue!"
"The report submitted by Imperial Censor Wei may have been embellished by literary figures, but the data does not lie!"
"If Qingyang County can truly generate 180,000 taels of silver in annual grain transport tax and triple its land tax, what an earth-shattering achievement that would be!"
He turned to Yan Song and retorted without any politeness:
"Minister Yan said that Lin Wanzhi, a weak woman, could not do it. Then let me ask you, how many of the many men in our Great Wu Dynasty, including the most learned county magistrates, could have done it?"
"Is it that they can't do it, are they unwilling to do it, or are they simply too afraid to do it?"
"I think it's not that Lin Wanzhi is too outrageous, but that too many officials in our dynasty are too mediocre and too complacent!"
"You!" Yan Song was so angry that his beard bristled. "Qin Haishan, are you willing to abandon the rules of our ancestors for the sake of money and grain?"