CHAPTER 422: CHAPTER 422: PINGZHOU (PART 5)

Lu Cong and the others were busy until darkness fell, and the people finally dispersed one by one. Holding the seeds like rare treasures, they walked away, eagerly discussing how to plant the new crops, as if they would yield by tomorrow.

"There’s hope, only then can Pingzhou truly come back to life," Lu Cong sighed to Sun Guangbai in a low voice.

Sun Guangbai, deeply moved over the past few months, nodded in agreement, "What Mr. Lu said is true. When my father and I first arrived in Pingzhou, there were corpses everywhere, and the people who barely survived all had numb expressions, as if they were just waiting to die."

"It’s different now. Although so many people have died, and there’s no real cure for the plague, the people now have a hope and a reason to live on."

Lu Cong knew that Doctor Sun had already moved into the tent in the epidemic area, and he sighed deeply, "Doctor Sun is a benevolent and fearless healer, truly admirable."

Sun Guangbai felt a weight in his heart, but he pulled himself together and said, "There’s something I want to discuss with Mr. Lu."

Lu Cong glanced at Sun Guangbai, "Is it that Dr. Sun wants me to stay in Pingzhou to handle these trivial matters?"

Sun Guangbai, having his thoughts guessed, felt a bit embarrassed, "Yes. I am busy every day decocting and distributing medicine, and Commander Qin is responsible for maintaining order, so we’re both extremely busy. On top of that, adding the task of distributing seeds for spring farming is really overwhelming. Moreover, we’re not skilled in this, so I’m shamelessly asking Mr. Lu to stay. I wonder if Mr. Lu is willing."

"I originally planned to stay," Lu Cong smiled, "If I were afraid, I wouldn’t have volunteered to come to Pingzhou back then. Since I’m here, I’ve already put aside all concerns of life and death."

"Dr. Sun and Commander Qin trust me, so I’ll refrain from being overly polite. From now on, you can leave matters of the porridge shed and food distribution to me."

Sun Guangbai, overjoyed, vigorously shook Lu Cong’s hand, "This is really great!"

"There’s no government left in Pingzhou, and most of the chaotic army has died. Now we’re relying on this handful of manpower. It takes someone like Mr. Lu, who understands internal affairs and civil governance, to support us."

Indeed!

No one is more suitable than Lu Cong.

Originally, Pingzhou had a population of over 200,000, but nearly 70% died due to the plague. In the past few months, many more have continued to die. Only about 50,000 to 60,000 remain. When he was Prefectural Governor, he managed just over 50,000 people. The fact that the Commandery Princess granted his request clearly took this into account.

Who would have thought that in this lifetime, there would come a day when he could once again be the parent official of tens of thousands of people. Even without an official title, it is worth it.

Filled with immeasurable ambition, Lu Cong stayed up until the fourth period of night that day, writing a six-page provisional ordinance for Pingzhou.

In the following days, Lu Cong was busy every day.

The people of Pingzhou soon noticed differences from before.

The management of the porridge shed became stricter. They had to bring their own bowls and chopsticks to receive porridge, and lining up more than once was not allowed. If there was a pot, stove, and firewood at home, the porridge shed would directly distribute daily rations based on the household’s population. Just as Mr. Lu said, men at home would go to spring plough and farm, while the elderly, women, and children would forage for wild vegetables and fruits, or fish for shrimp, managing to be around 70% full.

At the seed distribution point, there were dedicated people registering every day. Those receiving seeds had to clearly disclose where their family’s farmland was. Occasionally, there were people patrolling the fields, and if it was found that seeds were not replanted in time, a severe punishment would be imposed.

In fact, two such households were caught. One secretly cooked the seeds and ate them, and the other fled Pingzhou with the seeds used as rations.

Lu Sheren publicly dealt with the first household, sternly beating all the family members, young and old, with twenty strokes each. They were bound hand and foot with ropes and thrown outside the porridge shed. Those coming for porridge or rations would spit on them, coming and going. They were tied up for five days, left with only a breath of life, before being let back. This year’s seeds were no longer available. Even if they wanted to replant, there was no chance.

As for the household that fled, Lu Sheren did not send anyone to pursue them, instead posting a notice permanently banning them from returning to Pingzhou.

Besides this, there were several cases of home invasions for robbery. Lu Sheren dealt with them mercilessly, beating the offenders within an inch of their lives with sticks. One who attempted to assault a woman, Lu Sheren dealt in a more extreme manner by having the man’s... cut off.

The man screamed for several days before finally hanging himself.

Additionally, there were occurrences of trafficking. Lu Sheren issued a notice, strictly prohibiting it, with a death penalty for those caught.

Curiously, although Lu Sheren was not a kind, people-loving official and his methods were severe, the people grew more settled and at ease by the day. The hearts of Pingzhou’s people stabilized rapidly and thoroughly.

In private, Sun Guangbai clicked his tongue in wonder, "Mr. Lu’s only been here for over twenty days, and Pingzhou is already completely stable. Truly remarkable!"

Lu Cong smiled slightly, "The people are indeed pitiful, but they also have detestable and exasperating traits. If you are too kind to them, they’ll just take advantage and ask for more. Therefore, rules must be established to stand on, and when punishment is necessary, it must be severe."

"In chaotic times, one must use drastic measures; that’s the principle. Otherwise, once people’s hearts dissipate and scatter, it will be utterly unmanageable."

Sun Guangbai was sincerely convinced, "Mr. Lu’s insights have taught me much today."

Lu Cong sighed with a smile, "It’s rather embarrassing. These principles I only superficially understood when I was Prefectural Governor, ultimately ending up as a criminal. In these few years in Nanyang County, I’ve seen and learned a lot. I also hope to manage Pingzhou well so the people can truly settle down and live up to the Commandery Princess’s expectations."

Pausing, he asked softly, "And how is Doctor Sun doing?"

Sun Guangbai responded in a low voice, "Father formulates new prescriptions every day. Of the dozens severely infected with the plague, most have died in this past half month. Fortunately, about ten are still alive."

Speaking of these, Lu Cong was full of admiration and respect for Doctor Sun, "Doctor Sun is truly a nation’s healing hand."

As they spoke, a long-term follower entered with a letter, "Mr. Lu, the Commandery Princess has sent a letter."

Lu Cong perked up, immediately taking the letter.

After reading it, Lu Cong’s fatigue of the past few days vanished, and his voice was full of excited joy, "The Commandery Princess personally wrote a letter approving my stay in Pingzhou. Also, she has sent another batch of food and medicine."

Sun Guangbai rejoiced, "This is wonderful! Quick, quick, let’s go receive the food and medicine."

Lu Cong nodded happily.

Even if tens of thousands of people went foraging for wild vegetables, leaves, and fruits daily, the consumption of food needs is staggering. The daily need for medicines to control the plague is also extraordinarily high.

If it weren’t for the continuous delivery of food and medicine from Nanyang County, Pingzhou would not have held on.