Liu Jin watched as the sky grew darker, and having just finished assembling the two Waterwheels, he decided to rest for the day and continue the assembly tomorrow.
So, everyone left that place and returned to Li Family Village.
Under Li De's organization, the villagers brought out various meat and vegetable dishes, which they usually wouldn't part with, and placed them on the tables to treat Liu Jin and the others.
These precious items were given from their hearts, with no intention of holding anything back.
After all, for a great figure like the Marquis to personally come here and seek welfare for them, the common people, their hearts were already deeply moved, and they wished they could follow his lead.
Liu Jin sat on a bench, holding a bowl of golden millet rice, with dried small fish, a plate of pickled vegetables, and some other vegetables, devouring them ravenously.
He had long adapted to the food of this era; without any high-tech additives, it was very green and healthy to eat.
And after a day of hard work, it was impossible not to be hungry.
After several bowls, Liu Jin was finally full and put down his bowl and chopsticks.
He sat on a chair, sipping tea, looking at the already dim sky outside, where the moon was rising in the distance, slowly casting its light down.
Footsteps came from beside him; Jian Yong, having eaten his fill, walked over and said with a smile!
"Marquis, these common people are truly simple, offering so many delicious things to entertain us."
Liu Jin heard this, smiled and nodded, and said calmly!
"As long as we treat them sincerely, they will naturally treat us sincerely in return."
"Therefore, for a country to achieve long-term stability, the most important thing for those in power is to care for the common people, to let them live happily and peacefully, only then will the world be stable and free from so much turmoil."
Jian Yong listened to these words, agreed wholeheartedly, looked up at the dark night sky, and sighed!
"It's a pity, these rulers are born with silver spoons in their mouths, waited on hand and foot, growing up pampered, enjoying immense power, ignorant of human suffering, and simply cannot understand the hardships of the common people."
"If they can listen to the advice of some ministers and implement some good policies to appease the common people, that would already be considered extremely excellent."
"Nowhere can they be like Emperor Wen, personally inspecting local areas, investigating the suffering of the people, implementing benevolent governance, reducing taxes, and allowing the people of the world to live good lives."
Liu Jin heard this and smiled. How many people in Chinese history were like Emperor Wen? One could count them on one hand.
He truly reduced national taxes for decades, setting a precedent throughout the entire feudal dynasty that no one could compare to.
He lowered his head and looked at the sharp blade at his waist, saying calmly!
"If all rulers in the world were like Emperor Wen, then there would be no turmoil in the world, it would always be stable and peaceful, enduring forever."
"And I might still be in Zhuo Commandery, cockfighting and bird-walking, living aimlessly, not knowing what to do, how could I have become the current General Zhenbei, revered by so many common people?"
Jian Yong heard this and felt a great deal of emotion in his heart; his Marquis was absolutely right.
One could only say that it was following the general trend, just fate.
After chatting for a while, the two settled in some nearby houses, which Li De had specially cleared out.
The next morning!
On the official road outside Yanmen Commandery city, several carriages, escorted by more than ten guards, were slowly approaching the area.
Inside one luxurious carriage sat a middle-aged man with a dignified face, a slender build, and dressed in a gray robe; it was Cheng Yu, who had traveled a long distance.
The carriage curtain was lifted, and Cheng Yu looked at the common people coming and going on both sides of the road, all with happy smiles.
He secretly praised in his heart that ever since he traveled north into Bing Province, various places had been desolate and remote, sparsely populated, and there were even many bandits, blocking roads, harming common people, and robbing money.
Even in Taiyuan Commandery, such things occurred.
Only since entering Yanmen Commandery had he not encountered any bandit attacks, and the surrounding common people were living in peace and prosperity, in happy lives.
It seems that General Zhenbei is not only good at fighting but also understands how to govern a region, appease the common people, and eliminate bandits; he is indeed a man of great talent and strategy.
Bringing his family here seems to be a very good choice.
One must know that he was already over forty this year, having toiled for half his life, achieving little, merely a minor official, and had not been given any significant responsibilities.
He also lamented the current turbulent state of the world, with rebels rising everywhere, treacherous officials in the court, corrupting the government, and civil and military officials vying for power and profit.
This filled his heart with extreme sorrow, so he came to seek refuge with General Zhenbei, hoping to secure a bright future.
The carriage soon arrived at the city gate. The common people were lining up in an orderly manner to enter the city, and the soldiers guarding the surroundings were well-organized.
Soon, it was Cheng Yu and the others' turn. After a careful inspection, they were allowed to pass and prepared to enter the city.
Just then, a soldier nearby quickly called out!
"Wait a moment."
Cheng Yu, sitting inside the carriage, frowned upon hearing this. Could it be that they wanted to collect some entrance fee?
He immediately lifted the curtain and saw a soldier holding a piece of cloth, coming towards them, shouting with a smile!
"You just dropped something from your carriage; I'll put it back for you."
After doing all this, the soldier returned to his post at the city gate, strictly on duty.
Cheng Yu was slightly shocked by this scene, and a hint of shame appeared on his face.
He was filled with emotion; this was the first time he had ever witnessed such a scene.
No matter where, the soldiers were always extremely strict, and would even extort passing vehicles, collecting bribes.
He never expected that the soldiers in Yanmen Commandery would have such upright character, not extorting money from passing vehicles, and even actively picking up fallen items and respectfully returning them.
Such conduct truly broke his preconceived notions.
The common people living in peace and prosperity, helping each other, and the soldiers upholding their duties impartially and strictly—all of this probably originated from Liu Jin. Only by setting an example can one influence those below.
From these observations alone, Cheng Yu had already concluded that Liu Jin was definitely the enlightened lord he was looking for.
After entering the city, Cheng Yu settled his family in an inn.
He then headed towards the Prefect's Mansion, intending to seek refuge with Liu Jin, hoping to gain his appreciation.
Although he was currently just a commoner, he still had some reputation in the circle of scholars, and he believed he wouldn't fare too badly under Liu Jin's command.
At the entrance of the Prefect's Mansion, dozens of guards with sharp blades at their waists stood guard, maintaining vigilance around the area.