amaotonovel Chapter 1277 The Shock of County Magistrate Hao
Chapter 1277 The Shock of County Magistrate Hao
Chapter 1277 The Shock of County Magistrate Hao
The following morning, as the first faint rays of sunlight illuminated the gray earth, truckloads of terrifying "goods" were transported to the entrance of the resettlement site.
A dozen or so corpses, roughly gathered and piled up like tattered sacks, were the very same bandits and their captives who had attempted to storm the granary the previous night. The bodies were riddled with bullet holes, the congealed blood a nauseating blackish-purple, and the twisted faces and gaping wounds displayed the naked horror of death in the cold morning light.
The corpses were piled high, forming a blood-soaked tower of corpses! A few thin wild dogs hesitated not far away, whimpering softly, but dared not approach the soaring aura of death.
Over the next three days, the terrifying warning sign made of human bodies rapidly blackened, swelled, and rotted under the scorching sun and erosion from the sandstorm, emitting an indescribable stench. Flies swarmed around it like a dark cloud.
The air inside the resettlement site was as heavy as lead. All the disaster victims, regardless of where they came from, bowed their heads deeply, shrinking as much as possible into the deepest part of the thatched huts. There were no more whispers, no more complaints about the food, and they dared not even make eye contact.
Three days later, the body was dragged away, doused with kerosene in a remote mountain valley, and burned to ashes. Thick smoke billowed into the sky, and burning along with the body were the beasts hidden in the hearts of the disaster victims.
……
The scorching June sun baked the parched Guanzhong Plain. Hao Weicheng, the newly appointed county magistrate of Zishui County, his brand-new Zhongshan suit covered in yellow dust, sweat dripping from his forehead, was walking along the dirt road leading to Bailuyuan with uneven steps.
An hour ago, his car broke down on the road, forcing him to walk. He wiped the sweat from his brow, his heart heavy. The former county magistrate, Li, had been stripped of his official rank for his ineffective disaster relief efforts, and Hao Weicheng was handling this hot potato with trepidation.
As he traveled, he saw fields cracked like spider webs and villages lifeless. Only sporadic news came from the direction of Bailu Plain, saying that the disaster there was the least severe and that they had taken in many refugees and even had the resources to repair irrigation canals! To him, this news was like a mirage in the desert, novel yet full of doubt.
"Excuse me, sir, have we reached the territory of Bailu Plain yet?"
After walking for a long time, County Chief Hao finally spotted a villager and quickly went up to inquire.
Seeing that the other party had an extraordinary demeanor and was well-dressed, the old man did not dare to offend him: "We are from Shanggou Village, which is also part of Bailuyuan. If you go straight along this road, you will reach the plateau."
County Magistrate Hao then asked, "I heard that you're building an irrigation canal in Bailuyuan. Is that true?"
"You came to see the irrigation canal repairs? What's so interesting about this thing?"
County Magistrate Hao was somewhat amused and exasperated, so he changed the subject: "Old man, is this canal construction a large-scale undertaking?"
"Huge! Huge!" The old farmer straightened up, pointed in the direction of Bailu Village, and raised his voice: "So many people! There are people from our plateau, and several hundred disaster victims from other places!"
"Disaster victims? Willing to help repair irrigation canals in Bailuyuan?"
The old man curled his lip: "Young Master Bai said that if you help dig the ditch, you can eat your fill, and if you don't help, you'll drink thin gruel. In this year of great disaster, it's not easy to get a meal. Many young men in our village have gone. If it weren't for my old bones being so useless, I would also like to go and do my part!"
Hao Weicheng's heart skipped a beat again. This wasn't the first time he'd heard the name "Young Master Bai" on his journey. Ever since leaving the county town, whenever Bailu Plain or disaster relief was mentioned, this man was invariably brought up.
"Let's go to Bailu Village!" Hao Weicheng waved his hand and gave the order without hesitation. His goal was clear—he wanted to see the "lively scene" of the irrigation canal construction with his own eyes, and more importantly, he wanted to meet the all-powerful "young master of the Bai family."
……
After walking for more than an hour, we finally got close to Bailu Village.
After rounding a dusty loess ridge, a tremendous wave of noise, accompanied by a hot wind, rushed towards him. Hao Weicheng stopped abruptly; even though he was somewhat prepared, the scene before him still sent a jolt through him.
A wide, nascent artificial irrigation canal, like a huge, ugly scar, tore open the dry, grayish-yellow ground of Bailu Plain, stretching into the distance. Along the canal, crowds thronged, densely packed, their ant-like figures floating and swarming in the scorching air.
At the site of the irrigation canal construction, men with bare chests and torsos were working. Most of them had dark skin, their prominent ribs clearly visible, and sweat mixed with mud washed down their bodies, creating countless muddy streams. They wielded primitive picks and shovels, vigorously digging into the hard earth and rocks.
Each time the pickaxe fell, it was accompanied by a deep "hey ho," a shout squeezed from the depths of the chest, rough and dull, yet carrying a heart-stopping tenacity.
The billowing dust, like a yellow miasma, shrouded this section of the river, blurring their faces, leaving only the outlines of their figures struggling to move.
Under direct sunlight, sweat droplets evaporate instantly upon hitting the ground.
On both sides of the river channel, there were a large number of workers carrying soil.
Carrying heavy wicker baskets and hampers filled with soil on a shoulder pole, he gritted his teeth, veins bulging on his neck, and walked heavily but resolutely toward the distant pile of excavated soil.
The groups of disaster victims and local villagers were mixed together, all equally covered in dust and sweat, but it was easy to tell from their eyes who were villagers from Bailuyuan and who were disaster victims.
The disaster victims' eyes were fixed on the food distribution tents ahead, which were the driving force that kept them going through the motions. Meanwhile, the villagers' eyes were fixed on the repaired irrigation canals, which would provide them with their future food supply and cover their children's school expenses.
At several key points along the river, young men dressed in neat coarse cloth jackets, straw hats, or wrapped in towels appeared exceptionally busy. They were students from the Geology Department of Guanzhong University. With Qin Hao's influence, a single telegram was enough to entice these ambitious young people to sign up, some even refusing wages and bringing their own tools.
Holding simple measuring ropes, wooden stakes, and spirit levels, they shouted instructions loudly through the dust.
"This way! Dig three feet deeper!"
"Straighten it! Don't let it be crooked!"
"Fill in the soil and compact it! Smash it hard!"
Their voices were hoarse, but their eyes shone with light.
What surprised County Chief Hao even more was that the security team members, armed with guns and dressed in uniform gray uniforms, patrolled the construction site with solemn expressions and vigilance. Their eyes swept over the construction site like hawks.
The entire bustling construction site was operating at a high efficiency.
Nearly a thousand people worked simultaneously on the narrow strip of land, dust billowing and shouts deafening, yet there was no major chaos. The chants, the sounds of picks and shovels, and commands mingled into a strange and powerful symphony, dispelling the deathly silence of the field and bringing with it an almost tragic vitality. This formed a stark contrast to the desolation and despair he had witnessed along the way.
Hao Weicheng was deeply moved. Since he arrived in Zishui County, he had seen a devastated disaster area. Apart from the county town, which was still somewhat decent, all the villages were dilapidated and desolate. Only Bailuyuan was full of vitality, which made him even more curious about who could organize such a large-scale project.
Driven by intense curiosity, Hao Weicheng quickened his pace towards the center of Bailu Village. At the village entrance and the edge of the resettlement area, he was politely but firmly stopped by the security team to observe. What he saw further solidified his suspicions: disaster victims were being settled in designated areas with wooden signs, and registration was proceeding in an orderly fashion; relatively neat lines of people were waiting outside the temporary kitchens to receive porridge; the elderly, women, and children were doing light work such as sewing and weaving in the temporary shelters…
Although simple and difficult, everything seemed well-organized, a rare "order" in chaotic times.
It was completely different from the despair and violence that inevitably arose when disaster victims gathered in other places.
"This young master of the Bai family is truly a man of great talent! He managed to handle such a perilous situation so well!"
While resting under the shade of a tree, Hao Weicheng couldn't help but sigh to his attendants, "With this man's help, how can we not quell the disaster!"
He eagerly inquired about the whereabouts of the eldest son of the Bai family from the villagers he encountered. "Brother, is the eldest son of the Bai family at his residence or at the construction site right now?" Hao Weicheng stopped an elderly man who looked like a local villager, his attitude earnest.
"Young Master?" The old man was taken aback for a moment, then realized what he meant and pointed to the magnificent Bai family mansion at the west end of the village: "He's probably at the Bai family's right now. If he's not there, go check the ancestral hall."
"Thank you, husband."
Following the direction the other person pointed, County Chief Hao arrived at the entrance of the Bai family compound and gently knocked on the door.
Xiancao opened the door and looked at the group of strangers with a puzzled expression.
The secretary quickly explained the purpose of County Magistrate Hao's visit. Upon hearing that the county magistrate had arrived, Xiancao hurriedly greeted him and ushered him inside.
Upon entering the reception room, Hao Weicheng immediately noticed the two men seated on armchairs. The man in the main seat was a young man of about twenty-seven or twenty-eight, with a tall and straight posture, dressed in a clean, light gray cloth shirt. His handsome face possessed a composure and coldness beyond his years, especially his deep, calm eyes, which seemed to see right through people. He was currently holding a cup of tea, listening attentively to the old man opposite him.
The old man sitting on the other side had half-white hair and beard, a thin face, and a faded blue cloth robe that was starched and made very crisp. His eyes were wise and peaceful, but his expression was full of worry.
Hao Weicheng's gaze swept over the old man, and he felt that the old man looked familiar. Suddenly, a thought flashed through his mind.
"Are you... the renowned scholar Zhu from Guanzhong?" Hao Weicheng suddenly cupped his hands in greeting, his tone filled with incredulous surprise and respect. Although he was the newly appointed county magistrate, he had long heard of the famous scholar Zhu from this province!
Mr. Zhu bowed slightly and returned the greeting with clasped hands: "This old man, Zhu, is unworthy of the title of great Confucian scholar. May I ask who this distinguished guest is?"
"My apologies! I am Hao Weicheng, the newly appointed magistrate of Zishui County! I have come today to pay my respects to Mr. Zhu and Mr. Bai!"
Hao Weicheng quickly introduced himself, secretly delighted. It seemed that he had come to the right place. Not only did he meet the "mysterious young master Bai", but he also met the famous Zhu Dashengren in the Guanzhong region.
One shouldn't hit a smiling face, and seeing the other person's humble attitude, Qin Hao invited him to sit down.
Hao Weicheng exclaimed sincerely, "Today, I have witnessed the magnificent Bailuyuan landscape for the first time. Seeing this magnificent canal construction and the orderly resettlement site, it is truly a blessing for all the people! I never expected to meet Mr. Zhu here! I am extremely fortunate!"
Upon hearing this, Mr. Zhu smiled and shook his head: "Whether it's repairing the canal or resettling the disaster victims, it was all done by my nephew. I dare not take credit for it."
County Magistrate Hao looked at Qin Hao in surprise: "Could this be the eldest young master of the Bai family who is in charge of the canal construction?"
"Repairing the canal is partly to give the disaster victims something to do so they won't have any bad intentions, and partly to benefit the people of Bailuyuan. I don't deserve County Chief Hao's praise."
County Magistrate Hao shook his head repeatedly: "You're mistaken. It's already incredibly difficult to get a project of this scale running. Besides, from what I've observed along the way, the construction site is very well-organized, with everyone doing their job. Such coordination is beyond the reach of ordinary people. Young Master Bai, please don't be so modest."
After finishing his sentence, County Magistrate Hao changed the subject: "I, Hao, was appointed to manage the disaster situation in this county during a time of crisis, but with so many things to do, I feel overwhelmed. Today, witnessing Bai Luyuan's measures has been like a wake-up call! Mr. Bai's methods are superb, and Mr. Zhu is highly respected. I, Hao, am not capable, but I earnestly request that you two gentlemen, mindful of the suffering of the people, come out of retirement and lend me a helping hand! With your assistance, the people of Zishui will be extremely fortunate! I am willing to entrust you with the position of General Director of Disaster Relief and will do my utmost to cooperate!"
Mr. Zhu stroked his beard and exchanged a glance with Qin Hao, neither of them immediately offering a response. In fact, before Hao Weicheng entered, the two had been discussing how to accommodate the influx of more disaster victims and the immense pressure on subsequent food supplies. The government's intervention, in theory, provided a wider channel for resources.
After a moment of silence, Qin Hao spoke: "County Magistrate Hao's concern for the people's suffering is admirable. However, I must make a three-point agreement with County Magistrate Hao. If he agrees, this matter will be carried out. If he does not agree, my uncle and I can only do our best in this corner of Bailu Plain, and we will be unable to attend to everything."
Hao Weicheng's heart tightened: "Please speak plainly, sir!"
"Firstly," Qin Hao said, his gaze sharp as he looked directly at Hao Weicheng, "In this disaster relief effort, all specific matters—including the resettlement and allocation of disaster victims, the implementation of relief projects, the maintenance of order, the distribution of food, and medical treatment—must be arranged and handled entirely by me, and executed by the officials at all levels whom I have selected. The county government must not overstep its authority to interfere with its operation; it is only responsible for providing us with the money, food, and supplies we need."
Hao Weicheng frowned slightly. This almost completely stripped the county government of its power, but when he thought of the mess in Zishui County, he gritted his teeth and agreed.
"Secondly, if any disaster victims break the law or violate discipline, in chaotic times, severe punishment is necessary, and there is no room for sentimentality or hesitation. Those who should be executed should be executed, and the county government must provide strong support."
Hao Weicheng saw the fleeting, icy killing intent in Qin Hao's eyes, and recalled the ruthless, armed militiamen on the construction site, and felt a chill run down his spine. "As long as you don't indiscriminately kill innocent people, for the sake of the greater good, the county government can... refrain from commenting on such matters."
"Thirdly," Qin Hao said firmly, "if the money, food and supplies promised by the county government are severely lacking or deliberately delayed or withheld, or if higher-level government officials or military personnel ignore warnings and forcibly interfere in relief efforts and disrupt order... then I, Bai, will immediately lead everyone to withdraw, and the county government will bear all the consequences."
Hao Weicheng's forehead was beaded with sweat. This third clause placed almost all the responsibility and risk on his own shoulders, and was also full of uncontrollable variables.
But now that things have come to this, he has no choice but to bite the bullet and agree.
"I agree to all three of these conditions, sir, but I wonder if you have any disaster relief strategies?"
"Work-for-relief programs turn waste into treasure!"