C164 (1/2)
Chapter 164 - Xiao Letian unloading the carriage
”The ordinary citizens of China during the era of Tongzhi were the most complicated people I've ever met. Firstly, they had very high moral principles, and they were able to abide by them in their lives without the supervision of religion or the law. This is a very rare form of self-discipline, but this self-discipline has a drawback, and that is to rely too much on the Confucian classics that have ruled the hearts of people for thousands of years … ”
”Moral self-discipline is a spiritual realm that is highly respected by any people, but it is because of this extreme Chinese blind obedience to the Confucian classics that they have lost contact with the natural sciences and are unable to produce any positive links to industrialization. Some strange superstitions have arisen because of this …”
”I am such a worshipper of Mr. Xiao Letian, the western scholar. He is actually able to think of such a bizarre and practical method to become a Industrial Zones in China. ”Without destroying the country's overall situation, let the rulers and elites taste the sweetness of industrialization. I think this is the only way for the ancient empire to move towards the path of innovation …”
”I can feel Xiao Letian's love for this land, and I can feel even more how precious he is towards every single life of his. Although many people see him as a leader of the army that kills people without fear, and even more so as he is a cunning and scheming person, but the thing that cannot be denied is that Xiao Letian has done everything possible to make this empire use the least amount of chaos and blood to complete the initial stages of Industrial Revolution …”
”He is a great man, a great man who can hold billions of people in his heart. I have no doubt about that!”
Strictly speaking, this book was not written by a single person, but was written by a lot of people. Among them, there was the American envoy Ma Xiu, the Carnegie Family's member Mike, the American priest Louis, and even the little black Sai Men had all left their own words inside.
However, the person who started this book was the special envoy Ma Xiu. Therefore, the title of this book, , was weird, because this was a precious historical record that viewed Chinese change from a foreign perspective. Moreover, this book detailed records of Xiao Letian's actions in this major change. It was a classic that was required for future generations to study China.
In the book, Ma Xiu generously praised Xiao Letian, not only because they had a good relationship with each other, but more importantly, he personally witnessed the situation in late Qing at that time.
”These stupid Chinese people, they don't understand the power of industry at all. They even think that the power released by machines is driven by ghosts. ”Furthermore, they firmly believe that these suspicious and sensitive citizens are extremely afraid of change. Even if you use money, you won't be able to affect them …”
”I clearly remember that in the Industrial Zones's plan, the government had set a price of two to three times that of the land, and those citizens did not want to sell the land to the special region. They actually had a very strange reason, and that is, the soul of their ancestors did not allow it. Why were their statements no different from those of the savages of Africa? ”Looks like my friend Xiao has really met with trouble …”
Xiao Letian didn't seem to be troubled at all. He finished listening to Xiang Shaolong's report in the morning, and had a very sumptuous lunch with Hu Niu and the Grand View Garden's beauties. Soon after, he went to play tricks in the afternoon.
”Fellow villagers, step aside and open up a path! We are from Letian Firm, and we heard that the manor was flooded. Everyone lost a lot of firewood, and I came here to help …” Xiao Letian was standing on top of a cart full of firewood, holding onto a homemade iron horn as she shouted.
It's been a cold day. Letian Firm knows that everyone's days are not so good, they need to cook and burn firewood, the large animal also need to eat hay, and no one has much money left. If we really buy firewood, then I'm afraid we'll have to borrow money early next year. Our Letian Firm is here to do a good deed today. Look at the twenty carts of firewood behind us, it's enough for your entire village to use it.
But no matter how Xiao Letian shouted, the people who were blocking the village entrance did not give way, many people in the crowd looked at him with hatred.
”You are Xiao Letian? You are the Second Demon? Was this Industrial Zones made by you? ”Let's go, we don't want your charity. Our ancestors' graves didn't have houses for ghosts …”
”Right, right, right. Hurry up and leave, we don't need your charity. Stop pretending to be good people. This is your scheme …”
The people blocking the entrance of the village shouted at Xiao Letian, but ordinary citizens knew that for people like Xiao Letian, who could publish books and talk to important figures of the imperial government, they would not dare to offend them.
Xiao Letian did not get angry, because he could already see clearly from his observations. Although these commoners shouted at him, the greedy eyes in their mouths were all staring at the chariot.
How could the commoners not be greedy? It was just a matter of time before the other villages came to rob them. Those villagers who used to shout and shout would actually ask for five taels of silver to pull a cart full of firewood. His grandma was really unlucky this time.
Right now, Xiao Letian had delivered over twenty carriages full of hay for nothing, and the people could not hide the little bit of greed in their hearts from him.
”My fellow villagers, please think about it carefully. The world is vast, and living is the most important. Are you really forcing yourself onto a road of no end just for the sake of some rumors? ”It's not worth it, I've just asked around. The surrounding villages actually asked for five taels of silver to give you a cart full of firewood. If you continue to endure through the winter, three to four taels of silver won't do …”
”Everyone, which family has three to four taels of silver?” Even if there is, when next year's green and yellow season comes and you spend all your money, don't you still have to borrow money from the printing press? Think about it, aunties and uncles. Can I borrow the money for the stamp? ”