Chongzhen: Why is the emperor's head square?

Chapter 6, Step 1: Success

Born in darkness, die in the light.

Zhou Wei was feeling down.

They die from the light, but what if they're in the shadows? If they're not exposed to the light, will these monsters die?

The sun cannot shine on every place.

This also means that even during the day, the world is not completely safe.

This made him hesitate, even though he had originally supported Zhu Youjian's idea.

You have to understand, these refugees are all unarmed civilians, how could they possibly deal with these monsters?

Zhu Youjian looked at Zhou Wei's hesitant expression.

He said, "Zhou Wei, I know what you're worried about."

"In this world, working at sunrise and resting at sunset poses little danger."

"I am pleased that you care about the people. It is precisely because I value your kindness that I am telling you this secret."

"But you need to think this through."

"Here, although there are risks, as long as the people are willing to cultivate the land, they will not starve to death, even though they may face attacks from monsters."

"But...how many more years can you protect them?"

The Zhou family was able to provide porridge for one or two years.

Can we continue providing porridge for another five years? Ten years?

Unlike Zhou Wei, the other members of the Zhou family did not possess a kind heart.

If the porridge distribution stops, these refugees will still face the risk of starving to death at any time.

Even though Zhou Wei persisted in distributing porridge.

It only barely kept these refugees from starving to death.

Apart from that, nothing has changed.

"Although I am the emperor, the problems that have plagued the dynasty for a hundred years cannot be solved by my own efforts alone; it is simply a pipe dream."

You should understand the principle that "it is better to teach a man to fish than to give him a fish."

Zhou Liang, standing to the side, looked at his father, wanting to offer some advice, but remained silent.

Zhou Wei remained silent for a long time.

"Liang'er, what do you think?"

Zhou Liang glanced at Zhu Youjian and said, "Although there is danger, it is not a certain death situation."

"Although my father set up soup kitchens, it only prevented the refugees from starving to death."

"They are still not getting enough to eat, and they are pale and emaciated."

"I think Your Majesty is right. This place may be their final resting place. At least... they won't go hungry here."

"Besides, they have nothing to lose. If given the chance to earn a comfortable life, they would probably be willing to do so."

Many people would love this opportunity, but they might not get it.

After thirty breaths of silence.

Zhou Wei sighed deeply: "This humble subject will do his best to assist Your Majesty."

"However, I will not force how many refugees are willing to take the risk."

Zhu Youjian nodded.

"Of course, as many as there are, I will not force you."

There are different ways to play when there are two hundred people.

There are different ways to play when there are 500 people.

The number of people is not important, as long as it is not too small, it is just a matter of how fast or slow they develop.

With millions of refugees across the land, there is no shortage of people willing to take the risk.

Zhou Wei bowed deeply and said, "This humble subject thanks Your Majesty."

Zhu Youjian raised his hand: "I should be thanking you."

Immediately afterwards, a purple light gate appeared. After stepping into it, a flash of purple light appeared before my eyes, and I returned to the real world.

Looking at the familiar world.

Zhou Wei felt like he was in a dream, but looking at Zhu Youjian, he knew in his heart that this was not a dream.

"I will give Your Majesty the exact number of people in three days."

Zhu Youjian nodded: "Alright."

After Zhou Wei left, Zhu Youjian went to the hospital to rest.

……

The following day, in the evening.

The soup kitchens remain open as usual.

The Zhou family servants stood by to maintain order.

"Father, the people have all gathered," Zhou Liang said, bowing deeply.

Because the matter concerned the palace, Zhou Qiu made a rare appearance at the porridge distribution center.

Zhou Wei sighed softly, slowly stood up, and came to the front of everyone.

Looking at the ragged, disheveled refugees.

Zhou Wei took a deep breath and said loudly, "Today, before we distribute porridge at the porridge shop, I have something I want to tell you all."

"Seven days from now, I, Zhou Wei, will no longer serve as the head of the Zhou family."

This statement came out.

The people immediately became restless and uneasy.

You should know that Zhou's porridge shop is the only place in the area where people can get food.

"Clan Chief Zhou, what exactly is going on?"

Zhou Wei sighed softly, then bowed deeply to the refugees: "I'm very sorry."

As soon as he finished speaking, voices came from the crowd.

"Clan Chief Zhou, you don't need to apologize. If it weren't for your porridge distribution to us poor people over the past three months, we would probably have starved to death long ago."

"It is we who caused you to lose your position as clan leader; we are the ones who should apologize."

As they spoke, someone knelt down before Zhou Wei.

They were penniless, and this was the only way they could repay the debt of gratitude they had received for saving their lives.

Zhou Qiu watched this scene, pondered for a moment, and said to the servants beside him, "Protect me."

Zhou Wei's reputation among the refugees was indeed very high.

He was genuinely afraid that this group would riot and beat him to death.

Immediately afterward, someone spoke up: "Clan Chief Zhou, does that mean we'll stop distributing porridge here from now on?"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Wei spoke up.

"Although I, Zhou Wei, am no longer the head of the Zhou family, you all need not worry."

"I've found you all a place where you can have a full meal."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Qiu frowned.

What do you mean?

The Zhou family's population had long been saturated.

"I, Zhou Wei, guarantee with my life that this place will provide you all with a full meal!"

"No more going hungry or without enough clothes to cover our bodies!"

If someone said these words to them, they would absolutely not believe it.

But they would believe Zhou Wei.

"Clan Chief Zhou, could you please tell us what place it is? That way we'll have a better idea."

Zhou Wei did not respond.

He was clear about what he should and shouldn't say.

"I can't tell you what kind of place it is."

Whether you want to go or not is not up to you.

"However, before that, I need to make one thing clear: although you will have no worries about food and clothing once you go there, your life will also be in danger."

"Everyone, please spread the word."

"If you dare to risk your life for a life free from want, then come and register with me. You only have three days."

Is there a risk to their lives?

Everyone seemed slightly hesitant.

In response, Zhou Wei continued, "Of course, if you don't want to go, there's no need to worry too much."

"Although I am no longer the head of the Zhou family."

"But the soup kitchen will remain here for another two years, so there's no need to force anyone who doesn't want to go."

"..."

Zhu Youjian watched this scene quietly.

Although Zhou Wei is kind-hearted, he is indeed very capable in doing things.

Knowing how to first suppress and then praise.

In this way, the number of refugees recruited should be quite large.

It all depends on how much prestige Zhou Wei has and how many people will believe him.

"Let's go and look around somewhere else."

Zhu Youjian spoke.

Wang Zhong drove the carriage away slowly.

The task of recruiting refugees can be left to Zhou Wei; all I need to do is wait for good news.

During the waiting period.

You can look around.

Understanding people's livelihood is beneficial to governing the country.

Sitting in the palace, one can never know what the situation is like among the common people.