Episode 9 recap: The displaced people flooded into Jinan. Ding Bao Zhen proposed using work as relief.
In Jinan, the officials complained to Shao Yu Xiao about raising funds. Jin Xiao Mei took out all her money, two hundred taels, and gave it to Chun Lan. Ding Bao Zhen pawned his beloved calligraphy tools. At that moment, Qi Song Ru was burdened with worries. His old mother noticed something was wrong and asked for the reason. He had no choice but to reveal his desire to see the jade pendant left by his father. His old mother took out the jade pendant and gently caressed it. Every time she looked at the pendant, she thought of her late husband, treating it as her companion to confide in.
Qi Song Ru said the jade pendant had a spiritual essence and asked if he could keep it with him. In fact, his old mother guessed what he intended to do and gave him a final sentence: "If you have the ability to take it, you must have the ability to redeem it." Qi Song Ru entrusted the jade pendant to Li Pei Rong, but she immediately returned it, considering it the only memento of his late father. Qi Song Ru stated that it was now a time for everyone to work together.
The next day, Chun Lan loaded the necessary items onto the carriage, but there was still a shortage of silver taels. She took the initiative to leave the pawned calligraphy tools with the master. Upon learning that Chun Lan had eight thousand taels, Ding Bao Zhen contributed two thousand taels from his side to make it a total of ten thousand taels. Jin Xiao Mei happily brought the pawned items back home intact.
The amount donated by the officials was reported one by one. Shao Yu Xiao and others had donated very little, and some officials had only donated seven taels despite having multiple wives. Those who donated a small amount had vulnerabilities in the hands of Ding Bao Zhen. One official's donation was rejected by Ding Bao Zhen, knowing that he was penniless, and half of his donation was earned by his wife by weaving bamboo baskets.
Shao Yu Xiao quickly claimed that there was a mistake in the count. Ding Bao Zhen said that if the dam repair failed and people suffered, none of the officials present would be able to escape. Ding Bao Zhen couldn't understand why people from poor backgrounds would disregard the common people once they became officials. At this moment, Fan Yi, representing Fan Jia Village, came forward and pledged fifty thousand taels. Ding Bao Zhen expressed his gratitude, and Fan Yi stated that as a Shandong native, he must support his fellow villagers.
Ding Bao Zhen invited Fan Yi to the backyard and assured him that he would request recognition from the emperor. Fan Yi also presented some silver taels as a donation to the government, but Ding Bao Zhen rejected it. Fan Yi openly admitted that this society thrived on generous and righteous acts as a means of accumulating wealth, which was why he made this gesture. Ding Bao Zhen understood his perspective.
Ding Bao Zhen returned Qi Song Ru's jade pendant to him, emphasizing its significance as a symbol of heritage that should be cherished. Ding Bao Zhen handed the collected silver taels to Qiao Song Nian and also gave him the plan for the dam repair.
Mr. Wen is responsible for raising provisions, and Mr. Shao assists him. Qiao Song Nian pointed out the shortcomings of the plan, and after hearing his remarks, Ding Bao Zhen felt that Qiao Song Nian was indeed an expert in water management.
Li Afu came with his luggage to find Qi Song Ru, but he did not receive any message from him. His daughter had died, and his wife and son were missing. Qi Song Ru comforted him, saying that his wife must have fled. Li Afu's purpose in coming this time was to lodge a complaint. He believed that the breach of the river embankment was human-made. Initially, he intentionally added materials to ensure the safety of his family, but the occurrence of the flood despite the added materials indicated human involvement. He suspected Luo Zi Cong, but without evidence, Qi Song Ru rejected Li Afu's accusation. Li Afu misunderstood that Qi Song Ru was protecting Luo Zi Cong, and left angrily.
A large number of displaced people flooded into Jinan. Ding Bao Zhen ordered Guo Zhong and Pei Rong to guard the city gates and appease the victims, setting up porridge sheds. Another group of people began to build the embankment according to the plan, otherwise more and more displaced people would flock to Jinan. The gathering of victims at the city gate spiraled out of control, and they rushed into the city. Pei Rong hurriedly reported this to Ding Bao Zhen, stating that the news spread quickly among the people, and upon hearing that there was relief in Jinan, they flocked in uncontrollably.
Seeing this situation, Ding Bao Zhen had no choice but to take out the provisions for embankment construction as an emergency measure, and he pleaded with Mr. Wen to see if provisions could be borrowed from other places. Ding Bao Zhen looked at the numerous victims and felt great pain in his heart. He proposed turning these victims into laborers for water management, using work as relief. However, Chen Yun Fei believed that the situation was significant and that an endless stream of victims would continue to come. He saw it as a fuse, while Ding Bao Zhen believed that only by taking risks could they find a way out.
Once the notice was posted, Li Afu wanted to sign up, using it as an opportunity to get close to Fan Yi. He believed that Fan Yi and Luo Zi Cong were in cahoots. The number of victims signing up reached forty thousand, which worried Chen Yu Fei. He was concerned that if this double-edged sword was not handled properly, it would lead to trouble. Ding Bao Zhen ordered Chen Yu Fei to notify the start of work and to arrange for provisions to be transported from other places.
Fan Yi was responsible for assigning tasks to the workers. Li Afu approached Fan Yi and showed concern for his family situation. After learning that Li Afu's wife had left and his son had died, Fan Yi gave him a tael of silver. Fan Yi entrusted an important position to Li Afu and said that according to the usual practice, Li Afu would take on this task.
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