Zhang Mingwei looked normal, and walked among the refugees, kindly asked them about their physical recovery. There were also those who sold their children, whether their children had been sent back, etc.

As soon as he arrived, the refugees knelt on the ground excitedly, saying "Master Bodhisattva". While they were grateful, they were worried in their eyes.

Especially they knew that even the powerful and wealthy people in the capital were doing bad things in donating money and materials. When they wanted to make things difficult for Bodhisattva Zhang, they were afraid that good officials like Bodhisattva Zhang would not have the next time after this time?

Especially when those who were sold to their children were sent back soon, they even knew that Bodhisattva Zhang must have offended the powerful people in the capital this time.

People's hearts are full of flesh. Zhang Mingwei's feelings for refugees are even more rare in this era compared with most officials. Of course, the refugees' gratitude for Zhang Mingwei naturally came into being.

When Zhang Mingwei learned about the basic situation of the refugees outside the city, the next day, on the fifth day of the third month of the 15th year of Chongzhen, he wore a python garment given by Emperor Chongzhen, and under the escort of Zhou Yuji, he came to the refugee camp again.

"Bodhisattva Zhang has something to say to us, hurry up, go to the terrace, don't let the Bodhisattva wait for us!"

"Let's go, thanks to the grace of Bodhisattva Zhang. After eating these two days, I have the strength to walk. I can't let Bodhisattva Zhang wait!"

“…”

There was no need for soldiers to urge the refugee camp. When the refugees heard the notice, they immediately spontaneously spread to each other, and rushed towards the platform near the refugee camp.

The refugees who had arrived first were all surprised when they saw Zhang Mingwei wearing a python suit on the stage.

"Why did the Bodhisattva wear a dragon robe? Could it be that he was pretended by the emperor?"

"Stupid, this is a python suit, not a dragon robe. Look at that dragon, you have fewer claws!"

"If you can't speak, don't talk nonsense. Be careful to harm the Bodhisattva! This python suit is given by the emperor, which means that the emperor values ​​Bodhisattva the most!"

“…”

There is no doubt that the focus of refugees at the beginning was on the python suit. This made them all understand that Zhang Mingwei was trusted by the emperor and even the python suit had been given to him, which made them feel very pleased.

On the platform, Zhang Mingwei saw that the refugees were gathering near the platform soon, so he coughed and then began to speak loudly. The soldiers below spread his words to the distance so that everyone could hear what he was talking.

"My fellow villagers, I have done my best to raise as much money and food as possible. I believe this is already all the money and food that the capital can give..."

As soon as Zhang Mingwei spoke, they were very concerned about the issue. Suddenly, the refugees all listened with great concern. Of course, they knew that for them, Bodhisattva Zhang offended the powerful people in the capital. Not only did they say that they were assassinated, but they donated all their wealth. This was really done their best!

"... Even so, the food will always be eaten up one day. Moreover, if other people in the capital hear the situation in the capital, if they come, they will inevitably accelerate the consumption of food. Then everyone will starve again..."

Zhang Mingwei's truth made the refugees worry about themselves. At that time, if there is really no food in the capital, they will definitely starve to death!

But just as they were thinking about this, they heard Zhang Mingwei raise his voice again and say loudly: "But I must not let such a thing happen! I said that since Zhang is here, I will not let you starve to death or freeze to death. Now, I am working hard for it, but you still need your cooperation!"

What he did was obvious to all. The refugees who were originally grateful to him were immediately excited when they heard what he said. They even forgot that Bodhisattva Zhang was a high-ranking official in the court and responded one after another.

"My lord, even if the grass-roots can do it, he will die!"

"If the Bodhisattva does this for us, if we don't know how to be grateful and do not cooperate with the Bodhisattva, it will be a thunderclap in heaven!"

"Yes, if the Bodhisattva hadn't been there, the Caomin would have been destroyed long ago. The Bodhisattva would have said it!"

“…”

Zhang Mingwei stood on the stage and watched them talking. To be honest, many people were not speaking official words, and he really couldn't understand them. However, he could know the meaning of what they said from their expressions.

After waiting for a while, he reached out to signal, and the audience suddenly became quiet.

Zhou Yuji, who was next to him, couldn't help but sigh in his heart when he saw it. It seemed that Lord Zhang had a very high prestige in the hearts of these refugees. In such a noisy situation, he just reached out to signal and achieved the effect of banning the orders in the army!

At this time, Zhang Mingwei continued: "I have come up with the emperor to find a way to protect you through this difficult period!"

After saying this, under the curious attention of the refugees, he took out an imperial edict, read it loudly, and then explained: "The emperor knows that there are not only natural disasters north of the Yangtze River, but also man-made disasters. Especially in recent years, the increasingly fierce military and bandit rebellion has caused disasters to the local area. The emperor knows your difficulties, so he has this decree to reduce half of the taxes of the people of the Ming Dynasty north of the Yangtze River, and your burden will be greatly reduced in the future!"

"As for the other half of the taxes, they will stay in the local area to prevent thieves and chaos. In short, don't worry, the emperor and I will work hard to suppress the rebellion of the thieves and Jianlu. If there are officers and soldiers like thieves, they will definitely be severely punished. Let the Ming Dynasty return to a peaceful and prosperous era. I believe that not only the emperor and me wishes, but also what you hope for. For this, we must work together, okay?"

This decree was only approved by the cabinet before, because what happened suddenly had not been announced. Therefore, Zhang Mingwei's announcement was the first time that refugees heard it.

Previously, due to rebellion in various places, the court had always increased taxes, which was the famous three-guarantee. Therefore, the refugees did not expect that the court had changed its countermeasures and wanted to reduce taxes by half to the people in the north of the Yangtze River. I have to say that this news is definitely a great news for them.

Therefore, when they heard Zhang Mingwei’s question, they all agreed excitedly. It’s a peaceful and prosperous era, who doesn’t yearn for it!

After they were a little excited, Zhang Mingwei took out another imperial edict and read it in public. The content of this decree, which is one of the suggestions he gave to Emperor Chongzhen, was that the local chief officials had the right to use their power to recruit everyone, including the property of the vassal kings and nobles, when local crisis was in danger.
Chapter completed!