si-mexico Chapter 163: The People’s Hearts Cannot Be Modified
Chapter 163: The People’s Hearts Cannot Be Modified
Undercurrents are surging in Beizhou City.
Cui Jingming used his methods to firmly control the command of the 600,000-strong army in his own hands.
After a full month of rigorous training, this army has begun to show its strength.
We can now enforce orders.
In military and political affairs, no matter how big or small, Cui Jingming and his trusted confidants would personally handle everything without delegating tasks to others.
They work day and night, and their carefully planned management methods have achieved remarkable results.
All affairs in the city were progressing in an orderly manner, supplies were allocated rationally, fortifications were strengthened, and morale was increasingly high.
Every morning, Cui Jingming would climb to the top of Beizhou City.
He would gaze for a long time at the imperial army stationed outside the city.
There was no fear in Cui Jingming's eyes, only contemplation.
He thinks about how to defeat the enemy every day.
Restoring people's hearts is the top priority.
Since Cui Jingming completely took control of the military and political power of Beizhou, he implemented a series of policies to benefit the people.
The living conditions of the people in the city also improved significantly.
He often ordered the granaries to be opened and grain to be released. The mountains of grain were carried out in bags and distributed to the poor people who were starving and poorly clothed.
For a time, smiles gradually appeared on the faces of the people in Beizhou City, and the streets and alleys became more lively and energetic.
The people's attitude towards the Cui family also changed because of Cui Jingming's good deeds, from the initial awe to alienation.
As Cui Jingming watched him gradually gain the support of the people, he couldn't help but feel a lot more at ease.
……
Opposite Cui's house, there was a puzzling scene.
An old woman, hunched over, was leaning on a rough wooden cane.
She would appear there on time every day and sit quietly.
At first, the people in Cui's family thought she was just a beggar, so they planned to give her some food and clothes.
But when the Cui family's servant came forward and wanted to hand the food to her.
The old woman just glanced at them indifferently and turned her face away, ignoring the food that was emitting a tempting aroma and resolutely rejecting their kindness.
As usual, Cui Jingming carefully inspected all parts of the city defense.
When his eyes inadvertently swept across the opposite side of Cui's house, he found that the old woman was still sitting there quietly.
That lonely yet persistent figure instantly aroused Cui Jingming's curiosity.
Why on earth is this old woman here every day?
Is there any grievance or appeal?
With doubts in his heart, Cui Jingming slowly walked towards the old woman, his steps light, for fear of disturbing her.
When he reached the old woman, he leaned forward slightly and asked in a gentle tone, "Grandma, what do you do at the gate of my Cui Mansion every day?"
"Is there no food at home?"
"If that's the case, I'll have someone bring some food over right away."
His voice was filled with concern, his eyes sincere.
The old woman seemed to have not heard Cui Jingming's question and remained silent, with no intention of responding.
The Cui family guard who was in charge of guarding the door saw that the master of the house was talking to the old woman, and did not dare to be negligent in the slightest, and hurried over at a trot.
He came before Cui Jingming, bowed respectfully, and reported, "Master, this old woman is here every day. We've asked her, but she doesn't say anything and doesn't want the food we give her."
After hearing what the guard said, Cui Jingming nodded slightly.
His doubts grew even stronger, so he squatted down, trying to make his eyes level with the old woman so that he could communicate with her better.
He asked softly again, "Grandma, is there anything you want to tell me?"
He tried his best to control his tone, making it softer and gentler, for fear of irritating the old lady in front of him.
The old woman slowly raised her head, her eyes full of resentment and hatred, staring straight at Cui Jingming's face.
Suddenly, with a "Pooh!" sound, a mouthful of saliva was spat directly into Cui Jingming's face.
The saliva, carrying the old woman's anger and hatred, left a mark on Cui Jingming's face.
Seeing this, the guard beside him was immediately furious.
He completely ignored the fact that Cui Jingming was right in front of him, took a step forward, and kicked the old woman.
The kick was so powerful that it landed directly on the old woman's face. Her frail frame couldn't withstand such a heavy blow, and she fell backwards to the ground.
Blood immediately flowed from the corner of her mouth, and the bright red color was particularly glaring on her wrinkled face.
Cui Jingming was so shocked by this sudden change that he stood there in a daze for a moment, not even having time to raise his hand to wipe the saliva off his face.
When he came to his senses, he saw that the old woman had fallen to the ground with blood at the corner of her mouth. His eyes instantly became cold and angry.
He suddenly stood up and kicked the security guard in the stomach without hesitation, knocking him to the ground.
Cui Jingming's eyes widened in anger as he shouted, "Who gave you the guts?"
Two bodyguards immediately rushed up and quickly pinned the security guard to the ground, making him unable to move.
This incident also attracted the attention of the surrounding people. A large group of people gathered from afar and pointed and talked about this place.
Their eyes were filled with numbness and sympathy for the old woman.
Seeing this, the guards were about to disperse the crowd, but Cui Jingming shouted, "Stop."
Cui Jingming walked straight forward and carefully helped the old lady into his arms.
But as soon as he lifted the old lady's body, his first reaction was that something was wrong.
This old lady is too light.
Although blood was still flowing out of the corners of the old lady's mouth, she still stared at Cui Jingming. Her eyes were like two sharp blades, piercing Cui Jingming's heart.
Cui Jingming suppressed his inner uneasiness, put his head close to the old lady's mouth, and asked softly: "Grandma, do you have anything to say to me?"
When the old lady heard this, she grinned, a smile full of bitterness and sarcasm.
She used all her strength to say weakly: "Hypocrisy...so hypocritical!"
"My daughter was abducted and tortured to death by your Cui family, and my husband was beaten to death by your Cui family."
"I am the only one left!"
As she spoke, she kept laughing, and her laughter was particularly miserable and sad.
"The imperial army has finally arrived! I, an old woman, just...just want to watch from here until the day your Cui family is destroyed!"
"I won't eat a single bite of the food your Cui family gives me. I can't bear your kindness."
She began to struggle, trying to break free from Cui Jingming's arms.
Her thin body burst out with amazing strength, and she rolled out of Cui Jingming's arms with one turn.
She used her last bit of strength to turn her body over, staring at the gate of Cui Mansion.
With her last breath, she uttered two words with difficulty: "Destroy...destruction."
She slowly raised her hand, paused in the air for a moment, and finally fell to the ground weakly, completely losing her breath.
Cui Jingming slowly closed his eyes, squatted on the ground, and did not get up for a long time.
His heart was like a turmoil, with mixed emotions.
The Cui family may really have shouldered too much sin and hatred.
The old woman's experience was just the tip of the iceberg. His mind kept resurfacing with the old woman's resentful eyes and desperate words, which were a tearful accusation against the Cui family.
The people’s hearts cannot be repaired!
He was wrong again!
He smiled helplessly and knelt down in front of the old woman's body.
He kowtowed three times slowly.