Gratitude was one thing, but the people of Taoyuan Prefecture had only just managed to secure a decent life, and the ones who needed help the most right now were themselves. No matter how poor the Prefecture Office was, they would never run short of food and drink, and those vegetables could be sold at a stall to supplement household expenses.
To put a stop to people bringing gifts, Zhao Yan staked out the entrance of the Prefecture Office for three full days. Whenever he caught locals coming to drop things off, he treated them to a round of loving ideological education. He could rattle off grand principles without missing a beat, and since the uneducated townspeople only found themselves thoroughly bewildered—coupled with the lingering awe of Zhao Yan's authority, which left them powerless to defy his orders—every last gift-bearer eventually slunk away with their burdens in defeat.
Zhao Yan even had the bailiffs spread the word: absolutely anyone who continued delivering items to the Prefecture Office would never again be hired for any odd jobs around the offices.
Chapter 472