After Ying Xiaozheng and Xue Ji left, Zhu Xiang had no time to miss them before he was overwhelmed by the heavy work again.
He looked at the pile of documents with a look of disbelief: "Is this Zheng'er's usual job?"
Han Fei nodded: "Yes!"
Li Si sighed, "Duke Zhu Xiang, if you don't start working, you won't be able to sleep tonight."
Zhu Xiang stood up and walked out, but was stopped by Han Fei.
"Duke Zhu Xiang, where are you going?" Han Fei wondered.
Zhu Xiang said expressionlessly: "Go and bring Zheng'er back."
Li Si almost burst out laughing. He covered his mouth and said, "Duke Zhu Xiang, the prince's boat may not be able to catch up, so hurry up and deal with official business."
Han Fei looked at Li Si, who could joke with Duke Zhu Xiang so easily.
Li Si was always very respectful to Duke Zhu Xiang. Why did his personality suddenly change
Han Fei speculated that Li Si must have developed a friendship with Duke Zhu Xiang when he accompanied him in defending the city.
Damn it, I want to go to the battlefield too!
In this era, military achievements are valued. Which nobleman does not have a dream of fighting? This was the first time Han Fei was jealous of Li Si.
Zhu Xiang knew that it was impossible for him to get Ying Xiaozheng back to handle official business, so he was just struggling in vain.
"Where is Li Mu?" Zhu Xiang began to look for external help.
Li Si said: "Lord Wucheng is in the military camp."
Zhu Xiang slammed the table: "Call him back! How can I be the only one busy?"
Li Si held back his laughter and went to find someone to notify Li Mu to come back and help.
Zhu Xiang flipped through the mountain of documents and started to have a headache after looking at them for a few seconds.
A county today is equivalent to a province in the future, and a county is equivalent to a city, but at the county and county levels, there is no real "county", and the organization of villages and towns does not exist at all.
The original area of counties and prefectures in Qin State was not so large. After the territory expanded, the area of counties and prefectures also expanded.
No wonder the Qin Dynasty basically lost control of the local areas after its establishment. How could it not lose control
Zhu Xiang sighed deeply when he recalled that Qin Shi Huang was assassinated in Xianyang City and the murderer could not be found.
At that time, let alone the place, Qin Shihuang even lost control of the city of Xianyang under his feet.
Before the unification of the Qin State, important officials like Shang Yang and Bai Qi could be killed at will, and as long as they were in the Qin State at the time, they would not be able to escape.
The King of Chu was assassinated in the capital, but the murderer could not be found. This was seen as a symbol of the King of Chu's loss of control over the nobles and the local areas. Wasn't it the same with Qin Shi Huang
Zhu Xiang thought about it for a moment, sighed again, and continued to deal with this headache-inducing government affairs.
All matters including farming, taxation, catching theft, solving cases, infrastructure, military defense, etc. were decided by the county magistrate alone. Everything from big matters like preparing for an attack from the State of Chu to small matters like neighbors suing each other over problems with their courtyard walls was decided by the county magistrate alone. Zhu Xiang looked at the mountain of documents and pressed his temples hard.
The current local official system is not suitable for the actual situation. When I have time, I will write to Xia Tong to discuss this issue.
Otherwise, after Zheng'er comes back, he will hand Wujun back to him and go back to Xianyang to have a face-to-face talk with Xia Tong, Lin Zhi and Cai Ze.
When Li Mu learned that Zhu Xiang was asking for help, he changed out of his military uniform, restored his appearance as an ordinary scholar, and came to the county magistrate to help with his work.
Then he heard Zhu Xiang complaining a lot.
Li Mu said: "The current counties are indeed too big. There used to be a feudal lord above the counties. Now that Qin has removed the power of the feudal lord, it is time to select officials and set up another level above the counties."
The literal meaning of "liuguan" is "mobile officials", that is, officials directly dispatched by the central government.
Zhu Xiang agreed, "The counties need to be reduced in size, and there needs to be another level above the counties, such as states. When the world is stable, the civil and military officials at all levels should also share power."
Li Mu smiled and said, "If the civil and military powers are divided, the civil officials will definitely be elevated by the king to suppress and control the military generals. Don't come up with this idea, or you'll be assassinated."
Zhu Xiang touched his nose: "I'm not stupid."
Li Mu said: "I think you are stupid."
Zhu Xiang punched Li Mu, then sighed and said, "Let's talk about the future later. Let's deal with these things first... I don't think it's necessary to let the county governor review everything. What are the other officials doing? I'm talking about you two, Li Si and Han Fei!"
Li Si said helplessly: "The prince requires that all matters must be decided by him."
Han Fei nodded vigorously. It's not that we are lazy, this is the prince's request!
"Zheng'er is Zheng'er, and I am me!" Zhu Xiang said, "Come here quickly, let's divide the responsibilities. Don't bother me with your own work."
Li Si hesitated and said, "When the prince comes back..."
Zhu Xiang interrupted, "Wait until Zheng'er comes back, and then you can do as he asks."
Han Fei said: "It's not good to change your orders every day!"
Zhu Xiang said, "Then I will try to persuade him not to do everything himself. He is already so busy with the affairs of a county that he has no time to sleep when he manages the affairs of a country. Even if Zheng'er is very capable and can handle government affairs in every detail, he can't expect that future Qin kings will be as energetic and capable as he is."
Li Mu said: "We can talk about this after Zheng'er comes back. Hurry up and deal with the paperwork. A lot of paperwork must be processed today."
Zhu Xiang screamed and slammed his face on the table.
Li Mu couldn't help laughing, patted Zhu Xiang, and comforted him: "Be patient, it will be fine when Zheng'er comes back."
Han Fei reminded him: "Duke Zhu Xiang, these things should have been done by you. It was the prince who did what you should have done for you."
Li Si coughed dryly and said, "Of course Duke Zhu Xiang knew that these matters should be handled by him, but in order to hone the crown prince, Duke Zhu Xiang handed over all government affairs to the crown prince, and Duke Zhu Xiang only took care of spring ploughing and autumn harvest. This is Duke Zhu Xiang's kindness to the crown prince."
Han Fei said: "Oh, kindness."
Zhu Xiang raised his head: "You two are singing the same tune, is it interesting?"
Han Fei and Li Si answered with a tacit understanding, "It's boring, but Duke Zhu Xiang, don't you really want to work faster?"
Li Mu patted Zhu Xiang's shoulder again: "If you don't start now, you won't be able to finish it today."
Zhu Xiang struggled hard for a while in the process of procrastination, then silently opened the document again and fought against the boring government affairs.
He would rather squat on the edge of a field all day until his feet were numb than read the twists and turns in these documents.
It's obviously a very easy matter to solve, but the person who wrote the document always beats around the bush, making people confused and have no idea what they are talking about.
Although Wu County reclaimed farmland, absorbed many refugees, and weakened the power of local scholars, local scholars still controlled most of Wu County's economic lifeline.
Relatives protect each other, and the county magistrate, as a temporary official, needs to understand the intricate relationships among relatives. He not only needs a keen intuition, but also has sufficient sources of information, otherwise he will be sidelined by local tyrants.
In fact, in the feudal era, most officials were sidelined by local powerful people. If one could coordinate well with the local powerful people, he could make some achievements, otherwise he would be squeezed out.
Zhu Xiang wanted to write to the King of Qin again.
Xia Tong, have you ever thought about the future when you unify the world, the power of the nobles of the six countries will be deeply rooted in the local area, and if you parachute in a temporary official, there is a high probability that he will be sidelined
Zhu Xiang recalled that when Liu Bang started the uprising, the county magistrate closed the city gates and refused to come out. Liu Bang only shot an arrow to notify the villagers in the county. The villagers immediately killed the county magistrate and opened the city gates to welcome Liu Bang.
From this we can see that most of the officials at least at the level of county magistrate in Qin State were suppressed by local powerful people.
While handling government affairs, Zhu Xiang sighed to Li Mu: "I am very upset now, and I want Xia Tong to be upset too."
Li Mu was too lazy to answer.
He was just a little curious about how the King of Qin and Zhu Xiang got along in their early years. Although Li Mu had a sincere and deep friendship with Zhu Xiang, he was the last one to get to know Zhu Xiang among his closest friends.
The King of Qin had left when Cai Ze worked as an accountant for Zhu Xiang, and Li Mu had never seen the King of Qin when he was still Xia Tong.
Seeing that the King of Qin not only played around with Zhu Xiang like ordinary friends, but was also very indulgent towards Lin Zhi, Li Mu knew that these three people were probably very close in the past.
Xia Tong is about the same age as Zhu Xiang, which means that when he met Zhu Xiang, he was probably about the same age as Zheng'er is now
That was indeed young friends, young friendship.
Li Mu suddenly felt a little envious. If he had known Zhu Xiang and Lin Zhi when he was young, he would have had more fun.
Zhu Xiang seemed to be able to read people's minds and said, "Li Mu, if you had known me and Lin Zhi when you were young, you probably wouldn't have been able to go to Yanmen County to be your young general so early."
He said sternly, "You will become a dandy who rides a horse and parades through the streets, being chased and beaten by your elders every day."
Li Mu laughed: "Then it would be better for me to get to know you guys a few years later."
Li Si and Han Fei pricked up their ears, listening to Li Mu and Zhu Xiang talking about what happened in Zhao State while they were handling paperwork.
At that time, Zhu Xiang was still a commoner who was looked down upon by others, and a common retainer of the Lin family who could only farm. Li Mu, a descendant of a general, became friends with Zhu Xiang just because they had a good impression of each other. The two of them drank wine and ate meat with Cai Ze and Lin Zhi, chatting about everything under the sun, and they were extremely happy.
Han Fei thought that Li Mu regretted not having known Zhu Xiang a few years earlier and missed the friendship of their youth. Would the King of Qin also regret not being able to accompany his best friend during Zhu Xiang's most difficult time
Such friendship is really enviable.
He looked at Li Si.
Li Si: “?” What are you looking at
Han Fei retracted his gaze. It doesn't matter, I have close friends too!
He rubbed his nose, looking puzzled, as if someone was saying something bad about him.
It was the first time that Ying Xiaozheng went on a "trip" alone with his aunt. He was as happy as a puppy out of a cage. Every time the boat stopped at a pier, he would pull his aunt off the boat for a ride.
Back to Xianyang? Am I not on my way back? My father and I did not say how long it would take to return.
Xue Ji indulges and dotes on Ying Xiaozheng, allowing him to be playful, but she just won't allow him to leave the dock or go too far.
This time, Meng Tian accompanied Ying Xiaozheng back to Xianyang and went home to visit relatives.
Meng Wu was also the prefect of Nanjun County. He was waiting at the dock early and invited Xue Ji and Ying Xiaozheng to stay for half a day.
Meng Wu didn't dare to call Ying Xiaozheng "Zheng'er" anymore and was very respectful to Ying Xiaozheng.
Ying Xiaozheng did not give Meng Wu face, and said to Xue Ji: "Aunt, Uncle Meng was like this when I first met him. He was taciturn, calm and capable, and seemed very stable. But not long after we met, Uncle Meng's true nature was revealed."
Meng Wu: “…”
Meng Tian pricked up his ears. Let me hear what my father's true nature is!
Xue Ji smiled and said, "What nature? After the County Magistrate Meng got to know your uncle, he naturally wouldn't treat your uncle the same way as a stranger."
Ying Xiaozheng said: "Wouldn't that just expose one's true nature?"
Meng Tian pricked up his ears. "Prince, don't just talk about nature. Talk about nature."
Meng Wu sensed his son's thoughts, punched him hard on the forehead, and said, "Prince, please stop making fun of me."
Ying Xiaozheng said: "I'm not joking, I'm just chatting. Uncle, your son Meng Tian has really made great progress. He even dared to cut down Xiang Yan's flag. Go and praise him."
Meng Wu looked at Meng Tian: "Really?"
Meng Tian said embarrassedly: "It's not that exaggerated."
Thinking about it now, Meng Tian felt a little scared. He knew that his fighting ability was far inferior to Xiang Yan's. If Xiang Yan had not been blocked by Nan Chujun's chaotic carriage, he might have been killed by Xiang Yan.
Moreover, he did not fight head-on. He basically relied on trash talk to break the mentality of the Chu people, so his victory was not fair.
Meng Tian was embarrassed to talk about his "glorious achievements", but Ying Xiaozheng would not tolerate him.
Although he did not admit in his heart that he had friends, Meng Tian, Li Si and Han Fei still had different statuses in Ying Xiaozheng. He himself did not realize it and treated these three people as friends.
So when Ying Xiaozheng saw Meng Tian, he couldn't help but want to say "good things" for Meng Tian.
Although he did not see it with his own eyes, after arriving in Guangling City, he immediately inquired about the details of the city defense battle. He might know more about it than Meng Tian.
Ying Xiaozheng described Meng Tian's bravery and cunning at that time in a chattering manner. The expression on his face while telling the story was just like Zhu Xiang's, very vivid. He could even serve as a storyteller and would surely win applause from the audience.
Xue Ji watched Ying Xiaozheng telling stories with a smile, as if she saw a smaller version of her lover.
The nephew resembles his uncle. When Zheng'er grew up, he indeed resembled his uncle a bit.
Meng Tian was so embarrassed listening to the prince's storytelling that he wanted to dig through the soles of his shoes with his toes.
Meng Wu was surprised when he heard this and looked at his son from time to time.
He remembered that his eldest son was an honest man like himself, so why did he use so many tricks on the battlefield
Who did he learn that provocative move from? Neither Li Mu nor Wang Jian seemed to have such a history. Could it be that his son learned it on his own
Could it be that behind his son's honest appearance, he has a completely different heart
What an unfilial father.
Meng Wu felt sorry that his son was not like him, but at the same time he was very proud of him.
He patted Meng Tian on the shoulder and said, "You have your own style of leading troops, which is great. I heard that if you have your own style of leading troops, you will be able to become a general or even a commander in the future. You will definitely be better than your father in the future."
Meng Tian was moved and wanted to say a few humble words.
Ying Xiaozheng asked in confusion: "What is Meng Tian's style of leading troops? Does he lead his troops to talk trash and provoke the enemy general, making the enemy general so angry that he has a cerebral hemorrhage?"
He added: "Trash talk and brain hemorrhage are my uncle's words, literally."
Meng Tian no longer felt touched and wanted to dig through the sole of his shoe with his toes again.
Meng Wu laughed and said, "Isn't this also good?"
Meng Tian drooped his shoulders, like a poor chick that had been splashed with cold water.
After praising Meng Tian in front of his father, Ying Xiaozheng continued to go upstream.
The already elderly Zhang Ruo was also waiting at the dock and met Ying Xiaozheng.
Since he had the good fortune to have a friendship with the Crown Prince of Qin, he must of course seize this friendship so that it would benefit his descendants.
After meeting Zhang Ruo, Ying Xiaozheng complained that his great-grandfather, grandfather and father were all too mean and ungrateful. They even prevented County Governor Zhang from returning to his hometown. Did they want County Governor Zhang to stay in Qianzhong County for the rest of his life
Ying Xiaozheng patted his chest and said that he would persuade his king and father when he returned to Xianyang.
Zhang Ruo smiled and said, "No need. Most of my achievements in this life were in Qianzhong County. It would be nice to move my family to Qianzhong County and guard Qianzhong County for the King of Qin for the rest of my life."
Ying Xiaozheng admired Zhang Ruo's high moral character, but said to Xue Ji on the boat: "We can't let Mr. Zhang settle down in Qianzhong County. If Mr. Zhang moves his family to Qianzhong County, the Zhang family will be the feudal lord of Qianzhong County."
Xue Ji smiled and shook her head, saying, "You. You decide for yourself. Your aunt doesn't understand this."
Ying Xiaozheng said coquettishly: "Aunt must understand, but I'm just too lazy to think about it. Aunt, when I become the King of Qin, I will make you the Lady of Wu!"
Xue Ji said: "It is enough for your aunt to be with you and your uncle. Those false reputations are not important. As long as you are safe and sound, that's enough."
She straightened Ying Xiaozheng's clothes and said, "It's windy on the river, so dress properly."
Ying Xiaozheng tugged at his gauze dress and said, "I was used to being shirtless in Wujun, but now that I'm back in Xianyang, I'm dressed neatly. I feel really uncomfortable."
Xue Ji laughed again.
The two men's boat arrived at the dock managed by Wang Jian again, and Wang Jian prepared a boat full of gifts as a gift to Ying Xiaozheng.
When he saw Wang Jian, Ying Xiaozheng became more lively again and clamored to follow Wang Jian to take a look at the newly built pass.
Xue Ji hesitated for a long time, but seeing Ying Xiaozheng begging her constantly, she could only sigh and agree.
Wang Jian laughed: "If Zhu Xiang were here, he would definitely not allow it."
Ying Xiaozheng said proudly: "My aunt is not as ruthless as my uncle. Let's go, I want to see General Wang Jian's invincible armored cavalry!"
Old general? Wang Jian showed a confused expression.
Xue Ji tapped Ying Xiaozheng's forehead and said, "General Wang Jian is not old."
Ying Xiaozheng put his hands on his hips: "Older than me."
Wang Jian smiled helplessly and said, "Compared to the prince, I am indeed old... Alas, walk slowly."
Ying Xiaozheng pulled Wang Jian and ran, eager to ride Wang Jian's horse, which looked very energetic.
Xue Ji thought helplessly, why is Zheng Er still like a child? I really don't know what to do in the future, whether he can bear the heavy responsibility of the prince.
However, seeing that Ying Xiaozheng was closer to Wang Jian than to Zhang Ruo, Xue Ji had some concerns in her heart. She wrote this down and told Zhu Xiang about it when they met again.
Ying Xiaozheng stayed with Wang Jian for two full days, until the King of Qin sent a letter urging him to leave, and then he left reluctantly.
The person who came to deliver the letter happened to be Meng Tian's younger brother Meng Yi.
Ying Xiaozheng looked at his favorite minister in the dream with displeasure and said, "Are you Meng Tian's brother?"
Meng Yi said respectfully, "Yes, Prince. I am your student Meng Yi."
Ying Xiaozheng asked: "Why do you call yourself a student?"
Meng Yi blushed and said, "I am a student of Xianyang Academy, and now I serve Xunzi."
He actually wanted to say that he was a student of Duke Zhu Xiang, but he didn't dare.
Ying Xiaozheng nodded: "So what book are you reading now?"
Meng Yi listed a bunch of book titles.
The records in the pile of books flashed through Ying Xiaozheng's mind, and then he asked about the details in the books.
Meng Yi was able to answer questions smoothly at first, but as Ying Xiaozheng's quotations from classics became more and more profound, beads of sweat began to form on his forehead, and he spent more and more time thinking.
Meng Tian raised the corners of his mouth, and then tried to lower them.
I can't laugh. This is my favorite brother. How can I laugh when he is bullied by the prince
Well, that was wrong, how could you say that the prince bullied him? The prince was just testing his knowledge and valued his performance.
Although Meng Tian stopped the corners of his mouth from curling up, he couldn't hide the gloating smile in his eyes.
(End of this chapter)