Royal Road

Chapter 144

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The year is coming to an end, but I don't know what to call this year of war and turmoil. The emperor who came to Chang'an once again announced an amnesty and changed Yuan Yongxing. This is the fourth time this year has changed the yuan. The Son of Heaven personally fought, from Luoyang to Yecheng, and then from Yecheng to Chang'an, and it also engulfed the world without peace.

But at the end of the year, the Sima ethnic group in the court finally reached a delicate balance. After the reform of the Yuan Dynasty, the "culprit" King Sima Ying of Chengdu was expelled from the position of the emperor's heir, and Sima Chi, the king of Yuzhang, was established as the new emperor's younger brother. As the youngest son of Emperor Wu, Sima Chi was indeed qualified to inherit the throne, but in the final analysis, he was just a puppet put on the stage by Wang Xin of Hejian.

It's like a good omen for a new year. Not only the east and west, but even Bingzhou has settled down. Tuoba Yi sent troops to help Sima Teng, and he won a few big battles and lost several places. Seeing that the situation was good, Sima Teng couldn't help but become complacent, and promised to invite the court to seal Tuoba Yi as Da Chanyu. Such a convenient and inexpensive thing also made Tuoba Yiyao deeply honored and promised to send troops to help again.

Just like the Christmas truce in later generations, everyone started the winter break to prepare for the upcoming Zhengdan festival. Liang Feng took Yi Yan back to Lucheng.

This Zhengdan, he can't spend it at home. Just as the court meeting held the Yuan meeting on Zhengdan, local prefectures and counties also met with their subordinates and held the Yuan meeting on this day. After the coup d'état and war last year, the Shangdang finally settled down and began to develop in the style of the Great Leap Forward. As the newly appointed prefect, Liang Feng must take this opportunity to meet the magistrates under his command.

The upper official has an order, how can the lower officials dare to neglect it. Before the day came, the magistrates of various counties came to Lucheng one after another. People like Guo Jiao entered the prefect's house early to report to Liang Feng this year's political achievements.

"Thanks to the guidance of the lord. Gao Du is a refugee this year, and he has settled more than 600 households! The number of Guantian has doubled, and when it is harvested next summer, it will be a good harvest." Sitting down, Guo Jiao said respectfully. .

Guo Jiao speaks quite skillfully. No one knows the whereabouts of the Gaodu refugees better than Liang Feng himself. That is to say, in addition to the 400 households allocated to Liang Mansion, Guojiao also successfully resettled 600 households of refugees. The Shangdang has only accommodated 4,000 displaced households, and Gaodu County alone accounts for nearly a quarter. And it still guarantees the settlement of the reclaimed official land. This alone is a great achievement.

Liang Feng smiled and said, "Wongye is really talented. Are the tools and crops for spring ploughing still enough?"

"Enough! Enough!" Guo Jiao's heart was filled with joy when he heard Liang Feng's words, "Fu Jun has helped a lot by dispatching those hundred horses. Who would have expected that the horsepower would be stronger than that of an oxen? A lot! It’s even more safe to grow grain. There are several warehouses of grain harvested last year’s autumn harvest, not to mention planting grain, even raising more than a hundred households will not be a problem!”

This is the advantage of Gaodu's first implementation of the official field system. The bumper harvest for two consecutive seasons has given Guo Jiao a taste of "Canglinzu" that he has not seen for a long time. This is still handed over part of it as military rations! Until next year, the newly cultivated fields will also have a bumper harvest, and the farmland alone is afraid that it will be able to cover the income of the party and half of the county.

"Oh? That's very good. If other counties don't have enough food, they can also get it from high." Liang Feng said lightly.

This made Guo Jiao stunned for a moment, but when he saw Liang Feng's poised appearance, he immediately reacted. I am afraid that Fu Jun is going to kill the power at the Yuan meeting! If the magistrate of any county dares to jump out and say that there is not enough food, or shirk the blame and refuse to implement the new law, I am afraid that Gao Du will be pulled out as a model. This is to let him be the vanguard and cheer for the government!

However, Guo Jiao would hesitate: "The official field in the county was established for the imperial court. The lower officials should do their best to cooperate with the government's plans!"

Others may have some scruples, but Guo Jiao got on the boat long ago. From the initial victory over the Xiongnu thieves, he recognized that the head of the Liang family had extraordinary talents and was worthy of serving. In the blink of an eye, it was convenient for him to be promoted to the prefect, and he became a court official. Not to mention the achievements of several battles and victories over the past few days. In a troubled world, is there anything more secure than taking refuge with such a strong man? Although Guo Jiao's talents are limited, he is quite slick and sophisticated, and he understands the strength of the Liang Mansion better than others. Therefore, the promise was made neatly and without hesitation.

Listening to what the other party said, Liang Feng nodded with satisfaction: "It is a blessing to have a county official like Dongye."

All the county magistrates gathered in the county seat, and under the table, the natural undercurrent was surging. But on the first day of the new year, which is the first day of the new year, everyone still packed up and went to the prefect's mansion to participate in the Yuan meeting.

Although it is not like the imperial congratulations, the preparations for this year's Yuan meeting in the prefect's mansion are quite thorough. In the sound of drums and music, Liang Feng ascended to the main hall and invited the magistrates to enter the hall. In the courtyard, a bonfire was lit, and the prepared bamboos were thrown into the fire, making a crackling sound, indicating that ghosts and evil spirits are warded off and everything is safe.

However, when the firecrackers stopped, the county magistrates realized that there was no banquet in the lobby. This is a bit unexpected, you must know that even if the emperor invites the ministers, he will hold a banquet, and the officials will present the birthday wine. Why did you arrive at the Prefect's Mansion, but there was no banquet? Is it possible that everyone should pay tribute to the prefect first

At the seat, Liang Feng said calmly: "To invite you to come to the government office today is just a one-year-old plan. Last year, the party suffered repeated military disasters and promulgated many new policies. I just wanted to hear about the rulers' jurisdiction. , but still Antai?"

As soon as these words came out, everyone understood. This is to pass the exam first! The imperial court did have regulations to test the merits of hundreds of officials. Generally speaking, there was a small test every year and a big test every three years. The reviewers of the various counties were the prefects. However, there are also rules for the examinations. Where will this come out suddenly on Yuan Day? What's more, the imperial court has been in chaos for more than ten years, and the examination textbooks are only in name. It's usually not just to see if the county magistrate is right with Shangguan's spleen and stomach, which county magistrate will really take this matter to heart

However, the silence was only for a moment, and Guo Jiao, the magistrate of Gaodu, who was sitting in the first position, cupped his hands and said: "Last year, Gaodu took in more than 600 households of displaced people and reclaimed 10,000 acres of barren land. After the spring, we are going to build ten more waterwheels for official land. for irrigation."

This achievement is simply astounding! However, all the people in the room did not feel that Guo Jiao was lying. You must know that the manor of Fujun is located in Gaodu. If you want to come to this county magistrate, he is also a pawn of Fujun.

Unexpectedly, just after Guo Jiao finished reporting, Liu Quan, the magistrate of Hyun's family, also said: "The refugees received by the subordinate officials are not as good as those of the magistrate of Guo, there are only 130 households, but two more waterwheels have been built. , a few more acres."

The magistrate of Huguan then said: "Xiaguan summoned the displaced people last year to rebuild Huguan and Liangxing City. General Wu said that this spring, soldiers can be used to help reclamation."

The county magistrate of Tunliu said: "Last year, Tunliu was invaded by the Huns and damaged a lot. Fortunately, it accommodated 200 households of refugees and built two Wu Forts to reassure people."

Your words, my words, everyone began to report on the work performance of last year. After all, the prefect government ordered them to take in refugees, build Wubao, and distribute horses and farm tools. Now that I've checked it out, who wouldn't dare to say that it didn't work? What's more, there are several county magistrates from humble backgrounds, who have the heart to cherish the people, and have done a lot of practical things.

However, not all of the ten counties of Shangdang were such good officials. When it was Nie County's turn, I saw the magistrate Gao with a big sleeve: "Last year, there were bandits in the county, and the people were harassed a lot, so they didn't want to farm. I also asked the ruler to sow money and grain to help the people."

Although he reported such a bad political achievement, Magistrate Gao had no shame on his face, but instead had a kind of restraint that belonged to the nobility. This son is a branch of Chen Liugao's clan, and he holds his own identity. Of course, he will not be as respectful as other county magistrates. He asked for money and food when he opened his mouth, as it should have been.

Liang Feng raised his eyebrows: "How much food do you need?"

Without counting, the magistrate Gao opened his mouth and said, "Five thousand stones should be able to ease the spring drought."

This was more than double Liang Feng's annual salary, and he opened his mouth to come. In the lobby, there was silence. After all, this new prefect has been in power for too short a time. How should he deal with such a family as Gao

Unexpectedly, Liang Feng smiled coldly: "Five thousand stones is not a lot for disaster relief. But what Nie County lacks is not money and food."

As he said that, he picked up an item from the case table in front of him and threw it in front of the magistrate Gao: "This is a confession obtained from the mountain bandits who were exterminated around Nie County. More than a hundred people fled the county government and joined the bandits. Dare to ask this tax, so it will increase?"

Magistrate Gao did not expect that the other party would come up with such a thing, and hurriedly said: "It's all because the Duke of Dongying sent troops, and only then did he add money..."

"What is needed to dispatch troops is the military rations from the treasury. Why is the treasury of Nieh County empty?" Liang Feng threw the second question.

"There are many, many years of disasters and epidemics, and the government's stockpile of grain has to be relieved..." The county magistrate Gao was already sweating on his forehead. This question is really tricky. It can’t be said that he spent all the money in the treasury, right

"If it's disaster relief, why didn't the county government see the documents submitted by Nie County?" Liang Feng's tone completely sank.

Disaster relief is not for anyone who wants to do it. Even if it is handled by the authority at the time, it must be reported to the record afterwards. Otherwise, wouldn't the government treasury become the county magistrate's private treasury? For example, Guo Jiao misappropriated military rations and accommodated refugees. Later, he used the government's stockpile of food to make up for it. He even made a book and equalized the account, so he didn't dare to neglect half a cent.

And what about Nie County? If there is no process for the process, and there is no money for food, but a bunch of thieves are raised, which almost causes trouble. Such large-scale banditry is inherently problematic. And feudal society can cause such a situation, only officials force the people to rebel! Therefore, after the chaos was settled, Liang Feng sent someone to inquire carefully to see what was going on in this Nie County.

Now, with all the evidence and evidence, the Yuan meeting is suddenly held accountable. Magistrate Gao didn't even have time to prepare, so he was immediately caught.

It was only two months ago that the turmoil had been settled. Magistrate Gao could not have imagined that the other party would hold back, but only then did the attack suddenly occur, opening and closing his mouth a few times, and finally stammered: "Xia, when the lower official takes over, the government will Kuben, there are gaps... In fact, it is not what the lower officials did..."

"Who did it secretly take refugees, invade official fields, use officials and craftsmen without permission, and embezzle food for relief?" Liang Feng picked up another booklet and threw it in front of him again.

Magistrate Gao only felt dizzy in his head. Many local officials are doing this kind of thing, but it is still a problem if they can be found out. Not to mention that the batch of relief food and grass that was given before, even swallowed the food to calm the chaos, it is really unreasonable! However, he did this secretly, so how could he be found out by this sick child

Seeing that the other party was sweating profusely, Liang Feng threw out the last trump card: "There are also two mountain bandits, who confessed to have contacts with the Nie County government. I don't know how the Gao County magistrate explained it?"

"Fu-Jun! Fu-Jun this, this is really a thief to defile me!" Magistrate Gao dared to hesitate, and knelt down on the ground. Other things, but he is incompetent, too greedy for ink. But passing the bandit is another crime. No matter what, he didn't dare to admit it.

Liang Feng smiled coldly: "It's okay, Magistrate Gao can face off against the bandit. Come on, take Gao Lang down!"

Immediately, people from both sides grabbed Magistrate Gao's sleeve and dragged it out. This time, Magistrate Gao stopped kneeling, and shouted angrily, "Liang Zixi, I'm from a noble family, and I'm a county magistrate who accepts orders from the court! How can you insult me like this?!"

Yes, no matter what he said, he was also a descendant of the Gao family. How can you justify being dragged out of the lobby and dismissed on the spot? ! Could it be that this surnamed Liang wants to replace his position with a confidant? How dare he do this! !

Liang Feng smiled coldly: "Don't worry about Gao Lang, the new magistrate of Nie County will be temporarily replaced by Yang Ye. Now that the Huns are in chaos, if you stay in office, you will lose your life. I believe the court and your family master should understand me too. pain."

Magistrate Gao was stunned. He was born in Chen Liu, not a member of the party. However, the Yang Ye mentioned by Liang Feng was born in a local nobility of the party. What's more, the last sentence is irrefutable. Not to mention the attack of the Huns, it was the previous bandit that almost broke the county seat. Nie County is handed over to the Xihe Kingdom. If a large army attacks, can he really hold it

All the resentment was immediately simmered in his stomach, and the county magistrate Gao was dragged out in a hurry. In the lobby, silence fell again. Those who have just reported their political achievements are all relieved in their hearts. Fortunately, they did not violate the decree issued by the county government. Who would have thought that this government lord could investigate the affairs of a county so thoroughly in just two months? So decisive and decisive!

And those county magistrates who have not yet reported, can't help but sweat on their heads. After swallowing hard several times, the magistrate of Wuxiang said: "Fu, Fujun forgives the sin. There are many Hu people in Wuxiang, and people's livelihood is withering. Although many Jiehu returned last year, the fields have been barren for a long time, and the food in the palace is not enough. , I'm afraid, I'm afraid the spring ploughing will be affected..."

"How many refugees are there in Wuxiang?"

"Seventy-six households, but there is a lot of wasteland. If there are, there are 3,000 stone grains, which should be able to reclaim the wasteland and maintain spring farming..." The county magistrate replied tremblingly.

"Three thousand five hundred stones were dispatched from Gaodu and sent to Wuxiang. Spring ploughing must resume production and resettle refugees." Liang Feng's tone remained unchanged, and he instructed lightly.

Unexpectedly, the other party agreed, and the magistrate of Wuxiang hurriedly kowtowed: "Thank you Fujun! I will do my best to reassure the people!"

However, Liang Feng waved his hand: "Shangdang has been plagued for many years, and some counties are indeed unsustainable. However, as long as the county officials work together to appease the people, the people will be like pastures, and they will thrive. If there are difficulties, you can tell them. The government office. When the Son of Heaven handed over this county to me, he asked me to benefit the court and the people. You should not be greedy for personal gain and forget this important task."

These words were spoken politely and with dignity. Anyone who can become a county magistrate must have read the book of sages and sages. When they hear such words, some people admire it, some people feel ashamed, and some people secretly make up their minds. However, no matter what he thinks in his heart, it falls on his face with praise and praise.

"Fujun is really a loyal and good person!" "Xiaguan will do his best!" "I dare not forget my responsibility..."

Looking at the sincere or humble face below, Liang Feng smiled slightly: "May you all remember what you said today. Today is the first day, come here, and have a banquet. I also invite you to drink to celebrate. festival!"

With the killing power stick, of course, there is also the peace of mind wine. But at this moment, who still thinks about eating and drinking? All the county magistrates raised the spirit of 120,000 points, respectfully sat at the table, and started another round of official entertainment.