The carriage stopped at the gate of the county government office, and Fang Yun got off. [ads: This site has changed its URL, shorthand method: ,.]
"Fang Xusheng..."
"Finally I met Fang Xusheng..."
The streets were still crowded with people. If they had not been blocked by the police and soldiers, they would have surged over like a tide.
Fang Yun bowed to everyone, smiled and said: "Fellow villagers, please go away. From now on, I, Fang Yun, and you are all one family. If you miss me in the future, come to the county government office every now and then to see me. However, you are only allowed to look at me, not to eat!"
Everyone burst into laughter, and people in the distance shouted some goodbyes and slowly left.
Many people looked back every few steps, reluctant to leave.
Many people taught their children and grandchildren as they walked.
"Did you see it? That's Fang Xusheng, the incarnation of Wenquxing! With him here, our Ning'an County will definitely produce a top scholar and a great scholar!"
"It's been three years since Ning'an County produced a Jinshi, right?"
"With Saint Fang Xu here, we Ning'an people have a future!"
A group of people were talking about the topic, and most of their topics were about Fang Yun's teachings. Once the "Three Character Classic" was published, Fang Yun's reputation had been transformed into powerful ability among the people who wanted their sons to become successful.
The officials of Ning'an County were all in a heavy mood as they listened to the people's discussions.
They had discussed to either elevate Fang Yun to a pedestal or to strip Fang Yun of his glory, but the latter was almost impossible to do, while the former was relatively simple.
But at present, it seems that Fang Yun is far more difficult to deal with than imagined. As soon as he got off the car, he said in a very humble manner that he would integrate into Ning'an County, and then praised Ding Haosheng. After that, he knocked out Si Zheng Geng Ge who wanted to establish his authority. Along the way, he was extremely friendly to the people, without any airs, and even joked with the people. He didn't look like a Jinshi who had just taken charge of a place, but rather like a veteran official.
The officials of Ning'an County looked at each other. Fang Yun seemed to have grasped the only breakthrough point of Ning'an County: the people!
As long as the common people want their children to succeed in the imperial examination, they will overcome all obstacles. Moreover, those who go to school in Ning'an County are not only local people, but also small businessmen and a large number of military children.
The officials saw Fang Yun had already walked to the gate of the county government and immediately followed him.
Fang Yun walked while observing the environment of the county government office.
Although Ning'an County is a county, it covers a large area and has a large population, which is comparable to the capital of Qingwu Prefecture. The county government is also much larger than Ji County, but it is a bit shabby compared to the surrounding buildings and has not been renovated for many years.
Officials have always had the habit of not repairing their offices. This avoids wasting money and labor, and is known for being frugal, while also saving money, achieving the best of all worlds.
The gate of the county government was open, with eye-catching red-painted pillars on both sides, with red lanterns hanging on them. Lions guarded both sides of the gate's stairs, looking majestic.
Above the main gate is a black-bottomed plaque with four powerful characters "Ning'an County Office" written in gold. It is said that it was written by a great scholar.
After going up the steps, there are two stone tablets on the left side of the main entrance. One side reads "False accusation will be punished by three levels" and the other side reads "Five lashes for further accusations". The former is used to warn the people not to file complaints randomly or to falsely accuse others, while the latter prohibits filing complaints beyond the level of the competent authority. Once a complaint is filed beyond the level of the competent authority, the person will be beaten with fifty lashes with the torture instruments first.
On the right is a drum for appealing grievances. Citizens can beat the drum to appeal if they feel they have been wronged.
Entering the county government office, there is a wide front yard. But between the main entrance and the lobby, there is a half-person-high stone tablet blocking the way.
There are three words written on the front of the stone tablet: Gong Sheng Ming.
This is the original sentence from Xunzi, which means that being fair can help one see things clearly.
This is the famous stone tablet of warnings.
Fang Yun walked to the stone tablet and bowed earnestly. Everyone behind him also bowed and saluted.
Fang Yun said: "This stele is inscribed with the words of the Saint Xun. Do you know what the purpose is?"
Then a scholar who was over 40 years old stepped forward and said with a smile: "This is a letter written by Xun Sheng to admonish officials, warning us not to be corrupt and abuse the power."
Fang Yun nodded, recognizing the man as Tao Dingnian, the county magistrate of Ning'an County, who was an eighth-rank official. His duties were equivalent to those of a deputy county magistrate, and if Fang Yun was not there, he would manage the county government on his behalf.
The county magistrate was in charge of the county's documents, warehouses, taxes, grain and horses, and was also responsible for negotiating many matters with the Transportation Bureau and the military.
Fang Yun walked around the stone tablet and forward. The others followed behind him. After walking a few steps, they suddenly turned back to look at the back of the stone tablet.
There is a blank space behind the stone tablet.
The officials stopped and first looked at Fang Yun curiously, then followed Fang Yun to look at the back of the stone tablet, and saw a blank space, which made them even more confused.
An old scholar who was over sixty years old asked, "Your Excellency, what do you want me to do?"
Fang Yun took a look at this sharp-nosed and monkey-faced man. He was the eighth-rank official of Ning'an County, named Shen Ming. The daughter of a relative married the son of the left prime minister as a concubine, and his status rose suddenly. He was an extremely smooth old man. In the Book Mountain Illusion, this man embezzled 100,000 taels of silver, and a major event happened that Fang Yun still remembered vividly.
The chief clerk is responsible for the household registration and some documents of the entire county.
Fang Yun asked: "Why is there a blank space behind the stone tablet?"
Shen Ming was stunned and speechless. No one could possibly care about this matter, and he couldn't answer it at all. He was so anxious that he stroked his goatee with his hand.
Fang Yun sighed and said, "A scholar should be careful with what he says and does. You asked me questions when you know nothing about them. It's too abrupt. But considering that you are an old man and your mind is not very sharp, I won't mind it."
All the officials changed color. Fang Yun was too much. He directly reprimanded the fifth-ranked person in the county government as soon as he arrived here.
The head of the county government is naturally the county magistrate, followed by the president of the academy of literature. In other counties, the third person is the county magistrate. However, in Ning'an County, the third person is the seventh-rank captain of the police who also serves as the commander of the provincial military camp. The county magistrate is fourth, and the chief clerk Shen Ming is naturally the fifth person.
Many scholars and private soldiers frowned, and wanted to remind Fang Yun that it was not appropriate to target Shen Ming at this moment, but there were too many people here and it was inconvenient to say it out loud.
After many Ning'an County officials changed color, a hint of coldness appeared on their faces. Since Fang Yun was so ruthless to the local officials, the officials also had an excuse to fight back.
Fang Yun, as a young county magistrate, reprimanded the old chief clerk because of a single sentence. He could never get rid of the stigma of being harsh to his subordinates and a cruel official. If he continued to do so, the officials would have a legitimate reason to resist, making it difficult for Fang Yun to display his talents in Ning'an County.
Then a scholar in his forties bowed and said, "Your Excellency, since you have just arrived in Ning'an County, it is right for you to rectify the administration of officials. But is it not inhumane for you to treat an old official like this?"
Fang Yun's scholarly private soldiers became nervous, and the officials of Ning'an County were all watching the show. Being unkind and righteous was a serious accusation.
Fang Yun looked at the official, who was also a juren, a county yamen official, and a ninth-rank official. His name was Lian Huan.
Arrests and public security in Shengyuan Continent are the responsibilities of the chief constable, but the registrar is in charge of prisons and miscellaneous affairs, as well as the review and verification of cases.
Fang Yun looked directly at Lian Huan, his authority showing as he rebuked him: "In this county government, who is most senior or most junior? The authority you and I have is granted by heaven, by the emperor, and by the people. Apart from these three, the official position is the most important. You have been an official for so many years in vain! Go home tonight and write a thousand-word self-criticism letter and hand it to me tomorrow. Yes, it is a confession of guilt."
Everyone was stunned. Although Fang Yun had to fight back against the chief clerk Lian Huan for the sake of his dignity and future, what did it mean to ask Lian Huan to write a letter of apology
This Fang Xusheng is really unconventional. (To be continued.)xh118