The first Taoist priest of the Tang Dynasty

After Zhong Wen and his sister disembarked from the boat, they entered Jinggu County and began a long road of inspection.

Inspections, in addition to normal government inspections, people's clothing, food, housing and transportation, as well as the situation of local products, Zhong Wen also needs to know.

Of course, Zhong Wen wanted to find a disciple of Taiyi Sect, otherwise, he wouldn't have spent so much effort to check around.

Although the matter of the Taiyi Sect is incidental, this trip is still a focus of Zhong Wen.

In the next few days, the two brothers and sisters had a general understanding of Jinggu County.

The living conditions of the people are basically not much different from those in other places, and food is still the biggest gap.

As for the products, there is nothing special, except for the fish in the Baishui River, there is basically nothing to talk about.

Moreover, Jinggu County is close to Jiannan Road, so the border people are quite mixed, besides the Han people, there are also other ethnic groups.

Although it is peaceful now, the dispute still exists. After all, this is a cultural difference, and some disputes are inevitable.

"Brother, look, why is this fish yellow and white? Can it be eaten?" At this time, Xiao Hua saw a fisherman selling some dried fish, trotted over, and asked Zhong Wen.

"My little lady, this is the whitebait in our white water. It is delicious and tender, but it is the best delicacy. At the end of the Han Dynasty, Uncle Liu Bei and Liu Huang praised it very much. Why can't you eat it?" The fisherman looked at the fish in front of him. The two brothers and sisters hurriedly said to the little lady.

"Old man, I'm sorry, my little sister made a slip of the tongue, old man, how much of the whitebait you just mentioned can be salvaged in a day? Or, is there a lot of this whitebait? What's the price?" Zhong Wen He looked at the small fish in the load carried by the old man, although he had never seen it before, but the color was beautiful, then he asked the old man.

"There are still quite a lot of whitebait. If you are lucky, you can salvage tens of catties a day. If it is fresh fish, the price is slightly cheaper, and it costs one penny per catty. If it is dried fish, it will be more expensive. , eleven cents a catty."

The old man looked at the little brother in front of him, maybe he came to buy whitebait, and quickly responded carefully, even the price was the first in the market

"Can I have a taste?" Zhong Wen said to the old man after listening.

"Brother, taste it, taste it, this one is cleaner." The old man hurriedly took a handful of dried whitebait that was slightly clean, and handed it to Zhong Wen happily.

"Well, it tastes really good."

After Zhong Wen tasted it, he praised it, but in his heart, he began to think about the current industry in Jinggu County.

As for the whitebait, Zhong Wen felt that it could be used as an industry to raise a large number of fish. At least, this could be considered as an increase in income for local fishermen.

Although the dried whitebait in front of him was a bit yellowish, they were much better in appearance than other dried fishes, but when Zhong Wen tasted the dried whitebait, it was indeed a fishy taste that he had never tasted before.

Chapter 3 Returning to Lizhou and making a second fire

In the next one or two months, Zhong Wen took Xiao Hua and started heading south from Jinggu County to Yichang County.

After staying in Yichang County for about seven or eight days, we then went to Jiameng County, Yiqing County, Jiachuan County, and finally returned to Lizhou, and went to Sanquan County by boat.

It took more than a month for the brother and sister to complete the entire seven counties in Lizhou.

Of course, Miantani County, which Lizhou belongs to, also went around, but it only took four or three days to end.

After this trip, Zhong Wen can be regarded as familiar with the situation in the whole Lizhou. If he is not familiar with it, it will not do. He has been transferred for more than a month, nearly two months, so he is not familiar with it.

After returning to Lizhou, Zhong Wen didn't even go to the County Marquis Mansion, but went straight to Tagou Village.

And the construction of Tagou Village is still going on. After all, during the busy farming season, it was delayed for a month, and it still needs to be spent in the construction. Moreover, the path has to be rebuilt, otherwise, even a car Even the carriages couldn't pass, but it somewhat damaged his status as the Marquis of Zhong County.

Afterwards, Zhong Wen's brother and sister went to the second village again, and when they learned that his grandmother's family was safe, Zhong Wen felt relieved, and then returned to Longquan Village with Xiao Hua.

"Xiaowen, why did you stay in Lizhou for two months? Auntie was dreaming a few days ago that something happened to you, just come back, just come back." Daxiu saw Zhong Wen's brothers and sisters After the two came back, the first thing they did was not cursing, but worrying.

Indeed, when Zhong Wen left home with Xiao Hua two months ago, he only said that he would go to Lizhou to stay for a while, but he didn't expect that it would take two months to leave.

"Father and mother, isn't there something to do in my fief? There are a lot of things to do, so it took a lot of time. Don't be angry, father and mother, it won't happen in the future." Zhong Wen hurriedly accompanied carefully.

Speaking of which, Zhong Wen also came back with a message, otherwise, it will be too long, and the parents at home will always remember it.

"You guys don't know what to say about you brother and sister." Xiu shook her head helplessly.

As for Zhong Mugen, after seeing Zhong Wen and his sister back home, he just let go of his worries, but didn't say a few words.

But Zhong Mugen is now more and more like a landlord, or more like a person with status.

He doesn't talk much, and he is very leisurely every day. Sometimes he goes to the village for a stroll, and sometimes he talks to someone, just to show his identity.

Although there is nothing wrong with this, in Longquan Village, he was originally a farmer, and after this free time, he had no choice but to find something to do, so his style was somewhat similar to Xiaohua's.

Zhong Wen didn't stay at home for long, and then returned to the temple, greeted his master and said hello.

"Jiu Shou, you said just now that you went to all the counties in Lizhou? What kind of experience do you have?" Li Daoling felt strange when he heard what his disciple said.

Although he, Li Daoling, has never been an official, he still knows quite clearly about the affairs of the officialdom.

In the past, when all officials took office, it was impossible to go to every county, but this disciple of himself did so, which made him a little puzzled by this disciple's approach.

Even if you want to know the situation in each county, you can also get information from the officials below. Why do you have to do this.

"Master, among the seven counties in Lizhou, only Miangu County is slightly better, and the other counties are basically the same. One word, poor." Zhong Wen responded to Li Daoling.

"It's inevitable to be poor. It's located in Jialing River, surrounded by mountains, but it's not as convenient as Jiangnan." Li Daoling responded.

"Master, after I checked the counties this time, I wondered if I should do something. Since I am already the governor of Lizhou, what's the matter, I have to do something for the people of Lizhou, otherwise, It doesn't matter if the governor doesn't do it." After more than a month of inspections, Zhong Wen naturally has some understanding of the counties and has his own plan.

"Well, let's do it. Master has no opinion. However, although political affairs are important, cultivating the Tao is your focus. Don't get distracted. Also, you must not forget about this disciple." Li Daoling said to There are basically no requirements for what my disciples do, they just point out the focus.

"Master, I remember." Zhong Wen nodded, and replied affirmatively.

In the next few days, Zhong Wen held a pen and paper in the temple and began to write and draw, and various forms began to appear on the paper.

What products each county has, what things can be sold, and the humanities in each place are basically listed on paper.

Zhong Wen didn't return to Lizhou immediately, he had a plan in his mind, he needed to think it over and make a plan.

In addition, the people in the audience still need his guidance from time to time. Naturally, it will take a while.

At this time, in Lizhou City, Zheng Zhi, who had exercised the power of governor for several months, was full of joy, and he was almost out of joy.

Moreover, the selected officials can basically be said with certainty that they are Zheng Zhi's people, but he can't intervene in the Tongjun Mansion alone.

A few days after Zhong Wen left, thousands of government soldiers suddenly rushed from Bazhou, Liangzhou and other places, which really frightened him so much that he almost lost his lap.

Fortunately, those government soldiers just came to take over Lizhou's Commanding Army Mansion, and they also came to meet him with his driver's license.

As for the current Lizhou Commander's Mansion, it has been rectified and the personnel have dispersed. As for the Commander's Deputy General of the Commander's Mansion, it has not yet been settled.

In the end, Zhong Wen, the governor, still needs to make a decision. For the time being, some officials in the Tongjun Mansion are managing it, which can be regarded as the end of the dark age of Lizhou Tongjun Mansion.

"This decree is to be passed on to the counties, so be careful on the road." Half a month later, Zheng Zhi signed a decree and handed it over to an official of the government office to convey the decree.

"Wait a minute." At this moment, Zhong Wen suddenly came to the government office, and when he heard that Zheng Zhi was about to convey the government order, he hurriedly stopped.

"Inspector, you are back."

"Inspector Zhong is back."

"..."

With Zhong Wen's return, the officials in the government office began to bow and salute after seeing Zhong Wen, as if they were welcoming the current emperor.

Who made the governor either resort to thunder or disappear? It can be said that the dragon sees the head but doesn't see the end. No one knows how the governor will act next.

None of these officials dared to make mistakes at will, even if they were all Zheng Zhi's staff, they did not dare to disrespect the governor.

After all, they don't know exactly what kind of virtue Zhong Wen is, and he is also a person who dares to maim the former governor. If the governor is really upset, the next person to be maimed is probably themselves It's all possible.

"Give me a look at the government order. Don't drive Zheng. Hurry up and send someone to each county to notify the high-ranking officials in each county to come to Lizhou. I have something to arrange." After Zhong Wen came in, he said directly to Zheng Zhi, and ordered again. A pass.

After Zheng Zhi listened to it, he sent people to the counties to notify him. It is estimated that this round-trip will take at least two or three days.

As for Zheng Zhi, he was also a little unaware of Zhong Wen's sudden return, and he was even a little unhappy that Zhong Wen had stopped the decree he had issued.But no matter how fast he was, he had to obey orders.

After Zhong Wen looked at the government order, he turned to Zheng Zhi.

Following Zhong Wen's cold stare at Zheng Zhi, Zheng Zhi was so frightened that his heart felt a little uncomfortable, and he even felt a palpitation.

"Zheng Zhi, from now on, this decree will not be issued without my signature, and it is not allowed to be issued at will. Also, give me my seal." Zhong Wen looked at this decree, and felt that this Zheng Biejia was probably just a People who are dead scholars don't even know what kind of people are below, so they issue government orders indiscriminately.

Although this decree only hopes that the counties will send more personnel to supervise the farmers to open up wasteland, but in this era, is it really so simple to open up wasteland?

What's more, where Lizhou is located, there are either rivers or mountains and forests, and there are few fields. Although opening up wasteland is a priority, can this wasteland be opened up casually?

It is definitely possible to open up. Burning mountains to open up wasteland is something that is often done in this era. Once the order to open up wasteland is issued, the people in the counties will be miserable in the next time, and what’s more, they will die. Some peasants.

If it is to open up wasteland in later generations, it will be a simple and simple matter. When the bulldozer pushes forward, a piece of land will come out.

But what period is this?where is this place?

This is the country of Tang, and this is Lizhou.

There is no logistical support, so what kind of wasteland should be opened up, and what should be used to open up wasteland?It can only take people's lives.

There are as many snakes, insects, rats and ants as there are cows' hairs. Even if the mountains and grasslands are burned, there will still be many. What's more, once the fire is ignited in autumn, it will be difficult to extinguish.

Regarding these, Zhong Wen can be said to be very clear. After all, he was also born in the countryside in his previous life, so he basically knows everything he should know.

Zheng Zhi was shocked by Zhong Wen's words, and even the seal of the governor was taken away by Zhong Wen. From then on, he must go back to the past again.

When Zhong Wen returned to the government office, he didn't even look at the official documents, he just wandered around in the government office, then went to the Miantu County government office, and finally, he went to the Tongjun Mansion.

Because the Commander's Mansion did not have the original Commander's Vice-General and other high-ranking generals, naturally, Zhong Wen still needed Zhong Wen to make decisions on the selection of these people.

As for why Li Shimin gave Zhong Wen so much power, according to Zhong Wen's conjecture, this must be a trick, a trick he wanted to get himself into.

However, it's a trick, he has to get it, he doesn't want to turn Lizhou into a mess just because he became the governor of Lizhou.

Three days later, Zhong Wen was sitting in the center of the large courtyard of the County Marquis's Mansion, while more than 100 officials were sitting below.

"Today, I called you to Lizhou, which is the first official meeting. For those who know me and those who don't, let me introduce myself first."

"My name is Zhong Wen, the Marquis of Miantu County conferred by the Holy Majesty, and the governor of this Lizhou. From now on, the affairs of this Lizhou will be controlled by me, the governor, whether it is the government office or the county government, or even the army. The government is all within my control, this is determined by the imperial decree passed down by the Holy Majesty."

"In the past two months, I have traveled all over the counties and even the villages and towns to which Lizhou belongs, and I have gained some understanding of Lizhou. Now, from now on, everything you do will be worthy of the official name on your head."

As soon as Zhong Wen's words fell, the hearts of all the officials present trembled.

Whether they have met Zhong Wen himself or not, they basically know from some rumors that this new governor is as capable as heaven, and no one dares to make a sound at this time. Sit there quietly and listen.

"Starting today, I need to form a staff department. The number is tentatively set at 23. These 23 people must clearly and clearly understand the cultural situation of the county they belong to, product information, as well as farmers, people, acres of cultivated land, and forest vegetation. , livestock and all other information can become the officials of this staff officer.”

"The grades are tentatively determined to be the upper rank of the eighth rank. The director of the staff department is from the fifth rank, and the two deputy directors are from the fifth rank. If any of you are willing to join the staff department, you can apply for Cheng Zhong. If someone recommends it, you can recommend it after returning to the counties.”

Zhong Wen's fire this time was even bigger than before, and it burned Quanli Prefecture, not a unified military mansion.

According to Zhong Wen's plan, the Chief of Staff is not a staff officer for fighting wars, but a staff officer who specializes in analyzing the situation in each county to assist in the implementation of future government orders, or other things.

As soon as Zhong Wen said these words, all the more than 100 officials present were shocked again on the spot, listening to what Zhong Wen said was like five thunders.

From the perspective of the director of the staff department on the fifth rank, this is enough to be equivalent to Lizhou's Bie Jia Zheng Zhi.

The deputy directors of the staff department under the fifth rank, and there are still two, no matter how much power they have, according to Zhong Wen's words, this power is definitely not small.

The staff officer of the eighth rank is already close to the officials of the county government. If he really does something in the future, it will be as convenient as possible.

All the officials present were expecting to be able to enter the staff department at this time, but Zhong Wen's words were there, that was the requirement, that was the condition, and it was the best thing to get in, and if he couldn't get in, he said It might be a great thing to be able to recommend a subordinate to come over.

Chapter 3 Seventeen

The official selection order was the power Li Shimin gave to Zhong Wen, the new governor.

Whether Zhong Wen wanted to set up this staff department or set up a small yamen, it was Zhong Wen's power.

Tube?

Who can control a governor?

Moreover, they would like to have this kind of thing every day, and if there are so many more bureaucratic systems, wouldn't it be more promising.

"Remember, the time limit is only one month. After one month, I will assess them one by one. Those who are qualified will be retained, and those who are unqualified will be returned to the counties. As for those who are willing and capable but unqualified, they will be temporarily retained. The retention period a month."

Zhong Wen spoke again to the officials.

The time must be set, it can't be too long, otherwise, it will be difficult to form the staff department.

Speaking of which, this is basically the case in this era. If you really want to form a government office, you will probably fight first, and see who wins the fight, then get the master's power, and then discuss the affairs.

The originally scheduled month may take more than half a year, so Zhong Wen only limited it to one month.

"Dare to ask the governor, if it's not from Lizhou?" Suddenly, a certain official stood up and asked Zhong Wen.

"Yes, as long as he is really capable, no matter where he is from, but if he is really a foreigner, he'd better think about it clearly. There are quite a few frontier residents in Lizhou. Don't blame me for taking him to prison."

Whether Zhong Wen is a stranger or a local scholar in Lizhou, as long as he has the ability, of course he can accept it.

It's just that it's not so convenient for foreigners to come to do business. At least, the phenomenon of xenophobia is too normal in this era.

"Thank you for the governor's notice." The official understood it, and then sat back down after he finished speaking. As for whether he would recommend someone to come over, he will naturally know later.