Royal road

The year is coming to an end, but I don't know how to call this year of war and chaos.The emperor who came to Chang'an announced amnesty again and changed his name to Yongxing.This is the fourth time this year that the yuan has been changed.The emperor's personal conquest, from Luoyang to Yecheng, and then from Yecheng to Chang'an, also engulfed the world's unrest.

But at the end of the year, the Sima ethnic group in the court finally reached a delicate balance.After the Yuan Dynasty was changed, Sima Ying, the "culprit" of Chengdu, was deposed as the heir of the emperor, and Sima Chi, the king of Yuzhang, was appointed as the new emperor's younger brother.As the youngest son of Emperor Wu, Sima Chi is indeed qualified to inherit the throne, but in the final analysis, he is just a puppet put on the table by Hejian Wangxin.

It's like a good omen to get a new year's name.Not only the east and west stations, but also Bingzhou has settled down.Tuoba Yiyi sent troops to help Sima Teng, and he won several battles and lost several places. The newly established Han Kingdom stopped tossing around and hid in Lishi for the winter.Seeing that the situation was so good, Sima Teng couldn't help being complacent, and promised to invite the imperial court to make Tuoba Yiyi the great chanyu.Tuoba Yiyi was deeply honored by such a beneficial and cost-effective matter, and promised to send troops to help again.

Just like the Christmas truce in later generations, everyone began to take a winter break to prepare for the upcoming Zhengdan Festival.Liang Feng took Yiyan back to Lucheng.

This Zhengdan, he can't live at home.Just as the imperial court held Yuanhui on Zhengdan, local states and counties also met with their officials and held Yuanhui on this day.After last year's coup and war, Shangdang finally settled down and started a great leap forward.As the new prefect, Liang Feng had to take this opportunity to meet the county magistrates under him.

The superior has an order, how dare the lower officials neglect it.Before it was the right day, the magistrates of various counties came to Lucheng one after another.A person like Guo Jiao entered the prefect's mansion early and reported to Liang Feng this year's achievements.

"Thanks to the Lord Fu's guidance. Gaodu has resettled more than [-] households just because of the refugees this year! The official farmland has doubled again, and when the harvest is next year's summer, there will be a lot of harvest." Sitting down, Guo Jiao said respectfully .

Guo Jiao speaks skillfully.No one knows the whereabouts of the Gaodu refugees better than Liang Feng himself.That is to say, in addition to the [-] households allocated to the Liang Mansion, Guo Jiao also successfully resettled [-] households of refugees.Shangdang only accommodated [-] households of refugees, and Gaodu County alone accounted for nearly a quarter of them.And it still guarantees the settlement of the reclaimed official land. This alone is a great achievement.

Liang Feng said with a smile: "Dong Ye is really talented. Can you still use the plow tools and grain for spring plowing?"

"Enough! Enough!" Hearing Liang Feng calling his name, Guo Jiao was overjoyed, "The Fujun sent out those one hundred horses, which helped a lot. Who would have expected that the horsepower is stronger than the cow's power?" There is a lot! Growing grain is even more worry-free. Last year’s autumn harvest has accumulated several warehouses, not to mention growing grain, and it will not be a problem to raise more than a hundred households!"

This is the benefit of Gaodu being the first to implement the official land system.Two consecutive bumper harvests gave Guo Jiao a taste of "cang granary feet" that he hadn't seen for a long time.This is still a part of it as military rations!When the newly reclaimed fields next year will have a bumper harvest, the land tax alone may be able to cover the income of Dangban County.

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

Guo Jiao was taken aback by these words, but when he saw Liang Feng's calm expression, he immediately reacted.I'm afraid Fujun is going to show off his prestige at the Yuanhui!If the magistrate of any county dared to jump out and say that there is insufficient food, or refuse to implement the new law in prevarication, I am afraid Gaodu will be pulled out as a model.This is to let him be the vanguard and cheer for the Fujun!

However, Guo Jiao would not hesitate: "The official land in the county is established for the imperial court. The lower officials should do their best to cooperate with the master's plan!"

Others may have scruples, but Guo Jiao has already boarded the boat.From the time when he defeated the Xiongnu thieves, he recognized that the head of the Liang family had extraordinary talents and was worth serving.In a blink of an eye, it was convenient to be promoted directly to the prefect, and he had an official position in the imperial court.Not to mention the achievements of several battles and victories in these days.In troubled times, is there anything more secure than taking refuge in such a powerful man?Although Guo Jiao's talents are limited, he is quite tactful and sophisticated, and he understands the strength of the Liang family better than others.So I agreed quickly and without hesitation.

Hearing what the other party said, Liang Feng nodded in satisfaction: "It is Shangdang's blessing to have a magistrate like Dongye."

The magistrates of all the counties gathered in the county town, and under the table, there was a natural undercurrent.But when it came to Yuan Day, that is, the first day of the Lunar New Year, everyone packed up and went to the Taishou Mansion to participate in the Yuan Hui.

Although it is not like the congratulations of the imperial court, the preparations for this year's Yuanhui in the prefect's mansion are quite thorough.Amidst the sound of drums and music, Liang Feng ascended to the main hall and invited the county magistrates into the hall.In the courtyard, a bonfire was lit, and the prepared bamboo was thrown into the fire, making crackling noises, which heralded the exorcism of ghosts and evil spirits, and everything was safe and peaceful.

However, when the sound of firecrackers stopped, the county magistrates realized that there was no banquet arranged in the lobby.This is a bit unexpected. You must know that even if the emperor summons all the officials, he will hold a banquet, and all the officials will offer birthday wine.How come there is no banquet when we arrive at the prefect's mansion?Is it possible that everyone should pay homage to the prefect first?

Sitting on the seat, Liang Feng said calmly: "Today, you are invited to come to the government office. It is a one-year-old plan. Last year, the Shangdang suffered many military disasters and promulgated many new policies. I just want to listen to the lords. , can you return to Antai?"

As soon as these words came out, everyone understood.This is to pass the class test first!The imperial court did have regulations for examining the merits of hundreds of officials in the school. Generally speaking, there was a small test every year and a big test every three years. The examiner of the counties was the prefect himself.However, there are rules for the exams, and the counties are all counted by the county clerk, and then reported to the prefect.Where will this come out suddenly on the first day?What's more, the imperial court has been in chaos for more than ten years, and the exam textbooks are in name only. The last time the counties were evaluated in a proper manner was almost in the Taikang period.Doesn't it always depend on whether the county magistrate is right or not, which county guard will really take this matter to heart?

However, the silence lasted only for a moment. Guo Jiao, the county magistrate of Gaodu who was sitting next to him, clasped his hands and said, "Last year, Gaodu took in more than [-] households of refugees and reclaimed ten thousand acres of barren land. After the beginning of spring, we plan to build ten more waterwheels for official farmland." For irrigation."

This achievement is simply astounding!However, everyone here is smart, and they don't think Guo Jiao is lying.You must know that the manor of the Fujun is in Gaodu. If you want to come, this county magistrate Guo is also a pawn of the Fujun.

Unexpectedly, just after Guo Jiao finished his report, Liu Quan, the County Magistrate of Xuanshi, also said: "The number of refugees collected by the lower officials is not as good as that of County Magistrate Guo. There are only 130 households, but two more waterwheels have been repaired. This year, we will reclaim wasteland, a variety of some acres."

The county magistrate of Huguan then said: "The next year, I summoned the refugees last year to rebuild Huguan and Liangxing City. General Wu said that soldiers can be used to help cultivate this spring."

The county magistrate of Tunliu said: "Last year Tunliu was attacked by the Huns and lost a lot of Dingkou. Fortunately, two hundred families of refugees were taken in and two Forts were built to reassure people's hearts."

With your words and my words, everyone began to report the work performance of last year.After all, the prefect's mansion issued repeated orders, ordering them to take in refugees, build Wubao, and distribute horses and agricultural tools.Now that it is checked, who dares to say that it is not effective?What's more, there are several county magistrates who came from humble backgrounds and cared for the common people, but they did a lot of practical things.

However, not all the ten counties in Shangdang are such diligent and good officials.When it was Nie County's turn, I saw the high county magistrate retracting his sleeves: "Last year, the county was plagued by bandits, and the people were harassed a lot, so they didn't care about farming. Please also ask the governor to sow money and food to relieve the disaster and calm the people."

Although the report was such a bad political performance, but Gao County magistrate showed no shame on his face, but had a kind of reservedness belonging to the gentry.This son is another branch of Chen Liugao's family. He holds his own status, so of course he will not be as respectful as other county magistrates.Ask for money and food as soon as you open your mouth, as if it should be taken for granted.

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

Before even counting, County Magistrate Gao opened his mouth and said, "Five thousand stones should be able to slow down the spring famine."

This is more than twice Liang Feng's annual salary, so he came here as soon as he opened his mouth.There was silence in the lobby.The new prefect, after all, has been in charge for too short a time, how should he deal with a family like the Gao family?

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 spoke, he picked up something from the table in front of him and threw it in front of the magistrate Gao: "This is a confession from the bandits who were exterminated around Nie County. Last year, the county government raised taxes and forced More than a hundred people fled the county government and joined bandits. Dare to ask this tax, so it will increase?"

County magistrate Gao didn't expect the other party to come up with such a thing, and hurriedly said: "It's Duke Dong Ying who sent troops, so the tax was added just now..."

"What is needed to send troops is the military rations in the government treasury. Why is the Nie county government treasury empty?" Liang Feng asked the second question.

"Many, many years of disasters and epidemics, the government's stockpiles have to be used for disaster relief..." 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 and food in the treasury, right?

"If it's disaster relief, why is there no document submitted by Nie County in the county?" Liang Feng's tone completely sank.

Disaster relief is not just for anyone who wants to. Even if you deal with it at the time, you have to report it for the record.Otherwise, wouldn't the treasury become the county magistrate's private treasury?Guo Jiao, for example, embezzled military rations at that time to take in refugees, and later used the government's stockpiled rations, and hurriedly made up for it, and even made books to balance the accounts, not daring to neglect half of it.

And what about Nie County?If there is no process if there is a process, if you want money and food but no money and food, you will raise a bunch of thieves and bandits, which will almost cause disaster.Such a large-scale banditry has great problems in itself.But the feudal society can cause such a situation, only the officials force the people to rebel!So after the chaos was put down, Liang Feng sent people to investigate carefully to see what was going on in Nie County.

Now, with all the witnesses and material evidence, it was another sudden accountability at the Yuanhui.County Magistrate Gao didn't even have time to prepare, so he was caught immediately.

It was two months ago that the chaos was put down. How could the magistrate Gao think that the other party would not speak out, and then he suddenly broke out, opened and closed his mouth a few times, and finally stammered: "Xia, when the next official takes over, the government will There are gaps in the library... In fact, it is not the work of the lower officials..."

"Then who took in the refugees privately, invaded the official land, abused the officials and craftsmen, and embezzled the relief food, and who did it?" 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 possible to do it, and it is still a problem to be found out.Not to mention the batch of relief food and grass given before, even swallowing the food for the chaos, there is really no excuse!However, he did this matter secretly, how could this sick man find out clearly?

Seeing that the other party was sweating profusely, Liang Feng threw out his final trump card: "There are also bandits from two places who confessed that they had contacts with the government of Nie County. I wonder how Magistrate Gao will explain it?"

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty, this is really a villain insulting me!" County Magistrate Gao dared not hesitate, and knelt down on the ground.The other things are just that he is fatuous and greedy.But banditry is another crime.No matter what, he dared not admit this kind of thing.

Liang Feng sneered: "It's okay, County Magistrate Gao can confront that bandit. Someone, bring Gao Lang down!"

Immediately, people came from both sides, grabbed the sleeve of Gao County Magistrate, and dragged him outside.This time, County Magistrate Gao stopped kneeling instead, and shouted angrily: "Liang Zixi, I am from a noble family, and I am a county magistrate who accepts the fate of 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 it be justified to be dragged out of the lobby and dismissed on the spot? !Could it be that this person surnamed Liang wants to replace him with a confidant?How dare he do that! !

Liang Feng sneered: "Don't worry, Gao Lang, the new magistrate of Nie County will be temporarily replaced by Yang Ye. Now that the Xiongnu are in chaos, if you are allowed to stay in office, you will lose your life instead. I believe the court and the head of your family should also understand me. painstaking efforts."

The magistrate Gao was stunned.He was born in Chenliu, not a Shangdang member.But the Yang Ye mentioned by Liang Feng was born in the upper party's local gentry family. Although his family was in decline, his status was not comparable to that of the common people.What's more, the last sentence is even more irrefutable.Not to mention the attack by the Huns, or the previous banditry, they almost broke through the county.Nie County was handed over to Xihe Country, if a large army attacked, would he really be able to defend it?

All the resentment was immediately suppressed in his stomach, and magistrate Gao was dragged out in a daze.In the lobby, it fell into silence again.Those who had just reported their political achievements were relieved from the bottom of their hearts. Fortunately, they did not violate the decree issued by the county government. Who would have thought that the governor could investigate the affairs of a county so thoroughly in just two months?The strike was so decisive!

And those county magistrates who haven't reported yet can't help but sweat.After swallowing hard several times, Wuxiang county magistrate said: "Fu, please forgive me. There are many barbarians in Wuxiang, and the people's livelihood is dying. Although many Jiehu returned last year, the fields have been barren for a long time, and there is not enough food in the mansion. , I'm afraid, I'm afraid the spring plowing will be affected..."

"How many refugees are there in Wu Township?"

"76 households, but there is a lot of wasteland. If there is, there are [-] stone grains, which should be able to reclaim wasteland and maintain spring plowing..." The county magistrate replied tremblingly.

"Transport [-] stones from Gaodu and send them to Wuxiang. The spring farming must resume production and resettle the refugees." Liang Feng ordered lightly without changing his tone.

Unexpectedly, the other party agreed, and the county magistrate of Wuxiang hurriedly kowtowed: "Thank you, Mr. Fu! I will do my best to comfort the people!"

However, Liang Feng waved his hand: "Shangdang has been plagued by many years of epidemics, and some counties are indeed unsustainable. But as long as the county officials work together to appease the people, the people will grow like pastures and thrive. If you have any difficulties, you can report it yourself. Fuya. The emperor handed over the land of this county to me, so that I can work for the court and the people. Don’t be greedy for personal gain, and forget this important task.”

These words were spoken in a polite and respectful manner, with an awe-inspiring air of their own.Anyone who can become a county magistrate must have read the books of sages. Hearing such words, some people are revered, some are ashamed, and some secretly make up their minds, at least not let the governor find fault.But no matter what I think in my heart, it is all praises on the face.

"Your Majesty is indeed a loyal and good man!" "The next official will do his best!" "Don't dare to forget your responsibilities..."

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 and have a banquet. Please have a drink to celebrate festival!"

With the Shawei stick, there is also a need for peace of mind wine.But at this moment, who is still thinking about eating and drinking?All the county magistrates raised the spirit of 12 points, respectfully entered the table, and started another round of official entertainment.