Han Shizu

Chapter 1230
After entering Fengzhou City, the scene inside caught Emperor Liu's eyes, even a little beyond expectations.Although the roads in the city are narrow and basically dirt roads, they are simple and clean, especially the main roads, which are also paved with stone slabs and appear flat. There are also some businesses and restaurants along the streets.Of course, there are still many vacant places.

Although the houses with civil structures are simple and uneven, they cannot give people a sense of depression and decay.Perhaps it was because of Yu Jia's presence in person, or because the population in the city was not large, so it seemed very quiet.

The entire Fengzhou city looks monotonous, even deserted, but it is extremely orderly. Obviously, the government has put a lot of thought into the management of the city and the people.

Such a result naturally won the favor of Emperor Liu again, and he did have a compassionate attitude towards the army, officials and people in Fengzhou.The bitter cold and remote environment is difficult to change, and poverty is also a reality. However, if you are willing to degenerate because of this, indulge in sinking, break the cans and fall, and let the management go, then it will be called suffering and poverty, which will cause Emperor Liu to be contemptuous.

When he was in Hedong, he had a conversation with Shi Xizai, which made Emperor Liu quite impressed. If the people want to improve their lives and get rid of hardships, they still have to rely on themselves.Relying on mountains to eat mountains, relying on water to eat water, self-reliance.

Compared with other impoverished areas, Fengzhou has received certain policy support because of its special geographical location and military value.For example, in terms of finance and taxation, in the past ten years, it has been either reduced or exempted. If the financial support from the previous few years is added, the imperial court not only did not collect much tax from here, but paid a lot of it.Moreover, in terms of the supply of local guards, the imperial court also assumed a large part of it.

Therefore, Fengzhou is poor, but it does not have much burden from the imperial court.

However, although the first impression was good, Emperor Liu didn't show it on his face.On the contrary, the prince Liu Yang was asked to inspect and visit inside and outside the city in person.

Emperor Liu only had one pair of eyes and one pair of ears. Even if he saw it with his own eyes, he couldn't guarantee whether all this was an illusion arranged by Feng Guang to cater to him.After calming down, Emperor Liu will look at anyone and everything with a certain degree of scrutiny and even suspicion. This is something he will never change in his life.

"What's the matter with these things?" Emperor Liu asked, pointing to an open space on the corner of the street.

Next to the barracks, it should be a warehouse, close to the main road, neatly piled with firewood, grass and other materials, the wood is all split, and there is a large pile of black coal beside it.In order to prevent moisture, some rain-proof measures were simply arranged.

Hearing this, Feng Guang hurriedly introduced: "Your Majesty, it's winter now. No matter the officials or the people, the most fearful thing is hunger and cold, and things to keep warm are especially important. The ministers and others specially led the people and prepared more charcoal. Forage for camping purposes"

"You really have a heart!" Emperor Liu glanced at Feng Guang and said, "It's not just that we have prepared a little more, it's all piled up into a hill, so much, how much effort did it take? , the local government does not need to pay tribute, let alone waste money and people!"

When Emperor Liu said this, he felt a slightly harsh tone, and Feng Guang hurriedly explained: "Your Majesty's decree, how can I not obey it. It's just that at the end of every autumn, the officials and the people have prepared materials for the winter. I have made some preparations, and the state government has paid for the extra effort of the people. There is absolutely no work for the people. Your Majesty did not avoid the wind and cold, and came to Fengzhou in person. All the officials and people in this state are grateful. Do the will of the government and the people.”

Hearing what Feng Guang said, Emperor Liu's expression changed for the better. Seeing that he was frightened by him, he couldn't help waving his hands: "That's all!"

In fact, Emperor Liu also knew that it was absolutely impossible for him to go on tour without disturbing the place, even if there was an imperial edict.The wild goose has left a sound, not to mention the tens of thousands of troops.

On the other hand, it is common sense and common sense for the officials and people to express their filial piety within the scope of their ability to express their filial piety in the places they have passed.

Like Feng Guang's approach, if you think about it carefully, there is not much to point out. Charcoal materials are originally needed for the camp, and if they are missing, the camp will purchase them.

As for Feng Guang, he had considered the front, and it coincided with this season, which reflected his intentions and an expression of his loyalty to the emperor.

Of course, maybe it was because he was too hard-working, so that Emperor Liu couldn't help but think. Is this because he is careful and thoughtful, or is he acting deliberately in order to cater to himself, so as to invite favor?
Emperor Liu suppressed this question in his heart and didn't have an answer for the time being, but he was not in a hurry. The future was still long, so we could wait and see.

But at the same time, no matter what Emperor Liu thinks, Feng Guang's performance has actually attracted the attention of Emperor Liu. There are so many prefects and governors in the country, and many of them have met during this tour. How many people are there?
An official can be remembered by the emperor, and even pay attention to him, how beneficial it is to help his official career, and it can be fully reflected in the era of the emperor's autocracy.

"Is there a shortage of things to keep warm and keep out the cold in the camp? These firewood and charcoal will be useful!" Emperor Liu turned to his uncle Li Ye.

Li Ye gave an affirmative answer: "Of course it will be useful! After the cold weather, camping consumes a lot of energy, and soldiers are even needed to cut wood and make fire. Inspector Feng's preparation like this saves a lot of trouble in camping!"

"In this case, then approve a note and let the camp arranger accept it, and the required expenses will be allocated directly to Fengzhou!" Emperor Liu ordered directly, and then looked at Feng Guang, showing a little smile: "The officials and people of Fengzhou are the ones who don't want to pay for it!" I will accept it safely, and your hard work will not be in vain!"

"Yes! Thank you, Your Majesty!" Hearing this, Feng Guang was completely relieved.

"Let's go, let's go to your state government office!" Under the north wind blowing, Emperor Liu tightened his jacket and ordered.

Feng Guang did not dare to neglect, and personally led the way.

The government office in Fengzhou is located in the northwest of the city. Due to the small size of the city, it only takes about three hundred steps to get there.

Emperor Liu's entourage could fill the Yamen, and a large number of guards had to stand on the streets in front of the Yamen.Above the courtroom, Emperor Liu, who was dressed in luxurious clothes, seemed out of tune with the layout of the hall.

Emperor Liu sat alone on the wooden hall table, looked around the hall, looked at Feng Guang and the two assistants behind him, pondered for a while, and said: "Feng Guang, your state office, I'm afraid It’s not as good as the Dashu county government in the Central Plains!”

Upon hearing the question, Feng Guang replied calmly: "Fengzhou is poor, so we can only make it simple. Your Majesty will laugh at it!"

In fact, not to mention the county government offices in the Central Plains, even some large town government offices are more magnificent than this Fengzhou government office.The governor of Fengzhou is a fifth-rank official position in the imperial court, which is not low. What this official does can be described as bleak.It is true that he would rather be the magistrate of a county in the Central Plains than be a governor.

"I have a question!" Emperor Liu looked at Feng Guang and said without further obsessing about the simplicity of Fengzhou.

Feng Guang immediately cheered up, and clapped his hands in response: "I respectfully listen to the hadith!"

Ignoring his humble and respectful attitude, Emperor Liu stared at him with piercing eyes: "Although Fengzhou is remote, it is surrounded by mountains and rivers. It is located in the hinterland of Hetao, and the grasslands in the south of the mountain are suitable for farming and animal husbandry. After so many years of rest and recuperation, why is it still poor? So far?"

Hearing this question, Feng Guang immediately became nervous. This can be regarded as questioning his political ability as a governor. He organized his words a little and calmly said: "Your Majesty, although Fengzhou is surrounded by mountains and rivers, it has been abandoned for many years. When it was in the hands of the Khitans, they did not manage it well. Before the Marquis of Jiuyuan moved westward to recover, the Liao army also wreaked havoc in the territory, resulting in the destruction of barriers and the extinction of pavilions. After the recovery, due to the sparse population and the remoteness of the border, It is difficult to develop. In recent years, the climate has been extremely bad, and there have been famines from time to time, so that we are still in poverty.”

Listening to his explanation of the problems and difficulties, Emperor Liu finally nodded, and asked again: "How many people are there under the jurisdiction of Fengzhou now? How many residents are there in the city!"

"Returning to Your Majesty, until the sixth year of Kaibao, Fengzhou governed one city and three forts, with a total of 732 households and 3853 people of all ethnic groups! There are 203 households in the city, with more than [-] people!" Feng Guang responded.

Hearing Feng Guang's words, Emperor Liu couldn't help but feel bitter for him. The first-level division of Dahan Prefecture is so desolate, and Fengzhou is probably the only one.

"In your prefectural government, how many people enjoy official salaries and eat Lumi?"

"Including Lianchen, counting the officials in the house and the servants, there are a total of 19 people!" Feng Guang replied.

"This is much less than the number of prefectural government officials stipulated by the imperial court!" Emperor Liu smiled slightly.

Feng Guang said: "Fengzhou has a small population and too many officials, which will only lead to redundant staff and cost the court's salary, so I made some cuts according to the actual situation!"

"Good!" Emperor Liu finally praised: "This is adapting measures to local conditions, this is thinking about the court and being loyal to duty! Feng Guang, although Fengzhou is poor, you have given me a new look!"

(End of this chapter)