Han Shizu

Chapter 746 The government of Chu Zhaofu

Liu Chengyou knew about Chu Zhaofu's frugality, and after investigation, it was not a show.This person's talent can be described as strong, and he is diligent, decisive, never bends the law for personal gain, and has strong executive power.

Of course, this person also has obvious character traits, being utilitarian, unkind, and very stingy.Apart from his political style, the shabby government office is caused by his miserly character.

As far as Liu Chengyou knows, Chu Zhaofu has accumulated all the salaries and rewards he has received from serving as an official over the years. saving,.

And the money he has accumulated over the years is not used for bragging or playing. Most of it is handed over to his family and bought fields and houses in the countryside.

For people like Chu Zhaofu, Liu Chengyou appreciates his talents, but he doesn't underestimate his character. On the contrary, he thinks this person is very real, even a little cute.

Playing with a chip in his hand, Liu Chengyou looked at Chu Zhaofu and continued to praise him from the side: "Judging from the scratch marks on this chip, it is obvious that it is often used, unlike some places where the chip barrels are already Accumulation of ashes, it can be seen that its government is negligent!"

"I have also heard about the matter in Pu County. There are many military and government officials in the world. It is inevitable that there are good and bad people who are good and bad. Some people who are lazy can be dealt with according to the laws of the country. I dare not pretend to be diligent, but only want to do my duty. , Don’t betray the king at the top, don’t neglect the people at the bottom, just don’t be ashamed of your heart!” Chu Zhaofu replied.

What Liu Chengyou said was that he was the magistrate of Pu County, Daning Prefecture, Hedong. He had been in office for two years. ".Of course, he couldn't see anything, and the county was naturally peaceful and peaceful.

It was also during the process of counting the prisons last year that the imperial envoy found such a parent officer, took him down, and sent him to Tokyo for punishment.The point is that such an official was able to serve as an official for two years without incident. The clean-up of officials in the Daning Mansion caused by it will not be detailed here. In short, the magistrate was demoted.
"The prefecture of Cangzhou has a vast area of ​​jurisdiction and is on the verge of the Bohai Sea. Since ancient times, it has been a state of the Canghai, enjoying the benefits of fish and salt. Even now, it is a state capital that can be counted among the big men. It has a large population and is close to the north. What do you do here? Now, powers and responsibilities are not light, and you need to work hard!" Probably tired of standing, Liu Chengyou sat on the table in the hall, looked at Chu Zhaofu, and said with emotion.

"Your Majesty understands! Since I took office, I feel that I have a great responsibility, and I dare not neglect it. I can only do my best to repay Your Majesty's promotion!" Chu Zhaofu had a serious expression on his face.

Slightly nodding his head, Liu Chengyou asked: "Now under the rule of the Cangzhou Mansion, how many people are there? How many of them are young and strong?"

Chu Zhaofu did his homework very well, and it was easy to come by. He reported: "There are 25780 households registered in the counties, 172725 men and women, of which 41849 are young and strong."

Seeing his appearance like a treasure, Liu Chengyou said with a smile: "Among the state capitals in the world, the population is quite large, and compared with the beginning of the country, it has greatly improved!"

Chu Zhaofu said: "In the past few years, there has been no war in the northern border, the place is stable, and the land output is increasing. Coupled with the imperial court's policy of persuasion and education, the people are also happy to have children, so the population is increasing. resettled more than 30,000 Youyan refugees!"

"Those people who came from the north left their homes and went to Cangzhou, are they still safe?" Liu Chengyou asked concerned.

"At the beginning, the Duke of Bohai County (Wang Jing) was in office. He governed well and helped the people well. Most of them took root in the territory and rebuilt their homes. I went to the countryside to check and ask, and the feeling of homesickness is inevitable. In the past two years, the northern border In Jian'an, there are also scattered people who went north to return to their hometowns, but most of them still feel apprehensive about returning to their hometowns and live in peace under their jurisdiction." Chu Zhaofu replied.

"I'm worried about the Khitan people!" Liu Chengyou murmured.

"Exactly!"

Of course, the people of Youyan in Cangzhou are unwilling to return to their hometown, which is also due to the government's propaganda and control.Although the border between Han and Liao has been peaceful for many years, with frequent non-government trade, Chen Buke of the armies of both sides has not relaxed at all.

Refugees who have been displaced by war have finally settled down in Cangzhou, rebuilt their homes, and have their own land. How could they leave lightly.Even if the Han army succeeds in returning to the north in the future, it is still a question of whether they can leave the fields and houses in Cangzhou.

As far as the Cangzhou government is concerned, the return of Yan people to their hometowns is also strictly controlled. The number and growth of the population are important criteria for evaluating political performance.

And the people of Yan who have returned to the north in recent years are mostly young and strong who do not work and go north to seek a living.Ordinary people don't have that aggressiveness, and they don't dare to take risks. It is more suitable for them to farm the land in a safe and secure manner, pay food and taxes.

Liu Chengyou breathed a sigh of relief, pointed to the north, and sighed: "Large tracts of land, states and counties are still in Khitan's hands. Thinking of these people who have left their homes, and thinking of the Han people who are still sinking under the iron heels of Hu Qi, my cause, and the It's a long way to go!"

"Since your majesty has been in power, you have made great efforts to rule the country, and the world has gradually become more peaceful, which is why it is as prosperous as it is today. When all the countries are flattened and the universe is unified, when you look back, you can calmly go north, regain your homeland, eliminate the troubles in the north, and bring peace to the people!" Chu Zhaofu Replied.

"There will be such a day!" Liu Chengyou quickly regained his spirits and was full of confidence.

"By the way, in recent years, Cangzhou's sea salt has been exported to the northern states. I heard that since you took office, you have opened up many salt fields, improved the treatment of salt people, encouraged salt workers, and improved salt-making skills." Liu Chengyou asked again.

"Cangzhou has been a country of fish and salt since ancient times! The people of Fanhai cook more salt for a living, and the country also benefits from it!" Chu Zhaofu said: "Now under the rule of Cangzhou, Haiyan and Wudi counties The salt business is the most prosperous, and there are tens of thousands of people making a living in the salt field!"

"Grain can wrap the stomach, and salt can relieve the blandness. The importance of this salt is no less than that of grain and rice!" Liu Chengyou said: "How much salt can Cangzhou get every year?"

"Return to Your Majesty, about 230 shi!" Chu Zhaofu replied: "However, it is still better to refine the salt. The minister issued a letter of persuasion to encourage the salt people to produce refined salt and pay it to Tokyo!"

"Very good!" Liu Chengyou smiled: "It should be encouraged, and the reward should be increased!"

The table salt of the Han Dynasty, in terms of quality, is the first to be Jieyan, and it has always been a tribute salt!Chu Zhaofu wants to compete with Cangyan and Jieyan, but his goal is not low.However, the sea salt in Cangzhou is far behind the mineral salt. It is not easy until the salt-making process is greatly improved.

"Since last year, I have received a lot of impeachments, saying that you will execute the salt smugglers whose bodies are pierced with sharp wood and hung in the salt field, exposed to the wind and sun. There are many criticisms in the court, because it is extremely harmful And ah." Liu Chengyou suddenly brought up another matter.

Hearing this, Chu Zhaofu's face changed, and he raised his eyes to observe Liu Chengyou's expression, which looked very calm.After thinking about it, he replied: "Salt is an official business, but there are always greedy people who ignore the imperial court's prohibition, brazenly violate the law, resell private salt, and make huge profits. For such people, I am very angry, so I will punish them severely. The law is used to frighten them, and the means of disposal are too harsh and terrifying, it is my lack of thoughtfulness!"

"There is nothing wrong with the explicit order to strengthen discipline. Those who smuggle salt and take national interests should be banned. Those who should be closed, those who should be killed, and the hanging corpse exposed to the sun, there is no need for it! This matter is spread, it is true It can be deterrent, but it will eventually make the people fear the government, thinking that tyranny will not be good for your Chu Qing's reputation!" Liu Chengyou said.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Seeing the emperor's attitude, Chu Zhaofu breathed a sigh of relief, and replied obediently.

"Furthermore, I don't want you, Chu Qing, to work hard and work hard day and night, so that after the great rule of Cangzhou, you leave with a bad reputation," Liu Chengyou said.

With a touch of emotion on his face, Chu Zhaofu said respectfully: "Your Majesty has put so much painstaking efforts into this matter, and I feel ashamed!"

(End of this chapter)