Han Shizu

Chapter 839 Tokyo Fire
After Daqing, the hangover Emperor Han took a late sleep, and the sun was three poles before lazily getting up from the Long Live Hall.There was still a foul smell in the stomach, which was disgusting. Before I could wash it, I was notified that the governor of Kaifeng Mansion asked to see him.

His mind was chaotic and his body was heavy, probably seeing that Liu Chengyou looked too tired, the servant Sun Yanxi tried to persuade him: "Now it's a national holiday, if the officials feel uncomfortable, they may refuse to see you!"

"How dare you speak nonsense!" Hearing his persuasion, Liu Chengyou reprimanded immediately: "Hou Yi must have something important to come here at this time, how can I not see you!"

Seeing the sullen look on the emperor's face, Sun Yanxi felt fearful, and hurriedly said: "The little one is really stupid, please punish me!"

"Forget it, go and invite Hou Yi in!" Liu Chengyou waved his hand.

According to the rest and muting system of the Han Dynasty, the first month is regarded as the happiest month for the officials of the Han Dynasty. There are seven days off on Zhengdan and three days off on Shangyuan. .

Therefore, after the National Day Ceremony, it is a good time for Han officials to rest and relax. Regardless of whether they are outside of Beijing, most of the government offices in Kaifeng enjoy their holidays, except for the officials who must stay on duty and maintain basic operations.

Of course, some special departments are not counted, and Kaifeng Mansion is.With the celebration of the festival, the joy of the whole city, and the abolition of the curfew, densely decorated with lanterns, and people visiting the city day and night, the requirements for law and order are extremely high.In the capital, apart from the forbidden army and inspections, it is the Kaifeng government that takes the main responsibility.Among all the yamen, the one who dislikes festivals the most probably belongs to Kaifeng Mansion.
Hou Yi, the prefect of Kaifeng, is almost 74 years old. He was born as a military general and has gone through the entire three generations in the late Tang Dynasty and later.In the early years of Qianyou, he was the governor of Fengxiang. At that time, the great Han Dynasty was established, and the future was uncertain. Under suspicion and fear, he was involved with Meng Shu.

However, after Wang Jun led his troops westward to Guanzhong but Shu, seeing the situation, he resolutely reined in the precipice, took the initiative to come to Beijing, and took the initiative to plead guilty.At that time, perhaps for the purpose of appeasing Fang Zhen, Liu Chengyou did not blame him, but instead expressed his appreciation for the veteran's "awareness", bestowed the Duke of Lu, and made him the governor of Kaifeng.

Later, he resigned and went to Chenzhou to replace the deceased former minister Zhao Ying, and then transferred to Qingzhou. After Li Gu was promoted to prime minister, the position of governor of Kaifeng became vacant again.After thinking for a long time, Liu Chengyou thought of Hou Yi again, and sent someone to investigate the old man's physical condition.Well, healthy, can drink alcohol, can eat meat, has good teeth, and maintains a good physical and mental state.Therefore, the order was issued, and the Duke of Lu and Hou Yi, the prefect of Qingzhou, were transferred to Tokyo to serve as the prefect of Kaifeng.

Guan Houyi's life experience can also be described as a legend.Born in a poor and humble family, three generations of poor peasants, born in troubled times, joined the army, inspired the army with martial arts, and gradually made a fortune.For more than half a century, it can be said that it has completely experienced the changes in current affairs from the end of the Tang Dynasty to this point. In the contemporary era when the veterans are withered, they are the only surviving witnesses of troubled times.

Throughout his life, there were many repetitions between Tang, Jin, Han, and Shu, but after surrendering to the Han, he was able to maintain his official fortune, high rank and honor, and the emperor's trust.Now, he has twice served as the governor of Kaifeng, the capital of the world, and a position of real power with a high status in the court, which is by no means something ordinary people can do.

The strangeness of Hou Yi's situation is not only admirable, but also enviable.Many people don't understand that Hou Yi, a vulgar martial artist, slick but without great talent, is in his seventies, half of his body has been buried in the loess, why is he still so valued by the emperor?
On Liu Chengyou's side, for Hou Yi, he can only say that his senses are very good, which is an inexplicable comfort.As for Hou Yi, as the saying goes, people become old and become monsters. After seeing the changes of the world for decades, he has seen through the warmth and coldness of human relationships.In addition, the age is indeed old, no matter where it is placed, it can be adjusted at any time without causing any political disturbances.

A few years ago, Liu Chengyou dismissed a large number of veteran ministers on the grounds of "sympathy", and advocated the use of young and promising people.But after a few years, many old ministers who have been active in the political arena of the Han Dynasty still hold important positions of power, and Hou Yi can be counted as one of them.Facts have proved that it was just a clean-up and seizure of power by the emperor against the old ministers and nobles.

Soon, a stocky old man in purple clothes with white hair and snow-beard walked into the Long Live Hall, bowed his body, and saluted Liu Chengyou.

Liu Chengyou was brushing his teeth, and the astringent taste of green salt spread in his mouth. He glanced at Hou Yi, and Liu Chengyou said to him, "Sit first! Wait for me to cook first!"

"Yes!"

After rinsing his mouth and washing his face, Liu Chengyou's spirit improved a little, and he sat on the imperial case, looking at the little old man Hou Yi.Hou Yi usually likes to smile very much, and it is the same in front of Liu Chengyou, but at this time, he has a bitter face, stained with filth, as if smoked, and he almost writes the word "something" on it clearly. up.

The sun was high outside, spreading the spring light, shining into the palace, Liu Chengyou asked: "Mr. Hou entered the palace so early to ask for an audience. Could it be that something happened in the city last night?"

"Your Majesty is wise!" Hou Yi got up and said nervously, "Last night, there was a fire in Nancheng!"

On the National Day and the Lantern Festival, everything depends on stability. At this time, it is a very disappointing thing to go into trouble, like a gorgeous picture scroll suddenly stained with ink.Think more about it, if someone uses this to make some demonic prophecy, the impact will be even worse.

Listening to his report, Liu Chengyou frowned slightly, and asked, "What's the reason? How's the fire? How's the casualty? What's the loss?"

After hearing the question, Hou Yi replied: "Your Majesty, after investigation, it was found that the lanterns in the market collapsed, and the fire suddenly broke out, causing damage to the houses. After hearing the news last night, I urgently arranged messengers to rescue them together with the patrolling soldiers and civilians. Fortunately, Linshui, It will be extinguished after two hours.

Last night during the ceremony, the officials and the people drank too much and got drunk. Because of the fire, 42 people were burned to death or choked to death, 132 people were burned, and 1 official house, 3 warehouses, 2 temples, and 245 private houses were burned.

Listening to the loss statistics reported by him, Liu Chengyou felt a toothache. This is not a fire, but a big fire.Suppressing a little anger in his heart, Liu Chengyou scolded: "I have repeatedly mentioned that we need to strengthen security inspections to prevent hidden dangers, especially in such festivals, why is there such a big fire?"

"My lord, my mismanagement and improper precautions have caused disasters. Please ask your majesty to blame me!" Hou Yi immediately knelt down and asked himself to be guilty.

With this attitude, coupled with the "smoky makeup" on his old face, Liu Chengyou calmed down, waved to him, and said, "Get up!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Old Hou Yi breathed a sigh of relief, um, he passed the test.

After pondering for a while, Liu Chengyou frowned and said, "Do you know how many fires have occurred in Tokyo in the past few years?"

"Returning to Your Majesty, I looked through the case books. Since the seventh year of Qianyou, there have been 43 incidents, but the casualties and losses are not as good as this time!" Hou Yi replied carefully.

Glancing at him, the little old man has done a lot of work.Speaking of which, the main reason for the frequent occurrence of fires in Tokyo lies in the reconstruction of Tokyo, the great changes in the urban structure, the breaking of the boundaries of the city and the market, and the cancellation of the curfew, making Tokyo a city that never sleeps. Since it is a city that never sleeps, the risk of fire naturally increases .

The city is developing at a high speed, but the supporting management has not been able to keep up. There are many insightful people in the court, and the Kaifeng government has also introduced some management regulations and measures, but it is not so easy to achieve perfection.If you don't suffer a big loss, how can you learn a lesson.

"It can be seen!" Staring at Hou Yi, Liu Chengyou said with a serious expression: "Tokyo's management has great risks and loopholes. The prevention and control of this fire needs to be strengthened!"

"What Your Majesty said is true!" Hou Yi followed the topic and said, "After the fire, I have been extra vigilant. I specially discussed with my staff and came up with some remedial measures. Your Majesty, please take a look!"

Presenting a letter to Liu Chengyou, Hou Yi briefly explained: "First, strengthen the publicity of fire prevention among people in Tokyo, and rectify those who have caught fire; second, increase the punishment for those who caught fire; third, increase patrols. , especially at night; fourth, every street draws people to serve as firefighting teams, and if there is a fire, they gather to fight; fifth, every five miles in the city, set up a fire station with three officials to prevent Sixth, increase water storage for emergency use.”

After listening to his statement and reading the memorabilia presented by Hou Yi, Liu Chengyou's serious face finally softened. Looking at the old man, he replied, "It's not too late to make up for it! This charter is good. If you can get it earlier Come out, why did you come to this, consider it very comprehensively, and implement it as soon as possible!"

"Yes!" Hou Yi replied.

Seeing his exhausted face and the smell of smoke and fire all over his body, Liu Chengyou couldn't help but said softly: "You have worked hard too, it is not easy at such an advanced age."

"Your Majesty, you are serious! The old minister's dereliction of duty has caused casualties to the people and loss of property. I am ashamed!" Hou Yi said again, his voice was pale and his attitude was very correct.

After thinking about it for a while, Liu Chengyou ordered: "In this way, on my behalf, you can comfort the casualties and disaster victims. For those whose houses have been destroyed, they should first find a place to resettle them. The Kaifeng government can issue subsidies as appropriate for their reconstruction!"

"Yes! Your majesty is benevolent, and I am very grateful!"

Weiji, Liu Chengyou successively received information from Wu Desi and Huangcheng Division about the fire in the south city, Wu Desi's report was very detailed.

Afterwards, there was a fire in the southern city of Yushi, and Hou Yi was impeached. Please dismiss him and punish him for his crimes.In response, Liu Chengyou only fined Hou Yi half a year's salary.

(End of this chapter)