I, Liu Bian, Sanxing Han Dynasty

Chapter 559: New Official Zhuge Liang

In the East Palace, Ding Chong, who had seen Zhuge Liang off, felt emotional. His colleagues originally thought that Zhuge Liang was here to grab opportunities, but in fact, Zhuge Liang himself represented opportunities.

Lifting the curfew may seem to have unknown risks, but Luoyang will surely become more prosperous if it is done.

If he could take charge of this matter, he would be willing to do it even if he was given the title of Luoyang Ling.

However, Ding Chong immediately thought that Cao Cao, with whom he had a very good relationship, would return to Luoyang at least this year to discuss his merits, and he would most likely stay in Luoyang to serve as an official at that time. He had to maintain this relationship well.

As for the present... Ding Chong hesitated for a moment, and decided to ask a eunuch he was familiar with to go to the government office to call another eunuch minister.

From the current perspective, Zhuge Liang will not be on duty here.

……

In Luoyang County Temple, Lu Jin started to make preparations after returning. When Zhuge Liang came, the county officials already knew of his arrival, and the four captains of Luoyang were also summoned.

"In the past, during curfews, no pedestrians were allowed on roads outside the alleys, and the inner and outer gates were closed. However, it would still take an hour or two for the crowds in the alleys to calm down," said the mayor of Luoyang.

The li in Han cities is actually very similar to the fang in Tang Dynasty, or it can be said that the li at that time was the earliest version of the fang. That is, a certain number of households were surrounded by a wall (usually a low wall), and the gate left was called a lu. Luoyang had a large population, and the number of households in a li generally exceeded the prescribed 100 households.

Lu Jin was not sure how much Zhuge Liang knew about the villages and cities inside and outside Luoyang City, so he adopted the most conservative approach. He summoned all the county officials who were familiar with the situation in all aspects and introduced them to Zhuge Liang one by one to answer their questions.

If it were someone else, they might feel that the work assigned by Lu Jin was too heavy and suspect that this was just a show of power.

But Zhuge Liang did not think so. He just felt that Lu Jin's arrangements were very thorough and every detail was taken into consideration. In this way, when he was planning, he could consider everything clearly and reduce accidents as much as possible.

He is worthy of being the son of Lord Lu!
Zhuge Liang had heard some rumors before that none of Lu Zhi’s sons were like their father. Now it seems that seeing is believing!

After listening to the county officials' explanation, it was already dark. Zhuge Liang bowed to Lu Jin and said, "I have a plan in mind. I will perfect it when I go back tonight and report it to the court tomorrow."

Seeing that Zhuge Liang had an idea in his mind as soon as he finished listening, Lu Jin did not suspect that Zhuge Liang was bragging. After all, he had met too many smart people. Not to mention his father Lu Zhi, his younger brother Lu Yu was only two or three years younger than Zhuge Liang, and he could already talk back and forth with him when talking about Confucian classics.

He immediately responded: "Then I will wait for Kong Ming's plan tomorrow!"

After Zhuge Liang left, Lu Jin was ready to go home to serve his parents. At this time, he suddenly thought, could it be that Zhuge Liang meant to use the evening time to perfect his plan?
But Zhuge Liang was a newlywed after all. He was busy all night just after arriving in Luoyang County. He wouldn't be blamed, right?
Lu Jin wanted to catch up with Zhuge Liang immediately, but after leaving the county temple, there was no trace of Zhuge Liang.

"This Luoyang County Magistrate is really... It's only the first day my husband has taken office, and he's already made me work all night." Liu Shou felt a little resentful. She had been waiting for Zhuge Liang to share with her some of his experiences in office as private talk after he left the court, but she had never expected that Zhuge Liang would come back and enter the study before he could say a few words to her, and started writing official documents with a frown on his brow.

Liu Shou had no choice but to accept it. However, she saw that it was already completely dark and her husband was so busy that he even forgot to eat.

And she looked at the plan made by Zhuge Liang and could see some clues. Finally, she couldn't help but ask: "Husband, do you plan to do everything yourself?"

Zhuge Liang was stunned when he heard this. He waited until his wife repeated it again before he responded: "After all, this is the first big thing I have to do, and it also concerns the people's livelihood inside and outside Luoyang City. I have to be cautious."

"But you don't have to be so cautious... and everything is written down here, no matter how big or small it is." Liu Shou pointed at the plan Zhuge Liang was writing and said, "Could it be that my husband plans to spend every night in the study from now on?"

Zhuge Liang sensed his wife's emotions, took Liu Shou's hand and said, "Since Madam doesn't want to, let it go first."

"Madam, have you eaten? ... We should eat together, of course."

After knowing that his wife had been waiting for him to eat, Zhuge Liang looked at the documents in front of him and made up his mind to get up early tomorrow to complete it!

Liu Shou said, "It's not that I don't know the big picture and don't want you to devote yourself to public affairs...but I hope you understand the principle of combining work and rest. And since you are also the Luoyang magistrate, it's better to employ someone capable than to do everything yourself."

Zhuge Liang pretended to be shocked and bowed with a smile, saying, "Madam, your knowledge is far inferior to mine. I hope you can correct me in the future."

Liu Shou felt a little embarrassed after hearing this: "It's just that I followed my brother and saw a lot of things before, and I have some ideas because of his teachings and actions."

The next day, Zhuge Liang realized that something was wrong as soon as he opened his eyes.

——He got up late and hasn’t finished last night’s official documents yet!

Although he had various reasons to shirk, and he had not promised Lu Jin that he would hand it in this morning, but... "I am ashamed that I was unable to complete it in time last night."

"I was just about to tell you that this matter requires the unity of all officials in Luoyang County. How can we only trouble Kong Ming? Let's discuss it together." Seeing Zhuge Liang's expression, Lu Jin guessed that the relationship between his wife and him should not be affected because of him, so he breathed a sigh of relief.

Zhuge Liang thought of Liu Shou's words yesterday, and recalled his memory of the emperor handling government affairs. He was indeed confident that he could handle this small matter personally, but what his wife said was not without reason, and he could not devote all his time to state affairs.

I just hope that the officials in charge are trustworthy!

"The market is still a bit chaotic... Because of the existence of the School Affairs Department, Nanshi can report any bullying to the people or vendors at any time, so Nanshi was once the best city in Luoyang. However, Nanshi also has the biggest problems. The goods are too numerous and chaotic, and some people sell them everywhere. When there are too many people, the roads are blocked..."

Zhuge Liang spoke eloquently: "Those who rent shops in the market are well managed, and the people who come temporarily to sell cloth, charcoal, etc., since they have paid, they must be arranged to the appropriate place... If the curfew is to be lifted, there must be more rules in this market."

"…The four lieutenants must first increase their manpower and strengthen night patrols. All candles and other things used must be registered…During the night, it is different from the day. Drums should not be used as signals. High platforms should be set up inside and outside the city. At night, torches can be used to convey messages. This can also be used during the day."

As Lu Jin listened, he realized that Zhuge Liang was not just considering lifting the curfew, but was considering the entire governance of Luoyang County.

Your Majesty has indeed sent a great talent!

Zhuge Liang read the official documents he had compiled to the officials present one by one. If there were any that the officials did not understand, he would explain them in detail.

After he finished speaking, Zhuge Liang explained to Lu Jin why he did this: "It is always easier to manage during the day than at night. If it is already chaotic during the day, it will be even more difficult to manage at night."

Lu Jin immediately said, "I trust Kong Ming to do things!"

Then he said to the officials present: "Is there anything you don't understand about what Kong Ming said? If you have no objection, implement it immediately!"

Facts have proved that the officials of Luoyang County are quite capable in doing their work. Since the addition of Taixue students, the minor officials under the emperor have maintained a consistently good standard. Zhuge Liang found that he only needed to make up for the shortcomings in a timely manner.

In this way, Zhuge Liang started his official career very smoothly. …

Lu Jin and Zhuge Liang had a harmonious relationship, but it was different for some people.

"Gongtai, please don't stop us. How can we let such people who are seeking fame and reputation go?"

Cao Cao and Chen Gong actually had no special interactions before. They just knew each other's reputation and admired each other.

This time Cao Cao led his army to Jizhou to quell the rebellion, and he and Hejian Prime Minister Chen Gong were a perfect match.

It’s a pity that nothing lasts forever. When something really happened, the difference in their concepts became apparent.

Facing the murderous Cao Cao, Chen Gong had a completely different attitude: "Why did Meng De do this? They are just talking nonsense after drinking."

Several famous scholars in Hejian State drank too much and sympathized with other famous scholars who were executed for their crimes.

In Chen Gong's opinion, this is actually no big deal. Maybe these celebrities are still afraid after they sober up! After all, there are indeed too many people killed in various places this year. Even if you don't want these celebrities to talk nonsense, you can just send someone to warn them. Why shout and kill?

"Nonsense?" Cao Cao was furious after hearing Chen Gong's words. "To defend those criminals is also nonsense? It's already good enough that they were not charged with the crime of being accomplices!"

Chen Gong, who had been able to control his emotions, was also dissatisfied after hearing this: "Meng De, I know you feel that the local tyrants in Hejian have not been dealt with enough, but Meng De, don't forget that we kill the tyrants according to the law, how can we kill them based on our own likes and dislikes?"

"Hejian State and Weijun and other places are the most peaceful places in Jizhou this year. Most of the powerful families and nobles in them have never joined the bandits. They may not be clear about the words and deeds of the criminals, which is why we, the senior officials, have not yet fully informed them of the crimes of the criminals."

In Chen Gong's opinion, Cao Cao was too eager to make progress.

He has already been promoted to General of the Western Expedition, and the next step is to be one of the Nine Ministers and Three Dukes. Why would he target some innocent people?
But Cao Cao didn't think so: "Gongtai's move will definitely leave hidden dangers! These people sympathize with the criminals today, but who knows if they will not become criminals tomorrow."

Chen Gong asked in return: "Will Meng De also be convicted of 'slandering'?"

During the reign of Emperor Xiaowu, someone reported that Yan Yi had made inappropriate remarks. Zhang Tang, without verifying the facts, accused Yan Yi of "slandering in his heart" - although Yan Yi said nothing wrong, he must have been thinking about it in his heart.

Now this may not be appropriate to put here, but this is the meaning.

Cao Cao retorted, "Gongtai, aren't you also criticizing me for 'slandering'?"

He thought that Chen Gong did not understand his impartiality after all.

In the end, the two broke up on bad terms.

The drunken celebrities were eventually saved by Chen Gong. As for the fact that Chen Gong later sent someone to warn them, which made them stay indoors while Cao Cao was still in Jizhou, that is another story.

But when Cao Cao returned to his residence, he still felt a little sad.

He originally thought that Chen Gongtai would be his confidant, but he never imagined that the two people's governance philosophies would be so different.

However, he is a man who has experienced many ups and downs, and will not be affected by this temporary conflict.

That very day, he received the imperial edict ordering the army to return.

He needed to first send the troops he brought from Bingzhou back to receive rewards from the court, and then enter Beijing.

Cao Cao knew that the General Who Conquers the West, whom he had longed for, would probably be gone soon, but he didn't know what the emperor would arrange for him to do in the future.

While organizing his army to return to Bingzhou, Cao Cao only regretted that he did not have the chance to meet Cao Ang who was under Huangfu Song's command.

Xuzhou, Cao Ang is very happy now.

He felt that his happiness was something even his father might not be able to imagine.

Since childhood, Cao Ang felt that he was living under the shadow of his father. When others talked about him, they only knew that he was Cao Cao's son.

Although there is nothing wrong with this, Cao Ang has always been looking forward to the day when others would say "Cao is Ang's father" when talking about Cao Cao.

Although the road to achieving this goal is still long for Cao Ang now, Cao Ang is very sure that he has taken the first step.

"Mr. Cao, the firewood we collected today is enough."

Cao Ang listened to this title with satisfaction. They only knew Cao Ang and not Cao Cao!
He replied: "In that case, let's go back!"

On the way, Cao Ang suddenly found a group of people walking on the road with their families. He was a little surprised. After all, Xuzhou has been settled down now, so how could there still be refugees!

Thinking of this, he immediately stepped forward and asked, only to find out that this group of people were tenants who had been instigated to rebel. Later, they realized their mistakes and escaped from the chaos. Therefore, they were not punished even after the incident.

But when they wanted to return to their original homes to continue renting the land, the original owners were afraid that they would be implicated and refused to accept them.

After their rebellion, they can only honestly find another way out.

But along the way, no one was willing to accept them.

Cao Ang realized that if left unchecked, these people might starve to death on the road.

After informing these people to settle down temporarily nearby, Cao Ang returned to the military camp and went to pay a visit to his captain Guanqiu Yi.

"Captain, I know that it will take extra food and fodder to help these people, but our army is the king's army. How can we allow the people to starve to death on the road?" Cao Ang said. He was ready to be scolded.

But he didn't expect that after he finished speaking, he heard Guanqiu Yi say: "Just now the General of Chariots and Cavalry told me to gather the refugees from various counties and guide them to Youzhou. How did Zixiu know about this?"

(End of this chapter)