I, Liu Bian, Sanxing Han Dynasty

Chapter 593 Speaking out
Kaifeng County is located under the jurisdiction of Henan Yin. Although it is the easternmost part of Henan Yin, Liu Bian still decided to take a look.

He certainly couldn't be like some ancient emperor who wanted to sail dragon boats on the canal and build a temporary palace beside the canal. This time, he didn't even bring the emperor's carriage, but chose to ride a horse. In addition to the guards, there were only a few court officials who came with him.

When Liu Bian arrived, the people were working busily in the river channel which was exposed due to the drop in water level.

"Your Majesty, before the new canal is built, the original Bian Canal and Sishui Road will continue to be used. Therefore, our current focus is on dredging the Bian Canal section that can be used for both the old and new canals and the Yangzhou Han Canal section. Currently, the Bian Canal section is progressing smoothly and should be completed ahead of schedule." Fan Ling introduced the construction results to Liu Bian, but Huang Zu had already set off for Han Canal and missed the opportunity to meet the emperor.

From a cost perspective, Liu Bian certainly hoped that the project would be completed as soon as possible, but he still emphasized: "It is good to complete the project ahead of schedule, but we must also be careful not to overwork the hired people."

Fan Ling immediately said, "Don't worry, Your Highness. I took this into consideration when I made the arrangements. I have also sent officials to monitor the situation from time to time to prevent the people from being treated harshly."

"I am very confident in your work." Liu Bian said as he walked forward.

After all, Liu Bian was not in Luoyang this time. He still attached great importance to his own safety and brought the military commanders of the general and the general of cavalry. After Fanling, Zhang Liao and Man Chong followed behind Liu Bian on the left and right.

Liu Bian continued, "When I came to Hejian State in the past, I was busy sending envoys to various places, but I rarely talked with the people. Today I have this good opportunity, so I will personally serve as a envoy."

Although Fan Ling felt that there would not be many mistakes, he still advised out of bureaucratic instinct just to be on the safe side: "Your Majesty, I am a humble man with vulgar language, and I am afraid I will be at a loss in front of Your Majesty."

"It's okay. I love to hear the truth." Liu Bian said with a smile, "As long as it's the truth, even if it's unpleasant to the ear, what does it matter?"

Fan Ling thought for a moment and suggested, "Your Majesty, I heard that among the minor officials here there are former members of the Xiyuan Army. Would Your Majesty like to meet them?"

Liu Bian was fully aware of Fan Ling's conservative mind. He thought it would not be too late for him to meet the people later, so he said with a smile, "In that case, summon him to meet them!"

Upon hearing this, Fan Ling immediately ordered people to look for him, and they discovered that there was a pavilion chief from the Xiyuan Army nearby.

……

"Liuli Pavilion Chief Zhao Yi pays his respects to Your Majesty." Zhao Yi paid his respects with excitement.

"No need to be polite," Liu Bian gestured to Zhao Yi to sit on the mat that had been laid out, and asked, "I heard that you brought more than 200 people here this time. Can you still manage them?"

"With the help of the guards and the elders, I can manage it."

"You are from the Xiyuan Army, which means you are my personal soldier, so don't be shy. In which year did you become the head of the guard post? How is your family? How many children do you have..."

"…I grew up in a poor family, and I grew up relying on the help of my neighbors. I have the opportunity to join the army and serve Your Majesty…"

Answering the questions from the emperor about his family and career, Zhao Yi suddenly thought of the words that the clerk warned him before he came to see the emperor - "You should know what to say and what not to say, right? Without Lord Fan's words, you will never see His Majesty today, but if you say something that embarrasses Lord Fan... Lord Fan will not do anything, but you... You must know that disaster comes from the mouth! Seize this opportunity, maybe I will have to rely on you to live in the future!"

In a short moment, Zhao Yi came back to his senses. At this time, the emperor was asking him about what happened after he came out of the army and became a pavilion chief. At that time, he had just come out of the army. Although he had learned the theory of official affairs well and adapted to the life in the army, after he left the army and took charge of the local area, he inevitably made a lot of mistakes due to lack of experience.

Some of them he changed, and some of them were the same as the previous two days. He still remembered the "Analects of Confucius" that Cui Yan had taught him and had not changed them.

"...The problems you will encounter are also the ones that other people may encounter. If your experience in dealing with the problems can be spread, it will benefit many people." During the conversation, Liu Bian discovered that this pavilion chief named Zhao Yi was indeed conscientious and worthy of being trained by him from the Xiyuan Army.

While Zhao Yi was hearing that the emperor was still thinking about summarizing his experience when he first became a pavilion chief and making preparations for his successor, Zhao Yi felt excited, but then he remembered that he had decided to keep silent this morning. Was he really worthy of the emperor's attention?
Suddenly, Zhao Yi heard the emperor ask again: "Today I am here, and Lord Fan is here too. You may speak freely and tell me if there is anything that needs to be improved in dredging the canal."

Zhao Yi was stunned. All eyes present were on him. The clerk's words were still echoing in his ears. Lord Fan's face was full of smiles, but Zhao Yi suddenly felt like a thorn in his back.

"Don't worry, it doesn't matter if I say something wrong." Liu Bian thought he had scared the other party, and added, "As the saying goes, you lead the people to dig and transport silt every day, and the problems you find will be different from what I see."

Zhao Yi heard this and suddenly got excited. He said, "Your Majesty, I dare to say that the current atmosphere among officials is not good!"

As soon as these words came out, the whole place fell silent.

……

"...In my opinion, this is not a big deal. If it can be dealt with in time, it is not completely hopeless. Although the old and weak can't do much heavy work, they can always cook..."

"Respect the old as well as the old of your own family, and respect the young as well as the young of others. The teachings of the saints are still ringing in our ears, but people today have forgotten them... High-ranking officials are servile, while low-ranking officials are arrogant..."

Zhao Yi talked about all the problems he encountered. After he finished speaking, he noticed the atmosphere in the field and felt a little weak. But he also felt relaxed.

"Your Majesty, my supervision is not good enough. Please punish me!" Fan Ling said immediately.

Liu Bian waved his hand: "It's not your fault that the atmosphere is bad."

He suddenly thought of one of the main reasons why many officials opposed the reform at the beginning of the reform, which was that judging political achievements by utilitarianism would often make people ignore morality. Once morality was lost, officials would all pursue numerical growth and ignore people's livelihood...

This was not the first time Liu Bian had discovered this situation.

It's time to set up some moral role models! ——Liu Bian thought, we need to make up for what we lack.

Liu Bian turned to Zhao Yi and said, "The question you raised is very insightful. I already know it."

After that, Liu Bian gave Zhao Yi fifty kilograms of gold to show his virtue of speaking frankly.

(End of this chapter)