Chapter 308: Incognito Visit

When these words were spoken, everyone was startled, and then they unconsciously calculated their own ages.

"The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security previously conducted statistics. Across Jinzhou Prefecture's eleven prefectures, not counting the recently occupied Luzhou, the average age of our cadre team is only seventeen," Xu Zhenying recounted the data slowly. "Assuming our regime lasts at least fifty years, then based on the current cadre ages, that means those who join later won't have any chance of promotion for at least the next fifty years."

Those surrounding Xu Zhenying were all her confidants, and when they heard her say this, their faces became solemn.

Zhou Houfang murmured, "Without opportunities for promotion, there's also a lack of motivation. We could easily become like the Great Zhou Dynasty, where officials don't seek to achieve anything but avoid mistakes."

"That's right." Elder Lin stroked his graying beard. "Moreover, this is unfair to those cadres who have indeed made great achievements, and it is not conducive to their growth."

Xu Zhenying instructed Zhou Houfang, "We need to take this matter to heart. Let the Ministry of Human Resources calculate the healthy age of each civil servant. We must provide opportunities for young cadres to advance. We should see if some positions can be adjusted. Will the civil servant assessment next year have a certain bias towards older people?"

Zhou Houfang immediately took out a pen and paper to write it down.

Seeing that the two had almost finished their conversation, Ming Xiaoshuang smiled and said to Xu Zhenying, "Your Highness, we've finally been able to go on an incognito tour, so let's not dwell on those troubles. Didn't you say before that you've been stuck in Jinzhou Prefecture and haven't had the chance to see the empire we've conquered? Now you must take a good look."

Xu Zhenying thought about it and agreed.

You are already on a spring outing on business, why are you still worried about work?

She has been working day and night for five years. During these five years, she has been diligent, working at least ten hours a day, and has not even rested on weekends. Her mind is always tense and she dares not relax at all. Only then did she barely manage to build a company with tens of thousands of employees to the point of being listed.

Although the situation has reached a critical moment, she still can't help wanting to be lazy.

It's a good opportunity to take a break from busy life.

The days of teasing cats and dogs in my previous life seem to be just before my eyes.

Unfortunately, Old Man Xu’s voice, appearance and smile are a little blurry.

But looking at everything in front of him, Xu Zhenying felt that all the hard work was worth it.

She truly accelerated the world's progress.

It was only after entering Xiangzhou Prefecture that Xu Zhenying seemed to realize the disparity of this world.

Xiangzhou Prefecture was occupied for only a year, but its cityscape was completely different from that of Jiangling Prefecture.

When they were in Jiangling Prefecture, they could also eat special snacks from Jinzhou Prefecture, such as fried chicken, ice drinks, hot and sour noodles, and big knife-slided meat. Most of the people on the streets were dressed neatly and spoke with full energy, which showed that they had such confidence because they had surplus food at home.

But when I arrived in Xiangzhou Prefecture, it was as if I had walked into a place where time and space intersected. On one side, there was an air of decay from the Zhou Dynasty, but on the other side, there was an indescribable vitality, as if the most beautiful flowers had bloomed on the ruins.

Although most of the people on the street were still skinny, they did not have the numbness that was common in the Great Zhou Dynasty. Most of them were men, but there were also some older women on the street, doing small business.

Patrols appeared on the streets from time to time. Although the ground here was not as clean as that in Jinzhou Prefecture, it was much better than that in the Great Zhou Dynasty.

I heard from Mr. Lin that even in a prosperous city like Bianjing, people would still occasionally have to go to the dark alleys to relieve themselves.

Especially after it rains, the streets are full of dirt, feces, and filth left by businesses, not to mention the smell.

Xu Zhenying found it hard to imagine that scene.

She loves cleanliness, so the streets of Jinzhou Prefecture have implemented the "Three Guarantees" policy for a long time. When a horse-drawn carriage enters, a cloth bag must be tied behind the buttocks to prevent livestock from pulling things around. Garbage bins are set up at regular intervals, and public areas are cleaned frequently by hired people. Therefore, the streets of Jinzhou Prefecture are always spotless.

Even when there are conferences or events, Jinzhou Prefecture is crowded with people, especially the night market in the west of the city. When there are performances in the evening, there are even more people, but there is no dirt on the streets.

Even Mr. Lin was shocked when he first arrived in Jinzhou Prefecture. He said that Jinzhou Prefecture was a paradise on earth, even better than the areas of Jiangsu and Zhejiang.

Only then did Xu Zhenying realize how backward the productivity and infrastructure of the Zhou Dynasty were.

But at least in Xiangzhou, the street cleaning is pretty good.

Looking at the children walking in groups of three or two on the street, most of them are young and still carrying backpacks specially made for literacy classes. Some are holding candied haws, some are holding books, or chattering with classmates. Looking at these lively and tender faces, Xu Zhenying seemed to be back to the time when he was studying in his previous life.

Ming Xiaoshuang immediately smiled and said, "These are the children in the literacy class."

Zhou Houfang frowned slightly. "Why do I see so many more boys than girls? Could it be that Xiangzhou's universal education program hasn't been implemented yet?"

Qu Min immediately took out the official register he carried with him, flipped through a few pages, and pointed to the one for Xiangzhou. "The current ruler of Xiangzhou is Wang Xingye."

"Wang Xingye?" Xu Zhenying said with a smile. "He's an old acquaintance. He's been with me since Lan County. I remember he was the magistrate of Lan County before, and he must have been newly transferred to Xiangzhou."

Qu Min nodded, "The boss has a good memory."

"Then who is responsible for education?" Xu Zhenying changed the question. "Is it gay or lesbian?"

Qu Min flipped through the file again. "According to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security's official roster, it should be a man named Liao Chaoyun."

Zhou Houfang immediately said, "This person is actually a student of Bailu Academy. He was admitted in the same batch as Prefect Song, Secretary Pang, and Huang Weiguang."

"That's why," Xu Zhenying sighed. "I've always suggested that girls be hired to handle education. Only girls understand how difficult it is to study, and only girls will find ways to address the difficulties girls face in actually attending school."

Zhou Houfang immediately said, "Then, Master...does the Master need me to mention this to the Lord of Xiangzhou?"

"Don't rush, let's wait and see. We're sure to find many problems along the way. We'll compile a list and send it to every prefecture we pass through. We'll also spread it widely so that other prefectures and counties can make corrections if they have any, and encourage others to do the same."

Ming Xiaoshuang said, "Boss, we are still some distance away from the next town, why don't we rest in Xiangzhou tonight."

"Okay. You arrange it." Xu Zhenying added a worried tone, "Don't waste time and money."

Ming Xiaoshuang naturally understood.

Although there were only about a dozen or twenty people in their group, and they were dressed like traveling merchants, they were not very high-profile.

In fact, there were dozens of plainclothes people following them, and there were even scouts to investigate ahead of them. The water she drank, the food she ate, and even the inn she stayed in were all scouted in advance.

This time, the ones who were most tired were Ming Xiaoshuang and the security team.

Xu Zhenying refused at first, but she was powerless. Zhao Qiaonian, Ming Xiaoshuang, and even Mr. Lin and Zhou Houfang would never give in when it came to her safety, so she had no choice but to adapt.

Passing by a teahouse, everyone felt extremely thirsty. They saw that the business was booming and there were a lot of people. It seemed that there was a storyteller reading a book. Xu Zhenying and others also mixed in with them and asked for the most expensive private room. One side faced the street outside, while the other side just gave them a panoramic view of the teahouse.

However, when Xu Zhenying came in, he almost thought he had met a fellow villager.

Two people in blue clothes stood at the door. As soon as they met, they exaggeratedly gestured to welcome us and shouted in unison: "Welcome! There are fifteen guests in total. Please take a seat--"

In a trance, Xu Zhenying returned to the boutiques in his previous life.

Once you go in, you'll find there's something else going on inside.

The design of this teahouse is full of modern art. As soon as you enter the room, it feels like you have entered the Golden Hall of Vienna. There is a stage in the middle, but the surroundings are not like the traditional square shape. Instead, the craftsmen deliberately made an arc shape, and the two sides are slightly arched to facilitate sound transmission. Therefore, no matter where you sit in the teahouse, you can hear clearly.

As soon as they sat down, the teahouse served them braised tofu, melon seeds and other things. Xu Zhenying gestured to his men to sit down.

Zhou Houfang had never traveled far alone, so she was quite excited about this trip. Not only Zhou Houfang, but the other girls seemed more excited than the men. After all, it was common for men to go out, but girls had to be accompanied by their fathers and brothers when they went out, and there were so many rules, so they rarely had such free time.

Zhou Houfang immediately muttered to Qu Min, "See? This teahouse's design is clearly thoughtful. Not only does the sound carry far, but right off the bat, they serve you a bowl of braised tofu and melon seeds. It's not expensive, but it keeps you coming back. Who of us would dare to leave now?"

Qu Min also said: "This boss really put a lot of thought into this."

Zhou Houfang's eyes lit up as he looked at Xu Zhenying. "Boss, this boss has some business acumen. Should we poach him? It just so happens that Second Miss Qi is overwhelmed with the Ministry of Commerce. If we could recruit some skilled businesspeople from the public, wouldn't that be much more efficient?"

Xu Zhenying smiled innocently.

Look at what she has trained the people under her.

Everyone wants to pull the leeks when they see them.

Xu Zhenying had no choice but to remind him with a smile: "Don't forget, we are going on a secret visit."

Soon, the storyteller began to tell the story. Xu Zhenying saw that the people around her were gradually becoming fascinated by the story, but she was so embarrassed that she grabbed her toes.

God.

Isn’t the storyteller telling the story of the Peach Blossom Spring written by Han Ruqing?

When she first traveled to the Great Zhou Dynasty, she was still a little immature, so she wrote several versions of her opinions to Han Ruqing, which included various conflicts between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, and the protagonist being humiliated and slapped in the face. It was a bit similar to the kind of cool novels she read in her previous life, such as "Shocked, seeing his daughter living in a doghouse, he brought 100,000 soldiers."

But now it sounds like a public execution.

What was she thinking at that time that she could even say such bold words as "I will break the sky"?

Han Ruqing actually copied everything?

Besides, is "Peach Blossom Spring" really that popular?

Even the usually calm Zhao Qiaonian said, "Hey, I've read this book!"

Xu Zhenying turned around and glared at him, "You still have time to read miscellaneous books?"

Zhao Qiaonian scratched his head and quickly betrayed his old friend, "Boss, isn't it all about learning to read? Ming Xiaoshuang said the fastest way to learn to read is to read storybooks."

Ming Xiaoshuang, who was innocently implicated, laughed awkwardly, "Ha, that was several years ago. Now I'm reading the Four Books and Five Classics, and I even asked Elder Lin to teach me. If you don't believe me, Elder Lin can testify—"

Old Lin, however, was already cracking melon seeds, pinching his legs, and listening carefully to the storyteller's account of how the Dragon King was bullied and looked down upon in another world. He pointed to the sky and swore that no one should bully a young and poor boy, and that he would make everyone suffer one day in the future.

Elder Lin chuckled twice, then commented, "Although it's vulgar, the plot is quite captivating. This kind of otherworldly novel is rare, no wonder it was so popular in Bianjing City before."

Xu Zhenying was surprised and asked, "Has this book even reached Bianjing City?"

Zhou Houfang smiled shyly this time. "Master, don't you know that this copy of 'Peach Blossom Spring' is selling out? They say it was written by a student from Shouzhou. Don't worry if you laugh at me, but this copy of 'Peach Blossom Spring' is loved by scholars in Bianjing. Even my father keeps a copy by his pillow to keep him company."

Xu Zhenying was shocked.

Fortunately, I didn't get caught.

If her subordinates knew that she had this hobby of online writing, they would probably be shocked.

They were fascinated by what they were hearing, but Xu Zhenying was bored, so he turned his head to look at the scenery on the street below.

There happened to be a few vendors downstairs, including an old lady selling tofu and a young woman selling flower baskets.

Xu Zhenying remembered that in Jinzhou Prefecture, the sale of flower baskets was extremely popular among young village women.

Because these wild flowers and weeds are everywhere in the mountains, the cost is almost zero. Families with large families can pick some wild flowers while taking their younger siblings to do farm work, and then make beautiful flower baskets to send to the city. There is still a certain market for them, which can add some income to the family.

Therefore, the business of buying and selling flower baskets was once very popular in Jinzhou Prefecture.

Later, more and more women and girls started selling flowers, and the price of flower baskets dropped in Jinzhou Prefecture. However, there was a young woman who emerged as a rising star and carved out a niche for herself by cooperating with various shops and making some opening decorations.

Xu Zhenying also saw that the woman was wearing a coarse linen dress, without any jewelry on her head, and her hands were rough, so he knew that this woman came from a poor family.

Just as I was thinking this, I saw a man in a green shirt approaching.

He first stopped to look for a while, then bent down and picked and chose for a long time before he selected the most colorful and fresh flower basket.

The woman thought she had a big customer, and said shyly but happily, "Sir, you have good taste. This is the best bouquet. Pair it with some greenery. My wife will surely like it when I take it back!"

"Yes." The man said this, but turned around and left without paying.

The woman stood there in a daze, and was about to reach out to pull the man away, but was caught by the old woman selling tofu nearby.

Xu Zhenying frowned slightly when he saw this.

Someone is robbing in broad daylight?

Looking at the young man, he was wearing clothes made of materials that were not like those of ordinary people. He had a straight and slender figure and a handsome face, and he did not look like a rogue.

Xu Zhenying couldn't help but prick up his ears and listen.

As expected, after the young man had walked away, the old tofu seller pulled the young woman aside and said, "Don't worry! It's just a flower basket, only a dozen coins. There's no need to offend him."

The young woman looked confused and said, "Auntie, who is that man? I see he's well dressed and looks like a young man from a wealthy family. How...how..."

The woman blushed, as if she felt ashamed of what the man had done.

The old woman interjected, "Why don't you give me money?"

The young woman nodded.

"Hey, don't even mention you. Whenever he passes this street, he always takes whatever he likes and never pays for it."

"Why is he like this?"

Xu Zhenying also listened with her ears perked up. She seemed to remember something and patted the shoulder of Zhao Qiaonian, who was listening attentively, and motioned him to come over.

Zhao Qiaonian was a little confused, but he stood up and sat by the window.

Then Xu Zhenying made a "silence" gesture and pointed to the street below.

"He's a well-known figure on our street. He's the teacher at the elementary literacy class up ahead." The woman shook her head and smiled bitterly, seeming to look down on the man. "He's just lucky. People say he rose to prominence thanks to the Lord of the Mansion, but he did it thanks to his wife. Don't you know, his wife is our Lord of the Mansion's secretary!"

The young woman was startled. "Secretary? Isn't that equivalent to a magistrate?"

"I don't know, but she follows the prefect every day, and he takes her with him wherever he goes." The old woman waved her hand. "This man was originally a student with no special skills, but he relied on his wife's connections to become a teacher. His family lives in the front. Not to mention you, which store on our street hasn't fallen victim to his murder? Just be thankful. Your flower basket is only a dozen coins, so consider it protection money."

The young woman lowered her head, a trace of grievance on her face: "A dozen or so coins, that's enough for my family's expenses for a day. Isn't it said that the officials in the prefecture are very kind, they won't charge us entry fees or protection fees——"

"Oh, why are you feeling wronged? Things are much better now than before! Look, you're a young woman, and you dare to go out and do business. You've been doing business here for a long time, and no hooligans have picked on you, right? This was something you wouldn't even dare to think about before. Just be content."

The young woman had no choice but to admit that she was in the wrong.

Xu Zhenying pointed at the departing young man's back and said to Zhao Qiaonian, "That young man bought something but didn't pay, and he had high-ranking officials behind him. The common people are suffering. Minister Zhao, you haven't done your job as Supervisory Department. I remember back in Jinzhou Prefecture, this kind of petty corruption among petty officials occurred. Some of them would eat for free at Lao Liao's wonton stall, taking only a dozen or so coins each time, but it had a very bad influence on the common people. It's only because Lao Liao is so honest that he dared to come to me to complain. I didn't expect that after all these years, this phenomenon would still exist."

Zhao Qiaonian was so embarrassed that his face turned red. He felt that although Xu Zhenying's tone was not harsh, it was like a slap in the face to him.

As if sensing something unusual, Zhou Houfang and the others turned their heads. She glanced at Zhao Qiaonian, then seemed to be trying to come to his rescue: "I'm afraid these officials in Xiangzhou Prefecture have only emerged in the past year or two. I guess they haven't fully adapted to the officialdom in Jinzhou yet. They need to be given a good shake."

Zhao Qiaonian stood up, looking ashamed. "Boss, I didn't do my job well. I'll go find out what's going on now."

Xu Zhenying narrowed his eyes and smiled. "Alright, we're almost in Luzhou anyway, so there's nothing to hide about our itinerary. Zhao Qiaonian, why don't you just stay in Xiangzhou and launch a vigorous inspection campaign? Record all the people's dissatisfaction with our court, any grievances, or injustices they've suffered. The Supervisory Department is completely independent. Do you understand the situation in Xiangzhou?"

Zhao Qiaonian nodded. "I have a list of officials in my luggage. And our Supervisory Department often organizes training activities, so most of them are familiar faces."

"Okay, as long as you can shout it out movingly. Then we'll have the local supervisory officials in Xiangzhou cooperate with you. Tomorrow we'll go to Luzhou first, and you'll stay behind to deal with the aftermath."

Soon, Zhao Qiaonian went down with two or three people.

Xu Zhenying leaned against the window, leaning sideways, and watched Zhao Qiaonian and the woman talking to each other. The woman was terrified at first, and then she shook her head, refusing to admit that she had been taken advantage of, and was even forced to kneel down in front of Zhao Qiaonian.

Xu Zhenying couldn't help but sigh: "Alas, no matter which dynasty or generation, ordinary people are always a vulnerable group. The saying 'people should not fight against officials' has completely bent their backs, forcing them to choose only endurance when faced with injustice, rather than resistance."

Elder Lin also came over to watch the fun. He watched the woman sobbing and refusing to reveal the man's name, only asking for peace and a quick departure. He couldn't help but sigh, "The work of the Supervisory Department is really hard. Look at Minister Zhao, working under the watchful eye of His Highness, and facing this delicate, weeping woman. It's a headache! It's a headache!"

Qu Min said, "The people have no power and influence, and they are afraid of getting into trouble, and even more afraid of retaliation afterwards, so no one dares to stand up and expose the crime. Therefore, we must make this action as big as possible, and punish the officials severely. We must let the people know that we are serious, and we must also make the officials nervous."

Zhou Houfang also said: "I'm afraid the officialdom in Xiangzhou will be shaken this time."

"Yes. If we want the people to stand up straight, speak out, and defend their rights, we need to have the utmost trust in our government. Mr. Lin, our cause is just getting started, like a baby taking its first steps. We still have a long way to go."

Elder Lin looked at Xu Zhenying's profile and smiled slightly, "At least we are moving forward."

"Yes, we are taking it one step at a time."