Zhao Yunqi looked at the ministers but did not make a decision immediately.
The Emperor System asserted, "Why did this happen earlier or later? It just erupted the moment she arrived. I don't believe it has nothing to do with her."
I wonder what she's planning this time. Taking over Montgomery is definitely on her agenda, but what about the rest?
Zhao Yunqi nodded, "I know it's related to her, but it's too late to solve the immediate problem. She is indeed the most suitable. I can no longer turn a blind eye to the affairs of the five counties in Mengzhou."
The Emperor System snorted coldly and remained silent.
Ultimately, the imperial court sent a message by hawk, appointing Xiao Zhixing as the temporary imperial envoy to handle the unrest in the five counties of Mengzhou.
Before the imperial edict even reached Xiao Zhixing's hands, Xiao's army had already split into five groups and headed towards the five counties. They claimed to be going to capture bandits, but in reality, they were heading straight for the county governments, catching those who were still clinging to hope off guard.
Xiao Zhixing entrusted this matter to Lin Rushu and others, while she focused on the matter of the Northern Frontier Special Forces.
Changyukou is actually located at the border of Mengzhou and Ningzhou. If she wants to get there by chance, she needs to come up with a reason that no one can doubt.
Sending gifts to Nian Chenghan and Mu Wan can be considered a reason.
It's a bit of a stretch, though. They don't need to pass through there to get to the prefectural governor's office in the two prefectures. They can just go directly through the central part of Ningzhou.
At this moment, Bai Feng and Hei Hu returned. "Xiao Xing, the gray-clothed man has returned to Heiwu Town and hasn't moved. I left a mark on him, so I can go there immediately as soon as he leaves Heiwu Town."
"Okay, you can come back and rest."
Bai Feng seemed very excited. "I have some good news to tell you. Are you excited?"
Xiao Zhixing played along with her boasting, "Of course I'm looking forward to it, tell me quickly."
Bai Feng flashed back into her spatial dimension, laughing heartily, "I can transform into human form now! Hahahaha, I can transform into human form now!!"
Xiao Zhixing was immediately excited for her, "Really? That's wonderful! Congratulations, baby!"
Bai Feng flew wildly through the space, laughing loudly, "Quickly, give me some advice, what should I become first? I want to be an unparalleled beauty..."
Xiao Zhixing's heart stirred, and a glint of light flashed in his eyes. "Come on, let's have a good discussion about what kind of person you want to become."
This is a powerful weapon; we must unleash its full potential.
Seeing her mischievous grin, Bai Feng was puzzled, and Hei Hu was equally baffled. "What kind of crazy idea are you thinking of now?"
Xiao Zhixing, unusually arrogant, said, "This is a clever strategy."
Alright, Bai Feng never refused her requests, so the two of them got together and started plotting.
That evening, to everyone's surprise, Lord Black Tiger, who had been released back into the mountains after the prince returned to Shengjing, reappeared.
They marveled, truly worthy of being called the king of beasts; even when the prince arrived in Mengzhou, it could find him by following his scent.
The next morning, Lin Rushu came to report the progress to her. "Wanwan reported that the person is already on the way and should arrive in a few days. How does Your Highness plan to interrogate him?"
"You and Asayi will be together at the Pantou County trial, while I will simply observe and oversee the proceedings."
Yes, they're back now, settling in Pantou County, Xiao Renyi's old haunt.
"The county government office was burned down, wasn't it? Then set up a platform at the market entrance and invite all the people of the county to investigate the corrupt officials. In the next few days, post notices to welcome those who have been wronged to seek justice on the spot."
It's too much trouble to search for evidence one by one, so let's just encourage everyone to appeal boldly.
Lin Rushu should ask, "What should we do with those people?"
Xiao Zhixing knew who she was talking about. "I'm worried about you not having your own personal guards here. Give ten taels of silver to those who want to leave so they can go back. Those who want to join the army can be incorporated into the Xiao family army and train with us for half a month. They can then protect you from now on."
Lin Rushu stood up and cupped his hands in thanks. "Thank you, Your Highness."
As for how to win them over and make them her confidants, she naturally had her ways.
Xiao Zhixing then asked her, "How have you been cooperating with Anotha for the past few days?"
Xiao Renyi is seriously injured and in custody. Pantou County is temporarily without a magistrate, and Lin Rushu and Anota are now jointly in charge of the county's affairs.
Lin Rushu smiled and said, "Don't worry, I have you backing me up. He knows his place and always puts me first."
Xiao Zhixing nodded. "The imperial court may send new officials to the five southern counties. I will give you three months. No matter what method you use, you must bring this area under your control before the imperial officials arrive."
There's always some manipulation involved in demoting or promoting new county magistrates on the spot.
As I said before, she will never let go of what she has already obtained, and hopefully no one will be so stubborn as to try her methods.
As for the seven northern counties, Asay and Anotha will cooperate with her work.
She didn't want to become a mountain king; she just wanted to develop Mengzhou properly and make it the granary of the north.
Moreover, this is a completely beneficial thing for the local people, all officials, and Asayi, so they cannot refuse it.
Lin Rushu understood immediately; it was simply a matter of stripping away power, and she would firmly grasp these five counties in her hands.
The trial was held on the same day the notice was posted, and the next moment, a flood of petitions arrived at the temporary government office. Many more people knelt outside, crying and pleading for justice.
Lin Rushu received them one by one in a friendly manner, first calming their emotions, and then ordering someone to take their petitions, register their grievances, and distinguish between truth and falsehood and evidence.
Anotha assisted from the side, and Nian Chenghan and others also came up to help.
Looking at the surging crowd of people outside crying for justice, everyone understood what it meant to be in an uproar and to have grievances clear as snow.
I also have more thoughts and experiences about my future career as an official.
Xiao Zhixing and Asay stood on high ground overlooking the panoramic view.
"The actions of corrupt officials are to exhaust the people's wealth to enrich themselves. Corrupt officials do not care about the people's suffering, but only seek their own benefit."
Asay lamented, "The blood and tears are countless, the crimes are too numerous to recount! As the governor of Mengzhou, I am deeply ashamed that I could not protect the people!"
Xiao Zhixing did not blame him. As the governor of the prefecture, he had done his best and even lost his wife and daughter.
"Since ancient times, no official has been without corruption, only the degree of corruption varies. Clean governance has always been the dream of capable rulers throughout history, but unfortunately..."
No matter how many methods are used to combat corruption, they cannot be eradicated. The only solutions are continuous reform, warnings, control, supervision, education, and ultimately, elimination.
Asai said with slight excitement, "If there were one more person in the world who could understand the people's hearts, there would be one less corrupt official, and eventually there would be no corruption in the world."
Xiao Zhixing smiled, not mocking his whimsical ideas; idealists are always admirable.
[Red comment: Corrupt officials are like weeds; they grow back after being cut down, and are cut down again—an endless cycle throughout history.]
[Green comment: We're constantly innovating here; there are always some people who can be greedy in bizarre and astonishing ways.]
[Yellow comment: Hehe, hehe, we're laughing triumphantly~~]
[Yellow comment: Hahaha, let us brag a little, our administration has been clean and honest for thousands of years, can you believe it? Although there are still corrupt officials occasionally, large-scale corruption has been eradicated.]
[Yellow comment: We should keep a low profile, hahaha, but I really can't help it. The Great Sheng Dynasty stood for thousands of years, and solving the problem of bureaucracy was the key to its longevity.]
[Yellow comment: Speaking of this, we should start showering you with compliments again...]
Xiao Zhixing: She was curious, very curious, about how the problem of official corruption would be solved in the future?
This age-old problem can actually be solved?! Even she herself doesn't believe it!
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