The Sili Xiaowei was established by Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che, to supervise the capital and surrounding areas. Its duties were similar to, or even more so than, those of the Jinyiwei in the later Ming Dynasty.
In order for the emperors of the Han Dynasty to control the central government, in addition to controlling the Imperial Guards such as the Feathered Forest Army and the Tiger Guard, the most important thing was to have the Commandant of the Capital Region.
Yang Qiu is now completely devoted to Liu Hong. In addition to punishing corrupt officials and supervising their investigations, Yang Qiu has also added a secret department, the "Investigation Division," with Liu Hong's support.
Since Yang Qiu took office as the Commandant of the Capital Region, he has carried out sweeping reforms and quickly integrated the entire Capital Region government. Now everyone in the Capital Region government knows that their Commandant is a confidant of the Emperor, and no one dares to disobey Yang Qiu's orders in the slightest.
As the saying goes, what the superiors do, the subordinates will follow. What kind of official you have will determine what kind of officials you have. Now, everyone in the Sili government office seems to be acting in a style similar to Yang Qiu's.
After several days of inspection and supervision, the inspection of the Luoyang area has now been completed, and the next step is to inspect the surrounding counties.
In the Sili government office, everyone looked solemnly at Yang Qiu in the main seat, thinking that something important must be about to happen, and everyone felt a little excited.
Seeing that everyone had arrived, Yang Qiu stood up and looked around at them. "I am ordered by the Emperor to be in charge of inspecting the spring plowing. This matter is related to the stability of the Han Dynasty and His Majesty attaches great importance to it. Therefore, starting today, you will temporarily put aside your current affairs and immediately go to various prefectures and counties to conduct inspections. Anyone who violates the law or causes trouble during the spring plowing period will be severely punished."
"promise!"
The crowd responded in unison. Subsequently, Yang Qiu personally took charge of the capital, while the officials of the Sili Office, the assistant officials, and the officers of the Zhongdu Office personally led squads of the Imperial Guards, the Tiger Guards, and the Imperial Cavalry to rush towards the surrounding counties.
Yangde Hall.
"Your Majesty, even if the Grand Tutor is right, you shouldn't be so harsh on yourself."
Looking at Liu Hong's dinner, which consisted of only a bowl of millet, a plate of green vegetables, and a plate of meat, Zhang Rang couldn't help but speak up to offer some advice.
Upon hearing this, Liu Hong put down his chopsticks and looked at Zhang Rang, "Zhang Rang, when you were young, did you ever go hungry?"
"Your Majesty, I come from a poor family and often went hungry when I was young."
Zhang Rang still vividly remembers his childhood experiences; otherwise, he wouldn't have started to amass wealth so lavishly after gaining power, because he never wanted to live that inhuman life again.
Liu Hong chuckled lightly, "Then let me ask you, what was your greatest wish when you were young?"
"A wishful thought...? Well, that would be to have a full meal, and preferably a bowl of hot meat soup."
Having served Liu Hong for so long, this was the first time Zhang Rang had seen the emperor smile at him. He was flattered and became much more relaxed in his speech.
Liu Hong smiled and said, "Yes! A full meal and a bowl of meat soup are all I have, and what I have before me is quite plentiful. What is there to say about being treated poorly?"
"this...."
Zhang Rang was speechless for a moment. Compared to Liu Hong, Liu Hong's food was already considered a delicacy by ordinary people.
At this moment, Liu Hong lost his appetite, got up and went to the entrance of the main hall to look at the night outside. Zhang Rang followed closely behind.
"As the Son of Heaven, I am the ruler and father of all people, yet my thousands of subjects are starving. How can I indulge in delicacies and fine clothes?"
Liu Hong's words struck Zhang Rang's heart like a heavy hammer.
Zhang Rang couldn't help but recall the time when he almost starved to death as a child. At that time, Zhang Rang felt hatred. He hated those officials, powerful people, and aristocratic families. Why could they be high and mighty with plenty of food and drink, while his parents worked hard but still couldn't get enough to eat and even almost starved to death? He hated the injustice of the world, so he once vowed that he would climb up step by step and then trample all those who had bullied him down.
"Since you have suffered greatly since childhood, you should be even more aware of the hardships of ordinary people's lives!"
Despite his young age, Liu Hong was acting like an elder, lecturing Zhang Rang.
"Your Majesty is benevolent and loves the people, this servant understands."
"Whether you truly understand or not, you must always remember that the people are the foundation of the world, even though they may seem to come from humble origins in your eyes."
But whether it's the powerful, the aristocratic, the bureaucrats, or even you eunuchs, and even I, we all depend on this most basic level for support and sustenance. Considering the people's needs in all matters will do you no harm. Do you understand?
Liu Hong looked at Zhang Rang with a deep gaze. This eunuch who would later wreak havoc in the palace should not be a fool.
“This servant understands. Your Majesty is a rare and sage ruler. This servant will follow Your Majesty to the death.”
At this moment, Zhang Rang could be said to be completely convinced of Liu Hong's power. An emperor who cares deeply about the people will surely be remembered in history and may even become an unprecedented sage ruler. If he wholeheartedly follows in the emperor's footsteps, even if he doesn't write a biography in the future, it's not impossible for him to make a mark in the history books of later generations.
Looking at Zhang Rang kneeling at his feet, Liu Hong nodded slightly.
"Alright, you and Lü Qiang will be in charge of reducing palace expenses and releasing palace maids and servants together."
"promise!"
Zhang Rang then turned and walked outside, intending to find Lü Qiang to make arrangements.
"etc..."
"Does Your Majesty have any further instructions?" Zhang Rang asked, somewhat puzzled.
Liu Hong said in a deep voice, "The Empress Dowager's expenses will remain the same."
"promise."
Zhang Rang paused, realizing that the emperor didn't seem to dislike Lady Dou that much.
In fact, Dou Miao treated Liu Hong quite well. Although the Empress Dowager was in charge of the government in public, Dou Miao never explicitly opposed anything Liu Hong did or any edicts he issued. It can be said that she gave him, the emperor, great respect.
That night, after discussing the details with Lü Qiang, Zhang Rang returned home and began writing a letter to his elder brother in his hometown. The letter was stern, repeatedly demanding that his brother be kind to others and never bully others by abusing his power. He also demanded that his brother donate his land to the government and provide seeds and farming tools to the government and the people free of charge. Zhang Rang then handed the letter to the gatekeeper, asking him to send someone to deliver it to his brother as quickly as possible.
"Hmph..." Watching the gatekeeper's retreating figure, Zhang Rang couldn't help but recall the emperor's question to him: "Would you choose to be Marquis Cai or Zhao Gao?"
Zhang Rang chose the former almost instantly. Given the chance, who would want to leave behind a bad reputation? In Zhang Rang's view, as long as he focused on his work and relied on his abilities, it was not impossible for him to surpass Marquis Cai.
At this moment, Zhang Rang's ambition began to burn once again.
"Someone, prepare the car."
"Where are you going, Master?"
The gatekeeper was puzzled. He had just returned in the middle of the night, and now he was going out again?
Where to?
Zhang Rang looked at the gatekeeper who had been with him for many years.
"Go and relieve the emperor's worries, go and bring honor to our family."
So, under the confused gaze of the gatekeeper, Zhang Rang boarded the carriage and headed towards Wang Fu's residence.
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