The scale of the imperial procession was quite large, so the speed was naturally a bit slow.
It took two more days to reach Xinzhang County.
Since the decree had been issued, officials in Xinzhang had already received the news in advance.
Moreover, people had already been sent outside to inquire about the whereabouts of the emperor.
At this moment, outside Xinzhang County, officials from the entire county had already gathered outside to welcome him early.
The leader was none other than Sun Sheng, the magistrate of Xinzhang County.
Sun Sheng is tall and handsome, and gives people a sense of righteousness at first glance.
At a moment when everyone seemed a little anxious, he was the only one who remained calm and composed.
An official couldn't help but ask, "Lord Sun, aren't you anxious now that the emperor has arrived? How about I send someone back to the city to make some arrangements?"
Sun Sheng waved his hand lightly and said confidently: "No need. I think His Majesty will be satisfied with my performance today. It's a pity that the time I was given is too short. If I come back next year, Xinzhang County will be completely different from what it is today."
Sun Sheng does have reason to be proud. Since he took office, he has devoted all his energy to reforming the civil service and rectifying customs.
The Hanlin Academy originally nominated him in order to make achievements and oppose Kuan Shang.
And he did it!
He once inquired about the situation in Pingwan County, where merchants came in an endless stream and the environment was far more chaotic than that of the outside world.
However, in Xinzhang County, the people were content to do their jobs and everything was in order. Once the measures to suppress business were introduced, even the prices were a few cents lower than those in Pingwan County.
This depends on the connections with local powerful gentry. After all, Xinzhang's main business is in the hands of these families.
Sun Sheng is not an inflexible person. The death of Yan Guoan is still fresh in his mind.
Yan Guoan suffered the consequences because he relied too much on and favored the gentry and wealthy families.
Therefore, he did not try to win over the local tyrants, but attacked them to the best of his ability!
He often sent officials to inspect the businesses under these family names, and would punish them if they found any price increases.
If any petty official dared to accept bribes or did not do his job properly, he would never show mercy.
Today's results were achieved by taking a two-pronged approach of rectifying officials and cracking down on the powerful.
This process was not too difficult. After all, he was a demoted Beijing official and carried extraordinary significance.
The various resources behind him are enough for him to get his things done by stepping on the local tyrants.
This time, after His Majesty has finished inspecting the two counties, I should be promoted and return to the capital, and Kuan Shang's ridiculous business should be stopped.
Sun Sheng thought so.
The person beside him reminded him, "Lord Sun, why don't we prepare a welcoming ceremony for His Majesty outside the city? Isn't it too simple for only a few people from our government to stand here?"
Sun Sheng thought for a moment and shook his head, "No, Your Majesty regards frugality as a virtue, and this trip is also extremely simple. This is the best way at the moment."
"If it's done in a grand and flashy way, His Majesty will not like it."
"As long as the city's sanitation and public security are maintained, it will be enough. Your Majesty will just take a simple walk and will eventually go to the county government to check this year's results. He will not stay for more than two days at most, so there is no need to be nervous."
"The achievements we have made this time are enough to make us proud of the whole country! Which county in Dajing can achieve such a huge growth in just one year?"
Sun Sheng asked with a smile.
"Yes, it all depends on Lord Sun's governance. I believe His Majesty will be very pleased and promote Lord Sun as an exception."
"Such achievements are far superior to those of Pingwan County and Xinzhang!"
Outside the city, a burst of rainbow fart sounds were heard.
......
It is less than ten miles to Xinzhang County.
Fang Zhengyi sat on his horse and pondered silently.
It's a rare opportunity for my father-in-law to come out, so this is a good opportunity to express my filial piety.
After passing Xinzhang County, there was a grand welcome ceremony waiting for him in Pingwan County!
Fifty paper flower salutes, a red carpet welcome ceremony, a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a charity project...a large-scale fireworks event at night.
He had already written a letter to inform Yang Fengfan in advance.
Even though my father-in-law seems to be thrifty all day long, he is actually a bit of a frivolous person at heart!
The emperor liked to see this, but he just kept it to himself. Every time he did this before, didn’t he couldn’t hold back his smile?
If it weren't for the emperor's status, he would have to take his father-in-law out to wash his feet...
I just don’t know how Yang Fengfan is preparing.
I always feel uneasy if I don't do this kind of thing myself.
After another journey, the large army arrived outside Xinzhang County.
Sun Sheng led a group of officials to bow down.
"Your Majesty, we welcome you respectfully."
Emperor Jing smiled and raised his hand and said, "No need to be polite, get up."
Everyone stood up.
Emperor Jing looked through them and fixed his eyes on Sun Sheng: "You are Sun Sheng? You are indeed young and promising."
Sun Sheng was secretly delighted: "I don't deserve it. Your Majesty has been traveling all the way. I have already prepared a place for you to stay. Please enter the city!"
The ministers accompanying the emperor were delighted.
Especially Li Yansong, Xu Wenshu, Yang Yingcai and other old ministers were very happy.
Finally I can take a break here, as the journey was so tiring.
But Emperor Jing said to Sun Sheng: "No need!"
"I don't want to disturb the people. Please change into casual clothes and follow me on the incognito tour. There is no need to make a big fuss."
Guo Tianyang was surprised and said: "Your Majesty, that guard..."
"The guards are stationed outside, so what problems can there be in Xinzhang County? Don't worry too much, Zhang Biao is with me."
Fang Zhengyi gave Zhang Biao a gentle push and pushed him forward: "Come on!"
Zhang Biao held his head and chest high, looking extremely strong.
Sun Sheng also said: "Everyone can rest assured, the scoundrels in the city have been cleared out, and your Majesty's safety is under your responsibility!"
Now that things have come to this, there is nothing more to talk about.
You can only change into casual clothes and enter the city.
The moment they entered the city, the eyes of Emperor Jing and the officials accompanying him lit up.
Apart from anything else, the environmental sanitation is really good. The several counties along the way are far less clean and eye-catching than Xinzhang County.
Sun Sheng quietly observed the performance of others and couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
He knew that Fang Zhengyi had a unique style of governance, and hygiene was one of the most important aspects.
Emperor Jing admired him very much, so he naturally wanted to learn from Fang Zhengyi's strengths, even though this person had a bad reputation among the Hanlin scholars.
But as long as it is good, he is willing to adopt it.
"What about the people in this city? Why are there so few of them?"
After walking for a while, only dozens of people were seen, and Emperor Jing raised questions.
Sun Sheng replied: "Knowing that Your Majesty would come in the next two days, I have sent people to inform the people of the city. The people are afraid of disturbing the emperor and dare not go out casually."
"Didn't you forbid the people to go out?"
"Your Majesty has clearly forbidden in the imperial edict that the activities of the people should not be restricted. I dare not act on my own initiative. If you continue to go in, there should be more people."
Emperor Jing nodded with satisfaction. He believed that there was no need for Sun Sheng to lie about such things.
And after a brief contact, I felt that this person was quite open and honest, and the first impression was good.
"Okay, then tell me how you govern the county."
......
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