"Yellow flags and purple canopies, banners obscuring the sun, ah, Master, this is a sign of a wise ruler descending to earth." Mei Meng's thoughts were interrupted by a hoarse female voice from not far away. She looked in the direction of the voice and saw a disheveled man and woman in the middle of a tree.
The man was around fifty years old, with dark skin, deep wrinkles, a full head of gray hair, and a tangled, unshaven beard that looked like it hadn't been combed in a long time. The woman was younger, with a round chin and a short philtrum, looking about thirteen or fourteen years old, and she was holding a wooden stick.
What attracted Mei Meng the most were the girl's eyes. Her pupils were mostly white, and her eyes were lifeless, clearly indicating that she was blind.
The girl was immediately silenced by her master.
"Don't you even consider the occasion before spouting nonsense?"
The girl said, "I've already said it."
The shouts of "Long live the King!" were deafening.
Which one isn't even more "chaotic" than what she just said? Maybe she can even make the people happy and get them to give her and her apprentice a meal.
Upon hearing this, Mei Meng turned her gaze away.
The master and disciple's aura was no different from ordinary people, except that the disciple's appearance was unusual, and the words she had just spoken were not something an illiterate commoner could utter. She withdrew her gaze, but the girl in the master and disciple turned her head to look in her direction before looking away again.
The master asked in a low voice, "What are you looking at?"
The apprentice lowered his voice and said, "I didn't see anything."
The master was about to speak when the surrounding cheers were deafening, seemingly shaking even the tree trunks beneath his feet. He looked up and saw that a large army was approaching. Beneath a sea of banners that blotted out the sun, the red-clad figure at the head of the army stood out, beaming with a radiant smile.
The other person was waving to both sides of the road.
It was Shen Tang who almost couldn't resist the enthusiasm of the common people.
This was her first time returning to where it all began after many years. She had expected the local people to still remember her kindness, but she hadn't anticipated their overwhelming enthusiasm. The crowd stretched as far as the eye could see, and countless more people were hanging from the trees on the nearby mountains.
While responding with a smile, Shen Tang secretly asked in a private message, "Has Dayi and the others not moved the people to other places yet?"
Kang Guo and Gao Guo have completely broken off relations.
Wu Xian also personally led his troops on an expedition.
Even if this battle doesn't result in the complete annihilation of one side, it will at least severely weaken the other. Regardless of the outcome, Heyin County, as a border prefecture between the two countries, will bear the brunt. Shen Tang, naturally reluctant to place the battlefield of the two countries in Heyin, is concerned for his own territory, but there's no guarantee that a defeat wouldn't lead to Gao's advance.
Just in case, the public should still be evacuated.
Shen Tang frowned and looked at him with disapproval.
Could it be that the officials of the He Yin prefecture failed to deliver the message properly?
According to the rules of Kang State, once a region becomes a battlefield, the government will call on the common people to evacuate in advance to avoid the war. After the war, appropriate subsidies will be provided, and there will be support policies to help the common people make up for the economic and livelihood losses caused by the war. There is no reason for the common people not to cooperate. The fact that so many people are still there now must mean that the local government is either inactive or has low governance efficiency.
Shen Tang's eyes were sharp as knives.
The governor of Heyin County, who was there a day early to welcome the army, was secretly sweating.
He replied, "Your Majesty, the common people have already been relocated."
Shen Tang: "Then why are there still so many people?"
"When the common people heard that the royal army was coming, they spontaneously came to welcome them."
The governor of He County regretted his actions and posted a notice.
He originally wanted to curry favor.
Which ruler wouldn't want to see his people welcoming him?
The more people there are, the more it proves that people's hearts are on your side!
Even the most incompetent and tyrannical rulers enjoyed this kind of pomp and circumstance. There were countless examples of officials currying favor with their superiors, going door-to-door with gongs and drums to force people out as extras. The king's reputation in He Yin didn't need the government to promote it, but he hadn't expected so many people to show up.
Shen Tang still had a smile on her face, but her tone wasn't very happy.
"With so many people, what if a stampede occurs?"
"I have already dispatched men to maintain order in various places." He originally thought that only about ten thousand people had come out, but who knew that almost everyone in Fugu City had fled, and the pressure on public security was astonishing. He wanted to stop them halfway but was afraid of causing a riot, so he could only bite the bullet and proceed.
The only saving grace is that Hae-eun County is the only region that hosts large-scale events every year, such as lantern festivals and sports meets. At first, it hosted them alone, and later it joined forces with nearby prefectures and counties, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere. Over the years, it has accumulated a wealth of experience.
Upon hearing this, Shen Tang did not ask any further questions.
It's best if there are no mistakes; if there are, then hold people accountable.
At best, they would be demoted; at worst, they would be beheaded.
The Prefect of He Yin saw the murderous intent beneath Shen Tang's smile and secretly broke out in a cold sweat for his life, inwardly praying that nothing would go wrong this time. In Kang Kingdom, he and the Prefect of Long Wu were practically half-brothers in misfortune.
No, it was even harder for him than for the latter.
As the starting point of the king's rise to power, Heyin County was succeeded by Xu Jie, the patriarch of the powerful Xu clan! Xu Jie was originally a commoner merchant, despised by many, but Heyin County not only did not decline under his rule, but flourished, continuing the prosperous trend of the king's reign. The administration was clean and efficient, the policies simple and the punishments straightforward; it could truly be described as "politically sound and harmonious." The current governor of Heyin County, as the third governor, faces immense pressure. The Ministry of Personnel's evaluation standards are high and strict, and the censors frequently visit.
He sits in this seat, losing hair every day.
Forget about embezzling and accepting bribes to show off your power; even a single complaint from the prefectural government can make him extremely anxious and paranoid. When he gets home, he has to ask his family three times a day if they've been set up. Never accept things you shouldn't, and remember to be low-key and cautious in your actions.
However, he also resorted to trickery.
New officials don't make a big splash when they first take office; they're afraid of messing things up.
He diligently followed the policies of his two predecessors, studied their notes and insights, and occasionally craned his neck to see what new money-making schemes the Prefect of Longwu came up with. While others were feeling their way across the river, he was feeling his way through the experience of the Prefect of Longwu as an official.
Seize the opportunity to exchange governance experiences with officials from other regions.
He received the highest grade in the Ministry of Personnel's performance evaluation for three consecutive years.
He only needs to endure two more years before he can get a promotion.
As the Prefect of Heyin watched Shen Tang place a wreath of velvet flowers on his head, a pang of envy welled up inside him. His lord had governed Heyin for two years and had been gone for nine, yet the local people still remembered his kindness. He himself had served in Heyin for three years; he wondered if, after his two-year term, when he was transferred elsewhere, so many people would still remember his goodness. He was filled with envy.
Loud cheers erupted from the crowd.
If you listen closely, you can hear people shouting and laughing almost insanely.
"My Lord wore it, My Lord wore my flower—"
People nearby cast envious glances, offering congratulations and flattery. Velvet flowers, a specialty of Heyin County, have reached new heights in recent years, with a dazzling array of patterns. Local women may not know how to do laundry or cook, but they must master this craft. The velvet flowers produced here are not only popular in Kangguo, but are also highly sought after by dignitaries and nobles in other countries.
Shen Tang casually caught a flower wreath and put it on her head. This unintentional act turned the wreath into a timeless and popular design. The wreath maker also became a rising star in the industry, with her orders likely to be booked for the next three to five years.
Because there were so many people, we couldn't walk very fast on this stretch of road.
The Prefect of He County had never felt time drag on as long as it did today. His only consolation was that Heaven had heard his humble prayers, and apart from a dozen or so unlucky souls breaking their legs in the fall from the trees, there were no other accidents. As for the mess left behind by the crowd, that was a minor matter; he could simply send someone to clean it up later.
Shen Tang stayed at the prefectural government office for half a day.
Most of the time was spent asking questions of the Prefect of Jiaokao River.
River Governor: "..."
The king condescended to examine my political achievements; haha, I don't know whether to laugh or cry. I'm glad I've been diligent in my official duties and have a thorough understanding of the policies in various parts of the country, so I didn't embarrass myself and didn't give the king a chance to execute me.
Shen Tang said, "Hmm, well done."
Upon hearing this, the Prefect of He knew his chances in this year's Ministry of Personnel assessment were secure! He clenched his fist excitedly! First-class, absolutely first-class, first-class for four years! What could the Prefect of Longwu possibly have to compare with him!
The composition of the literary officials in Kangguo was quite complex.
One part was the basic civil service examination fee, which was paid along with the salary. The rest was linked to performance evaluations, with the Ministry of Personnel's evaluation accounting for 30%. A top grade in the Ministry of Personnel's evaluation meant that one could receive the full amount of this civil service examination fee, and after the five-year term, one could be promoted.
Whether or not one gets promoted is secondary.
The most important thing is literary fortune!
This Prefect of He is a veteran official of the Three Kingdoms period. He first served in the State of Xin, then in the State of Geng, and now he has settled in the State of Kang.
The literary fortune he gained while serving in Kang was more than ten times greater than before! His two previous employers were not only stingy, but also had a national deficit. Even the royal family and nobles couldn't get enough to go around, let alone other officials.
It's usually just a symbolic gesture.
Kangguo is different; Wen Yun is very generous!
All officially employed staff will receive a share. The more work you do and the more impressive your achievements, the more literary merit you will receive. Literary merit can be used not only for personal cultivation but also traded to benefit others.
With the Emperor's personal confirmation, the Prefect of He County will have nothing to worry about this year.
Shen Tang noticed his twisted expression, a mixture of wanting to laugh and trying to suppress it.
He chuckled and said, "So happy?"
The Prefect of He said honestly, "His Majesty has given his word, so those officials in the Ministry of Personnel can no longer make things difficult for me this year. I'm happy."
Of the three provinces and six ministries in Kangguo, the Ministry of Personnel was the most difficult to manage.
Everything he does is done very slowly.
I wonder if he learned it from Luan Gongyi, the Minister of Personnel. Every year, he had to rack his brains to revise and modify the Ministry of Personnel's assessments, and if the Ministry was unhappy, they would reject it. Some very clever colleagues also tried to falsify their achievements, but without exception, they were all discovered.
The governor of He County would suffer from insomnia every year-end.
Shen Tang: "...Gongyi and the others are also acting impartially."
The Ministry of Personnel, responsible for the evaluation and transfer of officials, is also the department most prone to problems. Shen Tang has been keeping a close eye on it over the years, and she has even instructed the officials to increase the difficulty of the evaluations each time. However, the officials are unaware of this and have been trying to shift the blame onto Luan Gongyi...
Luan Xin was slow to react, and unable to refute it, he simply admitted it.
The governor of He County realized what was happening and quickly apologized.
To speak ill of the Ministry of Personnel to the face of the king is to be utterly ecstatic.
Fortunately, Shen Tang did not pursue the matter.
A significant amount of military intelligence was piled up on her desk, and Shen Tang worked late into the night, adding oil to the lamp twice before she could barely finish reading it.
Besides the fact that Gao Guo Wu Xian personally led his army to Yi Ru, where they joined forces with Tian Hai's troops to form a pincer movement against He Yin, this section also covers the activities of the Southwest Gods' Association. This part focuses on a woman named "Mei Meng".
"Mei Meng?"
"Isn't this the lady that Shousheng has been talking about for years?"
Shen Tang wasn't worried about Lü Jue dragging her down or this lady causing trouble—the former was impossible; she was so certain because she had a secret letter from Lü Jue about capturing Mei Meng. The latter was somewhat possible, because the destruction of Kang Kingdom was not in Qi Kingdom's interest. What Qi Kingdom wanted most was for Kang Kingdom to be exhausted, wearing down its forces with Bei Mo and Gao Kingdom, ideally resulting in a lose-lose situation for all three.
Unfortunately, the Northern Desert had already fallen, leaving only the Gao Kingdom.
What would the State of Qi think of the current situation?
Help Gao Guo deal with her?
However, Qi State is so far away that it's insufficient to address the immediate crisis. The assistance offered would be limited and would completely offend Shen Tang; it would be better to change the plan. According to the memorial submitted by Qi Shan, Mei Meng's appearance here also serves the purpose of fulfilling the scholar's duty…
Shen Tang couldn't help but suspect—
Could this matter be related to the war between the two countries of Kang and Gao?
Thinking of this, she thought of Luan Xin.
In Kangguo, only he possessed the accurate knowledge of others' scholarly pursuits. If he could ascertain Mei Meng's purpose, they could make plans as soon as possible. Therefore, Shen Tang sent a secret order to Qin Li, instructing Luan Xin, the Minister of Personnel, to arrive as quickly as possible…
After finishing her work, Shen Tang prepared to rest.
It was less than three hours until dawn.
Just then, a commotion broke out outside.
Shen Tang heard the noise coming from outside the prefectural government.
"What's going on outside?"
Because the common people of Fugu City were sending their local specialties to the prefectural government, the main road in front of the government was not under guard, and ordinary people could come and go as they came to deliver gifts. However, as night fell, the gift-giving frenzy had subsided. It's already the middle of the night, why are people still coming here?
As soon as Shen Tang finished speaking, someone came in to reply.
There was a grandfather and grandson beggar causing trouble outside.
"beggar?"
Shen Tang was curious upon hearing this. Fu Gu City has a special place to settle and help beggars. If someone is found begging in the city, they will be sent there to be settled, given a skill to learn or a job to be arranged. Unless they are too young or too old, they can generally support themselves.
The governor of Heyin County had just been boasting to me that Fugu City hadn't had any new beggars for two consecutive years, but he's already proven wrong?
Shen Tang asked, "What's all the commotion about?"
"They said they wanted to see the Lord."
The guards prepared to take them to the resettlement center.
"See me?" Shen Tang went out. "Then I'll see you."
Since she had nothing else to do, she also wanted to know if the Prefect of He County was lying, and whether what she saw was what he wanted her to see. The arrival of a grandfather and granddaughter might have a hidden story.
Shen Tang's eyes grew cold.
The grandfather and grandson were brought in, and they both looked somewhat bewildered, as if they hadn't expected to actually meet the ruler of a country.
Upon seeing Shen Tang, who was still dressed in red, they bowed to her.
"Do you have any hidden secrets?"
Shen Tang got straight to the point.
The grandfather and grandson were taken aback again: "There's nothing to hide."
Shen Tang asked, "Then why do you want to see me?"
The girl stepped forward, raising her hands high.
This action startled the guards, who immediately drew their swords.
The white-eyed girl said, "The king has the aura of an emperor."
Shen Tang: "Hmm, that's it?"
She's heard similar compliments so many times over the years that she's practically worn out.
The girl with white eyes said, "But we are surrounded by tigers and wolves, and it is fraught with danger."
Shen Tang asked with great interest, "How can this be solved?"
︿(￣︶￣)︿
Work resumed on the eighth day of the lunar new year.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
