After that, Fu Xiaoguan did not say much to the villagers about Daxia's policies.
He left Liu Yigen's house. Liu Jin held a big bag of mint and finally did not give out the silver ingot.
At Liu Yigen's home, the villagers did not disperse. Instead, more people came, including Yu Shuren, who had a bruised face and nose wrapped in gauze, and Yu Lian who was supporting him.
"My dear, your injury..."
Yu Shuren waved his hand. "That lady is a skilled doctor. She gave me some medicine for external and internal use. I wanted to ask you about that young man... who is he? This guy killed six officials. This is going to be a big deal! We need to pack up and flee!"
Liu Yigen lit a pipe and grinned, "My dear relatives, fellow villagers, don't worry, that young master is a real big shot!"
Liu Yigen exhaled a puff of smoke, looked at his neighbor mysteriously, and whispered with great pride, "He is the imperial envoy of the current Emperor of Daxia!"
Everyone gasped. Yu Shuren was stunned for a moment before poking his head out and asking, "Really? Is he the imperial envoy in the opera who holds the emperor's imperial sword and can kill all corrupt officials?"
"That's right!" Liu Yigen slapped his thigh. "Think about it, he's being protected by the Silver Armor Army! Besides, he just promised here that he's going to Dading Prefecture, which happens to pass through Heye County and Wansheng Prefecture. He said he would deal with those corrupt officials... Don't believe me? If you don't believe me, ask Li Xiucai if I'm wrong!"
This was obviously a question that was beyond the ability of Yu Shuren and other villagers to think about. In this remote and poor Huanglin Village, let alone the imperial envoy, even the County Magistrate Sun would only show up when collecting taxes.
Such a high-ranking figure actually came to Huanglin Village, helped them solve a big problem, and made such a promise... This was simply unbelievable to the villagers.
Li Xiucai spoke up: "I knew he must be a big shot, you didn't look closely at his demeanor. The book says that the King of Hell is easy to deal with but the little ghosts are hard to deal with. How could a man like him care whether our place is desolate or not? He is doing this for the country and the people. This small Huanglin Village is also a piece of land of Daxia, and we are also the people of Daxia!"
"So I think what he said can definitely be done. Don't even think about fleeing the famine. He said that the people of Taiwan are already working on solving this year's famine problem. We can get through this year's drought, and things will get better next year!"
"...So, you're not going to flee anymore?"
"We won't flee from the famine anymore. This is our root!"
…
…
The sun sets, but the heat remains.
Fu Xiaoguan's tour group camped in a poplar forest. He did not stay in the barracks, but sat under an old poplar tree and brewed a pot of mint tea.
Kneeling beside him was Wang Shu, who was writing furiously on a small table.
"How many places like Huanglin Village are there in Heye County?" asked Fu Xiaoguan.
"Your Excellency, Heye County is the poorest county in Wansheng Prefecture. It's too close to Maoshan Pass. In the past, when we were at war with Western Xia, they would occasionally attack us, which led to the current situation."
"In fact, Heye County is also the largest county in Wansheng Prefecture, but its total population is only about 137,000, almost all of whom are distributed around the county seat. The other sixteen townships are almost all like Huanglin Village, with a total population of about 30,000."
Fu Xiaoguan did not comment. He brewed a cup of tea and handed it to Wang Shu, who quickly took it excitedly.
"Well, write down all the corruption and abuse of power that you know of by officials. That will be a death sentence for you."
"I will definitely write it well, thank you for not killing me."
Fu Xiaoguan took the teapot and went to another poplar tree, where Qin Bingzhong and Yan Beixi were playing chess, and Jia Nanxing was watching with great interest.
Liu Jin quickly asked the servants to bring more tables and chairs. Fu Xiaoguan poured a cup of tea for the three of them and sat aside to watch carefully.
"It seems the problem in Far North Province is very serious..." Yan Beixi placed a white piece, turned to look at Fu Xiaoguan, and said, "Is it really necessary to transfer some officials from other provinces? I'm worried that Ning Yuchun can't handle it alone!"
"It doesn't matter. Since the Yuanbei Dao has already developed a sore, let the pus flow out. Yuanbei Dao has a population of over 70 million and more than 30,000 officials. It's impossible for all of these officials to be contaminated. I think Ning Yuchun will sort it out."
"If there are only a few left after sorting out one guy, we'll have to transfer them from other regions."
"Are you worried that officials from other provinces won't be able to govern this place?"
Fu Xiaoguan shook his head. "Not really. It's just that the cultural customs of the Liao Dynasty and the other regions are very different, just like the Chi Lechuan back then. If a large number of officials were suddenly sent here, I'm worried that the Liao people would feel resistance. Take it slow. Cultural integration is a long process that requires gradual penetration... There's something wrong with your child!"
Sure enough, Qin Bingzhong laughed loudly, "Hahahaha, you lose this round!"
Yan Beixi pondered for a moment and finally gave up his piece.
He smiled wryly and shook his head, "Three games, all lost... Sigh, my chess skills are ultimately no match for Old Qin!"
"Chess is ultimately a minor art. If you were twenty years younger, you could still be the Prime Minister of Great Xia!"
Twenty years younger, what a wonderful thought.
Yan Beixi has retired from the government for three years, but his habits still remain, whether in the Yu Dynasty ruled by Yu Wendao or in the Great Xia led by Fu Xiaoguan.
This is what it means to worry about the country and the people, but I am old and unable to do many things.
"Old Qin, every generation has its own talented people. My thinking has actually fallen behind the times... I've often wondered these days, what would I do if I were thrown into this Far North Road all alone?"
"After much thought, I think it's probably the same old method—coercion and bribery to win over some people, killing some, and intimidating some. As for the detailed policy outline, it will probably have to wait until the government at all levels in Far North Province is stabilized before it is implemented."
"But look at Ning Yuchun. The first thing he did after taking office was to win over the people of Far North Road. I wonder how he will deal with the old officials in Far North Road. They're like a nest of rats and snakes. They're a huge interest group. If we want to dismantle such an interest group..."
Yan Beixi shook his head. "There's still a long way to go!"
Fu Xiaoguan laughed and argued, "I don't think so. After all, there are some officials in the world who are willing to make a difference and consider the people."
"So I think the first thing Ning Yuchun will do when it comes to appointing officials is to reshuffle the deck. Also... the Censorate and the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion are watching. They're Ning Yuchun's eyes, and those corrupt officials will have nowhere to hide."
"Plus, merchants from all sides are coming to Far North Road. As Far North Road's economy recovers, everything will be fine. Don't worry."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
