Chapter 59 Winning Hearts
April 11th, the fifth year of Yongsheng.
Prefect Su of Guangyue Prefecture left the prefectural city.
This time, no one paid much attention to his departure.
Because we know that adults must have their own reasons?
Meanwhile, in the capital city...
They were arguing endlessly about Gaoqing Prefecture, where Su Qing was about to go.
In the eyes of the people, Gaoqing Prefecture was a more complicated place than Guangyue Prefecture.
There's no need to elaborate on what the Guangyuefu was like back then.
The situation in Gaoqing Prefecture was even more complicated than there.
Just to put it simply, for the past twenty years, Gaoqing Prefecture has been the fiefdom of the rebel Wuyong Prince!
It's easy to imagine how many rebels have been planted here.
If you're not careful, you'll definitely die a horrible death.
Moreover, Prince Wuyong is still imprisoned in Nanjiang County, which is not far from Gaoqing Prefecture.
What if he escapes?
I'll definitely go to Qingzhou, Huigao.
At that time, the many officials appointed by the imperial court will inevitably be separated from their heads.
Even if the valiant prince can't escape.
Small groups of rebels and deserters who had become outlaws were in the area.
Neither of them should be underestimated.
Should I go there to become a prefect, or to recover lost territory?
Everyone knows the character of officials in the capital.
Facing challenges head-on is definitely not their style.
Their attitude is to avoid it at all costs.
The Emperor looked extremely displeased as he saw everyone making excuses.
Everyone says that Gaoqing Prefecture is a hot potato, and they're absolutely right.
Meanwhile, Eunuch Liang, who was by the Emperor's side, sighed slightly to himself.
Perhaps because he had been in the military for so long, he inevitably carried some of the austere and stern air of the military.
Looking at the mediocre and incompetent officials in the capital, I couldn't help but miss the way General Yan and Prefect Su handled things.
Liang Gonggong's heart stirred, and an idea suddenly came to mind.
Since no one wants to go, and Gaoqing Prefecture needs someone to take over.
He did have someone in mind.
After the court session, seeing the emperor's troubled expression, Eunuch Liang decided to step forward and help His Majesty resolve his worries.
Speaking of which, after returning to the capital in February, Eunuch Liang did not serve the Emperor.
Having been away from the capital for many years, he inevitably became estranged from the emperor.
Fortunately, with the treasures Su Qing gave him clearing the way, he soon found himself standing on either side of the Hall of Diligent Governance again.
Now is the time to solve the Emperor's problems.
"Your Majesty, I have someone in mind, but I don't know if I should say it." After Liang Gonggong spoke, the Emperor waved his hand.
Eunuch Liang said, "Gaoqing Prefecture is very close to Guangyue Prefecture, and the prefect of Guangyue Prefecture, Su Qing, is quite capable."
"Letting her take over seems like a good idea."
Qi, the eunuch beside him, looked up, a look of surprise flashing in his eyes.
Yunxi and Lvlan were both around Su Qing.
If Su Qing's power increases, it will only benefit the two of them.
Eunuch Liang wanted to persuade him further, but the Emperor shook his head, a look of apprehension flashing across his face: "She's no good."
Why? !
The people in the Hall of Diligent Governance were astonished, and even the Minister of Personnel who had rushed over was somewhat surprised.
The Minister of Personnel also came for the position of Prefect of Gaoqing Prefecture.
Before he entered, someone told him about Eunuch Liang's suggestion, which he thought was quite good.
In their view, Su Qing was quite capable.
The key point is that she's a woman.
Once she has almost finished reorganizing Gaoqing Prefecture, it will be easier to find someone to take over.
There is no risk of them becoming arrogant due to having a large military force.
The emperor looked at them and sneered, "It's interesting how they look down on women like this."
The Emperor's words were not meant to defend Su Qing.
Rather, he knew that if a woman held power, she would be even less willing to let go.
He suffered greatly from it.
As they were talking, the Empress Dowager sent someone to ask when General Yan would return, and whether the Emperor had any thoughts on the matter of the Prefect of Gaoqing Prefecture.
The emperor had someone cover it up.
He had no answers to either of these questions.
My younger brother isn't coming back; he says he needs to recover from his injuries and clear out the rebels.
This is indeed very important.
The Empress Dowager kept urging him on, which only made him feel impatient.
As for the prefect of Gaoqing Prefecture.
Or choose someone else.
Su Qing?
Absolutely not.
Appointing a woman as prefect was already a lenient gesture.
Once the situation stabilizes a bit more, she should be replaced.
This year's provincial examination and next year's metropolitan examination will eventually produce suitable candidates.
Seeing that the emperor was indecisive, the Empress Dowager summoned him to speak with her.
Following behind, Eunuch Liang couldn't help but shake his head. That very night, he wrote a letter to Su Qing detailing the situation there.
Let her prepare in advance.
The Guangyuefu music bureau is not what it used to be; it's better to keep it in our own hands.
As for Gaoqing Prefecture, it's best not to put too much effort into it, lest you end up doing all the work for someone else.
When Su Qing received the letter, he was already in Gaoqing Prefecture.
She had just come from Yisong County, where Magistrate Cui was in charge, so there was basically nothing to worry about.
In addition, she also brought with her funds and provisions, as well as pensions for local soldiers.
This made it easier for Magistrate Cui to act.
In other parts of Guangyue Prefecture, people received subsidies for seeds and seedlings this year, and farming tools were also relatively cheap.
These things from Yisong County were practically given away for free.
The people here are suffering terribly.
Years of war have caused deaths in every local family, and now tens of thousands of people live near the county seat.
However, after the start of spring, quite a few people from Gaoqing Prefecture came to visit on their own initiative.
Although the two sides have been fighting for several years.
However, since the people were of the same origin and had no real grudges, and with Magistrate Cui's guidance, no conflict arose.
The only thing that made them question it was...
Yisong County is suffering so much.
Are you people from Gaoqing Prefecture coming here again?
What is Gaoqing Prefecture like?
These words stirred up countless tears of sorrow.
Take the pension for example.
No matter how difficult things were for the Guangyuefu government, they still managed to squeeze out money to give to each household.
Furthermore, there were specialized departments to care for wounded soldiers of the Guangyuefu.
As for the soldiers in Gaoqing Prefecture, apart from the veterans who followed Prince Wuyong, the rest were basically cannon fodder.
Especially the local people, who basically all the hard and tiring jobs are assigned to them.
Regardless of age or gender, everyone had to dig trenches and mine iron ore.
The so-called victory of the valiant prince.
It all comes from exploiting them.
When these things are mentioned, the people of Yisong County naturally shed tears.
When their county was occupied, their own family was enslaved in the same way.
In just two or three years, Yisong County has been transformed into this state.
I can't even imagine how bad the situation in Gaoqing Prefecture is.
So much so that when Su Qing was leaving, Magistrate Cui of Yisong County said, "The situation in Gaoqing Prefecture is very complicated. You really have to be careful."
Su Qing said, "Don't worry, General Yan is waiting for you in Jinzi County."
"By the way, I heard you had a former boss who was an official in Gaoqing Prefecture. Do you know much about him?"
At this point, Cui Gangjie sighed repeatedly.
He offended his fellow townsman back then, and ended up working as a staff member under that superior.
When he was working as a staff member, he never thought that his superior had any disloyal intentions. Who would have thought that he would join Prince Wuyong in rebellion?
I really didn't notice before.
After his superior rebelled, he went through several twists and turns before finally becoming the magistrate of Guangyue Prefecture.
It was all thanks to Prefect Su's support.
Cui Gangjie told Su Qing everything he knew, and Su Qing nodded slightly: "Okay."
"At that time, you might need to go to Gaoqing Prefecture, is that alright?"
Magistrate Cui naturally agreed, but he also said, "There's not much going on in the county in June and July, but I'm afraid it won't work at other times."
Although as a county magistrate, he did not need to go to the fields himself.
But he couldn't leave during the medicinal herb harvest in May and the grain harvest in August and September.
Yisong County is already suffering so much; he can't hold it back.
Su Qing found it amusing and nodded in agreement.
Magistrate Cui saw Prefect Su off from Guangle Prefecture, and was worried about whether there would be any danger on the way to Jinzi County in Gaoqing Prefecture.
From afar, we could see General Yan's figure ahead.
Magistrate Cui was immediately relieved.
With the General escorting them, the petty thieves in the surrounding area would certainly not dare to approach.
All the way to Jinzi County, after Su Qing finished reading Liang Gonggong's letter, he handed it to General Yan to read together.
Yan Zhengzhou naturally knew what the letter contained.
In terms of connections in the capital, he certainly has the upper hand.
Yan Zhengzhou asked directly, "Are we still going to concern ourselves with this place?"
She knew the Emperor's attitude, and she knew that the Emperor was unwilling to even leave her the position of Prefect of Guangyue Prefecture.
Does Su Qing still need to manage Gaoqing Prefecture?
Su Qing only asked, "If it were you, would you have intervened?"
Actually, Yan Zhengzhou doesn't need to answer.
He has already taken action.
The emperor still wants to strip him of his military power. Didn't he come to suppress the bandits and quell the rebellion?
Su Qing's answer was yes.
The Emperor is far away; how could he possibly manage things here?
Yan Zhengzhou didn't say anything, and led Su Qing into the county government office.
Jinzi County had no magistrate; only a few local clerks struggled to keep it afloat.
They said they were struggling to keep the place afloat, but in reality, there wasn't much to do; they were just trying to keep the government office from closing down.
Gaoqing Prefecture has six counties, and they are all basically in the same situation.
The clerks and attendants brought by Su Qing began to learn about the situation in Jinzi County.
Jinzi County is very close to Yisong County. Su Qing and his group set off in the morning and arrived at their destination at noon.
Therefore, from local customs to landscape, this place is basically no different from most of the Guangyuefu area.
However, the difference between the population and the arable land area is too great.
For many years, Prince Wu Yong has been levying exorbitant taxes and levies.
Did the imperial court not know at that time?
Of course I know.
The late emperor, however, felt that as long as his younger brother didn't cause trouble, these were all minor issues.
The late emperor, far away in the capital, thought it was a minor issue.
But the people of Gaoqing Prefecture, which is located nearby, are suffering terribly.
Yunxi and Lülan reported: "Sir, the cultivated land and population of Jinzi County are unknown. The only data we can find is from four or five years ago."
"It is said that this is also inaccurate."
"The yamen currently has seven clerks and over a thousand runners. But there are no more than ten people who are truly capable."
Green Orchid asked, somewhat puzzled, "Sister Su, why are there thousands of constables?"
Yunxi also felt puzzled.
They've seen more than most people, but they don't know why.
Su Qing said, "Many of the constables are not actually government officials; they just pay money to the government officials and are given the title of constable."
Then they wreaked havoc on the local community.
With that skin on their sleeve, they could arbitrarily exploit the people, which was equivalent to paying money to the government, and the government would then provide them with a guarantee of unbridled behavior.
So that's how it is.
Those ordinary local people are really suffering.
That's really terrible.
If the investigation continues, it will be almost impossible to resist gambling.
The valiant prince asked those below for money, grain, and iron ore.
Local henchmen then take the opportunity to amass wealth, pressing down on each level of government, resulting in 80-90% of local tax revenue being taken away.
They also had to face the humiliation and abuse of corrupt officials.
The men were conscripted, and the women were forced into prostitution.
The children were abducted and sold, becoming slaves from a young age.
Green Orchid's eyes were red and swollen; she was clearly struggling to accept it.
Looking at the children rescued by General Yan, Yunxi thought that she herself had suffered enough as an orphan.
But compared to them, my luck seems exceptionally good.
Most of these children were born after their fathers had died.
Their mother struggled to raise them until they were two or three years old, at which point they would be forcibly taken away.
Some were delivered to the mine, some were served tea and water, and others were fed cattle and sheep.
"So some mothers will strangle their babies as soon as they are born."
Why?
To avoid suffering.
Su Qing sighed. The officials who had come with him couldn't bear to listen anymore.
Compared to Guangyuefu, this place is truly a living hell.
What everyone is seeing is not a power struggle between a valiant prince, the former emperor, or even the current emperor.
It's about the real lives of ordinary people.
However, Su Qing didn't have enough people at hand, and he couldn't openly transfer people from the prefectural school.
The only option is to recruit literate people locally, select suitable individuals from among them, and assign them to various positions.
The original thousands of constables must be dismissed, and not only dismissed, but their crimes must be thoroughly investigated.
Empty farmland and houses.
They were then distributed to the local people, and their household registrations were re-established.
So that everyone can return to normal life as soon as possible.
Ordinary people would certainly welcome this.
But local powerful and corrupt officials refused to allow it.
Fortunately, she didn't have enough "civil officials," but she had enough "military generals."
Leaving aside General Yan, his subordinates like Lian Feiyang alone were enough to wipe out these local gentry and corrupt officials.
In Gaoqing Prefecture, Su Qing showed even less mercy.
Only by cleaning up the troublemakers here can ordinary people feel at ease.
They recruited clerks while punishing corrupt officials.
In less than ten days, Jinzi County had been completely transformed.
Population, cultivated land, number of households, and local conditions were all statistically analyzed and reported.
Although it was just a job in a county, it felt like rebuilding a house on ruins.
Fortunately, the new houses have brought great joy to the local people.
They definitely wouldn't want to register their household registration.
But after registering, they would be allocated houses and land, something they never even dared to dream of.
They'll fight tooth and nail for the land.
Even if it's a trap, they'll still give it a try.
What awaits us is not a trap.
Instead, they were actually allocated land.
For the entire Jinzi County, there is no doubt that red rain fell from the sky.
So much so that when Su Qing left, many people came to see him off in person.
Other counties in Gaoqing Prefecture also took action upon hearing the news.
Knowing that Su Qing was going to five other counties, those corrupt officials were even bold enough to submit a petition to the imperial court.
This explains the overstepping of authority by Prefect Su Qing.
However, these letters could not leave the local area at all, so they were intercepted by the patrolling soldiers and eventually ended up in the hands of General Yan.
The local corrupt officials were left with two choices: either honestly confess their crimes or flee to another place and never return.
Su Qing and General Yan traveled to all six counties of Gaoqing Prefecture. At first, they needed to persuade the local people and tell them about the benefits of census and household registration.
But when it came to the last two counties...
The locals came out of town to greet them; they couldn't wait any longer.
They also want land and houses divided up!
Now that Su Qing has come, he certainly won't let everyone down.
The local officials were disciplined, the land was remeasured, and land and houses were redistributed.
To help more people return to a peaceful life as soon as possible.
Starting in mid-April.
This continued until late June.
The group traveled through all six counties of Gaoqing Prefecture before finally arriving at the prefectural capital.
The phrase "vast land and sparse population" truly describes Gaoqing Prefecture.
Sometimes, there isn't a single household within a radius of a hundred miles.
The suffering of the people of Gaoqing Prefecture made Su Qing and his group even more silent.
It was during this period that Yunxi Lulan grew rapidly and became noticeably more composed.
Everyone thought that things would be better once they arrived in Gaoqing Prefecture.
It is indeed better than other county towns.
The city walls of the prefecture, in particular, were made exceptionally sturdy by the valiant Prince.
If that prince holds this place and doesn't attack Guangle Prefecture, it will indeed be a tough nut to crack.
But the other side felt that, given the current situation of Shunchang Kingdom, it would be foolish not to occupy more territory.
It's just a pity that he encountered Prefect Su Qing.
Otherwise, it's really hard to say who would win or lose.
Upon entering the city, it was discovered that even the roads were paved with large stone slabs, facilitating both the transport of grain and the transport of troops.
But seeing the prefectural government office gave me a completely different feeling.
The area in front of the yamen was alright, similar to other yamens.
But the rear residence was connected to several gardens, and the living quarters were so luxurious that they resembled a palace.
This place was merely a temporary resting place for the valiant prince.
Just across the street was the prince's residence, which occupied basically the best location in the city.
General Yan explained, "There is another secret passage down there that leads directly outside the city."
Is this what they mean by being able to attack or defend?
That's just too amazing!
To everyone's surprise.
The business situation in the prefecture is far better than in other places.
At least here, tax revenue is at a barely normal level.
This has little to do with General Yan.
It only relates to the local official.
Therefore, after General Yan captured Gaoqing Prefecture, he did not replace the enemy, but only left Yan Xie to guard the place.
Su Qing and the others rested in Yan Xieshou's current residence.
Su Qing, General Yan, and Lian Feiyang.
Then, along with their subordinates, they all moved into Yan Xieshou's residence.
Yan Xieshou had been waiting here for a long time.
Although these people had multiple contacts in official business.
But this was the first time we'd actually sat down to eat together.
Unfortunately, Commander Xue and his troops, who were training their soldiers, were still in Guangyuefu.
And Lord Zhou, who was in charge of the wounded, has passed away.
Otherwise, the people at this table could be even more neatly arranged.
Yan Xieshou's first toast was undoubtedly to Lord Su.
It wasn't until I arrived in Gaoqing Prefecture that I realized what would happen if Prince Wuyong conquered Guangle Prefecture.
What a living hell it will be then.
After everyone sat down to eat, Yan Xieshou sighed heavily.
He looked distressed.
She looked like she had something on her mind.
However, the most important thing right now is the affairs of the state government.
General Yan said, "The current head of the yamen is named Wenrui."
"You should know him; you've had some interaction with him before."
This puzzled both Yan Xieshou and Lian Feiyang.
How could Prefect Su and Wenrui have any connection?
This guy is a rebel.
He was originally a clerk in the Ministry of Personnel in a certain place. After hearing that Prince Wuyong had rebelled, he brought his family to join him.
They said they wanted to overthrow the Shunchang Kingdom.
After arriving here, he took charge of the internal affairs of Gaoqing Prefecture.
The city walls and streets of Gaoqing Prefecture were all designed by him; he made no other contributions.
To everyone's surprise, Su Qing nodded.
She didn't recognize him, but she knew him.
This Wenrui is none other than Cui Gangjie's superior, who is now the magistrate of Yisong County.
This was something that Cui Gangjie couldn't understand at all.
Why would a superior with such a good personality and a heart for the people become a rebel?
It can be said that Wen Daren is full of self-contradictions.
Su Qing said, "I have already written to Magistrate Cui, and he will be here in two days."
It's June now.
Things have finally calmed down in Yisong County.
Magistrate Cui was also willing to come.
As for these two days?
Let's take a rest first.
I'm quite tired after traveling all over Gaoqing Prefecture.
Furthermore, let's see how Lord Wen of Gaoqing Prefecture reacts.
This Wen official was prepared to die the moment General Yan entered the city.
However, over the years, he has become a joke.
They thought that if the Shunchang Kingdom's court was bad, then Prince Wuyong would be better off.
I never imagined they were all birds of a feather.
It's hard to tell whether the problem lies with the imperial court or with this person.
Therefore, in Lord Wen's eyes, Yan Zhengzhou, who is also a member of the royal family, should be about the same, both being rotten members of the royal family.
However, after reviewing his usual official duties, General Yan surprisingly allowed him to continue managing the prefecture and maintaining its basic operations.
The general left for a period of time last year, and everyone thought he was going to return to Beijing.
Unexpectedly, they returned in February this year to clear out the rebels.
Until April, they said they were going to pick someone up.
The person who followed was also very famous.
She was the first female prefect of Shunchang Kingdom.
Given the imperial court's thinking, it's impossible for them to concurrently serve as the local prefect, right?
The two of them came, one using literary skills and the other using martial arts.
They directly dealt with corrupt officials in various regions, and it is said that at least a hundred corrupt officials were killed.
They also distributed land and houses to people in various places.
Now, all the counties under Gaoqing Prefecture are extremely supportive of Prefect Su.
Only one place remains.
Gaoqing Prefecture City.
However, the population and economy of the state capital are the best in the area.
Even the local officials are extremely loyal.
Unlike the disorganized people in the surrounding areas, Su Qing could make these people extremely obedient with just a flick of his finger.
To put it bluntly.
This is the toughest nut to crack.
Moreover, the locations of the prefectural and county capitals in each region were carefully selected.
Only by controlling the prefectural capital can one truly control Gaoqing Prefecture.
It was like a nail, firmly embedded in the entire Gaoqing Prefecture.
What is Su Qing's purpose in coming here?
it goes without saying.
Her greatest rival is Lord Wen Ruiwen.
Wenrui himself remained expressionless.
He has been through too much in recent years and has no interest in these officials.
It's simply a matter of being loyal at first and then treacherous, or remaining treacherous and wicked throughout.
The common people are in their hands, and there is really not much difference.
Su Qing's current acts of kindness towards everyone are nothing more than a desire for more benefits.
Back then, the valiant prince even directly delivered grain to the people.
Everyone knows what the final result will be.
It's just a matter of how long it will last.
So how could he possibly hand over the capital to those scoundrels from Shunchang Kingdom?
Even if we take a step back and say...
Prefect Su Qing was a good official.
But can she hold onto this position?
In the future, it will still be handed over to other people in Shunchang Kingdom.
If we want it back later, I don't know how difficult it will be.
Therefore, he cannot let go.
Unless he dies.
Wenrui slowly stood up, his already thin figure appearing even more gaunt.
This year, the 43-year-old Wen Daren looks younger than most officials, but his eyes are so striking that one can hardly bear to look at them for long.
The officials around Lord Wen looked at each other in bewilderment.
But General Yan alone could have easily gotten them all kicked out of the government office.
Now let's have Su Qing.
Don't say it's ridiculous for a woman to be a prefect.
Heaven knows what kind of ability it took for a woman to hold the position of prefect.
Fight her?
Can these people compete?
Lord Kewen has his own stubbornness.
He did not want to watch his people fall into the hands of Shunchang Kingdom.
Yes.
They did not want to fall into the hands of Shunchang Kingdom.
Lord Wen Ruiwen still harbors rebellious intentions.
He didn't trust anyone in Shunchang Kingdom.
But these officials were all following Lord Wen, so they had no choice but to grit their teeth and follow him.
If that really doesn't work, we'll think of another way.
So Su Qing spent two days in Gaoqing Prefecture, eating, drinking, sleeping, and chatting with General Yan.
It seems they keep to themselves and the government offices.
Until Cui Gangjie arrived, travel-worn and exhausted.
Cui Gangjie's face was full of helplessness.
They felt that there were too many things to do in Yisong County, and it was difficult to let go.
I also don't know how to face my former boss, Lord Wen Ruiwen.
He was framed by his fellow villagers, and his family was left with nowhere to turn.
It was Lord Wen who saved him.
But it was also because of Lord Wen's rebellion that he didn't know how to handle the situation.
But no matter what.
He couldn't bring himself to hurt his former boss.
I have no idea how to face it.
However, these matters are different from the summons by Prefect Su.
When Wenrui heard that Cui Gangjie had gone to see Su Qing, his face was full of doubt.
who?
Cui Gangjie?
Why is he here?!
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