Chapter 136 Official Documents
"Sir, here's the official document from Wuzhou Prefecture!" the yamen runner reported outside the door.
"Present it!" Feng Xu, the Lingnan envoy, said in a deep voice.
The Lingnan Chaojishi was established in the first year of the Zhenguan period. It was responsible for managing the court affairs in the Lingnan region, including tribute, trade taxation, arresting thieves, etc. It handled government affairs independently without interference from the central government.
He was the highest administrative officer in Lingnan Province, and under him were officials such as Jiedushi, Jinglüeshi, and Chushishi, and was affiliated with the Secretariat.
It is also responsible for monitoring corruption among local officials and maintaining local order and public security.
Lingnan is a vast and sparsely populated area with high mountains, deep forests and many caves. Barbarians and bandits hide there, burning, killing and looting, making life miserable for the people.
The barbarians did not respect the law and the government was corrupt, so the court sent officials from Beijing to Lingnan to supervise the situation.
At this moment, Feng Xu was receiving two special envoys in the study: Wei Shutong, the Grand Chamberlain of the Imperial Guard, and Li Boyan, the Grand Chamberlain of the Imperial Guard.
Lingnan is a place far away from the emperor, and although it is wild and barren, it has the advantage of being remote. As the highest administrative chief, he is usually free and easy.
However, there was always a clear distinction between the barbarians and the Han people, and frictions often occurred.
In addition, corruption in the bureaucracy exacerbated the contradictions, making the already desolate and barren land even more barren.
Wei Shutong and Li Boyan were officials in the capital, sixth-rank officials. Although their ranks were not high, they were close attendants and should not be underestimated.
Feng Xu knew that this matter was of great importance, so he did not dare to be careless and was alert to receive the guests.
Everyone knew that inspecting Lingnan Road was a tough job with no good results, so Feng Xu exchanged some insincere and pleasantries with Wei Shutong and Li Boyan.
Normally, Feng Xu would not be so active in handling official business. He would definitely have someone send it to his office and review it slowly the next day.
At this moment, several people were feeling awkward, and the report from Wuzhou Prefecture just happened to change the subject and ease the awkward atmosphere.
The bailiff came in carrying a gift box.
"This is..." Feng Xu's face turned grim. Was he deliberately trying to make it difficult for him to defend himself? Did he wonder if the person sitting here was a special envoy from the capital?
"Sir! This was sent along with the report from Wuzhou Prefecture. It's said to be a Wuzhou specialty. Please accept it!"
The yamen runner looked confused. Why did the envoy of the court ask him to present it so ugly?
"A specialty of Wuzhou Prefecture?" Feng Xu was stunned.
What's Lu Zhaoshi up to? Why didn't he send it earlier or later, but he sent it when the special envoy came? Is he trying to give us some leverage?
I rarely see Wuzhou at all, but now it is sent to me with bad intentions!
Feng Xu thought about all the bad things he had done in the past. Wuzhou didn't pay much attention to it, but he didn't feel too bad about it either. What was Lu Zhaoshi's intention?
I have only been in Lingnan for a year and a half, and I have only met Lu Zhaoshi once. The rest of the time I was busy dealing with official documents.
There is no hatred between the two of them, what is going on?
"Sir, it was sent urgently by Wuzhou Prefecture. It must be something important!" Wei Shutong reminded.
This is the first time I have ever seen such blatant gift-giving in defiance of the law. I can't help but wonder who the Wuzhou governor is and why he is so brave and daring!
"It's not a big deal. Wuzhou has always been law-abiding. Although they haven't achieved much political success, they've done their duty. Let's talk about how to educate the barbarians and apprehend the thieves! Haha..."
Feng Xu laughed it off and changed the subject, cursing Lu Zhaoshi's ancestors in his heart.
"Oh, no hurry, no hurry! My lord, it's not a festival, but it was sent from Wuzhou Prefecture. There must be something wrong. My lord, please take a look!"
Seeing Feng Xu's cover-up and refusal, Wei Shutong wanted to see it even more.
"That's right, Lord Feng. This is our first time in Lingnan, and we would like to see the local specialties." Li Boyan agreed.
The two men attacked each other with words, holding Feng Xu there. If they didn't open it and take a look, this matter would have to be dealt with.
"Then let's take a look. I'm also curious about what specialties Wuzhou Prefecture sent! The envoys didn't know that Wuzhou has specialties in all these years." Feng Xu said with a fake smile.
Nervously, the yamen runner opened the gift box, revealing several rolls of fern root vermicelli, kudzu root vermicelli, konjac vermicelli, two white porcelain jars, and a bag of white flour.
Open the white porcelain jar, and you will see a jar of fragrant honey and a jar of clear tea oil.
Several people looked at each other.
This gift is for the highest administrative official in Lingnan Province? This is the first time I have seen such a cheap gift.
Although the gift may be small but the sentiment is great, this gift sent at this critical juncture does not seem to be an expression of affection, nor does it seem to confirm Feng Xu's status.
Why is that?
A few people picked up the vermicelli and looked at it left and right. They knew it must be food, but what was it made of and how to make it?
"Is there anything you want to say after receiving the message from the post station?" Feng Xu asked the yamen runner.
"Your Excellency, yes, they asked you to read the notice." The bailiff almost forgot.
When he opened the letter, he found it was quite long. The front part contained the format and form text, so Feng Xu skipped it and read the back part.
I was a little anxious at the beginning, but I became more and more happy as I watched further. A look of joy appeared on my face, and I even felt proud.
In the letter, Lu Zhaoshi first reported on the recent affairs in Wuzhou. He discovered that the Jiangdong plow, which was vigorously promoted in Wu County, was easy to use and plowed the land deeply and neatly.
Wuzhou has been promoting it in an all-round way. The government has set the price at two strings of cash. In order to popularize it as soon as possible, it can be processed with supplied materials and is well received by the people.
Attached to the letter is a drawing of the Jiangdong plow for your consideration. I heard that this device originated from the wealthy area of Jiangnan and has not yet become popular.
He also reported that Wu County Magistrate Hu had made outstanding achievements this year. He found that villagers in Huanggou Village were making fern root vermicelli, kudzu root vermicelli, konjac vermicelli and konjac flour.
It is made by squeezing the juice of fern roots, kudzu roots and konjac. It is easy to store and transport. It can be used as a dish or a staple food. It is very popular. It also comes with several dishes with vermicelli and the ratio of konjac cooked with konjac flour.
Finally, it was mentioned that local villagers built oil mills to press tea oil and engage in artificial beekeeping.
At present, Wuzhou is preparing to rely on local resources to vigorously develop these products and sell them. Please ask the envoy to promote them to the capital.
It was also mentioned that this event would be used to invite Li people from various villages to observe and learn, so as to promote exchanges and integration between the two sides.
After reading the letter, Feng Xu laughed foolishly, his chest puffed out, "My lords, would you like to take a look?"
Wei Shutong and Li Boyan looked at each other. They had been hiding it and didn't want others to see it just now, but now they were afraid that others would not know. Isn't this change too fast?
"What good news is this? Your Excellency is so happy!" Wei Shutong did not take the letter.
"Look! Great news! As soon as you came, such a great thing happened in Lingnan! Haha!" Feng Xu handed the report to Wei Shutong, sat down, picked up the teacup, and drank tea with slurps.
Wei Shutong picked up the notice and read it carefully. He was so shocked when he saw the back part that he stood up.
"This, this! This Jiangdong plow is so exquisite?" Wei Shutong couldn't believe it, and lamented, "Why didn't the Jiangnan Road report it?"
Li Boyan took the letter and looked to see what was going on. Feng Xu and Wei Shu were talking about something mysterious. What was it all about?
"Shutong!" Li Boyan exclaimed in surprise after reading it.
This is such good luck that Lingnan Province actually has so many political achievements to report!
A Jiangdong plow is enough for them to look down on all the special envoys on tour. They also have vermicelli, konjac flour and other novel ingredients that have never been available before, as well as high-quality tea oil and honey. When they go back to report, they will definitely get a good review.
Li Boyan wanted to return to the capital at this moment.
"How should I deal with this, sir?" Wei Shutong calmed himself down and asked Feng Xu in a much friendlier manner.
"Uh, look at the two adults!" Feng Xu was calm and composed.
The Jiangdong plow alone is a great achievement, and it must be sent back to the capital as soon as possible.
Moreover, the example and demonstration set by Wuzhou in governing the Li people are very inspiring, opening up ideas for other prefectures in Lingnan Road.
Who says Lingnan officials are mediocre and incompetent? Look at Wuzhou, how they do it?
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