In one carriage, Ouyang Ming and two book boys were seated, while the other carriage was used to store books.
Because the carriage ran relatively slowly, and the journey was delayed due to packing and traveling, I didn't make it to the county town at night.
If there were only Nie Chen and the others, they could ride back to the county town in the dark, but with Mr. Ouyang, it was better not to rush like that.
They found an inn on the roadside and stayed directly.
Fortunately, this inn was a serious inn on the edge of the official road, not a shady shop selling human meat buns, so they spent the night peacefully.
We set off again the next day and rushed back to the county capital in the morning.
The carriage stopped at the gate of the government office, and the guards went to carry the books. Nie Chen took Ouyang Ming and the two book boys into the county government office.
"Go to my wife and ask her to arrange the best yard for Mr. Ouyang, move everything in, and ask her to do the best for all the utensils."
"As commanded."
"Sir, please, let's go see Mr. Zhou first."
"Okay, lord, please."
The two of them walked all the way to the curtain hall. When they came outside, some government servants had already gone to report to Zhou Ping. They saw Zhou Ping walking out with a group of civil servants.
"Mr. Ouyang, you are finally here. After so many years of separation, your style remains the same."
Zhou Ping walked over quickly, held Ouyang Ming's hand, and said ecstatically.
The other literati also looked at Ouyang Ming curiously and enthusiastically. After all, Ouyang Ming was a legend in the literati circle.
"Brother Zhou, you are fine. We haven't seen you for a few years. Brother Zhou is indeed getting younger and younger, but his temperament is much calmer than before."
"Oh, what's the point of being young? Now that my master is starting a business, everything is in the initial stage, and there is nothing left to do. I am so busy with government affairs that I have no time to sleep every day.
It would be great if Mr. Ouyang is here. He can take a lot of pressure off of me. With his talents, Brother Ouyang will definitely be able to smooth everything out. "
"Brother Zhou's talent, Brother Yu knows best. Since you are willing to take on this job, it means that you can definitely do it well.
After all, Brother Zhou's ability in government affairs is obvious to all. "
Ouyang Ming smiled and said,
"Brother Zhou, can you provide statistics on various affairs in the county so that I can have a look at it?"
"They are all there. They are all in the house. Mr. Ouyang can look at them as he pleases."
Zhou Ping stretched out his hand and invited Ouyang Ming into the room.
After all, for a counselor, one must not only know the enemy, but also one's own friends. All matters, especially military affairs and food and grass, are what require the most attention.
Nie Chen smiled and said,
"Mr. Ouyang is tired from the journey, why don't you take a rest first? You haven't even settled here yet and I have to ask you to work. I feel very guilty."
"My lord, please don't say that. Ouyang has been resting for more than twenty years and is now about to show off his talents."
Ouyang Ming held the fan in his hands and then entered the room.
"Mr. Ouyang, please go first. I will go and have a few words with the lord."
Zhou Ping came to Nie Chen and asked in a low voice,
"My lord, Mr. Ouyang is very arrogant. How did you get him to move?"
"It's very simple. Put the knife on his neck and he immediately agreed."
Nie Chen smiled.
Zhou Ping was dumbfounded.
I'm lying in a big trough. Do you want to listen to what you are saying? Are there any wise men like you?
"Okay, lord, I have a lot of important documents here that I need you to sign. Many of them are about policies and military affairs. Would you like to come over and sign them?
If you signed it early, I would implement it early, and the people and soldiers would realize the benefits early. "
"Didn't I say, you just have to make the decision on everything."
After saying this, Nie Chen turned around and left.
Zhou Ping was so angry that he grabbed his sleeve and said,
"No, you can't leave. Are you the lord or am I the lord? Without your signature and decision on these matters, who among the generals in the army will be convinced? Who among the common people and officials will implement them?"
Zhou Ping said while forcefully dragging Nie Chen into the house.
Nie Chen had a look of helplessness on his face, tugging at him and saying,
"Then I'll tell them, just listen to you in everything. It's such a simple thing."
"No, you have to go and see it!"
In the end, Nie Chen was helplessly pulled into the curtain hall by Zhou Ping.
At this time, Ouyang Ming, who was flipping through the information, couldn't help laughing when he saw this scene,
"Other lords are afraid that they don't have enough power in their hands, or that their subordinates will take too much power and constrain them or even threaten them.
How come my lord, you are not even willing to do the work of checking and signing? You've delegated power too much. "
Nie Chen smiled and said,
"This shows that I have the potential to be a faint king."
"No, there are generally only three situations where people dare to delegate power to ministers like this.
The first is that the monarch is emptied out by powerful ministers, his power is taken away from his hands, and he can't do anything. This is a helpless move.
The second type is what the Lord calls a foolish king. He is greedy for pleasure, indulges in sex, wine and meat, is not diligent in political affairs, and leaves everything to others to do. He is irresponsible, causing chaos in the government and the people's livelihood.
The third type is a wise king, who has the ability to control everything, but dares to delegate power, has the confidence to control everything, and can make his subordinates loyal and not do bad things. "
"Then tell me, which one am I?"
Nie Chen sat on the chair, picked up a folder that needed his signature, looked at it, and signed his name directly.
Ouyang Ming continued,
"My lord is currently the third type, but if you don't have self-discipline and control, you will slowly become the second type, and finally become the first type."
"That makes sense, but I think it depends on the person, not just me, but you as well.
As long as I choose and employ people wisely, you will not rebel against me. As long as I am not a fatuous person, you will be able and wise ministers.
Just like a lord, there are also ministers. Mr. Ouyang is worrying too much. I will not become what you said. "
Ouyang Ming didn't answer and just sighed.
Nie Chen is still young now, a time when he is aggressive and energetic, but people change.
Many kings in ancient times worked hard to govern when they were young, but did not think about progress in middle age. In old age, they became suspicious and jealous, killing innocent people indiscriminately.
The lord and his ministers rely on each other, but they are also natural enemies.
Ouyang Ming looked through the ledger and saw noon in one breath.
After all, if you want to know a county's people's livelihood, taxation, military expenditures, etc., you can directly see it from the current accounts.
Suddenly, Ouyang Ming said,
"Lord, here is the whereabouts of twenty thousand taels of silver. It is written that it was given to the Sixth Prince. I heard that the Sixth Prince came to the county before. Why, is he still here now?"
