On March 20, the ninth year of Qianyou's reign, Ji Chun, starting from Tokyo, stopping and stopping along the way, it took nearly a month. Emperor Liu Chengyou of the Han Dynasty finally reached Cangzhou on his northern inspection tour.
Along the way, we have done nothing less than overseeing government affairs, being close to the people, rewarding good deeds, punishing evildoers, seeing, listening, and doing things. Even though Liu Chengyou was protected by soldiers, beauties, and heirs, it was not easy at all. The original intention of traveling around the mountains and rivers has long been forgotten by him.
Judging from the results of the inspection in January, although there are still many problems in local governance, overall, after the ten years since the founding of the People's Republic of China, Hebei's vitality has recovered a lot. Especially in the fifth year of Qianyou, after the peace agreement between Han and Liao was reached, the prefectures and counties gradually became peaceful, and Hebei once again became a relatively stable base for the Han Dynasty, where most people, food, wealth, and materials were obtained.
"Cangzhou Magistrate Chu Zhaofu, together with the officials in charge, greets Your Majesty!" Luan Jia stopped under the walls of Qingchi City in the state city. Magistrate Chu Zhaofu and a group of people formed a large formation to welcome Liu Chengyou.
"Your Majesty has an order, all the ministers will be exempted from the courtesy!" Liu Chengyou did not get out of the car and drive, but just waved his hand, with Zhang Dejun in front, and said loudly.
Zhang Dejun, the eunuch, has a dignified face with a hint of pride, and his voice is full of confidence. For Zhang Dejun, the period of accompanying him on the tour was extremely glorious. As the emperor's chamberlain leader, although he did not have much freedom, he also enjoyed the respect from local officials in a limited period of time.
Although the emperor did not get out of the car and drive, all the officials stood up respectfully to thank him.
Soon, after receiving the instruction, Zhang Dejun said again: "His Majesty has spoken and told Chu Zhaofu of Cangzhou Prefecture to come to the palace to see him!"
After hearing the order, Chu Zhaofu's originally somewhat depressed expression suddenly showed joy. While thanking him, he hurriedly and carefully boarded the carriage. Throughout the emperor's journey, it has not been reported that any official can meet the emperor at his command.
As for Chu Zhaofu, he was neither a favored minister of the emperor nor had much fame and qualifications. As for the governance of the state capital, although he considered himself to have made some achievements, he did not feel that he was enough to be in the imperial court and face the emperor. Therefore, while I feel honored, I can't help but feel some doubts and apprehensions.
"Chu Qing, sit down!" Looking at Chu Zhaofu who was carefully boarding the car with a solemn expression, Liu Chengyou put down the book in his hand and extended his hand to signal.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Seeing the emperor's gentle and courteous attitude, Chu Zhaofu also returned to his usual calmness, sat down, and said humbly: "I have no great merits. It is really useful to mount a palace to pay homage to the emperor." ashamed!"
"You're so humble!" Liu Chengyou smiled faintly, looked at Chu Zhaofu, and said, "We haven't seen him for two years, but he still has the same style!"
"Your Majesty is becoming increasingly powerful!" Chu Zhaofu responded.
Glancing outside, Liu Chengyou pointed his hand outward and said: "With so many officials in front of the city, there must be thirty or forty of them!"
Chu Zhaofu explained: "Your Majesty, I heard that your Majesty has arrived. All the officials and military officials of the seventh rank and above from the five counties in Cangzhou Prefecture have gathered here today to pay homage to Your Majesty. All the officials are dedicated to the king's affairs, but they have not heard the voice of heaven. If I could see the beauty of heaven now, I would have no regrets in this life!"
"One of the purposes of my patrol this time is to let you meet me. I often hear that I am loyal to the king, but if you don't even know who you are loyal to or what he looks like, then I'm afraid you are just talking about it. That's all..." Liu Chengyou chuckled.
"Loyalty to your majesty, serving the great man is a matter of ministerial loyalty, and it does not depend on whether you can see Tianyan. Your majesty's words will only make your subordinates panic!" Chu Zhaofu said solemnly on behalf of your emperor.
Hearing this, Liu Chengyou was slightly reserved, and immediately said calmly: "I, my words are a little inappropriate. However, there are more than tens of thousands of ministers and officials in the world. How many people can have Chu Qing's level of enlightenment?"
"What your Majesty said is true. However, now that I am lucky enough to be in Cangzhou, the officials up and down are lucky enough to see the emperor. This is a blessing for the whole state. In the future, I will pay more attention to the king's affairs and dare not slack off!" Chu Zhaofu said.
"I hope so. I also hope that a trip out of Beijing will have some motivating effect!" Liu Chengyou said calmly.
"Your Majesty, would you like to meet with the Cangzhou officials first?" Chu Zhaofu asked when Liu Chengyou's eyes were still outside.
"No need. I came all the way north and am exhausted. Let them all go back and meet again tomorrow!" Liu Chengyou waved his hand.
"I didn't think well, and I didn't take into account your majesty's hard work!" Chu Zhaofu immediately responded: "We are at the place where we are staying. The arrangements have been made. Please come to the city!"
Hearing this, Liu Chengyou turned to him, with a hint of playfulness in his tone: "Wouldn't your state city also build a hotel for me in advance?"
Noticing the emperor's look, Chu Zhaofu hurriedly explained: "I am just cleaning up the post house in the city and putting it in order to facilitate my travels. I hope your majesty will forgive me for the simplicity!"
When passing through Texas, local officials allocated money and food, recruited people, and built a gorgeous pavilion to receive the driver. Of course, if that were the case, Liu Chengyou would have scolded the extravagance and warned future generations, but that was all. After all, it was the local government's wishes, and he was not completely unkind.
However, not only did they invite favors and flattery, they also raised money and food in the name of serving as a driver, and invited rich and powerful families in the city to donate rare treasures to decorate the place. In this process, corruption and power-for-money transactions are naturally not missing. Some people's brains are not sensitive enough, or the world has seen peace, the country is no longer so poor, and too many officials have forgotten the thrift of the emperor in his early years.
The outcome of the Texas incident shocked a lot of people. The prefect was criticized by Liu Chengyou as a "faint official" and was dismissed from office. The officials involved were often punished. In serious cases, they were directly beheaded. In fact, the governor of Dezhou was somewhat unjust. It can only be blamed on his bad luck and being deceived by others. He didn't shoot the dragon's fart in the right place and became a chicken that was killed.
There is Jingzhou between Dezhou and Cangzhou, but the situation there has been reported to Qingchi long ago. The car in front is in front, and Chu Zhaofu, the car behind him, must be careful.
Liu Chengyou withdrew his gaze, seemed to be very satisfied, and said: "Don't go to the post house. The officials of the government are gathered together. If I occupy it, they will have to find another place to stay. Just let them stay. You, the prefect, will be considered as my substitute." Sweep the couch to welcome them!"
"Your Majesty's care for his ministers is so meticulous!" Chu Zhaofu complimented, with a look of embarrassment on his face: "What about Your Majesty?"
"I'll go to your government office!" Liu Chengyou waved his hand.
"The government office hasn't been repaired in time, so I'm afraid I've neglected your majesty. Should I ask you to find a mansion in the city as a temporary place to welcome you?" Chu Zhaofu suggested.
"Is there any mansion in this city that is bigger and better than your government office, and more suitable for hosting people like me?" Liu Chengyou smiled softly: "You don't think that I am used to living in the palace. Is it difficult to adapt to the local government office?"
"How dare you, my minister?" Seeing that the emperor had made up his mind, Chu Zhaofu cupped his hands and said, "How dare you please clear the way for the emperor to lead the way!"
"That's right!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Soon, under the personal service of Chu Zhaofu, the imperial cavalry slowly entered the city. The Longqi army stationed outside the city, while the Ouchi sergeants entered the city to monitor the city gates and streets, and stationed in the government office in advance as a guard.
Cangzhou government office is located in the northwest of the city. It occupies a fairly large area. However, from the moment he entered the government office, Liu Chengyou discovered that although it was clean and tidy, everything was old and shabby. There are pits on the ground, the beams and columns are not fully painted, and there are obvious traces of repairs between the bricks and tiles, as if they were plastered. The decoration is extremely simple. As for the garden, there are not many trees and flowers, and the only thing that looks decent is , there is only the lobby where Shen Duan’s official business is done.
Liu Chengyou was in the lobby, looking around and playing with the order. Liu Chengyou glanced at Chu Zhaofu and chuckled: "Chu Qing, no wonder you are embarrassed to let me stay in the government office. This Cangzhou government office is better than me." It’s even more crude than I imagined!”
"Your Majesty is laughing!" Chu Zhaofu said, cupping his hands: "The government office is the place where government affairs are managed, and it can be used as long as it is sufficient!"
"But I heard that some officials feel that the government office is the seat of authority of the court and the government. If it is not majestic enough, it will inevitably make the people look down on it and lack respect..." Liu Chengyou said leisurely.
Wang Yan, who was far away in Luoyang, couldn't help but sneeze.
Chu Zhaofu's face was serious and he said: "If he is upright and dignified, does it matter whether the government office is gorgeous or not?"
"To tell you the truth, I have heard about your Chu Zhaofu's frugality in Tokyo, and sometimes, I can't help but wonder whether you, Chu Zhaofu, are really that frugal..." Liu Chengyou said with a smile. Put on some smiles.
"I'm scared!" Chu Zhaofu took two steps back and bowed.
"You don't have to be afraid!" Liu Chengyou immediately waved his hand: "I have met many prefecture and county yamen along the way. When it comes to Qing Dynasty bamboo slips, this one belongs to you in Cangzhou Prefecture. To be honest, I am very happy! I have entered the territory of Cangzhou. Based on my later experience, I have to say that I have to thank the late Duke Liu Guangping for recommending an official to me!"
"Your Majesty's words put me to shame!" Chu Zhaofu couldn't help but say after hearing the emperor's comment, with a look of emotion on his face.
