After entering Fengzhou City, Emperor Liu's eyes lit up with the scene inside, which even exceeded his expectations. Although the roads in the city are narrow and basically dirt roads, they are simple and clean. Especially the main roads are paved with stone slabs and appear smooth. There are also some businesses and wine shops along the streets. Of course, there are still many vacant places.
Although the civil structures of the houses are simple and uneven, they cannot give people a sense of depression and decay. Perhaps it was because the royal chariot was here in person, or maybe it was because the city had a small population and seemed very quiet.
The entire Fengzhou City looks monotonous, even deserted, but it is extremely orderly. It is obvious that the government has put great thought into the management of the city and the people.
Such a result naturally won the favor of Emperor Liu again. He did have a pity for the army, officials and people of Fengzhou. The bitter cold and remote environment is difficult to change, and poverty is also a reality. However, if one is willing to degenerate because of this, and indulges in indulgence, breaking the pot, and letting management go, then complaining about poverty will arouse Emperor Liu's contempt.
When he was in Hedong, a conversation with Shi Xizai made Emperor Liu feel deeply. If the people want to improve their lives and escape from poverty, they must ultimately rely on themselves. Rely on the mountains to feed on the mountains, rely on the water to feed on the water, and be self-reliant.
Compared with other poor areas, Fengzhou has received certain policy support because of its special geographical location and military value. For example, in terms of finance and taxation, in the past ten years, they have been either reduced or exempted. If the financial support from earlier years is added, the imperial court not only did not collect much tax from this, but actually borrowed a lot. Moreover, the imperial court also shouldered a large part of the supply of local garrison soldiers.
Therefore, Fengzhou returned to poverty from poverty, but there was not much burden imposed by the imperial court.
However, although the first impression was very good, Emperor Liu's face did not show it again. On the contrary, Prince Liu Yang was asked to personally inspect and visit inside and outside the city.
Emperor Liu only had one pair of eyes and one pair of ears. Even if he saw it with his own eyes, he could not guarantee whether all this was an illusion arranged by Feng Guang to cater to him. After calming down, Emperor Liu would look at everyone and everything with a certain degree of scrutiny and even skepticism. This was something he would never change in his life.
"What's going on with these things?" Emperor Liu asked, pointing to an open space on the corner of the street.
Next to the barracks, there should be a warehouse, close to the main road, with firewood, fodder and other items neatly stacked. The wood was all chopped, and there was a pile of black coal beside it. In order to prevent moisture, some rainproof measures were simply arranged.
After hearing the question, Feng Guang hurriedly introduced: "Your Majesty, it's winter now. No matter whether officials or people are concerned, the most worrying thing is hunger and cold, and things to keep warm are especially important. After traveling a long distance from camp, I led the people to prepare more firewood. Fodder for the camp..."
"You are really thoughtful!" Emperor Liu glanced at Feng Guang and said, "This is not just to prepare more, but to build a hill. How much people's effort has been spent on so many things? I have already had a strict order to inspect the places I passed. , the local government does not need to pay tribute, let alone waste the people and money!"
When Emperor Liu said this, he felt a slightly stern tone. Feng Guang hurriedly explained: "Your Majesty's edict, how can I not obey it? It's just that at the end of every autumn, the officials and the people prepare materials to prepare for the winter. This time it's just too much." We have made some preparations, and the state government will also remunerate the people for the extra effort. There is no need to work for the people. Your Majesty did not avoid the wind and cold, and visited Fengzhou in person. All the officials and people of this state felt sorry for him. There were no precious tributes, and only these few firewood were used. Do what the officials and the people want..."
After hearing what Feng Guang said, Emperor Liu's expression improved. Seeing that he was frightened by him, he couldn't help but wave his hand: "That's it!"
Emperor Liu also knew that it was absolutely impossible for him to go on patrol without disturbing the place, even if there was an imperial edict in front of him. The geese passing by even left a sound, especially with this large group of tens of thousands of people.
On the other hand, it is common sense for officials and people in various places to express their filial piety within their ability to appreciate the emperor's visit.
Like Feng Guang's approach, if you think about it carefully, there is not much to criticize. The charcoal materials are what the camp needs. If they are lacking, the camp will purchase them.
Feng Guang, as for Feng Guang, had considered the matter ahead. It happened to be at this time of year, which reflected his intentions and his loyalty to the emperor.
Of course, maybe he was too attentive, which made Emperor Liu couldn't help but think about it. Is this because he is careful and considerate, or is he deliberately acting to please himself and invite favors?
Emperor Liu kept this question in his mind and had no answer for the time being, but he was not in a hurry. The future was still very long and he could wait and see.
But at the same time, no matter what Emperor Liu thought, Feng Guang's performance had actually attracted Emperor Liu's attention. There were so many prefects and governors in the country, and I had seen many of them during this patrol. It was those who could attract Emperor Liu's attention. How many more people are there?
For an official to be remembered by the emperor and even pay attention to him, this is very beneficial to his official career. In the era of the emperor's autocratic rule, this can be vividly reflected.
"Is there anything we need to keep warm during the camp? These firewood and charcoal will come in handy!" Emperor Liu turned to ask his uncle Li Ye.
Li Ye gave an affirmative reply: "Of course it will come in handy! After the cold weather, the camp consumes a lot of money and even requires soldiers to cut down trees and make fires. Feng Jishi is so prepared, which saves a lot of trouble in the camp!"
"In this case, let's write a note and let the camp organizer accept it. The required expenses will be transferred directly to Fengzhou!" Emperor Liu directly ordered, then looked at Feng Guang and showed a little smile: "The officials and people of Fengzhou are responsible for this." I will accept it calmly, and your hard work will not be in vain!"
"Yes! Thank you, Your Majesty!" After hearing this, Feng Guang was completely relieved.
"Let's go and have a look at your state government office!" Emperor Liu tightened his coat and ordered as the north wind blew.
Feng Guang did not dare to neglect and personally led the way.
The official office of Fengzhou is located in the northwest of the city. Due to the small size of the city, it only takes about three hundred steps to reach it. Just like the city wall, the official office also has a simplicity.
Emperor Liu's entourage was able to fill the Yamen, and a large number of guards needed to stand on the street in front of the Yamen. In the court hall, Emperor Liu, a man in luxurious clothes, seemed out of place with the decoration of the hall.
Emperor Liu sat alone on the wooden table in the hall, looked around the scene in the hall, looked at Feng Guang and the two assistants behind him, pondered for a while, and said: "Feng Guang, you, the state government, are afraid that It’s not as good as the Dashu County Government in the Central Plains!”
When asked, Feng Guang responded calmly: "Fengzhou is poor and remote, so we can only make it as simple as possible to make your Majesty laugh!"
In fact, not to mention the county offices in the Central Plains, even some large city and town government offices are more magnificent than the Fengzhou Prefecture Office. The governor of Fengzhou is a fifth-rank official position in the imperial court, which is not considered low. However, the job of this official can be described as bleak. It is a fact that I would rather be a county magistrate in the Central Plains than a provincial governor in the border areas.
"I have a question!" Emperor Liu looked at Feng Guang and said without continuing to dwell on the simplicity of Fengzhou.
Feng Guang immediately cheered up, raised his hands and said, "I respectfully listen to the holy teachings!"
Ignoring his humble attitude, Emperor Liu stared at him with bright eyes: "Although Fengzhou is remote, it is also surrounded by mountains and rivers. It is in the hinterland of the Hetao. The Shannan grassland is suitable for farming and grazing. After so many years of recuperation, why is it still poor? So far?"
Hearing this question, Feng Guang immediately became nervous. This could be regarded as questioning his political ability as a governor. He organized his words a little and said calmly: "Your Majesty, although Fengzhou is surrounded by mountains and rivers, it has been abandoned for many years. When the Khitans were in the hands, they did not manage it well. Before Jiuyuan Hou marched westward to recover, the Liao army also wreaked havoc in the territory, resulting in the destruction of barriers and the extinction of pavilions. After the recovery, due to the sparse population and the remote location on the border, It is difficult to develop. In recent years, the climate has been extremely bad, and there have been frequent famines, resulting in poverty to this day..."
After listening to him explain the problems and difficulties clearly, Emperor Liu finally nodded and asked: "How many people are there under Fengzhou now? How many residents are there in the city!"
"Your Majesty, in the sixth year of Kaibao, Fengzhou had one city and three castles under its jurisdiction, with a total of 732 households and 3,853 people of all ethnic groups! There were 203 households in the city, with a population of more than 1,000!" Feng Guang responded.
After hearing Feng Guang's report, Emperor Liu couldn't help but feel bitter for him. The only division at the level of Dahan Prefecture that was so desolate was probably Feng Prefecture.
"How many people in your state government office enjoy official salaries and live on rice?"
"Including the ministers, including all the officials and officials, there are a total of 19 people!" Feng Guang replied.
"This is much less than the quota of state officials stipulated by the imperial court!" Emperor Liu smiled slightly.
Feng Guang said: "There are few people in Fengzhou and too many officials will only cause redundant staff and consume the court's salary. Therefore, I made some reductions based on the actual situation!"
"Good!" Emperor Liu finally praised: "This is adapting to local conditions, this is caring about the court and being loyal to one's duties! Feng Guang, although Fengzhou is remote, you have given me a new look!"
