Accompanied by Liu Yongzhen and several staff members, Liu Xu boarded Aolai City and walked among the city walls that had obviously been newly cleaned.
In order to meet the inspection of King Qin, Liu Yongzhen was facing a formidable enemy, so he tore through Aolai City and carried out a sanitation and cleaning activity inside and outside the city.
Some old buildings originally left by the Khitan and Orimi people in the city were all demolished because they were unsightly. At the same time, the intensity of public security clearance was intensified, and the garrison troops in the city were also dispatched to drive away some locals who were moving around.
Stern warnings were also given to the people under his rule, requiring them to behave themselves. Especially those who were still panning for gold at the bottom of the Blackwater River were given extremely stern warnings. After all, those gold diggers could be said to be the most restless people.
After making a series of careful and proper preparations, I felt a little relieved, but when the King of Qin Liu Xu arrived, I still couldn't help but feel a little uneasy in my heart. Especially when walking around the city with Liu Xu, Liu Xu remained silent and did not say a word. This kind of behavior from a superior often puts pressure on subordinates.
The entire Aolai City is made of rammed clay. Due to technical reasons, it looks very rough. Even after repairs, it still highlights a simple style.
The city is very small. Standing at the top of the city, you can see everything inside and outside the city. The only places worth inspecting in the city are probably the long street that leads directly from north to south, and Liu Yongzhen's mansion.
Standing in front of the low parapet and looking out, the Duck River lies across the field, running eastward like a horse. On the river, there were several fishing boats vaguely visible, and fishermen were fishing.
The scenery on both sides of the Taiwan Strait is filled with deep greenery, and the cool wind blows through the primitive and desolate wilderness, giving people a mysterious and deep feeling.
After a long time, when Liu Yongzhen couldn't help but test her words, Liu Xu looked outside the city and said softly: "Aolai City is not bad. Although the city is small, it is quiet and peaceful."
Seeing that Liu Xu finally spoke up, Liu Yongzhen hurriedly said: "It is only under His Highness's governance that we have such peace!"
Hearing this, Liu Xu smiled dullly: "You, Liu Yongzhen, are the ones who govern this city. This is my first time setting foot here!"
Liu Yongzhen said: "Your Highness's visit is a great honor for this city. We need His Highness's guidance and instructions!"
Liu Xu was noncommittal and asked: "How many people are there in Aolai area now?"
Regarding matters related to his duties, Liu Yongzhen prepared his homework in advance and answered almost without thinking: "Your Highness, there are 1,384 people in the register!"
"Those who are registered? What about those who are not registered?" Liu Xu turned his head and looked at Liu Yongzhen.
Liu Yongzhen suddenly fell into embarrassment, hesitated and replied: "There are probably one or two thousand people!"
"One or two thousand people? This number is not accurate at all!" Liu Xu said.
"This is the fault of the lower official. We will conduct a new census someday and put all the people in Aolai under control!" Liu Yongzhen said tactfully.
Liu Xu finally nodded, pondered for a moment, and then said: "The security of Anton is always a big problem, not only the intrusion of barbarians, but also the internal people who need to be restrained.
What the government needs to do to govern the people is to identify problems and solve troubles, and problems and troubles rarely come from good people who abide by the law!
Most of the people who dare to venture into Anton are not law-abiding people, but people who gamble and are willing to take risks. In contrast, the registered population is better governed and managed. You also need to provide them with a stable environment so that they can work and make a living with peace of mind. This is your responsibility! "
"Your Highness has taught you a lesson, and I have really benefited from it. I will definitely follow your instructions to improve public order and benefit the people!" Liu Yongzhen said.
"The one or two thousand people you mentioned must have poured in recently!" Liu Xu said leisurely.
"Your Highness is really perceptive!" Liu Yongzhen said: "Since the discovery of gold at the bottom of the Blackwater River, the whole Anton has been in a sensation, and the number of people coming to dig for gold is also increasing day by day. The following official estimates that there will be more in the future, and it is precisely this The arrival of all kinds of people has brought some hidden dangers to local security!"
"Don't be afraid of any hidden dangers. Since you have noticed it, you should work hard to solve it! I don't want the next time I come to Aolai City to just do some superficial work and show it to me. This is not what I want to see either. !”
Obviously, Liu Xu also knew something about Liu Yongzhen's preparations. With oppression in his eyes, Liu Xu pointed to the city behind him and said seriously: "Since you can create such a stable and harmonious situation for me in a short period of time, it shows that your control over Aolai is sufficient. Therefore, I hope that You can make it more practical!"
"Yes! I understand!" Hearing what Liu Xu said, Liu Yongzhen couldn't help but sweat on her spine even though it was a crisp autumn day.
Liu Xu turned his gaze to the north, raised his finger, and said in a curious tone: "I have heard about black water gold sand in Suihua. Is it true that it is like the rumor that all the gold sand flowing at the bottom of the river is gold sand? Can you make a lot of money?"
Mentioning this, Liu Yongzhen shook his head and said cautiously: "Your Highness, rumors are just rumors after all and cannot be fully believed. There is indeed a lot of gold at the bottom of the Blackwater River, but the specific distribution is not yet known, and it is not easy to find it. Of the gold diggers who are pouring in today, less than one out of ten has actually gained something. If the river was full of gold, then gold wouldn’t be expensive!”
"That's right!" Liu Xu nodded and chuckled: "That's the truth. The rumors are not believable, but they are indeed tempting enough! I heard that the commoner who discovered the black water gold can exchange it for a gold from you. Big money!”
Upon hearing this, Liu Yongzhen couldn't help but murmur in her heart, maybe His Highness was hinting that he had accepted bribes. Liu Yongzhen felt uneasy in his heart, but his reaction on his face was not slow. Liu Yongzhen said cautiously: "The guy's name is Ma Liu. Although he is a commoner, he is a bit smart. After discovering gold, he secretly went to the river to look for it. This guy is also very lucky. , he actually made more than fifty gold by himself. Later, he was suspected of acting suspiciously, so he took the initiative to report the matter to the lower officials..."
After Liu Yongzhen finished describing, Liu Xu couldn't help but sigh: "I have also heard the story of a child carrying gold through the busy city. In Anton, a person carries fifty gold, how is it different from a child?
Listening to what he said, this person is indeed lucky and smart. Of course, you, Liu Zhenjiang, are not a mortal. Gold is enough to make people famous and move people's hearts. You are just a small citizen, but you are not tempted at all and do not take it for yourself. thoughts? "
Hearing this, Liu Yongzhen's heart tightened, and he cupped his hands and said, "I'll tell you the truth, Your Highness, I can't be tempted. I just came to Anton to build a career and guard the border. For a mere fifty taels of gold, I broke the rules, and even After losing his head, even though the official is stupid, he still doesn’t do anything!”
Liu Xu looked at Liu Yongzhen in surprise, smiled again, and said, "What you said is true!"
"The gold that Aolai's government has stored in the past few months must be transferred to Suihua as soon as possible! When asking for help from the court, it's just these yellow and white things!" Liu Xu sighed.
"I understand and will arrange it as soon as possible!" Liu Yongzhen agreed quickly, but there was a little hesitation on his face.
Seeing his condition, Liu Xu comforted him softly: "Don't worry, Suihua will provide corresponding money, food and materials!"
"Thank you, Your Highness!" Liu Yongzhen said with emotion: "Although Aolai City is small, it lacks everything, especially grain, rice, oil, salt, wine, tea and cloth. After the influx of a large number of gold diggers, it became even more scarce. We only relied on local farmers. Herding, fishing and hunting are difficult to support!”
Liu Xu nodded.
Seeing this, Liu Yongzhen took the initiative and said: "Your Highness, the population in Aolai City is still too small..."
Obviously feeling the hint, Liu Xu turned to look at him: "It's indeed a little short!"
Liu Yongzhen hit the snake with a stick and said: "I heard that the newly recruited people from the Dudu Mansion will soon arrive in Suihua!"
"You are eight hundred miles away, so you are quite well informed!" Liu Xu said meaningfully: "I will give you some instructions!"
"Thank you, Your Highness!" Liu Yongzhen suddenly beamed with joy.
Liu Xu also smiled and gave direct instructions: "Take out all the registers and files in Aolai City. I want to take a look. Also, all the subordinate officials and military officials are called together for consultation. , I want to ask questions!"
"Yes!" Even though she was depressed, Liu Yongzhen did not dare to give in.
