Qin State, Xingyang.
Sheriff Ji Kui is busy in the study.
After a quick glance at the official documents and silk books in his hand, he quickly sorted them out, not to mention how panicked they were.
Because Liu Changqing will be arriving soon.
The Northwest Road Inspector covers the entire disaster area, including many counties.
Holding a king's sword in his hand is like patrolling the sky on behalf of the herdsmen. It would be strange for Ji Kui not to be nervous and self-examination!
After he had put all these things in order, Jun Cheng also walked in, bowed his hands and said, "Sir, Liu Changqing is almost here."
"Ah?" Ji Kui put down the last scroll of bamboo slips in his hand and walked out: "Hurry up and come with me."
In the afternoon of that day, a group of officials gathered at the gate of the county government office. They waited and waited, but Liu Changqing was nowhere to be seen.
This is equivalent to an imperial envoy who has no choice but to greet him. Seeing that a long time has passed, someone couldn't help but say: "According to the news, he should have arrived long ago..."
"Yeah, I've been waiting here for more than an hour. What are you doing..."
"Hmph, isn't it obvious? You're just putting on an official show!"
The officials discussed, but did not dare to leave easily. Little did they know that Liu Changqing had arrived in Xingyang a long time ago. At this moment, he and Yang Zhao were walking in the city in casual clothes, each holding a horse.
To find out the real situation in a place, unannounced visits are a very effective method.
Xingyang was not the hardest hit area. There were still a lot of people in the city, but the prosperity of the past was gone. Most of the people coming and going were victims of the disaster in coarse clothes and linen.
While strolling, the two of them unknowingly arrived at the relief office, where countless people were queuing up with bowls. In front of them, there were officials from the government giving porridge.
Seeing this scene, Yang Zhao couldn't help but said: "It seems that the Xingyang County Sheriff is still thinking about the people. At least, he did not let the victims go hungry."
"This is just a superficial phenomenon. How dare he not do this under the imperial decree." Liu Changqing didn't think so and said: "We also visited several villages when we came here. What do you think of the disaster situation in Xingyang as a whole? ?”
"It's... not bad. The people haven't reached the point of pulling grass for food. It doesn't seem to be as serious as imagined." Yang Zhao said hesitantly.
"You are right." Liu Changqing said: "Xingyang is the place with the least disaster in the entire disaster area."
"Then, isn't it your duty to go to the worst-hit areas to deal with the problem first? Why come here first?" Yang Zhao was puzzled.
Liu Changqing said: "You have to know that for some corrupt officials, they have extraordinary methods and will do anything to enrich their own pockets. The lightly affected areas are the places to make a lot of money, and the risks are far less than other places. "
As he spoke, he explained: "For example, Xingyang did not suffer much disaster originally, but the local officials reported it one after another, deceived the public, and made the disaster serious. So the imperial court made an emergency allocation and sent down huge amounts of gold, silver, and grain. You should know what happens next.”
"Hiss..." Yang Zhao took a breath and said in a condensed voice: "What do you mean, sir... is that the Xingyang County Sheriff lied about the disaster and made profits from it?"
"This is just a speculation, and there is no real evidence yet." Liu Changqing said, scanning the street in front of him, "But one thing is that this place is in depression, which shows that the Xingyang County Sheriff did not implement the strategy of mobilizing economic relief. In other words, he has no idea where to start because he wants to make this place look more like a hardest-hit area.”
There are many tricks in official circles. Yang Zhao was stunned for a while, "Then, what are your plans next?"
"Go to the county government, don't let people wait too long, otherwise, there will be big problems." Liu Changqing smiled.
Half an hour later, the two finally arrived at the county mansion, and a group of green-clothed guards also rushed over to act as guards.
Seeing this scene, the faces of all the officials became serious. Just as they were about to speak, Liu Changqing stretched out his hand slightly: "Please give me an edict from the king."
"Yes." Yang Zhao responded quickly, took out the edict written by Xiao Yuan, and handed it over respectfully with both hands.
Unfolding it, Liu Changqing looked around and began to read aloud:
"The king's decree."
Everyone knelt down.
"Liu Changqing is hereby appointed as the inspector of the Northwest Road to patrol the herds on behalf of the sky, inspect the disaster situation, take charge of all important military and political affairs, and act expediently..."
Xiao Yuan's imperial edicts were always simple in content, without so much nonsense.
It goes without saying how much power this person has to take charge of all military and political affairs and act on his own convenience.
After the king's edict was read, a group of officials knelt on the ground. They couldn't help but look at each other, and then they shouted in unison: "I will obey the king's order——"
After the process was completed, people naturally stood up. At this time, their faces were full of smiles and they bowed down.
"Oh, Mr. Liu, it's been a long journey, my subordinates have already ordered some food and wine to be prepared for you. Please come quickly, please come quickly." Ji Kui bent down and stretched out his hand with a smile on his face.
Other officials followed suit and said some nice things.
This person comes with Xiao Yuan's sword. Who dares not to fawn over, and who doesn't worry about being shoehorned in by him.
After receiving the wind and washing away the dust, it was a normal procedure. Liu Changqing didn't say anything. After returning the courtesy to everyone, he also said on his face: "You are very polite, please."
"please……"
In the evening of the same day, everyone gathered at the county mansion for a banquet. Some polite greetings and toasts were unavoidable at the table. Considering Liu Changqing's past deeds and identity, Ji Kui did not dare to offer any delicacies, but just treated him as normal.
Liu Changqing was not very good at drinking. After two drinks, no matter how much everyone tried to persuade him, he stopped holding a drink.
After the dinner, he was arranged to stay at the county mansion, and at the same time, Ji Kui was asked to send over all relevant official documents.
In the room, he was reading at night, and Ji Kui's heart was not so peaceful.
The next morning, Liu Changqing had already read the general official documents and met Ji Kui in the study for the first time.
Facing him, the latter seemed a little uncomfortable. He bowed slightly and stood below, smiling and said: "Master Liu reads at night, works hard, and is tireless in political affairs. He is really a role model for us."
"Hey? Mr. Ji said something serious." Liu Changqing said calmly: "If I remember correctly, the imperial court allocated 7.4 million taels of silver and 150,000 taels of grain and grass for the drought in Xingyang, right?"
"Yes." Ji Kui could only return.
"Official documents record that most of the relief money has been used for the victims, and food and grass are also scarce. But why do I feel that the disaster in Xingyang is not that serious? Is this money used too fast?" Liu Changqing asked.
"Your Majesty, what you said is wrong." Ji Kui stabilized his mind and explained calmly: "Since the imperial decree was issued, the subordinates did not dare to slack off at all. Together with a group of colleagues, they stayed awake for several days, worrying about civil affairs. Only with vigorous relief efforts can this disaster be controlled so well."
