Back in Xiangyang, Wang Xiaolie prepared ships for Ji Ling and others, arranged food and fodder, and sent official documents to various places downstream. This procrastination lasted for more than ten days. In April, a few people officially set off.
At Hanshui Pier, after seeing Ji Ling and others off, Wang Xiaolie returned to the government office and suddenly felt much more relaxed. To be honest, although Wang Xiaolie's etiquette in receiving Ji Ling and others this time was thoughtful, it was not particularly respectful. At this time, the court officials lost their previous status in the local area. Wang Xiaolie can save everyone's face in terms of etiquette, which is already good.
After resting for a while, Wang Xiaolie called Chen Yuyi and asked about Ji Ling's actions in Xiangyang. It's nothing more than traveling around, drinking in restaurants run by the government from time to time, and living a happy life. He did not have much contact with officials from Xiangyang Prefecture.
Look, in late April, an edict suddenly came. After receiving the edict, I learned that the Miao and Liu rebellions had been put down. It was impossible for Wang Xiaolie to know the specific story. He only knew that the army was approaching. Miao Fu and Liu Zhengyan panicked and agreed to reset Zhao Gou. The two were appointed as the chief and deputy envoys of Huaixi, and there was no war between the two sides. But it seems that the overall situation has been decided.
Wang Xiaolie was officially appointed as the envoy of South Jingxi Road, which was regarded as an official imperial appointment. However, to Wang Xiaolie's surprise, Wang Ruohai was appointed as the jailer on South Jingxi Road and also knew Dengzhou.
Looking at the edict, Wang Xiaoli was stunned for a long time. It’s not surprising that he was officially appointed. Currently, the imperial court has no ability to control South Beijing Road and can only appoint powerful local figures. But it would be interesting for Wang Ruohai to propose punishment for Jingnan Road.
At this time, the position of the system commander was very high. Theoretically, it is higher than the envoys of economic affairs, recruitment, and pacification, etc., and its local military power is second only to the envoys of Xuanfu. However, the imperial court also had a purpose to remove the power of the institutional envoys in charge of civil affairs and only control the military force. One thing to note is that the prisoner is a political officer and is not in the same position as the official. At the road level, punishment is second only to transportation envoy.
After careful consideration, Wang Xiaolie understood the meaning of the imperial court's appointment. After sending Wang Ruohai, he was still unwilling to leave the affairs of these states completely to Wang Xiaolie. When Wang Ruohai took office, Chen Qiudao in Ezhou could also take office, so he took back the Civil Affairs Bureau of Jingnan Road. At this time, there was no official transfer envoy on Jingnan Road. Chen Qiudao and Wang Ruohai took office. From the official position, they could control the civil affairs.
Thinking of this, Wang Xiaolie couldn't help but shook his head. It cannot be said that the court was wrong in doing so. At this time, there was only chaos in the southeast, and there were only small groups of thieves in other places. In the eyes of courtiers, these places can still be controlled.
Can you really control it? Wang Xiaolie didn't believe it. According to the memory of the previous life, the real chaos in the world, the Miao and Liu mutinies were just the beginning, and then the Jin Kingdom searched the mountains and seas, and the group of thieves in Kaifeng Prefecture headed south was the main event.
Thinking of this, Wang Xiaolie stood up and looked out the window.
This is a troubled world, and the most important thing is the army. With the army, you have everything, and there is no need to be distracted by other things. After thinking for a long time, Wang Xiaolie made up his mind not to get too entangled with Wang Ruohai. If he comes to impose the punishment, then he can take care of the punishment and prison if he wants, and other things should be his own. The same goes for Chen Qiudao. When you come, Wang Xiaolie will treat you politely and just leave him alone.
Five days later, Wang Ruohai's ship arrived at the Hanshui Pier, and Wang Xiaolie greeted him personally.
Wang Ruohai got off the boat. Wang Xiaolie stepped forward and saluted: "I don't want us to see each other again after being apart for less than a month."
Looking at Wang Xiaolie, Wang Ruohai said helplessly: "I have to obey the imperial edict. But to be honest, according to my heart, I really don't want to go back to this place. I guess it's not easy for me to be a punishment officer."
Wang Xiaolie smiled: "What's so hard to do? Now that the prison is here, from now on, all the prisons in this state will be left to you."
Wang Ruohai sighed lightly and said nothing. Accompanied by Wang Xiaolie, he entered the Xiangyang government office.
After sitting down in the official hall, Wang Ruohai said: "When the Jin army came two years ago, all the officials in the punishment department fled. If I go to Dengzhou to take office, no one will use it. I don't know what Zhizhi thinks? Can you send some people to me? Are your subordinates working?"
Wang Xiaolie said: "If you want to punish me, that's fine. But I'm afraid the people under my command are not as good as me. It's better to recruit yourself so that you can be more effective when you recruit them. If there is no one at the moment, just recruit slowly. "
Wang Ruohai thought for a long time, then nodded and said: "I understand. Also, the one who governs Dengzhou now is Niu Gao. If I go, what will happen to Niu Gao? Now the officials and army in Dengzhou are still okay. Use it?"
Wang Xiaolie thought for a while. Looking at Wang Ruohai, he said: "Ti Xing, let me speak clearly. Since I entered Xiangyang Prefecture last year, there have been many political changes in the state army in this area. Including Dengzhou. If Ti Xing does not make major changes, everything will be fine. . Do you want to change——"
After hearing this, Wang Ruohai looked serious. He said: "The recent decree of the imperial court is to implement Renzong's laws. The Jiayou regulations are different from those of today. In addition to the official service law, rewards are more severe and treaties are more lenient. As ministers, how can we violate the imperial decree?"
Wang Xiaolie shook his head gently. Said: "Ti Xing, during the Jiayou period, the world was peaceful. How can it be compared with now? Now there are Jin troops watching outside and rebels inside. We must put all our strength and as much energy as possible into strengthening the army. Come up. Civil administration should be as simple as possible, so that neither the government nor the people will cause trouble. The imperial court's will is naturally correct, but when we govern the place, we still have to act according to reality."
Wang Ruohai said nothing and looked at Wang Xiaolie. After a long time, he said: "So, states are not allowed to change the system?"
Wang Xiaolie nodded: "How much energy have I spent and how many people have died for today? How can everything change if I am sentenced? If so, how can I gain the trust of the people? How can I lead people? Improving punishment, this is There’s no need to talk too much about it.”
Wang Ruohai asked: "What if I must change?"
Wang Xiaolie said calmly: "You came to Xiangyang alone, why did you change? In these extraordinary times, I advise Ti Xing not to have such thoughts. In the prison under the rule, Ti Xing just needs to be more attentive. In other matters, you should be less involved. good."
Wang Ruohai took a deep breath. Said: "I understand. According to Zhizhi, you are not allowing others to interfere here."
Wang Xiaolie said: "How can you say this? If it makes sense, of course I will listen. If it doesn't make sense, of course I won't listen. Yi Zu once said that there is the greatest truth in the world. As long as it makes sense, nothing can't be changed. .”
Seeing that Wang Ruohai looked bad. Wang Xiaolie said: "Okay, I have understood my attitude towards the punishment. I understand the punishment, and I hope it will not make it difficult for me. If you come here today, I will prepare a banquet in the back office to welcome you." Please appreciate it."
Wang Ruohai shook his head repeatedly: "Jie Feng? The two of us are not talking to each other today, so why Jie Feng? In fact, when I was in Xinye a month ago, I saw that Zhi Zhi was not a docile minister. The court asked me to be a prisoner, but I didn't want to come. But I have to come. Since Zhizhi refuses to give in, I can only endure the punishment. How can I survive this feast?"
Wang Xiaolie laughed after hearing this: "The punishment, whether you do it happily or not, is a business matter. Business matters are public matters, and private matters are private matters. Don't take it to heart. When you take office, I will naturally prepare a banquet for you."
Wang Ruohai looked at Wang Xiaolie and couldn't figure out what kind of person he was for a moment. If he had a disobedient heart, he had no disobedient behavior and tried his best to obey the imperial court's will. He is said to be a loyal minister, but he blatantly disobeys the imperial decree that goes against his own ideas.
After thinking for a long time, Wang Ruohai said: "It's time to stop disturbing me."
Wang Xiaolie nodded and said nothing more.
Wang Xiaolie had his own way of training troops and managing the place. How could it be possible to change things with just one official? At this time, the imperial court actually had no way to deal with a local powerhouse like itself. Making decrees and sending officials is actually the same as before. When the court slowly realizes the facts later, it will naturally take corresponding actions.
As for whether doing this would arouse Zhao Gou's suspicion, Wang Xiaolie didn't consider it at all. No matter what I do, can I still be more loyal than Yue Fei in history? Even if he tried his best, Zhao Gou would not make Zhao Gou believe in him more than Yue Fei. In the final analysis, the outcome depends on Zhao Gou. What I want is to resolutely resist the Northern Expedition of Jin Dynasty and return a bright future to the people. Zhao Gou did it, and Wang Xiaolie naturally had nothing to say. If he couldn't do it, Wang Xiaolie would not be like Yue Fei, who was summoned to the court by Zhao Gou and died of cowardice.
Since this is the case, why should Wang Xiaolie be hypocritical? Of course, your own territory is up to your own will. As long as the army becomes stronger, who can do anything to him? In fact, in this era, neither Zhao Gou nor the imperial court valued the loyalty of officials that much.
