A moment later, one hundred and sixty-four people from the third class of Jinping County government offices, plus more than fifty civilians, all arrived at the county government compound.
Jinping County's county magistrate Wu Huaijie, arrester Licheng, Dianshi, Jiaoyu, Yicheng and other officials all came to the county government office to listen to the teachings of the new county magistrate.
Zhu Renxia was wearing a green official robe and a black gauze hat, sitting in the center of the lobby.
"Everyone, my surname is Zhu and my name is Renxia. My ancestor is Renzu of the Ming Dynasty, the eleventh generation grandson of King Nanchang."
After listening to Zhu Renxia's self-introduction, everyone present was in awe. It turned out that the new county magistrate was a member of the Ming Dynasty clan, which was really awesome!
Although the imperial court has now relaxed its control over the clan, allowing them to engage in other professions to make a living, and even allowing them to participate in the imperial examination, there are probably only a few who have become officials so far.
This young clan member, who looks to be only twenty-three or fourteen years old, has been promoted to the position of seventh-grade county magistrate. His future future is bound to be limitless.
Zhu Renxia glanced at everyone and continued: "Everyone must know the situation in our Guizhou. Yang Yinglong, the chieftain of Bozhou, led his troops to rebel with great momentum. He first killed the prefect of Liping, Tian Zongren, and then killed the chief Yang Guozhu. Currently, there is a tremor everywhere. , the situation is tense.”
"What? Yang Dusi died in the battle?"
"Oh my God, Yang Guozhu was a high-ranking official of the imperial court, and he died under the sword of the rebels. This is really unbelievable!"
"The rebels are too powerful. Even Yang Dusi died in the battle. How can we small counties have the ability to protect themselves? If the court doesn't send a large army to quell the rebellion quickly, I'm afraid we in Guizhou will be doomed!"
Tian Zongren has been dead for a month, and this shocking news has been slowly accepted by the world. But Yang Guozhu's death happened only a few days ago, and it was tantamount to dropping a bombshell to those present.
Moreover, as the commander of the Guizhou Capital Command Department, Yang Guozhu was a second-rank official of the Ming Dynasty, and his status was far above Tian Zongren, the fourth-rank prefect.
For comparison in later generations, Yang Guozhu was the commander of the Guizhou Military Region, and Tian Zongren was just the mayor of a prefecture-level city. His death in battle was far more impactful and shocking than Tian Zongren's death!
"Ahem... Everyone, please be patient and listen to what the county magistrate has finished."
Liu Gongfu, who was standing aside, coughed and loudly reminded everyone to keep quiet and not to make any noise.
Under Liu Gongfu's sharp eyes, the panicked officials calmed down slightly, and each of them pricked up their ears to listen to the county magistrate's instructions.
Zhu Renxia was sitting tightly and said loudly: "Compared to other places, our situation in Liping is more critical. Due to the looting by the rebels, the granaries and treasury of Liping Mansion were looted, and the people's strong team formed by Tian Zongren It also fell apart, and the situation in the city was in danger.
Lord Li Yao was ordered to face the crisis, and thanks to the respect of Governor Jiang Futai, he was asked to come to Liping as the prefect to protect the 1.2 million people in Liping.
Thanks to the efforts of Magistrate Li, the military and political affairs of Liping City were restored. However, due to the death of Yang Dusi, the rebel army's frontline was directed towards Guiyang, so Lord Futai asked all places to send troops to reinforce the provincial capital.
At this critical time, Magistrate Li has asked me, Zhu Renxia, to temporarily act as the magistrate of Jinping County. We will work together with you to protect the people in the county and send troops to respond to Lord Futai. "
County Magistrate Wu Huaijie first handed over his hand: "We will obey the orders of the County Magistrate!"
Others echoed: "We are willing to follow the county magistrate's lead!"
Zhu Renxia nodded: "The prefect ordered me to lead a group of civilians to go west to Guiyang to support Futai. In view of the current tense situation in Guizhou, this county has decided to adjust all officials under the rule to stabilize the situation and defend the county."
"Sir, please speak."
County Magistrate Wu Huaijie was the first to speak. He subconsciously took out his handkerchief and wiped the sweat from his forehead.
The position of the county magistrate is equivalent to the director of the Public Security Bureau. When rebels come, this position will bear the brunt.
Wu Huaijie no longer wanted to work and even wanted to resign and go home.
It's just that Jinping County is currently leaderless. He can only be a monk for a day and clock the clock. He even hopes that the county magistrate will remove him, and he promises not to complain.
Zhu Renxia's eyes first fell on Wu Huaijie: "Wu County Cheng, are you in your fifties this year?"
"Fifty-four years old."
Wu Huaijie put the handkerchief into his sleeves and smiled, "I have old arms and legs, my ears are a little deaf and my eyes are a little blurry..."
"Then I plan to ask the prefect to make you the governor. I wonder what Mr. Wu wants?" Zhu Renxia smiled, seeming to have understood Wu Huaijie's thoughts.
According to the legal system of the Ming Dynasty, the boss of a county is naturally the county magistrate.
The county magistrate is the second-in-command, responsible for public security, arrests, and strengthening the people; the county magistrate ranks third, but is responsible for the lucrative taxation, household registration, money and food, etc., and there is no danger, so there is no need to rush to the front during the war.
It would have been fine if it had been left to peacetime, but now the rebels are powerful and Jinping County is only more than 300 miles away from Bozhou. Who knows when Yang Yinglong's soldiers and horses will come to Liping Prefecture to plunder? Therefore, Wu Huaijie would rather resign than be the county magistrate again.
But if he were to be promoted from the position of county magistrate to the position of chief executive, Wu Huaijie would naturally want it.
According to the legal system of the Ming Dynasty, county magistrates and governors were all officials appointed by the court. Not to mention Zhu Renxia, a county magistrate, even the prefect had no right to appoint or remove him, and could only write a petition for impeachment.
But now Guizhou is in a war period, and military and political power belongs to the governor. The appointment and dismissal of all officials from the county magistrate level are all decided by the governor and do not need to be reported to the court, and they take effect immediately.
Li Yao, the prefect, was appointed by Jiang Dongzhi and was a direct confidant; Zhu Renxia was promoted by Li Yao himself, so he was considered Li Yao's confidant.
In other words, Zhu Renxia was Jiang Dongzhi's confidant, and it was natural for him to propose to the prefect to adjust the positions of his subordinates.
"I would like to obey the orders of the county magistrate, and I am willing to do my best to tide over the difficulties with you."
Wu Huaijie tried his best to conceal the joy in his heart and bowed to express his thanks, as if the county magistrate meant what he said.
Zhu Renxia's eyes glanced at Liu Gongfu again: "Brother Gongfu, the position of magistrate of Jinping County falls on your head. After I go on the expedition, you will decide all affairs in the county."
Liu Gongfu also knew that now was not the time to decline modestly, so he happily accepted the order with clasped fists: "I only obey the instructions of the county magistrate."
Capt. Li Cheng, as well as other officials who were good friends with Liu Gongfu, all looked delighted. They were glad that they could finally work with Capt. Liu again. No... to be precise, it was Liu Xiancheng now.
Zhu Renxia asked Wu Huaijie again: "How much grain do we have in the warehouses and granaries in Jinping County now?"
Wu Huaijie cupped his hands and said, "If I go back to the county master, there are still more than 30,000 stones of corn in the granary, and the coins are probably less than 5,000 taels of silver."
Zhu Renxia nodded and told Liu Gongfu: "I will send you five thousand taels of gold later. You must recruit strong people in the county, buy horses, forge weapons and armor, and prepare for war."
"Yes!" Liu Gongfu clasped his fists and accepted the order.
"Five thousand taels of gold?"
The officials present were instantly excited.
Other county magistrates had tried every means to embezzle and accept bribes after becoming officials. Why did this county magistrate actually take the initiative to give money, and it was five thousand taels of gold.
Converted into silver, that's 50,000 taels, which is equivalent to three years of taxes for the entire Jinping County. If the officials of the Ming Dynasty were so selfless, why worry about the people not living a good life?
In order to please the county magistrate, Wu Huaijie raised his hand and suggested: "Our Jinping County has suffered from severe drought for three consecutive years and has been unable to collect taxes. The treasury is indeed out of money. But we can't ask for your money, sir. We are Bo Cao Let’s record it in the accounts for the time being, and then return it to the county magistrate when the taxes are sufficient and there is money in the treasury.”
"No need!"
Zhu Renxia directly raised his hand and declined Wu Huaijie's suggestion, "These 50,000 taels of silver will be regarded as my meeting gift to the folks in Jinping County. They will be used to repair city walls, build schools, improve various government offices, recruit people, purchase weapons, horses."
"The county magistrate is so righteous. I am here to lead all the officials in the county to thank you!"
Wu Huaijie waved his hand and called on all the officials behind him to salute and thank Zhu Renxia for his generosity.
