xymnovel Chapter 65 Governing by Approaching the People
Chapter 65 Governing by Approaching the People
"Governing by governing the people?"
Upon hearing this, a slight smile finally appeared on Li Er's stern face.
Previously, this kid had repeatedly shown concern for the people's suffering. If he dares to ask for a lucrative post this time, he really wouldn't mind sending this guy to the lower counties of Hebei Province to investigate the people's conditions. He shouldn't even think about coming back until the population reaches five thousand households.
Li Er nodded and said, "Continue."
Shen Ce took a deep breath: "Your Majesty, to boast a bit, I have been through thick and thin with Your Majesty and should be someone Your Majesty trusts. At present, Pei Ji and others not only hold high positions, but also hinder Your Majesty from implementing new policies. I feel that I can do my part."
When Shen Ce mentioned Pei Ji's name, Li Er's eyes twitched. He caught this information and knew that Li Er was a vengeful person. He definitely wouldn't forget about Liu Wenjing's matter!
Li Er patted the non-existent dust off his palms and looked at his fingertips, saying, "Go to Chang'an County and be a county magistrate. Magistrate Li has been following the retired emperor and Pei Ji for too long, which I don't think is a good thing."
Shen Ce realized that Li Er had other intentions. Under the emperor's nose, such an important place as the capital city should naturally be firmly held in their hands. Magistrate Li was a man of the retired emperor and Pei Ji, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel.
Making a move against just one county magistrate wouldn't be very effective; he guessed that the real intention was to follow the trail and remove Pei Ji from his post.
Shen Ce bowed down: "Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty."
Li Er got up, walked up to him, patted him on the shoulder and said, "The magistrate of Chang'an County is only a seventh-rank official. This is not enough to repay your meritorious service on this trip to Shandong."
He immediately looked up and shouted towards the door, "Someone come here!"
Those waiting outside the palace were perceptive enough to discern from Li Er's tone whether it was an eunuch, a guard, or a secretary from the Imperial Secretariat who should be entering.
Hearing the calm tone of the voice, which even seemed to be rising slightly, Yan Shigu, the Imperial Secretary, pushed open the door and entered. He knelt beside the desk, raised his brush, and hovered it over the yellow paper, waiting for Li Er to speak.
"Shen Ce, the chief clerk of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, has rendered meritorious service in pacifying Shandong. He is hereby appointed as the assistant magistrate of Chang'an County, granted the title of Viscount of Xianyang County, and given a fief of three hundred households." Li Er's voice was unhurried.
The emperor would certainly speak in plain language, but the official jargon that would be written down would have to be handled by the secretaries of the Imperial Secretariat.
Yan Shigu's brush moved swiftly and powerfully. Before Li Er had even finished speaking, a magnificent appointment document had already been drafted and presented to Li Er on his knees.
Yan Shigu's skill was beyond doubt. Li Er picked up the vermilion brush and drew the imperial edict on it.
Before he received any official title in Hebei, he had dreamed of becoming a popular official in Chang'an. Now, his wish had finally come true. To his delight, although his rank hadn't changed much, he now held a noble title. It seems that Li Er (Emperor Taizong of Tang) also had this ambition; otherwise, how could a seventh-rank official without a title compete with a fifth-rank official?
My greatest advantage is that I know the general trend of future developments. Once I am far away from the center of the court, I am nothing. As long as I can stay here, I can always seize the credit.
Before Shen Ce could express his loyalty to Li Er, Li Er waved him away, saying with certainty that if he dared to submit such a memorial again, he would be sent to Nanzhao as a mining supervisor so that he could properly understand the people's conditions.
Shen Ce stood outside Xiande Hall, pondering Li Er's words. What he meant by "not good" was finding evidence against the magistrate of Chang'an County and Pei Ji, keeping them under close surveillance. As long as the evidence was solid, Li Er would be overjoyed to accept it.
As for powerful families? I'll kill the county magistrate first, then I'll be the county magistrate myself, the magistrate of the capital county. I'm not even twenty-two years old yet. As long as I live long enough, I can take it slow and make it happen someday.
Having arrived in the Tang Dynasty, Shen Ce rose from a lowly ninth-rank squad leader to a founding viscount in just four months, a feat that undoubtedly filled him with pride.
As he rode his horse into the house, a deafening roar erupted from the house, and both Xiaoman and Shenwang rushed out of the house.
Because Shen Ce was the backbone of the family, Shen Liu Shi felt relieved when she saw him return unharmed.
There's not much to say. For people from Guanzhong, the way to express happiness is to have a good meal. They call over a chef from a reputable restaurant in the West Market and hold a grand banquet at home. However, Shen Ce learned his lesson this time and obediently stayed in the house after drinking the Xinfeng wine.
The imperial edict arrived early the next morning. Fang Xuanling had signed it without hesitation and sent it to the Secretariat for review. Less than an hour later, the edict appeared on the desk of the Ministry of Personnel, and Shen Ce's title was thus confirmed.
When Shen Ce saw Guo Sheren again, the smile on his face was almost twisted into a chrysanthemum shape. He said with certainty that he felt Shen, the county magistrate, was destined for the provincial capital the first time he saw him. Look, it's only been a few days, and he already has a noble title.
Unlike the usual imperial edicts, this time Guo Sheren was followed by a long line of eunuchs. As a founding county magistrate, he naturally had a ceremonial procession.
First of all, there's the scarlet court robe, which can only be worn on important occasions such as New Year's Day and grand court assemblies. For daily office work, he still has to wear his damned green robe, which made Shen Ce sad for a long time.
The six halberds that had just been received were quickly placed at the main gate by the servants. These were a symbol of nobility; if an official passed by and glanced at them, he would know that the head of the household was a viscount.
As for the ceremonial sword and crimson banner, they were quickly put away. It was too much of a show to show off when going out. In the vast city of Chang'an, there was at least one person in each ward with a higher rank than Shen Ce. Using such things would only invite ridicule.
After Lü Bajin's leg was broken again by the medical staff of the Imperial Medical Bureau, it had healed and he could sit and lie down like an ordinary person. However, he could no longer go to the battlefield. After reporting to the Ministry of War, he withdrew from service. The broken leg was considered a disability, so he was exempted from military service this time. Lü Bajin himself was also exempted from all taxes and levies and became the head of the guards in the front yard.
Shen Ce looked at the honest-looking Lü Bajin and teased, "Where's your wife who's treated like a beast of burden?"
"My lord, my wife lives in a manor not far outside the city. His Majesty is so benevolent that he has granted land to us wounded soldiers," Lü Bajin said, gesturing with his hands. "I also bought a cow, a female."
Shen Ce patted his shoulder: "Why don't you let your wife come to the backyard? She can do some work in my mansion. It's better than her digging for food in the dirt."
Upon hearing this, Lü Bajin knelt down with a thud and kowtowed repeatedly to Shen Ce, saying, "I wish to ask for a favor, please grant my request, my lord."
Looking at the man kowtowing repeatedly, Shen Ce saw none of the heroic spirit he had shown when he blocked the warhorses at Xuanwu Gate. Without a doubt, it was for the sake of his child at home.
"Have your eldest son come over here and become Erlang's page."
Upon hearing this, Lü Bajin, who was kneeling on the ground, burst into tears and clung to Shen Ce's leg, refusing to let go. After generations of his family, they were finally going to produce someone who could read.