Qi Yu looked at his pocket watch, the time was: half past six in the morning.
There's still an hour and a half left until we get to the Yamen.
The main reason why I got up so early was because I couldn't sleep peacefully. Perhaps most people who are worried about something are like this!
The current situation of intraocular pressure is turbulent and complex, and the pressure on people is huge. A little carelessness may lead to misjudgment, which is the main reason for Qi Dalang's insomnia.
In addition, as soon as I closed my eyes, I thought of my relatives far away in the capital. The longing was like a cat scratching me, making it impossible to calm down.
However, keep your eyes forward and try to maintain a positive attitude towards life.
Qi Yu was thinking as he walked. He had just crossed the threshold of the main hall when Tan Junyan's voice came to his ears: "Sir, you have been traveling and traveling all the way. It's been very hard. Why don't you sleep a little longer?"
Looking around, I saw him wearing a simple and elegant gown, standing in a corner of the lobby with an elegant look.
It is easy to tell from the dewy smell emanating from his body that he came here under the stars and the moon.
Haha, you’re still talking about me, didn’t you get up earlier?
Qi Yu deliberately teased him and said, "Brother Tan, what time did your rooster crow today and woke you up so early?"
Tan Junyan was startled when he heard this, and then laughed.
Haha, Mr. Qi is still as friendly as before, and does not assume official authority because of his high position. Thinking of this, the tension in his heart instantly faded.
"Sir, you are joking. Junyan does not raise chickens at home."
"Haha, Brother Tan is still so sincere when he speaks..."
"..."
After finishing the fight, Qi Yu invited him to take a seat in the reception hall.
When the old cook Shen saw the guests coming, she quickly served the tea and then left respectfully.
Since they had plenty of time, the two began to reminisce about the past.
Qi Yu first briefly talked about his past and official career, and naturally omitted those things that were inconvenient to talk about.
Then, Tan Junyan also talked about his experiences in recent years. Generally speaking, his life was ordinary, without any big ups and downs.
After he failed in the examination, he lost confidence and hope in the imperial examination and instead sought to make a living in reality. At this time, his father-in-law Hai Dafu extended an olive branch to him with the connotation of marriage.
In the end, lovers get married.
However, the emotion here refers to reason, not the love between men and women.
how to say?
For Tan Junyan, being able to marry into a wealthy businessman's family is an economical move. I dare not say anything else. At least he will have no worries about food and clothing for the rest of his life. However, for Hai Dafu, who is a businessman, how much does it cost to recruit a son-in-law?
Glory and pride that money can't buy.
Both sides get what they need, which is in line with human nature, so they hit it off.
However, after marrying into the Hai family, Tan Junyan did not give up the idea of becoming an official. He once approached the previous magistrate of Qiongzhou and recommended himself, hoping to find a position as a magistrate. However, the magistrate told him, "You are not suitable for being a businessman."
He refused on the grounds of becoming an official again.
Businessmen should not be officials?
Yes, this statement does exist, and there is some basis for it.
So, what's the point?
Let’s listen to the explanation:
First of all, a businessman's social status is the lowest. How can he be allowed to become a scholar all at once?
Secondly, businessmen hold official positions within the jurisdiction where they are located, which can easily lead to private use of public equipment and then make profits from it.
Combining the above two points, we can conclude that people in business are not suitable to be officials.
Qi Yu nodded while listening. On the surface, he was calm, but in his heart, he was happy.
He originally intended to recruit Tan Junyan under his command, and he also deeply wanted to become an official. Doesn't this mean that the man is affectionate and the concubine is righteous, and it takes no effort to get him?
As for the idea that merchants should not become officials, that is the view of other officials. I have the imperial right to act expediently, so what is there to be afraid of?
Flexibility is the way to go!
Sure enough, after Qi Yu sent out the invitation, Tan Junyan agreed without even thinking.
In addition, he also thanked me countless times with tears of gratitude. He was so generous that he was finally put to good use.
This time, Qi Yu formally spoke in an official tone and said with profound meaning: "Brother Guangling, the construction of Qiongzhou has a long way to go. I hope you will fulfill your duties, spare no effort, and never let me down!"
Tan Junyan, courtesy name Guangling.
"Sir, you gave me help when Junyan Mountain was in desperate need, and now you use it again when I have no talent. This great favor is unforgettable. My subordinates will definitely live up to your trust and repay your life-saving efforts with honest political performance.
The grace of knowing and encountering someone.”
Haha, it works!
Qi Yu felt flattered in his heart.
While they were chatting, they suddenly saw Huang Fei walking in with a dusty face, and there were still a few drops of wet dew hanging on his temples.
"Sir, after my overnight inspections and secret inspections, I have now figured out the general situation of public security."
"Yeah?"
When Qi Yu heard this, he discounted his words: You don't speak Fujian, so how could you possibly conduct an overt investigation or covert investigation? It's just patrolling around and exploring a local area.
However, seeing through something without telling it off is the essence of being an official.
So, Qi Yu smiled and said: "Haha, brother Huang, thank you for your hard work. Tell me, what did you find out?"
Huang Fei coughed dryly with a sense of accomplishment and said, "The situation is not very good."
"Oh? Then what kind of bad idea is that?"
"Sir, please listen to me. I have been observing in secret all night and found that there are many thieves around here." Huang Fei said solemnly.
Qi Yu frowned and asked, "Stealing? Qiongzhou is so poor, what else can be stolen?"
"It's food!"
Understood!
This is so hungry!
However, from another perspective, the current situation is pretty good, and there is no such viciousness as openly robbing and hurting people.
Well, basically it's pretty stable.
Just when Qi Yu was secretly rejoicing, Tan Junyan poured "cold water" on his face.
"Sir, theft is a trivial matter, not worth mentioning at all. In Toshiyan's opinion, the loss of people's hearts is the most important thing at the moment. As government officials, we should make repairs as soon as possible."
People’s hearts have been lost?
This is indeed an absolute big deal!
Qi Yu felt a chill in his heart and said sternly: "Tell me your evidence!"
Tan Junyan replied: "Your Excellency, you know that Na Yan has recruited five thousand people as soldiers. This number is too huge. I hope your Excellency will carefully investigate the root cause of this."
What? Five thousand people is a huge number?
Are you kidding me?
Seeing that he was doubtful, Tan Junyan could only explain in more detail: "According to the data released by the Ministry of Household Affairs last year, the total population of Qiongzhou Prefecture was only 300,000. I made the analysis based on this base number."
"Well... keep talking."
"Among the 300,000 people, the elderly and children account for 60%. As for the adult labor force, it is estimated that there are only about 120,000 people. And among these 120,000 people, half of the women must be excluded.
Calculating this, the total number of adult men is about 60,000."
At this point, Qi Yu suddenly understood why Tan Junyan said that the people's support was lost.
It is not difficult to see from the above data that one out of every twelve people participated in the rebellion. This extremely high proportion has reached an outrageous level.
The problem is serious and the real cause must be found out.
So, Qi Yu asked: "In Guangling's opinion, what is the reason for the loss of people's hearts?"
Tan Junyan had just entered the officialdom and seemed a little afraid of things. However, he still mustered up the courage to express his opinion: "I think this has a lot to do with the extortionate taxation and reckless disregard of human life during the tenure of the previous prefect."
I see!
This is your own fault!
Qi Yu was just about to learn more about it when he suddenly saw a government official coming in and saying, "Master Qi, the masters from all the rooms have arrived. Please move to the lobby."
"Oh, I see."
Forget it, we'll talk about this later, let's solve the current dilemma first.
