"I remember His Majesty once said that a hero can only show his true qualities when the sea is flowing across the sea! The country is in troubled times, and it is the time to employ people. We need talented officials like Hengshui County who are brave enough to do their jobs!" Li Shaoyou couldn't help but sigh with emotion as he rode his horse lightly.
road.
"It seems that the Duke appreciates this magistrate's piece very much!" the old political advisor who was following him said with a smile.
"One leaf can obscure the vision, but one spot can also reveal the whole picture!" Li Shaoyou said: "This time I came out and investigated many states and counties. Only Hengshui County can be said to have implemented the policies and orders of the imperial court and the Taoist government without causing chaos.
The situation has been properly handled, and the public sentiment is relatively stable. Although I have never met him, I am indeed curious about this county magistrate. If the situation is the same under the rule of Hengshui County, then it can be regarded as the imperial court has discovered another capable person.
!”
"Perhaps the Duke doesn't know that this Qixian is a strange person!" Shenzheng said.
Li Shaoyou turned to look at him: "What do you mean?"
"Back then, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince visited Luoyang in the west. At that time, Zhang Qixian was still a white man. He had the courage to stop a driver and offer advice by drawing a map, and was almost beheaded by the guards. Although His Highness did not adopt the ten suggestions he proposed, he admired his ideas very much.
He was courageous and intelligent, and gave him financial rewards to support his studies and training. Later, he went to Beijing to participate in the Spring Festival and ranked first in the provincial examination. However, he was selected as the most popular candidate by His Majesty in the imperial examination..." Shenzheng explained.
"Haha!" Hearing this, Li Shaoyou suddenly smiled heartily and said: "For so many years, everyone inside and outside the imperial court has known that the flowers chosen by His Majesty are not mortals, and may not be worse than the number one scholar. This Qixian is also quite lucky, not only with his back
The prince has fallen into the eyes of His Majesty, and with such performance, why worry about not being able to achieve success smoothly!"
"Yes!" Shen Zheng's mouth was full of emotion.
Zhang Qixian is not yet thirty years old. He was born as a Jinshi and has already achieved good results as a county magistrate. He also has the crown prince as his backer and has left an impression in front of the emperor. Such an opportunity is great for most officials in the world.
It is something that can be met but cannot be sought. As long as no mistakes are made, the future will be bright and the journey will be thousands of miles...
In contrast, veterans like them, although they are high-ranking officials, have basically reached the ceiling of their career. After all, only a handful of them are transferred to the central committee every year. Their talents, achievements, backgrounds and luck are all indispensable.
Short.
"Does the Duke want to see this Qixian?" Seeing that Li Shaoyou was in a good mood, he couldn't help but ask.
"No! It's important to hurry up!" Li Shaoyou still refused and said calmly: "As long as it is under the jurisdiction of Hebei Province, are you afraid that there will be no chance in the future?"
"Go down, speed up, and rush to Dezhou!" As he said that, Li Shaoyou spurred his horse to the east, whipping up his whip.
Emperor Liu had already set off and continued to go north. After Li Shaoyou got the news, he naturally would not return to Daming Mansion, but would go directly to find Luan. Hengshui was only more than a hundred miles away from Dezhou City. In the afternoon of the next day, Li Shaoyou arrived and noticed that the city
Looking at the military camp with the dragon flag hanging high outside, we knew that the emperor was still there and had not left Dezhou yet.
After receiving the news, the governor of Dezhou and two subordinate officials hurried to the west of the city to greet him and personally led Li Shaoyou's horse into the stirrup. Ignoring his courtesy, Li Shaoyou asked: "Where is your majesty? Is he in the imperial camp?"
Zhizhou did not dare to be verbose and replied directly: "Hui Guoguo, Your Majesty came to Dezhou yesterday and was stationed in the state government office!"
"Take me to the government office!" Li Shaoyou nodded and instructed.
"yes!"
So, regardless of the dust, Li Shaoyou raised his whip and whipped the horse's buttocks, and went straight into the city to pay homage to the Holy Master.
The back hall of the state government office was a busy scene. Several chamberlains and servants were coming in and out, delivering dishes and preparing banquets. The air was filled with the aroma of food, stimulating appetite.
The one who personally directed the hall was Yantuo, the head of the chamberlain. When Li Shaoyou saw him, he couldn't help showing a somewhat surprised expression. Noticing Li Shaoyou, Yantuo immediately came up to him, with a very low posture, raised his hands in salute, and said respectfully: " I have met Lord Shou Guo!"
"Yan Zhongguan, why are you so polite? You are really embarrassing me!" Li Shaoyou chuckled. His relationship with Yan Tuo has always been handled well. Of course, it is difficult for them to have any conflicts.
"Shou Gong's words are the most destructive!" Yantuo laughed.
Li Shaoyou pointed at the busy palace servants and joked: "The official prepared these delicacies personally, isn't it just to welcome me?"
Yantuo immediately said: "If I want to help Shougong wash away the dust, this simple meal will not be enough. We should prepare a more sumptuous feast!"
Noticing the look in Li Shaoyou's eyes, Yantuo explained the matter generously: "There are several officers and soldiers who went to the Northern Expedition and returned from Mobei. The officials specially issued an order to entertain them!"
Li Shaoyou understood, nodded slightly, and immediately asked: "Your Majesty, are you free? I have to go to see the saint, please inform me on my behalf!"
"You're welcome, Mr. Shougong. The officials are taking a bath. I will be very happy to hear that you are here!" Yantuo said.
After making some arrangements for the affairs in front of the hall, Yantuo personally led Li Shaoyou to the back garden. As they walked, Li Shaoyou handed Yantuo a luminous pearl without showing any trace, and Yantuo did not refuse and put it into his sleeve skillfully.
Yantuo didn't accept everyone's gifts. He was also a good judge of people. Li Shaoyou, Duke of Shou, was the one he should be friends with. Seeing Yantuo's natural appearance, he was not surprised at all by the rare luminous pearl. Li Shaoyou secretly thought Thinking about it, this eunuch has a very high vision, I am afraid that he often sees rare things.
"Official Yanzhong, I have something to ask you!"
"Young Master Shougong, you are so polite! If you have anything to say, just say it directly. If you can say it, I won't be silent!" Yantuo smiled slightly.
Seeing this, Li Shaoyou asked in a low voice: "I heard that when your Majesty was in Daming Mansion, he evacuated the magistrate Tao Qian. I don't know where your Majesty is..."
Hearing Xiange and knowing its elegant meaning, Li Shaoyou asked Yantuo to understand. He looked around and answered softly: "The thoughts of officials are not something that I can guess. However, since Duke Shougong asked, I If you dare to say too many words, the officials will think that Tao Zhen is lazy and unfilial."
After saying that, Yan Tuo quickened his pace. Li Shaoyou understood, and sighed silently in his heart, shaking his head to follow. Tao Gu had a good relationship with Li Shaoyou during his lifetime, and Li Shaoyou also took care of him during Tao Yan's tenure in Daming Mansion. , after all, it was right under his nose. Now that Emperor Liu had personally deposed Tao Wei, he had no choice but to say anything for him. He also had to consider whether Tao Wei's affairs would affect him.
In the flower hall, there was a scent of soap in the air. Emperor Liu had just come out of the bath. He was only wearing a set of underwear, his hair was loose and a little wet. When he learned that Li Shaoyou was coming, he summoned him directly.
"I see your Majesty!" Li Shaoyou kowtowed a little excitedly.
Emperor Liu was obviously very happy about Li Shaoyou's arrival. He greeted with a smile: "Brother You, there is no need to be polite between you and me. Get up quickly and sit down first!"
The cordial "Brother You" made Li Shaoyou sigh with emotion and feel inexplicably moved even with his thoughts. Although, the close friendship between the monarch and his ministers was no longer as close as before.
Emperor Liu crossed his legs, and the beautiful palace lady wiped his hair for him. After looking at Li Shaoyou for a few times, Emperor Liu said: "Brother You, I haven't seen you for many years, but you still have the same style!"
Li Shaoyou responded with a smile: "Your Majesty is in the prime of the Spring and Autumn Period and is radiant. Seeing His Majesty in good health makes me feel more at ease!"
"You! You are still so good at talking!" Emperor Liu smiled and said, "You are busy with official duties. I didn't want to call you, but you came here anyway!"
"Your Majesty visited Hebei, and I am uneasy because I was unable to greet you in time! In addition, the affairs have been temporarily suspended, so I will come to see you now!" Li Shaoyou responded.
Emperor Liu nodded and said: "In addition to the central ministries and departments, this Northern Expedition belongs to you, Hebei Province, with the most complicated affairs and the heaviest responsibilities! I heard that in the past few months, half of you have been in various places
Thank you for your hard work on the inspection and coordination!”
"The most miserable thing is the Han soldiers who fought bloody battles on the front line. If I feel tired even when doing my duties and errands, then I have failed the imperial court and am not worthy of staying in this position!" Li Shaoyou said.
"This deployment of troops can be said to be using the strength of the north and depleting the food of the south. If we want to ensure that the soldiers can fight with peace of mind, we must ensure the stability of the rear, so that the soldiers can fight without worries!" Emperor Liu sighed slightly: "We have to do it.
When it comes to this, we need you, the frontier officials, to lead by example. This is the purpose of my patrol this time. Although I only have a rough look at the situation in Hebei, it is not bad!"
Upon hearing this, Li Shaoyou felt secretly relieved, fearing that Emperor Liu would discover some problem that he had not taken into consideration.
Li Shaoyou replied: "This is also due to the guidance of His Majesty and the imperial court. I have also paid attention to the people's sentiments. The situation among the people is relatively stable. This is because of your Majesty's lenient rule for more than 20 years. The people are grateful and enthusiastically support...
"
Seeing Li Shaoyou bragging, Emperor Liu waved his hands repeatedly: "Don't take credit for me. Send the fathers, sons and brothers of Li people to the battlefield. If they don't scold me, I will be satisfied!"
"Your Majesty is so generous that he can accommodate all things!" Li Shaoyou said.
"Okay, it's been a long journey! Just in time, I've set up a table of wine and food here. One host invites two guests, and I'll greet you by the way. Come and have a few drinks with me later!"
Li Shaoyou immediately stood up and worshiped: "I can't get what I asked for!"
Gong E had already tied Emperor Liu's hair into a bun and dressed him. In the bronze mirror, Emperor Liu's somewhat out-of-shape body was reflected. Li Shaoyou took the initiative to take the dragon robe from Gong E and helped Emperor Liu put it on.
Li said: "I heard that the soldiers who went on an expedition to Mobei have returned?"
"Yes!" Emperor Liu nodded, with the corners of his mouth slightly raised: "After a hundred battles, after experiencing life and death, I came back to report the news. I will personally entertain them!"
"Your Majesty's love for soldiers is admirable!" Li Shaoyou said.
"The young heroes of King Wei and Duke Zhao will surely gallop on the battlefield and defeat all the barbarians in Mobei!" Li Shaoyou said.
"They are just two boys, and Liu Min is still a young boy. He has no experience in leading troops in combat, so what can he accomplish?" Emperor Liu said calmly, but the curve of the corners of his mouth betrayed his true feelings.