"Zi Yong, you have been on duty with me for almost two years!" Emperor Liu's eyes fell on Zhang Yong again, with a gentle look on his face, as if he wanted to have a heart-to-heart talk with him.
I have been with Emperor Liu for a long time, and I have some understanding of him. I don’t understand Emperor Liu’s words and deeds at all, and I have not been here for a long time. Therefore, even if they don’t have a heart-to-heart relationship, Zhang Yong has some considerations in his heart when Emperor Liu opens his mouth to ask. It seems that the emperor
What thoughts do you have about yourself?
Remaining humble on his face, Zhang Yong responded: "Back to Your Majesty, it has been twenty-two months since I was ordered to serve the emperor!"
"It's been so long without realizing it!" Emperor Liu sighed with emotion, his bright eyes showed admiration, and said to Zhang Yong: "During this period, I am very satisfied with your performance. You have profound knowledge, proficiency in politics, and handling of affairs.
Be careful and deliver the edicts and orders appropriately. What I see is that there is another great talent in the court who can help the country!"
Facing Emperor Liu's praise, Zhang Yong was honored, but even felt a little scared. He said humbly: "Your Majesty is over-praising you! I just made some progress and growth under your Majesty's care. I am grateful to your Majesty for your promotion!"
As if Zhang Yong was expressing his stance, Emperor Liu couldn't help but feel happy. He eased Zhang Yong's inexplicable embarrassment with a warm smile. He stopped talking nonsense and said directly: "You were born as a Jinshi, and now you are a scholar leader.
But my resume is limited to ministerial affairs, the Privy Council and my side. The starting point is high enough, but there are always some shortcomings.
You also know my employment philosophy. Without actual experience as a political director, your rise will be limited! Have you not thought about changing positions and gaining experience in other responsibilities? "
After hearing the song, he knew the elegant meaning. As soon as Emperor Liu said these words, Zhang Yong immediately understood that Emperor Liu had planned to release himself to take on some practical duties. After being slightly surprised, there was a throbbing in his heart. For Zhang Yong,
, life's opportunities are already very bright, how can we not have some ambitions to hit a higher position or obtain more sufficient power.
It is certainly a kind of luck to stay with Emperor Liu. He is glamorous, envied by others, has a low and powerful position, and his future is bright. However, the restrictions are too great after all. Emperor Liu is neither easy to serve nor has enough freedom to display his ambitions.
.
Zhang Yong was obviously moved, but in front of Emperor Liu, he still showed his reserve and bowed: "If you have an order, I will obey it. If your Majesty has an arrangement, I should obey it!"
The corners of Emperor Liu's mouth raised slightly. Of course he saw Zhang Yong's intention. He pondered a little and asked: "I give you two choices. One is to take charge of the imperial court, and the other is to serve as a local government. How to choose?
You weigh it yourself!"
After hearing the question, Zhang Yong became serious. After a long and careful examination, he clasped his hands and replied: "Your Majesty, I am willing to go somewhere to share the worries of the court, relieve the people's difficulties, and do some practical things with my limited talents!"
"Very good. I am very pleased that you can understand and aspire through this. I also believe that you can do more practical things for the people of the country!" Emperor Liu nodded lightly to show his approval.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Emperor Liu thought about it for a while and said: "You go to Jiannan Road. There is a shortage in Chengdu Prefecture. You go to the top and shoulder the burden of Chengdu Prefecture!"
Chengdu Prefecture is one of the most developed cities in the Han Dynasty after the two capitals. It is also the political and military center of the entire southwest, and it ranks among the top in the country economically.
To this day, the Chengdu Plain is also the most important financial and taxation area for the imperial court. Relying on pillar industrial resources such as salt, tea, and silk, it can generate massive financial and tax revenue for the imperial court every year, almost as much as that of Jiangnan. Therefore, the administrative level of Chengdu Prefecture
, is naturally very high, second only to the two capitals and Jinyang in the Land of Longxing.
Asked to serve as the prefect of Chengdu, Zhang Yong was pleasantly surprised and even a little unconfident. He said cautiously: "Your Majesty, the Chengdu Prefecture is so important that I may not be able to take up the post with my humble qualifications!"
In Zhang Yong's own prediction, it was most likely that he would be placed in a local position and serve as the chief official of some ordinary state governments. He did not expect that Emperor Liu would directly entrust him to Chengdu Prefecture, which was really unexpected.
Seeing his hesitation, Emperor Liu said calmly: "This is the first time I see you. When you are so unsure, do you think you are not capable enough to govern Chengdu Mansion?"
Zhang Yong shook his head and said solemnly: "Your Majesty appreciates the favor of promotion, and I am very grateful! I certainly have this confidence, but I don't have any experience in local government. If I make mistakes, my personal reputation will not be enough. I'm afraid
I betrayed His Majesty’s trust and had no face to face the hundreds of thousands of people in Chengdu!”
"If you can maintain this kind of mentality of walking on thin ice and think carefully and act carefully, you will not be afraid of making big mistakes. Of course, don't be afraid of making mistakes!" Emperor Liu said:
"Zhao Pu was just a political bachelor before he went to the southwest to governor. Lu Yin was also my close minister before he took charge of the government! You don't have to worry about your qualifications. You are a talented official by my side. A cabinet bachelor goes out to do errands.
A Chengdu prefect is more than enough!"
Zhang Yong looked grateful: "My lord, how dare you compare yourself to Prime Minister Zhao and Duke Lu!"
Seeing this, Emperor Liu showed his impatience towards his mother-in-law and said a little forcefully: "Ziyong, I believe in your ability, so I entrust you with this important task. Why are you so unconfident?
In addition, I can tell you bluntly that I asked you to go to Chengdu not just because you are a close minister of the cabinet, so you favor favoritism and employ people for your own selfishness!
I am sending you to Chengdu because I want you to clean up Chengdu's official affairs and manage this important financial and taxation place for me! I trust you, so I appoint you. I just hope you will not betray this trust. What you have to do is also
So, you understand!"
"Your Majesty's kindness in knowing you, I will deeply appreciate it!" Emperor Liu said this, Zhang Yong also put away all his hesitation, and immediately bowed and saluted.
"Okay, get up!" Emperor Liu said with a smile on his face: "I will say hello to the staff and write a letter of appointment. Then you can pack your bags and set off south! After taking office, you must show your
With your cabinet minister's ability and style, I am waiting for you to create great achievements!"
"yes!"
Emperor Liu's words were said with great awe. If he said that he had no private thoughts at all, it is obviously impossible. Compared with Zhao Pu and Lu Yin, Zhang Yong was indeed praised. After all, Zhao Pu was transferred to Emperor Liu
In front of him, he served as an official under Liu Ci, and Lu Yin also had many years of experience in local government before becoming a capital official. These are not what Zhang Yong can match.
However, Emperor Liu is still a human being after all. He is a human being and has selfish motives. There are inevitably some subjective factors in the employment of people. It is unrealistic to be completely rational. He is an emperor who sticks to his word and wants to promote a cabinet minister.
Sir, it’s not a big problem.
"Although it has been more than ten years since Sichuan and Shu were recovered, it was ultimately conquered by the imperial court by force. The military rebellion that year did great harm to the states in Jiannan, especially Chengdu. In recent years, the imperial government has also been harsh in its governance.
Although I report it every year, saying that the territory is becoming more peaceful and people are relying on it, I still have hidden worries in my heart!" After the matter was settled, Emperor Liu said with some seriousness:
"The Han Dynasty has been expanding aggressively in the southwest. Jiannan has become its core and the most solid backing in the southwest. Chengdu is its essence. Therefore, Chengdu cannot be chaotic and must maintain stability and achieve rapid development.
I have also heard a lot of rumors that under the rule of law of the imperial court, the livelihood of the people in the southwest is somewhat difficult. After you take office, the most important thing is to govern with mercy, relieve the people's worries, and relieve the people's difficulties. Give me Chengdu
The people’s hearts have been restored!”
"Your Majesty's teachings, I will take them to heart!" Faced with Emperor Liu's explanation, Zhang Yong spoke firmly.
In fact, Zhang Yong is a relatively traditional Confucian scholar-bureaucrat. What he likes most is benevolent government and lenient to the people. This is the philosophy he always adheres to. After these years of training and observation, Emperor Liu is also convinced that he maintains moral ideas while maintaining moral integrity.
, and also advocated doing practical things for practical governance. This was also the main reason why Emperor Liu was willing to let him become the Chengdu Prefecture.