On March 20, the 9th year of Qianyou's reign, in the spring of Ji, he started from Tokyo and stopped and stopped all the way. It took nearly a month. Emperor Liu Chengyou of the Han Dynasty finally reached Cangzhou on his northern inspection tour.
Along the way, he has overseen government affairs, been close to the people, rewarded good deeds, punished traitors, watched, listened, and done nothing less. Even though Liu Chengyou has soldiers to protect him, beautiful women to accompany him, and heirs to accompany him, there is nothing less. It's not easy. And the original intention of traveling around the mountains and rivers has long been forgotten by him.
Judging from the inspection results in January, although there are still many problems in local governance, overall, after the ten years of the founding of the People's Republic of China, Hebei's vitality has recovered a lot. Especially in the fifth year of Qianyou, the period between Han and Liao Dynasties After the peace agreement was reached, the prefectures and counties gradually became peaceful, and Hebei once again became a relatively stable base for the Han Dynasty. People, food, wealth, and materials were obtained here.
"Cangzhou Magistrate Chu Zhaofu, together with the officials in charge, greets Your Majesty!" Luan Jia stopped under the walls of Qingchi City in the state city. Magistrate Chu Zhaofu and a group of people formed a large formation to welcome Liu Chengyou.
"Your Majesty has an order, and all the ministers will be spared without courtesy!" Liu Chengyou did not get out of the car and drive, but just waved his hand, with Zhang Dejun in front, and said loudly.
Zhang Dejun, the eunuch, has a dignified face with a hint of arrogance, and his voice is full of arrogance. For Zhang Dejun, the time when he was on the tour was extremely beautiful. As the leader of the chamberlain beside the emperor, although he was not very free , but within a limited time, he also enjoyed the respect from local officials.
Although the emperor did not get out of the car and drive, all the officials stood up and thanked him respectfully.
Soon, after receiving the instruction, Zhang Dejun said again: "His Majesty has spoken and told Chu Zhaofu of Cangzhou Prefecture to come to the palace to pay him a visit!"
After hearing the order, Chu Zhaofu's originally somewhat gloomy expression suddenly showed joy. While thanking him, he hurriedly boarded the Luan Jia with caution. During the emperor's journey, it was not known that any official could ride on the Luan Jia to see the emperor.
As for Chu Zhaofu, he was neither a favored minister of the emperor nor had much fame and qualifications. As for the governance of the state capital, although he considered himself to have made some achievements, he did not feel that he was enough to be in the imperial court and face the emperor. Therefore, he felt While I was honored, I could not help but feel some doubts and apprehensions.
"Chu Qing, sit down!" Looking at Chu Zhaofu who carefully boarded the car with a solemn expression, Liu Chengyou put down the book in his hand and extended his hand to signal.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Seeing the emperor's gentle and courteous attitude, Chu Zhaofu also returned to his usual calmness, sat down, and said humbly: "I have no great merits, so I am really worthy of paying homage to you. ashamed!"
"You're so humble!" Liu Chengyou smiled faintly, looked at Chu Zhaofu, and said, "We haven't seen him for two years, but his style remains the same!"
"Your Majesty is becoming increasingly powerful!" Chu Zhaofu echoed.
Glancing outside, Liu Chengyou pointed his hand outward and said: "With so many officials in front of the city, there must be thirty or forty of them!"
Chu Zhaofu explained: "When I return to your majesty, I heard that the emperor has arrived. Officials and military officials of the seventh rank and above from the five counties in Cangzhou Prefecture have gathered here today to pay homage to your majesty. All the officials are doing their best to serve the king, but they have not heard the voice of heaven. If I could see the beauty of heaven now, I would have no regrets in this life!"
"One of the purposes of my patrol this time is to let you meet me. I often hear that I am loyal to the king, but if you don't even know who you are loyal to or what he looks like, then I'm afraid you are just talking about it. That's all..." Liu Chengyou chuckled.
"Loyalty to your majesty, serving the great man is a matter of ministerial loyalty, but it does not depend on whether you can see Tianyan. Your majesty's words will only make your subordinates panic!" After hearing what the emperor said, Chu Zhaofu said solemnly.
Hearing this, Liu Chengyou was slightly indifferent, and immediately said calmly: "I, my words are a bit inappropriate. However, there are more than thousands of ministers and officials in the world, how many of them can have the level of enlightenment as Chu Qing?"
"What your Majesty said is true. However, now that I am lucky enough to be in Cangzhou, the officials up and down are lucky enough to see the emperor. This is a blessing for the whole state. In the future, I will pay more attention to the king's affairs and dare not slack off!" Chu Zhaofu said.
"I hope so. I also hope that a trip out of Beijing will have some motivating effect!" Liu Chengyou said calmly.
"Your Majesty, would you like to meet with the Cangzhou officials first?" Seeing that Liu Chengyou's eyes were still outside, Chu Zhaofu asked for instructions.
"No need. I came all the way north and am tired. Let them all go back and meet again tomorrow!" Liu Chengyou waved his hand.
"Your Majesty's troubles have not been taken into account!" Chu Zhaofu immediately responded: "We have made arrangements at the place where we are staying. Please come to the city!"
Hearing this, Liu Chengyou turned to him, with a hint of playfulness in his tone: "Wouldn't you build a hotel for me in advance in this city?"
Noticing the emperor's look, Chu Zhaofu hurriedly explained: "I am just cleaning up the post house in the city and putting it in order for travel. I hope your majesty will forgive me for its simplicity!"
When passing through Dezhou, local officials allocated money and food, recruited people, and built a gorgeous pavilion to receive the driver. Of course, if it was just like this, although Liu Chengyou would scold the extravagance and waste, and warn future generations, it would also That's all. After all, it's the place's wishes, and he's not completely unreasonable.
However, not only did they invite favors and flattery, they also raised money and food in the name of driving, and invited wealthy families in the city to donate rare treasures to decorate their houses. In this process, corruption and power-for-money transactions were naturally not missing. .Some people's brains are not sensitive enough, or the world is gradually becoming more peaceful, the country is no longer so poor, and too many officials have forgotten the thrift of the emperor in his early years.
The results of the Dezhou incident shocked a lot of people. The prefect was criticized by Liu Chengyou as a "faint official" and was dismissed from office. The officials involved were punished in many ways, and in serious cases, they were directly beheaded. In fact, Dezhou The prefect was a little unjust. It can only be blamed on his bad luck and being deceived by others. He didn't slap the dragon's fart in the right place and became a chicken that was killed.
There is Jingzhou between Dezhou and Cangzhou, but the situation there has been reported to Qingchi early. The car in front is in front, so Chu Zhaofu, the car behind, must be careful.
Liu Chengyou withdrew his gaze, seemed to be very satisfied, and said: "Don't go to the post house. The officials of the government are gathered together. If I occupy it, they will have to find another place to stay. Just let them stay, and you, the prefect, will take my place. Sweep the couch to welcome them!"
"Your Majesty's care for his ministers is so meticulous!" Chu Zhaofu complimented, with a look of embarrassment on his face: "What about your Majesty?"
"I will go to your government office!" Liu Chengyou waved his hand.
"The government office has not been repaired in time, so I am afraid that I have neglected your majesty. Should I ask you to find a mansion in the city as a temporary place to welcome your arrival?" Chu Zhaofu suggested.
"Is there any mansion in this city that is bigger, better, and more suitable for hosting people like me?" Liu Chengyou smiled softly: "You don't think that I am used to living in the palace. Is it difficult to adapt to the local government office?"
"How dare you, my minister?" Seeing that the emperor had made up his mind, Chu Zhaofu cupped his hands and said, "How dare you please clear the way for the emperor to lead the way!"
"That's right!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Soon, under the personal service of Chu Zhaofu, the imperial cavalry slowly entered the city. The Longqi army stationed outside the city, while the Ouchi sergeants entered the city to monitor the city gates and streets, and stationed in the government office in advance as a guard.
Cangzhou government office is located in the northwest of the city. It occupies a fairly large area. However, from the moment he entered the government office, Liu Chengyou discovered that although it was clean and tidy, everything looked old and shabby. There were pits on the ground and beams. The pillars are not completely painted, and there are obvious traces of repairs between the bricks and tiles, as if they were plastered, and the decoration is extremely simple. As for the garden, there are not many trees and flowers. The only one that looks decent is Shenjuan's official one. The lobby.
Liu Chengyou was in the lobby, looking around and playing with the order. Liu Chengyou glanced at Chu Zhaofu and chuckled: "Chu Qing, no wonder you are embarrassed to let me stay in the government office. This Cangzhou government office is better than me." It’s even more crude than I imagined!”
"Your Majesty is laughing!" Chu Zhaofu said, cupping his hands: "The government office is the place where government affairs are managed, and it can be used as long as it is sufficient!"
"But I heard that some officials feel that the government office is the seat of authority of the imperial court and the government. If it is not majestic enough, it will inevitably make the people despise and lack respect..." Liu Chengyou said leisurely.
Wang Yan, who was far away in Luoyang, couldn't help but sneeze.
Chu Zhaofu's face was serious and he said: "If he is upright and dignified, does it matter whether the government office is gorgeous or not?"
"To tell you the truth, I have heard about your Chu Zhaofu's frugality in Tokyo, and sometimes, I can't help but wonder whether you, Chu Zhaofu, are really that frugal..." Liu Chengyou said with a smile. Put on some smiles.
"I'm scared!" Chu Zhaofu took two steps back and bowed.
"You don't have to be afraid!" Liu Chengyou immediately waved his hand: "I have met many prefecture and county yamen along the way. When it comes to Qing Dynasty slips, this one belongs to you in Cangzhou Prefecture. To be honest, I am very happy! I entered the territory of Cangzhou. Based on my later experiences, I have to say that I have to thank the late Duke Liu Guangping for recommending an official to me!"
"Your Majesty's words make me ashamed!" Chu Zhaofu couldn't help but say after hearing the emperor's comment, with a look of emotion on his face.