Liu Chengyou was aware of Chu Zhaofu's frugality, and after investigation, it was not just a show. This man's talents can be described as strong, and he was diligent, righteous in dealing with things, never bending the law for personal gain, and had a strong execution ability .
Of course, this person also has obvious character traits: he is utilitarian, unkind, and very stingy. The reason for the simplicity of his government office is not only his political style, but also his stingy personality.
As far as Liu Chengyou knew, Chu Zhaofu had accumulated all the salary and rewards he had received from serving as an official over the years. He had always had a little in and little out, but he did not pursue harsh economy when it came to food and clothing. save,.
And the money he had accumulated over the years was not used for blowing or playing with. Most of it was handed over to his family and used to buy fields and houses in the countryside.
For people like Chu Zhaofu, Liu Chengyou admired his talents, but he did not underestimate his character. On the contrary, he felt that this person was very real and even a little cute.
Playing with a Ling chip in his hand, Liu Chengyou looked at Chu Zhaofu and continued to praise him from the side: "Judging from the scratch marks on this chip, it is obviously used frequently. It is not like some places where the buckets have been damaged." Gathering dust shows his political laziness!"
"I have also heard about the affairs of Pu County. There are many military and political officials in the world. It is inevitable that there will be good and bad, good and foolish. Some slack people can be dealt with according to the laws of the country. I do not dare to claim to be diligent, but only want to fulfill my duties. , I will not let you down when I am above, I will not neglect my people when I am below, and I will not be ashamed in the middle!" Chu Zhaofu responded.
What Liu Chengyou is talking about is the Magistrate of Pu County, Daning Prefecture, Hedong Province. He has been in office for two years. He does not manage government affairs, does not read the lawsuits, and does not care about money, food and taxes. He spends his days drinking and drinking, and he talks shamelessly, saying that "governing by doing nothing" "Of course, he couldn't see anything happening, so naturally there was nothing going on in the county and everything was peaceful.
Last year, when the special envoy of the imperial court was checking the prisons, he discovered such a parent official, captured him, and sent him to the Tokyo Parliament. The key is that such an official was able to serve as an official for two years without incident. The clean-up of officials in Daning Prefecture caused by this will not be described in detail here. In short, the prefect was demoted...
"Cangzhou has a vast territory and is close to the Bohai Sea. Since ancient times, it has been a state on the sea, enjoying the benefits of fish and salt. Even now, it is one of the most powerful state capitals in the Han Dynasty. It has a large population and is close to the north. You are here to take charge of it. You have great power and responsibility, you still need to be attentive!" Probably because he was tired from standing, Liu Chengyou sat down on the table in the hall, looked at Chu Zhaofu, and said with emotion.
"I understand! Since I took office, I have felt the great responsibility and dare not neglect it. I can only do my best to repay His Majesty's favor!" Chu Zhaofu had a serious expression on his face.
Nodding slightly, Liu Chengyou asked: "How many Dingkou are there under the rule of Cangzhou Prefecture now? How many are young and strong among them?"
Chu Zhaofu did his homework very well, as if he could pick it up at his fingertips, and reported: "There are 25,780 registered households in each county, 172,725 men and women, of which 41,849 are young and strong."
Seeing how he kept all his treasures, Liu Chengyou smiled and said: "Among the prefectures in the world, the population is quite large. Compared with the early days of the country, it has greatly increased!"
Chu Zhaofu said: "In the past few years, there has been no war in the northern border, the place is peaceful, the land output has increased, and coupled with the court's persuasive education policy, the people are also happy to have children, so the population of the country has become increasingly abundant. In addition, there are also early recruitment More than 30,000 Youyan refugees were resettled!"
"Those people who came from the north left their homes and went to Cangzhou, but are they still stable?" Liu Chengyou asked with concern.
"When the Duke of Bohai (Wang Jing) was in office, he administered the government properly and cared for the people well. Many of them settled down in the territory and rebuilt their homes. I went to the countryside to inquire about it. It is inevitable to miss my hometown. In the past two years, the northern border has As things get better, there are also some scattered people who go north and return home, but most people are still worried about returning home and live peacefully under their jurisdiction." Chu Zhaofu replied.
"You must be worried about the Khitans!" Liu Chengyou thought briefly.
"Exactly!"
Of course, the unwillingness of the Youyan people in Cangzhou to return home was also due to the government's propaganda and control. Although the Han-Liao border had been peaceful for many years and private trade had been frequent, the armies of both sides had not relaxed at all. The Khitans occupied various key passes. There is no geographical location to rely on. Once war breaks out, Youyan will still be the battlefield.
The refugees who had been displaced by the war finally settled down in Cangzhou, rebuilt their homes, and had their own land. How could they leave lightly? Even if the Han army successfully returned to the north in the future, whether they could leave their fields and houses in Cangzhou was still a question. .
As far as the Cangzhou government is concerned, it also strictly controls the return of Yan people to their hometowns. The number and growth of the population are important criteria for evaluating political performance.
And the Yan people who have returned to the north in recent years are mostly young people who have no business in production and go north to make a living. Ordinary people are not that enterprising and do not dare to take risks. Only by cultivating the land safely and paying taxes and grains can they be more prosperous. suitable for them.
Liu Chengyou breathed a sigh of relief, pointed to the north, and said with a sigh: "A large area of land, prefectures and counties are still in the hands of the Khitan. Thinking of these people who have left their hometowns, and then thinking of the Han people who are still sinking under the iron hoof of the barbarian cavalry, my career, and It’s a long way to go!”
"Since your Majesty came to the throne, you have worked hard to govern, and the world has gradually become more peaceful, and is now as prosperous as it is today. When you have flattened all the countries and unified the world, when you turn back, you can calmly go north, regain your homeland, eliminate the troubles from the north, and bring peace to the people!" Chu Zhaofu Replied.
"There will be such a day!" Liu Chengyou quickly regained his composure and became confident and high-spirited.
"By the way, in recent years, Cangzhou's sea salt has been exported to the northern states. I heard that since you took office, you have opened up many salt fields, improved the treatment of salt residents, encouraged salt workers, and improved salt-making techniques." Liu Chengyou asked again.
"Cangzhou has been a land of fish and salt since ancient times! The people living in the sea often cook salt for a living, and the country also benefits from it!" Chu Zhaofu said: "Now under the rule of Cangzhou, the two counties of Wudi are dominated by sea salt. The salt industry is the most prosperous, and there are tens of thousands of people making a living by making salt in the salt fields!"
"Grain can wrap the belly, and salt can relieve blandness. The importance of salt is no less important than grain and rice!" Liu Chengyou said: "How much salt can you get per year in Cangzhou now?"
"Your Majesty, it's about 230 stones!" Chu Zhaofu responded: "However, it is better to dissolve the salt and refine it. I sent a letter urging the salt people to encourage the salt people to make refined salt and send it as tribute to Tokyo!"
"That's great!" Liu Chengyou smiled: "It should be encouraged and the rewards should be increased!"
In terms of quality, the table salt of the Han Dynasty ranks first among Jie salt and has always been tribute salt! Chu Zhaofu wanted to compare Cang salt with Jie salt, but his goal was not low. But Cangzhou's sea salt was inferior to mineral salt after all. The difference is that it will not be easy until the salt production process is greatly improved.
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"Since last year, I have received many impeachment notices, saying that you will execute the salt smugglers. Their bodies will be pierced with sharp wood and hung in the salt field, exposed to the wind and sun. There are many criticisms in the DPRK, because they are extremely harmful to the world. And..." Liu Chengyou suddenly mentioned something again.
Upon hearing this, Chu Zhaofu's face changed. He raised his eyes and observed Liu Chengyou's expression, which looked very calm. After thinking about it, he responded: "Salt is an official business, but there are always greedy people who ignore the imperial ban. , blatantly violated the law, resold private salt, and made huge profits. I am extremely angry at this kind of people, so I use severe punishments and laws to deter them. The treatment methods are too harsh and shocking, and I am not thinking carefully!"
"There is nothing wrong with imposing strict discipline. Those who smuggle salt and gain national interests should be banned. Those who should be imprisoned and those who should be killed should be killed. There is no need to hang the corpses in the sun! When this matter spreads, it is indeed It may have a deterrent effect, but it will eventually make the people fear the government and think it is tyranny, which will also be detrimental to your reputation as Chu Qing!" Liu Chengyou said.
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Seeing the emperor's attitude, Chu Zhaofu breathed a sigh of relief and responded respectfully.
"Furthermore, I don't want you, Chu Qing, to work so hard and diligently day and night, so that after Cangzhou's great rule, you will leave with a disreputable person..." Liu Chengyou said.
With a slightly moved expression on his face, Chu Zhaofu said respectfully: "Your Majesty has worked so hard, I feel so ashamed!"