Chapter 828: Seal arrangement and officialdom rules
The next morning, as Mao hour was approaching, the group of people who had greeted Shen Tang on the pier yesterday once again stood respectfully in front of the main entrance of the Yamen, respectfully waiting for Shen Tang's arrival.
Moreover, the crowd of people seemed to be much larger than yesterday.
This is not surprising. Those who went to greet them yesterday were all officials from Chengdu Prefecture, and today Shen Tang officially took office. So in addition to officials, there are also professors, instructors, students under the jurisdiction of Chengdu Prefecture, as well as local wealthy businessmen and squires. Elders and others came to greet him.
The first meeting with Shen Tang yesterday was not a happy one.
Some people who know the details of Shen Tang are even more uneasy! Shen Tang was born in the first place, a genuine scholar, but he is also a general, and is now a member of the new generation of military generals in the Song Dynasty!
Although these people had never come into contact with Shen Tang when they first pacified Chengdu, they certainly knew of Shen Tang's reputation! Such a brave and resourceful Shangguan with sharp tactics and control of soldiers and horses, let them Nan'an in my heart!
They didn't wait long. Shen Tang appeared in public, dressed as an official, followed by several guards and personal entourage!
This time, Shen Tang did not create any difficulties. Instead, he directly handed over the letter of appointment and personal identification (proof of identity) reissued by the Ministry of Civil Affairs to the Secretary Yin for inspection! Of course, this process was basically just a formality!
After the inspection was completed, all the officials present bowed and saluted, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to the magistrate!"
Afterwards, Shen Tang, followed by everyone, went to the Chenghuang Temple to worship, and then returned to the government office again!
In front of the Yimen, Shen Tang, led by the ceremonial room, bowed again! At the same time, the firecrackers that had been prepared outside the Yamen crackled! Shen Tang entered the Yamen from the Yimen and walked through the long The long corridor and the six rooms on both sides finally reached the lobby!
The officials behind him stood up according to their shifts. Shen Tang saluted respectfully again, looked at the North Tower and knelt down to thank the emperor for his kindness! Then, Jing Cheng of the ceremonial room continued to lead Shen Tang forward into the back house to worship the Kitchen God!
After the sacrifice, Shen Tang returned to the lobby and sat behind the desk to accept the worship of the officials!
After that, the scriptures and officials of the six houses took out the Mao books and started to count Mao! Shen Tang, the yamen servants, monks and Taoist officials, medical officers, academic officials, etc. stood up to receive the ceremony! When the judge, magistrate, etc. saluted Shen Tang, Shen Tang You need to repay the gift.
After the process was completely completed, Shen Tang distributed the Sansheng fruit wine and other things used in worshiping the City God to all the officials present for sharing!
At the end of the ceremony, Shen Tang and other officials returned to the mansion, changed out of their official court clothes and put on their regular clothes.
After returning to the lobby, I met Shen Tang again! Only then did the ceremony of paying homage to the Seal and Pai Yamen basically come to an end.
"Sir, this is the boundary map of Chengdu Prefecture and its counties!"
"Sir, this is the coordinator of the tribes under the jurisdiction of Chengdu Prefecture!"
"Sir, this is a prison document..."
"Sir, this is the tax and grain household registration, land acres!"
Shen Tang officially took office, and all the officials present handed over the things and documents in their charge to the newly appointed magistrate for inspection and understanding!
Shen Tang glanced at most of them. He would naturally look at these things in detail, but he would not believe them all! If 80% of the names, numbers, etc. recorded in these documents were true, it would already be true. The officials below have a conscience! If you want to know the true situation of the entire Chengdu Prefecture through these account books, it is simply wishful thinking!
Finally, Shen Tang landed on the last document!
"Sir, this is the document that the previous prefect needs to hand over to you! You only need to sign your name!"
The clerk of the household bowed to the end and spoke to Shen Tang with great respect.
After the words fell, the official took a few steps forward and lowered his voice and said, "It is not suitable for you to show up, but I have prepared a banquet in Miaoxiang Tower and want to entertain you!"
Shen Tang took office, and the previous prefect left office, so the two naturally needed to hand over! And the terms and names of this handover are different! Others can be said, but the most important of them is money, food and other things!
One of them is the silver in the treasury, and the other is the grain in the ordinary warehouse!
"The treasury has not been checked, and the warehouse records have not been looked at! It would be too hasty to just sign and pledge like this!"
Shen Tang played with the documents in his hands and said with a half-smile.
As soon as these words came out, the expressions of all the officials in the lobby changed slightly, and the body of the housekeeper next to him froze even more!
According to the rules of the officialdom, the new chief official basically turns a blind eye to these things! Everyone is in it for money, and no one will cut off anyone else's future, let alone embarrass the recently departed official.
And when the next person comes, it will naturally be the same! This also makes the previous person collect money wantonly before leaving office, even to the point of jaw-dropping! As for the deficit?
The next one will find a way to hide it! As for when it will be revealed, then you can only consider yourself unlucky.
But this Shen Tang obviously doesn't intend to play by the rules!
Do you want to discuss the price?
Or do you really want to beat the person who just left office to death with a stick?
"Xiaoguan...xiaoguan...these are just trivial matters, how dare you trouble your Lordship!"
The pianist stammered, "Why don't you wait until your Excellency signs it tomorrow..."
If we sign again tomorrow, obviously tonight's banquet won't be too dull.
Shen Tang smiled softly and looked down the hall, "Is the leader of the strong class here?"
A man at the end of the queue dressed as a government servant came out of the class, "Zhuang class leader Zhou Ziqiang, pays homage to the prefect!"
"From now on, let the men of the strong squad inspect the treasury and all the warehouses! No one is allowed to enter or exit without my order!"
Shen Tang said calmly.
"As you command!"
Zhou Ziqiang hurriedly saluted, then turned and left the lobby to arrange manpower!
"I am here for the first time, and I have been tired all the way. Let's forget about the banquet for now! Today I pay my respects to the Yamen, and you have worked hard too! Please step back!"
After saying that, Shen Tang ignored the stunned pian and turned around to leave.
The officials in the lobby had different thoughts. They only heard the judge Tian Guanyu say calmly, "Your Excellency, it's been a long journey all the way! All officials must stick to their duties and make no mistakes!"
As Tian Guanyu finished speaking, everyone present left the hall in a noisy manner!
Shen Tang returned directly to the backyard. After chatting with the ladies for a while, he saw the old housekeeper coming!
"Master, people are here!"
After greeting several ladies, Shen Tang followed the old housekeeper to the outer hall. In the outer hall, two men were respectfully waiting for Shen Tang's arrival.