novelSusiti Chapter 37 The Head of All Officials
Chapter 37 The Head of All Officials
After Han Dang finished speaking, Cheng Pu, who was standing to the side, also smiled and started to talk about his own experience.
Unlike Han Dang's impulsiveness, his choice was the result of careful consideration.
Cheng Pu was from Tuyin in Youbeiping. He studied literature and martial arts from a young age.
Not only was he outstanding in martial arts, but he was also knowledgeable in law, administration, and military strategy. He was recruited by the Prefect of Youbeiping as a clerk in the Household Department at a young age and had a good reputation in the prefecture.
He came from a prominent local family with considerable wealth and was considered a respected figure in the prefecture, living a comfortable life.
But which young person would choose a stable life?
Especially young people who are self-assured and extraordinary.
Although the governor of Youbeiping valued his talent, he only regarded him as a civil official who managed general affairs.
He was never allowed to get involved in military affairs, let alone to use his military strategies.
He possessed the ability to secure the borders and stabilize the country, yet he was trapped in piles of documents in the prefectural government.
Day after day, he checked household registrations and finances, but his ambitions remained unfulfilled.
When Liu Bei's letter arrived, he was organizing the household registration books of the prefecture.
After reading the letter, he felt a slight stirring in his heart and developed a bit of curiosity about this military clerk from Liaoxi.
He had long heard of Liu Bei's name—who single-handedly persuaded the Yang family of Liaoxi to raise 100,000 shi of grain and 1 million coins.
They repaired border fortresses and beacon towers, trained local militias, devised defensive strategies, and repelled the Xianbei invasion.
These events had already spread throughout the border regions of Youzhou, and many people said that Liu Bei was a capable and visionary figure.
But he was, after all, a formal official of the prefecture, while Liu Bei was merely a military clerk in a neighboring prefecture. It would be too hasty for him to abandon his post and join Liu Bei.
Moreover, his understanding of Liu Bei was limited to rumors circulating in the streets, and he didn't know if they were true or false, so he put the letter away and planned to observe for a while longer.
Not long after, a major epidemic broke out and swept through Youbeiping.
The entire prefecture was in chaos, and the governor was helpless, forced to allow the epidemic to spread, resulting in countless deaths and injuries among the people.
Cheng Pu was extremely anxious as he watched the daily death toll rise, but he was helpless.
They temporarily put aside their thoughts of joining Liu Bei and devoted themselves to epidemic prevention, but with little success.
Just when he was at his wit's end, a document arrived from the prefecture, along with Liu Bei's "Book on Epidemic Prevention in Western Liao", strictly ordering all counties to implement it accordingly.
Cheng Pu took the scroll and read it word by word, and was amazed.
From the root cause of the epidemic to prevention methods, and then to the details of isolation and treatment, each step is closely linked and perfectly coordinated.
This goes beyond simply understanding medical principles; it also involves understanding governance, the people's sentiments, and the actual conditions of the border regions. Every single point can be implemented effectively, and it is far from just empty talk.
He immediately advised the prefect, and the whole prefecture followed suit. In just one month, the epidemic in Youbeiping was indeed stabilized.
Through this incident, Cheng Pu fully understood Liu Bei's talent and, more importantly, Liu Bei's benevolence.
He had heard too many stories of officials in the bureaucracy who would stop at nothing to achieve political success and disregard the lives of ordinary people for the sake of their own future.
But Liu Bei, a mere military officer, did not think of himself in the face of the great epidemic; instead, he thought of how to protect the lives of the people and how to curb the spread of the epidemic.
He even shared his epidemic control strategies with all the prefectures and counties without reservation, saving countless lives.
More importantly, he saw what he wanted in Liu Bei's actions.
A stage where he could realize his ambitions, secure the borders, and protect the people.
In the prefectural government, he would always just be a clerk in charge of household registration and finances.
Why is he able to do such a good job as a clerk?
Besides being capable, he must also have powerful connections!
Having served as an official for three years, Cheng Pu knew very well that to get things done, one needed power!
By following Liu Bei, he was able to guard the frontier, fight the Xianbei, protect the people, and do what he truly wanted to do.
Here, he served as a clerk for five years, a junior clerk for ten years, and a senior official for twenty years!
Moving up the ranks from clerk to official is extremely difficult; it's no longer a matter of time.
Is it because he didn't work hard enough?
It's because his parents didn't work hard enough!
After making up his mind, Cheng Pu submitted his resignation to the prefect.
The prefect tried to persuade him to stay, but his mind was made up.
Upon returning home, after discussing the matter with the elders of the clan, he led dozens of well-trained family soldiers.
Dozens of fellow villagers who admired him were willing to accompany him, making a group of over a hundred people who traveled all the way to western Liaoning.
They had just arrived outside Yangle City when they encountered the governor's carriage and waited with Han Dang and his party in the woods.
After listening to Cheng Pu's story, Liu Bei was deeply moved and bowed deeply to Cheng Pu.
"Your virtue and wisdom are of great talent. You have given up a stable future to come and join me, Liu Bei. I am deeply grateful."
"From now on, we will be of one heart and one mind, guarding western Liaoning and protecting the people. We will certainly not fail the trust you have placed in us today!"
Cheng Pu quickly helped Liu Bei up and bowed, saying, "My lord, you flatter me."
"A good bird chooses a good tree to perch on, and a wise minister chooses a good lord to serve."
"To have met a wise ruler is the greatest fortune of my life!"
The group chatted and laughed as they rode into Yangle City.
As soon as I entered the city, someone came to report that the prefect had issued an edict.
Liu Bei then led everyone to the prefect's residence!
Upon entering, he found Yan Gang, Zou Dan, Shan Jing, and others already there.
Liu Bei couldn't help but ask, "My lord, has something happened?"
In the main hall of the prefect's mansion, Hou Chong sat in the main seat, looked around at everyone in the hall, and said in a loud voice.
"Since Xuande entered Liaoxi, he has made great contributions to the peace and security of the region and the protection of the people by repairing fortifications, strengthening border forts, training local militia, repelling the Xianbei, and personally treating a major epidemic."
"I have already submitted a memorial to the court, recommending Xuande as a candidate for the civil service examination!"
"However, your contributions to my Liaoxi Prefecture must also be rewarded!"
"I hereby appoint you to the position of Chief Clerk, to oversee all affairs of the various departments within the prefecture, and to assist me in governing Liaoxi."
The hall was silent and no one objected.
Without mentioning Liu Bei's relationship with the prefect or the governor.
Liu Bei's achievements alone are undeniable.
The Gongcao was a high-ranking official in the prefecture, in charge of personnel appointments and dismissals, performance evaluations and promotions, and also participated in the administration of the prefecture. He held a high position and wielded great power, and was in fact the head of all the official positions in the prefecture.
The highest-ranking official appointed by the prefect was the one he could privately appoint, making him the head of all officials.
Of course, this does not include positions such as Prefectural Assistant, Chief Clerk, Commandant, and Fortress Commandant, which are all official positions formally appointed by the imperial court.
He's an official!
The officials of the various departments were officials.
There is a huge gap between clerks and officials.
Therefore, Liu Bei was not too excited. If he wanted to have a good future, he still had to be recommended for the civil service examination and promoted from a minor official to a higher official position!
Liu Bei stepped forward, bowed, and said loudly, "Thank you for your great kindness, Your Excellency. I will certainly do my utmost to fulfill your expectations and live up to your trust!"
"Furthermore, the repair of the fortress, the pacification of the people, and the control of the epidemic were all tasks not accomplished by me alone!"
"It's all thanks to the magistrate's skillful command, the assistance of my colleagues, and the brothers' valiant efforts!"
"Therefore, I would also like to request commendations for several of my subordinates!"
Everyone was very satisfied with Liu Bei's answer and performance. He was not arrogant despite his achievements, did not hoard his credit, and was considerate of his subordinates. Where could one find such a colleague and superior?
Hou Chong also smiled and nodded, stroking the table as he said, "Tell me!"
"Xu Rong of Liaodong is brave and skilled in battle, well-versed in military affairs. Since taking office, he has been loyal to his duties and outstanding in bravery. He is suitable to serve as a military clerk!"
"Continue with the work I previously did on repairing border forts and training local militia."