novelSusiti Chapter 45 A Great Sage Arrives
Chapter 45 A Great Sage Arrives
Liu Bei bowed and said, "It is all thanks to your guidance, Lord. I have only done my duty."
Officials and gentry in the surrounding area immediately gathered around and bowed to offer their congratulations.
Yan Gang, Zou Dan, Shan Jing, and others surrounded Liu Bei, addressing him as "Lord Liu" repeatedly, their tone filled with genuine respect.
Yang Kui, accompanied by his clansmen, arrived with generous gifts to offer his congratulations. He said with a smile that he had long anticipated that Brother Xuande was no ordinary man, and that his wish had indeed come true today.
For a time, congratulatory voices could be heard both inside and outside the city gates.
Upon returning to the prefect's residence, Hou Chong immediately set up a banquet in the main hall to celebrate Liu Bei's arrival.
After several rounds of drinks, Hou Chong spoke loudly in front of all the officials of the prefecture: "Gentlemen, although Xuande is now the magistrate of Yangle County, Yangle is the seat of Liaoxi Prefecture. From now on, Xuande will still be in charge of all the affairs of the various departments."
"All officials of the prefecture shall continue to obey Xuande's orders and assist me in handling the affairs of the entire prefecture."
When these words were spoken, no one was surprised, and some even felt that the governor's words were completely unnecessary.
The stability of Liaoxi today is entirely due to Liu Bei's planning. The people only know Liu Bei, and Hou Chong has complete trust in this prospective son-in-law, so it is only natural that he would delegate power to him.
Liu Bei quickly stood up, bowed, and said, "Your Excellency trusts me, and I will do my utmost to fulfill your expectations and live up to the trust placed in me by Your Excellency and the people of Liaoxi."
The banquet ended in high spirits.
Early the next morning, Liu Bei, accompanied by Tian Yu, Xu Rong, Cheng Pu, and Han Dang, went to the Yangle County government office.
The Liaoxi Prefecture was located in Yangle City, so the position of Yangle County Magistrate was vacant for a long time, and the county office was also unoccupied for a long time.
Although somewhat desolate, it was fully equipped, with the front courtyard for administration and the back courtyard for living, and all six departments and their associated buildings were complete.
Tian Yu had already led people to clean and repair the place in advance. The courtyard was spotless, and the desks and documents were all arranged properly, just waiting for Liu Bei to move in.
Standing in the main hall of the county government office, Liu Bei looked at the plaque inscribed with "A Bright Mirror Hangs High" and felt a slight excitement in his heart.
Now, he is a Marquis of Guannei and the magistrate of Yangle County, appointed by the Han Dynasty.
He had his own territory, a loyal team, and people who supported him.
"My lord, everything in the county government is ready, but there are many vacancies in the six departments. I need you to appoint them as soon as possible so that things in the county can be managed smoothly," Tian Yu reported, bowing.
Liu Bei nodded; he already had someone in mind.
He immediately sent someone to invite Su Shuang and Zhang Shiping, and in less than half an incense stick's time, the two quickly arrived at the county government office.
These days, the two have been helping Liu Bei procure oxen, purchase grain and fodder, and manage the trade routes between Liaoxi and Zhongshan and Jizhou. Upon hearing Liu Bei's summons, they immediately put down what they were doing and rushed over.
Upon entering the main hall, the two bowed to Liu Bei and congratulated him with smiles, saying, "Congratulations on your appointment as a marquis!"
"We two wanted to come and offer our congratulations early this morning, but we were afraid that the magistrate would be busy with official duties, so we did not dare to come and disturb him."
Liu Bei smiled and helped the two men up, then got straight to the point: "My two brothers, I've invited you here today because I have a favor to ask of you."
"Now that I am the magistrate of Yangle County, the county government is short of staff in its six departments. The Finance Department is in charge of money, grain, finance, salt and iron."
"The Market Officer is in charge of markets, trade, and commercial taxes. Only someone who is well-versed in business and has a meticulous mind can be competent for this position."
"I would like to request that Brother Su be appointed as the clerk of the county's finance department, and Brother Zhang as the clerk of the county's market department. I wonder if you two would be willing to lend me a hand?"
Upon hearing this, Su Shuang and Zhang Shiping were instantly stunned, their faces filled with disbelief.
Although they were both wealthy merchants from Zhongshan and had a good reputation on the trade routes in northern Xinjiang, they were ultimately just businessmen.
In the Han Dynasty, a time when agriculture was highly valued and commerce was suppressed, merchants held a low social status and were not even qualified to enter officialdom.
But now, Liu Bei is going to appoint them as clerks in the county government, which is a proper official position in the imperial court.
Not only did they gain official status, but they could also legitimately manage their trade routes and travel between various prefectures and counties, no longer subject to arbitrary harassment by local officials.
The two men snapped out of their daze and immediately bowed deeply to Liu Bei, their voices filled with excitement and gratitude.
"We are deeply grateful for the magistrate's trust; we would gladly die for him!"
"I am willing to serve my lord with utmost loyalty and will never fail in the trust placed in me!"
They knew in their hearts that Liu Bei was not only giving them an official position, but also an opportunity to change their allegiance and realize their ambitions.
They could never repay this kindness in their lifetime.
Liu Bei was overjoyed and immediately ordered his men to bring him the official seals and documents, formally appointing the two as the Gold Clerk and the Market Clerk.
The two men received the seal as if it were a priceless treasure, and immediately began to consult Tian Yu about matters concerning the county's finances, grain, and markets, eager to get started and manage things properly.
The county government's staff was quickly established, with Tian Yu still in charge of general affairs, and Su Shuang and Zhang Shiping in charge of money and grain and markets, respectively.
Liu Bei then transferred several experienced officials from the prefectural government to fill the remaining positions in the various departments.
Within just two days, the Yangle County government was up and running, and all matters concerning the county's household registration, land reclamation, grain supply, and markets were handled in an orderly manner.
That afternoon.
Liu Bei was in the main hall of the county government office, looking at the list of counties that had been reclaimed for land, which was sent by Tian Yu, when the gatekeeper suddenly came in to report.
"My lord, a gentleman has come to visit. He says he has heard of your virtuous reputation and has come to serve you."
Liu Bei looked up and casually asked, "Do you know this gentleman's name?"
"Where are you from?"
The clerk bowed and said, "My lord, this gentleman says his surname is Wang, his given name is Lie, his courtesy name is Yanfang, and he is from Pingyuan County."
"He was about thirty years old. He said he had come here to study and, having heard of your benevolent reputation, came to seek refuge with you."
"Wang Lie? Wang Yanfang?!"
Liu Bei suddenly stood up, dropping his brush to the table. His face was filled with shock and ecstasy, and even his voice trembled slightly.
How could he not know Wang Lie!
This was a renowned scholar from the late Han Dynasty, famous for his virtue and talent, and was known as one of the Three Sages of Liaodong, along with Bing Yuan and Guan Ning.
He lived a life of indifference to fame and fortune, and refused the imperial court's summons several times.
Later, due to the disaster of the Party Prohibitions, he fled to Liaodong to avoid the chaos. He influenced the people with his virtue, and even the governor of Liaodong, Gongsun Du, treated him with the utmost respect and regarded him as a teacher.
Such a virtuous and talented scholar would actually take the initiative to come and seek refuge with me?
Liu Bei didn't even bother to straighten his clothes; he rushed out of the main hall and headed directly to the county government gate.
Tian Yu was taken aback when he saw Liu Bei's discomposure and quickly followed after him.
He had long heard of the great name of Prince Yanfang of Pingyuan and knew that he was a renowned sage. He was both surprised and delighted that he would come to serve his lord.
Outside the county government gate stood a scholar in a blue robe, who appeared to be in his thirties.
He has a handsome face, a gentle temperament, and an air of refined elegance between his brows.
Although he stood alone, he was as steadfast as a pine or bamboo, possessing a unique and upright character.
It was none other than King Lie of Pingyuan.
Seeing Liu Bei quickly come out to greet him, Wang Lie stepped forward, bowed to Liu Bei, and said in a humble yet respectful manner, "Wang Lie, the Prince of Pingyuan, greets Lord Liu."
"I have long heard of Your Excellency's benevolent rule and love for the people, your efforts in controlling the epidemic and saving lives, and your efforts in facilitating the transportation of horses and ensuring the livelihood of farmers, which have benefited the people of western Liaoning."
"I yearn for it and have come to seek refuge!"
"I am willing to serve you like a dog or a horse, at your beck and call."