novelSusiti Chapter 59 Zhuge Liang Enters My Jar and Liu Bei's Three Strategies for Personnel Appointment a
Chapter 59 Zhuge Liang Enters My Jar and Liu Bei's Three Strategies for Personnel Appointment a
Chapter 66 Zhuge Liang Enters My Jar and Liu Bei's Personnel Appointments and Three Strategies for Governing the Prefectures
Mount Tai is a famous prefecture in Shandong Province, and there are ancient rites for the new prefect to enter the prefecture.
According to the Han system, when a prefect with a salary of 2,000 shi (a unit of grain measure) took office, he had to first send a messenger to inform the prefecture and county.
Afterwards, the imperial carriage entered the territory, and the prefectural magistrate led his subordinates to greet it at the prefectural border, performing the "outer suburban welcoming ceremony".
Upon entering the city, one must first visit the famous mountains, rivers, temples, and shrines in the prefecture to perform the "temple worship" ceremony, offering sacrifices to the gods of the mountains and rivers within the territory, in order to demonstrate that one "receives the mandate of heaven and governs the people on earth."
Only then did he enter the prefectural government office to "ascend the hall and attend to affairs," receive congratulations from his subordinates, and formally exercise the powers of the prefect.
As a disciple of the great Confucian scholar Lu Zhi, and renowned throughout the land for his integrity and loyalty to Yan Hui and Zeng Shen, Liu Bei was now a famous scholar in the country. His entry into the prefecture would naturally not violate ancient etiquette.
Liu Bei had already sent Sun Qian into the territory to inform the local counties.
At this time, ten miles south of Fenggao City, outside the long pavilion, Prefect Zhuge Gui had already led dozens of officials from the prefectural government and the magistrate of Fenggao County to wait for him.
Zhuge Gui, courtesy name Jungong, was a native of Yangdu, Langya. He was upright and honest, and had a good reputation in Taishan County.
When the Yellow Turban Rebellion broke out, he served as the county magistrate of Liangfu County. He led the county soldiers to defend the city to the death and repeatedly defeated the invading bandits. For his merits, he was promoted to the position of assistant prefect of Taishan County.
However, at this moment, the usually composed prefectural magistrate was quite uneasy.
During the Han Dynasty, the Prefectural Governor (太守) held supreme power over the administration of a prefecture. The Assistant Prefectural Governor (郡丞), though nominally a "second Prefect," was involved in all matters of the prefecture and was even required to act as the Prefectural Governor when he was ill. In reality, his position was rather awkward.
The officials appointed directly by the imperial court often failed to meet the expectations of the prefect; while the minor officials of the various departments, though their rank was no more than a hundred bushels of grain, were all recruited by the prefect himself, and were mostly his confidants, thus holding real power.
Between the positions of Chancellor and Assistant Chancellor, the position of Prefectural Assistant was actually less powerful than that of a minor official with a salary of 100 shi (a unit of grain).
Therefore, most people of great ambition and talent in this era were not happy to hold this position. For example, when Zhao Wen, one of the Three Dukes, was serving as the Assistant Prefect of Jingzhao Prefecture, he once sighed and said, "A great man should be born to soar high, how can he be subdued!" He then resigned from his post.
Whether Zhuge Gui can participate in handling government affairs depends on whether he can get along well with the new governor and gain his trust.
As he watched with trepidation, dust billowed up on the distant official road as dozens of knights in crimson robes, wielding halberds, escorted a four-horse carriage slowly approaching.
The carriage was covered with a black canopy and adorned with red banners. The carriage was spacious, and four fine horses from Youzhou rode side by side. A red banner was planted on the crossbar in front of the carriage, bearing the six large characters "Liu, Prefect of Mount Tai of the Han Dynasty." An official holding a tally bestowed by the emperor followed closely to the right of the carriage.
The carriage came to a stop, and the attendants lifted the curtain. Liu Bei stepped down slowly, wearing a Jinxian crown adorned with a golden Boshan ornament at the front, the tassel of which hung down to his chest. He wore a crimson robe, with a blue ribbon and silver seal at his waist, and a double-edged longsword, all the hallmarks of a newly appointed governor of a prefecture.
Zhuge Gui straightened his clothes, stepped forward, and led his officials to bow respectfully by the roadside: "Zhuge Gui, Prefect of Taishan Commandery, along with all the officials of the commandery, respectfully welcomes Lord Liu!"
After Liu Bei got off the carriage, he immediately stepped forward to help Zhuge Gui up. His gaze was as warm as a spring breeze, which made Zhuge Gui feel flattered.
Liu Bei smiled, sizing up the prefect with a naturally approachable demeanor. After all, this was the father of his future prime minister, Zhuge Liang!
At this time, Zhuge Liang was only two years old. If he wanted to recruit him, he would naturally have to get along well with his biological father.
However, now Liu Bei is the prefect and Zhuge Gui is the assistant prefect. With Liu Bei's charm and allure, Zhuge Liang is already trapped in his trap!
Liu Bei took his hand and said gently, "Prefect Zhuge, there's no need for such formalities. I have long admired your name, and it is truly an honor to meet you today. During the Yellow Turban Rebellion, you single-handedly defended the isolated city and protected the people. Your merit and virtue are renowned throughout the time."
Zhuge Gui quickly declined, but secretly breathed a sigh of relief. This new prefect was gentle in speech and humble in manner, quite different from the rumored image of him as a powerful and valiant figure in Hebei, with unyielding principles.
He stepped aside to help Liu Bei into the carriage, while he himself rode alongside on horseback, and the group headed towards Fenggao City in a grand procession.
Upon hearing the news, the people along the way gathered by the roadside to watch. Zhuge Gui quietly introduced the situation along the way to Liu Bei, describing the local customs and culture of Mount Tai. The two got along harmoniously.
After entering the city, Liu Bei, led by Zhuge Gui, first went to the Dai Temple to pay homage. The Dai Temple was first built during the Yuanfeng era of Emperor Wu of Han, specifically for the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai, and enshrined the god of Mount Tai in the temple.
Liu Bei straightened his clothes and, following ancient rites, burned incense and prayed: "Having received the Emperor's decree, I am honored to be the Prefect of Mount Tai. I dare to inform the spirit of Mount Tai:"
"I must devote myself wholeheartedly to pacifying the people, annihilating the remaining bandits, and restoring Mount Tai to its former glory as a land of peace. If I disobey this command, may the gods punish me."
After the temple visit was completed, Liu Bei officially took over the governor's mansion!
At this time, the main hall of the mansion had already been cleaned and swept clean, and the household registration books and documents of various departments of Mount Tai were displayed on the lacquered table.
Zhuge Gui escorted Liu Bei to the governor's residence and then tactfully took his leave.
Next came the time when Liu Bei, the prefect, took over the county government and appointed his subordinates! Then, at the welcoming banquet that evening, he introduced his subordinates to the chief officials of Taishan County, and then officially began to hold court!
Liu Bei sat upright behind the vermilion table, his gaze slowly sweeping over the people below: Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, Wen Chou, Cheng Pu, and...
Military generals such as Gao Lan stood with their hands on their swords on the left; scholars such as Tian Feng, Ju Shou, Cui Dan, Sun Qian, and Guo Yuan, wearing tall hats and wide belts, stood on the right.
Among these people were generals who had followed him on his campaigns across thousands of miles, and heroes from Hebei who had come to join him out of admiration.
Now he can finally legitimately incorporate the civil and military officials of the prefecture into the prefectural government system and grant them real positions and powers.
From a minor officer to the ruler of a prefecture, from living under someone else's roof to establishing his own government, it took him two whole years to take this step.
Everyone stood holding their breath, knowing that today's court session would determine the power structure of Taishan County for years to come.
Then Liu Bei nodded slightly to Jian Yong, the chief clerk. Jian Yong immediately took out the bamboo slips and stepped forward, speaking loudly.
"Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, step forward."
Guan Yu and Zhang Fei immediately drew their swords and stepped forward. The two were strong and fierce, and their might shook the three armies. Moreover, they were as close as brothers with Liu Bei, so they were naturally the first to be rewarded!
"Guan Yu and Zhang Fei followed you on campaigns across thousands of miles, always leading the charge in every battle, and their discipline was impeccable. In suppressing the Yellow Turbans, they captured Zhang Liang amidst a vast army and beheaded Zhang Bao within a fortified stronghold. In the Battle of Black Mountain, they were unstoppable, charging into battle with unstoppable momentum."
"Now I am appointed as the Prefect of Taishan Commandery, in charge of the troops of one commandery, to lead the troops to suppress the bandits."
Guan Yu and Zhang Fei immediately clasped their hands in a fist salute: "We will certainly live up to your trust and vow to protect the peace of the Taishan prefecture!"
"Ju Shou stepped forward."
Ju Shou calmly walked into the hall and bowed to Liu Bei.
"Ju Shou is a wise strategist who plans and plans for the Duke, possessing the wisdom of a king's advisor. Now he is appointed as the Chief Clerk, in charge of selecting and appointing meritorious officials, discussing rewards and punishments. All daily administrative affairs, personnel selection, and tax allocation in the prefecture shall be decided by the Chief Clerk."
Ju Shou bowed and thanked him. Although the rank of Gongcao was only 100 shi, he was the head of the county officials and was known as the "master of the county".
Appointing him as Gongcao (a high-ranking official) means having him oversee the prefecture government and manage all departments, making him comparable to Xiao He (another high-ranking official).
"Tian Feng, step forward!"
Tian Feng, wearing a scholar's cap and a dark black robe, walked forward steadily.
"Tian Yuanhao, since following you, has been adept at assessing the enemy's situation and devising strategies to defeat the rebels. During the Yellow Turban Rebellion, he assisted you in capturing the king in a single battle. Now he is appointed as Inspector of Posts and concurrently serves as Military Advisor and Chief Advisor, with a salary of 100 shi. He is in charge of supervising the subordinate counties and overseeing the delivery of postal documents. The twelve counties of Mount Tai are divided into routes for inspection, all of which are under the supervision of the Inspector of Posts. All military strategies and enemy situation analysis shall still be handled by the Military Advisor and Chief Advisor."
The position of Military Advisor was created by Liu Bei to assist him in advising the army and to govern the three armies.
With their positions confirmed, their roles became defined.
Ju Shou was stationed in the prefectural government, overseeing all departments and managing the prefecture's daily administration, personnel selection, and tax collection. He was comparable to Xiao He.
Tian Feng was stubborn and headstrong, making him well-suited to commanding the counties and armies in the outer regions. He could oversee multiple routes of inspections, supervise the administration of law and order, and also lead military strategists. He was comparable to Zhang Liang.
Zhang Liang and Xiao He were of equal status during the Han Dynasty. This is perfectly suited to their current situation.
Jian Yong served as the chief clerk. Having followed Liu Bei since his early days, he was quick-witted, eloquent, and skilled in rhetoric. Last year, he served as Liu Bei's envoy to various prefectures, contacting powerful local figures and borrowing tens of thousands of bushels of grain to alleviate the urgent needs of the military farms.
He was appointed Prefectural Registrar, in charge of documents and records, and to advise on confidential matters. This was a fitting reward for his service.
Then Jian Yong continued in a loud voice, "Zhao Yun, step forward."
Zhao Yun was immediately invigorated, which meant that his status was second only to Guan Yu and Zhang Fei.
"Zhao Yun, in the Battle of Changshan, charged into the enemy lines alone, killed Du Chang with his spear, and returned with the captured flag. In the campaign against the bandits at Black Mountain, he killed Zhang Niujiao in battle, his bravery surpassing that of the entire army. Now he is appointed as the Commander of the Imperial Guard, in charge of the guards of the Prefect's residence. All matters concerning the Prefect's travels and the security of the residence shall be under the command of the Commander of the Imperial Guard."
Zhao Yun readily agreed.
Jian Yong then announced the appointments of the various officials in detail.
The Right Clerk was the core of the prefect's inner circle. In addition to the Chief Clerk, who was served by Ju Shou, the Inspector, who was served by Tian Feng, and the Chief Clerk, who was served by Jian Yong, there was also the Five Officials Clerk, who was in charge of spring and autumn sacrifices and local education, and was served by Sun Qian.
Then there were the various departments within the prefecture, with the Household Registration Department in charge of household registration and taxes, and Cui Dan serving as the Household Registration Department clerk.
The Cang Cao was in charge of the receipt and disbursement of grain in the granary, and Liu Zihui served as the Cang Cao Yuan (official in charge of the granary).
In addition, Cheng Pu was in charge of the Military Affairs Department, Wen Chou was in charge of the Bandit Affairs Department, Xiahou Lan was in charge of the Legal Affairs Department, Liu Deran was in charge of the Finance Department, Guo Yuan was in charge of the Land Affairs Department, and so on, each receiving a title and reward.
The position of prefect was so important that even Liu Bei's own forces couldn't fill it. This was because some powerful families in Hebei hadn't left their homes to follow Liu Bei. For example, Shen Pei's choice was similar to Chen Deng's; as a member of a prominent clan, he chose to remain in his hometown. Whoever controlled Hebei, they would serve.
Such people are everywhere in the world, and Liu Bei even reserved positions for them among his officials.
For example, positions such as literary historian, advisor, and junior official are still vacant. These minor officials and academic officers are perfect for recruiting heroes from the Central Plains who come to join them and for winning over local powerful families.
That night, the prefectural governor's mansion was brightly lit and decorated, with lacquered tables neatly arranged, and the kitchen staff slaughtering cattle and cooking sheep, filling the air with the aroma of wine.
Jian Yong was ordered to prepare a banquet, and Liu Bei specially allocated his private funds, instructing that it must be held in an extremely grand manner.
He wanted everyone attending the banquet to understand that Liu Xuande's vast wealth, including gold, silk, and other riches, was nothing more than fleeting clouds to him.
Those who try to bribe or corrupt him with money need not waste their efforts.
What he wanted was for Mount Tai to be a place of political stability and social harmony, for the court to uphold the law, and for the people to live in peace and prosperity.
Since the Yellow Turban Rebellion, the Taishan Prefecture government had not held a welcoming banquet of this scale for several years.
The county officials, elders, local gentry, and representatives of powerful families filed in.
The magistrates of Fenggao County, Chen Duan, and Liu Xuan, along with other officials from the subordinate counties, stepped forward to pay their respects to the new prefect.
Local powerful families, such as the Yang family of Taishan, the Hu family of Fenggao, the Zhang family of Liangfu, and the Shen family of Nancheng, also sent people to deliver congratulatory gifts.
After everyone had drunk several rounds of wine and the atmosphere had become harmonious, Liu Bei stood up and raised his cup.
The sounds of clinking glasses and toasts in the hall suddenly fell silent, and everyone looked at the newly appointed governor.
Liu Bei calmly said, "Today, during this court session, I have already appointed the various officials to their posts. At the banquet tonight, in front of the elders of the county, I have three matters to announce to you all. This is also to let you know my strategy for governing the county."
"Firstly, Mount Tai is a mountainous region with deep valleys, where bandits are rampant. Liu Bei knew that many of them were forced to join the bandits due to hunger and cold."
From this day forward, all those who lay down their arms and return to farming will be pardoned for their past transgressions. The imperial court guarantees that those who surrender will not be killed, and there will be no retribution later.
"However, those who remain obstinate and continue to wreak havoc on the local people will not be spared the might of a thunderbolt. Sima Yi and Guan Yu have already led their elite troops to Fenggao. Where these traitors go is up to them."
Several local strongmen below the hall exchanged glances. They had frequent dealings with bandits in the mountains, and Liu Bei's words were both a way out for them and a red line drawn for them.
Otherwise, the governor wouldn't have told the bandits to choose for themselves in front of them.
Those who understood the situation quickly made a decision. Given the governor's formidable reputation throughout Hebei, he would surely lead his elite troops to quell the rebellion. They had no desire to actually test his military might. After all, the Yellow Turbans and the Black Mountain rebels, each with a million men, hadn't been able to withstand the governor's onslaught!
They were determined to return and sever all ties with the bandits.
"Secondly, we must attract refugees. Last year, Taishan County suffered from the Yellow Turban Rebellion, and the people fled, leaving fields barren and nine out of ten houses empty. I have already submitted a memorial to the court, earnestly requesting that the land rent owed by the refugees be waived. From this day forward, all those who fled due to the Yellow Turban Rebellion and have not returned shall return to their hometowns within one year, and all their accumulated taxes shall be waived. They shall be re-registered as ordinary citizens, and the county government shall grant them land, provide them with grain, seeds, and farming tools. The county officials must properly settle them and must not cause them any difficulties."
Upon hearing this, a suppressed murmur arose from below the hall. Several elders were about to kneel and kowtow, but Liu Bei waved them off.
Tax exemption, land grants, and seed loans—these three measures were like a godsend for the exiled people.
For large clans whose farmland was abandoned and whose tenants had fled, this was also a good opportunity to regroup their population.
Several local tycoons immediately stood up and spoke eloquently, offering to lend grain, seeds, and farming tools to help displaced people return to their hometowns to cultivate the land, displaying an attitude of "being of one mind with the magistrate".
Liu Bei smiled and offered wine to each of them to show his approval.
But as the final decree was announced, the atmosphere inside the hall immediately became tense.
"Thirdly—" Liu Bei's face was solemn, his gaze sharp as a sword, as he slowly swept over every county magistrate, official, and powerful figure in the hall, his voice cold and menacing: "From this day forward, all taxes and corvée labor within the prefecture shall be levied according to the laws of the imperial court!"
"Regardless of your past actions or the collusion between local officials and powerful figures, from this day forward, any official who attempts to embezzle public funds or oppress the people will be dismissed!"
"Any powerful or wealthy person who conceals land, falsely reports household registrations, or embezzles taxes will have their property confiscated and be severely punished without mercy once the facts are verified!"
""
As soon as he finished speaking, the entire hall fell silent. Several powerful figures' expressions changed slightly, and Wang He, the magistrate of Fenggao County, was so startled that he dropped his wine cup, spilling wine onto his robes.
The heads of several powerful clans sitting in the corner had ashen faces. Their clans owned thousands of acres of fertile land, yet their taxes were no different from those of commoners. They had thousands of dependents who never performed corvée labor.
This decree is specifically targeting them!
The atmosphere in the hall froze for a moment.
Zhuge Gui reacted the fastest. He stood up, raised his cup, and said loudly, "Your Excellency's three affairs are all for the country and the people. On behalf of all the officials and people of the prefecture, I, Gui, offer this cup to Your Excellency!"
Everyone then came to their senses, and whether they wanted to or not, they all raised their glasses.
At this moment, Liu Bei picked up his wine cup, but his tone softened: "Gentlemen, there is no need to panic. I am a man of clear distinction between gratitude and resentment, and I will reward those who have made contributions and punish those who have committed wrongdoings. I have reviewed the accounts of the prefecture and government, and all the past events are like fleeting clouds. But from this day forward, all those who are diligent in their duties and assist me in governing Mount Tai will be rewarded and promoted without hesitation."
He raised his wine cup high: "Gentlemen, please!"
Everyone raised their glasses to drink together, but the taste of the wine was different for each person.
At tonight's banquet, Liu Bei employed a combination of kindness and power, and in just one night, everyone deeply felt his methods. All the powerful figures instantly understood what it meant for both thunder and rain to be acts of imperial favor!
As the banquet ended, everyone left with mixed feelings.
Only the Prefectural Assistant, Zhuge Gui, remained in the prefectural government. As the Prefectural Assistant, he had to maintain a good relationship with the Prefect and gain the Prefect's trust.
Therefore, he had to make his stance clear, and bowed to Liu Bei, saying, "Your Excellency's policies, including attracting refugees, pardoning thieves, and reforming taxes, are all exemplary in governing a prefecture. Combating corruption and curbing land annexation are even more crucial national policies."
He paused slightly, then said sincerely, "However, this grand plan of the nation will likely be disliked by the powerful clans. The powerful clans of Mount Tai have been deeply entrenched for a long time. The Yang, Hu, Zhang, Shen and other large families own vast tracts of land and have hundreds or thousands of followers. The taxes and corvée labor in the prefecture largely depend on their cooperation."
"The Prefect publicly announced a crackdown on concealment today. Although he did not name names, how could they not know? I fear they might secretly incite others to give the Prefect a show of force."
"Even worse, he colluded with senior officials and flattered powerful relatives in the court, which prevented the Prefect from holding his position for long."
Upon hearing this, Liu Bei not only didn't get angry, but instead smiled and asked, "A show of force? A show of force is good! A show of force has to be given. I just wonder how they plan to give it?"
"Inciting rebellion? That's not a show of force, it's a gift of military merit! I'm not afraid of the million-strong army of Heishan, let alone a mere bandit from Mount Tai! If they really dare to raise their flags in rebellion, I'll be grateful to them! I'm just looking for an opportunity to confiscate the property of powerful families and eliminate these people!"
As for the claim that someone colluded with the court and asked nobles to incite him, intending to remove him from his position as governor of Taishan.
He was fearless! The world was in turmoil, with war raging everywhere.
The imperial court could not allow such a renowned general, whose ability to strike a cup and terrify the enemy, to remain idle.
Therefore, Liu Bei generously declared, "I have heard that one who is without desire is invincible! My purpose in entering Taishan County is to improve the lives of the people!"
"The most important aspect of improving people's livelihoods is providing relief to the orphans and widows! The prefectures and governments should allocate grain to provide relief to the poor who cannot support themselves, and establish shelters to house the orphans and widows. All of this requires money and grain. The treasury is empty, and taxes cannot be increased, so we can only find a way out from these powerful families. If they don't cause trouble, I can't easily take action against them; if they do cause trouble, I will have a legitimate reason to take action."
Liu Bei turned around, his gaze falling on the upright and honest prefect. "Brother Jun Gong, your willingness to stay and speak frankly tonight shows your trust in me, the prefect. In that case, I trust you too."
"Today I went through the county government's accounts and found that when the previous governor took office, the county government only had 60,000 coins and 4,000 bushels of grain left."
"With this little money and grain, let alone providing relief to the orphans and widows, we're barely able to keep the prefecture running. There's no need to rush the relief efforts. How about Brother Jungong first compiles a list of the orphans and widows in need, and then takes full responsibility for the relief work in the future?"
Zhuge Gui stared wide-eyed, almost unable to believe his ears.
Providing relief to orphans and widows and establishing places of care and support were the most popular and prestigious of the six policies implemented by the prefect to improve people's lives.
Once this policy is implemented, every grain of relief food and every place of care will be a concrete manifestation of the prefect's benevolence and virtue, benefiting the orphans and widows and extending blessings to the villages. It will surely reap countless thanks, goodwill, and a good reputation.
Such a desirable position, which could both win the hearts of the people and demonstrate benevolence, was always handled by the prefect himself, at most by a trusted clerk or chief clerk. How could it be his turn, as a prefectural assistant appointed by the court and having no connection with the prefect?
Shouldn't he be the one carrying out the arduous tasks of checking land, investigating concealed activities, and cracking down on land annexations, while the prefect is doing this kind of benevolent governance to win over the people?
Could it be that my sincere words just now truly gained the trust of this renowned Prefect Liu?
Regardless, Zhuge Gui believed the rumors that Liu Xuande was indeed a kind, benevolent, and virtuous gentleman!
He quickly straightened his clothes, took a half step back, and bowed deeply to Liu Bei, saying, "Your Excellency has entrusted me with this important responsibility despite my dullness. Though I am unworthy, I dare not fail to repay your kindness with all my might! Please rest assured, Your Excellency, I will do my utmost and will never let you down, nor will I fail the expectations of the people of Mount Tai!"
Liu Bei smiled and nodded, personally seeing him off outside the mansion, and even ordered Zhao Yun to personally lead five guards with halberds to escort him home.
After Zhuge Gui left, Tian Feng stood beside Liu Bei, his expression slightly solemn, and said, "I didn't expect my lord to think so highly of this prefect. Could it be that he possesses some talent that I haven't noticed?"
Liu Bei smiled and said, "If you can have a good son, how can you not be considered talented?"
However, Zhuge Liang is only two years old now, so there's really no need to discuss him further. During the New Year holidays, when paying respects to superiors, Zhuge Gui can simply hold him and let him see him.
Then Liu Bei looked at Tian Feng and said, "Sir, it is customary for a new prefect to inspect the counties upon taking office, so as to understand the people's conditions and deter lawlessness. However, attracting refugees and settling bandits both require me to be stationed in the prefecture."
"Since you have been appointed as the Inspector, you may conduct inspections of the various counties on my behalf."
Tian Feng cupped his hands and solemnly said, "I will certainly not shirk my responsibility in this matter."
Liu Bei nodded slightly and instructed, "Sir, your primary task on this trip is to review the major criminal cases from before, overturn wrongful convictions, and demonstrate your benevolence; at the same time, severely punish the powerful and cunning officials who have been breaking the law for years, and establish your authority."
Nowadays, most of the officials in the county are local powerful families. Liu Bei was a local powerful family back then, and he knew all too well how these powerful families regarded the county and prefecture as nothing.
Those people "hide their land and avoid paying taxes, and protect their households and avoid performing corvée labor." The deep-rooted problems of this kind have been accumulating for a long time.
This trip, starting with cracking down on county officials, will surely lead to the discovery of a series of illegal activities by powerful local figures.
As Han Feizi said, "We should not follow the ancient ways, nor should we adhere to the established rules." In times of chaos, severe punishments should be used, and long-standing problems should be addressed with an iron fist.
It's time to show them what it means to be a "county magistrate who ruins a family and a prefect who exterminates an entire clan."
They have always oppressed the people, bullied men and women, seized land, and concealed people's livelihoods. Now it is time for them to return the people's hard-earned money to the people.
Of course, the powerful clans were deeply entrenched and influential, and Liu Bei had no intention of turning against them for the time being.
However, his actions this time were justified in cracking down on illegal activities and eliminating powerful and cunning officials, which was in line with the righteous cause of the court and was praised by the public. "Eliminating the powerful and pacifying the common people" is the model of a virtuous minister governing a prefecture.
What's interesting is that, despite the powerful figures' gnashing of teeth in hatred when the executioner's blade fell on them, they still harbored deep resentment.
However, when a renowned minister implements such measures to crack down on powerful and cunning individuals in other counties, the aristocratic families and powerful clans will applaud and praise him highly.
Ultimately, the powerful and wealthy were not unaware of the principle that "the people's livelihood is the foundation of the nation, and the common people are the basis of the state."
The saying goes, "The people are the foundation of the state; when the foundation is firm, the state is at peace." When the powerful families of other people are dealt with, the common people can sleep peacefully for a night. This maintains the stability of the rule without harming themselves in the slightest, so they are naturally happy to see it happen.
But once the blade actually falls on your own head, it is "cutting off someone's livelihood is like killing their parents," an irreconcilable enmity, wishing you could eat their flesh and sleep on their skin.
To deal with these powerful figures, we need an upright and unyielding person who is not afraid of offending others to take the lead.
Tian Feng was known for his fortitude and determination. The Book of Songs says, "He is neither stubborn nor yielding, but also gentle and unyielding," which describes him perfectly.
It was the perfect time to tour the counties, expose illegal activities, and pave the way for subsequent tax audits and crackdowns on powerful local magnates with an iron fist.
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