Strange Tales from the Northern Qi Dynasty

Chapter 360 is really well written
"The General is back!!!"

A shout was heard from the Chengan gate.

A moment later, the whole city was boiling.

On the flat official road, a group of knights appeared. There were only less than a hundred of them, but the general's flag clearly indicated the extraordinary identity of the people coming, General Liu Taozi.

Zu Ting followed Liu Taozi, looking at the magnificent city in front of him with a smile.

Chengan.

The roads in Cheng'an are exceptionally flat, and have even been repeatedly reinforced. The road protection forests on both sides are unmatched by other places.

Even though it is still winter, Cheng'an is exceptionally lively.

A city outside the city has been formed, with many people settling outside the city walls. The houses are undulating and located on both sides of the road. In the distance, one can even see foreign merchants, surrounded by a circle of people, showing off the goods in their hands.

The people of Cheng'an are quite bold.

When they saw a cavalry approaching, they were not afraid at all, and even stood on tiptoe to look.

And when they recognized the man's flag and identity, they instantly became excited.

Zu Ting saw that many people began to shout, and some ran to the sides of the road, looked at Liu Taozi from afar, and began to bow and kneel.

There are old people, women, and children.

They wrapped themselves tightly, and more and more people came.

Zu Ting looked at the knights behind him. The knights separated into formations and guarded both sides.

Liu Taozi walked in front and didn't pay much attention to Zu Ting's little actions.

"General!!"

"Greetings, General!!"

Everyone shouted, and the sound became louder and louder, spreading all the way towards the city. The city in the distance also became noisy in an instant. Zu Ting saw a group of officials rushing out from the direction of the city gate and became extremely panicked.

Zu Ting could imagine how frightened the officials in Cheng'an were at this moment.

The general suddenly appeared here without telling anyone.
Cheng'an has changed so much that the road here no longer looks the same as it used to. Both the official road and the roadsides have become extremely different.

The small village along the Zhang River in the past has now become a large township with a small city wall built and a bustling crowd, with no trace of its past left.

Only the peach forest remained unchanged.

However, the area around the peach forest has been blocked and no one is allowed to approach.

The same is true for Cheng'an City. The city walls have become somewhat different, and the city gates have changed even more.

Liu Taozi rode on Heifeng, passing by many Cheng'an people with high expressions, and arrived at the city gate.

Suddenly, a man appeared and shouted, "General!!"

Liu Taozi reined in his horse, looked at the man, and then smiled, "It's Carpenter Wang."

Carpenter Wang has aged a lot, his hair is gray, and his face has more and more wrinkles, but he is still strong and his complexion is rosy.

He walked forward excitedly, "General, do you still remember me?"

"Remember, you made me a mask, are you still working as a carpenter now?"

"I don't do it now. My nephew does it now. He learned the craft from me."

"The general is more powerful than ever."

As the carpenter was speaking, another man came forward and said, "General!"

"I was a janitor at the county school. Do you remember me?"

“I remember now.”

Many people gathered around Liu Taozi, and they excitedly talked to Liu Taozi about the situation.

The cold wind still blows, but it no longer affects the people.

Zu Ting stood in the distance, just looking around.

The officials of Cheng'an began to set up defenses around the city and perform security duties. The patrolmen in the city probably never thought that one day they would have to do this, and they were trembling all over as they ordered the soldiers to set up defenses around the city.

After an unknown amount of time, officials finally rushed over here in a hurry.

An official about fifty years old got off the carriage, hurried to the front, and bowed to Liu Taozi.

"Cheng'an Commander Fang Bao, I pay my respects to the General!"

This Cheng Anling was tall and dressed quite simply. There was nothing unusual about his appearance, but his eyes were bright and he carried a sense of righteousness.

Liu Taozi looked at Cheng Anling, nodded, and then looked at the rest of the people.

"I'll go back to the office first. If I'm not busy later, we can catch up later."

Everyone bowed again and again, and then stepped back.

Liu Taozi asked Fang Bao to mount the horse, and the group walked towards the county government office.

The city was becoming more and more lively. The news of the general's return spread everywhere. Cheers could be heard everywhere, and children were running along the streets, shouting as they ran.

Liu Taozi was very famous in many places, including Wuchuan, Boling, Liyang, etc., but nowhere could compare to Cheng'an.

After all, this is his hometown.

The roads inside Cheng'an also became particularly solid, with residential houses piled together on both sides and many high-rise buildings. The doors of restaurants in the distance were open, and there were even people walking out from inside.

Liu Taozi suddenly felt emotional.

"Many years ago, this place was extremely quiet, like a ghost town, especially in winter, when you wouldn't see a single pedestrian."

He looked at Cheng An Ling Fang Bao who was following beside him.

"Gao Yu arranged for you to serve as Cheng'an Ling."

"I'm not familiar with you, and I don't know what political achievements you have, but Gao Yu insisted, so I agreed."

"Now it seems that you have done quite well."

Fang Bao's face was calm. Even when facing Liu Taozi, he was not too excited or afraid.

He whispered, "It's not my credit. Cheng An was already very good when Lu Jun was here. I just let it go and didn't do anything extra."

"I just heard someone at the city gate say that you helped a lot of people."

"We are all following the imperial decree to provide appropriate support to the orphans, the elderly and the young, and prevent them from starving to death. That's all."

Liu Taozi nodded, "I see."

Zu Ting followed behind and said slowly: "Mr. Fang is still very talented. Cheng'an's affairs are complicated and difficult to govern. There are many people, and it cannot be governed without a capable person. If there is a new state, this person can be the governor."

Fang Bao still had a calm expression and remained unmoved.

Although Fang Bao's official position was not high, he was considered an experienced person who had been involved in major events very early on.

He came from a prominent family and started working as an official at the age of seventeen.

This Fang Bao is fond of the philosophy of Huang-Lao, and likes the philosophy of tranquility and inaction.

Therefore, when Gao Yin first recommended this person to be the Anling, Liu Taozi was somewhat hesitant.

But his tranquility and inaction is somewhat different from the current mainstream tranquility and inaction. Others talk about tranquility and inaction, but then really do nothing, simply close the door and let the city fall into endless chaos and disorder.

But Fang Bao's quiet and inaction was to provide the people with a relaxed environment as much as possible. They were allowed to do anything that was not prohibited by law, including not engaging in business, not building projects, not opposing the people from going out, and not forcing them to work. At the same time, the government's functions were not lacking, and officials still maintained local order and were correspondingly proactive and encouraging, and there was no lack of people's livelihood benefits.

Liu Taozi has seen many people who talk about governing by doing nothing, but this person is one of the few who truly understands governing by doing nothing and can do it outstandingly.

Just now, Liu Taozi was chatting with other people at the city gate, and everyone spoke highly of Fang Bao.

Not only in his governance, but also in his daily life, he had some of Huang Lao's characteristics. He seldom went out, was frugal, did not socialize much, and did not care much about official titles and fame.

He even cleared a plot of land in the backyard of the government office and planted some vegetables.

The government office has not changed much. It is still the same as before and has not undergone any obvious renovation.

Everyone returned to the office. Liu Taozi sat in the upper seat and drank the Cheng'an tea that he was most familiar with.

Zu Ting and Fang Bao sat on both sides of him.

Liu Taozi sat in the familiar old place and looked around.

“Only here there hasn’t been much change.”

He looked at Fang Bao and said, "When I was in Pingcheng, Gao Yu praised you many times, saying that you are a minister who governs the country. What do you think of the current situation?" Fang Bao said calmly, "Govern by doing nothing and rest with the people."

Zu Ting laughed.

He shook his head. "Your idea may be used to govern a county, but it cannot be used to govern the whole world."

Liu Taozi didn't rush to interrupt him. He asked, "How to do nothing? How to keep the people safe?"

Fang Bao continued, "Many people feel that the current times are chaotic, and what is most needed is to prepare for war, to mobilize the people with all our strength, to work hard and diligently, so as to quickly pacify the country and put an end to the chaos."

"When I was in Yecheng, I also debated with others. They all said that Huang-Lao theory cannot be used in troubled times. This is a truth that the ancients understood."

“But I think they are all wrong.”

Zu Ting stared at him with a smile, "I'd like to hear the details."

Fang Bao looked at Liu Taozi and said, "My lord, in my opinion, the chaos and peace of the world are not determined by the number of countries."

“It is true that great unification is the foundation of many peaceful times, but great unification is not necessarily the basis of peaceful times.”

"There are chaotic times when the country is unified, and there are peaceful times when the country is divided."

"Whether a country is in a state of chaos or peace, does it depend on the living conditions of the people or on the strength of the country?"

"I believe that if the people are prosperous, not bullied by foreign enemies, not oppressed by hunger and cold, the king is wise, and the officials are honest, then this is a well-governed country."

"With such a well-governed society, everyone will do their best, and the country will surely become strong and unified."

"If you ask me about the strategy of governing the country, I can only advise you to be lenient and kind, use fewer officials, and not treat the people as tools for war or farming."

Zu Ting listened to him finish his words, then slowly shook his head.

"It's still about the principles of governing a place, not the principles of governing the world."

"Not all cities in the world are like Cheng'an. You have been to too few places. If you had seen nobles killing people for no reason on the road, a large number of people starving to death under the city walls without farmland, thieves and wild beasts occupying the mountains and forests, and merchants daring not to pass through, you would not say that."

"I have read a lot of books, including Huang-Lao, Confucianism, Taoism, Legalism, Agriculture, and Buddhism."

"Since Yang Yin's death, the situation in the country has become out of control. If we use the method you mentioned to reduce the government's interference in the affairs of the people, the final result will be that the nobles will run rampant, thieves will be everywhere, and the people will not be able to be in peace, but will suffer more."

"Moreover, the weakening of the country's strength is inevitable. Sooner or later, it will be defeated by the thieves."

"You just mentioned the chaotic and peaceful times. To me, the times of constant war and people's misery are chaotic times. In times of chaos, we must act, and we must go beyond the standards of previous actions, forcibly arranging farmland and arranging housing. This is not to treat the people as tools, but to keep them alive."

Fang Bao was a very calm person. He was not angry at all when he heard Zu Ting's rebuttal.

"This is just my own idea. I don't ask for your approval, but I won't change it."

Zu Ting stroked his beard with a smile and said nothing more.

Liu Taozi looked at Zu Ting and said, "Let Xu Zhicai send a disciple here."

"Many years later, this Mr. Fang may be able to do greater things."

Liu Taozi only stayed in Cheng'an for a few days and soon left quietly.

There are more important things waiting for him in Yecheng.

When the prefectures and counties were divided, Yecheng was not given to other governors. Instead, Gao Jie was directly appointed as the magistrate of Yecheng, and was also in charge of the surrounding Cheng'an and Linzhang counties.

Although Gao Jie only had these three counties, any one of them was comparable to the population or grain output of a large county.

The combined population of the three counties exceeds that of a large province like Gwangju.

These three counties in Qi State have always had additional staff, and the county magistrates here are at the same level as the prefects.

Before arriving in Yecheng, Liu Taozi divided his troops and took some people to Cheng'an first, while Shi Wansui and others went to Yecheng.

The main reason was that he wanted to go directly to Jinyang from Yecheng. In order to save time, he went to Cheng'an first, and then passed Yecheng and took the official road directly to Jinyang.

When he brought Zu Ting and others to the neighboring Yecheng.

Gao Jie had learned the news long ago and led everyone to guard the official road.

"Lord!!"

Gao Jie walked up excitedly and bowed.

Shi Wansui and others stood further away, maintaining order.

The changes in Yecheng were not as great as those in Cheng'an. Even in the cold winter, there was no bustling scene like Cheng'an with people coming and going.

Gao Jie rode on the mule and followed Liu Taozi, like a mouse following a bear, and was particularly excited about this.

Zu Ting looked at the mule under the other person's crotch with disdain in his eyes.

I've used this trick before!

"I heard that the Lord defeated the southerners in Erhuai and killed Chen's general Wu Mingche!"

"When the news came, everyone in Yecheng was overjoyed!"

"I even went to the memorial tree and told everyone about my lord's achievements!"

Gao Jie did not hide his admiration for Liu Taozi at all, but Liu Taozi asked, "How is the situation in Yecheng?"

Gao Jie's expression turned serious, "It's not very good."

"Many people fled from Yecheng at the beginning. After I took office here, I tried many methods, but people still fled to other places, especially to Cheng'an and Linzhang."

"The grain output is much higher, but not as high as Cheng'an and Linzhang."

Gao Jie was a little embarrassed.

Yecheng, as the leader of the three cities, was surpassed by the other two cities in his hands.

Especially when the other two cities are still under his jurisdiction.

Liu Taozi led them into the city. The city really looked desolate. There were few pedestrians on the road. The direction of the two cities also seemed a little quiet, even worse than before.

Gao Jie's face became more and more embarrassed.

Zu Ting explained, "My lord, many people who lived in Yecheng were officials and dignitaries at the time. Many of them escaped later, and those who didn't have time to escape were also arrested and punished."

"The situation in Yecheng is even more complicated than Cheng'an. Since we recovered Hebei, this is the only place where rebellions have repeatedly occurred."

"The main thing is that anyone can be found here. There are so many people hiding here, including Wei Xiaokuan. Gao Jun did a great job and captured many traitors. The grain production last year was also very high, but it is slightly inferior to Cheng'an. However, in Zhucheng, Hebei, anyone who is compared with Cheng'an is like this."

Liu Taozi nodded.

"The palace has been empty all this time?"

"It was always empty. I had people stationed around it and only conducted four cleanups and searches."

"What about those people who used to be in the city?"

"I dealt with all those people that the lord mentioned according to the law, according to their past crimes, I confiscated their property, sentenced them to imprisonment, exile, death, etc., and prohibited their children from taking exams and entering the academy. For those who were more restrained in the past and did not commit any evil deeds, I left them enough arable land according to the equal-field system and took back the excess."

"They no longer prohibit their children from entering the school or taking the exams. In the beginning, there were always people colluding to take back Ye City. This year, the situation has improved a lot. Previously, some people were arrested because of the manifesto."

"Oh? What other disturbances did the manifesto cause?"

Gao Jie smiled bitterly, "On the day the manifesto was released, I arrested seventeen people!"

"These people are here to persuade me to join them in establishing my own independence and resist the general."

"Oh?"

Gao Jie continued, "They think the general wants to destroy the Qi State temple, and they think that since I am a member of the Qi royal family, I should stand up and lead them to resist the general."

Zu Ting chuckled, "That sounds good, why didn't Gao Jun do it?"

Gao Jie looked at Zu Ting. The two actually had a very good relationship. It was Zu Ting who suggested that Gao Jie go on the expedition with Kou Liu, which was considered a favor to Gao Jie.

He patted the Gaowang sword at his waist.

He said very seriously: "My lord treats me as a national hero, letting a member of the royal family take charge of Ye City, and even rewarding me with a sword!"

"How could I do something so shameless?"

"Qi State was destroyed long ago, the country no longer exists, loyal people are disheartened, countless royal family members have died at the hands of their own family members, and people are in panic. Now you want the royal family members to stand up?"

"I want to follow my lord and make achievements. The rest has nothing to do with me!"

"By the way, Grandfather, did you write that article?"

“It’s really well written!”

(End of this chapter)