Wait, please don't call me Emperor Zhaolie

Chapter 230 This Life is Like Walking on Thin Ice
Yin Jun took her eldest son Liu Yong back to the mansion first. When the birds were flying at night and the sun was setting in the west, the cook had already prepared the meal and her husband just came back.

As soon as Liu Bei met her, he took his wife Yin's hand, feeling a little embarrassed, and explained, "My dear, Wen Ruo has done his best to fulfill his duties and wanted to report many matters. We forgot the time while talking, which is really my fault."

Xun Yu was in charge of a lot of things. He wanted to briefly talk about the storage of warehouse records, livestock records, tools records, money records, and farm official records. In Beihai and Donglai, those who sold their wives and children as slaves due to famine in the early years had their wives and children redeemed by the counties and restored their commoner status.

He also praised Cao Hong for his good cooperation with Man Chong in Beihai, in which he dealt with many children of wealthy families who violated the law, which won him great praise from Beihai Prime Minister Kong Rong. He was now transferred to Donglai County to serve as the Western Inspector under Jian Yong.

Liu Bei suddenly asked Xun Yu, "Cao Zilian is greedy by nature. Did he not embezzle or accept bribes in Beihai County?"

Xun Yu shook his head and replied, "I have never heard of this matter, and no one has reported it. Since I was appointed as an official in Beihai, I have always been conscientious and upright, and I have been a good official in Qingzhou."

Liu Bei listened patiently, then said with a smile: "I almost lost Zi Yu because of my judgment of his appearance."

Cao Hong's current situation is no longer the same as when he was with Cao Mengde. As a surrendered general, his status is already awkward. If he dares to embezzle and accept bribes, he will be sent to the county prison according to Qingzhou laws. Cao Hong probably doesn't want to set foot in that prison again in his life.

The reason why Xun Yu talked about this matter with Liu Bei was not because of Cao Hong's special status, but to reduce the invisible dual monarchy at that time.

In Qingzhou, Yanzhou, Xuzhou, Yuzhou, Yingchuan and Peiguo, in addition to the prefects, county ministers and commanders appointed by him, he also personally appointed and transferred other important clerks in the counties and countries to various places. The state officials could directly intervene in the county affairs to avoid collusion between local nobles and the prefects.

The officials in charge of major matters, such as Gongcao, Duyou, Wuguanyuan, Zhubu, Zhuji, and Shangjiyuan, were all responsible to Liu Bei. They only assisted the prefect in governing a county. If there were any changes, they could report directly to Liu Bei.

However, the positions of historian, assistant clerk, deputy clerk, assistant historian, assistant clerk, and redundant clerks in the counties and countries were still appointed by county officials.

The advantage of doing this is that it allows direct access to the counties and prefectures, while preventing officials from becoming too powerful in the local areas because the emperor is far away. There will also no longer be the situation where the county magistrates are not as good as the current officials in charge of the affairs of the prefectures and counties, as if they were struck by thunder or imperial edicts that were hung on the wall.

In the social atmosphere at that time, due to the prevalence of Confucianism, the relationship between the lord of the prefecture and his many appointed officials became more and more like that of a monarch and his subjects, and the relationship between the sponsor and his students became close.

Especially in the eyes of some scholars, the documents issued by the state and the revised laws are not as important as the relationship between their benefactor and themselves. Even if they want to rebel against the Han Dynasty, there are many people willing to follow their former master.

The more people believed in this kind of gratitude, the more they emphasized that a loyal minister should not serve two masters. At the same time, the trend among scholars would praise them for their loyalty, and even erect monuments to praise them.

If you rebel against your former master without reason, you will be despised and killed among the scholars of the world.

Some people pointed out clearly that the county officials served the prefect and had a nominal relationship with him, and that those who served as clerks often had to deal with life and death.

People like Lu Fengxian who exchanged the life of their benefactor Ding Yuan for official titles were considered walking dirt in the eyes of the gentry and really broke their bottom line.

Liu Bei dared to take power and appoint officials because he was physically energetic and could personally take charge of many matters and centralize power. If it were an ordinary person, he would have been exhausted after handling so many things.

However, these are only three states and more than twenty counties. There are many more states and counties that are not included in the jurisdiction. If there are more, even he will be too busy to handle them.

"We still need to restructure the bureaucracy as soon as possible. I can't always be informed of all matters, big or small..."

Liu Bei thought secretly.

Don't let your eyes go dark after you finish your work, and you wake up to find yourself in a different place. Xun Yu didn't see that the envoy was already in a trance, and he still took out the document from his sleeve and briefly talked about the changes in the various offices in Qingzhou, wanting to hand everything back to the envoy, but he couldn't stop talking, and walked around the city wall while talking for half a circle.

It was not until dark that the soldiers of the Ruichong Camp brought firewood, dipped it in grease, and lit torches, making crackling sounds.

The two men who were talking more and more excitedly were awakened. Seeing that it was getting dark, Liu Bei asked Xun Yu to go back and rest. The rest of the matters would be discussed the day after tomorrow. At that time, the deployment of the Battle of Hebei also needed to be discussed carefully.

At the right time, Dian Wei leaned over to Liu Bei's ear and whispered, "Sir, my lady has sent a servant to report that the meal has been prepared. When will my beloved be back?"

Fortunately, Xun Yu was a little far away and did not hear it. He just nodded to the envoy and took his leave.

After watching his back go away, Liu Bei glared back at Dian Wei and said unhappily, "Why didn't you remind me to return to the house earlier? Why did you wait until it was so dark?"

Dian Wei replied in a buzzing voice: "The envoy is seriously discussing the affairs of the world. I dare not interrupt him. If the lady blames you, you can put the responsibility on me."

Liu Bei patted Dian Wei's shoulder heavily, making him grin. After holding his arm, he said with a smile: "Who is Liu Xuande? How could he let Dian Jun take the blame?!"

"Let's go to my mansion and have a meal together."

"Your Excellency, there is no need to do this. Wei has not yet thought of eating to relieve his hunger tonight. Besides, he has also arranged a fight with Xu Zhongkang. Let's go tomorrow."

Dian Wei begged for mercy anxiously.

After a lot of persuasion, Liu Bei finally let go of him and chuckled, "From now on, no matter who you are discussing matters with, you can come and report to me if you have anything to say. Don't be negligent in the slightest."

After hearing this, Dian Wei nodded repeatedly.

Yin, who had been waiting at home for a long time, saw her husband coming to apologize. What else could she blame? She could only sigh and look at Liu Bei and said, "You have returned from the expedition, working hard and not forgetting the affairs of the state. How can I blame you?"

Wouldn't that make Yin Jun an unreasonable and unvirtuous woman?
Liu Bei stepped forward, held her in his arms, and said to her soothingly, "I am always worried about my family when I am away from home. I want to return to Pingyuan as soon as possible to be with you, but I am the ruler of several states and I am always busy with government affairs. I often have no choice."

"Outsiders think that Liu Xuande is a brilliant man, with a reputation that shakes the world and intimidates the princes, but in fact he is just an ordinary person pushed by the torrent of trends, with his own joys and sorrows, and he often wants to steal a little time to relax."

"But the officials and soldiers all placed their hopes on me, hoping that I would eventually become a wise leader and complete their achievements."

"At this moment, it is just as Guangwu said: people are full of themselves and suffer from indulgence. They are quick to enjoy themselves and easily forget the meaning of punishment. If you want to spread your sincerity to the infinite, it is like facing the abyss or walking on thin ice. You must tremble with fear and be cautious every day."

Liu Bei looked up at the starry sky and sighed.

Ever since I came here, I have been unable to control myself and always feel like something is chasing me.

(End of this chapter)