Three Kingdoms: I, Liu Feng, do not want to die

Chapter 129: Xincheng Governor, Liu Feng's Final Appointment

Although he did not tell Liu Feng explicitly, Liu Bei had already made up his mind about how to arrange for Liu Feng.

In recent years, Liu Bei has been promoting and employing young generals to strengthen the construction of his own forces. For example, Wei Yan, Huang Quan, Zhang Nan, Feng Xi, Fu Kuang, Zhao Rong, Liao Chun, Fu Zhen, Wu Ban, Chen Shi, Xiang Chong and others all hold important positions in the army.

Past experiences made Liu Bei realize that local powerful families were unreliable and that if he did not have direct power in his hands, he would be controlled by the local powerful families.

During the Jingzhou incident, many local powerful families, led by Pan Jun, defected, which once again proved that the local powerful families might not agree with Liu Bei when facing major decisions.

However, the construction of direct lineage power needs to be passed on by the younger generation.

In the appointment of the prefect of Hanzhong, Liu Bei did not use Zhang Fei but the new and brave general Wei Yan; in the appointment of the three counties of Shangyong, Liu Bei was worried that Meng Da would not be competent for the job, so he appointed Liu Feng to command Meng Da's troops.

It's all based on this consideration.

Liu Bei already felt that he owed Liu Feng for the issue of succession, and proposed that Liu Feng guard Jingnan or Nanzhong, which was a disguised protection for Liu Feng.

After hearing about Liu Feng's layout of the entire Jingzhou since he entered Shangyong and his selfless dedication after the Jingzhou incident, Liu Bei felt that he owed Liu Feng even more.

Sending someone to deliver the "Longzhong Plan" to Chengdu and hand it over to Zhuge Liang was actually to make Zhuge Liang truly incorporate Liu Feng into the Longzhong Plan strategy.

This way.

The scholars of Jingzhou, led by Zhuge Liang, supported Liu Chan as the crown prince while also regarding Liu Feng as a member of the same faction.

In Liu Bei's conception.

If the Northern Expedition could not be successful during his lifetime, Wei Yan would become the general who marched from Hanzhong to Qinchuan, and Liu Feng would be the general who "led the army of Jingzhou to Wanluo".

The idea of sending Liu Feng to Shangyong was also to hone his character.

Let’s look at Liu Feng’s performance after arriving at Shangyong.

Whether it was intimidating and winning over the local powerful families in the three counties of Shangyong, or connecting with the Yi people in Jingshan, or establishing prestige among the civil and military officials of Jingzhou, and the most important thing was the ability to use troops, all proved that Liu Feng was fully qualified to serve as the general who "led the army of Jingzhou to Wanluo".

Two days later.

Liu Bei decided to merge Xicheng, Shangyong and Fangling into Xincheng County, and at the same time appointed Liu Feng as the prefect of Xincheng, while still retaining the title of deputy general of the army.

Originally, Liu Feng was only in charge of military affairs and supervising local affairs in the three counties of Shangyong, and had no direct jurisdiction over political affairs.

The appointment of the prefect of Xincheng was equivalent to ceding the thousands of miles of land including Xicheng, Shangyong and Fangling to Liu Feng for self-government.

In Xincheng, Liu Feng was truly second only to the emperor, and the appointment and dismissal of officials at all levels were decided by Liu Feng.

This is Liu Bei's high recognition and trust in Liu Feng!
Although the new city is small and sparsely populated, it is an extremely important hub.

Especially after we capture Xiangyang in the future, the value of this strategic location will be highlighted.

Therefore, Liu Bei had to appoint a trustworthy person who was both civil and military as the prefect.

Liu Feng is the best choice!
Liu Feng was very satisfied with the appointment as the prefect of Xincheng.

This is not only about eliminating the gap between father and son, but also the foundation for Liu Feng's future.

From now on.

Liu Feng finally had a real foundation and could openly cultivate his own descendants and fully engage in all aspects of military, politics, economy and trade.

Outside Jiangling City.

Liu Bei personally escorted Liu Feng to the city gate and said, "I heard that Shen Dan gave you an adopted daughter, and Bai Shou, the leader of the Bai tribe in Jingshan, also gave you a daughter. I will not interfere with how many concubines you take, but you must not let Gongyou's daughter down."

Liu Feng swore, "Don't worry, father. Yan Ji is my first wife, how could I let her down? Yesterday I asked An Guo to go to Chengdu to bring Yan Ji and her son to Xincheng."

Liu Bei stroked his short beard with satisfaction and said, "You have never governed a place before. When you go to Xincheng this time, remember to respect the wise and humble, promote more knowledgeable and pragmatic people, and don't be proud of your status and look down on the wise men."

At this moment, Liu Bei was like thousands of parents who sent their children away from home to work. He gave Liu Feng detailed instructions, fearing that Liu Feng would suffer losses or make mistakes in the new city.

It is just as the saying goes: When a child travels a thousand miles away, his parents are worried.

Liu Feng was also deeply moved by Liu Bei's care.

After bidding farewell to Liu Bei.

Liu Feng then led four colonels, Li Ping, Yu Fan, Fan Cheng, Han Chong, Li Fu, Deng Xian and Fang Yue, four military marquises, Wang Dang, and three thousand infantry and cavalry, to Xincheng.

When passing by Linju, Liu Feng took out the transfer letter of Du Pu, the mayor of Linju.

Dupu has long wanted to improve.

During the months when Liu Feng was dealing with the changes in Jingzhou, Du Pu also provided Liu Feng with a lot of assistance.

Liu Feng has always been generous in promoting and rewarding those who are willing to believe in him.

Therefore, before leaving Jiangling City, Liu Feng asked Guan Yu for a transfer letter.

As soon as the new mayor of Linju arrives, Dupu will be able to leave Linju and go to the new city to take up his post.

Du Pu was delighted by Liu Feng's kindness.

Dupu has been in the position of Linju Chief for many years. Now that he has the opportunity for advancement, he naturally does not want to miss it. He immediately stated that he would come to the new city after completing the handover.

When passing through the twelve strongholds of Jingshan.

Bai Shou, the captain of the Jingshan Volunteer Army, also came over after hearing the news.

Upon learning that Liu Feng had become the governor of Xincheng and that Jingshan had also been placed under the jurisdiction of Xincheng, Bai Shou was overjoyed: "From now on, my daughter will be the governor's wife."

Although she was just a concubine, Bai Shou didn't care.

after all.

The status of a concubine also depends on whose concubine she is and whose daughter she is.

For example, Liu Bei’s Madam Gan and Madam Mi, although they were both concubines, who dared to underestimate them?
This time Liu Feng did not refuse to take Bai Su to the new city.

The danger in Jingzhou was temporarily lifted, and Liu Feng was also preparing to establish a base in the new city. Naturally, he was not worried about implicating the Bai people in Jingshan.

Not only that.

Liu Feng also invited Bai Shou to move people down the mountain and allow people of all ethnic groups to officially settle in the new city.

When a new city is first established, population is the key.

Without people, no matter how big the ambition is, it is impossible to achieve it.

Bai Shou actually wanted to go down the mountain a long time ago.

Although you are free in the mountains, it is easy to run out of food and drink.

Jingshan is not suitable for farming after all. If Bai Shou really had no worries about food and drink, he would not have robbed the government grain in the past.

Bai Shou immediately patted his chest and promised: "As long as the deputy general can make sure the mountain people have enough food and warm clothes, we mountain people will definitely be willing to settle in the new city."

Liu Feng also promised: "As long as I, Liu Feng, stay in Xincheng, I will never treat you unfairly."

After traveling from Jiangling across Jingshan for half a month, Liu Feng finally arrived at Fangling.

The ability to move at such a fast speed was also due to the twelve strongholds Liu Feng had established earlier, which greatly reduced the time and physical energy required to set up camp.

Deng Fu, the former governor of Fangling, had received the news early and hurried out of the city to meet Liu Feng.

Although he was promoted from the prefect of Fangling to the magistrate of Fangling, the area under Deng Fu's actual jurisdiction did not change much, and his salary remained the same.

In addition, the new prefect of Xincheng was Liu Feng, and Deng Fu did not show any resistance or dissatisfaction.

In other words: even if there is resistance and dissatisfaction, you have to keep it deep in your heart.

Liu Feng is not a fool either.

Matters of this kind involving interests can naturally be won over and appeased by interests, and after a few words, the grudge in Deng Fu's heart was dispelled.

In short: if you follow Liu Feng and share the joys and sorrows now, you will have a bright future.

Talking room.

Deng Fu also mentioned that Meng Da frequently hosted banquets for local nobles in Fangling, Shangyong and Xicheng, and Shangshu Ling Fa Zheng was always present, as if he intended to win over the nobles of the three cities while Liu Feng was away.

Liu Feng sneered disdainfully: "Meng Zijing still likes to play this kind of trick of being a close minister. Does he really think that with Fa Xiaozhi around, he can get what he wants?"

In Liu Feng's opinion, Meng Da is a confused person.

It is so when following Liu Bei, and it is also so when following Cao Pi.

He doesn't know his position and is only thinking about taking shortcuts.

So after Fa Zheng's death, Meng Da felt that he had no one in the court and was afraid of being held accountable, so he defected to Cao Pi; after Cao Pi, Huan Jie and Xiahou Shang died, Meng Da felt that he had no one in the court and was afraid of being suspected, so he defected to Zhuge Liang.

After repeated attempts, his name eventually became part of Sima Yi's list of achievements.

Liu Feng ignored Meng Da's affairs, but directly sent someone to Shangyong to summon the chief clerk Deng Fan to Fangling to report on his work.

Upon hearing that Liu Feng had arrived in Fangling, Deng Fan rushed to Fangling without stopping.

As Liu Feng's chief clerk, Deng Fan did not follow Liu Feng most of the time, which seemed a bit unworthy of the title.

to this end.

Deng Fan also suffered a lot of ridicule and questioning.

Among them, several relatives and friends who were promoted by Deng Fan also complained that Deng Fan followed the wrong person.

Deng Fan was so angry that he immediately broke off all ties with those relatives and friends.

It was not until Liu Feng defeated Sun Quan and sent someone to deliver a letter to Deng Fan that Deng Fan's back, which had been bent by rumors and doubts for several months, straightened up again.

Following the wrong person?

I, Deng Fan, have a keen eye for wise leaders. How could I possibly follow the wrong person?
"Your subordinate, I am the deputy general's chief clerk Deng Fan, I am late, please punish me, general."

Glancing at Yu Fan, Fan Cheng and Han Chong beside Liu Feng, Deng Fan bowed deeply to Liu Feng, his voice louder than usual, and deliberately emphasized his identity as "Deputy Army General's Chief Clerk".

Liu Feng saw through Deng Fan's little trick but didn't say anything: "Mr. Deng, you have worked hard these past few months. These people will be your colleagues from now on."

Yu Fan, Fan Cheng and Han Chong all asked about the greetings.

"Yu Fan, the official of Xincheng, greets Gongcao Deng."

"Xincheng Shuzu Fan Cheng greets Gongcao Deng."

"Commander Han Zhong of the Grain Administration greets Officer Deng."

Deng Fan was stunned: "Gong, Gong, Gongcao?"

Liu Feng raised his eyebrows: "Why? You think it's too small?"

Deng Fan shuddered.

Small?
How can it be too small!

Gongcao's position in the county government is that of the most respected official in the county.

It was common for prefects to entrust government affairs to Gongcao, who was the prefect's right-hand man. Not only did he have duties inside and outside the county governor's office, but he also had the main duties of "appointment, dismissal, reward and punishment."

In other words: When the prefect is not here, the Gongcao is the most powerful!
Liu Feng actually planned to let Yu Fan be the Gongcao at the beginning.

After all, Yu Fan had been a Gongcao and had been in officialdom for many years, so he was familiar with these things.

After learning about Deng Fan's existence, Yu Fan bluntly advised Liu Feng not to only focus on talent but also ignore the contributions and hard work of the old officials.

Liu Feng thought about it and understood the problem pointed out by Yu Fan.

This is just like the workers' promotion and salary increase in later generations: I have worked in the company for ten years, working hard without complaint, but I didn't get a salary increase or promotion. Finally, the company started to improve. But a new employee came in with a higher salary and position than me. Why?
You say you are more capable than me, but does that mean all my efforts over the years are worthless?
When I first started my business, they called me Little Sweetie, and after I became successful, they called me Mrs. Niu?

After comprehensive consideration.

Liu Feng decided to appoint Yu Fan as the official in charge of the new city.

The Wuguanyuan was a special position. On the surface, it was only responsible for presiding over the spring and autumn sacrifices, but in fact it encompassed everything.

If an official is vacant or leaves office, a five-official clerk will temporarily take over the position, which is different from a formal appointment.

In short: if Liu Feng is not there and Gongcao is not there either, then the Wuguanyuan can temporarily replace Gongcao; if there is a vacancy in other Caos, the Wuguanyuan can also temporarily take over.

Like Gongcao and Duyou, they are positions with great power and are also the right-hand men of the prefect.

When the new city was first established, all officials needed professional guidance. With Yu Fan's qualifications, he was the perfect person to serve as a clerk in the Five Officials Department.

Deng Fan, who was the first to follow Liu Feng, was appointed by Liu Feng as Xincheng Gongcao.

This recognition made Deng Fan feel that the depression and grievances he had endured in the past few months were not in vain, and his efforts to travel across mountains and rivers to persuade the mountain people and the barbarians to submit were not in vain.

That’s a county Gongcao!

A position that many people dream of but cannot get!

Deng Fan bowed with emotion: "I will never forget your kindness, Your Excellency, and I will never let you down."

(End of this chapter)