The leisurely life of the Qin people

Chapter 274 The County and the Prime Minister's Residence

Because of the winter solstice holiday, the schools in Tongguan City are closed, and students will resume their studies in the spring of the following year.

Liu Fei returned to the county government today. Seeing that there were guests, he didn't disturb them. He walked into the main hall with his head down and went to the backyard from the side.

Liu Fei knew both of the county magistrates present, as they were from a neighboring county and he often visited them.

The magistrate of Sanyuan County was named Wang An, a descendant of Wang Meng, the general who guarded the Great Wall of Yan. After Wang Meng passed away, he moved to Qin during the war between Yan and Zhao. It is said that Wang An was a disciple of Ji Wujiu, the former magistrate of Yuyang County.

Liu Fei did not know who Ji Wujiu was, and even after checking the records, he still did not know who this person was.

The magistrate of Gaoling County was named Luan Tao. It is said that he came from a rural education background, but there was nothing particularly special about him.

As Liu Fei was passing by, he overheard the two county magistrates discussing the matter of seeking talented individuals, so he stopped and listened for a while.

The three men, with Xiao He in the middle, were discussing the recruitment of talented individuals in various counties.

Wang Andao said, "Governing a county requires virtuous people. To build a better county, we need farming, craftsmen, and people. We need to find people with all kinds of skills to make the county better governed."

Liu Fei, carrying his book bag, stood quietly to the side and listened as he spoke of the various counties seeking talented individuals, suggesting that perhaps some county magistrates had already sent people to inquire about talent in different places.

The rest of the message consisted of what to do next and what to do afterward.

After listening to them for a while, Liu Fei scratched his head, realizing he couldn't understand what they were saying anymore.

After the two county magistrates left, Cao Can and Wu Bo brought the evening's meal.

A bowl of dried vegetable soup, a bowl of noodles, and some mutton were all the dinner for the group tonight.

The group of people were sitting together, eating their meal.

Xiao He asked, "How have you been lately?"

“That’s good. My teacher said that if I study for another four years, I can join the army.”

Cao Can hesitated and asked, "Are you all going to join the army?"

"Yes." Liu Fei nodded and said, "Everyone has to serve in the army for two years."

Cao Shen, while eating, said, "They have gathered the population together and had the children study together. This way, they can conscript soldiers whenever needed. Every county in the land can be like Tongguan; when the Qin army needs to conscript soldiers, they can simply..."

Before Cao Shen could finish speaking, Xiao He glared at him and shut him up.

After finishing a bowl of noodles, Liu Fei picked up a flatbread and drank it with the dried vegetable soup.

A salty vegetable soup with flatbread can also be quite delicious.

Xiao He said, "Let's eat."

Cao Can nodded and continued eating without saying anything more.

The three of them finished their meal in silence.

Only two oil lamps were lit inside the county government building, flickering in and out of the wind.

Liu Fei said, "I just heard Uncle Xiao and the two county magistrates talking about seeking talented people?"

Xiao He was still chewing on his mutton and didn't say anything.

Liu Fei sat up straight and said, "In my opinion, since the Prime Minister's office is strict with the counties, the counties should be even less inclined to seek out talented people from other places."

"Ah."

Seeing that Uncle Xiao only responded, Liu Fei put down his chopsticks and got up to rest.

Xiao He has been preoccupied lately, especially during dinner tonight.

As Cao Shen was clearing away the dishes, he walked outside and saw Wu Bo mending a pair of cloth shoes.

Uber's shoes were worn out again, with a hole in the sole. He was squinting as he sewed the sole back together.

Cao Shen put down the bowls and chopsticks he was about to wash, took the shoes from Wu Bo, and, by the light of the oil lamp beside him, threaded a needle and began to mend the soles.

Uber sighed, "I'm getting old, I can't see clearly anymore."

Cao Shen helped mend the shoes and said, "We didn't have a good life back in Zhongyang either. These are things we've learned since we were little."

Uber said, "I was the same when I was young. After I married my wife, I followed the army eastward."

Cao Shen knew that Wu Bo was also a veteran of the Qin army, and that Wu Bo had previously been at least a platoon leader in the army. Moreover, he had extensive connections in Guanzhong, so he could always find the fastest way to get things done or find someone.

When Cao Shen thought back to the time when he and Xiao He first came to Jingyang and encountered some thorny issues, they had to rely on Wu Bo, and he felt somewhat ashamed.

The customs of Guanzhong are different from those of Chu. Guanzhong people place more emphasis on rules and regulations, which sometimes even supersede reason.

For example, when borrowing manpower from other counties, the laborers only cared about how much grain Xiao He could provide; not a single grain less was acceptable.

Therefore, Cao Shen disliked the somewhat cold and unfriendly customs of Guanzhong. If it weren't for Xiao He being there, he would have wanted to go back long ago.

Compared to the Chu region, the Chu region places more emphasis on interpersonal relationships, and people are less rigid in their distinctions and more courteous to one another.

Cao Shen handed the repaired shoes to Wu Bo and said, "You had it tough back then too, didn't you?"

Uber said, "There's nothing easy or difficult about it. The battles got bigger and bigger, and fewer and fewer brothers came back. Fortunately, it's over now."

At this point, Uber stood up and said, "It's getting late, I'll head back now."

Cao Shen stood up and bowed.

After seeing Wu Bo off, Cao Shen turned around and saw Liu Fei again.

Liu Fei asked, "Uncle Cao, doesn't Uncle Wu have any family?"

Cao Shen said, "He has family."

"But he has always lived alone."

“He doesn’t like living with his family,” Cao Can said with a smile. “You should study hard in Tongguan and become a county magistrate in the future.”

Liu Fei nodded emphatically.

Just then, Xiao He walked out of the county government's main hall and said, "Fei, you will go to the county's school to teach tomorrow."

Liu Fei said, "Yes."

The next day, just as dawn broke, the muddy roads in the county were all icy.

Liu Fei will be fifteen years old this year. He walked out of the county government with his schoolbag on his back, feeling the cold wind blowing in his face.

Some puddles on the ground were still frozen, and stepping on them made a cracking sound as the thin ice broke.

The academy in Jingyang County is located in the very center of the county, which is why it is arranged this way to avoid the busiest places around the village.

Every morning, the children come to the school to read, while the adults walk in the opposite direction to go to work.

Liu Fei thought of Master Jing. He hadn't seen Master Jing for a long time and didn't know where he was now. He didn't dare to go to the Imperial Academy to ask.

Watching the children walking towards the school, Liu Fei was reminded of himself; when he was a child, he also went to the school to teach, just like these children.

When Wu Bo, who was tidying up the study, saw that it was Liu Fei, he said, "Someone brought news last night that the schoolteacher in our county is sick."

"Uncle Xiao told me."

Uber nodded and said, "These children are in your care."

"it is good."

Liu Fei entered the study, recalling what Uncle Xiao had said. Uncle Xiao had said that Jingyang County was pieced together from various sources, and Uncle Cao had also said that in the beginning, Jingyang County even struggled to survive the winter. If people froze to death in the first year after moving to Jingyang, the two of them would be sent north to build the Great Wall. Fortunately, the most difficult period had passed, and although Jingyang County was not a wealthy county, it could now provide its residents with enough to eat and wear.

Today, Liu Fei stood before the children and began his lecture.

At first, Liu Fei didn't know what to talk about, so he started talking about maintaining unity. But as he talked, the children became very interested in the anti-Qin people.

"Master, what kind of people rebel against Qin?"

Faced with the children's innocent questions, Liu Fei thought for a while and said, "There is a record in the scrolls of Tongguan that when Zhang Liang fled Sanchuan County, the Prime Minister sent troops to capture Zhang Liang. At that time, Prince Fusu asked the Prime Minister what kind of people the Prime Minister opposed Qin were."

The children looked on with anticipation.

Liu Fei continued, "The Prime Minister said that if there are people in a county who do not farm and often gather in groups of three or five, such people are most likely to rebel against Qin."

The children nodded in understanding.

This is a record written at Tongguan, concerning the questions and answers between the Prime Minister and Prince Fusu. These questions and answers were all recorded, and there were many more later. I heard that these were all recorded by Prince Gao.

Liu Fei then recalled another volume of records. He said, "That was the first time Prince Fusu asked the Prime Minister, many years later... when the Qin army captured Yin Tong, the Prince again asked the Prime Minister why he was opposing the Qin people?"

Under the children's gaze, Liu Fei continued, "The Prime Minister replied to the young master for their original noble status, while the young master commented on Xiang Liang or the three Tian brothers, saying that these people are ambitious but have little life."

At this point, Liu Fei took out a piece of paper and said, "This paper will tear as soon as it's torn."

Outside the study, Xiao He stood by the door listening to Liu Fei's words. He was surprised to find that the fifteen-year-old Liu Fei already had the demeanor of a teacher, and his teaching style was just like that of other teachers.

Next, Liu Fei talked to the children about unification and the division of the land.

Xiao He listened for a few more moments and then left.

Half a month after the winter solstice, snow began to fall again in Guanzhong. Chen Ping hurriedly left Xianyang City to inspect the various counties.

Inspecting the counties in Guanzhong was a very tiring task, and it was precisely because of this tiring task that Chen Ping felt it would fall on his shoulders.

Feng Jie saw Chen Ping off as he boarded the carriage, saying, "You must have had a long journey. Please return soon."

Chen Ping said, "Don't worry, Minister of Justice."

Chen Ping's carriage traveled through the snow and was soon swallowed up by the heavy snow.

An official hurried to the city walls, bowed, and said, "The magistrates of the twenty-four counties under the jurisdiction of the Court of Justice are all on their way to Xianyang."

This was originally a matter for the Prime Minister's residence and had nothing to do with him, Feng Jie. At this moment, he stood in the snow and breathed a sigh of relief. Since Xiang Liang was captured, he felt much more at ease.

"I heard that Chen Ping and his wife have been at odds for many years."

Feng Jie turned and walked back to Xianyang City, saying, "Aren't they living together? And Chen Ping is still taking care of Zhang Fu."

After saying that, Feng Jie recalled some past events and added, "Chen Ping felt he had to repay Zhang Fu's kindness, which is why he kept Zhang Fu at home."

"Exactly."

Feng Jie said, "From now on, don't pry into other people's family affairs."

"Yes."

There was nothing that could be done about it. Among the officials who had recently entered Xianyang, Chen Ping was simply too dazzling. In just three years, he had become an imperial censor. How could this not be enviable? His identity, background, and family affairs were bound to be inquired about.

Perhaps Chen Ping knew that many people were asking about it, but he wasn't afraid.

After Prince Fusu took office as the magistrate of Xianyang, he reduced the forty-two counties in Guanzhong to twenty-four. Today, these twenty-four magistrates have come to Xianyang.

The city of Xianyang became lively because of the arrival of these county magistrates.

It was common knowledge in both the court and among the people that the Prime Minister's office would personally question these county magistrates.

Today, Xiao He walked in the procession of county magistrates, his gaze fixed on the distant gates of Xianyang Palace. This was the first time he had entered Xianyang City since he came to Guanzhong, and also the first time he was going to the Prime Minister's residence.

Led by several Qin soldiers, the group arrived at the palace gate. After being questioned several times, they were finally allowed to enter the palace.

Logically speaking, these county magistrates were not qualified to enter the Prime Minister's residence, but after Prince Fusu became the magistrate of Xianyang, he did indeed have this power, and could even mobilize the troops in Guanzhong.

The emperor granted this young master immense power, a power that weighed heavily on the minds of all the county magistrates. With just a word from the young master, they might all lose their official positions.

Prince Fusu had the power to appoint and dismiss county magistrates and other county officials in all counties of Guanzhong.

All the power was given by the emperor; the only thing missing was the throne for the prince.

Xiao He walked in the procession, heading towards the Prime Minister's residence.

There were even more Qin soldiers here, with a squad standing on each side. If these county magistrates hadn't been brought to the Prime Minister's residence for questioning, anyone who didn't know better would have thought they were there to be executed.

Before even reaching the Prime Minister's residence, one could see a constant stream of officials coming and going.

"Everyone said that after the winter solstice this year, the young master would not allow his court officials to take a day off, but I didn't expect it to be true."

"There are so many people here."

"I heard that even at night, they are busy with state affairs."

Xiao He listened to the crowd's discussion and walked for a while until he arrived at the Prime Minister's residence. The crowd's discussion stopped.

Zhang Cangxian walked out of the Prime Minister's residence, counted the number of people, confirmed that all twenty-four were present, and then led them into the Prime Minister's residence, bypassing the main hall and heading towards the back courtyard.

Compared to the bustling main hall, the backyard of the Prime Minister's residence was much quieter.

Cheng Miao had been waiting there for a while and first invited the county magistrates to take their seats.

When a young man dressed in black robes came out, the county magistrates, seeing Cheng Miao and Zhang Cang's respectful demeanor, also bowed to him.

Among the county magistrate's procession, the one who was a beat slower in bowing was Xiao He.

Xiao He had seen this young man before; he was the distinguished guest who had bought all the sheepskin cloaks in Jingyang County that cold winter.

Fusu looked at the county magistrates and said, "Thank you for making this trip in this cold winter."

The county magistrates stood still, not daring to speak or laugh, nor daring to move.

Zhang Cang handed over a scroll and said, "Young master, these are the records from various counties."

Fusu looked at everyone and said, "You have all had a tough time in recent years. However, I have asked the people from the Censorate to go out and check on you. The way you deal with idlers in your counties is still not strict enough."

The county magistrates all looked troubled.

Fusu continued, “I know that your county does not have a large workshop like Weinan that can accommodate so many idlers. I also know that your counties do not like idlers to go out. In order to avoid being seen, you keep idlers at home and do not allow them to go out. This is not good. Some counties do it very well. They send the idlers from other counties to Jingye County to work. Everyone can follow their example.”

Cheng Miao and Zhang Cang stood on either side of the young master. In fact, the young master had already shown great leniency and had not named any county that had not done a good job.

The county magistrate standing here with the hottest face is most likely the one being referred to.

Fusu added, "I hope there will be fewer idlers next year."

The county magistrates bowed once more.

Next, Prince Fusu brought up the construction matters of each county.

Speaking of river and canal management, water management is a top priority before next year's spring plowing. If any county has difficulties, they can seek help from the Prime Minister's Office.

In short, from now on, the Prime Minister's decrees will reach the counties directly, and the counties can also submit documents directly to the Prime Minister's office.

The magistrates did not leave until late afternoon.

Cheng Miao whispered, "Young Master still cherishes power."

(End of this chapter)