Chapter 73: Sit and discuss

Chapter 73

Shortly after the apology was submitted, a decree was issued to require the four provinces of Shandong to thoroughly investigate the actual grain storage situation in the official warehouses in the province.

After hearing Tang Shuyi's words, Chunshou shook his head and smiled, "If it is a loss of silver, the emperor can not act mercilessly and be kind to the emperor, and the granary storage will be launched in the fourth year of Xianfeng. In the past four years, all provinces in the world have been in full swing and the grains are growing very well. How can we make a statement and shirking?"

"It's okay. The left and right adults have only been in office for a year, and even if they have a little dissonance, they will be in the province. "Tang Shuyi said, "and let's talk about whether the granaries in the province are empty or full, and they have to look at them on the spot before they understand. Why not work with the provincial departments and go to the following to take a closer look and then make a decision?"

"It's good, but I still have to ask for it clearly."

When Lao Chongguang was asked again to the government office and asked about the feeling of the granary being empty, the latter patted his chest to ensure that, "The granaries of each government are all full, and the ministry can be used as a guarantee."

"Since that's the case, that's all. Please go down and prepare. Three days later, we will start traveling from Jinan and go to the granary site in Yanzhou, Tai'an, Dongchang and other places to see how we can see it?"

"If you want to, the vocational officer is willing to accompany you."

"Okay, in three days, we will take a trip to Yanzhou Prefecture first."

Yanzhou was the largest prefecture in the province after Jinan Prefecture, with three prefectures and twenty-six counties under its jurisdiction. During the Yongzheng and Qianlong periods, it was organized and separated out some of its prefectures and counties. It is still one of the prefectures under its jurisdiction. It was built between the fourth and fifth years of Xianfeng, three grain warehouses in the counties of Sishui, Yanggu and Shouzhang. There were originally granaries and 121 new granaries. If it was full of compaction, it could store more than 768,000 stones of grain, which was enough for the eight months of filling the stomach of the people under this prefecture.

Accompanied by Lao Chongguang, Yanzhou Prefect Liu Zicai, Shandong Ground Bureau Duohui and others, Chunshou walked around the grain warehouse outside Sishui County, read it personally, and ordered people to open the warehouse. Seeing that it was indeed enriching the wheat rice, he felt relieved and smiled with satisfaction, "Brother Yu Gu, the granaries are indeed full, which is admirable. He lives up to the emperor's weight for his mansion - good work!"

"I dare not do anything under my post. I am grateful to God for my gratitude. I dare not treat the people in a slight way, let alone knock on the tendons and marrow, and invade fish from it. I will do things that are unwilling tolerate in that heaven."

"The first thing to store grain is to clean. Once a rainwater is found to have damaged parts, write immediately and ask for repair. Otherwise, the small problem will become bigger and the consequences will be unimaginable." Chunshou looked back at Duohui and asked, "How old is it? What kind of food should be the first for the monthly taxi and camp support?"

"In previous years, all the soldiers in the camp had to spend rice, wheat and other things. However, since the fourth year of Xianfeng, the grain and rice in each province were ripe and the market price was flat. On the contrary, the beans were harvested and the market price rose sharply. Therefore, from the first month of this year, those who originally received rice and wheat from each camp were willing to receive beans." Duohui said with a smile, "In this way, not only will each be able to release the beans, but they can also empty the warehouse to store rice and grain fines."

Chunshou nodded. He served as the Jiangsu vassal department. Although he was not in charge of the distribution of grain, rice and military pay, he was also well aware of it. The warehouses of each province used rice and wheat as fine grains to serve as military deficits in the camp. He served as the fine grains of the deficits of the grain roads, and he always used bean grains to fill the grains. Although the number of stones is the same, the actual market price is far from each other.

Ren Fu Ren had some coarse grains that had a maximum supplement of 300,000 to 500,000 shi. If they were not given enough food and rice, they might have gathered soldiers. If they were spread to the capital, it would be a great crime.

The situation in Yanzhou Prefecture is still good. First of all, Liu Zicai has been an official for many years and has not had the opportunity to be promoted and transferred. He is not yet used for official business needs. When the warehouse grain is in full swing, he can still have some conscience, so he has the situation that Chunshou has seen today.

"The new granary is built to sell grain for the people, and to avoid redeem and expropriation, so that the people are seriously trapped; the second is that it is also a year of drought and flood, and the court has grain and rice to allocate to help the victims. This is the holy heart of the emperor who clearly sees thousands of miles and loves the people as much as his son."

Chunshou paused, his eyes swept across everyone's faces, and his voice gradually increased. "The imperial edict sent to Shandong, Henan and other provinces said that at the turn of winter and spring in the eighth year of Xianfeng, the four provinces had a long drought and rain. Seeing that the drought had already been established, in addition to organizing people's strength and digging wells to obtain water, each province should open warehouses and release relief when the form is critical. At that time, if you dare to fabricate a list of strange names and be falsely taken by the clerks and clerks, and cannot benefit the people, I will take the name and discuss it in person, no matter whether he is a Manchu noble or a regular person, I will participate in it! At that time, what will the court do to me, don't blame me for not saying anything."

After walking in the grain warehouses built in various parts of the province, Chunshou felt relieved and returned to the city. He immediately wrote a statement to the court and reported to the emperor on the spot to investigate the situation in the province.

The emperor also felt very satisfied. He ordered and warned him strictly, and thought that Chunshou might not dare to lie and deceive him. "Chunshou was very serious and obeyed my intention. He went to the granaries in various places to investigate in person, which shows that he was seeking truth from facts."

"Yes. The emperor is wise and has a good time, and the father and son are good at it. Seeing that the outside Manchu officials were so arrogant that they lived in vain and sold shortages and accepted bribes, it made the father and son even more conscience."

"Well, when Shandong was lucky enough to pay me a chance to pay me a lot of Yang Li, the confession of guilt submitted by Chunshou a few days ago. Have you read it?"

"Yes, I have seen it." Yi said, "I think that the emperor had an edict back then that he had no intention of doing evil, and even if he was not punished, he would not punish him if he was evil. Chunshou and Lao Chongguang were the first to resist the purpose and did not take the emperor as sympathetic to the people and the people's strength first, but he was still loyal to serving the master after all. So I asked the emperor to win his loyalty and forgive his crimes, right?"

"Let's put it aside first, what's the situation in Henan, Shanxi and Ningxia?"

"There is no report from the above three provinces to arrive in Beijing."

"I urge them to write a document and tell them that you don't have to be afraid of any deficit. If you dare to make a statement and deceive the court, I will never let you go."

"Zhe." Yi met and agreed. Seeing that the emperor had not had much to explain, the foreman kneeled out.

The emperor turned back to the warm room, changed into court clothes, and put on casual clothes, "How many more?"

"Reply to the emperor's words, Lord Luo Bingzhang and Lord Luo came in with the sign."

"Oh? Has Luo Bingzhang arrived in Beijing? Biography!"

Duan Hua led the minister and led Luo Bingzhang to the Hall of Yangxin, took off the big hat on his head, put the feather tube backward, performed the tribute of the monarch and ministers who knelt three times and nine times, then put on the warm hat, took a few steps forward, knelt on the worship mat, waiting for the emperor to ask, "When will Luo Bingzhang get up from Changsha?"

"Reply to the emperor's words, I received the emperor's order on the sixth day of the second month this year and made a handover with Guan Xiufeng. On February 27, I set off north and walked on the road for twenty-two days before I arrived in Beijing."

"Although I am in the capital, I also know that the people and officials in Hunan Province are just right. Among them, you are the head of a province and have made great efforts."

"I am just the emperor's kindness to love the people. When doing things, I always focus on the welfare of the people. As for the purge of officials, it is because the emperor has taken insight into his mistakes and has done his own rules and regulations. What I do is only upholding the court's will."

"I know you," the emperor smiled and looked at him. "Your ability may not be considered top-notch, but others cannot compare to you. Their head is temperament and mind. The people of Hunan Province say that being simple outside and clear inside can not only promote talents, make them happy to use, but also be able to be clear and self-reliant, especially in a temporary way. This is the foundation of achievements!" He said, "I have won your virtue and only pay attention to the importance of direct supervision. I hope you can manage and rectify the people in direct supervision and not let my grace of promotion."

"Yes. I was a teacher in my youth and served the country. I was just a sincere person and served the king with great sincerity. I didn't dare to worry about my own gains and losses. The emperor's teachings are sincere, and I will not violate it."

The emperor asked again, "Zuo Zongtang, is it still in your mansion?"

"Yes. Since the emperor ascended the throne and sought to select talents, Zuo Zongtang was introduced to the minister's shogunate and exchanged official affairs, and he was always managed by the person. He was able to have a small talent in his office, and Zuo Zongtang was very capable."

"I have asked Zeng Guofan, and Yu Zuo Zongtang never concealed his admiration in his heart, but he failed to get a long time to try, and he couldn't help but feel self-pity in his heart, and he was a little arrogant, but?"

Zuo Zongtang relies on his own power and acts arbitrary in the Hunan officialdom, which is a secret that everyone knows in the Hunan officialdom. However, he is indeed as wise as the sea, and Luo Bingzhang cannot do without him, so he had to open his eyes and pretend not to see it. This time, when the emperor asked, he had to speak, "Zuo Zongtang is a man of temperament, born with a temper that is jealous of evil, and various officials and people's livelihood exchanges in the province are in his eyes and cannot bear it. Therefore, there are clerks who attack him, who make suggestions from the side, intending to slander."

He said, "If it is in my opinion that the person's argument is just three parts of truth, and the remaining seven parts are all false words."

The emperor smiled disapprovingly, "Let him take care of himself." He said, "The governor of a province will be in charge of the army and relieve the people. The original position was always more civil affairs than military affairs. However, since I ordered Zeng Guofan to train in Tianjin, three years have passed through the great powers to attack the border, the combat effectiveness of the new army has begun to show results and promoted the whole country. The training of the new army in Tianjin has also been transferred to the Governor's Office for management. After you take office, you must not be perfunctory about this matter, and you must not have the idea of ​​losing the government. Do you understand?"

"Yes. What the emperor's holy heart thinks is, one is the heart of the people, two is the rule of the officials, and three is the military affairs. I am picked up by the emperor and served as the capital. How dare I not do my best to deal with the emperor properly, comfort the lord, and let the people down?"

"You have this idea, which shows that I have not chosen the wrong person - Zhili is close to the capital, and there is also a telegram network that connects the center. If you have any important things, you can use telegrams to transmit them. If you don't have to hurry, you can communicate with memorials. It is also very quick to communicate when you are in Hunan Province. If you have any matters, you can report them at any time. As long as it is beneficial to the country and the people, I will make the decision for you."

"Yes, the emperor has recorded all his thoughts. In the process of doing things, we should keep the country and the people's thoughts, and we dare not slackew on it."

"You go down. After a few days, you will hand in the sign and I have something to say to you."

Luo Bingzhang knelt down again, touched three reverently, and still led it freely, bowed and retreated.

******************************************

He followed Luo Bingzhang to Beijing to report his work, but he had no official ties. Zuo Zongtang was relaxed and left Guanyi, where he lived, but did not take a car, hired sedan chairs, and came straight to Zeng Mansion in Nancheng.

When Zeng Guofan entered the court, Zuo Zongtang also knew about it. He ordered someone to present a gift, left the prayer letter, and turned around and went back. When Luo Bingzhang returned to Guanyi, the two of them could not say three words. The subordinates heard that Zeng Guofan and Zeng came to visit.

Zeng Zuo and the other two have been old friends for many years. Although there was a disagreement in their early years, it was just a gentleman fight between scholars and there would be no resentment. Luo Bingzhang knew that Zeng Guofan was the first minister in front of the emperor, and even better than Su Shun. He did not dare to neglect his behavior and welcomed him with Zuo Zongtang.

Zeng Guofan retreated and returned to his house. When he heard from his servants that Zuo Zongtang was visiting, he quickly changed into a casual outfit and went back to Guanyi to worship. Although the three of them were close friends and colleagues, they were even more happy after seeing each other for many years. Luo Bingzhang told Goshha that all the guests waiting to meet were blocked by "daowei".

"Brother Disheng, when he was in Hunan Province, I heard that Disheng made contributions to the country and annihilated the invaders. Not only did Brother Zeng have a glory, but it also shows that our generation is not just a man who talks about war on paper. He can be said to be a scholar in the world and has found a door to serve the country!" Luo Bingzhang said loudly without hiding his admiration and respect in his heart.

"It's shameful to say," Zeng Guofan replied, "Before the enemy, I had already lost the first move. If it weren't for the soldiers' lives, I would have been afraid that the mountain would be in a vain and failure! If that happens, the coalition forces will be resolutely retreating. The emperor has been betrayed by others for many years, and has made great efforts to make arrangements for the Chinese and foreign courts, and has been vain. Guofan will not have a hundred deaths."

Luo Bingzhang wanted to ask: What is the purpose of hard work? He also felt that such a problem was very irrelevant, so he kept silent.

Zuo Zongtang nodded, "Anyway, it's God's wish that the man's will be successful. However, the merits were stolen by Sai Heting and Yi Zhuxiu for nothing, which made people feel angry - these two men, one of Mongolian relatives, and the other one is to treat sin. After the war, they actually took the first merit? I think it's really worth it for Brother Disheng."

Zeng Guofan and Luo Bingzhang looked at each other and smiled bitterly. After many years, Zuo Zongtang's temperament, which was not rubbing sand in his eyes, was Jiang Gui's nature, and became more and more stingy? Such words came to the ears of Sai Shanga and others. Didn't there be any accidents out of thin air?

Zeng Guofan said, "It cannot be as Ji Gao said. After the fifth year of Xianfeng, Ting Gong and Zhu Xiu were in the military camp. They had the skills to train troops and made great efforts. They were also the soldiers in the camp who saw them one by one. The rewards from the Duke and the Marquis were not for indiscriminate invitations."

He thought about it, Zuo Zongtang was frivolous and looked down on the military officers in his heart. This time, he followed Luo Bingzhang to Tianjin to train troops and was directly under the jurisdiction of the government. If he still had such an idea, it would be very disadvantageous. Taking this opportunity, he really had to seriously advise him.

"Brother Ji Gao, you are as talented as a sea of ​​people, and you have been familiar with the business affairs for many years. However, the military system is not as good as other countries. It is not only the country's military power, but also the holy heart always cares about the major events here. Don't take it lightly."

"I know." Zuo Zongtang replied, feeling particularly aggrieved: I haven't seen you for many years, Zeng Guofan took to the cabinet to become the prime minister, and entered the military plane with a high voice. Although he still has the words "walking", in fact, anyone knows that the emperor's favor for him is second only to Yi, and is still several points higher than Zaiyuan, Bai Wei and others, not to mention the mediocre men of Weng Xincun and Sun Ruizhen.

And what about me? Although I was obedient in the guise of the governor, I had not yet had a background. I was over ill and said harshly, and I did nothing and could do anything. What could I compare with others? I felt discouraged for a moment and I didn’t even have the interest to speak.

Zeng Guofan and Luo Bingzhang did not pay attention to his strange expression and continued to speak, "...I am about to leave for office soon. I wonder if Brother Disheng has anything to do to help me?"

"The word "learning" cannot be said, but Brother Ruzhai also knows that the emperor's temper is the most urgent thing in front of him, and it is most related to the national economy and people's livelihood. It is better to build railways in Zhili Province and purify both ends of the military system. The method of reorganizing the army is that Brother Ruzhai has assisted brother Ji Gao, and in addition, the former Guangwu Army has already been retained in the Green Camp Army in Tianjin, so it will not take much effort. There is only one thing to build a railway."

Seeing that he was silent for a long time, the two of them dared not disturb him and listened quietly. Zeng Guofan, as the minister of military affairs, faced the king every day, had no more thorough understanding of the emperor's intentions than him. At this moment, there were some shocking words to say, "Since the completion of the pilot railway construction in Guiyanshan in Liangjiang, the emperor was very happy. There is no need to mention the rewards of some courts. Even Prince Gong and Fujin gave the emperor more rewards from the Ministry of Internal Affairs - all these can be seen how satisfied the emperor was in Guiyanshan."

"Then, why did the provincial government reject the matter of requesting the construction of railways in the province? Shouldn't we take this opportunity to get on the road quickly?"

"How can it be that simple? Not to mention the two rivers and one land, the cost of railways over 300 miles is more than 10 million taels. If the provinces conduct it at the same time, how can the court afford it?" Zeng Guofan said, "The emperor is not willing to favor one and the other, so he can only criticize all the provinces."

This matter was also analyzed by Zuo Zongtang for Luo Bingzhang. He nodded after hearing this, "That's true, but I can't understand why a railway costs so much money? I'm afraid that the two rivers will belong to, and they will deceive the upper and lower levels?"

It is well known to everyone that Gui Liang is greedy for fame, but Zeng Guofan has to take care of his identity and cannot say much. He turned to Luo Bingzhang and continued, "Brother Ruzhai, the railway craftsmanship will surely surging in the next few years, becoming the top major event in our heavenly dynasty. Zhili is close to the capital and is the first place to start."

"Well, I have also thought about this. When you meet me today, I originally wanted to report to the emperor, but because of the emperor's words, I am going to wait a few days before I hand over the sign and ask for a meeting."

Zeng Guofan thought about it and decided to give some information about the court to Luo Bingzhang. First, he reported it as a local governor, and he was more convincing than he was in the capital. Second, if Luo Bingzhang was appreciated by the emperor during the report, he would have a strong aid in the future.

With such thoughts, he said, "It is obvious that the importance of railways is concerned about national economy and people's livelihood. However, with Jiangning Railway in front, the people will see their benefits and the court will follow the trend. It is a natural thing. What the emperor thought in his heart is no longer this festival. But on another major event."

"Oh?" Luo Bingzhang immediately asked, "I don't know what the Sacred Heart is concerned about?"

"It is the first bad policy of the Celestial Empire that officials are greedy!" Zeng Guofan said firmly, "I think Brother Ruzhai and Brother Ji Gao also know? Sichuan Longmao Dao Chongshi reported his duties and said that he was willing to let go of his post and went with the flow. He scolded the emperor. He even refused to even beg for favors in front of the emperor, so he drove him out of the capital."

"I know this, I always blame Baishui for causing trouble, and there is no other way to others." Luo Bingzhang replied, "But that's the case, the emperor's disappointment is conceivable."

"That's it." Zeng Guofan said, "The state implements business courses, and reports to clerks to invade fish and get stuck. Although the trend of tax collectors in various provinces changes greatly, it finally gives people the irony of killing flies and not catching tigers. The emperor cheered up at a young age. How could he tolerate such public opinion in the world?"

Zuo Zongtang listened silently, and suddenly he was blessed to his heart, "I understand!"

"Oh? What does Brother Ji Gao understand?"

"The railway construction is expensive, and the emperor is always unacceptable. On the one hand, it is to carry out the provinces at the same time, and the expenses are too high to bear the burden; on the other hand, it is also afraid that the provinces will be like Jiangning, and the officials will be greedy, and the project funds allocated by the state will fall into the pockets of those officials who are so heartless." He said, while feeling thoughts are like springs, and he continued to follow Zeng Guofan's words just now, "If a railway construction with a mileage in a certain province and the number of people recruiting people is similar to that of Jiangning, the amount of money is similar to that of Jiangning, and the cost will be much less than that of Jiangning. Naturally, there is no need to wait for the emperor to ask, and someone came to Chen to ask, why is the difference between the railways of the two subways so much different from that of the national treasury?"

Luo Bingzhang continued, "The emperor sent people to investigate thoroughly, so Guiliang and others would have been responsible for bribing public relations and doing ugly behaviors that would not be stranger will be revealed to the world!" His excited face shone and he said loudly, "If this is true, no matter how noble Guiliang is, it will be difficult for the national law to blame him."

After Luo Bingzhang finished speaking, the three of them looked at each other and smiled, and they all felt the pleasure of meeting soulmates and talking together. "Then, why not give me a sign tomorrow and be honest with the emperor?"

Zeng Guofan was stunned and thought to himself that Luo Bingzhang was so reckless, how could he be the governor of a province? But when he thought about it, he felt that it was understandable. He had the enthusiasm to speak and act, and he was promoted to the position of governor of a province for the emperor. Naturally, he always thought about how to repay the emperor's kindness, so he would not have much to worry about.

Luo Bingzhang waited for a while, and saw that he didn't speak, he was stunned. He thought about it and realized in his heart, "Thank you, Brother Disheng, for being blocked by me. Luo will achieve something in the future, and it will be the only thing Lord Zeng said today."

Zeng Guofan smiled and said, "It's very late, please invite Brother Ruzhai to enjoy the meal." (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to ***(***.***) to vote for recommendations. ***, your support is my greatest motivation.)
Chapter completed!