At this moment, Magistrate Li was sitting in the second hall reading official documents, but his mind was thinking about Fang Yingwu. He couldn't figure out whether Fang Yingwu was here to solve problems or create trouble?
Why did the imperial court send such a young man as an imperial envoy with little success but more than failure? Money and food are important matters for the military and state. Is this being treated as a child's play by His Majesty?
Suddenly I heard Chang Sui standing outside the door and shouting: "Sir, it's not good! The door guard in front sent a message, saying that there are scholars blocking the gate of the government office!"
Magistrate Li quickly asked: "Do you know what is going on?"
Chang Sui replied angrily: "I heard that they are dissatisfied with the imperial envoy! These scholars are simply unreasonable. They have a grudge against the imperial envoy. Why should they come to the government office to trouble you, sir!"
Magistrate Li was stunned when he heard this, and then shouted: "What do you know! Why don't you quickly invite the leaders of the petitioners in? I want to see them!"
Several scholars came in, and after seeing the courtesy of Magistrate Li, they talked eloquently: "The sage said, harsh government is fiercer than a tiger! It is rumored that there will be harsh government in this government, and the people in the county will not be able to live and work in peace and contentment. What do you think, Father?"
Magistrate Li solemnly said: "If the people's sentiments are like this, how dare I not take it to heart? I should do my best to exchange for peace."
"Prefect Li is so righteous that he can be admitted to the famous official temple of this mansion, and he is ranked among the sages. I also ask Prefect Li to make decisions for the people of Suzhou Prefecture!" All the scholars praised together, and said what Magistrate Li wanted to hear most.
talk.
Every place has a famous temple, and officials who have made outstanding contributions to the local area can be included in the temple. As an economic and cultural center, the reputation of the famous temple in Suzhou is of course much higher than that of other prefectures and counties.
The much-anticipated memorial tablets of famous officials, as well as the huge connections among the gentry of Suzhou Prefecture...who wouldn't want to get it? Magistrate Li is no exception, and now the opportunity seems to have come.
The scholars had a lively conversation with Magistrate Li. After the petition was successfully completed, they all left, and the Magistrate ordered the sedan to be prepared.
After that, Magistrate Li rushed to the imperial envoy's residence and asked to meet the imperial envoy. Fang Yingwu had just gotten up from his nap and heard that the magistrate had arrived. He quickly washed and changed clothes and went to the middle gate to greet Magistrate Li.
After the guests and hosts entered the lobby and sat down to have tea, Fang Yingwu asked: "Prefect Li suddenly arrived for a visit. I was a little distant to greet you. I don't know why I came?"
Magistrate Li replied: "Before noon today, dozens of local scholars rushed to the government office to petition me about the grain tax."
Fang Yingwu was a little surprised and said with a smile: "Prefect Li can just deal with this matter. Come here to talk to me. Is there something inside?"
Magistrate Li hesitated for a moment. Then he gritted his teeth and made up his mind, "This shows that the morale of the people is strong. I boldly ask Mr. Fang to withdraw the previous order to reassure people and avoid public turmoil."
The smile on Fang Yingwu's face stopped for an instant, and his eyes gradually became sharp. What was Magistrate Li's suggestion? He was an imperial envoy. He took back the order within a few days, so how could he have the face to face it?
This imperial envoy?
Is this a self-slapping suggestion that a local official should say to an imperial envoy? Is the imperial envoy holding the imperial seal a puppet made of clay?
"I don't understand what you mean." Fang Yingwu said gloomily. Magistrate Li repeated: "Be bold and ask Mr. Fang to withdraw the order. Suzhou is very lucky that everyone can live in peace."
Fang Yingwu looked through the door of the hall, looked at the big tree in front of the court, and said in an unclear tone: "I have my own method, but it needs to be implemented step by step. It's just the beginning now.
No matter what the consequences are, I will be responsible for everything. Your magistrate only listened to a few gossips and asked me to withdraw the order. It would be too much for my life! The imperial envoy is our counterpart, not you, Li Tingmei!
What's more, the imperial court appointed you as the prefect of Suzhou. The purpose is for you to follow the imperial court's instructions and appease the local area, rather than hijack public opinion and oppose this imperial envoy! Don't you know the principle of eating the emperor's salary and sharing the emperor's worries?"
Magistrate Li was a little afraid to look at Fang Yingwu, and glanced away guiltily, and replied: "What Mr. Fang said is absolutely true, but I also know that serving as an official for one term will benefit a party."
Fang Yingwu frowned and said nothing. Previously he felt that the prefect was very naughty and didn't want to do things without offending others. But it seemed to be different today. He was clearly going against him. What did this mean?
It seems that the so-called slyness of a slick person is actually just a facade, which is just a cover-up for the inner world. When there are real interests at stake, who would not know about the so-called slyness?
Thinking of this, Fang Yingwu stopped talking nonsense and asked directly: "This official job cannot be done without the support of the local government. I have given you opportunities again and again, are you sure you insist on doing this?"
Magistrate Li was silent again for a while and then said: "Master Fang, please listen to my advice and don't be too hasty in doing things. If the matter is caused by the prefecture and county officials jointly signing a letter, and the local gentry and elders also writing a letter, I am afraid that the imperial envoy will also be seated."
Unstable."
Is this a threat to himself? Fang Yingwu really didn't accept this trick. He sneered repeatedly and stopped being muddled. He slapped the table and said, "Okay, let's see the guests off!"
As for Magistrate Li's thoughts, he had already guessed 80% of them, so he was too lazy to make excuses and sent him away as soon as possible, and then everyone could do their best.
Fang Yingwu knew that all the behaviors of Governor Li were based on one judgment - his imperial envoy would definitely not succeed. It was under this premise that Governor Li made the "correct" decision.
Everyone knows how difficult it is to supervise food in Suzhou Prefecture under today's conditions. The difficulty is not only the difficulty of doing things, but also the difficulty of personal encounters. It is necessary to complete the task, and if you fail to complete it, you will not be able to please both sides.
You will be scolded by the locals, and you will be blamed by the court on the other side.
Since ancient times, how many people have a good reputation who have made great wars for money and food and suffered special defeats? The simplest example is, how famous is Wang Anshi of the previous Song Dynasty compared to Sima Guang?
Therefore, Fang Yingwu knew very well that if he failed this time, his reputation would be bad. Words such as plundering, exploiting, and striving for profit would be inevitable. And the public opinion of scholars in Suzhou Prefecture would not give him a good look, and he would definitely be smeared.
, not to mention that he had a bad relationship with the Suzhou scholar circle.
Magistrate Li, on the other hand, can use the banner of asking for orders for the people and come forward to oppose the imperial envoy's misdeeds. When he is exposed, he will definitely win praise and become a beautiful scenery.
For Governor Li, this is the choice with the least risk and the greatest return. Every qualified politician knows how to do it. In other words, the difference between politicians lies in this place.
Fang Yingwu sighed, people's hearts are generally like this. We can't force all officials to have the qualities of politicians, just get used to it. Magistrate Li just did what a standard politician should do, but this person is bound to regret it!
