Chapter 505 Government affairs, indigenous officials
The spring breeze is still chilly, but under the noon sun, all the black earth has been exposed, and there is still a trace of heat.
More than a dozen oxen pulled iron plows, plowing the fields into wavy furrows that stretched into the distance. The moist smell of the soil rushed into the nose, and the working farmers grinned, as if it was a refreshing fragrance.
Chen Jisheng stood on the slope, watching with a smile and stroking his beard happily.
Liaonan is already an old base area, and every village has public cattle and skilled government officials are responsible for all tasks, so he does not need to worry about it.
It's just that Liaodong was newly restored, or that it was new land that was included in the development plan. Villages and towns were first built, and the field survey was very rough, so it took a lot of effort to start the work.
This year is another critical period for planning a major counterattack, and the consumption of money and food will be huge. If spring plowing is delayed, there may be a famine in late autumn.
But if the land can be plowed to the fullest, all the crops can be planted, and the year is good, the total grain output is expected to double. Whether it is the army or the people, they will not have to worry about food for a year.
"Sir." A young official trotted over and bowed to report: "The fields in the neighboring village will be plowed today, and they will rush to Xiaotun tomorrow."
Chen Jisheng motioned to the document next to him to record it, and said, "You are here to supervise the farming. I am going to the port to receive a batch of cattle."
The official said happily: "The cattle have been shipped again. Now we can definitely complete the spring plowing plan. Maybe we can even exceed the quota!"
Chen Jisheng smiled and nodded, and said: "This is purchased from Shandong and Jianghuai areas. Guo Shuai sent people to do it. There are three to four hundred heads."
The official laughed and said, "Guo Shuai always thinks of ways, and he is really rich, which is both enviable and admirable."
Chen Jisheng's face became serious and he said: "Guo Shuai is good at business and has a good way of making money, but he is also generous and generous. His contribution to Dongjiang Town cannot be measured by money."
The official quickly replied seriously: "I made a mistake while humble in my position. Please forgive me."
Chen Jisheng's face brightened slightly, he waved his hand and said, "Pay more attention in the future. Okay, I will leave now, and I will leave the work here to you."
"Your Majesty, I obey." The official bowed and said, "Don't worry, Sir, the work of spring plowing and resettling the people has been done well, and there will be no mistakes."
Chen Jisheng shook his head helplessly and said: "There are still a shortage of government personnel, and it is difficult to recruit suitable talents! I wonder how many of the newly arrived immigrants are literate?"
The official scratched his head. There was nothing he could do about it. He could only suffer more. Who would make people nervous!
As for the newly arrived immigrants, even if they meet the requirements, they still need to practice for a period of time. I am afraid that they will have to wait until spring plowing before they can be safely employed.
"The staff transferred from Liaonan should be arriving soon." The official comforted Chen Jisheng as he walked and said, "Everything will be a little busier when it is first started. Once it is smoothed out, it will be easier."
Chen Jisheng nodded in agreement, took the reins, and galloped south with a dozen people.
The young official turned back and extended his hand to greet someone not far away. Two middle-aged men hurried over, nodding and bowing with smiling faces.
"The villagers have kept a clear record of how much food they have entertained, and the government will reimburse them." The official showed a bit of arrogance on his face, gesticulating and said: "There are also large livestock for plowing. We also need to add fine materials and plow the land."
That’s so exciting!”
"Don't worry, sir, everything has been prepared." The dark-faced middle-aged man said with a smile on his face, respectfully and humbly: "It's just that the conditions in the village are simple, I'm afraid I have wronged you all."
Another man's face was yellow, but his eyes were very bright. He looked very shrewd at first glance, and he echoed: "I have asked the young people in the village to hunt some game, more or less, so I can't treat you adults badly.
"
The young official enjoyed this feeling of superiority. His face brightened a little, and he waved his hand and said, "Forget about the game. The manpower is already tight, so don't occupy it."
"Yes, yes." The yellow-faced man bowed and thanked: "Your Excellency, you can be considerate. He is indeed a good official who is close to the people."
Well, the title "Good Official" sounds pleasant to my ears.
The smile on the young official's face grew brighter and he said slowly: "From now on, the construction of the village will rely more on the two of them. During the off-farm time, we will build roads and build houses, and make them neat and tidy, so that people can tell that the village is on the way."
Having a good time."
"Don't worry, sir. We've all seen the villages and towns in southern Liaoning, so we'll treat them as they are. It's no problem for the common people. Who doesn't want to live a good life and live in a spacious and clean place?"
The young official nodded and sat down in the company of the two village stewards. They chatted and pointed out the farming situation. The villagers also brought tea and served them very attentively.
The distinction between officials and people is inevitable, and it is the same no matter what dynasty you go to. Although the government officials in Dongjiang Town do not have official status stipulated by the court, in the eyes of the people, they are no different from officials.
Guo Dajing hopes that government officials can be friendly to the people and not be pedantic nerds. But as time goes by, government officials feel that their status is different from that of ordinary people, and they develop a arrogant attitude. There is nothing they can do about it.
In fact, as long as there is no corruption and no harm to the people, it is within the scope that Guo Dajing can accept.
The idea that everyone is equal is just a slogan. In fact, absolute equality does not exist and cannot exist.
………………
The carriage was running along the road when it suddenly hit a rock and jumped up and down suddenly.
Ouch! Caught off guard, Xiaoqin cried out as she held her head against her head. Wu Qing beside her laughed twice, stretched out her hand to rub her, and comforted her with gentle words.
After a long while, Xiaoqin returned to normal and a smile appeared on her face.
This time they were seconded to Liaodong. Because they were single, Wu Qing and Xiaoqin were both on the list. Moreover, they were leaving in a hurry. With their passes and official documents, they could take the stage carriage all the way to Liaodong.
Now, they have passed Chengzitan and are only a few dozen miles away from Zhuanghe River.
"Sister Wu, do you think we will stay in Liaodong after the secondment?" Xiaoqin was a little worried, but she still thought it would be better to return to the state and was unwilling to live in a strange place for a long time.
Wu Qing smiled and shook her head and said: "Since it is a secondment, then naturally I have to go back."
After a pause, she added: "Actually, it's the same everywhere. Unless you are single, the actual difficulties of the individual must be taken into consideration."
Xiaoqin thinks it makes sense. Even if she doesn't want to, the above arrangement is just for this job, so she can't refuse it.
"When Liaodong is pacified, we still don't know where we will be transferred to work?"
Wu Qing hugged Xiaoqin, treating her as her own sister, and said earnestly: "Think about it, Liaoyang, Shenyang, Jinzhou, and Guangning, how big the territory is, and how many government personnel are needed."
"Yes!" Xiaoqin said a little helplessly: "It seems that I am still too short-sighted and have little knowledge. I am just familiar with one place and I really don't want to change it!"
Wu Qing patted the back of Xiaoqin's hand and said with a smile: "I won't change it all the time. I guess it will only take one or two times to stabilize. If I walk a few more places, it will be like a sightseeing tour. No.
It’s pretty good too. Maybe the place I want to change to will be much better than now!”
Xiaoqin grinned and said, "Sister Wu, after hearing what you said, I don't seem depressed, but my heart becomes brighter."
"Isn't that what it is?" Wu Qing said matter-of-factly: "We call this a business trip. In addition to salary, we also have subsidies. Others are envious of us!"
Xiaoqin blinked her big eyes, chuckled, and said, "Yes, Wenxiu would like to come, but because of Zhen'er's ties, the superiors don't agree."
"If it weren't for the real shortage of manpower, we two women wouldn't have been transferred." Wu Qing said with some helplessness: "In the end, it is more convenient for men, even if they have a family."
Xiaoqin fell silent, feeling a little uneasy.
She really likes her current job, but in the future, if there are more men, will women like them be gradually eliminated?
But soon, she threw away her worries while chatting with Wu Qing. She was tired and annoyed by thinking so much all day long. Looking at Sister Wu who was married, and then looking at Wenxiu with a little girl, they all lived better than
Make yourself happy.
The carriage stopped at the door of the inn, and the coachman asked with a smile: "Two adults, shall we continue on our way, or shall we rest here for the night before leaving?"
A small one is located ten miles away, and a big one is located thirty miles away. The conditions of a large inn are naturally better than those of a small one. The inn in front of you looks big.
Wu Qing thought for a moment and said, "Can we get to Zhuanghe County tomorrow?"
The coachman nodded repeatedly and said, "We'll be there before dark. I guarantee I won't miss your mission."
"Then let's rest for the night before leaving." Wu Qing made a decision, and got out of the carriage with Xiaoqin, stretching her somewhat stiff legs and feet.
The carriage behind also stopped, with two intern male government officials on it.
Because Wu Qing works hard and has a high level of education, she is already three levels higher than them in rank. This time she is the leader. Even Xiaoqin has passed the internship period and is one level higher than them.
The coachman and two men worked diligently to unload the luggage from the car and carry it into the inn.
Only civil servants and soldiers can stay and eat inside the inn, while there are simple houses outside for those immigrants.
Now that the sea route is open, there are not many people going to the resettlement place by land. There are some people living in the post station. Wu Qing and others saw a dozen war horses in the stable.
There should be people from the army here. Wu Qing and others were willing to be busy and explained the situation to the station management staff. After registration, they were arranged into two small rooms.
After putting their luggage and belongings inside the house, Wu Qing and Xiaoqin fetched water, washed themselves, and rested for a while when the sound of "dinner" came from outside.
The food in the inn is neither good nor bad, and it is of a certain standard. Wu Qing and Xiaoqin were also prepared. They brought two clay pots with them, which were pickled side dishes that they had made. They were sour and spicy, delicious and appetizing.
.
There were seven or eight tables in the dining hall. Not long after Wu Qing and others sat down, a dozen men dressed as sergeants walked in, surrounded by a senior official, and sat at three tables.
There was actually a woman in the dining hall, which attracted the attention of the group, and they cast doubtful and curious glances from time to time.
Xiaoqin was a little embarrassed, but seeing Wu Qing looking calm and having her colleagues beside her, she felt a lot more at ease.
Stir-fried vermicelli with cabbage, potato and seaweed soup, four grilled sea fish, and fried pancakes mixed with white and black flour. It's not rich, but it smells delicious.
Wu Qing opened the clay pot, added another side dish, and invited Xiaoqin and her colleagues to start eating.
"It's sour, spicy, and delicious." The male colleagues in the internship either cheered or praised it sincerely.
Wu Qing smiled and nodded the Xiaoqin and said: "She pickled this, but you can't eat it in the cafeteria."
Xiaoqin smiled a little shyly, didn't say much, lowered her head and drank the soup.
The food at Chen Jisheng's side was the same, and he ate it deliciously. He looked at Wu Qing and others' table again, smiled and nodded gently.
From the conversation he heard, he had already guessed that these were government officials who had been transferred. Although he knew there were women among them, he was still quite relieved to see them with his own eyes.
There is no way, Dongjiang Town has always lacked talents who are literate, able to write and do calculations. It turns out that there are few people, little land, few things to do, and a rough management model, but it can still cope with it.
However, with the substantial growth of territory, the massive increase in population, and the introduction of various policies and measures, the lack of government personnel was suddenly exposed.
During that period, I was really hungry for talents, and I recruited anyone with a little bit of education to use. I finally got through the most difficult period.
Although there were many mistakes in the work, fortunately there were no major problems. The people were honest and the land was distributed as much as possible, so the mistakes were gradually corrected in the future.
Until now, there are still gaps in government personnel. But the most difficult period has been passed, and Chen Jisheng has the confidence to manage a larger territory and train more government officials.
As for whether it was a man or a woman, Chen Jisheng didn't care too much. As long as it was beneficial to Dongjiang Town, those outdated ideas didn't matter.
What's more, Chen Jisheng also knows very well. If we don't use these local talents for management, how can we still dominate the country?
Hands over to the imperial court, to those imperial examination officials who are full of knowledge but do not know how to love and care for the people?
Only these officials who work from the grassroots level, have feelings for Dongjiang Town, and love and care for the people can preserve the achievements of the Dongjiang Army's bloody battles, so that Liaodong will not be like the mainland, where people are in dire straits and civil unrest occurs.
"Go and ask them to give you some pickled side dishes." Chen Jisheng ordered with a smile on his face and pushed a small plate over. "Looking at how sweet they are eating, I'm also craving for the sour and spicy taste."
The captain of the guard smiled, took the small plate, stood up and walked to the table where Wu Qing and others were sitting, and said politely: "From what you said, my family also wants to try the hot and sour pickled dishes. I wonder if I can share one."
dish?"
Wu Qing and others were a little stunned, and Xiaoqin opened her eyes wide, not knowing how to reply.
"You're welcome, Master." Wu Qing was not afraid of soldiers. Instead, she felt close to them. She quickly took the small plate and filled it up, and said with a smile: "If it's not enough, you can change it to a larger plate."
The captain of the guard cupped his hands and said cheerfully, "Thank you." After saying that, he walked back with the small plate and placed it in front of Chen Jisheng.
Chen Jisheng smiled and nodded. He was very satisfied with the captain's attitude and admired Wu Qing's reaction. He was generous and neither humble nor overbearing. It is very rare for a woman to be like this.
He picked up a piece of pickled vegetables with his chopsticks and put it into his mouth. Chen Jisheng chewed it and nodded in praise.
Crisp, sour and spicy, very delicious. It is unexpected that ordinary radish and cabbage can produce such a taste.