Lei Ming didn't know if he understood or not. He nodded and said what he said every time he was speechless in an argument: "You talk a lot, but you are right."
Li Xiaotian rolled his eyes at Lei Ming and concluded: "Facts speak louder than words. Whether it is a mule or a horse, we will know after reading the accounts and political achievements."
Before a cup of tea arrived, Zhong Yong came to the hall and said that the accounts and performance books were ready for Li Xiaotian to review.
Geng Nian and Lei Ming couldn't help much with the search. In addition, they were tired of traveling all the way, so they were asked to rest.
Li Xiaotian sat alone in front of the case, looking at the books piled high on the table. Compared with the other eight states, it was not just a little bit more, but nearly half. Obviously, this Zhong Yong was a meticulous master and remembered the accounts in great detail.
As always, Li Xiaotian immediately selected some years' accounts to check. As he expected, there were no problems. He didn't even find some minor problems. They were absolutely correct. Then, Li Xiaotian looked at the performance book again. He didn't know whether he should say he was happy or disappointed.
Zhong Yong takes this position
Over the years, his political achievements are as sparse and ordinary as his accounts. They are all carried out according to the decrees of the palace, without any reforms at all. It can be said that both the accounts and political achievements are just like his name, he is moderate and does not seek merit.
, but seek no fault.
"Did I make a mistake?"
Li Xiaotian murmured to himself, obviously, there is a huge gap between mediocrity and talent.
After reading all the accounts and achievements, Li Xiaotian called Zhong Yong to see if he was a real talent.
"Sir, please call me, but there is an error in the account book?"
As soon as he entered the room, Zhong Yong asked lazily.
"No." Li Xiaotian shook his head.
Zhong Yong then asked: "Is there a problem with political performance?"
"No."
"Then what orders do you have for me?" Zhong Yong rubbed his eyes, obviously he had just woken up.
Li Xiaotian did not answer, but asked: "Zhong Zhoumu seems to like sleeping very much."
"Sir, I have finished my official business a long time ago. I am not good at eating or drinking, and I don't have any special hobbies. I just like to sleep and doze off in my free time. Compared with reading and fishing, I think sleeping can cultivate my sentiments better." Zhong
Yongdao, the underlying meaning is that there is no slacking in government, you can do whatever you want in your spare time, and no one can control it.
"I have something to say, your hobby is quite enviable. I am afraid that only people who have seen through the world can have this hobby, not like me." After Li Xiaotian sighed, he added: "I want to ask Zhongzhou Mu
, what do you think about me going all the way to the Prefecture and Mufu’s Office?”
"Corrupt officials are naturally very good at copying." Zhong Yongyan said concisely and comprehensively.
Another answer of the mean. This Zhong Yong simply takes the doctrine of the mean to its extreme.
"What do you think of me, but it doesn't matter." Li Xiaotian asked again.
"This official and your Excellency have met for the first time and have not been together for a long time, so naturally it is impossible to make any assumptions." Zhong Yong replied, as steady as a mountain.
"This year is the year of bad luck, you should know that." Li Xiaotian kept chasing after him, but he didn't believe it anymore and couldn't pry him off.
Zhong Yong nodded: "Sir, I know."
"So, has Chuzhou made any preparations?" Li Xiaotian went straight in. This guy must have nowhere to hide now.
Zhong Yong replied: "Reserve food, widen rivers, and dig canals..."
Before he could finish memorizing it, Li Xiaotian interrupted: "Aren't these the imperial court's coping strategies? Tell us what you think."
Zhong Yong sighed and said: "There is a catastrophic disaster coming from heaven. I can only obey the destiny. How can I have any ideas?"
"It seems that I really made a mistake. I always thought you were hiding your clumsiness, but I didn't expect you were really clumsy." Li Xiaotian laughed.
"A catastrophic disaster from heaven is an irresistible force that cannot be cured. Who can stop it?" Zhong Yong was quite unconvinced.
"If God is not kind, then he will go against the will of heaven and accept things like this. What will happen in the next calamity year and the next calamity year? Although I have only been in office for a short time, I have been thinking about this matter along the way. I really want to have a big plan to solve this problem.
." Li Xiaotian said.
"I would like to hear the good news, sir. If this plan is feasible, it can really save tens of millions of people from suffering. I, Zhong Yong, will have no regrets even if I sacrifice my life!"
Seeing that Li Xiaotian didn't seem to be joking, Zhong Yong changed his attitude and swore on his own body.
"On this journey, from north to south, I experienced countless rivers and rivers, and the sixteen states of the Autumn Kingdom. Every year during the calamity period, there would be severe drought in the four states in the north and floods in the four states in the south. Or there would be severe drought in the four states in the south and floods in the four states in the north.
, I have been wondering if there is a way to get the best of both worlds and make them complementary. Along the way, I finally came up with a feasible and bold idea to build a grand canal that runs through eight states." Li Xiaotian said.
Zhong Yong's eyes lit up and he said: "The man-made Grand Canal runs through eight states. It can send floods to drought areas through the canal. In this way, floods and droughts can be perfectly neutralized. Not only that, the canal can break the limitations of land transportation.
, the use of water transportation has greatly strengthened trade exchanges between various places, and in this way, it can also improve the national economy. It is really a brilliant plan to kill three birds with one stone!"
"Your Excellency's plan is very good. It's just to build an artificial canal that runs through eight states. The amount of money and manpower consumed is extremely huge. Even if the Holy One agrees, those officials who enjoy comfort in Kyoto will definitely try their best to obstruct it.
They agreed that it is no less difficult than building an artificial canal." Zhong Yong told the truth.
The ideal is very full, but the reality is very skinny.
"There must be a road before the car reaches the mountain. As long as His Majesty agrees, all civil and military officials must agree even if they don't agree." Li Xiaotian said solemnly.
Seeing Li Xiaotian's upright look, Zhong Yong suddenly felt admiration in his heart. Suddenly he knelt down and said: "I was rash when I was a lower-ranking official. Please forgive me!"
Li Xiaotian smiled and said: "Having personality is also a kind of cuteness. I also like your unruly look."
Zhong Yong said: "My lord is laughing."
"It's really rare to be able to hold the position of state pastor and be able to have a clear mind. I saw your impassioned look just now. You must be a talented person. Why do you do mediocre things?" Li Xiaotian asked in confusion.
Zhong Yong sighed helplessly and said: "At this point, I will tell you the truth. As a state pastor, I have jurisdiction over more than ten counties. If I can't make a difference in this position, I'll put it bluntly, it's all in vain.
This is a second-grade official title, so since I took office, I have put forward suggestions and reforms again and again, without exception.
Everything outside is sinking into the sea. I am not a person who loves fame and wealth. I have thought about resigning and returning home several times. However, when I think about the current filthy officialdom, if I abdicate, nine out of ten new officials in Chuzhou will be corrupt. I can’t bear to look at the people.
If I suffer, I can only stick to being a state pastor. I can neither make changes nor govern by doing nothing."
Li Xiaotian said: "So that's it. After I return to Beijing, I will report to His Majesty the opening of the canal. If it is confirmed, I will need Zhongzhou Mu's pragmatic help."
Zhong Yong said solemnly: "I am willing to do my best and go through fire and water without hesitation."
Li Xiaotian sighed: "It's just that this year's bad luck year cannot be avoided. I hope this is the last bad luck year."