In the afternoon, Du Heng picked up the county account sent by Jiang Zuowu and flipped through it. The more he flipped, the more he had a headache, and he ate five bowls of strong tea all afternoon.
Qiuyang County is a bad debt. Although he had expected that it would be a bad debt, he didn't expect it to be so bad.
Now there is only less than two hundred taels of silver in the public account. In such a large Qiuyang County, this little money can be used in the account. It is not as good as a small and well-off merchant family with a shop.
This idea of money is not even enough to pay a monthly salary to more than 100 officials in office.
It's fine if there is no money in the accounts. It is well known that Qiuyang County is poor.
A few years ago, the county was hit by a drought and even borrowed two thousand taels of silver from the court to help the victims. Du Heng remembered that the county did not provide much relief in the past, otherwise there would not be a large number of victims leaving the county to beg for food in other places.
Relief victims may not be able to get relief, left and right are borrowed money and have no more. Over the years, they have stretched out their hands to borrow more or less, and now they owe the court more than 6,000 taels of silver.
Du Heng was very angry when he saw that twenty or thirty letters of payment reminders from the government office had accumulated and were stored together with the accounts.
The county government has a lot of expenses, not to mention supporting a group of officials, it also distributes monthly silver to scholars and juren, repairs county facilities, holds sacrificial ceremonies, helps the poor, etc. In short, money is needed everywhere, but every county To do something, the county treasury had to shake again.
The income of the county government mainly depends on land property, population, taxation, business tax, etc., and there are many names of income, but 60% of the income must be turned over to the imperial court, and the remaining 40% can be reserved for the county.
Since Qiuyang County was affected by the disaster, the population has decreased, the grain production is not much, and the businesses are not doing well. They have left their hometowns one by one, so that the land production tax and commercial tax received by the county government have dropped sharply.
There was not enough money in the county government account, and he was afraid that the imperial court would protect the cinnabar hat, so he had to increase the collection of taxes to meet the imperial court.
The common people farmed steadily, and it became more and more difficult for merchants to earn a living. Most of them were oppressed and became bandits and thieves, or merchants who sold their shops and went away to make a living.
This is a vicious circle, getting poorer and poorer and causing today's scene.
Du Heng knew that it would not be a one-day effort to change all of this. The predicament that had accumulated for many years could not be changed just by saying it. If you are afraid, it is best to humbly ask him how to stabilize the situation.
During the two days of rest, he did not lie down at home to rest, and inquired a lot about the county government.
It is said that Jiang Zuowu was originally interested in the post of county magistrate. He has been in Qiuyang County for less than five years. After the general election, he does not need to be transferred. After the previous county magistrate was demoted, he took the exam. However, he failed to be promoted to magistrate in the evaluation. , I was very depressed and injustice.
After he took over the affairs of the county after he was transferred from the county magistrate, he passed the magistrate's addiction.
It's just that the flowering period is too short, and Jiang Zuowu's dream will wake up as soon as Du Heng comes.
Jiang Zuowu was dissatisfied with the new county magistrate who came to replace him, and it was not respectful for him to come down, so how could Jiang Zuowu make him feel better.
Du Heng pressed his temples, and took another sip of strong tea to refresh himself.
If the team can't get it together, there's nothing left to do. Now if you want to manage the team well, it seems that the most important thing is to get Jiang Zuowu in order, otherwise there will be an old fritter who dominates the people under him and stands against him.
How can you still live in peace if you deceive the upper and lower?
Du Heng thought for a while, and called the only master in charge of the county government office, and briefly asked about the affairs of the county government office.
Ordinary people can only be the master book for five years. As the saying goes, once the emperor and the courtiers, the new magistrate will rarely continue to use the master book used by the previous magistrate. For this reason, the magistrate leaves office. The Registrar will resign himself.
Of course, some officials prefer officials who have experience as master bookkeepers. They feel that they can handle affairs and don't need to be specially taught. They will specially recruit such officials when they take office.
Some who do not want to leave will continue to stay for the new magistrate to inspect, and those who have the means will be appointed again.
Du Heng looked at the man with a mustache who came forward, his back was a little hunchbacked, he was not tall and thin, but a bit fat, probably because he nodded and bowed to him for a long time, so his body was not good-looking.
A long-term smiling face, old and spicy face lines are laugh lines.
"Before I took office, the affairs of the county were managed by the Jiaoyu. There are a lot of affairs in the county. Should you share your worries with the Jiaoyu?
" , the villain only does his own duty, and dare not take credit for the Lord Jiaoyu to share his worries. When the former county magistrate was transferred, it was the busy season of spring plowing in the county. He also lost a lot of weight, and every time a villain sees him, he always blames himself for not being able to share the worries of the adults."
Du Heng smiled slightly, but he really spoke for Jiang Zuowu.
After the former county magistrate left office, Wang Liangxin took advantage of the situation to become the chief bookkeeper in charge of the county magistrate, and the two got along very well.
"Master Jiaoyu is so dedicated, he should be commended."
Du Heng looked at Wang Liangxin: "This official hastily looked through the account books of the county government treasury sent by Jiaoyu today. The county's finances are really tight. If we recruit a large number of officials Money consumes energy."
He paused, and said: "It would be the best if the original team can use it, since it is proficient in handling tasks and can save money. Master Wang, what do you think?"
Wang Liangxin had a strange light in his eyes when he heard the words, he naturally understood the meaning of Du Heng's words, he opened his mustache, and immediately said: "Even if the adults don't say anything, the villains should do things for the adults with all their heart. This official is just an official of the county government. But the master book is only the master book of the county magistrate."
Du Heng raised the corners of his mouth: "I am young and have just taken office, if the king's master book is there to assist in everything, I will get twice the result with half the effort."
Wang Liangxin was proud of himself from the political hall Not long after he came out, he turned around and went to the Jiaoyu office by handing over the official duties to the county magistrate, and told Jiang Zuowu verbatim what Du Heng had said to invite people's hearts.
Jiang Zuowu said: "Since the magistrate highly values the king's master, whether to follow the magistrate to do things as usual, everything is up to the king's master to decide.
" How can he survive five years until the general election when he is concerned about the affairs of the county? Although the villain is stupid, he also knows that there will be a way out by following talented people. Compared with the adults."
Wang Liangxin flattered: "Please don't think the villain is stupid and leave the villain as a cow instead of a horse."
The flattery made Jiang Zuowu happy: "If there is no king's master, I will It will not go smoothly to today, and if there is a day of prosperity in the future, it will definitely be good for Master Wang." "
The Xiaozhi County I don't know how deep it is today to beat the official to warn the people in the county government, I want to see You can be proud of the bad debts of the county government for a few days."
...
The next day, at the beginning of Mao Shichu, the sky was still gray, and the sixth room of the front government office and the office rooms were all lit up. After counting a few people, the number of people should be neat.
Even Jiang Zuowu, who came late every day, stepped on the county government office today.
Yesterday Du Hengjian was beating, everyone dared not be late, if the list was really posted on the bulletin board outside the county gate, it would be a joke for the people in the county to see it.
People have a face and a tree has skin, and officials care most about face. If they lose their dignity in front of the common people, how can they convince the common people in the future.
"Where is the county magistrate?"
Jiang Zuowu came here in a hurry, just to make Du Heng have nothing to say today, but when he arrived at the front office, he didn't see the candles in the Lizheng Hall lit up.
"It seems that the magistrate did not come today."
Jiang Zuowu lowered his eyes, "Didn't you come?"
He hadn't gotten up early to come to the county office for a long time, and he didn't even eat breakfast today, but the magistrate didn't come.
"Your Excellency is really casual."
Jiang Zuowu flicked his sleeves, wanting to curse a few words but lost his dignity, with a smothered face.
Wang Youxin, who has always been good at observing words and expressions, stepped forward and said: "Yesterday, the county magistrate looked through the county accounts in the county government office until sunset and then returned with a tired face. I'm afraid he was tired enough."
Li Dianshi also said: "After all, he has not officially taken office yet, and the county magistrate can come to the front office as he pleases. As long as your colleagues arrive on time, you will not be afraid of being held accountable by the adults." Jiang Zuowu did not listen to Li Dianshi's big words
. Into his ears, Wang Youxin's words made him feel slightly joyful, and after glancing at Li Dianshi, he turned away and started sweating on Dianshi's back.
But at this time Du Heng had already woken up, he wrote two letters in the inner house study and handed them to Yi Yan to send to the courier, one was clearly sent back to Luoxia County, and the other was secretly sent to Ma Yingfan's home .
Two days later, Du Heng, who went to Qianya again, took a mailbox and hung it at the gate of Lizheng Hall.
"I didn't know my colleagues very well when I first came to the county government. You must have something to say, but you dare not get close to me due to many reasons. This time, I hang up this mailbox in the corner of the Lizheng Hall. Anyone who has something to say can be used as a lesson. You can post your letter here."
Du Heng pointed to the mailbox and said, "From now on, every day when the Japanese official visits, Master Wang, you will hand over the letter to this official."
All the officials looked at each other when they heard the words, and suddenly they felt a little worried The colleagues who usually work together look at the mailbox like a thunderbolt that will explode at any time.
But Wang Youxin seemed to have received a heavy responsibility, he stepped forward cheerfully and said: "The villain will definitely do well what the adults tell you." "
What does the county magistrate mean by this? Could it be that you don't trust my colleagues in the county?"
Jiang Zuowu walked in Du Heng Finally, he frowned and said something, as if he really cared about his colleagues.
Then he shook his head helplessly, and said to everyone: "Colleagues, go back to work, unite and work together to do a good job, and you must feel at ease.
" The two of them had competed, no one dared to say more, they bowed their hands and returned to their respective posts.
"It's good to keep an eye on it." Jiaoyu whispered to his operator: "If someone behaves badly, don't blame me for being rude."
Jiang Zuowu looked at the Lizheng Hall with his hands down, and it took him two days to come up with a way to induce people to communicate with him, he is really young.
After that, An Sheng lived for two days. Early this morning, Du Heng went to the county government with a cold face, and it was obvious that Du Heng was in a bad mood today, and no one dared to be rash.
At Chenshi, Du Heng called Jiang Zuowu into the Lizheng Hall.
"Look at the teacher, what's going on here?"
Jiang Zuowu picked up the two notices on the table, because some scholars were dissatisfied with the unfairness of his education in the county. High tuition fees are not allowed to enter the county school to receive education.
He was slightly annoyed, but on the surface he looked humiliated: "My lord, it's not a day or two for the lower officials to preside over the county school, how dare you do such an unfair thing. Please call the person who raised it, sir. The subordinates dare to confront him in court."
Afterwards, Jiang Zuowu presented the evidence that two months ago, he was stopped for donating money to buy Tongsheng's fame to enter the county school and caused trouble, and he was cleared of the suspicion.
Du Heng's face was a little uneasy: "This official was negligent, and almost misunderstood the instruction, and I hope that the instruction will not be taken to heart."
Jiang Zuowu said: "County studies are related to the important affairs of the county's education. If adults care about it, it will cause chaos. How can the official take it to heart, and in the future, he will pay more attention to the matter of the county school so that the adults will not worry."
Jiaoyu looked respectful, but immediately changed his face and let out a cold snort when he left the administrative room.
Thinking that he had grasped some clues, he hurriedly came to account and deal with it, which was a bit too impatient.
Back in the office, Jiang Zuowu called the clerk: "Has anyone posted an anonymous letter recently?" "The
villain has been watching carefully every day, and even after he went down to the office, he also ordered someone, and no one has ever handed over the letter. "
Jiang Zuowu frowned: "Who did he meet
then ? How
did he know about the county school?" His brows deepened: "Since no one has ever been anonymous, Du Heng has never met anyone, and Wang Youxin is always by his side when discussing business affairs, and all the conversations with Liufang Dianshi are recounted. There is nothing wrong with it. Who is it?"
"The villain is stupid."
Jiang Zuowu looked at Wang Youxin, who was always close to Du Heng, and frowned slightly.
Although there were speculations, Wang Youxin was never called, not to let a little thing hurt the heart of the old striker.
On the 21st, it was time for Du Heng to officially take office.
He bathed and changed his official uniform early in the morning, and the county government was opened by inspections, and the officials and six chambers and histories followed each other in a street parade ceremony for the common people to look up to.
The official documents were issued in advance, and the common people walked along the street to watch the bustle all morning. The lonely county street was rarely lively on a non-ji county day.
Du Heng held his head high, paid homage and greetings all the way, placed on a high place and was looked up by all the eyes, no matter who he was, a wave of achievement would spontaneously arise in his heart.
Scholars desperately want to find an official position, and there is no shortage of meritorious deeds that are paraded in the streets to be admired.
"Father, it's Daddy, Daddy is tall!"
Standing on the highest steps by the street, Chengyi saw the procession of parades coming from a distance in the crowded market.
Seeing Du Heng, who was the leader in an official robe, jumping happily: "Daddy is so mighty!"
Wait and see: "This battle is terrible. If I knew it would be like this, I should find a painter to draw this scene, and I will look back on it later. "
Then he went to the front office to hand over the decree of the entrusted administrator, lit incense and offered sacrifices, the etiquette procedures were complicated and trivial.
In the afternoon, he then summoned Lizheng in the 12th Township under the county. After the training and recognition, Lizheng could bring the news back to the village and notify the village households that the new county magistrate had arrived.
In the end, more than a hundred officials from the county government gathered together in the hall.
After the completion of the succession ceremony, it was already past the usual time to go down to the government. Du Heng didn't dislike him and continued to keep him, and scattered all the officials.
"Director Wang, please do some more work with me on official business."
The responsibility of the Registrar itself is only the county's leader, so I dare not say anything wrong.
Du Heng was tidying up his official duties in the Lizheng Hall. When it was time for dinner, he raised his head and glanced out of the window: "It's getting so dark, and I forgot the time as soon as I buried my head. It's delayed you to go home for dinner."
Wang Youxin said: "The county magistrate is concerned with public affairs and forgets himself in dealing with political affairs. It is really a blessing for Qiuyang County. A small person can gain a lot from being with an adult. How can he think that an adult is delaying." Du Heng smiled and said: "It's not early
now Now, why don't you follow me to the inner house to have a meal and then go back, and I will make up for the guilt in my heart."
Wang Youxin is not greedy for this meal, but he is somewhat interested when he hears that Du Heng wants to lure him to the inner house: "My lord If you are so kind, that villain would be more respectful than obedient."
Du Heng patted Wang Youxin on the shoulder with a smile, and led him to the inner house around Congyi Gate.
In the early summer, when the sun sets and the wild geese return to their nests, the refreshing night breeze blows over the face, blowing away the fatigue of the whole body, and making people feel relaxed and refreshed.
Du Heng also talked more, chatting with him about the customs and customs of Qiuyang County along the way, and asking Wang Youxin about the local food characteristics, it opened up Wang Youxin's chatterbox.
After talking about it and talking about Luoxia County in the neighboring county, Du Heng couldn't help but talk about the past when he was poor and studying hard in Bairong Academy.
"Back in the day, my family was poor, and the annual maintenance fee of Bairong Academy was ten taels. When I first entered the academy, I was charged for hard work by the people who worked in the school, because I didn't have enough money to afford it. People looked at me for money and cursed me for being shabby.”
“During the cold days, I rode in an ox cart from the village in the dark and felt the knife-like cold wind to go to the academy to study. When I arrived at the academy, my limbs were already too cold to walk freely. The weather is so cold that even the strands of my hair are frosted into ice." "
In order to make ends meet, I don't hesitate to pretend to be a peddler and sell on the street, just to earn a few coins, and I was once bumped into by my classmates because of this. I feel disgusted that I have lost the character of a scholar."
Du Heng talked about the past with a relaxed tone, but his eyes were filled with sadness: "Since then, I have vowed to stand out and never bow down for two buckets of rice." When he said this
, There was a hint of sharpness in his eyes.
Wang Youxin didn't expect to hear such a remark, but seeing Du Heng's usual simple attire, he thought it was because he wanted to look clean and honest, but he didn't think it was because he didn't have a lot of money.
He arched his back slightly, with a respectful expression that made it impossible for others to see his expression.
Negligence slowly raised the corner of his sleeve and wiped his eyes. He didn't know whether Du Heng's deeds were really touching, or he got into the drama very quickly: "Your Excellency is a model of hard-working and poor scholars. Today, it will inevitably make people cry. To be able to become a county magistrate at such an age is really admirable for villains."
Du Heng raised his neck with his hands behind his back: "That's right. Today, when I am parading around the county with a big horse on my head, and is admired by the people and scholars, I suddenly feel that the humiliation back then seems to have happened in my previous life." "Why
? Come back? It’s been a long time for the meal! The two children are already hungry, how long will they have to wait for you?”
The two talked happily, and before they reached the door of the inner house, a loud roar interrupted the chat .
Wang Youxin couldn't help but be a little surprised by the accusations, and when he raised his head, he saw a young man with a ferocious expression standing on his hips in the yard.
Du Heng hurriedly explained to others: "Today's job is complicated, so I will return later. If the child is hungry, you and the child will eat first. Besides, at noon, it doesn't mean that you will go to the temple today to burn incense and eat vegetarian food, and you won't use it at home. For dinner?"
"You, a father, don't eat with your children, but worry about me not coming back for dinner. Why, where do you want to eat when I'm not here? Could it be that you still think about drinking outside for entertainment? "
Wang Youxin heard that this person is Du Heng's husband in a few words. After listening to the words, he quickly helped Du Heng speak: "Fu Lang don't want to see the crime, my lord has been dealing with official duties in the front office, and came back after finishing the work. "
"This is?"
Du Heng immediately introduced: "This is the king's book in the yamen."
Seeing outsiders coming, Qin Xiaoman's face softened a little: "Why didn't you say in advance that someone would come, go in and wash your hands to eat After saying that
, Qin Xiaoman turned his head and went into the dining hall, although he was completely rude, Du Heng heaved a sigh of relief.
When he turned his head to look at Master Wang, there was a slight embarrassment on his face: "Zhuo Jing has a bit of a temper, don't be overwhelmed."
Wang Youxin's heart was already filled with shock, but he suppressed it as much as possible: " Husband is a straightforward person, how can a villain be so suspicious."
Du Heng just said: "Go and eat."
After this incident, Wang Youxin found that Du Heng not only did not alienate him, but became more and more dependent and trusting on him.
Accompanied by the left and right, he slowly found out that the magistrate was actually a door-to-door son-in-law, who married into a farmer's family in the past, and even the two children followed his elder brother's family name.
All these naturally fell into Jiang Zuowu's ears.
Jiang Zuowu was overjoyed: "There are many people who are officials in such bitter cold, but it is rare to see people who are suppressed by their insiders. It seems that it is much easier to dismount this young Xinzhi county than he thought. "
Wang Youxin's eyes showed slyness: "It's no problem to teach adults to deal with such fledgling young people."
On this day, Du Heng arrived in Xiumu and was still refusing to leave. Wang Youxin guessed Du Heng based on experience He deliberately didn't want to go back so early to live under the same roof with his yaksha-like husband, and he could win a reputation for being diligent in the front office.
Wang Youxin was not in a hurry to leave, and continued to help Du Heng organize his official affairs.
"Your Excellency has been tired all day, let's have a cup of tea."
Du Heng took the teacup: "You should go back earlier today, and you don't have to stay with me anymore.
" It's a good fortune for me to be an official."
Du Heng smiled slightly, without saying yes or no, he just raised his head and drank the tea in one gulp.
Wang Youxin saw that he didn't feel disgusted by testing Du Heng, so he became more courageous: "Your official speaks too much, my lord is now the magistrate of the seventh rank, if you are still suppressed by your wife, it will not be a good thing for your lord or even for the official voice."
Du Heng said: "But if it weren't for him, I wouldn't be where I am today, and the two children are still young."
Wang Youxin saw that Du Heng was willing to confide in his heart, and continued: "My lord is a person who values love and righteousness. To put it bluntly, he will be suppressed by his wife. , It’s also because there is no head of the family.”
Du Heng rubbed his brows and said, “I know the reason, but he took care of the family after he married, and he deliberately fought for it, but the uncle of the Qin family is a tough person. If so."
Wang Youxin said in a low voice: "If the adults want to be more comfortable with money, the villain is willing to lay down the ground for the adults."
Du Heng's eyebrows moved slightly: "What can you do?"
Wang Youxin leaned forward and whispered in a low voice. Du Heng's countenance changed when he heard the words: "No, accepting bribes is a taboo in the imperial court. If you are at least
suspended from your post for inspection, at worst you will be dismissed directly!"
The county magistrate takes care of everything for the county and the people, so he should collect some gifts."
Wang Youxin said very considerately: "Furthermore, it is someone who expresses their wishes voluntarily, and it is not an adult's intentional request. It is nothing more than a willingness to fight and another willing to suffer.
" Qi: "Recently, there have indeed been many country gentry members expressing their hearts to this official. They were concerned about court discipline, and this official refused. I heard that those who were rejected were quite critical." "When the water is clear, there will be no fish. If you are
strict Wouldn't it be chilling to reject these squires in accordance with the imperial court's laws? In the future, the county government will issue an order, and if these squires do not cooperate, the order of the county government will not be carried out." Du Heng was silent, and then said after a long
while : "Before I took office, someone told me that the master still needs to be selected personally, but I am glad that you are here to offer advice and solve the worries.
"
Du Heng smiled slightly.
In a few days, Wang Youxin noticed that those who went to Du Heng's house with things did not return in vain, but came out with empty hands.
Jiang Zuowu was overjoyed, and said to Wang Youxin: "They are all expensive and good things, don't let the treasure book be unnamed." "
Master Jiang, just rest assured, the villain knows what to do."
Qin Xiaoman looked into the storeroom There are more and more things in the box, gold and silver utensils, jewels and jewels, which are shining brightly when you open the box.
There are many things that he has never seen before. He thought that Du Heng had become a squire, and he had gained a lot of insight. But after seeing these gifts, he was really dazzled, so he knew that he was still a frog at the bottom of a well.
It's no wonder that people are not greedy enough. If you become a Juren, you want to be an official, and if you are a small official, you want to be a big official.
The status is different, and the dedication is different.
Du Heng rubbed Qin Xiaoman's head that was about to get into the box: "Okay, I have to count them one by one. This matter must not be sloppy, otherwise it will not only confirm the name of a corrupt official, but also fall into the trap." The handle is in someone's hands."
Qin Xiaoman raised his head: "I've been pretending to be fierce these days for you, why don't you reward me?"
Du Heng held the brush and said leisurely: "You still need to dress?"
Qin Xiaoman twisted Du Heng's arm with his backhand: "Who are you talking about?"
Du Heng took a breath, and repeatedly begged for mercy: "I'm fierce, I'm fierce. Just show your hands and spare the villain!"