Chapter 1215: Shi Xizai's Governing Philosophy

"To answer Your Majesty, Baode Prefecture is indeed remote and poor, but having observed its customs and the condition of its people, I was quite surprised!" said Shi Xizai.

"Your words surprise Me just as much!" Emperor Liu smiled. "As you say, could it be that the poor have found peace in their poverty?"

"Exactly so!" Shi Xizai replied without mincing words.

Meeting Emperor Liu's scrutinizing gaze, Shi Xizai spoke slowly: "Though the territory under Baode Prefecture is poor and remote, it has long enjoyed good order. The people are settled in their homes and content in their occupations. Your Majesty should also know that even before the founding of the Great Han, the old Duke Zhe protected the border and secured the people for twenty years. After the court drove the Khitan north and subjugated the Tangut to the west, the frontier defenses moved further north, and there was no longer any worry of foreign invasion or border troubles. One could say that the officials and people of Baode Prefecture have enjoyed peace for over forty years..."

Listening to this, Emperor Liu nodded but said: "Such a long period of peace is indeed not easy. However, prolonged ease is not necessarily a good thing. Over such a long time, with two or three generations growing up, have no governance problems or social contradictions arisen?"

Clearly, a few words would not be enough to convince Emperor Liu. Shi Xizai responded: "If I said there were none, I would be deceiving Your Majesty! In my inspections of the prefectures and counties, I did indeed see some unjust people and unfair matters. Among the officials, there are no shortage of those who are negligent or lazy in their duties, but this is not a problem unique to Baode Prefecture.

The local customs are fierce yet simple and honest. The people are deferential to the court—even a commoner knows to hold the court's authority in awe. Though the people's livelihoods are poor, except in years of famine, the two annual taxes are paid in full and on time, and they respond actively to military service and corvée labor.

Of course, the commoners' enthusiasm also benefits from Your Majesty's and the court's long-standing policies of lenient governance and benefiting the people, for which the populace is grateful. What I see in this is a harmony between ruler and subject, unity between officials and people—the vigorous and rising fortune of an imperial dynasty..."

"Enough, enough!" Seeing Shi Xizai growing ever more mystical, Emperor Liu hastily interrupted him, casting him a sidelong glance: "Let's hear about Baode Prefecture's problems instead!"

Baode Prefecture was established in the fifth year of Qianyou, its territory formed from the former Fu and Lin Prefectures, a product of the Hedong administrative reform that year. However, as it now appeared, this remote frontier land was somewhat unsuited to being a prefecture.

Noticing Emperor Liu's expression, Shi Xizai showed a trace of embarrassment on his face, then continued: "If there is any problem, it is that the people are fierce in temperament, with serious private feuding. Malicious incidents frequently occur and are difficult to effectively restrain. Moreover, the people prefer to settle matters privately. Official governance is limited to the towns and cities; without detailed investigation and pursuit, it is hard to reach the countryside. The officials are also happy to reduce the trouble of governance..."

"Is this not the situation across the whole country, not just Baode Prefecture? Apart from the fierce local temperament, most regions are exactly the same!" Emperor Liu sighed.

This was the reality that imperial power did not reach the villages. Even though Emperor Liu was unwilling to see this, there was truly nothing to be done. Such was the national condition, such was the social structure—the court could not achieve such meticulous management.

In the past, attempts had been made to change this, such as sending retired soldiers back to the villages to serve as petty officials, intending to break the old clan system. There were positive effects, and some results were achieved—for instance, it enhanced the lower classes' identification with the Great Han Empire and Emperor Liu.

But as time passed, it became clear that this had been wishful thinking. His approach merely granted retired soldiers a favor, allowing them to rely on the authority of the court and government to become new clan elders and local bullies. The structure of the empire's rural society had not changed at all.

By now, Emperor Liu had long abandoned any delusions about extending imperial power to the villages...

"Baode Prefecture is also home to many ethnic groups living together. How are the conflicts between the Hu and Han peoples?" Emperor Liu asked again.

To this, Shi Xizai once again gave an unexpected answer: "Within the prefecture's borders, Han people make up half, while Tangut, Khitan, Tuyuhun and other peoples make up the other half. However, after years of living together and intermingling, conflicts along ethnic lines have already become rare. In farming and herding, neither side encroaches upon the other."

"If that's the case, then it's far less troublesome than the northwestern circuits!" Emperor Liu revealed a slight smile. The historical legacy of ethnic conflicts in the northwest had nearly become an obsession for him.

"In your account, the officials and people of Baode Prefecture are My loyal subjects and obedient citizens. Since they live in poverty, are there any policies or measures to help them grow wealthy and enjoy lasting food and warmth?" he asked Shi Xizai with keen interest.

To this, Shi Xizai slowly shook his head: "To be honest with Your Majesty, regarding the governance and sentiments of Baode Prefecture, I personally feel quite satisfied. Forgive my bluntness—all I can do is maintain clean governance, keep officials incorruptible, crack down on wrongdoing, and secure justice for the people, providing them with a relatively fair and comfortable livelihood. Beyond that, I do not wish to do too much."

"This thinking of yours is unique. Compared to those officials who swear oaths before Me to make the people under their charge wealthy, yours is far more practical!" Emperor Liu raised an eyebrow.

Shi Xizai answered frankly: "The Great Han's territory is vast, with over a thousand prefectures and counties. There are fertile and wealthy lands, but even more places of poverty and hardship. Seeking the people's welfare is a duty to be fulfilled, a responsibility of office. However, if one wishes for wealth, honor, food and warmth, one must rely on the people themselves.

Throughout history, the concern has never been scarcity but inequality. For the common people, fairness comes before wealth. Therefore, all I need to do is exhaust every effort to give the people justice, uphold public conscience, and maintain public law—nothing more!"

Seeing Emperor Liu lost in thought, Shi Xizai continued: "I reached this conclusion after several months of inspection tours in Hedong. In the future, I intend to govern according to this policy. If there is anything improper, I beg Your Majesty to correct me!"

Hearing this, Emperor Liu snapped back to attention, gave Shi Xizai a deep look, and sighed: "I originally took you for a bookish scholar, but this scholar's view is truly thought-provoking!"

"Everyone is different, each with their own governing approach and philosophy. You may carry out your ideas as you see fit. I will watch with anticipation, hoping that in a few years, Hedong will be well governed. But one thing you must remember: emphasizing agriculture and nurturing the people is the fundamental national policy. On this matter, you must devote great effort!" Emperor Liu said gravely.

"I will carefully remember Your Majesty's teachings!" said Shi Xizai.

After a moment, Emperor Liu said: "After all these years, how is the Zhe family's prestige in Baode Prefecture?"

Hearing the Emperor suddenly raise this matter, Shi Xizai's heart tightened slightly. He looked up to observe, and saw that Emperor Liu wore a casual, unconcerned expression. After hesitating for a moment, he decided to speak honestly: "The people within the prefecture, especially the residents of the former Fu Prefecture, still remember with gratitude the kindness of two generations of the Zhe family's dukes and marquises. The common folk have even spontaneously built shrines to the old Duke Zhe, offering worship at all times with an unbroken stream of incense. The Zhe family remains the foremost great clan in Baode Prefecture, with very high prestige."

Unlike other families of imperial relatives by marriage, the Zhe family had a base they had operated for many years, with influence reaching all levels. From the time of the late Duke of the Former State, Zhe Congruan, Emperor Liu had consciously worked to reduce the family's influence over Fu Prefecture—the establishment of Bing Prefecture back then was partly for this reason. Even after the state elder, Zhe Deyi, was transferred away from Baode Prefecture, Emperor Liu had not taken further action against the Zhe family.

Therefore, some of the Zhe family's core members had been transferred to serve in various parts of the Great Han, but within Baode Prefecture, many clan members remained, guarding the prestige and influence accumulated over two generations.

For the Zhe family, twenty-odd years was enough time to stamp a family's mark upon a place. The former Fu Prefecture, now Baode Prefecture, was exactly such a case.

Seeing Shi Xizai's somewhat tense expression, Emperor Liu laughed freely: "Back when the realm was in chaos, the old Duke Zhe toiled tirelessly, cutting through thorns and brambles, to secure a rare refuge for the people of Fu Prefecture. The people do not forget kindness, and to this day they still remember it with gratitude. This shows the simplicity and honesty of their hearts—it is understandable and deserving of praise!"

With that, Emperor Liu instructed the attending Zhang Dejun: "Transmit My oral decree—after passing Taiyuan, have Consort Zhe and her son proceed to Baode Prefecture to offer sacrifices on My behalf. It has been over twenty years; it is fitting that the Worthy Consort return in glory!"

"Yes!"

"Your Majesty is magnanimous and benevolent—I am deeply moved with admiration!" Shi Xizai, hearing this from the side, immediately said.

Emperor Liu smiled. An autumn wind blew past, and he could not help but sneeze. Seeing this, Shi Xizai said: "Your Majesty, the wind here is chilly. Perhaps you should return to the hall to rest!"

Emperor Liu did not insist on enduring. He was still quite attentive to his health these days. Rising, he added an instruction to Shi Xizai: "Assist Li Ye in preparing the matters for the ancestral sacrifices!"

"That is only proper!" Shi Xizai immediately acknowledged.

Upon arriving at Jinyang, offering sacrifices to Heaven and to the ancestors would naturally also be necessary.