Chapter 1232: A Small City, Few People

After entering Fengzhou city, the scene inside made Emperor Liu's eyes light up, even exceeding his expectations. Although the roads in the city were narrow and mostly dirt paths, they were simple and clean—especially the main thoroughfares, which were paved with stone slabs and looked smooth and level. There were also some shops and taverns along the streets. Of course, there were still quite a few vacant areas as well.

The timber-and-earth civilian houses, though crude and uneven in height, did not give one a sense of desolation or decline. Perhaps it was because of the imperial visit, or perhaps because the city's population was not large to begin with, the place seemed very quiet.

The entire city of Fengzhou looked monotonous, even bleak, but it was extremely orderly. Clearly, the local government had put genuine thought into the management of the city and its people.

Such a result naturally won Emperor Liu's favor once again. Toward Fengzhou's military, officials, and people, he indeed harbored a mentality of compassion. The bitter cold and remote environment was hard to change, and poverty was a reality—but if, because of that, one wallowed in self-abandonment, sank into degeneracy, gave up on oneself, and let management slide, then crying about hardship and poverty would instead invite Emperor Liu's contempt.

While in Hedong, a conversation with Shi Xizai had given Emperor Liu much to reflect on: if the common people wanted to improve their lives and escape hardship, in the end they had to rely on themselves. Those who live by the mountain live off the mountain; those who live by the water live off the water—self-reliance.

And compared to other impoverished regions, Fengzhou, because of its special geographical position and military value, had still received a certain degree of policy support. For example, in fiscal and tax matters, over the past ten years, it was either reductions or exemptions. Adding in the financial assistance from earlier years, the imperial court had not only collected little tax revenue from here but had actually poured in a considerable amount. Moreover, the court also bore a large portion of the supply costs for the local garrison troops.

Therefore, although Fengzhou was poor, it itself had not been burdened much by the imperial court.

However, although his first impression was quite good, Emperor Liu did not show it on his face. On the contrary, he even had Crown Prince Liu Yang personally go inspect and tour both inside and outside the city.

Emperor Liu had only one pair of eyes and one pair of ears. Even with what he saw with his own eyes, he could not guarantee whether all of this was a facade arranged by Feng Guang to cater to him. After calming down, Emperor Liu would regard any person or matter with a certain degree of scrutiny and even suspicion—this was something he could hardly change for the rest of his life.

"What's going on with these things?" Emperor Liu pointed at an empty area at the street corner and asked.

That spot was next to the barracks and appeared to be a storage yard. Near the main road, firewood, fodder, and other items were neatly stacked—the timber all split—and beside them was a large pile of pitch-black coal. To guard against moisture, some simple rainproof measures had also been arranged.

Upon hearing the question, Feng Guang hurriedly explained: "To answer Your Majesty, winter has already set in. Whether official or commoner, what everyone fears most is hunger and cold, so heating materials are especially important. Since the field headquarters had traveled from afar, your servant specially led the people in stockpiling extra firewood, charcoal, and fodder for the field headquarters' use..."

"How thoughtful of you!" Emperor Liu glanced at Feng Guang and said: "This isn't just a little extra—it's piled up into small mountains. With this much, how much labor did it cost the people? I have long issued strict decrees that wherever the imperial tour passes, local governments need not present tribute, let alone waste manpower and money!"

Hearing Emperor Liu say this and sensing the somewhat stern tone, Feng Guang hurriedly explained: "Your Majesty's decree—how could your servants dare not obey it? It's just that every late autumn, officials and commoners alike prepare supplies against winter. This time we merely made a bit more preparation. For the extra labor, the prefectural office has also paid compensation—there has absolutely been no exploitation of the people. Your Majesty, braving the wind and cold to personally visit Fengzhou, the officials and people of this prefecture are all deeply grateful. Having no rare treasures to offer, we only have these few bits of firewood to express our sincerity..."

Hearing Feng Guang's explanation, Emperor Liu's expression softened. Seeing that he had frightened the man, he waved his hand: "Enough!"

Emperor Liu was actually well aware that when he went on tour, it was absolutely impossible to completely avoid disturbing the localities, even with decrees issued in advance. Even a wild goose leaves a cry behind as it passes—let alone this procession of over ten thousand men.

On the other hand, for the places he passed through, it was only natural and reasonable for local officials and people, moved by the emperor's visit, to show their filial devotion within the limits of their ability.

Feng Guang's approach, upon careful consideration, had little to fault. Firewood, charcoal, and materials were precisely what the field headquarters needed—if they were lacking, the field headquarters would have to purchase them anyway.

Feng Guang had simply thought ahead. Coinciding with this season, it demonstrated his attentiveness—a manifestation of his loyalty to the emperor.

Of course, perhaps it was too much attentiveness that made Emperor Liu unable to resist wondering: was this genuine meticulousness, or was it deliberate performance to cater to him and curry favor?

Emperor Liu kept this question suppressed in his heart, with no answer for now. But he was not anxious—the future was still long, and he could wait and see.

At the same time, regardless of what Emperor Liu thought, Feng Guang's performance had in fact already attracted Emperor Liu's attention. With so many Prefectural Administrators and Prefects across the nation, quite a few had been seen during this tour—but how many could earn such notice from Emperor Liu?

For an official, being remembered by the emperor, even being paid attention to, was of immense benefit to one's official career. In an era of imperial autocracy, this could be demonstrated to the fullest.

"Does the field headquarters lack heating and cold-weather supplies? This firewood and charcoal—will it be of use?" Emperor Liu turned his head and asked Imperial Uncle Li Ye.

Li Ye gave an affirmative answer: "Naturally it will be of use! Once the cold sets in, the field headquarters consumes enormous amounts—we even need soldiers to go cut wood for fires. With Prefect Feng preparing this way, it saves the field headquarters a great deal of trouble!"

"In that case, write out a voucher and have the field headquarters arrange for people to accept the delivery. The costs incurred—allocate them directly to Fengzhou!" Emperor Liu directly ordered. Then he looked back at Feng Guang and revealed a slight smile: "This sincerity from Fengzhou's officials and people, I will graciously accept. It won't be in vain for all your hard work!"

"Yes! Thank you, Your Majesty!" Hearing this, Feng Guang was completely put at ease.

"Come, let's go take a look at your prefectural office!" Under the blowing north wind, Emperor Liu tightened his padded jacket and ordered.

Feng Guang dared not be negligent and personally led the way.

Fengzhou's government office was located in the northwest of the city. Because the city was small, it was only about three hundred paces away. Just like the city walls, the government office also stood out for its simplicity.

Emperor Liu's entourage alone could fill the entire yamen, and a large number of guards had to stand on the street in front of the office. In the main hall, Emperor Liu and his group in their fine robes and expensive attire looked utterly out of place with the hall's furnishings.

Emperor Liu sat alone behind that wooden magistrate's desk, surveyed the scene in the hall, looked at Feng Guang and the two assistant clerks behind him, pondered for a moment, and said: "Feng Guang, your prefectural office probably can't even compare to most county offices in the Central Plains!"

Upon hearing this, Feng Guang replied frankly: "Fengzhou is poor and remote—we had no choice but to make do with what we had. Your Majesty must forgive my embarrassment!"

In fact, let alone Central Plains county offices—even the offices of some large market towns were more magnificent and imposing than this Fengzhou prefectural office. The Prefect of Fengzhou was a fifth-rank court position, not a low one at all. To serve in this post could truly be described as miserable. "Better to be a county magistrate in the Central Plains than a Prefect in a remote borderland"—this was a reality that indeed existed.

"I have a question!" No longer dwelling on Fengzhou's simplicity, Emperor Liu looked at Feng Guang and said.

Feng Guang immediately perked up, cupped his hands, and replied: "Your servant humbly awaits Your Majesty's instruction!"

Ignoring his deferential attitude, Emperor Liu stared at him with piercing eyes: "Fengzhou may be remote, but it leans against mountains and borders water, situated in the heart of the Hetao region. South of the mountains lies grassland, suitable for both farming and herding. After so many years of recuperation, why is it still impoverished to this degree?"

Hearing this question, Feng Guang immediately grew tense—this could be considered a challenge to his governing ability as Prefect. After briefly organizing his words, he calmly reported: "Your Majesty, although Fengzhou leans against mountains and borders water, it had been abandoned for many years before this. When it was in Khitan hands, they did not manage it well either. Before the Marquis of Jiuyuan marched west and recovered it, the Liao army also wreaked great destruction within our borders, causing fortifications to be damaged and beacon towers to be utterly destroyed. After recovery, due to the sparse population and its remote border location, development was difficult. In recent years, the climate has also been exceptionally harsh, with frequent famines—and so it has remained impoverished to this day..."

Hearing him lay out the problems and difficulties clearly, Emperor Liu finally nodded and asked again: "How many people are under Fengzhou's jurisdiction now? And how many residents are in the city proper?"

"To answer Your Majesty, as of the sixth year of Kaibao, Fengzhou governs one city and three forts, with a total of 732 households and 3,853 people across all ethnic groups! The city proper has 203 households, over a thousand people!" Feng Guang replied.

Hearing Feng Guang's account, Emperor Liu couldn't help but feel bitter on his behalf. Among the Great Han's prefecture-level administrative divisions, one this desolate and bleak was probably only Fengzhou.

"In your prefectural office, how many people in total draw official salaries and receive grain stipends?"

"Counting your servant, including the clerks of various offices and the yamen runners, there are 19 in total!" Feng Guang answered.

"That's far fewer than the staffing quota the court stipulates for a prefectural office!" Emperor Liu smiled slightly.

Feng Guang said: "Fengzhou has few people. Too many official posts would only create redundancy and waste the court's salaries. Therefore, your servant made some reductions based on the actual situation!"

"Good!" Emperor Liu finally gave a word of praise: "This is adapting to local conditions, this is keeping the court in mind, this is devotion to duty! Feng Guang, Fengzhou may be poor and remote, but you have shown me a new outlook!"