Chapter 592: Imperial Uncle Li Governs the Prefecture

Yuan Prefecture, with its seat of government at Linjing.

This was ancient Chinese soil, a famed city in the Long region, a land of culture, situated amid highland ravines and gullies, with both rivers and plains, abundant in water and lush in grass. Though spring had already arrived, the climate remained cold, only not as harsh as in winter.

Within the prefectural office, those on guard duty included not only the various shifts of runners but also several dozen armored soldiers in bright, gleaming armor. These men were all household retainers who had accompanied Prefect Li Ye from the Eastern Capital to take up his post, serving as his guards, equipped with fine weapons and armor, all specially approved by the Son of Heaven.

Because Yuan Prefecture was a remote frontier region where Han and barbarians lived intermingled, with safety hard to guarantee, armored soldiers were approved as guards to ease the Empress Dowager's mind. Of course, with Shi Kuangyi having held Jingyuan for many years, Li Ye's safety upon taking office was amply assured. After Shi Kuangyi was transferred to the capital, Xiang Xun took over coordinating border defense, and now Wang Jing, Commandery Duke of Bohai, was stationed at Long Prefecture, also overseeing Jingyuan.

In the rear compound, there was a modest training ground, where two burly, fierce-looking warriors were crossing paths, trading punches and kicks, sparring vigorously in combat.

At the side, Li Ye lounged against a mat, basking in the spring sun, casually enjoying the sparring match. It seemed, however, that the roasted mutton on the small table attracted him more. Holding a gleaming dagger, he carved pieces from the golden-brown roasted meat and stuffed them into his mouth one slice after another.

His mouth greasy, he said to the steward waiting on him: "Too much salt today!"

"I shall go inform the cook shortly and have him be careful!"

"Hmph! Do you know how expensive salt is in these parts?" Li Ye glanced at the steward, his gaze cold and sharp.

"I shall punish him severely!" Hearing this, the steward immediately said.

"Enough!" Li Ye waved his greasy hand.

Turning his head, he gestured to a beautiful concubine sitting close beside him. The lady immediately picked up a handkerchief, wiped his mouth, then poured warm wine and brought it to his lips.

He took a hearty gulp, then another, swished it around his mouth, and spat it into a spittoon, revealing a look of satisfaction. Glancing at the Administrative Assistant of Yuan Prefecture, who stood respectfully like a servant, he said: "Why did you stop? Continue!"

The Administrative Assistant held a scroll of documents in his hands, reporting on Yuan Prefecture's governance to Li Ye, but this imperial uncle had trouble focusing, was easily distracted, and would interrupt him at any moment.

"Governor, spring plowing is approaching. I have already dispatched five young lords and prefectural clerks to the counties, townships, and fortresses to inspect farmland, grain seeds, and plow oxen in preparation for the farming season! According to reports from the various counties, if additional land is reclaimed this year, the prefecture's farmland can increase by another five hundred qing!" the Administrative Assistant reported.

Upon hearing this, Li Ye clicked his tongue and immediately said: "In this frontier land, what use is so much farmland? It's neither secure nor does it waste water and grass—enough to be well-fed is fine! Issue an order forbidding the people of the prefecture from reclaiming more wasteland. If they have the energy, let them raise cattle, sheep, horses, and camels and trade them. That will surely yield more than clinging to a bit of land!"

"Governor, forbidding the people from reclaiming land—would that not contradict court policy? Moreover, the southwestern border prefectures all require military farming. How can we go against the tide?" The Administrative Assistant hesitated briefly, then offered his admonition.

Li Ye glanced at him sideways and said: "I understand court policy better than you. What the court wants is to develop reclamation, restore livelihoods, and accumulate grain. As for military farming, what has that to do with me? That's Wang Jing and Xiang Xun's business! Listen to me—go draft the document shortly and have it circulated. Have the clerks spread the word thoroughly. Any official who is negligent in proclaiming it shall be severely punished; any commoner who violates the order shall be heavily fined!"

Seeing Li Ye's firm resolve, the Administrative Assistant had no choice but to comply.

"Governor—"

The words had barely begun when Li Ye burst out with a cry of "Excellent!" cutting him off, his face full of excitement. Following his gaze, the two men sparring in the training ground had decided the outcome. Moreover, the one who had been at a disadvantage had suddenly turned the tables and knocked his opponent down.

"Good! Very good!" Li Ye said with some excitement, ordering: "Reward him!"

"Thank you, Governor!" The victorious man bowed in gratitude. Though he had won, his face was still bruised and swollen, drenched in sweat, and the skin exposed to the air trembled slightly—clearly from pain.

Waving his hand, Li Ye said again: "Next pair!"

The one who had fallen and could not rise was quickly carried off for treatment, and two more warriors stepped forward from the side, saluted Li Ye, and immediately began brawling, blow after blow landing on flesh, attacking each other with vigor to entertain the noble relative.

Li Ye then withdrew his gaze and looked at the Administrative Assistant: "What did you want to say? Continue!"

"Yes!" The Administrative Assistant made a slight bow, keeping his composure, and said: "This month's five hundred dan of military grain for Long Prefecture has been taken out of storage and loaded onto carts. The corvée labor has been conscripted. We await only your order to dispatch it to Long Prefecture. We still need you to sign the warrant!"

"Bring it here!" Li Ye said immediately.

The Administrative Assistant stepped forward, but Li Ye's hands were covered in grease, which was somewhat awkward—he couldn't take it. Li Ye, however, seemed unconcerned and instructed: "Sign it for me, then stamp the seal!"

After that procedure was done, Li Ye glanced over it a few times, saw no problems, and instructed: "Notify the prefectural army to send men to escort and transport it!"

"Yes!"

"Continue!" Li Ye said again, but lowered his head and directly picked up the lamb leg to gnaw on.

"Long Prefecture sent a document saying that the court's special envoy, Zhao Kuangyin, Chief Inspector of the Palace Command, is touring the border on imperial orders and will come to Yuan Prefecture to inspect the land and water for the restoration of the horse administration. They ask the prefectural office to make preparations for receiving him!" the Administrative Assistant reported.

"See that!" Li Ye perked up and said: "The court wants to restore the horse administration—this shows the foresight of my advocacy for animal husbandry!"

"The Governor is wise!" the Administrative Assistant immediately flattered.

Li Ye was pleased, smiled, then furrowed his brow slightly and said: "But who does this Zhao Kuangyin think he is? Does he deserve me going out to welcome him? Never mind him!"

Seeing Li Ye "acting up" again, wanting to put on his lofty airs as an imperial relative, the Administrative Assistant could only smile humbly and counsel: "Governor, General Zhao is after all a high-ranking general of the imperial army, and this time he bears the Son of Heaven's mission. Going out to welcome him would be only proper..."

Hearing the admonition, Li Ye considered briefly, a somewhat reluctant expression on his face, and said: "When he arrives, you all can go welcome him on my behalf—that will do!"

"Yes!" A bitter smile appeared on his face. The Administrative Assistant knew this was already a concession from Imperial Uncle Li.

"By the way, how did the household registration census go last time?" Rarely, Li Ye took the initiative to ask.

The Administrative Assistant was a capable official and knew the figures well, so he immediately reported: "According to the numbers already submitted, the prefecture's jurisdiction should have around seven thousand households, give or take. Compared to when you arrived, that's an increase of nearly one-tenth. This is all due to your governance and care for the people!"

Li Ye's expression, however, showed little satisfaction: "Why are there still so few people!"

"Yuan Prefecture is after all a frontier region, with the constant threat of war!" the Administrative Assistant said.

Li Ye didn't acknowledge him. He put down the lamb leg he had been gnawing on, seeming full and losing his appetite. While wiping his hands, he pondered, muttering to himself: "It's a pity that the elite soldiers were taken away by that Xiang Xun, and the army can't be moved easily. Otherwise, I could go capture some miscellaneous barbarians—that would both increase the population and give me people to raise horses. Wouldn't that be wonderful!"

Hearing this, the Administrative Assistant's expression immediately changed. As he had said, fortunately the military power had been taken back by the court; otherwise, with no one above to restrain him, the Administrative Assistant believed this Imperial Uncle Li would absolutely do it.

A light, tinkling laugh came over, interrupting the Administrative Assistant's thoughts. Imperial Uncle Li was right in front of him, toying with his concubine, his hand generously placed on a full, plump spot.

While kneading, he still remembered to turn his head and ask: "Anything else? If not, you may withdraw!"

The Administrative Assistant naturally wanted to withdraw quickly as well, but he patiently reported the last item: "Soldiers at the Kaiyuan outpost captured several private salt smugglers. They have already been handed over to the authorities and are being escorted to Linjing!"

His brow furrowed, Li Ye's expression turned more serious, and he said coldly: "These people who fear not death truly never cease to appear! Once they are brought in, I will interrogate them personally! You may withdraw!"

"Your subordinate takes his leave!" The Administrative Assistant couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, made a bow, and hurriedly withdrew.

And Imperial Uncle Li continued watching the sparring, drinking wine, and fondling his beauties, joyful and carefree, utterly at ease. In the training ground, two more men had taken the field.

However, judging from his performance, he was not entirely a pleasure-seeking corrupt official. At least, under his governance, Yuan Prefecture's administration had not fallen into chaos and the people were at peace—which already exceeded Liu Chengyou's expectations of him.