Lonely non-good minister

"This matter of relocation is something all the subordinates have in mind, and they have also mentioned it to the court. However, the court's intention is the same as what the officials and your lord discussed last year. The border cannot be deserted." Zhang He sighed: "This matter The resistance is not small.”

Song Yuan thought for a while: "The court's consideration is good, but the situation is different now. The northwest is sparsely populated, and everyone is valuable. Once the war spreads and the Huns kill or kidnap them, it will be a loss for the Wei Dynasty. Our previous thinking was based on the two parties being in peace, but now that the situation has changed, our thinking must also change."

"But the imperial court."

"Let's talk about it again and clarify the pros and cons. The courtiers will think about it. If it really doesn't make sense, then act according to your own wishes. You are the Prime Minister of Jiuquan County, and you can still let a group of people who have never been to the northwest tell you what to do. ? They are far away and do not understand the actual situation at all. To put it bluntly, they are just talking on paper. How to do it specifically is more beneficial, and only those of us who are involved can judge." Song Yuan walked away after speaking.

Zhang He thought for a while and then followed closely.

After inspecting Jiuquan, Song Yuan will continue his journey to Xihai County. An Zhoushi, who has not yet left, will not accompany her. He wants to stay and see how Jiuquan's harvest is this year so that he can adjust his methods in time. Song Yuan also accepted.

No matter where An Zhoushi was, he did his best. Such an attitude was reassuring. However, just in case, Song Yuan specially left two guards for him to ensure his safety, and repeatedly told Zhang He, You must take good care of An Zhoushi.

After making arrangements, Song Yuan set off. The situation in Xihai was worse than last year. Because Song Ling was impeached in the court, the Tingwei Mansion came several times for thorough investigations, from the county prime minister to the county prime minister. More than a dozen people were imprisoned, and the entire county's yamen was close to paralysis. The replacement officials arranged by the court were still late. The temporary replacement officials were afraid of taking responsibility and simply did nothing. Therefore, the already weak farming industry collapsed. look.

Standing on the desolate hillside, looking at the wasteland occupied by yellow weeds in front of him, Song Yuan couldn't believe that this was still farmland last year. The accompanying officials were so trembling that they didn't dare to say a word.

"As an official but you don't have the courage to take responsibility, how can the court want you to be useful?" Song Yuan squatted down and grabbed a handful of sand on the ground: "It is lazy government to be in a state of confusion. The court is thousands of miles away, and everything must be arranged by the court. , then what is your role? Even the donkey knows how to spin twice."

Several officials said nothing. They believed in one sentence, not seeking merit but seeking no fault. They were too positive in everything. Who could guarantee that the butcher's knife from above would not be swung at their necks?
"According to this situation, Xihai will have no harvest this year. What will the people do? Can't they just rely on the imperial court for relief?" Song Yuan looked at them coldly. It was a pity that she did not have the power of life and death, otherwise these lazy donkeys would have to be slaughtered on the spot.

One of the officials then spoke slowly: "Sir, life has been difficult this year. When the people learned about the water conservancy projects built in other places, those who could walk ran away secretly. There are not many people in Xihai County now, otherwise, the fields would not be damaged. Abandoned.”

"Run away?" Song Yuan shouted. Seeing that the officials looked indifferent, he became even more angry: "Forcing the people to flee elsewhere, you are guilty of a heavy crime. You don't want to reflect on it, and you are trying to downplay this matter?"

Several officials stopped talking again. They were just little shrimps in the yamen. In the past, the adults at the top told them to do whatever they wanted. They were suddenly promoted to high positions. They were at a loss and had no idea what to do.

For example, when people leave Xihai County with their families, the only way they can think of is to send people to stop them from being imprisoned. However, Xihai County is so vast and sparsely populated that they cannot stop many people. Once more people escape, they will be too lazy to take care of it. .

As for the punishment, they also accepted it. The worst they could do was quit their official positions and become white, and then go home to farm and study.Seeing their indifferent expressions, Song Yuan became even more angry. If she hadn't been well-educated, she would have to give them a good scolding to relieve her anger.

Back at the Yamen, Song Yuan sat down with a dark face. Others stood and did not dare to make any random moves. The whole room was silent, waiting for her to speak first.

"The alternate officials arranged by the imperial court have not come yet. We cannot wait in vain. The current situation in Xihai will only get worse if we do not start to save it." After she finished speaking, she glanced coldly at the useless things and turned her gaze on them. To the officials who followed him: "You will temporarily take over a few important positions in the yamen, and wait for the replacement officials to arrive before handing them over."

"Yes." The officials who followed did not refuse. They were promoted to the governor's office by various county governments, and they were very handy with these errands.

Song Yuan's expression softened slightly: "Now let's solve two problems first. The autumn harvest is around the corner, and the harvest in Xihai County must be very poor. If we want to stabilize the people, we must have food. Take stock of how much food there is in the Xihai County warehouse, and find a way to persist. After the autumn harvest, excess grain will be transferred.

In addition, notices were posted to appease the people. The reason why the people fled was because the officials were imprisoned and the war broke out at the border. At this time, people must be informed that someone has made the decision in Xihai. If you have any complaints, you can go to the county government to file a complaint and redress your grievances. Remember to make a thorough investigation and repay justice. Don't be procrastinating. "

"Yes." They went immediately. Upon seeing this, several of the original Xihai officials followed along to help.

Song Yuan didn't dare to be idle and turned to look at Wei Yan: "Take someone to take a closer look. I don't believe they only ordered people to stop the people. They must have used other means, otherwise they wouldn't cause panic and inquiring. Know what stupid things they did.”

"Okay." Wei Yan also hurriedly led the people out.

Song Yuan thought for a while and started writing. She had to inform Jingzhao about the situation in Xihai County, and urged Jingzhao to quickly send over alternate officials and food. In addition, these officials who had neglected their duties should be replaced as soon as possible. A group of officials at the border who don't know how to use their own brains would be more useful than raising a few humane dogs in the yamen.

Notices to appease the people were quickly posted, and literate officials recited them on the street to inform the people, and the grain in the warehouses was also counted. Although it was not much, the situation was urgent and they could only set up porridge sheds to save the people. The Yamen made a difference. It was also learned that the governor was at the county government office, and soon bold people came to complain.

Judging cases is not Song Yuan's strong point, but she is accompanied by officials in charge of justice on this trip. She will not be blinded. She will only come forward to uphold justice for the people if there are too many cases involved.

After being delayed in Xihai County for less than half a month, the situation of people fleeing was temporarily stabilized. However, food was running out day by day, and Zhangye, the nearest place, had no surplus food to transfer. Song Yuan was inevitably worried again.