Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

Since Emperor Jing had made his decision, Yan Guo'an set off for Dengjin Ward in a few days.

Yan Guo'an's great name was obviously well-known in the capital, not to mention he came from a prominent family and was the current状元 (the one who got the top score in the imperial exam).

He usually dealt with scholars and refined gentlemen a lot.

Every day in the court, he participated in many important national affairs.

So he was more confident than anyone else that he could manage a mere Dengjin Ward without any effort.

Even if he was removed from the position of Zhan Shi, he was still a Hanlin Bachelor, and his future was still limitless.

The reason for making the bet this time was nominally for the太子(crown prince) but actually to suppress Fang Zheng Yi.

Otherwise, how could Yan Guo'an, as a侍读(a lecturer in the Hanlin Academy), be doing the work of a patrol officer?

This time, the vast majority of people in the Hanlin Academy stood on his side, and the people in the scholarly community naturally praised him even more.

Scholars were also willing to be close to him.

Fang Zheng Yi was the exact opposite: a mud-legged man who was annoying, and seemed to have no real skills except for flattering.

As long as he surpassed Fang Zheng Yi in this contest, he might have a chance to return to the position of the Crown Prince's teacher in the future.

Moreover, the兵马司(Capital Garrison) was also very cooperative.

As soon as the news came out, they immediately sent a group of shrewd and capable officials to Yan Guo'an.

Even the Shuntian Prefecture sent a group of people to him.

As for money and food, whether he controlled it himself or was supported behind the scenes, he was confident that he could steadily suppress Fang Zheng Yi.

After arriving at Dengjin Ward, Yan Guo'an first went to the Si衙(the ward office).

He summoned a group of yamen runners to wait there for orders.

Seeing that almost everyone had arrived, Yan Guo'an looked down from a high position, overlooking the crowd below, with a cold expression, and did not intend to speak.

Although these people in front of him were yamen runners who were working for him, their status was actually humble.

There must be a way to control subordinates!

When dealing with people whose status is far lower than one's own, one should maintain majesty.

Moreover, in his eyes, these people were full of vulgarity, their clothes were disheveled, and their expressions were wretched.

As a top scholar and from a noble family, how could he be close to these lowly officials?

The crowd of minor officials below were also trembling and dared not look directly at him.

In this era, the class system was deeply rooted.

After a long time, seeing that Yan Guo'an had not spoken, the leading clerk cautiously said: "It is a blessing for Dengjin Ward that Lord Yan has arrived.

Does the Lord need the little one to help you explain the situation in the ward now...?"

"Not necessary for now!"

Seeing his humble appearance, Yan Guo'an couldn't help but feel disgusted, and said: "Although this official is a Hanlin lecturer, he is now considered an official in charge of one area!"

"This time I came to Dengjin Ward, naturally to improve this place and educate the people!"

"However, when this official passed through this place, I found that there were many people from all walks of life on the street, merchants shouting along the street, and pedestrians all dressed in rags."

"The people are already ignorant, and they bargain loudly with merchants on the street, which can be said to be harmful to customs!"

"When it comes to governing the people, the emphasis is on education!

This official is here this time to educate the people and change customs, this is the way to great governance!"

After listening to his speech, the group of minor officials below couldn't help but start to look at the clothes of the people around them.

As a result, they found that everyone was wearing coarse cloth clothes, so rustic.

Looking at Yan Guo'an again, his clothes were bright and dignified.

Standing with such a person, it is inevitable to start to feel timid, even inferior.

So only a small number of people dared to quietly look at him, while the rest lowered their heads and echoed Yan Guo'an.

Seeing this, a slight smile appeared on the corner of Yan Guo'an's mouth, almost imperceptible.

How fortunate these lowly officials are to be able to work with this official.

Then he continued to speak eloquently: "The nature of the people is inferior.

If they have not undergone some education, it is impossible to be reborn."

"Then how should we educate the people?

Nothing else, just let the people listen more to the words of the sages, listen to the voice of the Great Dao, and over time, they can change their customs and change their appearance."

"Although there is only a period of three months, if managed properly, the people will definitely turn for the better.

At that time, our Dengjin Ward can achieve a state where doors are not closed at night and lost items are not picked up, becoming a model for the wards and markets in the capital!"

"Listen to me!"

"The streets of Dengjin Ward are dirty and messy.

From today onwards, order people to double the sweeping of the streets, and be sure to make them clean and tidy."

"In addition, build some academies and pavilions next to the streets in the ward to facilitate scholars to read and discuss Taoism at any time."

"In this way, the sound of朗朗(reading aloud) can be heard everywhere, and the people can also listen to the words of the sages every day.

Over time, those ignorant men and women will also know what the way of the sages is."

"This is education!"

Yan Guo'an paused and carefully recalled the information about Ban Shan Ward.

Fang Zheng Yi is not useless, if there are good things, he should learn from them, and he should improve on the things he doesn't do well!

"Furthermore, from now on, street vendors need to be arranged neatly, and they must not be placed randomly on the street or shout loudly!"

"Keep the prices in the ward stable.

If anyone maliciously raises prices, they will be arrested and severely punished immediately!"

"Men and women must also follow the etiquette and must not play on the street, and those who encounter them will be severely punished."

"If there are those who pick up lost items and do not return them, they must also be arrested and severely punished."

"Follow this official's method to govern Dengjin Ward, and within three months, this ward will be transformed."

Many minor officials looked at each other.

Although what Lord Yan said sounds very powerful... but why does it feel a little awkward?

What he said is logical and methodical.

But the people don't seem to live like this....

Although they don't know whether what he said is right or not, he looks very awesome, and he is also a big official.

Never mind!

They say they are working for the government, but in fact, they are not much stronger than ordinary people.

So they can only silently agree that what he said is right.

Yan Guo'an felt good about himself, secretly very satisfied, and continued loudly: "There is also the most important thing to let you do."

"You go and invite all the scholars in the ward, this official wants to have a good drink and talk with the scholars in the ward."

"Although Dengjin Ward is managed by this official, in the final analysis, they are the core of the ward."

"In addition, write down what this official just said on a notice and post it outside, so that the people in the ward can take a good look!"

"You may go, and after you go out, you must keep in mind what this official has said!"

After speaking, Yan Guo'an turned and left, leaving a group of minor officials standing in place at a loss.

............

"No way!

You must not deduct the monthly allowance of the sanitation team!"

Inside Ban Shan Ward, Li Yuan Zhao's expression was slightly agitated and his face was flushed.

Fang Zheng Yi took a sip of tea and said slowly: "Then if you don't have any other way, we can only do this.

There is still a bet with Yan Guo'an, and the expenses of the sanitation team are too high, His Highness doesn't want to return to the palace, does he?"

Li Yuan Zhao looked resentful: "Now it's not a matter of whether I return to the palace or not, I promised those brothers to let them live a good life and said I would raise their salary!

The words that are spoken are like water that is spilled, wouldn't this palace become a braggart?"

"How can you easily break your promise when you set the monthly salary of five coins of silver at the beginning just a few days ago!"

"Lao Fang! Think of a way for me!"

Fang Zheng Yi said plausibly: "What do you mean I broke my promise, Your Highness, a man must be true to his word and resolute in his actions, otherwise he is a narrow-minded man."

"Now the conditions have changed, the monthly salary of those people is indeed a bit unreasonable, and we can't just think for ourselves, can we?"

"If you set the monthly salary so high, how can the people in the east, west, and south cities get along?

Their subordinates will have to rebel, and how many people will not be able to eat if things get out of hand."

"Besides, the me of yesterday is not the me of today, the me of yesterday is already dead, can the words of a dead man be taken seriously!"

"Your Highness! This is a big game of chess.... you have to consider it carefully....."