I am Emperor Wanli

Chapter 692 He is the governor of Shuntian Prefecture, and I am the governor of the Five Cities
As the organizer of the amusement party, Pan Yinglong met Zhu Yijun and his party at the entrance of Dragon Boat Lake as usual, and then escorted them to the central grandstand along a heavily guarded passage opened up by the Fengchensi and Yongweiying.

Zhu Yijun sat at the top of the middle stand as usual, and below him were the royal family, nobles, and relatives, and it stands to reason that there should also be foreign envoys. However, there were no proper foreign envoys around the Ming Dynasty at present, and the foreign envoys from Pagan, India, and Dashi who came to the court also returned home one after another after the Lantern Festival.

So today there is not a single foreign envoy.

On the left is the grandstand area for the ladies of honor led by the Empress Dowager and the Empress. Except for Concubine Shun, who is still in confinement after giving birth, and Concubine Gui, who is more than seven months pregnant, the other four concubines are also here.

As for the concubines of Emperor Jiajing and Emperor Longqing, such as the Dowager Consort and the Grand Empress Dowager Consort, many of them also came.

On the right is the grandstand area for civil and military officials.

When Zhu Yijun appeared on the throne, officials and people cheered. They first bowed to him in unison with their arms crossed, and then raised their hands high and shouted "Long live the emperor" three times.

Zhu Yijun, wearing a round-collared red dragon robe with twelve emblems and a winged crown on his head, stood in front of the throne, smiling and waving to the soldiers and civilians around him.

"Mr. Pan, you will be busy later. Come and talk to me for a few words first." Zhu Yijun lifted his clothes and sat down.

"Yes!" Pan Yinglong stood obediently under the throne.

"I have seen the flower beds and hot air balloon banners, and so have the Queen Mother and the Empress. They are all very satisfied. I also know that this year's carnival will be larger and more lively than last year.

Fengwu, you are thoughtful and hardworking. "

"Thank you, Your Majesty. This is my duty and responsibility."

"Fengwu," Zhu Yijun looked at Pan Yinglong and said meaningfully, "It has to be bright and beautiful, with a riot of colour, but it also has to be cleaned of dirt and eliminate flies and insects, and it has to be done well.

The bright and beautiful appearance is just the icing on the cake. The dirt, flies and insects in every corner are the real pain for the people. "

Pan Yinglong's heart moved, knowing that the thoughtful emperor was pointing at him.

The emperor actually knew about the reselling of vendors' signs at the amusement fair, the repair of Yanzimen Anlianghang and Qiguang, and even the demolition of old houses in Nancheng.

The fact that the emperor knew about this and kept silent did not mean that he tolerated it. These trivial matters must be handed over to the officials to deal with. If the emperor had to deal with everything personally, why did he keep so many officials?
Pan Yinglong also knew that the emperor was also using these "trivial matters" to test central and local officials.

Killing enemies and destroying countries is a talent and a political achievement.

Eliminating local malpractices, fighting wolves and eliminating insects, and allowing the people to live and work in peace and contentment is both a talent and a political achievement.

"I will remember the emperor's teachings."

"I know that Fengwu's political affairs are complicated and need to worry about everything. There are indeed some things that I can't take care of. But Fengwu, you are the governor of Shuntian Prefecture, a people-friendly official.

Do you know what a people-friendly official is? "

"I beg the emperor to teach me."

"Officials who are close to the people put the well-being of the people first. No matter how small the matter is, as long as it concerns the people, it is a top priority.

The idea of ​​herding the people on behalf of the gods must be changed. In my new Wanli Dynasty, I will comfort the people on behalf of the gods and keep them safe. "

"I will remember the emperor's earnest teachings."

Zhu Yijun looked at Pan Yinglong who was respectfully performing the ceremony, smiled and waved his hand: "Alright, I know Feng Wu is a busy man. You go ahead and do your work."

"According to the order."

Zhu Yijun looked at Pan Yinglong's back and a slight smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.

Leaving the middle stand, Pan Yinglong came to a nearby pavilion.

He is the on-site commander of the amusement party. Various unexpected situations that may occur at any time in the venue will be summarized here and he will be required to deal with them on the spot.

Flags were waving, gongs and drums were roaring, and the cheers of tens of thousands of people were like thunder.

“Boom! Boom!”

Twelve salutes were heard in the distance, and the dragon boat race for the Dragon Boat Festival in the second year of Wanli was about to begin.

The spectators on both sides of the Dragon Boat Lake stood up one after another, and the vendors walking through the lake also stopped and turned to look at the lake.

In silence, twelve dragon boats stopped side by side behind the starting line, with oars on both sides raised high and drummers on the boats holding up their drumsticks with both hands.

The muscles in the drummers' and rowers' arms bulged and undulated, like explosive packs that could explode at any time, bursting out with infinite power.

"preparation!"

The referee raised the starting gun high.

"boom!"

A crisp sound seemed to ignite the water of Dragon Boat Lake. Twelve drum beats rang out rhythmically. The paddlers of each dragon boat seemed to be one person, waving their oars at the same time.

The water splashes and the dragon boat flies like an arrow.

The stands on both sides of the lake were also set on fire, and tens of thousands of officials and citizens cheered for their respective dragon boat teams, sweeping across the lake like a tsunami.

Hundreds of flags with different dragon boat team logos fluttered in the wind.

The twelve dragon boats were chasing each other on the lake, and the competition was very fierce.

Five of them are local dragon boat teams, namely Guangdong, Hubei, Hunan, Zhili and Shanghai.

Nanjing didn’t make it to the finals this year.

Four of the ships represent military teams, namely the South China Sea Navy, the Xuanwu Navy, the Marine Corps and the Shenwu Army.

Three of the ships are from factories and mines, namely Shanghai Wusong Shipyard, Luanzhou Hulugang Shipyard, and a dark horse, Haizhou Huaidong Salt Factory.

Among them, the first echelon rushing in the front is the five dragon boat teams from Guangdong, Hunan, Wusong Shipyard, Hulugang Shipyard and the Marine Corps. The gap between them is less than three meters and is still changing.

Amid deafening cheers, the Marine Corps Dragon Boat Team finally surpassed the Hulugang Shipyard Dragon Boat Team by less than half a meter, crossed the finish line first, and snatched the championship prize of this year's dragon boat competition.

The cheers were deafening, and Pan Yinglong couldn't help but sigh that the Marine Corps was indeed powerful.

Pan Yinglong had read the report of the Rong government. The Marine Corps was formed by merging the Pinghai Marine Battalion and other Marine Battalions. Its rank was equivalent to the Donghai or Xuanwu Navy. Compared with the Army, it was equivalent to the Yulin and Shenwu Armies.

It is organized as a regiment and is directly under the command of the Marine Corps Command of the Right Army Governor's Office.

It was a pity that the Luanzhou Shipyard Dragon Boat Team failed to successfully defend its title.

The main reason was that the imperial court opened a new shipyard in Qinhuangdao, and a large number of engineers, technicians and workers were transferred there, resulting in a significant loss of main force.

It is estimated that in two years, the Qinhuangdao Shipyard Dragon Boat Team will compete in Nanyuan Dragon Boat Lake again.

It is said that Hulu Port is becoming more and more silted up, and the Rear Military Governor's Office and the Shaofu Supervisor have made up their minds to abandon it. The port and shipyard will all be moved to Qinhuangdao within five years.

Why five years?
At a closed-door meeting, Pan Yinglong heard the news that within five years, the railway connecting Qinhuangdao with Luanzhou, Tianjin and the capital would be completed.

The exciting dragon boat race is over and now it’s time for the “sage”.

Those who bought tickets for the Marine Corps Dragon Boat Team were very excited and went to the prize redemption office in groups of three or five with their lottery tickets to claim their prizes.

Those who didn’t win the prize gathered together, quarreled endlessly, and blamed each other.

I didn't buy any lottery tickets, I just watched the lively people, who were talking excitedly about the wonderful moments that had just happened, as if they were themselves on the dragon boat.

Sitting in the pavilion, Pan Yinglong breathed a sigh of relief.

Safe and sound, peaceful and smooth.

As soon as the dragon boat race was over, one of the two major exams was removed, and the next one was the football match in the afternoon.

Once these two most intense and most spectator-filled competitions were over, for Pan Yinglong, this year's amusement fair was two-thirds over, and the rest were just some odds and ends. "Mr. Prefect," said Xiang Jinping, the chief historian of the City Hall, as he walked into the pavilion.

Pan Yinglong drank his tea and asked, "Xiang Changshi is here, what's the matter?"

"Sir, the head shopkeeper of Anliangxing, Xiu Qiping, wants to pay his respects to you, sir."

"Xiu Qiping?"

Pan Yinglong looked at Xiang Jinping sideways, which made his heart skip a beat. He quickly explained, "The City Hall issues licenses to vendors at the amusement fair. In order to ensure that vendors entering the venue abide by the law and operate conscientiously, especially paying attention to food hygiene, the City Hall has entrusted the job of screening vendors to Anlianghang."

"Give it to Anliangxing to screen the vendors?"

The excuse you came up with is really plausible.

"Yes, sir," Xiang Jinping replied, "small traders are cunning and will do anything to make money.

Signing a letter of responsibility is useless, they will still do what they need to do. If something goes wrong, they will have no money to pay, and we, Shuntian Prefecture, will have to cover the loss.

So I went to Anlianghang. They have always done business in the mule and horse market in the south city, and also in the meat and vegetable business in the east and west cities, and are very familiar with these small vendors."

Pan Yinglong looked at Xiang Jinping who was speaking with confidence and couldn't help but sigh in his heart.

He was right.

Those small vendors work hard and live outdoors to support their families, which makes people feel pity. But they are also merciless when it comes to cheating customers.

Spoiled meat, re-used oil, and vegetables that have never been washed. You won't be able to eat anything else.
It's considered good if you have vomiting and diarrhea after eating. The Shuntian Prefecture Police Department and Health Bureau have to deal with several cases every year where people are bedridden due to stomach upsets.

When something went wrong, these small vendors had no ability to take responsibility. When the police arrested them, they cried even more miserably than the victims' families.

How to do?
Only Shuntian Prefecture can provide a guarantee.

The victims’ medical expenses, burial expenses, and the aftermath work to comfort their families all have to be paid for by Shuntian Prefecture.

During the Wanli New Dynasty, the emperor's requirements for local government offices became increasingly higher and stricter. It was becoming increasingly difficult to be a people-friendly official.

Officials can't make a living.

Pan Yinglong looked at Xiang Jinping's face and was furious.

In order for the amusement party to go smoothly, I tolerate you temporarily, but I didn’t expect you to be so aggressive!
However, Pan Yinglong knew that he could not lose his temper at this time, so he said calmly: "Hearing what Xiang Changshi said, An Liangxing and Manager Xiu have indeed made great contributions to the amusement park.

It is reasonable for me to meet him and give him some praises, but the Football League Council will come to discuss the Champions League final in the afternoon, so I cannot get away.

So, Qianhe, you go meet the shopkeeper Xiu on my behalf and convey my regards. I hope he will continue to work hard to maintain order and supervise the vendors during the next two and a half days of the meeting."

"Yes."

After more than ten minutes, Shen Wanxiang came back.

"Prefect, this is Xiu Qiping's gift to you and me."

Shen Wanxiang handed over two bills of exchange, one for five hundred yuan and one for one hundred yuan.

"Sir, Xiu Qiping has repeatedly said that this is just a token of my gratitude and filial piety, and he has repeatedly hinted to me that there will be a greater token of my gratitude and filial piety later."

Pan Yinglong shook the two bills of exchange and sneered, "Are you using this to test me? A bowl of stinky tofu must be served. Is there any place for them on this table?

What a presumptuous thing to do! "

Shen Wanxiang knew that the prefect was very angry and it was difficult to persuade him any further.

"Send these two bills quietly to the Central Supervisory Office of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, register them, get the receipt, and tell them not to spread the news so as not to delay my beating later."

"Yes."

In a secluded part of the amusement park, Xiu Qiping was a little angry: "Lao Xiang, I am a little unwilling to not be able to see Prefect Pan."

Xiang Jinping sneered in his heart. It was just a pet dog. After pretending to be a human for a few days, he had lost his own weight.

If I want to see the prefect, I even want to go to the Western Garden to meet him!

Are you qualified?

However, he did not show it, and said with a smile: "Master Xiu, what day is today?
It was the first day of the amusement fair, with dragon boat racing competitions, football championships, and a bunch of other things going on. Prefect Pan was really busy. Didn’t you see a bunch of people waiting outside the pavilion, but no one saw the prefect?

The prefect sent his clerk to see you and gave you some words of encouragement, which shows that he values ​​you enough. Lao Xiu, don't be anxious. Do your best and you will have another chance in the future."

After saying a few words, Xiang Jinping also said goodbye.

Looking at his back, one of his confidants said indignantly: "Brother, these officials just look down on us."

Xiu Qiping stared at Xiang Jinping's back with his venomous eyes, his expression changing from gloomy to bright. After more than ten seconds, he returned to normal and said nonchalantly, "Don't worry about them. We have the support of the Marquis' Mansion. Xiang Jinping is nothing!
I don't even take Pan Yinglong seriously.

He is the governor of Shuntian Prefecture in public, and I am the governor of the Five Cities in secret."

"Yes, brother is wise and brave."

"Brother has thousands of brothers, how are they worse than Pan?"

Xiu Qiping raised his hand to stop his confidants from flattering him and asked, "Did we make any money as the banker in the Dragon Boat Race?"

"Brother, we didn't expect those Marines to win the championship. We earned less than half of what we expected."

"You earned so much less?"

Xiu Qiping frowned, feeling annoyed.

With so many brothers below him to support and so many nobles above him to provide for, it is a big deal if he earns less.

Seeing his gloomy face, his confidant was a little scared and quickly explained: "Brother, we can't touch those soldiers in the Marine Corps.

There is also the football championship final in the afternoon, between the Luanzhou Iron and Steel Plant Hammers and the Xishan Military Academy Wolves, and we can’t make them obey the rules.”

The Marine Corps and Xishan Military Academy are all military personnel. I want them to listen to me and cheat secretly. My confidant said, "I can't do that."

Not to mention them, even the people from Hulugang Shipyard and Luanzhou Steel Plant said that they couldn't afford to offend them. They had militia divisions, all of which were capable of fighting, and they really couldn't beat them.

Xiu Qiping knew all this, of course. He snorted and said nothing more.

Another confidant said worriedly, "Brother, officials say that Prefect Pan is a man of deep thoughts and ruthless means. We have come to the surface at this recreational party and have shown our faces in front of him. Will he turn around and deal with us after the recreational party?"

Upon hearing this, the other two confidants looked at Xiu Qiping worriedly.

He smiled coldly: "Officials are most afraid of accidents, and they seek stability in everything. Moreover, this is the capital, under the feet of the emperor, and any accident would be a thunderbolt, a huge matter.

No matter how smart and capable Pan Yinglong was, he was still an official and had to climb up the social ladder. He did a thousand things well, but if he made one big mistake, all his efforts would be wasted.

If there were any trouble anywhere among the thousands of us brothers, he would be uneasy as the governor of Shuntian Prefecture. In his busy schedule, he specially asked his clerk to come see me and give me some kind words of encouragement. That’s what he meant.”

"Brother is mighty!"

"Brother is wise!"

The three confidants quickly flattered him.

After receiving the flattery, Xiu Qiping held his head high and chest puffed out, taking four steps forward with great vigor and stride, as if he were really the chief steward of the five cities in the capital.

(End of this chapter)