The playboy county magistrate

Having navigated the ups and downs of officialdom for decades, he was all too aware of its advantages and disadvantages.

The imperial court has been plagued by deep-seated problems in recent years, and various prefectures and counties are experiencing varying degrees of poverty and a large influx of displaced people. Empty coffers have become the norm.

The emperor and his central ministers had long been at a loss and urgently needed new policies from the local governments to produce tangible results.

It is true that Feng Chongshan is conservative and respects rules, but that does not mean he is not ambitious or does not have the desire to curry favor with the emperor.

Sticking to old rules may at most result in neither great merit nor great demerit, but it will allow one to live a peaceful life.

He didn't have the energy or the confidence to carry out reforms before; if he hadn't done one well, he would have lost his life.

However, if one could leverage this new policy in Fuyu to achieve a groundbreaking record of promoting mining, ensuring the well-being of the people, and alleviating poverty, then that would be the key to a meteoric rise to the top of the imperial court!

Who would willingly languish in the provinces if they could enter the imperial court and become the most powerful person?

In comparison, the pressure exerted by the eldest son of the Marquis of Chengen and the tribute offered by the Diao family were merely fleeting interpersonal entanglements. How could they compare to a real career advancement and lasting political achievements?

Diao Mao, standing in the crowd, felt a chill run through his body, as if he had fallen into an ice cave.

He stared intently at the composed Li Xuanzhi, his eyes bloodshot, a tidal wave of emotions surging within him.

He understood, he completely understood!

Li Xuanzhi was not forced into this situation; he had planned this whole thing from the very beginning!

He must have anticipated that he and the other local gentry would feign surrender and submit, while secretly filing complaints and causing trouble behind his back. Then, he would use their underhanded tactics to wait for the state government to hold him accountable and for his superiors to come knocking on his door to punish him.

Li Xuanzhi's memorial to the throne, written by a minor official of the seventh rank, was insignificant and would most likely be intercepted and ignored.

However, if a high-ranking official from the prefecture were to personally verify and witness the matter and submit a memorial on his behalf, even if the eldest son of the Marquis of Chengen had the power to reach far and wide, he would absolutely not dare to touch the memorial submitted by the local official at will!

The local officials personally endorsed it, and it was verified on-site. It is indeed verifiable and based on proven track records.

This new policy memorial will surely reach the ears of the emperor and be valued by the central government!

What's most ruthless is that Li Xuanzhi voluntarily relinquished his merits, directly seizing control of Feng Chongshan's career path.

A little money is nothing compared to a tremendous political achievement. The influence of a rising star in the court who might become the next heir apparent and whose rise to power is uncertain is nowhere near as tempting as the prospect of instant success.

Everyone knows that the choice is between currying favor with the powerful and wealthy, or becoming powerful and wealthy themselves.

Diao Mao was filled with remorse, so much so that he was practically green with envy.

Feng Chongshan didn't maintain his airs for long before his voice softened considerably.

"Magistrate Li, are you truly willing to entrust me with the task of submitting a memorial on your behalf, recognizing the merits of this pilot program for the new policies?"

Li Xuanzhi appeared calm and composed, bowing respectfully and speaking earnestly, without a trace of pretense.

"Your Excellency has guarded the northern lands for many years, and the people under your jurisdiction live in peace and happiness, all thanks to your teachings and guidance."

"I am but a lowly seventh-rank county magistrate, with limited vision and little influence. Even if I possess laws that benefit the people and policies to alleviate poverty, without your trust and assistance, I will find it difficult to implement them effectively. How then can I hope to benefit the people and secure a bright future?"

"Only if Your Excellency submits a truthful report and strongly recommends the new policies of Fuyu can transcend its limited territory and become a model for all prefectures and counties, benefiting countless impoverished people. This merit of saving the world and bringing peace to the people should naturally belong to Your Excellency."

These words not only saved face for Feng Chongshan, but also highlighted the supreme value of the new policy, and blocked any way for the other party to refuse.

A glimmer of light flashed across Feng Chongshan's eyes, and the last trace of hesitation in his heart vanished.

Looking at the young, yet shrewd and calculating seventh-rank county magistrate before him, he already understood.

This young man is no ordinary person; befriending him will be far more beneficial than suppressing him.

"it is good."

Feng Chongshan nodded heavily, his tone now showing more approval.

"Since you have this intention and these achievements are before you, I will temporarily refrain from pursuing the matter today. I will immediately accompany you to the yamen to examine all the files, accounts, and records of the people's conditions, and personally go to the workshops on the outskirts of the city to inspect the new iron smelting method."

"If everything is true, and the new policies truly benefit the people and bring peace, with no potential for chaos, then I, on behalf of the prefecture, will personally forward your 'Memorial on Promoting Mining and Ensuring Peace,' strongly recommending Fuyu County as the first pilot county for the new mining and metallurgical policies in the land!"

In short, the dust has settled.

A moment of deathly silence fell over the entire arena, followed by a burst of long-suppressed cheers of jubilation from the crowd!

"Thank goodness! The adult is alright!"

"The new policies are a good thing; the imperial court is finally paying attention to our Fuyu County!"

The cheers of the people echoed through the streets and alleys, lingering for a long time.

The magistrate of Cao County, the lieutenant of Feng County, and the two yamen runners completely relaxed, their faces beaming with excitement and their hearts filled with pride.

Only Diao Mao and a group of local gentry stood frozen in the crowd, their faces ashen.

The lawsuit they personally handed over, along with their meticulously planned and insidious schemes, not only failed to bring down Li Xuanzhi, but instead personally propelled him to an even higher position!

Once the new policies of Buyeo are officially approved by the court as a model, Li Xuanzhi will be a meritorious reformer and a capable minister in governing the country.

What will be the fate of these local gentry who obstruct the new policies, spread rumors, and falsely accuse good officials?

"Magistrate Li, please."

Feng Chongshan's attitude softened completely, shedding his arrogance and domineering presence, and he became extremely polite, raising his hand in a perfunctory gesture.

"I will accompany you into the yamen to examine the case files and verify your performance."

"Your humble servant obeys."

Li Xuanzhi bowed slightly, his expression remaining calm and composed, without a trace of smugness or arrogance. It was as if the life-or-death struggle he had just reversed was merely a matter of lifting a finger.

The two turned around side by side and slowly stepped into the main hall of the county government office.

The people spontaneously gathered in front of the government office, and no one left. Everyone looked expectant and quietly waited for the final result.

Upon entering the hall and taking his seat, Feng Chongshan sat upright in the main seat, his imposing presence from outside the door gone, his tone calm and solemn:

"Magistrate Li, there were too many people talking outside just now, so I was unable to ask about many details. Now that it is quiet inside, please explain in detail the regulations, controls, advantages and disadvantages, and long-term plans of the new mining and metallurgical policy in Fuyu County, without concealing anything."

What he wanted was no longer a confession, but a complete, rigorous, and scalable new policy proposal.

He wanted to ensure that what he submitted was a comprehensive plan, not just a minor local modification on a whim.

Li Xuanzhi was confident and spoke calmly.

"Your Excellency is wise to understand that the core of my new policies lies in eliminating private interests and prioritizing public good, thus benefiting the people and strengthening the foundation of the nation."

"Firstly, mines are now under public control, eliminating private interests. All mines are now under government management, with designated mining areas and strict control over the scale of mining. Registration and traceability are implemented to prevent problems at their source."

"Secondly, the registration of artisans is now under official control, which standardizes their skills. In the past, artisans passed down their skills privately, resulting in inconsistent quality and chaotic processes. Now, the county government has standardized the registration and grading of artisans, paid them according to their work, and allowed them to teach their skills openly and operate in a standardized manner. This not only ensures the livelihood of artisans but also refines the iron-smelting process, preventing skills from being kept secret and allowing them to be passed down steadily."

"Thirdly, ironware benefits the people and stabilizes agriculture. Government-made ironware is given priority to farmers and sold at fair prices. Hoarding and price gouging are strictly prohibited. Sufficient farm tools ensure efficient spring plowing, and high-quality tools increase labor efficiency. With migrant workers having jobs and wasteland having tools to cultivate, the people's livelihood in the county will naturally and steadily recover."

"Fourth, the entire process is controllable. There are guards in the workshops, quotas for mining, accounts for output, records for sales, and management of artisans. There is no suspicion of hoarding weapons or the risk of gathering crowds to cause trouble."

This detailed explanation not only filled in all the loopholes in the laws and regulations, but also highlighted the governing value that far exceeds the old rules.

Feng Chongshan listened with an increasingly solemn expression, nodding frequently, his eyes filled with growing appreciation.

At this moment, he couldn't help but sigh softly, deeply moved:

"Every measure is tailored to the national conditions and addresses deep-seated problems at every turn, making it a hundred times more practical than the rigid and empty rhetoric of the government!"

At this moment, he had no more hesitation. This new policy must be implemented!