Chapter 139 The Night of the Nightingale (1/2)
Song Jiao combed the hair on her temples and pretended to be calm, ”It was your father's order, ok?”
Li Ye shook his head, ”He would never give such an order. He had been free from worries long ago. How would he care about my work in Pinglu?”
Song Jiao shut her mouth and stared at Li Ye. Then she turned around and walked into the Taoist temple.
Li Ye stunned and he heard her whisper ”fool” when Song Jiao was turning her body.
Li Ye stopped guessing and left the Huabuzhu Mountain.
When Li Ye got back to the Qizhou city, it was the time when the sun was setting. The last drop of sunshine faded away from the top of the city wall. Li Ye walked into the city gate. All the guards from the house of Prince An who were on duty greeted him, ”Your Highness!”
Li Ye nodded and walked directly to the house of the Inspector General without saying any more.
A lot of people were gathering in and out of the administrative hall of the house of the Inspector General. Most of them were wearing official gowns. Low leveled officers wearing blue and green gowns occupied the majority of the crowd. Li Zhen did not sit on the major chair in the administrative hall. He saved it for Li Ye. With the help of several scribes, Li Zhen was registering the officers.
The registration was not simple. Li Zhen asked a lot of questions. It was not only about the officers' titles but also about making clear whether they were good or bad, which needed much evidence.
Li Ye came to the outside of the administrative hall where Shangguan Qingcheng led a team to guard in person so to avoid any chance of disorder. Seeing Li Ye approaching slowly, Shangguan Qingcheng's eyes were lightened up. She welcomed Li Ye with a joyful face, ”Your Highness really comes back so soon!”
”I said I would come back for dinner.” Li Ye told the truth.
The starry light filled with Shangguan Qingcheng's eyes immediately.
Li Ye clapped on her pocket and walked into the moon gate shaking his head. Shangguan Qingcheng touched the place where Li Ye clapped, her white face was puzzled. But suddenly, she blushed and lowered her head.
Li Ye walked into the administrative hall. Li Zhen and his assistants stood up to greet him right away, ”Honest Commissioner.”
The officers of Qizhou recognized Li Ye as the newly assigned Commissioner. They were shocked since Li Ye looked so young. Thinking of the news about taking down Wei Baoheng and assisting Li Ye to get rid of the eunuch, they felt relieved.
After all, about the young man who had no hope for cultivation for twenty years but suddenly rose up as Huiming, there were so many legends that they were familiar with them even they were as far as in Qizhou.
People bowed to salute, ”Honest Commissioner!”
”Forego formalities.” Li Ye waved his hand and came to the chief seat, but he did not sit down. Looking around the people, Li Ye said amiably, ”You are the backbone of Qizhou. You have administrated the army and government office of Qizhou day and night during all these years without complaining, which is a great contribution to our country. I heartily appreciate what you have done.”
Then he folded his hands to salute, ”Thank you all.”
”No problem. That's our responsibility!”
”Honest Commissioner is flattering us. It's our job indeed. We shouldn't take the credits!”
”Honest Commissioner is a master of both the pen and the sword. You are both brave and resourceful. Pinglu is lucky to have you, and we are lucky to follow you!”
”That's true! We've been looking forward to your inauguration and working for you!”
People all folded their hands and replied. Some of them said they were flattered. Some of them said they didn't deserve the praise. And some of them said some sweet-talks. When they lowered their heads and looked at one another, they all understand the thoughts of the other ones.
Li Ye came to Qizhou in a sudden and killed Wu Huainan as soon as he got into the city. It would be impossible for the officers of Qizhou to be frightened. They were worried at the same time that Li Ye would punish them for their guilt before. After all few of them were clean under the administration of Wu Huainan. Therefore some of them were uneasy and some of them even had a sinister motive in mind.
However, after hearing Li Ye's words and seen his manner, all of them sighed with relief. They found out that the new commissioner was not cold-hearted but quite kind.
Some of them thought that Li Ye's purpose for killing Wu Huainan was to build up his majesty. If he wanted to manage the situation in Pinglu, he would depend on the local powers, on whom he could not be too harsh. Thinking of the above, they felt less afraid of Li Ye.
Li Ye gestured for the people to be quiet and continued to say, ”The civilians in Qizhou are having a hard time living. It is common to see them being bullied everywhere. You are the backbone of Qizhou and in charge of the administration of army and government office. That's why I hold you responsible for the situation. I'm here to guard Pinglu on His Majesty's command. What I pursue is a happy and peaceful life for the civilians and officers in Pinglu. Therefore, I will seriously investigate any crimes and dead wood!”
People's faces changed suddenly. The old accounts would be settled anyway!
Those who were disrespectful to Li Ye just now came to their senses and began to worry.
Li Ye glanced at Li Zhen, ”How is the distinction going?”
Li Ye would certainly bring his own staff to take the office of the commissioner of Pinglu. Li Zhen was assigned as the assistant to the commissioner of Pinglu. That was of great authority.
”I've finished registering the officers,” Li Zhen folded his hands and said.
Li Ye nodded and said to everyone, ”It's getting late. I was in a rush to come back and I'll take a rain check to treat you dinner some other day.”
People said ok with all kinds of thoughts.
After the officers left, Li Zhen folded his hands and laughed, ”Hones Commissioner have conquered the officers in the first meeting by tempering justice with mercy. That was really wise. You have my appreciation!”
Li Ye had a look at him and sat down, ”Tempering justice with mercy was by deeds rather than words.”
Letting Li Zhen sit, Li Ye continued, ”I won't do the distinction by myself. You can arrange manpower. There are 2 principles to follow. One is investigating the Wu family hard since they used to control Qizhou. Punish the guilty ones strictly.”
”For the distinction, promotion, banishing of the local officers, you just follow one principle, which is to oppress some, neutralize some and rope some. The Wu family is to be oppressed for sure. Then you can first neutralize the dead wood without big mistakes instead of punishing them. You should promote those who used to be oppressed by the Wu family but stick to their duties.”