Seeing that Fang Yun had already spoken up to this point, the officials present understood that Fang Xusheng had not come to Xiang Province to be the governor, but to pursue goals that far exceeded that of an official.
The methods used by officials were useless in front of Fang Yun.
Many officials looked at Dong Wencong. At a time like this, they could only hope that the governor of a province would speak.
Dong Wencong coughed lightly and said, "Since Fang Xusheng wants to hear the truth, I will answer truthfully. The main reason for the people's protest is that they have lost trust in our Xiang Province's officials. "
"Not enough," Fang Yundao said.
Dong Wencong said helplessly, "A small number of people have been bullied by the local officials, so they have lost all hope in the Xiang Province's government."
The other officials broke out in cold sweat. As high-ranking officials, they all knew this, but the problem was that they could not say this, because it would be tantamount to flaying all the officials.
"That's right, it's not that they are stupid, it's not that the officials are incompetent, and even those unscrupulous merchants are secondary reasons. The main reason is that you officials are shameless and incompetent. However, other than the fact that you officials are not righteous, ignorant, or fair, there is a deeper reason for the people's loss of trust and despair, "Fang Yundao said.
"Please enlighten us, sir." Dong Wencong was slightly surprised, and the other officials were also curious.
Fang Yun said slowly, "Let's not consider the power of the saints. From the Western Zhou Dynasty to the Spring and Autumn Warring States Period, until the transition between Qin and Han, once the people had no way to make a living, there would definitely be people who would rise up in revolt. Chen Sheng and Wu Guang were not even comparable to scholars, but they were recorded in the annals of history, similar in status to the great scholar Xusheng. Liu Bang was only a high scholar, a mere constable, and could not control a county, but he eventually became the founding emperor of the Han Dynasty. In those times, if the people could not make a living, they would fight to the death with the officials. Thus, even if they lost trust in the officials, they would not despair. Back then, other than Xiang Yu and Chen Sheng, there were probably many people who dared to look at Xianyang, wanting to replace it. "
The officials present vaguely understood Fang Yun's intentions.
"However, it's very difficult for the people to live in poverty now. At least, there won't be large-scale poverty. Most importantly, the people rose up back then. Even if they couldn't overthrow the tyranny, they could shake its foundation and replace it with a righteous person. But now, the gap between the power of the people and the government was getting bigger and bigger. The people suddenly realized that even if they started an uprising now, not many people would respond. Even if they did, they would not be able to shake the foundation of the government. In other words, the people already know that they have lost the power to restrain the officials. The current officials don't even respect the people, they don't even treat the people as humans, "Fang Yundao said.
The officials present were stunned. Even though they held important positions, they had never thought of this problem.
"Therefore, when they no longer trust the officials, they can't really restrain the officials. They can only gather together and vent their anger by roaring on the streets. A truly good official will resolve their anger before they go on the streets, unlike you. Either you know that they don't dare to rebel, so you don't care, or you think that they are ignorant and can't be bothered to educate them. "
Dong Wencong wanted to say something with a bitter face, but Fang Yun waved his hand to stop him. "I know that you will say that you have your difficulties, but don't forget that since you are the prefectural magistrate, since you are the prefecture magistrate, you should solve these problems. Those ordinary bailiffs, ordinary officials, and ordinary soldiers don't really have the power to make decisions, so they can complain and complain. However, no one forced you officials to educate the people or help them. You chose your current position, so you have to do it. Otherwise, what else can you do? "
The officials present were all ashamed.
"Sir, you are right." Dong Wencong was convinced.
"This official knows his mistake." The officials admitted their mistakes.
Fang Yun snorted. "Now, give me an answer. How do you want to solve the problem of the papermaking workshop?"
Dong Wencong said firmly, "Since the people are against it, we will cancel it immediately."
"Oh, if the people object and you cancel it, then how are you going to govern a province in the future? The papermaking workshop could have brought thousands of jobs to Baling, and could have allowed a large number of scholars in Xiang Province to buy paper at a lower price. These good things are gone. After weighing the pros and cons, it seems that the loss of the papermaking workshop is greater. "
Dong Wencong smiled bitterly. He didn't know how to answer, nor did he understand Fang Yun's intentions.
Baling prefectural magistrate Yan Xiao hurriedly said, "Since that's the case, then we Baling officials will all go to the workshop in the next few days to resolve the doubts and anger in the people's hearts. As long as we treat people with sincerity, as long as we do what we say, the people will definitely support us. In the end, we will make everyone happy."
"What will you use to convince them that there is no problem with the papermaking workshop?" Fang Yun asked.
Yan Xiao was silent for a moment. "We will do our best and use all our means."
"Yan Xiao, Wencong, and all the officials present, tell me, are you sure that the papermaking workshop is beneficial to Baling and Xiang Prefecture? At the same time, the damage to the surroundings will not be enough to affect the health of the people." Fang Yun swept his gaze over the crowd, his expression serious.
Yan Xiao was the first to speak. "I dare to guarantee with my head and future that the papermaking workshop is definitely beneficial to Xiang Prefecture. It will definitely not damage the surrounding waters, and will definitely not harm the people nearby."
Dong Wencong hesitated for a moment. "I have the same thoughts as Prefectural Magistrate Yan."
"I also have the same thoughts." All the officials present expressed their opinions.
Fang Yun smiled and nodded. "Good, this is a responsible official of my Jingguo. This is a man with ambition. Unlike those despicable officials who only want to get promoted and get rich, who only want to satisfy their selfish desires, who only think about money, power, and sex. I, Fang Yun, am proud to be an official in Xiang Prefecture with all of you. From today onwards, no matter when or where, I can proudly tell everyone that I, Fang Yun, was once an official in Xiang Prefecture."
As Fang Yun spoke, he stood up excitedly.
The officials present also became excited. It was a great honor to be praised by the great Xusheng.
"But you still don't have a specific way to solve this problem, right?" Fang Yun smiled kindly.
The officials nodded helplessly.
"I have a plan. Not only can it solve this problem, but it can also show your officials' benevolence," Fang Yun said.
"Governor, please advise us." The officials respectfully asked in unison.
Fang Yun smiled. "It's very simple. From today onwards, move all the officials of Baling City to the vicinity of the papermaking workshop. Or, move the residences of officials of rank seven and above there. This way, you can use your actions to announce that there is no problem with the papermaking workshop. Use facts to prove that you did not deceive the people. You are all good officials with a conscience and ambition. You are different from those corrupt officials."
All the officials were stunned. No wonder Fang Yun had praised them so highly. Now that they looked down, they were being roasted by Fang Yun.
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