My Father in Law is Lu Bu

Chapter 631

“The police will be in charge of defending the city. They will be replacing the garrison but they also have the authority to arrest criminals.”

“Aren’t they bailiffs?”

“Yes. I want to combine the bailiffs and the garrison troops. That way, it would be easier to control them. It would also be easy to transfer them around.” Liu Mang saw plenty of Xinye’s garrison just sleeping on the job as they had nothing to do. Some of them like Guo Yi even end up embezzling money.

Guo Yi and the rest could embezzle money because they were too free. They weren’t essential so as long as no one investigated this matter, no one would notice. As a result, Liu Mang wanted them to become busy and gave them the bailiff’s job.

“What about the bailiffs?” There were at least three squads of bailiffs under each authority. If they were replaced, they would lose their jobs.

“The bailiffs can merge into the police as well. For the ones that cannot become police, give them the military’s severance pay.” Liu Mang added.

“Then this police force. How many should there be in a city? How do we assign them?” A young man suddenly stand up and ask.

“Zijing. I trust you have been well.” Liu Mang laughed as he said to Lu Su.

“Lu Su greets Your Highness!” Lu Su did not meet with Liu Mang the previous day because he was ashamed. When Liu Mang persuaded him to join, he refused. Yet now, Lu Su would insist on staying even if they want him out. He could have avoided Liu Mang the previous day but he had to attend this meeting.

“Five hundred for towns, two thousand for cities and five thousand for the capital city. All of them will be managed by the military officers.” Liu Mang said.

Lu Su frowned at this. “Milord. Wouldn’t this number be too small?” If it was just the bailiffs then this number was definitely a lot. However, when it comes to city defense during these turbulent times, a small town should have at least one thousand men.

“It is not too little. The police are primarily used to help the magistrate and the governor keep the peace. It is enough for a county to have five hundred men!” Liu Mang said. A county town would have ten thousand households at most. Five hundred was more than enough. Liu Mang already regarded them with disdain.

“But they also need to defend the city! What if the enemy attacks?”

“What if the enemy attacks? Can’t the five hundred men hold out for at least two days?” Liu Mang asked back. “If the enemy send a few thousand men, just close the gates. If they send a hundred thousand men, then you might as well surrender. After all, our Yangzhou’s main force could not stop them. What can the garrison even do?” Liu Mang was not Liu Bei. Liu Bei would make his people fight to the death for him in order to escape.

However, in Liu Mang’s opinion, they were all Han people. If his main army is destroyed, everyone else might as well surrender. There was no need for needless casualties.

If the enemy sneaks in, they would not be able to bring a large force with them. At that time, the garrison can just hold out for two days. In that time, reinforcements will come. So there was no need for a large number of people to defend the city. Meanwhile, Liu Mang would be able to use the provisions elsewhere.

“What about the additional garrison troops?” One person asked. Liu Mang sneered back. “What extra troops?” There was such huge embezzlement at Xinye. What about the other places?

“If there really are additional troops, take the excellent ones and discharge the rest. If they refuse to be discharged, put them with the agricultural troops!” Liu Mang added. Yangzhou had lots of land. They could provide for half of the world if they turned it all to farms.

Even though Liu Mang had been giving away land to the people, there were still plenty more untouched land. So Liu Mang simply needed to send people to cultivate it.

“Who is going to be in charge of the police department?” Xu Shu asked. If there is a new ministry, someone is needed to manage things.

“Locally, they would be managed by the county magistrate and those under the governor. When it comes to command, the county officers are to listen to the regional officers, who in turn, must listen to the generals.” Liu Mang said. He wanted the garrison to break away from the army.

“That is why the police should be managed by a government official.” Liu Mang added.

“Does Yuanzhi have someone to recommend to this position?” Liu Mang asked.

Xu Shu did not know who to recommend. It would seem that it is not a minor position as the minister would need to take over the duties of bailiffs and also garrison.

“Milord. Would I be allowed to do it?” One young scholar asked.

“And you are?” Liu Mang truly realized that he did not know many faces. All of them were recruited by Xu Shu when he was not around.

“My name is Li Yan. Li Yan Li Zhengfang.” The man smiled as he recommended himself.

“Yuanzhi?” Liu Mang turned to Xu Shu hoping for an explanation.

“Milord. This is Zhengfang. He is originally Kongming’s subordinate and was a deputy general. Now he is my subordinate doing ministry work.” Xu Shu explained. Basically, Li Yan was like Xu Shu’s secretary.

“Li Yan Li Zhengfang? Are you from Nanyang? Were you a full time official at Nanyang in the past?” Liu Mang asked.

“Hm? Your Highness knows me?” Li Yan was surprised to find out that Liu Mang knew he worked at Nanyang as an official. At that time, Nanyang was still under Liu Biao’s control and Li Yan was the county magistrate. Li Yan was simply unlucky. He was dismissed when Zhang Ren attacked and the nobles would not give him any position once he returned to Jingzhou. Li Yan had no choice but to try and work his way up from a humble position, only succeeding thanks to Zhuge Liang.

“Of course, I have been to Nanyang!” Liu Mang lied. He simply remembered that Li Yan was one of the assistants Zhuge Liang was proud of in the original era after hearing Xu Shu’s words.

When Liu Bei was sick, Li Yan was made co-regent with Zhuge Liang and was made to handle all military matters. The two had a competitive yet cooperative relationship and even praised each other in their letter to Meng Da.

When Li Yan failed to send provisions to Zhuge Liang during an expedition, he was afraid to be blamed and shifted the blame towards Zhuge Liang. In the end, when Zhuge Liang died, Li Yan also died from depression as he knew that no one except Zhuge Liang could make proper use of him.

“Milord. When have you been to Nanyang?” Zhou Cang asked. Liu Mang glared at him and he kept quiet again.

Li Yan was happy to hear Liu Mang praise him. He had always thought of himself as a good talent looking for someone who could recognize his talents. Zhuge Liang was one and now, Liu Mang was another.

“So, what about the Police Department…”

“Zhengfang can do it.” Liu Mang generously allocated. Even if he could not trust Li Yan, he would be able to trust Xu Shu and Zhuge Liang. If Li Yan could work well under those two, he could definitely work well under Liu Mang himself as well.

Li Yan did not expect to actually be given such an important position when he was just Xu Shu’s secretary. He could tell that his future prospects would be good if he were to accept this position. Though the police force had less men than what the garrison used to have, it now also had the power to punish criminals. In other words, Li Yan had power over the criminal law in Yangzhou like the Ministry of Justice.

“Zhengfang. Quickly thank His Highness.” Xu Shu prompted.

“Thank you Milord!” Li Yan immediately knelt down.

“Do not thank me so early. Zhengfang, you must know that the responsibility here is heavy. I am sure you know what happened at Xinye! Guo Yi alone had almost caused a rebellion. If this happens here, Yangzhou will collapse. So I have to tell you. If you do well, it would be your duty even if there are no rewards. If you don’t do well, do not blame me for ignoring any sentimental feelings!” Liu Mang narrowed his eyes as he looked at Li Yan. Li Yan could do things well but he was also someone who shifts blame onto others. Liu Mang was warning him that if Li Yan were to do this, he would execute him on the spot.

“I understand! I can issue a military order that I will be executed if I disappoint Milord!” Li Yan said unyieldingly.

Li Yan stepped back happily and returned to his seat behind the others. However, if there was another meeting the next day, he would be at the top three seats at the front.

“How much provisions do we have in our treasury right now?” Liu Mang then concerned himself about the provisions. It was the main reason he went to Jingzhou. Without any provisions, there would be no need to talk about any police department. He would not even be able to keep his people alive.

“Milord. Right now, we have five hundred thousand provisions in Shouchun and two hundred provisions at Lujiang. Altogether, we have seven hundred thousand provisions!” Xu Shu said with a smile.