"Please rest assured, the subordinates have already made arrangements, just wait for the prince to enter our realm!"

After Yi Enyang heard this, he laughed out loud.

Although everyone present felt that Yi Enyang's smile was gloomy, they could only laugh with him.

**

That night, the prince and others arrived at the boundary of Chu and rested at an inn.

At this moment, Jiang Shishi, the crown prince, Huang Dechang, and Yu Bing sat at a table of eight immortals in the hall to eat.

There were several tables of guests around who were also having dinner like them.

Along the way, Jiang Shishi and others did not live in an inn every day, and they had hot dishes and hot meals to eat.

More often than not, they sit in the carriage and eat dry food or snacks.

Finally had a hot meal to eat, Jiang Shishi focused on dry rice, but heard a table of guests on the right talking there.

"I think the prince said that it sounded good, he went to the people to inspect the water conservancy, but in fact, he came to our people to collect oil and water!"

"Isn't it, the emperor asked him to inspect water conservancy in the people, what did he do?"

"It's not just scraping oil and water, just his style, it's called scraping bones!"

Originally, it was just the people at the next table who were talking about it, but there was so much discussion that the whole hall began to talk about it.

is nothing more than how bad the prince is.

Jiang Shishi wondered, they came to Chu all the way, and the prince didn't do anything to hurt the sky except for inspecting water conservancy, how did it come to the point where the people's grievances were boiling?

is as puzzled as Jiang Shishi, as well as Huang Dechang and the guards who are traveling with him.

Seeing that everyone was talking about the prince, Huang Dechang and Yu Bing took a few guards to the table where they were discussing at the beginning.

Yu Bing directly put the snake spear on the ground, and then pointed the spear directly at the man who was talking at the beginning.

Seeing the sharp spearhead, and then looking at Yu Bing's murderous faces, the man stammered in fright: "You... Who are you... This... What is this for? ”

"We are from out of town, and when we heard you talking about the prince here, we were curious and wanted to inquire more about things." Huang Dechang sat down next to the man, "Didn't you talk about it quite vigorously just now?" Keep talking! ”

As he spoke, he also glanced at the guests around him.

Those guests also kept their mouths shut and did not dare to talk about the prince anymore.

Some people also put the silver and copper coins on the table, and left the inn with their burdens on their backs, not daring to stay here for long.

Looking at the snake spear pointed at his nose, the man slapped his mouth and begged for mercy again and again, "Ladies and gentlemen, if I say the wrong thing and offend you, please forgive me." ”

"Don't mind......" Huang Dechang's face sank, "If you say it, you can say it!" ”

"Good, good... I said...... man's forehead sweated with nervousness, "it's just... I wonder what you guys want to hear? ”

Huang Dechang: "Just what you just said... What's going on with the prince's bone scraping and cramps in the folk? ”

"......" The man swallowed in fear, didn't dare to continue and had to say: "Recently, the Chu realm has been rumored... It is said that when the prince inspected the water conservancy in various places, he asked the people to pay an extra amount of tax and silver for each place he visited, saying that it was used to build river embankments. ”

"Even in our Chu realm, I heard that some local yamen have also begun to collect taxes from the common people, but the common people have paid taxes every year, and now the prince has to collect an extra tax, so our common people are naturally resentful......

"Nonsense!" Huang Dechang gritted his teeth after hearing this.

The man pursed his lips in fright, and suddenly didn't dare to say anything.

Huang Dechang ordered him, "I say mine, you continue to say yours." ”

The man didn't know whether to say it or not, and under Huang Dechang's forced gaze, he continued to speak.

"So... Therefore, now there are rumors all over the Chu world... It's not that the court wants to collect taxes at all, but that the prince takes advantage of the inspection to collect silver everywhere, and the silver is used for the prince to eat, drink, and have fun, and goes to the prince's pocket......"

"It just doesn't make sense!" Huang Dechang slapped the table angrily and asked the man angrily, "Is there anything else?" ”

This time out of the palace, not to mention that His Royal Highness did not let people collect taxes indiscriminately, just take the store as an example, His Royal Highness is all simple, and all he spends is his own money.

As a result, the people spread the rumors that His Highness was looting silver everywhere, which was so angry that he was angry!

"......" the man replied, curling his neck, "No... Nope. ”

The situation was almost understood, and Huang Dechang and the others returned to the prince and sat down.

It was close, and His Highness must have listened to the man's words.

Huang Dechang glanced at the prince cautiously, only to see that the prince was still eating elegantly, as if those people were not talking about him.

Pei Xuanling didn't show emotion on his face, but he was thinking in his heart that the collection of taxes was managed by the local prefect, and it seemed that he would have to meet the local prefect well.

**

In the early morning of the next day, after breakfast for the prince and others, they went to the gate of the main city of Chu.

When the carriage arrived at the city gate, Yu Bing handed the documents from the imperial court to the people guarding the gate.

As for Jiang Shishi and the crown prince, because there were too many people at the city gate, the two sat in the carriage.

The city gate is crowded with people, and all kinds of pedestrians are endless.

Not to mention that the prince is a carriage and a tall horse.

Moreover, there was also a group of cars and horses parked there at the other end, causing the already crowded city gate to become more and more congested.

The guard guarding the door looked at the prince's papers, and knelt down on the spot.

At the same time, many people at the gate of the city knelt down towards the prince, "Congratulations to His Royal Highness the prince to inspect Chudi!" ”

Pei Xuanling just wanted to keep a low profile, so he didn't bring many people with him when he entered the city.

As a result, the local officials gathered at the gate of the city with a large number of men and horses to meet him.

At this time, when I heard that the prince had arrived in Chudi, the common people also knelt and saluted, but there was no shortage of voices in the crowd talking about the prince.

"A while ago, I heard that the prince went to the people to inspect water conservancy in various places, and it was said that he would come to us, but I didn't expect to really come to our Chudi."

"Could it be that the news that the prince has scavenged the people's fat and ointment is also true?"

"It must be true, it is said that some of our local yamen here have begun to collect taxes from the people."

"Alas, our people's lives are going to be difficult......"

And so forth and so on......

Most of the common people were whispering to the people around them, and the prince sitting in the carriage could not hear them.

However, Pei Xuanling learned some information at the inn yesterday, and probably guessed what the people were talking about.

Pei Xuanling clearly knew that some people wanted to ruin his reputation, and the people were just confused by rumors, so they didn't bother with the people.

Sitting in the carriage, Pei Xuanling said in a deep voice: "Get up, the city gate is the passage in and out of the city, don't gather here, it's all scattered!" ”

"His Royal Highness Prince Xie!"

When the people got up, they were sent away by the guards who kept order.

As for the group of officials, they crowded the prince's carriage and entered the city gate.

The originally congested city gate became unobstructed in an instant.

The prefect of Chudi led the horse to the prince's carriage on the one hand, and invited the prince warmly through the curtain, "Your Highness, the lower official has ordered a table of good wine and good food in the best local restaurant, and I hope that His Royal Highness will appreciate his face." ”

"Lonely is here to do things, not to play, so you don't have to be extravagant and wasteful, just find a restaurant to rest in a while." Pei Xuanling said lightly.

After hearing this, Governor Liu hurriedly said: "Your Highness has worked hard all the way, you are so noble, how can you find a restaurant to live in?" ”

Huang Dechang: "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has gone out of the palace this time, everything is simple, that is, he has lived in a country inn, and he is not as particular as those ones!" ”

Now it is rumored everywhere that His Highness is looting the people's fat and people's ointment, and these officials are still greeting His Highness at the gate of the city, are they afraid that the common people will not know that His Highness has come to Chudi?

Moreover, they also invited His Highness to dine in the best restaurant in public, didn't it confirm the rumor that His Highness was eating, drinking and having fun among the people?

Fortunately, he reacted quickly and took this opportunity to help His Highness clarify some facts!

Sure enough, some ordinary people were full of surprise after hearing this, how could this prince be different from what they had heard?

Through the curtain of the car, Pei Xuanling's eyes swept over the group of officials, "If Lone remembers correctly, today is not the day of rest, but your lords are not on an errand in the Yamen, but run to the city gate to meet Lonely, this is how you worked in the Yamen in the past?" ”

As soon as the voice fell, the officials knelt down one after another.

Governor Liu didn't care about leading the horse, so he hurriedly knelt down and explained: "I didn't hear that you are going to Chudi, I want to pick up the wind and wash the dust for His Highness, so I will make an appointment to come to the city gate to greet His Highness." ”

"There are people around you who are waiting for you, and you don't need to greet you, so it's important for you to go back to the yamen on an errand." Pei Xuanling's voice was cold.

Local officials sweated on their foreheads and answered "yes" one after another.

Governor Liu got up and wiped the sweat from his forehead, and heard the prince say: "Governor Liu, I am going to inspect the East Lake River in Chu tomorrow, and you will accompany you!" ”

"......," Governor Liu replied with surprise and joy.

Pei Xuanling didn't have time to deal with these officials, so he directly asked the guards to drive the carriage to an ordinary restaurant opened by the Seventh Prince in Chudi.

After staying in the restaurant, Pei Xuanling asked the guards to inquire about the news of several important local officials.

And he himself, sitting in the study, staring at the map of Chudi, pondering the route when patrolling the river.

The prince was in the office, and Jiang Shishi was not easy to disturb, so she went downstairs and ordered a table of delicious food to enjoy.

**

The next day, the prince and Governor Liu made an appointment to inspect the East Lake River.

On this day, the crown prince took dozens of guards and headed to East Lake.

Jiang Shishi, like Yu Liangdi, dressed as a female guard and followed the prince.

When he arrived at the East Lake Wharf, as soon as the prince got out of the carriage, Governor Liu led someone to greet him, "Your Highness, the lower official came to the dock early in the morning, and the cruise ship has been prepared, and please follow the lower official on the boat to take a look." ”

Governor Liu led the way, Pei Xuanling walked with Governor Liu, and Jiang Shishi and others followed behind the prince.

After everyone got on the boat, the boat moved slowly on the lake.

During the day, the prince and Governor Liu inspected several rivers and water conservancy in East Lake, and there were no problems.

Towards the end of the evening, the boat returns.

At this moment, the prince stood on the deck with his hands in his hands, looking at the sparkling lake.

Jiang Shishi and a group of guards stood not far away.

Governor Liu stood beside the prince and chatted with the prince awkwardly, "I have long heard that His Royal Highness is conscientious and rigorous and realistic, this time you just arrived in Chudi, you were busy inspecting the river and water conservancy, it seems that the rumors are true, no wonder the emperor will send you to inspect water conservancy in various places." ”

"That's a bad word..."Pei Xuanling turned his head and looked at Governor Liu, "Lord Liu, are you sure that the rumors you heard are that you are dutiful and rigorous?" ”

Governor Liu nodded, "Yes......"

"But I heard that I collected taxes and silver indiscriminately, and under the guise of inspecting water conservancy, I searched everywhere for people's fat and ointment!" Pei Xuanling had a shallow sneer on the corner of his mouth, "I want to ask Governor Liu, why is what I heard different from what you heard?" ”

"This ......" Governor Liu lowered his head and lowered his eyes, not daring to look directly into the eyes of the crown prince, "Dare to ask Your Highness, who told you about this?" ”

"When Lone first arrived in Chudi, he heard the people complaining, do you still need others to tell Lone?!" Pei Xuanling's eyes tightened, "This time I inspected the water conservancy, I have never asked the government to collect a penny from the people, is it that your local government wants to take the opportunity to loot the people's fat and ointment?" ”

"......" Governor Liu was so frightened that he immediately knelt down, "Your Highness, this... These rumors... Xia Guan has also heard about it recently, but Xia Guan has never asked people to collect tax money when you are on patrol! ”

Pei Xuanling looked at Governor Liu condescendingly, "As the local prefect, isn't it your duty to collect taxes and collect taxes?" ”

"It is indeed the duty of the lower officials to collect taxes, but the lower officials have never let people collect tax money under the guise of your inspection." Governor Liu kowtowed to the ground, "If Your Highness doesn't believe it, Your Highness will welcome Your Highness to the yamen to review this year's tax books." ”

"......" Although Governor Liu looked like he had been wronged, Pei Xuanling still said indifferently: "The account book is to be read." ”

"When I get off the ship tomorrow, the lower official will go back to the yamen with His Royal Highness to read the account books." Governor Liu respectfully responded to the prince's question, then got up, and said with a shy smile: "Your Highness, when it was time for dinner, the lower official asked people to prepare good wine and food on the boat, and invited His Highness to go to the hall for dinner." ”

After finishing speaking, Governor Liu high-fived slightly.

Jiang Shishi saw someone bring dishes from the back kitchen into the hall, and then heard the sound of playing the guzheng from inside the boat.

Pei Xuanling entered the hall with his hands in his hands, Jiang Shishi and others followed the prince in, and saw a woman wearing a light purple skirt, sitting there playing the guzheng elegantly.

The woman's figure is graceful and colorful, her face is beautiful, her slender hands are plucked on the strings, and the song is like a flowing stream, with a sharp aftertaste and a long aftertaste.

Seeing that the prince was coming, the woman got up and saluted the prince Yingyingfu, "The people's daughter Xinyue has seen His Royal Highness. ”

Governor Liu: "Your Highness, this is our most famous local musician Guo Xinyue, Miss Guo plays a good guzheng, and has the title of "King of Silk Strings". ”

"Knowing that His Royal Highness is going to inspect the river today, the lower official specially invited her to accompany you, but the lower official does not dare to delay your official business, and only after you finish patrolling the river will he dare to let her come forward to accompany you."

Jiang Shishi: "......"

The prince's reputation in Chu is not good, and this Liu Governor still invited a famous musician to accompany the prince when he inspected the river, so wouldn't the prince's reputation be even more unpleasant?

What Jiang Shishi can think of, presumably the prince can also think of.

Unexpectedly, the prince actually looked at Guo Xinyue with a smile, "Patrolling the river is quite boring, and it is good to have Miss Guo's music to accompany you." ”

After Jiang Shishi heard this, she looked at the prince in some surprise, and her eyes turned slightly.

However, she focused more on the food at that table.

After hearing this, Yu Bing on the side pursed his lips coldly.

Just when Jiang Shishi was staring at the table of food, Governor Liu actually began to drive people away.

"Your Highness, please use it slowly, the lower official will retreat first." Governor Liu went out by himself, and squeezed his eyebrows at Jiang Shishi and the others, meaning to let Jiang Shishi and the others go out too.

Jiang Shishi and Yu Bing didn't listen to Governor Liu's words, but looked at the prince.

Unexpectedly, the prince actually said, "You guys should step aside." ”

Since the prince had spoken, Jiang Shishi and the others retreated to the door of the hall and waited.

And in that hall, only the prince and Guo Xinyue were left.

Outside the hall, the back kitchen was handing out food boxes to the guards.

Jiang Shishi, as a female guard, was also given a wooden food box.

When I opened the food box, I saw that there were steamed pork, fried fish, and green vegetables.

Those guards squatted on the spot to eat, Jiang Shishi was already hungry, and she didn't care so much, she followed their example and squatted on the spot to cook.

Yu Bing leaned against the door frame and stood to eat.

She glanced at Jiang Shishi, who was squatting aside, and raised her eyebrows slightly.

The prince is in the same room with other women, Jiang Liangdi's appetite is still so good?

The melodious sound of the guzheng came from the boat, Jiang Shishi didn't have time to appreciate it, and she didn't care about the prince and Guo Xinyue's lonely men and widows living in the same room, and only cared about cooking.

It didn't take long for her to be on the disc.

Jiang Shishi covered the food box, and the sound of the guzheng in the boat stopped abruptly.

That's it, not long after, there was a faint voice of a woman inside......

(End of chapter)

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