Jiangzhou.

Qin called Jiujiang, Han called Xunyang.

It has been a famous city in the south of the Yangtze River since ancient times.

It is an important water transport port in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River.

The rolling river gathers in one place and flows eastward.

In the past, Xunyang Gudu in Jiangzhou City, there were businessmen from all over the world, and there was an endless stream of travelers.

In May, Yunmengze was inexplicably flooded, and the flood swept through several counties in Jiangzhou, which had a lot of impact on the passenger flow of Xunyangdu.

After more than two months of restoration, the ancient ferry on the bank of the Xunyang River, which has left the handwriting of many literati and ink writers, has gradually regained its former popularity.

However, in the two days of Xunyang Ferry, the most interesting thing for the people and travelers was the large boats full of grain, which were arranged on the river in a staggered manner, adding a lot of popularity to the ancient ferry port that had just recovered its vitality.

It's July, and it's the solar term when the summer heat is about to pass and the heat is not yet coming.

In the air of Jiangzhou City, there are damp and hot winds, and the strong winds on the three-hundred-mile Xunyang River blow some coolness from time to time.

In short, it's too thin to wear one and too hot to wear two.

I didn't have enough clothes to go out in the morning, and I was already sweaty after a few steps in the morning.

This stuffy and humid Jiangnan characteristic is really not up or down.

However, Shen Xisheng, a northerner, gradually adapted to the climate of Jiangzhou.

Even though he was sweating under his scarlet official uniform, his waist was straight, and he sat upright on the Taishi chair brought by his subordinates, carefully looking at the boats waiting to be moored on the river.

Lord Shen, the supervisory envoy who was personally sent by the imperial court to Jiangnan Province for disaster relief and handling cases, is about forty years old, but he does not look old.

He looks thin and thin, and his bones are sharp, like the gray-yellow bamboo scattered on the mat in summer, and the wide crimson official robe seems to be caged on a bamboo shelf.

Shen Xisheng sat upright on the side of Jiangdu, his face was habitually straightened, serious, and not angry but powerful, this is a habit left by serving as the imperial history of the Zhou court for many years, even if he is now in Jiangzhou City, Jiangnan Province, he is the imperial court, and he also maintains such a style.

It's just that the subordinate officials who are trembling and complaining under Shen Xisheng these days have found that Lord Shen today seems to be a little different from usual.

I saw Lord Shen's eyes looking at the boats that were sailing from Longcheng County at the ferry, and from time to time he bowed his head, and his thin hands on his knees raised them frequently and patted his thighs.

There is an occasional look of appreciation on his face.

Very rare.

The officials of the Jiangzhou Thorn History Mansion, who were managed by Shen Xisheng, saw it when they passed by, and they were inevitably a little surprised.

However, there are also some old officials who know some reasons, and some people can't help but turn their heads to look in the direction of Longcheng County in the distance.

The time of the morning slowly flowed in the repeated docking of the Xunyang ferry boat and the unloading and moving rice of Lifu.

There was a ship official who arranged for transshipment and unloading with a book in his hand, his head was covered with fine sweat, he trotted closer, and respectfully announced in front of Shen Xisheng:

"Your Excellency, according to your instructions, the subordinates have distributed 110,000 stone of grain to the affected counties along the way, such as Xingzi and Jishui, and the county commanders are very grateful for the relief food that the adults have transferred to support, and ask their subordinates to ...... to the adults."

Shen Xisheng waved his hand and interrupted directly:

"They want to thank Ouyang Lianghan who went to Xie Longcheng County...... Tell me how much food is left. ”

"Back to my lord, Longcheng County has raised 160,000 stone of grain, 110,000 stone has been distributed on the road, and there are still more than 50,000 stone of grain left, all of which arrived in Xunyangdu today, and there are still seven large grain ships left behind, and they can all be unloaded before noon."

"All of them will be sent to Jimin Warehouse, and tomorrow the Japanese officials will release grain at half price."

Shen Xisheng stood up quite satisfied, straightened his official hat, straightened his clothes, pulled up the corners of his mouth, and seemed to smile:

"The price of grain in Jiangzhou City is still too high, and compared with Ouyang Lianghan's Longcheng County, it will inevitably seem too harsh to the people, this is not good, it seems that we are useless."

"Yes, sir."

Shen Xisheng looked back again, glanced at the busy and lively Gudu and the people and porters who were jubilant and cheering after hearing the news of the grain transport, his face seemed to be slightly relieved, and he turned to leave.

Before leaving, he said to the director of the ship who had reported the situation:

"Come here, on the way, I will tell the official about Longcheng County, how that Ouyang Lianghan helped the disaster and control the water."

"Yes, sir."

Behind his back, Shen Xisheng listened to the careful narration of the director of the ship, and took the latter to leave Xunyangdu with several subordinates and return to the government.

As soon as the group arrived at the gate of Jiangzhou Thorn Mansion, they were seen by the green-clothed junior official waiting at the gate, who immediately stepped forward and said:

"Lord Shen, you are finally back, the new Emperor of the Imperial Court is here, Jiangzhou, who arrived by boat this morning, was invited to a banquet by the merchants and gentry in the city, and it was really difficult to resist, Lord Assassin Shi went to Xunyang Tower to attend the banquet, so I sent a villain to invite Lord Shen to the banquet."

Shen Xisheng's face was as usual when he heard this, and he only glanced at the green-clothed petty official.

Behind the overseer, a long-faced staff official raised his hand and pointed at the green-clothed petty official, frowning and asking:

"When did Wang Tingshi take a boat to Jiangzhou in the morning, my lord and we stayed in Xunyangdu all morning, why didn't anyone report? Did Wang Tingshi do it on purpose or accidentally? ”

The green-clothed petty officer looked embarrassed, and hurriedly shook his head, where did he dare to answer.

Shen Xisheng turned his head with his back hand, glanced at the south, the direction of Xunyang Tower on the bank of the Xunyang River, he nodded, and sighed softly:

"Lord Wang is in such a hurry to take office, it seems that he is very worried about the disaster situation in Jiangzhou, well, this is a good thing."

The subordinate staff behind him didn't answer, and Shen Xi walked into the gate of the official mansion without looking back, leaving only one sentence:

"Go and tell Lord Wang, this official is used to tea and light rice, and he is not used to eating this southern delicacy, and he is not so adapted, it is really annoying that Lord Wang has just come to the east to treat him."

Shen Xisheng directly led people away, leaving only the green-clothed petty official silent in place.

……

In the south of Jiangzhou City, not far from the Thorn Mansion, there is a quiet house with an emerald green bamboo planted in the backyard.

It's also a quiet place in the middle of nowhere.

Due to its proximity to the riverside, this green cypress and bamboo forest resounded from time to time with the sound of "salsa" leaves.

A small bamboo courtyard can be faintly seen in the forest.

In the courtyard, there is a trickle of water and a small green waterwheel, the latter cleverly irrigated, quite elegant.

Shen Xisheng changed into his regular clothes, walked through the bamboo forest, and pushed the door in.

He stepped into the room, lifted the curtain, and sat down calmly opposite the only middle-aged scribe in the room, and between the two of them, there was a small wooden table, on which was placed a pot of wine, and two or three plates of peasant dishes.

It is indeed coarse tea and light rice.

Shen Xisheng was not polite, as if he had been an acquaintance for a long time, he pinched the chopsticks, took a mouthful of food, put it in his mouth, chewed it slowly, and then sighed:

"This king is cold, and the person who comes is not good."

The middle-aged scribe opposite him, dressed in Confucian clothes, had an elegant demeanor, and he could see that he had received an excellent upbringing.

If Ouyang Rong was here, he would immediately recognize the person in front of him, it was his mentor and junior sister's father from Chenjun Xie's family, Xie Xun.

Xie Xunzheng lowered his head, dipped his fingers in wine, dotted something on the table, and shook his head:

"The good don't come."

"That's the gall that Wei's gave."

Xie Xun sighed lightly, wiped the wet marks on the desktop with his palm, withdrew his hand, and raised his head.

The two old acquaintances tacitly glanced at each other.

There was silence for a while.

Xie Xun also pinched up a pair of chopsticks and picked up vegetables with Shen Xisheng.

The latter seemed to remember something at this time, took out an envelope from his bosom and put it on the desk, pressed his index finger against it, pushed it to the opposite side, and he nodded:

"Brother Xie's recommendation is really good, sure enough, a famous teacher produces a high apprentice, and you, a senior apprentice, have done a good job in the position of the Longcheng County Order, and his achievements are remarkable.

"Now not only has we completed the disaster relief for the displaced people in Longcheng County, but also raised a lot of food, which has solved the urgent needs of Jiangzhou City and the surrounding affected counties. It can be regarded as a great favor to the official. ”

Shen Xisheng sighed with some emotion, looked into the eyes of the middle-aged scribe opposite and said:

"It is not in vain that the official force is overwhelmed, and he redirects the government soldiers for him, and helps him draw up an order to limit the transportation of grain. The ideas in his letter are interesting and useful. ”

When Xie Xun heard this, he was slightly stunned and hesitated:

"Brother Xisheng, actually...... The old man didn't expect it. Coordinating Lianghan to come to Dragon City, I only hoped that he could withstand the pressure of the Liu family, gain a foothold in Dragon City, and see my letter at the last moment, and he could also understand the righteousness and help cover the situation. ”

He groaned, then shook his head:

"Lianghan's previous temperament was actually quite stubborn and old-fashioned, and when he returned to Beijing that day and risked his death, the old man didn't expect it...... However, after two years away from the academy, he suffered some setbacks and became seriously ill, but he was able to suddenly enlighten himself like this...... Hey, if it weren't for the fact that the old man had visited him in person last time, he was sure that it was Lianghan, and there was Wan Wan's frequent messengers, then the old man would have to wonder if he had changed people. ”

Shen Xisheng leaned back, and couldn't help but look at Xie Xun's face for a while, but there was still some suspicion on his face:

"Brother Xie's own apprentice, how can he not know? Don't tease the official. ”

Xie Xun's expression showed some helplessness, and he slowly closed his mouth to speak, only to sigh and shake his head.

He lowered his eyes and picked up the envelope handed by his friend, opened it, and glanced at the familiar handwriting.

"Whose letter is Lianghan's?"

"That's right, Brother Xie's apprentice."

Xie Xun always felt that his friend's words were a little sour, maybe he regretted his talent again.

"Di Gongzhan ribbon-cutting ceremony? Invite Brother Xisheng to come? Still is...... The fifteenth of this month? ”

"Hmm."

Shen Xisheng turned his head, stared at a delicate waterwheel scooping water in the courtyard outside the house, squinted and explained:

"Brother Xie's apprentice has solved the problem of disaster relief for the displaced people, and now the first thing to bear the brunt of is to control the water, I heard people say before, he seems to be digging a new gate, and now he suddenly rebuilt the Di Gong Gate, it seems that it is still the Longcheng Liu family wholly funded construction, this matter is a little strange, it should have taken a lot of effort.

"I also heard Ouyang Lianghan say in the letter before, how the Liu family in Longcheng is so hateful, how to shake hands and cooperate in the blink of an eye now, this is not quite like what a righteous gentleman does, it may be an expedient measure, this time I am invited over, I can't say that I want to suppress the Liu family in Longcheng for him, or I just want to take advantage of my momentum, and I don't necessarily say that the Liu family is done."

He turned around, took another bite of food, swallowed slowly, gently put down his chopsticks, and said with a smile:

"Brother Xie, why don't you explain some things clearly to him, so that you can keep treating us as outsiders, and don't say anything you want to do, young people now...... Brother Xie, you say, should I go now, or should I not go? ”

Xie Xun suddenly raised his head and said, "Brother Xisheng is better to take a trip." ”

"Oh?"

Xie Xun was silent for a while, and said slowly: "The Liu family of Longcheng has dealings with the Wei family, it should be certain. ”

"The Liu family is really a pawn planted by the Wei family? Wait, now it's taking advantage of the corruption grain case, Jiangzhou Assassin Shifu exchanged blood, and suddenly parachuted a king coldly......" Shen Xisheng's face became more serious: "For the dead ghost?" ”

"I don't know, but I'm afraid that I'm blinded to fight for wealth, and I don't even know that I'm a substitute for the dead...... Over the years, the Liu family in Longcheng has been very close to the forces on the Wei family's side, and the reason why the Gu Yue Sword Shop can be so big is that the Wei family is standing behind it. And some people found that some Wei's guests had been in and out of Liu's house. ”

"Wei's is powerful, and there are many guests. In a place like this, it is normal to find a relationship to become a powerful person. ”

Xie Xun shook his head: "But in Dragon City, even if it is normal, it must be regarded as abnormal."

"Although the Longcheng Liu clan has been quite honest over the years, there is no sign of that, but there is no guarantee that at the last critical moment, they can continue to be honest, instead of seeking wealth and danger."

Shen Xisheng slapped his chopsticks on the table, frowning: "You can't find death!" Wei's hasn't won yet, so dare to gamble so much at a young age, rushing to be a dog? ”

Xie Xun sighed: "After so many years, Brother Xisheng has also seen it, and this kind of thing has not happened." is a nobleman, but his life is like a mustard, and he has to serve as a promotion rank for the younger generation. Brother Xisheng go and see if he can help Lianghan get rid of this appendage. ”

Shen Xisheng calmed down and was silent for a while, then he bowed his head and said:

"Brother Xie's suspicion is not unreasonable, and he would rather believe it than believe it. The official took a trip. ”

The words fell, and there was silence between the two for a while, and they picked up the chopsticks and ate the meal, until Shen Xisheng stopped the chopsticks and couldn't help but ask in a low voice:

"Brother Xie, you say, is it really possible for the Dragon City lineage? Not all of them have ...... Lost? Besides, Luo Jing still has a lineage, more emperor's heart, more legal principles, and ...... More popular. ”

Xie Xun was silent for a while, lowered his eyes, and looked at the two vague wet words that he had written on the table not long ago, and only one word could be faintly distinguished: heir.

The middle-aged scribe had a calm face, but he lowered his voice:

"Brother Xisheng, please remember that no matter whether it is the one who is still in Luojing Imperial City in the end, or the one that has slipped into Jiangzhou Dragon City, it must not be the Wei family anyway.

"Besides, no matter what, the family in Longcheng County has always shed the same blood as Taizong, and I must not let it be lost."

Although he was kneeling, Shen Xisheng still had a straight waist, and after hearing this, he nodded heavily.

Xie Xun suddenly turned positive.

"Brother Xisheng, the universe is reversed, orthodoxy is aside, how can my generation sit idly by?"

Shen Xisheng sat precariously.

"This is a great righteousness, and it must be done."

"Good."

Xie Xun paused, and then took out a fold from his arms:

"By the way, if Brother Xisheng is going to Dragon City...... Then just drop by and bring a gift. ”

"What a courtesy."

"A birthday gift to a highness."

Shen Xisheng frowned and thought about it carefully, only then did he understand what it was, and his emaciated face was a little hesitant:

"Isn't this too ......?"

Xie Xun shook his head:

"Two months ago, the birthday ceremony of another princess of Changle, didn't the Manchu Dynasty give gifts to celebrate? This is an unwritten rule.

"And His Royal Highness hasn't been removed from Luojing's Zongzheng Temple yet, I don't know if His Majesty was negligent or deliberately skipped it, she is still a registered royal family, a granddaughter of His Majesty, and the law is still there.

This point was ignored by many people in the DPRK and China, and only the Master still remembered and did not forget his birthday...... Together with the princes, I prepared a little light gift for His Royal Highness, which means something. ”

Xie Xun kept talking, and at the same time gently pushed the fold of the gift list in his hand, and he said meaningfully:

"Brother Xisheng, the so-called legal principle is hidden in these minutiae on weekdays, sometimes it is inconspicuous and useless, just red tape, but when it comes to the critical moment, it is not possible without it, it is the most important thing, and it is indispensable...... This is the legal principle, don't forget to maintain it. ”

Shen Xisheng nodded silently and put away the thin but heavy gift fold on the table.

Xie Xun sighed and brushed his sleeves and completely erased the water stains on the table.

Shen Xisheng raised his eyes to the north and sighed:

"The heart of the gentleman is unpredictable."

Push a copy of Immortal Seedlings "Who asked him to cultivate immortals!" , If you are interested, you can go to Kangkang~ (cough, it shouldn't be poisoned milk)