Chapter 396 No Appointment
Thirty miles away from the official road outside the gate of Nanyang County, a long line of motorcade was resting.
The Yulin Army, known as the elite of Daliang, has lost its former splendor due to the dust on its face due to long journeys. They gathered together in twos and threes to eat solid food and drink cold water, and made a few complaints in low voices.
"The emperor issued a decree to recall to Beijing. How come Zheng Sheren turned around and arrived at Nanyang County halfway?"
"This delay will last at least ten to eight days."
"Young people are not prudent in doing things. Zheng Sheren himself wants to see Princess Nanyang. With an order, we all have to follow him."
"Shh! Keep your voice down! It's not your turn to do something like this. I'm too talkative. Come to Nanyang County for some repairs. It’s a good day. We encountered a riot by refugees a few days ago and killed so many people. There are also many injured in the team. It’s just a matter of time before we leave.”
The whispers of the Imperial Guards naturally cannot be heard. The imperial envoy Zheng Sheren heard it.
At this time, Zheng Chen got off the carriage, stood with his hands behind his hands, and looked into the distance.
On the side, Deputy Imperial Envoy Jiao Langzhong also got off the carriage, stretched out his hand to stroke his beard, and sighed with emotion: "After staying in Yan County for a few months, coming to Nanyang County again is a world of difference."
Nine out of ten houses in Yan County were empty, and the people fled to death, leaving less than 20% of them. Large areas of fertile land have been left uncultivated, making it desolate.
Along the way, places like Yan County are not uncommon. It's different when you enter Jingzhou. There are many fertile fields beside the official road, and you can see farmers busy in the fields from time to time. The farmers were obviously well fed and not hungry, and all of them had strength.
Only those who have witnessed the suffering of the chaotic and disorderly people in the north can appreciate the weight of this.
The peace in Jingzhou is, of course, the result of Nanyang Princess Jiang Shaohua.
The new grains from Nanyang County have been promoted throughout Jingzhou. In the past year, every family has had a bumper harvest. After paying the full grain tax, there is enough to fill the whole family's stomach. For the people, this is the best day.
Furthermore, with the Nanyang Army and the Guards Battalion, two elite armies, all the refugees and bandits would have to go around. The whole of Jingzhou was safe and prosperous because of Nanyang County.
After entering Nanyang County, this feeling becomes even more profound. Mr. Jiao really admired the Princess of Nanyang and couldn't help but praise: "It's really admirable for a girl to have such abilities."
Zheng Chen heard this kind of praise for Jiang Jiang Shaohua's words made him feel pride and pride in his heart: "The princess is really powerful."
This kind of Jiang Shaohua is very different from his previous life, and even becomes more and more unfamiliar to him. But his feelings for her did not cool down, but became more and more intense.
He should have been on his way at full speed and returned to the capital as soon as possible. When passing through Jingzhou, I couldn't help but take a detour to Nanyang County. Just to see her.
Mr. Jiao was an old man and knew Zheng Sheren's selfishness, but he didn't reveal it. He followed the words and said with a smile: "Let's come to Nanyang County on the way and let the Imperial Guards repair for seven or eight days before setting off. It won't be too late for the official to be an old man." I can't help but feel the bumps in my head. When I arrive at Nanyang Prince's Mansion, I can have a good rest."
Thinking of meeting Jiang Shaohua again, Zheng Chen felt excited, nodded, and asked everyone to set off.
An hour later, the convoy arrived outside the city gate of Nanyang County. According to convention, teams of more than a hundred people are not allowed to approach the city gate at will. Otherwise, it will be regarded as a malicious attack on the city gate.
Zheng Chen and his party stopped five miles outside the city gate, and Peng Sihai, the commander of the personal soldiers, galloped to the city gate to deliver the message. Next, all we have to do is wait for Princess Nanyang to come and greet her in person.
Zheng Chen waited patiently with secret and joy. This wait lasted only half a day.
As expected, someone from Nanyang Palace came to greet him. However, it was not Jiang Shaohua who came, but Feng Changshi Yang, the chief clerk of Shen Gong Zhengwen, who rarely appeared in public, and Lu Junma, who rarely appeared in public, also came, which was considered a grand event.
Zheng Chen's smile faded, and he exchanged greetings with Lujun Ma, Feng Changshi and others.
Looking at the imperial envoy who looked not very good, Feng Changshi opened his mouth to explain: "Our princess was unable to come to greet you in person because she was not in the palace and was patrolling the farm. The lower official has sent If you go to the farm to deliver the letter, the princess will return to the palace tomorrow at most."
Zheng Chen felt a little calmer: "It turns out that the princess has gone to the farm."
Feng Changshi responded calmly: "Exactly. What a coincidence, there was an imperial envoy who came a few days earlier than Zheng Sheren, and it was Wangsheren. The princess went to the farm this time to meet Wangsheren. Let's go together."
Zheng Chen: "..."
Zheng Chen smiled: "Is Wang Sheren coming to Nanyang County too?"< br>
"I came five days ago." Feng Changshi replied with a smile: "Since Zheng Sheren is here, he will stay with Wang Sheren for a few days, and then they can return to the capital together."
Zheng Chen's expression quickly returned to normal, and he smiled and said: "It is a pleasure to meet Wang Sheren unexpectedly."
This Wang Jin was really determined to give up and came to Nanyang County to entangle him. When he thought that Jiang Shaohua was traveling with Wang Jin, the jealousy in Zheng Chen's heart was like a spark that started a prairie fire.
Seeing that the atmosphere was not right, Jiao Langzhong immediately answered with a smile: "I came to Nanyang County, firstly, to repair for a few days, and secondly, to thank the princess in person for sending food. Well.”
No mention of food. Fortunately, when talking about this matter, the outspoken Feng Changshi had to say a few words: "Food is the most precious thing these days, and we in Nanyang County don't have much surplus food. The princess is broad-minded and cares about the court and the people, so she squeezes out food to donate Come out. Everyone praises our princess for being generous and kind, but some villains with ulterior motives secretly mock our princess and spread some untrue rumors. It is really annoying."
"This is our county. Lord, don’t be with those little People care about it. If it were anyone else, they would have turned away and ignored it. It would be great to keep a lot of food for your own people, why bother to give food and be criticized. "
This is the shame of Mr. Jiao. It's strong and feels hot. Not only the Prime Minister's party members were gossiping behind the scenes, but also officials from the Queen Mother's party were also discussing in private.
Even Jiao Langzhong himself said to Zheng Chen in private that Princess Nanyang was too generous and seemed to be asking for fame.
Langzhong Jiao smiled slightly awkwardly: "Feng Changshi is serious. Princess Nanyang has a high integrity and cares about the people, and her generosity is known to everyone. I only have admiration in my heart."
Feng Changshi then softened his tone: "I have such a bad temper. I hold back my words and have to say them. When I used to be an errand in the Ministry of Household Affairs, I hated everyone. That's it. Even in Nanyang County, the princess didn't think I was bad-tempered and still used him in every possible way."
"Today I talked nonsense and made a lot of complaints, which made Zheng She and Jiao Langzhong laugh. The words are directed at the little people in the court who are eating nothing. It has nothing to do with the two adults."
Jiao Langzhong: "..."
Zheng Chen: "..."