Chapter 2699 Misty Rain in Jiangnan
The river flows eastward mightily, the sky and the earth are vast, and drizzle falls.
At the Haiyucheng pier, a group of Suzhou officials stood on the trestle, holding oil-paper umbrellas on their heads, looking eagerly at the upper reaches of the river. Whenever a ship appeared from sight, everyone would watch nervously. When they got close, they recognized it. Some cargo ships sighed.
There was both disappointment and relief.
Who in the officialdom, especially those in the south of the Yangtze River, would not want to make friends with the most talented prince among the princes, His Royal Highness the King of Wei, who was once deeply favored by His Majesty Li Er? But when I think about the "living bandit" who is accompanying King Wei, I can't help but feel a little uneasy and nervous...
Everyone knows that King Wei and Fang Jun went south this time to get compensation for the goods and property that the Taiyuan Wang family failed to frame Fang Jun. There were many aristocratic families involved in this, and the goods and property property was also a huge number. , after all, Fang Jun is known as the "God of Wealth". Even if he is not the richest man in Guanzhong, he is still close. If you want to express your sincerity to him, you can't do anything too shabby, right?
But the recent trend is not very good.
As long as they are on duty in Suzhou Yamen, there are one or even several aristocratic family members standing behind the officials, big and small, and they have long been aware that some people are talking openly and secretly, as if they don't want to hurt these goods breeding industries. It was handed over to Fang Jun happily, and there were some unbelievable words in it, talking about the raging battle for the reserve position in the DPRK...
Having lived in Jiangnan for a long time, everyone has long been accustomed to the days when the sky is high and the emperor is far away. Scenarios such as the battle for the reserve that can only be seen in history books are happening now, and may even be swept up in it. The uneasy mood is throughout Jiangnan. Gradually spread.
Especially Fang Jun, who represents the power of the prince. A small part of this living bandit's current reputation was created in Jiangnan. There is no one among the Jiangnan nobles, who has not suffered from him?
That kind of violent temper that doesn't follow rules or reason, and I will kill people and set fires if you dare to cheat me, is deeply disgusting, and even more frightening.
Once this guy is offended, God knows what kind of disturbance will be caused in Jiangnan this time, and whose family will be abducted and suffer disaster...
The wind was strong by the river, and the drizzle was blown by the wind and fell diagonally on the clothes. The oil-paper umbrella above the head did not have much effect. The river breeze wrapped the rain and drenched it on my body. After a while, I felt a bone-chilling chill. .
But these officials were still standing on the trestle, looking up into the distance without a word of complaint.
Finally, a row of pure white sails suddenly jumped into view from upstream, and a mighty fleet of ships came down the river, looking at them as fast as thunder and fast horses. It took only half a stick of incense to reach them.
Officials headed by Mu Yuanzuo, the governor of Suzhou, quickly arranged their robes and lined up according to their official positions, preparing to welcome King Li Tai of Wei and the newly promoted Duke Fangjun of the Yue Kingdom.
Unexpectedly, the fleet did not dock. The sails were full in the middle of the river without stopping, and they sailed downstream in front of everyone.
The officials were stunned when they saw the last clipper ship break away from the fleet and approach the shore.
When the clipper docked at the pier, the Royal Navy soldiers on board jumped onto the trestle and loudly said: "His Royal Highness the King of Wei is going to Huating Town to inspect military affairs. Please go back for the time being."
Then he said to Mu Yuanzuo: "Your Highness, please ask Governor Mu to go to Huating Town alone to talk."
Mu Yuanzuo was stunned for a moment, feeling both worried and happy in his heart, and hurriedly said: "I obey your orders, and we will set off now!"
The navy soldiers received the order and gave a military salute to Mu Yuanzuo, then turned around and jumped onto the speedboat neatly. The boat left the dock and slid slowly along the river. Then it raised the sail and gradually accelerated.
Mu Yuanzuo shook off the wet rainwater at the hem of his robe, clasped his fists towards the officials and said, "His Royal Highness the King of Wei has a decree. I will rush to Huating Town to pay you a visit. You all will go back for the time being. If His Highness the King of Wei has any instructions, I will The official will inform you in due course.”
The officials quickly returned the salute and watched as Mu Yuanzu boarded an official ship tied to the dock and untied the cables to set sail. Then they turned around and got off the trestle, walking towards their carriages in twos and threes.
Although we waited at the pier for a long time in the drizzle early in the morning, we did not see the real master. In the end, only Mu Yuanzuo received the order from His Highness King Wei to go to meet him. This made everyone feel a little disappointed, but think about it again. Nowadays, there is not much jealousy in the undercurrent surging throughout Jiangnan.
After all, Mu Yuanzuo can certainly get close to the King of Wei by going here, and he will get a lot of support from the King of Wei, laying a foundation for his future promotion to the central government and expanding his network. However, as the governor of Suzhou, he will inevitably have to accept the goods for King Wei and Fang Jun this time. The industry takes the lead, and the difficulties it is about to face are immeasurable. If you are not careful, not only will you lose the good impression, but it will make the King of Wei furious...
*****
The warships cut through the waves on the Yangtze River waterway with momentum like galloping horses.
Fang Jun and Li Tai stood side by side on the deck, looking at the vastness of the sky and the earth, facing the strong breeze of the river, and the dense rain hitting their faces. The slight coolness was invigorating.
After sailing for a while, the river in front suddenly widened. The Wusong River rushed from south to north and merged into the Yangtze River, making the water volume more abundant. The mighty river rolled and flowed, racing to the east.
Dozens of warships with pointed bows and white sails were already waiting at the mouth of the Wusong River. When they saw the fleet carrying Fang Jun arriving, they all came closer. The soldiers on the ship held their chests high and raised their heads, with one hand holding a horizontal knife on their waist, Putting a hand on his chest, they all paid attention to Fang Jun.
Fang Jun stood proudly on the bow, watching the warships passing in front of him one after another, and then making a turn to follow at the end of the fleet.
When they entered the Wusong River waterway, countless merchant ships saw Fang Jun's flagship in the drizzle and quickly gave way. The fleet traveled unimpeded all the way to the Huating Town Pier.
Li Taili stood next to Fang Jun, ignoring the rain falling on him, looking at this port that was already famous in the Tang Dynasty, his heart was ups and downs, and his blood was rushing.
Although I have read descriptions of Huating Town countless times in imperial newspapers and memorials, those cold words, no matter how colorful they are, cannot describe one-tenth of the prosperity I see before me.
It was drizzling, the river was flowing, and countless merchant ships gathered in the harbor. The boats were like clouds and were endless, densely packed occupying a small half of the river. On the pier, there were countless porters, vendors, and merchants running around in the drizzle. Suspender rods were continuously lifting the cargo on the ship to the pier, and transporting it on trucks to rows of warehouses at the rear, or to The goods on the dock are hoisted onto the ship, and the mountains of goods are transferred from one place to another in the blink of an eye, screaming and screaming to fill the sky.
It is such a saline-alkali land that originally flooded most of the river every year. In just a few years, it has become the largest and most important foreign trade port in the Tang Dynasty. The wealth gathered here is full of warehouses and grains, and is continuously shipped to Chang'an, supporting the This huge empire continued to develop, and almost all the boats, bridges, routes, and educational facilities benefited from it.
It’s so magnificent!
What kind of whimsical ideas and courage can create such a unique Huating Town?
In his excitement, he couldn't help but turn his head to look at Fang Jun next to him. When he saw the other person, he seemed to be a little moved by the scene, and he remembered what his father once praised Fang Jun: Zaifu's talent!
Once upon a time, Li Tai prided himself on being extremely talented and knowledgeable. He never put the world's heroes in his eyes. He believed that apart from leading troops and fighting in battles, he was not as good as the famous generals in the court. When it came to governing the world, no one could surpass him.
However, now, Li Tai had to admit that even his father had underestimated Fang Jun when he said "the talents of the prime ministers and assistants". I want to ask, among the prime ministers and assistants in the current government, apart from the fact that they can maintain their achievements, who can make a difference? Clouds cover hands and become rain, and a prosperous place is built out of thin air in this land of nothing?
What an unparalleled talent!
Fang Jun turned around at this time and asked: "There are many people here, and there are many inconveniences. Why don't we go ashore at the military port first, and then go to the town office for resettlement? What do you think, Your Highness?"
Li Tai smiled and said: "Guests are welcome to do as you please. This place is your Fang Erlang's land. I will do whatever you want with all arrangements."
Fang Jun put his hands on his hands and laughed and said: "Sure enough, being on the battlefield makes a big difference. Your Highness has never been so happy in the past!"
Li Tai snorted and retorted: "What does this have to do with not being on the battlefield? It's because you were too disrespectful to me in the past!" What the two said was naturally that they couldn't look at each other back then and even almost fought. In the past, who would have thought that the two people who were as powerful as fire and water back then could have the kind of sympathy and irreversible friendship they have now?
(End of chapter)