Chapter 279: Zhang Yang's Visitor
In mid-April, the entire road was finally completely repaired and open to traffic.
Because of sufficient funding, and the fact that this official road had been repeatedly surveyed and confirmed over the past two years, it was finally determined to be the optimal route. Now that it's completed, people walking along it can feel that the official road is indeed an official road, and it's much better to walk on than before!
There are fewer bumps, many curves have been straightened, and there are fewer slopes. In short, with this change, the journey from the provincial capital to Guangzhou and Zhanjiang, which used to take three days, now normally takes two days and half a day. If you're in a hurry, getting up early and going to work late, you can get there in two days.
Moreover, the road was much smoother, and the people and animals pulling the carts, such as mules and donkeys, did not have to work so hard!
After the construction of this official road, all the counties along the way benefited and the people were all happy.
Zhao Liya and the others were also very happy. Now that the road was repaired, it would be much more convenient for them to go to the provincial capital or Guangzhan.
Not only does it shorten the journey time, but more importantly, it is less bumpy.
In the past, the road, especially after a few days of rain and then the sun came out, was bumpy and muddy in some sections. When a carriage passed by, it was even more bumpy than sailing on the sea. Often, after a day of traveling, the whole body would ache when sleeping at night.
Now, although it’s still uncomfortable to take a long ride, it’s much better than before.
After the official road was repaired, Zhao Liya couldn't help but think about the waterway again.
Lingnan has many rivers and streams. Perhaps by analysing the waterway system, a single channel could be found connecting the provincial capital to Guangzhou and Zhanjiang? A suitable waterway, capable of handling larger ships, would be a boon for transporting bulky materials. While shipping would be slower, costs would be significantly reduced.
Zhao Liya told her family about this, and they all agreed. Zhong Jing also laughed when he heard about it, saying, "Sister-in-law is so kind-hearted. She always thinks about the people here! I think it's such a pity for her. If she were a man, she would definitely be a good official."
No wonder the three counties now revered the Zhao family, flocking to them endlessly for advice on how to make a fortune! My sister-in-law was no slouch either, helping many areas with tea, fruit, sugarcane, star anise, monk fruit, medicinal herbs, bamboo forests, timber, and more. Under her guidance, many villages and towns experienced a much better life.
This is also due to the shipping industry, which can handle any amount of cargo.
Ever since he called Zhao Liya "sister-in-law," Zhong Jing would call her that from time to time. Anyway, Zhao Liya didn't object.
Just don't yell in front of her parents.
In late April, a group of uninvited guests came to the provincial capital.
This group of uninvited guests numbered about 200 people. They were very grand and ostentatious, with bright clothes and luxurious carriages. Wherever they passed, passers-by stopped and looked in the direction they were going.
These people were not only grand but also arrogant. More than a dozen people dressed as guards were riding horses to lead the way, waving long whips in their hands and shouting "Get out of the way!" and "Make way!" in a stern voice. Anyone who retreated a little slower might be hit on the head with the long whip.
The people were terrified and angry, and they all tried to avoid falling.
"Who the hell is this? So arrogant!"
"I don't know, maybe it's some powerful family!"
"But how could such a person come to our place?"
"Well, who knows! Look at this direction, it seems to be heading to the prefectural government office."
"I think so too! Could he be a relative of the prefect?"
"That's impossible! How could our Lord Min have such a relative!" Many people said in unison.
But they were right, this group of people were heading towards the prefectural government office.
Today, life in Lingnan is peaceful. Thanks to the port's development, almost every region has benefited to varying degrees. The people seem to have discovered a glittering path to wealth, and everyone is busy planting, breeding, and trading to make money. After all, as long as they have something to sell, they can easily find it. As long as the quality is good, any amount of goods can be sold at the trading centers outside the provincial capital, regardless of the quantity.
The people were busy making money and had no time to do things, so the prefect naturally had more free time.
I was practicing calligraphy with my son that day when my trusted advisor, Master Xu, rushed in in a hurry. I didn't even have time to inform him, "Sir! Sir! Something bad has happened! Someone is coming from the palace!"
Prefect Min was stunned and confused for a moment: "What?"
The palace? Was it the palace he was thinking of? Why would the capital send people to such a remote place?
Master Xu nodded and smiled bitterly, "They're almost at the government office. It's Eunuch Shumin, the head eunuch in charge of Concubine Yan's palace! He's here with a team of about 200 people."
Prefect Min's expression suddenly became serious, and he ordered someone to take his youngest son back and hand him over to his wife.
"Let's go, call the others, and go meet them!"
Prefect Min said this with almost difficulty.
The word "resistance" is written all over his body.
He didn't want to go at all, but he had to go.
Over the past few years, Imperial Concubine Yan and her son, the Second Prince, have repeatedly pushed His Royal Highness the Crown Prince into danger. It is said that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was once poisoned and was almost beyond rescue. However, despite several ups and downs and turning danger into safety, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's position has been unstable, but has never been replaced by the Second Prince.
Until now, he is still His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.
I also heard that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has accomplished several major things in the past two or three years and solved difficult problems for the Emperor, and the Emperor could not find any fault with him.
Even so, Imperial Concubine Yan and the Second Prince were still the Emperor's favorites. The Emperor's love for them remained undiminished, and he still disliked the Crown Prince.
Although Magistrate Min was far away in Lingnan and had little access to information, he was unaware of many things happening in the capital, but he was not completely ignorant.
For example, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is not favored, and Shu Min, the head eunuch in charge of Concubine Yan's palace, cannot be offended.
Even though he was just a eunuch and he was a fourth-rank official of the imperial court, who told him to lean against a big tree for shade? When he came here, he, the prefect, had to hold his nose and give him flattering reception.
Otherwise, unless he doesn't want to be an official anymore.
The people under Imperial Concubine Yan were not so easy-tempered. He had heard of this Eunuch Shu Min before. He was originally a small eunuch in the Empress's palace, but somehow ended up in Imperial Concubine Yan's service. His promotion was like riding a rocket. In just a few years, he was promoted to the position of Grand Eunuch, becoming a figure that no one in the palace dared to mess with.
Although the inside story is unknown, Concubine Yan and the Queen are sworn enemies. This man originally worked in the Queen's palace, but ended up becoming the number one person under Concubine Yan. It is conceivable that some shameful things must have happened in the process.
This person is definitely not a good person.
Now that he is here, we must be even more careful and attentive in dealing with him.
(End of this chapter)
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