Chapter 2833 Qingzhou
Although reluctant to leave, Zhou Man and his companions still set off. After watching their convoy go away, everyone looked at each other and decided to do whatever they had to do.
Zhou Man, on the other hand, opened the curtains and said happily as he looked at the trees passing by outside, "Spring has arrived. Look, there are wildflowers on the roadside."
Bai Shan also laughed and said to Man Bao, "Let's go horseback riding when the temperature rises a bit."
Manbao happily agreed.
Qingzhou is not close to the capital, even farther than Yizhou, but the official road is flat and it is not difficult for them to travel. Moreover, they have experience in the Eastern Expedition and are very familiar with some sections of the road.
The group quickly rushed to Qingzhou and finally saw the city gate of Qingzhou ten days later.
Bai Shan reined in his horse slightly to slow down, and lined up with Zhou Man to follow behind some caravans.
The closer they got to the city gate, the more people lined up to enter. Bai Shan glanced at the items on their carts, exchanged a glance with Zhou Man, and then simply galloped to the front. He found a man who was obviously the manager of the caravan and asked, "Sir, are you in Qingzhou for business?"
The steward, sitting on the shaft of the cart, caught a glimpse of Bai Shan and Zhou Man's fine horses. He then glanced at their clothing, especially the belts around their waists and the jade ornaments they wore. He couldn't help but sit up straighter and said with a smile, "They're not in Qingzhou. They're just passing through, bound for Laizhou."
He asked with a smile, "Are you here for a visit in Qingzhou?"
Bai Shan smiled and nodded, "I've heard that Qingzhou is a place of outstanding people and beautiful scenery, so I came here to take a look."
"Qingzhou is good. Its silk, cotton, and linen are all excellent."
Bai Shan was curious: "As for silk cotton, Shu is probably better, but here we are close to the sea, so the quantity needed is much larger."
"That's right. People in the Central Plains prefer the silk and cotton from Shu, but people in the North and Silla and Baekje prefer the silk and cotton produced in Qingzhou."
Bai Shan smiled slightly and said, "No wonder you went from Qingzhou to Laizhou. I wish you a prosperous business."
The steward thought his words were pleasant and suspected he was of noble status, so he said happily, "Thank you for your kind words, young master."
He smiled and asked, "Have you found a place to stay in Qingzhou? If not, I can recommend one or two."
Bai Shan, who was about to return to his team, suddenly had an idea and immediately said with a smile, "I already have a place to stay. Thank you very much, brother. My name is Bai Shan, and I'm the eldest in my family. I don't know what to call you, brother?"
Zhou Man on the side turned his head and looked at him.
Bai Shan, however, had a smile on his face.
The steward also wanted to make friends with Bai Shan, so he immediately said, "I'm Cheng Gan, ninth in rank. This is my Cheng family's business. Although my business is small, I've been to Qingzhou frequently and know some people. If Mr. Bai has any questions about staying in a hotel or sightseeing, you can go to the Yunlai Inn and find someone named Cheng."
Bai Shan agreed with a smile. Within a few words, everyone had arrived at the city gate and was queuing up in an orderly manner to enter the city.
Bai Shan and Zhou Man said goodbye and left.
Bai Shan rode his horse and watched for a while. Ordinary people all went through the small gate, and those who carried loads and baskets went through that side. The soldiers just checked them briefly or took a quick glance before letting them in.
Merchants lined up under a large bridge arch, with two separate rows entering and exiting, and the process was equally orderly. People entering had to check their travel permits and other items, and their goods also had to be inspected. After entering, they had to follow the clerk at the city gate to count and pay taxes. It was the same as in the capital, except that the city gate was smaller and the open space inside was a bit smaller.
Bai Shan turned around and said to Zhou Man, "This Yidu County Magistrate is quite capable."
Manbao also thought so. After passing through so many cities, Qingzhou was the most orderly if one only looked at the city gates.
The two men turned their horses around and went to another door next door. It was a small single-door door, which was for nobles who came on horseback or in cars but not for business.
Liu Gui had already taken the two invitations to the city gate to register. When they rode over, a city gate officer came out from the side gate to greet them. He saluted and said, "Master Bai and Master Zhou, right? Our masters have been waiting for you for a long time and ordered us to be on the lookout. Today, we have finally seen you, Masters. Please come in quickly."
Although we have never met, it feels like a spring breeze.
Manbao and Baishan dismounted, first returned the greeting to the city gate officer, then smiled and led the horse into the city with him.
The city gate officer didn't expect that the two men would dismount and salute him. Seeing that the guards and servants behind him also dismounted and led their horses into the city, he couldn't help but feel a good impression of them, and the smile on his face became even wider. After sending them into the city, he simply didn't ask the soldiers to lead them to the post station and the county government office, but took them there himself.
Cheng Gan, who was standing far away on the other side, saw the two people being welcomed into the city and his eyes flashed.
A small steward beside him also saw it and couldn't help but feel happy, "Master Jiu, it seems that this Bai Langjun is of high status."
"Just look at the jade belts they're wearing. Although they only have two jade buckles, they're exquisitely crafted. Together, they're as long as a palm, and they're inlaid with gemstones," Cheng Gan said. "This kind of jade belt can only be worn by officials of the third rank and above, or by those with noble titles. Otherwise, it must be a gift from the emperor. I think these two are nobles."
Bai Shan and Zhou Man followed the city gate officer all the way into the city. There were many merchants coming and going in Qingzhou City, and it looked quite prosperous, which was somewhat different from the desolate scene outside the city.
When they reached the fork in the road, the city gate official first asked someone to take Bai Shan and his team's convoy to the post station, while he took Bai Shan and Zhou Man to the county government office.
Bai Shan raised his eyebrows slightly when he saw the county government office and asked, "Hasn't the new governor arrived yet?"
The city gate officer immediately said, "Who says it's not? Not only has the governor not arrived, but even the chief secretary and the military commander have not been appointed yet. Therefore, the affairs of Qingzhou are now handed over to the county magistrate Lu."
Bai Shan smiled and nodded, "Then let's go pay a visit to County Magistrate Lu."
As the magistrate of Beihai County, he should have gone to pay a visit to the governor of Qingzhou. Not to mention Zhou Man. Although she held a low position, she was the director of the Qingzhou Medical Bureau and her title was also from Qingzhou, making her an official of the provincial government.
The city gate officer was very considerate and had enough manpower. Not only did he send someone to lead the caravan to the post station to settle down, he also sent someone to notify the county magistrate Lu in advance.
As soon as Bai Shan and his companions dismounted at the county government office, they saw a middle-aged man smiling and leading a group of people to greet them.
Bai Shan recognized the other person's identity at a glance, after all, it was the bright dark green official uniform.
Bai Shan also smiled, looked at Zhou Man, and then stepped forward to salute.
Lu Cong also hurriedly saluted and said with a smile, "Master Zhou and Master Bai, right? This county has been waiting for you since we received the imperial document. Please come in."
Bai Shan and Zhou Man made way for each other before entering with the same smile on their faces. After entering the county government office, Lu Cong introduced them, "This is Cao Lushi from the Governor's Office."
Then he introduced the Yidu County team, "This is County Magistrate Duan, this is Chief Secretary Tang..."
See you at 10pm
(End of this chapter)
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