Lu Jing quickly explained why he was there, which attracted the attention of Zhao Jun and Xiao He.
Of course it was a matter of luck, but it also gave us a glimpse into this person's strength.
"By the way, I haven't asked Lord Zhao yet, why did you suddenly appear in Shu County?"
Lu Jing was a little confused. After all, there were always rumors that the roads in Shu County were rugged, and few officials from above came here specially.
Zhao Jun briefly talked about the inspection, including their situation when they just came from Ba County.
"I see. Master Zhao, you have worked hard on the journey."
"Okay, let's stop with the polite talk. We were shocked when we arrived in Shu County today. It's said that many people don't want to come to this place, but I think Shu County is developing very well now. It doesn't seem like a barren land."
"There are so many foreign merchants, and there's also that Shu embroidery. What's the situation in Shu County? Tell me."
With an acquaintance, Zhao Jun could ask questions more conveniently and freely.
"Your Excellency, let me first tell you what I know. After all, I haven't been in office for less than a year, so there are some things I'm not very familiar with."
"I'll give you a general overview first. If you want to know more, you can ask the Supervisory Censor Zheng Zhonghui to come over. He's been in Shu County for several years, so he's more knowledgeable about some things."
Lu Jing first gave a heads-up that he was not very clear about some situations, so he told Zhao Jun and others what he knew first.
Zhao Jun understood and listened to him attentively.
"The reason Shu County has so many foreign merchants is actually mainly because there are good things here. In addition to the Shu embroidery that everyone is vying for, there are also rabbits that can be raised and sold year-round."
"You know, sir, that basic food is relatively scarce these days, and meat is even less so. However, Shu County has made rabbit farming a big business. Shu County is mountainous, so there's no shortage of food for rabbits. Rabbits also reproduce very quickly, and every household raises rabbits year-round. That's why so many merchants come to Shu County to buy rabbits."
"Also, I think you've noticed, sir, that the location of our Shu County capital is actually not as difficult to get to as outsiders think. Most of the mountains in Shu County are in the back, so it's actually very convenient for many merchants to travel to Shu County."
"Of course, besides rabbits, what these merchants want more is Shu embroidery and Shu brocade. There is a large family in Shu County who has unique embroidery and dyeing techniques. The Shu embroidery they produce is extremely exquisite and beautiful. The price is very high and the supply cannot meet the demand."
"These two months of the year are when they sell their products in bulk, so Shu County is busiest during these two months. It's a coincidence that you came here, sir."
Lu Jing didn't forget to tease at the end.
"I have a general idea of it."
This is similar to Ba County, both of which have a local tyrant family.
"Is this big family surnamed Chen?"
Xiao He remembered what the waiter at the restaurant had said before and asked.
Lu Jing turned to look at him and answered.
"Yes, the last name is Chen, but it means Successful Cheng."
Successful success?
"Tell me about this family. Do you know anything about this family?"
Zhao Jun is still very keen on understanding the local local tyrant family.
"This family is well known to the locals. I heard of their great name when I first took office."
"The Cheng family has always been native to Shu County. It is said that the family has been in Shu County for hundreds of years. This generation of the Cheng family mainly consists of four people: a pair of twin sisters and a pair of twin siblings."
Twins or two pairs?
This is still very rare in this era.
"Among these four, the eldest sister, Cheng Jing, is the leader. It is said that she has the most comprehensive knowledge of the Cheng family's Shu embroidery tradition. The two younger sisters in the middle are Cheng Yu and Cheng Xin, and the youngest brother is Cheng Yi."
"The Cheng family has a great influence in Shu County. It is said, ahem, it's just gossip."
Lu Jing lowered his voice and gossiped.
"It's said that the reason why the previous county magistrate was suddenly transferred seems to be related to their family."
Huh? There's also this kind of gossip.
Has the Cheng family's power reached the point where they can influence the head of a county?
"Then you, the newly appointed county magistrate, must be careful."
Zhao Jun teased.
She didn't care much about it and didn't know how much truth there was in it.
"By the way, sir, if you want to know why Shu County has been so busy lately, there is actually another reason."
Lu Jing smiled and spoke again.
"The eldest sister of the Cheng family is the Cheng Jing I just mentioned. She is looking for a son-in-law, so everyone who heard the news came here. Everyone wants to be the son-in-law of the Cheng family so that they can learn the Cheng family's skills in the future."
Marrying a son-in-law?
"Didn't the elders in the family object?"
Zhao Jun recalled the incident with Dou Jiaying in Hanzhong. Now the reaction to women marrying into a family is very strong.
"No, there's nothing to object to. Besides, the Cheng family's special skills are easier for women to master, so the Cheng family is even more special in that women are the head of the family. Their eldest daughter, or the heir to the Shu embroidery skills, cannot marry outside the family."
Lu Jing said it lightly, but the people listening nearby were quite shocked.
"How is it possible for a woman to be in charge of the family? What about the men in the family? Isn't that right?"
Liu Bang was the first to express disbelief and disagreement.
Zhao Jun was too lazy to pay attention to him. This man's machismo was beyond redemption.
"I've never heard of a woman being the head of the family before, but since the Cheng family has been like this for generations, there's no need for others to comment on it. What's more, I think the eldest sister of the Cheng family is definitely no worse than a man."
Xiao He did not show any strong opposition, he was just slightly shocked.
Not to mention Zhao Jun, she really wants to meet the Cheng family now. A family that can make such a judgment must be very open-minded, and the eldest sister of the Cheng family must be no ordinary person.
"Master Xiao is right. You will definitely meet the eldest sister of the Cheng family in the future. She is indeed a very talented person."
"I have been in office for less than a year, but I believe her talent is comparable to yours."
Lu Jing had seen Zhao Jun's abilities, and the fact that he could say such words was enough to show the talent of Miss Cheng Jing.
"Since that's the case, we've already come to Shu County. We'll naturally have a chance to meet each other in the future."
"Oh, I have another question. The location of Shu County is indeed very convenient. Why do people in the outside world say that the roads to Shu are difficult? I think the roads here are far inferior to those in Ba County."
Zhao Jun has been on this journey, but there is still one question he doesn't understand.
"Your Excellency, this is because the roads in the prefectures and counties are indeed convenient, but most of the counties and places in Shu County are still surrounded by mountains."
"If you want to visit the various counties later, the roads will be very difficult to travel."
Lu Jing deeply felt that although the prefecture was bustling, the roads were also very difficult when he occasionally went to other counties.
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