Chapter 47 The canal transport envoy was under strict control.
The next evening, Guizhier went to Bailuzhou.
This is a small island lying in the middle of the lake, with big red lanterns hanging high.
From the moment they boarded the painted boat, they were filled with singing and laughter, and the pipa and erhu played obscene tunes.
There is a lot of filth hidden in the decadence and luxury.
"The doors of several small cabins are locked. From the sounds, it seems like they are doing prostitution." Liu Qianjin found Guizhier taking a breath on the deck.
"The government can manage theaters, but not cruise ships," Guizhier replied.
The brothels and theaters were registered places, so they naturally had to abide by the laws of Daliang on the surface.
But the boat floats on the water, is flexible and maneuverable, and is often not restricted.
"Then who is in charge of the boat?" Liu Qianjin asked curiously.
"Boat gang."
The boat is home and the water is the road.
Led by the captain, they shuttled between various ports to facilitate trade exchanges.
Whether it is water passenger transport or bulk transportation such as grain and timber, the presence of boat gangs is indispensable.
Perhaps because it was a bad year, even the boatmen started to get involved in fireworks.
Under the prosperity, maggots grow in the flesh.
As the ship approached the island shore, the sailors became busy, throwing out thick ropes.
The cable flew to the shore, was caught by the servants on the dock, and tied tightly to the wooden pile. Then they pulled hard to bring the ship to the shore.
"Such trouble, let's take a shortcut."
Guizhier stretched out her hand to embrace Liu Qianjin, tapped her toes lightly, and floated down to the shore very lightly like a lotus with every step.
When he looked up, he met Xie Yuan's eyes at the attic window.
A bit of amazement and envy.
Young Master Xie is still dressed up today.
She was dressed in a lake blue robe, the flower tips in her bun trembled slightly, and the pendants on her hairpins swayed gently. At first glance, she seemed gentle and charming, but a closer look revealed a unique charm.
The window with a cross-shaped crabapple pattern is half-open.
Just standing there, he was the scenery of the four seasons, with light and shadow changing.
"Young lady, can you do Qinggong?"
Sure enough, as soon as Gui Zhier entered the room, Xie Yuan's tone became a little more enthusiastic.
"It means floating on the water. I rely on my internal energy to raise my energy and glide, and I can also take someone with me." Guizhier explained a little embarrassedly.
Qinggong also includes the ability to fly over eaves and walls, or walk on snow without leaving any trace.
Her standards are obviously extremely high.
But in front of Master Xie, who had no martial arts skills at all, she felt a little shy.
I am afraid of exaggerating my abilities and causing misunderstanding.
After all, the admiring look of a beautiful woman is not something that ordinary people can bear.
"No wonder the heroine dares to speak up for justice. It turns out she has been traveling around the world and has martial arts skills." Xie Yuan said with a smile.
He lifted the kettle, and the boiling hot water poured down, causing the tea leaves to tumble and dance.
"Let's warm our throats first and rest in the side room." Xie Yuan's eyes were filled with apology. "I happened to have an appointment with the Grand Canal Transport Commissioner, so I need to entertain him for a few minutes."
Guizhier was slightly surprised.
The Grand Canal Transport Commissioner was also a sixth-rank official.
He had the authority to command everything from requisitioning civilian ships, dredging canals, to improving the water transport administration.
It seems that Mr. Xie is indeed quite sociable.
Xie Yuan seemed to guess what she was thinking and smiled.
"The storytellers' stories are three-quarters true and seven-quarters false, and gradually they become rumors." His voice flowed like a clear spring.
"I was ordered to perform for the emperor's sake—in reality, I was a minor official assigned to the Music Bureau, and was sent to the Chuhuai area to collect folk songs, compose poems, and compile and paint pictures of mountains and rivers."
Guizhier suddenly realized.
The Yuefu collected folk songs and ballads from all over the country for performance in the palace.
Giving Xiao Xie Tanhua the title of Yuefu Ling was ostensibly an appreciation of his talent, which was understandable.
He is worthy of being called the Dog Emperor.
"Open praise and implicit criticism." Guizhier summed it up succinctly.
Meeting such a straightforward person, Xie Yuan's lips curled up and his eyes curved with a smile.
Socializing among colleagues is the norm.
Guizhier came to the side room to wait, and when Liu Qianjin saw the prosperity of the island, she also went to see the world.
In a moment, the grain transport envoy arrived.
Guizhier only vaguely caught a glimpse of an old man with gray hair.
He was hunched over, walked slowly and cautiously, and looked around as if he was secretly doing something illegal.
"Oh, Young Master Xie, why did you have to meet in Bailuzhou instead of somewhere else?" The canal transport envoy breathed a sigh of relief.
"I am old and cannot bear any stimulation. If the tigress at home knew that I dared to come to this place of pleasure..."
"It's more convenient to talk here. I hope you can bear with me." Xie Yuan raised his hand to pour tea. His fingers were clearly jointed, as if carved from white jade.
"Try the first spring tea from Lingnan."
He lowered his head slightly, his expression gentle and focused.
With a slight turn of the wrist, the tea seeps into the glass cup without a drop falling.
The two have worked together many times, so Xie Yuan did not beat around the bush and went straight to the point about what he wanted to ask today.
"Don't bother me, sir." The transport envoy repeatedly declined, explaining, "I've been unable to sleep lately, tossing and turning. The doctor specifically instructed me not to drink tea."
I probably guessed that Xie Yuan wanted to meddle in other people's business again.
The grain transport envoy simply took the initiative.
"I have something I would like to ask for your help, young master." Cao Yun rolled his eyes and stroked his beard, saying, "Our Chu Huai water stones are world-renowned, and we just happened to have collected a lot of fine, translucent yellow stones and blue-black stones recently."
At this point, the old man couldn't help but sigh, his face full of sorrow.
"It's just that the captain of the ship was reluctant and unwilling to escort us." His lips trembled slightly, and he seemed to be hesitant to speak.
His cloudy eyes were full of anticipation.
Water stones are naturally formed in the Chuhuai River and Lake through erosion by water waves.
The stone has undulating textures and numerous holes, which allow the aura to flow vividly. Some are thin and upright, while others are transparent and open.
It is most suitable for embellishing royal gardens.
But delivering tribute to the government is often a thankless job.
No wonder the boat kept pushing and resisting.
The Cao Yunshi's move was to take the initiative and find a difficult problem for Xie Yuan to solve.
If that didn't work out, he naturally wouldn't have the face to intercede for the merchant.
"Please don't blame me for speaking frankly, sir." Xie Yuan smiled.
He slowly stood up and refuted in a calm and composed manner, "The tribute of rare stones is extremely costly. The people's hard-earned money is wasted."
"Why should we waste people's money and resources just to please our superiors?"
Unexpectedly, Xie Yuan did not play by the rules.
Not only did he not want to do the job of the Grand Canal Transport Commissioner, he also wanted to create some resistance.
"Don't be afraid of His Majesty's accusation, sir." Xie Yuan added fuel to the fire, "My father has acquaintances in the Ministry of Revenue and the Imperial Household Department, and he will definitely argue for you, sir."
"No, no! This must not be done." The canal transport envoy was shocked and waved his hands in fear.
He stood up suddenly, and his back, which was originally slightly hunched, was now straightened a little.
His skinny body seemed to have gained divine power.
Seeing the panicked look of the Grand Canal Transport Commissioner, Xie Yuan appeared calm on the surface, but he was secretly amused in his heart.
My father has a wide circle of friends, but none of them have anything to do with this unfilial son.
All the nonsense you say is just to deceive people.
"Young Master just said that it's in the Ministry of Revenue and the Imperial Household Department..." The grain transport envoy took two steps closer and asked tentatively with quick thinking.
Guizhier, who was listening quietly through the window, also smiled silently at this moment.
The network of relationships in the court is intricate and complex, and must be carefully observed.
This young master Xie has fully understood the psychology of officials.
As soon as you mention the capital and show your connections, most of the cunning and despicable people will be scared.
They are afraid that the other party will take the opportunity to harm their own interests, but they also hope that the other party's relationships can be used for their own benefit.
He was so worried about gains and losses that he was being controlled.
The Grand Canal Transport Commissioner is no exception.
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