Chapter 114 The Wind Rises in Jiangzhou and the Birth of the Princess
Jiangzhou.
During the Qin Dynasty, it was called Jiujiang; during the Han Dynasty, it was called Xunyang.
It has been a famous city in Jiangnan since ancient times.
It is an important waterway port in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River.
The rolling river waters converge at one point and rush eastward.
In the past, Xunyang Ancient Ferry in Jiangzhou City was a bustling hub for merchants from all directions, and travelers came and went in an endless stream.
In May, Yunmengze inexplicably flooded, and the flood swept through several counties in Jiangzhou, causing considerable impact on passenger traffic at Xunyang Ferry.
After more than two months of recovery, this ancient ferry crossing on the Xunyang River, which has left behind the writings of many literati, has gradually regained its former popularity.
However, what caught the attention of locals and travelers at Xunyang Ferry these past two days were the rows of large grain barges, neatly arranged on the river, adding a lot of life to the ancient ferry crossing that had just regained its vitality.
It is July, a time when the Lesser Heat has passed and the Greater Heat has not yet arrived.
The air in Jiangzhou City was filled with humid and hot winds, while the strong winds along the three-hundred-mile Xunyang River occasionally brought some coolness.
In short, wearing one layer is too thin, and wearing two layers is too hot.
I felt like I wasn't dressed warmly enough when I went out in the morning, but by the end of the morning, my back was already soaked with sweat after just a few steps.
The muggy, humid weather characteristic of Jiangnan is truly neither too hot nor too cold.
However, Shen Xisheng, a northerner, gradually adapted to the climate of Jiangzhou.
Even though he was drenched in sweat under his scarlet official robes, he sat upright in the armchair brought by his subordinates, carefully observing the cargo ships waiting to be moored on the river.
The inspector, Lord Shen, who was personally dispatched by the imperial court to Jiangnan Circuit for disaster relief and case handling, was about forty years old, but did not look old.
He was thin and bony, like bamboo leaves that had turned grayish-yellow in the summer sun, and his wide, scarlet official robe looked as if he were draped over a bamboo frame.
Shen Xisheng sat upright by the riverbank, his thin face habitually stern, serious, and imposing without anger. This was a habit he had developed over the years as an imperial censor in the Zhou court, and he maintained this style even now as an imperial envoy in Jiangzhou City, Jiangnan Province.
However, the subordinates and officials who had been working under Shen Xisheng in fear and complaining these days noticed that Lord Shen seemed a little different from usual today.
Lord Shen's eyes were fixed on the canal boats that had set off from Longcheng County at the ferry crossing. He nodded from time to time, and his thin hand, which was resting on his knee, would frequently rise and lightly pat his thigh.
Occasionally, a look of appreciation would appear on his face.
Very rare.
When the officials of the Jiangzhou Prefectural Government, who were under the temporary administration of Shen Xisheng, passed by, they couldn't help but look at him with some curiosity.
However, some veteran officials knew the reason, and some couldn't help but turn their heads to look in the direction of Longcheng County in the distance.
The morning passed slowly as the ferry boats made their stops and the porters unloaded cargo and carried rice.
A ship's officer, clutching documents and his forehead beaded with sweat, jogged over to Shen Xisheng and respectfully reported:
"Your Excellency, as you instructed, we have distributed 110,000 shi of grain to the disaster-stricken counties along the way, including Xingzi and Jishui, as needed. The magistrates of these counties are very grateful for the relief grain you provided and have asked us to convey their gratitude to you..."
Shen Xisheng waved his hand to interrupt him directly:
"If they want to thank someone, they should thank Ouyang Lianghan of Longcheng County... Tell me how much grain they have left."
"Reporting to Your Excellency, Longcheng County has collected 160,000 shi of grain. 110,000 shi have already been distributed along the way, and there are still more than 50,000 shi left. All of them will arrive at Xunyang Ferry today. There are still seven large grain transport ships behind, and they will be able to unload all the grain by noon."
"Send all of it to the Jimin Granary. Tomorrow, I will release the grain at half price."
Shen Xisheng stood up with considerable satisfaction, straightened his official hat, and tidied his clothes. He gave a slight smile.
“The price of grain in Jiangzhou City is still too high. Compared with Longcheng County under Ouyang Lianghan, it seems too harsh on the people. This won’t do; it makes us look useless.”
"Yes, sir."
Shen Xisheng turned back and glanced at the bustling ancient ferry and the jubilant people and porters who had heard the news of the grain transport. He seemed to breathe a slight sigh of relief before turning and leaving.
Before leaving, without turning back, he said to the ship commissioner who had reported the situation:
"Come here, and tell me more about the events in Longcheng County on the way, how Ouyang Lianghan carried out disaster relief and flood control."
"Yes, sir."
With his hands behind his back, Shen Xisheng listened attentively to the detailed account given by the chief clerk of the shipping department. He then led the clerk and several subordinates away from Xunyang Ferry and back to the government office.
As soon as the group arrived at the gate of the Jiangzhou Prefectural Governor's Mansion, they were spotted by a junior official in green robes waiting at the entrance. The official immediately approached and bowed, saying:
"Lord Shen, you're finally back. The newly appointed Prefect Wang has arrived. He came to Jiangzhou by boat this morning and was invited to a banquet by the merchants and gentry in the city. Unable to refuse their hospitality, the Prefect went to Xunyang Tower for the banquet. So he sent me to invite you, Lord Shen, to attend the banquet as well."
Shen Xisheng remained calm upon hearing this, only glancing at the green-clad official.
Behind this inspector, who held a slight advantage over the local governor, a long-faced staff officer pointed at the junior official in green and frowned, asking:
"When did Governor Wang arrive in Jiangzhou by boat this morning? Our lord and I have been waiting at Xunyang Ferry all morning, why hasn't anyone reported this? Was Governor Wang doing this on purpose or by accident?"
The green-clad official looked embarrassed and quickly shook his head, not daring to say anything.
Shen Xisheng turned his head with his hands behind his back, glanced south towards the Xunyang Tower on the banks of the Xunyang River, nodded, and murmured a sigh:
"Lord Wang is in such a hurry to take up his post, it seems he is quite concerned about the disaster and the people's plight in Jiangzhou. Hmm, that's a good thing."
His subordinates and advisors remained silent. Shen Xisheng walked into the government office without turning back, leaving behind only one sentence:
"Go and tell Lord Wang that I am used to simple meals and am not used to the delicacies of the South. I am not as comfortable with them as he is. It is really kind of you, Lord Wang, to host a feast so soon after your arrival."
Shen Xisheng led his men away, leaving only the green-clad official standing there, silent and trembling.
...
South of Jiangzhou City, not far from the governor's mansion, there is a quiet house with a patch of lush green bamboo in the backyard.
It can be considered a quiet place amidst the hustle and bustle.
Because of its proximity to the riverbank, the lush cypress and bamboo forest is often filled with the rustling sound of leaves.
A small bamboo courtyard can be faintly seen nestled among the trees.
Inside the courtyard, there is a trickling stream and a small, emerald-green waterwheel, the latter cleverly irrigating the area, which is quite charming.
Shen Xisheng changed into casual clothes, walked through the bamboo forest, and pushed open the door to enter.
He took off his shoes and went into the house, lifted the curtain, and sat calmly opposite the only middle-aged scholar in the room. Between the two of them was a small wooden table with a pot of wine and two or three plates of farm-style dishes on it.
It was indeed simple food.
Shen Xisheng didn't stand on ceremony. As if they were already acquaintances, he picked up his chopsticks, took a bite of food, put it in his mouth, chewed it slowly, and then sighed:
"This Wang Lengran doesn't seem to have any good intentions."
The middle-aged scholar opposite him was dressed in Confucian robes, with an elegant demeanor and a refined manner that revealed his excellent upbringing.
If Ouyang Rong were here, he would immediately recognize the person in front of him as Xie Xun, his mentor from the Xie family of Chenjun and the father of his junior sister.
Xie Xun was looking down, his fingers dipped in wine, drawing something on the table, then shook his head:
"Those who are good will not come."
"That's the courage the Wei family gave us."
Xie Xun sighed softly, wiped the dampness off the table with his palm, withdrew his hand, and raised his head.
The two old acquaintances exchanged a knowing glance.
There was a moment of silence.
Xie Xun also picked up a pair of chopsticks and joined Shen Xisheng in picking up food.
The latter seemed to remember something at this moment, took out an envelope from his pocket, placed it on the table, held it with his index finger, pushed it to the opposite side, and nodded:
"Brother Xie's recommendation is indeed excellent. As expected, a great teacher produces a great student. Your student is doing very well as the magistrate of Longcheng County, and his achievements are remarkable."
"Now we have not only completed the disaster relief for the refugees in Longcheng County, but also raised a lot of grain, which has solved the urgent needs of Jiangzhou City and the surrounding disaster-stricken counties. It can be considered that they have done me a great favor."
Shen Xisheng sighed and looked into the eyes of the middle-aged scholar opposite him, saying:
"It was not in vain that I overruled the objections of others, mobilized the troops of the Zhechong Prefecture for him, and helped him draft a grain transport restriction order. The ideas he wrote in his letter were quite interesting and indeed very useful."
Xie Xun paused for a moment upon hearing this, then hesitated before saying:
“Brother Xisheng, actually… I didn’t expect this either. When I arranged for Lianghan to come to Longcheng, I only hoped that he could withstand the pressure from the Liu family, gain a foothold in Longcheng, and at the last moment, when he saw Wuxin, he would also understand the greater good and help cover up and maneuver.”
He hesitated for a moment, then shook his head:
“Lianghan used to be quite stubborn and rigid. I didn’t expect him to risk his life to remonstrate with the emperor when he returned to the capital that day… However, after leaving the academy for two years, experiencing some setbacks and falling seriously ill, he has become so enlightened… Hey, if I hadn’t personally visited him last time and confirmed that it was indeed Lianghan, plus Wanwan’s frequent messages, I would have suspected that it was a different person.”
Shen Xisheng leaned back slightly, scrutinizing Xie Xun's face for a moment, still revealing a hint of doubt:
"Brother Xie, you taught this disciple yourself, how could you not know him? Don't tease me."
Xie Xun's expression showed a hint of helplessness. He slowly closed his mouth, which was about to speak, and could only sigh and shake his head.
He lowered his eyes, picked up the envelope his friend handed him, opened it, and glanced at the familiar handwriting.
"Whose letter is it, Lianghan's?"
"That's right, Brother Xie's disciple."
Xie Xun felt that his friend's words were somewhat sarcastic, perhaps because he was feeling sorry for his friend's talent.
"A ribbon-cutting ceremony at Di Gongzha? An invitation for Brother Xisheng to attend? Or... the fifteenth of this month?"
"Um."
Shen Xisheng turned his head, staring at an exquisite waterwheel in the courtyard outside, and explained with narrowed eyes:
"Brother Xie's disciple has already solved the problem of disaster relief for the displaced people. Now the top priority is water management and construction. I heard that he was digging a new sluice gate, but now he has suddenly rebuilt the Di Gong Sluice Gate. It seems that the Liu family of Longcheng is still fully funding the construction. This matter is a bit strange. It must have taken a lot of effort."
"I had previously heard Ouyang Lianghan say in his letter how arrogant and despicable the Liu family of Longcheng was. How come they are now shaking hands and cooperating? This doesn't seem like the behavior of a gentleman. It might be a temporary measure. He invited me over this time. He might want to put pressure on the Liu family of Longcheng for him, or he might even want to use my influence to deal with the Liu family."
He turned around, picked up another bite of food, swallowed slowly, gently put down his chopsticks, and said with a half-smile:
"Brother Xie, why don't we make things clear to him? Otherwise, he'll continue to treat us like outsiders and keep his intentions hidden. These young people nowadays... Brother Xie, what do you think? Should I go now or not?"
Xie Xun suddenly looked up and said, "Brother Xisheng, it would be best if you made the trip."
"oh?"
Xie Xun paused for a moment, then slowly said, "It should be confirmed that the Liu family of Longcheng has dealings with the Wei family."
"Is the Liu family really a pawn planted by the Wei family? Wait, now, taking advantage of the grain corruption case and the reshuffling of the Jiangzhou Prefectural Governor's Office, they suddenly parachuted in Wang Lengran..." Shen Xisheng's expression turned serious: "A scapegoat?"
"I don't know, but I'm afraid they've been blinded by greed and want to make a fortune, so much so that they don't even realize they're being used as scapegoats... Over the years, the Liu family of Longcheng has been getting very close to the Wei family. The reason why Guyue Sword Shop has grown so big is because the Wei family is behind it. Moreover, some people have discovered that some of the Wei family's guests and retainers have been visiting the Liu family."
"The Wei family is powerful, with many retainers and advisors. It's normal for local magnates like them to seek connections and curry favor with the powerful officials in the court."
Xie Xun shook his head: "But in Longcheng, even if it's normal, it's considered abnormal."
"Although the Liu family of Longcheng has been quite honest these years and there are no signs of that, there is no guarantee that they will continue to be honest in the final crucial moment, instead of seeking fortune through danger."
Shen Xisheng slammed his chopsticks on the table, his brows furrowing deeply: "Are you courting death! The Wei family hasn't even won yet, and this scoundrel, Cuo'er, dares to gamble like this, eager to be someone's dog?"
Xie Xun sighed, "Over the years, Brother Xisheng has seen it all. This kind of thing has happened before. They are born into nobility, yet their lives are as worthless as grass, and they are forced to serve as stepping stones for petty villains to advance. Brother Xisheng, go and see if you can help Lianghan and get rid of this insidious disease."
Shen Xisheng calmed down, remained silent for a moment, and then nodded:
"Brother Xie's suspicions are not without merit. It's better to believe it's true than not to believe it's not. I'll make a trip there."
After the words were spoken, there was a moment of silence between them. They picked up their chopsticks and ate some side dishes, until Shen Xisheng stopped eating and couldn't help but ask in a low voice:
"Brother Xie, do you think there's still a chance for the Longcheng faction? Haven't they already... lost? Besides, there's still a faction in Luojing that's more favored by the Emperor, more legally sound, and... more popular."
Xie Xun remained silent for a while, then lowered his eyes to look at the two heavy, wet characters he had written on the table not long ago with his finger dipped in tea. Only one character was faintly discernible: 嗣 (successor).
The middle-aged scholar maintained a calm expression, but kept his voice hushed:
"Brother Xisheng, please remember, no matter whether it is the branch that is still in the capital city of Luoyang or the one that has fallen to Longcheng in Jiangzhou, it absolutely cannot be the Wei family."
"Besides, no matter what, that family in Longcheng County still shares the same blood as Emperor Taizong. You, my loyal minister, must not let them suffer any loss."
Although he was kneeling, Shen Xisheng still stood up straight, and nodded emphatically after hearing these words.
Xie Xun suddenly became serious.
“Brother Xisheng, the world has been turned upside down, and the orthodox tradition has fallen into the wrong hands. How can we sit idly by?”
Shen Xisheng sat upright and solemnly.
"This is a matter of great righteousness, and we will certainly not shirk our duty."
"good."
Xie Xun paused, then took out a memorial from his robes:
"By the way, if Brother Xisheng is going to Longcheng... then you can take a gift with you on the way."
"What kind of gift?"
"A gift for the birth of a prince."
Shen Xisheng frowned and thought for a moment before realizing what it was. His thin face showed some hesitation:
"Isn't this a bit too much..."
Xie Xun shook his head:
"Two months ago, when another Princess Chang Le was born, didn't all the officials in the court give gifts to celebrate? This is an unwritten rule."
"And that princess has not yet been removed from the Imperial Clan Court in Luoyang. Whether it was His Majesty's oversight or intentional omission, she is still a registered member of the royal family, His Majesty's eldest granddaughter, and the legal status remains the same."
"This point has been overlooked by many in the court, but only the Master remembers it and has not forgotten His Highness's birthday... Together with the gentlemen, we prepared a small gift for His Highness as a token of our appreciation."
Xie Xun continued talking, while gently pushing the gift list in his hand over, saying meaningfully:
“Brother Xisheng, the so-called legal principles are hidden in these trivial details of daily life. Sometimes they are inconspicuous and useless, just formalities. However, when it comes to the critical moment, they are indispensable. They are of paramount importance and cannot be omitted. This is the legal principle. Do not forget to uphold it.”
Shen Xisheng nodded silently and put away the thin but incredibly valuable gift document on the table.
Xie Xun sighed and swept his sleeves, completely wiping away the water stains on the table.
Shen Xisheng looked north and sighed.
"A ruler's heart is hard to fathom."
I'd like to recommend a novel called "Who Made Him Cultivate Immortality!" by Xianmiao. Interested readers can check it out~ (cough cough, hopefully this isn't a bad prediction).
(End of this chapter)
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