Chapter 1445: Fireworks and Silver Flowers
The two sedan chairs turned from Caijia Lane to Xiaocang Mountain and boarded a boat at Furong Lake. Zhao Hao waved goodbye to his relatives and friends who were seeing him off and rushed to the next stop - Suzhou.
He and his two brides changed to Zheng Xun's paddle boat at Waijinchuan Gate. The return journey was downstream, so the speed was naturally very fast. They arrived at the mouth of Wangyu River early the next morning.
Wangyu River was one of the six major waterways that Hai Rui focused on dredging at Zhao Hao's suggestion when he was managing Wusong River. Eventually, the combined efforts of Suzhou and Songjiang prefectures, the cooperation of Jiangnan Group and the development companies of various counties finally ended the flooding disasters that occurred year after year in the Taihu Lake Basin. In addition to flood discharge, these waterways can also be used for irrigation, and are the golden waterways that connect various prefectures and counties, turning Suzhou and Songjiang, a land of fish and rice, into a veritable paradise on earth in this era.
Originally, to go from Nanjing to Suzhou, one had to either leave the Yangtze River from Zhenjiang and take the South Canal, or leave the Yangtze River from Taicang and take the Loujiang River. The former was too congested, and the latter was too far, both taking more than four days.
Now, if you take the Wangyu River from Changshu, you can save at least one day and reach Suzhou in three days.
The Ryukyu rowers, who had already rested, once again exerted all their strength to row the boat so high that before dark that day, they completed the 150-mile journey and arrived at Hanshan Temple outside Suzhou City.
That night, Zhao Hao and his party stayed at the brightly lit Jiangnan Building - because tomorrow was the day when the group's big boss would marry the group's president, so almost all the top executives, including the executives of the subsidiary companies, gathered in the Jiangnan Building's thousand-person restaurant. They wanted to celebrate all night long, and also to show off for President Jiang's trip to the north.
In fact, they are no longer very worried that President Jiang will be overwhelmed by the young county lady, which will affect the status of Jiangnan Group.
Because when the young master established the Nanhai Group, he did not introduce the Xishan Group, and let the Jiangnan Group hold absolute control. This has clearly shown that the young master's roots are in Jiangnan, not Beijing, so there is no need to worry about it. But they still have to be happy. After all, they haven't seen their beloved young master Zhao for more than a year, and they don't know when they will meet again.
Zhao Hao had no choice but to break his vow again and drink a few cups with them. Hua Cha couldn't stand it anymore and stepped in to help him out, saying that he had to go to the wedding reception tomorrow morning, why were he still drinking? He should go to bed!
So while others were having fun all night, Zhao Hao could only go upstairs to sleep. Qiaoqiao and Sister Ma went to Lengxiang Garden in advance, leaving him alone lying on the big bed, smelling the faint fragrance of his daughter, he knew that Xueying often rested here.
Only then did he realize that he hadn't seen her for more than a year. Although under the reminder of Secretary Ma, he would write a letter to Xueying every month, telling her about what he had seen and heard during this period and how much he missed her. But it was hard to justify not seeing her for more than a year...
Thinking about the past year or so, she had been alone in this building, managing the increasingly large group affairs, facing pressure from the court, and calming the emotions of the people below. Although she never mentioned how hard she was in her reply, Zhao Hao could guess that the hardships, fatigue, and suffering she endured must be far beyond the imagination of ordinary people.
Zhao Hao couldn't help but feel guilty. Xue Ying was his most reliable support. Without her silent dedication, he would never have been able to boldly compete on the sea and attack the great powers!
Perhaps because she was too reliable, I became accustomed to it and even somewhat ignored her existence.
Zhao Hao couldn't help but feel pity in his heart, and he wanted to see her immediately and hug her...
~~
The tenth day of the twelfth lunar month is the big day when Mr. Zhao marries President Jiang, and it is also a big day for the entire city of Suzhou.
According to the customs in Suzhou, the wedding procession is earlier than in Nanjing, and one has to arrive at the bride's home before sunrise.
So Zhao Hao left Jiangnan Building at five o'clock in the morning, and was stunned by the scene in front of him.
From Shantang Street to Changmen, the branches, trees, eaves and corners of the walls along the way have been decorated by the weaving households with colorful silk and gauze lanterns, forming a brilliant river of silver and snowy waves. What a scene of wealth and peace!
"This, this is too extravagant..." Zhao Hao couldn't help but be amazed.
"Sir, this is something the people of Suzhou did spontaneously. We can't stop them, right..." Yu Men quickly explained.
It is no exaggeration to say that most of Suzhou's one million people now rely on the Jiangnan Group for their livelihood. The Jiangnan Group's headquarters will of course use a grand ceremony to celebrate the marriage of the number one and number two figures.
"How do they know that I'm getting married today?" Zhao Hao was not so easily fooled.
"This..." Yu Men was speechless for a moment. This was actually a rumor that Liu Zhengqi and Weng Fan and their gang deliberately spread in order to show off.
There are now 300,000 looms in and around Suzhou, and over 10,000 weavers, all of whom have signed production and sales contracts with Jiangnan Textile. Why don't they act quickly after hearing the news? If 10,000 weavers decorate one tree each, it will be enough to turn Qili Shantang into a dazzling galaxy.
On such a happy day, Master Zhao did not want to say much. He just glared at Liu Zhengqi and the other merchants from the Dongting Chamber of Commerce and said, "This will not happen again."
But looking at the smirking faces on their faces, I guess they will dare to do it again next time.
~~
Zhao Hao rode a white horse and walked on the colorful Shan Tang Street, led by a long procession of ceremonial guards.
On the Shantang River, colorful fireworks were set off from small boats. Various kinds of fireworks kept rising into the sky and blooming, illuminating the dark sky with splendor.
What a beautiful night with fireworks all night long!
The whole Suzhou was partying all night for this wedding, as if the Lantern Festival had come early.
When Zhao Hao arrived at Lengxiang Garden in a daze, he kowtowed to Grandma Ye and offered tea. He saw Jiang Xueying wearing a red veil and walking out with the support of Xiao Yuner and Mi Li. He came back to his senses. Oh, I am here to welcome the bride, not to celebrate the Lantern Festival...
When the bride goes out, her feet cannot touch the ground. Zhao Hao still did not use Jiang Xueying's cousin, but went forward and carried her on his back.
"Brother..." Jiang Xueying exclaimed, and quickly whispered: "Put me down quickly, we have to go a long way!"
"I know..." Zhao Hao nodded. He had checked before coming in that Leng Xiangyuan was too big, and if he hugged her, he would probably make a fool of himself. So he wisely carried her on his back.
"Xueying, you've become lighter again..." He boasted quietly as he carried the bride out, "If time wasn't so tight, I could carry you directly to Beijing."
"Yes, brother is the best." Jiang Xueying nodded happily, finally relaxed, leaned her head on his shoulder, kissed his ear gently through the veil, and murmured: "Brother, I miss you so much..."
"Me too." Zhao Hao whispered, "I'm sorry Xueying, I've been away from you for too long."
"Isn't this how we Huizhou people have lived for generations? Men work hard outside all year round, and women take care of the family for them..." Jiang Xueying paused for a moment, then said in a barely audible voice: "From now on, let's not be apart for so long, okay?"
At the end of her speech, she actually started to cry.
Although she is the president of Jiangnan Group and one of the most powerful people south of the Yangtze River, her insecurity from childhood may be even more serious than Ma Xianglan's...
After all, no matter what Ma Xianglan did, she was not like her, carrying a loaded musket with her...
Zhao Hao sighed with pity and nodded heavily, "It's a deal."
He sent Jiang Xueying to the bridal sedan outside Lengxiang Garden. The sedan was carried out of Xu Gate to the sound of music and was directly lifted onto a colorful boat parked in the moat.
The boatmen rowed their boats, preparing to turn from the moat to Loujiang River.
On the way, they encountered the governor's official boat. The boatmen tried to avoid it, but the boat came straight to them.
"Lord Zhongcheng is here to congratulate Master Zhao and President Jiang!" an official shouted on the governor's official boat.
Although the new governor of Yingtian was none other than the former governor of Suzhou, Cai Guoxi, Zhao Hao did not dare to be arrogant and hurried out to greet him.
Then, not only Cai Guoxi came, but also the new Suzhou prefect Niu Mowang, Wuxian magistrate Yang Chenglin, Changzhou magistrate Zhang Defu and others also appeared on the official ship. All these old acquaintances stood behind Cai Zhongcheng in a proper manner. And all of them were wearing official robes, just like they were in a government office.
Zhao Hao immediately sensed what was going on. This was Old Cai trying to show goodwill and demonstrate to him.
Cai Guoxi watched Jiangnan take root and sprout step by step in Jiangnan and grow into a towering tree. He was promoted from prefect to governor, and even governor of Yingtian, mainly because he was Gao Gong's man, but the brilliant achievements made by Suzhou Prefecture in recent years were the key to supporting Gao Gong's promotion of him.
All of Cai Guoxi's achievements were inseparable from the support of Zhao Hao and Jiangnan Group. Even his ancestral temples in various counties were built with money from Jiangnan Group.
So no one knew better than him that without the support of the Jiangnan Group, he, the governor of Yingtian, would be unable to accomplish anything, so he had to show goodwill.
But he also had to let Jiangnan Group know that he was the boss now. Moreover, he was Gao Gelao's man, and Gao Gelao was trying his best to suppress the power of Jiangnan Group, so he had to demonstrate.
Because of the worry about gains and losses, he shows this twisted attitude.
After saying a lot of auspicious words, Cai Guoxi coughed and said, "May Mr. Zhao and President Jiang have everything go smoothly and return home safely soon, and continue to contribute to the prosperity of Jiangnan's economy."
As expected, they are old acquaintances. They even understand new words like "economy". It is obvious that Gao Gong did not hire the wrong person.
"I will obey the order of the Minister." Zhao Hao bowed and responded, knowing that Cai Guoxi still wanted to continue the cooperation. But the premise was that he had to reach a reconciliation with Gao Huzi when he came to Beijing this time. Otherwise, don't blame him for not remembering the old friendship...
"Knowing that you are pressed for time, I invite you to come aboard and have a seat for a while." Cai Guoxi waved his hand and said to Niu Mowang and the others, "Old Niu, why don't you also congratulate Master Zhao in this way?"
Niu Mowang, Yang Chenglin, Zhang Defu and others did not have the backing of Cai Guoxi, so they were more dependent on Jiangnan Group. But at this time, they only dared to bow to Zhao Hao, congratulate him, and then present a red envelope of moderate size, and did not dare to show any intimacy.
This is normal, and it cannot be said that the world is cold and indifferent. It's just that these middle and lower-level officials are more afraid of the change in the upper echelons, because they don't know whether Gao Ge Lao wants to fight to the death with Zhao Hao, or just warn him...
(End of this chapter)
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