From the city, go upstream along the river for nearly thirty miles and enter Fenghuang Creek, a tributary of the Han River, at Guihu Town.

From here, the terrain gradually rose, and the plains entered the hills. Everyone got off the boat in Guihu Town, changed to the bamboo raft that had been prepared long ago, and the boatman paddled and went upstream to Fenghuang Creek.

In fact, the water was quite calm, and the speed of the bamboo raft was not slow. Zhao Hao and Lin Run sat on a large bamboo raft made of twenty bamboos with a canopy on top. Riding the gentle breeze, the shadows of bamboos on both sides were reflected in the gurgling water, and the summer heat was instantly dissipated, making people feel relaxed and happy.

What is even more amazing is the rocks and riverbeds on both sides of the river, which are white, bronze, light brown, gray, and hemp green. Many colors are mixed together, colorful and very beautiful. Especially the rock formations under the water, under the background of sunlight and water waves, the light and shadow change, the colors are smart, and people feel like they are in a fairyland.

"I never thought there is such a paradise in Chaozhou." Lin Run gained a lot from this trip and was very satisfied. He just wanted to return to the provincial capital and work hard. Naturally, he was in a very good mood.

"That's right. There are beautiful scenery everywhere in China." Zhao Hao wiped the stream water that splashed on his sunglasses with a handkerchief and said with some regret: "It's a pity that Chaozhou does not have the conditions to develop cultural tourism industry like Nanjing."

Otherwise, you can go rafting on a stream, hiking in the bamboo forest, exploring the valley... and then have a farm dinner and take some local specialties, and the people in the mountainous areas will basically be out of poverty and become prosperous.

"Yes, yes. In a few years, when people's lives are better, there will be demand in this area." Zhao Shouzheng was full of confidence. Ever since he received the praise from Lin Zhongcheng, he has been in a state of overflowing self-confidence.

Liu Zixing and Yue Yunpeng, as representatives of the gentry, were also invited to board the same ship, and they were naturally responsible for providing supporting roles.

The five of them sat on bamboo chairs, enjoying the breathtaking scenery on both sides of the river while drinking tea and chatting leisurely.

However, the fully armed cavalry and infantry guards on both sides of the river who followed the fleet closely, as well as the officers and soldiers who blocked the approach of civilian ships for several miles upstream and downstream, constantly reminded them that they had entered an area where native, Hakka and She people lived together, commonly known as the zone that refused to submit to the king.

"Is it so dangerous when we're so close to the city?" Mr. Zhao asked Liu Zixing beside him puzzledly.

"It's not so bad actually. The She people near the city are all familiar She people. Apart from their clothing customs, they are very similar to the Han people." Liu Zixing said in a low voice a little embarrassedly, "But don't we have a grudge against those Chaoke people? Although we are not afraid of them, isn't the Zhongcheng here today? Just in case, just in case."

"In the past few years, Lord Hou has suppressed them and has not dealt with them. Those Chaokes are really angry." Yue Yunpeng said in a muffled voice: "It's just that their house is too messy - they need to be dealt with."

"Mr. Hou is right, and you are wrong." Mr. Zhao shook his head and said, "The only porcelain clay mine in Chaozhou is in the hands of others. It is hard to understand why you are begging them for help. Even a child knows that only sweet words can bring candy."

"Sima is right," Yue Yunpeng lowered his head and said embarrassedly, "It's a habit that has been accumulated for many years and cannot be changed in a short time."

"Alas, the grudges of several generations." Liu Zixing sighed and said, "Even if we can let it go, can those Chaoke let it go?"

To be honest, he felt that Mr. Zhao thought the problem was too simple. He wanted to solve the conflict between the natives and the Hakkas just by relying on Lin Run's visit? That was too unrealistic, wasn't it?

Maybe everyone could reluctantly make peace on the spot for the sake of the governor's face. But what about when Lin Zhongcheng leaves? Isn't it still the same as before?

So last night when this group of gentry discussed it, most of them found excuses not to come, just to make it easier for them to fall out with the Hakka people in the future.

Moreover, we cannot give in without principles today, otherwise we will be passive in the future. However, most people don’t have the courage to do this. Only Liu Zixing, who retired from the second-rank official, can stand up to Lin Run and not worry about what will happen.

"We will naturally let them go." Lin Run's eyebrows twitched slightly and he said lightly. He had already noticed that these ignorant guys today were resistant.

"Yes..." Liu Zixing lowered his head quickly, but his silence showed his firm position.

"No matter what they do, we have to let it go first, otherwise there is no hope of success." Seeing that the atmosphere was a bit awkward, Zhao Hao interrupted with a smile: "Old Master Liu and Mr. Yue are both going to be written into the prefectural annals and even the provincial annals, so the pattern must be bigger. If you can revive the Chaozhou porcelain industry and let this thousand-year-old porcelain shine again in your hands, what a merit and glory it will be! Isn't it better than building a hundred towers and a thousand temples?"

As he spoke, he patted Yue Yunpeng's round belly and said, "Your names will surely be passed down in your hometown even a thousand years later."

"Oh my, that's great... Oh no, how can we steal the credit from Zhongcheng and Sima father and son?" Yue Yunpeng was tempted by the bright prospects painted by Mr. Zhao, and he laughed so hard that his body shook and his saliva was about to flow down.

"You are confused. The chancellor is the head of a province. How could he compete with you for credit? As for me, I am just here to play. What does it have to do with me?" Zhao Hao shook his head and smiled. "As for my father, he will be transferred in a few years. At most, he can get the credit of being the first to initiate the project. The two of you are the only ones who can really carry this matter forward and become the patron saints of Chaozhou porcelain industry."

As he spoke, he patted the back of Liu Zixing's skinny hand and said earnestly: "The people of Chaozhou will never forget that you two took the overall situation into consideration and compromised for them today!"

"This..." Liu Zixing was actually very tempted. He was so old, but he was still working hard for the government all day long. What was he after? Wasn't it just for fame? He couldn't help but smile bitterly and said, "I am old, and my words were not pleasant to hear. I apologize to the Zhongcheng. In order to revive the Chaozhou porcelain industry, we are willing to suffer a little grievance, but those Chaozhou merchants are notorious for being unreasonable. I am afraid that they will take advantage of me."

"Don't worry, as long as you do what you are supposed to do, we will take care of the Hakka people. If you fail, it will be my responsibility, not yours." Lin Run's expression eased a little and he said, "Old man, success or failure depends on this one move. If you miss this opportunity, I don't know when you can let the people of Chaozhou live a peaceful and prosperous life again."

"I understand." Zhao Hao and Lin Run played the good cop and the bad cop respectively, and finally made the stubborn old man bow his head with earnest advice.

Zhao Hao and Lin Run both breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing this, knowing that the matter was mostly settled.

As the saying goes, it takes two to tango, and vice versa. If you want to reconcile, both sides must be willing. Although Liu Zixing and Yue Yunpeng acted innocent and passive, Zhao Hao knew very well that compared to the relatively weak Hakka people, these local tyrants were the real strong and domineering party.

The word "guest" explains everything. Now that the natives have been convinced, the rest of the matter will naturally be much easier.

Lin Zhongcheng was certainly an important reason why Liu Zixing and others came to the door to reconcile, but in fact, Zhao Hao and Jiangnan Group were more important in their hearts.

In addition to the big promises that Master Zhao had made before, there was another very important reason: Lin Run's trip to Feitianyan made them feel firsthand the tremendous power of Master Zhao.

Before, whether Lin Zhongcheng came to Chaozhou to inspect or to support Zhao Hao and his son, it was obvious that he had a history with Zhao Hao and his son. But since Chaozhou was in such a big mess, the governor should have come to inspect. In order to quickly stabilize the situation in Chaozhou, it was also the intention to praise Zhao Erye in an extraordinary way. At least everyone can understand it this way.

Liu Zixing thought so privately. As an old man who had served as a provincial governor, he naturally believed in the power above him. He absolutely did not believe that a governor would sincerely interact with a young man...even if he was a young man with magical qualities.

So he concluded that Zhao Hao was just taking advantage of the information asymmetry to create all kinds of illusions and suppress them.

But today's incident can in no way be explained by the fact that Lin Zhongcheng happened to be in the right place at the right time or that Master Zhao was taking advantage of the situation.

Because a few days ago, Mr. Zhao proposed to revive the Chaozhou porcelain industry, but encountered the problem of raw materials. Today, Lin Zhongcheng spared no effort and made a special trip to the Hakka territory in the deep mountains and old forests to solve this problem.

You know, this matter has nothing to do with the stability of the city, at least not directly. But the governor still took a day out of his busy schedule to explain the game to the Chaozhou porcelain industry friends. To what extent did Mr. Zhao obey his orders?

At the very least, the two sides must be allies, and they must be equals. It is even possible that Master Zhao is the stronger party. Thinking of Master Zhao's father-in-law and godmother, the image of a top second-generation official in Beijing who is arrogant and embarrassed suddenly appeared in everyone's mind.

In this way, it can be reasonably explained why Master Zhao was able to build two giants, Jiangnan Group and Xishan Group, in a short period of time. Even why his disciples were able to pass the imperial examinations one after another... all these miraculous things.

Because he is actually the spokesperson for a huge interest group!

Lord Liu, who had finally achieved self-consistency, looked at Master Zhao with a look of awe.

Back then, he was promoted to the position of provincial governor, but was never able to go any further and become a provincial governor. Wasn’t it because he was not in the core circle of the Yan Party?

Now, the core circle of the new generation of the Ming Dynasty has extended an olive branch to me. How can I not accept it?

I am not old yet! Your peers Gao Xinzheng are still in power, so who dares to say that he is old?

Besides, even if he no longer serves as an official, he still has his children and grandchildren. His third son passed the imperial examination six years ago, and his eldest grandson has just entered the government school...

Just like Plato's allegory of the cave, people who have never been able to turn their heads and have only seen shadows on the wall in front of them will naturally think that shadows are the only real things, and will seriously summarize the laws of the world based on the changes in shadows. They don't believe that the world is actually three-dimensional, and will regard those who tell them the truth as hysterical fools.

Old people like Liu Zixing will never understand what comrade means.

They are comrades with the same aspirations.

p.s. There will only be two updates today. That’s all.