After a long and tiring journey, the envoys of Chen Yunxuan's forces finally arrived at Suihai County, the capital of Lingzhou.
Lin Tongxi and others brought gifts to the county government to pay a visit to Zhang Guangxin, the governor of Lingzhou.
"Are you Lin Tongxi? Yes, you can tell at first glance that you are a young hero. Your reputation is well-deserved." Zhang Guangxin showed an admiring look.
He had heard about the deeds of Chen Yunxuan and Lin Tongxi from Lingzhou. He knew that the two had been promoted step by step from the village chief of Qingshi Village to the current commander of the Xiangnan Army in a short period of time. He admired them very much.
Unlike the young and energetic Chen Yunxuan, Zhang Guangxin is already quite old, even older than Ding Nanjing, but he still looks good.
"These are special fruits from Lingnan. Your Excellency, please feel free to enjoy them." Zhang Guangxin smiled kindly, looking like a hospitable old man.
If he hadn't been wearing official uniform, Lin Tongxi might not have mistaken him for the governor of Lingzhou.
"Thank you, Lord Zhang, for your kindness." Lin Tongxi thanked Zhang Guangxin on behalf of the envoys.
After the routine greetings, Lin Tongxi handed Zhang Guangxin the document expressing his willingness to form an alliance.
Zhang Guangxin looked at the document and felt very relieved.
The document expressed two important aspects of the alliance: one was military mutual assistance, and the other was strengthening commercial exchanges.
Military mutual assistance can solve the pressure faced by Xie Wenzhou's army in the east, and commercial exchanges will help Lingzhou receive new technologies from the Central Plains, and also facilitate the sale of Lingzhou's goods to the Central Plains, thereby boosting the economy.
For Chen Yunxuan, forming an alliance with Zhang Guangxin would be beneficial for subsequent expansion into Lingzhou, and secondly, it would be beneficial for obtaining Lingzhou specialties and selling Xiangzhou goods.
From this perspective, an alliance between the two sides is undoubtedly a win-win choice.
"I wonder when you will go back? Why don't you stay in Lingzhou for a while so that we can show our hospitality." Zhang Guangxin looked at Lin Tongxi and asked when he would return.
"We are planning to experience the customs of Lingzhou, so we really need to stay for a while. We hope that Lord Zhang will give us some convenience." Lin Tongxi expressed his intention to stay.
Zhang Guangxin continued to smile: "No, no, the guests have come from afar, so the host should naturally do his best to entertain them."
"There are many good places to visit in Lingzhou, and there are also many places worth visiting in Suihai City."
"After today, I will send a county official to take you on a tour of the area. What do you think?"
Lin Tongxi declined Zhang Guangxin's offer of a guide. "Thank you for your kindness, sir. However, it would be too much of a fuss if a county official led the team. We prefer to keep a low profile and just explore the area."
"Well, since that's your wish, I can't possibly obstruct you." Zhang Guangxin finished speaking and had someone hand Lin Tongxi a token. "If you need anything, you can present this token, and the Lingzhou officials will assist you."
Lin Tongxi took the token. Although the quality of the token was not as good as those made in Wangchen County, it was still considered fine.
"Thank you very much, sir. By the way, where is Minghe Academy?" Lin Tongxi mentioned the place Shen Xingyao wanted to go.
"Minghe Academy? It's on Wutong Peak in the northwest." Zhang Guangxin answered seriously, "However, Minghe Academy is not open to everyone. Since you wish to go, I will write a letter to Minghe Academy and ask them to prepare a reception."
"Sorry to bother you, sir." Lin Tongxi clasped his fists in return.
After discussing the important matters, Lin Tongxi returned to the residence arranged by Zhang Guangxin and talked about the matters of Minghe Academy.
"Minghe Academy is some distance away from the city. Why don't we take a walk around the city first? After we've walked around enough, we can go to Minghe Academy?" Lin Tongxi suggested.
Shen Xingyao, who wanted to go to Minghe Academy, nodded in agreement, "I'm not in a hurry. I'll follow everyone's arrangements."
"Then let's walk around the city first and see if there's anything delicious to eat." Su Ruoxue looked excited. She had heard from A Xiu a long time ago that Lingzhou has many special foods.
After the five of them were ready, they changed into simple clothes and went out to tour the city in a low-key manner.
There are many vendors shouting on the road.
Although it is not as lively as Xiangjiang County and Wangchen County, it is the capital of a state after all, and the population is still quite large.
"Popsicles for sale! It's hot, perfect for a popsicle! Three cents each, don't miss it if you pass by!" a vendor shouted.
Popsicles? They appeared at this time of year?
Lin Tongxi was curious and went to the vendor selling popsicles: "You actually sell popsicles here?"
Lingzhou is located in the south, with a lower latitude and a hotter climate.
Although it is approaching winter, the temperature in Suihai City is not low.
"Well, look at what you said. How would I dare to shout if I didn't have it? You guests are from other places, right? How about one each to try it?" The vendor tried to get Lin Tongxi to patronize his business.
Lin Tongxi took out the money and gave it to the vendor, who then took out six popsicles from a box.
"Hmm, delicious!" Su Ruoxue exclaimed, and the others also said it was good, especially Xiaojiu and A Xiu, whose eyes lit up.
On the contrary, Lin Tongxi felt that they were not very good. Compared with modern popsicles, the popsicles sold by vendors were much inferior.
What attracted him more than the popsicles was the vendor's box.
When the vendor opened the box, Lin Tongxi clearly felt the cold air coming from the box.
Could it be that the vendor was using a refrigerator? That would be strange.
Logically speaking, the technology of this era has not yet reached the point where a street vendor can get a refrigerator.
Of course, the refrigerator here is not the kind that uses electricity.
"Brother, what is this?" Shen Xingyao asked the question that Lin Tongxi wanted to ask.
"You mean this? This is an ice storage container," the vendor explained. "Anyone who wants to try something icy just puts it in there for a while and you can feel the chill."
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