Chapter 358 Immeasurable Merit
"This Ah Ying! What should I say?" Lu Zhaoshi held the list and looked at the white porcelain jar on the table filled with white sugar, rock sugar and sour jujube cake, his eyes moist.
This is a personal gift prepared for myself. When I arrive in Chang'an, I will present the tribute to the emperor, and I will use this gift to build my network.
I have been assigned to Wuzhou for ten years, and there is no one in the court. It is the New Year, and I cannot visit my superiors empty-handed. I need to know the social etiquette everywhere!
It’s a small jar, but it’s extremely precious. It’s not available on the market except in the palace.
If the gift is presentable, the recipient will feel more proud!
These days, the lady sent people to Guangzhou Port to look for rare treasures, and spent a lot of money, but none of them were as valuable as this small jar of sugar.
He was deeply grateful for his wife's love and for accompanying him without regrets, enduring ten years of hardship in Lingnan.
Lu Zhaoshi never thought that because of the Su family, he could catch the emperor's eye.
I used to think that everything was over when I reached middle age, but now I feel that I am young and strong, and it is the time for me to do great things.
"Heling, I'm about to leave for Chang'an, so please take care of the family!" Lu Zhaoshi said to Wang Yannian.
"Congratulations, sir! The clouds have finally parted and the moon is shining!" Wang Yannian was happy for his old friend. "Don't worry! We'll take care of your home!"
Lu Zhaoshi packed his bags, took Su Boyan, Hu Dalang, and all the tributes and headed for Chang'an, deliberately passing through Dayuling.
"Hurry! Is the cement mixed? They're waiting over there! Hurry!" The road on Dayuling Mountain was full of busy laborers.
The long road is divided into several sections. The first step is to level the road surface, followed by filling, tamping, applying formwork, tying bamboo reinforcement strips, pouring cement, and smoothing.
Like a giant dragon, everyone is busy but not chaotic, with smiles on their faces.
You can even see quite a few officials in official robes mixed in, they are the persons in charge of various sections of the road.
Covered in dust, he is energetic and full of motivation.
Merchants passing by stopped to watch and praised Lord Su's ability! Without Lord Su, there would be no Dayuling today.
"Uncle, you are wrong!" Su Boyan interrupted.
"Sir, where did I go wrong? Let's talk about it. If it weren't for Lord Su, I don't know how many generations we would have to endure in hardship."
The merchant, who was about fifty years old, shouted that he was sincerely praising Lord Su!
"Yes! Lord Su is a capable official and a strict official! It is a blessing for us, the people of Dayuling!" The surrounding people praised.
"Old man, the emperor is wise! The court is working hard to govern the country!
Otherwise, no matter how powerful Lord Su is, he cannot build Dayuling without the emperor's permission, the court's support, and generous funding!
Is that right?" Su Boyan guided slowly.
"My dear, you are right. I am too superficial!" The old merchant understood instantly and bowed to Chang'an from afar. "Your Majesty is wise, and the court is working hard to govern! May our Tang Dynasty prosper forever!"
Lu Zhaoshi looked at Su Boyan with a smile. "The Yangtze River's waves behind push the waves ahead. The Su family has produced many talented people!" What a quick reaction!
They only exaggerate Su Yuanwailang's achievements without mentioning the emperor or the court. Where do they stand? I'm afraid that disaster will come before the road is completed.
"Lord Lu, Boyan?" Su Lao Er saw a familiar figure.
"Second uncle!" Su Boyan turned around and saw his second uncle, whose hair, beard and body were covered in dust, grinning foolishly with his big white teeth.
"Why are you here?" Su Laoer brought people to the post station.
"Lord Lu has returned to the capital to meet the emperor. Hu Dalangjun and I will accompany him and return to Chang'an to resume our studies." Su Boyan replied, "Second Aunt is doing well!"
"Congratulations, Lord Su. The construction of Dayuling Mountain will be completed soon!" Lu Zhaoshi bowed to Su Laoer.
Seeing the bustling scene at the construction site, Lu Zhaoshi felt so excited and full of fighting spirit!
"Congratulations, congratulations! The construction of Dayuling Mountain is possible thanks to your contribution!" Su Laoer said modestly.
Lu Zhaoshi was mentioned in both proposals. In the future, when the stele is engraved, this must be added and it will also be included in the request for merit submitted to the court.
"How many civilians have been recruited?" Lu Zhaoshi asked with concern, taking a sip of tea. He was also able to say a few good words when meeting the emperor.
"All the laborers from the three surrounding towns participated, about three to four thousand people! Originally, only half were recruited, but the villagers wanted to open the road as soon as possible, so they all came after the busy farming season.
Even many boatmen from the docks on both sides came, and the boat merchants often gave them food and drinks to encourage everyone! "Su Laoer said this with pride.
"At this rate, the new road will be completed by the beginning of the new year, right?" Lu Zhaoshi asked.
"Almost! I originally thought it would take two years, but I didn't expect the people to be so eagerly anticipating it and so enthusiastic!"
After some tempering, Su Lao Er has become calm, wise, and a seasoned official, with a dignified demeanor in his every move.
"Master Su, how did you come up with the idea of opening a new road? Wouldn't it be more time-saving and labor-saving to widen the original route?"
When Hu Dalang arrived at Dayuling for the first time, he was shocked by the spectacular labor scene. He had not yet experienced the danger and difficulty of the original route, so he couldn't help feeling confused.
"That's a good question, Mr. Hu!" Su Lao Er praised. "Anyone who hasn't been to Dayuling will ask the same question. Anyone who has been there will know the answer."
Hu Dalang stared at Su Laoer, waiting for what happened next, but Su Laoer disappeared and just drank his tea.
It took Hu Dalang a while to realize that the answer was on the way!
After drinking tea and sitting for a while, Su Boyan left a can of rock sugar and a bag of walnut and sesame powder, and the few of them set off.
"Uncle, Shi Yan and Chen Yan have already met Grandpa Qin and arrived in Chang'an with the other students. They will not be returning to Lingnan.
Next year, Ah Ying will bring Grandmother, Second Aunt and the others back to Chang'an."
"Well! Shi Yan has written to inform me!" Su Laoer was a little depressed.
The two sons ran back to Xingyang regardless of anything. They had caused trouble but did not have the courage to take responsibility. It was only when the youngest son cleverly obtained the lawsuit and tricked his mother-in-law away that the farce ended.
Afterwards, she didn't even have the courage to write a letter. If Shi Yan hadn't written to her, she wouldn't have known that her two sons were so capable!
"Don't be sad, second uncle. People can only grow after experiencing hardships. After this incident, Shi Yan and Chen Yan will surely wake up and will never be confused again." Su Boyan comforted.
Su Laoer looked at his nephew and said, yes, only by going through hardships can one grow up!
Exiled to Lingnan, the children of the elder brother and third brother grew up quickly, faced difficulties bravely, worked together, and became stronger despite poverty.
Only my own children are confused. One is confused, two are confused, three are confused, and four are still confused. Fortunately, the youngest son is not confused.
Otherwise, there will be no one left in the second room, and they will be completely useless!
Hu Dalang clung tightly to the cliff wall, not daring to look outside. Oh my god, this road is too difficult to walk on.
If it was so difficult for me to walk empty-handed, how did those people who carried loads on horseback all year round survive? Every year, all the supplies from both sides were exchanged along this path.
No wonder Lord Su opened up another road in Nanling, this road really cannot be widened.
The construction is difficult, and traffic will be blocked during construction. Business on both sides of the waterway will be cut off, and how many people's livelihoods depend on this!
No wonder shipowners donated money and showed strong support.
As long as the old road continues, their source of income will continue, and the opening of the new four-lane road will only make their business grow!
Lord Su has truly done immeasurable good deeds!
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