Down the river, Wang Gong's official ship was as fast as a galloping horse, with a green flag on the bow sounding fiercely in the river wind. The journey was extremely smooth, and we arrived at Jingkou from Jiankang in less than two hours.
The land of Gaoping is called Jingkou, and the river at the foot of Beigu Mountain is called the mouth, so it is named Jingkou. Sun Quan of the Eastern Wu Dynasty built Iron Weng City and established Jingkou Town. During the Yongjia Rebellion, a large number of nobles moved south and settled in Yan and Xu states. Xie Xuan rebuilt the Beifu Army here and defeated the millions of troops of Fu Jian of the former Qin Dynasty.
With its superior geographical location, Jingkou has become an important military town and the eastern gateway to the capital Jiankang. Its important geographical and military role is irreplaceable.
Jingkou was originally controlled by aristocratic families, but the Xie family took the initiative to give in during the Feishui War. Emperor Xiaowu took the opportunity to let Sima Tian, the royal family prince, replace Xie Xuan as the commander-in-chief of the Beifu Army.
After Sima Tian died, Wang Gong took charge of the Beifu Army for six years.
Thousands of sails stood in many places, hundreds of boats competed in the current, and ships came and went like a shuttle on the wide river. Yang Anxuan and Liu Zhong stood side by side on the side of the ship and looked at the lively scene on the dock.
Liu Zhong visited Jingkou many times and pointed to the vast river surface and introduced: "The river in this area is forty miles wide. It is difficult for the Northern Army to go south. However, our dynasty can send troops from Jingkou for the Northern Expedition. This is a natural barrier."
The official ship docked at the official trestle, the planks were laid, and someone helped Wang Gong get off the ship. There were dozens of officials waiting on the pier. When they saw Governor Wang disembarking from the boat, they all bowed and said, "I've seen Governor Wang."
Wang Gong tightened the fur around his body, said "no courtesy" indifferently, and walked towards the oxcart on the side without any exaggeration.
When he was about to board the carriage, Wang Gong stood still, as if he had just remembered, and told his entourage: "The King of Kuaiji has sent a group of people to follow me. You can place them in the back house of the official office."
Yang Anxuan stood on the boat, watching Wang Gong's bullock cart gradually move away under the escort of Qingqi. The river wind blew his brocade robe, and he felt a sudden chill.
After waiting for a while, someone greeted them to get off the boat.
This time King Kuaiji sent a total of eight people, headed by Lu Zhuang, the former Minister of Duzhi, and several subordinate officials of the palace, most of whom were in the sixth or seventh rank. Liu Zhong was appointed as the ninth-rank official historian. These people came The specific errands to Jingkou will have to be arranged by Wang Gong.
Lu Zhuang was still dissatisfied even though the King of Kuaiji comforted him by saying that he would be sent to a prosperous land as a prefect in two years.
The person who stayed to greet them was a member of the eighth rank. Although he smiled attentively, it was fake. Lu Zhuang's face became gloomy. As soon as he arrived at Jingkou, Wang Gong gave them a warning.
There were five bullock carts parked at the dock. Lu Zhuang boarded the cart without saying a word and shouted: "Let's go." He didn't care about the other people behind him.
Yang Anxuan and Liu Zhong got into a car together. Liu Zhong raised the car curtain and looked at the scenery outside the window, saying, "It seems that Governor Wang does not welcome me. The days ahead will be difficult."
Yang Anxuan smiled and said nothing. Wang Gong's performance can be imagined. The King of Kuaiji sent some people to follow him to Jingkou. At best, they could communicate with the inside and outside. At worst, they sent a group of craftsmen around him. How can the feeling of thorns in the back be better? .
Yang Anxuan and Liu Zhong were assigned to a small courtyard with three rooms. They were cramped and cold, and there was not even a brazier when they arrived.
Liu Zhong said angrily: "This is a bit excessive. I don't know if it was the order of the governor Wang or the deliberate neglect of his subordinate officials."
Before he finished speaking, there was a sound of yelling and cursing from next door, a "pop" sound, and something fell to the ground. Yang Anxuan and Liu Zhong looked at each other and hurriedly left the hospital to see what happened.
Several people had gathered in front of the Aquarius Gate, peering in. Yang Anxuan was taller and stood on his tiptoes to look inside.
There are three main rooms in this small courtyard, as well as side rooms. There are bamboos in the corners and flowers under the eaves. The area is nearly twice as large and the environment is better.
Lu Zhuang stood under the eaves, pointed at an official at the bottom of the steps and cursed: "... A dog's eyes look at human things. I am not demoted. I am stationed in Jingkou on the order of the King of Kuaiji. Is this kennel for people to live in?" ?”
Liu Zhong muttered: "This is a doghouse, so our accommodation is far worse than a doghouse."
The official was greeting them. He covered his face and said with a smile: "Shilang Lu, the coldness of Jingkou is not as good as the prosperity of Jingdou. This is the best courtyard for the official residence. If you are not satisfied, please go and ask Mao to come." .”
"Get lost," Lu Zhuang shouted aggressively.
The manager bowed his head and turned around to leave the hospital, with hatred in his eyes. Yang Anxuan thought that Lu Zhuang was acting like this and had offended the officials in Jingkou when he arrived. He was afraid that it would be difficult for him to move forward in the future.
Soon, Yang Anxuan heard the noise in the courtyard next door, and the name Brother Mao came out of Lu Zhuang's mouth, which should be "Don't drive Maobao."
After a while, an official came into the courtyard and invited Yang Anxuan and Liu Zhong to go to the lobby for a banquet. The officials were full of courtesy, but their faces were tense and there was no smile. Lu Zhuang's troubles affected Chiyu, and even Yang Anxuan and others were not happy.
The banquet was placed in the governor's hall, with four dishes on the table, salted fish, mallow, water spinach and egg custard, and a small pot of wine.
Wang Gong sat in the middle, raised his glass and said: "Jingkou is not as good as the capital. You all have been wronged when you come here. I have just listened to my subordinates' report. There are many deficiencies in hospitality. Wang has a drink first as an accomplice. Please!"
After that, he raised his glass and drank it all in one gulp.
The drinks were bland, the dishes were salty and bland, and there was obviously no intention.
After the king drank two glasses of wine respectfully, he put down the cup and said: "You are here at Jingkou on the order of the King of Kuaiji. You are of high status. The king can't think of how to arrange it for the moment. You might as well stay in the official residence first and familiarize yourself with the affairs of the house. When the time comes, Wang will make further arrangements."
Lu Zhuang did not dare to be arrogant in front of Wang Gong. After all, this man dared to rebuke the King of Kuaiji. However, the King of Kuaiji had given him an explanation before coming here, telling him not to be arrogant or humble, and to argue according to reason.
"Prince Wang, Xiaguan was originally the minister of Duzhi, and he knows a little about revenue and expenditure." Lu Zhuang said, "Before Xiaguan came, the King of Kuaiji had told him to help him manage the Qinggun and Qinggun prefectures. matters of income and expenditure.”
Wang Gong sneered in his heart, financial revenue and expenditure were the lifeblood of the two states, how could he leave such an important matter to Lu Zhuang.
"Mao Biejia will take care of the income and expenditure. Shilang Lu might as well discuss it with Mao Biejia and just listen to his arrangements." Wang Gong said calmly.
Lu Zhuang raised his hands to Mao Bao, who was sitting across from him, and said, "I hope Mao Biejia can teach me more."
Mao Bao said with a smile on his face: "You're welcome, Mr. Lu. You are the Minister of Duzhi. You are in charge of the world's wealth. You are much better than Yu. With the help of Mr. Lu, I think it will be much easier for Yu."
But he knew in his heart that the most he could do was to issue official salary and promote land reclamation, but not a single amount of money would go through his hands.
Wang Gong looked at Yang Anxuan and others and said, "Your duties are subject to He Zhizhong's arrangements." Zhizhong He Sheng was a native of Shanyin in Kuaiji and was the queen of He Qi, a famous general of Sun Wu in the Three Kingdoms.
After sitting for a while, Wang Gong excused himself from feeling unwell, got up and left.
The masters were all gone, and wine could not lead to happiness. Lu Zhuang got up angrily, fluttered his sleeves and left. Yang Anxuan and others said they were tired, got up and left with him.
A group of eight people came to Lu Zhuang's residence. Lu Zhuang sat in the middle with a sullen face and said in a deep voice, "Everyone, everyone has seen the situation in Jingkou. Governor Wang sees us as a thorn in his side."
Someone said angrily: "For such a cold treatment by the Governor Wang, Minister Lu will appeal to the King of Kuaiji on our behalf, so that the King will reprimand the Governor Wang."
Lu Zhuang remained silent. He had the opportunity to attend court meetings and saw Wang Gong sternly criticizing King Kuaiji in the court hall. Before coming, the King of Kuaiji made it clear and asked him to communicate internally and externally. As soon as they came to Jingkou, they complained to the king. The King of Kuaiji thought that he could not do his job.
After thinking for a long time, Lu Zhuang ordered in a cold voice: "Everyone should settle in their own place. For the time being, follow the arrangements and wait until you are familiar with the affairs before making any calculations."
Yang Anxuan and Liu Zhong returned to their residence. They finally lit a charcoal fire and put on new bedding. It seemed that Lu Zhuang's attack had some effect.
Liu Zhong fell on his couch and sighed: "Life is hard, so let's just mix it up for now."
Yang Anxuan smiled and said: "Brother Liu, what are you worried about? Your family knows many generals in the Beifu Army. You can go to them. If you have the opportunity, you can transfer to serve in the Beifu Army."
Liu Zhong was a little moved and said: "My family intends to let Yu become a civil servant, but actually Yu still likes to ride horses, shoot arrows and fight."
The next day, several people made an appointment to come to He Sheng's official residence. The clerk in front of the official residence smiled politely and said: "He Zhizhong is handling official business. I have sent a message to invite you to come to the side to drink tea and wait."
After sitting for almost half an hour, the tea in the cup became cold. Some people got up angrily and left, leaving only four people still waiting.
Yang Anxuan grabbed Liu Zhong. In addition to them, Wang Kun, the imperial censor (sixth grade), and He Shao, the eunuch of the palace (seventh grade), were patiently drinking herbal tea.
Seeing Yang Anxuan sizing him up, Wang Kun smiled and said, "Yang Shidu said that you let the heroes act on their impulses. I thought you would leave first."
Except for Liu Zhong, Yang Anxuan couldn't figure out the details of the people who were traveling with him. He guessed that most of them were close associates of the King of Kuaiji. Lu Zhuang was the leader on the surface, but maybe the two people present were secretly in charge.
Yang Anxuan cupped his hands and said with a smile: "Wang Censor, Yang is not busy, and I am afraid that I will miss the instructions given by the King of Kuaiji. Why don't you sit down for a while."
Wang Kun nodded and said nothing.
A few minutes later, He Sheng appeared with an apologetic look on his face and said with cupped hands: "Everyone, I'm sorry. It's true that the governor has given us some important matters and we have to deal with them quickly. I apologize for keeping you waiting for so long." .”
Seeing that there were only four people left in the room, He Sheng didn't ask any more questions and said with a smile: "Yesterday, Governor Wang told Yu to arrange your duties. What do you think?"
Wang Kun took the lead and said: "I have served as the imperial eunuch and the prince's horse washer in Beijing. Now I am the imperial censor. I ask He Zhizhong to make arrangements as appropriate."
He Sheng pondered for a moment and said: "Wang Yushi was originally a censor, and he is familiar with the legal system of the court. How about taking a post in the Fa Cao?"
Wang Kun nodded in agreement, and then He Sheng arranged for He Shaotian to serve.
Looking at Yang Anxuan, He Sheng smiled and cupped his hands and said, "I have long wanted to meet 'Yang Xiaochuang'. They say Mr. Yang is young and handsome, and it is true."
After chatting and laughing for a while, He Sheng asked Yang Anxuan what he thought. Yang Anxuan had discussed with Liu Zhong last night and knew that thieves often appeared on the Jingkou River along the Yangtze River, threatening the safety of official ships, merchant ships and fishing boats. Occasionally they would come ashore to rob Village, the impact is very bad.
At that time, Gan Ning, the famous general of Sun Wu, was called the "Jin Sail Thief", and he was engaged in robbing houses and robberies on the Yangtze River all year round. The imperial court set up a capital to manage water conservancy, including the task of detecting theft.
Detecting theft on the water is hard work. If you make any mistakes, your life will be in danger. No one is willing to take on this task.
He Sheng was overjoyed when he heard that Yang Anxuan was interested in arresting water thieves. He tugged his beard and said, "It happens that there is a vacancy for the Thief Envoy in Dushui. However, the Thief Enforcement Officer cannot reach the rank of seventh rank. If Yang Shidu doesn't mind putting the elder over the younger, I will give it to you." After becoming the governor of the Ming Dynasty, Lao Yang was appointed as a minister and read concurrently."
Liu Zhong didn't wait for He Sheng to ask, and said directly: "I will follow Yang Shidu to serve in the Dushui Yamen."
He Sheng stood up and said: "Since you have made your decision, I will go with you to see the governor and ask him for instructions."
Yang Anxuan and four others followed He Sheng to the lobby. He Sheng did not mention the other four people. Lu Zhuang had his own arrangements. As for the other three, they probably either had to stay idle or go home.
Wang Gong was a director in the lobby. Hearing He Shengtong present the positions selected by the four people, he nodded, encouraged them a few words, and then waved his hand to take them to take up their positions.
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