A night of violent rain had just begun to subside. It was the plum rain season in the south of the Yangtze River. The dark clouds in the sky had just been blown away by the breeze, and the sunlight hidden behind the thin clouds brought a slight heat.
The dock in Shiyang County is already in full swing at the moment. With the completion of the dock, the freight trade in Shiyang County has become more and more developed, and it is possible to go to other directions by land here, and it has also attracted many caravans.
Under such circumstances, Shiyang County finally ushered in a substantial development.
Among them, some people say that it is the achievement of the previous county magistrate Jin Changwu, while others say that this is the birth of a great talent in Shiyang County. The reputation of the hometown of the number one scholar suddenly spread, which naturally attracted many people to stop.
Although there are many discussions among them, the literary style in Shiyang County seems to be at its peak now. From time to time, you can meet one or two talents with foreign accents, who can't speak without Song Mu.
If the idler was willing to stop, he would straighten his back, point to the archways along the official road, and proudly brag about what he had seen back then, which made all the scholars look moved.
But at this moment, on the pier, a group of officers and soldiers suddenly arrived. Shiyang County magistrates wearing red robes all arrived at the pier one after another, with solemn expressions on their faces.
This momentum naturally attracted the attention of the people, who began to speculate that someone big was coming.
"That's our County Magistrate Pu, right? It's rare to see him here, and he even brought a group of county soldiers. Could it be that a big shot from somewhere wants to dock here?"
"Maybe. The prefect of Ganzhou Prefecture stayed here for two days before. We are the hometown of the number one scholar, and there are always officials who want to come and take a look."
The porter on the dock put down his load and chewed a few words while drinking a large cup of tea.
However, there were also people with sad expressions on their faces and sighing.
"So what if the big shots are here? We who carry the work on the dock can only make enough money for the whole family in one day."
"Have you heard? A notice was posted in the city two days ago, saying that our Jizhou Prefecture has been designated as a fiefdom and will be given to the King of Qi..."
"After the fiefdom is established, we will have to pay taxes again. I am worried all day long."
Next to him, the porter who knew a few big words spoke to persuade him.
"You're just worrying about it. I saw the notice that day with my own eyes. It said, "The King of Qi will not build a palace or acquire land."
"My boy came back from studying that day and told me that the King of Qi is the heir of the former prince and loves the people very much. The notice written in it means that from now on it will be a light corvee... and a small amount of wealth."
The porter who heard this immediately cheered up, asked a few more questions, and finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"So that's it. Alas, my boy can climb trees and catch birds all day long. I don't even understand what he's doing."
Others laughed loudly, and some even said.
"Then take good care of him. Didn't the Song family's private school want your boy to study that day? Just send it to him, and he will still have a big bowl of rice and a piece of fat to eat at noon."
Saying this, the man also stood up and seemed to have made up his mind to go back and make arrangements after work.
At this time, another cargo ship docked at the dock. The leader had already called everyone, and several people hurried away.
The cargo ship docked, but it got off the sampan, and then several carriages got off it.
Magistrate Pu had already moved forward at this moment, and all the boatmen and porters were stopped by the officers and soldiers. Everyone looked around, but someone suddenly looked at the situation inside and shouted.
"Hey, let me tell you, why do the adults on the boat look familiar?"
The others were stunned when they heard this, and they all looked up. Suddenly, one person's face suddenly became excited and he looked determined!
"Oh! That's the champion of our Shiyang County!"
"What? Is he the champion of Song Dynasty? The champion is back?!"
Several people shouted, which attracted the attention of many people, and they also gathered around at this moment.
As soon as Song Mu stepped onto the dock, he saw officials in red robes coming towards him.
It was just that this person was new to him, so Song Mu just saluted.
"Master Song has returned from Chang'an, and he has been greeted from afar due to his humble position."
Song Mu just smiled and held his hands, while the middle-aged man with a broad beard and a long beard just said in harmony.
"Master Jin has now been promoted to the prefect of Shaozhou Prefecture. Next to him is Pu Guangda, a native of Dingzhou. He was a Jinshi for ten years in Chongwen. He was promoted to the county magistrate of Shiyang County last year."
The other party said this, Song Mu also smiled and held his hands, and at this moment, Li Dong next to him also walked up.
Song Mu immediately said to the other party.
"Master Pu, this is His Highness King Qi, and he is coming back to Shiyang County with me this time."
Upon hearing Song Mu's introduction, Pu Guangda's eyes widened suddenly. He stared at Li Dong and quickly handed over his hand.
"It is His Highness King Qi. Your Highness, please forgive me. I am so stupid that I did not recognize His Highness's true appearance."
Li Dong looked calm, he just held his hands and said softly.
"Sir, you don't need to be so nervous. This time I came to return to my hometown with my master. Now it seems that Shiyang County is quite prosperous and Master Pu is managing it well."
Pu Guangda just handed over and quickly introduced some situations in Shiyang County.
Due to the construction of the wharf, commerce is booming, the city walls are towering, and there are a few demons approaching. However, the surrounding first-class county towns have now returned to Shangxian County, and are highly favored by officials at all levels.
Song Mu accidentally listened to the conversation between Pu Guangda and Li Dong. At this moment, he took his wife and children off the boat and looked towards the city.
The people gathered around him were already looking at Song Mu with excited expressions. Many people even cheered and shouted "No. 1 Scholar" loudly.
Song Mu's children were stunned when they saw this situation, but at this moment they also understood their father's prestige better.
But at this time, a voice came from the crowd. Song Mu immediately caught the voice keenly. He immediately took a few steps forward and saw Song Liangda walking away from the crowd.
"Jing Zhao!"
"uncle!"
Song Mu took a few steps forward. The uncle and nephew met again. Song Liangda's face was full of excitement. He looked at Song Mu carefully and kept nodding.
Looking at Song Mu's family who came back together, he was even more happy at this moment. He took Song Mu's hand and looked at Song Huaitong and others.
"In the blink of an eye, Huai Tong and Cheng Ming have grown so big."
"I haven't even seen this little girl before. She looks like my mother. She will definitely be a little beauty in the future."
"It's not easy for nieces and nephews, they are all good children of my Song family."
Song Liangda looked at Song Mu's three children and hurriedly took off the jade pendant and money bag from his waist, saying nothing to stop Song Mu.
Song Mu also grinned and allowed Song Liangda to stuff these things into the hands of Song Huaitong and others.
In this way, Song Mu, Li Dong and others were surrounded into the city amid the cheers of the people around them.
The city was also bustling with excitement, and many people gathered on both sides of the street. They cheered when they saw Song Mu arriving.
Perhaps he had never seen such a scene before, Li Dong was trembling for a moment, and he couldn't help sighing at this moment.
"It's the same as in Yuzhang City. Master, this is what people's hearts are against. No wonder all the people in the world love reading."
Saying this, Song Mu headed towards the ancestral hall under the leadership of Song Liangda.
Song Mu can be regarded as returning to his hometown with honor, and worshiping his ancestors is the top priority.
But after returning this time, Song has more plans.
In the ancestral hall, incense was burning continuously, and the plaques were brightly lit. Song Mu stood in awe, and his heart was surging at this moment.
Siluke
Places like these ancestral halls always give Song Mu countless senses of identity, and that feeling makes Song Mu feel that he has no regrets in this life.
After worshiping his ancestors, Song Mu walked out of the ancestral hall and saw that the county magistrate was talking to Li Dong. His expression was somewhat respectful at the moment. When Song Mu arrived, he quickly handed over.
"I have kept the magistrate waiting for a long time."
Song Mu said with a smile, Magistrate Pu just smiled and waved his hand and said,
"Don't dare, don't dare. I just chatted with His Highness for a few words about the next arrangements. I heard that Your Excellency will live at home permanently from now on. I wonder what your plans are in the future?"
Song Mu looked at Li Dong and then said.
"After returning this time, Song will just become a scholar. In the future, he hopes to contribute to our literary dynasty and bring more talented people to Shiyang County."
Magistrate Pu nodded repeatedly and praised this as a good thing.
The three of them complimented a few more and agreed to go to the banquet today. Magistrate Pu left with satisfaction, while Li Dong looked at Song Mu and spoke immediately.
"Master, will you really only preach and resolve doubts from now on?"
Song Mu nodded slightly, but looked at Li Dong again and said with a smile.
"We will talk about the future later, but since His Highness is also planning to live here permanently, I will rely on Your Highness for help if I have something to do next."
Li Dong heard this and was quite curious at the moment.
…
