In the early morning, the canal dock outside Yangzhou City gradually became lively. Shi Kefa had already walked back from the shore when Chang Yu was washing up: "Just from the scenery of the dock, it seems that the prosperity of Yangzhou is not inferior to that of Suzhou, or even better than that of Suzhou."
Chang Yu nodded. Although he has not been to the current Gusu City or Yangzhou City, he knows that since the Ming and Qing Dynasties, cities that are close to water and sea have developed very fast and well.
What's more, the city of Yangzhou has relied on the Grand Canal for thousands of years and has a profound heritage.
In the early morning, the pier suddenly became agitated. A group of people rushed over from the city and attracted the attention of passers-by. This is the group of officials. What are they doing at the pier?
Of course it is to welcome distinguished guests.
Yangzhou Magistrate Ren Minyu had just woken up early in the morning when he heard that a Dongchang fan had come to the city and was frightened. Then he was told that the eunuch of Dongchang and the Minister of War, Shi Kefa, were at the canal dock outside the city, and asked the civil and military officials in the city to go there. meet.
Chang Yu always keeps a low profile when traveling. He doesn't like being dropped off or welcomed by others. This time, it is definitely rare for someone to go out of town to tell him to greet him.
So Ren Minyu hurriedly took more than ten officials out of the city and went to the riverside to greet him. He saw nearly a hundred officials standing or squatting on the pier to have breakfast. He had no idea which one was the young eunuch. Fortunately, he saw Shi Kefa in official uniform. He hurriedly knelt forward and said, "I'm here to pay my respects to Lord Shangshu. May I ask where the governor is?" After saying that, he glanced at Gao Jie, who was wearing casual clothes next to him. He thought to himself, "Maybe this is it. He looks a little rough."
"Our family has admired the name of the prefect Ren for a long time. We are honored to meet you." Chang Yu came from somewhere else and held a piece of candy cake in his hand. He cupped his hands to Ren Minyu, but the prefect was stunned and stunned: "My lord, I have seen you before." Lord Governor..."
"Nice to meet you, nice to meet you." Chang Yu chuckled and glanced at the faces of the officials behind Ren Minyu one by one. On the 10th in Yangzhou, there were almost no defectors among the officials in the city. Ren Minyu and more than ten people either died in battle or committed suicide. There are only a few recorded martyrs who were not in Yangzhou at this time. For example, Liu Zhaoji, the commander-in-chief who defended the city at that time, had just been promoted to the governor of Nanjing and the admiral of the Nanjing Grand Teaching Field at the beginning of the year. Chang Yu did not take him with him when he mobilized troops from Nanjing for the western expedition. , after all, Nanjing also needs someone to take charge.
Wu Erxun was still working at the Hanlin Academy in Beijing at this time, and his staff He Gang was also working in obscurity in the capital. But Ma Yingkui, who wore white armor every battle, endorsed the words "loyalty to serve the country" on his back, and died in a street battle, was currently serving as a junior general in Yangzhou. .
So Chang Yu opened his mouth and asked, "Where is Ma Yingkui?"
Ren Minyu was confused at that time. Ma Yingkui was just a young general guarding the city. This eunuch came to Yangzhou early in the morning just to find such a person? Could it be that Ma Yingkui committed some serious crime?
Of course, what made him even more surprised and puzzled was that the young eunuch was very friendly to them and had no pretensions, so much so that Ren Minyu even doubted whether this person was the senior eunuch of Dongchang. This was really unnatural. None of the eunuchs in the palace had their eyes looking at the sky, let alone the eunuchs in the East Factory.
With this doubt, Ren Minyu welcomed Chang Yu and Shi Kefa into the government office. Chen Suole and his guards went shopping, which was actually just shopping. Li Muchian also asked Chang Yu for leave, saying that he was going to visit the past and the present, but Chang Yu let it go. He has gone. This Taoist priest is idle and cannot be tied up all the time.
Although Chang Yu respected the loyalty and martyrdom of Yangzhou officials such as Ren Minyu, to be honest, he had nothing to talk with them because these officials were too embarrassed when facing him and could not relax while holding their own, so that Chang Yu had to restrain himself. Feel free to do so, otherwise people will say that the eunuch of Dongchang is not doing anything right by jumping up and down.
This made Chang Yu, who was used to hanging out with the soldiers casually, feel particularly tired. Feeling particularly uncomfortable, he asked Shi Kefa to chat with them. There were many topics among the civil servants, such as the war against bandits, things about Chang Yu, Ren Minyu and the others. Very curious.
Chang Yu, on the other hand, left the Yamen and went to visit Yangzhou City, with only Kuang Ren and three or five personal guards accompanying him.
In fact, Chang Yu has no interest in shopping. Just like in the future, whether you go shopping in Beijing or Shanghai or go shopping in shopping malls, you will find that they are all the same. All commercial streets, pedestrian streets and ancient streets feel like they are mass-produced and have nothing new.
Although the local characteristics of this era are still relatively obvious, it does not arouse any desire for shopping in Chang Yu. He walks on the street more to experience the local customs and the most authentic people's livelihood.
Of course, the happiest person was Gao Jie. It was rare that Li Yan, Li Muxian and others were not around, so he could be alone with his brothers, the majestic Admiral of Ming Dynasty East Factory. It was a very proud and satisfying thing.
The two of them were wandering around the city of Yangzhou, chatting and joking uncomfortably. Before noon, some guards came to tell them that Ren Minyu was hosting a banquet at the Yamen. Chang Yu waved his hand and let them do what they wanted, and he and Gao Jie found a place. In the restaurant, we ordered a few side dishes, a pot of tea and a pot of wine, ate, drank and chatted by the window. Shi Kefa in the Yamen became the protagonist of the reception banquet, and everyone chatted happily during the dinner.
"Brother, what on earth are you doing here in Yangzhou City, just to meet Ren Minyu?" There was no one else around. Gao Jie and Chang Yu looked like brothers and kept a low profile without being ostentatious.
"Let's talk about some business, and recruit a few more people by the way." Chang Yu chuckled, and Gao Jie was confused: "Are you going to open a shop in Yangzhou City?" Then he thought of something and looked around: "What did you do before? It is said that our Da Ming Bank wants to open two capitals and thirteen provinces, but due to limited funds, it cannot be fat in one bite, so we do not hesitate to recruit some distinguished people to join us, but why not find Xu Hongji to join us in Nanjing?"
Chang Yu couldn't help but laugh after hearing this: "It's not like joining a gang after robbing someone's house, that's called buying a share." Gao Jie scratched his head in embarrassment: "Yes, buying a share, why not look for Xu Hongji?".
"He is deeply rooted in Nanjing and has great influence. He should have been a good partner, but I gave up on him just because he was too powerful. His network of relationships is too complicated," Chang Yu said, shaking his head gently. : "Besides, you don't have to find a partner to do business in Nanjing." Gao Jie said oh, but he didn't really understand: "Then who do you plan to find to join the partnership... that... to become a shareholder."
Chang Yu chuckled: "Actually, the capital to open a shop in Nanjing is sufficient, and there is no need for others to invest in it. If you must, it is natural to choose Huaiyuan. However, such a professional thing as opening a shop has to be done by professional people. Unless you encounter I don’t get involved until there are people and things that I can’t handle.”
Yes, Gao Jie nodded: "Then who are you here to discuss business with in Yangzhou, Ren Minyu?" Chang Yu curled his lips: "His pockets are cleaner than your face. He is just here to motivate and reward them. Gao Jie touched his face and said, "My face feels refreshed recently. No wonder a lot of girls on the street were staring at me just now."
Chang Yu almost vomited. Gao Jie asked again: "Is Ren Minyu an upright official? I asked you to come specially to visit him."
"It doesn't matter if you don't know whether an honest official is honest, but he is a very loyal minister. Generally loyal ministers are relatively honest. At this time, loyal ministers are more precious than incorruptible..." Before he finished speaking, Gao Jie said: "I understand. , you said you are poaching him, are you going to bring him to the capital?"
"It may be possible in the future, but right now..." Chang Yu said and glanced out the window and downstairs: "Here we come." Gao Jie looked around suspiciously and saw several personal guards leading one person into the restaurant in a hurry.
After a while, a panic-stricken man in military uniform was brought to Chang Yu's desk, saying that anyone taken away by people from Dongchang would feel panicked.
"Do you know who he is?" Chang Yu raised his hand and pointed at Gao Jie next to him and asked the man. Gao Jie quickly sat up straight, stared at the man with a majestic expression and said, "Do you know who this general is?"
The man was very nervous and coughed lightly: "I'm sorry for not knowing."
"I am Gao Jie, the commander-in-chief of Xuzhou, have you ever heard of me?"
The man was slightly surprised: "It turns out to be General Gao, Master Gao. I wonder what the reason for calling the young man is here." He muttered in his heart, how could Gao Jie be able to use Dongchang Fanzi.
"Yes, why are you looking for him?" Gao Jie couldn't answer and looked at Chang Yu. The little eunuch chuckled, and the man was even more confused: "Who is this sir?"
"I am the governor of Dongchang Chang Yu, Ma Yingkui, are you willing to fight with me?" Chang Yu put away his smile and looked at the man squarely.
Yes, this person was Ma Yingkui, the deputy commander-in-chief of the army who fought and died defending Yangzhou in history. He was only a low-level general at this time, so he was completely confused at once.
First, he was called by Dongchang. He thought he had committed something and was so frightened that his legs were weak. However, he was brought to see the big boss of Dongchang. He named him and wanted to take him to show off and fly him away. Who wouldn't be confused? After all, this little guy What did the eunuch see in him?
What he likes is their loyalty and courage. In that time and space, most of them sacrificed their lives for the country. In Chang Yu's time and space, he thought of supporting them more as a kind of compensation for them. In addition, he really needed to promote a group of people. A capable and loyal young general who brings fresh blood to the military.
