Before leaving, Yu Wenxian and Hou Longen received a secret edict from the Grand Chief. Yu Wenhu issued an order to the imperial minister in front of Hou Longen.
"As long as there is any sign that Yang Jian has embezzled money, no matter how much, he should be killed on the spot immediately, and as much confiscated property as possible should be escorted back to the capital to cover the tight military pay."
A yellow mantle and a warrant cast a shadow over the imperial envoy's trip to Suizhou. The whole person was walking on thin ice and could not violate the imperial edict because he had already seen that his majesty, who had endured 13 years of hard work, was getting better and better as he moved down the ranks and became his boss. Who will kill the deer is unpredictable.
Along the way, the spring breeze brought rain and the muddy road was difficult, so we had to stop and go. It took more than half a month before the group arrived at Xiangzhou. They rested for a day at the General Manager's Mansion in Xiangzhou. After that, Pang Huang, who was temporarily acting as the general manager, accompanied the imperial envoy to Suizhou to take up his post. They rested again on the way to Suizhou. One night and the next day, when the sun was ten minutes to the west, I could see the dilapidated city wall of Suizhou from a distance.
When the imperial envoy arrived in Xiangzhou, Pang Huang had been feeling uneasy. Yu Wenxian's speech and behavior were polite, but the arrival of another big gang member was like a dark cloud. He was not only worried about Yang Jian, but also worried about himself that Yang Jian would destroy the Shan family. Later, he not only expressed his approval but also paid attention to it.
"Make sure the evidence is conclusive and leaves no hidden dangers."
Yang Nuoguo really followed his suggestion and quickly dealt with this complicated case. Subsequently, the case files sent by Suizhou to the Xiangzhou General Manager's Office were all sent by himself to check and sign the files because the General Manager of Xiangzhou Yu Wenzhi was dismissed for committing crimes. imperial court.
Pang Huangle's horse was under Suizhou City, and his heart was falling with the setting sun. Yang Jian, who had been sitting in the state government office, heard that a large group of people were looking for a post road to Suizhou City. He led Fan Wei and the gentry in the city to go out of the city to meet the imperial envoy Yu Wen. Xian, wearing a yellow mandarin jacket, walked out of the deer cart presented by the emperor and said solemnly.
"Yang Jian listens."
Yang Jian, who was smiling and about to greet the imperial envoy, was stunned for a moment and then hurriedly knelt down on the spot. Fan Wei and the local gentry, who had never seen the big scene, knelt down in unison.
After Yu Wenxian read out the emperor's imperial edict requesting a thorough investigation of Shan Yutong's case in one breath with an expressionless face, none of the people kneeling on the ground came to their senses and still knelt on the ground and did not dare to stand up. Yu Wenxian then spoke.
"Everyone, please get up."
Yang Jian patted the dust on his robe and looked at Yu Wenxian. Both parties seemed a little embarrassed. They didn't even know where to start with some polite words to greet each other. Fan Wei, who had the smallest official position and had experienced battles, was more lively. He said with a smile.
"Imperial envoy, please come to the city after a hard journey."
The deadlock opened and Yu Wen Xiancai said pleasantly.
"Please don't be offended, Governor Yang. We are all here to perform official duties under orders."
Yang Jian had also heard some rumors before that someone had gone to the capital to file a complaint, and he knew that the imperial court was going to send senior officials down to comply with the case review, but he did not expect that the imperial envoy would slap him down as soon as he came, and he couldn't turn around for a while, he muttered.
"Your Majesty, please get in the car and enter the city."
Yu Wenxian didn't say much, turned around, and got into the three-horse deer cart. The entourage who had already dismounted also silently took their places and slowly entered the city one by one.
At this time, people from all walks of life who were carrying firecrackers on bamboo poles at the city gate to welcome the imperial envoy did not dare to do anything when they saw this situation. They all watched in silence as the imperial envoy entered the west city gate of Suizhou.
Yu Wenxian, who was sitting in the car, rolled up the curtains. After a while, he was surprised to find that under the reflection of the setting sun, the roads in the city were spacious and flat, and the horse-trodden bluestone paved roads made waves of clear and sweet sounds. Qianxing Street is lined with shops, many of which have been freshly painted.
Moreover, there are a dazzling array of shelves in the store, and there are many pedestrians walking on the street carrying baskets and carrying burdens. All this is in sharp contrast to the dilapidated city walls that have been in disrepair for a long time. Pang Huang, who was riding horseback and walking on both sides of the team on both sides of the street, was the most surprised person.
Suizhou, which he usually visited frequently, had completely changed beyond recognition in just over a year. This was something he never expected. A flood or military danger could change a city beyond recognition overnight and even turn it into nothing. Another city could be destroyed. It took only one or two years for the dilapidated Shizen to prosper.
A team of more than 60 imperial envoys passed through the city from west to east under the guidance of Li Shun. The hotels in Suizhou were all located on the edge of the urban area. Since the residents were all merchants, it was necessary to park large vehicles and livestock in the courtyards and courtyards. The imperial envoy from the stables had informed Suizhou Yamen before arriving.
"I'll come all the way to ask the governor to notify the hotel to clear out a room."
Li Shun had rented the largest Dongcheng Hotel in Suizhou in advance and asked the hotel owner to clean the front and courtyard. However, the air was still mixed with the smell of horse manure and urine. Yu Wenxian and his entourage got off the horse and followed him. Yang Jian still greeted the officials and said hello.
"All walks of life in Suizhou have prepared a small amount of wine to wash away the dust for everyone. Please be sure to appreciate it."
"No need."
Yu Wenxian gave a very sincere explanation and said with his hands.
"The circumstances of this trip are special and we don't dare to drink. Please forgive me, Mr. Suizhou."
Then he turned around and said to Yang Jian again.
"How about we revise the case tomorrow and start the process from the day after tomorrow?"
"good."
Yang Jian nodded knowingly and led the Suizhou officials to say goodbye. From the beginning to the end, he had no chance to exchange greetings with his best friend Pang Huang. At this time, Yu Wenxian's servants and guards were already driving the chariot and horses in the courtyard. Take it into the stable and put a box and cage into each room.
Yu Wenxian saw that it was getting late and said to Pang Huang.
"You are a frequent visitor to Suizhou. How about you take everyone to find a place to eat?"
Pang Huang said immediately.
"Of course there is nothing to say. Today I will be the host to clean up the imperial envoy. We are in the court and receive great care from him."
Only 4 guards were left in the Dongcheng Hotel. The rest went out to eat with Pang Huang. They crossed a Roman driveway and entered the central area of Suizhou City. They walked and visited the night market. The Lantern Festival has been over for more than a month, but the streets and shops here are still decorated with lights. Immerse yourself in a festive atmosphere.
There was an endless stream of people carrying burdens and selling snacks on the street. They were shouting words that northerners couldn't understand to attract business. Pedestrians also looked curiously at this group of foreign vendors wearing military uniforms and brocade robes. Pang Huang looked around and said repeatedly.
"Oh, what a misfortune, we, an old Suizhou guest, don't even know our way around."
Officials who came to Suizhou for the first time also expressed their praise.
"Unexpectedly, this land of southern barbarians has such neat and elegant streets and is actually so prosperous."
A bright wine shop with two lanterns hanging on the red paint wall and highlighted by candlelight stood in front of everyone. Looking up, there was a black plaque on the lintel of the main entrance with three large golden characters "Guanjiang Tower" written on it.
"Okay, this word is written quite quietly."
Yu Wenxian looked at the plaque and said to Pang Huang beside him.
"How about here?"
Pang Huang said continuously.
"Okay, okay, we like it here too."
Pang Huang said this but wondered in his heart.
"I've been to Suizhou in the past, but I've never seen such a beautiful restaurant."
As the host, Pang Huang went to the hotel first to make contact and before he even entered the store, the waiter came over with a smile.
"Hey, sir, here you go, please come in, please come in."
Pang Huang walked into the door and saw that the hall on the first floor was already full of guests. While hesitating, the waiter asked with a more friendly smile.
"Master, how many of us are there?"
Pang Huang stretched out his left hand to make a 6 gesture.
The waiter also made a 6 sign and asked.
"Sixth place?"
The waiter saw that there were more than 6 people following Pang Huang. Pang Huang shook his head and said.
"Do we have seats for 60 people?"
"No problem, we've opened the store and we haven't seated you yet."
The waiter nodded repeatedly and shouted in a cheerful tone for fear that the customer would leave.
"We have 60 guests, please invite us to the private room upstairs."
Pang Huang then turned to Yu Wenxian and said.
"Your Majesty, please take a seat upstairs."
Yu Wenxian followed the seven or eight waiters on the second floor, some of whom were adding lamps and others who were busy adding round table tops to square tables and explained to the waiter at the door.
"On weekdays, only the lobby and a few private rooms on the first floor are enough. The second floor is dedicated to birthday banquets for wealthy families, merchants to hold celebrations, or banquets for white and red weddings. Today, the auspicious star is shining, and it is specially opened for distinguished guests from afar."
Everyone was seated for 6 seats. The guys lit all the candles and brightly lit the lights on the second floor. Liujue prepared a large copper pot with soup stock and lit the charcoal fire. They put it on the round table and filled it with meatballs, fish cakes, vermicelli and noodles. Bowls of seasonal vegetables and jars of wine are being delivered one after another.
People opened the wine jar, raised their chopsticks, and poured the fish cakes and meatballs into the hot pot. For a moment, the whole hall was filled with the aroma of wine, coriander, and steam. Everyone in the room was filled with excitement.
“This place is great. It’s so peaceful to eat hotpot in the winter.”
Pang Huang poured a full glass of wine for Yu Wenxian as a landlord. Yu Wenxian stood up with the cup and said.
"Everyone has been working hard all the way. I will start running errands the next day and it will be even more stressful. Come on, let me give you a drink."
The officers and soldiers at each table stood up together. Yu Wenxian clinked glasses with Hou Longen, Lu Ben and Pang Huang, who were sitting separately on the left and right, and drank them all in one gulp. The officers and soldiers at each seat also raised their glasses and the atmosphere became more lively.
At this time, a thin man in his 50s and wearing a robe hurriedly came to Yu Wenxian and bowed deeply.
"I just realized that the imperial envoy's visit was disrespectful and disrespectful."
"Are you the hotel owner?"
Yu Wenxian looked at him and said.
"We were just about to ask who wrote the three words Guanjiang Tower?"
"Your Majesty the Imperial Envoy, you think highly of these three words."
"It was these three words that led me to your hotel."
"Then these three words are already a hundred years old."
The wine shop owner said with emotion.
"This is a calligraphy treasure left by our ancestors for his descendants when he was the Great Sima of the Northern Wei Dynasty."
"What a coincidence."
Yu Wenxian said with a smile.
"The great Sima at that time was the great Sima at this time. The great Sima at this time did not know that he was the great Sima at that time."
The restaurant owner was confused and didn’t know what Yu Wenxian meant. Hou Longen said with a smile.
"You didn't understand, did you? The Imperial Envoy said that your grandfather was a great Sima in the past, and the Imperial Envoy is also a great Sima now. His great Sima's handwriting is not as good as your great grandfather's handwriting."
Once Hou Longen explained, the wine shop owner became embarrassed.
"That's because the imperial envoy is too modest."
"You are right."
Hou Longen nodded.
"Actually, we can see that the two great Sima characters at least have their own merits."
While they were talking, the table was already covered with all kinds of dishes. Yu Wenxian was momentarily happy and asked the waiter to bring a chair to their boss, then ordered him to sit down and said.
"Why don't you just listen and not use chopsticks? Everyone is eating and drinking well."
The atmosphere couldn't help but become heated. Only then did Pang Huang, who had been feeling puzzled, have the opportunity to ask the boss.
"Speaking of which, your hotel should be considered a century-old hotel. In the past few years, we have been to Suizhou many times and entered several wine shops. Why do we see a Guanjiang Tower today?"
"Well, Guanjiang Tower has always existed. However, the plaque has been eroded by wind and rain and has long since become dilapidated. In order to prevent passers-by from recognizing that this is a wine shop, we imitated other small shops and planted a wine flag at the door to attract customers."
The shop owner paused and then sighed.
"After all, I really have to thank Mr. Yang, the governor of this state. If he hadn't upheld justice in Suizhou and eliminated some bullies who bullied the market, not to mention this century-old restaurant, I am afraid that Chen and his family would have lost their lives."
The boss accidentally lamented that it didn't matter, but it surprised everyone at the table who wanted to talk about Yang Jian. When everyone asked, they found out that this man was Boss Chen, the father of Shan Hu who forcibly married a civilian girl.
