Early winter morning.
The morning breeze by the river is like a loach, always burrowing into the chest and back from the gaps in the neck and clothes.
The sweaty man who was carrying the goods on the dock couldn't help but shudder.
Fortunately, it has been sunny in Xunyang City for several days in a row. Just after morning, the pale yellow sunshine in the morning fell on the faces of everyone at the ferry and warmed them, dispelling some of the chill.
It's good weather again today.
The largest dock in Xunyang City is bustling with activity before dawn.
Those carrying grain and cargo, those traveling from all directions, those who landed for business, and ships from all over Lingnan and Jiangnan docked and then sailed away.
In just one morning, I don’t know how many people and goods were handled.
It's bustling with business and business.
As the most prosperous ferry crossing in Jiangzhou, known as "the most popular place in the world", Xunyang Ferry is full of vitality.
In the morning when everything was full of vitality, a private boat carrying the flag of Nanlong Ouyang arrived at the ferry and gradually docked.
This ship did not attract much attention. At most, a few keen people saw the flag and may have gone to the city's newly appointed but rarely seen Lord Chang Shi, who also had the surname Ouyang, but they didn't have much association. .
The sun-soaked hull collided with the ancient bricks of the pier, causing a small splash of water.
Before the ladder for disembarkation could be lowered, a young man in blue uniforms and a sword emerged from the crowd of people picking up passengers at the pier.
He took the lead and jumped aboard the ship, which traveled thousands of miles. "Mrs. Zhen, Miss Ye, I'll take care of the luggage. You guys can rest." "Yes." This was the woman's lazy and beautiful voice.
"Brother Yan, thank you for your hard work." It was a girlish voice that was somewhat ethereal. "Hey, madam, Miss Ye is welcome."
With a "bang", the ladder fell to the ground and was lowered steadily.
A plump woman in her early thirties, Shi Shiran, walked off the boat with a group of maids of various beauties, Shi Shiran.
The beautiful woman wore a rose-red slow-beam skirt to prevent the floor-length skirt from getting knotted at the calf.
Her red lips are slightly thick, and there is a light mole on the corner of her lips, which is just the right finishing touch. Her temperament is dignified, but there is a hint of coolness.
She has a pair of bright red phoenix eyes that look around. The corners of her eyes are turned up, and she is quite stern. At first glance, she is not an easy woman to get along with.
Behind the cold and charming woman in the skirt were an exotic girl with silver hair and blue eyes, and a Silla maid with low eyebrows and a slim waist.
The girl with silver hair and blue eyes also wore a rose-red skirt of a similar color. She stood closer to the woman in the cool skirt and followed her obediently.
It was Zhen Shuyuan, Ye Weila, Banxi and other family members who came from Nanlong.
Yan Liulang followed several girls, helped carry their luggage, and enthusiastically pointed the way: "Go there."
Zhen Shuyuan, who came from Nanlongxiang County, looked at the dock scene with some curiosity without looking back;
"Captain Yan doesn't need to worry about the luggage. There is also a son on board. I have brought some young men from Nanlong to help Tanlang."
"That's okay. Madam, Miss Ye, come with me. The motorcade is waiting outside the pier. The Ming Dynasty has recently established some rules at Xunyang Ferry. Carriages and so on that pick up passengers are not allowed inside, as it is prone to congestion..."
Yan Liulang walked at the front, leading the way for Zhen Shuyuan and Ye Weilai, looking back from time to time and introducing them with a smile.
Unlike the other maids, who were looking around with curious eyes, Ye Weilai followed her with a calm face the whole time after getting off the boat, seemingly uninterested in the lively scene around her.
At a certain moment, Ye Weilai couldn't help but ask: "Brother Yan, who is Tan Lang?" Yan Liulang turned back:
"The Ming Mansion is nearby. I'm busy with some important matters at the Transportation Department at the pier today, so I can't come. I'm on vacation today, so I'm here to pick you up."
"Oh." Ye Weilai's face looked unsurprised.
Zhen Shuyuan was not surprised at all when her nephew was so close and did not come to pick her up. She turned back to the villagers who were following cautiously behind her and said:
"It's better to be busy. Tanlang has just taken office, and his superiors and subordinates are all looking at him. He must set an example. Being an official is not about being arrogant. You must neither be arrogant nor impetuous... My Tanlang is really awesome."
His tone couldn't hide his pride.
The villagers who followed him repeatedly said yes and praised someone, and the cool-looking woman in the skirt raised her chin.
Yan Liulang, who was walking at the front, couldn't help laughing.
Madam's character and tone... are still familiar.
Soon, everyone squeezed out of the port and boarded the carriage under the shade of a row of trees. The maids and servants loaded their luggage into the carriage, and Yan Liulang also helped.
As we all know, women always have a lot of luggage. Unlike Ouyang Rong who went to work alone and checked in with his bags, Zhen brought more than a dozen large boxes from Nanlong.
Yan Liulang helped carry it, and he worked hard without any complaints.
Zhen Shuyuan was used to this, and got on the carriage at the front early; Ye Weilai stayed under the carriage, passing water and towels, and behaved politely.
After finishing cleaning up, Yan Liulang greeted the driver, and the convoy slowly drove away from the bustling Xunyangdu.
"Where are you going, Master Yan..." the leading groom asked for directions in a respectful tone. Yan Liulang wiped his forehead with his sleeves and reported the address: "Huaiye Lane..."
"Master Yan?" Zhen Shuyuan was slightly curious and asked casually: "What is Liu Lang doing in Jiangzhou?"
Yan Liulang scratched his head: "Justice joins the army."
"Justice joining the army?" Zhen Shuyuan turned around and asked, "Well, what is this for?" She sounded confused:
"You no longer want to be the chief of the police? I remember that you did a good job in Longcheng. If you stay a few more years, you can become a full-time official and replace your father's county captain. You have not been promoted to a scholar. You can be a ninth-grade officer at a young age. The county captain is pretty good."
Zhen Shuyuan gave some experience and suggestions.
"It's better not to do it." Yan Liulang shook his head: "I talked with my father and he didn't stop me and agreed with me to follow Mingfu. Now I will go wherever Mingfu goes."
Zhen Shuyuan sounded regretful: "It would be a pity to cut off the family's connections..."
"Lady..."
A certain silver-haired girl who silently read through many books in the master's collection while worshiping ancestors in Nanlong whispered:
"Jiangzhou's judicial officer is an official of the lower eighth rank. Well, he is responsible for law enforcement and prison management, supervising and arresting thieves, and investigating bribery."
Ye Weila picked it up at his fingertips and recited it fluently. Zhen Shuyuan: "..."
Faced with the wide-eyed and slanting gaze of the woman in Luoqun, Yan Liulang was a little embarrassed and grinned:
"Previously, with the help of Xianxiang's Dongfeng, the Ming government arranged for me to be promoted to Longcheng County Lieutenant. I originally thought about it and transferred it to the state.
"Unexpectedly, the Ming government personally recommended me to serve as a judicial officer and join the army. Well, madam, now I am in charge of all the police officers in Xunyang City, and I can be regarded as the chief police officer."
Under the provincial governors such as the governor of Jiangzhou and the chief minister, there are six judges: Si Gong, Si Cang, Si Hu, Si Bing, Judi, and Si Shi.
There are six officers who join the army, corresponding to the six ministries of the imperial court. Everyone couldn't help but look sideways at the young man in blue uniform and sword.
An eighth-grade official had just moved forward and back to carry their luggage.
Zhen Shuyuan coughed and looked Yan Liulang up and down. The beautiful woman nodded seriously:
"Rokuro is quite promising. I am indeed right... I must help Tanlang properly in the future, and his cultivation will not be in vain."
"Yes, madam." Yan Liulang nodded vigorously.
At this moment, the convoy suddenly stopped. Yan Liulang subconsciously held the handle of the knife and opened the curtain. Before questioning the driver, his eyes were attracted by the scene in front of him.
It turned out that their convoy was too long, and there was also a gorgeous and huge convoy coming in front of them. The two convoys met at the corner and immediately blocked the road.
Zhen Shuyuan glanced at the wealthy and prosperous posture of the opposite team, she hesitated, turned around and ordered: "Let's make some concessions."
Yan Liulang nodded and directed the convoy.
But who would have thought that someone in the motorcade ahead seemed to be sizing them up. Immediately, a dark-skinned Kunlun slave ran up to Zhen Shuyuan's carriage and asked something in a low voice. Zhen Shuyuan didn't hear clearly, but immediately heard Yan Liulang outside. He cherished his words like gold and replied: "The female relatives of a long history...
Kunlun Nu immediately ran back. After a while, the gorgeous and wealthy convoy in front moved first.
Move out of the way.
Yan Liulang was not polite, waved his hand to signal the convoy to move forward, and drove past the Huagui convoy.
As he passed by, his face was calm and he cupped his hands.
Zhen Shuyuan, who was in the carriage, saw with sharp eyes that in the carriage at the front of the convoy on the opposite side, there seemed to be a lady wearing silk and satin, holding an account book in her hand. The lady opened the curtain with her little finger, and her palms were covered with rings and jewelry, and she looked towards Zhen Shuyuan. Smile slightly.
She quickly returned a friendly smile.
After a while, the Kunlun slave who delivered the message came after him again. He bowed his head and respectfully handed over a gilded name card with both hands:
"My eldest wife has admired Lord Changshi for a long time...I beg your family to accept it...
Today, the judicial officer, who was wearing regular clothes and a simple knife, glanced at the surname "Pei" on the name card, reached out to take it, and handed it to Zhen Shuyuan and Ye Weilai in the carriage. The two girls looked at the name card.
Zhen Shuyuan looked hesitant, and Ye Weilai shook his head at her. Yan Liulang seemed to notice the concerns of the two girls and said softly:
"Madam, you can accept it. It's not a gift, just a note. I want to form a good relationship and get to know Mingfu. It won't affect Mingfu or anything.
"Oh, Mingfu's style in the past half month... Now there are many people in Xunyang City who want to get to know Mingfu and be familiar with him, and there are all kinds of invitations and banquets every day."
Yan Liulang laughed. It had been nearly half a month since he came to Jiangzhou with the Ming Dynasty to take office.
In addition to the day he took office, Ke Mingfu went to Xunyang Tower to attend a banquet and showed his face in front of people from all walks of life in Jiangzhou.
At other times, the Ming government received almost no entertainment and devoted itself to state affairs as soon as he took office.
After passing the luxurious motorcade, Zhen Shuyuan touched the high-end name card in the carriage and couldn't help but clicked her tongue.
She opened the curtain and glanced at the sparkling water of the river in the distance. The early sun was dazzling and thousands of sails were crossing in an endless stream.
What a prosperous Xunyang City.
"Liu Lang, has Tan Lang been promoted to a big position this time?" Zhen Shuyuan's tone was a bit reserved.
"It's not bad, Jiangzhou Governor...Except for the nobles such as King Xunyang who have honored this place, he is the second most senior official in a state.
"Although he does not have the military power like a governor and cannot mobilize the soldiers of Zhechong Prefecture, Changshi is also known as a 'half-thorn'. The Ming Prefecture directly leads the Liucao Division and has jurisdiction over civil affairs such as trade, prison litigation, etc..."
Yan Liulang just clicked on it and didn't say much.
But the sound of Zhen Shuyuan's breathing still came from the carriage behind her, and then her joyful tone came:
"Tan Lang is really promising!"
The female relatives were all happy to learn that the only breadwinner of the family was not only safe and healthy, but also prosperous and had a high status.
Yan Liulang thought for a while and decided not to mention the Ming Dynasty's resignation from the capital as a censor. Of course, he also didn't mention the current relationship between the Ming Dynasty and the "kind and kind" Governor Wang...
In the past half month, Ming Mansion went out early and came back late, methodically familiarizing himself with Changshi affairs. Between Huaiye Lane House and Jiangzhou Mansion Yamen, there were almost two points and one line, very regular, and his work and rest were the same as when he was in Longcheng County.
In addition, the Ming Mansion did not even go to the newly established Prince Xunyang Mansion. There is no apparent intersection.
Yan Liulang recalled Mingfu's instructions a few days ago.
When you take office by air, don't be in a hurry and start by "doing less and seeing more".
Half an hour later, the motorcade arrived at a quiet street near the water and stopped slowly in front of a mansion with a low-key house number.
Yan Liulang introduced: "Madam, this is Huaiye Lane, one of the oldest residential streets in Xunyang City."
Zhen Shuyuan, Ye Weilai and other women looked around curiously.
"This house originally belonged to the Xie family of Chen County. When Mr. Xie, the mentor of the Ming Dynasty, settled in Jiangzhou, he learned that the Ming Dynasty was coming to Jiangzhou and invited the Ming Dynasty to come and live there.
"The Ming Mansion originally wanted to rent a house for the time being and buy a mansion when you come, madam, but it's hard to live up to the good intentions of Mr. Xie and Miss Xie and live here temporarily.
"By the way, Miss Xie has something to do at Prince Xunyang's Mansion today and will come back to visit Madam in the evening."
"It's okay, it's okay. I think this house is very nice. Why are you so polite? When Tanlang comes back later, I will enlighten him. He is really stupid."
Zhen Shuyuan said happily: "By the way, how are Tan Lang and Huan Huan... doing lately?"
Yan Liulang coughed, didn't say much, got out of the car and helped everyone unload their luggage and take them into the house.
Then he reminded some matters, and seeing that nothing happened, he said goodbye and left.
Before Ouyang Rong came back, Zhen Shuyuan and Banxi happily led the slaves and tidied up the mansion.
Ye Weilai left the team alone and walked towards the back of the house. She discovered that there was a large bamboo forest in the back house.
This Huaiye Lane mansion, decorated according to the taste of the Xie family of Chen County, looks simple and low-key from the outside, but there is something special inside.
The bamboo leaves are sparse and the proud bamboos are tall and straight.
Ye Weilai vaguely saw a bamboo courtyard hut in the bamboo forest. There was a green waterwheel and empty autumn drying in the courtyard.
Ye Weilai flipped her silver hair around her ears with her little finger and walked towards the bamboo forest courtyard, as if she was very sure that someone had chosen this house to live in.
A few moments later, in the room in the bamboo courtyard, in front of a bamboo basket containing a man's undershirt, a girl who had "gone home" was wearing white socks and bare feet, kneeling on her knees.
Her waist-length silver-white hair hangs down on the carpet.
She stared at Ouyang Rong's familiar underwear and was stunned for a while. At a certain moment, the silver-haired girl suddenly buried her head, her fair nose touched the clothes in the basket, and she sniffed quietly like a cat with blue eyes.
The familiar smell of men's sweat.
After a while, Ye Weilai smiled happily, picked up the bamboo basket, sang a little song, and walked into the courtyard.
The girl squatted by the well, lowered her head to do the laundry, her face focused.
Zhen Shuyuan, Ye Weilai and other women who arrived at Longcheng spent the whole day tidying up the mansion.
As evening fell, Shi Youyou, a weak-headed elder who had been fishing all day, returned to his mansion. As soon as he walked in, a crowd of warblers came to meet him.
After half a year, we reunited again.
Some people died, but not completely...
