As the sun sets over the west mountain, the sky is covered with colorful clouds, and the afterglow of the setting sun falls on the canal. It is another wonderful scene, colorful and intoxicating.駧
The rays of light reflected the canal water in the main film red. On the Shanyang Wharf, there was a bustle of people. Coolies, some wearing short clothes or even topless, were working hard to load and unload goods. They would finish work in the evening. , the busier it gets.
As the Huaiyang Canal, the intersection of the north and south waterways, Shanyang's transportation hub has become increasingly prominent in recent years. Passenger and cargo ships traveling from south to north will basically choose to stop here for supplies. Some powerful merchants even visit Shanyang. There are special cargo stations and warehouses to facilitate trade.
After more than 30 years of construction, Shanyang Port has become very mature. Although its scale is not as good as those well-known seaports in Dahan, nor as good as Yangzhou Port in the south, it is at least the first port in Huaihai, with more than 30 large and small wharves, and is still Under expansion.
The river port is very spacious and has a wide view. In the evening, most of the boats are moored in the port. Under the urging of the setting sun, it even seems a bit chaotic. However, the passenger ship Zhao Pu took naturally entered the port smoothly without any hindrance, and the Zhao family's flag was still very useful.
When the ship docked at the shore, the anchor was dropped and the board was dropped. The person living on the ship was the highest, but Zhao Pu was also the first to disembark. With the help of the servant, when he stepped off the plank, the scene on the dock immediately made Zhao Pu frown.
I saw that under the leadership of Zhao Chengzong, the magistrate of Chuzhou, officials of all sizes in the state were waiting respectfully. The moist river breeze made people feel a little uncomfortable, but they were all at ease and seemed very patient.
Seeing Zhao Pu coming ashore, Zhao Chengzong suddenly became happy and went up to greet him, saying joyfully: "My son welcomes his father!"
Seeing this, the Chuzhou officials, perhaps out of curiosity or in awe, saluted Zhao Pu in unison: "I see you, Mr. Zhao!"
In the officialdom, Zhao Pu is a legendary figure. The authority accumulated over twenty years as prime minister cannot be completely faded in just two years. Most of the officials in Chuzhou have never seen Zhao Pu (they did not stop in Chuzhou when they went south), but they have seen his reputation and some of the government orders issued by him. Now they can see the old husband in person. , naturally they all actively wanted to show off their faces.
Zhao Pu naturally had a good idea of what these officials were thinking, and simply returned the gift with a cupped hand, saying calmly: "I am very grateful to you for your warm welcome, but now I am just a bearded old man, living leisurely in the world. I passed by this time just to visit my relatives." , I am ashamed to deserve such courtesy!"
Hearing what Zhao Pu said, the Chuzhou judge immediately responded: "The elders of Duke Zhao have always been admirable. I am waiting for you this time. I am just treating you with the courtesy of a descendant, not an official welcome. I hope you don't take it personally!"
Obviously, Zhao Pu wants to be humble and low-key, but these Chuzhou bureaucrats will not take his words seriously. Not to mention anything else, Zhao Pu's current title of king and marquis is the most real status symbol that no one dares to look down upon wherever he goes. What's more, it would be a fool to really regard Zhao Pu as a has-been prime minister, but in this matter, Chuzhou's bureaucrats are all smart people.
"Everyone, I appreciate your kindness. Thank you!" Zhao Pu said in a calm tone, "Everyone, please go back. With so many people crowded here, don't affect the orderly operation of the port!"
"Mr. Zhao is right! The banquet has been prepared in the state. I'm waiting for you, please move on!" Upon hearing this, the judge looked at the passengers on the boat who were queuing up to get off the boat to eat, and hurriedly asked.駧
"No need!" Zhao Pu waved his hand directly: "I'm tired! Everyone, please come back!"
Seeing how unkind Zhao Pu was, the judge couldn't help but be stunned and looked at Zhao Chengzong helplessly. However, under Zhao Pu's gaze, Zhao Chengzong did not dare to agree and waved his hand gently. Upon seeing this, the judge led the people to respectfully retreat and left the dock almost turning back three times a step.
After getting rid of the flies in Chuzhou, Zhao Pu's face immediately turned cold, and he said to Zhao Chengzong, who was carefully serving beside him: "Did you cause this battle?"
Faced with the accusation, Zhao Chengzong immediately explained: "When they heard that his father had passed through the border, the Chuzhou officials were so happy that they took the initiative to come to see him as a sign of respect!"
"But how did they know my whereabouts?"
Zhao Chengzong couldn't help but feel embarrassed about this, and the news naturally leaked from him. Seeing this, Zhao
Pu sighed and said: "I am just an old man now, without an official or a position. You listen to them talk about Zhao Gong, and I don't care. But this is in Chuzhou, where you are a pastoral guard. If you pass the news to the generals, how can you Don’t just teach others what to say!”
Faced with Zhao Pu's lesson, Zhao Chengzong looked solemn and immediately said: "My father taught me this lesson, but I didn't consider this matter carefully!"
After saying that, Zhao Chengzong said: "You have been working hard on the boat. If you don't want to go to the banquet, please go back to the Yamen and rest!"
Hearing this, Zhao Pu shook his head and said, "I'm in a hurry, so I won't bother. I'll stay at the dock tonight! Send someone to pick up your family, I'll meet them, and have a family dinner, that's all!"
Zhao Pu gave this order, and Zhao Chengzong could only obey it and immediately arranged for someone to take care of it. Leading the way to the Pier Inn, Zhao Pu looked left and right along the way, then looked again, and said, "Shanyang is a transportation hub between the north and the south. It is in a strategic location. If I have time, I would like to take a stroll there and see what you are doing." Gains and losses in governance! But no matter what, you, the chief official of the state, should take care of yourself!"
"I understand!" Zhao Chengzong nodded.
Zhao Pu pondered for a moment and asked, "How many people have changed in the Chuzhou government this year?"
Zhao Chengzong sighed: "From the state officials to the county officials, there are more than 70 people. There are as many as 20 people who were asked to be executed by the capital. If the court had not stopped it in time last winter and changed its course, the officials all over the world would Breathe a sigh of relief, I'm afraid there will be big trouble in Chuzhou..."
Hearing what Zhao Chengzong said, Zhao Pu's face suddenly became serious. He stopped and stared at Zhao Chengzong, with a hint of sternness in his eyes: "Is that what you think?"
Seeing his father's expression, Zhao Chengzong immediately became more alert. He met Zhao Pu's gaze and said hesitantly, "Did I say the wrong thing?"
"Of course you are wrong! What are you doing? Are you complaining to me? Are you complaining about the court's policies and questioning His Majesty's will?" Zhao Pu said sternly.
Hearing this, Zhao Chengzong said anxiously: "How dare you? You have no such intention!"
After frowning and examining Zhao Chengzong for a long time, Zhao Pu just said: "Not to mention more than seventy people, even Chuzhou has been replaced all over. All you have to do is behave, be safe, and do your best to ensure that everyone in Chuzhou The stability of Chuzhou! If there is trouble in Chuzhou, it is you, the governor, who is to blame, and you, the chief officer, are the first to bear the responsibility!"
"Yes! My son has learned a lesson!" As Zhao Pu's most valued son, Zhao Chengzong was certainly not a fool. After hearing his lesson, he responded solemnly with a look of enlightenment on his face.
"Over the past few years, there has been no peace in the imperial court, both inside and outside the country, and I'm afraid it won't be peaceful for some time to come. Remember, as an official, you need to be cautious and be careful not to rush but to be patient!" Zhao Pu warned again.
"Yes!"
"You have been in Chuzhou for two or three years. What difficulties do you have?" Zhao Pu continued to ask.
"The situation here in Chuzhou is very good. A canal is enough to benefit the entire state, and it also has the benefits of floods. Although I dare not say that the government is harmonious and the people are prosperous and the country is prosperous, but the people under the rule will have no worries about food and clothing!" Zhao Chengzong With a slight smile on his face, he said: "The biggest difficulty is probably the Huaihe River. Although the embankments have been repaired and the ditches dredged, floods have been recurring, and the people along the banks have suffered greatly..."
"Having gained benefits, you should bear the harms. As a government, you should take benefits and prevent harms!" Zhao Pudao, after pondering for a while, asked: "How much cultivated land is there in the state?"
This is considered a sensitive matter for the current big man. Zhao Chengzong immediately thought of something and said in a deep voice: "The registered cultivated land is about 30,000 hectares!"
"In the register?" Zhao Pu showed a little playful expression: "What about the actual situation?"
Naturally, there was nothing to hide from Zhao Pu. Zhao Chengzong said: "I have sent people to investigate. Although it is not clear, according to predictions, the actual cultivated land owned by Chuzhou is no less than 60,000 hectares..."
