Fancheng is located at the center of the transition between boats and vehicles, and the exchange of materials between the north and the south has promoted its prosperous commerce.
In addition, Fancheng is most famous for the fact that the people do not believe in Buddhism and even hate Buddhism.
The last emperor of the previous dynasty built hundreds of temples of various sizes here. More than half of the population of Fancheng died due to heavy labor. This was also the place where the most intense opposition to the last emperor of the previous dynasty occurred.
Today's Fancheng is no longer the declining scene it once was.
Yan Liu opened the curtain and saw that both sides of the road were lined with stalls of all kinds, with buyers wearing all kinds of clothes. You could search for items from all over the world here.
Xiao Jingdao: "The governor here is my father's student. We will stay in his mansion for one night before leaving for the capital tomorrow."
Yan Liu said: "It happened unexpectedly, so I had no choice but to come to the door."
When Xiao Jing saw Yan Liu didn't refute, he raised his eyebrows slightly.
It was already extremely impolite to visit someone directly that day, and now that it was evening and meal time was approaching, it was even more impolite to visit at this time.
Not to mention having to stay overnight after arriving at the hotel.
The county guard here was a student of Xiao Jing's father, not his confidant, and the two of them had only met each other a few times.
Yan Liu knew this very well, but she did not refute Xiao Jing's arrangement. This shows that she thinks it is extremely necessary to live in the governor's house.
She was still not sure who was behind Lu Cai, so a few more protective measures would be great.
All in all, it was an internal matter among the nobles, and they did not dare to take action in the governor's mansion, otherwise the internal conflict would turn into a struggle between the two factions.
Xiao Jing added: "Then when we set off tomorrow, we have to ask the county guard here to arrange some escorts."
Yan Liu said: "Okay, after all, I only remember your favor."
Xiao Jing shook his head, pretending to be distressed and said, "I guess I'm going to get a lot of favors along the way."
Yan Liu picked up the teapot on the table and poured a glass of water. He handed it to Xiao Jing respectfully and said, "Then please take care of yourself, Mr. Xiao."
Her voice was cold, but whenever she was teasing Xiao Jing, she would always deliberately lengthen the syllables and raise her tone when pronouncing the words "Master Xiao". At first glance, it sounded like she was being coquettish, but Yan Liu didn't realize this. .
Xiao Jing hadn't heard such a title from Yan Liu for a long time, and he was stunned for a moment.
Yan Liu looked up in confusion.
Xiao Jing finally came to his senses, took the tea cup from Yan Liu's hand, and said calmly: "It's not easy for me to have you serve me once."
Yan Liu didn't notice Xiao Jing's abnormality and said, "What does this mean? When we get to the capital, I will personally host a banquet at Tianxiang Tower. I hope that Young Master Xiao will show his respect."
Xiao Jing raised the tea cup to his lips, and as soon as he touched the tea, he realized that the tea in the pot was brewed by himself in the morning, and it was already cold now.
He hesitated again and again, but finally closed his eyes and took a sip of tea. Well, it was so bitter that it was hard to swallow.
Before Yan Liu realized this, she raised her hand to pour herself another glass. She woke up from a nap with a dry throat.
Xiao Jing stopped her movement and said, "We'll be at the mansion soon. Let's have some hot tea over there."
Yan Liu: "Hot tea?"
Xiao Jingdao: "Yes, hot tea!"
Yan Liu put his hand on his lips and coughed several times, then said awkwardly: "When we get to the mansion, I will make you another pot of tea."
Xiao Jing was not polite and said: "Then I'm just waiting to try your craft."
***
Cui Zuoliang has been serving as the county governor here for nearly ten years. He has achieved good political results and has long wanted to move up.
However, the position in the capital was a mess, and the positions he wanted had been reserved by others. If it was a lower official position, it would be better to be a local emperor here.
After he left the office, he ate at a newly opened restaurant in Fancheng with several colleagues, accompanied by the famous Xiangxiang girl from the south of the Yangtze River. He felt very proud.
But before the food and wine were served, the housekeeper came over in a hurry.
He thought someone was behaving like a monster in the inner house of his house again. He looked ugly and was about to scold him when he heard the housekeeper say: "The young master of the Xiao family came to visit."
Cui Zuoliang was confused by this sentence, and some smart people around him asked: "But that Xiao family treasure tree?"
The housekeeper said: "It is Mr. Xiao Jing."
Cui Zuoliang put down his chopsticks, stood up and said to his colleagues: "Everyone, there are guests at home. I will excuse you now. All your expenses tonight will be recorded in my account."
Naturally, everyone here would not take this small expense to heart, but could not hide their envy and said: "I have heard that Brother Cui and the Xiao family have a close relationship, but I didn't expect it to be so deep."
"Yes, yes, Brother Cui really hides everything."
Cui Zuoliang smiled brightly and said modestly: "No, no, I'm just a junior passing by to see me."
After hearing this, everyone became more and more certain that he had a deep background, and they had decided in their hearts that they would get closer to Cui Zuoliang in the future.
According to the rules of the day, it would be very rude for Xiao Jing to come to the door at this time.
But Xiao Jing is a well-known gentleman at home and abroad. Everyone will only think that his behavior is because he has a deep relationship with Cui Zuoliang and has reached the point where he does not adhere to such rules.
Cui Zuoliang was happy that they misunderstood him. Although he was Xiao's father's disciple, he had many disciples. Secondly, Xiao's father was not the head of the Xiao family. Thirdly, Xiao's father was already very old and had long been semi-retired. The state no longer interferes in political affairs.
But Xiao Jing is different. He is the young patriarch of the Xiao family. As for the two of them not being familiar with each other?
It will be cooked after tonight.
Now that they have met, there is no need to use the guise of Xiao's father to give gifts on New Year's Day, saying that his students prepare gifts for the Xiao family's heirs.
As long as he operates it well, he will have hope when he returns to the capital.
After five years, Xiao Jingzhen had a position in the court, and as his confidant, I had not skyrocketed to the top.
Cui Zuoliang has already thought about a better life in the future.
The housekeeper on the side happened to mention that Xiao Jing was accompanied by a woman when he entered.
Cui Zuoliang hurriedly asked for details. He had never heard that Xiao Jing was obsessed with beauty.
"Young people are most likely to be seduced by beauty. My son's beauty will surely enchant him."
Aunt Hua straightened the hairpin on her daughter's hair and said proudly.
She carefully raised her daughter so that she could find a good family. She had already inquired about the person who came today and found that his family background was very good, not to mention his appearance.
When he walked into the hall, the whole hall was filled with brilliance, like a beautiful woman.
After Mrs. Cui got the news over there, she said calmly: "Don't worry about them. Didn't the master tell me to stay out of things over there?"
The person serving beside her looked hesitant and said, "But today's guests are not ordinary guests."
Mrs. Cui's expression remained unchanged and she said: "No matter how good his birth is, it doesn't matter. Now he is just a young man who has not reached the crown. How many means can he have?
I guess his reputation was built up by people from the Xiao family. Who doesn't use these methods? "
"Can……"
Mrs. Cui didn't want to talk anymore, so she just said: "Notify me until there is some commotion over there, and I will just come to apologize. The young man is thin-skinned, so he won't care too much about it.
Have the master’s people made arrangements? "
"arranged."
Mrs. Cui said: "I've had enough of that idiot, this is a rare and good opportunity.
Even if Xiao Jing doesn't care, for the sake of the Xiao family, the master must explain that the Buddhist temple outside the city is the best place for them to go. "
The Buddhist temple in Fancheng... can only be said to be notoriously poor. After all, there are no believers here, so there is no money for fragrant oil.
"What should Xiao Jing do if he really falls in love with the lady over there?"
Mrs. Cui said: "You didn't see the woman in his carriage. I specially asked someone to take the woman to her place. When she came back, she told me that the person's appearance was hard to find in the world.
Even Jingchai's sarong cannot conceal her beauty, which makes her look like a beautiful woman. "
