Guangzhou, a pearl on the Lingnan land.
Lingnan was the last land developed by the Central Plains Dynasty.
During the Xia and Shang Dynasties, the Han people, or the Chinese people, developed the area from Guanzhong to Bianzhou, Luoyang, Henan to the extreme.
By the Zhou Dynasty, the Chinese people regarded the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River as their roots.
It was not until the Qin and Han Dynasties that the land of Lingnan was included in the Central Plains.
However, the Qin and Han Dynasties still did not carry out large-scale reclamation of land in Lingnan. Instead, they regarded Lingnan as a place of exile for prisoners for a long time.
Lingnan really entered the political stage of the Central Plains Dynasty more than 600 years ago during the Sui and Tang Dynasties.
At that time, the Feng family was thriving in Lingnan, and the family occupied dozens of states in Lingnan.
It was the turbulent times at the end of the Sui Dynasty. Lingnan was protected by the Feng family and never fell into troubled times.
Someone then suggested to Feng An, the head of the Feng family at that time, to divide China into two parts based on the natural dangers of the Five Ridges, carry out the old affairs of the South Vietnamese Emperor Zhao Tuo, and establish himself as king.
However, Feng Ang voluntarily accepted the land and surrendered it on the grounds that the teachings of his grandmother, Mrs.
Who is Mrs. Xian? She is the mother of hundreds of tribes in Lingnan. She served in three dynasties and seven emperors. Even though the Central Plains was in chaos, she was still loyal to the country and a great sage who firmly safeguarded the unity of the country.
In the Tang Dynasty, Wei Zheng commented on Mrs. Ambition cannot be taken away, only righteousness lies in it. If you examine the history and pictures, how can it be without it in this world!"
In the Song Dynasty, Su Dongpo wrote a poem and commented on her: "Feng Xiangu was a martyr, and Weng Lao's country was here. She served Liang Wu, Empress Wu, and founded the Sui Dynasty. The third life was more dangerous and easy, and she was single-minded. The brocade umbrella calmed down the chaos, and the rhinoceros canal cleared up the remaining doubts."
Later Premier Zhou praised her as: "China's first heroine."
Folks even built temples and statues for her, worshiping her as "Mother of Lingnan", "Mother of the Holy Mother", "Mother of Tiannan", "Xitaiya Po", "Protector of the South China Sea", "Mrs. Qingfu" and "Mrs. Yimei". ”, “Liang Sha Po”, “Dan Er Po”, “Love God”...
There are no less than 2,000 Xian Tai temples built to enshrine Mrs. Xian in the past dynasties from Liaodong to Qiongzhou, from Guangdong to Guangxi, and even to the Southeast Asian peninsula, both private and official.
It was precisely because of Mrs. Xian's existence that Lingnan did not break away from the Central Plains during the chaotic times of the late Sui Dynasty and become a country outside the Han Dynasty.
It was precisely because of Mrs. Xian's existence that the Central Plains Dynasty really paid attention to the land of Lingnan.
By the Song and Ming dynasties, Lingnan had become the bridgehead for the Central Plains dynasties to communicate with the world.
And Guangzhou is the shining pearl on the bridgehead.
Chen Kan stood on the bow of the treasure ship, quietly looking at the big city on the east side of the Pearl River estuary, and couldn't tell what he was feeling.
Guangzhou is a big city, it has been since ancient times.
During the Tang and Song Dynasties, Guangzhou was already a super city with a population of more than 200,000. By the Ming Dynasty, Guangzhou's population once exceeded the 500,000 mark.
In this era, half a million people are already the total population of many countries. The entire Ming Dynasty, including Nanjing, Beijing, Hangzhou, Yangzhou, Chengdu, Quanzhou, Mingzhou and only a few cities can rival Guangzhou.
Businessmen from all over the world gather here.
Envoys from all countries south of the sea will also choose to land in Guangzhou and then take the land route to the Central Plains.
Chen Kan originally thought that he would be very happy to return to Ming Dynasty and its city.
But in fact, it was difficult for him to describe his mood now.
Just because those memories that were so far away that he had begun to blur began to become clear again as the fleet gradually approached the dock.
Yes, those memories that were almost forgotten have become clear again.
There is no doubt that Chen Kan is from Jiangnan.
But he lived in Guangzhou for a long, long, long time.
Although the city of Guangzhou is completely different from that of Ming Dynasty, the familiar name, familiar coast, and familiar Pearl River Delta seem to make the two time and space gradually overlap.
As the fleet gradually docked, Chen Kan's mood became more complicated.
As early as three days ago, Chen Kan had sent an envoy to inform Huang Duan, the prefect of Guangzhou, that the fleet would dock in Guangzhou.
Therefore, the Guangzhou pier at this time has been emptied by the Guangzhou government officials. Before Chen Kan's fleet leaves, this pier will no longer allow any civilian ships to dock.
Fortunately, the most important thing in Guangzhou is docks, so Chen Kan's expropriation of Guangzhou docks did not arouse public resentment.
The treasure ship gradually docked. Huang Duan, the prefect of Guangzhou, was already waiting at the dock with a group of subordinate officials. Chen Kan only took Song Qing and other senior generals and Ala's envoys to disembark.
Guangzhou is different from Linnan County in Qiongzhou. Guangzhou has its own garrison, and Chen Kan's army can only stay on the ship.
Even if they want to disembark and relax, only a few people can disembark in rotation, otherwise they will be regarded as a provocation by the local garrison.
This was the reason why Chen Kan asked them to station themselves at least three miles away from him when he met the Shandong Navy.
The reason why they brought Allah's envoys with them was because their destination had arrived.
When they arrived in Guangzhou, the local government would naturally send people to escort the delegation all the way to Beijing, so there was no need for Ala to leave with Chen Kan.
At first, Chen Kan didn't want to stop in Guangzhou, mainly because he was afraid of being embarrassed by meeting Yun Niang.
But he urgently needed to know the recent situation in Ming Dynasty, and he had to come.
After gathering himself, Chen Kan quickly got off the deck.
"Hahahahaha, Lord Marquis has arrived in Guangzhou, and my little city of Guangzhou is full of glory."
After Huang Duan burst out laughing, he quickly led a group of subordinate officers to greet him.
"Hahaha, Mr. Huang, it's been a long time."
When Chen Kan saw an old acquaintance, he couldn't help but have a smile on his face.
Huang Duan was the prefect of Guangzhou who was transferred to Guangzhou for his meritorious service in flood control in Fujian in the fourth year of Yongle. He followed Fang Xiaoru's path.
Huang Duan and Chen Kan were also old acquaintances.
This time, Chen Kan's Hengfeng was able to successfully pull grain from the official warehouse in Guangzhou, and Huang Duan's help was indispensable.
They were all old acquaintances, so they spoke much more casually.
After the two groups of people greeted each other, Chen Kan introduced some Sumatra envoys to Huang Duan.
Although the Sumatra envoys were amazed at the strength and vastness of the Ming Dynasty's city, they had already prepared themselves mentally during the days on board the ship, and they were also presentable when saluting Huang Duan.
Huang Duan returned a salute to Ala, turned to look at an official in a scarlet robe, and said with a smile: "Master Ning, please take the envoys from Sumatra to the Yamen for a rest. I will return to the Yamen later to entertain you all." make."
The person named by Huang Duan frowned, but said nothing and went straight forward to salute Ala.
Ara glanced at Chen Kan hesitantly, and until Chen Kan nodded, he saluted Master Ning and said, "There is Master Lao Ning."
Watching Mr. Ning leave with the envoys, Huang Duan smiled at Chen Kan and said: "Master Hou, I have prepared some wine at Baiyun Tower. Master Hou is coming from afar. You might as well taste our Lingnan flavor first before making another one." thing?"
Chen Kan nodded slightly: "Thank you, Mr. Huang."
The group entered Guangzhou City, got on the carriage prepared by Huang Duan, and headed straight towards Baiyun Tower.
Baiyun Tower, as its name suggests, is located in Baiyun Mountain, facing Baiyun Temple far away.
During the Tang Dynasty, Baiyun Mountain was a holy land for Buddhism. In the Ming Dynasty, Baiyun Mountain became a holy land for Taoism. Together with Wudang Mountain in Hubei, Longhu Mountain in Jiangxi, and Qingcheng Mountain in Sichuan, it is also known as the four famous Taoist mountains.
Baiyun Mountain is also the only one among the four famous Taoist mountains that is located in the city. Moreover, Baiyun Mountain is not the only mountain in Guangzhou city. Yuexiu Mountain is also located in the middle of the city.
When they arrived at the foot of Baiyun Mountain, the group got off the carriage and started walking.
Chen Kan was inevitably filled with emotions when he revisited his old place.
The allusions about the White Ape Immortal on Baiyun Mountain came out at once, and Song Qing, Tan Cong, Dou Xing and other generals were dumbfounded.
Isn't it the first time for Mr. Hou to come to Guangzhou? Why is he so familiar with Guangzhou?
Huang Duan couldn't help but wonder: "Has Mr. Hou been to Guangzhou before?"
Chen Kan was stunned, and suddenly realized that he seemed to have revealed his secret.
Therefore, Chen Kan decisively showed an enigmatic smile.
Generally, when you encounter a problem that cannot be answered, pretending to be inscrutable is the most effective way.
Buddhists and Taoists understand this very well.
As for you not being able to understand, it’s because you don’t have enough understanding.
This is what masters do. Chen Kan thought that he was considered a master in the Ming Dynasty, so it was reasonable to pretend to be incomprehensible.
Sure enough, when Chen Kan smiled and said nothing, the group of people immediately stopped talking and turned to look thoughtful.
They analyzed many things from Chen Kan's smile, and they had reason to believe that there must be an unknown story between Chen Kan and Guangzhou.
Since this is an unknown story, it would be impolite to continue asking.
Therefore, Huang Duan decisively changed the subject and said with a mysterious smile: "Master Hou, I have invited a special guest to the banquet today. I would like to ask Master Hou not to take offense."
Chen Kan was also very wise and immediately asked with a smile: "Special, how special is it?"
"Master Hou will know later."
Huang Duan shook his head slightly, stepped up the stairs, stretched out his hand and said: "Master Marquis, please!"
Chen Kan didn't ask any more questions.
Huang Duanhui broke the rules of officialdom and invited outsiders as guests. There were only two possibilities.
Either the guest or the official position was higher than Chen Kan and Huang Duan, so Huang Duan had to invite him.
Either the guest is not a member of the officialdom and will not affect the welcome and send-off above the officialdom.
Although there were many people with higher status than Chen Kandu in the entire Ming Dynasty, there were absolutely none in Lingnan.
That can only be the second case, and the person who comes is not an official.
In addition, Huang Duan deliberately placed the banquet place in Baiyun Mountain, a place far away from the government office and with a strong religious meaning.
The identity of the special guest is easy to guess.
Outsiders!
Even Chen Kan could guess the name of the person outside the square.
During the Yongle period, the only outsiders on Baiyun Mountain who were worthy of being entertained by the prefect of a state were the Taoists who had been digging caves on Baiyun Mountain since the Hongwu period.
