"The Book of Songs" said: The spring breeze ten miles Yangzhou Road, rolled up on the bead curtain is not as good as.
The official ship sailed down the canal and arrived at Yangzhou in a few days. Ning Jun's impression of Yangzhou was in the vast sea of poems and his curiosity about Yangzhou's thin horses.
At the East Pass Ferry, Yangzhou's civil and military officials, as well as local nobles and merchants, were all waiting at the pier to welcome them.
Ning Jun stepped on the boat, Jiangbei appease Geng Zhongqian, Huaiyang Jiedu You Bi, patrol salt government road officials came forward to salute.
Geng appease introduced them one by one, Ning Jun only nodded. When he mentioned the salt inspector Lin Ruhai, Ning Jun stopped. He saw that his three locks of mustache were a little white, his eyes were bright, but his face was tired. He had a scholarly aura and looked like a modest gentleman.
Ning Jun joked," The salt tax in Huai and Huai is the highest in the world. The censor looks so thin. Is it too tiring to count the silver every night?" Why don't you let me share some of your burden?”
Lin Ruhai cupped his hands." Your Highness, I have the Emperor's trust. I've served as the salt inspector for more than half a year. I'm afraid of losing my job."”
Ning Jun sized him up, then turned around and smiled at the others.""Since I've come to Yangzhou, I must take a good look at Yangzhou's scenery. There are many places of interest that I have been looking forward to for a long time."
Geng An Su was beside him." Yangzhou has been a prosperous place since ancient times. It has many famous people." If your highness is not in a hurry for official matters and is willing to stay for a while, it would be our fortune.”
"Then it's settled!" "Since Jinling is near, I'll play in Yangzhou for a few days." Ning Jun smiled. I don't want you to accompany me, lest I delay your business and attract gossip from the Imperial Censorate. It's very annoying!"
At this moment, an old man in his fifties, wearing a handkerchief and a straight robe, came forward and said with a smile,"Since Your Highness has such an interest, this subject grew up here and knows everything about the people. Why don't you let us be your guides?"
"Your Highness, he's Dong Xianhan, the head of Lianghuai's business. He's donated a substitute." Now, the salt merchants in Lianghuai all followed his lead.”
Dong Xianhan hurriedly bowed and said," I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare. I'm just the CEO of the Shang family. I'm just someone that everyone likes and recommended to do some chores. I'm just running errands and talking."”
Ning Jun's eyes lit up and he smiled." I've long heard that Yangzhou's salt merchants are the richest in the world." When the Great Ancestor and the Retired Emperor toured the south, they both praised you and even went to your garden to rest. Silver was spent like water. Compared to you, I'm afraid I'm just a beggar!”
Dong Xianhan smiled." Your Highness, you must be joking. We are in the midst of a prosperous era, so it is only right for us to serve the Imperial Court." When the emperor visited the south, I offered the garden to him and changed it into a palace. Your Highness has come to the south this time. How can we live in a thatched hut with a thatched roof? Why don't you rest in the palace and have everything you need?”
Ning Jun glanced at the group of people in front of him. Some of them were a little arrogant, while others were disapproving. He declined and said,"Since it's the Retired Emperor's palace, how would I dare to enter? He just needed to find a more exquisite house.”
Another salt merchant, Liu Jingyu, came forward and said,""Your Highness, this official also has a garden in my house. Although it can't compare to Dong Shang's house, this official still expanded it from Ming Shou Zhi Garden. The scenery inside is quite impressive. Why don't Your Highness stay in this official's house?”
Hence, the various salt merchants all petitioned. Ning Jun smiled and said,""Yangzhou is indeed a simple and hospitable place, but I can't be in two places at once.”
Geng An Su stepped forward and dismissed them." Prince Zhongshun's temporary residence has been decided upon by us. Now that it has been tidied up, I sincerely request Your Highness to come.”
When Ning Jun heard this, he turned around and smiled at Lin Ruhai."I was just about to see what you were doing at night.”
You Jiedu smiled." Your Highness, we've set up a banquet on the Grand View Tower. I hope Your Highness will give us face and have a drink. You can also take a look at our Yangzhou's world-famous skinny horse."”
The generals below him laughed loudly.
Ning Jun was delighted." Good! I want to see it!"
A group of people took a sedan chair and escorted Ning Jun to the Grand View Garden.
At the end, a few salt merchants gathered together. "Director Dong, why is Prince Zhongshun staying in Censor Lin's house?" Was there a problem?”
"What problem could there be?" asked another. Look at his behavior just now. He's clearly a greedy and lecherous person. I heard that his princess consorts are all snatched from others. If there is a problem with such a person, it will be of great benefit to us!”
The third one laughed." You don't have to worry. The reason why the appeaser placed the loyal and obedient king in the salt inspector's yamen is because they are related!"”
"Before leaving the capital, King Zhongshun took in a talented person, the niece of Censor Lin's wife," Dong Xianhan explained.”
"Could it be that he also stole it?" The salt merchants all laughed in low voices.
"This lord is the younger brother of the current Son of Heaven and the youngest son of the Retired Emperor. He is the most trusted among all the princes. As long as we drag him down with us, wouldn't we have a layer of protection?”
"How hateful that Lin Ruhai is so stubborn! It's not his own money. Yesterday, he pestered me for an entire day just to get ten thousand taels of silver.”
"You too. You usually don't even feel any heartache when throwing a hundred thousand taels into the river, but you're just throwing away a mere ten thousand taels. You're really asking for trouble!"
That person frowned." But that silver was the salt used by the Transportation Department last time. Once I give it to you, won't I be admitting it without a fight?" You can't give it to me!"
"Why don't we think of a way to force him away?”
"What can we do? Could it be that she poisoned him to death? If you want to go, go. No matter how small his official position was, he was still a proper imperial envoy!”
"Why are you saying this now?" Dong Xianhan said angrily. The most important thing now was to serve this master well. With this Buddha guarding him, Lin Ruhai would not be able to turn over a new leaf.”
Let's talk about Ke Qing. He was tired all the way, so he sat in a sedan chair and went to the Imperial Censor's Office to rest. Ning Jun went to the Grand View Tower to indulge in debauchery. He saw the strongest wine, the most beautiful people, and the best songs in Yangzhou. For a moment, both the host and the guest were happy.
After a while, Ning Jun's footsteps were light as he walked out of the Grand View Tower with his arms around him. There were a few times when he couldn't get on the horse, but Geng Pacification lent his sedan chair to Ning Jun and sent him back.
When he saw Ning Jun sitting in the sedan chair and disappearing into the streets under the guards of the soldiers, Lianghuai Transport Commissioner Rao De smiled and said,""How can someone like King Zhongshun be here to investigate a case? It's good that you don't add another case to the case!"
Geng An Su frowned and turned around to remind them,""The news from the capital cannot be ignored. As long as this master is still in Yangzhou, we can't let our guard down even for a day. There's nothing wrong with being careful!"
Rao De was unconcerned." I've already told those salt merchants to just throw in as much money as they can. I don't believe they won't comply!”
Geng appeased him and reminded him,"The day of this year's accounts meeting is coming. The capital still owes five hundred thousand taels of silver. This is the most important matter." Otherwise, we won't be able to wear the black veil on our heads for long.”
Ning Jun got into the sedan chair and immediately woke up. He did not look drunk at all.
He rubbed his forehead. If he didn't have to care about his identity, he would have almost lost control and made a mistake that all men would make.
Her eyes were full of spring, and her veil was fluttering, making people forget to leave.
Ning Jun closed his eyes to rest. He recalled the various people at the table. It seemed that the officials of Yangzhou City were not united. For example, the Yangzhou prefect and the officials of the Transportation Department were at odds. There were also disputes among the many salt merchants, but they were well covered up.
Gradually, he drew a picture of the relationship in his mind and connected it bit by bit. In the middle of this picture, there were two people. One was Dong Xianhan, who had been the CEO of the business for more than 20 years. Anything related to salt in Yangzhou could not escape his eyes. The other was the transport envoy Rao De. Ning Jun had lived two lives, so he could tell at a glance that this person was definitely not a gentleman. He was afraid that the loss of Lianghuai's salt tax could not escape from him!
Since the Emperor had given Ning Jun the right to take advantage of the situation, the most convenient thing to do was to take down these two people. Then, he would use speed to beat the slow, and capture the Lianghuai salt administration in one fell swoop. Then, he would slowly find evidence. As for the consequences, Ning Jun couldn't be bothered to think about it.
The only thing he couldn't be sure of was which family did that seemingly innocent provincial governor You Bi belong to?
As he was thinking, the sedan chair had already arrived at the Imperial Censor's Office.
Ning Jun composed himself and pretended to be drunk again.
Wang De helped Ning Jun out. Ning Jun was still mumbling,"Everyone, let's get drunk! Another jar!"
Lin Ruhai had been waiting for a long time as he walked into the main hall. He bowed respectfully." Your Highness, the Inner Residence has been tidied up. Please rest early!" I'll take my leave now!"
"Wait!" Ning Jun burped." I still have something to say!”
"Your Highness…" Lin Ruhai cupped his hands and said.
Ning Jun walked over and put his arm around his shoulder, whispering in his ear,""I have a secret edict, so it's not convenient for me to read it out in public. Let's go to the back of the house!" "Where do you count the silver?" he asked loudly. Let me take a look?"
Lin Ruhai was shocked. He didn't know if it was true or not, so he cooperated and said,"Wangye, you're drunk! I'll help you rest!"
Wang De was holding a lantern in front of him. Ning Jun walked slowly, first singing a part of the western chamber, then singing a part of the garden. Lin Ruhai endured it and couldn't help but ask,""Your Highness, what you said just now…"
Ning Jun said softly," This matter is of great importance. I don't know if anyone in your residence has leaked the news. The Emperor has ordered you to assist me in investigating the deficit in Lianghuai's salt tax."”
Lin Ruhai immediately wanted to kneel down and thank him, almost causing Ning Jun to stagger.
Lin Ruhai quickly supported him." Your Highness, I was careless just now. I'm sorry."”
Ning Jun glanced at someone not far away and laughed."It's fine, it's fine. Give me a thousand taels of silver and I won't hold it against you!”
"Where did I get the silver?" Lin Ruhai asked.”
"You still want to lie to me?" Ning Jun held him back without caring. Are you hiding behind? Let's go! Shall we go in and take a look?"
He walked into the backyard and shouted loudly.
The servant girls in the backyard were all shocked. Lin Ruhai berated,"His highness is drunk, why aren't you guys getting water for him to wash up?”
The little girl Qingwen was the first to come out. Seeing Ning Jun like this, she quickly held his hand. Ning Jun couldn't help but play tricks and deliberately leaned towards her.
Qingwen was small and thin. How could she bear Ning Jun's weight? Not only did she not help Ning Jun up, she fell down first.
Ning Jun made a fool of himself. He lost his balance and fell on Qingwen. Lin Ruhai didn't even have time to pull him.
Fortunately, Ning Jun was not really drunk. When he was about to fall, he used his hand to support himself before lying down.
Qingwen and Ning Jun were stunned.
Ning Jun reeked of alcohol, and he could still hear the decadent music in his ears. He couldn't help but be dazzled. He rubbed against Qingwen's cheek and ear." You're alone, do you know that?"”
Qingwen is ashamed, angry, and afraid." Wangye, it hurts!"
Lin Ruhai helped Ning Jun up.
Ning Jun laughed loudly and entered the back hall.
Qingwen was helped up by the little girl, but her legs were still weak. Was it just an illusion?
When Ning Jun walked into the hall, Qing was rushing out with a beautiful woman and a ten-year-old girl.
The beautiful woman was in her thirties. She had a golden phoenix hairpin hanging on her head and a gold ribbon hanging on her forehead. Her eyebrows and phoenix eyes were slightly charming, and her goose face and cherry lips complemented her snow-white skin. She was wearing a rose-red, phoenix-patterned, long-sleeved coat. The golden thread embroidered chrysanthemums were dazzling, and they complemented the light gold cloud pattern coat on her middle garment. This should be Jia Min!
The girl next to her had her hair combed into a bun adorned with small flowers. Her eyebrows were like distant mountains, her nose was like agar-white, and her lips were like red caltrops. She was like a jade beauty. She was wearing a white dress with red flowers and black flowers. Although his face was extremely timid, he had a natural romantic attitude. She was Daiyu.
Ning Jun imprinted her in his heart at a glance, but he did not look at her again.
"Husband, what's wrong?" Ke Qing asked with concern. Why is there such a strong smell of alcohol?"
Ning Jun smiled." It's fine. The Yangzhou local officials are really enthusiastic. They might have drunk a few more glasses."”"This is Madam Lin?" I didn't expect her to be so young, just like my sister!”
Lin Ruhai had just entered when Ning Jun pulled him over again and said with a smile,"Lord Lin and I hit it off at first sight. Just consider him my brother-in-law!”
However, Qing burst out laughing." Husband, you're mistaken!”
"That's right, it's settled!" Ning Jun waved his hand and said softly to Little Daiyu, who was timidly holding Jia Min's clothes,""Good niece, quickly call me uncle! Uncle has something good for you!"
As he spoke, he fumbled around in his arms for a long time before taking out a red musk-deer skewer." This is a gift from the Emperor. The color matches you very well!”
Ning Jun reached out his hand, but Daiyu didn't say anything. She secretly glanced at Ning Jun, lowered her head, and moved two steps behind Jia Min.
Ning Jun's hand froze in mid-air, not knowing what to do. Uh, this was the first time he flirted with Daiyu, but he was actually ignored!
Jia Min smiled generously, like a spring flower in full bloom. She advised Dai Yu,"Yu 'Er, why aren't you taking it?”
Daiyu refused to come out.
Jia Min smiled." Your Highness, please don't blame me. This child is shy and can't bear to see strangers."”His tone and attitude were like an elder looking at a junior.
" Sister, niece..." Ning Jun did not finish.
But Qing pulled him anxiously and said in a low voice,""Husband, she is Yuan Chun's aunt and also our elder. You still call her sister? Brother-in-law?"
"How can Yuanchun have such a young aunt?" Ning Jun asked in astonishment.”
Jia Min smiled." Your Highness, you flatter me. I'm already close to forty, and I look haggard. How can I be young?"”
Ning Jun just didn't believe it. He smiled and said to Lin Ruhai,"I really can't call such a young aunt! Why don't we discuss it?"
Lin Ruhai was an upright gentleman. He coughed lightly," Your Highness, this is already my inner residence. If you have something important to say, feel free to say it."”
"What's the matter? There are a few other matters." As Ning Jun spoke, he took out a bright yellow satin from his bosom, wrapped it with red musk skewers, and handed it to Daiyu."Good niece, it's my first time giving you a gift and you don't want it.”
Lin Ruhai could tell at a glance that it was a secret edict and hurriedly smiled to cover it up for him,""Yu 'Er, hurry up and take it."
Little Daiyu blinked her bright eyes. The bright yellow color in front of her eyes and her father's urging, the intelligent her knew that this thing must be very important.
Hence, she carefully reached out her hand to take it and put it away in her sleeve. The corners of her mouth curled up slightly."Thank you, brother!" He deliberately emphasized the word 'brother'.
Lin Ruhai heaved a sigh of relief and reprimanded,"This is wangye, is he someone you can call big brother?”
Ning Jun quickly smiled." Brother, you're kind. Calling you wangye is too distant."”
Daiyu's eyes flew up. When she saw Ning Jun looking over, she flashed and disappeared.
This book is provided by FunNovel Novel Book | Fan Fiction Novel [Beautiful Free Novel Book]