over ten thousand people

To go to Jiangnan, the distance is more than three times that of going to Luofu.Because of the distance, there are many more people and horses traveling with us than when we went to Luofu; also because of the distance, we can't delay casually on the road-calculated according to the normal speed, it may be October when we return to Xingjing; Slow down, the winter solstice in mid-November will be delayed.

Therefore, although I really want to take a small detour to Puzhou to see the newly repaired Yongji Canal, I also know in my heart that I can only wait for the return trip to see if there are any free days.

There is no delay along the way, which is naturally beneficial.On the fourth day of May, the convoy marched into the gate of Bianzhou.The next day was the Dragon Boat Festival, Chen Zhaoxiang, governor of Bianzhou, had already prepared everything and was waiting for me to come.

My route to the south of the Yangtze River basically follows the trend of the canal, and the same is true for Bianzhou.In fact, when the canal was built in the previous dynasty, the Bian River running through Bianzhou was widened and dredged according to local conditions, and it was changed into the first half of the canal.From Luofu to Yangfu, the canal connects Luoshui River and Huaihe River, this section is called Tongji Canal; the middle section is navigable by Huai River; as for the second half, from Shanyang to Jiangdu is called Hangou, Jiangdu to Yuhang Part of it is called the Jiangnan River.

In addition, the previous dynasty set up more than [-] post stations along the canal, and there was a simple palace between each two post stations.Embankments were built on both sides of the bank, and the water width and depth were sufficient to pass through the whole line of the Royal Boat.Although due to the congestion in many places, it is a fool's dream to pass Yuzhou all the way at the moment; but Bianzhou is a central state with four states under its jurisdiction, and it is not a problem to be rich and prosperous. Naturally, it is impossible to let the canals in the city be blocked.Not to mention that I said a month earlier that I would go to Jiangnan——

Chen Zhaoxiang not only refurbished the banks along the river, but also erected a colorful platform on the bank with a wide view.If I want to watch the Dragon Boat Festival regatta, then Caitai is the perfect place to go.In addition, he also prepared a dragon boat, in case I want to take a boat to visit Bianzhou City along the river.There are naturally some zongzi that will be thrown into the water on the day of the Dragon Boat Festival, and they are all neatly wrapped into the shape of ox horns, and then tied with five-color silk threads, and there is no fault at all.

Not to mention anything else, at least I am really willing to take a boat along the river to visit Bianzhou City.Early in the morning of the Dragon Boat Festival, I boarded the dragon boat with a group of Beijing officials.It doesn't take long to just visit the canals in the city.When I got to the stage again, the dragon boat race hadn't started yet.

"Because I was in a hurry, I prepared crude and crude equipment, and I hope Your Majesty will forgive me." Before I was completely seated, Chen Zhaoxiang hurriedly confessed.

I can understand his anxiety, after all, the dragon boat just now did not meet the standard for the emperor.But he is also right, which state or county would have nothing to prepare a royal boat, just waiting for me to drag it out for inspection?I can't make it out even if I rush to work for a month!Furthermore, as long as the reason is sufficient and the censor is not allowed to participate, I don't care whether the dragon boat is spacious or luxurious enough.

"Get up." I waved my hand, "The Bianzhou Canal is open to navigation, but what about Weizhou, Qizhou, and Chenzhou?"

Weizhou, Qizhou, and Chenzhou are the other three states under the jurisdiction of Bianzhou.

Chen Zhaoxiang immediately replied: "I have ordered people to carefully investigate the conditions of the rivers in the three states and record them one by one." He waved slightly, and someone behind him presented three boxes of documents. "Your Majesty, shall we begin now?"

I wasn't too surprised by those boxes.Chen Zhaoxiang must have prepared for this kind of thing that I would ask with my toes.But judging from his careful observation of the expression of the minister next to me, he probably didn't expect that I would look at it now. "Bring the important ones first." As for the other documents, the Ministry of Industry would of course check them out.

Chen Zhaoxiang didn't dare to neglect, he quickly picked up the top one, and presented it respectfully.But I had just read ten or so pages when I heard a commotion on both sides of the shore. "What's wrong?"

"Return to Your Majesty, it's time for the boat race." Chen Zhaoxiang said, and suggested cautiously: "Why don't I order someone to pass on the message and postpone it for a while?"

I looked at him, then at the accompanying officials.Xie Jingyu only turned towards me, so did Yongmeng, and there were three or five people like them; as for the others, they were more or less distracted by the noise of drums and gongs. "No need," Zhen said, "it doesn't make sense for the common people to wait for me. If the competition is to start, Dudu Chen will go now."

Chen Zhaoxiang hesitated for a moment. "Then Your Majesty... can't see it?"

It's not difficult to think about it, but if I really say this, I, Dudu Chen, are very sincere. "No problem." I thought for a while, and then added: "Please tell me for me, the top three winners in the dragon boat race will each get the longevity rope bestowed by my relatives."

The so-called longevity rope is multicolored silk thread.During the Dragon Boat Festival, everyone tied it on their arms, which means auspiciousness and hope.Of course, this thing is not valuable, but how can ordinary people see royal things, let alone a gift from the emperor, which is of great significance?

Chen Zhaoxiang hurriedly agreed, hope flashed in his eyes, and he obviously wanted it.I saw it in my eyes, so I didn't point it out immediately, I just continued to read the documents in my hand.Occasionally, if there is something unclear, I will ask someone to find the corresponding detailed records and compare and study them one by one.

Although the booklet is quite thick, it is easy to check because I remember it clearly.I found a few minor problems before and after, so I circled them all and asked Zhang Ji to take another look.After Zhang Ji checked one by one and wrote out his rectification opinions, he handed them over to Xie Jingyu and his servant for review.Shang Shuxing and Menxia Sheng had no objection, so I asked Zhou Bubi to transcribe it immediately.

After such a process, what was handed back to Chen Zhaoxiang was already a formal edict.He was so dumbfounded by this efficiency that he almost forgot his words when he received the order.

I didn't say much.After all, if I can't deal with the affairs immediately, I'll be out of the palace for half a year, and I'm afraid I'll be overwhelmed by mountains of papers when I go back.Flooding is still a trivial matter, and time delay is a serious problem... This is why I want to take a lot of officials on a trip.

Coincidentally, I finished my business and the dragon boat race is coming to an end.I went to show my face, and then used the dragon boat race as a comparison to encourage everyone to have the spirit of striving for the first place in the canal.Probably those longevity ropes played a role, the enthusiasm of the people was high, and the voice of long live resounded through the sky.

It is customary for the Dragon Boat Festival to give longevity ropes, clothes, and rice dumplings, so I will naturally not forget the ministers.After returning to the Governor's Mansion, Chen Zhaoxiang prepared a dinner, and I gave the brocade box that I had prepared earlier at the banquet.The things inside are basically similar, except that Xie Jingyu has less of the same.

No one would open the brocade box in front of me, so after the banquet was over, I took a bath in a leisurely manner, then took a book and read it slowly, guessing when Xie Jingyu would find out.Sure enough, as soon as it got dark, he asked to see him.

But Xie Jingyu did not ask, but first reported the overall situation of Bianzhou Water Affairs.After making sure that I listened to it, he said: "The things that His Majesty bestowed today seem to be missing something from my minister."

I pretend not to know. "Really? What's missing, I'll ask someone to make it up for you."

"Your Majesty." Xie Jingyu said with a slight emphasis, showing disapproval - he obviously guessed that Zhen and him were pretending to be stupid.

Seeing Xie Jingyu's serious face, I was overjoyed. "I am the emperor, how can I short your things on purpose?" I asked back funny, then pointed to another brocade box on the table, "Here are the things you lacked."

Xie Jingyu took two steps forward.Before he touched the brocade box, I added: "Open it now and have a look."

Hearing what I said, Xie Jingyu had guessed a bit, and raised his eyebrows. "Your Majesty, I'm afraid that what is contained in this box is not the longevity rope?"

I raised an eyebrow back at him. "If so, do I still need to spend so much trouble?"

A hint of helplessness appeared on Xie Jingyu's face.He seemed to want to ask what I was, but after thinking about it, he gave up and opened the lid of the box——

Inside is a folding fan laid flat on brocade.

"Paper fan?" After seeing it clearly, Xie Jingyu couldn't restrain himself from raising his voice, "I never knew that there is a saying of sending fans during the Dragon Boat Festival."

This question obviously doesn't bother me. "Seeing that the summer solstice is approaching, what's wrong with me sending the breeze?"

"Your Majesty, you started again..." Xie Jingyu shook his head helplessly as he said, I guess his subtext is not very pleasant.Afterwards, he took out the jade fracture fan and slowly unfolded it——

Then, he stopped.

"How?" Looking at his equally fixed expression, I couldn't help but ask.Excluding the inscription and my private seal, there are only four words on it. "Let's talk about it first, this is the fan that I am most satisfied with, don't think it is ugly."

Hearing what I said, Xie Jingyu raised his eyes with difficulty. "Since that's the case, Your Majesty still wants to ask me what to do?"

"...Are you really ugly?" I pretended to be shocked, "That's not okay, I won't give it away!"

Xie Jingyu immediately put away the fan and tucked it into his cuff. "One word from the Son of Heaven, it's hard to chase after a horse. How can there be any reason to take back something that His Majesty personally gave to the minister?"

"Thank you, that's not the way to say it." I continued to chatter with him, "Gifts are also chosen. If you don't give it right, it will be more annoying, so why don't you just not give it?"

"Chen Ke has never said such a thing." Xie Jingyu smiled lowly, "Whether it is ugly or disgusting, it is His Majesty who said it himself."

He smiled so charmingly that I managed to make a dangerous squinting movement. "What is Xie Xiang implying?"

Of course Xie Jingyu couldn't admit it. "I'm not implying anything. I just feel—" He paused for a moment, "I should also send the four words Your Majesty."

My heart moved, but my mouth didn't let go. "Sincerely, thank you? Even if you want to return the gift, how can you use the words I have used?"

Xie Jingyu thought for a while, and frowned, looking very distressed. "That's not fair."

"Why?" I asked curiously.

"I think that no matter whether it is unique or unique, it is not as good as the unparalleled gift from your majesty." Xie Jingyu said seriously, "but in my heart, only your majesty can match the four words unparalleled in the world."

I have to say that my heartbeat, which started to speed up just now, is becoming more and more uncontrollable now. "Come on, do you think I really care about four words with you?"

But Xie Jingyu responded faster: "Of course I know that His Majesty doesn't care about it. But there are too many things that His Majesty doesn't care about. I can only care about it for Your Majesty."

"The result of the haggling?" Zhen impatiently babbled, and casually threw the scroll on the table.

This is a signal that couldn't be more obvious.Xie Jingyu then walked around the table and whispered to me: "Go to the couch?" His voice was also full of deep emotion.

The author has something to say:

It's fixed!