Chapter 383

"Not bad, not bad, your skills are truly impressive. I'll have these taken away by my men; the rest, you all can try."

Su Qiao said to the several cooks.

"Thank you, Young Master Su!"

The several cooks immediately bowed their hands in gratitude.

Su Qiao had the tuna hot pot, raw fish with dipping sauce, and other items brought out.

Eating hot pot naturally meant they wouldn't just eat tuna; fortunately, they had caught some seafood during this period, such as large shrimp, crabs, seaweed, and so on.

The group split into four tables on the deck.

Su Qiao and Liu Rushi sat at one table, while the other Embroidered Uniform Guard members split into three tables, and everyone ate to their heart's content.

The tuna was sliced by the chef as thin as a cicada's wing; dipped in the sauce, it melted in the mouth instantly with a delicious flavor.

Combined with the abundance of the seafood hot pot, the grand meal left everyone with round, full bellies.

Everyone was extremely satisfied with the meal.

At the start of the sea voyage, everyone's spirits were quite high.

However, it was always an endless ocean, blue sky, and white clouds; the scene hardly ever changed, which made everyone feel somewhat weary and bored.

Even Liu Rushi began learning to fish alongside Su Qiao.

Seeing everyone bored, Su Qiao had some paper sheets brought and started writing and drawing inside the cabin.

Liu Rushi saw what Su Qiao was drawing in the cabin and wore a look of confusion.

"What are you drawing?"

"I see everyone is bored, so I specially prepared a game," Su Qiao said with a chuckle, not even looking up.

Liu Rushi nodded and did not disturb him further.

After Su Qiao finished drawing, he took them out to explain to everyone.

Afterwards, everyone started playing; at first, they were still somewhat unfamiliar with it.

But after half a shichen, everyone was fully engaged in the game.

Forget about being bored; I want to play Dou Dizhu!

Not only playing cards, but Su Qiao also brought out mahjong tiles.

From then on, they were almost constantly playing mahjong all day long.

The speed of the sea route was indeed much faster.

Originally, it would take about half a month to reach Suzhou and Hangzhou, but in less than ten days, they had already entered the borders of Zhejiang.

"Young Master, we will arrive in Hangzhou tomorrow morning."

"Good, just right for everyone to rest well tonight."

Su Qiao nodded upon hearing this.

The next morning, the ship docked at the wharf in Hangzhou.

This was a very important wharf in Hangzhou, with many cargo ships, as it was the busy season for the Grand Canal transport.

However, when they saw the naval warships appear, all the cargo ships quickly moved aside, fearing they would be rammed and capsized.

Indeed, these naval warships were many times larger than the boats in their canals.

Plus, the dark, gaping cannons on board made everyone's hearts tremble with fear.

"Where did these warships come from?"

"They look like naval warships, but they don't seem to be from around our Nanjing Prefecture."

"I suppose some important figure has arrived; it seems they came from the sea."

That's right, the Suzhou and Hangzhou region basically fell under the jurisdiction of Suzhou Prefecture, which was not too far away, and Suzhou Prefecture itself was under the jurisdiction of Nanzhili Province.

By all rights, as an Imperial Envoy, Su Qiao should have notified Nanzhili and Jin Ling in advance to prepare.

However, he did not; instead, he arrived first very low-key.

Jin Ling and the Yingtian Prefecture here could be considered a small court in the south, even though it did not have much influence.

Yet, it was also a separate administration.

For instance, Qian Qianyi, who had previously clashed with Su Qiao, had also served in the Six Ministries in Jin Ling.

Roughly speaking, Beijing was the main court deciding national affairs, while the small court in Jin Ling in the south served as a residence for retirement.

Although the power was not high, the status was not much different.

Su Qiao did not make a grand spectacle upon arriving here.

He did not notify the people of Suzhou Prefecture; he dismissed the naval warships, had people notify nearby garrisons along the way, and directly entered the city to stay in the guesthouse.

Only at this moment did the Prefect of Suzhou Prefecture receive accurate news.

The Imperial Envoy sent by the court had arrived and directly moved into the guesthouse!

Zhang Xueceng only felt a headache!

He had never seen an Imperial Envoy like this; if it were an incognito inspection and secret investigation, it didn't look like that.

If it were truly a secret investigation, he would definitely hide his identity.

But no, he boldly entered the guesthouse holding the token and imperial edict, making no attempt to conceal his identity at all.

But if you say it wasn't an incognito inspection, but purely coming to Suzhou Prefecture to conduct official business, shouldn't you have given prior notice or something?

Where was the tacit understanding of the officialdom?

He was completely at a loss!

As for whether Zhang Xueceng had any great ability, in fact, he had no ability at all.

He was originally a Jinshi graduate and had connections with the Donglin Party.

If there was anything worth mentioning, it was not his literary talent, but his painting skill.

He is later known as one of the "Nine Friends of Painting" of the late Ming and early Qing dynasties.

One can only say he was proficient in painting!

As for statecraft strategies and the like, he had none; one could only say he was mediocre, and additionally, he was somewhat greedy for money.

He lacked backbone himself; otherwise, he would not have surrendered directly to the Qing later.

The arrival of Su Qiao, this Imperial Envoy, made him break out in a cold sweat.

His leisurely mood of painting in the rear courtyard collapsed; with a tearing sound, he ripped the semi-finished product he had just accidentally ruined in half.

"Someone come! Quickly prepare a carriage; this Prefect is going to the guesthouse to see the Imperial Envoy!"

If it is fortune, it is not a disaster; if it is a disaster, it cannot be avoided. After hesitating for half a day, Zhang Xueceng decided to go to the guesthouse to see Su Qiao.

If he did not go to see the Imperial Envoy, and later the Envoy came knocking, who knew whether he would be given a hard time?

The very fact that he was able to sit in the position of Prefect of Suzhou, Fourth Rank, Senior Grade, was because he knew how to flatter.

Although he was not exactly a sycophant, he had still sent many gifts and cultivated many connections.

Otherwise, relying solely on his own abilities, such a good position would absolutely never have fallen to him.

Su Qiao had just settled down inside the guesthouse.

Sun Youxu specifically asked, "Mr. Su, should we notify the Prefect of Suzhou?"

"No need. Since we have moved into the guesthouse, our identities are not hidden; the staff of the guesthouse will surely report upward. I estimate the officials of Suzhou will arrive in a short while."

Su Qiao shook his head and explained.

No sooner had Su Qiao finished speaking than Zhao Xifang strode in from outside.

"Mr. Su, the Prefect of Suzhou, Zhang Xueceng, is outside to pay his respects."

"Speak of Cao Cao, and Cao Cao arrives! Let him in."

Su Qiao chuckled and said to Zhao Xifang.

"Very well!"

237, Zhang Xueceng, Prefect of Suzhou!

Before long, Zhao Xifang brought Zhang Xueceng into the courtyard.

"Your humble servant, Zhang Xueceng, greets the Imperial Envoy!"

Although Su Qiao looked quite young, Zhang Xueceng did not dare to be negligent; he hurried forward, bowed deeply, and performed the ritual greeting.

Su Qiao smiled and waved his hand, saying, "Prefect Zhang, rise. This official is merely passing through Suzhou; in two days I will go to Jin Ling to see Grand Secretary Sun, so I did not intend to make a grand display and cause trouble."

He knew the purpose of Zhang Xueceng's arrival was to probe for information.