Chapter 76: Tianjin! Tianjin!

The scorching sun of June roasted the earth.

The venomous sunlight poured down from the sky without reservation; it had not rained for a long time, and the roads were hard and hot.

When people stepped on them, it was just like stepping on red-hot iron blocks.

Meanwhile, on the vast and boundless North China Plain, the wheat was already a golden expanse. A gust of hot wind swept by, causing the wheat to sway and instantly form a wave of wheat dozens of zhang long. Men wearing short jackets held sickles, standing in the fields, howling robust work songs as they labored to harvest the wheat in their own fields.

If one were to look down from the sky, one could see small black dots embedded within the golden wheat waves.

Suddenly, dust and smoke rose everywhere. On the official road beside the wheat fields, a troop of several hundred people galloped by on horseback. For a moment, dust and smoke filled the air, and the choking smell of dust danced across the sky, causing the commoners on both sides to glance over one after another.

One could see Zhang Yunxiu leading the way, with Han San and another dark-faced man standing on his left and right.

Following behind them was a large group of Brocade Guard Li.

Sniffing the fragrance of the wheat fields, Zhang Yunxiu was in a great mood.

This was the scent of a bountiful harvest.

Although this was merely a strong psychological suggestion, it still could not stop the excitement in his heart.

"Young Master, after we pass that mountain spur ahead, we will arrive at Tianjin Guard." After galloping continuously for a long while, Han San suddenly pointed his horsewhip at the mountain pass ahead and said.

Zhang Yunxiu nodded, squeezed the horse's belly with his legs, and shot out with a "whoosh."

Seeing this, Han San and the dark-faced man whipped their warhorses fiercely and followed closely behind.

After another half an hour or so, having rounded the mountain spur, under a blood-red sunset, buildings of varying heights stood beside a dark river.

Tianjin Guard had arrived.

This place was located at the junction of the canal, and its Geography was strategically important.

In the early years of the Yongle reign, the Yongle Emperor landed here and named the place "Tianjin," meaning the place where the Emperor passed through.

In the second year of the Yongle reign, a city was built and a guard was established here. After more than a hundred years of development, this place had effectively become a major port in the north.

Walking forward against the sunset, Zhang Yunxiu saw that the gate of Tianjin Guard was crowded with officials.

The person in the lead was about forty-five or forty-six years old, with a fat build, bloated features, and wearing an official robe with a red leopard rank badge.

Zhang Yunxiu guessed that the man was the Commander of Tianjin Guard, Li Gui.

At this moment, they all looked nervous, their eyes moving as Zhang Yunxiu and the others moved.

When the group was still fifty paces away, Li Gui waved his hand, led his men in a trot, and arrived before Zhang Yunxiu.

"Director Zhang, you have finally arrived. We have been looking forward to your arrival like stars and the moon," Li Gui wiped the sweat from his face and said bluntly.

Zhang Yunxiu was flattered, hurriedly dismounted, and cupped his hands toward Li Gui: "Commander Li is too kind. It is hot today, and for all of you to stand here just to wait for me, I truly feel uneasy."

"Hey, what are you saying?" Li Gui waved his hand and shook the fat on his face, "You are on official business for the Emperor; seeing you is like seeing the Emperor himself. Do you think we would dare to be negligent?"

In order to receive Zhang Yunxiu, Li Gui had gone to great lengths, sending scouts to report every ten li.

As the saying goes, one does not hit a smiling face.

Regarding the goodwill of this Commander, Zhang Yunxiu naturally had to respond warmly.

He smiled, then said with a hint of banter: "Then why are we still standing here? Our brothers are so hungry that our chests are touching our stomachs. You, Commander Li, cannot just play with words and let us drink the northwest wind here."

"Oh, look at my memory. I was so happy I almost forgot this. Please, please, please." Li Gui slapped his forehead and led Zhang Yunxiu inside. Upon arriving at his residence, Li Gui settled Han San and the others, then invited Zhang Yunxiu to the dining hall.

Inside the hall, incense mist curled, silk and satin filled the room, and the dark rosewood round table was covered with various delicacies.

On the left side of the table, there were two beauties in their prime playing the zither and blowing the flute.

Seeing Zhang Yunxiu and Li Gui, the two stood up, performed a curtsy, and called out softly: "Greetings, Young Master; greetings, Master."

Zhang Yunxiu nodded slightly and sat down.

Li Gui, who was to the side, beckoned for the two to come forward to serve, but Zhang Yunxiu waved his hand to refuse: "Commander Li, after the long journey, I do not wish to listen to music. Just let them go and rest."

"Very well, we shall listen to Director Zhang." Li Gui chuckled and waved his hand to dismiss the two.

After a few simple pleasantries, Zhang Yunxiu began to feast on the food on the table. During the meal, Li Gui accompanied him with a smiling face, heaping praise upon Zhang Yunxiu, speaking in an exaggerated manner.

Zhang Yunxiu nodded from time to time, so as not to let this Commander feel too awkward.

After pulling at each other for a while, Zhang Yunxiu put down his long chopsticks and looked at Li Gui with a smile: "Brother Li, I can call you that, right?"

Hearing this form of address, Li Gui's eyes lit up, and he secretly sighed that his assiduousness had not been in vain.

He hurriedly stood up, bowed, and fawned: "What are you saying? It is my honor that you, brother, can be brothers with me."

"Have the requisitioned ships all arrived?" Zhang Yunxiu asked.

"They have all arrived, and they are all docked at the Tianjin Guard wharf. One hundred and five ships, not a single one is missing," Li Gui answered with a smile.

"That is good." Zhang Yunxiu let out a long sigh and added, "This is my first time handling official business for the Emperor. Every step I take is like walking on thin ice, for fear of making any mistakes."

"Brother Zhang is too modest. Your esteemed father is the Chief Grand Secretary of the dynasty, and you are the Emperor's personal attendant. Even if you made some mistakes, who would dare to cause you trouble?" Li Gui waved his hand, but his face showed not a shred of belief.

"I heard there are pirates on this sea?" Zhang Yunxiu asked again.

"Sigh, when are there not pirates? When the common people have no way to make a living, they naturally become bandits." Li Gui shook the fat on his face and comforted him, "However, rest assured, they are all small groups of thieves. At most, they just rob houses, and they would not dare to provoke you."

Hearing Li Gui say this, Zhang Yunxiu instead did not know how to open his mouth.

He had brought three hundred Brocade Guards on this trip.

To make things go more smoothly, he naturally hoped that Li Gui could also offer his assistance. Now that he was not taking the initiative to speak, he would owe this old fox a favor.

Li Gui understood in his heart. He glanced at the silent Zhang Yunxiu and thought to himself: This godforsaken place of mine, while said to be strategically located, is actually just a small port. If I can catch this tailwind, who knows, I might be able to fly to the sky!

"Brother Zhang, is there anything else you would like to ask?" Li Gui turned his body and smiled faintly.

"Ah," Zhang Yunxiu woke up, looked at Li Gui, and said, "Nothing else. I am a bit tired today, so I will go back to rest first. I estimate that we will set off in three days."

Saying this, Zhang Yunxiu yawned and turned to leave.

Li Gui was stunned and hurriedly called out to stop Zhang Yunxiu: "Brother Zhang, stay your step."

Zhang Yunxiu turned around and asked with a puzzled face: "Brother Li, is there anything else?"

"I have thought about it. This is an imperial mission, and as the local Commander, I naturally must contribute my share." Li Gui patted his chest and said with certainty, "How about this, I will also provide seven hundred soldiers to go to sea with you."

"In that case, I thank you, Brother Li." Zhang Yunxiu narrowed his eyes and accepted with a smile.

(End of this chapter)