Chapter 33

Yang Zhou

is an important salt-producing region of the Great Zhou.

Nearly thirty percent of the Great Zhou's national salt production comes from Yang Zhou.

Its abundant salt profits and relatively developed commerce have made Yang Zhou one of the most prosperous prefectures and counties in the Great Zhou.

And among the most prosperous families in Yang Zhou City, the Bai family holds the highest status.

The head of the Bai family is a person of bitter fate who lost his father when he was young and was raised by his mother alone.

After his mother passed away, the head of the Bai family boarded a merchant ship and made his fortune at sea.

It is unknown which great figure he latched onto, but he became a famous major salt merchant in Yang Zhou.

A few years ago, his only daughter married into the Gu family of Marquis Ningyuan; although their influence rose to a new level, the Bai family has become even more low-key.

And the previous Assistant Prefect of Yang Zhou was promoted and went to another, less prosperous prefecture to serve as Department Magistrate.

This position of Assistant Prefect has been vacant for a time.

However, it hasn't been empty for long, as rumors from official circles have arrived, saying that this position is basically settled.

Bianjing,

Quyuanjie, Marquis Yongyi's Prefecture.

Having already visited his father's old acquaintances in the capital, Seeing Seeing Sheng Hong, who was of the same year as them, sat in the carriage, eyes closed in thought.

He returned to the capital this time for his performance review, and his political achievements were excellent.

Especially in a case in Quanzhou, he was discerning and saved an old lady, Madam Zhuang, who had been slandered.

Madam Zhuang's son is a famous scholar in the capital, and his students often pass the imperial examinations.

Knowing his mother's ordeal, he specifically wrote a letter of thanks and sent it to the Ministry of Personnel.

Seeing Seeing Sheng Hong also followed the wishes of his mother and mother-in-law, not seeking a post in the capital, but instead transferring to Yang Zhou.

He received a half-grade promotion,

and although it was a lateral transfer, moving from Quanzhou to Yang Zhou counts as a promotion.

Moreover, Yang Zhou is a vital tax hub, different from ordinary places.

After finishing these matters, he had a drink with his brother-in-law, Lord Kang,

and today, Seeing Seeing Sheng Hong prepared gifts to visit Marquis Yongyi's Xu Prefecture.

Through the servants and stewards that Sheng Wei left in Jiying Lane, Seeing Seeing Sheng Hong learned the general situation of the Xu family.

He prepared several gifts that the young masters and young ladies would like.

When Seeing Seeing Sheng Hong passed the imperial examination, there was some friction between the Xu family and the Sheng family.

Because the Xu family wanted to marry a collateral daughter to the Sheng family,

they looked down on Seeing Seeing Sheng Hong to a greater or lesser extent.

Seeing Seeing Sheng Hong has been an official for over ten years, and he could long ago calmly handle the Xu family's past actions.

He was thinking about how to beautifully round off his words when visiting the Xu family.

It was at this moment that the Sheng family's carriage stopped.

It turned out that the entrance to the lane was a bit congested, causing a traffic jam.

The Sheng family servant in front said outside the carriage,

"Master, the carriage that just came out gave way to us. Looking at the plaque, it's the Yuan family of the Earl of Zhongqin."

"Stop the carriage."

The Sheng family carriage stopped, and Seeing Seeing Sheng Hong stepped out, just in time to see the Yuan family's carriage pulling to the side, preparing to leave.

"You park the carriage at the entrance of the Xu Prefecture; I will go over immediately."

Yuan Wenshao, who was driving the carriage with the coachman, saw Seeing Seeing Sheng Hong and hurriedly said,

"Father, the owner of the carriage opposite has come down; it seems he is coming to express his thanks."

Yuan Bingkai in the carriage naturally would not act arrogant.

He stepped out of the carriage to return the courtesy to Seeing Seeing Sheng Hong, who had come to thank him.

"Seeing Seeing Sheng Hong of the Jiying Lane Sheng family, many thanks to you, my lord, for giving way."

"Lord Sheng, you are too polite. We are the Yuan family of the Earl of Zhongqin."

"Oh, Earl Yuan! What brings you here?"

Yuan Bingkai cupped his hands and said, "The Emperor bestowed a reward upon the third young master of the Marquis Xu Prefecture, and I delivered it to the prefecture today. Is Lord Sheng also going to the Marquis Prefecture?"

"Indeed, indeed."

"Then Lord Sheng, please go quickly. It was just a mere matter of giving way; for you to actually get out of the carriage to thank me, you are truly a gentleman."

"Earl, you giving way first is the true gentlemanly act. Then I shall go first; when there is time, I invite you to have a chat at Fanlou."

"Good, good. Since Lord Sheng invites, I will naturally go."

The two families parted, and Seeing Seeing Sheng Hong turned back and walked toward the Marquis Prefecture.

His face was quite happy; having the opportunity to get to know the nobles in the capital is also a good thing.

And at the Xu family, hearing that Seeing Seeing Sheng Hong was visiting, Sun Shi naturally had to let her own children come to welcome him together.

By seniority, Xu Minghua should call Seeing Seeing Sheng Hong cousin, as they are maternal cousins.

Xu Zaiduan and his younger siblings should call Seeing Seeing Sheng Hong uncle.

"Seeing Seeing Sheng Hong greets the Xu family sister-in-law."

"Brother Hong, do not stand on ceremony. Come, children, greet your uncle."

Xu Zaijing bowed in salute, and after raising his head, he saw this uncle clearly.

Sheng, Assistant Prefect, Honglang, Scum Father, Face-First, Yiqing Temple Screamer, Adultery Catcher, Sucker, Hong.

It is said that Seeing Seeing Sheng Hong inherited his father, the Third Place Scholar.

Xu Zaijing felt it was true, because Seeing Seeing Sheng Hong was truly a handsome middle-aged man, and his experience as an official made his temperament very smooth and steady.

He was handsome, and his words were pleasant to hear.

Moreover, Seeing Seeing Sheng Hong chose the afternoon,

lunch had already been eaten, and it was still a long time until dinner,

so there was no possibility of the Xu family keeping him for a meal, which saved a lot of trouble.

He was a standard feudal scholar-official.

In the main hall of the courtyard, Sun Shi sat on one side of the main seat.

Those with the same seniority as her naturally could not sit in the lower seats; fortunately, there were servants and nannies, and Seeing Seeing Sheng Hong sat on the other side of Sun Shi.

The Xu family brothers and sisters naturally sat in the lower seats.

Sipping tea, Sun Shi said,

"Brother Hong, I often hear people in the capital say that the Emperor praises your calligraphy endlessly."

"Sister-in-law, you flatter me; that is merely a minor skill of mine."

"Brother Hong, you are being too modest. I wonder if you could splash some ink so that these children who are studying hard can learn from it every day."

Seeing Seeing Sheng Hong waved his hands and hurriedly said, "How could that be appropriate?"

Xu Zaijing knew that his mother was telling the truth; the current Emperor also remembered Lord Seeing Seeing Sheng Hong because of his calligraphy.

So as soon as his mother spoke, Xu Zaijing stood up,

"Mother, I will go get paper and brush."

Saying this, Xu Zaijing bowed to Seeing Seeing Sheng Hong and then ran out quickly.

"This child. Let Brother Hong be amused."

"Sister-in-law, I heard that Jingge'er showed off his skills at the Emperor's birthday banquet; it truly won face for our Xu family."

"Uncle, today the Emperor's reward arrived; it's a fine horse, it's so beautiful."

Said Xu Zaizhang, whose personality was a bit lively.

"Oh, the Emperor's reward must be an extremely good thing."

Seeing Seeing Sheng Hong's words made Sun Shi pick up her handkerchief and smile.

This was a reward earned by her own son, and Seeing Seeing Sheng Hong being so curious made Sun Shi feel very comforted.

It's like praising someone; don't praise them directly, praise their child's good grades, their dog's obedience, or their clean home.

Xu Zaijing did not walk fast, and it took a while before he came in holding a stack of paper.

Behind him followed his servant Qingyun, holding brush and ink.

"Brother Hong, let me be amused."

Sun Shi said,

because the paper Xu Zaijing was holding was quite a lot.

Before Sun Shi finished speaking, Xu Zaijing went to move over a table.

Seeing Seeing Sheng Hong looked at the busy Xu Zaijing, as well as the brothers and sisters helping,

"Sister-in-law, these children of our Xu family are truly good."

This main hall was originally a place for entertaining guests.

Asking Seeing Seeing Sheng Hong to write calligraphy, it couldn't be on a tea table or a square table.

And Xu Zaijing moving the table was exactly a sign of being sensible.

"Brother Hong, since the children have prepared everything, then..."

"Sister-in-law, then I shall show my clumsiness."

Saying this, Seeing Seeing Sheng Hong walked to the table, took the top-grade incense ink handed over by Xu Zaiduan, and while grinding the ink, he thought, simultaneously outlining the appearance of the characters in his heart, as if he had a plan in mind.

(End of chapter)