Chapter 177: Wei He Wharf

"Brother, this is Weinan County?"

Xiao Sizi's two chubby little hands rested on the carriage window, and their big, glossy eyes blinked as they looked at the lively crowd outside.

"That's right, this is Weinan County," Chen Yan also observed the common folk outside.

As the saying goes, you live off the mountains and the water; because of its unique location, many residents of Weinan County, besides farming, often earn extra income by fishing or helping transport carts and horses.

Thus, at a glance, besides agricultural products, handicrafts, and snacks on the streets, one can also see countless people selling fish.

Although many residents still wear tattered hemp clothes and are thin, compared with other counties they are undoubtedly much better off.

At the very least, as long as one is not lazy, there is always a way to make a living here.

Gao Yang initially tried to watch like the two of them, but soon lost interest.

"Hey, I ask, when will we actually arrive?"

"Aren't you about to take up your post? Why do you look like you're not in a hurry at all?"

"What's there to be in a hurry about?" Chen Yan replied offhand, "I'm now the boss of this county town; since I'm here, when I take up the post is up to me."

"Moreover, Du Gou arrived here two days early, so he must have a good grasp of the situation; there's no need to rush."

"And also..." Chen Yan turned and glared at them, "When there's a matter, you call me husband; when there's nothing, you just say 'hey'. I'm really impressed with you."

"Heh!" Gao Yang sneered, "Aren't you the same?"

"Usually it's Zhao Tang, when affectionate it's my wife; when Gao Yang is unhappy, if she gets angry, I become a dog woman."

"The two of us, half a catty to eight liang, let's not blame each other."

Chen Yan: "......"

"Exactly, exactly." Xiao Sizi kept nodding his little head, "When Brother is happy he calls me Xiao Sizi, when he's not he calls me Li Mingda, and even gave me the nickname 'Saliva King'."

Talking about it, the little fellow pursed his lips, looking indignant, clearly not liking the nickname.

Isn't it because I love drooling a bit?

Why call me Saliva King?

Damn, Brother!

"Look, look, what did I say?" Gao Yang's face showed sarcasm, "If I were to speak, in these two respects you are the one who should keep quiet the most."

Chen Yan had nothing to say.

Thinking carefully, he found the fact was indeed like that.

"Tsk, am I really that fickle?" Chen Yan stroked his chin, somewhat doubting himself.

"Tch~" Gao Yang was too lazy to respond to Chen Yan.

Is it even worth pondering whether one is fickle or not?

Just compare Chen Yan's attitude toward them with his attitude toward Li Lizhi, and you'll know.

A moment later, Chen Yan set the matter aside, thought briefly, and shouted outward, "Xue Li, I recall we need to pass the Wei He Wharf, right?"

"Stop there when we get to the Wei He Wharf later."

Outside, Xue Li, who was driving, replied upon hearing, "Alright, Lord Bo, checking the distance, we should arrive shortly."

"I'll call you then."

Inside the carriage, Gao Yang asked, "What mischief are you up to now?"

"Aren't we supposed to go to the new home first? Why stop at the Wei He Wharf?"

"Why go to the new home?" Chen Yan glanced at them, "Do you think you'd tidy up the new home?"

"I..." Gao Yang was at a loss for words.

To be honest, I never knew this before; my embroidery was always half‑hearted.

However, after marrying Chen Yan, Gao Yang truly wanted to be a good wife, so sometimes they would take boring excuses to walk around Bo Mansion, observing its operations.

Unfortunately, being very prideful, they never voluntarily asked to learn, so now they remain a princess who hasn't even dipped a fingertip in the spring water.

Chen Yan said lightly, "Stop with the 'me, me, me', I still don't know you?"

"Leave the tidying of the new home and moving things to Xiao Shunzi and Xiang Lan; I'll take you and Xiao Sizi out to play first."

"By the way, as a Princess, you probably rarely had a chance to leave Chang'an City before, right?"

"Today we came to a new county town; don't you want to have some fun?"

Hearing that, Gao Yang fell silent instantly.

She thought,

She even dreamed of it.

Given her temperament, when could she ever sit still?

But she understood today was Chen Yan's inauguration day, and those earlier words were just not wanting to delay his affairs.

Now that Chen Yan said it himself, she was of course willing.

"......"

The Wei He is one of the lifelines of Weinan County.

It is also one of the most important rivers for commerce and transport in Weinan County.

At the Wei He Wharf, one often sees countless residents hired as boatmen and laborers, sweating profusely.

At the same time, large numbers of overland teams transport grain to Chang'an, forming pack trains or cart households.

From a distance, the endless river stretches out, with vessels of all sizes sailing on the Wei He—thirty‑ton cargo boats, as well as fishing boats, ferries, and other small civilian craft.

Chen Yan stood by the carriage, hands behind his back, gazing at the Wei He ahead, his thoughts unknown.

Beside him, Gao Yang and Xiao Sizi were also seeing such a scene for the first time, looking around curiously.

"Xue Li, go fetch Qing'er and Xiao Shunzi."

"Alright, fine." Xue Li didn't hesitate and immediately went to call Xiao Shunzi and Qing'er from the back.

Soon, Xiao Shunzi, Qing'er, and Xiang Lan arrived.

Chen Yan said, "Xiao Shunzi, you lead the convoy onward, move everything to the new house, and if the new house needs cleaning, remember to arrange people to clean it thoroughly."

"By the way, my jar must be handled with utmost care."

Xiao Shunzi nodded heavily, "Rest assured, Lord Bo, I will guard it so your jar won't have any mishap."

He didn't ask Chen Yan why he suddenly stayed; he only needed to obey.

"Qing'er, take my appointment documents and go to Xianlya to summon Du Gou and the others."

"...... ah?" Qing'er exclaimed in shock, "Young master… this, I'm not really suitable to go, am I?"

"It's fine, just go ahead and do it," Chen Yan said without even turning his head.

"Then… alright then."

Qing'er hesitated for a moment, nodded, and left with the appointment documents as Chen Yan instructed.

Xiao Shunzi also led the carriage behind them away.

Only Chen Yan and his wife, Xiao Sizi, Xue Li, and Xiang Lan remained on the scene.

"Let's go, go take a look."

Leaving a few words behind, Chen Yan took Sizi's small hand and walked slowly forward.

Because of their arrival, many eyes would occasionally glance this way.

There's no helping it; this group's appearance and bearing are outstanding, and their clothing clearly shows great value.

Especially the man and woman in the middle and Xiao Sizi; their arrival at the dock was like three suns constantly radiating dazzling light falling into a silent night.

It's impossible not to attract attention.

"......"