Pingyang Fu of the Red Chamber

Chapter 1170 First Encounter at Yunyang Wharf
The ship sailed until noon the next day.

The wharf on the northern section of the Yunyang County Canal was already in sight. Marquis Luoyun stood on the deck of the warship, looking at the vast wharf in the distance, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, and asked.

"Ningbian, the port at the northern end of the Grand Canal is right ahead. I didn't expect it to have such strength."

at this time,

Ningbian, accompanied by his personal guards, followed behind. When the Marquis inquired, he immediately gave a reply.
"My lord, this place is Yunyang Port, which used to be an important grain transport hub. It's no exaggeration to say that it was brought about by our trade routes outside the Great Wall."

With people comes markets, with trade routes comes merchants, and with more docks and chambers of commerce comes prosperity. I wonder if that General Zhaowu ever had such thoughts.
“My lord, if it weren’t for the agreement you reached with General Niu, I’m afraid General Niu would have struck first.”

With so many caravans coming and going, even a small amount of money lost could be pure silver; who could resist such an opportunity?

Little did they know that Zhang Jinyu, who was standing at the bow of the ship looking out, shook his head.

"You're wrong about that. Even if he's envious, Hou Xiuqing wouldn't dare to make any moves. Otherwise, Niu Jizong wouldn't have come to me for cooperation. If he were really robbing food in the borderlands, how do you think he managed to stand firm among these noble families' border troops back then?"

Although they have the prestige of the Prince of Beijing's mansion, if they don't know the rules, the General's Mansion of Yunyang County can naturally replace them. One needs to know how to behave, and one needs to know how to behave even more. So, a general in the border region needs to know how to behave and even more so to know the rules. Otherwise, he could lose all his military power in one day and die in prison.

Ning Bian's body stiffened; he understood the Marquis's words.

"Your Excellency sees things clearly. I was just worried. Oh, Your Excellency, it seems someone has arrived from the docks."

I haven't finished speaking yet,
Ningbian pointed to the dock not far ahead, and a black line flashed in the distance, indicating that troops were approaching.

The port at this wharf is called Yunyang Port. It is the confluence of the Grand Canal and a major thoroughfare. Its grandeur is comparable to, or even surpasses, that of Anhu Wharf in Beijing.

As soon as the fleet came into view, the outline of the dock pressed in like a lurking beast. Dozens of giant granite piers, like the claws of a dragon, plunged deep into the vast river, bearing the weight of thousands of boats of all shapes and sizes coming from the north and south.

On the dock,
Giant booms stand tall, ropes as thick as a child's arm, and winches make a dull but powerful creaking sound as they turn, easily lifting and unloading mountains of grain, salt, silk, timber, and other goods as if they were ants.

The hired laborers chanted in a low, orderly voice, and not far away, there was even a dock for the canal transport guards, with many warships already patrolling the river.

On the riverbank, carriages and horses thronged, and people flowed like a river. The dark warehouses stretched endlessly. Due to the opening of trade routes outside the pass, the Luoyun Marquis's mansion had huge transactions, so the prosperous scene reappeared. Further away, shops lined up one after another, and the noise of restaurants and teahouses could be faintly heard from afar.

"Waaaaah! Waaaaah! Waaaaah!"

As the mournful bugle sounded, Marquis Luo Yun's troop transport ship had already docked. Duan Hong commanded his troops to quickly disembark and form ranks. After the horses disembarked, many civilians scattered upon seeing this, and many gang leaders, surprised, led their men to clear the dock.

Inside the tavern on the street corner,

A local gang leader was sitting there drinking, seemingly out of nowhere, when he asked a question...
"Hey guys, what's going on? Where did these soldiers come from?"

These past few days, local soldiers have been going to Zhongshan County and Jinbei Pass one after another. They've been going out all the time, but haven't been seen returning.

None of his subordinates knew, and they shook their heads. Only the merchant sitting next to him seemed unsure and replied with a question.
"Could it be that the garrison troops that went to Zhongshan County for training have returned?"

"Impossible, absolutely impossible. If those soldiers were to return, the government would have notified us to meet them. But this time, there has been no news."

Just as the group was wondering what was going on, someone who was well-informed rushed in and shouted;

"Gentlemen, gentlemen, Marquis Luoyun has returned with his troops!"

A series of exclamations arose as many people remembered the matter of the Jurchens beyond the Great Wall. It seemed that war was about to break out again. Many merchants' faces changed drastically, clearly unprepared, and they looked worried.

At this time,
A large group of soldiers arrived from outside the dock. They were dressed in the uniforms of the Yunyang County Garrison, with the red tassels on their helmets fluttering in the river wind. They carried long spears or had steel swords at their waists, and their eyes were as sharp as eagles. After arriving at a tavern near the dock, these soldiers began to disperse the crowd. Then, armored soldiers, with guards every three steps and sentries every five steps, surrounded the tavern.

Incidentally, a large banner with the words "General Zhaowu Marquis" in gold on a black background was suddenly unfurled in the river wind, fluttering loudly. Under the banner, a general wearing black scale armor and a scarlet battle robe led his soldiers to the vicinity of the dock.

This man was none other than Hou Xiuqing, the Prefect of Yunyang County and General Zhaowu. He stood tall and imposing, his gaze sharp as lightning, fixed on the ship's side.

By this time, Zhang Jinyu's flagship had already approached the shore. Standing on the deck, he could already see the scene on the dock.

"Ningbian, is that General Zhaowu Hou Xiuqing?"

Ningbian stared intently at the face, repeatedly confirming its appearance, before finally nodding.
“My lord, it is General Zhaowu. Although I have never met him, the portrait I brought back from the capital is 90% similar to his, so it should be true.”

Zhang Jinyu smiled, not caring. Since the person had come, he should introduce himself. After taking a closer look, he saw that the man on horseback on the shore was about forty years old. His face was slightly dark and purplish, a mark left by years of battlefield wind and scorching sun. He was not very tall, but he had a large frame, broad shoulders and a thick back. Standing there, he was as steady as an iron tower.

In particular, his appearance was quite distinctive, with a short, stiff mustache on his chin and long, narrow eyes that gleamed with a sharp light when they opened and closed, suggesting that he was a seasoned veteran of many battles.

"It can't be fake. There aren't many in the border army who can be so imposing. Let's get off the boat and meet him."

"Yes, Lord Marquis."

Ningbian quickly waved his hand, instructing his personal guards to prepare the Marquis's fine steed.

Once the boat docked,
Dressed in a light brocade robe, Zhang Jinyu, escorted by her attendants, calmly stepped onto the gangplank and onto the solid dock. After the horse was brought over, she took the reins, flipped herself onto the gangplank, and at that moment, her playful gaze met Hou Xiuqing's sharp eyes on the shore.

The moment the people on the dock moved, how could the people on the shore not move? Hou Xiuqing had already seen Luo Yunhou disembark. After a moment of inner turmoil, she could only sigh. Since she had decided to come, she couldn't go back on her word. She also resented General Mingwei; he was the one who had to play the villain.

He spurred his horse and came over, clasping his hands in greeting.
"Oh my! My lord! I have long admired your name; your reputation is renowned throughout the land! Your presence in this remote and impoverished place of Yunyang today truly brings honor to our humble abode! You must have had a long and tiring journey!"

Hou Xiuqing's loud and hearty laughter broke the solemnity of their first meeting, as if they were old friends reuniting.

Zhang Jinyu smiled and returned the greeting with a fist and palm salute, her voice clear and melodious.
"General Hou, you flatter me! Your might is renowned in Yunyang, guarding this strategic pass and serving as a bulwark for the country. Your merits are immense. I have often heard of your illustrious reputation in the capital, and seeing you in person today, I can confirm that your reputation is well-deserved! My journey here is nothing to boast about. I have disturbed your peace and quiet today, and it is my fault for being so impolite."

The two exchanged pleasantries with great enthusiasm and sincerity, as if they were old friends who had not seen each other for many years. Even the group of subordinates around them were somewhat astonished.

Hou Xiuqing's tension vanished instantly, his face relaxed, and he dismounted. Zhang Jinyu, not wanting to remain seated, followed suit. The moment their feet touched the ground, Hou Xiuqing strode over and firmly grasped Zhang Jinyu's hand, his grip strong yet measured, repeatedly saying:

"Not at all, not at all. Your Excellency's presence here is an honor for me. There is no need for such an intrusion. Please, please come! It is windy on the shore. We have prepared some wine at the tavern ahead to welcome you and wash away the dust of your journey. We can report all matters to you during the banquet!"

"General, your hospitality is too kind. It would be impolite of me to refuse. Thank you for your help!"

Zhang Jinyu smiled and agreed, letting Hou Xiuqing lead the way. Seeing that the tavern ahead wasn't far away, she figured it wouldn't hurt to sit down for a while.

After entering the tavern,
Most of the tables and chairs were ordinary, but now they have all been removed, leaving only a few tables pieced together. Although it is called "light wine," it is still a feast of delicacies from land and sea.

Hou Xiuqing's main deputies and brigade commanders remained in the inner hall to await orders; only the two of them sat alone inside.
"My lord, please don't laugh at me. I know that the military situation is urgent, so I can only have a simple meal in this humble place. Please don't blame me." "Ah, General Zhaowu, you are mistaken. We have been sailing here for nearly three days. The food on the ship is nothing but pastries, which have long become boring. This meal is just what I wanted."

Although it was said as a polite remark, it might not have been a genuine expression of politeness. The food on the ship was just so-so, although they had brought quite a few pastries. Ordinary soldiers could only eat dry rations. The first day was alright, since they had bought a lot of food, but after a day, things returned to normal.

"My lord, please. These are all home-style dishes from the north."

Hou Xiuqing's face lit up with joy, and he picked up his chopsticks to offer the food. Thus, the atmosphere became lively with the clinking of glasses. Hou Xiuqing chatted and laughed, telling about the local customs and the perilous passes of Yunyang. Zhang Jinyu listened with a smile throughout, occasionally interjecting with questions, but always dodging the questions.

After several rounds of drinks and dishes, seeing that it was almost time, Hou Xiuqing dismissed his attendants and servants, and personally poured Zhang Jinyu a cup of hot wine. Only the two of them remained in the hall. The previous liveliness seemed to be instantly shut out by the heavy curtains, and the atmosphere suddenly became heavy and subtle.

"My lord,"

Hou Xiuqing's smile faded slightly, a sharp glint appeared in her narrow eyes, and her voice lowered.
"With wine flowing freely, let's speak frankly. This time, Your Excellency's journey to the border is time-sensitive, and I dare not delay. But I wonder if Your Excellency is confident in your ability to fight the Jurchens again?"

Everyone says that Marquis Luoyun is the nemesis of the Jurchens. He doesn't care whether it's true or not, but the Jurchens' former power was deeply ingrained in the hearts of the people of the North. Even he suffered a great loss at the hands of the Jurchens. Now that the Jurchens have made a comeback, no one knows whether the area outside the pass can still be peaceful. If it can't be peaceful, the trade route will be cut off, and any further cooperation will be like duckweed without water.

Zhang Jinyu put down his wine glass, his face calm, but he sighed inwardly. These people are all shrewd. If they had started by talking about other things, there would have been some discussion. But if they brought up these things, it would have shown their caution. No wonder they could get along so well with the nobles and the Northern Prince's Mansion.

He smiled slowly:

“The general is a wise man. This time, the Jurchens are attacking mainly to prepare for winter. In addition, the Jurchens in the north have been defeated by the Yuezhi and suffered heavy losses. Even if the Eight Banners have many elite warriors, do they have the guts to really exhaust them in my territory?”

These words, though seemingly general, actually contain a great deal of information.

"Northern border," "beyond the pass," "Yuezhi people"—each word points to a sensitive and deadly border threat. Hou Xiuqing's expression remained unchanged, but his heart skipped a beat.

Marquis Luoyun, while in the capital, had no idea that the situation outside the Great Wall was so well known. Although that's the case, the Jurchens had quite a few soldiers.

He said in a deep voice:
"I have also noticed what you have said, my lord! But my lord, there are quite a few Jurchens here this time. If you want Huang Jitai to withdraw his troops, you will have to put in a lot of effort."

"Oh? General, you are indeed very perceptive!"

A barely perceptible glint flashed in Zhang Jinyu's eyes, signaling him to continue, as if there were other things going on behind the scenes.

Hou Xiuqing hesitated for a moment, but remembering the report from his servants that Niu Jizong of Shuoyang County had already sought out Marquis Luoyun, he knew he couldn't let the money from the waterway be kept all to himself.
"My lord, I dare not conceal this. A secret letter has arrived from General Mingwei of Shanyang County. It says that a few days ago, a merchant caravan hidden within the pass went to the border by sea. After General Mingwei discovered this, he searched for people and found that they were from the Prince Zheng's mansion. However, the sea route is difficult to find, so the clues have been lost."

He paused, dipped his finger in the liquor, quickly drew two symbols on the table, and then swiftly erased them.
"This is a secret signal sent back by a scout at great risk, and its direction is clear."

Zhang Jinyu stared at the watermark that vanished in an instant, her expression grave:
"The tribe of Huyan Han, a Jurchen, is truly an enemy on a narrow road."

This person also heard Fucha Zhen say something, and unexpectedly, it really was true; retribution came swiftly.

"Don't worry, my Lord!"

Hou Xiuqing straightened his back, and a fierce aura suddenly arose. Although he did not know what the Marquis had in mind, he also needed the people of the princes. After all, the Prince of Beijing had instructed that anything in the north should be reported to the capital. Since the princes inside the pass had extended their reach, he should also get involved in the interests of the border army.

"I have already deployed my spies at the key intersections. As soon as those people return from the road and show themselves, I will be able to capture them all. But what happens next..."

He changed the subject, a hint of "difficulty" on his face: he could capture the person, but he couldn't let him stay in his hands.

Zhang Jinyu understood immediately; indeed, border troops were generals who prioritized self-interest and followed the rules of choosing sides.
"Is the general worried about those people inside the pass, or about military supplies and provisions? These are not really problems."

He held the teacup, took a sip, rinsed his mouth, paused slightly, and glanced meaningfully towards the dock outside the window.
"Before we arrived, General Niu of Shuoyang County had already come to me about the docks here and the Northern Canal waterway. He said he wanted to manage them uniformly and collect some taxes to help the soldiers in the border areas with their living expenses. I naturally agreed. Everyone involved in the canal here, from the officials in Zhongshan County to the garrison commanders of Luoyue Pass and the Grand Canal Transport Office, will get a share. General Niu and General Mingwei will each get 10% of the profits, and General Niu and I will each get 20%. The rest will be distributed. How about that?"

Seeing how clearly Marquis Luo Yun spoke, Hou Xiuqing felt reassured, and an uncontrollable gleam of joy flashed in his eyes. This meant that not only had all his goals been achieved, but he was also overjoyed. What the Marquis had just said had almost completely covered the implications of the river transport in the north. At that time, everyone would receive silver, and even if he received only a small share, it would definitely be enough to replenish the troops of the local army.

"This humble general thanks Your Excellency,"

He immediately clasped his hands in a fist salute, speaking earnestly.

The private conversation ended here.

The core issue was already tacitly understood. Zhang Jinyu changed the subject, her tone becoming more casual, and lightly tapped the table with her fingertips:

"Speaking of which, on this journey north, along the canal waterways, thousands of sails competed for passage. The Yunyang Wharf was even more like a whale, comparable to the Anhu Wharf in the capital. General, you are stationed here, not only commanding troops to defend against the enemy, but also assisting in local affairs. Maintaining the operation of such a huge wharf must be both mentally and physically demanding."

Hou Xiuqing was extremely astute and immediately understood what the Marquis meant.

"Alas, Your Excellency, you are wise!"

Hou Xiuqing sighed.
"This dock looks bustling and lively, but every day, the food and supplies for the people and horses, the maintenance of military equipment, the repair of barracks, and the dredging of the waterways all cost money. It used to be quite deserted, but now, thanks to the trade routes outside the pass managed by the Marquis, there is hope for the future. However, Yunyang Port is related to the lifeline of the grain transport, the safety of merchants and travelers is related to the local people's livelihood, and even the stability of the army. It cannot be taken lightly in the slightest."

He leaned closer, his voice even lower.
"My lord, my troops are still not fully replenished, and we are short-handed. In order to maintain the normal operation of the dock, ensure the safety of merchants and travelers, and also... to provide some food for my brothers so that they can work with peace of mind, I dare to ask you to send some people to manage this place. All I need is money."

Since things have come to this point, it's not a bad idea to get rid of the trouble at the docks. After all, the docks are dominated by the canal gangs anyway, which is an unspoken rule.

"I understand the general's difficulties."

Zhang Jinyu was somewhat surprised that the dock had been handed over so easily. Although he didn't understand the details, since the offer had been made, he had to accept it.

"General, you are still kind-hearted and benevolent. It is not easy to maintain such a large situation. If the water is too clear, there will be no fish. As long as we do not damage the national dignity on major issues, do not arouse public resentment, and do not delay the regular transport of grain, a little flexibility is also a good expedient. Since you are willing, I will send someone to take over the management of the docks this time, but you will have to take good care of them."

Hou Xiuqing quickly straightened her face and said:

"Your words of wisdom are truly enlightening! I will keep them in mind! I hereby assure Your Majesty that all matters concerning Yunyang Port will be handled with the utmost care by the Marquis's residence."

A cold glint flashed in his eyes.
"Rest assured, my lord, I know what I'm doing. The blood on my blade will only be used on those who deserve it!"

"So good!"

A gentle smile returned to Zhang Jinyu's face as she raised her glass.
"General, you are a pillar of the nation, a talent capable of leading the country. Come, let me offer you this toast, General. It's a pleasure to cooperate with you!"

"Thank you, Lord Marquis."

Hou Xiuqing immediately picked up his wine cup, clinked it with Luo Yunhou's, and then drank it all in one gulp. His heart was churning with emotion. If Luo Yunhou really accepted the tax, this place would be a gold mine, which might arouse the envy of the border generals of the other families. Although General Niu, the Duke of Zhenguo, was leading the way, he was with General Mingwei. It seemed that it was time to talk to Yang Baoqing.

(End of this chapter)