spend time

Ma Yaozong is young and has been to many places. When I was twelve years old, my uncles took me outside the customs. As the future heir of the Ma family, he must master the Ma family's horse-selling trade routes, and also find out the teeth-trading trade routes.

Leaving home this time is different from before. From now on, he will have to work as an errand for the princess and will not be able to return to Biyang County.

"Do you want to cry?" Chen Sheren rode on horseback and turned around to comfort him softly: "It's the first time I've left home. It's inevitable that I'll feel a little sad and uncomfortable. If you want to cry, just cry for a while. No one will laugh at you."

Ma Yaozong sniffed: "There was dust blowing into my eyes just now, so my eyes were a little red. Being able to be a servant next to the princess is a blessing I have cultivated for several lifetimes. How could I cry."

Chen Jinyu looked at the tough-tongued young man and did not make fun of him.

Ma Yaozong is indeed very adaptable. After riding out of Biyang County for half a day, he was back to normal. During the break, I went to chat with Qin Hu, Meng Sanbao and others.

"Princess, the road to Pheasant County is remote and we can't reach it today. We have to rest in the post house for one night." Chen Zhuo said to the princess while eating dry food.

Jiang Shaohua nodded.

Staying outside is also commonplace.

When resting at the Pheasant County Posthouse that night, Jiang Shaohua, who prides himself on being happy-go-lucky, was a little surprised.

"This inn is too dirty." Yinzhu muttered while cleaning, "I don't know how long it has been since no one has lived there. There is a layer of dust on the ground."

Tu Bai worked hard while sighing: "Isn't it true? I have lived in several post houses with the princess, and this is the most dilapidated one."

The post house was funded by the imperial court, but its daily operations were also closely related to each county. From this post house, we can see what the situation in Pheasant County is like.

Jiang Shaohua was sitting with Director Chen Changshiwen and others. There was not much food in the post house. Fortunately, Magistrate Ma was very considerate and prepared two carts of cooked food such as cured duck, chicken with sauce and beef. Five of the soldiers shared one meal with some hot water steamed buns, which was considered a full meal.

Six large plates of cooked food were placed on the round table. The kitchen sent four hot dishes, along with two pots of wine and one pot of fruit tea. Everyone was eating, drinking and laughing around the round table.

Chen Jinyu and Ma Yaozong had the lowest official positions and were young, so they took on the important task of pouring tea and wine.

"Princess Princess, we will be able to reach Pheasant County after half a day's journey tomorrow." Chen Zhuo held a wine glass in his hand and said slowly: "Of the fourteen counties in Nanyang, Li County has the third lowest tax rate, and Pheasant County is the second to last. And the annual taxes paid are only about half of Li County.”

Jiang Shaohua frowned: "Why is this? Is it because Thalassemia is not able to grow enough food, or is there some other reason?"

Chen Zhuo sighed softly, drank the wine from the glass, and placed the glass gently on the table: "The land in Pheasant County is barren, the rivers are not abundant, and there are droughts from time to time. The people who work hard to cultivate the land for a year can't even get enough food to feed their belly." . Naturally, it is particularly difficult when the land tax is paid every year.”

"This is one of them. There is another one. There is a Baiyun Temple here. The people believe in Buddhism and are devout. They would rather go hungry and spend all their wealth to make offerings to the Buddha."

Jiang Shaohua's brows moved and he said lightly.

Chen Zhuo stopped talking and said no more.

Chen Jinyu was curious and couldn't help but interrupt and asked: "Grandpa, what you mean is that the Baiyun Temple has a very high status in Pheasant County, and the people only know how to worship the Buddha and don't know about the princess?"

Chen Zhuo glanced at his outspoken granddaughter: "We will know the specific situation when we enter Pheasant County."

Chen Jinyu knew that her grandfather thought she was too talkative, so she smiled and shut up.

Chief Wen laughed and smoothed things over: "Daliang Buddhist temple is prosperous, and there are many people who believe in Buddhism. Baiyun Temple in Pheasant County has been built for decades, so it is inevitable that the incense will be more prosperous."

Not to mention anything else, the Empress Dowager of Daliang and the Emperor were both believers in Buddhism. When Princess Nanyang was still alive, she believed in Buddhism and went to Baiyun Temple to burn incense and worship Buddha every year!

What is good at the top must be done at the bottom.

Jiang Shaohua's eyes flashed slightly and he smiled faintly: "Others believe in Buddhism, but this princess does not."

Song Yuan, who was familiar with the temperament of the princess, immediately said: "I will change my clothes at the end of tomorrow. First, I will go to Baiyun Temple to feel out the details."

The princess has an aura of nobility that cannot be concealed even if she changes clothes, and she is surrounded by personal guards, so going to the temple makes too much noise.

Jiang Shaohua nodded slightly: "It's okay, thank you Song Tong for taking the lead."

... A night of silence.

Get up early the next morning and continue on your way.

Entering the boundary of Pheasant County, people began to appear on both sides of the official road. Spring plowing has passed, and there is a layer of green wheat seedlings in the fields. The people hunched over and weeded, looking forward to a bumper harvest in the autumn through hard work.

Jiang Shaohua rode a horse and moved forward slowly.

Chen Jinyu, Ma Yaozong and others rode their horses to follow, while Qin Hu and other soldiers led the way.

Meng Sanbao took a peek and rode his horse to the carriage.

The car curtain was lifted, revealing a pretty face: "Brother Sanbao, you haven't recovered from your injury for a long time, and your body is still a little weak. Don't be tired."

Meng Sanbao grinned: "Don't worry, sister Yinzhu, I'm as strong as an ox."

After just saying a few words, two "killing" eyes came over from behind.

Yin Zhu chuckled softly: "Brother Sanbao, don't hang around here. Uncle Meng will beat you again later."

Meng Sanbao's back felt cold, and he still wanted to be brave: "Hey, martial artists are rude, and I just respect my father and can't fight back. Otherwise, I won't be afraid of him."

As soon as he finished speaking, a familiar cold snort sounded from behind him.

Meng Sanbao: "..."

Yin Zhu pursed her lips and smiled, and shouted warmly: "Uncle Meng, Tu Bai and I were sitting in the carriage and had a lot of free time. San Bao Ge came here specially to talk to us to relieve our boredom."

Meng Dashan first glared at his son, then turned around and his face changed, with a gentle and friendly smile: "It's a bit boring to ride in a carriage all day."

While Yin Zhu was chatting with Uncle Meng, Meng Sanbao winked.

Meng Sanbao quietly rode away.

Qin Hu grinned happily.

Meng Sanbao rolled his eyes and said, "If Uncle Qin were here, I'd like to see if you can laugh."

Qin Hu was satisfied and whistled: "Even if my father were here, he wouldn't glare at me and scold me like this!"

Meng Sanbao rolled his eyes: "That's right, you have no place to show your courtesy. Uncle Qin won't do anything to you here."

Qin Hu: "..."

The good brothers glared at each other, quite like turning against each other on the spot.

Jiang Shaohua had keen ears and turned his head to glance with a smile.

Meng Sanbao and Qin Hu immediately retracted their cross-eyes.

……

After traveling for more than half a day, we finally arrived in Pheasant County.

Pheasant County is indeed a poor county, with low gates and shabby buildings. The forty-year-old County Magistrate Lei was tall and thin. His seventh-grade official uniform was almost whitewashed, and he looked poor.

"I see you, Princess!"

Magistrate Lei led several officials to salute.

Jiang Shaohua glanced at him and his smile faded: "Magistrate Lei, how many people are there in the Pheasant County government?" (End of Chapter)