Ming Dynasty: My Father Zhang Juzheng

Chapter 76 Tianjin! Tianjin!
The scorching sun in June burns the earth.

The scorching sun poured down from the sky without reservation. It hadn't rained for a long time, and the roads were hard and hot.

When people step on it, it feels like stepping on a red-hot iron block.

At the same time, wheat in the vast expanse of North China has turned yellow. A gust of hot wind blows past, shaking the wheat, and instantly forming a wheat wave of dozens of feet
A man in a short coat, holding a sickle, stood in the field, howling loud slogans, and worked hard to harvest the wheat in his own field.

If you look from the sky, you can see small black dots inlaid in the golden wheat waves.

Suddenly, smoke and dust rose up, and on the official road next to the wheat field, a team of hundreds of people rode on horseback. For a moment, the smoke and dust were thick, and the pungent smell of dust filled the sky, attracting the attention of people on both sides.

Zhang Yunxiu was leading the way, with Han San and another black-faced man standing on his left and right.

Behind them, there was a large group of strong men in brocade clothes.

Smelling the fragrance of the wheat fields, Zhang Yunxiu was in a very good mood.

This is the taste of harvest.

Although this was just a strong psychological suggestion, it still couldn't stop the excitement in his heart.

"Young master, after passing the mountain pass in front, we will reach Tianjin." After running for a while, Han San suddenly pointed at the mountain pass in front with his whip and said.

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

Seeing this, Han San and the black-faced man pulled their horses hard and followed closely behind.

About half an hour later, we turned the top of the mountain and saw buildings of different heights standing next to the dark river under the blood-red sunset.

We have arrived at Tianjin.

This place is located at the junction of canals and has a strategic location.

In the early years of the Yongle reign, Emperor Yongle landed here and named it "Tianjin", which means the place where the emperor passed by.

In the second year of Yongle, a city was built here and a garrison was set up. After more than a hundred years of development, this place has become a major port in the north.

Walking towards the setting sun, Zhang Yunxiu saw that the city gate of Tianjin was crowded with officials.

The first person was about forty-five or forty-six years old, fat, with bloated features, and wearing a red official uniform with a leopard patch.

Zhang Yunxiu guessed that the man was the commander of Tianjin Wei, Li Gui.

At this moment, they all looked nervous, their eyes following the movements of Zhang Yunxiu and the others.

When the group was still fifty steps away, Li Gui waved his hand and led his group to trot up to Zhang Yunxiu.

"Zhang Sicheng, you are finally here. We have been looking forward to seeing you here for a long time." Li Gui wiped the sweat from his face and said carelessly.

Zhang Yunxiu was flattered, and quickly dismounted, facing Li Gui with a fist, and said, "Commander Li, you are too polite. It's hot today, and you all stood here just to wait for me. I really feel bad."

"Hey, what are you talking about?" Li Gui waved his hands, shook off the fat on his face and said, "You are doing errands for the emperor. Seeing you is like seeing the emperor. Do you think we dare to neglect you?"

In order to catch up with Zhang Yunxiu, Li Gui took great pains and sent scouts to report every ten miles.

As the saying goes, reach out and don't hit the smiling person.

Naturally, Zhang Yunxiu had to give a warm response to the commander's goodwill.

He smiled, and then said jokingly: "Why are we still standing here? We brothers are starving. Commander Li can't just talk and leave us here to starve."

"Oh, look at my memory. I almost forgot about this when I was so happy. Please, please, please." Li Gui slapped his forehead and led Zhang Yunxiu inside. When they arrived at his own house, Li Gui settled Han San and others, and then invited Zhang Yunxiu to the dining hall.

The hall was filled with fragrance and Luo Qi was everywhere. The dark rosewood round table was filled with delicious dishes.

On the left side of the table, there are two beautiful young ladies playing the piano and the flute.

Seeing Zhang Yunxiu and Li Gui, they stood up, knelt down and bowed, saying softly, "Greetings, young master, greetings, master."

Zhang Yunxiu nodded slightly and sat down.

Li Gui, who was standing by, waved his hand and ordered the two to come forward to serve. Zhang Yunxiu waved his hand and refused, "Commander Li, we are tired from the journey and we don't want to listen to the music anymore. Let them go down and rest."

"Okay, I'll listen to Zhang Sicheng." Li Gui smiled and waved his hand to let the two go.

After a few simple greetings, Zhang Yunxiu started to eat the food on the table. During the meal, Li Gui smiled and praised Zhang Yunxiu to the skies.

Zhang Yunxiu nodded from time to time so as not to embarrass the commander too much.

After a while of talking, Zhang Yunxiu put down the chopsticks in his hand and looked at Li Guishou with a smile: "Brother Li, can I call you that?"

Hearing this address, Li Gui's eyes lit up and he secretly sighed that his diligence was not in vain.

He stood up quickly, bent over and said flatteringly: "What are you talking about? It's our honor that you can be our brother."

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

"They've all arrived. They're all docked at the Tianjin dock. There are 105 ships, and not a single one of yours is left behind." Li Gui replied with a smile.

"That's good." Zhang Yunxiu sighed and added, "This is our first time working for the emperor. Every step we take is like walking on thin ice, fearing that something might go wrong."

"Brother Zhang, you are too modest. Your Excellency is the Prime Minister of the dynasty, and you are the emperor's close follower. Even if something goes wrong, who would dare to trouble you?" Li Gui waved his hand, but there was no disbelief on his face.

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

"Well, when has there never been no pirates? When the common people have no way to make a living, they naturally turn to bandits." Li Gui shook the fat on his face and comforted him, "But don't worry, they are just small gangs of thieves. At most, they will rob houses and dare not offend you."

After hearing Li Gui say this, Zhang Yunxiu didn't know how to start.

He brought a total of three hundred Jinyiwei with him on this trip.

In order to make things go more smoothly, he naturally hoped that Li Gui could also lend a hand. Now if he didn't take the initiative to ask, he would have to owe the old fox a favor.

Li Gui understood. He glanced at the silent Zhang Yunxiu and thought to himself: This place is said to be in a strategic location, but in fact it is just a small port. If we can catch this east wind, we may be able to fly to the sky!

"Brother Zhang, do you have anything else to ask?" Li Guiche walked over and smiled faintly.

"Ah," Zhang Yunxiu woke up with a start, looked at Li Gui and said, "It's nothing, I'm a little tired today, let's go back and rest first. I estimate that we will set off in three days."

Having said that, Zhang Yunxiu yawned, turned around and left.

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

Zhang Yunxiu turned around and asked with a puzzled look on his face: "Brother Li, do you have anything else to say?"

"I thought about it. You are the emperor's envoy. As the commander of the local area, I naturally have to do my part." Li Gui patted his chest and said confidently, "In this case, I will also send 700 soldiers to go to sea with you."

"Then, thank you, Brother Li." Zhang Yunxiu narrowed his eyes and responded with a smile.

(End of this chapter)