Nanyang Storm 1864

Chapter 49 Official Social Events
next morning
After Zheng Guohui got up and washed, he received a report from his subordinates that the Weiyang prefect Qiu Jirong had already sent people to wait and invited the general to come ashore for breakfast and taste the local Weiyang morning tea.

Weiyang is one of the birthplaces of Huaiyang cuisine. The food here is exquisite and delicate, especially the Weiyang morning tea, which is world-renowned and extremely sophisticated.

Standing on the ship and looking

There were already six sedan chairs parked at the dock, and there were also some yamen runners and attendants leading the way, holding signs, ringing gongs, and providing guards. There were as many as sixty or seventy people in total, and their sincerity was evident.

"Since you are so kind, it would be disrespectful to refuse. Let Zheng Shun lead the people to watch on the boat. Hu Zuqing will lead a team of soldiers to accompany them and accept the invitation." Zheng Guohui gave the order.

"Yes, my lord."

After a round of shouting and orders, 20 elite servants with swords on their waists and 30 musketeers got off the ship one after another and lined up at the dock waiting.

This action
This immediately attracted the attention of everyone on the dock. Wang Ruming, the magistrate of Weiyang Prefecture, quickly straightened his official robe, brought several warm sedan chairs to the official ship, and stood beside it with a respectful expression.

Zheng Guohui, wearing a third-rank official robe and a top belt, came out first, followed by the captain Hu Zuqing, the captain Zheng Gui, Zheng Fu, the staff member Zheng Guotai and others, who surrounded him and got off the boat.

"Your humble servant greets the general and wishes him good health and a successful career." Wang Ruming, the magistrate of Weiyang Prefecture, led other waiting officials in bowing deeply with an extremely respectful expression.

The Tongpan of Weiyang Prefecture was a civil official of the sixth rank, only slightly higher than the county magistrate. Qianzong Hu Zuqing was also a sixth rank official, but the former was not comparable to the latter.

"No need to be so polite, my lords. I've kept you waiting for so long. It won't be too late to talk when we get to the destination." Zheng Guohui extended his hand to support him.

"As you command, General."

Several officials immediately stood up in the air, as if they were supported by an invisible force. It was very magical.

Zheng Guohui and Zheng Guotai got into the warm sedan chair. The personal guards Hu Zuqing, Zheng Gui, Zheng Fu and others took the horses, jumped on them, and led their personal soldiers and servants to guard both sides of the sedan chair.

The yamen runners brought by the local government were placed before and after, and all the officials got into their sedan chairs.

A gong sounded, and tiger-head signs with the words "Silence" and "Keep Away" led the way in front, while yamen runners and soldiers walked behind with guns.

This team of more than one hundred people headed towards Weiyang City. People along the way knelt down to welcome them, and they marched towards the city in such a majestic manner.

As we entered the city, more and more people gathered to watch and discuss the situation on both sides of the road.

"I say... which high-ranking official from the imperial court is here again?"

"Don't you know? It was the general who came from Jinling and was moored at the dock last night. He's said to be very young... only in his twenties, and he's already a third-rank official."

"Oh, that's incredible, could he be a descendant of the royal family?"

"You're surprised by what you've seen. In the past few years, during the suppression of the Taiping Rebellion, how many high-ranking military and political figures have emerged from the Huai and Hunan armies? There must be at least dozens of third and fourth-rank officials, and there are many higher than that."

"That's right, heroes emerge in troubled times."

"Shh...shut up! How dare you say such nonsense? Aren't you afraid of losing your head?"

The captain of the personal guards, Hu Zuqing, rode on a tall horse, his hand on the sword at his waist, his expression cold, as he watched the people on both sides of the road vigilantly.

If there is any abnormality, we can respond immediately.

Behind him, Zheng Fu and Zheng Gui, both commanding officers, were also riding on tall horses, looking excited and proud.

They were the two house-born sons that the general's wife personally entrusted to Zheng Guohui for upbringing when he returned home last year. They were considered his confidants.

They were originally placed directly in the barracks in Xishan. When they returned, they faced the extremely cold weather at the end of October and it took them more than ten days of trekking to get back to Jinling City.

Zheng Gui, Zheng Fu, Zheng Sheng, Zheng An, Zheng Ding and other sons of the family were all trained in it. Their feet were covered with blisters, but they did not dare to complain about the hardship or tiredness.

General, the military discipline is very strict and anyone who dares to violate it will not be forgiven.

After returning to Jinling City
These sons of wealthy families, along with some other selected elite soldiers, entered the first training class of the Jinling Military Academy and began a six-month British-style military education.

After graduation, they will be assigned to various units as grassroots trainee officers for a period of one year. After the expiration of the period, they can be transferred to team officers and enjoy the official salary of officers.

Compared with the first batch of officer cadets of the Jinling Military Academy, Zheng Gui, Zheng Fu, Zheng Sheng, Zheng An, Zheng Ding and other sons of wealthy families had obviously higher starting points and all served in the imperial guards.

Being right next to the general, he attracted the envy of everyone.

Similarly, after graduating, it takes a year for officer cadets to be promoted to team leaders, that is, deputy platoon-level officers.

When these family-born sons joined the imperial guards, they started directly as seventh-rank lieutenant generals, equivalent to company-level officers, and they did not have to go through a one-year officer apprenticeship period.

Such obvious differential treatment comes from the general's special favoritism.

While the grassroots officers were envious, young officers like Zheng Gui and Zheng Fu were deeply moved.

Everyone is willing to go through fire and water for the general, and will not refuse even a single death. This is not an exaggeration, and their loyalty is at its highest level.

And this... is the result Zheng Guohui wants to see.

The entrance of the famous Sihaichun Tea House in Weiyang Prefecture

Officials including Weiyang prefect Qiu Jirong, co-prefect Fan Ming, Jiangdu county magistrate Liu Xiu, Yizheng county magistrate He Jintao and others had already been waiting here. When the ceremonial procession arrived, they all went out to greet them.

"Your Excellency, I have been waiting for you for a long time." "Hahahaha... It was originally a trivial matter, but I am sorry to have troubled you all to wait for so long when I passed through your precious land. How dare I refuse your kind invitation?"

"Your Excellency, your words are too serious. How can I bear this responsibility?"

"Don't be so modest. I've long heard of the great reputation of Weiyang morning tea, but I've never tasted it myself. Today, thanks to your generosity, I'm in for a treat."

"It's just some simple food, it's embarrassing, please, General..."

"My Lords, please..."

After a round of greetings at the door, Zheng Guohui took the lead, followed by officials such as Weiyang prefect Qiu Jirong, co-prefect Fan Ming, magistrate Wang Ruming, Jiangdu county magistrate Liu Xiu, and Yizheng county magistrate He Jintao, forming a clear goose-shaped formation, which was neatly arranged according to the size of their official positions.

All the salt merchants and wealthy businessmen were isolated and had no chance to get in.

Sihaichun Tea House is located beside a small river with green willows. Inside, there is a small courtyard with ancient fragrance. This is a place specially used to entertain distinguished guests. The calligraphy and paintings, as well as tea sets are all exquisite.

Everyone sat down separately according to official rules. Zheng Guohui naturally sat at the top, with Weiyang prefect Qiu Jirong sitting at the bottom, and other officials sitting on the left and right.

After the adults were seated, a group of beautiful maids came with light and silent steps to serve them tea, exquisite dried fruits and cakes.

One can tell at a glance that these are all top-notch maids selected from various mansions. Each of them has beautiful features and is a girl of superior appearance.

A mere Fuchun Teahouse cannot afford to support so many expensive and beautiful maids.

Zheng Guohui saw through it but kept silent. He took the teacup in his hand and sniffed it. Seeing the jade-green tea in the cup, he couldn't help but exclaim in admiration, "This must be the first batch of Maojian buds. It's really refreshing and the fragrance lingers on my hands! It's really a good tea."

"Since you like it, I have specially prepared ten kilograms of the first batch of spring sprouts. It is just a local product, please accept it." Seeing that he liked it, Weiyang prefect Qiu Jirong hurriedly said attentively.

The first batch of Maojian tea buds are as precious as gold. Weiyang Prefecture is not a tea-producing area, so they need to be purchased from outside.

But this clever mind is enough.

Zheng Guohui smiled faintly and replied, "Tea is an elegant gift. Since the prefect has generously gifted it, I am grateful to accept it. Come, how about drinking tea together instead of wine?"

"General, if you have any orders, we will obey them. Please..."

The gentlemen raised their teacups one after another and responded politely, creating a joyful atmosphere.

That's how it is in officialdom, everyone carries the fancy sedan.

soon
The beautiful maids brought exquisite snacks to the table and introduced them one by one, such as "Boiled Dried Shredded Vegetables", "Crab Roe Buns", "Emerald Wontons", "Thousand Layer Oil Cake", "Crystal Braised Pork", "Pine Nut Wontons", etc. Each snack had a great origin.

Finally, on the big plate is the famous "Weiyang Three Heads", a bowl-sized "Lion's Head" with a rich sauce color. It tastes tender and refreshing, fat but not greasy, and full of fragrance. It is truly refreshing.

Zheng Guohui ate a lion's head that was as big as a small bowl, and his mouth was really filled with the delicious taste.

The next dish served was the "braised catfish head". This catfish head weighed more than ten pounds and was served on a huge round plate. With a slight scrape of chopsticks, the whole piece of tender fish head meat fell off.

This dish is also loved by Zheng Guohui, who praised it repeatedly. The large pieces of fish head meat are like tofu pudding and can be eaten directly with a spoon.

It has been stewed until it is completely tender and has absorbed a lot of flavor.

It has a slightly sweet taste but not too strong, which is really enjoyable.

The real highlight is the "braised pork head". A whole pig's head with a rich sauce is served. With a scrape of chopsticks, large pieces of pork head meat fall off the bones.

Such a famous dish as "braised pork head" needs to be prepared one day in advance, and dozens of precious seasonings need to be added. It is then simmered in the pot over low heat for a full 12 hours before it can be made.

If you want to eat it suddenly, where can you get it?
This further confirmed Zheng Guohui's judgment. It was probably someone from Jinling Prefecture who leaked the information. They were already prepared and were just waiting for him to arrive.

Zheng Guohui ate heartily and really enjoyed a lot of delicious Weiyang morning tea, feeling extremely refreshed.

If you enjoy eating, you will be in a good mood.

Putting down his chopsticks and drinking a little tea, Zheng Guohui said with satisfaction, "Your Excellency is very thoughtful. I was born in Tongzhou City, so we are close neighbors of Weiyang Prefecture, but our food is much more rustic. The reputation of Weiyang cuisine is well deserved."

"How can the Weiyang Prefecture truly live up to your great reputation, General?" Weiyang Prefect Qiu Jirong smiled broadly, raised his hand and bowed, then stood up and respectfully invited him. "Please, General, please step into your elegant room and allow us, your subordinates, to listen to your teachings. Only then will this journey be worthwhile."

"That's fine." Zheng Guohui answered readily, then stood up and walked towards the elegant room on the side.

after a long time
A group of officials respectfully escorted Zheng Guohui out of the teahouse. In Zheng Guohui's sleeves, there was an extra document and a thick stack of 13,000 taels of silver notes. This was the gift of money and gold presented by Weiyang Prefecture as a token of filial piety.

The meaning is naturally the same as in Jinling Prefecture, from actions to posture, one should follow the ministers' lead. This is the awareness that subordinate officials should have.

why?
Seeing that the situation in Jiangnan Province is about to change, if these subordinate officials continue to remain indifferent, do not actively move forward, and do not express their attitudes.

hum...

There is a high chance that they will find some fault and move you to another place.

It is reasonable that if one's annual evaluation is average or below average, he will be demoted to a chaotic and impoverished place to serve as an official.

(End of this chapter)