Kowloon wins

Chapter 260
"Play music, play music!"

On the canal wharf in the northern suburbs of Yangzhou City, colorful flags fluttered, and thousands of people gathered. The leader, a civil official dressed in a third-class costume, stared anxiously at the downstream of the canal, but he didn't bother to wipe off the sweat all over his face. Up and down, when Da Li Yuan saw the shadow of the dragon boat, he roared impatiently. In an instant, the drum team that had been waiting for a long time heard the sound and moved immediately. Amidst the drumming, the whole pier seemed to be boiling. , Tens of thousands of officials and people looked up at the dragon boat slowly approaching.

"Master, look quickly, the pier is so lively. Hey, when the master arrives, all the people will welcome him from afar. It's really magnificent."

At the bow of the dragon boat, Hong Qing sat on the grand teacher's chair with a calm expression, not a bit moved by the lively scene in the distance, there was a faint worry in the brows, obviously, her mind was not on that grand ceremony. At the welcoming ceremony, Guan Yu, the little book boy who was standing beside her, was very excited, looking left and right, not forgetting to flatter Hong Qing.

"Ah."

Hong Qing didn't pay any attention to Guan Yu's little flattery at all, she just let out a noncommittal whisper, but her heart was still concerned about the situation in the capital—even though the elder brothers wanted to do something to Xiao Chuanzi Hutong as early as Hong Qing As Qing had expected, she had made relevant arrangements long ago, but when it comes to the certainty of success, Hong Qing really dare not make an assertion. After all, there are too many variables in this matter, and the final result is really uncertain. It's easy to say, if you don't worry, it's impossible, probably because the matter is too involved, if you are not careful, you will inevitably have a catastrophe, and now, it may have been three days, but the capital The news from the other side has not yet come, how can Hong Qing's heart be at ease, if it is possible, Hong Qing really wants to spread her wings and rush back to the capital, but she wants to go back, but it is impossible to do it , I only hope that the old sixteen can perform above the standard.

"The next official, Lianghuai Salt Censor He Mingfu, led a group of colleagues to welcome the imperial envoy!"

"The next official, Che Ming, the magistrate of Yangzhou, led the officials and people of the government to kowtow to the imperial envoy!"

……

The boat sailed slowly for a stick of incense, and finally landed on the pier. Before Hong Qing stepped on the pedal, He Mingfu, the salt transport envoy from the Huaihe River and Huaihe River, was the first to meet him. Later, Che Ming, the magistrate of Yangzhou, did not dare to neglect, and immediately knelt down on the ground, and greeted him with the same big ceremony. When the two chief officials knelt down like this, what happened to the many officials behind him and the people who came to greet him? If they dared to stand still, they all knelt on the ground.

"Ben Belle is really grateful for the laborious fathers and fellow villagers who came to welcome you, so let's invite them all."

Although the mind is very heavy, it should not be ignored in such occasions. I can't cool down the hearts of all the people who came to greet me, so I can only force myself to suppress the restlessness in my heart, walk ashore slowly, humbly He raised his hand and called out very politely.

"Thank you, Mr. Royal Envoy, Ron!"

Now that Hong Qing had already called out, the group of people had to follow the rules to thank them. This is all the meaning in the title, but there is nothing to say.

"Master Imperial Envoy, you have worked so hard from afar. Your subordinate has ordered someone to prepare a quiet courtyard in the city, and please ask Qing Baylor to move it."

Fang got up together, He Mingfu didn't care to pat the plaster on the official robe, and hurried to Hong Qing, smiling all over his face, and said flatteringly.

"No need, the post station is fine. Ben Baylor is here on official business, not touring the mountains and rivers. Everything should be done according to the rules of the court."

Hong Qing didn't accept He Mingfu's favor, so she waved her hand and rejected his proposal without hesitation.

"This……"

He Mingfu was a servant of Prince Yu's family who just passed away last year, and it was because of Prince Yu's influence that he was able to take up the post of Lianghuai Salt Transport Envoy. Since Prince Yu passed away, He Mingfu has completely lost As a backer, I am always worried that my job will not be guaranteed every day, especially when I hear that Hong Qing, who is known as the "official killer", is coming to rectify the salt affairs. The reception work is good, but what I'm afraid of is that I won't be able to meet Hong Qing's wishes. This is already very careful, but I didn't expect that Hong Qing would so rudely reject her painstaking arrangement just now, and couldn't help but Anxious and ashamed, I really didn't know what to do for a while.

"My lord, the post station in Yangzhou is small and dilapidated, which is really not conducive to recuperation. If Lord Baylor doesn't dislike it, I am willing to vacate the official office, and please Lord Baylor to make a compromise."

Che Ming is a corporal of the Eighth Master. He was a Jinshi in the 39th year of Kangxi. In less than five years, he has climbed to the position of Yangzhou magistrate. Seeing that He Mingfu, who had always been at odds with him, was deflated, he secretly laughed in his heart, and he didn't miss this great opportunity to curry favor with Hong Qing, so he hurriedly made a statement from the sidelines.

"This is Mr. Che. Before Ben Baylor left Beijing, Eighth Uncle said that Mr. Che, the magistrate of Yangzhou, is a good official. When I saw him today, he was really extraordinary. Good, good."

Seeing Che Ming approaching, Hong Qing suddenly remembered something, but instead of rushing out, she praised Che Ming with a smile.

"Master Baylor has too much reputation. It's the master putting gold on the slave's face. I don't dare to be an official. I only serve the country with loyalty and filial piety."

As a subordinate of the Eighth Master, although Che Ming's official position is not high, he also knows that Hong Qing and the Eighth Master are not the same at all, so he will not be complacent because of Hong Qing's praise, but his face is still full of love. With a humble smile, he humbled himself again and again.

"Well, I'm afraid it's not good for Mr. Che to have such a heart, and it's not in vain for the eighth uncle to support you. That's all, this is not the point of the story, and it's not good to keep the folks waiting. That's it, Ben Baylor Go to the post station to settle down first, and then talk to you later, come and prepare the sedan chair!"

Although Hong Qingxu and Wei Snake are very capable, there is no need to show too much here. Seeing that the big sedan chair on the boat has been unloaded, she didn't want to say more, so she smiled and waved her hands, thus ending the scene To welcome the ceremony, without even announcing the imperial decree, they walked slowly towards the big sedan chair parked at the side, bent down and got in. Seeing this, He and Che looked at each other in dismay, and had no choice but to go their separate ways. Greeted a group of people to lead the way, surrounded Hongqing's big sedan chair in a mighty manner, and rushed all the way to the post station not far away...

"Qing Bei Le, you can come to guide the Lianghuai salt affairs in person. The officials are waiting for the rain after a long drought. Hehe, not only the officials are looking forward to it, but the salt merchants are also waiting anxiously. No, once you arrive , those salt dogs are all in high spirits, don't want to delay for a moment, just want to get closer to you, for this reason, specially prepared a banquet at the 'Tianxing Tower', I would like to invite you to do me a favor, I don't know what you want, Qingbaile?"

Although Yangzhou is a big city, it is only a prefecture after all, and there are not many officials who are qualified to meet with Hongqing. Even including the officials of the Salt Transport Envoy's Yamen, there are only about twenty people in total. It was just a few comforting words, and the matter would be over in a short time. After seeing the officials retreat, He Mingfu finally took advantage of a loophole, hurried to Hong Qing's side, and made a humble speech. Fan.

"It's rare that the salt merchants are so kind. Ben Baylor should have been willing to obey his orders. However, the duty is on him and he must not be ignored. If this is the case, there will be no need for a banquet. As for the meeting, we will meet at the Yanyun Envoy's Yamen tomorrow morning." gone."

What He Mingfu said was extremely courteous, but unfortunately Hongqing didn't intend to give him face, not for anything else, but because Hongqing came to rectify this time, he didn't want to blindly talk to all the salt merchants before he figured out the situation It's not that I'm afraid of the sugar-coated bullets of a group of salt merchants, but I don't want to provoke the impeachment of the officials for nothing. It may not be possible to win Hongqing, but, in fact, one more thing is worse than one thing less.

"Ah, this..."

This is the second time that Hong Qing has lost face. He Mingfu was really angry and scared, but he didn't have the guts to be serious with Hong Qing. Che Ming, the magistrate of Yangzhou, really answered the old saying of "going to the doctor in a hurry" - Che Ming and He Mingfu's grievances have been going on for a long time. He Mingfu turned around, naturally he pretended not to see He Mingfu's eyes asking for help, and the old god was still sitting on the ground.

"This matter is settled like this. Mr. He will go there on behalf of Ben Baylor and apologize to all the salt merchants. We will discuss it in the court tomorrow. Let's go."

Hong Qing didn't intend to give He Mingfu any more chances to say hello at all, so she waved her hand and gave the order in an unquestionable tone.

"Yes, I'll go right away, I'll go right away."

Hong Qing had already talked about this, so He Mingfu didn't dare to stay any longer, so he could only bow down and salute helplessly, then exited the living room disheartenedly, and went to meet with the waiting room in "Tianxing" The salt merchants in the Lou" discussed the countermeasures but did not mention them.

"Master Che, Ben Belle has a personal question to ask, is it convenient for Master Che?"

Hong Qing ignored He Mingfu's request to resign, but turned her gaze to Che Ming who was sitting beside her, and asked in a deep voice.

"If you have any orders from Lord Belle, just speak out, but those who know the truth, dare not hide it."

Hearing Hong Qing's words, Che Ming couldn't help being taken aback for a moment, but soon came to his senses, bowed hurriedly, and replied respectfully.

"Well, it's the best. Ben Baylor heard that Wu Sidao, who led the riots at the Jinling Tribute Academy in 36, had a classmate friendship with Mr. Che for many years. I wonder if there is such a thing?"

Hong Qing was not pretentious, she nodded and opened her mouth in a casual manner.

"Ah, this..."

As soon as Hong Qing asked about this, Che Ming's pupils shrank involuntarily, sweat appeared on his forehead instantly, and he really didn't know how to deal with him for a while.

(End of this chapter)