Joy of Life: Starting by clinging to the eldest princess's coattails!

The next morning, Wu Feng took Shu Ying directly to the Suzhou Prefectural Government Office.

The prefectural government office was located in the east of the city. As soon as the steward opened the side door, he saw two people standing at the bottom of the steps and was startled.

"Please inform them," Shuying said calmly, "that someone from the capital wishes to see Prefect Xie."

The steward glanced at him and saw that although Wu Feng was dressed in ordinary clothes, he had a calm demeanor. The woman next to him was holding a sword and had a cold look in her eyes. He dared not be negligent.

He quickly bowed and said, "Please come into the front hall and rest for a while. I will go and report to you right away."

……

In the backyard, Xie Yu had just gotten up and finished washing up, and was adjusting his collar in front of the mirror.

The butler rushed in, lowering his voice, "Master, people from the capital have arrived!"

Xie Yu paused in his movements, his brows furrowing slightly: "So early... it seems the person arrived in Suzhou a long time ago, but hasn't shown up yet."

"Then, sir, what should we do now?" the butler asked.

"Let's go," Xie Yu straightened his collar, his tone calm, "to the front hall to see this imperial envoy."

"Yes, sir."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

The front hall of the prefectural government office.

After Wu Feng and Shu Ying were brought in, the steward went to inform Xie Yu.

Wu Feng casually strolled around, surveying the front hall.

Shuying stood quietly by the door, sword in hand, like a statue.

Before long, footsteps came from the back of the front hall.

Xie Yu walked in.

His gaze lingered on Wu Feng's face for a moment, and he was slightly surprised. The person sent by the Princess was rather young.

But he didn't reveal it; being sent to Suzhou at this time must mean he had some ability.

"This must be the esteemed gentleman from Kyoto," Xie Yu stepped forward, cupped his hands in a refined manner, and smiled politely. "I am Xie Yu, the Prefect of Suzhou. I apologize for not greeting you properly."

Wu Feng turned around and returned the greeting with a cupped hand: "Thank you for your hospitality, Prefect."

"May I ask your name, sir?" Xie Yu asked. "Do you have any token of your authority, or any imperial decree?"

Without further ado, Wu Feng took out the jade token given to him by the eldest princess from his pocket and handed it over:

"My name is Wu Feng. I have come to Suzhou on the orders of Her Highness the Princess to handle matters concerning the three major workshops and Qingyutang. I request your cooperation, Prefect Xie."

Xie Yu glanced at the jade token in Wu Feng's hand.

It has been confirmed that the item is from the palace.

His concerns had largely dissipated, and his smile became even more polite: "Of course, of course. Since Lord Wu possesses Her Highness the Princess's token, this institution will naturally cooperate. May I ask what Lord Wu needs from this institution?"

Wu Feng carefully put away the jade token, a smile appearing on his face:

"Prefect Xie, I plan to visit the three major neighborhoods first. However, I am new to Suzhou and unfamiliar with the area, so I would be grateful if Prefect Xie could send some people to guide me."

Xie Yu understood.

This is asking him for manpower, and he can't refuse.

The situation in Suzhou is complicated now, and Wu Feng has a special status. As the prefect of Suzhou, he must protect Wu Feng's safety.

His smile remained unchanged as he readily agreed, "Rest assured, Lord Wu, I will arrange it immediately."

He turned to the steward: "Go and summon Zhao Bantou, and have him take a team of men to accompany Lord Wu to the Three Great Wards. Make sure Lord Wu is safe and sound."

"Yes, sir." The butler bowed and withdrew.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

When Wu Feng came out of the prefectural government office, he was followed by a dozen or so yamen runners. The leader, Zhao Bantou, was a dark-faced man who didn't talk much but was efficient in his work.

The group walked through the streets of Suzhou and headed towards the three major neighborhoods.

Their move caused the news to spread like ripples throughout Suzhou.

The Ming family's old residence.

While Madam Ming was having breakfast, a servant rushed in and whispered a few words in her ear.

The old lady put down her chopsticks, her face expressionless: "The person has arrived?"

"Yes, I went to the prefect's office early this morning and am now on my way to the three main wards," the servant replied in a low voice.

After a moment of silence, Madam Ming slowly said, "Tell Qingda tonight's banquet to be grand. Also, go to the storeroom and fetch that white jade Guanyin statue. Wrap it up; we'll be using it tonight."

"Yes."

The Cui family.

Grandpa Cui was practicing calligraphy in his study when he heard the news. His brush paused on the rice paper, leaving a blot of ink.

He put down his pen and looked at the butler who was bowing before him: "Any movement from Xie Yu's side?"

"The prefect sent a team of yamen runners to accompany us; it seems they are escorting us," the steward replied.

Old Master Cui nodded: "Understood. Go and prepare a generous gift for the banquet tonight."

The Su and Gu families reacted even faster.

The two leaders immediately met and had a private talk in a private room of the teahouse.

"The people have already gone to the three major workshops," said the Su family patriarch, a chubby middle-aged man, twirling two walnuts in his hand. "It seems they intend to take control of the three major workshops first."

The head of the Gu family was somewhat young, with a gaunt face. Upon hearing this, he pondered for a moment and said:

"The three major workshops will definitely be subdued. When the princess's people arrive, even if those craftsmen and managers are unwilling in their hearts, they will have to bow their heads first."

"So we need to hurry," the head of the Su family put down the walnuts and lowered his voice, "we need to finalize the agreement with those small and medium-sized merchants as soon as possible. We'll host a banquet tonight to invite that imperial envoy."

"What if he doesn't come?"

"If they don't come the first time, we'll invite them a second time," the Su family head smiled. "They have to give us face."

Qingyutang Suzhou Branch.

Ye Songnian sat in the hall, with five or six managers standing in front of him, all of whom were key members of Qingyutang in Suzhou.

"The person has arrived," Ye Songnian said calmly. "They've gone to the three major workshops."

One of the managers frowned and said, "Manager, what should we do? The Princess sent people here, it's obvious she wants to take over the three major workshops and our Qingyutang."

Another person chimed in, "Over there in the three workshops, the craftsmen still remember Miss's kindness, but now that she's gone... I'm afraid they won't be able to hold on for much longer."

Ye Songnian remained silent for a moment before slowly speaking, "We'll talk when they arrive."

He looked out the window; the morning light was gradually brightening. "Let's see what this person sent by the princess really wants."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

The three major neighborhoods are located in the west of Suzhou city and cover a very large area.

When Wu Feng actually stood in front of the three workshops, he realized that their scale far exceeded his expectations.

Workshops A, B, and C were not adjacent to each other, but each occupied a large area. The walls of the workshops were high, and the faint sounds of machines running and the shouts of craftsmen could be heard inside.

Compared to the small scale of the Ming family moving into the cave sixteen years later in his memory, the current three major workshops are simply behemoths.

Wu Feng frowned slightly as he looked at the more heavily guarded and thicker walls of Bingfang.

Bingfang was responsible for producing military equipment, including ships, repeating crossbows, and gunpowder, all of which were strictly controlled by the imperial court.

"Shuying," he suddenly said.

Shuying stepped forward: "My lord."

"Send a message to His Highness," Wu Feng said in a low voice, "Please send three people to take charge of the three major workshops. Especially for Workshop C, the most reliable people must be chosen."

Shuying nodded, but took out a folded note from her bosom and handed it to Wu Feng: "My lord, this is a message sent by carrier pigeon that just arrived this morning."

Wu Feng took it and unfolded it.

The handwriting on the paper was delicate and beautiful, it was Chunmei's handwriting, but the content... was clearly at Li Yunrui's behest.

"Knowing you are weak and alone, I still remember certain times. I have already sent someone to help you, and they will arrive in four or five days."

Wu Feng stared at the words "at certain times," his face darkening slightly.

The woman was teasing him again.

Is he weak?

Didn't she faint first?

Wu Feng took a deep breath, crumpled the note in his palm, and when he unfolded it again, his face had returned to calm.

"Are the people His Highness sent already on their way?" he asked.

"Yes," Shuying replied, "according to the schedule, we should arrive in another four or five days."

Wu Feng nodded, then turned to the group of constables: "Chief Zhao, let's go, let's go to Jiafang first."

Zhao, the squad leader, clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Yes, sir."

The group walked towards the gate of Jiafang.