The famous book tour starting from the Red House

Chapter 71 First Arrival in Yangzhou
At noon two days later, Yangzhou Wharf.

Because Mu Xu's status is very important, Chen Lun, the inspector of Jiangsu Province, came to Yangzhou to greet him with the Commander of the capital and other officials at all levels.As a landlord, Mo Qing, the magistrate of Yangzhou, could only bring officials from all walks of life in Yangzhou, as well as local gentry and celebrities to follow.There were hundreds of yamen servants nervously maintaining order so as not to disturb the imperial envoys.

Not long after the three large ships docked, officials at all levels hurried down the stone steps to the pier.The gongs and drums organized by various squires also began to make noise, and the pier was suddenly very lively.

When the boat stopped, the sailors on the boat lowered the pedals, and Han Qi led a hundred people to come down first, and directed them to line up on both sides to be on guard.Then Mu Xu came down with Jia Lian and other talents, and there was a sound of "welcome the imperial envoy" at the scene.

After everyone finished seeing the ceremony, Chen Lun walked up to him as the inspector, and saluted with a smile, "Your Imperial Envoy has worked hard all the way, and the lower officials and officials at all levels welcome you."

Mu Xu looked at Chen Lun. As the highest official in Jiangsu, he was tall and had a beard. He looked more like a military officer than a civil official.Mu Xu also returned the gift with a smile, "This time I am patrolling the south of the Yangtze River on behalf of the Son of Heaven. I don't want Mr. Chen and all the other lords to come to greet them in their busy schedule, which will make me really panic."

Next, Mu Xu exchanged greetings with the officials present. Seeing that the time was almost up, the prefect Mo Qing immediately stepped forward, "My lord, my subordinates have set up a banquet at Dengxian Pavilion, the best restaurant in Yangzhou, to clean up the dust for your lord."

"This..." Mu Xu looked at the boat, hesitant, Mo Qing immediately understood, and said with a smile, "Your Excellency, don't worry, the lower officials will order someone to send your entourage to the imperial envoy, and someone will arrange them properly. "

Chen Lun also tried to persuade them, but Mu Xu naturally couldn't agree with them, so he nodded in agreement.Immediately, everyone changed to official sedan chairs at the pier, and their own guards cleared the way in front of the gong, and a group of people went to Dengxian Pavilion in a mighty manner.

When they went up to the third floor of Dengxian Pavilion, everyone invited him to take a seat. After a while, the banquet was ready. Chen Lun and others began to toast to Mu Xu one by one. This visit.

When Mu Xu heard this, he naturally talked about him from left to right.These officials are old-fashioned fritters. Looking at him as young and noble, he must have boasted a few words, but he will inevitably get carried away.They also took the opportunity to inquire some news from him, who knew that Mu Xu was so seasoned, with a look of reluctance, most people put away their contempt, and dared not make any more mistakes.

After he was full of wine and food, Mu Xu got up and said goodbye on the grounds that he was tired all the way. Naturally, everyone dared not stay and got up to see each other off.Mo Qing, the magistrate of Yangzhou, even volunteered to send him back to the imperial envoy himself.

The imperial envoy's Xingyuan was set up in a lakeside garden, and when a group of people came to the gate of Xingyuan.Looking at the lake not far away, Mu Xu couldn't help asking, "Is this the famous Slender West Lake in Yangzhou?" Although he had never been to Yangzhou in his previous life, he knew about the famous Slender West Lake in Yangzhou, so he was naturally curious.

Unexpectedly, Mo Qing was startled when he heard this, but shook his head and said, "I have been an official in Yangzhou for several years, but I have never heard of this lake."

"Hey, did I remember it wrong?" Mu Xu was also stunned. After thinking for a long time, he confirmed that he remembered correctly, and immediately pointed to the long and narrow lake road not far away, "Then what kind of lake is this?" ?”

Mo Qing replied with a smile, "The locals call it Baobao Lake. As for the allusion, this subordinate really doesn't know."

Hearing what he said, Mu Xu also realized that the name Slender West Lake probably didn't exist at this time.Immediately said vaguely, "That should be an official hearsay, my memory is wrong."

Mo Qing didn't want to, but suddenly said, "My lord's name is really suitable for this Baobao Lake." Then he clapped his hands again, "Miao, this Baobao Lake is long and thin, and it is located in the west of Yangzhou. Isn't it the Slender West Lake?"

After he finished speaking, he bowed to Mu Xu, "I would like to thank my lord on behalf of Yangzhou. My lord has given such an elegant name to this lake. In the future, this place will definitely attract countless literati and poets."

Mu Xu looked at the unattractive middle-aged man in front of him, and was immediately dumbfounded.Not only because he became the namer of Slender West Lake, but also because this person flattered himself so bluntly.It is said that there is no lower limit for a literati to be shameless, and this one in front of him is just that, he is really knowledgeable.

He didn't bother to say anything else, he waved his hands casually and said, "Just as long as you like this name." But he didn't know that the lake in front of him was indeed Slender West Lake, but the origin of the name of Slender West Lake had to wait until the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty.What he said casually today caused the name of the lake to come out hundreds of years in advance.If there is a dragon king in Slender West Lake, maybe he will marry a dragon girl to thank him for making this lake famous in the world in advance.

Under the leadership of Mo Qing, Mu Xu entered Xingyuan. Mo Qing introduced that the garden here was specially contributed by a local salt merchant surnamed Huang to receive the imperial envoy.

Along the way, you can see rockeries, corridors, fish ponds and flowers and plants everywhere.Although it is not as grand and grand as the northern buildings, the scenery of the southern gardens is also unique.Mu Xu only brought a maid from Xiangling this time, and the rest were all embroidered guards.At this time, seeing servants and maids everywhere, Mu Xu couldn't help asking, "This is?"

Mo Qing replied, "This is the original maid and servant of the businessman surnamed Huang. I was afraid that the Lord came in a hurry and didn't bring enough attendants, so I left them on my own initiative." He asked cautiously , "If the adults are not satisfied, the next official will let them leave."

Mu Xu took a look at him, guessing his relationship with the salt merchant surnamed Huang, and shook his head with a smile, "Where, I am very satisfied, Mr. Mo has a heart."

Mo Qing immediately straightened his waist, and said with a red face, "Your Excellency, you are polite, this is what a lower official should do." While speaking, he caught a glimpse of a maid not far away who kept looking here.Although she couldn't see her face clearly from a distance, she could tell she must be a beauty just by looking at her demeanor.He had already inquired about this imperial envoy and brought a maid with him, and he thought it should be the one in the distance.It seemed that there was something to do, so he said with interest, "My lord has been exhausted all the way, please rest early, and the subordinate officials will not bother you. If you have any orders, send someone to the magistrate's yamen to tell the subordinate officials."

Mu Xu nodded slightly, "Alright, Mr. Mo, go slowly."

"Your Excellency, you are polite, and I will take my leave."

Seeing Mo Qing stepping back, Xiangling trotted over.Seeing the sweat on her forehead, Mu Xu couldn't help asking, "But what's the matter that makes you so anxious?" Without thinking too much, he took out a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped it for her, " It's still spring now, and the weather is still a bit cold, you girl's body is delicate, it's better to be careful, so as not to catch cold."

Feeling Mu Xu's gentle movements, Xiangling's face flushed and her body tensed up, but her eyes were bright. She looked up at Mu Xu and stammered, "Servant, I, I want to ask the prince, those How will the next person arrange it?"

Mu Xu stopped his movements and couldn't help laughing, "It's just such a small matter, you can just look at the arrangements, and you don't need to ask me specifically."

After hearing Mu Xu's words, Xiangling slumped her shoulders and ground one toe on the ground with an unconfident look, and then said after a while, "Yes, but sister Mei Jian arranged for me in Beijing before, and I didn't do it." over these."

Mu Xu patted her on the shoulder lightly, encouraging her, "Just do it a few more times, there's nothing to worry about. If this happens in the future, I won't take you with me when I go out."

Hearing this, Xiangling became anxious immediately, "I'll listen to the prince, and I'll arrange them now." Then she clenched her fists to give herself a boost, and ran to the back house quickly.

Looking at her back, Mu Xu shook his head and smiled.Across the corridor, stopped a servant and asked him to take him to the study.When he came to the door, he told the gatekeeper, "Go and see if Jia Qian has come back. If he comes back, let him come."

"Yes."

Not long after, Jia Lian came in a hurry, and Mu pointed to the chair for him to sit down, and asked, "How is it, how is Master Lin's injury?"

It turned out that Jia Lian was ordered by Mu Xu to visit Lin Ruhai when he got off the boat today.Hearing Mu Xu's question, Jia Lian replied truthfully, "Fortunately, I didn't hurt my vitals this time. The wound has begun to heal now. However, I still need to rest for a while. Uncle Lin also asked me to confess to the Lord because he was injured. I can't come to welcome the imperial envoy."

Hearing that his injury has recovered, Mu Xu also felt relieved. After a long time on the boat, now he just wanted to find a bed to sleep in, so he didn't say anything more, got up and walked out, and only said, "That's it. Alright, tomorrow you will follow me to the Lin Mansion to pay a visit."

(End of this chapter)