Chapter 1324 The present is not what it used to be
Leaving Anqing Mansion, the fleet was moving upstream along the Yangtze River. What Chen Xi thought in his heart was how he faced the vassal kings and nobles from Jiangjiang, Ganzhou and Huguang.
Although Chen Xi is nominally the highest military and political chief of these two provinces, in fact, local governments act independently and he only plays a central and coordinated role. Many actual powers are not in his hands. The two provinces operate as they should. There is basically no need to report and discuss major and minor matters with him.
The vassal kings and nobles in these two provinces seemed to be out of the top-down system of the government. These people had no real power and had extremely high social status. However, after Chengzu, the vassal kings had a difficult life and were often held back by ministers in the court, especially their salary and food. Once the court had anything to do, they might be owed.
If the salary of an official is not in place for a while, they can usually bear it quietly, but the vassal kings rely on their royal relatives and nobles, because they are hereditary titles, they will openly challenge the court.
After the Ming Dynasty and the Tatars, the problem of local owing salaries of vassal kings, nobles and officials was inevitably very serious. Chen Xi thought that after he arrived in Wuchang Prefecture, he would start to solve this difficult problem.
After three days of sailing, Shenxi arrived at Dehua, the capital of Jiujiang Prefecture, an important town along the Yangtze River.
Jiujiang Prefecture is located in the northernmost part of Jiangxi and Ganzhou, at the junction of Ganzhou, Zhili, and Huguang provinces. It is known as the "Estuary of the Three Rivers" and the "land of the world". It is known as "the key to the rivers and lakes, the thoroughfare of the three provinces", "Sailan Town Pohu Lake, and the double Zhongshou Capital", and "The rivers and lakes are in the capital, and the water and land are connected to Tianjin".
Dehua, where the Jiujiang Prefecture is located, was known as Xunyang, Chaisang and Jiangzhou in ancient times. Its economy was developed. By the middle of the Ming Dynasty, it had been vaguely promoted to one of the "three major tea markets" and "four major rice markets" in the country. It is a famous "land of fish and rice" in the Jiangnan region.
As the governor of the two provinces, Chen Xi should have visited the Jiujiang Prefecture after arriving at the capital of Jiujiang Prefecture, but he had not yet taken up his duties in Wuchang Prefecture, so this itinerary was cancelled by him.
Chen Xi was not going to enter Dehua County, so he just wanted to stay in the official post near the dock for one night before continuing on the road, but local officials and generals of the garrison did not know.
The outposters arrived in Jiujiang Prefecture a few days ago and informed the news of the coming of Chenxi that local officials and generals had already prepared a welcome ceremony.
As an absolute hero in the Battle of Tatars, Chen Xi now has a very high status in the eyes of local officials in the Ming Dynasty. The two-level officials at Jiujiang prefectures and counties have prepared a long seat for Chen Xi. Not only will they invite Chen Xi grandly, but all the guards and followers who come with Chen Xi will be entertained warmly.
The gentry in the city gathered at the wharf, while the people lined up inside and outside the north gate of the county town, preparing to welcome the governor, Lord Shen.
When Chenxi arrived at the Xunyang River Wharf north of Jiujiang Prefecture City, it was almost dusk. Jiujiang Prefecture Zhang Hang and hundreds of local officials and gentry had been waiting at the wharf for a long time.
Zhang Hang is now in his early forties and has been serving as the prefect of Jiujiang for three years. He is now undergoing the assessment of the Ministry of Personnel and may be transferred to another place to serve.
Seeing the governor of the province, Zhang Hang naturally cursed himself and arranged for people to carve a plaque to praise Chenxi. At this time, he was waiting outside the dock. Just when Chenxi got off the boat, he set off firecrackers and gongs to welcome him.
Chen Xi had no intention of entering Jiujiang Prefecture City, not to mention that now that he has arrived at his own territory, there is no need to worry too much... I make the decision on my territory. If I want to enter the city, I will enter if I don’t want to enter, I won’t enter if I don’t want to enter. Who can do what I can do?
Chen Xi got off the boat, and there were many guards surrounded by them, but there seemed to be more people greeting the dock. After Jiujiang Prefect Zhang Hang walked to Chen Xi and saluted Chen Xi respectfully, Chen Xi looked at the crowded scene on the dock and asked, "Prince Zhang, what are you doing? I just passed here on my way to take office, so why did I have to mobilize so many people?"
Zhang Hang smiled and said, "Mr. Shen, you are a minister of Hanyuan and have a respectable status. I don't know the customs of such remote and remote places. Whenever a great man comes, the people of the whole city will bring their families to welcome you. The people of Jiujiang have never seen the governor and governor. They are waiting to admire your style and greet you!"
Zhang Hang said, wanting to lean in front of Chen Xi, as if he had something to say to Chen Xi alone.
Follow Chen Xi south and prepare to arrive at Wuchang Prefecture before leaving Guangzhou Prefecture, Ma Jiu walked forward and stood in front of him to prevent Zhang Hang from getting closer.
Seeing this, Zhang Hang hurriedly took a step back, and even a follower next to Chen Xi dared not offend him.
Chen Xi waved his hand and said, "I have said that I just live in the inn at the dock, so I won't go to the city for the time being. I will continue to take a boat to Wuchang Mansion tomorrow morning. Time is urgent, so I have no time to connect with local gentry. Come, open the way!"
At this moment, Chen Xi seemed very unkind, and Zhang Hang was quite helpless about this and could not even deliver the prepared plaque.
Zhang Hang followed him to welcome the governor’s aides and gentry, who were waiting for Zhang Hang to recommend the famous Shen Zhongcheng in the court to them. However, Zhang Hang did not invite anyone, and watched Chen Xi lead the people to Jiangan Inn near the pier.
The officials and gentry present were anxious now.
Because in order to welcome Chenxi, the local government did enough homework and raised thousands of taels of silver, just to make Chenxi feel at home after he arrived in Jiujiang Prefecture.
Zhang Hang returned to the crowd, an old gentry came over and asked, "Master Zhang, what do you think about this?"
Zhang Hang was already angry and said angrily: "You ask me, who is the one I ask? Did you ignore Lord Shen before you saw him and go directly to the official office? This is a dignified Shen Zhongcheng, and even Lord Fantai must be respectful when you see him. How could you see him just by saying goodbye?"
The officials and gentry around were quite helpless. They thought to themselves, "Master, you didn't say that when you paid us money before."
You tell us seriously how approachable Lord Shen is, saying that we can get close to Mr. Shen after paying for money, so that he can protect us people in Jiujiang.
Now, we originally wanted to find a big backer, but now we can't even stick to other people's cold butts.
Seeing that Chen Xi had gone to the inn, Zhang Hang specially sent an official from the government office to protect him. Although Chen Xi was negligent with local officials and gentry in terms of etiquette, the most basic security work in the local area must be guaranteed.
Zhang Hang greeted his aide to him and asked in a low voice: "Didn't you ask me to inquire before, what is this Lord Shen's hobby?"
One of the staff replied: "Master, I learned that Lord Shen will pass by our Jiujiang Prefecture for only three days. Where can we know about this short time?"
Seeing that the staff were helpless, Zhang Hang was worried. A gentry in his fifties next to him came over and said, "Caomin has a distant relative who works in Shuntian Prefecture. I heard that Lord Shen came from a military background and had no research on antique calligraphy and painting. He was very familiar with weapons and armor. Why not find some precious swords and swords to show his sincerity?"
The aide who had just spoken spat and said, "Bah, your relative is really damn! What is Lord Shen's identity? He is the top scholar in the third year of the year, and he was a sixth-rank historian as soon as he became an official. Do you know? Lord Shen is a lecturer in the East Palace of Zhanshifu and the prince's army. Even if he leads troops, he is a civil servant. If you send a sword and a sword, wouldn't it embarrassing Lord Shen?"
Zhang Hang had no idea at first, but now he heard his aide and the fellow gentry arguing, and became more and more irritable and scolded: "Shut up, hurry up and go back to the city, and informed that Lord Shen will not go into the city today, let the people disperse first, and then raise some rare things to send to Lord Shen!"
Just now, the aide was fierce and scolding the gentry and asked, "Master, I don't know what to send to Shen Zhongcheng?"
Zhang Hang said angrily: "It's okay to send anything, you can drink, sex, money, and give whatever you want... By the way, isn't there a beautiful daughter in Liu Yuanwai's family? This time he wants to come and be rejected by me. Tell him to send his daughter to the Guanyi Lord Shen's room. In the future, the Liu family wants to do a salt-inducing transaction in Jiujiang Mansion, and our mansion will allow him!"
A voice came from behind the crowd: "Magistrate Zhang, the adopted daughter has just accepted her at the villain. She is not only as beautiful as a flower, but also has extraordinary talent, I don't know..."
Zhang Hang said angrily: "Whoever makes his own decisions will be convicted of contempt for the imperial envoy... Go quickly, act according to our words, and no one else can get involved!"
************
ps: The second update is here! The emperor continues to ask for subscription and monthly ticket support!
Chapter completed!