At half past midnight, Lin Jue and his little princess boarded the ship at the pier dedicated to Prince Liang's Mansion. The prince and his wife came to the pier to see them off. Lin Boyong also brought Huang Changqing and several children of the Lin family to see them off. Lin Jue stood on the bow of the ship and smiled, holding his hands in front of everyone. Saying goodbye, the boatmen rowed their oars, and the dragon-headed boat slowly left the shore, straightened its bow and slowly entered the East River channel and headed north.
The rivers in the city of Hangzhou are heavily trafficked by ships. The hull of the royal dragon-headed ship is very wide and can only occupy the deep water channel in the middle of the river. Therefore, it is often blocked by the boats in front. Because it is the royal dragon-headed ship, Other ships had to give way to let it pass, but they were always scolding it in their hearts. Every time the dragon-headed ship was dispatched, it caused a lot of trouble and delayed a lot of time. Naturally, the boatmen and boatmen who depended on the waterway were unhappy.
Finally, after starting and stopping, it took nearly half an hour. When it was almost four o'clock, the dragon-headed ship slowly entered the main river where the three rivers converged in Beicheng, Hangzhou. The river here is wider, and then it goes north out of Beiguan. After the water gate and entering the canal, it is smooth and smooth.
Lin Jue and the young princess were sitting in the boat hall drinking tea and talking, but his eyes kept staring at the banks on both sides. In fact, when the big ship arrived near the salt bridge, Lin Jue had already seen the two teams moving with the ship on the shore. Soldiers and horses. Lin Jue knew very well that it must be Kang Zizhen, the prefect of Hangzhou, who sent out the troops. Those were the soldiers guarding the city, belonging to the security troops and horses in the city under the jurisdiction of the prefect of Hangzhou. Their large-scale dispatch meant that Kang Zizhen had received the news.
"Madam, you can rest in your room for a while. Just don't worry about anything that happens outside. I'm afraid there may be some noise today. Don't worry, I'll take care of everything." Lin Jue smiled at the little princess.
Guo Caiwei rolled her eyes at Lin Jue and said: "Don't I know there will be a lot of noise today? It's always uncomfortable if you don't cause some trouble. However, it was right to save Gu Panpan and Chu Xiangxiang. Dad shouldn't have treated them like that before. I've hurt them like this. I was shocked when they came to see me just now. These two good women were tortured to the point of being skin and bones, and Gu Panpan's face was even disfigured. It's so sad."
Lin Jue said softly: "Yes, saving people is actually a trivial matter, but today I have to vent my anger for the prince. Moreover, people like Kang Zizhen are too domineering and arrogant now. They need to be poured cold water on them to make them sober. "
Guo Caiwei nodded and said: "I understand, but husband, have you ever thought about it, that if you come here, you will completely break with Mr. Yan and Mr. Fang. When you deal with Kang Zizhen, aren't you just playing rivalry with the reform faction? This is contrary to your previous support for reform."
Lin Jue sighed lightly: "Yeah, I don't want to be like this either. But what I saw and heard made it unbearable for me. If the new law becomes a bad law that harms the people, then why should they support it? They can't even support it. The gentle implementation of self-reflection and improvement cannot be achieved, but the blind implementation is arrogant and tough, even to the point of being crazy. What good results can be achieved by using speculators like Kang Zizhen? This is the case in the prosperous land of Hangzhou, and in other barren states. The situation in the government will definitely get worse. If this continues, there may be chaos. Originally, these are not my turn to worry about, but I participated in the formulation of the two new laws. If they become evil laws that harm the people, wouldn’t I be an accomplice? I feel uneasy. .”
Guo Caiwei said softly: "Husband, don't think too much, these things are not your responsibility, they are eager for quick success."
Lin Jue looked at Guo Caiwei and said: "Weier, I know I am asking for trouble, but taking a step back, do you want our child to live in a messy world after he is born? I used to be able to do everything.
, but now that my child is about to be born, I can no longer be indifferent to many things in this world. Because I don’t want our child to live a homeless and miserable life in the future.”
Guo Caiwei nodded slowly and said firmly: "My husband is right, and I feel the same way."
A royal boatman appeared at the door of the boat hall, bowed and shouted: "For the information of the Princess and the Princess, the Beiguan water gate has been closed and all ships entering and exiting the water gate are being inspected. The soldiers want us to dock for inspection.
, please tell me how to deal with it, the princess and the princess."
Lin Jue and Guo Caiwei looked at each other, and Lin Jue smiled and said, "Here we come."
…
On the pier, more than two hundred Xiang soldiers surrounded Kang Zizhen and stood on the long stone steps. Kang Zizhen was wearing an official uniform, an official hat on his head, and a pair of brand-new white-edged official boots at his feet. He stood with his hands behind his back.
, with a serious face. The whole person has the majesty of a superior. Beside him, Qian Zhongze stood hunched over, his eyes flickering, with an expression of expectation and worry.
Everyone's eyes were fixed on the huge and magnificent Longhead Tower ship that was slowly sailing from the river. It was the ship of Liang Wang Guo Bing. This ship represented the status, power and financial resources of Liang Wangfu in Hangzhou City.
.Once upon a time, it was an existence that people looked up to, and ordinary people would be afraid even if they took a second look. But today, the situation is different. Today, Kang Zizhen is going to set foot on this dragon-headed ship to conduct a search. This is Kang Zizhen
A small step, but a giant step forward for the reformists.
"Listen to the big ship. Quickly dock for inspection." On the pier, a soldier with a loud voice shouted loudly. He didn't stop shouting until the big ship slowly approached the pier, and spit out a mouthful of thick phlegm into the river to retreat.
Down.
The dragon-headed ship slowly docked on the shore of the pier. When the ship docked, a figure walked out of the cabin and came to the bow deck. The man was tall and handsome, wearing a blue shirt and a slight beard.
, with sharp eyes and a smile on the corner of his mouth.
"Who are you? This is Prince Liang's ship. What are you yelling about? Why is the water gate closed? Why aren't you opening it for sailing?" Lin Jue held on to the bow railing and shouted loudly toward the shore.
Kang Zizhen coughed, stepped out, clasped his hands into fists and laughed, "Mr. Lin, I'm polite."
Lin Jue had already seen Kang Zizhen, but he still acted as if he had just seen him. He was surprised and said: "Oh, isn't this Governor Kang? He's polite and courteous. What? Is Master Kang here to see off the official? No need.
Being so polite is because I don’t want to waste Mr. Kang’s time, so I didn’t go to say goodbye to Mr. Kang. Mr. Kang has many things to do and is busy with affairs, so how can the labor master come to see me off?”
Kang Zizhen laughed and said: "Mr. Lin, I am not here to see you off. I am on official duty. I didn't expect to meet Mr. Lin here. This is not right, Mr. Lin. Why did you leave Hangzhou and return to Beijing without telling me?
Just say it, I will host a banquet for you to practice it."
Lin Jue laughed and said: "Master Kang is too polite. I accept it with my heart. I understand it with my heart. Since I am performing official duties, I can't disturb you. Master Kang, I ordered people to open the water gate. I am leaving the city. The next day, Master Kang went to the capital.
, I will treat you wholeheartedly."
"Hahaha, why are you in such a hurry, Mr. Lin? After leaving the water gate and entering the canal, it is a smooth journey. The south wind blows, which is as strong as the Ten Thousand Mountains. We will reach the capital in a few days. What's the matter? Are you so anxious? Don’t you, Mr. Lin, want to know what official duties I am performing?” Kang Zizhen said with a smile while stroking his beard.
Lin Jue waved his hand and said with a smile: "I don't like to meddle in other people's business. Besides, it's Mr. Kang's official business. Why should I ask questions like this? We court officials all know the rules. We don't ask too much about official business that has nothing to do with us. What if? What's the secret? It's not good to talk too much. Mr. Kang has official business, and he can't waste your time. It's better to leave as soon as possible."
"Hahaha, it seems that Mr. Lin is very anxious to leave. However, I am afraid that Mr. Lin will not be able to leave for the time being." Kang Zizhen said with a sneer.
"What? Why is that?" Lin Jue frowned.
Kang Zizhen secretly scolded Lin Jue for pretending, and said with a smile: "I have blocked all the gates in and out of Hangzhou because of a case in the city. The two courtesans in Qunfang Pavilion of Wanhua Tower were snatched away early this morning. Yes, do you think it’s strange or not?”
"Oh? Is there such a thing? That's really strange. In broad daylight, Hangzhou City is a place with good public security under the governance of Kang Zhifu. How could something like this happen? It's really abominable." Lin Jue said.
Kangzi rolled his eyes in shock and said in a deep voice: "The thieves claimed to be pirates from the Shark Village on Putuo Island. But as far as I know, there are neither pirates nor the so-called Shark Village on Putuo Island. It's really strange."
Lin Jue smiled and said: "Xu is an imposter. You will know if you check more."
Kang Zizhen chuckled and said: "Of course we need to investigate, no, so we sealed the city gates and searched all over the city. The water gate was closed, and the ships leaving the city were also strictly inspected to prevent thieves from getting out of the city."
"Oh, that's it. It's time for an investigation. Mr. Kang, just do the investigation. I won't bother you, and I can't help you much." Lin Jue said with a smile.
"Master Lin, I'm afraid your ship needs to be checked." Kang Zizhen said with a smile.
"What? You want to investigate this ship too? Master Kang, are you kidding? This ship is the prince's ship. Besides, in this case, do you suspect that I am responsible?" Lin Jue said in shock.
"Mr. Lin, it's just a routine matter. All ships must be checked, just in case. I didn't say that this case is related to you. But there is such a big case in the city, and I have no shirk. Naturally It is necessary to investigate clearly. It would be fine if the prince's ship does not leave the city. Since it has to leave the city, in order to prevent the thieves from hiding, it would be safer to investigate. I have no other intentions at all. Please understand." Kang Zi said in a deep voice.
Lin Jue frowned and said, "Mr. Kang, I don't understand what you are saying. Is there a thief hiding on the prince's ship? You seem to be implying something. I hope you will think clearly and understand, and don't act recklessly."
Kang Zizhen stroked his beard and smiled and said: "Mr. Lin, I have made it very clear in my official language. It is a matter of routine. I did not say that there were thieves hiding on the ship. Just a check can prove innocence. In case those ignorant people say Talk about officials guarding each other, and there are gaps outside the law."
Lin Jue said coldly: "So Lord Kang is determined to board the ship to investigate, right?"
Kang Zizhen sneered and said: "Once again, it's just a matter of routine. I hope Mr. Lin will understand."
Lin Jue crossed his arms and sneered: "What if I don't allow it?"
