The next day was the day Zhao Junchen decided to return to Beijing.
The sky was just getting dark when Zhao Junchen, accompanied by local officials and gentry businessmen from Lu'an Prefecture, arrived outside the city of Lu'an Prefecture, preparing to set off for the capital.
Zhao Junchen's departure seemed very low-key - at least in appearance. Under his instructions, there was no fanfare, no firecrackers and lion dances, and no alarm to the people. He just took advantage of the night sky still remaining, taking Xu Qingyan and
Eighty-nine followers left, with only four or five carriages in front and behind them. Not only did they not have the majesty and dignity that an imperial envoy should have, it even made people feel a little shabby.
However, at the banquet last night, Zhao Junchen emphasized that everyone in Lu'an Mansion should see him off in a low-key manner and not disturb the people. At the same time, he also made it clear that he would set off from the east gate at 3:03 the next day.
After returning to Beijing, in less than one night, all the people around Lu'an Fucheng knew about it.
Therefore, when Zhao Junchen came down to the east gate of Fucheng with Liu Changan and others, what he saw made him stunned - at least he looked surprised on the surface.
Outside the east gate of Fucheng, on both sides of the road, countless people were standing densely packed. According to a rough estimate, there were even more people than the people who came to worship the heaven that day.
It's late autumn now, and Mao Shi is the time when the cold dew is the heaviest. The people have obviously been waiting here for a long time. Many people's faces are even faintly blue from the cold, but no one complains or even speaks. Most of them just say
Quietly looking at Zhao Junchen who appeared outside Dongcheng, his expression was complicated, as if he was reluctant to give up, but more helpless.
Faintly, sighs could be heard one after another.
Seeing the people gathered here, Zhao Junchen was stunned for a moment, then suddenly turned around and yelled at Liu Changan: "Prefect Liu, what's going on! Didn't I already say that I should keep a low profile when returning to Beijing this time?
Don’t you disturb the people!?”
However, Liu Changan looked aggrieved and apologized: "Your Excellency, it is clear that I have never disturbed the people. These people gathered here spontaneously to see you off..."
Halfway through Liu Changan's words, he saw several representatives walking out from among the people. The leader was the old man who had had a close relationship with Zhao Junchen.
"Sir, I don't blame you for this, Mr. Zhifu. It is indeed us who spontaneously gathered here to see you off." After the old man walked up to Zhao Junchen, he said slowly, his voice as hoarse as ever: "Sir, you are so kind to our people, we
The people all see it and know that your lord truly cares for the people and is not even willing to let us know when you leave. But we Lu'an people also know how to repay kindness. Your lord has done so much for us, how can we?
Can you, sir, leave like this?"
Hearing what the old man said, Zhao Junchen sighed and was about to say something, but suddenly found that although he had met the old man several times, he didn't even know his name.
The old man continued: "To be honest, the people of Lu'an are reluctant to let you leave, but we also know that you have a bright future and will be the prime minister, so we don't dare to force you to stay, as it will delay your success."
Future, so..."
As he spoke, the old man turned around and waved to the crowd.
Then, more than a hundred people came to Zhao Junchen, holding various kinds of umbrellas of different colors.
The people of Lu'an Prefecture only know roughly what the Wanmin Umbrella looks like, so the Wanmin Umbrellas they make are also of various kinds. Some are just like ordinary umbrellas, just a few circles larger, and some are like umbrellas.
Covered, but it looks nondescript.
However, they are indeed Umbrellas of the Ten Thousand People, and the densely packed silk strips with the names of the common people hanging on the umbrellas prove this.
Zhao Junchen knew that these Wanmin umbrellas were made by ordinary people overnight, and they were inevitably crude - there were many Wanmin umbrellas, even pieced together from different colors of cloth, which looked even more shabby.
However, through Liu Changan's information, Zhao Junchen knew very well that the cloth and satin used to make the Wanmin Umbrella were donated by the common people. Many common people finally had good clothes and were reluctant to wear them once every few years, but in order to give Zhao Junchen
Making the Wanmin Umbrella, but without hesitation cutting it into materials used to make the Wanmin Umbrella...
Seeing the various colorful umbrellas, the old man seemed a little embarrassed, and his expression was very embarrassed, but he still said to Zhao Junchen with an expectant expression: "Sir, we people in Lu'an Mansion don't have anything valuable to give you.
These Ten Thousand People Umbrellas... are a bit shabby, but I hope you will accept them."
Looking at these Wanmin Umbrellas, Zhao Junchen seemed to be quite moved, but also seemed expressionless, with a hint of guilt?
After hearing what the old man said, Zhao Junchen did not answer. Instead, he turned around and stood on the carriage, shouting loudly to the people: "People, I, Zhao Junchen, am not worthy of what you are doing! These days, I have just done my best.
It's just my duty as an official. But these Ten Thousand People's Umbrellas are everyone's wish. I didn't dare to refuse, so I accepted them shamelessly! I'm about to return to Beijing, and I, Zhao Junchen, can't bear to leave you. However, it's hard to disobey your orders, so let's say goodbye.
But I will never forget you. If you have any difficulties in the future, remember to come to the capital to see me. As long as I, Zhao Junchen, can do my best, I will never refuse!!"
As Zhao Junchen shouted loudly, the originally quiet crowd suddenly became noisy. The people used their loudest voices to say goodbye to Zhao Junchen and express their reluctance.
"Master Zhao, what a good official!!"
"Sir, don't forget to come to Lu'an Mansion in the future!!"
"Your Majesty the Imperial Envoy, have a nice trip!!"
Faintly, there seemed to be crying.
………
When Zhao Junchen left Lu'an Mansion, there were more than ten carriages accompanying him. Four or five of them were Zhao Junchen's carriages, carrying Zhao Junchen's luggage and entourage, while the other six or seven were
However, before leaving, Lu'an prefect Liu Changan temporarily assembled a carriage, which was all used to display the Wanmin umbrella given to Zhao Junchen by the common people.
It had been three or four hours since we left Lu'an City Mansion. We headed eastward and finally left Lu'an Mansion before noon.
Since leaving Lu'an Fucheng, Zhao Junchen has been sitting in the carriage, silent all the way, even Xu Qingyan didn't pay attention to him. No one knew what he was thinking.
Therefore, the atmosphere in the entire team seemed very dull, and everyone was afraid of making Zhao Junchen angry at this time.
This silence was finally broken by Zhao Junchen himself.
"Qing Yan!!"
As Zhao Junchen, who was sitting in the carriage, shouted, Xu Qingyan, who was riding beside him, quickly came to the carriage and asked, "Master, what are your orders?"
"Where are we now?"
"Back to Master, we will soon reach the border of Zhili. It's noon, Master, are you hungry? Don't worry, there is a town not far ahead, we can rest there."
After Zhao Junchen in the carriage was silent for a moment, he suddenly said: "Stop!!"
Hearing Zhao Junchen's instructions, Xu Qingyan was slightly startled, but still shouted to the motorcade: "Your Majesty has your order, stop the car! Stop the car!!"
When the motorcade stopped, Zhao Junchen jumped off the carriage and walked towards the carriages with Wanmin umbrellas at the end of the motorcade.
He casually stopped in front of a carriage and casually raised the smallest and most inconspicuous Wanmin umbrella. After taking a closer look at it, Zhao Junchen sighed softly and did not ask for help from others.
He carried the Umbrella of All Peoples into the carriage he was riding in.
Under the suspicious gazes of all the followers, Zhao Junchen said to Xu Qingyan: "When we get to the next town, we don't need to rush on the road. Let's rest for one night. During this time, you can ask people to change all the Wanmin umbrellas behind.
one time."
Xu Qingyan said in confusion: "Master, those are the umbrellas given to you by the common people. How do you change them? Why do you need to change them?"
Zhao Junchen first took a look at the Wanmin Umbrella placed in his carriage, and then said calmly: "This one of the Wanmin Umbrellas given to me by the people is enough. As for the other Wanmin Umbrellas, there is no need to make major changes."
, just change my name above to His Majesty’s title. After returning to the capital, we will transfer all those Umbrellas to Your Majesty, saying that they were given to him by the people of Lu’an Prefecture. His Majesty will be very happy after seeing them.
Happy."
Xu Qingyan thought of Emperor Deqing's overjoyed temperament, nodded suddenly, and said with a smile: "Young master still has means, I understand."
Zhao Junchen nodded, got on the carriage, and sat next to the Wanmin Umbrella. His face was expressionless, as if he was meditating, and he seemed to be in a trance. He just subconsciously stroked the Wanmin Umbrella in his hand for a long time.
………
When Zhao Junchen came to Lu'an Mansion this time, it was naturally impossible to bring only Xu Qingyan, the other entourage, and eight or nine other guards, accountants, servants, and so on.
Su Xiqing is one of them.
Su Xiqing was a Shaoxing master, at least that's what he thought. Unfortunately, he was unlucky and his talents were always overlooked. So far, no one has recruited him as a staff member. Last year, he finally became a member of Zhao Junchen's mansion, but he could only serve as the accountant.
But this does not prevent Su Xiqing from displaying his nature as a master who loves to ponder everything.
When she learned that Zhao Junchen was going to transfer all the Wanmin Umbrellas to Emperor Deqing, Su Xiqing secretly applauded and began to think about it.
What he was thinking about was none other than Zhao Junchen.
Su Xiqing was quite unwilling that he could only be the accountant in Zhao Junchen's house, so he had to figure out Zhao Junchen's temperament and thoughts. Only in this way could he go further.
When the people saw off Zhao Junchen and presented them with the Wanmin Umbrellas, Su Xiqing was right next to him. He could clearly see Zhao Junchen's expressions and gestures. In Su Xiqing's opinion, the moved expression shown by Zhao Junchen at that time did not seem to be fake.
Just now, Zhao Junchen asked Xu Qingyan to change the name on the Wanmin Umbrella without hesitation, which was also witnessed by Su Xiqing.
What Su Xiqing is thinking about now is - Zhao Junchen, who was moved by the Wanmin Umbrella given to him by the people, and Zhao Junchen, who did not hesitate to reject the Wanmin Umbrella given to him by the people and make use of it - which one is the real Zhao Junchen?
Of course, as long as people have been in the officialdom for several years, most of them are complicated. These two types of Zhao Junchen may be the real Zhao Junchen.
However, which ingredient has more?
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PS: Just a few more words today. When the insect is coding, he has a strong dependence on coffee and cigarettes. Without these two, the brain will run very slowly (laughing), but everyone also
I know that these two things are very harmful to the body. I tried to get rid of dependence for the nth time today, but the coding efficiency was greatly reduced... So there is only one chapter today. Please forgive me, and the update speed will be restored tomorrow.