Chapter 685 Preparing to open the Jiangnan Branch of Wu Zang Taoist Temple
Jiangnan is a land of plenty and because of its connection to the Grand Canal, it has always been the most important granary in the world.
In addition, the water and sea transportation here is developed, so every year a large number of rare and exotic animals, delicacies and delicacies are gathered here, and then transported to the Central Plains and the capital through the Grand Canal to do business with the nobles and nobles. Therefore, the people in Jiangnan are the most engaged in business.
Jiangnan merchants were the richest and most famous.
Kangding State had a vast territory and could support people from all over the country. It is a bit exaggerated to say that the taxes paid in Jiangnan were worth half of the country, but it was not much different. For example, tea merchants, salt merchants, silk, porcelain and other trades were mostly in Jiangnan. These were all heavy taxes.
From this we can see the prosperity of Jiangnan.
However, since ancient times, the status of merchants has always been the lowest among scholars, farmers, industry and commerce, so the major commercial houses in the south of the Yangtze River have always wanted to get close to the nobles in the capital and find backers for themselves.
These intricate affairs involving officials and businessmen are all side stories and are too far away from ordinary people. Today's corner is Jiangzhou Prefecture.
Jiangzhou Prefecture has developed water and sea transportation, and water systems are spread all over the place. Even though thousands of mountains are like a screen, it still cannot stop this place from being one of the richest places in the south of the Yangtze River.
Jin'an got clues from the brothers in the escort agency about Yuyangzi's uncle years ago, saying that the place where Yuyangzi's uncle carried his body was an inconspicuous small fishing village near the sea below Ye County under the jurisdiction of Jiangzhou Prefecture...
Jin'an, the old Taoist priest, and Goat took a boat all the way south, experienced several transfers along the way, and finally arrived in Jiangnan after a month.
However, when they arrived at the small fishing village, they found that it had already been sealed off by the local government. They did not even see the small fishing village, so they were driven away by the government officials. It was said that in order to prevent the outbreak of the plague, the entire small fishing village had been evacuated.
There was no one alive inside.
Jin An did not express much disappointment when he did not see the small fishing village where many corpses of shipwrecks washed up. He came south mainly to Jiangzhou Prefecture this time.
However, their inquiry into the whereabouts of Master Yuyangzi's uncle was not smooth sailing. Although they had a letter of introduction from Mr. Yin of Wuzhou Prefecture and the local government opened the door for them, because it had been so long, they did not meet him that day.
The county officials, Wuzuo, and Yizhuang all had no idea where Master Yuyangzi had gone.
Originally, the old Taoist priest wanted to see the remains of those shipwrecked, but it didn't go well. The remains were soaked in sea water and rotted too badly. They were left in the yizhuang for several days without anyone claiming them, so they were wrapped in straw mats and ordered a few times.
He was given an incense candle to see him off, and finally he was hastily buried in a mass grave and became one of thousands of lonely ghosts.
The clues about Master Yuyangzi's uncle have been completely cut off at this point. The only clue is that Master Yuyangzi once stayed briefly in Xiaoxian and Fucheng, and the last place he stayed was in Fucheng, Jiangzhou Prefecture.
At the end of March in the south of the Yangtze River, there was continuous spring rain.
Jiangzhou Fucheng.
The lobby on the first floor of a tavern was at dusk, and it was already full of people and noisy. In this season when the humidity and cold wind can make people’s brains and knees hurt, after a busy day
The biggest interest of passers-by is to chat with three or five friends and sit in a tavern sipping rice wine with appetizers. This is the most rare leisure time of the day.
Yellow rice wine is a major specialty in the Jiangnan area. Local people prefer to call it old wine. This yellow wine becomes more fragrant as it ages, becomes more intense as time goes by, is amber in color, and is transparent and clear, so local people prefer to call it old wine.
At this time, Jin An and the old Taoist priest were sitting in the noisy lobby on the first floor. They took the opportunity to sneak out of the inn and ate delicious boiled mutton while listening to interesting things in the market to see if they could hear something.
Regarding the whereabouts of Uncle Yuyangzi.
The old Taoist priest held a mutton chop in one hand and a bowl of mutton soup in the other. His mouth was full of oil as he ate, and he kept slurping. From time to time, he would lower his head and take a sip of rice wine from the wine bowl. His face was shiny and rosy. It was a wonderful little life.
So moisturizing.
Jin An looked at the continuous spring rain for several days outside, and the passers-by without umbrellas or bamboo hats, holding their heads and walking in a hurry. Then he thought that it was the end of March and another Qingming Festival was coming soon, and he couldn't help but write poems: "Qingming Festival"
It rains heavily during the season, and people on the road are dying..."
Jin'an, who was very popular in poetry, was interrupted by the old Taoist priest before he finished reciting the poem: "It is indeed a good poem! It's wonderful. Even a rough guy like me, an old Taoist, was suddenly immersed in Chang County and missed his old friends a little.
.”
Jin An looked at the old Taoist priest who had a mouthful of mutton on the left and a mouthful of warm and delicious mutton soup on the right. His face was red after eating, and there were a few black lines hanging down his forehead. You are fooling the devil!
The old Taoist priest, who was still full of fat, didn't notice the twitching of the corner of Jin An's mouth. He was busy opening his bow left and right while continuing to talk: "Little brother, you suddenly became inspired by poetry. You seem to be in a good mood. Have you thought about Taoist friend Yuyangzi?"
Any other clues?”
Jin An looked at the hurried pedestrians on the road and shook his head: "No."
They have been staying in Jiangzhou Prefecture for more than a month, but they have not heard the latest news about Uncle Yuyangzi. I wonder how Uncle Yuyangzi is doing now. Is there a place to take shelter from the rain? Has he encountered any difficulties?
Do you miss the Five Zang Taoist Temple during the Qingming Festival?
When he thought of this, he began to worry about the safety of Uncle Yuyangzi.
On the contrary, the old Taoist priest had more experience, unlike Jin An who was a little depressed when he encountered some setbacks. He continued to draw his bow from left to right and said: "Looking at the passers-by on the street holding their heads to hide from the rain and walking in a hurry, I suddenly had some ideas as an old Taoist."
The old Taoist priest knew that Jin An was worried about Yuyangzi, so he continued without any pretense: "Brother, you said that Taoist friend Yuyangzi traveled between Yin County and Jiangzhou Fucheng, and stayed for a while. Is he there?
Looking for someone or something? Even if he is not looking for anything, it still shows that Jiangzhou Prefecture is very important to him, so he stayed here for a long time."
Jin An frowned. He had considered this issue before. He nodded to the old Taoist priest: "Old Taoist, please continue."
When it came to business, the old Taoist priest put away his nonchalant temperament and said seriously: "Little brother, your poem just now reminded the old Taoist, 'Pedestrians on the road want to die.' These words awakened the old Taoist me, if Yu Yangzi
Fellow Taoist really cares about Jiangzhou Prefecture, maybe he will come back again?"
"So, instead of trying our luck everywhere like headless flies, we should build a reputation in Jiangzhou Prefecture and wait for fellow Taoist Yuyangzi to contact us when he returns to Jiangzhou Prefecture!"
The old Taoist priest took a sip of rice wine and his thoughts became clearer and clearer as he spoke: "Little brother, what kind of things can you say that will arouse the interest of fellow Taoist Yuyangzi and make him come to see you immediately?"
"Then naturally we will open another Five Zang Taoist Temple in Jiangzhou Prefecture!"