The gongs and drums were beating loudly outside the Kangji Gate in Anqing, and the sky was filled with morning glow above the river. From Kangji Gate to the Shengtang Gate, there were all kinds of boats parked. There were huge crowds of people on the shore, and countless people gathered around the pier.
Red lanterns were hung on the shops along the river, and a temporary archway was built on the main road from the pier to Kangji Gate, with red silk ribbons tied on it, fluttering in the river breeze. There were sacred tables placed in the archway, on both sides of the archway.
Place several large drums.
A gong sounded in the direction of Kangji Gate, and a group of government officials held up signs to clear the way. People along the road avoided it and made way for a passage.
A string of sedans followed the yamen servants and came to the foot of the archway. After they stopped one by one, the sedan bearers behind slowly raised the poles. The waiters outside opened the sedan curtains, and the officials of Anqing Prefecture bowed their heads and walked out of the sedans.
Pang Yu got off the last sedan chair. The highest rank of the civil servants in front was only sixth grade, which was not as high as Pang Yu's. But no one let him, the military attache, go in front. Because the opening of the canal involves Anqing Guard, it is also the business of Anqing Guard.
Otherwise, these local officials may not invite Pang Yu to participate.
Chen Shifu also walked behind Pi Yingju. He glanced back. After seeing Pang Yu, his eyes only paused for a moment. The two had not seen each other since the last time they were in Susong, but Jiang Fan quickly came to the door.
, after Pang Yu got the confession, Chen Shifu also knew Pang Yu’s identity.
Following Pi Yingju and others, they came to the foot of the archway. The surrounding gentry and common people knelt down to the officials one after another. Pi Yingju waited for everyone to stand up and then took two steps forward.
"One meter and one millet means the fat of the people and the blood of the people. It takes the blood of millions of people to get grain. You, the governors, agents, and governors must respect heaven, abide by the law, restrain yourself, and serve the public. Keep in mind that 'it is easy for the people to be abused, but it is difficult for heaven to bully'..."
While Pang Yu was listening, he looked at the civil servants in front of him. The prefectural city was Huaining County. Today, those coming were from the prefectural and county levels. There were many officials from the prefectural government and four from the county government. Basically, all the civil servants from Anqing were here.
It can be seen that opening a canal was considered an important event in the local government.
Pi Yingju did not speak at length and finished his speech quickly. Gongs and drums sounded nearby, and several people with painted faces entered the venue. There was cheers all around. Pang Yu looked over and seemed to be playing the role of some kind of god.
After those people performed for a while, Pi Yingju took the spicy food and came to the altar. The servants placed a fruit plate with three animals. Pi Yingju said loudly, "The river god is above. The officials and people of Anqing worship the river god. Please protect me and protect the water transportation."
The officials and people of Cao Cao will leave without any trouble..."
Pi Yingju was calm and unhurried, and had quite a leadership style. After reading a memorial text, the officials and the surrounding people all knelt down to worship the river god. They were even more respectful than when they faced the officials. Pang Yu had no choice but to kneel down with everyone.
When everyone got up, the servants lit firecrackers in the middle of the field, and crackling smoke flew everywhere. Pang Yu opened his ears wide, and he didn't know how many noises there were. There was no stop for a long time.
When it was finally over, the drums on both sides were beating, and there were cheers outside the Kangji Gate. Groups of porters and Caoding carried grain bags marked with Anqing's rice, and they shuttled between the docks and the trillions of rice fields in an endless stream.
between warehouses.
Pang Yu rubbed his ears, but there was still ringing in his ears, and looked at the people around him. Normally, they were the servants for transporting canals, but many people looked excited and seemed to have been looking forward to this day.
Huaining's government officials came out one after another and cleared another passage in the street so that the officials could leave.
Taking advantage of this little time, Pang Yu took two steps forward, came to Pi Yingju and said, "I have met Master Pi."
When Pi Yingju saw Pang Yu, he put on a gentle smile and said, "It turned out to be Pang Shouwei. The canal opening this time was later than in previous years. It was the Anqing Guards and Shuiying who worked together, otherwise it would be difficult to open the canal today."
"This can only be blamed on the rogue bandits. Master Pi can appease the people after the rogue bandits wreaked havoc, and can also deliver the full amount of grain. This is a rare talent in the world."
Pi Yingju laughed twice and looked around. The nearby officials immediately took a few steps away knowingly so that the two of them could talk.
Pi Yingju lowered his voice and said, "A few days ago, dozens of old soldiers were injured in front of Pang Xiaoyou's house. I have suppressed the matter, but there is quite a bit of criticism in the yamen. If there are any disputes with the people in the future, it is best to go through the police.
Ningxian County Government will handle it."
Pang Yu said respectfully, "Thank you, sir, for looking after me. That day, there were all the old soldiers from the Qing Dynasty in front of the door. These people were occupying the army and had no fighting power at all. They were just making a fool of themselves with the lives of the officials and people of Anqing."
, I am ordering you to sternly remove them. They have been here several times before that day, and I have contacted the Huaining County Government. If it was useful, I would not take this step. I will definitely put the matter to rest so as not to disturb you."
"I believe in Pang Xiaoyou's talent." Pi Yingju nodded and said, "But in a place where peace is always the most important thing, nothing is a good thing."
"I understand what your lord means, but there is indeed something important today. I just got some clues and I want to report it to your lord first."
Pi Yingju snorted.
Pang Yu raised his head to observe and said, "Xiaoguan's informant reported that among the Shengtang Wharf Cao Gang, there are Luo Jiao believers plotting an uprising, and even White Lotus followers are involved. The situation is quite urgent."
Pi Yingju's brows moved slightly, and he turned to look at Pang Yu, "Among the people seeking a living on the river, there are many followers of the Luo Sect. We haven't heard of where the trouble is. Is Pang Xiaoyou's news reliable?"
Pang Yu didn't panic at all when he heard Pi Yingju's tone. He obviously didn't believe it.
"Xiaoguan has just got some clues, but the dock in the prosperous Tang Dynasty is an important place in Huaining. I think about it, our Anqing has tens of thousands of ships passing through the border every year. There are many merchants along the dock, and it is the source of food and clothing for many people. This place was originally a place to make money.
Land, we must not let a group of Luo Jiao believers mess up this precious land, which will affect the livelihood of the people, so as soon as I got the news, I was busy reporting it to your lord."
When he heard the words "place to make money," Pi Yingju hummed again, closed his eyes for a moment, thought for a moment, and said, "Is it really a place to make money?"
"Your Excellency, it is clear that this place was originally a good port, but in the past, some gentry colluded with the gangs and gangs to control the wharf business and only cared about their own interests. Many businessmen stayed away, and the interests of the people were lost in secret. That's all.
Nowadays, the atmosphere is spreading. Caobang and Yahang want to control the wharf transactions by themselves, and even rebel and cause chaos. However, not all Caobang and Yahang are bad people. As long as some of them are ambitious, the wharf will be destroyed.
If we manage it, Anqing, a treasure land, can bring double the benefits to the people than in previous years, and benefit the people even more."
After Pang Yu finished speaking, he looked at Pi Yingju respectfully. In the past, the benefits on this wharf were all obtained through Yamen and gentry families through Yamen and shops. It was impossible for any party to get all of them in his own pocket. Pi Yingju must also have a share.
Yes, now that the power of the gentry has faded, the interests must be redistributed. The benefits he gave Pi Yingju were doubled as before, in exchange for Pi Yingju's support.
After all, Anqing Wharf is the territory managed by the government. If Pang Yu, an officer, wants to control the wharf, he can only cooperate with the government.
Pi Yingju's expression changed slightly, he pondered for a moment and then said, "There are Luo believers at all ports along the river. The uprising in Anqing was quite unexpected. I remembered that a few years ago, there were rogue bandits who had entered Tongcheng to lurk in advance. Could it be
There are people among those Cao Gang and Yahang who want to hook up with the bandits as internal agents."
Pang Yu rolled his eyes. Pi Yingju was the local chief official. If someone wanted to cause trouble here, the trouble would be in his territory, which would make him incompetent. Reporting it to the police would make Shangguan subconsciously feel that there was something wrong with Anqing. If he was arrested
The spy of the rogue bandits did a great job, but it seemed that Pi Yingju was well guarded.
"Master Pi woke up the official with one word." Pang Yu said respectfully, "Now that the official thought about it carefully, there was indeed such a clue in the clues. Fortunately, the master saw through it, and the official immediately continued to investigate, and waited for the grain to be sent out.
When the time comes, we should be able to capture them all in one fell swoop."
"Pang Shoubei is doing something for the first time in Anqing. He must be well-known and clean from beginning to end." Pi Yingju gave Pang Yu a meaningful look. Pang Yu naturally knew what he meant. This was the first time for the two of them.
If a direct cooperation is done well, there will be a basis for mutual trust in Anqing in the future.
"Don't worry, sir, I will make careful arrangements."
Pang Yu was relieved at this time. When there was no turmoil, using the army was a very sensitive matter in the local area. If he was not careful, he would be impeached.
If you want to mobilize garrison battalions to deal with local forces, you must have the endorsement of the government. Now with the support of Pi Yingju, the line of chief officials has been opened, and the remaining line of Zuo Erguan is covered by Chen Shifu, who is in charge of Jiang defense.
, he can have a lot of room for action.
At this time, the road had been cleared. Pi Yingju looked up and walked towards the sedan. Pang Yu quickly followed.
After just two steps, he saw Chen Shifu standing in front. He politely raised his hands to Pi Yingzhi and said, "Is this the young and promising new garrison general Pang?"
When Pi Yingju saw Chen Shifu, he remembered what he had just said. He still couldn't get around this assistant official, so he stopped and said to Pang Yu, "This is Mr. Chen, the general judge of my office. In the future, we must work together for water transportation and Jiang defense."
Pi Yingju winked at Pang Yu, hinting that he wanted to hand over Chen Shifu.
Pang Yu quickly saluted and said politely to Chen Shifu, "I am guarding Pang Yu in Anqing. I have met Mr. Chen. Please rest assured, Mr. Pang. I will definitely work together with Mr. Chen in the future."