usatvline Chapter 466 Uncle and nephew meet
Chapter 466 Uncle and nephew meet
Prince Xuannan rested for only one night at the Tongzhou County government office, and set off into the inner city early the next morning.
It's only a few dozen miles to the palace, just in time for the welcoming banquet prepared by the emperor.
Jiang Wenqing also got up early in the morning and led a group of people from the county government to wait outside the county government office.
Unlike officials in other places who would present silks, satins, and precious jade artifacts, Jiang Wenqing did not do so.
He was even more reluctant to give away the good things his son gave him, so he just pretended he didn't have them.
It wouldn't be right to come empty-handed if you only prepared some things that wouldn't go wrong.
The Prince of Xuan Nan's entourage came in a grand procession and then departed in a grand procession.
Jiang Wenqing led the crowd in kneeling farewell, glancing out of the corner of his eye at the Prince of Xuan Nan's luxurious carriage, and couldn't help but feel envious.
This carriage must be very comfortable to ride in, unlike his family's carriage which is so bumpy.
However, this type of carriage was specially approved by the Emperor, and only this one prince in the entire Great Zhou Dynasty was allowed to use this type of carriage.
"My lord, isn't this gift too meager? What if the prince takes offense..."
The farewell gift prepared by Master Qian cost less than fifty taels of silver, which made the boss think his master was a bit stingy.
Jiang Wenqing glared at Master Qian, "Is the Prince such a materialistic person? Besides, what good things hasn't a Prince seen?"
Even if we sell everything we own, we might not be able to truly connect with them. This is already quite good; it may not be outstanding, but it won't go wrong either.
Master Qian stopped trying to persuade him, since it was too late to say anything now, as the Prince of Xuan Nan's entourage had already gone far away.
Jiang Wenqing led everyone back to the county government office. Not long after they sat down, Jiang Wenqing felt sleepy.
After handing over the affairs of the county government to the two clerks as usual, Jiang Wenqing took his chisel, fishing rod, and fish basket and went out again.
Despite the freezing weather and the drafty carriage, nothing could dampen Jiang Wenqing's enthusiasm for winter fishing.
I feel unwell after not fishing for too long.
Jiang Wenqing, a regular visitor to the canal, had long been familiar with the people involved in the canal transport and the docks.
No one knew Jiang Wenqing's identity, and he always dressed like an ordinary fisherman.
It's just that the clothes are a little newer and there's a little more fishing gear.
The approachable Jiang Wenqing has also made many friends among ordinary people in recent years.
Boatmen, fishermen, laborers carrying heavy loads, itinerant performers, and chivalrous knights-errant.
He had a wide circle of friends, after all, the fish he caught each time were getting more and more plentiful, and the people at the county government office were already tired of eating them.
At first, the two clerks, Qian and Xing, along with the constables, helped to handle it, but later everyone shook their heads at the sight of fish.
Even though the family members of the constables no longer liked to eat fish, Jiang Wenqing really couldn't send it out.
He made many friends and gave the fish he caught to boatmen, laborers, and street performers.
After all, the fishermen themselves had plenty of fish to eat, and the heroes were always on the move and didn't have a kitchen.
Jiang Wenqing arrived at the canal, found a familiar and good spot to sit down, and began to chisel through the ice in preparation for fishing.
In the dead of winter, ordinary people would not easily go out without enough warm clothes to keep warm.
Many ordinary families only had one cotton-padded coat, which was worn by whoever went out.
Tongzhou is relatively better off than some remote, impoverished counties. Its residents, being located right under the emperor's nose, have more job opportunities.
Even in winter, we can get through it safely, but in winter, the number of people on the streets and along the canal is significantly reduced by more than half.
The water was frozen solid, making it impossible for boats to sail, and the canal transport had long since ceased.
With no cargo ships docking, there was no need for laborers to carry heavy loads.
Large ships couldn't sail, and the fishermen's and boatmen's small boats were even more unable to go down the river.
So now the canal is very quiet, with only one or two anglers occasionally digging holes to fish, each carrying a chisel.
However, most of the time it was just Jiang Wenqing alone, oh, and the coachman warming himself by the fire inside the carriage.
Wearing a padded overcoat, Jiang Wenqing stood alone on the river, evoking a poetic image of "fishing alone in the cold river snow."
Although this is not a river, and it hasn't snowed.
When Magistrate Jiang's fish basket was full, Prince Xuan's carriage also entered the inner city.
By His Majesty's decree, carriages may enter the Imperial City directly without disembarking and walking.
Such treatment is probably only enjoyed by the Prince of Xuannan.
The Prince of Xuan Nan's carriage entered the imperial city, where the Emperor and Empress were already waiting in the main hall.
Apart from the eldest prince, who had been demoted to a commoner, and the third prince, who was away seeking out great Confucian scholars, all of the emperor's children waited together in the main hall for this great-uncle they had never met before.
The uncle and nephew, who haven't seen each other for nearly twenty years, are about to meet today.
Prince Xuannan slowly alighted from his carriage and stepped steadily into the main hall.
The emperor rose first, his steps somewhat hurried, and stepped forward to greet him, "Uncle, it's been so many years! How have you been?!"
The Prince of Xuannan bowed and said, “Your Majesty, I am well. It is truly a blessing for our Great Zhou to see Your Majesty in good health today.”
Emperor Zhao Yong had his dozen or so children pay their respects to their great-uncle, Prince Xuan Nan. Prince Xuan Nan kindly instructed his guards to distribute gifts to the princes and princesses.
There was no bias; the weapons given to both men and women were the same—weapons forged from fine steel.
None of the princes and princesses dared to show their dislike, as their mothers had repeatedly warned them beforehand that this uncle was no ordinary person.
Under no circumstances should they show disrespect to this god of death, so the dozen or so people, each holding a weapon of a different shape, tried their best to put on their most beautiful smiles.
"I'm sorry to have troubled you, Uncle. I have quite a few children, haha~"
The emperor then made a joke, trying to bridge the gap that had been created by the past decade or so.
The Prince of Xuannan laughed at the opportune moment, "Haha, what are you saying? This is also an achievement of yours as the ruler of a country, what's there to be embarrassed about!"
"Uncle, you must be tired from your long journey. Please take your seat. Let's have a simple family meal today so that you can rest early."
The formal welcoming banquet will be held the day after tomorrow. In the past two days, my nephew has had the head of the Imperial Hospital personally take care of my uncle's health.
Hearing of your assassination attempt, I am terrified. You shouldn't be in such a hurry to travel; you should fully recover before setting off, lest you suffer any lasting health problems!
The emperor's eyes were red-rimmed, and his emotions were so genuine that they brought tears to the eyes of the Prince of Xuan Nan.
His sixth child hasn't changed; he's still as filial as when he was a child. I was really overthinking things. Does getting older make people more suspicious?
"Okay, okay, okay, I'll do whatever Xiao Liu says!"
With the familiar address reappearing, Emperor Zhao Yong was completely relieved.
The Imperial Uncle trusts his nephew! The Imperial Uncle has not been misled by treacherous people!
"Uncle, it's cold outside! Quickly, come inside!"
The uncle and nephew entered the palace hand in hand, and only after entering did the Prince of Xuannan realize that his position was actually above that of the Empress.
At the highest point, there were only seats for the uncle and nephew.