King of Song

Chapter 44

After the rain, the Guangji Canal had enough water, and it happened to flow straight down, so the boat traveled quickly and smoothly.

"The water transportation in the Song Dynasty is really convenient. Even in the north, we can travel by boat!" Whenever this time, Lin Zhao would appreciate the developed water transportation in the Song Dynasty.

Zeng Gong who was beside him sighed: "It is true that my Great Song Dynasty benefited from the water, but it also suffered many disasters due to the water."

Lin Zhao naturally knew that what Zeng Gong was referring to was the disturbing Yellow River.

"Does Dongyang know? The Wuzhang River leads directly to Liangshanbo, and the downstream will go directly to Qizhou through the old road of Jishui." After Zeng Gong finished speaking, his expression darkened, and he sighed: "But the Yellow River that used to flow side by side with Jishui in the past has disappeared. In recent years, the Yellow River has been suffering from serious flooding, often breaching its mouth and diverting its course. Several diversions since the reign of Renzong caused the Yellow River to flow northward, even approaching the Yanshan area. The section near the mouth of the river has become the boundary river between Song and Liao. "

You must know that Kaifeng is located on a plain, and there is no danger to defend. The only thing to rely on is the natural danger of the Yellow River.To some extent, the Yellow River has important military defense significance for the Song Dynasty, and the diversion of the Yellow River will undoubtedly open the door.It is precisely because of this that the murder of the Liao envoy had such a great impact, and the fear of the Song Dynasty was here.

Lin Zhao sighed, "That's right, the Yellow River diverted its course, not to mention the disasters suffered by the people of Heshuo, our Great Song Dynasty also lost two military barriers!"

More than that, the Yellow River flows north, bringing a lot of sediment with it.On the Song-Liao border stretching for hundreds of miles, in order to prevent the invasion of Liao cavalry, the Song people dug many swamps and rivers that were not conducive to the passage of cavalry, but now they are facing the risk of sedimentation.The Song Dynasty is currently at a loss what to do about it, so that Heshuo Qianli Woye suffers from disasters every year, and has to be on guard against the invasion of the Liao army at all times, which is really annoying...

Zeng Gong said worriedly: "Yes, we are going to Liaodong by sea now, and if we come back by land and pass Yanyun, then you will see..."

Why is the topic so heavy?Is Mr. Zeng trying to educate me on patriotism?Lin Zhao pondered in his heart, nodded slightly, feeling a little heavy inadvertently.

When passing by Liangshanbo, Lin Zhao really wanted to get off the boat to have a look, but thinking about it, Song Jiang, Chao Gai and others probably hadn't been born yet, and Juyi Hall and Zhongyi Hall hadn't existed yet.In fact, no matter whether it is the 36 generals of the Water Margin or the thieves of Jingdong No. [-], it is better not to appear. Of course, the premise is that the politics are clear and the people live and work in peace and contentment.

Lin Zhaoshang was immersed in nostalgic emotion, and the fleet had left Liangshanbo and entered Jishui, heading for Qizhou.Qizhou is also known as Jinan in later generations. Although there are many scenic spots such as Baotu Spring and Daming Lake, it is impossible to withdraw from it because of the heavy responsibility of being an envoy.Lin Zhao had thought about going to Daming Lake to wander around, to see if he could meet Xia Yuhe, Rongmao, etc., but the mission was in a hurry, so he had to give up.

After passing Qingzhou and Weizhou, the mission arrived in Dengzhou on the coast.Under normal circumstances, Dengzhou would be a port when traveling with Korea or Dongying ships, and it was the first time to go to Liao as an envoy by sea.After receiving the imperial edict, Xu Zun, the magistrate of Dengzhou, began to prepare the sea ship. Hearing the arrival of the mission that day, he hurried to meet it.

"Zhongtu, sorry to bother you!" Zhang Zongyi seemed to be familiar with Xu Zun, and he called Biao directly when they met, which seemed very intimate.

"Where, where? It is Xu's honor to have several envoys passing through Dengzhou!" Xu Zun's rank may be higher than the three, but the person he is facing is an envoy sent by the emperor, representing the country and the emperor, Identity is naturally extraordinary.

"Xu Zhizhou is polite!" Zeng Gong has always kept a low profile, but Ouyang Xiu's status as a student is so conspicuous no matter where he is.

"Xu Zhizhou, I'm sorry!" The people in front of him were seniors in their 50s and [-]s, and Lin Zhao could only greet him as a junior.

"Everything is what I should do. Master Lin is being polite!" Xu Zun did not despise Lin Zhao because he was young. He was sent to the Liao Kingdom when he was less than 20 years old. Prove that this person has extraordinary ability.As soon as they met, Xu Zun could feel the spirit of Lin Zhao, his eyes were piercing, full of heroism, he was indeed a young talent...

Zeng Gong asked: "Xu Zhizhou, I don't know if the ships are all ready!"

Xu Zun said with a smile: "After receiving the imperial edict, I have prepared the ships, helmsmen, sailors, and all the food and clean water."

"That's great! We can start tomorrow!" Zeng Gong didn't want to delay for a moment because of the heavy responsibility.

"I'm afraid it won't work, maybe I have to wait for a day or two!" Xu Zun shook his head and said, "The sea is very windy and the waves are high these few days, so it is not suitable to sail for the time being!"

Braving the wind and waves to go to sea, but making a joke of his own life.Everyone had no choice but to temporarily stay in Dengzhou and wait for the strong wind to pass.

As a small seaside town, Dengzhou is not very prosperous, and there are no places of interest in the city to visit.During this period of time, I have been on the road, and it is really uncomfortable to hold back. Later, when I entered the territory of the Liao Kingdom, I had to behave in a regular manner.After finally having a chance to relax, Lin Zhao naturally wouldn't miss it, so he told Zhang Zongyi and Zeng Gong that he was on leave, and went out for a leisurely stroll.

The envoys were accompanied by soldiers from the Forbidden Army who served as guards along the way. As one of the deputy envoys, Lin Zhao must be protected when going out.Lin Zhao didn't want to show off, and he didn't want too many people to disturb the fun, so he only brought one person with him.

"What's your name?" Lin Zhao casually asked the name of the fellow soldier.

"Return to the master book...Young master, in Xiasu'an, the name is Bozhou!"

"Su Bozhou!" Lin Zhao sighed, "Judging from the name, it seems that he also came from a scholarly family!"

Su An sighed: "I have studied for a few years, but it is of no use. My ancestors have military merits, and I have favored these captains. Hey..."

The status of warriors in the Song Dynasty was low, and Lin Zhao fully understood Su An's mentality, and comforted him: "Bozhou, don't belittle yourself, if there are no warriors and soldiers to protect your home and country, but rely on those who open their mouths and keep their mouths shut. Scholars, the Song Dynasty has long since perished!"

"That's what I said, but... think about what happened to Duke Wu Xiang (Di Qing) back then..." Su An sighed softly, full of helplessness.

Lin Zhao shook his head and said, "It's right to emphasize civility over martial arts in a peaceful and prosperous age, but it's wrong when border troubles threaten..." Then he patted Su An on the shoulder and said, "Bozhou, no matter what others think, first of all Respect yourself, the soldier is the most sacred and most respectable profession."

A trace of surprise flashed in Su An's eyes, a little surprised, a little moved.I have been in the army for so long, and this is the first time I heard scholars and scholar-bureaucrats praising warriors.It was also the first time for him, Su Bozhou, to be looked at by civil servants, and to be addressed by scholars. He felt complicated for a while, and he was also grateful to Lin Zhao.

Lin Zhao never expected that his usual few words would shock Su An so much, and his thoughts were attracted by the melodious sound of the flute in the distance.

Unexpectedly, there are such elegant scholars in the border towns and countryside. Lin Zhao was very interested and wanted to go forward to find out.Not far ahead is a fairly prosperous big market town. Outside a huge courtyard, a pair of peddler picks are placed on the ground, and a man who looks dignified and gentle stands beside him, with his flute on his lips, making melodious notes .

Unexpectedly, the small shopkeepers in the countryside of Dengzhou are so talented!While Lin Zhao was sighing, a pretty girl rushed out of the yard, calling out, "Yu Lang, Yu Lang..."

"Ayun...Ayun..." The salesman threw down his flute and came up to meet him!

It turned out to be the sound of the flute to tease love!

However, the ensuing plot turned into beating mandarin ducks with clubs. A group of people rushed out of the house, each holding a stick, and surrounded the shopkeeper and the woman.

"Okay, Yu Xuan, you want to seduce my little girl again..." A man in his 30s, fat-headed, and rich-looking man appeared afterward, pointing at the shopkeeper and cursing viciously!

The salesman named Yu Xuan stood up and said: "Brother Dong, my younger brother and A Yunben have a marriage contract, so it's only natural for me to come to her..."

"You still have the face to say, hum!"

"Brother Dong just dislikes the downfall of my family, but I'm already working hard, and I will make money to support Ah Yun!"

Coupled with the additions from the onlookers, Lin Zhao got a rough idea. It turned out that it was another bitter drama about a couple of young people who had fallen into poverty and unilaterally regretted their marriage, but a couple of young people seemed to have deep feelings for each other!

No wonder this peddler played the flute so well, he must have been born in a scholarly family, a beloved woman willing to be a peddler who walks the streets, this alone is worthy of admiration.

"Just you? How much money can you make with this peddler?" The rich man unceremoniously kicked the picker down, and the goods were scattered all over the ground. He said coldly, "Don't think about it, how could my little sister marry you This bereaved dog? To tell you the truth, my little sister has already agreed to another family, so you should give up on it!"

But the girl Ayun shouted loudly: "Cousin, I will not marry Wei Ada, and I will not marry anyone except Yu Lang!"

"Nonsense! Marriage is a matter of parents' order and a matchmaker's words. Now that your parents are gone and your eldest brother is like a father, I, as a cousin, will decide for you..."

Yu Xuan said indignantly: "Brother Dong, you just have the heart to marry Ah Yun to an ugly monster?"

"Hmph, what's the use of appearance, you are fair and clean, so what? Wei Ada has an ordinary appearance, but has strength, can work and make a living, how can you compare?"

"No, I won't marry that ugly monster!" Ayun's voice was hoarse, which clearly showed the anger and sorrow in his heart.Which woman would be willing to put a flower on cow dung?

There were more and more people onlookers, and there were many discussions. Mr. Dong became impatient, and said angrily: "I can't help you, your mother's funeral has not yet passed, and you want to have this little white face flirting with each other, how decent is it? No Daughter of filial piety, shame on the lintel!"

"Pull him back!" A few more healthy women rushed out of the house, and under the orders of Mr. Dong, they dragged the young girl Ayun in.

"I won't go...Yu Lang, Yu Lang..." The girl Ayun firmly grasped the hand of the shopkeeper Yu Xuan, unwilling to let go, but was broken apart by the healthy woman...

"Ayun, Ayun..." A pair of young men and women looked at each other, tears streaming down their faces, hoarse...

"Oh, what a miserable couple of lovers!" Lin Zhao couldn't help sighing, but in ancient times, outsiders could not interfere with such matters of marriage and clan, even the government could do nothing.

It's just that rich man Dong deceived others so much that he even allowed his slaves to beat the shopkeeper Yu Xuan with sticks. Lin Zhao couldn't stand it anymore, and shouted: "Stop!"

"Hey, young people should meddle in their own business? If you talk too much, I'll beat you too!" The evil slave rushed over arrogantly. Lin Zhao didn't move, but Su An rushed forward.

But in a short time, all the evil slaves with sticks were knocked to the ground by the unarmed Su An.Lin Zhao couldn't help being amazed: Unexpectedly, Su Bozhou is a master, and he hides his secrets. It seems that I have time to ask him for some tricks!
Seeing this, Mr. Dong knew that he had caused some trouble today, so he immediately said: "Okay, I will let you off today..." Then he quickly entered the gate of the courtyard, and all the evil slaves retreated in, shutting the door.

Only then did Su An help Yu Xuan, who was slightly injured with tears hanging from the corners of his eyes, and the shopkeeper choked up, "Ayun, Ayun..."

"Why does a man have no wife, what does it look like to cry?" Su An is a bold person, and he really can't see such a scene.

"But Ah Yun..."

Lin Zhao stepped forward and said, "If you really like that girl Ayun, you should cheer up and find another way. It won't help if you lose your mind like this. That girl Ayun seems to be still keeping her filial piety, and she won't be in a hurry to get married , you may not have a chance, think of a way!"

This kind of matter can only be helped by outsiders, and can only be solved by the parties themselves.The shopkeeper Yu Xuan seemed to understand something, a fierce light flashed in his resentful eyes, he cupped his hands and said: "Thank you for your help, goodbye!"

As he said that, he picked up the goods on the ground, picked up the shopkeeper's pick with difficulty and left.He was originally a frail and frail scholar, it was really hard for him, Lin Zhao sighed lightly, and told Su An to turn around and leave.From a distance, it seems that the affectionate sound of the flute and Miss Ayun's longing call can be heard.

At this time, Lin Zhao never imagined that the little girl he met in the countryside of Dengzhou would cause an uproar in the Song Dynasty in the near future...

PS: Su An, whose name is Bozhou; shopkeeper Yuxuan, whose name is Yaofu, two co-stars are on the scene!

(End of this chapter)