Zhang Heng and others disembarked from the ship when they arrived at Yingzhou. They rented carriages and horses from the Yingzhou Car Company and traveled overland. After a bumpy journey for several days, they arrived at Jiankang Prefecture and then arrived in the south of the Yangtze River.

However, Zhang Heng's destination this time was Hangzhou and Quanzhou, so he had to continue south from Jiankang Prefecture to Hangzhou. However, it was much more convenient to reach Jiangnan. The water system of Jiangnan is developed, and you can take a boat from Jiankang Prefecture to Hangzhou.

It was very hot and muggy in Hangzhou at the end of June. As soon as Zhang Heng arrived in Hangzhou, he immediately went straight to the Hangzhou government office. Zheng Jian, the magistrate, came after hearing the news.

Zhang Heng explained the shortage of food in Bianjing, and Zheng Jian immediately said: "There is food in Hangzhou, but the problem is how to go north. Now that the king's thieves are blocking the north and south, I am afraid it will not be possible for a while."

Zhang Heng said with a smile: "The king's thief is at the end of his powerful crossbow. He will be wiped out in July."

Although Zheng Jian didn't quite believe in Zhang Heng's judgment, he still said: "That way there is no problem."

Zhang Heng added: "There is a severe drought in the Jianghuai region this year, and we still need help from the states in the south of the Yangtze River."

Zheng Jian suddenly had a troubled expression on his face: "There is a severe drought in the Jianghuai River. In fact, the south of the Yangtze River is not much better. This year, the floods in the south of the Yangtze River have caused severe crop failure. The reason why we can still provide support is because the water towns in the south of the Yangtze River can fish, grow lotus roots, etc."

Once water operations are supplemented, there will be no problem in supporting Bianjing with food for March, but if we also need to provide relief to the Jianghuai River and even the west of Beijing, I am afraid it will be beyond our capabilities."

What Zheng Jian said was not an excuse. Zhang Heng had actually received the news. Zheng Jian could guarantee support for Bianjing and was already quite supportive of the imperial court. Therefore, Zhang Heng was not disappointed. The reason why he came to Hangzhou was not for this purpose.

.

Zhang Heng nodded and said: "This matter does not require assistance from the states and counties in the south of the Yangtze River. I came here today for another matter."

Zheng Jian said: "Judge Zhang, please speak."

Zhang Heng said: "Xiaguan plans to continue going south. This year's Fujian Road and Guangnan East-West Road are said to have a good harvest of grain. There should be enough grain there to transport north."

Zheng Jian frowned and said: "There is indeed food over there, but transportation is not easy. It takes too much to transport it from there. The key is that there is not enough time, right?"

Zhang Heng said: "What if we go north from the sea?"

Zheng Jian's expression changed slightly: "Judge Zhang, be careful what you say."

Zhang Heng said in surprise: "Scholar Zheng?"

Zheng Jian whispered: "To go north from the sea, you need to use a sea-going ship. If it is an inland river ship, it may capsize as soon as it enters the sea. The imperial court prohibits sea trade. Where can I find a sea-going ship?"

Zhang Heng looked directly at Zheng Jian and said: "This matter affects millions of victims in Jianghuai and western Beijing. I would like to ask Bachelor Zheng to point out a clear path."

Zheng Jian smiled bitterly and said, "I can't help you with this matter."

Zhang Heng shook his head and said: "The official knows that Master Zheng is in trouble. Master Zheng is from Jiangnan and has roots here. It is indeed inappropriate to offend anyone. However, it concerns millions of victims, so the official has no choice but to take the liberty of requesting the request."

Zheng Jian gritted his teeth and said: "Judge Zhang, millions of stones of food are going north, and there are not a few ships needed. If...then the thunder above the nine heavens is furious, and the south of the Yangtze River will be a bloody storm. Who dares to take this risk!"

Judge Zhang, if you are here to talk about aiding Beijing, we can continue to talk. If you are talking about this, then leave slowly without seeing him off."

I was immediately given an eviction order.

Zhang Heng had no choice but to go to the embassy to stay.

When the head of the embassy saw Zhang Heng, he was really surprised: "Zhang Qianfan, why are you here in Hangzhou?"

Zhang Heng had some impressions of this embassy director. When he came to Hangzhou to do contracting work before, this embassy director was quite active and said with a smile: "Some people are on official business. Seeing how many guests you have at the embassy, ​​this business is very good."

The curator smiled, and his back teeth were visible: "Thanks to you, thanks to you, the king's thieves are now blocking the north and south. These guests were originally businessmen who wanted to go north, but now they have no choice but to stay here. Thanks to you

!”

Zhang Heng suddenly laughed and said: "This is not a blessing to me. This is a blessing to the king's thief. It is him who blocks the north and south, not me."

The director burst out laughing: "If you hadn't organized this embassy, ​​how could this good thing have been my turn? In the end, it's all thanks to you."

Zhang Heng smiled and said, "Is this business still possible?"

The director smiled and said: "That's great. My embassy is located in the hub of Hangzhou. Although the basic fee paid every year is the highest, there are many guests here, so we don't have to worry about losing money.

I didn’t have the opportunity to thank you properly before, but this time I have to thank you properly. I will definitely give you the highest standard of reception during your stay here!”

Zhang Heng waved his hand and said, "No, no, you are going to make a mistake."

The curator smiled arrogantly: "In the past, it was called using public money to flatter the superiors, which was a mistake, but now I am running my own business and spending my own money, so that is not a mistake anymore."

Zhang Heng smiled: "Sure, it would be great if you don't feel at a loss."

Anyway, even if he was alone, he couldn't spend much money. He asked Lu Yining to take the rest of the people, and let the trading company handle the accounts. Anyway, the boss could make a lot of money, so he didn't have to worry about losing money.

Lu Yining came to see him in the evening. Seeing the food he ate and the luxury of the courtyard he lived in, he couldn't help but feel disgusted: "It's better to be an official. This should be the best courtyard here, right?"

Zhang Heng said with a smile: "No, only the superiors and prime ministers can live there. It was a mistake to live here before, but now it's okay."

Lu Yining smiled and said, "How did things go?"

Zhang Heng sighed softly and said: "The previous worries have come true. Zheng Jian is afraid of offending others, and he is also worried that after being exposed, if someone in the court wants to harm them, it will be all over. Who dares to take risks."

Lu Yining nodded and said: "Banning the sea is a national policy, but the maritime merchants in the south of the Yangtze River are rich enough to rival the country. Everyone knows this, but who dares to expose it seriously? Now the imperial court needs people, and they have come out, but if the imperial court is short of money,

Now, when the butcher's knife comes out, the south of the Yangtze River will be filled with blood and blood, who can withstand it?"

Zhang Heng gritted his teeth and said: "This thing can be done or it can't be done. I can't just watch the millions of victims starve to death, even if they can survive!"

Lu Yining sighed: "If Bachelor Zheng doesn't cooperate, how can we use our strength in the south of the Yangtze River? If we really use force, I'm afraid we won't be able to fill up the Qiantang River until tomorrow."

Zhang Heng sneered and said: "Then let's see who is smarter."

Zheng Jian knew that Zhang Heng would not give up, but he was still a little surprised to see him again the next morning. He shook his head and sighed: "Judge Zhang, this matter is not something you can solve. I will prepare the food for Beijing in the warehouse."

, as soon as the boat arrives, get on board immediately. The contribution you and Xu Yuan have made is not small, it is enough for you to level up again.

Listen to my advice, you have a bright future, why bother to disturb this muddy water? Even your teacher Zeng Mingzhong would not dare to step into this muddy water."

Zhang Heng shook his head and said: "When Zheng Xueshi learned about the Yongxing Army, he asked for orders for a small official who transported timber, and he did not hesitate to confront the Third Division. Was it for the official position at that time?"

My wife said it was important to code to earn money for milk powder. She asked me to stay at home and earn money while she went to have a prenatal check-up. She is such a good wife.
Chapter completed!