Do you know: I, a commoner prime minister

Chapter 81 First Meeting with Sheng Hong

"We're all family, why be like this!" Sheng Wei patted him on the shoulder.

"Uncle, the carriage is waiting. Let's go into town and get home first, then we can talk!"

Sheng Changbai smiled and said, "Grandmother has been looking forward to Uncle's family's arrival for a long time!"

"good!"

Sheng Wei nodded, and the group, led by Sheng Changbai, left the dock and boarded several carriages that were waiting outside.

"My lord, Yangzhou is far more prosperous than Tongzhou!"

Shulan lifted the carriage curtain and looked at the scenery outside.

Although it is still outside the city, the road from the dock to Yangzhou is bustling with pedestrians and cargo teams.

"That's natural. Tongzhou leads directly to the sea, and Yangzhou is one of the important cities in Jiangnan, relying on the Grand Canal. Large quantities of goods and grain were transported from here to the Central Plains."

Zhou An was also observing the scene outside. In fact, to see whether a place is prosperous or not, you only need to look at the people and pedestrians outside.

Tongzhou is also geographically important, with the Yangtze River and the Grand Canal being the two most important inland waterways.

However, their functions are completely different. The Yangtze River flows from east to west, while the Grand Canal flows from north to south.

At this time, Jiangnan was the most prosperous place in the Great Zhou Dynasty. The Grand Canal extended deep into the Jiangnan inland area, which could continuously transport grain and goods from Jiangnan to the Central Plains and the North.

Many maritime trade goods, after entering the inland areas from the Yangtze River, also had to be transshipped through Yangzhou and Zhenzhou before being transported to the Central Plains via the Grand Canal.

The people I saw along the way, whether in terms of their spirit or their clothing, were better than those in Tongzhou.

This shows that the people of Yangzhou were more prosperous than those of Tongzhou.

The Yangzhou wharf is about ten miles away from the city.

More than half an hour later, the majestic city walls of Yangzhou came into view.

It couldn't compare to Jinling City, but it was much more magnificent than any other city Zhou An had ever seen.

After entering the city, the population density was much higher than in Tongzhou.

The carriage stopped at the back gate of the Tongpan Yamen (prefectural magistrate's office) in the east of the city.

Zhou An and Shulan got off the carriage and saw a group of people waiting at the door.

The leader was an elderly woman with mixed black and white hair. To her left was an ordinary-looking middle-aged woman, and to her right was a girl of about fourteen or fifteen years old.

Standing behind them was a boy of about twelve or thirteen years old, and three little girls of about six or seven years old.

There were also many servants of different ages, dressed as maids, standing nearby.

"aunt!"

Mr. and Mrs. Sheng Wei hurriedly went to greet them and bowed.

"My aunt came out to greet me personally; you've really made me feel too awkward!"

"I heard you've arrived, and I couldn't sit still any longer, so I came out to stretch my legs!"

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Sheng Wei turned to the side and introduced Zhou An and Shulan behind him.

Every year at the end of the year, Sheng Wei would personally come to the second branch of the family to deliver gifts, sometimes with Li Shi and sometimes with Sheng Changsong.

Only Shulan, whom Old Madam Sheng hadn't seen for many years, and Zhou An, Sheng family son-in-law, were meeting her for the first time.

"Greetings, Great-Grandmother!"

Zhou An and Shulan stepped forward to greet them.

"We're all family, no need for such formalities!"

Grandma Sheng smiled as she looked at Shulan and Zhou An.

"Let's go inside, sit down, and talk slowly!"

After exchanging pleasantries, Old Madam Sheng invited everyone inside.

Upon arriving at the main hall, Old Madam Sheng sat alone at the head of the table, with the eldest son's wife sitting on the left in order, and Madam Wang on the right.

After the younger generation finished their greetings, Old Madam Sheng inquired about the health of the eldest daughter-in-law.

As they were chatting, Sheng Hong walked in with a smile. After bowing to Old Madam Sheng, he said apologetically, "My elder brother and sister-in-law have come from so far away, and I was unable to greet them. I truly regret it!"

"Brother Hong, what are you saying? You're on official business, so naturally you must prioritize it!"

Sheng Wei got up and helped himself up, then called Zhou An and Shu Lan to come and pay their respects.

"Greetings, Uncle Yue (Second Uncle)!"

Zhou An was sizing up Sheng Hong as soon as he entered.

Sheng Hong was dressed in a black robe and had a refined and scholarly demeanor. Although he was middle-aged, he was still quite handsome, and it was easy to tell that he had been a dashing young man in his youth.

After all, Sheng Hong's father was a third-ranked scholar in the imperial examinations. To be chosen as a third-ranked scholar, one must be handsome.

The selection criteria for the third-ranked scholar were not based entirely on academic performance, but primarily on appearance.

Speaking of which, when she was young, Old Madam Sheng was quite the looks-obsessed person. She took a liking to Sheng Hong's father at first sight and insisted on marrying him despite her family's objections.

Sheng Hong was not the legitimate son; his birth mother was a concubine.

As the saying goes, one should marry a virtuous wife and take a beautiful concubine.

Concubines were all women who served men with their looks; those who could be taken as concubines by officials were almost never ugly.

With his parents' good genes, it's normal for Sheng Hong to be handsome.

"No need for formalities!"

Sheng Hong smiled and waved his hand, looking Zhou An up and down, and said, "I heard you're preparing to take the imperial examination next year. Are you confident about your chances?"

"The imperial examination is very difficult, and even my nephew-in-law isn't confident. This trip is just to experience the atmosphere of the imperial examination!" Zhou An said.

"Yes, the most important thing when taking the exam is your mindset. If you have this mindset, as long as you do your best, you may still have a chance."

Sheng Hong smiled and nodded, saying, "Stay home for a few more days, and I'll share some of my experience with you."

"Thank you so much, Uncle Yue!" Zhou An feigned surprise and bowed to express his gratitude.

"We're all family, no need to be so polite!"

Sheng Hong waved his hand, inviting him to sit down, and then sat down next to Madam Wang.

Next, the elders started chatting about everyday things, and the younger generation could only sit and listen.

People like Sheng Changfeng and San Xiaolan could only stand behind Sheng Hong and Madam Wang.

Sheng Hong was very good at interpersonal relationships. When chatting about everyday things, he would occasionally chat with Zhou An.

When Zhou An and his group arrived, it was almost Shen Shi (3-5 PM). After chatting for about half an hour, a servant came to report that the meal was ready.

Sheng Hong then invited them to dine in the flower hall, while the women dined in the Shou'an Hall.

The meal was very lavish, with all sorts of delicacies from land and sea.

Xi Jiansheng and Sheng Wei discussed Hua Lan's wedding arrangements.

After the Yuan family completes the betrothal, Hua Lan will need to be sent to Bianjing to get married in half a month.

It is not appropriate for one's own parents to go in person, and in the Sheng family, only Uncle Sheng Wei is the most suitable person to personally go.

Sheng Wei and Sheng Yun will lead the two younger members, Sheng Changbai and Sheng Changsong, to Bianjing to escort the bride.

Shengwei and the others can only return from Bianjing after Hualan's wedding.

Zhou An didn't listen carefully; he was too busy struggling with the bear paw.

He had never eaten this thing in either of his two lifetimes. In his previous life, he had heard people say that it was just a gimmick and that it didn't actually taste good.

But after actually tasting it, he realized it was all a lie.

The bear paw has a soft, chewy texture and a gelatinous feel; the more you eat, the more delicious it becomes.

After the meal, Sheng Wei and Sheng Hong chatted over tea, and Sheng Changbai led Zhou An out for a walk.

"Brother-in-law, since it's the back residence of an official, the house isn't very big. How about I take you for a tour of Yangzhou?" Sheng Changbai said.

"I'm tired from the long journey, but I'll have time to explore the back of Yangzhou city later."

Zhou An smiled and said, "How about you take me to your study? I didn't bring many books with me this time, and I'd like to borrow some."

"It was my oversight!"

Sheng Changbai nodded and said, "Brother-in-law, please come with me!"

The two chatted casually all the way to Sheng Changbai's study.

After passing the screen, Zhou An saw that the bookshelves in the study were filled with books.

There was a map hanging on the wall behind the desk.