The sweet potato noodles were also transported over. Zhou Ger personally led the team. The paper mill's goods were loaded too.
In the end, there were sixteen carts of cargo, plus three carriages specifically for passengers, twenty imperial guards, plus managers from each factory—nine people in all.
On the day of departure, the procession was mighty and grand, stretching so far the end couldn't be seen.
All along the way, many people stopped to watch.
"Is Lord Fang going to sell goods?"
"Isn't that obvious?"
"With so many carts, there should be sweet potato noodles too."
"Definitely."
"I just don't understand. The xuan paper—taking it out to sell makes sense, since we don't have many scholars in Hezhou. But why take the sweet potato noodles too? We don't even have enough to sell here."
"Yeah, last time I went to Anhe Village wanting to buy more sweet potato noodles, Manager Zhou said they weren't selling for now—stock was being saved to ship out. I think if they sold here in Hezhou, they'd definitely sell out too."
"Lord Fang must have his considerations."
"Yes, yes, yes."
"With so much cargo, I wonder if they'll be able to sell it all."
"Food should sell. That sour and spicy sweet potato noodles is really delicious." Someone said, "But that xuan paper—I'm not so sure. I heard the scholar next door say that one cut of that paper costs a lot of silver! Just one book costs this much."
He held up two fingers. Hearing the gasps of astonishment from those around him, he continued contentedly, "I heard the paper mill has six carts of goods. How long would it take to sell all that!"
"What you said shows you lack experience. There are plenty of rich people out there! Those who can afford to study definitely aren't short on money."
"You say it like it's really true. Have you been there?"
The man was immediately stumped. "Though I haven't been, I've wandered the jianghu for over thirty years. What don't I understand?"
[江湖 (Jiānghú): lit. rivers and lakes — in Chinese culture, it refers to the world of martial artists, wanderers, outlaws, and adventurers who operate outside official society and government control.]
"He's right. He knows exactly how many widows there are in our town—knows them like the back of his hand. This guy's impressive."
Someone looked at the departing convoy with concern. "The Ling River area isn't very safe! The lord is bringing so much cargo—will something happen?"
"Now you're underestimating the lord. How arrogant were those bandits in Shunan? And what happened? As soon as our lord went over, they were wiped out in one sweep. The Ling River bunch are just small-time troublemakers, not worth mentioning. Besides, our eldest young master went along too. If they dare come out to rob, the eldest young master can take them down one stick at a time. There are only a few of them—probably not even enough to give the eldest young master a workout!"
"That's right. But those bandits only stop merchants for toll fees. They're not like the Shunan bunch who rob both money and people—utterly conscienceless. This year they've also used chemical fertilizer over there. Things have improved at home. I heard those bandits haven't come out anymore."
They were all desperately poor, which was why they'd resorted to banditry. But not all of them were like the Shunan gang. That was precisely why Fang Zichen hadn't brought soldiers—otherwise, if they'd been like the Shunan bandits, they'd have been dealt with by now.
Almost all the official roads in Hezhou had been paved with cement. The whole way was smooth. Because they were going to Shangyang, the journey was long—going and returning would probably take about three months. As for official duties, Fang Zichen had entrusted everything to the deputy prefect, telling him to keep an eye on things.
Hezhou was no longer what it used to be. It now had a completely new look. Bandits didn't dare run wild, local gentry and wealthy families didn't dare cause trouble. It was easy to manage. Major matters could be put on hold until he returned—just a few months, the deputy prefect felt he could handle it.
However: "My lord, leaving your post without authorization—if word gets out, will there be trouble?"
Fang Zichen was cocky: "What trouble could there be? The Emperor is my brother." He patted the deputy prefect's shoulder. "Relax, I've got people above me."
The deputy prefect: "..."
The imperial guards who had returned to the capital earlier had already come back. The imperial guards were the Emperor's people. They must have reported Fang Zichen's corruption to the Emperor. But now the guards were back, and Fang Zichen's head was still attached. Maybe he really wasn't bragging.
The deputy prefect immediately started flattering. Finally, he swore, saying, "My lord, rest assured and be on your way. I will definitely manage Hezhou well for you."
Fang Zichen felt something was off about that phrasing, but couldn't figure out what. Thinking about going to earn big silver, he was so happy his brain was getting muddled. He didn't think too much about it.
Now they had left Anping County and were heading south.
Zhao Ger rode with him for half a day. Because it was hot and Fang Zichen kept teasing him until his face was red, he finally pursed his lips and went back to the horse-drawn cart to chat with Zhou Ger.
Liuliu had also come, riding ahead with Guaizai. It was already summer and hot — nothing felt better than riding a horse with the wind in your face.
Gungun and Dandan also wanted a ride, but Zhao Ger wouldn't let them — he was afraid they'd fall off the horse. Now the two little ones were sulking, so unhappy that they wouldn’t even eat their buns.
Zhou Ger doted on them the most and couldn’t bear to see them upset. He took out some candy to coax them. Gungun crawled into his arms and said pitifully, "Uncle Zhou, Gungun wants to ride a horse."
Zhou Ger pinched his chubby little cheek, which felt so soft that he could hardly bear to let go. "But Uncle Zhou doesn’t know how either. What should we do?"
Before Gungun could answer, Fang Zichen called to them from outside the carriage, "Gungun, Dandan, do you want to come out and play?"
Gungun and Dandan’s eyes lit up instantly. "Yes, yes, yes! Father, carry us!"
Zhao Ger lifted the carriage curtain and warned uneasily, "Be careful. Don’t let the children fall."
Fang Zichen raised an eyebrow and gave him a sidelong glance. "You still don’t trust me with the children?"
Zhao Ger laughed and pointed ahead. "Have you forgotten how your eldest son lost his two front teeth?"
Fang Zichen: "…" Fine. You win.
He had nothing to say to that.
Fang Zichen had also brought their twist cars. Now he tied them with rope and let the horses pull them. The two little ones sat on top, and without needing to pedal, the twist cars moved on their own, just like driving. Black Whirlwind also ran alongside them, which made Gungun and Dandan overjoyed.
Before long, giggles came drifting over.
Zhou Ger lifted the curtain and took a look. Fang Zichen sat on horseback, his back straight and resolute. Every now and then he turned to look at the two children, his eyes full of gentle tenderness. His whole person seemed finely carved from head to toe, and when he smiled, he was dazzling.
Zhou Ger couldn’t help but think back to when they were still in Xiaohe Village. When he went to the river to wash clothes, quite a few young women and gers were whispering about Fang Zichen, their words full of admiration. When they saw him coming, knowing he was close with Zhao Ger, they immediately stopped talking, but he had still overheard a few things.
The village girls liked him, and so did the ones in town.
When he had just passed the tongsheng exam, a wealthy man from town brought his daughter to congratulate him, and after that matchmakers came to his door one after another. In the end, Fang Zichen chased them all over the village with a broom. Still, Zhou Ger felt that while some of those girls valued his status as a tongsheng, more of them probably valued his face.
He could study, cared for his family, was good to children, and was even willing to wash his fulang’s feet. He was handsome and diligent in work too. Which young woman wouldn’t be dazzled by that?
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