The turmoil in Yancheng passed, and Yangzhou quickly returned to normal. Lu Nianfu began searching for a suitable shop. It was too late to open before the Lunar New Year, but it would be good to get Xiang Dai Ge up and running by early spring.
At that time, with all the flowers in bloom, young ladies would be eager to tailor new clothes, and they would certainly need new rouge and powders to match.
Following the plum blossoms, they could then launch a batch of peach blossom products.
Within three days, they had organized a counterattack, and within five days, Yancheng was retaken. Feng Yunxian knew his official hat was safe. Although the great credit belonged to Gu Yanchen, he, as the Prefect, had not been entirely without merit.
Besides, the task of pacifying the populace fell entirely to him.
The Prefect's wife was very supportive of his work, raising a large sum of money from wealthy families in Jiangnan for the reconstruction of Yancheng. As one of the two fifth-rank official's wives in Yangzhou, Lu Nianfu naturally could not be absent.
As it was for female guests, only wives from prominent families were invited. Lu Nianfu observed that most of them were unfamiliar faces. After all, before her marriage, she was merely the daughter of a small merchant. Her status had risen after marrying Gu Yanchen, but she was still in mourning, so these ladies could not invite her.
The head of the Yangzhou Chamber of Commerce was Cheng Beizheng's father, Cheng Jingze.
His wife, Yu Xiaoyun, was among the attendees, and she was the only familiar face to Lu Nianfu besides the Prefect's wife. She had a good relationship with Cheng Beizheng and had once visited his residence. However, back then, Yu Xiaoyun had been polite on the surface but subtly dismissive in her heart.
Lu Nianfu, being perceptive, could naturally tell that Yu Xiaoyun was afraid Cheng Beizheng might harbor feelings for her, and thus was using her attitude to indicate that she did not wish for Lu Nianfu to become her daughter-in-law.
Therefore, after that one visit, Lu Nianfu never called on her again.
Yu Xiaoyun felt a moment of daze, the wheel of fortune turns. She never imagined that the merchant's daughter whom she had looked down upon would one day become the wife of a fifth-rank official.
In the past, the rank of a Qianhu (Commander) was not highly regarded in Jiangnan.
But now, it was different. With the Japanese pirates causing trouble at sea, the Wei Suo (Military Garrisons) were almost a lifesaver for merchants, let alone Gu Yanchen's recent victory and great achievement.
She greeted Lu Nianfu with a smile.
Even if only for Cheng Beizheng's sake, Lu Nianfu could not ignore her, so she exchanged pleasantries with her amiably. Whether it was her imagination or not, she felt that Yu Xiaoyun's mood was off, as if something sad had happened.
After the banquet, the Prefect's wife had successfully raised a considerable sum of money, and Lu Nianfu also gathered some news.
Cheng Jingze, despite Cheng Beizheng's repeated objections, insisted on sending Cheng Jiaojiao to the palace.
Lu Nianfu knew how much Cheng Beizheng doted on his sister, so she felt concerned. The next day, she went to Huwei Escort Agency, only to learn that he was out. The matter had to be left unresolved.
A few days later, Ouyang Wen and a group of other officials finally arrived in Yangzhou. The Prefect, having been notified in advance, led the officials of Yangzhou Prefecture to line the road and welcome them. The entourage entered the city with great fanfare.
The imperial decree brought by Ouyang Wen stated that the merits and demerits of all officials in Yangzhou were to be offset, and no one was promoted.
However, the crucial task of expanding the Wei Suo fell upon Gu Yanchen, which made many people green with envy.
Everyone knew that as long as this task was handled well, he would undoubtedly become the head of the Wei Suo. Even if he remained a Qianhu, the difference between leading over a thousand men and over five thousand men was significant.
Gu Yanchen also breathed a sigh of relief because the Emperor not only assigned him the task but also provided a large sum of money. As the saying goes, money makes things happen, and his path to recruiting soldiers became much smoother.
The Wei Suo system in Da Yin was quite strict. Once someone joined the Wei Suo, their entire family was considered part of it, and their descendants would have to serve in the military. However, the benefits were also obvious: in addition to their military pay, the Wei Suo soldiers were also allocated land by the court. Even if they died on the battlefield, their wives and children would be provided for.
Jiangnan was prosperous, and not many people went hungry. However, it was different in other regions, where many people wished to join the Wei Suo but couldn't. Gu Yanchen, without even catching up with Ouyang Wen, impatiently brought the imperial decree and the gold and silver back to the Wei Suo, instructing Meng Changdong to plan carefully and then go to other regions to recruit soldiers.
No matter where it was, imperial envoys always received a warm welcome.
Prefect Feng had to arrange a banquet to welcome them.
What was Yangzhou most famous for?
Thin horses.
Therefore, this welcoming banquet was held at the Ten Thousand Flowers Pavilion.