Chapter 87 Going South to Huzhou
Huzhou, a water town in the south of the Yangtze River, is located on the south bank of Taihu Lake.

Although the breath of early spring is still light, it already reveals a hint of warmth and pleasantness.

Zhao Ji bid farewell to the crown prince and set out from Chang'an with Shen Tao and Xiao Bao. The three of them passed through Wuguan and went out of Guanzhong, then took the Yangtze River waterway and soon arrived in Huzhou.

When Di Renjie was in Youzhou, he promised Qiao Tai that he would transfer him to Dazhou to serve as the governor. By chance, Qiao Tai became the governor of Huzhou.

Wucheng County, the seat of Huzhou, was where the residence of Governor Qiao Tai was located.

Zhao Ji still used the old tricks of Youzhou. He placed Shen Tao and Xiao Bao in the inn and went to meet Qiao Tai alone in disguise.

Because Zhao Ji often asked Qiao Tai for help in Youzhou, the servants of the Qiao family were familiar with Zhao Ji's face and knew that he had a special relationship with their master.

Therefore, as soon as Zhao Ji arrived at the governor's mansion, he was immediately invited in respectfully.

When he met Qiao Tai for the first time, Zhao Ji was caught in the rain and was soaked all over because he was anxious to save people.

This time, Zhao Ji could take his time and sit down to taste Huzhou's famous tea while waiting for Qiao Tai to come and see him.

Not long after, before Qiao Tairen was seen, excited voices could be heard from a long distance away.

"Oh, Chengyuan, Chengyuan!"

When Zhao Ji heard the voice, he quickly put down his teacup, got up and walked out the door.

I saw Qiao Tai standing outside the door, running towards Zhao Ji with his official uniform lifted up.

Zhao Ji went to greet him and bowed, "Brother Qiao, Governor, I haven't seen you for a few months. How are you?"

Qiao Tai grabbed Zhao Ji's hand and invited him into the house.

"Oh, Chengyuan is making fun of me. Come on, please take a seat."

The two of them sat down as host and guest. Zhao Ji smiled and said, "Brother Qiao, the scenery of the Jiangnan water town is indeed nourishing. I see that you are rosy-cheeked and full of energy. You are like two different people from when you were in Youzhou."

Qiao Tai laughed loudly upon hearing this and responded, "I was busy with state affairs in Youzhou and was unable to entertain Chengyuan properly. This time, Chengyuan should stay for a few more days. It just so happens that Di Gong is serving as the envoy of Jiangnan Province and will arrive in Huzhou soon."

"By then, Lord Di, Cheng Yuan, and General Li Yuanfang will all be here. I will certainly do my best to be a good host and let you enjoy the scenery of Huzhou."

Zhao Ji frowned upon hearing this and asked, "Has Di Gong not arrived in Huzhou yet?"

Qiao Tai didn't understand what Zhao Ji meant, and laughed, "How can it be that fast? Huzhou is almost at the easternmost part of Jiangnan Road. Di Gong has been patrolling all the way and heard that the guards of the demotion envoy have just arrived in Xuanzhou."

"But Chengyuan doesn't need to worry. Xuanzhou is just west of Huzhou, so Di Gong's next stop is most likely Huzhou. When the demotion and promotion envoys inspect a place, they usually send a letter three to five days in advance to inform us. Then we will know when Di Gong will arrive."

Zhao Ji shook his head and said, "It's hard to say. Di Gong likes to go on incognito visits since Youzhou. The government's notice will probably come, but Di Gong will definitely arrive in Huzhou in advance and will not alarm the local authorities."

Qiao Tai frowned when he heard this and said thoughtfully, "I didn't expect that."

Zhao Ji comforted him, "I got off the boat at the Yangtze River and arrived in Huzhou. Along the way, Brother Qiao's administration is harmonious and the people are living and working in peace. Why should you worry?"

Qiao Tai smiled and said, "Chengyuan, you are too kind. I am just a little disappointed that I cannot serve Di Gong sooner."

Zhao Ji felt a little amused when he heard this, thinking to himself, "Your Lord Di is not here, why is he so attentive?"

Then Zhao Ji thought of Zeng Tai again, wondering when he could meet this spiritual master.

Seeing Zhao Ji was silent, Qiao Tai changed the subject: "Let's not talk about this, Chengyuan. We finally got together. I will hold a banquet in my mansion today to welcome you."

Zhao Ji quickly waved his hand and refused, "No, no. To be honest, I came to Huzhou this time because I received the imperial decree and have an errand. This matter is top secret, and I came here incognito on purpose. I must not alarm others."

Qiao Tai couldn't help but laugh when he heard this. He knew that Zhao Ji was looking for his help again. This was the fate of being a tool. However, Qiao Tai still said solemnly: "If Chengyuan needs anything, just ask, I will definitely cooperate with you."

Zhao Ji couldn't help but laugh when he saw Qiao Tai's obligatory look.

In the past, when I asked Qiao Tai for help, he was always reluctant, but now he is very efficient and decisive.

"I have a small matter that I need your help with, Brother Qiao." Zhao Ji said.

"Chengyuan, please feel free to speak." Qiao Tai said.

"Who is the Great Wall Commander in Huzhou? I want to meet him." Zhao Ji said seriously.

Qiao Tai laughed when he heard this question: "Wucheng County, the seat of Huzhou, is a 'prominent' county. The next largest county is Changcheng County. That's a good job."

"The county magistrate is also an able official. He has been transferred to Huzhou for about a year and is deeply loved by the people. Coincidentally, he and I have the same name, Zeng, Zeng Tai."

After hearing this, Zhao Ji laughed out loud: "Great, great Zeng Tai! Brother Qiao, I want to meet this County Magistrate Zeng."

Qiao Tai thought for a moment and asked, "Do you want me to call Magistrate Zeng to the state capital?"

"Yes and no. I would like to ask Brother Qiao to call all the county magistrates to the provincial capital and then arrange a meeting between the two of us." Zhao Ji said with a smile.

Qiao Tai understood what Zhao meant and knew that Zhao wanted to keep the mission secret and conceal his contact with Zeng Tai.

"In that case, I will summon all the county magistrates to the governor's mansion in the name of responding to Di Gong's inspection and give them instructions. Then you can arrange for Cheng Yuan to meet with County Magistrate Zeng."

Zhao Ji was very satisfied with the arrangement and bowed to Qiao Tai, saying, "Okay, thank you very much, Brother Qiao."

Qiao Tai was also a man of swift action, and he immediately went down to pass on the order: "Don't worry, Chengyuan, I will arrange it right away."
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Qiao Tai quickly wrote a warrant and dispatched his men to various counties in Huzhou to deliver it.

He returned to the back hall and pulled Zhao Ji aside again, saying, "Chengyuan, now that the order has been issued, should I fulfill my duties as a host?"

Zhao Ji smiled awkwardly and apologized: "I'm sorry, Brother Qiao, but there is one more thing."

Qiao Tai scolded him, "Hey, Chengyuan, why are you so reserved? What kind of relationship do we have? If you have something to say, just tell me!"

Zhao Ji asked with some embarrassment: "Excuse me, are there any well-known brothels in Huzhou?"

Qiao Tai was stunned for a moment when he heard this, with a black question mark on his face.

"Ok?"

"What? Brothel? Did I hear it right?" Qiao Tai's expression and voice became serious, as if he doubted that he had heard it wrong.

"Chengyuan, young people should be careful about sex. Listen to my advice. You are young and have a bright future. Don't indulge in sex."

Zhao Ji had an expression that said, "Brother Qiao, you misunderstood. I have official business to attend to, so I inquired about these places. This matter is confidential, so I cannot speak directly to you."

Qiao Tai heard this and showed a half-doubtful expression on his face: "Really?"

"Really!" Zhao Ji nodded heavily.

Qiao Tai said helplessly: "Okay, but I don't know these places. I'll find a yamen runner to get back to you."

　Thanks to Sifang and Uncle95 for the tip.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)