As the merchant ship pierced through the morning mist, a huge and busy dock slowly came into view for Xiao Ming.
This dock was none other than the Tuojiang Dock, north of Qingzhou city.
From Chang’an to Qingzhou, the journey by boat took ten days and went smoothly overall.
In the first half of the trip, Feiyue’er cried often, missing her parents. But in the latter half, as she grew familiar with Xiao Ming, she enjoyed the scenery and people along the way.
After all, Feiyue’er was only eighteen or nineteen — the playful age. Once freed from worries, she became lively.
She no longer dwelled on the troubles in Chang’an, and the Second Prince was now just a stranger to her. His exile was deserved. The only regret was that the King of Liang probably wouldn’t honor the trade agreement.
But that didn’t matter. Now, with the royal family, Wei’s land, Yong’s land, and the interest-exchange Chu land, these regions would sustain his trade for a while.
In the future, maybe he could just blast his way with cannons.
After the assassination attempt, his faith in the princes dwindled. The blood oath was just a comfort for Empress Zhao and Xiao Wenxuan.
Though the other princes might tolerate it for now, when conflicts became irreconcilable, the blood oath would be as useless as farting after pulling down one’s pants.
“Your Highness has returned!”
Though the ship had not yet docked, officials spotted its flag and began cheering.
Xiao Ming had been gone a month. Officials and generals in his territory were anxious and unsettled, unsure what to do without him.
Standing on the ship, Xiao Ming saw the crowd waiting at the dock — civil and military officials alike.
He said to Feiyue’er, “Princess Consort, let me introduce Qingzhou’s officials to you.”
Pointing, he said, “That stiff-looking man is Pang Yukun. He’s as stiff as he looks and is my chief secretary. To his right is Niu Ben, my grand commander in charge of the armies of six prefectures. To his left is Zhan Xingchang, my strategist — a quiet scholar with a cunning mind. Behind Niu Ben is Lu Fei…”
Feiyue’er followed Xiao Ming’s gestures and occasionally covered her mouth to smile. Xiao Ming’s introductions were elegant and amusing, making it easy for her to remember their names.
As the ship slowly reached the dock, the sailors lowered the gangplank. Xiao Ming led his group ashore.
Pang Yukun had heard of Xiao Ming’s return early and waited with officials, mainly to meet the Princess Consort.
As the ship docked, seeing Xiao Ming with a very beautiful woman at his side, the crowd exchanged looks and called out, “Greetings, Your Highness! Greetings, Princess Consort!”
After disembarking, Xiao Ming felt relieved — here he need not fear assassins around every corner.
The officials bowed deeply. Feiyue’er was somewhat overwhelmed.
Xiao Ming smiled and said, “Don’t be nervous. They are my subjects and will be yours too. They mainly came to greet you.”
Feiyue’er nodded gently. As Fei Ji’s daughter, she had seen how he greeted officials and straightened her posture, trying to look regal. In a clear, melodious voice she said, “Please, no need for ceremony.”
Xiao Ming smiled faintly. Feiyue’er was truly a daughter of a great family. She was refined. Her “no need for ceremony” was confident and clear.
“Thank you, Your Highness and Princess Consort,” Pang Yukun and the others rose but kept their heads lowered, unwilling to look directly at Feiyue’er.
In Great Yu, staring at a woman was rude — let alone the Princess Consort.
At the dock, a horse carriage was ready. Xiao Ming led Feiyue’er aboard.
Pang Yukun and others lifted their heads and said, “Congratulations, Your Highness, on winning a beauty. Shouldn’t you share some wedding money to liven things up?”
Xiao Ming always had good relations with his subordinates. He expected this and said, “The wedding money is with Luo Xin. Go ask him.”
Hearing this, the crowd swarmed around Luo Xin. Lu Fei and other generals grabbed Luo Xin and began frisking him.
Watching the officials playfully crowd around Luo Xin, Xiao Ming climbed into the carriage with Feiyue’er and headed for Qingzhou city.
On the carriage, Feiyue’er tapped her chest. She had been nervous earlier but, seeing the officials’ jovial behavior, smiled. “Your Highness, you have such good relations with your subjects.”
“Yes. This is Qingzhou — no heaviness or stiffness like in Chang’an. It’s a vibrant city and will never be like Chang’an.”
The first time he visited Chang’an, Xiao Ming was shocked by its splendor. The second time, Chang’an felt less impressive than Qingzhou.
He believed in a few years Qingzhou would surpass Chang’an.
“Really? Then I must take a good look at Qingzhou,” Feiyue’er said, pulling back the curtain slightly to peek at the unfamiliar place.
Through the slit, she saw the road from the dock to Qingzhou city was covered not with yellow earth but a silvery surface.
Neither merchants nor horse carriages left any marks on it.
Horse hooves sounded especially loud on the road.
The carriage soon reached the city gates.
Two rows of soldiers in dark green uniforms, each carrying stick-like weapons, saluted the carriage.
Inside Qingzhou city, the same type of roads continued. Suddenly, the streets grew crowded.
People passed by with smiles, wearing clean cotton clothes and carrying baskets filled with goods.
Merchants wore silk and brocade, pulling carts back and forth busily.
What surprised Feiyue’er most were groups of young men in white robes playing in the streets. Their chests bore the characters for “Bowen Academy.”
Looking up, Feiyue’er saw a giant object floating overhead, startling her enough to close the curtain.
Xiao Ming laughed, “How do you like my Qingzhou? Amazing, isn’t it?”
Still startled, Feiyue’er nodded. “The people here seem wealthier than those we passed. The number of merchants almost equals Chang’an. But Your Highness, what’s that thing flying in the sky?”
“That’s a hydrogen balloon,” Xiao Ming replied with a smile.
Feiyue’er exclaimed, “Not a hot air balloon? What’s a hydrogen balloon?”