After rebirth, I joined forces with my mortal enemy to seek revenge.

Fang Jianyue was the person she arranged in advance. In order to make this move more valuable, Pei Jiaoran did not intend to let the relationship between the two get too involved. She had just arrived and had not figured out the thoughts of these Jiangnan wealthy families yet. It was always a good thing to be careful. Now that Shen Yunzhou is leading Jiangnan's wealthy family to show their favor to her and secretly inquire about her thoughts, it is really hard not to think of the sentence, "All the powerful families in the Six Dynasties have their own agenda." She knew that these people were worried that the court's actions would go too far and swallow up their interests, so she pushed Shen Yunzhou, who had a good reputation, to come out and test her.

Fang Jianyue looked at her and smiled knowingly. He entered the house with her.

The furnishings in the house are exquisite and gorgeous, and Xunling Shili incense is burning in the incense burner. Even the curtains are made of pearls of equal size, and the tables, chairs and benches are also made of rosewood.

"This Governor Shen is really generous. I'm afraid he will be much more difficult to deal with than those people in Hebei. I gave you such a big gift when you came here. Could it be that I want to curry favor with you?"

Hearing this, Pei Jiaoran squeaked coldly, "How can such a big undertaking be the work of the Shen family alone? Shen Yunzhou must have put so much thought into it, and it must have been for the reform."

"The changes are in their interests. If they are so calm, I have to praise them."

After pouring a cup of tea for Fang Jianyue, Pei Jiaoran said: "Jianghuai is the lifeblood of the imperial court's tax collection. They have also contributed a lot to the imperial court in recent years. These wealthy families in the south of the Yangtze River are different from the military governors in the north. The feudal clan and the clan are different. Their trump card. After Yongjia crossed south, they saw the methods of the northern wealthy families, and became cautious in everything. They watched from the other side, just waiting for the chips in their hands to be used in a more suitable place."

Pei Jiaoran took a sip of tea and continued: "The situation in Jiangnan is different from that in Hebei, and the reform methods cannot be the same. This is also the reason why I came here in person."

"Understood." Fang Jianyue said, "Is there anything I can do to help?"

"There's no rush. I'll go find you personally when the time comes."

The candlelight in the room flickered, and the two looked at each other and smiled tacitly.

Pei Jiaoran, who was not disturbed, had a good rest in the yard for the whole day.

Early the next morning, Shen Yunzhou sent an envoy to deliver the message. It is said that there is a banquet in the garden today, and Mr. Pei will be invited to attend the banquet.

After listening to the messenger's words, Pei Jiaoran nodded.

"Shen Yunzhou is really polite to you." Zhou Mancao held a plate of lotus seeds, "Even me and Bi Fei are blessed by you."

"The difference between Shen Yunzhou and me is only half a grade. The reason why he is so polite to me is simply because I am now the salt and iron transport envoy of the Jianghuai River." Pei Jiaoran twisted a lotus seed between his fingers, and gently twisted the lotus seed, " If the lotus flesh is tender, the heart of the lotus will be sweet; if the flesh of the lotus is old, the heart of the lotus will be bitter. There are some things that you cannot know how they taste unless you try them yourself."

"You went to Tongzhou in person, and you went to Hebei in person. When you come back to Yangzhou, you also take the lead." Zhou Mancao couldn't help but sigh.

As soon as he finished speaking, Pei Jiaoran smiled and said, "It is best to do it in person to build up political hope. Especially when it involves reforms. Jiangnan is a muddy water. If the people who come are not important enough, they will not be able to make a difference." What’s the purpose? It’s not like we have to be led by these people.”

Looking at Pei Jiaoran with a smile, Zhou Mancao took something wrapped in brocade from his sleeve and handed it to her.

Looking at Zhou Mancao suspiciously, Pei Jiaoran opened the brocade cloth. A pair of red agate bracelets appeared in front of me.

"Feng Yuanxian gave it to me before he left yesterday." Zhou Mancao blinked and said with a playful expression: "Listen to what he meant, Li Xiujing secretly kept it in the treasury of Huan Qi's mansion. He also asked him to keep it for him. Okay, I’ll leave it to you to find the opportunity.”

"Why didn't he give it to me himself, and went through such a big detour? Maybe he was afraid that I would get involved in him." Pei Jiaoran weighed the bracelet and smiled sternly, "I'm not that cruel."

Zhou Mancao smiled and answered, "This bracelet matches your pair of earrings quite well. It shows that he has put a lot of thought into it."

Hearing this, Pei Jiaoran didn't answer and put the bracelet on his wrist. Zhou Mancao looked at Bi Fei, who was practicing pipa in the garden, and asked, "What on earth are you thinking?"

As if he didn't hear Zhou Mancao's words, Pei Jiaoran moved to the dressing table and sat down. She picked out a pair of red agate earrings from the dowry and put them on her ears.

"The storm is like darkness, and he and I are both on the cusp of the storm. It's not yet time."

It's not that she doesn't care about Li Xiujing, but given the current situation, the relationship between the two should not be too deeply involved. There are still many arrangements for the government, and she will also make big moves in the future. No external force can affect her at this time.

"You don't have to go with me today. Have a good rest. It's time to work tomorrow."

The banquet was held at night. It wasn't until the moon rose above the branches that Pei Jiaoran left the courtyard where he was temporarily staying and followed the maid who had led him to the banquet place.

The place where the banquet was held today was smaller than yesterday. But the furnishings are still exquisite.

Go inside and look around. Those present today are all officials from Yangzhou and the counties under its jurisdiction. This is the real official banquet.

"Mr. Pei." Shen Yunzhou bowed his hands and saluted.

"Shen Jishi."

After exchanging pleasantries, the two sat down side by side.

Under the leadership of Shen Yunzhou, the officials present toasted to Pei Jiaoran. After several rounds of toasts, Pei Jiaoran's face was already red from drinking. Shen Yunzhou toasted her with several more glasses of wine. When he turned around and returned to the table, he heard Pei Jiaoran calling him.

Pei Jiaoran leaned on the table and looked at Shen Yunzhou with a half-smile but said, "Why don't Governor Shen introduce me to someone who is in charge of the water conservancy works in the state?"

The number of people she brought was limited, and there were dedicated personnel responsible for water conservancy projects in the state. Only by cooperating between the two parties can the work of connecting inland rivers and canals be achieved with twice the result with half the effort. Now that she has made the topic clear, it depends on whether Shen Yunzhou can understand it.

As soon as he finished speaking, Shen Yunzhou was slightly stunned. He immediately came back to his senses, stroking his beard and said, "It was my negligence that I forgot to introduce him to Mr. Pei."

After speaking, Shen Yunzhou called out: "Master Yu."

"Sir joined the army in Yuqiao to pay homage to Xianggong Pei." An official in green clothes came out to salute with a respectful tone.

"Master Yu, I have drafted a fortification plan. Why don't you take a look at it for me? What's the problem?" Pei Jiaoran smiled, "This fortification must be carried out as soon as possible without any delay."

"Here."

After Yu Qiao finished reading, he raised his head and looked at Pei Jiaoran in surprise.

"Mr. Pei, don't you want to dredge the Neiguan River?" Yu Qiao said in surprise.

"The water intake from the Guanhe River in this city is limited. Even if it is dredged, it will only cure the symptoms but not the root cause. It will still be blocked. It is better to abolish it directly and start from Qiligang..." Pei Jiaoran looked at Yu Qiao, "Open the river eastward and take the path of Zenzhi. From now on, the Cao River can pass outside Changmen and go around the city in the old Guan River section of Siqiao. In this way, the dredging of the Neiguan River will not be so important."

Digging a river channel is expensive and laborious. She can't waste the Ministry of Finance's money on unnecessary things.