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

There is a censor appointed by the imperial court in Haozhou, who works with the chief historian to handle state affairs. Pei Jiaoran said goodbye with a few people on the grounds that he still had important matters to deal with in Yangzhou, and returned with the crowd. The incident in Haozhou is over, and the culprit is dead. How the court handles the remaining matters has nothing to do with her.

As winter approaches on the Huai River, white mist fills the river. Pei Jiaoran was wrapped in a fox fur and standing on the bow of the boat holding a heater. The wind blew the broken hair on her forehead. The wind stung people's faces.

Lifting the curtain and entering the cabin, I saw Li Xiujing sitting lazily by the window. There were many documents sent by Kuai Ma piled on the desk. He looked through them at will without giving any instructions.

After taking a look at Li Xiujing, Pei Jiaoran walked aside. Study the ink by yourself, pick up the pen and draw. Gorgeous peonies are spread bit by bit on the snow-white rice paper. The beautiful one is like a cuckoo crying blood, the plain one is clear and beautiful, the branches and leaves are stretched out, as if the breeze is passing by. She paints quite casually, as if she paints whatever comes to mind, but when viewed from left to right, the scenery is different, and she has her own sense of style.

Disturbed by the sound of the pen brush rubbing against the rice paper, Li Xiujing stood up and walked to her side to stop. On the jade plate paper, red gold and vermilion overlap, and ethereal green and dark green blend into each other. The two colors struggle in conflict and temptation, compete in blending and transgression, and determine who should attract the viewer more. Hidden meanings and metaphors are like chess players on a chessboard, making people think deeply. His eyes were fixed on the painting near the end. He caught a glimpse of the cold murderous intention in it.

After the painting was finished, Pei Jiaoran leaned over and blew on the scroll.

Li Xiujing's eyes were always fixed on the painting, and she felt that the vermilion peony was particularly dazzling.

"Why paint peonies? It's almost winter, shouldn't we go walking in the snow to look for plum blossoms?" Li Xiujing asked with a smile.

When asked about it, Pei Jiaoran raised his lips and said, "Plum blossoms are gentlemen and hermits in the mountains. And I am not Xie Anshi who lives in Dongshan. I need to be a person seeking fame and reputation. To me, the peony that leads the crowd is even more lovable."

The words "General Qunfang" came into his ears, and Li Xiujing looked at her and smiled without saying a word. I'm afraid her painting of peonies is fake, but it's true that she uses the paintings to describe her aspirations. The commander-in-chief Qunfang has a deep meaning behind it, which corresponds to the commander-in-chief Baikui.

He seemed to have seen her ambition, but he couldn't get close to her at all.

"This painting is beautiful. If you have time someday, how about you paint one for me?" Li Xiujing said.

"Isn't this painting good?" Pei Jiaoran looked at him blankly and said softly: "If you have this intention today, you may not be able to draw such a charm in the future."

Li Xiujing's eyes were gentle, "Peony is your favorite, how can I take it away. How about you draw a pine for me?"

Meeting his gaze, Pei Jiaoran smiled knowingly. He understood her feelings, which she was very satisfied with.

"Okay."

The group returned to Yangzhou before winter completely set in.

In order not to disturb the people, Pei Jiaoran refused Shen Yunzhou's kind offer to lead the crowd to welcome him. The boat stopped outside Yangzhou City, and the group transferred to a carriage and entered the city.

The city is still lively. Most of the fortifications have been dug, and all the work sheds erected have been replaced with thick felt. When the carriage drove past the work shed, the workers were gathering together to eat, and a charcoal pot was placed in front of them.

"It must cost a lot of money every day." Bi Fei lay beside the window frame and said thoughtfully.

"The expense of the state capital is a lot, but it is worth it. I have said that opening the river will be utilitarian for a long time, and it cannot be just a temporary thing." Pei Jiaoran played with the tassels on the stove and said quietly: "This is a good thing for Yangzhou. .”

The newly dug river channel is completed, and more grain and taxes will be transported to Chang'an in the coming year. People in the Jianghuai area don't have to tighten their belts to get by.

"I'm going to Zhoushe. You should go back to the post house first." Pei Jiaoran said.

The two of them got off the carriage in front of the post house as instructed.

These two people went to Haozhou before her, and they were almost busy during this time. Pei Jiaoran took a few days off because of his injury. Now that he was back, he didn't want the two of them to continue to work hard with him. Only Li Xiujing and the accompanying Zhou Zhen soldiers were left to go to Zhou Xie.

The carriage stopped in front of the state house, but Pei Jiaoran did not dismount immediately.

The state house is surrounded by tall gates, and through the middle gate is the public house where daily offices are located. The tall doors and high eaves were all exposed to the sun. Although there were sergeants standing all around, no one came out to greet them. Those with the fourth rank and below can only be outside the camp gate, while those with the fourth rank and above and the officials of the border can enter the camp gate to stop and dismount.

After thinking about it, Pei Jiaoran lightly tapped the wall of the carriage to signal the coachman to continue driving in.

As soon as the carriage stopped, Shen Yunzhou's voice reached his ears from outside.

Pei Jiaoran slowly opened the curtain and looked at Shen Yunzhou and the officials who came with her at the door with a smile, as well as the powerful people from various Jiangnan families.

"Hey, didn't we all say not to have such a big battle? What are you doing here?" Pei Jiaoran raised his eyes and glanced at Shen Yunzhou, with a hint of blame in his tone.

Gu Xun stroked his beard and said with a smile: "I heard that Mr. Pei was almost murdered by a traitor during his trip, so I came here to pay a visit."

After he finished speaking, the servants standing behind several other people came forward to pay their respects.

"This..." Pei Jiaoran was slightly stunned, and then sighed, "I am going to Jianghuai as an envoy on behalf of the emperor, and I should do my best. These gifts are really precious, and I dare not accept them."

She knew what these people wanted. If she really accepts these gifts, she will support them more in the future division of interests. But it cannot be completely rejected.

After thinking for a moment, Pei Jiaoran only picked an old wild ginseng.

The group of people entered the state house and sat down in the main hall where guests were received.

"It's been a hard work for you all to help me during these days." Pei Jiaoran took a sip of tea and said to several people.

After saying this, Shen Yunzhou hurriedly stood up and saluted, "Ms. Pei's words are serious."

"I just passed by the river. I saw that the people all had food to eat and things to keep out the cold. Shen Governor did a good job in this regard." Pei Jiaoran glanced at a few people and continued: "Winter will begin in a few days. If it snows again this year, the fortifications will be even more difficult. It will not be easy for the people, so we should try our best not to let them suffer from the cold."

"Don't worry, Mr. Pei, we have recruited a lot of people. We will definitely be able to complete the project before next spring," Shen Yunzhou said.

Pei Jiaoran smiled and said, "This matter will be handled by Governor Shen, so I feel relieved."

As soon as Shen Yunzhou finished speaking, the Ministry of Works officials responsible for the river excavation work reported to her on the progress of the river.

All the excavation inside the city has been completed, leaving only the part outside the city that is still unfinished. In addition, the expenses for fortifications were reported.

It was similar to what she had budgeted, and with the state's conscious effort to reduce its burden, the current expenses recorded in the accounts were still within her acceptable range.

After waiting for the officials to report, dusk has arrived.

The heads of the aristocratic families left first, followed closely by officials at all levels. In the end, only Pei Jiaoran and Shen Yunzhou were left in the room.

Looking at Shen Yunzhou, Pei Jiaoran yawned, "Don't worry, Lord Shen, I have reported all your achievements to the court. I will also say a few kind words for you at the Political Affairs Hall."

Although this method may be unfair to others, it is Pei Jiaoran's way of repaying his political partners.