Chapter 28

The next day was the day Zhao Junchen had set to return to the capital.

It was just beginning to dawn when Zhao Junchen, accompanied by local officials and gentry merchants of Luanan Prefecture, arrived outside the city to prepare for his departure to the capital.

Zhao Junchen's departure was kept low-key—at least it appeared so. At his insistence, there were no grand ceremonies, no fireworks or lion dances, and no disturbance to the people. He left under the lingering night sky, accompanied by Xu Qingyan and about eight or nine attendants, with only four or five carriages in total. Not only did he lack the grandeur expected of an imperial envoy, but it even seemed somewhat shabby.

However, at the banquet the previous night, Zhao Junchen had emphasized that his departure should be low-key and that the people should not be disturbed. He also clearly stated that he would leave from the East Gate at the third hour of the morning (around 5:00 AM). As a result, within a short time, the people around Luanan City knew about it.

Therefore, when Zhao Junchen, accompanied by Liu Chang'an and others, arrived at the East Gate of the city, what he saw made him momentarily stunned—apparently, he was quite surprised.

He saw that on both sides of the road outside the East Gate, countless people were standing densely. A rough estimate showed that there were even more people than on the day of the sacrifice to heaven.

It was now deep autumn, and the third hour of the morning was the time when the cold dew was heaviest. The people had clearly been waiting for a long time, and many of them had even turned slightly blue from the cold, but no one complained, and no one spoke. Most of them just quietly watched Zhao Junchen appear outside the East Gate, their expressions complex, seemingly reluctant but more resigned.

Sighs could be heard intermittently.

Seeing the gathered people, Zhao Junchen was stunned for a moment, then suddenly turned to Liu Chang'an and shouted loudly, "Magistrate Liu, what is this! I clearly said that this return to the capital should be low-key and not disturb the people!"

Liu Chang'an, however, looked aggrieved and pleaded, "Your Excellency, I did not disturb the people. These people gathered here of their own accord to see you off..."

Before Liu Chang'an could finish speaking, several representatives walked out from among the people, with the leader being the old man who had met Zhao Junchen twice.

"Your Excellency, this is not the fault of Magistrate Liu. We did indeed gather here of our own accord to see you off," the old man said slowly, his voice as hoarse as ever. "Your Excellency, we have seen how good you are to us, and we know that you truly care for the people. Even when you leave, you do not want us to know. But the people of Luanan also know how to repay kindness. How can we let you leave without doing anything?"

Hearing the old man's words, Zhao Junchen sighed and was about to say something, but then he suddenly realized that although he had met the old man a few times, he did not even know the old man's name.

The old man continued, "To be honest, the people of Luanan are reluctant to see you go, but we also know that you have a bright future and will become a prime minister. We dare not hold you back, as it would hinder your future. So..."

As he spoke, the old man turned and waved to the crowd.

Then, over a hundred people, each holding a variety of differently colored "people's umbrellas," came to Zhao Junchen.

The people of Luanan only knew the general idea of what a "people's umbrella" looked like, so the umbrellas they made were of various designs. Some were like ordinary umbrellas, just larger, while others were like canopies but looked odd.

However, they were indeed "people's umbrellas," as evidenced by the numerous silk strips hanging from them, each inscribed with the names of the people.

Zhao Junchen knew that these "people's umbrellas" were made overnight and were inevitably crude—many were made from different colored fabrics, making them look even shabbier.

But through Liu Chang'an's intelligence, Zhao Junchen was well aware that the fabrics and silks used to make these umbrellas were all donated by the people. Many people had a good piece of clothing that they had not worn for years, but they cut it without hesitation to make the umbrellas for Zhao Junchen...

Seeing the various "people's umbrellas," the old man seemed somewhat embarrassed, his expression awkward, but he still looked at Zhao Junchen with hope and said, "Your Excellency, the people of Luanan have nothing valuable to give you. These 'people's umbrellas' may seem shabby, but please accept this token of our gratitude."

Looking at the "people's umbrellas," Zhao Junchen seemed deeply moved, yet his expression was also blank, and there was a hint of guilt.

Hearing the old man's words, Zhao Junchen did not respond immediately. Instead, he turned and stood on the carriage, shouting loudly to the crowd, "People, I, Zhao Junchen, do not deserve this! I have only done my duty as an official. But these 'people's umbrellas' are your heartfelt gifts, and I cannot refuse them. I will take them! I am about to return to the capital, and I will miss you all. However, I cannot disobey the emperor's command. We must part here, but I will never forget you. If you have any difficulties in the future, remember to come to the capital and find me. As long as I can help, I will not refuse!"

As Zhao Junchen shouted, the previously quiet crowd suddenly became noisy. The people used their loudest voices to bid farewell to Zhao Junchen, expressing their reluctance.

"Your Excellency Zhao, you are a good official!!"

"Your Excellency, don't forget to come back to Luanan!!"

"Your Excellency, have a safe journey!!"

There were even faint cries.

...

When Zhao Junchen left Luanan Prefecture, the number of carriages in his entourage had increased to over ten. Four or five of them were Zhao Junchen's, carrying his luggage and attendants, while the other six or seven were temporary carriages arranged by Liu Chang'an to carry the "people's umbrellas" given by the people.

After leaving Luanan City, Zhao Junchen sat in the carriage, silent all the way, not even responding to Xu Qingyan's attempts to talk to him. No one knew what he was thinking.

Thus, the atmosphere in the entire convoy was very somber, and everyone was afraid of provoking Zhao Junchen's anger at this time.

This silence was finally broken by Zhao Junchen himself.

"Qingyan!!"

At Zhao Junchen's call from the carriage, Xu Qingyan, who was riding alongside, quickly came to the carriage and asked, "Young Master, what do you need?"

"Where are we now?"

"Back, Young Master, we are about to enter the Zhili region. It's noon, and you must be hungry. Don't worry, there's a town not far ahead where we can rest."

After a moment of silence, Zhao Junchen suddenly said, "Stop the carriage!!"

Hearing Zhao Junchen's order, Xu Qingyan was slightly taken aback but still shouted to the convoy, "The Master orders, stop the carriage! Stop the carriage!!"

When the convoy stopped, Zhao Junchen jumped off the carriage and walked to the carriages at the back, where the "people's umbrellas" were placed.

Stopping at one of the carriages, he picked up the smallest and least noticeable "people's umbrella," examined it carefully, and sighed softly. Without any help, he personally carried the "people's umbrella" to the carriage he was riding in.

Under the puzzled gazes of the attendants, Zhao Junchen said to Xu Qingyan, "When we reach the next town, we don't need to rush. Rest for a night. During this time, have someone modify all the 'people's umbrellas' in the back."

Xu Qingyan, confused, asked, "Young Master, those are the 'people's umbrellas' given to you by the people. How should they be modified? Why should they be modified?"

Zhao Junchen first glanced at the "people's umbrella" in his carriage and said calmly, "One 'people's umbrella' is enough to keep. As for the others, no major changes are needed. Just change my name to the emperor's title. When we return to the capital, we will present all the 'people's umbrellas' to the emperor, saying they are from the people of Luanan. The emperor will be very pleased when he sees them."

Xu Qingyan, thinking of Emperor Deqing's fondness for grand achievements, nodded in understanding and smiled, "Young Master, you are indeed resourceful. I understand."

Zhao Junchen nodded, got back into the carriage, and sat next to the "people's umbrella," his expression blank, seemingly lost in thought, and subconsciously caressed the "people's umbrella" for a long time.

...

Zhao Junchen's entourage naturally included more than just Xu Qingyan. There were also other guards, accountants, and servants, totaling about eight or nine people.

Su Xiqing was one of them.

Su Xiqing considered himself a Shaoxing secretary, but unfortunately, he had not been recognized for his talents and had not been hired as a secretary. Last year, he finally became a member of Zhao Junchen's household but could only serve as an accountant.

However, this did not prevent Su Xiqing from exercising his nature as a secretary, who loved to analyze everything.

When he learned that Zhao Junchen intended to present all the "people's umbrellas" to Emperor Deqing, Su Xiqing secretly approved and began to ponder.

What he pondered was not something else but Zhao Junchen himself.

Su Xiqing was not satisfied with being just an accountant in Zhao Junchen's household, so he had to thoroughly understand Zhao Junchen's character and thoughts. Only by doing so could he advance further.

When the people presented the "people's umbrellas" to Zhao Junchen, Su Xiqing was there, and he clearly saw Zhao Junchen's expressions and actions. In Su Xiqing's view, the moved expression Zhao Junchen showed at that time did not seem fake.

And just now, Zhao Junchen's decision to have Xu Qingyan modify the names on the "people's umbrellas" was also witnessed by Su Xiqing.

Now, Su Xiqing was pondering—was the Zhao Junchen who was moved by the "people's umbrellas" given by the people the real Zhao Junchen, or was the Zhao Junchen who unhesitatingly discarded and utilized the "people's umbrellas" the real Zhao Junchen?

Of course, anyone who had been in the bureaucracy for a few years was complex, and both versions of Zhao Junchen might be the real Zhao Junchen.

However, which aspect was more dominant?

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PS: Today, I have a bit more to say. When I write, I have a strong dependency on coffee and cigarettes. Without these two, my brain works much slower (laughs). But everyone knows that these two are harmful to the body. Today is my Nth attempt to break this dependency, and as a result, my writing efficiency has greatly decreased... So today, there is only one chapter. Please bear with me, and I will resume the update speed tomorrow.

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