Do you know: I, a commoner prime minister

Chapter 15 Qinhuai River

"Bang bang bang!"

"Who is it?"

Jiang Fan was sweeping the yard when he heard a knock on the door. He put down the broom and went to open it.

The courtyard gate opened, and Kang He smiled and cupped his hands in greeting, "Brother Zhou, are you home?"

"The young master is at home!"

Jiang Fan asked, "May I ask your name?"

"I am…"

"No need for that!"

Hearing the knocking, Zhou An came out of the house and approached Kang He when he heard his voice.

"Brother Zhou!"

When Kang He saw Zhou An, he smiled warmly and bowed respectfully.

"Meeting an old friend in a foreign land brings me great joy. Yesterday was not convenient, so I couldn't catch up with Brother Zhou. Today I have some free time, so I've come to see you!"

"Oh."

Zhou An looked at Kang He with a half-smile and said, "Brother Kang, are you perhaps able to predict the future, as you were able to find my residence?"

Kang He was able to come directly to his door, which meant he had been followed when he returned last night.

Kanghe's politeness likely indicates that he was the one who bought the item from Fei Guang.

Zhou An was too lazy to play along with him, but he underestimated Kang He's shamelessness.

Seeing him say this, Kang He's smile remained bright as he said, "I know some people in Jinling, and it took me quite a bit of effort to find out where Brother Zhou lives."

Seeing that Kang He could still hold back after hearing this, Zhou An frowned and said, "I'm not familiar with Brother Kang, please go back."

Kang He was furious, but remembering what Fei Guang had told him, he could only suppress his anger and said with a smile, "Brother Zhou, why be like this? We are from the same hometown, and it is fate that we met in Jinling. I have lived in Jinling for several years and I am quite familiar with it."

Knowing that you're new to Nanjing and unfamiliar with some of the city's attractions, I thought I'd show you around and let you experience the city's scenery.

"Thank you for your kind offer, but I have other matters to attend to today, so I won't trouble you, Brother Kang," Zhou An said calmly.

"In that case, I won't bother you any longer." Kang He's smile was somewhat forced.

"I won't see you off!"

After Zhou An finished speaking, he turned to go into the house.

"Brother Zhou!"

Kang He stopped him and said, "I heard you know Hai Xuezheng's grandson?"

I guess so.

Zhou An replied without lingering.

Jiang Fan was also very perceptive and closed the courtyard gate.

Kang He looked at the tightly closed courtyard gate with a very grim expression, and had no choice but to leave with his entourage.

He arrived at a nearby teahouse, went up to the second floor, and came to a private room.

There were attendants guarding outside the door. Seeing Kang He approach, they announced into the house, "Young Master, Young Master Kang has arrived!"

"Let him in!"

Upon hearing this, the attendant opened the door and closed it after Kang He went inside.

Kang He walked around the screen and bowed to Fei Guang, who was sitting on the soft couch, saying, "Brother Fei!"

"Boqian, please sit down!"

Fei Guang pointed to the seat opposite him, gestured for Kang He to sit down, and smiled, "Have you found out?"

"I'm sorry to disappoint Brother Fei. I'm not familiar with him at all. If I go to him abruptly, he will be very wary," Kang He said.

Fei Guang's smile faded, and he said indifferently, "You're from the same hometown, after all. Can't you even find out what his relationship with Hai Simian is?"

"Brother Fei!"

Kang He said anxiously, "Although I haven't found out any useful information, he is from Tongzhou and will be taking the provincial examination next year. There's no reason for him to come to Jinling and rent a house to live in."

He was probably studying at Jinling Academy, and somehow got involved with Hai Xuezheng, which is why he was with Hai Gongzi.

"That makes sense!" Fei Guang's expression softened upon hearing this.

Only the sons of officials were allowed to participate in the county and provincial examinations in other places; others could only take the exams in their place of origin.

Zhou An rented a house, so it's clear he won't be leaving Jinling anytime soon.

However, after the county examination, there was only one year left before the provincial examination, so there was no reason to run around at that time.

Considering Hai Xuezheng's position, this possibility is very high.

"However, Hai Xuezheng is extremely pedantic. Making an exception for him clearly indicates a close relationship! I'll give you a few days; you must find out exactly what his relationship with the Hai family is!"

Fei Guang accepted this conjecture and was even happier.

He could tell from Zhou An's clothes that he came from a very ordinary background.

In addition, after learning from Kang He that Zhou An came from a small place like Qinghe County and that his family were ordinary people, she wanted to find out what the relationship was between Zhou An and Hai Simian.

Now that he knows Zhou An may be related to Hai Xiuyuan, how could he not be happy?

If we can figure out the relationship, we might be able to get in touch with Hai Xiuyuan through it.

Despite his father being the Prefect of Jinling, Jinling Academy was under the jurisdiction of the Lu Prefecture and was of the same rank as his father.

Given the Hai family's background, people simply ignored his father.

"Don't worry, Brother Fei, I will find out as soon as possible!"

Kang He breathed a sigh of relief after seeing that he had managed to get through it.

.........

"Why is he here again?"

Zhou An frowned upon hearing Jiang Fan's report.

Scholars care a lot about their reputation, so it was really difficult for him to turn his back on Kang He since he had come with such a shameless attitude.

Otherwise, if things get out of hand, what will people say about him?

The circle of intellectuals can be very large, but it can also be very small.

Those who don't know the inside story would think he's eccentric and doesn't know what's good for him.

"He said he came to invite you, young master, to go boating on the Qinhuai River!" Jiang Fan said.

"Oh?"

Zhou An had a sudden inspiration and came up with a plan.

"You stay here, Stone, come with me."

Zhou An got up and took the stone out of the courtyard.

"Brother Zhou!"

When Kang He saw Zhou An come out, he smiled and cupped his hands, saying, "The Qinhuai River has beautiful scenery. Literati and scholars who come to Jinling for sightseeing all go there. I have reserved a table on the red boat and have come to invite Brother Zhou to tour the ten-mile Qinhuai River!"

"Since Brother Kang has so kindly invited me, then I shall accept!" Zhou An said with a smile.

"Brother Zhou, please!"

Kang He was taken aback when he heard this. He had thought that Zhou An would continue to refuse, and he had even prepared his words of persuasion.

To my surprise, Zhou An agreed immediately. While I was happy, I was also somewhat disdainful.

This morning they invited me out, and I refused outright. But now, as soon as they heard we were going on a pleasure boat trip on the river, I immediately agreed.

But this is fine too, since Zhou An is a lecherous man, it will be easy for him to get information out of him.

Kang He immediately beckoned Zhou An to get into the carriage parked to the side.

After getting on the bus, he started chatting with Zhou An, occasionally steering the conversation toward Hai Simian.

However, Zhou An didn't take the bait at all, always changing the subject, which made Kang He quite angry.

The carriage stopped at a dock on the Qinhuai River. After getting off, Zhou An looked around and found it to be very lively.

The streets were mostly populated by men, and most of them were dressed as scholars.

The shops on both sides mostly sell stationery, study materials, and other items related to scholars.

"Brother Zhou, this way please!"

Kang He led Zhou An to the dock. His attendants exchanged a few words with the ferryman, and the two boarded a small boat.

"The painted boats on the Qinhuai River move very slowly, so we need to take a small boat up," Kang He explained.

"oh."

Zhou An nodded, taking in the style of the two banks of the Qinhuai River.

Many water houses were built along the banks of the Qinhuai River. These water houses are houses that are partially built on the water.

Not only are they very unique, but the hanging lanterns also add to the charm of the Qinhuai River.

It was already getting dark, and the scenery was quite beautiful.

The small boat traveled for about the time it takes to brew a cup of tea before approaching a large ship.

The large ship was brightly lit and painted entirely in red, hence its nickname, the Red Ship.

Some brightly dressed women accompanied some young men to enjoy the scenery at the bow of the boat, and bursts of laughter and chatter could be heard.