Wasn't he supposed to be beaten to death? Why did this powerful cousin love him so much?

The next morning, as dawn broke, the Xie family's carriages quietly departed from the capital.

The guards were few and the servants were efficient, just as Jiang Sese had said, they were indeed traveling light.

The journey was smooth, and when they arrived at Tongzhou Wharf, the sun was just high in the sky. The boat was already ready, its hull painted a calm ochre, its mast towering high, and the Xie family's emblem flag flying at the bow.

The boat is over six zhang long and two zhang four chi wide. It has a deep and stable draft and is not afraid of the wind and waves of the canal. The entire boat is made of high-quality nanmu wood and painted with matte black gold paint. Unlike the gaudy and ostentatious folk painted boats, it exudes a restrained and noble aura.

The ship has two levels, separated by a fore cabin, a middle main cabin, a rear sleeping cabin, and side rooms on both sides. The deck is spacious and has carved railings on both sides. A gilded bronze crane weathervane stands at the bow, and a sunshade bamboo canopy is built at the stern. There is an independent small terrace on each side, where you can lean on the railing to enjoy the view.

The entire ship's partitions are made of detachable rosewood carved screens. To separate the space, you can simply assemble the rosewood screens one by one, and when you need a spacious and open feel, you can disassemble and fold them all up.

After Xie Jue helped Jiang Sese put on her veil, he got off the carriage first, then turned around and personally helped Jiang Sese down from the carriage, only letting go after she was steady on her feet.

The ship leaves the shore and sets sail.

The wide canal, like a jade ribbon, shimmers in the warm spring sunshine. The fertile fields on both banks stretch for miles, lush and green, with occasional villages dotting the landscape, their chimneys emitting wisps of smoke, creating a tranquil scene.

The cabin was elegantly and comfortably furnished, but Jiang Sese preferred to stay on the stern deck with its wide view.

Whether before or after time travel, this is the first time I've ever traveled by boat.

Xie Jue said, "This place is Tongzhou, the throat of the northern end of the Grand Canal. It may seem like just a ferry crossing, but the canal layout has actually changed twice. In the early years of the previous dynasty, the canal waterway was biased to the west, and siltation caused blockages every year. Every spring, tens of thousands of laborers had to be conscripted to clear the silt, which cost the national treasury a great deal of money. Later, the Ministry of Works of the current dynasty changed the regulations, widened the main channel to the east, and introduced fresh water from the Chaobai River to flush away the silt. Now it can be navigable all year round, and the flow of grain and goods between the north and south can be unimpeded."

Xie Jue pointed to the rows of salt warehouses piled up along the shore and said, "The reason why there are so many salt warehouses along the shore is because Tongzhou controls the junction of the Grand Canal and the sea route. Salt from Changlu in the north is transported here by sea, and then repackaged onto grain transport ships to be distributed to various prefectures and cities. Silk, tea, and porcelain from Suzhou and Yangzhou in the south are also transported to the capital through this waterway. Most of the flow of goods between the north and south depends on this river. Every year when the court discusses the national policy of the Grand Canal, this place is always of paramount importance."

Jiang Sese listened attentively, thought for a moment, and said, "Hearing you say that, I have a different idea. Currently, relying solely on diverting river water to flush away sand is only a temporary solution. If the people are allowed to indiscriminately cut down trees in the upstream mountains, the soil and water will continue to erode, and the silt on the riverbed will only accumulate faster and faster. The government spends manpower every year on dredging. It would be better to dredge the river channel while strictly managing the forests along the banks to stabilize the soil and water, which would alleviate the problem of siltation in the canal for a long time."

"Furthermore, all the goods from the north and south are transported on the canal. If the canal breaks during the flood season or freezes in winter, trade and grain transport will be immediately blocked. If more auxiliary waterways can be built to divert the flow, there will be fewer hidden dangers."

These words struck Xie Jue, and his eyes lit up instantly. He turned his head and gave Jiang Sese a deep look.

For several years, officials of the Ministry of Works in the central government discussed the management of the Grand Canal, but most of them only focused on dredging and adding sluice gates and dams every year. Very few people thought of the two long-term plans of water and soil conservation at the source and opening more diversion channels.

Jiang Sese continued, "Water management cannot focus solely on the river itself. The upstream and downstream areas, mountains and forests, and tributary waterways are all interconnected, and a change in one part can affect the whole. However, what I'm saying is just theoretical and may not be relevant to the current situation."

Xie Jue smiled faintly and said softly, "This is not just empty talk. Your words have precisely pointed out the biggest oversight in the current management of the Grand Canal. Water management and commerce are never separate. A change in the course of a single waterway affects several major issues, including taxes, people's livelihoods, and salt and iron production. Further south, the terrain of the waterway gradually lowers, and the water flow is completely different from that in the north. When we reach the Huaiyang region, the rivers and lakes are connected, and there is another set of regulations for water diversion by sluice gates and dams. This is completely different from the management method of the Tongzhou section of the canal. When we reach Yangzhou, I will explain to you in detail the differences between the two places in terms of customs and water."

As dusk settled, the setting sun dyed the river a golden-red hue.

The ships anchored and moored overnight in the designated section of the river.

The evening breeze, carrying moisture and the fresh scent of grass and trees, caressed my face, making me feel relaxed and happy.

"Why are you eating so little today?" Xie Jue frowned as he looked at Jiang Sese, who had barely touched her dinner.

Xie Jue believed that although the ship's cooks did their best, the food could not compare to the exquisite and delicious dishes served in the mansion.

But actually, Jiang Sese was a little seasick.

"Perhaps it's because I've been on the boat for so long, I'm getting a little tired of it," Jiang Sese said somewhat embarrassedly.

Xie Jue pondered for a moment, his gaze sweeping over the shimmering water, and suddenly instructed Fu Yun beside him, "Go and fetch the fishing gear, prepare some simple seasonings, and light a charcoal stove."

Fu Yun was taken aback and looked at Xie Jue in disbelief, but still went.

Soon, everything was ready.

Xie Jue rolled up his sleeves, set up his fishing rod at the stern, and then skillfully cast his line and waited. Before long, several lively and fresh fish were caught, their silvery scales shimmering on the deck.

Xie Jue washed his hands and asked Fuyun to take the fish he had caught down to be processed.

All boatmen, guards, servants, clerks, and laborers were to stop at the stairwell leading from the first to the second floor unless summoned, and were not allowed to climb even half a step further.

Even when delivering tea or documents, one could only hand them to a maid at the bottom of the stairs, who would then pass them up to the next person.

"You can even do this?" Jiang Sese squatted on the deck, looking at the fish and then at him, her face full of undisguised admiration.

Xie Jue smiled slightly, took the handkerchief from Hongdou and dried his fingers, saying calmly, "When I was in Suzhou, I always had to know some skills when I went out to visit people."

Jiang Sese did know about this part.

The book mentions that Xie Jue once served in Suzhou, but the author only briefly touches on this experience, saying only that he had outstanding political achievements and was deeply loved by the people. Now, hearing him mention it in person, she suddenly realized that those years that the pages of the book had been quickly turned were all days and events that he had actually lived through.

Jiang Sese couldn't help but rest her chin on her hand and sigh, "In the book—no, I've heard people talk about you in Suzhou before, they only said you had good political achievements, but they didn't say you could also fish."

Xie Jue didn't think this was something to be proud of. He said, "When I was in Suzhou, I had to investigate the canal transport, the salt administration, and the local granaries. There are some things you can't find out just by sitting in the yamen. You have to go to the docks and ferry crossings yourself and talk to the boatmen and merchants. The more you talk, the more familiar you become. That's when I learned to fish from an old boatman."

Jiang Sese was completely speechless.

With such perseverance, you will succeed in whatever you do.

Soon, the servants brought up the cleaned fish, and Xie Jue skewered it and placed it on the charcoal fire.

The firelight illuminated his aloof and dignified profile, adding a touch of human warmth to his face.

It was as if someone who was high above had suddenly been brought down to earth.

Jiang Sese propped herself up on her hands and looked at Xie Jue, thinking that this person really did have two faces.

The oil sizzled under the flames, its unique aroma mingling with the sweet scent of the fish, instantly filling the twilight-shrouded deck and making one's mouth water. Even Hongdou and Fuyun couldn't help but secretly swallow.

Fu Yun stood by, utterly dumbfounded.

Honestly... if I told you, I doubt anyone would believe me.

Xie Jue stared intently at the fish in his hand.

Once the outer skin is baked to a golden brown and crispy state, and the fish meat inside is snow-white and tender, sprinkle it with the prepared fine salt and a little ground spices.

"Try it." Xie Jue raised his hand and handed the best-grilled fish to Jiang Sese.

Jiang Sese took it and was about to eat when Xie Jue leaned over and blew on it to cool it down.

Jiang Sese: ...