A broad river appeared before Wang Chen.
Cool, faintly chilly mist rushed toward his face. In the distance, mountains rolled on and on, their pines and cypresses lush and green, making one feel refreshed and at ease.
Yet this river also blocked Wang Chen's path.
Fortunately, ferries operated along the riverbank.
The ferries came in all sizes. Since this was a choke point on the east-west official road, business was quite brisk.
Rather than squeezing aboard a large ferry with everyone else, Wang Chen hired a small boat and had the boatman take him directly to the riverside wharf of Linjiang City.
Linjiang, by the river—its name alone made it clear that this county town stood beside the river.
"Sir, are you going to Linjiang to visit relatives or friends?"
Once both man and horse were aboard, the boatman pushed off with his long bamboo pole and curiously asked Wang Chen.
Normally, he was not so talkative. But Wang Chen was very young and exceptionally handsome, so he could not help adding a question.
Wang Chen answered calmly, "I have business to attend to."
Seeing that Wang Chen was not one for idle talk, the boatman did not dare ask anything further.
The little boat traveled downstream. After roughly ten li by water, they caught sight of a county town nestled against the mountains and beside the river.
The boatman skillfully brought the vessel alongside the wharf.
As Wang Chen paid the fare, the dark-skinned boatman could not help warning him, "Young sir, Linjiang has been a little chaotic lately. You must be careful, and don't talk to strangers."
Wang Chen found it both laughable and exasperating, but the man clearly meant well, so he gave him several extra copper coins.
Then he led Yellow Dappled Horse onto the wharf.