Chapter 213 What I saw on the river
The incident happened suddenly, so everyone stayed in Xiangyang for two more hours. Sha LiFei entered the city and bought a piece of detailed information.
"The mountain people suddenly launched an attack, catching the court by surprise..."
"Do you still remember the Shangjin City Gunpowder Case?"
"Commandery Commandant Office troops once again sneaked into the mountains to explore, and found two more gunpowder-making villages. So Yunyang Garrison gathered troops and sent more than two thousand people to Zhushan..."
"But on the day we arrived, there were some charlatans and evil magicians who set fire and caused chaos everywhere in Zhushan County..."
"The soldiers and horses of the guard station were ordered to enter the city to pacify it, but they were ambushed by explosives on the way, causing heavy casualties. At the same time, the mountain people came out in large numbers, with more than ten thousand people..."
"Now, Heavenly Saint Sect has occupied Zhushan County, killed all the officials, opened warehouses to release grain, and built fortifications."
"The imperial troops and horses provided reinforcements, but they took advantage of the mountainous terrain and used explosives to ambush them along the way. It became a confrontation."
"As for Yunyang Prefecture, the city was already in chaos due to the previous arrests of troublemaking natives, which caused dissatisfaction among the natives. There were also people from the Jianghu who had sneaked in, setting fires and killing people. Now the entire Yunyang Prefecture is under martial law...'
"In the southwest, Tangya Tusi City, the chieftains of the Yang family in Bozhou have rebelled one after another and no longer want to be ministers. Although the other chieftains did not agree, they expelled Han officials and burned down the inns..."
"This incident has affected the entire southwest of Divine Land."
After hearing what Sha LiFei said, everyone looked at each other in shock. They knew there would be trouble, but they didn't expect it to be so big.
Of course, these are all official news.
Specific details are yet to be known.
Li Yan suddenly thought of something and frowned, "Turen Mountain Cave are also gathering near Yichang. Have they also fallen?"
"Not yet."
Sha LiFei shook his head and said, "There are already many conflicts among those chieftains, and there are many bloody fights and grudges. How can they work together?"
"Some of them are waiting and watching, some are taking advantage of the chaos to grab food and repair Tusi City, and some are still loyal to the court and have not come out in large numbers."
"But if the situation deteriorates, Yichang will definitely be in big trouble!"
The situation was not good, so everyone stopped waiting.
After replenishing supplies at the ferry, we set off immediately.
They walked down Han River and immediately saw the impact of the war.
There were many boats on the river, all of them moving in a hurry.
Some came from Yunyang, mostly passenger ships, filled with panicked people, obviously going to other places to escape the war...
There are also many heading north, mostly merchant ships transporting supplies. After all, with the war, all kinds of supplies on the front line will be in short supply...
The wide river can sometimes become blocked.
Of course, when there are more people, there will be a lot of trouble.
After leaving Xiangyang, passing Yicheng County, and walking forward for a few hours, the river ahead was blocked again.
It was already sunset and dusk, boats of all sizes filled the entire river, and thick smoke even rose in the distance.
"Brother Lu San, look what's going on?"
Li Yan noticed something was wrong and quickly signaled.
After several months of training, the falcon was already full of intelligence and stood beside the boat pavilion window. Lu San whistled, and the falcon immediately fluttered its wings and flew high into the sky.
Watching the eagles dancing in the sky, Lu San frowned slightly and said, "On the river ahead, there were ships capsized and on fire, and there were many people fighting and killing each other."
Old Man Zhang on the bow of the ship also entered the ship's cabin at this moment. Hearing this, he said in a deep voice, "Wait a moment, everyone. I'll send a guy to find out the news."
After that, he yelled outside, "Heizi, go see what's going on in front!"
"Yes, Mr. Zhang!"
A young boatman with dark skin came out in response.
He took out a triangular red order flag with the word "Zhang" written on it and tied it behind his back. He then picked up a long bamboo pole, ran along the side of the boat several times, inserted the bamboo pole into the water, and used the force to turn over.
The boatman used the pole to jump between large and small ships, with the red flag flying, and his body as strong as a flying swallow.
The strange thing is that the people on the other boats don't care and even deliberately leave space for them to borrow strength.
"Fast Boat Zhang" explained, "I still have some reputation above Han River. If the boatmen go to inquire about the news, they will also tell them when they come back to make it convenient for each other."
Sha LiFei heard this and gave a thumbs up. "Sure enough, the north and the south have their own customs. Senior Zhang, your sign is quite strong!"
"I made you laugh."
Old Man Zhang said politely, and then said with a solemn expression, "Everyone, with the war going on, sooner or later the river will be under government control, making it even more inconvenient to travel."
"After passing this section, I estimate that tomorrow afternoon, we will reach a waterway and enter Jingmen. However, that waterway passes through the mountains. Something strange happened some time ago, so no one dares to enter it anymore."
"Oh, what happened?"
Li Yan frowned slightly and asked.
"No one knows."
Old Man Zhang sighed, shook his head and said, "The waterway is winding and winding, and its course is often changed due to flash floods. Sometimes it changes every year. Only veterans dare to enter."
"Just last month, some debris floated out of the river mouth. They were all burnt limbs and corpses. Some people rumored that there was a monster in the mountains, setting off ghost fires to harm people."
"I was originally skeptical, but because I was urgently sending a batch of goods to Jingzhou, I ventured into this waterway."
"There was also a veteran who was traveling with us. I watched helplessly as phosphorus fire rose from the river and burned their boat to the ground."
"I also had a friend who said he saw dead people in the water. He was so frightened that day that he never dared to get on the boat again after returning home..."
"Oh?"
Li Yan seemed to have thought of something, and quickly took out the booklet given by Gu Hanzi from his arms, and asked, "After that waterway, is there a town called Zhu Family Fortress?"
"Fast Boat Zhang" nodded and said, "Yes, this Jingzhou has been the site of hundreds of battles since ancient times. In addition, the waterways are complicated. Throughout the ages, Military Fortress have been set up in dangerous places, and later they became villages."
"Young Hero Li has never been there, how do I know?"
"City God Temple is over there, there happens to be a mission..."
While he was talking, the deck suddenly shook.
But the person who inquired about the information had already returned, quickly entered the boat pavilion, clasped his fists and said, "Report to Mr. Zhang, it is the Raft Sect people who are fighting among themselves!"
"Which one is in line?"
"'Wei Lao Ba' and 'Black Fish Head'."
"Humph, it turns out to be these two people again."
Old Man Zhang heard this, and his face immediately turned ugly.
Seeing the probing eyes of Li Yan and others, Old Man Zhang sighed and said, "You all come from the northern Jianghu and have some relationship with Cao Gang. When facing Raft Sect, you have to be on guard. I will naturally tell you everything I know."
"Cao Gang originated from water transportation and was closely related to the imperial court, but this Raft Sect originated from the folk world."
"There is a custom in western Hunan. They cut down wood from the mountains in exchange for rice, tie the trees into large rows, float them in the river, and sell them in the Dongting Lake river basin."
"These people live on the rafts all year round, and even live on the rafts, grow vegetables, and raise their children. Their children have been extremely hydrated since they were young. To prevent being bullied, they gradually formed gangs."
"At that time, it was still called Pai Gang."
"But if you eat a bowl of rice on the water, you will inevitably encounter some strange things. Tang Era Master Chen SiLong saw that the work was hard and difficult, and the situation was precarious, so he made great ambitions to manage the Dongting waterway, clear the rocks, and kill the water monsters..."
"Since then, the Raft Sect lineage has gradually formed."
"The original teachings of the Raft Sect are to hate evil as much as enemies, to do our best to help those in danger, to be based on the law, and to live up to the legacy of our teachers, but it has gradually changed over the years."
"Raft Sect does not have a leader, but is managed by the leaders. These leaders come from all over the world, and there are even abandoned disciples of the Dharma lineage. Although they are all Attendant Pai Drum Rudder Ancestor, their techniques have their own merits."
"These platoon leaders are each richer than the last. The traditional platoon has long been looked down upon. They all organize fleet transportation, and some are very domineering. They control the river channel, and other fleets have to contribute in order to be able to ship..."
Li Yan said coldly, "You are quite courageous!"
"There's nothing we can do."
Old Man Zhang smiled bitterly and said, "These leaders are all good at magic, and many of them even keep water ghosts. They secretly want to cause trouble for you, and no one can find any evidence."
"The Yunyang and Jingzhou waterways are controlled by the two leaders of the Raft Sect, namely 'Wei Lao Ba' and 'Black Fish Head'."
"'Wei Lao Ba' learned Hua Guang Dharma, and 'Black Fish Head' came from the Xiangxi Witchcraft Sect. Both of them are brave and fierce, and they often have conflicts."
"There is a Han River tributary ahead, called Man River, which leads directly to Baokang County. Not far away is Shennongjia. You can purchase medicinal materials and wood and transport them to various places through waterways. There is a lot of oil and water."
"The two parties have been fighting for this river for several years. The quarrels got too big several times, and elder Raft Sect was invited to mediate."
"It seems that it has started again..."
Wang Dao Xuan stroked his beard and shook his head, "Now that the war has begun, they act so wantonly and block the river, are they not afraid of punishment from the court?"
Old Man Zhang showed a hint of sarcasm at the corner of his mouth and sneered, "They can run rampant in the Han River for several years. How is it possible without the support of court officials behind them?"
"There are many victims who come to the Yamen to complain. The Yamen will also pretend to handle the cases impartially and arrest a few Raft Sect people to take the blame."
"But afterwards, the victims will be retaliated against, ranging from the ship being scuttled and losing their capital, to the worst being unclear and losing their lives."
"Over time, everyone has no choice but to swallow their anger."
After hearing this, everyone had no choice but to continue waiting.
This wait lasted all night.
They were stuck in the river, unable to move forward, and a large number of boats were coming from behind. They couldn't see the end at a glance, and they felt more and more irritable.
Just then, things took a turn for the better.
The eagle flew in the sky. When Lu San saw it, he immediately said, "A team came from downstream, they are from the imperial court!"
Sha LiFei immediately became happy after hearing this, "It's not the right time for these people to cause trouble. If they block the river and delay the military mission, the officials behind them will not be able to take advantage of them."
Sure enough, the imperial navy came to clean up the river.
In less than half an hour, the congested area ahead began to clear up, and ships of all sizes set sail again.
"Look!"
When they arrived at the previously crowded place, the boatman suddenly pointed to both sides.
Li Yan and others heard this and looked through the window.
On the river along the coast, densely packed rows of parasols and charred ship hulls were seen floating, all of which were pulled by soldiers with iron hooks and dragged toward the shore.
On the river along the bank, wooden stakes were inserted into the river mud, with many people hanging on them, all of them naked and with bloodstains on their backs.
When everyone saw it, they didn't know what was going on.
"Hahaha, you deserve it!"
Sha LiFei suddenly looked gloating.
However, Li Yan on the side frowned slightly, thoughtfully, with no smile on his face.
"Yan XiaoGe, what's wrong?"
Sha LiFei realized something was wrong and asked quickly.
Li Yan touched his chin and narrowed his eyes slightly, "Yunyang City Ferry, Raft Sect suddenly went crazy and caused trouble for Cao Gang, causing a lot of trouble."
"And here, they started fighting again and blocked the river."
"If you don't fight sooner or later, you just want to cause trouble at this stall where Jingchu Mountain People is causing trouble and the chieftains are rebelling. Who knows... is it intentional?"
Sha LiFei was shocked, "There is something wrong with these two people!"
Li Yan nodded and said, "Heavenly Saint Sect has some reputation in the world after all, and has many friends, so he may have some secret dealings."
Sha LiFei took a deep breath when he heard this, "Raft Sect is domineering in western Hunan and controls many waterways in the south. It has huge power. If they follow suit in private, it will be a big trouble."
"I hope I'm wrong..."
Li Yan hesitated for a moment, then got up and invited Old Man Zhang, "Senior, if I want to send a letter to Yunyang Prefecture, is it possible?"
"Easy to say!"
"Fast Boat Zhang" smiled and said, "We travel to various places, so we naturally have the means to communicate. I just saw a few guys going to Yunyang for delivery."
"Just ask them to help deliver the letter. Where should it be sent?"
"Commandery Commandant Office."
"Fast Boat Zhang" was stunned for a moment, his face turned serious, "You have to find someone reliable, I will go and have a look right now."
After that, he walked to the deck and looked around.
Li Yan, on the other hand, took a pen and paper, wrote down what happened, and stuffed it into the bamboo tube.
Sha LiFei was a little confused, "Yan XiaoGe, haven't you always looked down on people in the government? Why are you helping them?"
Li Yan took his time, sealed the bamboo tube with wax, and said, "The war between the countries on the sea, Divine Land Replace Tusi with centrally appointed officials, is related to the fate of the Divine Land people. It is a matter of great righteousness. How much you can do will count."
"Huh?"
Sha LiFei was a little confused and didn't understand how these things could be connected together, but he still nodded and said, "I don't understand, I just listen to you."
Wang Dao Xuan on the side was thoughtful...
At this moment, Old Man Zhang walked in quickly, "Young Hero Li, we found a reliable old man!"
"Thank you, give it to Yunyang Commandery Commandant Office Chiliarch Huang." Li Yan handed the bamboo tube out.
"Fast Boat Zhang" took it seriously, jumped to a boat on the opposite side with a bamboo pole, and pulled a bowman to mutter.
The bowman nodded solemnly and carefully put away the bamboo tube.
Li Yan also walked out of the boat cabin at this time and stood on the deck. When he saw the old man looking at him, he raised his hands and clasped his fists seriously.
The old man was stunned and solemnly clasped his fists.
The two ships passed each other, the Han River was rolling, and the green mountains on both sides were charming.
On the bow of another ship in the distance, an old man in Confucian robes saw the beautiful scenery and couldn't help chanting. "Chu Sai San Xiang is connected, Jingmen Nine Schools is connected. The river flows beyond the sky and the earth, and the mountains are beautiful... What a great river and mountain!"
It was another day of sailing, and as evening approached, "Fast Boat Zhang" ordered the boatmen to deviate from the channel and come to a tributary.
The river here is narrow and only they can sail.
In the distance, there are rolling mountains, and the river just meanders through the mountains.
Everyone has gone out on the deck to watch.
"Fast Boat Zhang" said solemnly, "Young Hero Li, this is the river. As long as you go through the eighteen bends in the mountain, you can reach Zhu Family Fortress."
"There are many dangerous shoals and reefs in the mountain roads and rivers. These are not a problem for me, but the mountain fog inside is so thick that even if you are sailing during the day, you can't see the distance clearly, let alone at night, let alone those dirty things."
"It's getting dark, why don't we stop on the shore to rest for the night and wait until tomorrow morning to set off again?"
"Just listen to the words of the seniors..."
Li Yan just said this, then he frowned slightly and looked into the distance.
On the river bank, I saw several horses galloping towards me. They shouted angrily from a distance, "Where did you come from, you idiot, get out of here!"