Lu Min: I want a refund for this boat ride!
The boat traveled four or five li, and the waterway of the Qing River was blocked by a giant rock, carved as if by a knife.
Waves slapped against the rocks, with submerged reefs scattered about, creating dozens of whirlpools in the swift currents.
“We’ve reached Black Dragon Beach!”
The old boatman called out, taking the helm himself.
The boat rocked, and Lu Min banged his head against the cabin wall.
The second prince, feeling sullen, rubbed his reddened forehead and glared at He Haozi, who was looking at him with a hostile expression, and immediately snapped, “What? Want to fight?”
He Haozi snorted, “The walls of our boat are thin, if you break them, you’ll have to pay.”
At the mention of money, Lu Min’s expression darkened, and his aura of authority was about to flare up.
Mr. Jinshui stared at him, and then inadvertently locked eyes with He Haozi, both seeing the same suspicion in each other’s gaze. This fellow, disguised as a coachman, often exhibited an authority typical of high-ranking individuals, which they would recognize, only to be later confused by other details of his behavior.
For instance, the cabin was filled with an ineradicable fishy smell, and there was a strange odor from the oil used to protect the water-soaked planks.
Ordinary people wouldn’t mind, as all ferries were like this. If it were a rich merchant, they would certainly cover their nose, insisting on staying on deck, unwilling to enter the cabin.
There was nothing to blame, really. Poor people’s dwellings always had various odd smells, and different people were accustomed to different lifestyles. He Haozi had seen many disguised individuals, no matter how perfectly they acted, there would always be slip-ups. Some things couldn’t be concealed just by wearing tattered clothes, stooping, or darkening one’s face.
To He Haozi, Lu Min seemed like someone of status pretending to be a pauper, yet some of his habits resembled those of a true pauper.
“The boat fare is twenty wen per person, just to Black Dragon Beach ferry crossing, and double for horses.”
“Nonsense, I remember that the fare for a carriage is the cost for two people, how can you charge it per horse? We have only one carriage! This is extortion!” Lu Min’s authoritative demeanor vanished in an instant as he energetically haggled, “A normal ferry charges ten wen per person, and I’m already paying as if we’re on a larger boat with horses. Look at this boat, is it worth the money?”
Mo Li leaned closer to Meng Qi, silently asking: How does the second prince know the ferry rates?
Meng Qi thought for a moment and silently replied: Probably when I went to the largest carriage dealer in the capital city, he took the opportunity to ask around.
The second prince had very little money, although his elder brother had arranged for people and funds to be ready to escort him to a predetermined location, but the prince was unaware of this.
In fact, Mo Li wanted to tell him, but Lu Min had been very somber in the past few days, immersed in reluctance and regret, not listening to anyone else.
Reluctance, because he did not want to leave Taijing.
Regret, because he felt useless.
So, Meng Qi muttered to the doctor, this was a rare opportunity, let the prince wallow in regret a bit longer, perhaps he would come to his senses! The result was as expected—
“What you mentioned is just the crossing fee, now we’ve taken you several more li along the waterway, right to Black Dragon Beach.” He Haozi’s eyes flicked around, making excuses, “Besides, a carriage can only use one horse, having an extra horse, even without the carriage, still costs money.”
Unexpectedly, Lu Min wasn’t fooled, realizing that He Haozi was testing him. If he carelessly contradicted that the spare horse could be tied to the carriage, it would have been a slip. Common folk’s carriages were only allowed one horse, and in a dispute, he wouldn’t think to forcefully add a horse to count as a carriage.
Lu Min avoided the topic of horses and argued logically, “We just want to cross the river, who should count the extra distance, you or me?” The initial twenty wen as a guiding fee was also unreasonable, since you want to count horses, why not deduct that twenty wen? The roads near Black Dragon Beach are rough and difficult for carriages, and it’s getting dark, you want us to disembark there?”
Meng Qi, listening on the side, was quite intrigued, not forgetting to say to Mo Li, “We originally had no plans to come to Black Dragon Beach, but he even know the terrain around here? Not bad, to understand that principle: anticipate to stand firm, fail to anticipate to fail, he hasn’t wasted these days!”
“…Lu Min is guessing the route and asking about prices just to save money, right?”
Mo Li couldn’t help saying, as Meng Qi’s smile stiffened on his face.
On the other side, He Haozi jumped up to argue, “On this boat, it’s only your group now, we haven’t charged you for chartering the boat, which is very generous already!”
“Charter the boat? Are the people in the sacks dead?” Lu Min laughed in exasperation.
They were arguing heatedly, yet everyone around them remained silent, showing no intention of getting involved.
Mr. Jinshui was still somewhat trembling, knowing that ahead lay the most dangerous and rapid part of the Qing River waterway.
Black Dragon Beach, as the name suggests, was not an easy place to navigate.
Usually, boats here would stick close to the shore to avoid whirlpools and undercurrents, but with many merchant ships leaving the capital, they occupied the safer waters, forcing other vessels to queue up and slowly move behind them.
The old boatman, sharp-eyed, noticed something amiss ahead—it seemed someone had set up a checkpoint for inspections.
“Could it be because of our abduction of Inspector Cha…”
“Nonsense, how could it be so fast?”
After scolding, the old boatman remembered the scholar in the cabin who had talked about the imperial examination fraud, and his expression changed slightly.
—Inspector Cha had recently been almost daily at the docks, capturing several scholars.
Although the old boatman did not understand the intricacies of imperial exam fraud, he knew that those involved would keep a close watch on the scholars responsible for taking exams on others’ behalf—how could they let anyone escape? Inspector Cha didn’t seem to be capturing scholars to “replenish” his staff; rather, it looked like he was silencing those in the know, since hiring someone to impersonate another in the exams required careful verification of identities and registrations, not just anyone off the streets.
If a scholar with credentials was abducted on his way home, it would certainly alarm the authorities.
With the emperor changed in the capital and the political landscape unstable, had this shaken the foundations of these people, causing the scholars to flee amidst the chaos?
The only sign of downfall lately seemed to be… Prime Minister Zhang?
The old boatman smacked his lips; many of Prime Minister Zhang’s followers and officials had recently been demoted, and with official ships coming and going, the dockworkers had heard that changes were imminent in the court.
Those who could set up a private checkpoint at Black Dragon Beach for inspections might be the imperial secret police or perhaps the behind-the-scenes manipulators of the exam fraud collaborating with local thugs.
Carrying out such visible searches at the docks would alert the suspects.
Now at Black Dragon Beach, with desolate banks and the waterway naturally blocked, it was indeed a good spot for inspections, as people on the boats had little chance to escape.
“Uncle Yang, what should we do?”
The laborers were anxiously pacing.
Even if it wasn’t for capturing scholars, they couldn’t pass this inspection, and there were still several people in sacks in the cabin! Even if they let them out, they couldn’t just gag them!
No matter who was conducting the inspection, seeing this situation, they would definitely detain their boat.
He Haozi, hearing this, came out of the cabin and saw the checkpoint ahead, his face turning pale.
More frightened was Mr. Jinshui, who almost stumbled in his panic.
Meng Qi was looking around when the old boatman waved his hand and said, “Hold steady, we’re going!”
Before the others could react, the boat suddenly turned and headed straight for the river’s center.
There was a commotion on the shore as the inspectors realized something was amiss, but no boatman was willing to pursue.
Navigating through Black Dragon Beach wasn’t impossible; it just involved great risk, and the boatmen weren’t fools—they wouldn’t undertake such uncertain tasks unless significantly rewarded, and only if the money had already reached their families, ensuring they could rest easy while risking their lives.
Mr. Jinshui clung to the side of the boat, getting drenched by the splashing waves.
Within the rapid currents, the boat tilted left and then abruptly turned right.
The two horses in the cabin were frightened, shaking their heads and pawing at the ground.
“Mother!”
“Stop!”
Mr. Jinshui saw a shadow flash before his eyes as He Haozi and Lu Min simultaneously lunged at the horses, then firmly held onto their heads. Human strength was no match for frenzied horses, and just as Lu Min desperately turned to seek help from Meng Qi and Mo Li, the horses slumped weakly against the cabin walls.
Lu Min was nearly crushed; he had no time to complain, for the boat was spinning wildly in a vortex.
In the blink of an eye, after spinning four or five circles, not only the people but even the horses were dizzy.
The sacks in the cabin were thrown violently about, likely awakening those inside; however, they were better off unconscious given their circumstances!
Meng Qi furrowed his brow and exited the cabin, meeting the surprised gazes of several laborers.
He Haozi, gasping for air, stumbled out, disoriented and trying to grab something for support, ending up holding onto Mo Li’s leg.
Mo Li could have moved away, but seeing He Haozi nearly fall face-first, he stood still.
The boat tilted sharply to the left. Mr. Jinshui felt half his body submerge into the water and screamed in panic, but was quickly pulled back, a piece of rope thrust into his hands, and before him stood the iron post to which the anchor was tied.
Mr. Jinshui instinctively clung to the iron post and gripped the rope, then remembered to look up at his rescuer.
Meng Qi walked towards the bow as if on solid ground.
The old boatman kept his eyes ahead; the boat had smoothly navigated past three whirlpools and several submerged rocks, drawing ever closer to the giant rock in the center of the river, and the boat’s spinning gradually ceased.
“Right gunwale, tighten up!”
“Don’t stand on the left, move right!”
The laborers scrambled frantically, fortunate that they weren’t steering.
The old boatman’s commands grew quicker, and the crew struggled to keep pace; finally, the boat tilted, nearly dragged into a whirlpool by an undercurrent.
Navigating out of a whirlpool required precise handling; a single mistake could mean destruction for both ship and crew.
The old boatman, undaunted, struggled to stabilize the vessel.
Mo Li, clueless about controlling the boat, slapped the side of the ship with his palm.
His internal energy, passing through the wooden boards, struck the water, creating a counterforce that once again freed the boat from the whirlpool.
The incident occurred just once; the boat swiftly passed the giant rock, nearly colliding with a submerged reef during a turn. As the old boatman had confidently predicted, they missed it by a mere fraction, perilously but successfully re-entering the swift current.
Everyone held their breath until Black Dragon Beach was far behind them.
Their small boat, aided by the rapid currents, ensured that no pursuers could catch up.
Exhausted, the old boatman let go of the steering and sat down, his companions quickly rushing to support him.
Some laughed, others shouted.
Although this wasn’t their first time braving Black Dragon Beach, those who lived off the river often gambled with their lives, but none of those times were as exhilarating as today.
—They had left behind both the docks of the capital and Black Dragon Beach, completely discarding them in their wake.
He Haozi, pulling a dazed Lu Min out of the cabin, spun him around, blurting out the first thing that came to mind—”Do we add to the boat fare?”
Lu Min, exhausted, waved his hand, indicating that he gave up on haggling.
Mr. Jinshui, pale-faced, rushed to the side of the boat and began to vomit.
Mo Li: “…”
Meng Qi thought, fortunately, doctor wasn’t in the water now.
Mo Li looked so unwell that when Lu Min and Mr. Jinshui regained their composure, they thought he might be sick too, and quickly asked if there was any fresh water on board.
“No need.” Meng Qi quickly intervened.
The old boatman, utterly spent, waved his hand and instructed, “Keep going, dock only at Zhu Hou Temple.”
Mo Li was about to ask why the journey had unexpectedly extended and whether it would cost extra, but he sharply noticed Meng Qi zoning out.
Zhu Hou Temple—
Mo Li, who had studied the geographical and historical records, especially around Taijing, suddenly remembered the history of Zhu Hou Temple.
Among the fourteen founding heroes of the Chu dynasty, only one did not live to see its establishment.
Before Li Yuanze led his troops into Taijing, his most trusted strategist, also renowned across the land for his flawless tactics, Zhu Yan, suddenly fell ill with a cold and died abruptly in his tent.
He died on the banks of the Qing River. When Li Yuanze conferred titles on his heroes, he also built a temple and a tomb at this location in Zhu Yan’s honor.
Throughout his life, this strategist never crossed the Qing River or entered Taijing.
He never saw the prosperity of the Chu dynasty, nor did he witness the mutual suspicions among monarchs and ministers, which ultimately led to the assassination of loyal subjects.
Lu Min: I want a refund for this boat ride!
The boat traveled four or five li, and the waterway of the Qing River was blocked by a giant rock, carved as if by a knife.
Waves slapped against the rocks, with submerged reefs scattered about, creating dozens of whirlpools in the swift currents.
“We’ve reached Black Dragon Beach!”
The old boatman called out, taking the helm himself.
The boat rocked, and Lu Min banged his head against the cabin wall.
The second prince, feeling sullen, rubbed his reddened forehead and glared at He Haozi, who was looking at him with a hostile expression, and immediately snapped, “What? Want to fight?”
He Haozi snorted, “The walls of our boat are thin, if you break them, you’ll have to pay.”
At the mention of money, Lu Min’s expression darkened, and his aura of authority was about to flare up.
Mr. Jinshui stared at him, and then inadvertently locked eyes with He Haozi, both seeing the same suspicion in each other’s gaze. This fellow, disguised as a coachman, often exhibited an authority typical of high-ranking individuals, which they would recognize, only to be later confused by other details of his behavior.
For instance, the cabin was filled with an ineradicable fishy smell, and there was a strange odor from the oil used to protect the water-soaked planks.
Ordinary people wouldn’t mind, as all ferries were like this. If it were a rich merchant, they would certainly cover their nose, insisting on staying on deck, unwilling to enter the cabin.
There was nothing to blame, really. Poor people’s dwellings always had various odd smells, and different people were accustomed to different lifestyles. He Haozi had seen many disguised individuals, no matter how perfectly they acted, there would always be slip-ups. Some things couldn’t be concealed just by wearing tattered clothes, stooping, or darkening one’s face.
To He Haozi, Lu Min seemed like someone of status pretending to be a pauper, yet some of his habits resembled those of a true pauper.
“The boat fare is twenty wen per person, just to Black Dragon Beach ferry crossing, and double for horses.”
“Nonsense, I remember that the fare for a carriage is the cost for two people, how can you charge it per horse? We have only one carriage! This is extortion!” Lu Min’s authoritative demeanor vanished in an instant as he energetically haggled, “A normal ferry charges ten wen per person, and I’m already paying as if we’re on a larger boat with horses. Look at this boat, is it worth the money?”
Mo Li leaned closer to Meng Qi, silently asking: How does the second prince know the ferry rates?
Meng Qi thought for a moment and silently replied: Probably when I went to the largest carriage dealer in the capital city, he took the opportunity to ask around.
The second prince had very little money, although his elder brother had arranged for people and funds to be ready to escort him to a predetermined location, but the prince was unaware of this.
In fact, Mo Li wanted to tell him, but Lu Min had been very somber in the past few days, immersed in reluctance and regret, not listening to anyone else.
Reluctance, because he did not want to leave Taijing.
Regret, because he felt useless.
So, Meng Qi muttered to the doctor, this was a rare opportunity, let the prince wallow in regret a bit longer, perhaps he would come to his senses! The result was as expected—
“What you mentioned is just the crossing fee, now we’ve taken you several more li along the waterway, right to Black Dragon Beach.” He Haozi’s eyes flicked around, making excuses, “Besides, a carriage can only use one horse, having an extra horse, even without the carriage, still costs money.”
Unexpectedly, Lu Min wasn’t fooled, realizing that He Haozi was testing him. If he carelessly contradicted that the spare horse could be tied to the carriage, it would have been a slip. Common folk’s carriages were only allowed one horse, and in a dispute, he wouldn’t think to forcefully add a horse to count as a carriage.
Lu Min avoided the topic of horses and argued logically, “We just want to cross the river, who should count the extra distance, you or me?” The initial twenty wen as a guiding fee was also unreasonable, since you want to count horses, why not deduct that twenty wen? The roads near Black Dragon Beach are rough and difficult for carriages, and it’s getting dark, you want us to disembark there?”
Meng Qi, listening on the side, was quite intrigued, not forgetting to say to Mo Li, “We originally had no plans to come to Black Dragon Beach, but he even know the terrain around here? Not bad, to understand that principle: anticipate to stand firm, fail to anticipate to fail, he hasn’t wasted these days!”
“…Lu Min is guessing the route and asking about prices just to save money, right?”
Mo Li couldn’t help saying, as Meng Qi’s smile stiffened on his face.
On the other side, He Haozi jumped up to argue, “On this boat, it’s only your group now, we haven’t charged you for chartering the boat, which is very generous already!”
“Charter the boat? Are the people in the sacks dead?” Lu Min laughed in exasperation.
They were arguing heatedly, yet everyone around them remained silent, showing no intention of getting involved.
Mr. Jinshui was still somewhat trembling, knowing that ahead lay the most dangerous and rapid part of the Qing River waterway.
Black Dragon Beach, as the name suggests, was not an easy place to navigate.
Usually, boats here would stick close to the shore to avoid whirlpools and undercurrents, but with many merchant ships leaving the capital, they occupied the safer waters, forcing other vessels to queue up and slowly move behind them.
The old boatman, sharp-eyed, noticed something amiss ahead—it seemed someone had set up a checkpoint for inspections.
“Could it be because of our abduction of Inspector Cha…”
“Nonsense, how could it be so fast?”
After scolding, the old boatman remembered the scholar in the cabin who had talked about the imperial examination fraud, and his expression changed slightly.
—Inspector Cha had recently been almost daily at the docks, capturing several scholars.
Although the old boatman did not understand the intricacies of imperial exam fraud, he knew that those involved would keep a close watch on the scholars responsible for taking exams on others’ behalf—how could they let anyone escape? Inspector Cha didn’t seem to be capturing scholars to “replenish” his staff; rather, it looked like he was silencing those in the know, since hiring someone to impersonate another in the exams required careful verification of identities and registrations, not just anyone off the streets.
If a scholar with credentials was abducted on his way home, it would certainly alarm the authorities.
With the emperor changed in the capital and the political landscape unstable, had this shaken the foundations of these people, causing the scholars to flee amidst the chaos?
The only sign of downfall lately seemed to be… Prime Minister Zhang?
The old boatman smacked his lips; many of Prime Minister Zhang’s followers and officials had recently been demoted, and with official ships coming and going, the dockworkers had heard that changes were imminent in the court.
Those who could set up a private checkpoint at Black Dragon Beach for inspections might be the imperial secret police or perhaps the behind-the-scenes manipulators of the exam fraud collaborating with local thugs.
Carrying out such visible searches at the docks would alert the suspects.
Now at Black Dragon Beach, with desolate banks and the waterway naturally blocked, it was indeed a good spot for inspections, as people on the boats had little chance to escape.
“Uncle Yang, what should we do?”
The laborers were anxiously pacing.
Even if it wasn’t for capturing scholars, they couldn’t pass this inspection, and there were still several people in sacks in the cabin! Even if they let them out, they couldn’t just gag them!
No matter who was conducting the inspection, seeing this situation, they would definitely detain their boat.
He Haozi, hearing this, came out of the cabin and saw the checkpoint ahead, his face turning pale.
More frightened was Mr. Jinshui, who almost stumbled in his panic.
Meng Qi was looking around when the old boatman waved his hand and said, “Hold steady, we’re going!”
Before the others could react, the boat suddenly turned and headed straight for the river’s center.
There was a commotion on the shore as the inspectors realized something was amiss, but no boatman was willing to pursue.
Navigating through Black Dragon Beach wasn’t impossible; it just involved great risk, and the boatmen weren’t fools—they wouldn’t undertake such uncertain tasks unless significantly rewarded, and only if the money had already reached their families, ensuring they could rest easy while risking their lives.
Mr. Jinshui clung to the side of the boat, getting drenched by the splashing waves.
Within the rapid currents, the boat tilted left and then abruptly turned right.
The two horses in the cabin were frightened, shaking their heads and pawing at the ground.
“Mother!”
“Stop!”
Mr. Jinshui saw a shadow flash before his eyes as He Haozi and Lu Min simultaneously lunged at the horses, then firmly held onto their heads. Human strength was no match for frenzied horses, and just as Lu Min desperately turned to seek help from Meng Qi and Mo Li, the horses slumped weakly against the cabin walls.
Lu Min was nearly crushed; he had no time to complain, for the boat was spinning wildly in a vortex.
In the blink of an eye, after spinning four or five circles, not only the people but even the horses were dizzy.
The sacks in the cabin were thrown violently about, likely awakening those inside; however, they were better off unconscious given their circumstances!
Meng Qi furrowed his brow and exited the cabin, meeting the surprised gazes of several laborers.
He Haozi, gasping for air, stumbled out, disoriented and trying to grab something for support, ending up holding onto Mo Li’s leg.
Mo Li could have moved away, but seeing He Haozi nearly fall face-first, he stood still.
The boat tilted sharply to the left. Mr. Jinshui felt half his body submerge into the water and screamed in panic, but was quickly pulled back, a piece of rope thrust into his hands, and before him stood the iron post to which the anchor was tied.
Mr. Jinshui instinctively clung to the iron post and gripped the rope, then remembered to look up at his rescuer.
Meng Qi walked towards the bow as if on solid ground.
The old boatman kept his eyes ahead; the boat had smoothly navigated past three whirlpools and several submerged rocks, drawing ever closer to the giant rock in the center of the river, and the boat’s spinning gradually ceased.
“Right gunwale, tighten up!”
“Don’t stand on the left, move right!”
The laborers scrambled frantically, fortunate that they weren’t steering.
The old boatman’s commands grew quicker, and the crew struggled to keep pace; finally, the boat tilted, nearly dragged into a whirlpool by an undercurrent.
Navigating out of a whirlpool required precise handling; a single mistake could mean destruction for both ship and crew.
The old boatman, undaunted, struggled to stabilize the vessel.
Mo Li, clueless about controlling the boat, slapped the side of the ship with his palm.
His internal energy, passing through the wooden boards, struck the water, creating a counterforce that once again freed the boat from the whirlpool.
The incident occurred just once; the boat swiftly passed the giant rock, nearly colliding with a submerged reef during a turn. As the old boatman had confidently predicted, they missed it by a mere fraction, perilously but successfully re-entering the swift current.
Everyone held their breath until Black Dragon Beach was far behind them.
Their small boat, aided by the rapid currents, ensured that no pursuers could catch up.
Exhausted, the old boatman let go of the steering and sat down, his companions quickly rushing to support him.
Some laughed, others shouted.
Although this wasn’t their first time braving Black Dragon Beach, those who lived off the river often gambled with their lives, but none of those times were as exhilarating as today.
—They had left behind both the docks of the capital and Black Dragon Beach, completely discarding them in their wake.
He Haozi, pulling a dazed Lu Min out of the cabin, spun him around, blurting out the first thing that came to mind—”Do we add to the boat fare?”
Lu Min, exhausted, waved his hand, indicating that he gave up on haggling.
Mr. Jinshui, pale-faced, rushed to the side of the boat and began to vomit.
Mo Li: “…”
Meng Qi thought, fortunately, doctor wasn’t in the water now.
Mo Li looked so unwell that when Lu Min and Mr. Jinshui regained their composure, they thought he might be sick too, and quickly asked if there was any fresh water on board.
“No need.” Meng Qi quickly intervened.
The old boatman, utterly spent, waved his hand and instructed, “Keep going, dock only at Zhu Hou Temple.”
Mo Li was about to ask why the journey had unexpectedly extended and whether it would cost extra, but he sharply noticed Meng Qi zoning out.
Zhu Hou Temple—
Mo Li, who had studied the geographical and historical records, especially around Taijing, suddenly remembered the history of Zhu Hou Temple.
Among the fourteen founding heroes of the Chu dynasty, only one did not live to see its establishment.
Before Li Yuanze led his troops into Taijing, his most trusted strategist, also renowned across the land for his flawless tactics, Zhu Yan, suddenly fell ill with a cold and died abruptly in his tent.
He died on the banks of the Qing River. When Li Yuanze conferred titles on his heroes, he also built a temple and a tomb at this location in Zhu Yan’s honor.
Throughout his life, this strategist never crossed the Qing River or entered Taijing.
He never saw the prosperity of the Chu dynasty, nor did he witness the mutual suspicions among monarchs and ministers, which ultimately led to the assassination of loyal subjects.
