Love Affairs in Chang'an - Chapter 203

Chapter 203 Water Transport Terminal
The group of nearly a thousand people from Prince Wu’s Mansion moved towards the south. With Li Ke, Xue Rengui, Yin Yang, Yuwen Hongtai, and Pang Fei accompanying them, Qin Mubai did not feel bored. After all, it was the will of a thirty-year-old man, so he could still withstand this little bit of farewell. After being sad for a while, Qin Mubai quickly adjusted her mood and began to look forward to the next stop in her life.

Throughout the ages, there were many places connected to each other in the officialdom. It was not uncommon for the capital officials to send them to the local government to further their studies, do some good deeds, and then go back to the local government to be promoted. Qin Mubai knew that he was now standing at a crossroads and couldn’t afford to let anything slip by. Well done, the future is limitless; If he made a mistake, he would definitely be unlucky.

After all, he had offended others in court!

Xiang Prefecture, just as the great soldier Li Ji had said, was a place that ancient soldiers had to contend for. Xiangzhou ancient times also known as xiangyang, xiangyang prefecture, located in the central plains title even han river, nantong west jing hubei even han shu, east water road can reach wu yue, is the hub of the central plains.

Xiangzhou is full of water, so the transport of water is quite convenient. A stream of Han water lay in front of Xiang Zhou. Since ancient times, the Han River is the natural military barrier around Jingxiang, is also the way to make money. Speaking of han water, it is worth mentioning that it originated in hanzhong, and hanzhong is the han dynasty.

Han, the title of a nation. Han nationality, Chinese language, Chinese characters, Chinese culture … there is no need to elaborate. As for the Han River, the sons and daughters of China from ancient times to modern times naturally had more feelings for it.

Jingxiang area of money cloth iron are across the xiang zhou, land and water can be delivered to the guanzhong tax to the imperial court. Wu Yang also relied more on the water transport here, starting from Xiangzhou to the southern states and counties. Therefore, Xiangzhou’s water transport terminal can be said to be world famous, and has become an important financial revenue of Xiangzhou.

Therefore, Xiangzhou was not only a major town in the Central Plains, but also a big fat meat rich in oil. If it weren’t for a prince like Li Ke, how could he easily obtain such a fat official position as the governor of Xiangzhou?

Naturally, the more prosperous and wealthy a place was, the more mixed the dragons and snakes would become, and there would be all sorts of people from all walks of life. Just the water transport dock was extremely complicated. Regardless of whether it was officials, soldiers, admirers, or commoners, who didn’t want to get fat here? Moreover, anything that involved salt, rice, iron, and other things that the imperial court monopolized, there would definitely be activities like the salt owl’s private merchants. In the long run, there were many underground “green forest gangs” in the Xiangzhou area. In fact, they were scoundrels with the nature of underworld gangs who were here to gain benefits. As for the government troops, they secretly opened one eye and closed the other, each taking what they needed.

Moreover, there were the descendants of the old aristocratic families who lived in Jing Xiang and the local officials and gentry. Many forces interweaved together. On the surface, the tiny Xiangzhou looked like a tiny place, but it was not as simple as it seemed. There are policies and countermeasures, and they have always been the same. If it weren’t for the fact that he was capable, it would have been hard for him to endure here.

Li Ke chatted with Qin Mubai all along the way. Obviously, he understood Xiangzhou very well. Originally, he had previously worked in Anzhou, along the Han River can be downstream to Anzhou, not too far away. He also had a better understanding of the people in this area.

“Looks like our trip isn’t easy, Your Highness.” Qin Mubai smiled and said, “Now I understand why the Emperor allowed me to go with you so straightforwardly. As a secretariat, without the help of the army, it won’t be easy to suppress these local snakes in Xiangzhou!”

“Extremely true.” Li Ke smiled and said, “When we arrive at a local county, it’s not as good as the capital at the feet of the Son of Heaven. To put it bluntly, there are no tigers or monkeys in the mountains who call us great kings. Perhaps a small squire here praises our Emperor, Saint Tomorrow, every day, but secretly, he feels that he is the most powerful person in this area.”

“It’s not strange.” Qin Mubai said, “In a group of people, whoever is used to receiving tribute or giving orders will be easily fluttering for a long time. Moreover, the people standing at the top of the mountain and the people standing at the foot of the mountain look insignificant to each other.”

“Heh, that’s wonderful.” Li Ke smiled and said, “Looks like you’ve already made up your mind?”

“Not really.” Qin Mubai said, “When we arrive at a new environment, we need to adapt to it for a period of time. I only heard that the waterway transportation terminal in Xiangzhou is the most prosperous and complex. How about this, we take a few people to disguise ourselves and go to the private server to find out first. There is no news more accurate than what I saw with my own eyes.”

“Alright.” Li Ke agreed without saying a word.

A few days later has been received by xiangyang county, xiangzhou county, li ke called right WanJi, let him lead a large group of people continue to take the road south of xiangzhou. Li Ke and Qin Mubai brought Xue Rengui, Yin Yang, Pang Fei, and Yuwen Hongtai with them. Everyone disguised themselves and boarded a boat at the head of a cavern, heading south along the Han River.

It was early spring and the east wind on the river was very cold. A large sail passenger ship that was commonly seen in the south sailed downstream against the wind and waves, accompanied by more than ten people, most of them traffickers and travelers.

Although Li Ke and Qin Mubai had changed into ordinary official clothes, their detached temperament could not be concealed. In addition, the four people accompanying them were all powerful and extraordinary people, especially Yuwen Hongtai, who was as big as a bull and a horse, who was as scary as a god. Therefore, no one chatted up with them all the way, let alone causing trouble.

Everyone didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Yuwen Hongtai, such a rude man, felt his heart skip a beat as soon as he boarded the boat. He felt like a little wife had entered Evil Grandma’s house, and his face was a little pale with fear. After boarding the ship, he kept silent and shrunk back. Not many hours later, he suddenly started to vomit and vomit heavily.

Such a big fellow actually felt seasick!

“Wu … If I had known, I wouldn’t have followed you!” Yuwen Hongtai wanted to cry without tears. He vomited all the way on the boat, crying like a child, causing the entire boat to overturn with laughter.

Along the way, there were still a hundred miles of water before they reached Xiangzhou. The large sail passenger ship docked at several docks along the way to pick up and disembark passengers. Qin Mubai and the others had also witnessed the canal transport dock in Xiangzhou. It was indeed exceptionally bustling and lively. Whether it was daytime or night, passenger ships or cargo ships often docked. The cooks here were waiting day and night, and they could often see officials and officials maintaining order here. Occasionally, one could see some powerful people moving through the crowd in the cabin. Everyone treated them as if they didn’t dare to offend them in the slightest.

“Water transport in Xiangzhou is related to the salaries tax and the transfer of salt and iron. It is extremely important.” Li Ke said, “Since the founding of the Great Tang Dynasty and even before the Sui Dynasty, salt owls have been rampant in the Jingxiang area, and countless salt taxes have flowed into the hands of salt owls.” Apart from selling smuggled salt, the salt owls also gathered together in groups to form government-owned private iron tools and bully goodwill in the countryside. In chaotic times, the actions of these salt owls were reasonable, and some of them were to fight against tyranny and seek a way to survive. “However, in this peaceful and prosperous era, the country is peaceful and the people are safe. If these fellows do too much, they will only be able to make ends meet. That won’t allow them to do so.”

Qin Mubai nodded and said, “I have long heard that the Jingxiang area is rich and prosperous, but it is not as simple and calm as I thought. For so many years, the salt barbarians had been suppressing them endlessly, almost on par with the imperial law, and the local government seemed to be powerless against them. “This time, if we can eliminate Yan Xiao, it might be a good achievement.”

Li Ke’s lips curled into a smile and said, “Look, we’ve come to the same conclusion again. We’ve accomplished something that no one else can. That’s a good political achievement. We need to understand how difficult it is for the salt lord of Xiang Province to accomplish.”

Later on, Li Ke asked the boatman and learned that there was a famous ferry in Xiangyang County. It was called the Eight Ghosts Ferry, and it was one of the largest water transport terminals in Xiangzhou. Li Ke said, “Let’s get off the ship and take a look. It’s fine to stay there for a day or two. Anyway, we’ve already arrived in Xiangzhou. Let’s look for the people’s livelihood.”

“That’s good too.”

Soon after, the group of people got off the boat. Yuwen Hongtai’s legs were stumbling in embarrassment. If Xue Rengui hadn’t supported him when he got off the sampan, he would have probably fallen into the river.

It was dawn, but the Eight Ghosts Crossing was already bustling with activity.

Passenger and cargo ships are very carefully separated. A passenger ship that stops on the left to pick up and pick up passengers, and a larger cargo ship on the right. Looking around, within a radius of several kilometers, the boat’s sampan was as numb as a feather. Some of the officials shouted loudly and commanded the boat to dock. The plentiful laborers, dressed in short cardigans, rolled up their trousers, barefoot and open their chests, and carried the cargo to the shore. Next to him, there was a count of the number of pieces, which should be used to settle wages.

Qin Mubai and the others disembarked from the passenger terminal. Other than the pedestrians who boarded and disembarked, they did not encounter any idle people. Along the way, they took a big bend and intentionally went to the cargo terminal to see what was going on. Unexpectedly, the two yamen attendants at the entrance came out and stopped them.

“Stop, which ship do you own, Cao Zhou?” The yamen attendant looked at them vigilantly and questioned them.

“Oh … that one.” Li Ke casually pointed forward and smiled, “Big Brother Guan, quickly let us in. Our cargo is being unloaded!”

“Ho!” The yamen attendant sneered, “Where did you come from, Young Master Floating Wind? This is not the Willow Land of Wind Flower Alley. How can it be a place for you to have fun? Let’s go, don’t force Master Guan to fall out!”

“What do you mean?” Li Ke’s expression sank. “My ship is unloading cargo. Can’t I go in and take a look?”

“If I tell you to scram, scram!” The yamen attendant was so impatient that he shouted, “Don’t you want to make trouble here?”

“Wait.” The other yamen attendant beside him seemed to be clever. He sized up Li Ke and the others, and they were extraordinary figures. He pulled the evil yamen attendant to the side and cupped his hands. “What exactly is this husband doing when he wants to enter the dock?” He said.

“Didn’t I just say that?” Li Ke did not get angry and asked calmly.

“Lang Jun is joking. Lang Jun should be a foreign merchant, right?” The yamen attendant smiled, obviously mocking, but he still said politely, “Anyone who goes in or out of the Eight Ghosts Crossing must have a special token issued by the county government. There’s no need to say anything, they can go in or out freely at any time. Has Lang Jun … understood?”

“What? You still need a token?” Li Ke was stunned for a moment, then laughed dryly, “Forget it, I forgot for a moment. I’ll just go back and ask for your county magistrate for help. I’m sorry to disturb you so much, goodbye!”

“Old Ninth Zhou, what nonsense do you have to talk to these shrewd servants about? It’s so quiet to go straight with a stick.” The evil yamen servant sneered.

Qin Mubai and the others had come to explore the situation and had been quietly observing from the side. On the other hand, Yuwen Hongtai, who had vomited all the way, felt his temper weaken, and he could no longer restrain his anger. He rushed forward and waved his palm like a praying fan. With a single palm, he struck the face of the Evil Yamen Servant and shouted, “Let’s find a way to clean it up. I’ll help you!”

The evil yamen attendant shouted and fell to the ground like a cement slab, which shocked the surrounding people. Several yamen attendants rushed over with knives and sticks in their hands, causing the entire dock to explode with excitement.

Li Ke, Qin Mubai, and the others were also a little angry, but after all, they were the masters of saving trouble, so they hurriedly pulled Yuwen Hongtai back.

Li Ke cursed, “Yuwen Hongtai, are you confused or something? You don’t care about priorities!”

Qin Mubai smiled and said, “Young Master, since you’ve come, you can rest assured. It’s not bad for Hong Tai to cause a mess. It’s like trying to destroy a hornet’s nest. You have to have a hand to test it, right?”

“Heh!” Li Ke smiled and stopped talking. Looking at the group of people gathered in front of him, he cut his hands and laughed at them.

The evil yamen attendant was pulled up from the ground. He was afraid that his fall would hurt and he would wail while covering his head. Elder Zhou Jiu, who was beside him, seemed to be a leader. He hurriedly urged the brothers behind him who were excited to fight. Then, he came to Li Ke and said, “Young master, you are also someone who knows how to read and salute. How could you have such a ferocious person under your command?” “It’s not convenient to cause trouble on the dock. You guys should leave now!”

“You’re a simple person.” Li Ke smiled and said, “Speaking of which, if I don’t leave today, what will happen?”

Elder Zhou Nine furrowed his brows and revealed a trace of anger. He said impatiently, “We’re busy, so you’d better not pester us any longer. Otherwise, even if we get beaten to death at the dock, it’s possible. Let’s go!”

“Haha, interesting!” Li Ke laughed loudly, “Which law of the Tang Dynasty stipulates that anyone who breaks into the water transport dock will be beaten to death? I really want to broaden my horizons today!”

The nearby Qin Mubai smiled and said, “Young Master is so happy today. We will definitely accompany him. Big Brother Zhou is a good person, and we won’t make things difficult for you. Why don’t you tell your brother to leave and let me in to take a look? There’s no harm in that.”

“Ah, you really don’t know how to appreciate it!” Zhou Laojiu gritted his teeth and cursed hatefully. He took a step back and suddenly waved his hand, “Blow them away!”

A group of yamen attendants were about to charge forward with their swords, spears, and sticks, when Li Ke suddenly shouted, “Stop!”

The yamen attendants were stunned, but they actually stopped. He couldn’t help but wonder in his heart, “What a mighty aura! It’s even more impressive than the magistrate’s style!”

Seeing that he had suppressed these officials, Li Ke felt very good. He smiled and said, “Are you in such a hurry to blow us away? Could it be that there is something shameful in the Eight Ghosts Crossing? As officials, are you selling smuggled goods and committing crimes?”

“Bastard, nonsense!” The yamen attendants were stunned for a moment, and then they roared angrily, “Get lost! Otherwise, capture them all and go to your prison!”

“Haha, interesting!” Li Ke clapped his hands and laughed loudly. He took a few steps back and smiled at Qin Mubai and Xue Rengui, “It’s your turn. Speaking of which, I really want to know which one of you fights better?”

“He should be more nimble.” Qin Mubai also smiled and took a step back with Li Ke. “What about Yin Yang and Hong Tai? Which round do I have to take action? Hong Tai alone will take ten!”

“I’m so bored!” Yuwen Hongtai roared loudly and was about to rush forward and hit him. The yamen attendants only felt their eyes darken. A big black bear-like fellow had already rushed forward, scaring them to the point that they were a little scared.

Without waiting for Yuwen Hongtai’s fist to hit his flesh, a burst of even greater riots suddenly came from the dock. The roars were like thunder, and there was a faint sound of swords slashing through the air. Several boats seemed to have been overturned, and large bags of cargo fell into the water, causing loud splashes of water.

“Eh? That place is even more lively than ours!” Li Ke and the others stood on tiptoe and watched.

The yamen attendants couldn’t help but look back nervously. Yuwen Hongtai swung his fist and was stunned for a moment, “What a big commotion!”

‘”Bang bang bang bang–” Just then, a series of loud noises rang out from the dock, and a loud roar came from a viewing tower beside the grille, “The dock has changed, the dock has changed!”

All of the yamen attendants immediately left Li Ke and the others like a devil curse and rushed towards the wharf, leaving only two or three people at the entrance to pull up the fence and block it with their knives, refusing to back down a single step.

“Looks like there’s a good show to watch. We came at the right time.” Li Ke smiled sinisterly and hooked his finger at Yuwen Hongtai, “It’s your turn, Hong Tai. This broken wooden fence can’t stop you, right?”

‘”Haha–” Yuwen Hongtai Lei roared, as if a locomotive was going to crash into the fence with all its strength. A loud crash accompanied by the yamen attendant’s shriek of fear caused a fence to fall. Although Yuwen Hongtai’s skill was enormous, he was extremely agile. He rolled up on the spot and threw aside a knocked-over yamen attendant. He clapped his hands and said, “Young master, this path is clear. Please!”

Qin Mubai laughed, “Young Master, are we looking for trouble?”

“Obviously not.” Li Ke said seriously, “We are here to see this lively scene!”