Chapter 450 Black Ship interception
Heartbeat? No, Bodhisattva, you are a devil... Zhao Duan's mouth twitched.
In a daze, I felt like a Tang monk who was trapped in his daughter's kingdom. He was standing in front of his daughter's kingdom, teasing her, and chanting a curse in his ear: "Elder Tang, look at me..."
Zhao Duan looked solemn, stepped back a few steps, turned away his eyes, and said displeasedly: "Bodhisattva, don't tell any more jokes!"
"Haha... Donor Zhao is so cute," Prajna Bodhisattva smiled brightly, like an aunt teasing her nephew, and joked:
"Don't worry, this poor nun has stopped thinking and is devoted to the Buddha. He just came to ask you to go out for dinner."
After saying that, the nun, who was accustomed to wearing gauze monk's robes, twisted her head and walked out of the dock.
"Huh..." Zhao Duan wiped the sweat from his forehead with his hand, looking helpless.
This old woman came to the door on her own initiative. Because Prajna Bodhisattva was preparing to go south to receive the "legacy" left by the Great Pure Master, she simply went with him.
This matter was reported to the Empress. The Empress considered that with Eunuch Hai nearby and an extra Bodhisattva accompanying her, Zhao Duan's safety factor would be greatly increased, so she made the decision magnanimously.
As for the danger...
Due to Buddhist scripture debates, Prajna Bodhisattva's position is different from that of Nagarjuna and Xuanyin, so he must rely on the help of the court.
Zhao Duan vaguely knew that the imperial court also intended to form an alliance with the old nun in order to check and balance Shenlong Temple.
Therefore, apart from the old nun teasing him from time to time along the way, rational judgment was indeed a great help.
In particular, the most important destination of Prajna Bodhisattva's trip is also to build the path.
"Let's eat when we eat. What's it like to be so ambiguous?"
Zhao Duan complained and stepped out of the cabin, feeling warm wind blowing in front of him.
It's almost late spring, the river breeze is moist and warm, the mountains on both sides of the canal are turning green, and familiar figures are standing or sitting on the deck.
"My lord!"
Several close officers from Lihuatang were moving benches, tables and chairs to the deck and greeted him.
Lang Shiba, who was holding a wine gourd, and Ji Yue, who was deeply in social fear, were still hiding in the corner of the deck.
"Shaobao!"
On the deck, in the martial arts hall, a group of Dauchi masters headed by Tang Jinzhong and Song Jinxi saluted.
It is worth mentioning that in order to keep a low profile, everyone on the ship did not wear official robes and just pretended to be escorts.
Zhao Duan nodded and walked to Hai Chunlin who was standing on the side of the ship, hands behind his back, looking ahead:
"What are you looking at, father-in-law?"
Grandpa Hai was dressed as a wealthy man, wearing a small melon-skin hat, with a few strands of silver hair emerging from the curtain of the hat. He looked at the ships passing by in the distance on the river and said:
"Further forward, we will reach the territory of Jianning Mansion."
Jianning Mansion... is the largest palace in Jiancheng Dao. Prince Jing's Mansion is also located in the city. There are several local wealthy families in the mansion. It can be said to be the center of Jianning Dao.
Luoshan, where the Empress granted Zen, is also within the Jianning Mansion, but it is some distance away from the city.
"You know this place, what kind of ships are the most numerous?" asked Hai Gonggong.
Zhao Duan smiled and said:
"My father-in-law, don't underestimate me. Although I have never been here, I have done my homework. If the Huaihe River Channel has the most merchant ships, then the completed channel is most famous for its water transport ships."
"Yes, water transportation," Eunuch Hai said with emotion:
"The climate in the south is mild, and two or even three crops of grain can be grown a year. In addition, the capital is in the north, so there is a south-to-north diversion of grain, and this canal was built by the previous dynasty. At first, the canal was only widened to the Huaihe River. At that time, the Huaihe River Water is the key to water transportation
Later, it gradually extended southward, and now the core of water transportation has reached Jianningfu. Oh, if the Tao had not been built to produce a lot of grain, why would Prince Jing's Mansion have the guts to challenge the imperial court? ”
Tsk, Lao Hai, you know very well. In the feudal era, the key to military power was who had enough food to support the army. Prince Jing did have strong capital in this area... Zhao Duan's eyes were deep:
"The late emperor also knew the interests here, so he set up a governor of water transportation in Jianning Prefecture to take charge of water transportation matters. He could also intervene and take charge of the local area. He was a high-ranking official with real power, much more powerful than the chief envoy.
This time, the appointment and dismissal of southern officials was accelerated by the repeated urging of the governor named Ning Zechen. ”
The name of Ning Zechen, the Governor of Water Transport... is also a legend in the official circles of Yu State.
It is said that this man was from an ordinary background. He passed the provincial examination when he was twenty years old, but failed in the three scientific examinations. In anger, he married into a wealthy family in Linfeng according to the engagement. During the wedding, this person wrote a couplet and posted it in the new house:
"I don't have half an acre, but I worry about the world; I have read thousands of books, and I have friends with the ancients."
Later, Ning Zechen, who was a mere surrogate son-in-law, somehow made friends with the chief envoy at that time. The two became friends through letters and became friends over the years.
Later, after being recommended by the chief envoy, Ning Zechen got to know a large group of local ministers, and all of the people he made friends with were important figures.
Until he was nearly forty years old, banditry broke out in the area and there was a shortage of manpower. Ning Zechen was invited by Linfeng Prefect to join the government office as a friend to help, and became famous in one fell swoop.
Then he took advantage of the opportunity to become an official, and went to the river to deal with water bandits and handle local affairs. Because of his tough style, he was valued by the old emperor, who was confused but not too stupid at the time, and promoted him to the governor of water transportation to control the wealthy families in the south.
After the Xuanmen coup, the empress ascended the throne, and Ning Zechen was among the first batch of local officials to express their loyalty, so they were both important ministers of the imperial party.
"He is probably the happiest when you come this time." Eunuch Hai smiled.
Zhao Duan wondered: "Happy? He hasn't heard of my bad reputation?"
Eunuch Hai said:
"This governor is different from those rotten scholars in the capital. He only cares about ability and skills, and does not pay much attention to character. Although you have a bad reputation, your achievements in the past year are real. I am here to help him again this time. How can I hate you?"
Oh, he is a man of action... rare... Zhao Duan nodded, showing a little interest.
He still has a good impression of this type of officials who do not participate in political battles or party disputes, let alone who is the emperor above their heads, and only focus on doing facts.
This time it was completed.
Zhao Duan only does three things.
One is to prepare for the enshrinement of Zen, but this matter is not urgent. You can put it back a little and complete it before arriving at Jiancheng Road when you go south from Zhenbao.
The second one is to examine the situation of local officials and how powerful King Jing is.
The third and most important thing is to assist the Governor of Water Transport and defeat the local wealthy families here, so that these people will stop. After that, the new local officials who come to take office will be less constrained and can implement the plan. The New Deal is easier.
It also prevents new officials from taking office, failing to implement an order, and facing corruption from sugar-coated bullets.
However, this matter is not easy to handle yet. Zhao Duan has not yet made a plan. He plans to quietly enter the city and meet with the governor to understand the situation here before making a plan.
"My lord, father-in-law, it's time to eat."
At this moment, a call from a subordinate came from behind, and at the same time, the fragrant smell of fish soup came from the kitchen on the ship.
Zhao Duan and Eunuch Hai stopped talking and turned around to walk into the cabin.
At the corner of the deck, Lang Shiba stood up, walked a few steps, turned to look at Ji Yue, who was squatting on the side of the ship, holding his hands like a "telescope", pressing it against his eye sockets, stretching his neck to look into the distance, and said curiously:
"It's time to eat. What are you looking at?"
Jiyue did not move, still maintaining a strange posture, and said:
"Something's wrong up front."
……
……
Wow...
The sound of water waves lapped at the cabin. At noon, the boats on the river stopped one after another, and the boatmen took a break to eat.
Feng Da carried the food box and walked out of the ship's kitchen. He went straight to several officers standing guard on the deck and greeted:
"Stop standing, sit down and eat."
Several officers did not move, and the leader, an old soldier about fifty years old, smiled:
"Don't mess with the rules. You guards eat first, and then take turns with us before eating. Otherwise, everyone on this ship will be slacking off, and no one will be guarding it. If the thieves attack, people will die."
Feng Da put down the food box and joked:
"I know that you, Old Xu, have fought seriously in the Southwest Frontier Army and have seen blood. Later, you came to our Water Transport Bureau and served as a guard and soldier. You are rich in experience. If not, you would not be so old and still be able to lead the army. A group of people were selected by the Governor to escort his wife...
But where did the thieves come from on the river? The Governor is not here. Don't worry. My wife asked me to deliver the food. I feel sorry for your hard journey. ”
Hearing this, several soldiers on guard who had already been distracted smiled and started to move towards the food boxes.
The old soldier named Xu scolded:
"Have you been told to move? Have you forgotten the usual military discipline?"
Several young guards and soldiers retracted their hands.
Feng Da smiled bitterly and shook his head. He admired it but also felt that it was a bit of a fuss. Feng Da was the bodyguard at the home of Ning Zechen, the governor of water transportation.
But to be precise, they were the guards of the governor's wife's family. However, after Ning Zechen rose to the top as his adopted son-in-law, his wife left her natal family with her maids and guards, and formed a new "Ning family" with her husband. .
Feng Ziran naturally became the chief of the guard at the Governor's Mansion.
During the Chinese New Year, the wife and the young master returned to Linfeng's natal home to visit relatives. They stayed there for several months and returned to Jianning Mansion this time.
On the way, in addition to the guards at home, Ning Zechen also dispatched a team of elite sailors to protect him.
The Water Transport Yamen was extremely powerful, with more than 200 civilian and military officers under its command, and nearly 20,000 people in charge of warehousing, shipbuilding, and water transport.
If it were not in accordance with the court regulations, the governor would not be able to mobilize troops at will, and there would be an upper limit on the number of escorts. At this moment, there would be even more official errands on the ship.
But...
Feng Da felt that this was more than enough. Elite sailors were equipped with crossbows and armors, and there was even a small simple artillery on the ship.
Ordinary water bandits don't dare to touch Mrs. Ning's troubles, but they are really short-sighted and will only end up with no return.
"It doesn't matter. Anyway, the Jianning Mansion is just ahead of us. When we go back and see the Governor, my wife will definitely ask you for credit." Feng said with a smile.
The old soldier named Xu frowned, stared straight ahead, and whispered:
"Something's wrong, cheer up!"
Feng Da was stunned. He looked forward and saw a ship in the distance approaching quickly. It didn't look like a passerby at all, but gave people the intention of ramming directly towards them!
"Put up the flag!" shouted the old soldier.
Immediately, a young official rushed into the cabin, took out a bright flag of the Water Transport Yamen, and waved it vigorously.
This is a way to show your identity. Almost everyone on the ships walking on the canal will not recognize the banner of "Canal Transport Yamen".
However, the ship in the distance did not slow down, nor did it respond with any "semaphore", and was still approaching rapidly.
And from this distance, one can vaguely see a group of people standing on the deck of the opponent's ship.
"Alert! It's a black ship!"
The old soldier shouted loudly.
The so-called black boats originally referred to private boats on the river that were not registered with the government. Later, they generally referred to suspicious-looking water bandit boats.
"Water bandits? Where did the water bandits come from? Are they crazy? They don't shy away from the flag of Caotai?" Feng Da was shocked and angry. He also turned to call the guards who were eating in the cabin to come out.
In the blink of an eye, the deck was full of people, and the officers were all holding crossbows that could only be used in the military, targeting suspicious ships.
Shouted loudly: "Stop! If you dare to approach again, shoot immediately!!"
ahead.
On the rapidly approaching ship stood a masked killer from the Cao Gang, the first one with a face covering his face, a red ribbon tied to his right arm, and a long black stick carried behind his back.
Surprisingly, it was Zuo Rong, the top thug of Jiancheng Daocao Gang and He Xiaolou's confidant.
"Master Rong, it seems that this is the right ship. It's all carrying military crossbows." A killer said next to him.
Zuo Rong, who only showed the upper half of his face, had cold eyes and said:
"Reduce the ship's speed and stay outside the range of the crossbow."
……
"They slowed down."
Feng Da noticed that the black ship ahead had slowed down, and his heart relaxed, and he smiled:
"It seems that they saw our manpower and got scared."
Another Ning family guard, carrying a knife, also smiled and said:
"A group of water bandits who came from nowhere are not scared to death when they see the crossbows in the army? Do you really think we can play a water battle with two boats approaching them?"
When the officials saw this, they also relaxed, thinking that the other party would retreat and leave after seeing clearly.
However, while everyone was concentrating on staring at the black ship ahead, they did not notice that the water behind the ship slowly opened.
More than twenty "water ghosts" emerged. These killers with excellent water qualities were only wearing shorts, their upper body was naked, and they had daggers in their mouths.
He climbed onto the ship quietly, divided his troops into two groups, approached the guards standing at the back, and then suddenly broke out.
"Poof!"
"Poof!"
Amidst the muffled groans, several corpses were dropped in the blink of an eye.
"No! Someone climbed up...ah!"
"Back! Back!"
The guards and soldiers who came back to their senses were shocked and hurriedly started fighting with the killers. But how could a group of servant guards defeat the well-trained water ghosts?
In the blink of an eye, several more died.
The soldiers were at this distance, blocked by guards, and couldn't use crossbows at all. They had to draw their swords in a hurry, but they were blocked by the terrain. There was chaos for a while, with only the cry of killing, and from time to time, blood spilled out like a fountain, splashing in the cabin. on the window.
"I'll go first, and you guys will follow."
On the deck of the black ship.
Zuo Rong said lightly, and then the number one killer of the Cao Gang bowed and sank to his knees, suddenly jumped out of the boat, stepped on the water with his feet, and it was as if he was walking on flat ground. With extraordinary lightness, like a big bird, in a few breaths, he Sweep to the front of the ship.
In mid-air, the man drew out a long black stick with his backhand, and with a "Woo" sound, he drew his sword boldly and smashed the head of the old soldier named Xu who rushed towards him with a "bang"!
Like a smashed watermelon!
The old pawn's headless body swayed, fell over the boat with a thud, and hit the water, making waves.
"Old Xu?!!!"
Feng Da's pupils suddenly narrowed, and he shouted at the top of his lungs. A surge of anger made him forget his fear for a moment, and he raised his knife and slashed at Zuo Rong who jumped onto the deck.
However, Feng Da only felt that his eyes were blurred, and the other party had disappeared. He immediately felt that someone was pulling his hair.
Before he could turn his head, he saw in confusion that his lower body rushed out of the deck and fell into the river right before his eyes.
He was stunned and realized that his waist had been violently severed by the opponent's stick just now, leaving only his upper body hanging in the air by the warrior killer's hair.
The severe pain hit him later, and Feng Da let out a horrible scream.
Zuo Rong casually threw him on the deck and swept the long black stick in his hand. The remaining soldiers and guards who were still alive had no resistance and died in a few breaths.
Some were so frightened that they jumped out of the boat to survive, but their throats were slit with daggers by the "water ghosts" hiding underwater.
Below the boat, the river turned red.
The entire ship was in dead silence. Zuo Rong carried a long stick and stepped over the blood and corpses with his boots before arriving at the cabin. He raised his hand and pushed open the cabin door.
"Creak" sound.
The cabin was empty, no one was there, only half-eaten meals were placed on the small table.
"Mrs. Ning, come out. Stop hiding. Do you think you can hide it in such a big boat?"
Zuo Rong said with a smile.
No one answered.
He was not in a hurry, so he walked around the small cabin with a long black stick. His steps were neither hasty nor slow. When he reached a certain place, he suddenly stabbed the ground with the long stick without any warning. !
"Poof!"
The long stick sank into the floor, and a low cry came from below.
"I found you."
Zuo Rong smiled evilly, squatted down, and used his hands to remove the floor that was used as a secret door, revealing a small space below. Inside, there was a well-maintained lady curled up, holding a baby in her arms. A cardamom girl.
"Mother..."
The girl was trembling, Mrs. Ning tightly protected her daughter in her arms, raised her head and stared at him with an unusually calm expression:
"I'll go with you."
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(End of chapter)