Chapter 224: Damengze
The river divides into two paths at this point.
The road continues to flow southeast in a mighty way, towards the land of the Southern Barbarians.
The other road is filled with vast expanse of water swamp.
Damengze!
No one knows how big Damengze is.
Since ancient times, this vast swamp has been a barbaric area beyond the reach of dynasty forces!
Over the past hundreds of years, many people who fled from Xiaxu settled in Damengze, and over time formed a large and loose settlement.
It is said that there are hundreds of thousands of people living in Damengze, and some say two to three hundred thousand.
But no matter how many residents there are, the impression given by Damengze from beginning to end is that it is dangerous and unpredictable!
After Zhang Yuan's speedboat entered Daze, its speed dropped suddenly.
He had to paddle faster.
Although Zhang Yuan came to Damengze for the first time.
But relying on the high-altitude navigation of the red-eyed crow, he always traveled on the correct waterway.
Not lost.
The sky gradually darkened, and a thin mist appeared on the river.
I saw only a few lights in the distance, it was hazy and hard to see clearly.
During the boat ride, it feels like sailing into a dream.
After a while, stilt houseboats appeared in Zhang Yuan's sight.
This is a building he has never seen before.
These boat-shaped houses are built on the water, relying on bamboos as thick as bowls as supports, and then hanging rope ladders to the water, often with one or two small boats tied next to them.
When we got here, it suddenly became lively.
Lighting oil lamps hang under the eaves of every house.
The oil should be some kind of boiled fish oil. There is blue-grey smoke rising from the lamp wick, and the orange light is smudged in the water mist, leaving a faint smell in the air. Fatty aroma.
The houseboats are one after another, high or low, large or small, with waterways crisscrossing them.
It forms a huge maze!
Of course these houses on the water all have owners.
Most of the people living here are dressed in rags, some even only wear a pair of shorts, and their living conditions are quite simple.
Even original!
The women were cooking dinner in the boat house, and the men gathered together in twos and threes to chat and laugh. From time to time, naughty children suddenly jumped into the river, making countless splashes.
There are also some boats that have just returned from fishing, and they look busy.
The appearance of Zhang Yuan inevitably attracted the attention and even vigilance of many people.
A small boat passed across silently, just blocking Zhang Yuan's front.
I saw a man standing on the bow of the boat, shirtless and barefoot, holding a harpoon in his hand, revealing his strong dark muscles. He shouted in a deep voice: "Who are you? Where do you come from? Come to Daze to think about it. What are you doing?"
Zhang Yuan stopped the boat, stood up and clasped his fists: "I am Zhang Liao, I am from Xia Xu, and I am here for the first time. Please do me a favor."
"Zhang Liao?"
The shirtless man snorted, tightened his grip on the harpoon and asked, "Then do you know the rules here?"
Zhang Yuan smiled: "I hope you will tell me, Thank you very much!”
“It’s very simple.”
The shirtless man turned his head and spit into the water, and said carelessly: “If you want to live forever, leave money to buy it!” >
Zhang Yuan nodded: "Easy to say."
He reached into his arms and took out a piece of broken silver, and then flicked it towards the other party.
This half-weight piece of silver instantly turned into a stream of light and shot away!
Pop!
Before the shirtless man had time to react, he felt a huge shock in his right hand, almost losing his grip on his weapon.
He subconsciously looked at the harpoon and saw a piece of silver-white metal on the top of the handle.
The shirtless man's expression suddenly changed.
The corners of his eyes twitched, and then he forced out an ugly smile: "I'm offended!"
This guy who was arrogant before bowed respectfully to Zhang Yuan. He behaved in such a arrogant and respectful manner.
It's entirely because the methods Zhang Yuan just revealed have gone beyond the level of enthusiasm!
The shirtless man has been stationed in the waterway all year round and has seen countless people of all kinds, so he still has some good eyesight.
He realized that he had underestimated Zhang Yuan's strength and immediately lowered his body.
Immediately gave up the passage.
"Your Excellency please!"
Zhang Yuan did not argue with the other party, said "Thank you" and moved on.
The information provided by Han Zixun shows that there are currently four major forces in Damengze.
Bao Min, Dahe Gang, Jinsha Gang and Feiyu League!
Bao Min is considered a semi-indigenous person in Damengze.
It is said that they came from the southern barbarian land, and a group of Jing people ran to Damengze to escape the war.
And changed its name to Changmin and took root here.
Among the four factions, the Monmins not only have the largest number of people, but are also the most united.
But they don’t have high-level experts.
So it was never possible to outdo the other three.
The Dahe Gang, Jinsha Gang and Feiyu League are all organizations established by outsiders.
Although there are many discords and disputes among the three forces.
But in order to survive in Damengze, we have always maintained a fragile balance!
Zhang Yuan didn’t know which group the guy who extorted tolls from him belonged to. Although he was not afraid of it, it was a new arrival and there was no need to fight.
So use some means to make the other party retreat in spite of difficulties.
He rowed the boat calmly and passed between the rows of stilt houseboats.
Damengze was completely unfamiliar to Zhang Yuan, and the surrounding scenes were things he had never seen before.
But Zhang Yuan felt very at ease here.
I feel safer than in Xia Xu!
Because there is water all around.
As long as Zhang Yuan dives underwater, let alone a warrior of the same level...
Even if a fifth-level or even sixth-level expert comes, there is nothing he can do!
Wow!
Suddenly, the water surface a dozen steps away from the boat exploded, and a furry head popped out.
This guy who suddenly appeared is not Shuigui.
But a teenager!
I saw him raising his arms high, holding a giant turtle with teeth and claws in his hand.
Selling to Zhang Yuan enthusiastically: "Sir, would you like the old turtle you just caught? It's very replenishing."
Zhang Yuan laughed dumbly.
He slowed down the boat and asked: "How much?"
Seeing Zhang Yuan's interest, the young man's eyes lit up in the water and he quickly replied: "One or two, For just one tael of silver, this old turtle that replenishes Qi and nourishes blood will be yours.”
Zhang Yuan smiled and said: "Well, as long as you take me to Dachen Island, then I will buy this turtle."
In fact, if such a big turtle is placed in Xia Xu, Three to five taels of silver are worth it.
But Zhang Yuan believes that selling one or two here is definitely a high price!
He bargained for half a tael and estimated that he could get it.
But now Zhang Yuan needs a guide to take him to his destination.
So don’t worry about it so much.
“It’s a deal!”
The young man was immediately overjoyed: “Follow me!”
He plunged into the water suddenly, and then emerged in front of Zhang Yuan out.
Then he swam forward quickly.
This young man's water skills are very good, and he is as happy and comfortable as a fish in the water.
He just led Zhang Yuan's boat and swam several miles in one breath.
Until a land island appears ahead!
(End of this chapter)