"My lord, in front of us is Huanggang City. Here we need to go south along the tributaries of the Yajiang River and then reach Yueyang through the canal, and then go east from Yueyang to Jiangnan and bypass the imperial capital. Tonight we can rest in Huanggang for a night." He Zicai stood behind Wu Feng and introduced. .
"What about going straight down the river?" Wu Feng asked casually, "Can we go directly to Jiujiang?"
"Yes, it only takes twelve hours to get to Jiujiang Fucheng from Huanggang to Jiujiang with smooth wind and water. This section of the river is wide and deep, and it is an important shipping route. From Jiujiang upstream, you can reach Heshuo. In the Wuhu area, Food is mainly transported to the imperial capital through this waterway." Although He Zicai was a water bandit on the Atlantic Ocean, he also knew the conditions of the inland rivers of the empire very well.
"It's a pity that Jiujiang is now controlled by the Taiping Army Cheng Dayou. I heard that he has formed a small navy fleet and begun to inspect passing ships. However, I haven't heard of anything like increasing taxes and fees. But if you think about your humble position, it will happen sooner or later." He Zicai added.
"Why do you say that?" Wu Feng raised his eyebrows. He had already been very interested in this Cheng Dayou, but the person he sent to contact him didn't do well. The other party just made a cold contact and refused to receive him. , I don’t know what kind of medicine this guy is selling in his gourd, but according to intelligence, this guy seems to have been in contact with Situ Lang and Situ Biao, but to what extent he has gone there is no way of knowing.
"Sir, you don't know the importance of the location of Jiujiang Prefecture. It connects all directions from south to north, east to west, and has wide waterways. Land transportation is also developed. In addition, Jiujiang Prefecture itself is rich in products, such as grain, tung oil, raw lacquer, and meat. The huge output of these daily necessities has made Jiujiang the most important material distribution center in the entire Five Lakes region. Over the past year, no matter how many ships have passed by, even if you take a small tax, the financial resources will roll in. Taiping people are not fools. , will this way of making money be given up in vain?" He Zicai smiled and said, "I see that Cheng Dayou has been silent for so long. Isn't it just that he wants to earn a good reputation and settle down, and then set the rules?"
"Then Cheng Dayou strictly checks the traffic on the river?" Wu Feng's heart moved, and an idea suddenly came to his mind.
"I'm not sure about this, but he has just formed a naval army, and it is estimated that his strength will not be very strong. If he wants to control the entire Yajiang River, I'm afraid it will be a little difficult. At most, it is just meaningless." He Zicai did not expect Wu Feng to be like this. I asked, thought about it for a while and then said.
"Then what do you think if I go from Jiujiang?" Wu Feng's eyes flashed with light.
"Leave from Jiujiang? How can that be done?! Even if Cheng Dayou's navy is weak, our ships cannot be their opponents, especially in a narrow place, then we are the turtle in the urn, they Isn't it easy to take us down?" He Zicai was shocked. He didn't expect that his boss would suddenly have such a ridiculous idea.
"I'm not saying that the fleet will also go. As you analyzed, the enemy will definitely have a big ambush ahead. If I stay on the ship, it will be too obvious. Secondly, I will be a drag, which will not be conducive to your defense. If I quietly disembarked in Huanggang and took other civilian ships to quietly sail eastward. After arriving in Jiujiang, no matter whether I take the land route or continue to take the water route to Beijing, you continue to enter Beijing from Yueyang Jiangnan with great fanfare. Isn't this the best of both worlds?" Wu Feng said his thoughts in one breath. Speak up.
He Zicai's eyes suddenly lit up. This was a good idea. Leading the fleet to the south by himself would not only attract the enemy's attention and allow them to keep their target on the fleet, but without constraints, he could also make arrangements calmly. To deal with those intruders, just ask the boss to leave quietly. Firstly, he is worried that the news will be leaked. Secondly, the boss must not be able to take many people with him when he walks alone. If something happens and there is no room for recovery, there is such a big thing. It's not something he can decide on.
After thinking for a long time, He Zicai smiled bitterly and said: "If you think this is a good idea, sir, you might as well discuss it with Miss Qin and Miss Su, or ask them to come up with an idea."
It wasn't until a few people got on the boat that Su Jie felt relieved. Wu Feng kept his word. Once he decided to go to Beijing via Jiujiang, Wu Feng immediately recruited Qin Shuangying and others. After a fierce debate, Wu Feng finally convinced everyone, but Wu Feng was not alone. Because of her special status, Qin Shuangying was the one who handled many matters on the ship and had to stay on the ship to prevent her secrets from being revealed. Yunyi and Su Jie were duty-bound to become Wufeng's personal guards, and Leng Ruoxing and Gu Mingxia also disguised themselves as men. , became Wu Feng's long companion, a group of five people first put on the uniforms of the guards and quietly left the ship by taking the opportunity to berth at Huanggang for supplies at night, then boarded the boat that He Zicai secretly sent to rent, and sailed eastward overnight.
The ship is not big, it is a mixed passenger and cargo ship, about 20 meters long, with a single mast. The cabin is divided into three sections. The captain and several boatmen live in the back cabin, Wu Feng and his party live in the middle cabin, and the front cabin is for loading and cargo. A temporary resting place. Although the origins of Wu Feng and his group were unknown, He Zi was the one who asked people to negotiate through secret channels. The river and the sea were connected, and the friends on the waterways were familiar with each other and looked after each other, so they were safe and reliable. The middle cabin is divided into two sections, one large and one small. It was probably originally designed for guests with families and servants. There were several quilts spread on the smooth wooden boards. Although they were simple and plain, they were also clean and tidy, which suited Wu Feng and the other women's tastes.
The ship owners and bosses did not know the origins of Wu Feng and his party, but they knew that the Changfeng Society had always been connected with the smuggling business in the mainland. Since someone from the Changfeng Society came out to say hello, they were probably businessmen related to smuggling, and there was nothing else to worry about. This made Wu Feng very satisfied. Even if the identity of the smuggler is exposed, there will not be too much trouble. On the contrary, greeting people in an official capacity will also lead to unnecessary risks.
After getting rid of the numerous guards around him, Wu Feng felt extremely relaxed. Since he was promoted to Jiedushi and suffered an assassination incident, the guards responsible for Wu Feng's security affairs have become more and more strict in monitoring Wu Feng. Even in the northwest, due to the existence of Huan Feng Gate and many uncertain factors, every time When Wu Feng went out on business inspections, the guards strictly guarded him. Everywhere Wu Feng went, there were three steps, one sentry, five steps, and one post. Later, the Huanfeng Clan surrendered, but the political instability in the countries in the Western Region also threatened Wu Feng's safety, making the guards stay at Wu Feng's side.
Safety was guaranteed, but freedom was completely lost. Even when Wu Feng secretly went to Su Jie and Mrs. Jin to have sex, he had to bring his guards to stand guard. Such things that would disgrace the scenery could not be avoided, and Wu Feng couldn't avoid it. There is always a feeling of discomfort subconsciously, but there is nothing you can do about it.
Looking at the spacious plank bed, Wu Feng felt indescribably relaxed and happy. No one was looking around with vigilance anymore, and no one was around to remind you at any time. This long-lost freedom made Wu Feng feel a kind of freedom. The feeling of sudden liberation from a long period of captivity. Lying comfortably on the wooden board, Wu Feng didn't want to move. He closed his eyes and fully experienced this rare freedom. There were only four women beside him, two of them were his sexual partners, and he was about to have sex. A happy time, a carefree time, all the way to the imperial capital, of course, provided that no one discovers his true identity.
Although the four women were all disguised as men, their natural preference for cleanliness made them look around at the interior layout as soon as they entered the cabin. The middle compartment of the cabin that was divided into two sections was not completely closed, and there was a simple wooden cover. Half of the room is outside, and the other half is covered with a curtain. This is probably designed to make it easier for the servants and maids to take care of the master's house at night. It's just that although this design is simple and convenient, the two cabins separated into each other can be clearly seen from each other. It is not easy to do something secretive.
None of the four girls had ever been on an ordinary passenger ship like this. After looking around, Gu Mingxia, who had been traveling around the world for a while, first discovered the problem. It was just that she was a young girl, so it was not easy for her to say such shameful words. To ask, she had to pull Yunyi aside and whisper for a long time. Looking at the blush on Yunyi's face, it was obvious that she was talking about something private that was not suitable for asking in public. Yunyi quietly pulled Su and Leng aside and said After a while, there was still no conclusion.
Wu Feng lay aside and enjoyed the freedom of his mind. He didn't hear the voices of the women for a long time. When he opened his eyes, he saw the women hiding in another cabin and cooing for a long time. In the midst of doubt, he Yun Yi came in with a blushing face, her hands holding the corners of her clothes, but she didn't know where to put her eyes.
"What's the matter, Xiaoyi? I think you have something to say?" Wu Feng looked at the a little embarrassed girl with a half-smile.
"Sir, this cabin is so small, what can I and the sisters do?" Yun Yi bit her lip and asked such a shameful topic, but her cheeks were burning hot and as red as a ripe apple. . It turns out that the two cabins are not spacious, and there are no other convenient facilities except a toilet in the corner. However, the room is not soundproof, and they are so close to each other. Even though Wu Feng and Wu Feng have already been married, one How dare a girl do such a shameful thing in front of a grown man? Once the pattering sound reaches Wu Feng's ears, wouldn't it be embarrassing? What's more, Gu Mingxia and Leng Ruoxing are still virgins.
Wu Feng was startled and couldn't help laughing. He laughed so hard that he almost couldn't breathe. After a while, he said: "On this matter, are you just allowed to discuss and argue for a long time? Isn't there a toilet in the corner of the cabin? Haven't you seen it?"