The old man looked at the jade pendant in the firelight and nodded reluctantly.
Zhao Deji, Xu Caizhi, and Eunuch Kang had already boarded the boat. Hua Rong was reluctant to part with the one-in-a-million horse "Jinses", but the boat could not carry the horses. She ignored her heartache and hit the horse's back hard, "Jinses," Escape by yourself." Then, he immediately rushed up and got on the boat.
As soon as they got on the boat, she, Xu Caizhi and others quickly started to help the old man row. Seeing this, Zhao Deji also started rowing. The old man was very surprised and wondered why these people worked harder than him.
As soon as the boat reached the middle of the river, the Jin soldiers had already chased them to the shore, raised their torches, and shouted loudly: "Zhao Deji, on that boat..."
"Chase, chase quickly, don't let him go..."
"Hurry and look for the boat."
“…”
However, the Jin army could only complain in vain. There was only one boat here, and they did not know the nature of water, so they could only curse and watch the boat go away.
When Jin Wushu arrived, the boat was already out of sight. He looked around for a long time and then stopped.
Suddenly someone shouted: "Kinses, it's Kinses."
He whistled, and Jinses heard the order from his old master and ran over from the beach. Jin Wushu took the reins, and Hua Rong actually gave up his horse and followed Zhao Deji across the river.
He asked urgently: "What kind of river is this?"
Han Chang, a Han general in his army, replied: "Report to the fourth prince, this river is the flow of the angry sea. If you go around the river, you will reach the ocean. Zhao Deji only has a small boat. If he does not want to die in the violent storm of the sea, he must get closer. shore."
"Okay, immediately send troops to guard the major docking points along the way. This time, Zhao Deji will be unable to fly!"
"yes."
After everyone dispersed, he stood silently by the river for a while, looking at the misty moonlight in the distance, and sighed: "Hua Rong, is it worth it or not for you to risk your life to save such a shameless and cowardly king?"
Suddenly, he remembered that day in the life-and-death battle, how merciful she was to him, that hesitation, and how she could still hesitate at such a critical moment - and she was so excited.
Jinses neighed again. He was very angry and slapped it hard: "You traitor, you actually followed Hua Rong when you saw her. Could it be that she treats you better than this prince treats you?"
The horse didn't know if it understood the human words, but it neighed again, which sounded very sad at night.
The boat rowed faster and faster, getting further and further away from the shore. Jin Jun's curses and shouts could not be heard at all.
The dim-sighted old man could vaguely guess who these people were, but he never imagined that they were the emperor.
When the boat reached the center of the river, he saw that the torches were all gone, and he said, "Where are you going?"
Hua Rong and Xu Caizhi looked at Zhao Deji. He looked confused and obviously didn't know where to go.
This river bank is very long. If you go further, it will merge into the vast sea. Along the way, there are the Jin Army who are chasing after you. However, the so-called "King Qin's Army" all retreated in the face of the wind and collapsed thousands of miles away!
Zhao Deji was extremely confused at this time and had no idea what to do.
The boatman asked again: "Where are you going?"
Under the vast darkness of night, Hua Rong looked at the receding mountains on both sides of the river, then looked at Zhao Deji, and lowered his voice: "Where are you going?"
"Rong'er! I don't know either!"
Hua Rong was shocked. It was the first time she heard that he was so depressed and decadent, as if he no longer had the slightest hope for the future. She put down the oar, glanced at the inquiring boatman, and said slowly: "Captain, where is ahead? ?”
The boatman was impressed by her clear voice and kind attitude, and said hurriedly: "This is a branch, and we are about to go to sea ahead. Girl, how about I stop the boat and dock, and you guys take a rest first?"
"OK."
Seeing that she had made a decision, Xu Caizhi breathed a sigh of relief. Zhao Deji still rested his head under the moonlight, as if he had fallen into a state of meditation.
There was water on the boat. Hua Rong went to get a bowl and brought it to him. He took it and took a sip. With a shake of his hand, most of the water spilled on the side of the boat. Suddenly he hugged Hua Rong and cried. stand up.
Hua Rong knew his mood at this time and didn't push him away. After a while, he slowly raised his head and let her go.
At this time, the sky was already twilight, and when he saw that the boatman was wearing the jade pendant he had given to Hua Rong for their marriage, he felt even more sad: "Rong'er, thank you..."
Hua Rong smiled slightly: "Eunuch Kang and Mr. Xu are still with you. I'll go see if there is anything and make you a fresh fish soup..."
He nodded and saw Hua Rong walking onto the bow of the boat quickly. At this time, he was so confused that he needed a stable person by his side. Hua Rong's expression did not change and he was unusually calm. Suddenly he remembered the first time he saw her. She, the girl who fell into the water, was dying, as if she would never survive. Now, in a few years, the frail girl has become a strong and mature woman. But because of the ruin of her country and her family, she lives a life of being hunted and killed. A life of fear and fear has become all day long.
The boatman was taking a nap at the bow of the boat. Hua Rong walked over and bowed: "Old man, can we get some food on this boat?"
The boatman opened his eyes, saw that the sky was already bright, and said hurriedly: "Okay."
He stood up and picked up the jade pendant that Hua Rong gave him. He couldn't see it clearly last night, but now he could see it clearly. He could see that it was a piece of jade pendant with dragon and tiger patterns on it. It turned out to be the object of the emperor.
This surprise was no small matter. He took a few steps to the cabin and knelt down with a plop: "I don't know that the common man Ji San is the emperor. Please forgive me for your sins."
"Old man, please get up quickly."
"This is the Emperor's property. Common people dare not covet it. Now return it to the Emperor."
Zhao Deji was now alone. He could not keep the gift he had given to Hua Rong. He sighed and looked at Hua Rong. Hua Rong smiled slightly: "Old man, the official family has received your help and has nothing to repay. Please accept it."
Boatman Ji San couldn't refuse, so he accepted the jade pendant and said, "The common people will go and get something to eat for the emperor right away."
"Thank you, old man."
Ji San went to the bow of the ship to light a fire. He emptied the ship's supplies and quickly got a plate of peanuts, a plate of pickled fish, a basin of fresh fish soup, and a large basin of rice.
The four people ran away all night, not caring about politeness, and wolfed down the food, but they felt that they had never eaten such delicious food in their lives.
After the four of them had finished eating, the boatman cleared the table and said, "There is a big boat in front, which is run by Lin Daguan, the owner of the grassroots. Lin Daguan is the owner of this river. He has millions of wealth and is generous and righteous." , If the emperor does not give up, the common people will immediately take the emperor and others there."
Zhao Deji was a little hesitant. He was frightened and could not help but have doubts in his heart. Xu Caizhi did not dare to be careless in order to ensure the safety of his family when he was at the end of his rope.
Hua Rong looked at Ji San and suddenly said, "Thank you, old man."
She turned to Zhao Deji and whispered: "The soldiers and civilians in the south must have known that the officials are coming here, so they might as well get on the boat and meet the local bigwigs."
Zhao Deji heard that it made sense, thought about it for a moment, and realized that there was no other way out, so he immediately agreed.
The boat sailed across the river and entered the ocean in front of it.
The sea is very calm, and from a distance, there are many large and small ships parked in the port in front.
The boatman whistled and headed for the big ship in front.
The big ship is three stories high and very majestic. It is a business vessel used by local wealthy businessmen to go to sea.
Zhao Deji walked a few steps, feeling uneasy. Hua Rong held the bow in one hand and held down the short knife at his waist with the other, while Xu Caizhi and Xu Caizhi protected him on the left and right.
"Your Majesty, this is Lin Daguan's merchant ship. Over the years, Lin Daguan has helped the people and accepted people from all over the world. He is known as Xiao Mengchang. His ancestors were originally in the navy of the imperial court. By his generation, he has specialized in maritime trade. Good luck…”
The two sailors recognized Ji San and lowered the spiral ladder. The boatman shouted: "Is Mr. Lin here? I have something important to see him."
When the sailors saw the handsome men on his ship, they did not dare to underestimate them and immediately went in to report them.
After a while, an old man over fifty came out with a few people. The old man said, "Ji San, what's important?"
Ji San said: "A guest named Zhao is visiting."
The old man saw clearly and quickly ordered a small boat to be put down to greet him personally.
As soon as Zhao Deji came ashore, he dismissed everyone. Ji San, who was familiar with the ways of the world, immediately followed him and brought Zhao Deji and others into the cabin.
Everyone went in, and as soon as the door was closed, the old man immediately led everyone to kneel on the ground: "Your Majesty, Lin Zhijie, is here to see you. Your escort is late, and I pray for your forgiveness."
The four of them were confused and confused. How could Lin Zhijie know about it before Ji San introduced him
At this time, Zhao Deji did not conceal his identity and helped him up with his own hands: "Mr. Lin, no courtesy."
Lin Zhijie stood up, walked to a nearby tablet and knelt down. Zhao Deji couldn't help but kneel down when he saw it. He had mixed feelings. On the tablet was his ancestor Song Taizu, and next to him was his portrait.
His appearance resembled that of Naizu, no wonder Lin Zhijie recognized him at a glance.
I just heard Lin Zhijie talk about it, but it was his ancestor who followed Taizu of the Song Dynasty in the southern and northern wars and made great achievements. Later, Taizu "released his military power with a glass of wine", bestowed fertile land and jewelry, and allowed all the ministers to disarm and return to their hometowns to become rich. Weng, Lin Zhijie's ancestor, started a maritime business and became a very wealthy party. Although no one in the family is an official anymore, they still retain the hereditary rank of the lowest rank. He heard that the Jin army was pursuing them, and he heard that " "A guest surnamed Zhao is here", and compared with the portraits of Taizu that we were used to seeing, we immediately understood the identities of Zhao Deji and others, so they still called them "Chen Zi".
When Zhao Deji was in danger, he unexpectedly met Taizu's old minister here. He called for his ancestor's blessing. With mixed feelings, he held his hand and shed tears.
The monarch and his ministers wept relative to each other. After a while, Lin Zhijie persuaded him to stop. At this time, servants had already brought clean clothes and refreshments.
Lin Zhijie then introduced to everyone the people around him, including his son Shilang, son-in-law Zhang Shishi and others.
The cabin was very large and was decorated like a luxurious living room on land. As soon as Zhao Deji and others sat down, they saw that the table was covered with fresh autumn fruits and vegetables, as well as delicacies and fine wines.
Lin Zhijie asked: "What are your Majesty's plans?"
Before Zhao Deji could answer, he could only hear hurried steps outside the cabin, and two sailors ran in. They were shocked: "No, the Jin soldiers are chasing me."
Zhao Deji suddenly stood up and walked out, and Lin Zhijie also followed. On the opposite coast, countless ships suddenly moved. Thousands of gold soldiers rushed to the shore, and arrows flew like a rain. Once the boatman fell into the water, the gold army rushed to grab the boat. .
Everyone could see it clearly. Lin Zhijie shouted "Sail the boat" and the ship set sail and headed towards the sea.
Zhao Deji, Hua Rong and others, who had been frightened all night, stood on the cabin, watching the Jin army wreaking havoc and the ships chasing after them. They all had mixed feelings and didn't know what to do tomorrow after today.
Let us say that the Jin army was divided into three groups, one led by the deputy commander Gu Shen, and the other led by Yelvma into Zhenjiang. Jin Wushu, with the advice of the Han general Han Chang, led his men to copy the approach and led 500 fine cavalry along the river. If we pursue him, we must capture Zhao Deji.
When the men and women inside and outside the city heard that the Jin army was attacking, they rushed to the riverside in an attempt to escape with their lives.
There were too few boats and too many people. The boat owner took the opportunity to ask for a price, ten taels of gold per person. Even though it was like this, there were too many people vying to get on the boat. If they were not careful, they would fall into the water.
However, the vast majority of people were still unable to get on the boat and fled with their gold and silver. Jin Wushu and others rushed to the river, and men and women were surrounded like animals and driven to the east port.
At this time, among the scattered ships, a huge merchant ship could be seen in front heading towards the ocean.
"Quick, Zhao Deji must be on this ship."
"Chase!"
After a burst of shooting by the Jin army, Han learned about water skills and was prepared to bribe a small group of sailors. Soon, a fleet of more than 20 speedboats was organized to pursue them quickly.
Jin Wushu took the lead and boarded a five-tooth warship, set sail and chased the ship.