The merchant ship fled quickly, with no way forward or backward. Zhao Deji stood on the third floor of the cabin and looked out. The pursuers behind him were getting more and more urgent. Lin Zhijie was well-informed and remained calm despite the panic. He looked at the sky: " We sail along the west side, there are many islands in front of us, we can avoid them."
Zhao Deji was desperate at this time and completely obeyed Lin Zhijie's advice. Hua Rong and Xu Caizhi also had no sailing experience, so they had to rely on him.
After running like this for five or six days, the Jin army was never able to catch up, but it always remained in sight. Lin Zhijie ordered that the ship's speed should not be reduced at all. Fortunately, there was enough food and water on the ship, so there was no danger for the time being.
However, drifting like this was not an option. Although it gradually escaped the pursuit of the Jin army, it drifted for more than a month, stopping and going, but could not find a place to land.
In the evening of this day, the sky suddenly darkened, and groups of seabirds made extremely suppressed calls and flew across the sea in groups, not knowing where they were going.
The captain rushed up and said, "Sir, no, it's going to rain heavily."
Lin Zhijie stamped his feet and sighed: "Speed up, don't stop."
"But, it's too dangerous, and it's getting dark again. We must find a place to stop."
There were many soldiers chasing behind us. If we stopped, we would be dead. Lin Zhijie said decisively: "Keep going."
"yes."
The sky was as black as ink, and soon there was a heavy rain. The merchant ship was bumping on the sea, under the huge waves, and it was like a speck of dust in the desert, and it would be destroyed at any time.
Zhao Deji was sitting in the inner cabin, looking at the huge waves outside hitting the window one by one with a frown. Hua Rong and Xu Caizhi stood beside him, swaying from side to side, especially Hua Rong, who was almost standing up It's unstable.
Lin Zhijie came in in a hurry, holding a very strange piece of clothing in his hand: "Your Majesty, this is the 'life jacket' I brought back from a small western country during my voyage. Please put it on."
Zhao Deji himself couldn't sit still. As the chair swayed, he only held the armrests firmly with his hands and said sadly: "If God wants to kill me, how can a little piece of clothing save me? Lin Aiqing, put it on yourself." .”
"Your Majesty, the dragon body is urgent."
Zhao Deji saw that he was loyal to protect his master and took the life jacket. Suddenly he saw Hua Rong staggering aside, her hair was messy and her face was gloomy and shapeless. He sighed and handed the life jacket to her: "Rong'er, please put it on."
Hua Rong was so shaken that she almost vomited. She shook her head hurriedly: "Guanjia, don't worry about me. Your dragon body is more important."
Everyone saw that Hua Rong was determined not to allow it, and Zhao Deji stopped trying to persuade him. They put on their life jackets and looked at the overwhelming waves outside: "If God has eyes and can escape this disaster, I, the Song Dynasty, will surely be able to turn disaster into good fortune."
No one could comfort him, and Lin Zhijie had already gone down in a hurry to discuss a solution with the captain.
The ship had begun to take in water. It was unknown how long it had been blowing in the dark night. The captain was about to give orders to cut off the mast when the storm suddenly stopped.
The deck of the ship was full of people stumbling around, each one with a messy expression. They thought they had no way to reincarnate, but when the storm suddenly stopped, they all jumped for joy.
Zhao Deji was covered in water, and his life jacket was wet and clinging to his body. Hua Rong barely leaned against the door of the cabin, so exhausted that he could hardly stand still.
Xu Caizhi was barely conscious and stepped forward to support Zhao Deji. Lin Zhijie came up in a hurry: "Your Majesty, the storm has stopped."
Zhao Deji completely collapsed in his chair and murmured: "Taizu bless you."
Lin Zhijie had many risks when going to sea in his life, but he had never seen such a big storm. What was even more bizarre was that the storm stopped on its own. He was even more in awe of Zhao Deji: "Your Majesty, the true Dragon Emperor, Taizu bless me, and I will serve as my minister." I will do my best to protect you.”
"I can escape from this catastrophe, and loving you is nothing short of a meritorious service."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
After the storm, the sea calmed down in the middle of the night, and the mountains were faintly visible in the sky. As far as the eye could see, it was boundless, as if the whole world had fallen into a deep sleep.
Looking back, I saw that the Jin Army's ships had already disappeared, and they didn't know where this sea area was. Everyone had completely lost their way in the sea.
Zhao Deji said: "Old sir, where should we go next?"
"Go back to your majesty, wait until dawn, identify the direction, and then make a decision. Now, it is best for everyone to take a rest."
"so be it,"
Everyone who had been fighting the storm for most of the night staggered on the deck one by one. Lin Zhijie opened a huge sealed box, took out clean clothes and distributed them to everyone.
At this time, Hua Rong felt that her whole body was hot and cold, but she was afraid that everyone would be worried, so she didn't say a word, and silently went to a cabin to change clothes. When she came back, she saw that Eunuch Kang was serving Zhao Deji and had fallen asleep on the bed in the cabin. Xu The sword of talent slept beside him.
Hua Rong silently exited, stood on the deck, found a slightly dry place, and looked at the mountains on the sea in the dark night, as misty as a fairyland. She touched her hot forehead, leaned against the side of the ship, and was fascinated. In a daze, he suddenly saw Yue Pengju and shouted "Pengju" in surprise. His head went blank and he almost hit the cold deck. He suddenly woke up and found that it was already daylight.
A fiery red sun rises from the sea, which is very different from the sun seen on land. Faintly, there are continuous islands in front, and I don’t know how big or how many they are.
Lin Zhijie took a short rest and accompanied Zhao Deji to the cabin on the third floor, looking at the sky in the distance. Zhao Deji said: "Where is this?"
Lin Zhijie said: "I am also a stranger. I am not very familiar with this area. Apparently I lost my way last night."
He called his son: "Silang, you have traveled to this sea area for many years, are you familiar with it?"
Lin Silang stared at it for a long time and shook his head. His brother-in-law Zhang Shiwu suddenly said: "This is a deserted island. I once passed by here on an adventure. There is a group of pirates living on the island..."
"pirate?"
Hua Rong on the side suddenly thought of King Qin. He took a closer look at this sea area, but had no impression at all. He didn't know if it was King Qin's sea area.
Zhao Deji had several months of experience in garrisoning at the seaside, but it was basically a fleeting experience, and he had no real driving experience. He spent several days running and escaping. The sea was no better than the land, and it was changing rapidly. Looking from a distance, he didn't know where the vague island was. .
"The villain went to sea when he was a teenager and encountered pirates with his father, so he was deeply impressed. If you go around this archipelago and go east, you can go out."
Lin Zhijie said: "Do we have to go around here?"
"Yes, there is an outlet there. Otherwise, the ship will enter the ocean and never know where to go."
Lin Zhijie turned to look at Zhao Deji, and Zhao Deji looked at the sailors on his ship. These people were all good at fighting, because they had to protect the goods and they were all bodyguards.
"Old sir, are you confident about fighting the bandit leader?"
Lin Zhijie shook his head: "Although I'm not sure, the common people have a plan."
Zhao Deji hurriedly said: "Old sir, it's okay to just say it."
"Your Majesty is so generous, so it would be better to recruit this group of bandits and promise them high-ranking officials and generous salaries. They will surely wash their hands in a golden basin, serve the court, and find a wife and son in the future."
"Okay, let's do it. But, who should we send to persuade?"
"Shiro, the son of Cao Min, can go."
He shouted, and Lin Silang immediately stepped forward. Lin Silang was in his mid-thirties, of medium height, dark complexion, and very strong. He had been walking on the sea all year round and had been to many small countries along the coast for business.
Seeing that he was willing to take such a big risk, Zhao Deji sighed: "The old gentleman is very loyal. If I can escape this disaster, I will definitely reward you and your son heavily."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Lin Fifteen said: "My father bribed the pirates generously and escaped. Their pirate leader's surname was Zhou. I still recognize him. He was quite generous, but I don't know if he is still the same person."
"Okay, you and Shiro will go to investigate first. Moreover, the ship must dock and make some repairs. In addition, the hasty departure to sea will not make up for the fresh water on the ship. It is best to get some fresh water."
"yes."
At the moment, Lin Zhijie selected a few capable sailors. Hua Rong had spent several months on King Qin Island and was familiar with some of the ways of pirates, so he said, "Uncle Lin, let me go with you."
Lin Zhijie said quickly: "Girl, the bandit leader is ruthless and too dangerous."
Only Xu Caizhi and Hua Rong were left around Zhao Deji. He didn't want her to take risks and shook his head: "Rong'er, you are a female after all. It's inconvenient. Let's wait and see first."
"yes."
After another day's journey, towards evening, the ship was approaching the continuous archipelago. Looking at it, the island was covered with green trees, and it was unknown how wide or long it was, but in Hua Rong's consciousness, this was not King Qin's island.
She didn't know if she was relieved or not, she just watched silently as the evening sea breeze blew up the fine white sand.
Before the ship even docked, several warning sirens had already sounded, apparently from pirate surveillance.
Zhang Shiwu was prepared and shouted a few slogans. The pirates hesitated a little, as if they acquiesced to the big ship docking far away.
Lin Silang and others carried some gifts on the boat and put down a small clam ashore.
As soon as the boat docked, several pirates rushed up. Zhang Shiwu said a few jargons and asked directly: "Is Brother Zhou here?"
This group of people was King Zhou's minions. Seeing that everyone brought rich gifts, they were overjoyed and said, "Who are you? We will take you to see Brother Zhou immediately."
Brother Zhou, known as Zhou Qi, was drinking and having fun. He saw Zhang Shiwu coming with a box and cage and pointed at him: "You boy, you look so familiar."
Zhang Shiwu saluted: "The little man Zhang Shiwu has met Master Qi once."
Zhou Qi laughed loudly: "I remember, your father once gave me a generous gift. Boy, what are you doing here this time? Are you in trouble? Or were you robbed by other pirates?"
Zhang Shiwu saluted respectfully and lowered his voice: "I have something important to report."
Zhou Qiping stepped back and listened to Zhang Shishi's words. His expression changed drastically, and he was mixed with joy and worry. After a while, he suddenly said: "Brother Zhang, you gave me a fortune for nothing, but I dare not accept it easily. To be honest, this The island has surrendered to my king a few days ago, so I have to seek his opinion."
"It's easy to talk about."
"I will send my brothers to greet the nobles. Brother Zhang, please go back and wait. I will inform you as soon as I have news."
"Thank you Master Zhou Qi."
The boat temporarily docked on the shore, and everyone was anxiously waiting for everyone to return. It was not until the afternoon that the clam board was seen returning.
Zhao Deji had been anxious all the time, but when he saw Lin Silang's face looking happy, he breathed a sigh of relief: "Silang, do you have a clue?"
Shiro saluted: "Your Majesty, the bandit on the island is called Zhou Qi, known as Master Qi. But he said that his island was conquered by another bandit leader not long ago. He said that he could not make the decision himself and had to ask the master for instructions. To repay His Majesty. At present, he allows us to dock temporarily."
"Who is the leader of the thieves?"
"He refused to disclose it and only said his surname was Qin."
Hua Rong's heart skipped a beat. She was already worried. This angry sea was close to King Qin's waters, but because it was not this island, she kept taking chances and thought, maybe not. Now when she heard the surname "Qin", My heart felt cold. If it was the King of Qin, how could he accept the reward for recruiting people
Zhao Deji also defended the sea area in this area, but firstly, the time was short and his foundation was insufficient. Secondly, he had never met the King of Qin face to face and did not recognize him at all. Therefore, even though he had heard of the "King of Qin", he did not know who he really was.
Hua Rongqing knew something was wrong, but couldn't say anything. He only heard Lin Silang continue: "Zhou Qi is very tempted. He has already set off to report to the leader. He said there will be news tomorrow morning at the latest."
The pirates have their own special way of communicating with each other. However, now that everyone is hiding on the edge of this isolated island, the Jin army will catch up at any time and stay there. There is no option at all. They have to temporarily dock.
The patrolling little pirates didn't know they were the emperor, but they didn't dare to neglect Zhou Qi's orders. They just looked at the fleeing people curiously.