The big ship the two were on was going to Nanyang for trade. It was more than forty feet long and ten feet wide. .
"Infiltrate into the supply cargo hold?" Zhou Mubai frowned slightly, "It sounds feasible, but it's really too risky. Bel-Air Bay is the opponent's territory, and no one knows if there are any traps inside. If the whereabouts are exposed, I'm afraid it won't be that easy to get out .”
"This is the fastest way." Zhao Yue said, "There is a thick fog outside Bel-Air Bay, which can actually make the other party relax their vigilance, and the inside may not be heavily guarded. Besides, since I dare to go, I am naturally sure that I can retreat unscathed."
Zhou Mubai still shook his head: "Xiao Liuzi won't agree."
Zhao Yue laughed: "Could it be that Brother Zhou still plans to go back and file a complaint?"
"But—" Zhou Mubai hadn't finished his sentence, but suddenly a girl came in recklessly, about seventeen or eighteen years old, with disheveled hair and dirty clothes, she almost threw herself into Zhao Yue's arms in a panic.
"Damn girl, get out of here!" The yelling and cursing gradually approached, and seven or eight men who looked like servants rushed into the cabin, and finally a middle-aged man in brocade came in, panting and turning pale.
Zhao Yue frowned slightly: "What happened?"
"Young Master, Young Master, save me." Seeing that there was nowhere to escape and the door was blocked again, the girl knelt down and said anxiously to Zhao Yue, "They are bad people, they want to arrest me Waste."
"What nonsense are you talking about!" Hearing this, the middle-aged man almost lost his anger, "At the beginning, you said that you were willing to be a concubine, and you wanted to follow me to Nanyang, but you turned out to be a thief. Hand it over!"
"Master, help me, I was wronged." The girl didn't listen to him at all, she just kept pulling Zhao Yue and begging.
Zhou Mubai shook his head with a smile, and slowly poured tea by himself.
"Master Wednesday?" The middle-aged man saw him now, and immediately slapped his thigh and said, "Master Third, you have to prove for me that although I, Second Wu Wu, is a bit lecherous, I never engage in prostitution!"
Seeing that the two of them knew each other, the little girl's crying became quieter, and she raised her eyes to look at Zhao Yue furtively.
"Return the other people's money." Zhou Mubai said.
"I didn't steal it." The little girl said stiffly.
"Go back." Zhou Mubai glanced at him lightly, "Otherwise I will throw you into the sea."
"You!" The little girl blushed.
"Hurry up!" Second Wu stamped his feet.
Reluctantly, the little girl threw a stack of banknotes in her arms over: "It's gone, that's all!"
Wu Er Er picked it up and counted it, and saw that there could be several hundred taels missing. Although he felt annoyed in his heart, he didn't want to get angry because of Zhou Mubai's face. In the end, he just gave her a hard look and gave up. When bitten by a dog.
After Wu Er Er took the people away, the little girl stopped crying and stood up and wanted to go out, but Zhou Mubai stopped her: "Do you have any money?"
"I want you to take care of it!" The little girl's stomach growled.
Zhou Mubai shook his head: "I didn't want to care about it at first, but just by looking at you, I knew that it was definitely not a fuel-efficient lamp. If you were extremely hungry, you might not be sure what you would do. This is no better than land, where you can let your temper go. "
"It's a long way to go. If you encounter a returning merchant ship on the way, the girl should go back as soon as possible." Zhao Yue also said, "Otherwise, even if you arrive in Nanyang, you will be lonely and helpless. If you encounter bad people, not everyone will be willing to go back save you."
Although both of them said they had good intentions, the little girl didn't appreciate it. She took two pieces of cakes from the table and ran out without looking back.
Zhou Mubai shook his head, and didn't bother to talk to her anymore. This merchant ship will encounter the supply ship of the Chu army heading to Bel-Air Bay in about two days. If you really want to take the opportunity to sneak in, you must hurry up and discuss a perfect plan.
In Da Kun City, Wen Liunian was sitting in the yard basking in the sun, his whole body was warm.
"My lord." The dark guard came in from outside, holding a letter in his hand.
"Was it written by the head?" Wen Liunian stood up.
"En." The dark guard handed him the letter, "There are also some wine and dried fish that are special products of Luoying Island."
Wen Liunian opened it happily, but it was Yun Duanhun's handwriting, so he was unavoidably a little stunned. After reading it, my head was buzzing, and I didn't speak for a long time.
"What did the master say?" The dark guard was puzzled, but he was happy every time he watched it before, and even ate two extra bowls of rice.
"Leaving customs early." Wen Liunian said.
"Leaving customs early? That's a good thing." The dark guard couldn't help but ask, "When will you be back?"
"I don't know." Wen Liunian shook his head.
Dark Guard: "..."
have no idea? !
Don't say it's out of the wall.
"I went to Bel-Air Bay." Wen Liunian frowned.
"The head of the family went to Bel-Air Bay? For the matter of the sharks?" The dark guard was also startled.
Wen Liunian nodded: "Yes."
"This..." The dark guard looked at each other in blank dismay. A large group of people had discussed it before, but there was no result, so they went as they said.
"Do you want to go out to sea by boat to dissuade him?" After a long while, the dark guard tried.
Wen Liunian shook his head: "I'm afraid it's too late."
"With adults here, the head of the family should not act rashly." An Wei said, "Maybe there is a perfect plan, so don't worry too much."
Wen Liunian nodded sullenly, carefully put away the letter, sat on the threshold and continued to be in a daze, not even in the mood to eat the oily braised pork, only ate half a cold steamed bun for dinner, and refused to sleep in the middle of the night.
The secret guard discussed it for a while, and felt that persuasion was irrelevant. Quan Chuguo reckoned that there were not many people who could reason with Mr. Wen. It would be better to just get drunk and at least get a good night's sleep.
Wen Liunian didn't refuse, he drank the wine in one gulp, thinking it was not bad.
These jars of wine were brewed by Zhao Yue himself, and the taste was rather sweet. Originally, he just wanted to give him a taste of the rare wine, and there was not much wine taste. As a result, Wen Liunian drank three altars and ran to the latrine more than a dozen times before he finally fell down and became unconscious.
Early the next morning, the dark guard carefully pushed open the door, seeing that he was still sleeping soundly, he was relieved. He turned around and was about to have breakfast, but the housekeeper hurried in, saying that it was Prince Chu who came to see him.
"Just say that the lord is sick." An Wei said, "It's not convenient to see guests."
"I'm afraid I can't do it if I'm sick." The housekeeper was frightened, "The emperor is about to enter the city, according to the etiquette, the prince should pick him up with his lord, and there should be no delay."
The dark guard was stunned: "The army is here today?"
"That's right, Mr. Wen has accepted the communication, but didn't you tell everyone?" the butler was anxious.
Dark Guard: "..."
Wen Liunian was still snoring with his mouth open, not to mention the emperor, even the heavenly king and Lao Tzu couldn't wake him up.
"Why don't you just knock the lord unconscious?" A secret guard had a whim, "If you have a big bag on your head, it means you have met an assassin." The emperor will definitely not be willing to blame him when he sees it, and maybe even reward him.
The rest immediately agreed, so go fight.
…
Chu Heng waited in the front hall and waited for no one, and he was also puzzled. Seeing that the city gate guard came to remind him three or four times, he didn't dare to delay any longer, and hurriedly led a group of subordinates out of the city to meet the holy driver.
On the official road, the sound of horns resounded all over the field, and the Kowloon battle flag covered the sky and covered the sun and hunted in the wind. Tens of thousands of soldiers were dressed in black armor, and their steps were uniform. The team was solemn and solemn, like a giant dragon that could not be seen at a glance.
"Long live my emperor." Chu Heng had already led his people to welcome him at the gate of the city. Some of them still saw the emperor for the first time. Although they knelt and did not dare to raise their heads, they inevitably found opportunities to take a peek. They never thought their eyes met, and they were shocked immediately. I was so frightened that I hurriedly knelt down obediently.
Surrounded by solemnity, the young emperor's silver-armored long sword stood tall and straight, sharp and flamboyant, as if he was born to fight south and north, sweep thousands of troops, and protect thousands of miles of rivers and mountains.
"My lord has worked hard these years." After a long time, Chu Yuan spoke.
"Your Majesty's words are serious. Governing the East China Sea is originally a subject's job." Chu Heng lowered his head.
At the gate of the Great Kun City, the inscriptions written by the late emperors have been somewhat mottled and peeled off, stained by the boundless years of wind and frost.
"Excuse me." Chu Yuan ordered, "Go to the city!"
"Yes!" The flag fluttered wantonly in the wind, and tens of thousands of soldiers shouted in unison behind them, and they went straight to the sky. On both sides of the street, the common people knelt to greet the driver and were silent, but they all had some hope in their hearts. The emperor is coming, and the good days may be coming soon.
After settling down in the posthouse, Chu Yuan asked, "Where is Wen Aiqing?"
"Go back to the emperor, Mr. Wen is ill." Chu Heng said.
"Ill?" Chu Yuan frowned.
"It is said that it is quite serious." Chu Heng said.
Ye Jin was also a little puzzled. He was fine before he left, but he was so sick that he couldn't get out of bed when he came back, so he said, "Wen's mansion is just across the street, I'll go and have a look."
Chu Yuan nodded and went out with him.
So the rest of the people were a little startled, knowing that Lord Wen was a favored minister, but they didn't expect to be favored to such an extent - let's not ask about the war in the East China Sea, and go to visit the sick when he comes
Wen Liunian lay on the bed hugging the quilt, still dreaming sweetly. The dark guard was still walking past with the hangover soup, and when he raised his eyes, he saw Ye Jin and Chu Yuan entering the door. He almost threw the bowl away as if he had seen a ghost.
"What happened?" Ye Jin leaned closer and smelled it, "It smells like vinegar."
"It's just... vinegar." The dark guard smiled like a flower, very naturally, not stiff at all.
"What's wrong with Wen Aiqing?" Chu Yuan asked with a frown.
"Back to the emperor, Mr. Wen... a little dizzy." The dark guard thought about his words.
"Why is Hao Duanduan dizzy? I'm so tired recently?" Chu Yuan was concerned.
"I'm a little tired, how about the emperor go to the living room and have a cup of tea first?" The dark guard suggested enthusiastically.
Chu Yuan shook his head: "Where is Wen Aiqing now?"
The dark guard desperately asked Ye Jin for help with his eyes.
"You won't get your lord drunk, will you?" Ye Jin dipped his finger in some soup and sniffed it suspiciously.
The dark guard grinned with eight teeth.
Chu Yuan: "..."
"Huh..." Wen Liunian fell asleep, scratching his face and drooling in his dream.
Chu Yuan stood beside the bed, a little dumbfounded.
"Stop messing around in the future." Ye Jin supported him and lay him down, "Your Excellency is a scholar, how can he stand up to three jars of wine?"
"I didn't know that I was going to pick you up today." The dark guard lazily defended, "The head of the family wrote a letter saying that he would go to Bel-Air Bay to spy, and the lord was so worried that he couldn't sleep all night, and he had been busy with the people a few days ago Things, people have lost a lot of weight."
Probably feeling a little hot, Wen Liunian kicked off the quilt, sat up in a daze and took off his clothes.
My dear mother! The dark guard quickly pushed him back.
Chu Yuan smiled and shook his head, and walked out of the bedroom with Ye Jin: "Tell me about Bel-Air Bay."
"It's really weird there." Ye Jin sighed, "It's no wonder that adults are so worried that they can't sleep."
As night fell, a warship was sailing with the wind at an extremely fast speed. And not far away, there is a luxury ship that is going to Nanyang, and it is docking at an island, like a giant black beast. Zhao Yue and Zhou Mubai put on their night clothes and were just looking for an opportunity to go into the sea to get close to the supply warship when a small black figure appeared on the lower deck with something tied around their waists, and jumped into the sea with a "plop" .
Zhao Yue frowned slightly: "That little girl from yesterday?"
Zhou Mubai nodded: "I know it's not a good thing, but I didn't expect to be so courageous." Bel-Air also dared to break into it.
The black shadow floated up and down in the sea a few times, and managed to get to the side of the warship with the help of the sea waves. Just as he was about to turn over, half of his body suddenly went numb. Before he could realize what was going on, he was lifted out of the water , Opening his eyes again, he has already returned to the previous big ship.
"You..." The little girl was still in shock.
"Drinking wine?" Zhou Mubai leaned closer to smell it, and then pulled a few pig piss on her waist with his hands, "Thinking about going into the sea in order to keep out the cold, I really don't know whether to say you are stupid or courageous."
"What do you want to do!" The little girl stomped her feet.
Zhou Mubai pulled her and returned to the cabin with Zhao Yue.
The whole body was soaked by the sea water, and the little girl shivered from the cold.
"Change it." Zhou Mubai handed him a set of clothes, "I warn you in advance, if you dare to play tricks, I will not pity you."
The little girl grabbed her clothes and went to the back room to change, but she was really obedient - she couldn't help being obedient.
"What's your name?" Zhou Mubai asked.
"You don't recognize me." The little girl was still shivering while holding the hot tea.
"You should thank me for bringing you back." Zhou Mubai said, "otherwise you're still freezing."
The little girl decided that he was difficult to deal with, and refused to speak any more.
"What's its name?" Zhou Mubai asked again, "To be honest, we are also interested in that supply ship. If you are willing to cooperate, maybe there is still a way to survive."
"Are you going to find the shark too?" The little girl raised her head.
Zhou Mubai smiled slightly: "Name."
"... My name is Xiao Lingzi." The little girl sat next to Zhao Yue, "You are a charlatan, you look like a hero, you probably don't know me."
Reiko? Zhao Yue frowned slightly: "The little girl who ran out from under Haihuaniang?"
"You really recognize me?" Xiao Lingzi was surprised.
Zhao Yue and Zhou Mubai looked at each other, Wen Liunian had written about the massacre of the Pinglang Gang, and mentioned this weird little girl, but he never expected to meet her here.
"Where were you the night the Pinglang gang caught fire?" Zhou Mubai asked.
"Are you Haihuaniang's friends?" Xiao Lingzi was wary.
Zhou Mubai agreed.
"A gang of killers came that night, and their skills are very high." Xiao Lingzi said, "I was not found in the dry well, and when I heard the murderers left, I also ran away."
"Then why go to Bel-Air Bay, who told you that there are sharks in it?" Zhao Yue asked.
"When I was hiding in the well, I overheard it." Xiao Lingzi said. It is said that the Liu family once raised sharks for the prince, so they cannot live, and they also said that the sharks are in Bel-Air Bay. "Even if there is, what does it have to do with you? You have to go to Bel-Air at the risk of your life." Zhou Mubai said, "Could it be that you still plan to avenge the Liu family?"
"Who wants to avenge him." Xiao Lingzi curled her lips, "Even if I took his money, I will give it to me, and I will not owe you anything."
Zhao Yue shook his head in his heart, how could a young girl be so rude when she spoke and acted.
"After escaping from Liu's house, I went out to sea with the merchant ship and drifted outside." Xiao Lingzi said, "Later I heard that this big ship would pass by Bel-Air Bay, and I happened to meet Mr. Wu who wanted to buy me as a concubine , I wanted to sneak up there to see if there were any sharks."
"Just to take a look?" Zhou Mubai didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
"Believe it or not." Xiao Lingzi said, "I've been in the world for so many years, but I've never seen a mermaid. Naturally, I want to see the world, and I don't want to do bad things."
"I really admire you." Zhou Mubai shook his head.
"It's all right now, if you catch her back, that warship should also leave." Xiao Lingzi was depressed, "This trip was a waste of time."
"Tell me about your plan." Zhou Mubai said, "If I didn't catch you, where are you going to hide?"
"The bottom of the cabin is a bucket of fresh water, just empty one and you can mix in." Xiao Lingzi said, "There is also dry food in there, so you won't be hungry."
"Why are you so clear?" Zhou Mubai frowned.
"Of course, for this, I have spent a lot of effort." Xiao Lingzi said, "You also want to go to Bel-Air Bay, have you found any news, can you take me in together?"
"You are not allowed to go anywhere." Zhou Mubai said, "Do you know what the consequences will be if you sneak into Bel-Air Bay tonight and are accidentally discovered?"
"What consequences can there be?" Xiao Lingzi disdainfully said, "At most one life will be lost."
"One?" Zhou Mubai shook his head, "You think lightly."
Xiao Lingzi was puzzled.
"The most serious consequence is not only your death, but also all the soldiers on the battleship and all the mermaids in the mist." Zhou Mubai said, "Some people will do whatever it takes to keep a secret. .”
Xiao Lingzi looked at him in doubt.
"Tell me everything you know." Zhou Mubai put a handful of gold leaves on the table, "These are all yours."
Probably because he felt that his expression was a bit cold, Xiao Lingzi unconsciously developed a layer of pimples on her back, and she heard that it was about the lives of the sharks, so she dared not be careless. Fifty Ten said it all.
"Very good." Zhou Mubai pushed the gold leaf over.
"Are you going to get on the boat too?" Xiao Lingzi reminded, "But it's been so long, it's already gone."
"That's not necessarily the case." Zhou Mubai smiled and glanced out the window.
Under the desolate night, the supply warship was docked at another pier on the island, surrounded by torches, a dozen soldiers inspected for most of the night, and finally found the hole in the hull, cursing bad luck while repairing it, thinking Don't delay too long, or let the prince know, it will be another meal.
"You leaked their boat?" Xiao Lingzi was surprised.
Zhou Mubai nodded: "It's a little effort."
"It's really amazing." Xiao Lingzi was full of envy, if she had such great skills, there was no need to lie, just grab it.
Zhou Mubai hooked his fingers at her.
Xiao Lingzi leaned forward obediently.
A silver needle pierced the neck, and immediately the whole person was plunged into darkness.
"The poisonous needle of the Peacock Gate." Zhou Mubai said, "I will die in suspended animation for a month. It just so happens that there are acquaintances on board, and I will take it to Haicai Island and hand it over to Aunt Zihua."
Zhao Yue nodded: "What's the next step?"
"Of course it's on the supply ship." Zhou Mubai rubbed his chin, "I'll go with the boss."
The east is gradually showing a fish belly, and a round of rising sun is gushing out. Wen Liunian yawned and sat up refreshed, his stomach growling.
The red-armored wolf is crawling around on the windowsill and playing in circles, its little whiskers are straight! Wen Liunian stared at it for a long time, and suddenly felt a "boom" in his head, remembering something terrible, immediately threw off the quilt and ran under the bed.
"My lord, slow down." The aunt who came to deliver the water was taken aback, "Why don't you wear shoes."
"Hurry up and prepare the horses and chariots, I'm going out of the city." Wen Liunian hastily flipped through his clothes, "The emperor is going into the city, so don't delay."
"The emperor has already entered the city." Chu Yuan stood at the door and said leisurely.
Wen Liunian: "..."
Wen Liunian: "..."
Wen Liunian: "..."
Chu Yuan smiled but wasn't smiling.
Wen Liunian turned his head slowly, comforting himself that this must be an illusion.
Chu Yuan raised his eyebrows: "After sleeping for a day and a night, those three jars of wine should be the best wine in the world."
Master Wen's face turned pale, and he knelt down to apologize, but was supported by Chu Yuan: "You're kidding."
"Your Majesty, forgive me." Wen Liunian wept.
"It's not a big deal." Chu Yuan said, "As long as you don't drink too much every day, it's okay to have a drink. Besides, there are people from Shadow Chasing Palace, so I'm afraid I can't help Ai Qing not to drink."
The dark guard lay on the roof and listened carefully, so that he could rush in to rescue the adults when Longyan was furious.
"Aiqing has worked hard this year." Chu Yuan poured him a cup of tea.
"Doing things for the common people is not hard work." Wen Liunian said honestly, "Besides, the King of Southwest often sends his elbows here." There are even wild boars from Yunnan, which have endless aftertaste.
Chu Yuan smiled and shook his head: "Has Duan Baiyue bullied Ai Qing?"
"No." Wen Liunian shook his head, "The King of Southwest treats my minister very well."
Ye Jin came in with the medicinal soup: "Cough!"
Master Wen immediately sat up straight: "It's not very good either."
Ye Jin was dissatisfied with seeing his brother, what was a bald man worried about, and he would ask everyone he saw.
Chu Yuan didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Judging by his posture, the person being bullied might be Duan Baiyue.