Chapter 202: Governor Zhou's Single Kind Thought Plants a Good Karma; The Qingping Office Is Established on Nan'ao Island

In the cabin, the other barbarians only saw the Centurion's body shatter apart like a watermelon.

Before they could react, a volley of cannon fire struck, the cabin walls taking hit after hit, blasting open countless small holes.

Some barbarians who were too slow to react took shots, their bodies erupting in sprays of blood mist as they convulsed and collapsed.

The rest of the barbarians wailed and screamed, scrambling for cover inside the cabin.

Yet the Folangji cannons did not cease firing, the booming thunder of gunfire coming one after another.

The planks of the Ming merchant vessel were thin, utterly unable to stop the grapeshot. The sterncastle was riddled like a hornet's nest, on the verge of collapsing apart.

The remaining barbarians could not bear it any longer and shouted for surrender.

But their voices were too faint, completely drowned out by the Folangji cannons.

The gunsmoke drifted far, and many merchant ships nearby, seeing the scene, halted and dared not pass through.

Other Sea Wolf vessels came forward to direct traffic.

"No trouble — we found a ship of sea bandits. Carry on your way."

Hearing this, the merchants all relaxed, and the shipping lane quickly resumed.

Ever since Lin Qian took charge of Zhangzhou, he had vigorously hunted down and exterminated sea bandits, and the merchants had grown accustomed to it.

Sailing the seas now was even safer than doing business on land.

That border region of Fujian and Guangdong where sea bandits had been as numerous as ox hairs was gone, never to return.

The bombardment lasted about half a stick of incense.

After the guns fell silent, no sound could be heard coming from the Tiyi vessel.

Aboard the Sea Wolf ship, the sailors loaded their matchlock muskets and carefully maneuvered the vessel forward.

After circling around once and confirming there were no survivors, a sailor boarded to count the corpses.

The Folangji cannon's power was not especially great — at most it could blast away half a body, so intact corpses could still be distinguished.

After counting several times, the sailor said, "Only twenty men."

"One's still missing!"

"Find him!" the shipmaster ordered.

The crew members spread out along the gunwales, scanning the surroundings.

This wasn't on shore, where one could hide in forests or courtyards — the sea was boundless to the horizon, with not a single vessel nearby. There was no way to escape. Besides, most of the crew came from Tanka stock; at a glance they could tell whether someone was diving underwater.

After searching for a moment, someone raised a hand and pointed at the side of the Tiyi vessel — bubbles were rising there.

The shipmaster said in a low voice, "Send him on his way."

Several sailors boarded with matchlock muskets, located the general area where the man was hiding, and fired at the hull beneath the waterline.

After one round of gunfire, bright red blood welled up from the side of the ship, and then a corpse slowly floated to the surface.

The sailors fished the body out, tossed it onto the vessel, then left the ship and set it alight — all in one smooth motion.

This cargo of red-clad men had first been struck by cannon fire, then burned, and finally fed to the fish — guaranteed to die cleanly, leaving not a trace behind. The fire aboard grew ever larger; the cloud-patterned brocade of the flying-fish robes, with their dragon heads and fish bodies, gradually carbonized and warped, devoured by the raging flames, reduced to a pile of ashes. At Zhou Qiyuan's home in Haicheng County, the atmosphere remained one of utter oppression.

Over the past several days, news had come one after another — the Six Gentlemen tortured to death, the Tiyi seizing people in the Southern Metropolitan Region, commoners rising in revolt — filling Zhou Qiyuan with deep anxiety. Though he was now but a commoner in plain clothes, during his time as a Censor he had defended Gu Xiancheng and impeached Wei Zhongxian's confidants, earning the hatred of the powerful eunuch. Now the eunuch faction dominated the court alone; among the Donglin and the pure-stream officials, anyone of repute who had offended the powerful eunuch could not escape his clutches. Calculating the travel time, it should soon be Zhou Qiyuan's turn.

Zhou Qiyuan was an incorruptible official with no grand mansion — he lived only in a small four-point-gold courtyard house.

In the main hall, he gathered his family together.

He instructed his wife: "These next few months, take the children and your mother-in-law to Nan'ao for a visit. I hear the island's commerce is thriving and full of rare treasures. You've suffered all these years married into my family — go and enjoy yourself."

With that, Zhou Qiyuan produced a silver ingot; judging by its form, it weighed ten taels.

Lately, the paper, ink, brushes, and inkstones in the house had dwindled, and several out-of-print collector's books had also vanished — clearly the ten taels of silver had been obtained by selling these things. His elderly mother silently wept.

His wife shook her head and said, "Let our son accompany his grandmother. I find the island's dampness too heavy — I won't go. I'll stay and look after you."

His son Zhou Yansheng said, "I'm not going either. What are the Depot Guards and Tiyi, anyway? If they dare come to Haicheng County, the people will rise up against them. Even if the realm has no law left, justice still lives in the hearts of the people!"

"Nonsense!" Zhou Qiyuan rebuked. Then his tone softened, and he continued, "The people cannot stop the Depot Guards. Rather than let the common folk suffer needless entanglement, it's better I surrender myself.

In years past, I helped General Lin bring about a marriage. If you go to the island, I imagine General Lin will surely look after you."

Just then, his second son ran in from outside and said, "Father, there are rumors in the city that the Tiyi have come to arrest you. They also say that if you return the 'ill-gotten gains,' you can 'buy your freedom.' The common folk are spontaneously donating at the city gates!"

"What?" Zhou Qiyuan rose to his feet and said, "How can this be allowed? I'll go take a look."

Before leaving, Zhou Qiyuan said to his wife, "Pack your things quickly. If we delay any longer, it may be too late."

His eldest son said, "Father, I'll come too."

The three of them — Zhou Qiyuan and his two sons — hurried to the north city gate, and from a distance they could already see a large crowd of commoners gathered.

At the city gate stood a donation box, and many commoners were queuing up to toss coins into it. Each person donated only a little — five or six wen, a dozen or so wen. But what was precious was the sentiment behind it.

Zhou Qiyuan's heart churned with mixed emotions, and tears welled up in his eyes. He thought to himself: "These are my Great Ming's common folk, these are my hometown elders! What precious people! Alas... but treacherous villains hold sway. When will my Great Ming see an enlightened sovereign and upright officials again?"

Moved as he was, Zhou Qiyuan could also see that this was a trap set by the Depot Guards.

Once this money was donated, the people's hard-earned flesh and blood would be squeezed out, and Zhou Qiyuan's "evidence of guilt" would be secured as well.

So he moved to step forward and stop the crowd.

Before he could even set out, a squad of soldiers arrived, roughly shoving the commoners aside.

"Disperse, all of you disperse!"

An old man was shoved to the ground, and the crowd immediately pulled back somewhat.

Zhou Qiyuan's eldest son gritted his teeth and said, "These imperial hounds!"

Behind the soldiers, an official stepped out. He wore a blue official robe with a bear embroidered on his chest badge — apparently a fifth-rank Garrison Commander. The Garrison Commander walked up to the soldier who had shoved the old man, raised his leg, and kicked him to the ground, cursing: "I told you not to harass the common folk, and you're still shoving and pushing. Got pig brains or what?"

The kicked soldier looked utterly aggrieved and muttered, "That old man was frail himself — I barely used any strength."

The Garrison Commander ignored him, smiling as he helped the old man to his feet, even brushing the dust off his clothes for him.

The old man was startled, then hobbled off into the crowd.

The Garrison Commander straightened his official robe, clasped his hands in salute, and said, "Elders and friends, I am under the command of the Assistant Regional Commander of the Southern Fujian Circuit — Huang Hetai, Garrison Commander of Zhangzhou. I apologize here on behalf of my reckless subordinates."

With that, he made a deep bow to the ground, and much of the hostility among the surrounding commoners subsided.

Zhou Qiyuan's second son said, "He's Garrison Commander Huang. I've heard people speak of him—they all say he's a good official!"

After Huang Hetai finished his apology, he said in a cold voice, "Bring them up."

Eight people dressed in coarse cloth were brought up; before they even drew near, a stench of blood and rot assailed the nose.

These men's clothes were all new, yet bloodstains still seeped through in places—clearly they had suffered severe torture, and since their wretched state was unsightly, new clothes had been used to cover it.

All eight were bound hand and foot, gagged, their spirits utterly broken, their gazes vacant—plainly they had been tormented to the brink.

Huang Hetai said, "These eight claimed to be lictors of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Eastern Depot, and had people set up this donation platform..."

At these words, the commoners erupted in shouts.

"Damned bastards, kill them!"

"There are more of us—let's rush them together and beat them to death!"

In an instant, fury surged through the crowd, the tide of people pressing forward with every sign of charging in to fight.

All eight faces showed terror.

The soldiers held the crowd back.

Seeing the crowd could not reach them, the eight grew bold with impunity, straightening their backs and casting defiant looks.

Huang Hetai raised a hand to calm the people and said, "Everyone, hold your peace and let me finish. These eight are fakes—impostors!" The crowd quieted, half-believing, half-doubting.

At these words, the eight's eyes flew wide open, and they began struggling violently, whimpering ceaselessly through their gags; in the struggle they tore open their wounds, and their outer clothes became stained with fresh blood. To judge by their expressions, they looked more wronged than Dou E herself.

"These eight impersonated the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Eastern Depot, committing every manner of evil—their crimes merit death a thousand times over. Men, cut them all down!"

Huang Hetai's face was wreathed in smiles, yet his words were cold enough to pierce.

As he finished speaking, executioners stepped forward, cleavers swinging one after another, and heads tumbled to the ground in succession.

Among the eight, some were so terrified they voided themselves, while others cursed without cease.

Of course, with their mouths gagged, the content of the curses could not be made out—only the faint words "... grandmother..." could be discerned.

In but a moment, eight heads rolled upon the ground.

The crowd was silent for a long while, unable to believe what was real, until they took in the reality—then a violent cheer erupted, the sound so loud it made the gravel around them tremble slightly. Someone knelt and shouted, "Your Honor, the clear-skied great lord!"

A single stone stirred a thousand waves; more and more commoners knelt, crying out in unison: "Your Honor, the clear-skied great lord!"

Soon, before the city gate, only Zhou Qiyuan and his sons still stood where they were.

Huang Hetai stepped aside to avoid the crowd's prostrations and said, "This was done on General Lin's orders—if you wish to kneel, kneel to General Lin!"

The cries of "clear-skied great lord" gradually died down, and the crowd murmured among themselves—who was General Lin?

Seeing this, Huang Hetai said, "It's the Helmsman. If you want to give thanks, thank the Helmsman!"

At this, the crowd understood. The people of the southeast had never heard of any "General Lin," but there was not a single one who did not know the Helmsman.

They shouted at the top of their lungs: "Thanks to the Helmsman, our lord! Thanks to the Helmsman, our lord..."

The commoners cheered in unison for a long while. Huang Hetai had the soldiers help the people to their feet, then had the donation platform dismantled, saying, "This was all a scheme by false Embroidered Uniform Guard men to swindle money. Any of you who donated, go and take your money back yourselves.

From now on, if anyone in the city claims to be of the Embroidered Uniform Guard or the Eastern Depot, or acts suspiciously, please report them at once to the nearest guard station, or come to Zhangzhou and report to me! The Helmsman promises you all—not a single false Embroidered Uniform Guard man will slip into Zhangzhou Prefecture!"

Before the city gate, the soldiers busied themselves returning money to the crowd.

Zhou Qiyuan and his sons were already dumbstruck.

All three of them were educated men—not so easily fooled.

Those were no impostors—they were genuine Embroidered Uniform Guard men, as real as could be!

And what did Lin Qian's promise even mean?

He might as well have said outright, "Kill every agent of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and Eastern Depot on sight."

And the reporting channel was interesting too—not to the authorities, but to the guard stations.

By now the Zhangzhou guard stations were essentially under Lin Qian's control. If lictors were caught by the guard stations, would they have any chance of survival?

Even a Chiliarch of the Embroidered Uniform Guard's punishment bureau, once caught, would probably be slapped with the charge of "impersonating the Embroidered Uniform Guard" and beheaded.

Moreover, the method for rooting out agents was wildly imaginative—simply letting the common people turn them in.

Asking the people to report smugglers, or to report those who became sea bandits—the people would have no interest in that.

But reporting agents of the Embroidered Uniform Guard? Given the people's hatred for them, they would report with absolute enthusiasm.

It was easy to foresee that within a short time, the Embroidered Uniform Guard and Eastern Depot would vanish entirely from Zhangzhou—and even idlers, petty thieves, and swindlers would greatly decrease. For the Embroidered Uniform Guard loved to recruit such ruffians and scoundrels as their underlings, and no one would dare come anywhere near the words "Embroidered Uniform Guard."

Just as the father and sons stood stupefied, Huang Hetai pushed through the crowd and approached, cupping his hands in salute: "Governor Zhou."

Although Zhou Qiyuan had been removed from office, he had once held the censorial rank of Right Vice Censor-in-Chief and served as Governor of the ten prefectures of Suzhou and Songjiang, hence the title "Governor."

Zhou Qiyuan returned the salute with cupped hands: "Garrison Commander Huang exposed the false Embroidered Uniform Guard men in the nick of time, saving the people from being swindled. I am full of admiration."

Huang Hetai laughed: "Those eight had genuine waist tokens and credentials—all real. Such a trick, Governor Zhou must have seen through long ago."

Zhou Qiyuan's heart tightened, and he thought to himself, "Not even bothering to keep up the pretense anymore?"

Huang Hetai continued: "Some days ago, news of the tragedy of the Six Gentlemen and the civil unrest in Suzhou and Changzhou reached Nan'ao. The Helmsman ordered a sweep of Zhangzhou for lictors—once intelligence was confirmed... immediate execution!

These eight were the upper-level contacts—what the Eastern Depot calls in their cant 'dangtou'—so the interrogation took longer."

That Lin Qian had gone to such lengths surely was not entirely to protect Zhou Qiyuan—but even if it were done in passing, it was enough to move one deeply.

He thought back to a year and a half ago, when he had just been stripped of office and reduced to commoner status. Out of motives half public, half private, he had brokered a marriage alliance between the Lin and Ye families—done casually, yet it had unknowingly sown a good seed, and only now had it borne good fruit.

Looking back, he could not help but sigh with emotion.

Zhou Qiyuan said solemnly, "My thanks to Garrison Commander Huang, and my thanks to General Lin. When the opportunity arises, I shall certainly go to Nan'ao to pay my respects in person."

Huang Hetai laughed: "What a coincidence—today the Helmsman happens to be at Zhongzuo Station, and he also happens to wish to invite Governor Zhou there for a talk."

Zhongzuo Station was Xiamen Island. At this time the island had few inhabitants, with only a coastal defense guard station, so people commonly referred to it by the name of that station. Zhou Qiyuan nodded in agreement and sent his two sons home first. Huang Hetai escorted him to Yuegang to board a ship, and within the time it took to eat a meal, they had already reached the vicinity of Gulangyu. No one from Haicheng County was unfamiliar with Xiamen.

In Zhou Qiyuan's memory, this was a barren island—only the area near Gulangyu, where the guard station was based, had any sign of life.

But now, to the southwest of Xiamen Island, a great expanse of houses had been built at some point.

Those buildings numbered several hundred, nearly identical in appearance, arranged with great regularity—not like a village, but rather like a shipyard.

On the side of Xiamen Island facing Gulangyu, a wharf had been built, with over a dozen trestle bridges, though all were empty at present.

Beside the wharf stood three shipways, each bearing a nearly completed great ship.

The closer they drew to the wharf, the wider Zhou Qiyuan's eyes grew, his breathing turning rapid.

For those three great ships were simply too large!

Each ship was over ten zhang long and nearly three zhang wide, with a full, rounded hull and towering bulwarks, like a beached giant whale.

The masts rose straight and tall like pillars holding up the sky, fully twelve or thirteen zhang, piercing the clouds.

Zhou Qiyuan's single-masted skiff happened to pass beneath them; looking up, one could not help but feel the overwhelming presence of the three great ships.

Though Zhou Qiyuan did not trade by sea, he had long lived in Haicheng County and absorbed some knowledge by osmosis. The ships before him resembled Ming vessels in every way, yet differed in every way as well. Could it be... had the blueprints for the treasure ships been recovered?

Amid his wild conjectures, the vessel had already docked at Xiamen Harbor.

Zhou Qiyuan disembarked and, guided by an attendant, arrived before Lin Qian.

There stood Lin Qian at the edge of the shipway, while a shipwright of half-Chinese, half-foreign appearance was excitedly introducing the great ship before them.

Five or six apprentices followed beside the shipwright, carrying blueprints, scale models, rulers, and other implements.

Beside Zhou Qiyuan stood another man in military attire, evidently waiting to see Lin Qian.

Zhou Qiyuan wore plain cloth garments and did not know the military officer, yet the officer still offered him a simple salute, which rather surprised Zhou Qiyuan.

He thought to himself: "How is it that every military man around Lin Qian carries this same refined bearing?"

Seeing that Lin Qian was busy, Zhou Qiyuan did not disturb him, standing to the side and listening in.

The shipwright said excitedly: "This is the first ship I have ever built. I have named her the New Route. Helmsman, please launch her with your own hands."

Lin Qian smiled: "Since you named her yourself, she holds special meaning for you. You should do it—all three ships, yours to launch."

Old Fei smiled: "Many thanks!"

Old Fei then went forward to preside over the ceremony, which once again blended Chinese and Western elements, with nothing done carelessly.

Taking advantage of the ceremony's progress, Lin Qian turned and saw the military officer, cupping his hands in salute: "Zhao, Regional Commander, congratulations on your promotion."

Zhao had just been about to speak when Lin Qian continued: "Governor Zhou."

Zhou Qiyuan returned the salute with cupped hands, thinking to himself: "In all of Fujian, only two men can be called Regional Commander—one is Ma Chenglie, and the other is the Fujian Regional Commander. Could this man be the new Regional Commander?"

Lin Qian said: "Please, Governor Zhou, follow me to the hall to speak."

Zhou Qiyuan hastily replied: "I am but a commoner—how could I delay official business?"

"Very well, then please wait in the main hall with some tea, Governor Zhou. I shall be there in a few words' time."

Zhou Qiyuan was led away.

Lin Qian smiled: "What brings Regional Commander Zhao here?"

Zhao wore a bitter smile and pleaded: "Addressing me as Regional Commander, General Lin—that is mocking me. Who in all of Fujian does not know that promoting me, Zhao Tingyuan, to Fujian Regional Commander was entirely the eunuch faction's scheme?

General Lin, first you won the two great victories at Macao and Fuzhou, then you defeated the sea bandits at the Min River mouth, defending our homeland.

In merit, in character, in the discipline of your troops, no general in northern Fujian has any complaint.

Even in literary talent—that elegiac couplet you wrote for Regional Commander Yu—we all admit we cannot match it!"

Having said this, Zhao Tingyuan gave two dry laughs of his own. Seeing no amusement on Lin Qian's face, he immediately continued: "In any case, this humble officer has already decided—the post of Fujian Regional Commander must go to General Lin. I have already submitted a memorial to the court expressing my intent.

Even if the court does not agree, I shall henceforth follow General Lin's orders. If the General tells me to go east, I will never go west."

Lin Qian looked at him without speaking.

A few days earlier, the court's rewards for suppressing the bandits at the Min River mouth had arrived—a few lukewarm words of encouragement.

Then, the post of Fujian Regional Commander was given to Zhao Tingyuan, the Assistant Regional Commander of the northern Fujian route.

This was Wei Zhongxian, having crushed the Donglin Faction and now at the zenith of his power in court and country, feeling confident in himself again, coming to provoke and test.

Lin Qian was unconcerned. Zhao Tingyuan's face had changed the moment he received the appointment; he immediately submitted a memorial to the court, requesting reconsideration and recommending Ma Chenglie and Lin Qian.

Then, without pause, he came to Nan'ao Island seeking Lin Qian. Learning that Lin Qian had gone to Xiamen Island that day for the whale-ship launching ceremony, he sailed over, waiting a long while before he could make his case.

Lin Qian smiled: "Understood. Go and do your job well for now."

"Yes." Zhao Tingyuan nodded and left, but halfway he turned back: "May I ask, General Lin, while this officer temporarily holds the Regional Commander's duties, are there any instructions?"

"Compile a complete roster of all camp soldiers and guard station troops in Fujian for me. Also, restrain your soldiers—do not harass the common people."

"This officer obeys!" Zhao Tingyuan's voice rang with vigor, and he strode away.

Lin Qian watched his retreating figure, lost in thought.

Today's Fujian, to Lin Qian, was already like something in the palm of his hand.

Originally Lin Qian's influence had been limited to southern and central Fujian, but with Li Dan's little disturbance, the hearts of the people in northern Fujian had also been thoroughly won over by Lin Qian.

Across all of Fujian—from common folk and gentry to generals and civil officials—all admired and respected Lin Qian.

With the people's hearts thus aligned, it no longer mattered whether the court gave Lin Qian the post of Fujian Regional Commander; the people could tell who genuinely cared for their welfare. This was the power of the righteous path and open strategy.

Of course, to be the true leader of all Fujian, open strategy alone was not enough.

Wei Zhongxian, that fool, thought too highly of himself. It was time to teach him a lesson.

"Geng Wu!" Lin Qian called out. "Send word to Bailangzai—take a trip to the Guazhou canal port on the Yangtze!"

Lin Qian walked into the main hall; sure enough, Zhou Qiyuan had not yet finished his cup of tea.

The two took their seats.

Lin Qian stated his purpose directly: "I have long heard of your reputation for integrity, Governor Zhou. I intend to establish a department devoted to oversight, to be called the Qingping Bureau, and I invite you to serve as its director."

Hearing this, Zhou Qiyuan nearly spat out his tea, instinctively wanting to refuse.

But unexpectedly Lin Qian continued: "The Qingping Bureau will oversee not only my own officials but also Ming court officials. Rest assured, Governor—any corruption I uncover, I will never let off lightly."

With Lin Qian's current influence—Governors cooperating, Regional Commanders submitting—he still could not dismiss Ming officials at will.

But if Bailangzai merely made a circuit of the Guazhou canal port, Wei Zhongxian would understand that Lin Qian was threatening the grain transport.

For a power-hungry eunuch like Wei Zhongxian, who placed his own survival above the interests of the state, he would most likely surrender completely, trading the court's lands and offices for personal safety and power.

Then it would be much easier for Lin Qian to influence personnel matters in Fujian.

As for appointing Zhou Qiyuan, that stemmed from his good reputation in the historical records.

The *History of Ming* praised him: "Upright, incorruptible, and loving toward the people; he took not a single grain or coin."

At the same time, before proposing the appointment, Lin Qian had conducted a thorough background investigation.

His family had no surplus wealth; when he set out to take up the post of Jiangnan Governor, he had his family purchase his summer clothes from elsewhere, to avoid any suspicion of bribery from buying locally.

A year and a half ago, he impeached a close associate of Wei Zhongxian and lost his own office as a result—which also showed that the man did not fear the powerful.

Whether these qualities made him a good upright official was hard to say, but they were essential for an inspector.

Most importantly, this man was not part of the Nan'ao island system, so his oversight of Nan'ao's clerks and officials would involve no conflict of interest.

And if he performed poorly, causing turmoil in Nan'ao's base, Lin Qian could play the good cop, mediate between both sides, or simply replace him outright—easy for deflecting the focus of conflict, at no real cost.

This was the same logic as Zhang Zuolin appointing Wang Yongjiang as chief of the police department.

As for the man's Donglin Faction stance, Lin Qian had only learned that he had defended Gu Xiancheng and "exchanged lectures" with Gao Panlong and others.

His conduct was broadly directed against corruption and injustice, along with scholarly exchange among the literati.

As for whether he engaged in unprincipled partisan protection, nothing had been found so far—it remained to be observed later.

Lin Qian then explained the design of the Qingping Bureau: this department reported directly to Lin Qian, was not under the jurisdiction of the Nan'ao Administrative Hall, and its working methods combined covert investigation, civilian inquiries, and official audits.

Its personnel were mainly young men who had passed the Nan'ao island clerk examinations.

Zhou Qiyuan listened for a long while. He was now a commoner in plain clothes, just past fifty, still young in years, and his ambition for office had not yet died.

Yet the court was dominated by a powerful eunuch, the political situation was murky, and the current emperor was so young.

With the Cabinet faction destroyed and himself not yet reinstated, who knew how long he would have to wait.

Joining the Qingping Bureau would at least let him do some real work for the common people within his remaining years.

Moreover, Lin Qian had shown him kindness, and the hearts of the people in southern Fujian were turning to him—perhaps he could accomplish something.

After pondering for a long while, Zhou Qiyuan finally nodded in agreement.

Lin Qian was overjoyed and chatted with Zhou Qiyuan at length about matters of oversight and auditing.

Suddenly, a thunderous boom came from outside the hall, followed by the crackling sound of water splashing against the ground, as if a torrential rain had fallen.

Lin Qian set down his teacup with a smile: "The whale ship has been launched. Director Zhou, why not come take a look together!"

Yahei

Fenyuan

Pen