Chapter 73

On the Dajiang, waves were surging, and the water was roaring; the scene was quite frightening.

Fences were set up on both banks, the current was rapid, and the sound was like thunder; one couldn't hear clearly when walking close.

Today, both banks!

The people of the Yuetang River had all flocked over, tens of thousands of them; looking down from a high place, heads were moving, looking densely packed.】

How lively!

At the crossing, a huge pontoon bridge was slowly rising, eighty or ninety zhang long; thousands of laborers were pulling with all their might, clenching their teeth, sweat soaking their clothes, shouting loud work chants.】

"One—"

"Two—"

"Up—"

Watching the pontoon bridge being pulled up, the people all exclaimed.

Some men felt regret for signing up late; the pay for pulling the bridge today was truly too high, ten taels of silver for one day, simply an astronomical price.

Some children were excitedly riding on their parents' shoulders, looking over the crowd in front; through the gaps between heads, one could only see the cold air emanating from the gold-plated and silver-inlaid Mo blades.】

At the bridge entrance.

Three thousand armored guards holding blades stood on both sides, leaving a path to the pontoon bridge.】

A few ignorant fools who wanted to squeeze into the side path to "show off" were caught by the bright blades in the guards' hands the moment they stepped in, their faces showing terror as they were pressed into the prisoner carts on both sides.】

Some people actually clapped and cheered!

The passing people speculated about this unusual grand occasion today.】

What for!

Even the brothels and taverns of the Yuetang River were all closed today!

Not far away, dozens of taverns had specially set up banquets stretching for more than ten miles, all providing free food and drink.】

Most of the brothels and taverns of the Yuetang River were Master Qin Wu's properties.】

A group of women draped in light gauze were singing and dancing on a stage built on one side of the pontoon bridge, like "fairies."】

Even the top courtesans, who were usually hard to see, were able to appear, attracting the eyes of those entering.】

Behind the stage.】

A beautiful young woman asked:】

"Sister, who is coming today? Why is it so lively?"】

A woman with a beautiful appearance, combed hair, and a jade hairpin gently shook her head.】

"Don't ask what you shouldn't ask!"】

"However, Foster Father has ordered that there must not be a single mistake."】

Several courtesans hurriedly agreed, naturally knowing who that "Foster Father" was.】

Behind the stage.】

Only the beautiful woman remained; she stood alone in a corner, looking into the distance, watching the side of the bridge.】

There, a sedan chair was parked quietly, with more than a dozen men standing respectfully on both sides, not daring to make the slightest mistake.】

The person in the sedan chair was "Foster Father."】

That overall leader of the black and white worlds of Liangguang, Qin Xiao Wu, Master Qin Wu.】

In the eyes of outsiders, this name might just be praise among the Jianghu outlaws, but for the woman, she knew the weight of these words.】

In this area of the Yuetang River, you can not pay respects to the Prefect, but you absolutely cannot fail to pay respects to Master Wu.】

Otherwise, you can't get things done in this territory.】

A true local tyrant!】

Whether it's Jianghu heroes or imperial officials, they all have to give him some face.】

The current General of the Yuetang River also respectfully calls Foster Father "Master Wu."】

Even when the Liangguang Provincial Military Commander comes to visit, her Foster Father lies high on his bed.】

The woman can be so glorious in the Yuetang River, able to protect more than a hundred sisters, and stand firm in this bustling and mixed place without being persecuted.】

It is because of this "Foster Father" of hers.】

Yesterday, Foster Father returned in a hurry from Guangling, and the joy on his face could not be hidden.】

In ten years, the woman had never seen Foster Father so happy.】

Following Foster Father's orders.】

All taverns provide free food and drink for three days.】

Casinos are closed for three days.】

Brothel courtesans in the city were all invited to perform on stage today.】

And Foster Father himself!】

Bathed and changed clothes early this morning, and had been waiting at the pontoon bridge entrance as soon as the rain stopped.】

Although the woman was curious about what kind of person could make Foster Father value them so much, she knew Foster Father's dignity and rules well and did not dare to ask more.】

She remembered that when the Grand Secretary of the imperial court visited years ago, Foster Father didn't even show his face.】

What kind of person could make Foster Father do this?】

The woman stopped thinking about it.】

Following Foster Father's orders, ensuring everything went without a hitch.】

……】

……】

On the river-viewing platform of the Yuetang River.】

It is a twelve-story building, rising layer by layer, with the highest point reaching more than twenty zhang.】

From here, one can watch the rise and fall of the river tide.】

The scenery is excellent.】

But the common people have no qualification to enter, and soldiers are stationed there all year round.】

At the highest point of the river-viewing platform, four people stood leaning against the railing.】

Leading them was an old man with white hair, full of spirit, and still vigorous in his old age.】

On the left was a fair-skinned man wearing a python robe, holding a slip of paper in his hand, on which was written.】

"King Lu Chen, the four seas as one."】

On the right was a middle-aged Daoist priest holding a horsetail whisk, with an immortal air.】

The last person was a dark-skinned man in a short shirt, looking like an ordinary farmer.】

The Daoist smiled and said to the dark-skinned man, A-Mang:】

"A-Mang, did you really go home to farm?"】

The dark-skinned man waved his hand.】

The Daoist couldn't help but nod.】

"You have the strongest killing intent among us; I don't believe you could go home to farm."】

The dark-skinned man touched his head, revealing a mouthful of big teeth, and said with a smile:】

"Shaobao said to get married and have children, so not only did I farm, I also had several kids."】

After hearing this, the Daoist was speechless.】

The man in the python robe walked over at this time.】

The red python robe made him look extraordinary.】

He smiled: "A-Mang, even if Shaobao told him to die, he wouldn't hesitate."】

"When Shaobao retired, he told us twenty-six people to go home and enjoy life, get married; I'm afraid only A-Mang really listened."】

The spirited old man turned around and smiled: "My son has a son, but you guys haven't even found a wife."】

The old man looked at the slip of paper in the python-robed man's hand.】

"This matter has nothing to do with me; don't sell me out if Shaobao asks for accountability later."】

"Then don't blame me for not talking about Jianghu loyalty."】

The Daoist smiled after hearing this and looked at the dark-skinned man:】

"A-Mang, if we are brothers, we bear it together!"】

The dark-skinned man spat.】

"I don't know you two, don't try to get close to me. If Shaobao gets angry, I can't bear it."】

After hearing this, a look of sorrow appeared on the Daoist's face.】

He wasn't afraid of rebelling against the imperial court, but he only worried about Shaobao getting angry.】

Shaobao's military orders are like mountains; once he gets angry.】

Recalling those years, he felt terrified inside.】

The python-robed man patted the Daoist's shoulder and teased:】

"Don't be afraid; if something happens and Shaobao gets angry, you bear it alone, and our hearts are in the right place."】

Hearing this, the Daoist could no longer hold back and started cursing:】

"You Yu Xu, this plan was originally yours, but now you're turning your back on me."】

"That slip of paper in the fish belly is nothing, but the 'Emperor Ziwei descends to rule the world' carved on the stone tablet by me is a bit exaggerated."】

"I'm truly afraid Shaobao will cut me down; don't blame me for selling you out first then."】

Yu Xu shook his head with a smile and stopped paying attention to the Daoist's complaints.】

Leaning against the railing, looking at the rolling Dajiang.】

The Yuetang River originates in the Western Regions and flows east into the sea, with great momentum.】

He said softly:】

"Shaobao has no intention for this vast world, so as servants, we must put in more effort."】

Yu Xu was poor in his childhood; to survive, he was sent to the palace to become a eunuch.】

When the Emperor was hunted in the North Wind, Yu Xu escaped from the palace.】

This journey was too difficult; he was only eleven years old at the time.】

This world was more cruel than he imagined.】

He begged all the way and suffered all kinds of humiliation.】

He thought this life was full of suffering, but he was chosen by Lu Chen from a pile of refugees.】

That year, Shaobao picked him up from a group of sallow-faced beggars and held his hand:】

"Although you are young, your character is patient; you will definitely be able to stabilize the rear in the future."】

"Come with me!"】

Yu Xu still remembers Shaobao's extremely bright eyes to this day.】

A scholar dies for one who knows him!】

How dare a man forget kindness!】

Yu Xu said to himself:】

"Emperor Ziwei descends to rule the world, is it exaggerated? I, Yu Xu, have always believed that Shaobao is Ziwei fallen into the mortal world."】

The dark-skinned man asked strangely:】

"Xiao Wu, why did you go there alone to wait for Shaobao?"】

The old man looked at the bridge entrance and said:】

"Let him be; Xiao Wu has this personality. He followed Shaobao the longest and has the deepest feelings."】

The dark-skinned man retorted:】

"Xiao Wu has been there the longest, I have nothing to say, but I don't accept this about feelings."】

The old man just smiled.】

Among them, who doesn't work to death for Shaobao?】

……】

……】

River-viewing platform, there is another stage below.】

There are nine people on it, mostly local officials of the Yuetang River.】

They know their status and dare not go up another level.】

The last of the nine is Su Ziyin's father, Su Lie.】

At this time, his face was a bit anxious.】

It wasn't until the guards brought news that his face improved.】

Daughter Su Ziyin is fine!】

The news said:】

His daughter is bringing a few Jianghu people and requesting to borrow the pontoon bridge to cross the river and enter the capital.】

Jianghu guests?】

Crossing the river to enter the capital.】

Su Lie couldn't help but feel a bit puzzled.】

(End of chapter)