Chapter 213: News on the River

The incident happened suddenly, so the group stayed in Xiangyang for another two hours. Sha Lifei entered the city and managed to purchase a detailed intelligence report.

"The mountain folk suddenly launched an attack, catching the imperial court off guard..."

"Do you still remember the gunpowder case in Shangjin City?"

"The Commandant's Office troops infiltrated the mountains again to investigate and actually discovered two more villages producing gunpowder. Consequently, the Yunyang Garrison assembled their troops and dispatched over two thousand men toward Zhushan..."

"But on the very day they arrived, martial arts experts and evil sorcerers began setting fires and causing chaos all over Zhushan County..."

"The garrison troops were ordered to enter the city to restore order, but they encountered a gunpowder ambush on the way, suffering heavy casualties. At the same time, the mountain folk emerged from the mountains in large numbers, reaching over ten thousand..."

"Currently, the Lord Lord Tian Sheng Sect has occupied Zhushan County seat, executed all the officials, opened the granaries to distribute grain, and is building fortifications."

"Imperial reinforcements have arrived, but they have been held in a stalemate, as the enemy is utilizing the mountainous terrain and ambushing them with gunpowder along the way."

"As for Yunyang Prefecture, because of the previous arrests of the troublemaking indigenous people, the local population is dissatisfied, and the city was already in chaos. Now, with infiltrated martial artists causing mischief, setting fires, and killing, the entire Yunyang Prefecture is under martial law..."

"In the southwest, the Tang Ya Tusi City and the Yang family of the Bozhou Tusi have both rebelled one after another and no longer claim allegiance. Although other Tusi have not followed suit, they have expelled Han officials and burned down the courier stations..."

"This incident has already affected the entire southwest of the Shenzhou."

Hearing Sha Lifei's account, the group looked at each other in dismay. They knew there would be trouble, but they hadn't expected things to be this serious.

Of course, this was all information on the surface.

The specific details were still unknown.

Li Yan suddenly thought of something, his brow furrowing. "The area near Unlike Yichang also has concentrations of indigenous mountain caves. Has it fallen as well?"

"Not yet."

Sha Lifei shook his head and said, "There were already deep conflicts between those Tusi, and many had blood feuds. How could they possibly work together?"

"Some are watching from the sidelines, some are taking advantage of the chaos to seize grain and repair their Tusi cities, and others remain loyal to the imperial court and have not emerged from the mountains on a large scale."

"But if the situation deteriorates, Unlike Yichang will definitely be in big trouble!"

…………

The situation was not looking good, so the group decided not to wait any longer.

After replenishing their supplies at the ferry, they set off immediately.

As they traveled down the Hanjiang, they immediately saw the impact of the war.

There were many more boats on the river, all moving in a hurry.

Some were coming from the direction of Yunyang, mostly passenger boats loaded with panicked commoners, clearly intending to go elsewhere to escape the flames of war...

There were also many heading north, mostly merchant ships transporting supplies, as all kinds of supplies would be in short supply on the front lines once the war started...

The wide river channel was sometimes even blocked.

Of course, with so many people, there was no shortage of trouble.

After leaving Xiangyang and passing Yicheng County, they traveled for a few more hours before the river channel ahead was blocked again.

It was already dusk, and boats of all sizes filled the entire river surface; thick smoke could even be seen rising in the distance.

"Brother Lu San, go see what's going on."

Li Yan sensed something was wrong and signaled immediately.

The falcon, having been trained for several months, was already highly intelligent and was standing by the window of the cabin. Lu San whistled, and the falcon immediately flapped its wings and soared into the high sky.

Watching the falcon dance in the sky, Lu San frowned slightly and said, "On the river ahead, there are boats capsized and on fire, and many people are fighting and killing each other."

Old Man Zhang, who was at the bow, entered the cabin at this moment. Upon hearing this, he said in a deep voice, "Everyone, please wait a moment. I will send a crew member to find out the news."

After saying this, he shouted outside, "Heizi, go check what's going on ahead!"

"Yes, Master Zhang!"

A young boatman with dark skin responded and went out.

He took out a triangular red command flag with the character "Zhang" written on it, tied it to his back, then picked up a long bamboo pole, took a few running steps along the side of the boat, and plunged the pole into the water, using the leverage to flip himself up.

Using the pole, the boatman leaped between boats of various sizes, the red flag fluttering, his figure as agile as a swallow.

Strangely, the people on the other boats didn't mind at all, and even deliberately left space for him to use as leverage.

"Fast Boat Zhang" explained, "I have some reputation on this Hanjiang. When my boatman goes to inquire about news, he will tell them when he returns, so we all do each other a favor."

Sha Lifei gave a thumbs up upon hearing this. "As expected, the martial world of the north and south has its own customs. Senior Zhang, your signboard is tough enough!"

"You flatter me."

Old Man Zhang exchanged pleasantries, then his expression turned solemn as he said in a deep voice, "Everyone, once the war starts, this river will sooner or later be under government control, making travel even more inconvenient."

"After passing this stretch of road, I estimate that by tomorrow afternoon, we will reach a waterway that can enter Jingmen. However, that waterway has to pass through the mountains, and some strange things happened there a while ago, so no one dares to enter it anymore."

"Oh, what strange things happened?"

Li Yan frowned slightly and asked.

"No one knows clearly."

Old Man Zhang sighed and shook his head. "That waterway is winding and tortuous, often changing course due to flash floods. Sometimes it's different every year, and only experienced hands dare to enter."

"Just last month, some wreckage floated out from the river mouth, all charred limbs and corpses. Rumors spread that there was an evil spirit in the mountains, releasing ghost fire to harm people."

"I was originally skeptical, but because I was in a hurry to deliver a batch of goods to Jingzhou, I risked entering that waterway."

"There was another experienced hand traveling with me. I watched with my own eyes as phosphorus fire rose from the river and burned their boat to ashes."

"I also had a crew member who said he saw dead people in the water. He was so scared that he lost his soul that very day, and after returning home, he never dared to board a boat again..."

"Oh?"

Li Yan seemed to think of something. He quickly took out the booklet given by Gu Hanzi from his bosom and asked, "After passing that waterway, is there a town called Zhujia Fort?"

"Fast Boat Zhang" nodded. "That's right. This Jingzhou has been a place of a hundred battles since ancient times. Coupled with the complex waterways, every dynasty has established military forts in dangerous locations, which later became villages."

"Li Li Shaoxia has never been there, how did you know?"

"The City God Temple is over there, and there just happens to be a mission..."

While they were talking, the deck suddenly shook.

It was the person who went to inquire about the news returning. He quickly entered the cabin, cupped his hands, and said, "Reporting to Master Zhang, it's the people from the Pai Sect fighting among themselves!"

"Which leader?"

"'Wei Laoba' and 'Heiyutou'."

"Hmph, as expected, it's those two again."

Upon hearing this, Old Man Zhang's expression immediately turned ugly.

Seeing the inquiring gazes of Li Yan and the others, Old Man Zhang sighed and said, "You all come from the northern martial world and have some connections with the Cao Gang. You have to be on guard when facing the Pai Sect. I will tell you everything I know."

"The Cao Gang originated from grain transport and has close ties with the imperial court, but this Pai Sect started from the folk martial world."

"In the land of western Hunan, there is a custom of rafting. They cut wood in the mountains to trade for rice, tie the trees into large rafts, float them on the river, and drift downstream to sell the wood in the Dongting Lake basin."

"These people lived on the rafts all year round, even raising families, growing vegetables, and raising children on the wooden rafts. The children had amazing swimming skills from a young age. To prevent being bullied, they gradually formed societies and gangs."

"At that time, it was called the Raft Gang."

"But making a living on the water, it's inevitable to encounter some strange things. During the Tang Dynasty, there was a master named Chen Silong who saw the hardships of the rafters and made a great vow to manage the Dongting waterways, clear reefs, and slay water monsters..."

"Since then, the Pai Sect lineage gradually formed."

"The original doctrine of the Pai Sect was to hate evil, help those in danger, base themselves on the Dharma, and not betray their masters, but it has gradually changed in recent years."

"The Pai Sect has no sect leader but is managed by leaders. These leaders come from all over the world, and some are even expelled disciples from other lineages. Although they all worship the founder of the Pai Sect, their techniques vary."

"These leaders are richer than the next. They look down on traditional rafting and organize fleets for transport. Some are even very overbearing, controlling the river channels, and other fleets must pay tribute to pass..." Li Yan said coldly, "They have quite some nerve!"

"There's no other way."

Old Man Zhang smiled bitterly. "These leaders all know sorcery, and many keep water ghosts. If they secretly cause you trouble, no one can find evidence."

"The waterways of Yunyang and Jingzhou are controlled by two leaders of the Pai Sect, namely 'Wei Laoba' and 'Heiyutou'."

"'Wei Laoba' learned the Huaguang Dharma, and 'Heiyutou' comes from the Xiangxi Wu Sect. Both are brave and fierce, and they have had many conflicts."

"There is a tributary of the Hanjiang ahead called the Man River, which leads directly to Baokang County. Not far away is Shennongjia, where medicinal herbs and timber can be purchased and transported to various places by water, which is very profitable."

"To compete for this river channel, the two sides have been fighting for years, and several times it caused such a stir that it brought elders of the Pai Sect to mediate."

"It seems it has started again..."

Wang Daoxuan stroked his beard and shook his head. "Now that the war has started, they are acting so recklessly and blocking the river channel. Are they not afraid of punishment from the imperial court?"

A trace of mockery appeared on the corner of Old Man Zhang's mouth, and he sneered, "They have been running rampant on the Hanjiang for years. If they didn't have the support of imperial officials behind them, how could that be possible?"

!.

"There are many victims who go to the yamen to file complaints, and the yamen will also put on a show of impartiality, arresting a few Pai Sect members to take the blame."

"But afterward, the victims will be retaliated against. At best, their boats will be scuttled, and they will lose their capital; at worst, they will lose their lives for unknown reasons."

"Over time, everyone has had to swallow their anger."

After hearing this, the group felt helpless and had to continue waiting.

This wait lasted an entire night.

They were stuck in the river, unable to move forward, and a large number of boats surged from behind, stretching as far as the eye could see, making their moods increasingly irritable.

Just then, the situation took a turn.

The eagle flew in the sky, and Lu San saw it and immediately said, "A team has come from downstream. It's the imperial court's people!"

Upon hearing this, Sha Lifei was delighted. "This group of people isn't picking a good time to cause trouble either. If they block the river channel and delay military matters, the officials behind them will also be in big trouble."

Sure enough, the imperial navy came to clear the river channel.

In less than half an hour, the congested section ahead began to clear, and boats of all sizes set sail again.

"Look!"

When they reached the previously congested area, the boatman suddenly pointed to both sides.

Li Yan and the others heard this and looked through the window.

They saw dense wooden rafts floating on the river along the banks, as well as charred boat hulls, all being pulled by soldiers with iron hooks toward the shore.

And on the riverbank, wooden stakes were inserted into the river mud, with many people hanging from them, all naked from the waist up, their backs covered with bloodstains.

Seeing this, the group knew exactly what had happened.

"Hahaha, serves them right!"

Sha Lifei immediately had a look of schadenfreude.

However, Li Yan beside him frowned slightly, lost in thought, with no smile on his face.

"Brother Yan, what's wrong?"

Sha Lifei realized something was wrong and quickly asked.

Li Yan stroked his chin, his eyes narrowing slightly. "At the Yunyang City ferry, the Pai Sect suddenly went crazy and caused trouble for the Cao Gang, creating quite a mess."

"And here, they started fighting among themselves again, also blocking the river channel."

"They didn't fight early, they didn't fight late, but they chose to cause trouble right when the mountain folk in Jingchu are rebelling and the Tusi are revolting. Who knows... if it was intentional?"

Sha Lifei was startled. "These two have a problem!"

Li Yan nodded and said, "The Lord Lord Tian Sheng Sect has some reputation in the martial world after all, and they have extensive connections. Maybe they have some secret dealings."

Upon hearing this, Sha Lifei gasped. "The Pai Sect dominates western Hunan and controls many waterways in the south, with immense power. If they secretly rebel as well, then that would be big trouble."

"I hope I'm wrong..."

Li Yan hesitated for a moment, then stood up and invited Old Man Zhang over. "Senior, if I want to send a letter to Yunyang Prefecture, can it be done?"

"Easy!"

"Fast Boat Zhang" smiled. "We travel to various places, so naturally we have ways to communicate. Just now I saw a few crew members who are going to deliver goods to Yunyang."

"Just let them help deliver the letter. Where should it be sent?"

"The Commandant's Office."

"Fast Boat Zhang" was stunned for a moment, his expression becoming serious. "You have to find someone reliable. I'll go check right now."

After saying this, he walked to the deck and looked around.

Li Yan took out paper and pen, wrote down the sequence of events, and stuffed it into a bamboo tube.

Sha Lifei was a bit puzzled. "Brother Yan, you've always looked down on people in the government, why help them?"

Li Yan was unhurried, sealed the bamboo tube with wax, and said, "The countries on the sea are competing for supremacy, and the Shenzhou is undergoing reform. This concerns the fate of the people of the Shenzhou. It is a matter of great righteousness. Do as much as you can."

"Hmm?"

Sha Lifei was a bit confused and didn't understand how these things could be linked, but he still nodded. "I don't understand, I'll just listen to you."

And Wang Daoxuan beside him was lost in thought...

Just then, Old Man Zhang walked in quickly. "Li Li Shaoxia, I've found a reliable old crew member!"

"Thank you for your trouble. Please hand it to Battalion Commander Huang of the Yunyang Commandant's Office." Li Yan handed over the bamboo tube.

"Fast Boat Zhang" took it solemnly, personally used the pole to jump to a boat on the opposite side, and whispered to a boat captain.

The boat captain nodded solemnly and carefully put away the bamboo tube.

At this time, Li Yan also walked out of the cabin and stood on the deck. Seeing the old man looking over, he solemnly raised his hands and cupped his fists.

The old man was stunned for a moment, then also cupped his fists solemnly.

The two boats passed each other, the Hanjiang rolling, and the green mountains on both sides charming.

On the bow of another boat in the distance, an old man in a Confucian robe saw this beautiful scenery and couldn't help but chant: "The Chu passes connect the three Xiang, the Jingmen nine branches pass through. The river flows outside heaven and earth, the mountain colors are between existence and non-existence... Truly a magnificent land!"

…………

After another day of sailing, near dusk, "Fast Boat Zhang" ordered the boatmen to deviate from the course and enter a tributary.

The river here was narrow, and only they were sailing.

In the distance, there were undulating mountain ranges, and this river just happened to wind its way into the mountains.

The group had already walked out to the deck to watch.

"Fast Boat Zhang" said in a deep voice with a solemn expression, "Li Li Shaoxia, this is the river channel. As long as we pass through the eighteen bends in the mountains, we can reach Zhujia Fort."

"There are many dangerous shoals and hidden reefs in the mountain river. These are not a problem for me, but the mountain fog inside is thick. Even if we sail during the day, we can't see far, let alone at night, not to mention those dirty things."

"It's getting dark, why don't we stop on the shore to rest for a night and set off tomorrow morning?"

"I'll listen to your advice, Senior..."

Li Yan had just said this when he frowned slightly and looked into the distance.

He saw several riders galloping over from the riverbank, shouting angrily from afar: "Where did you idiots come from? Get lost!"

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 214 =====