Chapter 582: Disguise

Qu Le switched to a luxurious carriage and spent a day traveling to Yongtai County, Fuzhou.

Yongtai County borders Dehua County under Quanzhou; at their boundary lie several villages established during the Hongwu maritime ban through inland relocation, nestled among mountains.

Precisely because they lie among mountains, with little arable land and much hillside, many relocated fishermen received no land or quickly lost it, becoming refugees.

Forced by necessity, they began sneaking back to the coast to fish illegally.

Some of them, out of desperation, became pirates; others became pirates willingly.

Since Japanese pirates had a terrible reputation along the coast, they often pretended to be Japanese pirates to plunder passing merchant and official ships.

Because the villages intermarried and were kin, those villagers who had not joined the pirates, even if they knew piracy was wrong, would never expose or inform on them—instead, they would cover for them.

Fishermen still secretly fishing, who had not turned to piracy, would even pass on information for them, since those pretending to be Japanese pirates at sea were likely their own brothers or childhood companions who had grown up together.

Villagers who made quick money at sea would also bring back strange and exotic goods to give as rewards for information.

These items were mostly foreign imports, quietly sold in Yongtai or Dehua Counties.

Merchants always came secretly to buy them.

Prices were not high; villagers were glad just to sell them, and dared not raise prices, fearing official inspection.

Gradually, these villages earned the nickname "Foreign Goods Village," and occasionally, Young Masters and Young Ladies who heard rumors would come in person to select foreign goods.

Thus, a large market formed among these villages, held every five days.

Yet the villagers' eyes were sharp: whether they were merchants, outsiders drawn by reputation, local Young Masters and Young Ladies out for fun, or spies gathering information—they could tell at a glance and a question.

So when the Wu Lin Alliance sent people in several times, they never caught the real pirates; once they dared to act openly in the village, surrounded by mountains, they would never escape.

Don't think these villagers only know how to swing hoes wildly—they can still knock out a master with chaotic fists, especially since they are tightly united and respond instantly to a call.

A Wu Lin cultivator with excellent lightness skill might escape alone, but not if carrying a pirate.

So after several attempts, they gained nothing.

Pan Yun's carriage rolled along narrow paths between mountains, jolting her so violently she nearly flew out.

She flung back the curtain with a swipe and asked, pale-faced, "Is this the bustling market you said was well-connected?"

Qu Le retorted, "Just tell me—aren't these roads stretching out in every direction well-connected?"

"They're certainly well-connected—how much longer until we arrive?"

Qu Le said, "Another half an hour."

Pan Yun lowered the curtain, and moments later, Seeing Miao Zhen and Miao He got out and walked the rest of the way.

Pan Yun watched them enviously from inside the carriage.

She wanted to walk too, but as a noble Young Lady, she shouldn't—especially on such muddy roads.

Half an hour later, the carriage smoothed out; the ground became level, no longer pitted and uneven.

Pan Yun exhaled, but soon after, the carriage stopped. Tao Yanbai and Qu Le leapt out and set down the mounting stool.

Seeing Miao Zhen and Miao He also hurried from behind the carriage, lifted the curtain amid the villagers' half-noticeable stares, and extended their arms.

A hand emerged from the curtain and rested on Miao He's arm; Pan Yun stepped out, head bowed.

She wore a pinkish-lilac jacket with lotus vine embroidery, fastened with pearl buttons, and beneath it, a smoke-hued brocade horse-face skirt.

These were clothes bought in a Fuzhou tailor shop—vivid colors, modern cut, the most expensive and gentlest garments Pan Yun had ever worn.

In her hand she held a round fan; her shoes were pale apricot, their soles dusted only lightly, looking immaculate.

Leaning on Miao He's arm, she stepped onto the mounting stool, glanced at the raw earth below, scowled in disgust—but still lowered herself to tread upon it.

She half-covered her face with her fan, surveyed the market, and frowned slightly: "Qu Le, is this the foreign goods market you described? There's nothing here."

Qu Le called out loudly, "Little Aunt, don't judge by how shabby the market looks—there are plenty of treasures here, you just have to dig. Last time my friend bought a red amber here—it was gorgeous."

Pan Yun fanned herself, glancing left and right; today was not a big market day, so few people were present.

But the big market lay along a village road, with houses on both sides; now, people inside watched them, those at the few stalls stole glances, and passersby kept staring at them.

!

Pan Yun's disdain was unmistakable; she drawled, "Fine, we'll look a bit longer—but I warn you now, I'm here to have fun. If I don't enjoy myself, I won't let Father give you money for your business."

"Yes, yes, yes," Qu Le nodded dismissively. "Whatever you say."

Qu Le glanced around, grabbed a random villager, and asked, "Where is Cen Ashou?"

The Wu Lin Alliance had entered and exited this place many times—not entirely without results.

Two people had formed friendships here; Qu Le was now using that connection.

Soon, the group arrived at Cen Ashou's home.

Cen Ashou stared at them, bewildered: "Are you friends of Miao Jun?"

Qu Le insisted, "We're Miao Jun's brothers too—sworn brothers, raised together since childhood, close as can be. Last time he told me he bought many foreign goods here and made a fortune selling them outside."

Cen Ashou hesitated, then nodded: "That's true, but later he told me officials were watching him, so he stopped coming…"

"Officials were watching him, not me—he passed this connection to me so I could take over," Qu Le said, pulling out a letter: "Here, this is his letter to you."

Cen Ashou took it automatically, but stood motionless: "But I can't read…"

"He knew that, so he drew pictures too—if you still don't understand, ask the village Mr. to read it," Qu Le said. "Didn't he say your village market has an old scholar who writes and reads letters for you?"

Cen Ashou's suspicion eased at this; he smiled and nodded: "Yes, there's an old scholar. Wait a moment—I'll go get him to read the letter."

The letter was indeed written by Miao Jun, and it contained drawings; Cen Ashou could understand Miao Jun's drawings.

Combined with the letter's content, he now understood the origin of Qu Le's group.

He told the villagers who trailed after him: "They're here to buy goods. The leader is Qu Le; the spoiled girl with him is Qu Yun—his little aunt. He's trying to swindle her money. I can tell she's proud—so show them your best stuff. But since they're introduced by my brother, don't you dare treat them like pigs to be slaughtered." (End of chapter)