Chapter 138: The Big Ship

The Bian River flows into the capital.

The river water rolls on endlessly, vast and mighty, stretching for countless miles. On the dark, churning waters, numerous boats of various sizes are anchored.

If one continues northwest from this point, the river divides into two routes based on the cargo or passengers being transported, with ships entering Kaifeng through either the Shangshan Water Gate or the Tongjin Gate.

Entry into the city is strictly inspected; types and quantities of goods must be repeatedly verified. Ships arriving late inevitably have to wait. Many experienced captains will then choose to dock voluntarily and rest.

Traveling north by boat is against the current. If the wind isn’t strong enough, it’s common to temporarily hire laborers onshore to pull the boats.

It is currently the slack season for farming, and many villagers from nearby areas come to earn a living. Men pull the boats or sell goods, while women wash clothes and do mending, bringing in a little extra income.

One morning, Qian Laoda rubbed his face as he stepped out of the cabin and saw a boy of about ten pushing a Jiangzhou cart to deliver goods.

“Master Qian, you’re awake!” The boy smiled brightly, quickly stopping the cart. He then took out a crumpled cloth bundle from his chest and offered it with a bit of flattery: “This is…”

“Enough, you kid, keep it for yourself. You’re thin as a monkey.”

Qian refused, glanced at the boy’s tunic, its original color long lost, then nodded toward the back with his mouth, “Go on.”

After a pause, he added, “You’ve upgraded to a cart today, huh?”

“It’s borrowed. I have to return it soon,” the boy grinned, stuffed the loquat candy he had just opened back into the bundle, and briskly pushed the cart to unload.

Qian watched him for a moment, shook his head with a smile, and then went ashore.

A few days ago, when the boat docked for supplies, a group rushed forward to work as boat haulers. Among them, Qian immediately noticed a skinny teenager, like a monkey.

As thin as a bamboo pole, it was hard to tell whether he was pulling the boat or being pulled by it.

Qian didn’t hire him, but the boy didn’t seem disappointed. The next day, he showed up again, somehow carrying two baskets of melons and vegetables to sell.

The sailors, having spent a long time on the river, never lacked for fish, crabs, or shrimp, and occasionally even shot a bird or two. What they craved most were fresh vegetables from land.

At first glance, these vegetables looked even more tempting than meat.

Coincidentally, while waiting in line to enter the city, Qian found the boy amusing and called him over for a chat.

The boy said his surname was Huang, and that his family was in hardship, so he had come out to make a living by selling fruits and vegetables.

“It’s just not selling very well…” he said a bit sheepishly.

Qian glanced at the vegetables on the cart and thought to himself, no wonder they aren’t selling well—they’re all wilted, just like you. Who would buy them?

But in the end, Qian still bought some.

After paying, he slightly regretted it because the boy seemed to have latched onto him, showing up again the next day with a grin and his baskets.

Qian scratched his head, thinking about how to get rid of him.

But the boy’s prices weren’t high—in fact, they were cheaper than others. After deducting costs, he probably made only a few coins a day.

And calling him a monkey wasn’t far off—he was clever in his own way. Every time he came by, he brought along little things to offer as gifts.

They weren’t valuable—sometimes a few pastries, sometimes a meat bun… Just now, yesterday Qian had coughed a few times, and today the boy brought loquat candy.

This kid, Qian thought secretly, was both foolish and cunning.

He seemed to really like the boat. On the third day of delivering goods, he hesitantly asked if he could take a look on the deck.

Qian thought about it. After all, this trip was just transporting grain from Jiangnan, nothing to hide, so he agreed.

Since then, every day after delivering his goods, the boy named Huang would eagerly lean against the railing and stare for a long time. Today was no different.

Qian went out for a walk, asked around the local know-it-all, and calculated that they would probably be able to enter the city tomorrow. He then smoked a pipe of tobacco and returned contentedly.

As soon as he boarded the boat, he saw that the boy named Huang was still there, sticking his butt out and leaning on the railing, watching intently.

“It’s all just water. What’s so interesting to look at…”

Qian couldn’t help but walk over, followed his gaze, and muttered.

Huang just chuckled, “Master Qian, you’ve traveled all over the country. You must have seen many strange things. Is it really that nice out there?”

“It’s all the same—just people with one head and two eyes. What’s so interesting about it?” Qian didn’t have the heart to appreciate scenery. His mind was full of thoughts about making money.

But Huang’s thoughts weren’t hard to understand.

Young people always dream of going out to explore the world, thinking that as long as they leave home, they will surely achieve great things.

But according to Qian, that was all nonsense.

If you were a dragon, you would have already leapt through the dragon gate at home.

If you were just a turtle, even if you jumped into the river, you still wouldn’t be able to turn the tide.

So the initial excitement of entering the world soon gives way to the daily grind.

The originally beautiful mountains and rivers lose their charm.

He had met scholars before, who would get excited about mountains and rivers, composing poems about water and even stones, saying things like “Ah!” and “Alas!”

He couldn’t understand that at all!

Huang nodded, continued staring at the river, and finally asked, “Master Qian, why are all these boats different?”

Qian tapped the bowl of his pipe against the sole of his shoe and laughed at the question. “People do different jobs and dress differently. Boats are the same way.”

Since he had nothing better to do, he casually pointed at boats near and far and explained, “See that one? That’s a government boat. That one is private. That small boat doesn’t draw much water and can’t go on big rivers or carry heavy cargo. It’s probably carrying cotton, silk, or tea. Those large boats draw deep water and can’t go up small rivers, but they’re too small for the sea. They probably travel the Yangtze or the Yellow River…”

Huang listened attentively, then stretched out his arm, pointing far away at a large boat and asked, “What about that one?”

“That one…?” Qian followed his finger and wasn’t quite sure.

“A passenger boat, probably.”

Hmm, if it weren’t for this kid pointing it out, from this distance, he wouldn’t have noticed it at all.

Looking at it now, it was indeed large and impressive.

It didn’t have any elaborate carvings or painted beams, but a professional would immediately recognize it as a masterpiece built by master craftsmen with high-quality materials. It must have cost thousands of taels of silver just to launch.

There were already three decks above the main deck, and no doubt another three below…

Most of the boats along this route were cargo ships. What was such a large passenger boat doing here?

Huang looked at him, “Have you seen anything like it in previous years?”

Qian scratched his head, “Who pays attention to that…?”

When they finally reached Kaifeng, everyone was busy with their own things—some looking for fun, others eager to enter the city. Who would bother to look around at boats!

Hadn’t they already seen enough along the way?

Seeing Huang still staring, Qian unusually warned, “When you’re out and about, take care of yourself. Sometimes knowing too much isn’t necessarily a good thing.”

Huang was startled, turned to look at him, and saw that the other man was puffing on his pipe, most of his face hidden in smoke.

Even after disembarking, Huang was still thinking—had Qian started to suspect his motives?

But the other man had always been friendly. Even if he had suspicions, it probably wouldn’t lead to any trouble.

Besides, before making contact, Huang had already done his research. Qian was a grain merchant from Jiangnan, working independently without any connections or powerful backers. There was no need to worry about leaks.

The most important thing now was that large boat…

Thinking of this, Huang couldn’t help but turn his head for another look.

It was too far away. The boat was anchored near the opposite shore. The river was vast, with many other ships in between. Unless he boarded another boat, he couldn’t see it clearly.

It had been cloudy early in the morning, and now, just past noon, the sky had turned as dark as ink.

A cool breeze rose, and the previously calm water quickly became wavy. The waves didn’t look big, but they easily lifted the heavy ships weighing thousands or even tens of thousands of jin.

The waves crashed against the wharf in layers, making loud booming sounds. Gray-white foam splashed up nearly a person’s height, making the air cold and damp.

All the way, the sound of waves crashing against the shore followed like a shadow, like water monsters chasing people.

It was getting cold.

Huang tightened his collar, feeling uneasy.

A few days ago, he had accidentally noticed a very elegant horse-drawn carriage rushing out of the city just before the gates closed. The next morning, it returned early, being among the first to enter when the gates opened.

First, it was unusual for anyone to travel at night during the winter months. Second, although the carriage had no obvious markings, it was as finely crafted as the boat he had seen on the river today—clearly meant only for high-ranking officials or noble families. Huang had taken note.

Why would they leave the city at night?

After all, there was nothing particularly prosperous in the southeastern outskirts of Kaifeng.

Fearing he might be followed and having no means of transport, Huang had to be cautious. How could he possibly keep up with people who had horses?

He secretly memorized the direction the carriage had taken.

He searched for several days but couldn’t find anything that matched.

Just when he was at a loss, another horse-drawn carriage appeared!

Not the same one, but it left at the exact same time and went in the same direction.

Such a coincidence couldn’t possibly exist in the world!

Huang became more alert and searched for many days. He discovered that besides the carriages moving at night, there were often freight carts coming and going.

He once caught a faint scent of expensive Western Region wine.

This kind of wine was extremely valuable. Ordinary people couldn’t even afford to see it, let alone drink it.

But at this time of year, the outskirts of the city were desolate. The autumn wind was cold and harsh, and the delicate nobles wouldn’t come here. Most of the estates along the way were empty, with only servants and estate managers left behind. Who would need such luxurious food?

As for restaurants, they had their own supply channels. There was no need to make special trips from the city every few days to bring in just a small amount.

Without a clear target, where were these refined delicacies going?

Huang searched extensively but couldn’t find the destination. However, he unexpectedly discovered that large boat that seemed so out of place among the surroundings.

Not all the ships on this route were cargo ships, but the scenery along the riverbanks wasn’t particularly attractive, so passenger ships rarely stopped.

If it was a cargo ship, it would either be heading south or north, always with a clear purpose. Why would it stop without reason?

If it was waiting for inspection to enter the city, it should have docked on the right side earlier. What was it doing anchored in the middle of the river?

But the boat was too far away. Huang couldn’t find a good reason to approach it.

The current was strong. Huang weighed his mediocre swimming skills and didn’t think he could make it back to the surface if he went in at night.

Well, maybe he’d float up—cold and lifeless…

What should he do?

Huang had a hunch that there was something suspicious about that large boat, but he couldn’t get close to it.

He wanted to go back and report what he had found, but he couldn’t leave now. He was afraid that as soon as he turned his back, the boat would disappear.

Sigh, he also wondered whether Xie Yu and Ma Bing had received his letter and understood his meaning.

Dark clouds gathered quickly. Forked lightning danced within the thick clouds, illuminating the undulating water, black as ink.

After a brief silence, thunder rolled from the distance, growing louder and louder, and finally exploding over the river.

Almost instantly, autumn rain began to fall.

The late autumn rain was cold and harsh, stinging as it hit the skin. Huang was soaked to the bone before he even had time to react.

He didn’t care about anything else and ran for shelter, joining the crowd under a shed by the riverbank.

Looking back, the dark Bian River was now shrouded in endless rain and mist.

The large boat had completely disappeared into the endless fog.

A cold wind blew, and the chill quickly seeped through his soaked clothes, making Huang shiver.

He was anxious.

What should he do?

Before leaving, he hadn’t brought much money.

Of course, there wasn’t much to bring in the first place.

These days, he had to sell goods at low prices to maintain the appearance of a peddler while secretly investigating the ships. His purse was now completely empty.

If this continued, he might not even be able to hold on until the large boat left.

Even worse, he wasn’t even sure if all his efforts in recent days had been in vain…

What if that large boat wasn’t the real target…

Just as he was at a loss, Huang absentmindedly looked down and suddenly noticed a familiar mark on a bamboo pole outside the shed:

It was the mark of the Sixth Master’s men!

They had found him!