The river water roared, and the cargo ship slowly advanced.
This was a shallow water zone, coupled with obstructing mountains and just no wind. For the ship to move forward was extrely difficult.
Fortunately, a group of oarsn always guarded this area. Seeing the ship approaching, they rushed forward without saying a word, "Boat master, three taels of silver, how about pulling it?"
"Fast Ship Zhang" directly cupped his hands, "Thank you for your hard work, gentlen."
Three taels of silver, honestly, is a bit expensive, but once divided among more than twenty oarsn, it wasn’t much. They earn with hard work, so "Fast Ship Zhang" also didn’t bother to haggle.
"No problem, guaranteed stability for you!"
The oarsman leader smiled sincerely, quickly called his mates, set up the hemp ropes, and collectively exerted effort to pull the ship.
They tightened their muscles, exerted all their strength, leaving deep marks on their shoulders from the ropes, pressing on the reef by the shore, while shouting out sync:
"Three feet white cloth, four taels of hemp, hands on the stone, feet on sand.
Going uphill barefoot, pulling ropes in helplessness.
Why is this, for a good life.
Hey ha! Hey ha! Hey ha hey ha..."
In front of the cabin window, Li Yan retracted his gaze with a serious look, looked at the opposite Tian Qianhu, and said in a deep voice: "Thousand Households Sir, has Zhao Changsheng co to Sichuan?"
"Only clues."
Tian Qianhu shook his head and said, "In Ezhou, we received intelligence that two years ago, Zhao Changsheng briefly appeared in Sichuan, stayed in Wanzhou, and eventually went to Chengdu."
"Two years ago..."
Li Yan listened, suddenly thoughtful.
This tifra he had heard more than once.
Two years ago, there were disturbances near the River Dam, inside the Ba Mountain, the Dragon Energy of the Shen Army showed anomalies, the Dragon Lady stationed outside the Shennongjia also sensed anomalies, tried to leave but got suppressed...
Outside the River Dam, the battle between the righteous and evil in the Southwest also began around this ti, likely related to the Erlang God...
Also, he caught that Ei disciple in Shennongjia.
The person was called Wu Faluo, apprenticed at Qingniu Temple, but went to Chengdu once, his master disappeared, and he was falsely accused, returned to the temple to find his fellow disciples had changed like different people...
These events mostly happened two years ago.
If it were soone else, he wouldn’t have connected much, but Zhao Changsheng was different. The person lived for a long era, returned to life several tis, stirring chaos, with too many hidden arrangents.
Who knows, might there be another plot?
"Have you found any clues?"
Li Yan continued to ask.
Tian Qianhu glanced around, whispered, "Didn’t find much in Wanzhou, but found where Zhao Changsheng last appeared."
"Where?"
"Shu Prince Mansion."
"Shu Prince Mansion?!"
Upon hearing this, Li Yan was imdiately alard.
Sichuan is the Heavenly Country; the vassal king here is quite special, the emperor’s own brother.
Due to his pivotal role in the emperor’s ascension and stabilizing the court, he received much favor.
Unlike other vassal kings, he is directly titled Shu King.
It can be said, he has considerable power.
Thinking of this, Li Yan felt even stranger, asking, "Could it be the Shu King has other intentions?"
Tian Qianhu’s face stiffened, quickly waved his hand and said, "Such words, Young Hero Li should say less. The Shu King deeply trusts by Your Majesty, not for us to guess."
Li Yan slightly frowned, "Tian Qianhu, when it cos to Zhao Changsheng, being cautious isn’t excessive. No need to use official language on ."
This fellow certainly harbors suspicions too, otherwise, why remain here investigating, simply so words don’t dare say.
"Please excuse , Young Hero Li."
Tian Qianhu sighed, "Pugilistic world, official circles, all beyond one’s control. So things can only be done, but those outside my duties, I dare not touch, touching ans death."
"I only deliver the intelligence; how to decide is Your Majesty’s matter."
In official circles, it’s always troubleso like this.
Li Yan didn’t want to entangle further, continued asking, "What did you find?"
"Chuanshu Salt Gang!"
Tian Qianhu’s eyes flashed a trace of fierceness, "So things, unless investigated, you wouldn’t know. Investigate them and you’re startled."
"Chuanshu Salt Gang has expanded fiercely in recent years, not only networking masters of various paths, but many officials in Sichuan have also been coerced by them, and they have close dealings with the Prince Mansion."
"I sent a few capable hands, infiltrated the Prince Mansion and the Salt Gang separately, while I joined the opposing Brotherhood, to find out what they’re up to."
"The matter of White Emperor City is actually simple."
"Originally, at the end of the Han Dynasty, Gongsun Shu occupied Shu, built a city on the mountain. Due to a well inside the city often emitting white steam like a white dragon, he self-titled White Emperor. After his death, locals built White Emperor Temple for tribute."
"When Great Xuan established its dynasty, it designated this as a false worship, demolished the temple and established ’Three rits Temple’, dedicating to River God, Earth God, and Ma Yuan."
"In Wuxi area, there is a large Ning salt field, but held by local Tu aristocratic family, difficult for Salt Gang to penetrate over the years."
"In recent years, Shu Comrce prospered by opening seas, often clashing with Salt Gang, thus allied with Brotherhood and Cao Gang, gradually dominating Eastern Sichuan."
"The newly appointed Kuizhou Governor, touring White Emperor City, believed the orphan entrustnt story of White Emperor City is globally known, suggested demolishing ’Three rits Temple’ and building ’Yizheng Temple’, dedicating Liu, Guan, Zhang, and Marquis."
"Salt Gang seized the opportunity, began altering the constructions, but saw a chance to persuade the Tu aristocratic family in Wuxi, saying White Emperor City should worship White Emperor Heavenly King, also known as ’Lin Jun’."
"Those Tu aristocratic family got tempted, knowing they’re no match for Shu Comrce, since Salt Gang began inserting themselves."
Saying this, Tian Qianhu frowned, "Originally thought to be ordinary pugilistic world disputes, but after arriving here found strange."
"Selling illegal salt lacks not salt but trade routes and relations. The place of Chuanshu Salt Gang’s headquarters, salt pools are nurous, not lacking at all. So why exhaust efforts entering Wuxi..."
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