Chapter 53: The Curtain Opens (Part I)
If you get cheap, don't continue to sell well. Pen? Interesting? Pavilion wWw. biquge。 info
After Chao Chong waited for the goods to be loaded onto the ship, he immediately let Chao Wei sail the ship. After a few days of sailing, it was close to the port of Busan in Goryeo, and according to Wanyan Xiyin's confession at the time, Chao Chong did not dare to let the big ship approach the port, but he and Shi Qian rowed a small boat from the barren beach to the shore once, and went to the port to secretly slash a few Song connectors.
This voyage can be said to have completely torn off the face of the powerful people in the DPRK and China. Therefore, once the Koreans and the Chinese discovered Chao Chong, their ship returned safely, and the forbidden army above died. The matter will be exposed immediately.
The only way to do this is to find a way to delay time. The ship will go to sea in March and is expected to return in mid-April, and by the end of April at the latest, the ruling and Chinese elites will find out that the ship has had an accident.
From discovering that the sea ship had an accident, to tracking it all the way, and going to Jinguo for verification, it can be delayed at least until the end of May and the beginning of June.
The hijacking of the Birth Gang happened to be at the beginning of June.
Therefore, Chao Chong must hide the traces of the return of the Flying Fish merchant ship, and find a place overseas to dock and hide until the incident.
The port of Goryeo is not advisable, it is mixed here, and news is too easy to leak.
The ports of Liao are even worse, and the few ports in Liao that are dual-use for military and civilian purposes will not accept the merchant ships of the Great Song Dynasty.
The ports of the Great Song Dynasty basically had a city berth division, which was under the jurisdiction of the government, and once they entered, the powerful people in the DPRK and China would immediately know about it.
But the ship had to find a way to get ashore. There was enough food on board, but the crew needed vegetables and fruits. Fresh water can generally last for about ten days in a bucket without being bad, and it will stink when it expires.
This is a very real problem, and it is impossible for a ship to sail in the sea for a long time.
The merchant ships continued to move south, and before they knew it, they were in the waters of Liao. Chao Chong told Chao Wei about his considerations and asked him if he could find a small island with fresh water to live in for the time being.
Chao Wei thought for a while and said: "Young master, the sea is vast and there are countless islands, but there are not too many people with water and food, and most of them are occupied. It is mainly distributed in two places. First, to the east of the Liaodong Peninsula, there are hundreds of Changshan Islands, large and small, and the pirates who intercepted our merchant ships last time may be hiding in these islands. The disadvantage is that this belongs to the sea area of Liao, and there are many pirates, so we Song people are afraid that it will be difficult to gain a foothold in it. ”
Chao Chong nodded and said, "Go on!" ”
Chao Wei continued: "Second, Penglai County Overseas Salmon Islands. There are seven or eight large and small islands, of which the larger three are Daheishan Island, North Long Island, and South Long Island, with dense mountains and forests and abundant water sources. There is a small island in the middle of the three big islands, the radius is not more than a thousand steps, the imperial court will use it as a place of exile for felons, with a prison camp, every year there are prisoners into the island, but no one has ever come out alive, according to legend, the owner of the village on the island likes to torture prisoners to death, so it is also called the living hell Salmon Island! There is only a little water on the island, but there is no food. Food melons and fruits are delivered from Penglai County to the island every month. ”
Chao Chong was puzzled: "There is no food on such a small island, why didn't the prison camp move to the big island?" ”
Chao Wei said with a smile: "The smaller the better, the easier it is to manage, there is no food, the prisoners can only obediently obey orders, facing the vast sea, they can't even have the idea of escaping." If he had been on the big island and had been able to be self-sufficient, the prisoner would have fought to the death knowing that he would die. ”
Chao Chong nodded and said, "Are there people living on the big island?" ”
Chao Wei said: "As a prisoner island, Salmon Island is not allowed to have ships, only transport ships come and go between the islands. Even with the three surrounding islands, because the distance is only a dozen miles, the imperial court does not allow the people to move from above. But there are policies at the top, and countermeasures at the bottom. Some smuggling maritime merchants use it as a smuggling den, and armed personnel have been stationed there for a long time. ”
Chao Chong said: "If our ship enters, will there be a conflict?" ”
Chao Wei said: "Maritime smuggling is originally for money. Avoiding the city's berth division of the state can save a lot of taxes, so all maritime merchants have some connection with smuggling dens. Moreover, their relationship with the government is like fire and water, and we are not afraid of revealing the news to the government. ”
Chao Chong nodded and said, "It's impossible to hide it for a long time, the Flying Fish only needs to hide for a while." ”
Chao Chong thought for a moment and said, "Is there still that kind of island with abundant water and rich food, but not occupied by people?" ”
Chao Wei smiled bitterly: "Now is the era of sea navigation, my Great Song Dynasty maritime merchants are all over the north and south seas, and the waterways along the line have long been mature. If there is such an island, it will either be occupied by pirates or used as a stronghold by maritime merchants. There may be such an island in the waterway far from the coastline, but we haven't explored it! ”
Chao Chong nodded and said, "Is there anything else?" ”
Chao Wei said: "Continue south, outside Yantai County, there is a big island called Mulberry Island. The island is full of mulberry forests, with plenty of water, and there is a waterfall that flows down from the mountain. It's a pity that it was controlled by the Dengzhou Water Division. Continue south, cross my Shandong Peninsula, the island has heard more, but I am not in charge of the southern route, I don't know much about it. ”
After Chao Chong understood the situation, he had to agree to Chao Wei's suggestion, sail the ship to the Salmon Islands, and anchor at a port called Ma Shizui on Daheishan Island, which is the territory of Liu Wu, a wealthy merchant in the sea.
Chao Chong was full of anxiety about staying the ship on someone else's territory, but he was helpless. can only tell Chao Wei and Uncle Quan to manage the fleet and keep it secret.
Chao Chong himself took Thunder, Dongfang Xiao, Chao Yang, Ruan Xiaowu, Wu Song, Shen Tulie, Li Kui, Ruan Xiaoqi, Chao Sheng, Shi Qian, Ruan Xiaoer, and Wu Dalang to land in Penglai on a small sailing ship smuggled by maritime merchants and returned to Yuncheng.
caused such a big trouble, out of confidentiality considerations, Chao Chong did not dare to let people return the letter, so he could only go back to report to his father in person.
Chao Chong led everyone for fear of causing unnecessary trouble, all the way to the mountain country road, try to avoid the county seat, after ten days of trekking, finally returned to Dongxi Village, Yuncheng County at night.
Chao Gai was also taken aback when he suddenly saw his son come back.
Chao Chong asked Chao Yang and Chao Sheng to arrange for others to rest and eat. I told my father about the whole thing.
Chao Chong originally thought that his father would definitely be angry, but who knew that Chao Gai was more and more calm the more he listened, and in the end, Chao Chong had no bottom in his heart, and the words he thought of along the way were useless.
After Chao Gai finally inquired about the situation of Chao Wei and Uncle Quan, he sighed, pushed open the window of the door, looked at the full moon outside, and said, "Today is April 15th. If there is no news about the merchant ship by the end of the month, the DPRK and China will inevitably make some moves. You didn't do anything wrong, my Chao family seems to be beautiful, but it is like walking on a cliff in the night, one wrong step is the end of broken bones, I don't know so! ”
Chao Chong saw that Chao Gai was so sad, and comforted: "Father ......" opened his mouth but didn't know what to say.
Chao Gai raised his hand to stop Chao Chong and said: "How can my father be willing to be slave to the powerful in the court, just for this family business, for the sake of your life and your mother's life, I have to compromise." ”
After Chao Gai sighed, he suddenly waved his fist and said: "But I, Chao Gai, how can I be a person who is greedy for life and afraid of death!" Now that I've done it, I'm not one to sit still. It's a big deal to fall into the grass, and those pickles can endure me! ”
Chao Gai stared at Chao Chong and said: "Chong'er, if you fall into the grass for your father, be scolded by the world, and you can't take the right path, will you complain about your father?" ”
Chao Chong said solemnly: "The disaster was caused by my son, and my father took everything for me." No matter what the future holds, I will walk side by side with my father! Even if there are thousands of jackals in front of you, my father and son will kill them with one sword! ”
Chao Gai looked up to the sky and smiled, as if the confused things in his heart were relieved at once, and said to Chao Chong: "Yes, our father and son walk side by side, see who in the world can stop it!" ”
Chao Gai pushed the door out and said to his henchman Fu Bo: "Go and invite Mr. Wu Yong, Brother Liu Tang and Mr. Gongsun, and say that there is something to discuss." ”
Fauber answered.
Chao Chong was curious: "Father, what happened?" ”
Chao Gai nodded and said, "It's going to be a big thing, but I've been hesitant." But your incident made me understand, do big things, you must not spare your life! Come with me in a moment, and I'll introduce you to two good men. ”
After Chao Chong heard about it, he immediately understood that he was afraid that the Birthday Gang incident was about to happen.
Sure enough, soon, Fu Bo brought Wu Yong, Liu Tang and Gongsun Sheng to the inner hall, and Chao Gai and Chao Chong entered together. Wu Yong, Liu Tang, and Gongsun Sheng hurriedly saluted.
After Chao Gai returned the salute, he pointed to Chao Chong behind him and said, "This is Xiaoer Chao Chong." Chong'er has seen a few heroes. ”
Chao Chong first saluted Wu Yong and said: "Hello sir, I haven't been taught by Mr. for a long time, please stay in the village for a little longer." ”
Wu Yong was a little strange, didn't Chao Chong go to sea with the ship, why did he come back so quickly, and he didn't hear the wind. But he was scheming, his mind was well hidden, and he said with a smile: "I want to stay for a few more days, Chong'er's calligraphy has surpassed me, only I leave a little pride in the article, but I am afraid that you will soon dig it up." Huh"
Chao Chong said with a smile: "Mr. has only learned a little bit of the corners and corners, how can I use it as freely as Mr." ”
After being polite, Chao Chong came to a strong man with a height of eight feet, a purple and black broad face, a cinnabar mark on his sideburns, and a full beard, and Shi Li said: "I have heard for a long time that there is a good man who walks north and south, fights righteousness, is good at making Pu Dao, jealous and hateful, unscrupulous and afraid of him, like a gallant mouse afraid of red-haired ghosts, so people give the nickname red-haired ghost Liu Tang, I don't know if it's Your Excellency?" ”
Name: Liu Tang (red-haired ghost)
Health: 2600/2600
Commander-in-Chief: 42
Force: 89
Intelligence: 35
Politics: 30
Glamour: 28
Affinity: Favorability
Trait: Forceful Capture (good at strong attack and hard snatching, unforgiving)
Liu Tang was overjoyed, his mouth was grinning, and he said with a smile: "I am a rough person, because of the cinnabar mole on my face and my ugly appearance, I am teased as a red-haired ghost, my hair is not red, how to call it red hair?" It's just a joke that I have a lot of cinnabar moles on my face. I don't dare to be the owner of the village. ”
said that he didn't dare to take it seriously, but he laughed very happily.
Chao Chong went to a Taoist priest with fairy wind bones and a loose bronze sword on his back and said: "There are many magical people in the world, who do not want to seek immortality alone, but have the world in mind, and walk the red dust to help the people of the world." Luo Zhenren has a disciple, who is familiar with yin and yang gossip, knows the operation of the five elements, observes the heavenly phenomena, and subdues demons and evils. ”
Name: Gongsun Sheng (Iruyunlong)
Health: 2100/2100
Commander-in-Chief: 23
Force: 73
Intelligence: 89
Politics: 46
Glamour: 91
Affinity: Favorability
Traits: Qimen (Confusing the world with gods and ghosts, easy to gain the favor of others)
Gongsun Shengji gave a salute, thinking that this was all the information that Chao Gai had revealed to Chao Chong in advance, so it was not strange, but he was a little curious, why did Chao Gai let his son meet everyone, had he already made up his mind? So he looked at Chao Gai with some expectation.
Chao Gai saw that Chao Chong had met with everyone, and coughed dryly: "A few days ago, everyone came to me to discuss, and I have made up my mind, do it!" ”
Wu Yong smiled, knowing in his heart that this matter must be related to Chao Conflict's return.
Liu Tang laughed and said: "Chao Bao is doing this, it is the leaders of the rivers and lakes who did it, and I will go to find out their route in two days." ”
Gongsun Shengji said: "Chao Bao is like this, it is the will of heaven and the people." A clear wish to help protect the righteousness. But according to my hexagram, if you want to succeed, you have to gather the seven stars. Now we have four, and we need three. ”
Gongsun Sheng looked at Chao Chong and said, "Does Bao Zheng want Gongzi to participate in it?" "In fact, Gongsun Sheng thinks that such a big event, it is better for children not to participate, although Chao Chong looks eight feet tall and majestic, but the fluff on his mouth has not yet receded, and he is only an eighteen-year-old boy.
Even if Liu Tang has a good impression of Chao Chong, he doesn't think that children are suitable to participate in such a major event as hijacking the Birth Gang.
Chao Gai laughed and said: "My son Chao Chong, as half of the head of the family, naturally wants to understand this matter, and he decides whether to participate or not." If you talk about heroes, there is no shortage of heroes in my village now. Chong'er, you can bring over those heroes you brought, and let the Taoist choose the destined people to make up enough seven stars for righteousness! ”
Chao Chong has experienced the crossing incident, and he also has a little superstition about the things of gods and ghosts, and when he is not sure whether Gongsun Sheng really has Taoism and whether he can really calculate the people of the Seven Stars, it is better to cooperate with them first.
When Gongsun Sheng heard this, he hurriedly said: "Baozheng, are these people credible?" ”
Chao Gai smiled: "I believe in my son, my son believes in them, then they are absolutely credible!" ”
When Gongsun Sheng heard Chao Gai's domineering words, he no longer refuted.
Soon, Chao Chong called Thunder, Dongfang Xiao, Chao Yang, Ruan Xiaowu, Wu Song, Shen Tulie, Li Kui, Ruan Xiaoqi, Chao Sheng, Shi Qian, Ruan Xiaoer, and Wu Dalang together.
Although Wu Dalang is not good at martial arts, this kind of collective action, if he is not called, will give people the illusion of distant relatives, which is not conducive to team unity.
As soon as these twelve people entered the house, they lined up, and the room suddenly felt cramped, and they were all tall and wide, exuding a shady atmosphere, which made the atmosphere in the room serious all of a sudden.
Wu Yong couldn't stand it at first, couldn't sit still anymore, got up and walked back and forth.
Liu Tang's eyes widened, and he kept scanning the thunder and them: "I have walked the rivers and lakes for so many years, and I have rarely seen so many heroes at one time. Look at them, they are all strong, vigorous and tall, and ......" When he saw Wu Dalang, he couldn't help but pause and said, "Of course, there are exceptions." ”
Wu Song snorted coldly, strode away, stood in front of Liu Tang, looked down at him and said, "He is my brother-in-law, what is your opinion?" ”
Liu Tang saw that Wu Song was majestic, half a head taller than himself, and his body was half wider, he couldn't help but feel a little inferior, but he didn't want to weaken his momentum, so he pushed Wu Song and said, "I'm just talking about it casually." ”
Who knew that this push was not only not pushed, but was pushed on Wu Song's chest, a little unstable, although it was only for a moment, but the room was full of masters, and it was natural to see clearly. Thunder They couldn't help but smile a shameful smile on the corner of their mouths.
Liu Tang was suddenly a little annoyed, the people in the rivers and lakes were already happy to have a grudge and wanted to attack.
Chao Chong snorted coldly and said, "Erlang, the house is full of guests, don't be rude, don't retreat!" ”
Wu Song arched his hand and said, "Yes!" "Retreat.
Li Kui, who was standing straight in the crowd, was anxious. Before entering the house, Chao Chong told them to be disciplined, not to move, not to talk nonsense. This can suffocate Li Kui, but he doesn't dare not listen to Boss Chao's words. I finally saw Wu Song's thorn jump out to make trouble, and I was thinking about watching the excitement, but I was doused by Boss Chao's words, it's really unpleasant, that red-haired ugly monster should be taught a good lesson, and he looks uglier than me! Li Kui thought to himself.