Headless Immortal

Chapter 18 Crossing the River, Crossing the River!
It was not yet dusk.

As spring draws to a close, the plum blossoms become even more radiant.

This is a unique sight in Meilan County, where plum blossoms bloom in March and April.

The setting sun casts its rays upon the distant mountains, rippling across the vast expanse of clouds, its fiery glow painting the sky crimson.

What a beautiful day!
The sky was clear and sunny.

When Zhao Jia returned, he was surprised to find that they hadn't gambled.

The clanging sounds rose and fell.

The whetstone was used to polish the knife with water.

Officials serving in the yamen not only received a salary but also a long sword, which was their means of livelihood and also the foundation of the imperial court's rule.

In an era when salt and iron were strictly controlled, ordinary people couldn't even forge weapons, let alone armor for protection.

Zhao Jia went back to the cell to retrieve his broadsword.

The knife is four feet three inches long and narrower overall, resembling a slender version of the Guan Dao (a type of halberd).

The yamen runner, Shizhuzi, brought over a basin of clean water.

There were eight guards in total at Meilan Prison, but he only planned to take four of them with him.

All four of them have a solid foundation, and Lao Cheng is a retired veteran who can be a valuable asset to him.

Zhuangzi was tall and strong, equivalent to two men. Dazui was honest and simple-minded, doing whatever he was told, and he was also very muscular. Xiaoge had trained and was more ruthless than the average constable.

Inside the county government office, clanging sounds rang out.

Seeing that everyone was ready, Zhao Jia couldn't keep them waiting any longer, so he waved his hand and said, "Get off work early. Come to the county office at dawn tomorrow. This job is dangerous, brothers, go and relax."

The four people reacted differently upon hearing this.

Zhuangzi, carrying his thick-backed knife, stood quietly. Da Zui stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes fixed on the cat. The small man had a pale face, while Lao Cheng squinted his dry, yellow badger eyes and asked in a hoarse voice from smoking, "Boss, such a dangerous thing only costs two ounces?"

"Three taels."

"Even if I die, there will be compensation. As long as I live, it will definitely be delivered to your families."

"If I die, someone else will return the silver."

Zhao Jia made this guarantee.

Big Mouth joked, "Is it the cat brothers who went to deliver the money?"

"Go away." The short man interrupted impatiently, gripping his weapon and turning around, saying, "Say such discouraging things. Even if he's a dragon in the waves, I'd chop off his head!"

After saying that, he left the yamen and headed straight for Yizui Tower in the east of the city, which was an absolute den of iniquity.

They are not fools.

Zhao Jia spoke seriously, and their guess was probably correct.

The pre-determined route avoided many mountain bandits and river travelers, but the Xunyang River was the only place they couldn't escape. Those monstrous creatures gathered in the waves, roaring arrogantly, and did nothing but plunder money and grain.

Officials and bandits are bound to clash eventually.

Old Cheng sent a messenger home but didn't go anywhere else; he went back to his cell to prepare his armor.

The burly man went to the gambling den.

Big Mouth goes home.

Lu Xun also took time to conserve his energy.

……

The next day.

Five o'clock.

Before dawn, the torchlight cast a rosy glow on everyone's faces.

Lord Lü got up very early, looked at the thirty people selected and the eight oxcarts, as well as the nearly one thousand soldiers in the ranks, and once again displayed his literary talent, speaking with great enthusiasm: "Regardless of success or failure, this county magistrate will certainly give you all the best recommendation. If things go well..."

He then clasped his hands in a gesture of respect to the upper right: "This county magistrate will certainly petition His Majesty for an imperial decree and bestowal of honors!"

After saying that, he drank a full cup.

Before their departure, the county magistrate informed Zhao Jia: "Yesterday it cleared up, but there will be light fog for the next few days. We will board the ship about an hour after you leave, with a five-hour interval between us."

"Two days from now, at dusk, we will meet at the narrow passage of the Xunyang River. If I'm not mistaken, by then the Dragon in the Waves will have already made its move against you."

"The error is basically not more than one hour."

"hold onto!"

The county constable patted Zhao Jia on the arm.

Zhao Jia nodded.

"set off!"

A light mist rises from the mountain, and one walks amidst the fragrance of plum blossoms.

The grand procession left the city.

Inside the city.

Jin Sheng tied the letter he had written to the leg of the carrier pigeon and watched the procession leave Meixian City before releasing the pigeon.

The gray pigeons soared through the sky and quickly overtook the procession carrying tax silver.

The long swooping of carrier pigeons startled the birds in the forest into flight.

"quack!"

The cawing of the crow made Lu Xun, the black cat on the oxcart, twitch his ears and turn his gaze over.

The black crows with flapping wings disappeared into the clouds, vanishing in a few flashes.

"I hate crows." Lu Xun meowed a few times, feeling that the crows were mocking him; his mood had been ruined last time he was trying to kill someone. ...

"What's that smells so good?"

The little guy stretched his neck and leaned closer.

Big Mouth replied, "Five dry."

What are the Five Stems?

Zhuangzi, puzzled, reached out and asked, "Let me try some too."

The younger man hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped. The strong man was from out of town, supposedly from the southeast. It was normal that he didn't know about the local specialties, or rather, they didn't eat these things often, only taking them out during festivals.

Zhuangzi, who had already started eating, nodded frequently and asked in surprise, "What are all these?"

"Dried silverfish, dried tofu, dried rock tripe, dried black tea..." The little guy hesitated for a while before finally saying, "Dried field mouse."

"good to eat!"

"Let the three-legged creatures have a taste."

A whole, dried, fat field mouse was placed in front of Lu Xun.

Lu Xun sniffed it; it was pickled food. Without hesitation, he took a bite.

Its fangs opened, rippling with saliva.

Anything that can fill your stomach is a good thing. Hunger is unpleasant, and without food in your stomach, your body will sluggish and unable to exert its full strength.

I suffered from being hungry when I fought the toad last time.

Fragrant and crispy.

It's chewier than a sausage.

Products from the industrial age cannot compare to this authentic product.

Dried rat meat, tastes like duck neck, crunchy and delicious.

……

The group traveled day and night.

Two days later, they arrived at the Narrow Shore Pier.

The government ships that had been arranged long ago were moored and waiting for them.

The sky was just beginning to lighten, but the fog was very thick.

The ship's deck extended to the dock, revealing the interior space of the cabins, where cart drivers and soldiers boarded the ship one after another.

They were both nervous and apprehensive. If they successfully crossed the river and set foot on land, the road ahead would be smooth.

That's how it is, according to the original plan and route.

Zhao Jia calmly said, "Cross the river!"

The large ship left the shore and began to cross the river.

The Xunyang River is so wide that you can't see the other side at a glance, which is why such a large ferry boat is needed to take them across.

Moreover, boats cannot cross the river directly; they can only travel with the current. Therefore, they need to travel a long distance along the river to find a small dock to moor at.

Two or three quarters of an hour later.

The land-based dock came into view.

The pier is small and only handles ferry services.

The large ship with its masts slowly approached the shore.

Suddenly, the lookout on the mast shouted in alarm, "Pirates!"

The ship's wheelman's expression changed drastically as he looked at Zhao Jia and asked sternly, "What are you transporting? It's not tax silver, is it?!"

Zhao Jia said, "Go to the center of the river."

The boatman pleaded, "No! Going to the middle of the river will cause a major incident. Hasn't the constable heard about the robbery of tax silver from those two counties?"

If we dock now, the pirates might not kill us out of consideration for their sense of propriety, but once we set sail, they will definitely chase after us.

Swords and blades have no eyes; things won't be easy to talk to then.

"You are an official, he is a bandit, what are you afraid of?"

"sail."

"Put on your armor!"

Open the wooden box, don your armor and take up your weapons.

……

The dragon banner tore through the thick fog.

The burly man holding the monocular telescope grinned and said, "Sir, you are indeed a master. You helped me obtain the tax revenue of three counties without lifting a finger."

"You flatter me, Chieftain."

Xu Hong, dressed in a Taoist robe, said calmly, "I wonder what the chieftain's decision is?"

The chieftain laughed heartily: "Good, I am honored that your army thinks highly of me, Chen Sheng. If Your Excellency has any requests, I, Chen Sheng, will never refuse!"

"My little ones."

"Let's move the big ship alongside them and have some fun with these officers and soldiers."

"Ouch!"

The bandits, whose weapons and clothing were all of mixed quality, shouted and responded in strange cries.

(End of this chapter)