Becoming a literary master starting from the story of Minglan

Chapter 322 Understanding the Encounter
For Sheng Changquan, absolute certainty is what he absolutely must achieve.

"My lord, everything I have said is indeed true!"

For once, Wang Bo stopped being polite to Sheng Changquan. He raised his head, squinted, and spoke solemnly on his aged face: "Young master, besides those river bandits, there is actually another powerful force on the Han River."

"To be honest, their strength may not be comparable to that of the entire bandit group, but that refers to the total strength of all the bandits!"

"If we're really talking about the size of an individual gang, they are undoubtedly the most powerful one!"

At this point, Uncle Wang's voice began to sound somewhat ethereal and unreal, as if there was some indescribable emotion in his words.

It was a kind of admiration, or perhaps a longing; in any case, it was somewhat elusive.

"Oh?"

Sheng Changquan noticed this, but didn't take it to heart. At this moment, what he cared about most was which force could help them.

This involves the person Sheng Changquan cares about most, so naturally he keeps thinking about her and never forgets her.

"Uncle Wang, may I ask what kind of forces these people you are referring to?"

"Who are they?"

Sheng Changquan asked in confusion.

At this moment, he had a look of doubt on his face, and was very puzzled.

Because he genuinely couldn't think of anyone else on the uncontrolled Han River who could have such a powerful presence, withstand the attacks of those river pirates, and become the strongest among them.

"It's the Canal Gang!"

Uncle Wang replied in a deep voice.

"The shipping guild?"

Upon hearing Wang Bo utter the words "Grass Transport Gang," Sheng Changquan's expression immediately changed, as if he had thought of something: "Grass Transport Gang?"

"Could it be that canal gang that has emerged in recent years?"

Sheng Changquan looked somewhat surprised and pondered silently.

"That's right, it's that canal gang!"

Wang Bo spoke clearly and repeated it again.

"My lord, you probably don't know the specific situation of this canal gang!"

Seeing the change in Sheng Changquan's expression, Uncle Wang assumed that he had never heard of this gang, so he shook his head and began to explain.

"If the Grand Canal Gang is a legitimate gang, or even a chamber of commerce, then that's not entirely impossible!"

It was clear that Uncle Wang viewed the canal gangs differently.

Perhaps, in his eyes, the canal gang was not much different from his own Fulai Shipping Company. The biggest difference was probably their different backgrounds; the canal gang had no official backing and no imperial endorsement.

"Although the canal gang does engage in some fighting and killing, they only do that when dealing with bad guys!"

Uncle Wang continued, "If they are respectable families, they will naturally abide by the rules."

"Moreover, the canal gangs made their living by water transport. Apart from doing some business with fishermen during the annual fishing season, they did nothing else."

"Especially, I won't do those kinds of businesses that require no investment!"

Wang Bo looked up at Sheng Changquan and said meaningfully, "So, their canal gang is indeed trustworthy."

"That's right!"

Sheng Changquan nodded without expressing his opinion, but was secretly pondering to himself.

"actually!"

Since we've already come this far, Uncle Wang might as well get straight to the point.

"This canal gang is truly remarkable!"

A genuine smile of admiration appeared on Uncle Wang's face, making him look somewhat like a fan chasing after a star. He stroked his beard and continued, "Actually, this canal gang is made up of people who have suffered a lot."

"Most of them were families who had suffered disasters and hardships and lived in misery."

"However, it is precisely because the people there have such a hard life that they are so united!"

Uncle Wang changed the subject and continued, "Moreover, in order to prevent themselves from being bullied by others, they all acted in unison, united against external forces!"

"Sometimes, several villages can mobilize together for a small matter. They help and support each other, and over time, the people there naturally form a force."

Wang Bo explained the origins of the Grand Canal Gang to Sheng Changquan, clarifying their gang nature.

"However, because in the early years, there was no leader who could stand up, so they were not well-known and not many people knew about them."

"However, more than a decade ago, a capable person emerged from there and expanded their influence beyond the village!"

"Later on, they finally made a name for themselves through their own abilities and established themselves in the underworld."

"So, in the end, they simply set up their own organization and gave their power a new name—the Canal Gang!"

After saying this, Uncle Wang turned his gaze to Sheng Changquan again and said with some helplessness, "So, if we can encounter the Canal Gang right now and ask them for help, then there will definitely be no problem with our journey."

"They have that ability!"

Uncle Wang gave a thumbs up, a big thumbs-up.

"Unfortunately, they can't be found nowadays."

Uncle Wang shook his head, looking regretful.

"I see!"

Sheng Changquan nodded slightly again to indicate that he understood, but his mind was on other matters concerning the Grand Canal Gang.

In fact, Sheng Changquan knew more about the canal gangs than what Wang Bo had said.

As far as Sheng Changquan knew, the Canal Gang first arose in a region in the south of Haizhou. There was a large population and little land, and it was close to the Han River, Longwan and other waterways. It was a very water-adjacent area, so the people there had relied on the water for generations and made a living by fishing.

Wang Bo was right when he said that the establishment of the canal gang was indeed more than ten years ago, or rather, sixteen years ago.

At that time, the Grand Canal Gang was just beginning to be established, raising its banner to the outside world.

Although the predecessor of the Canal Gang was already an extremely remarkable organization, and the current leader of the Canal Gang built up the banner of the Canal Gang on the foundation of that organization, it is undeniable that this guy is by no means a simple character.

The leader of the Caobang gang was surnamed Shi, and his given name was Shi Qiang. He was a formidable character who dared to fight and take risks.

However, it is rumored in the martial arts world that although he is brave, he is not necessarily very wise. The reason why the canal gang has developed to its current state is mainly due to the efforts of his wife.

It is said that the leader of the Canal Gang was responsible for open battles against the enemy, while the leader's wife was responsible for providing them with supplies, organizing logistics, and even arranging post-war compensation behind the scenes. In short, apart from the battles, she was in charge of almost everything else.

Therefore, it is said in the martial arts world that the Cao Gang's current power is at most due to the efforts of its leader, Shi Qiang, and the rest is all thanks to the abilities of his wife, Hu San Niang.

"Lang Jun!"

"Lang Jun!"

Just as Sheng Changquan was recalling the Grand Canal Gang, Uncle Wang's voice suddenly rang out, interrupting his thoughts.

"My lord, look!"

"It looks like someone's coming from over there!"

There was a hint of tension in Wang Bo's voice, as if he was afraid that someone would attack their ship again.

"Hmm?" Upon hearing this, Sheng Changquan quickly turned around and looked in the direction Wang Bo pointed.

It had been quite some time since the previous sneak attack, and dawn was approaching. Therefore, with Sheng Changquan's keen eyesight, he was able to see the movements in the distance.

"That is?"

Sheng Changquan's excellent intuition proved its worth once again. Even though the sentries on the ship strained to look around, they still couldn't make out what the movements on the other side were.

Or rather, it's because you can't see who's over there.

However, the blurry scenes that the sentries saw were clearly visible to Sheng Changquan.

Standing on the deck, Sheng Changquan saw a line of cargo ships and a flag with the character "漕" (cao) fluttering in the wind.

"That's... the fleet of the Grand Canal Gang?"

Sheng Changquan's expression was somewhat strange. He felt that the appearance of the Canal Gang at this time was too coincidental. They had just mentioned the Canal Gang when they immediately appeared. This was truly speechless.

"Quickly! Li Mu!"

"Take a closer look and see what's going on over there!"

Li Mu was the sentry on the ship, and also the most capable and with the best eyesight. At this moment, Uncle Wang was standing next to Sheng Changquan, looking extremely nervous, and kept shouting loudly at Li Mu in the distance.

"Quick, Li Mu, look carefully!"

"Are they from another group?"

"..."

It's no wonder that Uncle Wang was so nervous. After all, their fleet had just repelled a group of enemies the night before, and everyone was inevitably exhausted. If another group of enemies attacked, they would definitely suffer heavy losses.

As the person in charge of this trip, Uncle Wang was naturally extremely nervous.

"Uncle Wang, this...this..."

"...This...I really can't see it clearly!"

Li Mu, who was not far away, was on the verge of tears. Even if it were noon, let alone the early morning, he was still not confident that he could observe the situation properly from such a distance.

Therefore, he really couldn't see the commotion in the distance clearly at this moment, and wondered who it was.
Enemy or friend?

"you……"

"Alright, Uncle Wang!"

Sheng Changquan reached out to stop Wang Bo's pressure and said softly, "Those people are not enemies!"

"what?"

Uncle Wang was startled!
"My lord, can you see clearly?"

A hint of surprise appeared on Uncle Wang's face. He absolutely did not believe that Sheng Changquan would deceive him at this moment, so what he said must be true.

"Ok!"

Sheng Changquan nodded and said, "Those over there are actually the fleet of the Grand Canal Gang."

"They are their merchant ships transported by water!"

"what?"

At this moment, Uncle Wang could no longer maintain the expression on his face, which was filled with joy!

"Is it really... the Grand Canal Gang?"

Although his rational mind thought so, Uncle Wang still couldn't quite believe it. He looked at Sheng Changquan and asked again, "Young master, you didn't see wrong. That really is a group from the Grand Canal Gang?"

Sheng Changquan knew why Uncle Wang was so happy, so he nodded and said, "That's right, Uncle Wang!"

"That's the canal gang's caravan over there. Their lead boat is at the very front, and there's a big 'canal' character on it."

"I think I haven't misread these things."

"Yeah!"

"My lord, you are right!"

"These are indeed the symbols of the canal gangs; they represent their navigation rules and their flags!"

"That's right! That's right..."

Uncle Wang spoke in a hurry, and even his breathing was a little unsteady!

"Great! If we can run into the Canal Gang this time, we'll definitely be able to survive this ordeal!"

Uncle Wang muttered to himself, his face flushed slightly, looking quite excited.

However, Sheng Changquan had reservations about this, as he didn't think the other party would necessarily help them.

"Convincing them to help us won't be that easy!"

Sheng Changquan watched Wang Bo's reaction and muttered to himself.

In fact, there was a reason for Sheng Changquan's speculation.

After all, no matter how benevolent the Canal Gang was, or how good their reputation was, they were still a gang that could maintain its position in the martial arts world.

Ask yourself, which tiger in the world doesn't eat meat? Therefore, Sheng Changquan dared to say that the other party was definitely not a kind soul. If they wanted the other party to help them escape this predicament, they would have to pay a hefty price.

Even if the other party agrees, they might not.

After all, regardless of whether the two are traveling the same route to Bianjing City, it's uncertain whether they even want to get involved in the battle between the passerby and the local tyrant!

Therefore, Sheng Changquan did not have high hopes for this.

However, no matter what, the emergence of the canal gang did have some benefits. At the very least, it could provide some help and boost morale.

……

Because they encountered a fleet of ships belonging to the Grand Canal Gang, Wang Bo immediately ordered the rudder to be turned, and the sailors to steer the ship toward the other side.

When the canal gang on the opposite side saw this, they naturally became alert, carefully observing the situation and preparing to remain still while waiting for the right moment to act.

Although no one believed that the two pleasure boats would attack the canal gang's fleet, it was always better to be safe than sorry. Gangs like the canal gang, which had risen through the ranks, would always be extremely cautious.

So when the two fleets were only a mile or two apart, they stopped in unison and communicated with each other using flag signals.

However, just as the two fleets were communicating with each other, the expressions of Sheng Changquan and his servant suddenly became strange.

It seems that something impossible has happened.

Suddenly, on the opposite boat, Sheng Changquan and Xu Changqing each saw a familiar face, or rather, two familiar faces.

"Huh? That's... Gu Tingye?"

"Shi Manzi?"

Sheng Changquan and Xu Changqing called out in unison, one after the other.

At the same time, the two people opposite seemed to have heard a summons and turned their gazes toward Sheng Changquan.

……

I'm taking a day off on the 15th; I can't keep up with working overtime every day!

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(End of this chapter)