knife

Chapter 529 War of words
"It's so beautiful!" Jiang Qian stood on a huge reef that jutted into the river, looking at the red sun that was gradually disappearing above the mountain peak, and exclaimed, "Li Bao, I was born and raised here, and I have never seen such a view before."

Li Dachui laughed loudly: "Beautiful scenery is always there, it's just that you have to discover it yourself. If you don't look for it carefully, even if the beautiful scenery is right in front of you, you will not see it."

The two stopped talking and simply stood side by side on the giant reef, looking at the scenery before them.

Golden sunlight streamed down, bathing the mighty, eastward-flowing river in a golden hue. Near them, a small fishing boat floated on the water. At the stern, a woman rowed vigorously, while at the bow, a burly man stood steadily, his arm swinging forcefully, sending the fishing net scattering and disappearing into the water, scattering sunlight everywhere. Moments later, the man bent low, alternating arms, slowly pulling the large net out of the water. Even the two men on the rocks watched intently, wondering if the fisherman would have a catch.

As the entire net emerged from the water, both men sighed in unison; the net was completely empty.

The fisherman on the boat was not discouraged. He tidied up the net and, facing the last rays of the setting sun, once again cast the fishing net into the air.

On the other side of the great river, a large ship was sailing upstream. Its cargo was unknown, and it was drafted very deep. On the shore, dozens of naked boatmen, secured by tow ropes, were pulling the ship forward step by step in a nearly crawling position. Their calls, even across the river, reached the two men clearly.

"It's almost dark, and they're still struggling to make a living!" Li Dachui sighed. "To us, this is a beautiful sight, but to them, it's probably just hardship!"

Jiang Qian looked at Li Dachui and laughed, "What's so strange about that, Li Bao? I didn't expect you to be so compassionate! That's just how the world is. Those with ability can get more, while those without can only struggle to make a living."

“Jiang Jiang, don’t you think that capable people should create better conditions for those who are struggling to survive? So that they can earn more income with the same amount of hard work?” Li Dachui said, “I think that’s the meaning of life for capable people.”

Jiang Qian nodded: "Yes, isn't that what my cousin and her family are doing right now? But not everyone can get all of this. In my opinion, only those who work hard deserve more!"

"Don't they work hard?" Li Dachui pointed at the people on the river. "But how much do they expect to gain?"

Jiang Qian fell silent for a long while before saying, "This is a matter for those local officials to concern themselves with!"

Li Dachui chuckled and said, "What you said is not wrong. But how to manage those local officials is your business. Do you remember what happened in Yongxing?"

"The Lin family has fallen in Yong'an County!"

"That's because of your involvement!" Li Dachui said calmly, "How many people in the Great Chu are there in Yongxing? Can you manage them one by one? So what's important is the system, not some upright official!"

Jiang Qian was a little unhappy. "Li Bao, do you people outside the Great Wall do this better than us here?"

Li Dachui shook his head: "I haven't done any better than you. Outside the pass, the law of the jungle is even more severe than here. But now I see hope. The Beiting Protectorate is working hard to change all of this!"

"So you absolutely have to go back?"

"Yes!"

Jiang Qian fell silent again. "It's not like Danyang and the area outside the pass don't have channels of communication. Next time, I'll ask Zhu Chi properly. I want to see how hard the Beiting Protectorate you mentioned is trying. I don't believe they can do better than our Great Chu!"

"Seeing is believing. If you have the chance, go and see for yourself!"

"I'm afraid I won't have the chance to go to the area outside the Great Wall anytime soon."

"Just like when you sneaked off to Luoyang this time, you could have gone by climbing onto the Zhu family's boat, right?"

Jiang Qian rolled her eyes: "Cousin, you can let me go to Luoyang to take a look. If I really want to run to that place thousands of miles away beyond the Great Wall, I'm afraid I'll be caught before I even leave the house!"

Li Dachui laughed loudly: "If you want to go, I can help you!" As he spoke, Li Dachui wiped his face with his hand, and his expression changed. He wiped it again, and his expression changed again. "See? I think it's no problem to fool your cousin."

"Let's go to Cloud Mist Mountain first!" Jiang Qian said. "I'm a little scared to go to such a far place!"

"Afraid I'll sell you out? Don't worry, I'm a good person!" "Hmph, you may be a good person in Danyang, but that might not be the case once you're outside the Great Wall!" Jiang Qian sneered. "You, even your face can change a thousand times, who knows what you're really thinking?"

Li Dachui put on a hurt expression: "I offered my heart to the bright moon, but the bright moon shone on the gutter!"

"Nonsense! I asked you to stay and become the prince consort, but you refused! You were unmoved by my affections, Li Bao, you've broken my heart!"

The two engaged in a verbal sparring match, but then smiled at each other.

"Your cousin sent someone to look for you again?" Li Dachui turned his head and saw He Han, with a full head of white hair, walking hurriedly towards him. He said, "Speaking of which, your cousin is really worried about you. He Han doesn't seem like the chief steward, but rather like your personal butler."

"What's so strange about that!" Jiang Qian said, "My cousin is really afraid that I'll run away with you, so she had He Han keep a close eye on me to prevent me from being deceived by you!"

"I can't bear that crime. Alright, Jiang Jiang, He Han seems a bit anxious. You go back with him to see your cousin first. I want to stay here and enjoy the river view!"

"Alright, I guess I definitely won't be able to leave the palace today. I'll come find you again in a couple of days!"

When are we going to Yunwu Mountain?

"Ten days at most, how about that?"

"Then it's settled!"

Jiang Qian turned to face He Han and asked in a low voice, "What's the matter that you had to come to me at this time? He's starting to get suspicious!"

"Miss, the Shu Commandery's navy has launched a surprise attack. Badong and Zigui have fallen within a single day!" He Han whispered.

Jiang Qian stopped abruptly and turned to look at Li Dachui on the reef.

Li Dachui was singing at the top of his lungs.

Braving raging waves and traversing treacherous shoals!
The boatman was full of courage.

Braving the whirlpools, facing the rapids!

The boats fly thousands of miles on the water like arrows.

Braving the winds and waves, heading straight for the vast ocean!
Let's work together to steer the boat.

Yo ho ho! Ho ho ho ho ho ho ho ho,

The sound of waves never stops, and the song never stops.
The echoes reverberated among the white clouds.

The scenery of the high gorges is endless.

A light boat flies over ten thousand mountains.

Seemingly noticing that Jiang Qian was looking at him, Li Dachui turned around and waved vigorously at her. His voice wasn't great, but he sang the song with a desolate yet powerful tone, making it extremely moving.

Jiang Qian turned her head and said, "Summon Wang Pu, Lin Yunqi, Zhou Zheng, and all the officials from the Ministry of War to the palace for a meeting!"

(End of this chapter)