Contentment with modest wealth

Chapter 111 A Person Who Dares Not to Die

Lu Jia was a woman, and she didn't know martial arts, so taking her to the dock was not an easy task. However, Shen Qingzhou also knew that among the people on the same side, there was probably no one who understood the Yan family better than her.

Fortunately, the previous trip had already given us a clear understanding of the situation at the dock.

Without saying a word, he led Lu Jia down a relatively secluded path.

Below the dock, more and more boats were moored on the river. Most of them were official ships waiting to transport grain.

The brightest of them all was the one that Shen Qingzhou had previously gone up, the one used for the handover between the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War.

Shen Qingzhou and Lu Jia hid in a rocky depression on the shore, from which they could see the situation on the ship.

At this moment, all the important people were on the second floor of the cabin, surrounded by a dense swarm of soldiers. Shen Qingzhou said, "The one sitting under the lamp is Liu Xin, and the person next to him is also from the Ministry of Revenue, assisting him."

Lu Jia looked in the direction he pointed and saw that it was indeed Liu Xin, who used to come to the Yan family from time to time. She then looked down at the bottom of the ship, where loading was about to begin. The area below the ship was densely packed with people, including many soldiers carrying weapons.

Lu Jia said, "Although we know that the ship's capacity and the quantity loaded on it are not correct, we still need to know the whereabouts of the two thousand shi of grain that were seized from each ship."

She thought for a moment and said, "Have He Qu go find paper and pen. I'll pretend to be a member of the Yan family and write a note to them to lure them away. Let's see where the diverted grain has been taken."

Without Shen Qingzhou giving any instructions, He Qu, who was behind them, immediately withdrew after hearing this.

Lu Jia lay there, too afraid to move. Until He Qu returned with a bundle of writing implements.

He Qu unfolded a robe to cover the tinderbox, and Lu Jia, in a steady and composed manner, wrote a note in the tone of Yan Shu's advisor, ordering Liu Xin to disembark and go ashore to count the grain carts.

After she dried the ink stains, He Qu asked, "If that guy surnamed Liu is so obedient, why not just make him hand over some evidence?"

Lu Jia glanced at him: "Neither the Yan family father nor his son are such casual people. Putting aside whether Liu Xin will be fooled, even if he is, we have still made a big mistake."

"Right now, I have no confidence that I can withstand the Yan family's attack. It would be quite an achievement if I could distract him and get a clue."

Shen Qingzhou nodded in agreement: "That's right. It's only reasonable to lure them off the ship to check the grain carts. Besides, it was given as an order by a staff member of the Yan family, so the chances of being exposed are slim."

After saying this, he gestured for He Qu to take the letter and then went to do his work.

The stars in the sky are dazzling.

Even in the darkness, it was impossible to see how He Qu was acting.

In short, not long after, Lu Jia, who was keeping a close eye on the ship, saw Liu Xin hurriedly disembark and head straight for the grain carts.

The ship, which had been bustling with people, was soon deserted by more than half of its crew. The remaining half, having lost the Ministry of Revenue officials, began to lead the soldiers on board to do other things as well.

Lu Jia stared intently at the scene below—it was pitch black, and she couldn't see anything except the splashing sound of the paddleboards gliding through the water.

The waiting time was always the hardest, but with soldiers moving around nearby, chatting was not safe either, so Lu Jia could only hug her knees and wait patiently.

Shen Qingzhou seemed lost in thought, his brows furrowing and relaxing. The dim light of the day, like a deep blue silk curtain, accentuated his profile.

At this moment, focusing on a man's appearance is really a bit like being a fangirl.

Lu Jia tried not to look at him. But what was there to see on the dull river?
She couldn't help but turn her head away again.

But after turning around several times, He Qu gave a signal from not far away and then quickly returned.

"The girl's prediction was indeed correct. Sure enough, there were several small boats moored under the big ship, connected by gangways at the back. Some of the grain that was loaded onto the big ship was released out through the gangways."

Which way did the ship go?

"In the direction of Jishuitan."

"Isn't the waterway to Jishuitan blocked?" Shen Qingzhou frowned. "It is indeed blocked," Lu Jia looked at him, "but there is a Yan family estate halfway to Jishuitan."

A knowing glint flashed in Shen Qingzhou's eyes. He asked He Qu, "Why didn't you chase after them?"

"Because there was a stack of stubs of the passage documents issued to ships on board, which I had secretly seen the officers and soldiers stamp on when they gave them to Liu Xin, hidden outside the window."

"The travel document has been taken away, but the stub is still here."

"I think if we could get our hands on these stubs, they might be useful in helping the general point out the Yan family's embezzlement of military funds."

"There's something like this?" Lu Jia's spirits lifted upon hearing this.

Shen Qingzhou's eyes shone like stars: "With so many batches of grain tonight, the number of ships they secretly transported must be enormous."

"One or two boats can make things convenient for the dock workers, but with so many boats, they definitely can't leave the dock without a permit."

"The Yan family certainly wouldn't take that risk, so they'd rather issue a proper batch of official documents to allow it to pass."

"If it's a stub stamped by Liu Xin, then it proves that there was such a group of ships tonight, and it can also point out their destination."

"So it is not only useful, but also very useful."

Lu Jia said, "He Qu, hurry up and get it before that Liu fellow boards the ship!"

He Qu looked distressed: "I can't get it. If I could, I would have taken it long ago."

"The ship was heavily guarded when there were people inside, and it also had mechanisms inside when no one was there."

"Just now, when I was about to sneak in, I suddenly discovered that there was a mechanism on the doors and windows that would be activated when the door was pushed open and touched. It was full of crossbow bolts."

After saying that, he pointed to the place on the ship where the mechanism was set up.

The boat was only two or three zhang away from where they were hiding. They couldn't hear the people on the boat talking, but they could see their faces.

At this time, all the doors and windows on the ship were indeed closed.

Although obtaining evidence is important, it is not as important as human life, so Lu Jia remained silent.

Shen Qingzhou asked, "Isn't there any other way?"

"If they really want to take it, it's not impossible; I'll just get a few injuries. But there's a 50% chance I'll fall into their hands..."

He Qu exchanged a glance with Shen Qingzhou as he finished speaking.

He works for the Grand Commandant's office, and many people in the capital know him. If he falls into their hands and is recognized, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Shen Qingzhou nodded almost imperceptibly.

Just when they were at their wits' end, a shadow suddenly appeared on the brightly lit boat three zhang away! Like a slender arrow, it disregarded its own safety and shot away without hesitation!

"Clang!"

Before Lu Jia, who was witnessing all this from the shore, could even be surprised, the window was suddenly pushed open!
The mechanism on the window immediately activated, and more than a dozen arrows shot out!

The figure rushed into the room without a second thought, grabbed a pile of documents from the table without hesitation, and then turned and jumped out of the window!
"who!"

"Quick, grab him!..."

The voices of the officers and soldiers rose and fell, and when Lu Jia looked at the face that was clearly illuminated by the light when it turned back, he felt a breath rush into his throat!