Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 498 The Sound
The boatmen on the Bian River are different from ordinary people. Most of them are unwilling to deal with the government and get the officials to convince them. They may not be willing to cooperate.

However, they often went to worship Buddha because the temple would often come to make offerings, especially in winter, when they would deliver rice and the offerings that had been taken down to the boatmen.

Since Xie Yuyan wanted to build a fleet, he would naturally inquire about these things.

Xie Yuyan said, "Zhao Zhongliang came looking for the river lanterns as soon as he saw them, which shows that he is very quick-witted."

"If even someone like that hasn't fully grasped the situation over there, it's clear that the person in charge there is extremely cautious."

Master Jingyuan added, "Since they act cautiously, they will prepare several escape routes for themselves."

Xie Yuyan said, "Besides that, he will not completely trust Zhao Zhongliang."

Xie Yuyan and Abbess Jingyuan exchanged glances, both finding agreement in these words. Weren't they the same kind of people? When faced with important matters, they always thought several steps ahead of ordinary people.

The two of them took turns explaining the current situation clearly.

“Therefore,” Xie Yuyan continued, “we might make a mistake if we rely solely on Zhao Zhongliang’s move to defeat the opponent.”

Master Jingyuan enjoyed the feeling of this game of strategy, but now she realized that Xie Yuyan was better at it than she was.

Perhaps they had been lonely in the nunnery for too long, and when someone like Xie Yuyan called out to them, they couldn't help but follow him out.

She knew Xie Yuyan was deliberately seducing her, but the feeling was so good, as if she had found her former self again, that she was unwilling to stop there.

Master Jingyuan said, "Did you already think of these things? Otherwise, you wouldn't have asked me to invite the abbot to come along."

Xie Yuyan shook his head: "I only started thinking about this after I met Zhao Zhongliang."

Master Jingyuan smiled; she had to believe those words.

“I did make arrangements in advance,” Xie Yuyan said, “but I may not actually need them, and I also have my own selfish motives…”

As for his ulterior motives, Xie Yuyan did not elaborate.

Master Jingyuan didn't ask any further questions; if Madam Xie didn't want to talk about it, no one could get it out of her. Thinking of this, she subconsciously flicked her prayer beads; she had previously determined that Madam Xie would cause some trouble in Bianjing.

Now it seems that this is no longer a commotion, but a thunderclap.

Moreover, this is just the beginning. If this continues, one day it will surely shake the heavens and the earth.

Master Jingyuan was neither worried nor apprehensive; on the contrary, she was somewhat excited.

Master Jingyuan said, "The fighting has already broken out outside. We need to find those boatmen quickly and have them lead the way."

They sought out boatmen because they were extremely familiar with the water and knew where the best hiding places were in the vicinity. If these places were secured, how could that big fish possibly escape?
……

ashore.

Zhou Guangyuan and Jiang Qi led a group of people onto the ship.

These were all merchants from the Bianjing porcelain trade.

Looking at the familiar faces, Zhou Guangyuan said, "We may not be able to return safely from this trip. If anyone has any regrets, they can get off the ship now."

"What ship are we getting off on?" Wu Tieshan asked. "We've been in the same boat for a long time."

Everyone nodded.

Zhou Guangyuan took a deep breath: "When the Zhao family was in trouble back then, we were unable to help them. This matter has never been over in my heart, and I believe many people feel the same way."

"Whether you call it 'the rabbit mourns the fox's death' or 'unwillingness to accept it,' after tonight... everyone will be able to let it go."

The merchants nodded subconsciously.

Wu Tieshan said, “These past few years have been tough for everyone, and it’s inevitable that we’ve had our share of suspicions and conflicts in private. But since we’re all here tonight, we’re still like-minded people. So let’s put those grudges behind us. What do you all think?”

The merchants responded enthusiastically.

"it is good."

"After tonight's events, those things are nothing but trifles."

"that's right."

Zhou Guangyuan had a smile on his face. Although he was going to do something dangerous, he was unusually calm.

"I must thank Madam Xie," Zhou Guangyuan said.

The old lady gave them this opportunity.

After speaking, Zhou Guangyuan ordered, "Let's go, lest we mess things up." Several boats rowed together onto the Bian River.

……

As Zhao Zhongliang watched the large ship carrying the Fang family slowly move forward, he gripped the bronze whistle in his hand tightly.

Next, all he needs to do is find the right moment to blow his whistle and deal with the Third Manager and Liu Yigui.

He himself wanted to survive as much as possible. It was because Madam Xie advised him: only when the living are safe can the dead be helped to pass on peacefully.

Zhao Zhongliang believed this was also what his parents hoped for, and he was willing to give it a try.

However, given the current situation, to capture Liu Yigui and his guards in one fell swoop, it is necessary to seize the right opportunity and ensure a decisive victory.

Unfortunately, he didn't have enough manpower around him.

As Zhao Zhongliang was thinking, he heard someone shout, "They're back! Someone's back!"

Zhao Zhongliang quickly walked a few steps to the bow of the boat, where he saw a boat rowing towards him, and the person standing on the bow was Cui Shiwu.

Cui Shiwu clutched his shoulder, one arm hanging limply at his side, clearly injured. His brothers beside him were in no better shape.

"Brother Chuan."

Zhao Zhongliang jumped onto Cui Shiwu's boat: "How was it inside? Only a few of you escaped? What about the rest of the brothers?"

Cui Shiwu's face was grim: "It's still...it's still inside."

Upon hearing the news, Liu Yigui also came over. When he boarded the ship and saw Cui Shiwu and the others, he was about to ask them something when he saw people being helped out of the cabin.

Those were Xu Wen and others under Liu Yigui.

Like Cui Shiwu, Xu Wen's clothes were soaked in blood, his shoulder had been slashed, and his arms were covered in a bloody mess.

Xu Wen looked excited when he saw Liu Yigui: "Manager."

Liu Yigui's expression softened upon seeing his own men; if all those who escaped were Zhao Zhongliang's men, he would inevitably become suspicious again.

"What's the situation inside?" Liu Yigui asked.

Cui Shiwu remained silent, and Xu Wen continued, "Sun Changchun is leading everyone in resisting the government troops. He asked us to send a message back. The remaining manpower can only hold out for a quarter of an hour at most."

Liu Yigui frowned; two quarters of an hour was clearly not enough.

Even if they successfully passed the checkpoint, they could easily be caught up by the soldiers again.

Liu Yigui looked at Zhao Zhongliang: "You have to have someone tell Sun Changchun, it will take at least half an hour."

Zhao Zhongliang's face was grim: "There are too many soldiers inside; they have already done their best."

Liu Yigui thought for a moment and said, "I will arrange for another dozen or so people to go in and help. Half an hour later, you will immediately lead your men to rescue them."

Liu Yigui's words left no room for negotiation, so Zhao Zhongliang had no choice but to nod in agreement. He then looked at the seriously injured Cui Shiwu and said, "My injured brothers have to go with you first."

It would be more dangerous for the injured to stay behind. Liu Yigui, without any doubt, agreed, "Of course, let them board my ship."

Zhao Zhongliang nodded to Cui Shiwu: "You go to Laizhou first, we'll catch up soon."

After speaking, Zhao Zhongliang and Liu Yigui went to make their own arrangements. Once everything was in place, Liu Yigui's ship prepared to pass through the checkpoint first.

“Brother Zhao Chuan,” Liu Yigui said, “I hope you will be able to catch up soon.”

Zhao Zhongliang clasped his hands in a salute to Liu Yigui.

The third manager's boat also rowed out from the side, and Liu Yigui protected it in front.

"Brother Chuan," Zhao Chuan's brother whispered, "what do we do? Should we swim after them now?"

Zhao Zhongliang shook his head: "Someone has already gone to deal with Liu Yigui."

The two brothers looked at each other, and after a moment they remembered: "It's... Cui Shiwu."

Zhao Zhongliang didn't respond. When he saw Cui Shiwu's arm hanging down, he understood everything. The injury on Cui Shiwu's arm was fake; Cui Shiwu had fooled him like that before.

Since it's fake, it's self-evident why Cui Shiwu would return at this time.

Zhao Zhongliang stared at the water, and just as the two boats were about to disappear from his sight, he decisively reached out, put his hand to his lips, and blew the bronze whistle.