Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 688: Being cheated

Wang Yan has already arranged the ships, and if all goes well, they can set sail at dawn.

However, the affairs of the government office must be dealt with first before heading to the sea to pursue them; otherwise, the chaos of war could not be suppressed, which would lead to even greater disasters.

Now that Sun Yuan has told him that someone can give them directions, it is undoubtedly a great help to them.

However, Wang Yan was in no hurry to listen to these things, and instead ordered someone to invite a doctor.

The rebels outside the government office have dispersed, and a ladder can be used to bring the doctor in. Sun Yuan's injuries need to be treated as soon as possible.

Sun Yuan didn't care at all, but instead eagerly grabbed Wang Yan's official robe: "Please, angel, bring me paper and pen, I will draw a sea chart."

Sun Yuan was stubborn by nature, and seeing that the court had sent someone, he insisted on telling them everything he knew.

“They harmed many maritime merchants for their smuggling. I received the complaint when I was preparing for the government to use frankincense,” Sun Yuan said. “Many ships of unknown origin also appeared at the government shipyard. When I inquired about the origin of the ships, the shipyard manager stammered. When I went there again the next day with my men, the ships had all disappeared.”

"Knowing there was something fishy going on here, I ordered a few spies to keep watch day and night. They tracked down the ships and found their real hideout on a small island in the sea."

“There are at least a hundred men on that island. The reason I was arrested and imprisoned is because of this. So many people gathered in one place, and they even have weapons. If we let them continue like this, they will definitely become a hidden danger to the imperial court.”

As Sun Yuan spoke, the Registrar of Households beside him presented him with pen and ink.

“This nautical chart was already imprinted in my mind… I should have taken it to Bianjing instead of trusting the transport commissioner. Besides, I also obtained some spice accounts, which I hid in the courtyard of an inn. They tortured me to force me to hand over those accounts.”

After finishing the nautical chart, it felt like he had accomplished the most important thing in his life. Sun Yuan felt increasingly weak and almost fell off the chair, but fortunately, a servant helped him up.

The doctor arrived just in time and hurriedly checked on Sun Yuan's condition.

When the clothes were undone, the doctor gasped in shock at the sight of the torn flesh.

Sun Yuan had too many injuries, old and new, piled up together. If he hadn't always been in good health, he would probably have died in prison.

While the doctor was treating patients inside the house, a troop of soldiers arrived outside the government office. Xu En had finally arrived from Fuzhou.

After punishing three officials in Fuzhou and stabilizing the situation there, Xu En rushed to Quanzhou without stopping. This was how things had been going on for days, with Wang Yan clearing the way and Xu En taking care of everything behind him.

Fortunately, everything went smoothly, and the situation was quickly stabilized.

"Have the patrol and inspection troops arrived yet?"

Xu En, who was just about to sit down and have a drink of water, immediately said upon hearing Wang Yan's words, "We've arrived. Three hundred people have been mobilized."

“There’s no time to lose,” Wang Yan said. “After the governor sends troops to take over the yamen, we will head to Shihu Wharf.”

As he spoke, he handed the map drawn by Sun Yuan to Xu En.

"The soldiers of the Quanzhou Patrol Office should frequently go out to sea to patrol, so that they can clearly identify the direction and pay attention to this small island."

Xu En admired officials like Sun Yuan, who, despite being tormented to such an extent, remained true to his original aspirations and was considered a rare example of integrity in Fujian Province.

"Could you take me with you?" Sun Yuan said. "I know some ordinary people and merchants who make a living at sea. You two are unfamiliar faces, and those people might be afraid to tell the truth. I have investigated this case and gotten to know them better. They are familiar with things at sea and will definitely be of help."

Xu En advised, "Supervisor Sun, you should focus on recovering from your injuries. You're in such a state that you can't withstand any more strain."

Sun Yuan's gaze remained firm: "I have lived to this day precisely to see what fate awaits them."

Xu En looked at Wang Yan, who said, "Since the doctor says that Supervisor Sun's life is not in danger, let's go together!"

The doctor had never said such a thing, but since Wang Yan had said so, he dared not be negligent and used his best skills to treat Sun Yuan's injuries.

Xu Ensong sighed, picked up his teacup to drink again, and just as his lips touched the water, he saw Wang Yan walk over.

Xu En subconsciously put down the teacup.

“Prefect Xu,” Wang Yan said, “there is something I need to discuss with you.”

Xu En nodded.

Wang Yan said, "Once we reach the sea, will you follow my instructions?" Xu En was taken aback: "What news has Lord Wang heard? Is it necessary for you to do everything personally?"

“No,” Wang Yan said, “I just want to take control of the situation myself.” The person he was concerned about was probably at sea.

……

On the island.

Hidden in the darkness, Yang Jun was breathing heavily, his hand tightly gripping his left arm, which had just been injured and was bleeding profusely.

That's secondary; the most critical issue right now is that the enemy seems to be getting stronger with each battle.

Yang Jun spat. These soldiers were trained by them, yet they had betrayed them.

A pack of wolves that can't be tamed.

They repay us by feeding and watering us and sparing our lives.

Just now, Yang Jun was still cursing Huang Qiong, but Huang Qiong didn't care and kicked him hard. Someone next to him then added insult to injury by stabbing him.

"It's been so long, why haven't we seen any members of the Demon Sect?"

Yang Jun asked the military officers around him.

The general looked around before saying, "The Demonic Cult... is probably not here. There are several places on this mountain that have been burned; perhaps their people were scattered by the soldiers on the island?"

Yang Jun felt something was wrong.

He knew exactly how many people were on the island. Even if Huang Qiong recruited more to deal with them, there wouldn't be this many. In short, it didn't seem like they were scattered; they were all coming for him.

"No, no."

Before Yang Jun could finish speaking, someone said, "They're attacking again."

A new round of entanglement began, and it was clear that the people on the island were also in a hurry to leave.

As the island's inhabitants were repelled once again, Yang Jun's forces dwindled.

This can't go on any longer. When Yang Jun saw Huang Qiong again, he said loudly, "The imperial army will be here soon. Why don't we leave here together first? We can decide how to divide the wealth we got on the island after this storm has passed."

"If you're not comfortable with that, I won't take more than 30%, and I'll leave the rest to you."

Huang Qiong, however, was not fooled: "You even sent a message to join forces with us, but instead you sneaked onto the island at night. People like you are not worth trusting."

"Kill the corrupt official of the imperial court."

"Kill the corrupt official of the imperial court."

Shouts rose from all sides as Yang Jun led his men in a steady retreat, but Xue Er never came to their rescue. By this point, even if he was foolish, he had figured it out: the demon cult had tricked him. The fires on the island were likely deliberately set up to lure him there.

“Listen to me,” Yang Jun said, finding another opportunity to speak to Huang Qiong, “we’ve all been tricked. The demon cult arrived on the island first, but they haven’t shown themselves... You can imagine what they’re planning... We…”

No sooner had Yang Jun finished speaking than a scream came from behind Huang Qiong, followed by someone shouting, "Someone is attacking us!"

Veins bulged on Huang Qiong's forehead as he swung his sword at Yang Jun.

Yang Jun dodged awkwardly, but the blade still grazed his shoulder. The Demonic Sect hadn't come earlier or later, but of all times—they were attacking him; they weren't helping him, they were clearly trying to harm him.

The two teams clashed again, resulting in numerous casualties on both sides, but none of them were members of the Demon Sect.

Yang Jun suddenly felt that he had no way to express his suffering.

"There's another fire, it seems to be...on the shore..."

Hearing this, even Huang Qiong was startled. Their boat, which was preparing to leave the island, was moored not far from the shore.

(End of this chapter)