Supreme Golden Palace

Chapter 155 The Wei River (Part 1)

Lü Shang's entourage departed from Daxing, traveled along the northwest official road, and arrived in Xianyang County the next day.

After a brief rest and preparation in Xianyang County, the journey resumed, following the Jing River upstream, passing Pingliang and entering Longdong, then passing Longguan and entering Longxi.

After the ceremonial procession entered the outskirts of Longxi, the terrain gradually became flatter, and ditches could be seen crisscrossing both sides of the official road, all of which were irrigated by the Wei River.

Lü Shang, accompanied by his governor's entourage, headed northwest. Upon reaching the main channel of the Wei River, he looked around and saw that the Wei River was wide and its waters were surging. During the spring flood, the river water, carrying silt, flowed slowly eastward in an amber hue.

Dozens of wooden boats were moored at the ferry crossing on the south bank, with triangular flags bearing the words "Grand Canal Transport" hanging from their bows. The river workers, shirtless and bare-chested, were carrying sacks of millet, their shouts rising and falling.

Opposite to the south bank, on the north bank stands a stone-built wharf, with merchant horses tied to several hitching posts, grazing on the wild grass along the bank.

The honor guard stopped at the dock for a rest. Lü Shang dismounted and walked to the bank of the Wei River, watching the sheepskin rafts drift downstream.

In the distance, at the bend of the river, a troop of cavalry in full armor, bearing the banner of "Longyou Guard," rode across the water, patrolling the canal route. Their armor gleamed coldly in the sunlight.

"My lord, if we continue forward, we will reach Qin Prefecture."

Fang An, who was serving in the army, whispered.

"Qinzhou,"

Lu Shang looked up at the opposite bank of the river and could vaguely see the east gate tower of the city, its flying eaves and brackets casting shadows in the sunlight.

Fang Zian said softly, "After passing Qinzhou, then Didao, turn north to Jincheng, cross the Yellow River, and pass Guangwu, we will reach Guzang."

Guzang, the capital of Liangzhou, was a strategic point in Hexi and an important town in the northern frontier. It controlled the Silk Road, connecting Sichuan and Chongqing to the south, the northern deserts, the Guanzhong Plain to the east, and the Western Regions to the west, making it the core of the northwest.

Lü Shang nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping across the river, and said, "Prepare the boats."

"promise,"

Fang Anyingdao joined the army.

After receiving the order, Fang Zian, accompanied by two personal guards, rushed to the ferry crossing on the south bank.

The officials in charge of transporting grain at the ferry crossing had already seen the governor's entourage. After negotiating with them before the house was set up, the officials immediately issued a flag order to mobilize nearby boats.

Under the direction of the canal transport officials in the name of the government, seven boats were moored one after another near the ferry, their hulls striking the wooden piles on the shore with a dull thud.

Lü Shang raised his hand to press the jade belt at his waist, then turned to look at the large cart loaded with supplies behind him. Two soldiers were carrying vermilion-lacquered boxes and loading them onto the lead ship.

"My lord, please board the ship."

The canal official bowed and respectfully moved the plank, wrapped in cotton and linen, half a foot towards the shore.

Lu Shang glanced at the canal transport official, then lightly flicked his sleeves, tapped his feet lightly on the gangplank, and stood steadily at the bow of the boat, his clothes fluttering.

"Boarding,"

Upon seeing that Lü Shang had already boarded the ship, Xiao, Yan, Huo, and Ling immediately ordered their personal guards to board as well.

"Yes,"

Upon hearing the general's command, the three hundred soldiers formed five columns and filed forward.

"sail,"

After everyone boarded, the seven ships successively untied their anchor ropes, and the boatmen used long poles to push against the shore, slowly turning the bows of the ships into the middle of the river.

The turbulent currents of the Wei River during the spring floods caused the boat to sway slightly sideways. The men holding the sails shouted in unison as they raised the white sails, which were soaked in tung oil, and the sails billowed up.

When the seven boats reached the middle of the river, their white sails billowed like a full moon. Lü Shang, leaning on the headboard, gazed at the river view.

"Truly worthy of being one of the Four Great Rivers and Eight Streams," "The Wei River is indeed vast and mighty, with reeds growing tall and green, and seagulls and egrets soaring about—a gift from heaven!"

His divine eyes could see the vast marshland teeming with life, its surging waters nourishing the fertile fields on both banks.

The water shimmered, the fragrant herbs flourished, ducks and geese played in the waves, and the sound of the waves shook the fields.

Just as Lü Shang was praising the magnificence of the Wei River, a lone boat suddenly appeared upstream.

The boat was extremely small, only about ten feet long. An old man stood at the bow, wearing a bamboo hat and a green straw raincoat, holding a mottled fishing rod. The lone boat rose and fell with the waves, navigating through the turbid waters.

"My lord, look,"

Upon seeing the lone boat, Fang An, who had joined the army, fixed his gaze on it and saw the old man standing steadily at the bow amidst the turbulent current, his fishing rod motionless in the water. He exclaimed softly.

“Fishing in the spring tide, what a pleasant mood,” Lü Shang raised his hand, stopping Fang Zian from speaking.

He looked over and saw that the old man's face was half-hidden by a bamboo hat, a corner of his green bamboo raincoat was lifted by the river wind, and his fishing line was dangling into the water, seemingly becoming one with the turbulent current.

Lu Shang's eyes gleamed with a golden light. After examining the situation for a moment, he flicked his sleeve and gave the order, saying, "Move closer."

"Yes,"

As the seven boats turned, the old man suddenly began to murmur, his aged voice, mixed with the sound of the Wei River, carrying a few lines of ancient melody.

"The muddy waters of the Jing and Wei rivers can be distinguished from the muddy mud; a lone fishing rod hangs in the moonlight, fishing for dragons and serpents. Scales hide in the cold waves, giving birth to stars; shedding their armor, they become rainbows that pierce the azure sky."

Seven boats approached, billowing in the waves, but the lone boat seemed to have taken root, remaining steadily in the turbulent current.

"Old man,"

Lu Shang, holding onto the bow of the boat, saw the old man's fishing line suddenly ripple, and golden scales leaped three feet out of the water before falling back into the waves, splashing up pearly light. He exclaimed.

Before the shouts had subsided, his robes billowed up, and he moved like a roc skimming the water, instantly standing on the bow of the lone boat.

After Lü Shang boarded the boat, the old man raised his bamboo hat slightly, glanced at Lü Shang, and said, "Your skill is impressive, sir."

Lü Shang replied, "Old man, you are truly a recluse."

The old man stroked his beard and smiled, his fishing rod trembling slightly. He said, "I am just an old man from the mountains and fields. How dare I call myself a recluse? I simply live by the Wei River, braving wind and rain every day to catch one or two river fish, barely making a living."

Lu Shang's gaze narrowed slightly. Although the old man spoke modestly, his demeanor was truly extraordinary, clearly displaying the air of a wise man who kept his talents hidden.

He waved his sleeves and clasped his hands, saying, "Old sir, you sail on the spring tide without disturbing the waves, and cast your line into the turbid stream while distinguishing between clear and muddy waters. The line you just recited about 'fishing for dragons' shows a magnificent spirit. Although I am not talented, I know that even in the mundane world, one's talent cannot be hidden. How can an ordinary fisherman compare to your character?"

Upon hearing this, the old man stroked his beard and laughed loudly, his voice booming like a bell, causing ripples to spread across the water.

"You flatter me, sir."

The old man looked at Lü Shang and couldn't help but feel a sense of closeness to him. He said, "I see that you are born of noble birth, with a mind as vast as the ocean and the bearing of a dragon and phoenix. Your future will be immeasurably bright!"

Lu Shang smiled sheepishly and said softly, "You flatter me, sir. I am merely a descendant of my ancestors, holding the position of governor. My trip to Liangzhou is only to defend the land and ensure the safety of the people for the court. How could I possibly have any other intentions?"

Although he used humble words, he readily accepted his father-in-law's praise of his elegant appearance.

Most importantly, the phrase "dragon-like appearance and phoenix-like bearing" does not refer to the appearance of an emperor; it comes from the "Biography of Ji Kang" in the Book of Jin.

The inscription reads: Kang was orphaned early, but possessed extraordinary talent, far surpassing others. He was seven feet eight inches tall, with beautiful words and a graceful demeanor, yet his appearance was unadorned and unpretentious. People considered him to have the bearing of a dragon and the grace of a phoenix, a natural quality bestowed by heaven.

Ji Kang was a renowned scholar of the Wei and Jin dynasties, exceptionally talented and handsome. Though he did not deliberately embellish his appearance, he possessed an extraordinary aura. After the Wei and Jin dynasties, the phrase "dragon's bearing and phoenix's grace" was often used to describe a person's outstanding appearance and extraordinary demeanor.

(End of this chapter)