Madmen don't keep diaries

Chapter 379 378 Waterways
He left it at that, but Feng Xiuhu understood what he meant.

He and Shunzi are currently using the identities of "Ma Er" and "Ye San". When they were in Jiangluoxi, it was fine to use their identities as agents to fool Father John, but if they were facing a bishop, this crude method would definitely have to be considered.

The insignia of the agent cannot be faked, but sitting in the position of bishop, one's knowledge and insight must be quite good. What if he is suspicious by nature and sends a message to the Taijing Temple to verify his identity?

Once the carriage crossed the drawbridge, it was considered officially entered the city.

Qianyu City has no city gates or walls; the waterways serve as a natural barrier.

Fang Youliu slowed down, sat on the carriage shaft and looked around, finally settling his gaze on the entrance of a photo studio on the street. At this time, the photo studio had no business, and the owner, dressed in a long gown, was sitting on a bamboo chair at the entrance, basking in the sun.

Fang Youliu pulled on the reins to stop the carriage. He jumped down, cupped his hands in greeting to the owner, and asked, "Sir, may I ask how to get to Chayanzhu?"

The photo studio owner, disturbed from his nap, opened one eye a crack, first looking Fang Youliu up and down, then turning his gaze to the carriage behind him.

"Outsiders?"

Fang Youliu smiled apologetically, cupped his hands, and nodded.

The photo studio owner smacked his lips: "Tea Smoke Isle... that's not close at all, it's several islands away."

He pointed to the other end of the street: "Walk along the street for two intersections, then turn right, then walk for two more intersections and turn left, then keep walking until you cross the bridge and get to Shujin Island. Once you get to Shujin Island, ask someone else. You won't remember even if I tell you."

Feng Xiuhu leaned out of the car window: "How do you know I can't remember if you don't tell me?"

The photo studio owner was taken aback and asked him, "Didn't I just say how to get there?"

Feng Xiuhu replied matter-of-factly, "I forgot."

The photo studio owner shrugged: "Look at this—"

Fang Youliu was worried that Feng Xiuhu would get into another argument, so he quickly pulled the boss back: "You're talking about the way across the bridge, but what if we take the waterway?"

The photo studio owner glanced at their carriage: "Then you'll have to charter a large boat first."

"We have our own way."

Fang Youliu cupped his hands in a respectful gesture.

The photo studio owner didn't ask any more questions, and pointed in the direction they had just been: "Walk all the way to the end of the street and you'll reach the ferry. When you get there, look up and you'll know how to get there."

What kind of statement is that?
The three continued their journey, still filled with doubts.

As you walk along the street, the terrain gradually descends, and when you reach the bottom, you will see a small dock built over the water.

The dock was bustling with activity, with bamboo-awning boats waiting for passengers moored along the shore, and many passengers negotiating prices with the boatmen.

Fang Youliu found an empty alley, drove the carriage in, and quickly turned it into a horse-head boat.

Feng Xiuhu gave Shunzi a wink, and Shunzi hoisted the horse-head boat over his head and ran quickly toward the dock, with pedestrians along the way making way for him.

Bang!
The horse-head boat crashed into the water, splashing a large amount of water. Many boatmen on the shore and waiting for the passenger boat were splashed with water. They were about to turn around and yell at him, but when they saw Shunzi's fierce appearance, they all swallowed their words.

Ignoring the others, the three took their seats—Fang Youliu sat at the front to steer, Feng Xiuhu occupied the middle position, and when Shunzi sat down at the back, the horse's head immediately tilted upwards.

What do you mean by "knowing the way just by looking up"?

Feng Xiuhu hadn't figured out what that sentence meant.

Fang Youliu pointed to the top not far ahead: "Look."

Looking up, Feng Xiuhu saw a bridge—and he immediately understood.

The side of the bridge faces this direction, and above it are many directional signs—Jiangliu Island, Shujin Island, Caoshiting, Chayanzhu, Mianlupu, Tiezhenjiao, and so on, with each name accompanied by an arrow indicating the direction.

This is a unique feature of Thousand Islands City; each bridge not only connects the islands but also serves as a guiding light for the waterways. This makes things much more convenient.

The three of them pedaled together, the underwater oars turned, and the horse-head boat sped forward.

Its unusual shape attracted countless astonished glances along the way.

……

In this city, waterways are much faster than land routes.

Following the road signs, the three pedaled for about twenty minutes and arrived at the pier of Chayanzhu.

As Shunzi was about to pull the boat ashore, a thin man wearing a jacket and sporting a small mustache approached him.

He first bowed to the three men, then pointed to the horse-headed boat and said, "Gentlemen, this is your own boat, isn't it? Why don't you leave it to me?"

Feng Xiuhu exclaimed in surprise, "Robbery in broad daylight?"

The gaunt man was startled and quickly waved his hand in denial: "Nonsense! I'm a boatman from the river port!"

Feng Xiuhu had never heard of it: "What do you do?"

The boatman explained, "It's specifically for people who own boats but don't have a private ferry terminal to rent berths."

Feng Xiuhu said he had learned something new.

The boatman sized up the three men's faces and reassured them again, "Don't worry, our waterfront shop offers fair prices. We'll take good care of the boat for you, and if any damage is caused by us, we'll be responsible for repairs and compensation."

Shunzi had never done this kind of work before, and was still worried: "Won't it be stolen?"

The boatman looked at their boat and chuckled dryly, "I can't speak for others, but yours..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but his meaning was clear—the horse-head boat was so distinctive that only a fool would target it.

Feng Xiuhu looked at Fang Youliu; the boat was his, and he had to make the decisions.

Fang Youliu waved his hand and refused: "No need, we have our own ferry."

Feng Xiuhu was taken aback and asked him, "Then why don't we just ride home?"

Fang Youliu rolled his eyes and whispered, "The premise is that we have to find out where our home is first."

Having received a reply, the boatman stopped pressing the matter, cupped his hands in farewell, and prepared to leave.

Feng Xiuhu grabbed the boatman and said, "Can't you just ask him directly?"

Fang Youliu was used to keeping a low profile and didn't want to reveal his address, but now he didn't want to argue with Feng Xiuhu any longer. So he took out his leather notebook, glanced at the last few pages of notes, and asked, "No. 33 Gunshuibu... how do I get there?"

"Rolling Water Wharf?"

The boatman laughed and said, "No wonder, that street is right next to the river, and every household there is indeed a ferry crossing."

He pointed ahead along the waterway: "Then don't go ashore. Keep going forward for a little while, and you'll see a culvert on your left. Go through the culvert and you'll arrive."

Shunzi pushed the horse-head boat that had just been pulled up back down, and the three of them continued along the waterway according to the directions. Sure enough, they found a culvert not far away.

On the way here, Feng Xiuhu also saw many similar culverts. These culverts were all dug by man and they were interspersed under the islands. If the waterways between the islands were like roads, these culverts were like the paths around the roads, providing shortcuts for small boats.

P.S.: Gentlemen, don't rush. We've just arrived in a new place, so I need to explain it to you clearly so you can have a general idea of ​​what it's like.

(End of this chapter)