Cursed Mountains and Seas

Chapter 141 Wang Fugui: Drawing the knife for a swift end, worthy of a youthful spirit

Luo Wenlong looked up and saw that it was Wang Baihu, whom he had previously had a very good impression of, standing outside his window.

Wang Fugui and his backer, the Lu family of the White Scale Guard, were not on good terms with Qingliu, so Luo Wenlong naturally regarded them as his own people.

The two got along fairly well on the ship during this time. He had eaten the 100,000 kinds of seafood that the other had caught, and the other had drunk his favorite wine, Qinhuaichun.

But today he actually joked about his missing wife, who was also his most vulnerable sore spot, and Luo Wenlong's face couldn't help but turn cold:
"Commander Wang, what do you mean by this?"

"You and I have been on the same boat for many days; could you possibly have foreseen my wife's whereabouts?"

Since Wang Cheng came to him, he must have been confident.

She pretended not to see his face, which looked like it was about to freeze, and pushed the door open and entered. She then stuck a talisman on the door to block outside inquiries.

Only then did he stare into Luo Wenlong's eyes and continue to ask solemnly:
"This humble official has absolutely no intention of coveting Lord Luo's family's wealth; I simply want to know how determined you are to find your sister-in-law."

If I told you that the person who took your sister-in-law was a powerful figure from Yingzhou, whose attitude could determine the success or failure of this mission, and even the lives of everyone in the delegation, would you still have the courage to risk everything?

He was not exaggerating when he said that.

Even when Wang Cuiqiao was least known, she was a famous courtesan in Qinhuai. At the height of her fame, she was the wife of Xu Hai, the leader of the bandit gang, and countless people knew her.

Since I could think of Luo Wenlong immediately, how could I be so naive as to think that Mao Haifeng wouldn't?
For the mission, every place that the Black Peak Flag's naval fleet could reach had become a dangerous and perilous place.

Wang Cuiqiao's men most want to kill each other, which is the only way to fundamentally prevent her lover from having any lingering relationship with her wife and to completely monopolize the "Official Star Peach Blossom Pattern"!
For both public and private reasons, Mao Haifeng wanted to get rid of them as soon as possible.

The priority of killing this kind of wild man is probably no less than killing a prince!
"Do you really know Cuiqiao's whereabouts?"

Luo Wenlong knew that this Commander Wang was hailed as the second genius of the Twenty-Four Provinces, a man who could "astound even ghosts and gods," and was not a boastful person who could not keep his mouth shut. Seeing how solemn he was, Luo Wenlong couldn't help but believe him a little.

It's less a letter and more a case of Wang Cheng grasping his pulse and striking at his vitals.

If you give Luo Wenlong even the slightest hope, he will hypnotize himself; this is the basic principle of all fraud techniques in the world.

So, this lovestruck man straightened his face and answered decisively:
"I am willing to pay any price to find Qiao'er."

"Don't even mention official positions; I'd risk my life to cross the Yellow Springs and the Gates of Hell. No powerful figure can stop me."

As he spoke, he unfurled a scroll, instantly bathing the entire cabin in a golden glow.

Wang Cheng turned his head and looked at it. It was different from the beauties, yellow cranes and birds in his previous paintings. This was not a deceptive treasure in a painting, but a painting with its own universe, containing real gold and silver mountains!
The Luo family was a renowned ink-making family in Huizhou, and most of their vast wealth and numerous treasures accumulated over the years were hidden here.

These are top-quality inksticks dotted with gold flecks, heirlooms of the Luo family, imbued with the fragrance of ink and paper; each one is worth a fortune.
The famous writing implements, including the Four Treasures of the Study, were highly sought after by countless Confucian scholars; a single set could be exchanged for a house in the capital.
Furthermore, the scholars of this world, who revered the "Gongyang School," never considered the scholars weak, and all kinds of swords, spears, halberds, bows, arrows, and firearms forged by renowned craftsmen were readily available.
Unlike the Qiankun Bag, which can be easily cracked once it's in hand, no one can take a single copper coin from this painting without Luo Wenlong's approval and his profound painting skills.

"Commander Wang, everything I just said is true, and I will never go back on my word!"

"If you can help me find Cuiqiao, I'm willing to give you everything I have."

Luo Wenlong's hands trembled with excitement as he said this.

Wang Cheng has already seen his obsession through the concept of "rare goods for speculation": "to stay with his beloved wife, Wang Cuiqiao, forever."

It truly surpasses fame and fortune; it is his most cherished desire now, unlike Mao Haifeng, whose "official star and peach blossom" configuration, associated with possessing beautiful women, is merely a means to pursue power.

Wang Cheng was beginning to believe that her ex-husband truly loved her sister-in-law.

'It's just that this messy way of addressing people feels weird.'

Only after confirming that Luo Wenlong's attitude could be considered an ally did they finally reveal their purpose:

"Lord Luo, although I do not possess the ability to foresee the future, I have already dispatched the [Guardian Spirit General] to Pinghu Port in advance."

I just saw a noblewoman who looks exactly like the one in your painting, riding in a sedan chair out of the palace of Mao Haifeng, the commander of the Five Peaks Banner [Black Kirin]!
Moreover, the maid beside her addressed her as "

When Luo Wenlong heard about his wife's whereabouts, his face initially lit up with joy. However, upon hearing this, a sudden sense of foreboding washed over him, his face turned deathly pale, and his breathing became rapid.

What should you call her?

When Wang Cheng coldly uttered the word "Madam," his heart felt like it was being torn apart, and he was in so much pain that he could hardly breathe.

In an instant, all the bones in his body felt drained, leaving him limp and powerless, his face a mixture of laughter and tears.
"Cuiqiao is still alive!"

But she remarried after Xu Hai's death?

Wang Cheng remained silent, just like the nickname "ex-husband brother," showing great public-spiritedness by not commenting on the word "again."

At this moment, Luo Wenlong grabbed his arm and said urgently:
"Commander Wang, no, my brother Fugui, take me there! Take me with you to find her!"

I want to ask Cuiqiao in person how she's doing in that pirate's mansion, and whether she'd like to come with me.

Otherwise, I will die with regrets!

Wang Cheng quickly stopped this lovesick fool.

"Don't be impulsive, Lord Luo!"

It's truly hard to judge him for still being considerate of his ex-wife's feelings at a time like this, and not immediately grabbing a weapon to fight other men for her.

If it were him, the opposing team would probably have been wiped out by now, even the bacteria would have been spread.

Moreover, Wang Cheng was confident in his own safety, but he couldn't let Luo Wenlong go with him to deliver the vegetables. If Luo Wenlong, the chief envoy, died, all the rewards promised by the emperor and part of the sea-opening plan would be null and void.

Even if the imperial court wanted to save face, it wouldn't dare to embarrass itself by sending other envoys to negotiate with the merchants and pirates before stirring up a bloody storm in the East China Sea. The Qingliu faction's conspiracy to continue maintaining the maritime ban would thus succeed.

After thinking for a moment, he advised:
"Lord Luo, you should not worry about what your sister-in-law thinks, but rather consider what Mao Haifeng, who has taken her for himself, thinks."
According to Wufengqi's intelligence network, he should have known by now that you were serving as the chief envoy on the ship.

How do you think he will react? Will he obediently cooperate with the mission's offer of amnesty? Or will he consider his sister-in-law's feelings and ask for her opinion?

I assert that Mao Haifeng, the bandit leader who has repeatedly threatened to invade Dazhao, will inevitably clash with the delegation!
And don't forget those upright officials in the court; they will never sit idly by and watch us complete our mission and threaten their interests.

The most urgent task is to leverage the power of the entire delegation to our advantage, prepare for a crisis, and even forcibly take my sister-in-law back from Mao Haifeng!

Luo Wenlong gradually regained his composure and immediately understood the crux of the matter.

In particular, when she thought of Wang Cuiqiao's "official star and peach blossom pattern," it was obvious to anyone with a brain that Mao Haifeng would treat her with such an irreconcilable contradiction.

"Yes! Brother Fugui, you're absolutely right!"
We must be prepared for a direct confrontation with Mao Haifeng, and if necessary, we can behead this ringleader.

I'll speak to Li Qianzong of Li Jingjiang; this fifth-rank "General of the Warships" might not necessarily lose to "White Water Boy" at sea.

Wang Cheng felt much more at ease.

He is now the undisputed master of stirring up trouble in the world.

Don't assume that the two men already harbored resentment over the theft of a wife. Even if they had no prior grudges, you can easily manipulate a good person by targeting their most vulnerable obsession.

Yan Dangluo Wenlong and his capable subordinates, Li Jingjiang, the capable general of Yu Shuai, the commander-in-chief of the Minzhou Anti-Japanese Pirates, and most of the delegation were instantly united around him.

The key point is that they never felt like they were being used; they thought Wang Fugui was acting out of public interest and was always thinking of them and the mission.

At this moment, Luo Wenlong, having regained his composure, lived up to his reputation as the young Grand Secretary's confidant, demonstrating meticulousness and considering even more:
"The scouts who just landed ashore ahead of the delegation have already sent back news."

Yesterday during the day, the heir of the Prince of Jinghai from Wufeng Banner also happened to return to Pinghu Port.

Our Emperor, Grand Secretary Yan, and Governor Hu genuinely wanted to recruit the Prince of Anjing. It was all the fault of those wicked and disloyal scoundrels in the Qingliu faction who interfered, leading to the terrible mistake of the East China Sea riots we see today.

The people who attacked and killed Prince Jinghai that day were all capable members of the Qingliu faction gathered by Wang Bengu; they had nothing to do with us.

If we can establish a relationship with this prince and explain the advantages and disadvantages to him, as well as the actions of Qingliu Wang Bengu and others, we will surely be able to attract a strong ally.

Furthermore, since that fourth-rank official Mao Haifeng has forcibly taken my wife's official position, his ambitions will certainly not stop at a mere commander's position, and he may very well pose a threat to the Crown Prince.

This is also something we can take advantage of.

only."

Before he could finish speaking, Wang Cheng volunteered:

"Then I will act as your messenger to contact that Crown Prince."

Serving our sovereign and father is our bounden duty, so what is a little risk? Even if it's a den of dragons and tigers, why should I, Wang Fugui, be afraid to venture into it?
Even if that prince wants to chop off my head to vent his anger, what does it matter to me, Wang Fugui? I'll draw my sword and end it quickly, without betraying my youthful spirit!
"Lord Luo, please give me another token. I'll give it to your wife once I've infiltrated the palace, so you can have a chance to contact each other."

The Duke of Zhou feared rumors, and Wang Mang was humble before his usurpation. Had they died then, who would know the truth of their lives? Throughout history, countless people, if they had died earlier, would have undoubtedly transformed into upright figures.

Although the poem about cutting off heads is unlucky, its birth several hundred years ahead of schedule is quite fitting.

Luo Wenlong was deeply moved.

How could he not know the dangers of this journey to Pinghu Port and the Jinghai Prince's Palace? This "ghostly and awe-inspiring" young man before him was truly a young hero, bold and courageous!
"To draw the sword and die a swift death, worthy of a youth's spirit! How magnificent!"

In his excitement, he disregarded whether it was presumptuous and blurted out:
"After the matter is accomplished, you will be credited first, and I will personally petition His Majesty for your reward. This poem should also be shown to His Majesty."

You can then take whatever you want from my estate.

After speaking, he took out a scroll with his own portrait and handed it to Wang Cheng.

Wang Cheng had already witnessed this when he was trying to seize the elixir of immortality. It was possible to perform a ritual by opening an altar with one's own body and attach one's consciousness to it, making it feel as if one were there even when separated by thousands of miles.

He received more than just a token.

Even an emperor doesn't lack hungry soldiers, let alone an envoy.
Luo Wenlong then took out two old scrolls that had turned yellow, one with the character "天" (heaven) written on it and the other with the character "地" (earth).

Each piece, once unfolded, is about two meters long. The contents of the painting are also very simple, consisting of only two lonely doors.

Luo Wenlong reached out and pushed open one of the doors, then stepped out from the other and explained to Wang Cheng:
"These two paintings are called 'Natural Barriers and Thoroughfares,' and they are similar to the legendary 'Heavenly Escape Talisman,' which can allow one to escape thousands of miles in an instant. Both are priceless treasures for escaping death."

You take one scroll, and leave the other with me. If things become unbearable, use the scroll as a cover to escape immediately.

Then he opened the treasure trove in the painting again, allowing him to freely choose activity funds and equipment.

Wang Cheng didn't stand on ceremony with him and took away a large sum of gold and silver that was no less than the loan Mao Haifeng had just made, thus filling the gap in bribing the core members of the Black Peak Banner.

They also found a pair of gleaming silver maces inside, each about three feet long and weighing seven pounds and two ounces, which were definitely heavy weapons. They weighed them and were very satisfied.

It perfectly complements the [Thirty-Six Paths Thunder God's Cloak and Mace].

Afterwards, the two discussed the details of the plan in detail. One of them was responsible for contacting the Prince of Wufeng Banner and Wang Cuiqiao, while the other was responsible for integrating the delegation. The two sides would work together to kill Mao Haifeng!
The talismans sealing off the inside and outside have just been removed.

Boom!Boom!Boom!
There was a sudden knock on the door, and someone called out from outside:
"Lord Luo, is Commander Wang here with you? I have something to ask him to do."

(End of this chapter)