Sweep Yuan

Chapter 187 Zhang Shicheng's Cautious Probing

The Yellow Sea after the start of summer is like a capricious beast; even the most experienced captains can misjudge the weather.

Zhou Wendao and his entourage escorted Marshal Shishan's relatives, but the return journey was far from as smooth as the way they had come.

Three days after the large ship left Jiaozhou Port, thick, leaden-gray clouds gathered on the horizon, as if the sky were about to collapse. A fierce wind roared in without warning, whipping up towering waves. The once relatively stable ship was instantly transformed into a small boat struggling and tossed about among the raging mountains.

"Hold on tight! Everyone hold on to the ship's side! Don't move!"

The captain roared at the top of his lungs, his bronze face taut as iron, his bloodshot eyes fixed on the churning sea, his hands gripping the rudder like iron clamps.

Experience told him that although the wind and waves were fierce, the smuggling route was close to the shore, and the highest wave he encountered was only about three meters. As long as he dealt with it properly, the large ship could still withstand it.

However, for the vast majority of passengers on board who were facing the power of the sea for the first time, it was a hellish sight.

Huge waves crashed against the ship like a tidal wave, creating a deafening roar. The hull groaned painfully, rocking violently from side to side and pitching up and down. Icy seawater, with a strong, salty smell, poured into the cabins like a torrential downpour, flowing everywhere through the gaps in the deck.

The air was filled with a strong fishy smell and the sour smell of vomit.

Shi Erhe, Li Chuba, and their relatives and friends—these hardworking soldiers who had endured hardship on land—were now as if their bones had been removed, slumped limply in the damp cabin, their faces ashen. A violent dizziness churned within them like countless tiny hands, creating a turbulent, nauseating sensation.

They clung to the wooden buckets, or lay directly on the cabin floor, vomiting violently, emptying their stomachs of food, followed by bitter bile, until only weak dry heaving and painful groans remained.

Even Hua Yun, who was as strong as an iron tower and could tear tigers and leopards apart on land, had a sallow complexion, bulging veins on his forehead, tightly closed eyes, and his body swayed weakly with the rocking of the ship. He was trying hard not to vomit, but he was covered in sweat and had obviously reached his limit.

The cabin was a mess, filled with groans and vomiting.

“Brother Bian…brother Bian…please…take good care of him…”

Zhou Wendao had been a merchant for many years and had experienced many storms, but the inland river was not the same as the sea. He felt a churning in his stomach and, enduring the discomfort, pointed to Hua Yun, who was vomiting almost to the point of exhaustion, and the marshal's relatives huddled together in the cabin. His voice was broken and intermittent due to the wind and waves.

Bian Yuanheng was in slightly better condition. He took a deep breath of the salty, humid air and nodded vigorously.

This handsome young man disregarded all decorum at this moment. He took off the rope, tied himself tightly to a thick cabin pillar, freed his hands, and struggled to move in the violently rocking cabin.

He helped up an elderly man who had slipped and fallen, handed a relatively dry cloth to a woman who was vomiting incessantly to wipe her mouth, and took a child from a mother who was crying incessantly, clumsily but patiently coaxing him.

His movements were clumsy and unsteady due to the rocking of the ship. His hair was soaked with sweat and stuck to his pale cheeks. His moon-white long robe was covered with stains, but his eyes were unusually firm.

He knew that his mission to escort Marshal Shi's family back safely was his "pledge of allegiance" to Shishan, and also the earnest expectation of his cousin Shi Nai'an, which allowed no room for error. No matter how difficult it was, he had to persevere.

The raging storm lasted for a full day and night. When the wind and waves finally subsided, the leaden clouds dispersed, and the long-awaited blinding sunlight appeared, the cabin was a complete mess.

Everyone looked as if they had just escaped death; they were all emaciated, exhausted, and barely had the strength to move a finger.

The originally planned itinerary was completely disrupted, and the large ship was also damaged. It had to anchor in a sheltered harbor on a nearby uninhabited island for several days to repair the damage and wait for everyone to recover.

When the large ship finally sailed into the Beisha Wharf at the mouth of the Yellow River and docked, the feeling of stepping onto solid land almost brought tears to the eyes of Shi Erhe, Li Chuba, and others who had been suffering from seasickness.

The feeling of being grounded was wonderful! But their bodies were far from recovered; their steps were unsteady, their faces were pale, and they all looked as if they were recovering from a serious illness.

Zhou Wendao frowned as he looked at the listless state of everyone.

The original plan was to immediately transfer to inland river vessels after landing, travel upstream along the Yellow River to Qingjiangkou, then transfer to the Huai River, and finally reach Haozhou.

However, given the current physical condition of Hua Yun and Marshal Shi's relatives, the turbulence of the inland river boats would likely be unbearable and could even lead to more serious health problems.

Zhou Wendao immediately changed his plans and found a fairly large inn near Beisha Wharf to settle Hua Yun and the Marshal's relatives, who were still suffering from severe seasickness and needed to rest in bed.

Seeing these people who had been rescued from Yidu with great difficulty, now so weak and exhausted, he was filled with anxiety.

"Brother Bian."

After arranging the affairs in the store, Zhou Wendao turned to Bian Yuanheng, who, although also looking tired, was still in good spirits.

He had witnessed Bian Yuanheng's performance along the way. He was calm, quick-witted, and reliable in critical moments. Moreover, as Shi Nai'an's cousin, he was a trustworthy person with outstanding abilities, making him the most reliable and dependable person at present.

“We have been away from here for over a month and do not know the situation in Jianghuai. You are from this area and are familiar with the situation. We would like to trouble you to make a trip to find out the news, especially the situation in Xuzhou and the movements in Haozhou. We need to replan our trip and must understand the current situation.”

“Yuanheng understands the importance of things, he will go now.”

Bian Yuanheng cupped his hands in response. He knew the responsibility he bore was not only to gather information, but also to ensure the safe journey of these forty-odd people. He changed into clean clothes, washed his face, and tried to look as presentable as possible before leaving the inn alone.

Stepping onto the land of Huaidong once again, Bian Yuanheng keenly sensed that the atmosphere in Beisha was very different from when he left a month ago.

The once bustling and noisy dock is now unusually deserted. The number of ships at the berths has decreased significantly, and the figures of porters carrying and unloading cargo on the dock are few and far between. The shouts and work songs have almost disappeared.

The roads leading into town were noticeably deserted, and those few who did pass by hurried along, their expressions betraying a barely perceptible tension and worry. A stifling oppressive atmosphere hung in the air, and even the sea breeze seemed to carry a hint of unease.

Bian Yuanheng felt a little uneasy and found a fairly clean-looking teahouse on the street to sit down.

"Shopkeeper, a cup of tea." He took out two taels of silver and gently placed them on the greasy table.

The tea server was a thin man in his forties. When he saw the fine silver pieces, his eyes lit up and his face broke into a wide smile. He diligently wiped the table and served a cup of fairly clear coarse tea.

"Please go ahead, sir! You look like a well-traveled and distinguished person. This silver... we don't have change."

"No need to look for it."

Bian Yuanheng picked up his teacup, took a sip, and glanced at the deserted street, saying casually:

"Shopkeeper, when I left a month ago, Beisha Wharf was bustling with activity. Why is it so desolate now? Has something happened?"

Upon hearing this, the tea server's smile faded slightly. He glanced around warily, and seeing that no one else was paying attention, he lowered his voice and leaned closer, saying:

"My lord, you are unaware of this, but last month, the imperial court made a drastic decision to completely eradicate the notorious bandit 'Sesame Li,' who had been entrenched in Xuzhou for almost a year. Our Huaidong Circuit will be the main force contributing a great deal of resources!"

Having received the money, the man spilled the beans, saying:
"The government is conscripting men everywhere! Salt producers, salt workers, and laborers—entire villages are being taken away. They say they're going to transport grain and supplies, but what's the difference between that and being a soldier in a war? All the mules, horses, and even the slightly decent boats in our homes have been requisitioned by the government."

"Look at this dock. Without boats and laborers, how can it not be deserted? Anyone with connections in town has gone to stay with relatives in the countryside, afraid of being conscripted! Sigh, life is unbearable..." The tea vendor shook his head and sighed, his face full of sorrow.

"I see."

Bian Yuanheng understood immediately; this large-scale mobilization confirmed his suspicions that the war in Xuzhou had escalated. "So, what's the situation in Xuzhou? And what about Haozhou to the south, which is right next to Xuzhou? Is there any movement?" He asked casually about Haozhou, as this was the news Zhou Wendao was most concerned about, and he was also worried about it.

The tea server scratched his head, looking troubled.

"Well... I really don't know. It's all hearsay. Some say the government troops are sweeping through, while others say the Red Turban rebels are still putting up a desperate fight. Haozhou... oh, I heard the rebels there have changed their name to the Red Flag Battalion? I only know that there was a major battle there, but who knows the specifics!"

The information he provided was limited, but it also showed that the war in Xuzhou had not yet directly affected the heartland of Huaidong, but the burden of conscripting men and requisitioning grain was extremely heavy.

Bian Yuanheng nodded and asked no further questions. He paid for the tea, got up, and left the teahouse. He was hesitating whether to go back to the dock to ask a familiar boatman or try his luck at a tavern or inn in town when a hearty, delighted voice rang out behind him:

"Brother Bian! I've been looking for you everywhere!"

Bian Yuanheng turned around upon hearing the voice and saw that the newcomer was a burly man with a square mouth, a sparse beard, and a pair of sharp eyes under thick eyebrows, exuding the fierce spirit of a rough and tough hero. It was Zhang Shicheng, the head cook of Baijuchang who had helped them contact the smuggling ship from Yidu earlier!

This massive conscription and grain requisition operation, which affected most of Huaidong Road, could only be avoided by a powerful figure like Zhang Shicheng.

"Brother Zhang!"

Bian Yuanheng quickly clasped his hands in greeting, a sincere smile on his face. He was grateful to this salt smuggling tycoon who had provided crucial assistance in his operation to welcome Marshal Shi's relatives.

"I am deeply grateful to Brother Zhang for arranging the sea voyage for me. I have not yet repaid this kindness. I will go to Baijuchang to express my gratitude as soon as this matter is settled!"

"Haha! Brother Bian, you're too kind of yourself!"

Zhang Shicheng strode forward, patting Bian Yuanheng's shoulder forcefully with his large, fan-like hand. The force was solid, showing that he was genuinely happy.

"Brother Bian's business is my business! Between brothers, why are you thanking me? That's too formal!"

He affectionately grabbed Byun Won-hyung's arm and explained:
"It's quite a coincidence, I just happened to be delivering a batch of 'goods' to Beisha recently. Shi De said he seemed to have spotted Brother Bian at the dock! That blockhead has sharp eyes, but he's not very bright; he didn't even bother to ask you to stay!"
"I searched high and low, asking around in several places, before finally finding you outside this teahouse. Come on, come on! This isn't the place to talk. We haven't seen each other in ages; we must have a good drink and catch up!"

When Bian Yuanheng disembarked, he paid special attention to the surrounding area but did not find Zhang Shicheng's younger brother, Zhang Shide. However, the Zhang brothers had great power in Baijuchang and the surrounding coastal areas and had many informants. It was reasonable that some salt workers saw them and reported it to Zhang Shide.

He was worried about the limited sources of information. Zhang Shicheng, who was involved in both the legitimate and criminal worlds, had far better access to information than the tea merchant, making him the perfect person to gather information about Xuzhou and Haozhou.

“That is exactly what I wish for, but I dare not ask! Brother Zhang, please!” Bian Yuanheng readily agreed.

The two arrived at Yuelai Restaurant, the best restaurant in Beisha Town. Zhang Shicheng was obviously a regular customer here. The manager personally greeted them and led them to the best private room, "Lingtao Pavilion," on the second floor with a big smile.

The private room overlooks the sea. Pushing open the carved wooden window, you can gaze at the sparkling sea. The sea breeze, carrying a salty smell, blows in gently, which is quite refreshing.

Zhang Shicheng readily named six or seven of the restaurant's signature dishes and also ordered a jar of fine "Lotus White" liquor.

The waiter quickly brought over the wine, followed by several cold dishes and wine utensils. Zhang Shicheng and Bian Yuanheng were both heavy drinkers, and before the hot dishes were all served, they filled their wine cups and clinked them together twice.

The spicy liquid rolled down my throat, dispelling some of my fatigue.

Zhang Shicheng put down his wine cup, wiped his mouth, and seemingly casually started a conversation:
"Brother Bian, you've traveled a long way to Yidu. What have you seen and heard along the way? I haven't been to Fuli for several years, and I wonder what it's like there now?" His eyes gleamed with curiosity.

Although Zhang Shicheng did not know the specific purpose of Bian Yuanheng's trip, it was no small matter for him to personally make a trip to Yidu by sea using a ship.

However, he wasn't concerned about that matter; instead, he wanted to know the true situation inside her womb, as it would affect his future decisions.

The ships used to welcome Marshal Shi's relatives were arranged by Zhang Shicheng, and he also knew the general itinerary. Bian Yuanheng knew that he could not hide it from this shrewd local tyrant. Moreover, what he saw and heard were facts of the Yuan court's corruption, so there was no need to deliberately conceal them.

With a sigh, genuine pity and indignation appeared on Bian Yuanheng's handsome face: "The people are impoverished, and the land is ravaged!"

Emboldened by the wine, this refined and poetic young man from a wealthy family who owned a stove recounted his experiences during his trip to Yidu.

"The roadsides, which should have been fertile fields, are now overgrown with waist-high weeds that sway in the wind, creating a scene of utter desolation. The villages we passed through were mostly empty, with dilapidated walls and ruins revealing their desolation and ruin."

Occasionally, one might see a few emaciated, pale-faced farmers, their eyes vacant and numb, like walking corpses, seemingly oblivious to passersby. Even worse…

Bian Yuanheng's voice lowered, carrying a poetic sorrow as he poured out his heart about the terrible scene he had witnessed at the foot of Zuoshan Mountain that day: officials whipping and escorting the people, a pregnant woman dying under the scorching sun, and all the oppressive and atrocious acts he had heard along the way.

He was already a gifted writer, and the shock of witnessing it firsthand made his descriptions even more vivid and poignant. He vehemently denounced the officials as wolves and the court as rotten wood, and vividly portrayed the desolation of this chaotic world where people were adrift and helpless.

"...Behind the red gates, meat and wine go to waste, while on the roads, the frozen dead lie! In times of prosperity, the people suffer; in times of ruin, the people suffer!"

Bian Yuanheng poured out his pent-up emotions with wine, drinking it all in one gulp. Even the waiter who came in to serve the dishes, upon hearing Bian Yuanheng's description of his own tragic life, couldn't help but have tears in his eyes. He put down the dishes much more gently, as if afraid of disturbing the heavy atmosphere.

Zhang Shicheng, though rough in appearance, was extremely adept at reading people and empathizing with them. He perfectly followed Bian Yuanheng's story, sighing, indignant, and slamming his fist on the table. At times, he angrily cursed "corrupt officials," and at other times, he lamented "what have the common people done wrong?" This greatly satisfied Bian Yuanheng's desire to vent, making the young man, full of sorrow and indignation, feel that he had met a kindred spirit, and his words became even more fluent and incessant.

However, Byun Won-hyung maintained a sliver of clarity.

He recounted many of the people's hardships and the corruption of the government, but he never revealed a single word that might expose Shi Shan's relatives, nor did he mention Zhou Wendao's true identity, nor did he reveal that he was on Shi Shan's orders.

A mistake made while drunk? Bian Yuanheng would never make such a basic error. This was loyalty to Shishan, and also a way of protecting his "friend" Zhang Shicheng—knowing too much was not a good thing for Zhang Shicheng.

Zhang Shicheng did not deliberately pry into these sensitive and private matters. He was more concerned with the impoverished people's livelihood and the corrupt rule described by Bian Yuanheng, and with his own personal considerations regarding the future path of Zhang Jiu Si.

After several rounds of drinks and several dishes, the two had already downed seven or eight glasses of strong liquor, their faces flushed, and they were completely at ease talking.

Seeing that the atmosphere in the private room had warmed up, Zhang Shicheng tossed another piece of silver to the waiter and instructed him:
"The food and drinks are ready. Close the door and don't come in without an invitation."

The waiter tactfully withdrew and closed the door tightly.

Zhang Shicheng personally poured wine for Bian Yuanheng and himself, clinked glasses, drank it all in one gulp, and then lowered his voice, his expression solemn, and said:

"After hearing what Brother Bian said, I roughly understand why the imperial court is going to such great lengths to wipe out 'Sesame Li' in Xuzhou in one fell swoop."

He put down his wine cup, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the table:

"Because the internal situation is in such chaos, the Great Yuan is on the verge of collapse. If we don't quell the rebellion in Xuzhou, reopen the canal, and transport grain north as soon as possible, I'm afraid the internal situation will become chaotic again!"

"Brother Zhang is absolutely right! This is a desperate measure, akin to burning one's boats, or drinking poison to quench one's thirst!"

Bian Yuanheng nodded in agreement with Zhang Shicheng's conclusion. It was based on the judgment that the foundation of the Yuan Dynasty was already rotten and that the world would soon be in chaos that he listened to his cousin Shi Nai'an and decided to join Marshal Shi.

He knew Zhang Shicheng's identity—a powerful figure who controlled the salt fields and commanded a private salt-producing army, someone who feared nothing more than national turmoil. Zhang Shicheng's repeated mentions of the state of the world today were certainly not unfounded. Bian Yuanheng nodded in agreement and said no more, waiting for what was to come.

(End of this chapter)