Martial Arts Crossover: It All Started with Hijacking Li Canghai

Zhang Junbao thought for a moment and then asked a very practical question.

"It shouldn't be a problem for me and Tianbao to escort Auntie together. Two thousand people per person isn't too many, and if we take them in batches, it'll be easy to bring them into Shandong."

"Wouldn't it be too risky for my elder brother to go to the capital alone? And how will we get close to Yuan Chengzhi later? Should we reveal my brother's identity?"

Qin Han smiled slightly.

"No! I am now the King of Shu. If I appear in the Golden Serpent Camp as the King of Shu, their first reaction will not be cooperation, but rather defensiveness."

"Why should a southern lord interfere in the affairs of the north? They'll think I'm here to seize their territory."

"Then what identity should we use?"

Qin Han smiled.

"Han Feiyu".

Han Feiyu, this alias became famous after Li Canghai used it. Many people are not familiar with what this alias looks like, so Qin Han can naturally borrow it.

"Using this identity to approach the Golden Serpent Camp won't arouse too much suspicion."

"and……"

Qin Han tapped the map again.

"Not everyone in the Golden Snake Camp is completely devoted to Yuan Chengzhi. Those leaders of various factions each have their own agendas."

"Some wanted to be the boss, some wanted to split up and go it alone, some wanted to join the Qing government to change their background, and some were just trying to take advantage of the chaos."

"So many people have ulterior motives, which is perfect for us..."

Qin Han's gaze sharpened.

"To fish in troubled waters."

The merchant ship sailed smoothly on the river, while the mountains on both banks kept receding into the distance.

Dong Tianbao patted the long sword at his waist.

"Brother, may I say something?"

"Hey kid, just say what you have to say."

"Hehe, if you ask me, who cares about those six mountain strongholds? We'll beat anyone who dares to submit. You're a Grandmaster now. Once Tianbao and I arrive with four thousand elite soldiers, do you think we'll be afraid of a few mountain bandits?"

Qin Han glanced at him.

"Tianbao, you can't conquer the world with just your fists."

"That's true." Dong Tianbao chuckled. "That's why I said I'd handle the chopping, and leave the brains to Big Brother and Junbao."

Zhang Junbao rolled his eyes and ignored him.

After finishing their business, Qin Han put away the map and went to the cabin door.

The evening breeze from the Jialing River blows in, carrying the scent of water vapor and fresh grass.

The setting sun gradually sank below the horizon.

Qin Han leaned against the door frame, took out the gourd of Drunken Immortal Honey from the bundle Cheng Ying had given him, uncorked it, and took a sip.

The mead went down my throat, sweet and smooth, and a warm feeling spread from my stomach to my limbs and bones.

Not bad.

Cheng Mei's brewing skills are getting better and better.

"Big brother, can I have some too?" Dong Tianbao came out from behind him, drawn by the smell of alcohol.

"That won't do. This was specially prepared for me by Cheng Mei. There's only one pot, so I have to drink it sparingly."

"Big brother, you've changed!"

"If you're not satisfied, then find yourself a wife to do it for you."

Dong Tianbao muttered in frustration, "Women will only slow down my speed in drawing my sword..."

Zhang Junbao silently flipped through a strange book he had brought from the Prince's mansion, trying his best not to laugh and pretending he hadn't seen anything.

The night is getting darker.

Merchant ships sailed silently on the river, with the occasional call of waterbirds that could be heard from afar.

Merchant ships sailed down the Jialing River into the Yangtze River.

Where the two rivers meet, the water surface suddenly widens.

The boat rocked for a while in the turbulent current, but the captain, clearly experienced, steered the boat and headed east along the main current of the Yangtze River.

It will take about three or four days to get from here to Yangzhou, if all goes smoothly.

On the evening of the third day.

After passing Yichang, the ship entered the Three Gorges section.

The cliffs on both sides are sheer, and the river narrows in the canyon, with the current becoming extremely rapid.

The captain was completely focused on controlling the boat.

Qin Han and the other two were not very comfortable in the cabin either, as the deck kept shaking and the bowls and plates slid back and forth on the table.

"Brother, this Three Gorges area is terrifying!"

Dong Tianbao clung to the cabin wall, his face turning green.

This master of unparalleled skill was not afraid of fighting, nor was he afraid of traveling by boat, but he became afraid of this rocking boat.

"That's normal. We're just operating a regular merchant ship this time. Once we get past the Three Gorges, everything will be fine."

Qin Han himself remained as steady as Mount Tai, as if he were rooted to the spot, and no matter how the boat rocked, it did not affect him.

Zhang Junbao was alright, but he was a little uncomfortable from being shaken around.

After a tumultuous night, the boat finally sailed out of the most dangerous section of the Three Gorges.

When it dawned on the fourth day, the river had widened again and the current had become much calmer.

Dong Tianbao climbed out of the cabin, leaned on the ship's railing and started vomiting. After taking a few mouthfuls of river air, it took him a while to recover.

"Even if you kill me, I'll never travel by water again..."

Qin Han found it amusing; he hadn't expected this guy to get seasick. He glanced into the distance and saw what appeared to be several ships blocking the way on the other side.

It doesn't look like an ordinary merchant ship.

The ships had deep waterlines and wide hulls, and you could vaguely see people walking back and forth on the decks.

There were no flags on the sails.

Qin Han narrowed his eyes.

The ships that sail on the Yangtze River are either official ships, flying the flag of the imperial court, or merchant ships, flying the flag of their respective companies.

What kind of ship doesn't fly a flag?

Either they don't want people to know their identity.

Or maybe... a river pirate?!

"Tianbao".

Qin Han spoke to Dong Tianbao, who had recovered.

"Um?"

"What do those boats over there look like to you?"

Dong Tianbao looked ahead. Although they were still far away, his sharp eyesight allowed him to discern some clues, and a smirk appeared on his lips.

"Could this be some kind of pirate ship? Is it heading straight for us?!"

"Not necessarily. They might just be making a living along this stretch of waterway."

Qin Han smiled, not caring much. He looked back at the ship he was on, where the flag of the Ruan family business was still flying.

Within Sichuan, the Ruan family's flag served as their pass, and no one dared to touch it.

But this happened in Sichuan...

Although the Ruan family had some influence in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, it was far less influential than in Sichuan.

"Captain," Qin Han called out as he turned around.

The boat captain rushed over. "What's wrong, Mr. Han?"

These days, Qin Han has taken on the role of Han Feiyu, and the boatman calls him Master Han.

Do you recognize those boats up ahead?

The boat captain peered out and his expression changed.

"Oh no, that's...that's a ship from the Giant Kun Gang!"

"The Giant Kun Gang? What's their background?"

Dong Tianbao asked in confusion.

"This Giant Kun Gang is the overlord of the Jianghuai waters and the leader of the three major water gangs in the southeast. The lower reaches of the Yangtze River, the Huai River, Taihu Lake, and the coast of the East China Sea are all their territory. Their headquarters is located in the waters near Yangzhou."

The gang leader, Yun Yuzhen, was a notorious femme fatale who specialized in smuggling salt and transporting goods by water. She also collected protection money from the lower reaches of the Yangtze River.

They charge even Qing Dynasty official ships and ships from major merchant firms the same fees, but they might not recognize our Ruan family's flag outside of Sichuan. It's better to avoid trouble; perhaps we should take a detour?

As he finished speaking, the boat captain clearly backed down.

Zhang Junbao and Dong Tianbao exchanged a glance.

Neither of them seemed nervous; instead, they were curious about how a woman had risen to the position of gang leader.

Dong Tianbao looked at his elder brother, rubbing his hands together eagerly. He had clearly been feeling a bit stifled these past few days and wanted to test the strength of the Giant Kun Gang.

Qin Han quickly realized who Yun Yuzhen was. Wasn't she the beautiful leader of Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling's gang?

This is interesting.

"No need to take a detour, just drive there normally."