Martial Arts Crossover: It All Started with Hijacking Li Canghai

At the break of dawn, a thin mist rose from the river.

The Giant Kun Gang's fleet stopped on the waters more than ten miles from the outskirts of Yangzhou.

On the main deck, Yun Yuzhen had already changed her clothes.

The fiery red dress stained with blood from last night was gone, replaced by a plain, light gray, narrow-sleeved dress. Her hair was also styled back up, revealing a section of her fair nape.

She completely detached herself from the allure of the previous night and transformed into the queen who led the three major gangs.

She stood half a step to Qin Han's right, "Young master, the waters of Yangzhou are just ahead."

Yun Yuzhen's voice was soft and charming.

"The Qing navy has set up three patrol posts in this section, rotating personnel every two hours during the day and conducting mobile patrols at night. If we go there with multiple boats, it's no different than walking into the mouths of the patrol posts ourselves."

Qin Han remained silent, his gaze fixed on the city walls faintly visible behind the mist in the distance.

Yun Yuzhen continued, "I'll have Bu Tianzhi take half the men and go through the western fork in the river. That waterway is narrow, and large ships can't get through, but it's enough for fast boats and cargo ships. As for Chen Laomou, I'll arrange for him to stay in the dock on this side of the reeds to recover from his injuries and keep an eye on the rest of the ships."

He paused for a moment, observing Qin Han's expression.

"All the capable gang members will be divided into six groups, dressed as ordinary merchants and porters, and will enter the city in batches, half an hour apart, starting this afternoon. Once in the city, they will disperse and mingle in the docks and fish markets, neither gathering nor dispersing, awaiting the young master's orders."

Qin Han then turned his head to look at her.

"Well done."

Yun Yuzhen's eyebrows curved slightly as she leaned closer, the curve of her lips barely visible.

Having spent over a decade on the river, she understood one principle all too well.

Just because you become the woman of some important person doesn't mean you can do whatever you want just because you're beautiful. That kind of woman is nothing more than a pretty face.

Beauty fades, but young and beautiful women will always exist.

You can have as many of these vases as you want.

Once it's no longer useful, it can be easily smashed and discarded.

Only a woman who is not only capable but also truly capable can maintain her importance in the other person's heart.

The first evaluation from the new master is more important than any declaration of loyalty.

"However," Qin Han changed the subject, "once we arrive in Yangzhou, the Giant Kun Gang members should not show their faces for the time being."

Yun Yuzhen paused, having already planned her next move.

Send spies to the docks to provide support, and send reliable people to gather information and find out the current movements of various forces in Yangzhou.

These are all basic tasks; you could arrange them perfectly even with your eyes closed.

There was a brief silence.

"Yes, young master."

Yun Yuzhen lowered her head, but her tone showed no sign of dissatisfaction.

"The Giant Kun Gang has just changed hands, and the members haven't settled down yet. The Dugu family has left, but their spies may not be completely gone. Not to mention Du Fuwei's side, his people have been watching the Giant Kun Gang for so long, any slight movement within the gang will probably reach that old guy's ears within half a day."

As she spoke, she mentally reviewed her previous arrangements.

The more she thought about it, the more she felt that this was the right thing to do. If she really followed her original plan, she would have the Giant Kun Gang's spies openly meet her at the Yangzhou dock.

When the Qing court comes to investigate, Du Fuwei comes to investigate, and Nujiao Village and Haisha Gang take advantage of the chaos to loot, the scene will only be more unsightly than when Dugu Ce boarded the ship.

Yun Yu sighed inwardly.

This man thinks much further ahead than she does.

"Rest assured, young master."

She raised her head, her gaze more composed than before. "I will have everyone remain still and await your orders, young master."

Qin Han nodded and didn't say anything more.

He turned and walked towards the side of the ship.

Behind him came Yun Yuzhen's low voice, instructing her subordinates to readjust their deployment. Her tone was decisive, clear, and without the slightest hesitation.

This woman is definitely not just a pretty face.

He has been able to maintain his position as the leader of the Yangtze River gang for more than a decade, and that has never been because of his face.

Having a pretty face is just icing on the cake.

What truly sustains the Giant Kun Gang is her masterful control over the relationships and customs of people on the waterways, and her ability to survive in the cracks.

Last night, Qin Han noticed that the woman had a lot of calluses on her wrists. They must have been from holding a knife or a rudder.

This is exactly what the Qin and Han dynasties wanted.

The Ruan family's merchant ships untied their mooring lines and sailed out of the Giant Kun Gang's fleet, heading east along the river.

The flag hanging at the bow fluttered gently in the morning breeze, and the two characters "Ruan Ji" were slightly darkened by the moisture.

Yun Yuzhen stood on the main deck and watched the merchant ship sail away until its silhouette disappeared into the mist before she looked away.

As I turned around, I saw Bu Tianzhi walking over.

"Chief, what exactly is this Young Master Ye's identity?"

Yun Yuzhen did not answer.

Looking at the misty river, I remembered that I had given everything up last night.

After a long pause, he finally spoke, "Focus on your work. It's not time for you to find out about this Young Master Ye's identity yet."

Bu Tianzhi opened his mouth, but said nothing more.

Inside the merchant ship's cabin, Dong Tianbao leaned out of the window and took several deep breaths of the river breeze, which smelled of fish.

His complexion had finally recovered, but he was still quite tired, with dark circles under his eyes.

It's obvious that he's always had seasickness problems.

He was tossed around in the Three Gorges for three days, and just when things finally calmed down, he encountered the Giant Kun Gang.

After the fight, the boat swayed on the river for another night.

Now, the sight of river water triggers a conditioned reflex that makes me nauseous.

"Soon."

Zhang Junbao turned a page in his book, said something without looking up.

Dong Tianbao turned around and glared at him.

How did you know what I was going to say?

"Starting last night, you've been peering out the window every incense stick's time."

"..."

Dong Tianbao didn't want to admit it, but he was indeed looking forward to reaching the shore, wondering if his seasickness could be cured.

I'll have to ask Dr. Xue about it when I get back...

General Dong, a master of unparalleled skill who considered himself invincible in the Shu army camps, was tormented by a merchant ship to the point of vomiting repeatedly.

If this gets back to Qin Qiong, that kid will laugh at him for half a year.

At that moment, the ship paused slightly.

Dong Tianbao tensed up, his hand instinctively gripping the hilt of his knife. Then he realized that this wasn't an encounter with an enemy, but rather the ship's speed was decreasing.

We've reached the shore.

Looking out the window, the outline of Yangzhou Wharf was gradually emerging from the mist.

First came a few crooked wooden stakes, then a dense array of masts, followed by mountains of goods piled up on the dock, and figures of people bending over, carrying bags, and hawking their wares.

The noise drifted across the water, faint and indistinct, yet it inexplicably brought Dong Tianbao a sense of relief.

land.

We've finally set foot on solid ground.

Qin Han walked out of the cabin and onto the deck.

My gaze passed over the crowds on the dock, over the shops and teahouses along the street, and landed on the gray-walled and blue-tiled houses in the distance.

Yangzhou.

It has been almost two years since he last left the city.

The boatmen set up the gangplank.

The three of them changed into the most ordinary cloth clothes, mainly because there weren't many nice clothes on the ship.

Qin Han wore a gray-blue long gown, Dong Tianbao wore a short jacket, and Zhang Junbao wore an old bamboo hat.

He blended in with the disembarking passengers and vendors, attracting no attention.