Chapter 290.1: Ambushed?
As for those officials that didn’t know about this matter, upon hearing this situation, they also didn’t dare to delay in the slightest, their heart all about to jump into their throat.
Everyone got on the boat, and after was.h.i.+ng up, didn’t appear again. And as for the officials of Kaiming Fu, not a single one was able to get on. The initially present Inspector General Su, when wanting to follow aboard, just got directly blocked by An Yi’s half drawn blade. Once again, just like that day when Jing Wan and them arrived in Kaiming Fu, all the officials collectively turned into wooden pillars and made to stand still as punishment.
Just, this while, on the inside, compared with that day, the feeling was just even more unbearable. At that time, it was anger and impatience, as well as some restlessness towards Jin Qinw.a.n.g caused by the rumors. But now, more than ninety percent of the people got taken ahold of by fear, extremely deferentially standing there, not having the slightest impatient thought, calmly remaining silent, waiting for ‘Jin Qinw.a.n.g’s’ response.
But, right now, it seemingly was also the same as that previous time, preparing to give them the cold-shoulder, and the longer they got ignored, the more uncertain they felt inside. Just like if there was a blade suspend over one’s head, if cleanly and directly falling, whether it’s living or dying, one will immediately see real results, but the longer it stays suspended, the fear inside will just grow increasingly deeper. That kind of torment truly was hard to describe.
All the way until white appeared in horizon did the boat finally seemed to have signs of movement. The officials there were sore and aching from standing immediately straightened up, tensing their body, yet more or less finally feeling a little relaxed. However, the reality was that they’d thought too much, because the person they wanted to meet, they didn’t get to meet. The mooring rope for fastening the boat even got retracted. This was wanting to do what? Something clear and easy to see. This time, the officials’ complexion were both green and pale, very much interesting.
(T/N: Btw in this line, the white is actually called 鱼肚白 ‘fish belly white’, which is referring to white paint made from dried fish guts.)
Can they block and not let them leave? Of course not! That’s why, they can only helplessly watch the big boat go into the distance.
What kind of person was Jin Qinw.a.n.g? That was the living Enma! The rumors about him were just ‘certain to take revenge’. Moreover, regardless of who, all just settled on the spot, never heard of him settling the score after autumn before. What was this situation right now? Could it be that it’s just forgotten about like this? But just thinking about, one would know, that was definitely impossible. If even something like trying to kill him can all be let go of like this, then those brothers of his that have been sorted out by him to near death will have to start complaining. That’s why, it can only be that Jin Qinw.a.n.g’s anger has rapidly rose to the peak, and certainly will come back to ruthlessly settle the score.
Everyone all knew, for majority of the times, venting out the anger on the spot, the aftermath might be a bit serious, but it was also over with just like that. When nothing is said, you just won’t know what exactly he wants to do, and will always involuntarily think, in the best direction to console oneself, and in the worst direction to scare oneself. That was absolutely pressure on one’s mental state.
Those who were unaware just knew that the villa Jin Qinw.a.n.g was staying in caught fire, and for those who were in the know, yet didn’t understand why the matter didn’t succeed, because ‘Jin Qinw.a.n.g’ didn’t issue word, they couldn’t go learn about the specific circ.u.mstances. Since the main party has already left in anger, then right now, they should just go think of ways to solve the problem.
After casually finding out, practically everyone all took aim at Inspector General Su.
The Governor-General’s complexion was gloomy, “Shouldn’t Inspector General give an explanation?” Never mind taking matters into one’s own hands, and interfering in his matter, he even ruined the big scheme.
Inspector General Su neither made noise nor got angry, “By the time this official arrived, over on w.a.n.gye’s side, things have more or less been taken care of already.” A line as light as a feather, but it nevertheless contained too much content. “Right now, should probably carefully think, how to explain this to Jin Qinw.a.n.g and his Majesty. Jin Qinw.a.n.g is his Majesty’s most favored son. Don’t a.s.sume that just because Jin Qinw.a.n.g is fine, this matter can just be simply swept under. This official will take one’s leave first, everyone can do as you please.” Inspector General Su flung his sleeves and left.
The Governor-General’s complexion was increasingly unsightly. Seeing his subordinate that was previously following by this sworn rival Inspector General Su’s side, he just wished he could have the person chopped. However, this person wasn’t on his side to begin with anyways, just like how under Inspector General Su, there were also people that were close with him, mutually regulating and balancing. That’s why, no matter how angry, he still can’t directly take action. “The specific circ.u.mstances.”
In reality, some things, everyone were all well aware inside. Even if locusts on two different ropes, in essence, they were still all on the same Kaiming Fu boat. If the boat overturns, everyone all won’t have a good end. That’s why, he selfishly believed that this bit of tacit understanding should still exist, yet unexpectedly, the one with the surname Su was actually able to do something like this. Although according to Su’s words, even if not taking anyone over, the final result would still be the same. But in essence, he still obviously screwed him over. This absolutely can’t be tolerated.
That military official, facing his direct superior’s anger, also didn’t reveal any peculiar emotions, having what happened systematically narrated in full detail.
“Where are those daring bandits?” Just as expected, they started pinning the label.
“All executed.” Between the ‘bandits’ and oneself, who to chose, simply no need to consider.
“Wis.h.i.+ng to a.s.sa.s.sinate a qinw.a.n.g of the current court, death cannot atone for the crimes.” The Governor-General said, like a sheep in wolf’s clothing, yet inwardly, he nevertheless relaxed a breath. Thankfully that one with the surname Su still knew propriety. “This matter, this official will personally investigate clearly, and give Jin Qinw.a.n.g and his Majesty an explanation. We all, as officials of Kaiming Fu, letting Jin Qinw.a.n.g be startled, that is just a great offense, and ought to voluntarily write a memorandum to his Majesty to beg for forgiveness.”
Although Jing Wan and them traveled by land, they didn’t hurry on their way through the night. After finding a place, for the latter half of the night, they just properly rested. When they got up in the morning, their spirit was very ample, and at the same time, also heard news that their s.h.i.+p has departed Kaiming Fu. Everything was all going according to plan. After slightly making preparation, they also set out on their way.
Thinking that Luo Pei Song will probably worry, Jing Wan wanted to send a letter to him. Li Hong Yuan, although a bit unhappy, still sent someone. If there’s no mishap, after Luo Pei Song wakes up, prior to learning about what happened to them at the villa, he will be able to see the letter first.
Just based on the speed per hour, the boat certainly won’t be quicker than the horse. However, the horse was restricted by its stamina, and the land route was also restricted by the terrain. Comparatively speaking, the boat and ca.n.a.l just possess an even greater advantage. As such, the party traveling by the ca.n.a.l should be much quicker than the party on land.
Counting by the days, taking the waterways, from Kaiming Fu to Chongzhou Fu required less than two days, but if by land, probably need four to five days. Of course, this was the relatively normal speed when not rus.h.i.+ng. Thus, on the second day, and that is the seventh, the people traveling by land received news that came from the waterways. Just as expected, they’d gotten attacked.
(T/N: Going by the dragon boat festival date, which is fifth of the fifth lunar month, the dates are all set in the fifth lunar month currently.)
Jing Wan stared at the short message, slightly furrowing her brow, “This is happening earlier than predicted? But these water bandits, aren’t they a little fishy? The ca.n.a.l connected the north and south, and is extremely important. In between, there’s also countless branches, and the boats coming and going too numerous to count. The boats’ safety should be extremely vital, so how can there be water bandits appearing?”
“Chongzhou Fu and Chuanzhou Fu both belong to Shannan Prefecture. Inside Tong Prefecture, near Shannan Prefecture, there’s a section of mountain ridges that extend continuously for several li. The ca.n.a.l couldn’t cut through, so just borrowed the originally existing river channel. The terrain is rather complicated, the water flow also relatively rapid, and the two sides of the mountain ridges steep. This area has actually always had water bandits in existence. As for the boats that come and go, towards relatively large fleets, they don’t dare to touch, and relatively small private boats generally formed groups, so normally all won’t have conflict occurring. However, for those that are familiar with that area, they generally will all pay their respects with some money as a toll fee. Majority of the times, it’s all very peaceful. And when something does happen, since there’s the so called ‘officials s.h.i.+elding one another’, then naturally there’s also officials colluding with bandits, having the matter settled. To have not had any unwanted rumors spread, it is also normal.
Just, judging from the time, should be as soon as they entered that area, they just met with mishap.
Borrowing the water bandits’ hand is actually the most common practice, yet also the most uncommon method. After all, no matter how daring the water bandits were, they still won’t easily touch government boats, especially when it’s even this prince’s boat. Once touched, they will need to have the resolve to be thoroughly eliminated. Water bandits also have a whole family to feed, the old and young not in the minority, unless………”