gnovel Chapter 121: Changing the Route by Water
Chapter 121: Changing the Route by Water
On April 27th of the thirteenth year of the Shaoxing era, Zhao Bocong led the Song delegation away from Yangzhou.
At the ferry crossing by the canal, Zhao Bozong watched as the Imperial Guards carried boxes of silver and silk from thirty oxcarts onto the cargo boats moored on the shore.
Zhang Cheng stood to the side, his expression not very pleased with Zhao Bozong's decision.
After hesitating for a long time, he finally asked for instructions.
"Your Highness, the mission has changed its route to waterway at the last minute, and no post stations have been arranged along the way in advance. There is a risk that the silver and silk may become damp—"
Although the newly appointed Prince of Pu'an was in charge of this tribute mission, Zhang Cheng, as the deputy envoy, also bore a significant responsibility.
In his view, if anything went wrong on this assignment, he would ultimately be the one to bear the responsibility.
Therefore, unless there are special changes, he is still willing to follow the same path as last year and is unwilling to make any easy changes.
However, this Prince of Puan was the person in charge personally appointed by the steward. Although Zhang Cheng did not agree with Zhao Bozong's temporary change to the waterway, he had no choice but to give his opinion because of the power of rank.
"Vice Envoy Zhang," Zhao Bozong said without turning around, "the overland route from Yangzhou to Sizhou involves passing through at least seven post stations. We've already been delayed since leaving Lin'an. If we continue along the original route, when will we reach Sizhou?"
Zhang Cheng opened his mouth, wanting to explain, but looking at the Imperial Guards carrying the silver silk, he ultimately swallowed his words.
Having served in the Ministry of Revenue for twenty years, he knew better than anyone that Qin Hui's deeply entrenched power in the provinces would not allow the mission to arrive safely and on time.
"There's another hidden danger on the waterway." Just as Zhang Cheng was about to speak, Qin Keqing's voice came from behind him.
At this moment, Qin Keqing was dressed in a short blue cloth dress, holding a book in her hands, standing under a willow tree by the ferry.
"There are patrol boats of the Jin Dynasty's navy along the Huai'an section of the Grand Canal. Ostensibly, they are maintaining the waterway, but in reality, they are monitoring the Song Dynasty's grain transport. If we are stopped by the Jin in the Huai'an section—"
"Then let them stop us." Zhao Bozong turned around. "We are a delegation from the Great Song Dynasty escorting annual tribute. The amount of silver and silk matches the documents perfectly. The Jin navy has no legitimate reason to detain us."
If they obstruct us, it will only give us the opportunity to speak before the Jin envoys.
Qin Keqing's brows twitched slightly, and she instantly understood Zhao Bocong's intention.
Perhaps being intercepted by the Jurchens was not an accident, but rather an opportunity.
It was an opportunity to negotiate with the Jin people in public, allowing the Jin delegation to witness firsthand the dignified and unyielding demeanor of the Song imperial family.
"Does Your Highness intend to wait for the Jurchens in Huai'an?" Zhang Cheng asked in a low voice.
"It's not that we're waiting, we're just passing by..." Zhao Bozong stepped onto the gangplank of the cargo ship. "We just need to let them see us. Vice Envoy Zhang, once you've checked the silver and silk accounts, have the Imperial Guards load all the goods from the oxcarts onto the ship."
Remember, we only say we're escaping the heat by water, but in reality—"
Zhao Bozong didn't finish his sentence, but Zhang Cheng already understood.
They wanted to disrupt the rhythm of the entire journey and render all of Qin Hui's land-based plans ineffective.
The cargo ships set sail at noon, five large ships lined up in a row, heading north along the canal.
Zhao Bocong stood at the bow of the first boat, watching the scenery on both banks slowly recede into the distance.
Qin Keqing walked to his side and handed him a rough earthenware bowl filled with freshly brewed tea. "What is Your Highness pondering?"
"Thinking about Qin Hui." Zhao Bozong took the teacup, but did not drink it; he simply held it in his palm.
"It will take at least three days for the news of our change to waterway to reach Lin'an. During these three days, he will still arrange manpower according to the land route."
He only learned of our change of route to water three days later, and then hastily adjusted his plans. But those three days were enough for us to accomplish quite a bit.
"for example?"
"For example, we arrived in Sizhou before the Jin delegation did," Zhao Bozong said, taking a sip of his cool tea.
Zhang Quwei once mentioned that the clerk surnamed Shen would accompany the Jin delegation to the north bank of the Huai River every April to receive the annual tribute.
"If we arrive in Sizhou first, we can ascertain the true nature of the Jin delegation before the annual tribute is handed over."
Qin Keqing opened the book and drew a horizontal line between the place names "Huai'an Section" and "Sizhou".
"The journey from Yangzhou to Huai'an by water takes about five days if the wind is favorable; from Huai'an to Sizhou by land, it takes another two days."
The entire trip took seven days, three days faster than the land route.
"Just right." Zhao Bozong handed the teacup back to her. "By the time we arrive in Sizhou, Wanyan Yong might not have even left the Jin Kingdom yet."
That night, the mission anchored and camped at a wharf along the canal.
Five cargo ships docked at the shore, and the Imperial Guards set up makeshift tents, while sentries set up three layers of security around the area.
Zhao Bozong sat in the cabin, with a detailed waterway map spread out in front of him. The edges of the sheepskin map were worn, indicating that Qin Keqing had prepared it in advance.
"Your Highness." Qin Keqing lifted the curtain and entered, bringing a bowl of hot porridge. "Liu An sent a secret report from Lin'an: Qin Hui has already learned that we have changed our route to waterway."
"It was faster than I expected." Zhao Bozong took the bowl of porridge. "What did he do?"
"He dispatched more patrol soldiers from Huai'an Prefecture, ostensibly to inspect smuggling along the canal, in preparation to intercept us in the Huai'an section."
In addition, Tian Ruyi left Lin'an two days ago, heading north.
Zhao Bozong paused, his fingers still holding the bowl of porridge, and asked, "Tian Ruyi is going to Huaibei?"
"It should be correct." Qin Keqing sat down opposite him and opened the book.
"Father sent out this intelligence chief who knows His Highness best, which shows that he is not willing to just remotely plan from the rear. He wants to go to Huaibei in person and keep an eye on His Highness—"
"He needs someone to witness me falling into the Jurchens' trap, or to see me clashing with them. Whatever the outcome, he needs someone to be there to corroborate it." Zhao Bozong placed the bowl of porridge on the table.
The cabin suddenly fell silent, with only the sound of the river water lapping against the hull.
"Miss Qin," Zhao Bozong asked, "do you think Tian Ruyi's trip to Huaibei is a good thing or a bad thing?"
Qin Keqing's fingertips paused lightly on the edge of the book. "Perhaps it might be a good thing."
How do you know?
"He stayed in Lin'an, and we had no way of knowing what he was planning. Now that he has entered Huaibei, his whereabouts are completely under our control."
Qin Keqing raised her head, the candlelight flickering in her eyes. "I have already arranged for Xiao Bieli's men to spread out spies in Huaibei."
Once Tian Ruyi sets foot on the Song-Jin border, his every move will be under our watchful eyes.
Zhao Bozong looked at her and thought for a moment.
"Miss Qin," he continued, "you just said you'd be keeping a close watch on his movements. What are your plans?"
Qin Keqing opened the book and found the page with the map tucked inside.
"There are three main post roads and two waterways in Huaibei. If Tian Ruyi wants to maneuver around the border, he will definitely choose one of them."
I have already placed men at key points along every major route; wherever he goes, our men will follow.
Qin Keqing closed the book and said calmly, "He thought he had become a hunter, but little did he know that he had stepped into a mirror array."
Zhao Bozong picked up the bowl of porridge and took two sips; the porridge had already cooled slightly.
"Starting tomorrow," he instructed, "we shall anchor for half an hour at each dock."
They claim it's to replenish freshwater, but in reality, they're sending your people ashore to gather intelligence.
We are on our way, and Tian Ruyi is also traveling day and night. Whoever arrives in Sizhou first will gain the upper hand.
Qin Keqing nodded, lifted the curtain, and stepped out of the cabin.
Zhao Bozong was the only one left in the cabin. On the sheepskin map, he lightly scratched a line on the Huai'an section of the river with his fingernail.
Zhao Bozong mentally went through every detail of the journey.
The patrol soldiers of Huai'an Prefecture, the patrol boats of the Jin Dynasty navy, the terrain on both sides of the canal, potential ambush locations, and how to calmly deal with the situation should they be stopped in Huai'an.