Chapter 385 No Time for Idleness
It sounds like Xiangzhou and Jingzhou are separated by a river, but this river does not separate them horizontally, but vertically.
The navy on both sides of the river patrolled back and forth, and the camps on the east and west banks were connected.
On the 700-mile river bank, all those who dare to travel are wealthy businessmen with amazing backgrounds. The ordinary people are at most villagers living near the big cities. They only travel a few dozen miles, and if they go further, they may not be able to come back.
And seeing such a lonely carriage coming out of the south gate really attracted people's attention.
"My benefactor, why don't we take a boat?"
"I heard from the soldiers in the city that the waterway has been blocked. No one can sail there except those with certificates from both places. I'm sorry, but your benefactor is not powerful enough to use his connections."
How could Zhao Yushu not have connections? Whether in Jiangnan or Jiangbei, as long as he asked, the Cao Gang would never dare to refuse him this favor.
However, he did not want to take the water route. If he did, he would be escorted or monitored by the naval forces on both sides all the way to Jingzhou and would not be able to see what he wanted to see.
He wanted to see what the differences were between the territories controlled by the Red Lotus Sect and the Tang Dynasty court.
The Red Lotus Sect defeated the four counties in the south of the Yangtze River, but strictly speaking, there was no fighting in Xiangzhou and Jingzhou. The navies of these two places were well-known throughout the world. The defender of Jingzhou surrendered without a fight, and the Red Lotus Sect easily obtained a large number of elite naval forces.
However, Xiangzhou was not a pushover. The civil and military officials in charge of the government office immediately seized this godsend opportunity and asked for supplies from the two capitals of the east and the west, becoming semi-autonomous.
When Jingzhou saw that Xiangzhou was difficult to capture, it did not dare to start a war lightly. Xiangzhou was naturally happy to have some peace and quiet. As a result, when half of the Tang Dynasty was at war, the two confronting water cities instead formed a rare peace.
As the carriage traveled south, the old lady would take the initiative to come forward whenever they encountered outposts and cavalry. Although Xiangzhou's reputation for being an expert in spears and swords was ruined, this old woman was unexpectedly respected. After recognizing the old woman, the local soldiers in Xiangzhou would give way to her, and some even expressed regret.
"When I was young, I traveled with my husband and made some friends. Alas, what a pity."
Zhao Yushu nodded silently, and it was not easy to say anything to comfort them. After all, it was he who couldn't hold on the two brothers, the Gun King and the Sword God.
"With your status, you should be safe at least until you leave Xiangzhou, right?"
"If anything happens, I can still lift my sword."
"Old man, I am not Bai Jintang."
"I can see that the scars on his face are gone."
The old lady smiled and said, "If they were half as smart as you, they wouldn't be like this."
Zhao Yushu sighed and continued driving south.
The 300-li Xiangzhou area is safe and sound. The river bends in front and briefly flows east-west. There are camps on both sides of the river. This is the dividing line.
It was definitely not possible to cross the river from the military camp, so the four people in the car drove around for more than ten miles and finally found a ferry that was closely monitored by both sides. Zhao Yushu finally had to reveal his identity.
"So the benefactor is a teacher at the academy."
"You have called me benefactor all the way, and I have saved you all, so I have accepted it calmly. Today is enough. If it is convenient in the future, you can just call me Master Zhao. After crossing the river, we will not go through Jingzhou, but go directly to Yuezhou."
The old woman nodded: "Okay, Mr. Zhao."
Zhao Yushu was happier than he expected because someone came to pick him up.
When I was in Xiangzhou before, I wrote a letter to Yuezhou, informing them that I would leave for Yuezhou in three days at most. I thought they would be waiting for me in Yuezhou, but I didn't expect them to be in Jingzhou.
"How long have you been waiting?"
Zhao Yushu was in a good mood as he looked at the black deer in front of him with dark skin and a mouthful of white teeth smiling.
"Three, three days. You, are slow."
"I drove here. It would be faster if I took a boat. Uh, where's Lan Ling?"
"She has something to do. I'll go first."
Is there something wrong with Lan Ling?
Zhao Yushu instinctively sensed something was wrong: "What's going on?"
Black Deer scratched his head: "I, say no, okay, no, seriously, you go."
Zhao Yushu turned around and said, "Old man, I have something important to do and I have to go first. You have to walk the rest of the way by yourselves."
The old woman nodded and said, "I am weak and cannot help Young Master Zhao in any way. I just hope I won't be a hindrance. Young Master Zhao, be careful along the way."
Zhao Yushu thought for a moment and handed over his academy sign: "If you encounter something you can't solve, this might be useful. Return it to me in Yuezhou. Black Deer, let's go!"
Zhao Yushu turned into a residual shadow, and Hei Lu got on all fours, and the two of them galloped towards Yuezhou, one in front and one behind.
"It turns out that my benefactor is a god." The gun king's daughter poked her head out, her eyes full of envy.
"Whether you are a god or not, you should never forget your chivalrous heart. You don't need to learn from your father, but learn from Master Zhao."
Jingzhou is about 500 miles away from Yuezhou, and the most convenient way is to take the water route. However, Zhao Yushu didn't care about the local customs and habits along the way at this time. He ran all the way, tiring the black deer, who was only at the third level, so he ran the 500 miles in one day and one night.
Yuezhou was once the base camp of the Red Lotus Sect. When the Red Lotus Sect started an uprising in Yuezhou, it swept across half of the Jiangnan region almost overnight and was unstoppable.
As the entire Jiangnan region was slowly taken under their control over the years, the Red Lotus army also gradually advanced to the southeast. The Yuezhou base camp became only symbolic in nature, and there were not many soldiers left there.
Lan Ling is not the kind of rich girl who is obsessed with the second-year syndrome. She will not rush to the front line to directly oppose the Tang Dynasty. Instead, she chooses to come to Yuezhou with Sanniang.
This place represents the most stable place under the rule of the Red Lotus Sect, and directly reflects the living conditions of the people in the Red Lotus Sect's most loyal territory. If life here is not as good as in the area under the actual control of the Tang Dynasty, then the Red Lotus Sect will not be able to gain her recognition.
Theoretically, it is very safe here. With Lan Ling's cultivation and identity, the Red Lotus Cult will not regard her as an enemy. What can happen to her?
They arrived at the foot of Yuezhou city panting. It was still dark and the city gates were not open yet. Behind them was the famous Yunmengze. Zhao Yushu supported Hei Lu, whose lungs were almost burning, with an apologetic look on his face.
"Let's take a rest first, and then we can go in after the city is opened."
Black Deer glanced at him, too tired to speak, but his eyes clearly expressed his meaning: What? You still want to break in?
Zhao Yushu scratched his head. It was not impossible. Once the Shadow Step was activated, even the formation would not be able to detect it.
But this little while is not a big deal. Zhao Yushu sat on the ground, quickly recovering his half-empty qi sea. His injuries along the way have been completely healed. Now in full condition, Old Zhao is very strong, terrifyingly strong.
No matter who you are, if you dare to touch Lan Ling, the Red Lotus Sect Leader will kill you!
Black Deer blinked, wondering if he had conveyed the message incorrectly, as his good brother seemed to want to chop someone down.
With a ding, a bell rang. Zhao Yushu stood up with a whoosh, carried the black deer on his shoulders, and watched the city gate slowly open.
"Guide the way!"