Chapter 59

Chapter 57: By Chance

"Rushing waves cross the river, and ten thousand bamboo poles lean into the wind."

As one of the grand human constructions, though it is merely a seasonal product that needs to be rebuilt every year, the layers of the floating bridge stretch out into the light blue river, resembling a long dragon exploring the river, spanning to the horizon, a magnificent sight.

At both ends of the bridge, once connected, was one of the most splendid creations of the Tang Dynasty's peak era, known as the Southeast Direct Road, where ten horses could pass side by side without hindrance.

The river, which seems to have small waves from a distance, reveals turbulent currents up close, with a pulsating force that seems to draw the soul in.

Stepping on the bridge made of thick wooden planks, the vibrations and tremors from the river still impact everyone who crosses it.

The rough ropes and pillars on both sides, forming sections of guardrails, provide only a minimal psychological comfort.

Therefore, everyone who first steps onto the bridge trembles, their faces pale or green, and they move forward step by step, but gradually, they get used to the vibrations and the rhythm, and it becomes less of an issue, especially compared to the rocking of a ferry.

Every person crossing the river has to pay 500 coins, with additional charges for animals and vehicles. Just the short few months of the bridge's operation each year can bring in hundreds of thousands of strings of cash, not to mention the taxes and fees generated by the river market and various service demands.

This is also an important source of income and foundation for the Huaiyang Deputy Governor, who, despite his limited jurisdiction, can maintain a strong military presence in the region.

After preparing enough water and food, due to various delays and reasons, it takes almost two to three hours to cross the long bridge. The moment one steps off the bridge, they are on the land of Jiangnan.

After landing, the person who had been hugging the gray panda, her face pale, still refused to let go, not daring to look around. I had no choice but to let her be.

Although Jiangbei and Jiangnan are at the same latitude, the scenery and atmosphere feel very different, even though the people and things are similar.

This is the territory of the Jiangning Army, whose main base is in Jianye, and is nominally an opposing force to the Huaiyang Deputy Governor in Yangzhou.

However, the reality is different. Stepping onto the wet sandy shore, we saw not a strictly guarded military camp but a bustling riverside town filled with boats.

As the first batch of travelers stepped onto the land of Jiangnan, locals eager to attract customers swarmed around, loudly offering their services.

From the fragrant flowers and fruits of itinerant vendors to the various needs of inns, restaurants, and stables, the bustling scene gave a false sense of peace and prosperity.

If you could ignore the refugees from Jiangnan, who, like crows, were densely gathered in the fields, begging or waiting to die.

Without finding enough companions to travel with, these helpless and desperate people might become the worst nightmare and threat to lone travelers. I had experienced this firsthand.

As a common byproduct of chaos, they are impossible to completely eliminate or drive away. Therefore, the local authorities can only isolate them from the islands of order.

The bustling Southeast Direct Road, which once connected the north and south of the river, now only has some ruins that even time cannot completely destroy, buried in the wild grass.

Only these riverside towns, which have been destroyed and rebuilt in cycles due to various reasons, have continued to exist.

As a place to escape reality and find temporary comfort, it does a good job. As long as you have enough money, you can find almost anything and enjoy it here.

The air is filled with the scent of perfume and the sight of women exposing their shoulders, giving a decadent feel.

"This is a place that devours people without spitting out the bones."

I said to the person hugging the gray panda.

"Once you are slightly tempted, you will be pulled in, made to indulge and become addicted in the way you think is most enjoyable, until there is nothing left to extract from you."

Before I finished speaking, I saw a man, almost naked, roll out of a window.

"Truly heartless and unfeeling."

After cursing and getting up, he walked away with his head held high, as if the loincloth he clutched was a full set of formal attire.

Then, a bucket of dirty water fell from above, drenching him and turning him into a wet chicken. He could no longer curse and shivered in the cold spring air, running away.

The person hugging the gray panda laughed, which seemed to alleviate her fear of water.

Fortunately, there were normal inns without too many complications, though they were not of high quality. The best rooms were small compartments on the second floor under the tiled roof, where you could hear the snoring and various noises from the large dormitory below.

Meals were not included, and you had to bring your own utensils or eat out.

Therefore, whenever I had to go out, I had to take the person hugging the gray panda with me, as they might disappear in this crowded place.

I chose a large inn near the stables, which, after my initial observation, had the highest turnover and density of people, allowing me to hear various news from different places.

However, the most discussed topics were disasters and war news, mixed with other true and false information, making it difficult to filter out useful information.

The food at this roadside inn was not particularly tasty, just heavily seasoned to be edible.

The cold wine sold at the counter was ten coins a cup, probably diluted with water; the sliced meat was plentiful but lacked oil and salt, tasting bland; the homemade cured meat was tough and dry, almost impossible to chew; fresh vegetables were rare, and the most common were various pickles, heavy in flavor but lacking in other aspects.

Compared to the more refined tastes and styles of Jiangbei, this was a stark contrast, and we were not used to it.

I ordered two large servings of noodle soup, which involved cutting baked flatbreads into strips and soaking them in boiling broth until they softened.

The side dishes were bought from the inn: half a smoked fish, a few vinegar-soaked celery stalks, a piece of bamboo shoot, two ounces of old mutton with skin, a handful of bean sprouts, and a bunch of green onions. After some preparation, they were somewhat edible.

We occupied a short table and started eating.

Then I saw the naked man again. He had found a set of rough clothes that didn't fit him well and was eating leftover food with a group of laborers and porters, apparently unaffected by the sour porridge.

He even picked up the grains that fell into his clothes, ate them, and patted his half-full stomach, looking satisfied.

Among the laborers and porters, who had swollen veins from overwork, he stood out, but they seemed to know him and didn't show much surprise.

The meal of the lower class was short, and he was the only one left, asking for three bowls of free soup, which made the innkeeper look displeased. He regretfully patted his stomach.

I had a sudden idea and had the innkeeper prepare a bowl of noodle soup for him.

He hesitated for a moment, then quickly finished the large bowl of noodle soup and came over to thank me.

"Thank you for your kindness."

"Don't thank me yet."

I waved my hand and had the innkeeper bring a plate of boiled meat, sprinkled with salt, and pushed it to him.

"There's no free lunch."

He crossed his hands in front of his chest and said seriously,

"What do you want to know?"

"You seem to be a local."

I had the innkeeper bring half a wind-dried chicken.

"I am passing through and have some questions."

"Please ask."

His expression relaxed slightly.

I asked about the local customs and daily life. After drinking some wine, he opened up and talked about his past.

He had no surname, only a given name, Bo Fu, the same as the historical Tiger of Jiangdong. He was the adopted son of an old leader of a rebel army in Luzhou, named for his exceptional appetite and strength after being rescued from starvation.

Unfortunately, he lacked the family background and luck of the young overlord. He followed the government army through many battles, earning the nickname "Fierce Bird" but achieving little. In the end, he chose the wrong side in several battles, leading to catastrophic defeats, and his old comrades died or were injured, leaving him penniless and on the run.

He had been stranded here for years, relying on his past experience and skills to work as a temporary guard for passing caravans, living a life of buying pleasure when he had money and working hard for food when he didn't.

Or he would freeload on prostitutes, eating and sleeping for free until he was thrown out.

Then I casually mentioned my initial purpose.

"The route to the south."

He stopped eating and thought for a moment.

"That's not easy."

He took a sip of wine and used his chopsticks to draw on the table.

"Let me tell you."

"Don't be fooled by Dan Tu being a waterway hub; it's not easy to go south."

"The route to Minzhong is cut off; the Zhangquan Army is attacking Houguan Town, and travelers to Fen Shuiling are being detained."

"If you go to Jiangxi via Lishui, you need to be wary of the pirates in Wuhu."

"Since the Southern Dynasty's Jinghu Recruitment Office defeated the Jingnan Allied Army at Pengze, many defeated soldiers have gathered there, making the Jiangxi waterways dangerous."

"Of course, you can go to Jiangyin and buy a boat to sail out to sea, but it's not a good time now; it's the season of adverse winds."

"Most official and private ships go to Yizhou or Fusan, but you need connections."

I shook my head. If I had the ability and connections, I wouldn't need to ask you.

"If you're willing, there is another option: go to Jianye and then down the river."

"Although the forces along the river are complex, they can't block the river traffic."

"This way, you can reach Yuezhou, then transfer to Xiang and Heng, and finally reach the Five Ridges."

"Although it's a longer route."

He burped and shook an empty pot.

"How do you know I'm going to the Five Ridges?"

I touched the small crossbow at my waist and squeezed the hand of the person hugging the gray panda, signaling her to stay calm.

"In these times, nine out of ten people heading south are related to the Southern Dynasty. Not to mention your accent."

"Why don't you report me to the authorities?"

I asked with feigned interest.

"What would I gain by reporting you?"

He laughed.

"The Southern Dynasty has been conquering Jiangnan, and there are many connections among the coastal officials and powerful families."

"The southeastern armies resist on one hand and secretly cooperate on the other, relying on each other."

"Over the years, countless people have gone to the Five Ridges; who can keep track?"

"If I report you, I might just offend someone and get into trouble."

He seemed to recall something unpleasant and drank several mouthfuls.

Regardless of the truth of his words, his insight and experience were impressive. I decided to pay him extra.

After much thought, I made up my mind.

"I want to hire a guide and bodyguard."

I looked into his eyes and said slowly.

"What's the price?"

"Everything is negotiable."

He showed a surprised expression and then fell onto the table.

The person hugging the gray panda looked at me, signaling whether to take him to a secluded place and deal with him.

Two days later,

"This is the boat to Jianye."

I stared in disbelief at a brightly decorated large boat and Bo Fu, who was enthusiastically waving to us, and couldn't help but curse. Was he naive or devious, to find us such a boat?

Because my remaining memory told me this was a pleasure boat, or a floating brothel.

Even in this chaotic era, the sex trade has its own rules and territories, leading to intense conflicts and competition. Many women who fall into this trade come from beyond these territories, so some groups without strong backing or limited strength can't establish themselves on land and can only operate on the water, serving passing travelers.

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