fictionpage #290 - Hard to find a foothold
#290 - Hard to find a foothold
At the entrance of the imperial retreat.
Zhao Bao was still waiting anxiously.
He had heard bursts of intense fighting and booming sounds coming from within the retreat.
At the same time, he saw a large number of soldiers being mobilized to enter the retreat.
This made him realize that something must have happened inside.
But he couldn't find out exactly what had happened, so he could only fret anxiously outside.
Just then.
A voice sounded:
"Brother Zhao Bao, I plan to return to Qingzhou."
This made Zhao Bao hesitate, wondering if Liang Jin was related to the fighting inside the retreat just now.
In the end, Zhao Bao could only politely refuse:
"I... I'll wait here for Eunuch Cao first."
"After all, I am Eunuch Cao's subordinate and must seek his opinion."
Zhao Bao's heart resisted going to Qingzhou again.
He had also been to the Taiping Tao in Qingzhou, but he always felt too much pressure being around the Great Virtuous Teacher.
Although this Great Virtuous Teacher had not yet shown malice.
But if one day the Great Virtuous Teacher wanted to cause trouble, and unhappily slapped him to death, then he would truly die unjustly.
Liang Jin nodded upon hearing this, not forcing him:
"Alright, if you plan to come to Qingzhou again in the future, I will definitely entertain you well."
After speaking, Liang Jin turned and drifted away.
Zhao Bao watched Liang Jin's departing figure, finally relieved.
He didn't plan to continue his mission in Qingzhou.
Zhao Bao had already decided that when Cao Xian came out later, he would return to the capital no matter what.
A moment later.
A burst of sound suddenly rang out from the imperial retreat.
Zhao Bao turned to look.
He saw several luxurious carriages speeding out of the retreat, heading towards the distance.
Accompanying these carriages were also teams of majestic soldiers.
It was not difficult to see that the people in the carriages were definitely not of simple status.
This also made Zhao Bao couldn't help but think of the noble person in Cao Xian's words.
"Zhao Bao!"
A call interrupted Zhao Bao's thoughts.
Zhao Bao looked back and saw Cao Xian slowly walking out of the imperial retreat.
"Eunuch Cao!"
Zhao Bao hurriedly bowed and greeted him.
"May I ask if the Great Virtuous Teacher has cured the noble person?"
Zhao Bao couldn't help but ask.
If the Great Virtuous Teacher could cure the noble person, then it would be a meritorious service for him.
When the time came to discuss abandoning the mission, it would naturally be much easier to talk about.
Cao Xian nodded:
"That Great Virtuous Teacher's medical skills are truly unmatched."
"Even Imperial Physician Zhang in the palace and Divine Physician Mu in the martial world are amazed by this."
"Zhao Bao, this time I have made a contribution, and you, kid, can also benefit from it."
Zhao Bao was overjoyed upon hearing this.
He took the opportunity to open his mouth:
"Eunuch Cao, I want to be able to return to the capital."
"I went to the Taiping Tao and looked around, but I didn't find any problems."
Cao Xian looked at Zhao Bao with a smile that was not a smile upon hearing this:
"Is that so?"
Zhao Bao's heart tightened, not knowing how to answer.
But he heard Cao Xian sigh:
"It's good for you to go back earlier, lest you get too deeply involved with this Taiping Tao and suffer implications in the end."
"The Great Virtuous Teacher does not respect imperial authority and does not fear the law. I'm afraid there will be trouble in the future."
"You are a talent, don't let these things affect your future."
"Just go back, I will explain it to the Jishi Factory."
Zhao Bao felt a burst of panic in his heart upon hearing this.
Could it be that something happened in the imperial retreat just now?
Otherwise, how could Cao Xian have such a sigh?
But he still hurriedly opened his mouth:
"Thank you for your teachings, Eunuch!"
Cao Xian turned his head, looked at Zhao Bao and continued:
"Recently, some things have happened in the capital, and the Jishi Factory lacks manpower and urgently needs some capable elites to handle them."
"And Consort Han Gui is probably going to fall out of favor, so there is no need for you to continue staring at her."
"It won't be long before the Jishi Factory will arrange for someone to replace you, and you can officially enter the Jishi Factory to do errands."
"After all, you are someone I brought out, so I am giving you a heads up in advance so you can prepare early."
Zhao Bao was overjoyed upon hearing this.
Cao Xian was willing to tell him these things, which meant that Cao Xian regarded him as one of his own.
Immediately, Zhao Bao bowed and thanked him again.
Cao Xian waved his hand:
"Prepare to go back."
"I have to go to Qingzhou, I will tell you in detail when I return to the capital."
Zhao Bao couldn't help but be filled with doubts upon hearing this.
What was Cao Xian going to do in Qingzhou?
But Cao Xian didn't wait for Zhao Bao to ask, he got into the carriage on his own and left along the street.
Zhao Bao looked at the direction Cao Xian was leaving, and suddenly remembered that it was the direction those luxurious carriages had left earlier!
… … … …
It was getting dark.
On the surface of the Xuan River, you could see dots of lights.
Those were all lanterns hanging from boats to avoid collisions on this busy freight river due to darkness.
Liang Jin had already returned to the boat.
After he boarded the boat, the sails were raised, and the boat began to return along the Xuan River.
The cabin was lit.
Liang Jin had already begun to lecture the scriptures to Old Woman Wu.
After spending the past two days together, the two families had already learned the names of the man and old woman who had temporarily boarded the boat.
The man's name was Wu Shan, and the old woman was Old Woman Wu.
They were originally from Minzhou, and this trip was also to return to their home in Minzhou.
But when Old Woman Wu learned that she was actually on the same boat as the Great Virtuous Teacher, she became interested in the Taiping Tao.
Along the way, she often asked Liang Jin some questions about the Taiping Tao and listened to Liang Jin's lectures.
As a result, after arriving in Minzhou, she was not in a hurry to go home.
In addition, because she had received great kindness from the Taiping Tao, she simply chose to convert to the Taiping Tao and planned to return to Qingzhou with Liang Jin to contribute to the development of the Taiping Tao.
This made her son Wu Shan quite helpless.
But since his old mother had entered the Tao, he could only follow along and enter the Tao as well.
Liang Jin didn't expect that he would be able to pick up a Wu Shan with a fifth-grade realm as a subordinate on this trip.
This can also be considered an unexpected joy.
The boat went all the way down, traveling at full speed on the river at night.
A thin mist had begun to rise from the river's surface.
Occasionally, they encountered a rain shower, and after the rain passed, the night grew a bit colder.
Nothing eventful happened overnight.
The next day, at the crack of dawn.
With the sunrise, the warm sunlight dispelled the darkness, scattering across the river's surface, creating shimmering waves.
The green mountains stretched endlessly along both banks.
In the morning light, everything became clear.
The boat had been sailing without stopping and had long since entered Qingzhou territory, heading towards Qingzhou City.
Calculating the time.
In about an hour, they should reach the Qingzhou docks.
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Liang Jin also came to the bow of the boat early.
He placed his zither on his lap and began to play softly.
The pleasant music flowed gently across the river, and those who had just woken up felt refreshed listening to it.
Liang Jin's most loyal fan was naturally Lu Qiannan.
Whenever Liang Jin played, she would sit quietly by his side, watching him with fascination.
Even Jiang Lengxue was surprised.
She didn't seem to expect that Liang Jin would be so skilled in music and zither playing.
Just as everyone was enjoying the beautiful music.
Suddenly!
The boatman exclaimed:
"A large ship is coming!"
"Everyone, be careful!"
Hearing this, everyone looked towards the rear.
They saw a tall, multi-storied ship cutting through the waves.
The ship's hull was several dozen feet long, with sturdy Phoebe zhennan wood as its main structure, wrapped in bronze and golden Phoebe zhennan wood, meticulously carved, and the surface as smooth as a mirror.
The bow was carved with a phoenix spreading its wings, its head held high, its eyes bright and majestic.
On the multi-storied ship, layers of pavilions were staggered, with upturned eaves and carved beams and painted rafters. Each layer was decorated with intricate patterns of auspicious dragons and phoenixes, cloud and water totems, and seasonal flowers, all lifelike, colorful, and showcasing royal grandeur.
The entire ship was like a moving palace, beautiful, magnificent, and infinitely luxurious.
Many officers and soldiers stood solemnly on the ship, imposing and awe-inspiring.
After watching for a while, the boatman couldn't help but shout:
"This seems to be an official's ship, no, no! It's a royal ship!"
"We must quickly move out of the way and not block its path!"
This large ship was approaching aggressively, crashing from behind as if not caring whether it would overturn their boat.
Such a behemoth on the river was unstoppable. Any boat that blocked its path would be overturned without hesitation and dragged into the river under its hull.
The boatmen quickly adjusted the sails and rowed desperately.
Barely managing to avoid it, the tall ship quickly rushed past them.
The ship even stirred up a wave, causing the boat they were on to sway.
Old Mrs. Wu in the cabin almost fell in the swaying, but fortunately, her son Wu Shan was quick-witted and helped her steady herself.
"Hahahaha..."
A hearty laugh came from the tall ship:
"Great Virtuous Teacher, didn't expect to see me again, did you!"
Everyone looked in the direction of the voice.
On the top deck of the tall ship, a graceful figure was waving at Liang Jin.
She was wearing a gorgeous dress embroidered with golden phoenixes, made of cloud brocade, with phoenixes spreading their wings embroidered on it, interwoven with gold and silver threads, shining brightly in the sunlight, like the most magnificent clouds in the sky.
The woman was about sixteen years old, in the prime of her youth, with slender, curved eyebrows like a crescent moon hanging in the sky, a high nose bridge, cherry-like lips, and long, dark hair tied up with exquisite golden hairpins, adorned with delicate pearls and emeralds, making her appear dignified yet lively.
Especially her eyes, which were dark and bright, sparkling with cunning and wit.
She smiled triumphantly and said:
"This broken boat you're on is no good. It almost got sunk by my ship."
"If you're capable, come and chase my ship!"
The woman's words were arrogant and domineering.
Everyone on the boat frowned upon hearing this.
Especially Wu Shan, his eyes were wide with anger.
The large ship had just brushed past their boat, almost overturning his mother.
Although they were angry, they restrained themselves.
They all seemed to realize that this was a royal ship, and the girl seemed to have an extraordinary background.
Commoners should not contend with officials.
Even martial artists would find it difficult to compete with the imperial family.
Because the imperial family possessed the most and strongest martial artists in the world.
Lu Qiannan couldn't help but ask Liang Jin:
"Who is she?"
"She seems like a royal woman?"
The girl could call him Great Virtuous Teacher, so she was obviously acquainted with Liang Jin.
Liang Jin replied:
"Her name is Zhao Xiling, and she is the current emperor's daughter."
Everyone was shocked to hear this.
It was a princess!
This was the first time anyone present had seen a princess.
Or rather, the first time they had seen a member of the imperial family with royal blood.
Immediately, everyone's anger dissipated.
The princess was a precious jewel, high above them.
Who could afford to offend her?
Liang Jin, however, placed his hand on the strings, and said in a deep voice:
"Since this princess likes excitement, then I'll give her even more excitement."
With that, Liang Jin was about to sweep his hand across the strings.
Seeing that something was wrong, Jiang Lengxue quickly advised:
"Sect Leader, please think twice!"
"If we offend the princess, our Crimson Fire Sword Sect will probably find it difficult to gain a foothold in the world!"
Liang Jin turned his head and looked at Jiang Lengxue.
Jiang Lengxue looked worried and pleaded.
Liang Jin snorted coldly:
"What about a princess?"
"If she offends me, she will also find it difficult to gain a foothold!"
After saying that, Liang Jin swept his hand across the strings forcefully.
A series of pleasant musical notes immediately sounded.
Along with the music, a powerful surge of internal force immediately attacked the multi-storied ship.
"Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang!!!"
A series of explosions rang out from the bottom of the ship, and wood chips flew everywhere.
When the music ended, a huge hole had appeared in the bottom of the ship.
A large amount of river water was constantly pouring into the hole...