Sword from Hengshan

Chapter 68 Young Hero
The sixth day of the lunar month.

A letter sealed on a bamboo slip was delivered to Zhao Rong from Longquan via letter carrier.

"Sincerely, Senior Brother

Since the Three Autumn Periods, the years have passed and the seasons have flown by. It's been a few months since we parted, and we haven't written anything for a long time. Do you want to see how things are going now?

The fringe members of the Demon Cult have arrived in Anfu, and the Longquan Shu family is the first to bear the brunt. It is hard to give up the family business and violate the ancestral teachings. The three families go to Zhujian Villa to discuss the alliance. The three families join forces to fight against the Demon Cult, but there are conflicts and disagreements.
......"

Zhao Rong rode to Luosu Wharf. Tou Gulong walked steadily in the city and found his way automatically. He had time to read the letter sent by Qiu Mengyin twice carefully.

Approximate meaning: The Qiu family wanted to present the famous sword 'Qiu Shui' in a more formal manner, but they felt uneasy because of the delay due to the demon sect, so they expressed their apologies.

Maybe it will be a "village sword", but the famous sword has special meaning to Zhujian Villa. Giving a famous sword as a gift must have a sense of ritual according to the ancestral motto of Zhujian Villa.

Zhao Rong became a disciple of Mo Da, and the third master made a certain promise to the Qiu family at the end of the year.

It was a matter of life and death for the villa. Even if Lao Qiu was very optimistic about Zhao Rong, he would not dare to present the famous sword in a big way at that time. After all, the rumors between the head of the family and the Liu family were rampant in Hengyang Wulin at that time.

"Qiu Shui" is secondary. Is the Demon Cult moving south so quickly?
It's a long way from Heimuya to Raozhou Fenduo Mountain, let alone Longquan.

The power of the Demon Sect from afar should not be too strong.

However, it would be really embarrassing and troublesome if the Demon Cult was allowed to take root around Hengzhou Mansion.

He does have an idea of ​​​​confronting this demonic force, and can also increase the prestige of the leader's lineage.

but
If Lao Qiu didn't come looking for him, it wouldn't be appropriate for him to go and pull a piece of cake off the Third Master's property.

Zhao Rong put the letter away.

I have to ask Lao Lu later to see what specific promises the third master made.

Hengyang's music giants are now obsessed with Guangling San, and they may not have any good ideas.

"Drive~!"

Zhao Rong accelerated slightly and headed out of the city toward Anren in the east. In the distance, a six- to seven-foot-tall white tower stood on the mountainside. In folklore, there are many Feng Shui towers used to ward off demons in the water and pray for blessings and safety. They can also serve as guides along the river. beacon.

If you go a mile further, you can still see a damaged headless Buddha statue.

When the flood season comes, the river flows over the stone steps below and reaches the ankles of the Buddha statue. It is called "Buddha washing his feet". If it is "Buddha washing his face", everyone has to pack up the linen and run away.

After passing the dike, Luosu Wharf was even noisier than usual.

The local boat gangs are collectively known as the Sanhe Gang, which are responsible for the business in the upstream, downstream and Luosu Wharf basins. Most of them are small local gangs in Hengzhou Prefecture. There are also boatmen from the same area who wander outside, uniting to communicate with fellow villagers and solicit passengers and goods.

The people who manage the terminal are hard-working passengers and casual workers in villages and towns, who gradually become stable porters, responsible for loading, unloading and transporting the goods at the terminal.

The information here is messy and trivial, but merchants come from all over the world, and there will always be news from all over the world.

In a crowded place, Zhao Rong dismounted from his horse and pulled the reins forward. The beggar who was sleeping on the moss-covered stone next to the embankment saw the wind-catching dragon. He couldn't help but open his sleepy eyes and look at it with his peripheral vision from time to time.

Zhao Rong felt it but didn't pay attention to it. Hengzhou Prefecture's Beggar Clan held a lot of tricks near the pier.

Naturally, the Hengshan Sect has many pairs of tricks like this.

Recently, more manpower has been deployed.

"Old man, may I ask where the cargo is shipped from?" Zhao Rong called to an old man wearing a cotton-padded coat pushing a cart. When the old man stopped, Zhao Rong stretched out a hand and put it on the car to support himself, so that the straps on the old man's shoulders could be tightened. The belt is loose.

"Young hero, they are all Gang Leader Shang's goods."

The old man took a breath and took a rest. He saw Zhao Rong wearing a sword and leading a horse, so he called him "Young Hero".

"These days, it's been Gang Leader Shang's goods. Is he so capable?" Zhao Rong looked 'surprised'.

"Young hero doesn't have a foreign accent, how come you don't even know about Gang Leader Shang?" The old man was a little unhappy and boasted, "He is a very good man. I have many fellow villagers begging for food at the pier. Gang Leader Shang gave us Our wages are 20% higher than those of the surrounding dock gangs, and there are guards here to protect us from being exploited by dirty officials and from being bullied.”

"There have been rumors recently"

The old man suddenly became mysterious: "It is said that Gang Leader Shang has met the next generation leader of the Hengshan Sect. He is a big shot like thunder!"

"Gang Leader Shang hosted a banquet for many big merchants, and the officials also attended. Everyone gave that big shot face and trusted Gang Leader Shang as a person, so the business expanded several times."

"Hey, we, the porters, have all benefited from this, and our wages have increased a lot."

"There's a lot of work to do these days, so after finishing the work, I have to cut some pork head meat and buy some wine to drink." The old man licked his dry lips, his old face full of expectation and happiness. "I see." Zhao Rong had seen this scene many times, and it always touched his heart.

The old man pointed to the northeast of Yancheng again, "Young hero, you are a talented person. You can try it out at the Hengshan faction. In previous years, Hengshan faction had to recruit people through the introduction of acquaintances. This spring, I suddenly heard that they are recruiting some talented young people. It's really cool." The fake old man doesn’t know.”

Zhao Rong said "Oh", Junior Brother Quan was very reliable in his work, and the news spread quickly.

"Old man, what do you think of this Hengshan sect?"

"The little old man has never been to the Hengshan Sect, so he doesn't know much about it." The old man showed a row of yellow teeth, "But there is a truth that everyone understands. Hengyang City is a safe place."

"There are fewer bullies and robbers than other places."

"The Hengshan Sect is a well-known and upright sect. With them in Hengyang, those who do evil will not be so bold, and the Green Forest people who pass by will have to keep their temper."

Zhao Rong looked in the direction of the Hengshan faction, with a bright look on his face.

"Thanks for the directions."

He let go of his hand on the cart and took out some broken silver and put it on the cart.

When the old man reacted, Zhao Rong had already grabbed the reins and continued heading east.

"Young Hero!"

"Pig's head meat and wine, I'll invite you." Zhao Rong laughed, and his figure gradually faded away in the old man's eyes.

The old man hurriedly thanked him, weighed the broken silver, and went back to the cart with surprise on his face.

Zhao Rong rode all the way to the temporary awning dock next to the ford.

The smoke of fireworks is even stronger here.

Many dock workers, hustlers, hangers-on, and brokers are looking for food here, which stands out as a cheap, good, and filling place.

It is said that in the past, boatmen on the river bank often stayed on the river beach. When they stopped their boats, they would make a fire to cook and ward off the cold. The only cooking utensil was a clay pot filled with soup, and then they would add buffalo offal bought from vendors and cook it. The taste was indescribable.

This is ancient hot pot.

In the past few years, chili peppers have spread to Hengyang, Yongzhou and other places, so that Zhao Rong has smelled it from afar.

When the wine is cooked and the glutinous rice is cooked, it is like a fisherman, and when the rice comes, it opens its mouth like a divine crow. The bamboo branches are as straight as the phoenix, and the willow trees are tilted in the wind.

On the embankment, under the willow tree, Quan Zi held a willow branch in his mouth and stared at the water. The sound of horse hooves made him turn around.

Seeing Zhao Rong approaching, he hurried over to show his courtesy and lead the horse, but the Bone-penetrating Dragon snorted at him in warning. Quan Ziju had no good words to say: "Brother, we have met several times, and this beast is even more stubborn than a donkey."

"You always want to ride it, and it doesn't think you are a good person." Zhao Rong joked.

Quan Ziju laughed and didn't answer. He looked around and said, "Brother, you must have heard the news along the way. I stayed at the dock for several days, secretly and overtly asking our people to cooperate with Shang Yukang. This matter has not gone wrong."

"Yes, the news has spread." Zhao Rong asked cautiously, "Can you trust those people you found?"

Quan Ziju did not dare to laugh and said seriously: "Innocent and innocent, everyone lives in Hengyang."

"Senior Sister Feng went to Baoqing Mansion with the letter you gave her. It is estimated that she will not be back until seven or eight days. If they are willing to help, our life will be much easier. If they are not willing to help, then call more disciples, at most It will be ready in three to five days.”

Zhao Rong smiled and said, "It's about time."

"Shang Yukang's side is ready, just waiting for the news from senior brother."

"I'll go to the Red Wolf Gang in the evening."

Zhao Rong suddenly thought of Lai Zhirui, and warned again, "The people on Shajiao Island can evacuate to the east, and leave some people to wait at Anren's side in advance."

Quan Ziju frowned, wondering if this was too distracting.

But he still obeyed Zhao Rong's arrangement.

There were shouts not far away, and another boat sailed into the dock.

The water was swaying, and then a big wave arose, hitting the dike hard!
……

(End of this chapter)