Knife splashing

Chapter 694 East City Cargo Hold
"Brother Li, I am so grateful for your kindness. Please drink this cup to the full!"

Yan Jiuling raised his head and drank the wine in the glass. After drinking several glasses, his cheeks were flushed.

He raised his hand to pour more wine, his fingertips trembled slightly and the wine almost spilled.

Seeing this, Li Yan quickly held his wrist, took the wine jar aside, and said with a smile:

"Brother Yan, why should we be polite to each other? If you drink any more, I'm afraid you'll pass out drunk in this inn."

"It's not a polite remark..."

Yan Jiuling sighed, his eyes fell on the bodhi tree outside the window, and said in a low voice: "My father was afraid of disturbing my mind, so he kept the crisis at home a secret. It's ridiculous that I didn't notice it at all and was still traveling along the way. If it weren't for Brother Li's help, I'm afraid..."

Having said this, he suddenly closed his eyes and clenched his knuckles until they turned white.

Li Yan patted his shoulder and said, "There's no need to talk about the past. Now that the southwest has been settled and the Lei family is in charge, the Yan family can rest assured."

Seeing Yan Jiuling's expression eased a little, Li Yan changed the subject and said, "It's about this 'Qiankun Academy' that they didn't explain clearly. Brother Yan worked so hard to get the position, so he must know the inside story?"

Upon hearing this, Yan Jiuling's drunkenness faded a little, a trace of solemnity flashed in his eyes, and he lowered his voice and said:
"Since Brother Li asked, I will speak frankly. The future of this academy is related to the prosperity and decline of our Daxuan country!"

"Have you heard anything about the Royal Fleet?"

"Know a thing or two."

Li Yan nodded slightly: "I heard that the inner court secretly organized a fleet, and in order to avoid the stigma of 'competing with the people for profit', they deliberately disguised themselves as a merchant caravan to go out to sea. Unexpectedly, they were ambushed and three treasure ships were destroyed... The other party seemed to be using a new type of moisture-proof gunpowder?"

"It's more than just gunpowder!"

Yan Jiuling said in a deep voice: "The matter has been investigated. It was done by Portuguese merchants."

"They pretended to be pirates and plundered everywhere, trying to control the shipping lanes. Not only did they use new gunpowder that was moisture-proof, but their cannons were also very sophisticated. The barrels were drilled using a secret method, and the range was 30% longer than the Ministry of Industry's 'Shenwei Dajiangjun Cannon'!"

His voice became more serious: "Your Majesty sent spies to investigate thoroughly, and only then did he find out that the world has already changed dramatically."

"The Portuguese are the most powerful, and their whereabouts are all over the sea, but the red-haired barbarians are more ferocious, and they are the latecomers who have surpassed them. They have secretly controlled the countries in Southeast Asia, pretending to be vassal states to enter China, and colluded with the Japanese pirates in Japan to destroy the sea routes. However, because of the previous battle in the southwest, they had no time to take care of other things, so they could only pretend to be confused. After the bombardment of Tianjin, Your Majesty took the opportunity to attack and eliminate these people..."

"On another continent, England and France are fighting and have invaded Sindhu, threatening the northwest of China..."

"There is also the Rakshasa Kingdom, which took in the remnants of the Golden Horde and built a city and stationed troops in the northern desert..."

As he spoke, he sighed, “The border of Shenzhou seems to be stable, but in fact, it is full of crises.”

After hearing this, Li Yan's pupils suddenly shrank.

Ever since the Southern Song Dynasty was overthrown by the "Great Song Ghost Cult", the history of this world has been completely different from that of the previous life.

Fortunately, the national strength of the Xuan Dynasty is no less than that of the Ming Dynasty in the previous life.

But according to what Yan Jiuling said, the changes in overseas countries are actually faster than those in China?

Maybe something unexpected happened in the middle...

"Your Majesty has discovered that the strength of these barbarians is due to the 'Academy' that arose a hundred years ago."

Yan Jiuling continued, "They collected ancient books from various countries and even traveled to those ancient mysterious places to find lost inheritances. The Portuguese academy's astrology secrets can calculate the stars and avoid storms. The 'Royal Society' in England went to the capital to buy ancient books at high prices a while ago."

"So Qiankun Academy is to include hundreds of schools of thought and revive the fortune of China!"

Yan Jiuling slammed the table and said, "It's a pity that those corrupt scholars in the court still regard numerology as a strange and cunning trick. If the war in the southwest had not shown Your Majesty the benefits of firearms, this academy would probably not even have its foundation!"

"I see…"

Li Yan understood everything in his heart, and then looked at Zhao Luzi, "Brother Yan, let me introduce someone to you. This brother Zhao Luzi is my best friend, from the Bibao Ganshan lineage. Isn't the academy looking for teachers? Can he join the academy to teach?"

"of course can!"

Before Yan Jiuling could answer, Fatty Lin next to him was surprised and said, "One of the tasks of the academy is to re-measure the Feng Shui of China. The local Biebao sects are familiar with the local mountains and rivers, but it's a pity that each sect cherishes its own things. If they can gather together, they will definitely accomplish something great."

"Brother, are you willing to teach us the secrets of our sect?"

Zhao Luzi was silent for a moment, then said in a muffled voice: "I have broken my oath and left Guanzhong. These things left by my ancestors must be spread out eventually. If they are really beneficial to the fortune of Shenzhou, I will have the face to see my ancestors after my death."

"This is wonderful!"

Yan Jiuling was very happy, "I will take you to see the Supervisor in a few days."

Li Yan asked, "The academy is about to open, Senior Yuan must be very busy, right?"

The person he was talking about was Yuanfeng, who seemed to be just a Langzhong of the Yuheng Qingli Division of the Ministry of Works, but was actually an elder of the Mo Sect.

At that time in Liangzi Lake, Li Yan found Lu Ban's wooden magpie and got acquainted with the old man.

It was from him that I first learned about Qiankun Academy and was invited to join.

When Qiankun Academy was established, this old man was appointed as its supervisor.

"That's not true."

Yan Jiuling shook his head and said, "Master Tian and his disciples have been acting mysterious these days, often entering and leaving the palace. I don't know what they are doing. The affairs of the academy have always been handled by me and other masters."

The speaker has no intention, the listener has the heart.

An idea suddenly occurred to Li Yan.

He remembered the prototype of the steam engine found in Liangzi Lake.

It seems that because of this incident, Yuanfeng became the director of Qiankun Academy.

They haven't reproduced this thing yet...

…………

While they were chatting, the Yin-Yang master had arrived in East City.

In addition to the imperial city, inner city and outer city, the capital is also divided into five cities: central, eastern, southern, western and northern.

The terrain of the East City is flat. The East City extends from Chongwenmen to the east of Yonghe Palace, reaches the inner city wall in the north, and connects Chongwenmen and Dongbianmen in the south. It is the throat of the canal transportation.

Grain ships were shuttling across the Tonghui River and warehouses were lined up beside the Datong Bridge. It was a prosperous scene of "thousands of sails competing to pass the Chaoguan Pass in the north, and tens of thousands of loads of grain being stored in granaries."

There are five blocks here: Mingshi, Huanghua, Sicheng, Nanjuxian and Beijuxian. Money houses and ticket shops are located side by side within the walls of the blocks. The night market at Dengshikou is open all night long. The sound of reading in the Imperial College and the calls of the canal workers are heard one after another. On the stone tablet carried by the Bixi in the Confucius Temple, the words "Built by Imperial Order in the 15th Year of Daxuan Hongjing" are still clear.

The Yin-Yang master walked through the street holding a long banner.

A few porters who were squatting under the eaves of the warehouse eating pancakes caught a glimpse of the banner and hurriedly spat on the ground three times.

Anyone who dares to play tricks in this world is either a true god or a short-lived ghost.

Mr. Yin Yang walked along the bluestone road and came to a blue brick warehouse.

Outside the warehouse, a dozen strong men were standing or squatting, telling dirty jokes.

Among them was a girl with gold teeth, who was imitating the kiln girls in the Eight Great Hutongs and waving her handkerchief, which made everyone laugh.

The sleeves of their short black robes were rolled up, revealing the "anchor" tattoos on their left arms.

The tattoo was blue with a hint of purple, and was made with aged pigeon blood mixed with cinnabar. Only the old gangs paid attention to this style, and the ordinary people nearby didn't dare to get close to it.

There are three major gangs in the capital: the Iron Anchor Gang, the Tiger Power Hall, and the Bronze Camel League.

This is a branch of the "Iron Anchor Society".

Not only are they related to the Cao Gang, they also control the "Five Elements" in East City, and their influence is quite considerable.

Seeing the Yin-Yang Master approaching, several men immediately surrounded him with fierce looks on their faces.

The man with the gold teeth glared at her, "Hey! Where did you come from, you old bastard? What are you looking for?"

Mr. Yin Yang bowed slightly and said, "Excuse me, Master Wang Xiang asked me to help him arrange the Feng Shui of his home, so I came to meet you specially."

"Oh?"

The man with gold teeth looked slightly changed, and said, "Wait!"

After saying that, he turned around and went in to report.

After a while, the man ran out, his attitude obviously improved, "The incense master wants to see you."

The two entered the warehouse, only to find a different world inside.

The densely stacked cargo boxes act like walls, dividing the warehouse into different areas.

In front is a shop for picking up goods, with piles of sacks sealed with "Susong Grain Road" marks, but they are actually all contraband salt.

An old man was leaning over the counter counting money; the sound of his abacus was more frequent than raindrops.

A man from the carriage and horse company came to collect the bamboo chips for transporting goods, with a fawning look on his face.

There were also a few shirtless men wrestling in the open field, causing the surroundings to howl with ghosts and wolves.

A thin man squatted on a bench and opened the market: "Buy it and leave it alone! If Hei Xiazi can hold off Lao Liu, I will give him two cents of silver!"

Passing through the front hall, the inside is even more complicated.

There are several passages of various kinds, some of which can only be passed sideways and are covered with mud to prevent fire.

You can vaguely see flames inside, as well as the sound of whips and screams.

Unlike the Cao Gang, the Anchor Society’s business is not just transporting goods.

Dongcheng has a developed business, with many banks and money houses, and many of them lend money secretly.

The "Anchor Society" not only lends money at high interest rates, but also helps people collect debts.

On the surface, there are industries such as "Shunfeng Shipping" and "Tonghe Warehouse".

He also secretly runs a "Water Ghost Hall" and takes lives for money.

In short, the industry is complex, and the background behind it is even more complex, otherwise it would have been swallowed up by the Cao Gang long ago.

Mr. Yin Yang turned a blind eye to this and followed the man through three iron-clad secret doors to the back of the warehouse.

This place is also divided by cargo boxes, but it is decorated to look like a house. The ground is paved with blue bricks, there are bonsai trees, fish in fish tanks, and even a small courtyard. It is all lit by torches around, as if it is night.

"Come in, the incense master is inside."

Before they got close, the man leading the way stopped.

Mr. Yin Yang nodded slightly and walked into the courtyard.

After entering the door, I saw two people sitting inside drinking tea.

One of them had a bald head and a white beard, a copper ring on his left ear, and was wearing a brocade robe. Not only was there an anchor tattooed on his arm, but there was also a huge, ferocious poisonous snake tattooed on his scalp. Although he was old, he still looked fierce and majestic.

This person is Wang She, the incense master of the "Iron Anchor Society".

The other man was even taller, he was the second in command of the Jinghai Gang, Zhang Tiankui, nicknamed 'Iron-Armed Dragon King'.

At this moment, he no longer had the arrogance he had before. He held the glass of wine with a look of distress on his face.

When he saw Mr. Yin Yang coming, he just glanced at him and ignored him.

Wang She also looked calm, drank the wine in the glass and said, "Brother Tian Kui, given our relationship, we will help if we can, but you also know that the capital is not like other places. When it comes to court struggles, our Iron Anchor Society doesn't have such strong arms."

"But don't worry, it's very safe here. You can stay here. The court's hawks and dogs can't smell it."

"Well, since my brother is busy, I'll leave first."

Zhang Tiankui also drank the wine in his glass in one gulp, then turned and left.

After he walked away, the king snake's face changed, and he suddenly fell to the ground and kowtowed, saying:
"This subordinate greets Master Kong!"

Mr. Yin Yang smiled, his facial features kept distorting, his skin melted like wax, revealing a gaunt face.

He has an ordinary appearance, calm eyes and a rather elegant air.

It was Yu Wenhai’s master, “Mr. Rotten Letters” Kong Hui!
Upon seeing this, the King Snake quickly stood up, took out a talisman from his arms that isolated him from detection, and carefully hung it at the door.

After doing all this, he knelt on the ground again and glanced at Kong Hui who was sitting on the armchair.

Under the candlelight, this "Mr. Lazy" was dressed in a clean blue shirt, holding a teacup with slender jade-like fingers, looking like a Hanlin lecturing in the Imperial Academy. But the hairs on the back of the king cobra's neck stood up, like a field mouse being stared at by a poisonous snake.

He was worried and smiled: "Master, I heard that Brother Yu was killed by the Duwei Division? I wonder..."

"He couldn't speak."

Kong Hui poured himself a cup of tea and asked, "What happened to Zhang Tiankui just now?"

Wang She sneered, "This kid betrayed Lu Jinghai and wanted to be the leader of the gang, but he didn't know that the court would never let them go. His brothers were arrested by the government, and he was also branded a traitor. He was also hunted by the Yingwang Mansion, so he ran here to ask for my help."

"I will keep him here temporarily to see if the Immortal Master can use him."

Kong Hui did not comment, "Where is Zhao Qingxu?"

Although his tone was calm, Wang She was sweating. "This... I don't know either. After telling me to deal with those boys and girls, Master Zhao never showed up again. He just told me to collect intelligence and not to cause trouble."

"Oh?"

Kong Hui picked up the teacup and asked, "Is this Ru kiln?"

After hearing this, the king snake's gaze unconsciously shifted to the teacup.

But Kong Hui was seen blowing the tea soup lightly, and the white mist passed over his indifferent brows.

The hidden mark "Made in Yuande Year" on the bottom of the teacup is faintly visible under the candlelight, which is the "Jiqing Glaze" of the official kiln of the previous dynasty.

King Snake suddenly felt that the teacup was getting bigger and bigger in his sight, and the ice cracks on the glaze turned into thousands of spider webs, entangled his mind layer by layer...

Soon, his eyes became confused.

"Where is Zhao Qingxu?"

The calm questioning voice seemed to come from far away.

The king snake's eyes were wide open, and his lips opened and closed mechanically: "He told me to deal with the thirty-six pairs of boys and girls... and he never showed up again."

After asking several times and finding that the other party was not lying, Kong Hui flicked his finger lightly.

Ding!
The king snake was startled by the crisp sound of the teacup, and the clothes on its back were soaked.

He was completely unaware of the difference, thinking that he was distracted, and rubbed his hands and smiled apologetically: "You have a good eye, Immortal! This is a tribute that was stolen by a clerk in the Ministry of Works to pay off a debt. I was planning to use him to set up a trap and put an eye in the Armory Bureau. If you like it, Immortal, I will get you a better one..."

"no."

Kong Hui interrupted him and said, "Tell Zhao Qingxu a message. I want to see him. If he keeps hiding, you can forget about this business in the capital!"

"Yes, Immortal Chief."

The king snake behind him felt a chill in his heart and a chill rose from his back.

Although he had a bad reputation in the capital, he was secretly supported by Jianmu.

Only he knew how terrible these people were!
King Snake did not dare to delay for even a moment, and immediately called his men to whisper:
"Hurry up and prepare a table of the best food. Order the Eight Treasures Wine from Zuixianlou, the Roasted Deer Jerky from Judefang, and four kinds of seasonal fruits."

After his men took the order and left, he straightened his clothes and hurried out of the cargo hold.

In the secret compartment in the cargo hold wall, Zhang Tiankui was secretly watching his back through the ventilation hole.

He held his breath and concentrated, even trying to suppress the rustling sound of his clothes rubbing against the brick wall.

He was born with a strange appearance, a spine like a dragon, and amazing wrestling skills, earning him the nickname "Iron-Armed Dragon King" in the martial arts world.

But what is truly rare is to awaken the power of the mind and learn the art of summoning gods.

Among the six yang supernatural powers, the power of mind is the most mysterious. Some people can communicate with gods, and some people can sense things thousands of miles away.

However, Zhang Tiankui is extremely sensitive to Qi.

Even if it is isolated by secret methods, it can still be detected.

The breath coming from deep in the cargo hold made his spine feel hot.

He and Yu Wenhai are sworn enemies, and have also met his master.

Zhang Tiankui clenched his teeth, and the muscles on his cheeks became angular.

I didn't expect that when I came to seek help with no other options, I would run into the real culprit behind the Tianjin incident.

If we sell it to the Duwei Division, our brothers' lives might be saved.
As soon as the thought came to his mind, he turned around abruptly and prepared to leave.

"Where are you going, Master Zhang?"

As soon as I opened the door, three strong men blocked my way in a triangular shape.

The gold-toothed man in the lead smiled cordially, but the water-dividing spear on his waist emitted a three-inch cold light intentionally or unintentionally.

"I feel so suffocated, take a breath."

Zhang Tiankui replied pretending to be nonchalant.

"I dare not!"

The man with the gold teeth smiled humbly, with half of the black tinder showing from his sleeves. "If you show your face, the hawks and dogs of the Jinyiwei will come over after smelling the scent. We can't afford to offend them. The incense master said that we will get you whatever you want to eat or drink."

The words were polite, but three muskets appeared from the gaps in the high cargo pile, aiming at Zhang Tiankui...

(End of this chapter)