Wang Xianyun nodded. Now she finally understood why her son didn’t want to return to Sizhou!
With pastries like these and watermelons like these, even she didn’t want to go back. As for her Husband Qiu… well, men were a dime a dozen. At least she had her son.
The Qiu family had been a single-lineage family for generations. Even if she tried her hardest, she probably couldn’t have another child, and besides, she was already at an age when she ought to be enjoying life.
The maid continued with her introduction. “Xianglu County also has beverage shops run by the local government. They sell all kinds of food and drinks—some with milk, some with sugar, some with ice…”
Qiu Tai finally finished loading all the luggage onto the carts. Only then did he come over, drenched in sweat. “Grandmother, Mother…”
Before he could finish, Old Madam Qiu waved dismissively. “Your grandfather has been missing you terribly. Go ride with him.”
Qiu Tai: “…”
He turned to look at his mother.
Wang Xianyun frowned. “Listen to your grandmother. Go.”
Qiu Tai silently left and climbed into Old Master Qiu’s carriage.
Old Master Qiu, at least, didn’t find him bothersome. He was eating watermelon slice by slice. “This stuff of yours is pretty good. Buy more when you come back.”
He had tried the pastries too, but he wasn’t fond of overly sweet food. The watermelon was much more satisfying.
Qiu Tai chuckled. “Grandfather, I’m out of money. This stuff is expensive—much more expensive than grain.”
He really wasn’t exaggerating. Watermelon was delicious and refreshing, but it was truly expensive.
Old Master Qiu shot him a sidelong glance. “Useless.”
He was getting on in years, and the long journey had left him feeling tired. After eating a few pieces, he stopped and simply gazed outside at the lush crops and the farmers working in the fields.
“It’s been a drought this year. How are the fields in Fengzhou growing so well?”
Qiu Tai was busy finishing the watermelon and pastries his grandfather had left behind. With his mouth full, he said, “We have waterwheels.”
Old Master Qiu didn’t know what a waterwheel was, but he didn’t press the matter. Now that he had arrived in Fengzhou, he had plenty of time. He would learn sooner or later.
Across the boundless sea, more than a dozen cargo ships sailed leisurely along.
Xie Nanxiao sat in the lookout room, enjoying the sea breeze while devouring watermelon.
“Lord is truly amazing. To think he managed to obtain so many improved seeds! This watermelon is so refreshing in the heat. It feels wonderful.”
After returning from Anwu County, he had gone back to Xunfeng Island to inspect the naval training. Yesterday, he had received orders, and today he had come out for a leisurely cruise.
Zhu Xiaoliu was gnawing on watermelon too, wishing he could eat the rind along with the flesh. It was simply too delicious.
“That’s because Lord is Heaven’s chosen ruler.”
Xie Nanxiao agreed wholeheartedly. “Exactly. Since we followed Lord, we’re all blessed by Heaven.”
After finishing half a watermelon, he rubbed his slightly distended stomach. “I’ll have to take two pisses before long.”
As he spoke, he stood up and looked around. “I wonder when the target will show up.”
Zhu Xiaoliu wiped his face. “No idea. But if they want to meet Lord in Fengzhou, they’ll have to pass through here.”
Just then, a cluster of black dots gradually appeared in the distance.
Xie Nanxiao brightened and quickly raised the spyglass hanging in front of him.
Sun Zheng sat aboard the Feilu, sipping tea. It was his first time enjoying tea at sea.
The weather was hot, but the cabin had openings on both sides, and the strong sea breeze kept it from feeling too warm. The only problem was the fishy smell carried by the wind, which made him somewhat uncomfortable.
Li Chun sat across from Sun Zheng. “I wonder whether Princess Jinyang will submit.”
He was the civil official assigned to assist Sun Zheng.
Sun Zheng shook his head. “It’ll be difficult.”
Li Chun frowned. “But His Majesty has ascended the throne and become the ruler of the Yan Kingdom. No matter how unwilling she is, she cannot change that fact.”
Sun Zheng sighed helplessly. “That may be true, but Princess Jinyang has the Jinyang Army. That is where her confidence comes from.”
He glanced at Li Chun. “Princess Jinyang managed to conquer all of Fengzhou in just two years. Clearly, she is highly capable. We must proceed carefully this time.”
Li Chun’s brows drew together even more tightly. “What if the princess refuses to submit? What will we do then?”
Sun Zheng smiled faintly. “If she refuses, then naturally she will be branded a rebel against the Yan Kingdom. Under the pressure of public opinion, even the Jinyang Army’s morale will inevitably become unsettled.”
To put it plainly, they had not come this time with much hope that Princess Jinyang would truly submit. Their main purpose was to lay the groundwork for the public campaign that would follow, allowing His Majesty to win over more of the people.
If some of the Jinyang Army surrendered, that would be even better.
Li Chun suddenly understood. “Brilliant! Lord Sun, you’re remarkable!”
Sun Zheng waved modestly. “Those are merely clever tricks. True strength is what really matters.”
“Princess Jinyang had better submit. That way, His Majesty’s strength will increase greatly, and he can reclaim the Yan Kingdom’s lost lands.”
Li Chun agreed, a trace of disgust flashing in his eyes. “She should hand back her military authority. Those troops belong to the Yan Kingdom in the first place. A woman should marry, support her husband, and raise children—that is the proper path.”
Sun Zheng smiled as he poured him more tea. “Come, come, have some tea. As long as the two of us work together, we will surely accomplish our objective.”
Li Chun hurriedly accepted the cup and was just about to thank him when a soldier’s report came from the cabin door.
“Report! More than a dozen ships have appeared ahead. They seem to be heading toward us.”
Sun Zheng frowned. “Are they flying any flags?”
The soldier shook his head, looking puzzled. “No. But there are two enormous salted fish hanging from one of them.”
They probably were salted fish, he thought. The ships were still some distance away, and he couldn’t see them clearly.
Sun Zheng froze. “Salted fish? What does that mean?”
The soldier naturally had no idea.
The steward standing nearby suddenly remembered something and hissed. “Could they be pirates?”
Sun Zheng was stunned. After thinking it over, he realized it was indeed possible. He hurried up to the lookout room.
The military officer in charge of escorting the fleet was Ji Wangfei. At that moment, he was already in the lookout room, staring intently at the fleet in the distance.
“What is it? Are they pirates?” Sun Zheng asked.
Ji Wangfei shook his head. “I don’t know. But we haven’t heard of any pirates in this area before. And judging by their speed, their ships must be quite good.”
Sun Zheng frowned. “Can we avoid them?”
At the moment, he had no desire to clash with any faction. He only hoped to reach Fengzhou safely, meet the princess, and complete his mission.
Ji Wangfei glanced at him. “We’re at sea. It’s difficult to avoid them completely unless our ships are much faster than theirs.”
From what they could see, however, the other side’s cargo ships were no slower than their own.
Worry appeared on Sun Zheng’s face, accompanied by an ominous feeling.
Seeing this, Ji Wangfei couldn’t help but put on a proud expression. “Lord Sun, there’s no need to worry. We are an official naval force. They’re only cargo ships—either merchant vessels or pirate ships. How could they possibly be a match for us?”
“Besides…” He pointed toward the approaching fleet. “They have only a dozen or so ships, while we have more than thirty. Ours are warships, too. What is there to fear?”
