Li Chengqian took it and took a look at it, and couldn't help but sigh: "I didn't expect that our Tang Dynasty would have such meticulous officials!"
Yuantuna smiled: "It's just a stupid way, it's very messy!"
It was indeed a stupid idea. Yuan Gang actually sent people to record in detail every ship that passed Fuzhou every day!
This may not matter in later generations, but in the Tang Dynasty, this was definitely an expression of extreme diligence.
This made Su Chen and Li Chengqian look at the forty-year-old governor in front of them with admiration.
Su Chen carefully looked at the compiled records and said:
"According to the records of the Governor, most of the ships passing through Fuzhou are going south, and very few are going north."
"This is a little strange!"
Yuanzuna replied: "I don't know if I'm here now. Maybe the time is too short and those ships haven't returned yet?
After all, the sudden increase in ships in Fuzhou has only happened in the past two months."
Su Chen frowned, I'm afraid that's not the case.
However, Yuantuna's ability to achieve this level is already the best, so he did not continue to ask about the reasons for this.
"Prince Yuan, your note says that there are many slave ships heading south?"
Yuan Gang hesitated and said: "Guo Guo Gong, this human trafficking is actually in our Tang Dynasty..."
Su Chen smiled and said: "Don't be nervous, Governor Yuan. Kunlun slaves and Silla maids are in short supply in Chang'an, I know!"
"I'm just curious, aren't these slave ships supposed to go north, why can't they escape?
Did your messenger make a mistake?"
"Lord Protector, this official also suspected it, but those ships stayed in the port for a short time, and I didn't have time to send people on board."
"And this kind of business is usually closely related to the powerful. As long as they are not trafficking in local people, local officials are generally..."
Su Chen nodded: "Understood, even if you send people to search, you probably won't be able to board the ship!"
Li Chengqian asked curiously: "Are slave traders so rampant?"
Yuan Gang didn't say anything, and Su Chen said to Li Chengqian: "Do you know which company sold the most Silla maids in the past?"
"How could I know this?"
"The leader of the five surnames and seven hopes! Which local official do you think would dare to ask about this matter?"
"After the power of the clan dissipated, this business seems to be more rampant than before. Go back and ask your cousin, he seems to be involved!"
Ignoring the stunned Li Chengqian, Su Chen continued to ask:
"Are you sure it's a slave ship?"
Yuantuna replied: "In appearance, there are differences between slave ships and other ships. And based on their supplies at the port, even if we are not 100% sure, we are still 70% certain."
Su Chen nodded, this was becoming more and more strange to him!
"I would like to ask, is the Lord Protector chasing and apprehending any criminals?"
Su Chen was stunned: "Why did Governor Yuan ask that?
Are there any pirates and bandits near Fuzhou?"
Yuantuna shook his head: "That's not the case. It's just that when the officials asked about the officials yesterday, they said it was strange that they encountered two ships the day before yesterday, like pirates fleeing for their lives."
"The Lord Protector's fleet arrived the next morning and asked the magistrate about the passing ships, so..."
Su Chen stared, there is such a thing!
"Prince Yuan misunderstood. The fleet did not encounter any pirates along the way, nor did it pursue anyone?"
"But since Governor Yuan mentioned it, I'm curious to ask again, what is the situation with the ship that seems to be escaping?"
Yuantuna frowned and said: "When I asked the official yesterday, they reported that they were two new-style ships, but they were in a bit of a mess. The sails were torn and the sail yards were broken a lot, as if they had encountered a strong wind and waves."
"But the strange thing is that the two ships did not stop for repairs after arriving in Fuzhou. Instead, they casually replenished some fresh water and food and left in a hurry."
Li Chengqian glanced at Su Chen: "Teacher, those two ships probably also encountered the same storm we encountered."
"But after finally reaching Fuzhou, if they continue to run forward without repairing the ship, will they risk their lives?"
Minamoto Tsuna spread his hands and said, "That's why it's strange that the officials thought someone was chasing them from behind, so they had no choice but to run away at all costs!"
Su Chen shook his head: "Who knows what happened to them? Maybe they are really pirates. Suddenly they found an army behind them. It's not necessarily that they were scared. They've been running away for two days anyway, so don't worry about them!"
Li Chengqian and Yuan Gang nodded: It's been two days, there's no point in saying anything.
Next, Su Chen discussed with Yuan Gang some other situations in Fuzhou.
Yuan Gang thanked Su Chen for helping him transport two shipments of supplies last time. He used these things to organize people to build water conservancy projects and reclaim wasteland in Fuzhou, and achieved certain results!
After hosting a banquet in honor of Yuan Gang, Su Chen asked Li Chengqian to write a letter to Li Er and tell him about the situation here.
Su Chen was very curious about the records provided by Yuan Gang, but he had no time to investigate, so he left it to Li Er!
It was decided to rest for another day, and the fleet would weigh anchor the day after tomorrow and continue southward, with the next stop being Panyu.
But I didn’t make it on the third day!
As expected, Li Chengqian ate too many lychees and started to have nosebleeds in the morning!
This is not the reason why the fleet did not weigh anchor.
Yesterday evening, the sailors discovered the radiating sunset. Early this morning, they stared at the clouds in the distance and the waves on the sea.
After observing carefully for a while, everyone suggested stopping for one more day to take a look!
Su Chen usually followed this kind of advice.
In the era before weather satellites, the experience of sailors was very important. It was better to waste more time than take risks.
In the middle of the night, the sailors discovered that the clouds were thickening and swells began to appear on the sea surface.
Su Chen also felt a little depressed.
"Commander, the sailors speculate that a storm is approaching!"
Liu Rengui came to report.
"All ships enter the harbor to avoid the wind and waves..."
Facts have proved that the sailor's experience and Su Chen's decision were both correct.
The wind got stronger that night, and the storm started to rage the next morning!
Li Chengqian and Su Chen were hiding in the manor, with the doors and windows closed.
Listening to the howling wind outside, Li Chengqian looked a little ugly: "What will happen if the fleet encounters such a storm?"
"Run! If you are unlucky and get caught in the center of the cyclone, then..."
"How many days have Master Sun Ren been gone?
Do you think you can catch this storm?"
Su Chen said helplessly: "How could I know this?"
"But if there hadn't been a storm, they should have arrived in Panyu."
…
At this time, Sun Renshi was leading his troops on a rampage in Panyu City.
After slashing Yi Cheng who had blocked him before, Sun Renshi roared:
"Get on the boat and chase after me!"
The deputy general hurriedly stepped forward to dissuade him: "General, calm down! General, calm down!"
"The sea is so big. Who knows where they went and how to chase them?"
"Besides, this big cannibal has been running away for a long time, and we can't catch up!"
