However, just like Cao Cao said...if Yi Xiaotian wants to resolve the various rumors about their Youjian Villa in the north, the best way is to go back in person.
But now... Yi Xiaotian really doesn't have that intention.
Having a villa is very important, Yi Xiaotian never denies it.
But what Yi Xiaotian values more is actually relying on Youjian Villa and being closely connected with him, not as relatives, but as companions who are more important than relatives.
So...even if the north is in chaos, Yi Xiaotian's heart is not there.
——
In Jiangxia, the floods receded, leaving ruins everywhere.
As the current boundary between Jiangdong and Liu Bei's forces, they have quickly recovered from the disaster in half a month.
Of course, there is still a long way to go before we can return to the level before the flood, but... as a pass to guard against Liu Bei's army advancing eastward again, Xiakou today is enough.
For Yi Xiaotian, there are naturally two ways to enter Sichuan. Take Xiangyang in the north as a transit, go through Shangyong, enter Hanzhong, and then go south to reach Shu.
But after weighing the pros and cons, Yi Xiaotian planned to start from Xiakou and head west... across the Jingnan area, pass Yidu, and enter Jianping into Sichuan.
This road is much more dangerous than the first one, but Yi Xiaotian is really worried that Liu Bei and others will move before them... If they can't arrive in Shu earlier than Liu Bei, Cai Zhaoji and the others who know nothing about it will be able to
It's dangerous.
so…
At the pier on the Xiakou coast...
"Boatman, what's the point of crossing the river with two people and two horses?"
The boatman was a middle-aged man wearing a bamboo hat. Hearing the sound, he looked up...
Seeing a fair-looking young man in front of him, and a burly guard beside him, he quickly stood up and answered:
"Five hundred dollars, you need to exchange two horses for a big boat, otherwise I can use the boat next to you to carry you."
"But let's make an agreement first. The furthest I can cross you is Hanchuan, and no further."
"This is how the same thing?"
"Brother Gongzi" lifted up his bamboo hat and revealed most of his face...
The boatman saw the face of "Brother Gongzi" clearly and suddenly hesitated...
"You...you are the one..."
"Eh?
I remember seeing it two days ago..."
The guards on the side were also a little confused when they heard the boatman suddenly changed the topic.
"Boatman, have you met sir?"
"gentlemen?
Oh! Ah! Yes, yes! Sir! You must be Mr. Yi Xiaotianyi!"
Hearing the boatman actually say his name, Yi Xiaotian felt helpless.
"It's down there."
This is Yi Xiaotian, so the guard on the side is obviously Zhao Yun.
Zhao Yun frowned, obviously not expecting that the boatman in front of him actually recognized Yi Xiaotian.
But Yi Xiaotian knows very well why:
"Boatman, where did you learn about my appearance?
Could it be..."
"That's the Hanchuan side! That guy Liu Bei has already spread your portrait, Mr. Yi - now not only the people in Jingnan, but also most people in Jiangxia know what you look like..."
"I might as well give you a heads up... Mr. is wanted everywhere in Jingnan!"
"So if you want to go further, we can't agree to it. It's too dangerous... Going further upstream from Hanchuan, there are checkpoints set up by Liu Beijun everywhere. I heard that there are even more checkpoints in Jingcheng.
It is heavily guarded... Otherwise, as usual, we can send the five hundred dollars to Jiangling for you."
"Sir...what should we do?"
Although before arriving, Yi Xiaotian had expected that Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong, who had seen his appearance with their own eyes, would spread his portrait, but he did not expect that they would act so quickly...
Zhao Yun was a little helpless... This is why he was opposed to the so-called "shortcut" chosen by Yi Xiaotian before.
"Hey...it's all because of me..."
As he said that, Zhao Yun became a little frustrated... After all, Yi Xiaotian's face would be seen clearly by the other party. The reason was that Zhuge Liang exchanged him for Pang Tong and Wei Yanshi.
The boatman looked at Yi Xiaotian eagerly... as if he was a fan of his younger brother... Most people in Jiangdong now have this attitude towards Yi Xiaotian... After all, Yi Xiaotian is the hero who Sun Quan personally admitted saved them.
To a certain extent, Yi Xiaotian's reputation in Jiangdong now even exceeds his reputation in the north.
But these are not things Yi Xiaotian is considering for the time being.
"Boatman...how big is the biggest boat you have here?"
"The biggest ship?"
"Well... if we want to talk about the largest ship, it has to be the eight-pair-oar medium-sized passenger and cargo ship that the old Chen family made with the keel materials collected from Wuchang."
"It's probably a hundred feet long...but...Mr. Yi, do you want to rent the old Chen family's boat?"
"Yes, that's exactly what I meant."
The boatman rubbed his chin and seemed a little hesitant, as if there was something hidden in this.
"Shipman, is this possible?"
"It's not impossible... but Lao Chen cherishes his ship very much. Judging from the attitude of the two of you, sir, it seems that this trip will be far away... If Lao Chen hears about your itinerary, out of love for the ship, he will definitely refuse
Is it about this?"
"It doesn't matter. I'd like to ask the boatman to give you some directions. I'll discuss it with Old Chen."
"good!"
——
Soon, Yi Xiaotian came to another boatman near the dock.
As expected, before seeing that "Old Chen", the first thing that caught Yi Xiaotian's eyes was a passenger and cargo ship that was several hundred feet long and much more imposing than the ships of most boatmen near the port.
.
Eight pairs of oars protrude from the side of the cabin. Judging from the newness of the oars at the moment, this boatman named Lao Chen really cares about his boat.
But on the other hand, Zhao Yun is actually a little confused.
The boatman just said that Yi Xiaotian's identity is already known to everyone, but even so, they still have to choose such a large ship... Isn't this because they are afraid that Liu Beijun will not be able to find them?
But...Zhao Yun can be considered a Taoist.
Knowing that Yi Xiaotian would not do anything meaningless, he watched quietly from the side.
as expected…
When Lao Chen was called out, he heard that he wanted to borrow his big boat to go to the upper reaches of Hanchuan River, but refused to agree to anything.
Even after others explained Yi Xiaotian's identity to him, Old Chen remained unwavering.
Yi Xiaotian had already expected this.
so--
"Boatman, what do you think this is?"
With that said, Yi Xiaotian took out a heavy piece from his luggage.
Lao Chen looked indifferent at the moment...but he was still attracted by Yi Xiaotian's words unintentionally. He looked at him and tilted his head:
"I told you a long time ago, no matter how much it is, I won't..."
"Um?
Gold…gold?”
"You...what do you want to do...?"
"Nothing, boatman, if you think the price is right, this ten kilograms of gold ingots will be yours - and I only have one request, and that is to give it to me."
Let——Yi Xiaotian uses the words more euphemistically, but it is actually a showdown... I am a rich man, and I am going to buy a boat.
