At the second watch, a waning moon rises in the sky. The surrounding fields are hazy and the autumn night is quiet.
Two vague figures touched the reeds beside a large river on the south side of the manor in the hazy darkness.
It can be seen that this large river is a direct stream leading to the Pearl River. It is only a few feet wide and its banks are covered with reeds and long grass.
Not long ago, Chen Shiyi had conducted an inspection and found that the manor's wall was very tall, covered with thorns, and trenches were dug around it. In addition, there was a lookout tower inside, and the wall was illuminated by wind lanterns.
, there are also a large number of patrol personnel patrolling.
In this case, it is too difficult to climb over the wall and get in. It is very likely to be discovered by people inside.
Zhang Yanling did not want to alert the enemy at this time. So after observing the terrain, Zhang Yanling decided to walk closer along the river. Because Zhang Yanling judged that the channel of this river must be a channel for transporting goods from the manor.
Although the river is only two or three feet wide, it is absolutely no problem to sail the boat. The boat loads cargo from here and enters the Pearl River. It goes up the Pearl River and extends in all directions, reaching various tributaries and passing through dozens of state capitals in the southwest.
Wouldn't it be a fool to ignore such a developed and convenient waterway? This is much more convenient than land transportation.
The direction of this river is exactly passing through the manor. According to Zhang Yanling's guess, the manor's wall is unlikely to cut off the entire river. The entrance of the river is the gap in the manor, and the chance of getting in through the waterway must be much greater.
.
The two of them crept along the river bank and stopped thirty steps away from the manor wall. They looked forward through the grass and looked forward. At this sight, their scalps suddenly went numb.
A wall stretched across the river in front. The wall actually spanned the entire river, cutting off the middle of the river. Seven or eight lanterns on the wall swayed in the wind, illuminating clearly. The wall on the river was actually a
Water Gate. It is equivalent to building a bridge over the river, and then there is a wall on the top, and a water gate is installed in the lower bridge hole for ships to enter and exit.
Zhang Yanling was very angry. He really didn't expect this. But the more the other party made the manor so airtight, the more it showed that there was something wrong inside.
"What should we do? Otherwise, we should find a wall to climb over. This place is more difficult to enter than other places." Chen Shiyi asked in a low voice.
Zhang Yanling waved his hand, stared for a while, and said softly: "There are almost no patrols here because they are sure that no one can get in. There are overt and hidden sentries in other places, so the risk is too great. Let's go in from here."
Chen Shi asked: "But how can we get in? It's impossible to climb over the wall. There is a sentry tower inside. You will be discovered if you get on top of the wall."
Zhang Yanling pointed to the dark water and asked softly: "How is your water quality?"
Chen Shiyi said in astonishment: "Go in through the water? But isn't there a water gate?"
Zhang Yanling said in a low voice: "The water gate generally does not block the flow of water, otherwise it would not be a flood gate? There must be a gap below the water gate. It will be safer to dive in. How are your water skills?"
Chen Shiyi smacked his lips and said, "It's just normal. I just know how to swim. I can't hold my breath."
Zhang Yanling took out the dagger from his boot and cut a piece of reed with a sharp stab. After cutting off both ends, he put it in his mouth and blew gently to smooth the airflow.
"Use this to dive in." Zhang Yanling whispered.
Chen Shiyi was stunned, but Zhang Yanling had already started to take off his clothes. Soon he was naked and only wore a pair of underwear.
"Go in like this? What should you do if you encounter danger?" Chen Shiyi whispered.
"Firearms can't get wet, that's all. You just bring the weapon in. I have this." Zhang Yanling shook the dagger.
Chen Shiyi didn't know what to say, but Zhang Yanling had already slowly entered the water from the reed swamp. Chen Shiyi knew that Mr. Hou was determined to go in. Although he was worried, he had nothing to do. He knew that this man's
He has a bad temper, loves to take risks, and is very courageous. In this situation, Chen Shiyi did not dare to be so decisive, but the Marquis jumped into the water without thinking twice.
Perhaps this is the difference between me and him. That time, Mr. Hou did not make a strange move or take a big risk. But every time, he succeeded without any risk. As it is said, wealth can be obtained through danger, and Mr. Hou is able to be where he is today.
His status was something he worked hard for. He is a Marquis and a high-ranking deputy governor of the regiment, but he still hasn't flinched at all. Could he still be able to flinch?
Chen Shi took off his clothes and followed Zhang Yanling into the water from the reed swamp with a long sword in hand.
The river water in late autumn is really cool. Although this is the land of Lingnan, the seasonal changes do not seem to be big. But the river water at night in late autumn can definitely make people know the difference between the seasons.
"Get ready. Go out below the water gate." Zhang Yanling whispered. He put the reed in his mouth, slowly submerged it into the river, and disappeared.
Chen Shi breathed a sigh of relief and watched the reed pipe exposed on the water slowly move forward. He also inserted a reed pipe into his mouth and slowly sank into the water.
After enduring the impact of the cold water and the dark tension under the water, I don't know how long it took, it seemed as long as several hours. The uncomfortable Chen Shiyi's hand finally touched a bare arm.
The arm grabbed Chen Shiyi's arm with a backhand, and slowly pushed upwards. Chen Shiyi knew that it was the Marquis who wanted to surface by himself, so he emerged from the water at an extremely slow speed.
Taking a big breath of air silently and wiping the water from his eyes, Chen Shiyi realized that he had arrived in front of the water gate. Zhang Yanling was right in front of him, holding one hand on top of a bridge pier stone and gesturing to himself.
Chen Shibing took a closer look and found that Zhang Yanling was holding a piece of iron mesh about the size of a foot in his hand.
"Fortunately, my dagger is made of fine steel. There is a gap at the bottom of the dog's head, but it is blocked by an iron grid." Zhang Yanling said in Chen Shi's ear in a very low voice, with a bit of pride in his voice.
Only then did Chen Shiyi realize that Zhang Yanling had arrived a long time before him. In the past, Chen Shiyi had never hindered him in his actions. This was the first time that he had hindered Mr. Hou. Mr. Hou was so watery.
Okay, I don’t know why.
Of course he didn’t know that Zhang Yanling was a backpacker in his later life, and he liked to travel around. He climbed mountains and ridges, drilled holes into water, and swimming was a necessary skill. If he had the right equipment, he could also dive. For some unknown reason, after traveling through time, he could also dive.
After a little practice and mastering the technical essentials, most of them will be inherited.
"The entrance to the hole is too small. I'll go down and cut it again, otherwise you can't get through. You're too strong." Zhang Yanling whispered, took a breath and submerged into the water. After dozens of breaths, Zhang Yanling resurfaced with another hand in his hand.
A piece of iron net, some panting.
"It's done, get ready to sneak in." Zhang Yanling whispered.
"I'll take the lead." Chen Shiyi said hurriedly.
After saying that, he was about to dive into the water. Zhang Yanling hurriedly grabbed him and whispered: "Take a few deep breaths to saturate the blood in your body with oxygen. This will make you feel more comfortable and hold your breath longer. Remember, if
Never come out of the water. When you get close to the water, when you see the lantern on the water, breathe through a reed tube. I will be behind you to remind you when to show your head."
Chen Shi nodded. He opened his mouth wide and took a deep breath for seven or eight times. He felt that all the blood vessels in his body and lungs were bulging. Then he slowly submerged into the water and groped down the wooden door.
The lower end of the wooden door, which is about a foot deep, is indeed blocked by a barbed wire fence, and the water flow is compressed from below until it is only a few feet high, and the impact is astonishing.
Chen Shiyi was almost pushed back by the current. Fortunately, he had strong arms and grabbed the underwater iron net. He felt the entrance and used brute force to pass through the hole. Once he passed through, the pressure suddenly decreased, and the whole person followed
The water flowed upwards. When he saw the glimmer of light on the water, Chen Shiyi stuffed the reed pipe into his mouth. The first sip he took in was cold water, but the second sip was air. Now he slowly inhaled the water.
Go down and swim forward.
I don't know how long it took, but someone in the water patted his back twice. Chen Shiyi knew that it was Zhang Yanling behind him, reminding him that he could come out of the water. So he tried to control his movements and slowly probed his head.
Then, he found himself under another stone bridge across the river. Next to him, Zhang Yanling was wiping the water on his face and looking at him. Chen Shiyi let out a long breath.
"Well done. Let's come in." Zhang Yanling raised her thumb and whispered with uncontrollable excitement in her tone.
Chen Shiyi secretly felt ashamed. The two slowly climbed up from under the bridge to the shore. Next to the bridge was a small wharf with some boxes of goods piled on the shore, and two wooden boats leaning against the shore.
The two of them lay still next to the stone steps, listening to what was going on around them.
It was dark and quiet all around. On the water gate wall dozens of steps away, the wind lantern was still swaying. There was a faint lantern swaying in the distance, and the sound of footsteps came along the direction of the walls. There was a cough from a sentry tower not far away.
Voice.
It seemed that everything went smoothly, and no one noticed anyone sneaking in. The patrol guards at night were also patrolling near the wall, but there was no movement inside the manor.
After a while, the two of them had stepped ashore from the river and hid among the boxes and cages.
To the west, there are several houses and small buildings shaded by trees, with lights still on. They appear to be residences in the manor. Not far to the north of the small pier, there is a row of three or four tall houses.
"That should be a warehouse. I wonder if there is anyone guarding it." Zhang Yanling whispered.
"Let's take a look." Once ashore, Chen Shiyi returned to his lively appearance. He held the sword in his hand and disappeared into the darkness with a flash of his body.
Zhang Yanling wiped the water stains from her bun and waited quietly. Soon Chen Shiyi rushed back and reported: "No one is guarding."
Zhang Yanling was overjoyed and followed Chen Shiyi as he dashed to the warehouse door. He stretched out his hand and saw that the warehouses were hung with large iron locks and chains. When he was thinking about how to get in, Chen Shiyi pointed to the top of the side wall.
There is a square hole at a height of 15 to 6 feet.
"That seems to be a window for ventilation." Chen Shiyi whispered: "Master Hou stepped on my shoulder and I looked out for the wind."
Zhang Yanling nodded, raised his feet and stood on Chen Shiyi's shoulders. Chen Shiyi stood up and pushed upwards with force. Zhang Yanling used the force to jump up, grabbed the outer edge of the hole, curled up with force and got into the hole. It was only a foot wide.
Fortunately, Zhang Yanling was not tall and could easily get in at an angle.
Hanging on the inner wall, it was as low as possible. Zhang Yanling slipped down along the wall and stepped on a lot of soft cargo bags. Zhang Yanling went up and smelled it. The fragrance was fragrant. It should be dry spices and the like.
Zhang Yanling quickly checked the huge warehouse for a moment. He quickly found bundles of ivory in large wooden boxes, large piles of spices and fragrant wood, a large amount of French fabrics, carpets, woolen fabrics, and bundles of wild beasts.
Fur etc.
Although no valuable treasures such as corals and gems were found, it has been confirmed that they are goods from the country.
This is just a warehouse, and there are several warehouses around it. The quantity of these goods is staggering. This is definitely a distribution center for smuggled foreign goods.
It's just that there are so many goods stored here but not transported away, which makes people a little confused. However, Zhang Yanling quickly understood why. This kind of smuggled goods cannot be put on the market in large quantities. Since the price is to be raised, scarcity is the most valuable thing.
It was also out of consideration of not attracting the attention of the court.
The goods here only need to be sold slowly and in small quantities throughout the Ming Dynasty to ensure extremely high prices and maximize profits.