Crossing the River
Li Rou saw that Zhang Liang had woken up, and her tears flowed again.
“Husband, you’re finally awake. We’re on our way to Yunshui City, but the food the Zhang family gave us has been taken away…” Li Rou sobbed as she told Zhang Liang everything that had happened.
Zhang Liang propped himself up weakly and looked at the refugees and prisoners not far away who had yet to disperse. He began to cough violently again.
“Hubby, hubby, are you OK? Don’t scare me.”
Zhang Liang coughed for a while before he heaved a sigh of relief.
He patted Rou Niang to comfort her. “Don’t, don’t worry. I’m fine. Help me up. We have to thank our Benefactors.”
Rou Niang choked with sobs and nodded. She helped him up and knelt in front of Su Ying and the others.
“Thank you, benefactors, for saving my life. I will never forget this.”
Su Ying didn’t expect Zhang Liang to wake up so quickly. “Alright. You can get up.”
“Many thanks, benefactor.”
“Rou Niang, what are your plans now? Will you continue to Yunshui City? But when we arrived, the city gates were shut. Do you have any way to get in?” Zhang Cuiniang asked with concern.
Zhang Liang frowned. Just now, Li Rou had already told him everything that had happened after he had fainted. There were too many refugees outside Yunshui City, and a riot could happen at any time. It was actually not safe to go to Yunshui City now.
“Let’s go to Zhuzhou.”
Su Ying raised her eyebrows. “We have to take a ferry to get to Zhuzhou. Do you know where we can get one?”
When Zhang Liang heard Su Ying’s question, he replied: “Benefactor, you may not know this, but I’ve accumulated some savings from businesses. Two years ago, I bought a merchant ship. Although it’s not big, crossing River Wu is no problem.”
Su Ying’s eyes lit up. “How many people can your ship carry?”
Zhang Liang was stunned. “Do benefactors also want to cross the river? ”
Su Ying nodded. “Yes, we’re going to Zhouzhou too.”
“If you’re willing, we can go together.”
“That’s great. But I have to tell you first that we’re exiled prisoners. Are you afraid?”
Zhang Liang was taken aback again, but he quickly shook his head. “No matter what your identity is, you’re still the Benefactor of my family. Even if you want my life, I won’t have a single word of complaint.”
Su Ying was happy to see him agree. “Taking your life is much easier than crossing the river.”
The veins on Xiao Jin’s forehead jumped. He had never known anyone speak so frighteningly.
Zhang Liang had agreed to take them across the river, but they were exiles and could not leave on their own accord. They had to discuss this with Li Da.
So Su Ying immediately went to Li Da.
When Li Da saw Su Ying walking over, he looked at her warily and took a step back.
“Princess Qi, what is it?”
Su Ying’s lips curved into a smile. Li Da felt a chill run down his spine.
“Good news. I found a boat to cross the river. But the boat can’t accommodate many people at once, so I’m asking you to see what you have in mind.”
When Li Da heard her, he raised his eyebrows. It was great that they had found a ferry.
“If not too many people can go at once. We can split up in groups.”
“The boat is not mine. You have to ask the owner if he agrees.”
“I wonder who the owner of this ship is?”
Su Ying pointed in the direction of Zhang Liang.
Li Da understood and ran towards him.
After some negotiations, Zhang Liang agreed to lend the ferry to Li Da, but on the condition that when he crossed the river with Su Ying and the others, there could only be a few bailiffs on the boat and no other prisoners.
Li Da agreed without hesitation and immediately picked two bailiffs to go with Su Ying.
“Boss, we just did a headcount. There are only 117 people left.” And they were mostly the old, weak, women, and children.
Li Da’s expression did not look too good. The prisoners ran away, and the bailiffs’ number was limited. They would probably lose their lives if they were to chase after the escapees during the disaster period. “Just record the names on the list. When we reach Zhuzhou, we’ll think of a way to send the list back to the capital. Leave the matter of recapturing the fugitives to the Ministry of Justice.”
“Yes.”
Ten guards were left in Zhang Liang’s team. Although they were all injured, their injuries were not fatal and would cause severe issues after treatment.
“Master, please forgive us. We didn’t protect the food well.” The head of the guards had followed Zhang Liang for many years, and he felt despondent when he saw the food being taken away.
Zhang Liang’s face turned pale as he shook his head. “It’s good that our people are fine. Everything will be fine when we reach Zhuzhou. Go and check to see if there are any useful things left. Pack them up, and we’ll head to the dock immediately.”
“Yes.”
Su Ying also wanted to leave this damn place as soon as possible, so she and He Shouyi packed their things and prepared to go.
After they’ve done, Su Ying asked Zhang Liang: “Are we far from the dock?”
“Not far. If we’re fast, we’ll be there before dark.”
“Alright, let’s get there first.”
Although the food in the carriages had been taken, Zhang Liang’s guards still managed to save one carriage, just enough for Zhang Liang’s family of three to sit in.
Su Ying carried the two kids into their carriage and jumped in. They set off for the dock.
Li Da followed behind them with the remaining prisoners.
The closer they got to the dock, the fewer people there were. Everyone feared that the pier would be the first to suffer if the dam burst fully, so they all avoided it.
Their speed was faster than expected. They arrived at the dock just after sunset.
However, the dock had been entirely submerged by the river water. From afar, it was a turbid river with no end in sight. It was a scary sight.
Zhang Liang’s guards found the hidden ferry. When the flood had just started, ferryboats were in great demand. If they were not careful, their ferry would be robbed, so they had hidden it early on to prevent it from falling into the hands of others.
Very quickly, the guards steered the ferry out.
Su Ying looked up and found that the ferry was larger than she had imagined. It could easily accommodate hundreds of people.
The guards put down a few thick boards and pulled the carriage up.
Li Da looked at the large ferry and wanted Zhang Liang to let all the prisoners go up together, but after thinking about it, Zhang Liang had been robbed. It was kind enough for him to take them along, so he didn’t dare to make any other requests.
“You guys stay here for the moment. Someone will come back to pick you up later.” Li Da said to the bailiffs who stayed behind.
“I got it, boss.”
Su Ying also pulled the carriage onto the boat.
Once on the boat, they looked at the vast river and felt dizzy. Su Ying told them to rest in the cabin.
After settling everyone down, Su Ying was about to enter the cabin when she saw Li Rou walking towards her.
“Benefactor, I have something to ask you.”
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