sbdcsierra Chapter 507 Achieves Two Things at Once: First Battle a Success
Chapter 507 Achieves Two Things at Once: First Battle a Success
Three days passed in the blink of an eye. After finishing her shift, Jiang Xiaoqi ate something and then took a nap, knowing that tonight would definitely be a sleepless night.
At 3:45 PM, Li Mo knocked on Jiang Xiaoqi's door.
"My lord, it's time to set off!"
Jiang Xiaoqi quickly put on his outer robe. Today, both of them were dressed in short-sleeved clothing that allowed for easy movement, making them very neat and convenient.
Actually, there was nothing that required them to take action. They weren't the main characters tonight; they were just there as a precaution.
The Water Transport Office was directly under the jurisdiction of the Prefectural Governor's Office of the Capital, so when it was dispatched to perform official duties, the surrounding counties were unaware of it.
The Third Prince's influence had not yet extended to the Prefect of the Capital, so no one informed him.
Jiang Xiaoqi knew this, which is why he felt at ease sending the letter of complaint to the Water Transport Department.
The Water Transport Bureau and the Prefect of the Capital were the few who hadn't been corrupted by the princes, probably because they didn't have much power and weren't taken seriously.
However, after tonight, they should begin to re-evaluate the scope of authority of the Water Transport Bureau.
Whether they will extend their reach to the Water Transport Department in the future is unknown, but at least it's too late tonight.
The canal was brightly lit, and cargo ships gradually entered the dock.
At 11:15 AM, the ships began to dock.
The porters and laborers were ready and waiting for the cargo ship to dock so they could begin unloading.
The employer paid them triple wages tonight, so they're going to have to work hard.
"You said you found another job, just to carry heavy loads? I can't believe you!"
A porter carrying a shoulder pole looked somewhat disappointed.
"Oh dear, can carrying a big bag be the same as carrying a big bag? Normally, carrying a big bag at the dock would only earn you twenty or thirty coins a day at most."
"Tonight I only need to work half the night, and I can earn a hundred coins. I'm telling you this is such a good deal, and you're still not grateful!"
The honest-looking man pursed his lips, somewhat regretting bringing his neighbor over.
"Oh, really! That's right, I've come all this way. Okay, okay, thanks bro! I'll remember this favor!"
"After tonight, I can buy my wife another box of pearl cream. You should buy one for your wife too. Look at her face, it's almost as dry as old tree bark!"
"Oh dear, my rough wife doesn't need such expensive things. She'd be better off buying two pounds of meat!"
The honest-looking man remained silent, his eyes fixed on the boats docking at the shore.
"Alright, alright, I'm done talking. Whether you cut your losses or buy alcohol, you can decide what to do once you have the money!"
"Get ready, the ship is docking. It's getting dark, be careful not to damage their cargo."
"Okay, okay, I know, I know. How valuable can something packed in a sack be..."
Jiang Xiaoqi and Li Mo hid in the shadows. When the boat docked, Li Mo became somewhat anxious.
"Sir, will the people from the Water Transport Bureau really come? Can they really believe that there will be contraband arriving tonight based on just one letter?"
“A letter alone is not enough. I put some of the black powder we found earlier in the envelope. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to make them suspicious of the ships that would dock tonight.”
"Then, sir, the people from the Water Transport Bureau have arrived. Doesn't that mean the Second Prince's goods are now exposed to them?"
"Let me tell you a secret: I know what's on the Second Prince's ship. The people from the Water Transport Bureau have gunpowder beforehand, so they won't bother with the Second Prince's cargo."
Tan Hao didn't say anything because he himself didn't know what was on the ship. Maybe his father knew, but he didn't tell him.
Li Mo was somewhat impressed. Where did his master get all this information? He had a feeling that his master had a very powerful intelligence system.
But when was this intelligence system built? How come I didn't notice it at all?
Sigh, I was too slow-witted. I can't be so careless in the future.
Since the adults aren't saying anything, it means I feel I'm not reliable enough. Hmm, I need to work harder.
"My lord, when the Water Transport Bureau is seizing the gunpowder, shall we cover the Second Prince's ship as it enters the dock?"
"Yes, that was the best time, after all, they had already prepared porters and laborers for us."
"Huh? Oh~"
Li Mo realized that his master was referring to the group of people unloading gunpowder. Heh, that's fine too. We can't let the people make a wasted trip, can we? It doesn't matter which company we make money from.
Before even a third of the gunpowder from three or four ships had been unloaded, the officials from the Water Transport Bureau, carrying torches, arrived.
As they approached the shore, the director of the Water Transport Department ordered his men to extinguish all the torches.
Why are you still holding a torch at a time like this? Do you have a death wish?
"Director, it seems we didn't bring enough people."
There were shadowy figures in the distance, numbering at least a hundred. The people from the Water Transport Bureau were a little uneasy. Would the other side suddenly decide to fight to the death in a moment of desperation?
"There are quite a few people, but they all look like temporary porters. If something really happens, they won't be able to handle it."
The director of the Water Transport Department could tell at a glance that they were not armed forces of ships, but just ordinary laborers.
If anything happens, these are the people who run the fastest; they dare not cause trouble.
"on!"
At a simple command, dozens of people from the Water Transport Bureau rushed to the dock.
The porters were startled by the sudden appearance of the crowd and were at a loss. When they saw that the leader was wearing an official robe, they dropped their goods and fled in all directions.
The men on the ship who were transporting gunpowder reacted quickly, drawing their weapons and confronting the people from the Water Transport Bureau.
The two sides were immediately on the verge of conflict, and the atmosphere instantly became extremely tense.
Taking advantage of the chaos, Jiang Xiaoqi and Li Mo quietly approached the Second Prince's ship.
Just then, the leader in charge of escorting the gunpowder spotted them and shouted, "Who goes there!"
Li Mo reacted swiftly, drawing his dagger and rushing forward. He severed the leader's tendons in both hands and feet with just the right amount of force, ensuring he wouldn't die anytime soon.
Having accomplished their task, Li Mo and Jiang Xiaoqi left without taking away a single speck of gunpowder.
These things should naturally be left to the Water Transport Bureau to handle; the larger the quantity, the heavier the charge.
After the people from the Water Transport Bureau had taken control of the people on board, they smelled a strong stench of blood.
There was also the overwhelming smell of gunpowder; the two smells combined made one frown.
"Take the person away, check the surrounding area, but don't set it on fire!"
The ship was loaded with gunpowder! The lanterns on the dock were one thing, but lighting candles here was practically suicide – they were asking for trouble!
"Director, a few more cargo ships have docked at the shore. Could they be the same kind of thing again?"
"Take a few people and go check it out!"
His subordinates were quick; they returned to report in less than the time it takes to brew a cup of tea.
"Director, it's an ordinary cargo ship with no contraband. We've already let them unload the cargo themselves."
"Hmm, there are already quite a few. If a few more ships come, I really suspect someone wants to raze the capital to the ground!"