Chapter 748 - 747 There are Ghosts in the Gobi Beach

Chapter 748: Chapter 747 There are Ghosts in the Gobi Beach

The days on the boat were just as Wufu had predicted: utterly boring. Within a mere seven days, she had already exhausted all the diversions the boat had to offer.

During this time, she watched Ah Jiu play chess, occasionally joining in for a game or two herself, and followed Ghost Doctor, Jadeite, and Xiao Li as they learned about crafting and identifying poisons. Her skills, meanwhile, were improving by the day as she sparred with Su Luo and Hoo Die.

Finally, they arrived at a town where they could dock. The boat needed to resupply, and Ah Jiu suggested they spend the night in the town to give Wufu a chance to stretch her legs. Delighted, she immediately took two maids and two guards with her to the town to shop and to send some items, as well as a letter reporting their safety, back to Madam Zhou.

Meanwhile, Ah Jiu stayed at the inn, listening to the reports Yuan Ye had gathered and organized.

"The Gobi Beach ahead, about fifty li from here, has been anything but peaceful lately. It’s famously treacherous, known for its deadly perils. And hidden within this natural fortress is the notorious Sky Ghost Fort, easily defended and hard to attack. Even the local Government Office’s troops can’t take it down. What’s more, according to our sources, these water bandits have collaborators among the troops," Yuan Ye reported.

"Government officials?" Ah Jiu asked, flipping through the documents.

Yuan Ye nodded.

"So, it’s not just that it’s easily defended and hard to attack, but there’s also intentional protection?" Ah Jiu sneered. "People say the Nanyue Region is full of corruption, and it’s no joke. With an imperial court that’s rotting from the roots up, it’s no wonder it’s a disaster waiting to happen."

Yuan Ye remained silent; from their perspective, the quicker the Nanyue Court decayed, the better it was for Beiyan.

Ah Jiu was just venting frustration when he asked, "What should we do to ensure we pass through safely?"

Yuan Ye cautiously glanced at him before answering, "It depends on the person and the business at hand. Some merchants have to negotiate passage based on the value of the cargo on their ships."

Ah Jiu’s breathing became rapid.

Yuan Ye knew his master was on the verge of anger and paused.

But Ah Jiu took a deep breath, suppressing his rage: "Continue."

"For a boat like ours, the minimum tribute is two thousand taels of Silver for passage. Once paid, a white sail is hung at the stern to secure safe passage," Yuan Ye said with lowered eyelids, naming the price.

"Two thousand taels? Hang a white sail? They’ve got quite the appetite!" Ah Jiu crushed the teacup in his hand. "If every merchant has to do this, they’re making a fortune, aren’t they?"

What infuriated Ah Jiu the most was the hanging of the white sail, which was tantamount to signaling surrender, an act of yielding.

A proud prince like him, bowing to the demands of lowly water bandits? The idea was preposterous!

"That’s why the local troops are so well-fed," Yuan Ye offered a handkerchief as he continued. "The troops collude with the bandits behind the scenes. Merchants who pass through and are aware of this are too scared to speak out."

Ah Jiu’s expression had since returned to normal. "I don’t believe for a second that the commanding officers aren’t involved in this."

A corner of Yuan Ye’s mouth curled up. "The prince’s guess is correct. It is said that forty percent of the Silver collected is contributed to a favorite concubine of the surname Ma in the Tenth Prince’s Mansion."

"I see the Tenth Prince takes everyone for fools—money given to his concubine ends up in his own coffers, doesn’t it? Here we have a prince, colluding with bandits to amass wealth. Should I say he’s got some nerve, or is he just plain stupid?" Ah Jiu scoffed with contempt. First colluding with the Tatars, and now involved with bandits—he’s really making a name for himself as a prince.

All of this was irrelevant to them; what mattered was how they would get past the Gobi Beach.

"Your Highness, what shall we do?"

"No one has the right to demand this prince flies a white sail in submissive!" Ah Jiu said coolly.

So, they were not going to pay the toll.

"I will make preparations immediately," Yuan Ye understood and promptly withdrew to make arrangements.

Ah Jiu’s lips curved into a chilly smile. Tenth Prince Zhao Mingjun, hmph.