Chapter 614: Wanting to Visit Luoyang
Chapter 604 of "The Great Ming in the Box" begins with: Li Daoxuan made a few arrangements in Xi’an, handing over the city’s planning and development... See the full story!
Li Daoxuan made a few arrangements in Xi’an, handing over the city’s planning and development to the administrative department of Gaojia Village. He then turned his attention back to both sides of the Yellow River.The rising water level of the Yellow River had affected three locations: Longmen Ferry, Qiachuan Port, and Yongji Ferry Dock. All merchant vessels on the river had ceased operations.
Since ancient times, navigating the upper reaches of the Yellow River had been perilous. With the heavy storms and swollen river, only the most daring adventurers still risked sailing.
Li Daoxuan scanned the river within his view. Not a single boat was in sight—even Gaojia Village’s electric boats were all safely docked, not daring to venture out.
Fortunately, Li Daoxuan had already constructed two great bridges over the Yellow River: the Longmen Yellow River Bridge and the Linyi Yellow River Bridge. With river travel suspended, these bridges served a crucial purpose.
Gaojia Village’s logistics units now transported all supplies across the two bridges, allowing goods to barely but continuously flow.
As May of the fifth year of Chongzhen’s reign arrived, the rain showed no sign of stopping. Instead, it poured down more furiously.
Li Daoxuan was holding a bowl of sour soup with fish slices while sitting before the miniature, eating as he watched. The view within the miniature was locked onto Yongji Ferry Dock. Rain fell inside the miniature. The people all hid indoors; few were outside.
There wasn’t much to see at first. Unexpectedly, a group emerged through the wind and rain. They were loading cart after cart with oilcloth-covered salt bags.
Li Daoxuan muttered, “Oh?” Using the ‘focus’ function, he peered closer and recognized them. They were the merchants he had rescued in the river a few days earlier. Their leader, a man from Luoyang, seemed to be named Jiang Cheng.
In late April, Jiang Cheng had departed Luoyang on a merchant vessel bound for Yongji Ferry. Caught in a violent storm, his ship was nearly capsized. Li Daoxuan had reached down, scooped him up, and placed both him and his vessel safely at Yongji Ferry Dock.
Over ten days had passed, yet this man remained at Yongji Ferry Dock without leaving.
Jiang Cheng, cloaked in a straw raincoat, shouted at his men, “Carry the bags carefully! Don’t pull back the oilcloth. If the salt gets wet by the rain, it’s ruined!”
His men fully understood this and meticulously loaded the salt bags onto the carts. Several carts were filled to the brim before being securely covered with oilcloth.
Finally, Jiang Cheng commanded, “Alright, let’s go! Set off!”
He gestured for his men to move.
Just then, the Cotton Thread Deity embroidered on his chest creased into a grin and chuckled, “Hehe. In such heavy rain, you’re in such a hurry to leave?”
“Ah! We pay homage to the Deity!”
Jiang Cheng and all his men immediately knelt in deep reverence. Having been scooped out of the raging Yellow River by the Deity’s giant hand and flown to the safety of the dock had profoundly shaken them. They had all become devout believers of the Dao Xuan Deity Teachings.
Jiang Cheng replied, “Reporting to the Deity, I originally came to Yongji to transport salt. The heavy storms have delayed me many days. I am growing worried about my wife, children, and elderly at home. My men here are the same; we are all anxious to return.”
Li Daoxuan understood. What man, gone from home for long, doesn’t worry about his wife, children, and elders? The wish to return home through wind and rain was simply human nature.
“The river is dangerous now,” Li Daoxuan kindly reminded.
“We understand,” Jiang Cheng replied respectfully. “That’s why we are not using boats this time. Instead, we will transport the salt by cart to Fengling Dock. When the wind and rain lessen, we’ll use a ferry to cross the river to Tongguan Road. From there, we’ll take the land route to Luoyang.”
“The land route? That works,” Li Daoxuan acknowledged quietly before falling silent.
Jiang Cheng waited for a long moment. When he was certain the Deity had truly departed, he breathed a sigh of relief, then broke into a smile. “The legendary Deity’s manifestation on the embroidered image upon one’s chest… I experienced it! Hahaha! I experienced it! This means the Deity has accepted me as his disciple!”
His men gazed at their master with pure envy. If the Deity would only manifest on their chests like that, they would instantly gain the highest respect and status, able to walk proudly anywhere in Yongji ancient ferry dock.
Anyway, their motivation was invigorated now. Jiang Cheng and his group quickly got moving. Pushing their carts, they departed south from the ancient ferry dock, following the main road toward Fengling Dock.
By now, Puzhou was entirely under the control of Gaojia Village. Garrisoned by the newly appointed Puzhou Defender, Old Nan Feng, the area’s development had progressed impressively. Cement roads were laid everywhere. Numerous satellite villages and towns, centered around factories, dotted the region within Puzhou. It was nearly impossible to travel far without encountering one.
Pushing their carts onward, Jiang Cheng and his men traversed Cotton Fields until a town called Yongle Town appeared ahead—the famously reputed hometown of Imperial Consort Yang Yuhuan.
They decided to rest briefly in this town. Entering an inn, they intended to have some hot tea.
To their surprise, upon entering the inn, its space was overflowing—filled with soldiers armed to the teeth!
Members of the Gaojia Village militia.
The soldiers sat or stood within the inn, clearly protecting a young woman in their midst. Around twenty years old, gentle and poised, she exuded a comforting aura while seated at a table sipping tea.
Jiang Cheng let out a gasp. His mind instantly recalled a legendary figure. He quickly bowed deeply. “We pay our respects to the Saint Lady!”
His guess was correct. This woman was Gao Yiye.
Gao Yiye had been spending much of her time lately near Puzhou, watching over the Cotton Fields. Hearing this town was the reputed hometown of Imperial Consort Yang, she had come for a visit. But the incessant heavy rain dampened her enthusiasm, leaving her to simply drink tea and listen to the rain within the inn.
Seeing Jiang Cheng approach to pay respects, Gao Yiye offered a mild, warm smile. “Mister Jiang, taking the salt all the way to Luoyang by land instead of river… you’ve chosen a much more difficult task. How troublesome it must be for you.”
Jiang Cheng was momentarily stunned. How does the Saint Lady know my name? And that I’m traveling by land to Luoyang? I only mentioned this to the Deity!
Wait! How foolish of me!
Whatever the Deity knows, the Saint Lady knows too! There’s nothing strange about that.
Jiang Cheng bowed even lower, more reverent than before. “By the blessings of the Deity and of the Saint Lady, this humble man is certain to complete this journey safely and without incident.”
Gao Yiye smiled. “The Deity said he loves traveling far and wide. Seeing you reminded him of a wish: he’d like to journey and sightsee in Luoyang too.”
Jiang Cheng replied, “This humble servant is honored beyond measure, and deeply humbled!”
Gao Yiye said gently, “Make certain you reach Luoyang safely, won’t you?”
“Thank you for your blessing, Saint Lady,” Jiang Cheng swiftly replied.
He and his men retreated to a corner of the inn, not daring to disturb Gao Yiye further. They quickly finished a simple meal and some tea. After a brief rest, they resumed their journey toward Luoyang.
Gao Yiye watched Jiang Cheng’s silhouette fade into the distance. She couldn’t help but softly sigh, “Ah… I want to go play in Luoyang too! I’ve heard Luoyang is one of the ancient capitals, a truly grand city!”
The golden-thread embroidered Deity image upon her chest gave a gentle chuckle. “Don’t rush! Wait some time longer. Once safety in Luoyang is confirmed, I’ll let you go play there then.”