The reason why Black Water Pier is called as such is that during wintertime, slightly warm steam and black substance will appear on the surface of the lake.
There was no other place that had this type of occurrence other than the Black Water Pier. Hence, once winter comes, the common folks just need to remember to walk a bit farther if they were to wash their clothes at the river.
The reason for that was once the black substance is stained on clothing, it was impossible to wash off. The poor common folks only had around two sets of clothing in their wardrobe to wear year-round that it would be an extreme shame if it was to get dirty.
Just when a group of married housewives was washing clothes at the river, and the strong young men were catching fish beside them, a man stood on the Black Water Pier and began yelling loudly!
“A wealthy young master is looking for workers! As long as you have strength in your arm and tools for farming in your hand, he’ll hire you no matter if you’re male or female! Half a tael of silver for a day’s work! Come quickly!”
His shouting echoed on the surface of the river, reaching far into the distance. Everyone couldn’t help but raise their heads, albeit thinking this was all a hoax. After all, it was just a small and simple task, yet they’re paying half a tael of silver? Despite that, a lot of nosy people still rushed to the pier to join in on the fun. Soon after, a large group of people was gathered on the pier!
Xie Lin Lang sat on the back of her black steed. She had already removed her cloak, showing off the long moon-white robe* she wore on the inside.
*Chang Pao – traditional Chinese men’s robe/gown.
In the middle of winter, everyone was wrapped in thick and warm clothing. It was only her; as if she had no fear for the cold, she merely wore a long robe.
The elegantly embroidered long robe flapped in the wind, making her presence even more intimidating and charismatic, magnificent without a match.
Holding a horsewhip in her hand, she pointed toward the crowd, “Everyone, take formation! Divide into three groups and listen to my orders!
Her voice was not loud, but everyone on site could hear her clearly. They had originally thought this was all a hoax. But seeing her be this charismatic and overt, they immediately believed her words, lowering their heads and following her orders.
Seeing how all of the people gathered here were quick to follow her command, Xie Lin Lang nodded in approval. With the horsewhip in her hand, she walked over to the first group of people.
“Your group goes first! Start digging in a straight line all the way from the place where I’m standing to the pier! As long as you finish two hours of work, you will be rewarded half a tael of silver!”
The first group of people continued to stand there blankly with their tools, lacking any understanding. But Xie Lin Lang had already moved on to the next location.
To the second group, she said, “Just like the other group, you’re digging straight from this point to the pier. The same requirement, and the same pay.”
Immediately, she walked over to the last location.
To the third group, she said, “You’re digging this line. Begin now! Anyone here that finds the black-colored water first will be awarded ten taels of gold! And you…”
She turned to the person that helped her scatter the news, “And you are in charge of supervising! Once the black water is dug out, immediately lead it into the river. If you all manage to fill the entire Black Water River in black water, then I will award each one of you ten taels of silver!”
Having said that, she tossed a bag of money directly into that person’s hands.
The middle-aged man was still shocked by Xie Lin Lang’s words. After catching the bag of money, he began opening it with trembling fingers. Momentarily, all of the pure gold and silver inside the bag almost blinded everyone’s eyes!
Sounds of gasping and drawn breaths were heard from the crowd. Seeing how everyone’s attention was completely focused on the bag of money, Xie Lin Lang raised her whip and smashed it heavily against the giant boulder on the side!
The giant boulder was instantaneously split into pieces! The loud sound of an explosion brought everyone’s attention back to reality. When they took a clear look at what the giant boulder has become, the expressions they looked at Xie Lin Lang with instantly became that of fear!
“Well? Hurry up and dig! My promises are set in stone! But if anyone dares to play cheap with me, you’ll end up like this rock!”
Her serious tone was enough to make everyone jump in fright! They immediately picked up their tools and began to dig vigorously.
The appointed supervisor almost felt weak in his knees with the bag of money in his hand.
He shakenly walked over to Xie Lin Lang’s side, and asked in a timid tone, “DaRen, what will happen if we aren’t able to dig up the black water…”
Hearing his question, she surveyed the Black Water Pier that has historically been overflowing with black water every year.
She answered, “It will appear. From now on, this will become Xiang City’s treasure ground!”
* (This translation was brought to you by LeafInBloom on Patreon and Sleepy Translations.)
On the other side, Lian Ke’s boat was close to reaching Chang An Pier. Sitting in one of the rooms of the Wang Jiang Inn by the Chang An Pier, the Emperor’s envoy held up his teacup and wrinkled his brows upon witnessing the sight on the river outside the window.
Abruptly, he asked, “Whose boats are those? Did Xiang City always have this many boats?”
County Magistrate Tao, who had been sitting carefully on the seat, immediately answered, “Those… those are the boats belonging to the Zong Jiang merchant team. They have been employed by the monarchy to transport tin.”
The envoy did not care too much about the whole deal with Xiang City’s tin workshops. He had seen enough ore and mining workshops through his work so naturally, he was not impressed with the way that this Tao person ran the tin workshop.
But none of this mattered much to him. Soon, all of Xiang City’s control will be handed over to Xie Lin Lang anyway.
Thinking thus, he asked another question.
“Didn’t you say that Xie Lin Lang and her group will travel by water? Why aren’t they here yet?”
County Magistrate Tao rubbed his chubby belly and thought to himself. Who knows… that Xie person could even be dead by now. But on the surface, he answered with a smile.
“He should be here soon…very soon…”
*
On the slow sailing merchant boat, the guqin tune had ceased completely after the string Qin Jue was playing on suddenly snapped.
Lian Ke was originally enjoying the performance. But now, he wrinkled his brows; a broken guqin string was not a good omen.
Waving his hand, he called his subordinate over.
He asked in a sullen voice, “Are we there yet?”
The subordinate responded, “Reporting to DaRen, we’re almost at Chang An Pier. If we keep going for two hours after ChangAn, we will reach Red Sand Valley.”
Lian Ke acknowledged his answer. He was certain that as long as they were in the water, they wouldn’t be threatened by any pursuers. But why was there an uneasy feeling forming in his stomach?
Right! He knew what was wrong! They had just outright tried to assassinate Xie Lin Lang, an imperial official, and even kidnapped someone. Even if Xie Lin Lang was not able to see who the kidnapped target was, she would not be letting them off easily!
It was too quiet. Even up until now, there was not a single person pursuing them. What the hell was she up to?
Thinking thus, Lian Ke sat up on his seat.
Soon, his attention landed on Qin Jue and he sneered, “…Looks like Xie Lin Lang doesn’t understand you at all, huh. You’ve already spent this much time in our company yet she still hasn’t realized there was anything amiss with the substitute. It’s been a few years since I’ve last seen her, but her sharpness is really nothing compared to before!”
Qin Jue was originally only half-listening to his words, but from what he was saying, it seemed like he knew Xie Lin Lang even before this?
“You’ve met her before?”
Lian Ke burst out laughing after hearing Qin Jue’s question.
“Yes I have! Of course I have! After all, she was the one that almost took my life back then! It’s a shame… she didn’t manage to kill me. If I ever get the chance again, I will make sure she regrets it!”
Hearing his words seep of killing intent, Qin Jue’s expression immediately dropped, becoming ice-cold.
But his expression soon turned into a smile, because once they got to Red Sand Valley, Lian Ke would never get such a chance again.
Lian Ke failed to notice Qin Jue’s changes in expression. Having drunk so much alcohol, he was completely consumed in the memories of his past.
The scene with mountains of corpses and rivers flowing with blood only brought endless nightmares to him that year. Now, just thinking about the battle was enough to make his heart race with excitement!
Staring at the ground, Lian Ke’s pupils dilated and flickered, almost to the point of mania.
“Xie Lin Lang… speaking of which, Xie Lin Lang was really pretty, huh? Even my brother wanted Xie Lin Lang, until he got his heart carved out, and died of dismemberment… hahaha… HAHAHA! Xie Lin Lang! You must feel so wonderful!”
Bang!
Qin Jue stood up so abruptly that the guqin in front of him was flipped onto the floor!
Lian Ke looked at him sharply, but before he was able to say anything, the urgent voice of his subordinate came from the outside.
“Reporting––! DaRen! There’s someone on the water blocking our path!!”