Father, I really don’t want to be the emperor

With this money, Dakang's investment in disaster relief and military operations in the northwest will be raised to a higher level. For at least two years, the Huns will not be able to afford to spend too much money.

"We must be cautious when escorting so much money and a traitor like Zhuang Wen. Your Highness might as well mobilize navy ships to escort us, so as to ensure safety!"

"Of course, advance notice will be given along the way so that local officials can escort them."

Song Chengzhou had already prepared a draft, and when Ning Fan asked, he started talking non-stop.

Ning Fan nodded slightly, quite satisfied with Song Chengzhou's arrangement.

This journey was actually not an easy one for Ning Fan, the prince's imperial envoy. Not only did he have to escort the imperial convicts Zhuang Wen and Yue Zhongping, but more importantly, he had to escort a large amount of gold and silver.

If the news leaks and attracts water thieves along the way, unnecessary trouble will probably be caused.

"Your Highness, after returning to the capital, I still need to say a few nice words in front of His Majesty."

Song Chengzhou sighed.

Although he, the governor, was not the one who rebelled, he was still responsible for the lack of supervision. If the court really wanted to hold him accountable, Song Chengzhou would be dismissed from office, and in serious cases, he would even be dismissed.

"Master Song, just put your heart in your stomach and everything will be fine."

Ning Fan comforted.

The next day, Ning Fan led everyone to finally board the ship.

Then, under Ning Fan's personal supervision, boxes of gold and silver were carried into the cabin.

There was countless gold and silver, as well as a dazzling array of calligraphy, paintings, and jewelry. The transportation lasted until noon before it was completed.

After Ning Fan stamped his seal on the account book, the ship began to move slowly.

There are a total of 150 water transport troops on board. They are all veterans with good water skills, and they were all carefully selected by Song Chengzhou.

There is no problem with the loyalty of these people, and their combat effectiveness is also top-notch. The key problem is that their numbers are too small.

"Your Highness, I've looked at this road, and there's nothing wrong with it. The only place is here."

In the cabin, Luo Yong pointed to the map hanging on the wall.

At this time, the place where Luo Yong pointed was the water area known as Qianshanbo.

In that area, there are thousands of small islands and lakes covering an extremely wide area.

During this period, there was even a powerful water thief hidden in the water. The court had tried to eliminate it several times, but with little success.

The Qianshanbo area is too large and has countless islands, many of which are covered with reeds.

Once the government troops came to suppress the bandits, these pirates would hide in the depths of Qianshan Lake and would not come out to fight.

But after the officers and soldiers left, these pirates would come out again, robbing merchants, and even set their sights on the grain ships transported by the imperial court!

"Your Highness, if the news leaks out, I'm afraid it will be very dangerous. We must prepare in advance."

Luo Yong said with some worry.

Indeed, not only Luo Yong was worried, but even Ning Fan was a little worried. After all, the ship carried a huge amount of wealth.

If you are really targeted by these damn water thieves, you will be in big trouble.

Even if there are thousands of troops to protect them, in the water, that is the territory of water thieves. They can sink the ship without anyone noticing, leaving the officers and soldiers powerless.

"Don't worry about this matter. I have already discussed it with Mr. Song in advance."

Although Ning Fan was worried, it was obvious that he had already thought of a solution.

It's just that there are some things that I can't say out loud for the time being.

"What can we do? If not, just mobilize the navy to escort us. I don't believe those thieves would dare to come."

Luo Yong said with a worried look.

Ning Fan waved his hand, signaling Luo Yong to go about his own business first, while he himself came to the deck with his hands behind his back.

Fishing boats were coming and going on the river, and the storm suddenly broke out, and the vast mist made it difficult to see very far away.

Ning Fan looked at the hazy river surface in the distance, and for a moment he felt like he was riding the wind back home.

In the afternoon of the next day, the ship docked for the first time. This docking was mainly to replenish water and food. In addition, Ning Fan also had his own considerations.

The governor of Quzhou personally led people to greet him on the shore and brought many gifts. Ning Fan accepted all these gifts as ordered, and also had a pleasant drink with the governor.

Luo Yong was puzzled by Ning Fan's relaxed behavior.

If there are no changes during the journey, we will enter Qianshan Lake on the fourth day. At that time, we will face the situation of shipwreck and death at any time.

These water thieves are very cunning. If the situation is not right, they will flow down the river and directly into the sea. At that time, even the court will be unable to do anything.

On the third night, Ning Fan woke up from his sleep and ordered the ship to dock in a hidden place.

"Your Highness, why are we stopping here?"

Luo Yong, dressed in armor, walked in from outside with doubts on his face.

"You've been quite tired these past few days, but I'm sorry I can't tell you before the plan is implemented."

Ning Fan shook his head.

Luo Yong didn't know what Ning Fan's plan was, so he could only worry.

"You just need to see the fire ahead, and at that point just order the ship to sail."

Ning Fan pointed at the endless reeds in Qianshan Lake and said.

Looking at tens of thousands of acres of reeds, Luo Yong didn't know what kind of medicine Ning Fan was selling in his gourd, so he could only nod his head and agree.

In the second half of the night, sure enough, fires were blazing into the sky in the west, and thick smoke was billowing. The dark night was illuminated by the fire like day.

Only then did Luo Yong understand what Ning Fan's so-called strategy was, which actually lit tens of thousands of acres of reeds.

The water thieves' lair is hidden among the reeds. It's late autumn. Although the reeds are standing on the water, they have already dried up. They will catch fire at a moment's notice, and the speed of burning in the wind is astonishing.

Those ships that were hiding in the water and planning to ambush and rob them were immediately met with disaster.

Even if you jump into the water, you won't be able to do it because you will be suffocated to death by the billowing smoke.

"His Highness's methods are truly unpredictable!"

Luo Yong sighed and quickly ordered the ship to sail. Otherwise, if the wind direction changed at dawn, the entire channel would be at risk of being shrouded in thick smoke.

The big ship passed quickly at full speed, while Ning Fan stood on the deck, looking at his masterpiece with an indifferent expression.

This fire may not be able to burn all the water thieves to death, but the family property they have accumulated over the years should be burned away.

With only one piece of property left, these water thieves had no choice but to enter the sea.

"Your Highness, the water thieves that have not been solved for decades have been solved by you all at once."

Ergou looked at the vast fire and was also very emotional.

The water pirates of Qianshan Lake were famous all over the world, and the court had a headache. However, one fire attack caused heavy losses to these water pirates, and Ning Fan was still the first to do so.

"That is, the wind direction in this season is suitable for using fire! After this time, it will not work."

Ning Fan said calmly.

On the seventh day, the big ship finally entered the Kyoto Grand Canal, and would enter the hinterland of Kyoto in half a day.

People often say that people are more timid when they are close to hometown, and Ning Fan also feels this way. Looking at the familiar scenery of Kyoto, Ning Fan keeps looking forward to the scene of meeting Xiao Lingxi again in his mind.