Tongzhou, on the pier.

Zhao Sheng sat cross-legged on the bow of a awning boat, with a thick book spread out on his knees.

It's a long way from Yanjing to Jinling, the companion capital. Compared with the land route, the waterway actually has to go around a lot longer.

And it is also affected by dangerous water conditions and weather changes.

However, compared with the bumpy and tiring journey by donkey cart on land, the hardship of climbing mountains and wading in rivers, and the danger of encountering bandits cutting trails, traveling by water is still much more comfortable.

Not to mention that Zhao Sheng is still taking two families to travel such a long distance, so naturally it would be more appropriate to choose the water route.

However, there is no waterway in Yanjing, only the nearby Tongzhou Pier.

There is a big river here, which is a canal opened by the previous dynasty.

This river leads directly to Yangzhou and connects dozens of counties. It is the lifeblood of the Dali Dynasty in transporting grain.

On weekdays, people can also take a boat ride on the waterway.

When we came to the pier, we first bought a boat.

It is said that buying a boat is actually leasing it, but the deposit required is larger than that of a horse-drawn carriage.

After all, the journey by boat is longer and there are more people.

The Zhao family consists of three people, Mr. and Mrs. Zhao and Zhao Ling, while Xiao Guizi’s family consists of six people: parents, three brothers, and a daughter.

After getting off the donkey cart and learning that they were traveling by water, the two families took the initiative to load the cart with gift bags.

It’s a long journey, and if everything goes well, it will take two or three months.

For this reason, although Zhao Sheng explained that it was easy to travel with a light vehicle, he still brought a lot of items.

Always prepare thick and thin clothing, including raincoats and bamboo hats, and bring a few pairs of straw sandals for hiking and wading.

In addition, there are quilts, pillows, pig hair brushes for washing, towels, soap locust, etc.

There are also scissors, hatchets, flints, and candles.

There are not all inns where you can stay overnight along the way. Rhubarb and Glauber's salt are also essential for repelling insects.

There are also medicines to prevent colds and colds.

With all these things, just buying these actually cost the two families a lot of money.

If Zhao Sheng hadn't taken them with them, how could they have moved from Yanjing to Jinling?

Zhao Ling is still young, but she is well-behaved and sensible. Although she cannot lift heavy objects with her hands, she still does her best to help her parents carry some light sundries.

Looking at the awning boats on the pier in front, she, who did not yet understand the sufferings of the world, only found it amusing and very excited.

Mr. and Mrs. Zhao looked at each other, feeling helpless.

After all, I have to leave Yanjing, where I have stayed for most of my life, and I will feel a little sad no matter what.

Xiao Guizi’s family is doing better.

A few days ago, they met Xiao Guizi and knew that he was living well in the palace.

Before leaving, Xiao Guizi asked Mr. Li to provide a lot of money for his family.

With this money, how can they survive in Jinling?

"Okay, don't cry."

Xiao Guizi’s father scolded his wife in a low voice.

The wife's eyes were red and she whispered: "I'm not crying that we are homeless, I just feel sorry for my poor child.

If we can go, where can he go?"

Xiao Guizi's father sighed and took his wife's hand.

"Haven't you heard someone say that people in the palace kill people without batting an eyelid, and if we stay here, Xiao Guizi's life will be even worse."

The two couples stepped onto the boat with support.

When Zhao and his wife heard what they said, they felt mixed emotions.

How could it be that Xiao Guizi’s father and mother were worried and worried not about them?

"I wonder what happened to Sheng'er? He also asked Mr. Li to bring us a lot of money.

If he goes to Jinling, his life will always be better than that of Yanjing, but what should he do? He has no power..."

Zhao Da saw that his wife was so worried, but he really had no solution.

He is just an honest and responsible person, so what can he do?

"Dad, Mom, come on, let's take the boat!"

Zhao Ling lay on the boat and waved to the two of them.

"Come on, the boat is so big! We have never been on it before!"

Listening to their daughter's heartless yelling, Zhao and his wife were stunned for a moment, and then they felt a little better.

"This little girl is really ignorant and deserves a beating."

Mother Zhao muttered in a low voice while walking towards the boat.

Both families had emptied their belongings, and several boatmen set sail.

As Zhao Ling said, poor people like them could not afford to take a boat before.

If you really want to escape, you will have to drag your family with you, not even a bullock cart.

It’s been a difficult and dangerous journey, and I’m afraid I’ll be dead halfway through.

Through the canopy of the boat, I looked at the sparkling waves outside, and the willows on both sides of the bank were passing by quickly, and they were several miles away in the blink of an eye.

Today's scene can soothe people's hearts and dispel the haze just now.

Zhao Sheng was still sitting cross-legged on the bow of the boat, feeling the autumn breeze blowing in front of him, feeling content and content.

The book spread out on my lap flipped in the wind, making a rustling sound.

Zhao Ling was hugged by Zhao Sheng that day and was not afraid of him.

The boat had sailed away, and Zhao Ling's fresh energy had worn off, so she crawled next to Zhao Sheng.

"Brother, what are you looking at?"

Zhao Ling stared with big eyes, clear and innocent.

"This is "The Merchant's Landscape Journey", you must read it when you go out."

Zhao Sheng smiled and picked up the scroll.

Despite the fact that he kept silent all the way and seemed familiar with the roads when he brought two families to the pier, in fact he had never traveled far.

The reason why he can arrange his travel arrangements in such an orderly manner is because he was a travel companion in his previous life on earth.

Not only was he not afraid of traveling far away, but he was actually a little excited.

But he only stayed in Yanjing during the Dali Dynasty, so he still needs some travel guides.

This book "The Merchant's Landscape Travel" is such a guide.

It contains precautions for going out and where to stay.

Before Zhao Sheng left the palace, he had already arranged his trip.

If there is no accident, everyone will take a boat all the way and find a water station to rest on the tenth day.

Be prepared and don’t panic.

This is Zhao Sheng’s consistent principle.

Zhao Ling nodded and hugged her knees with her arms.

"I'm illiterate and can't read."

Zhao Sheng smiled and hugged Zhao Ling over.

"Then I'll teach you how to read, and then you can help your father settle accounts."

Zhao Ling clapped her hands and laughed: "Okay, okay...but my family has no money, so there is no need to settle accounts."

Mother Zhao was sitting in the awning, watching this scene, she couldn't help but feel anxious, for fear that her daughter would make Mr. Li angry.

Zhao Da held her hand and said, "Don't worry, I don't think Mr. Li has any ill intentions."

While teaching and learning calligraphy, Zhao Sheng also asked Zhao Ling about the situation of the Zhao family.

My predecessor entered the palace at an early age, so many memories are blurred.

Zhao Ling is smart and explains clearly to Zhao Sheng.

The eldest brother and the second brother died while building the canal. The third and fourth brothers were captured as young men, and the fifth brother was sent to the palace as eunuchs.

She and her parents are the only ones left at home.

What kind of suffering is this in the world... Zhao Sheng was speechless for a moment, and then asked the names of other brothers.
To be continued...