The boss of the boat was helpless: "I have lived by the Canglan River since I was a child. My ancestors have been making a living on the river for generations. It is hard to imagine that I have never seen them! However, I don't know what the water bandits on the river are. I only know that they are elusive and unpredictable.
They make a living by robbing passing merchant ships and private ships.
If it is a small business, they often surround it with small boats, and then disperse after robbing it.
Only when they encounter a big fat sheep, they will bury the hook in the water in advance and force the big ship to stop before they can board the ship and rob it!"
King Xiang's expression changed: "Boarding a ship to rob? What do you mean..."
The boss of the ship waved his hand hurriedly: "I'm not saying that there will be water bandits boarding the ship. I just heard that they have done this."
"Why don't you report it to the official?" Zhan Bei said coldly.
The ship's boss glanced at him, shook his head and said, "Brother, I'm joking. What's the use of reporting to the official?"
On the deck, the expressions of Prince Xiang and several household officials changed.
"Does the court not care?" Xiao Lingyue asked.
"It's not that I don't care, it's that I can't control it!"
The boat boss said helplessly, "With such a big river, you can control one end but not the other. There are many diversions on the river and the waterways are complicated. Even old people like us who have lived on the river for decades may not be able to control it."
It’s clear, let alone other people?
Even if you are robbed and reported to the police, those officials can only send people to patrol the area for a few days.
If you are lucky enough to run into a water bandit, catch him!
If we don't meet them, they will withdraw their troops in a few days. What's the use?
Water bandits are not stupid either.
Just after the robbery, who would stay there and wait for the government to send someone to arrest them? They would have run away long ago!
There are so many ships on the river. When the flags are changed, who can tell which one is the bandit's ship?
In the end, it’s just a wasted effort, it’s useless!”
"..."
Hearing what the ship boss said, everyone on the deck couldn't help but fell silent.
Xiao Lingyue also sighed in her heart.
really.
This kind of thing is difficult to prevent.
First, the Canglan River is too long, has too many branches, and the waterway is too complex.
Water bandits who make a living on water all year round come and go without a trace. They can also escape from the water and are harder to catch than bandits in the mountains.
Secondly, the water resources in Northern Qin are not abundant, and there are very few people who know how to use water. Most of the soldiers in the army are landlubbers. No matter how ferocious they are at ordinary times, when they are on the water and on a boat, their combat effectiveness will be reduced by at least half.
If we really encounter water bandits, if the two fight, it's hard to say who will win.
The officials below have no choice. They can't pay for all their soldiers for a few water bandits, right?
The gain outweighs the loss.
King Xiang frowned and looked at the household officials: "Why have I never heard of water bandits causing trouble in the capital?"
"This..." The three Ministry of Revenue officials looked embarrassed.
One of them whispered: "Actually, there are, and there are reports every year. It's just because the matter is not serious. Most of the water bandits only want money and don't hurt anyone. Therefore, the DPRK has never sent troops to exterminate them seriously."
"Only seeking wealth?" King Xiang looked at the boat boss doubtfully.
The boat boss nodded: "This is true! I heard that all water bandits on the Canglan River have a leader. This person is very loyal and does not harm the fishermen. As long as the passing merchant ships pay enough 'water tolls'
, they will not harm the crew, and will even help guide the way and negotiate business.
I don’t know the details, I just heard that many caravans on the river have good relations with them.”
"There is such a thing!" Prince Xiang said with an eye-opening look on his face.
Xiao Lingyue looked at the wet and rusty water hook on the deck: "Are you sure this hook was set by water bandits?"