Moma Liangshan

Chapter 145 The Princess Arrives in Port, Riding in the Same Car

Although the princess of Shu had lived on the northern grasslands since childhood, this was the first time she had ever seen the vast ocean. However, facing the dire situation of tens of thousands of troops besieging Jinzhou, with land routes cut off and sea routes controlled by Wang Hao, the princess of Shu was unwilling to overlook any detail she saw on the ship. In her view, "If the Liao Kingdom could build its own navy, it could not only reopen the connection between Liaodong and Shangjing, but also plunder the rich lands of the Song Kingdom when necessary." However, the sea, as the most complex means of transportation in ancient times, was not something that could be learned so easily. Three days later, one night, the ship carrying the princess of Shu finally arrived in the waters off Jiaozhou. After nightfall, the huge lighthouse in Jiaozhou Port would be lit, guiding ships sailing at night. When the huge lighthouse came into view, the sailors all rushed to the deck, excitedly waiting for the ship to dock. The princess of Shu followed the crowd to the deck, curiously looking at the huge lighthouse in the distance. At this moment, Gao He quietly approached the Princess of Shu. After hesitating for a long time, he said, "The wind is strong at sea. It would be best for you to rest in the cabin, Miss!" Upon hearing the word "Miss," the Princess of Shu was taken aback at first, but then she came to her senses and greatly admired Gao He's quick thinking. She asked, "Why is there a large light ahead?" Gao He replied, "This is a lighthouse built specifically by the sea to guide ships returning to port at night!" He then added, "It is said that the lighthouse in Lushun Port is also about to begin construction. Then, ships heading to Liaodong will be able to navigate at night!" The Princess of Shu greatly admired Wang Hao's boldness in engineering construction, as if these huge investments were all free.

Just then, the sailors on the ship suddenly began to bustle about. The ship was already quite close to the shore, and the sails on the masts were beginning to lower one by one. Then, three more sailors were lowered into the sea in sampans, which appeared to be attached to very thick ropes. The Princess of Shu asked, "Why did those men leave in the small boats first?" Gao He replied, "The large ship has already lowered its sails and will soon lose power. Then we'll need the boatmen on the shore to pull us over with ropes." The Princess of Shu asked, "Won't the large ship automatically row to the shore soon after lowering its sails?" Gao He smiled helplessly and said, "This is a large ship with a displacement of over three thousand shi (a unit of volume). It can't be stopped so easily. If it accidentally hits the shore, the repair costs will easily reach tens of thousands of guan (a unit of currency)." The large ship, pulled smoothly ashore by the boatmen, and the Princess of Shu carefully climbed a wooden ladder. She saw a young man waiting for her not far away. The young man was none other than Wang Hao. Upon seeing the Shu princess disembark, Wang Hao immediately stepped forward and said, "It's been several months since we last met before the New Year. How has Your Highness been?" The Shu princess, observing the busy crowd, asked, "Why don't these people give way to you, the ruler of Jiaozhou?" Wang Hao shook his head and smiled, saying, "I'm merely the local official of Laoshan County, not the ruler of Jiaozhou. If this gets back to Dongjing, I'm afraid I'll have to go through a lot of trouble to quell it!" The Shu princess's use of "ruler of Jiaozhou" was not malicious; it was merely a casual remark. Seeing Wang Hao's slight displeasure, she said, "In your letter, you instructed me to visit incognito. Shouldn't you prepare some Han Chinese clothing for us?" Wang Hao greatly appreciated the Shu princess's caution and said, "Your guards will all change into Jiaozhou military uniforms. As for Your Highness, I've already prepared a carriage; there's no need to change clothes for now!"

Princess Shu arrived in Jiaozhou, accompanied by Li Cangbai and twelve personal guards. Wang Hao had Li Cangbai and his men change into Jiaozhou military uniforms, a subtle way of ensuring they retained their weapons to reassure the princess. Li Cangbai donned the sturdy uniform and gripped the sharp, thick spear, instantly sensing the immense power wielded by the young man before him! The four-wheeled carriage was spacious, and Wang Hao invited the princess to ride with him, while her guards traveled alongside Yang Zhi's Jiaozhou army. Li Cangbai glanced at Yang Zhi, the leader of the group, out of the corner of his eye. Yang Zhi asked directly, "General Li, what do you think of the armor and weapons of Jiaozhou?" Li Cangbai replied quickly as he walked, "They are all top-quality!" Yang Zhi said, "My young master said that weapons and armor are the soldiers' closest friends, so when generals purchase weapons and armor, the needs of the soldiers should be the primary consideration!" Li Cangbai seemed to understand Wang Hao's other intention and said, "Young Master Wang, do you want to sell these weapons and armor to my princess?" Yang Zhi nodded and said, "As long as your princess wants them, my young master will sell them to her!" Li Cangbai had... Somewhat unbelievable, considering that superior weaponry is one of the most important guarantees for victory in war, and the Song and Liao dynasties were centuries-old enemies, far from being brotherly nations sharing weal and woe, he said, "I am merely a guard, I cannot influence Her Highness's decision!" Yang Zhi shook his head and said, "My young master will naturally speak to your princess personally, but when she asks, General Li, please be truthful!" Li Cangbai felt that Wang Hao's arrangement was unnecessary; good weapons and armor are always "available for purchase, but not for sale," there's no reason to promote them everywhere. He nodded and said, "General, rest assured!" Yang Zhi felt that Li Cangbai had no choice but to befriend him, and said, "I am Yang Zhi, the commander of Prince Wang's personal guards!" Li Cangbai politely said, "Thank you, Commander Yang!"

Inside the carriage, Wang Hao looked at the weary princess of Shu and said, "Your Highness, what brings you to Jiaozhou?" The princess, knowing Wang Hao's resourcefulness and shrewdness, replied frankly, "I successfully repelled two Jurchen attacks by relying on the Great Wall at Haikou. Before I set off, the Jurchen army had already withdrawn!" Wang Hao smiled and said, "In that case, I congratulate Your Highness on your victory!" The princess showed no joy in celebrating the victory, saying, "Although I held Jinzhou, I have completely lost the ability to contain the Jurchen eastern army. If I am not mistaken, the attack on Jinzhou..." "The 50,000-strong army will soon join the battle at Shangjing!" Wang Hao understood the purpose of the Shu princess's trip and asked, "What does Your Highness wish me to do?" The Shu princess replied, "I hope you can lend my father a hand!" Wang Hao pondered for a moment and said, "Your father is the emperor of the mighty Liao Dynasty. Even our Emperor Huizong would show him deference! I am merely a seventh-rank county magistrate of the Song Dynasty. How can I influence the Jin-Liao war situation thousands of miles away?" The Shu princess said, "As long as you can help my father repel the Jurchen invasion, I can persuade him to give you a corresponding reward!"