IDWBE -Chapter 145 Renting Ships

“Your Highness, the fireworks are being set off!”

Yu Xiaoshi suddenly shouted at the top of his lungs.

“Set them off!”

Lin Yi shouted back just as loudly. “Light up a hundred or so taels’ worth! I’m not short of money!”

Before long, ten guards ignited the fireworks together.

In an instant, both banks of the West River glittered brilliantly.

Even from inside the residence, Lin Yi could hear the endless cheers rising from the riverbanks.

Nightlife in this era was painfully dull. Anything even slightly more entertaining required spending money.

And spending money? That was simply not an option for most people.

So when there was finally something free and lively to watch, everyone came out to take a look.

People loved to gather and spectate—not only out of instinct, but mostly because they were bored out of their minds.

Lin Yi sat beneath a tree, drinking grape wine while watching the fireworks.

By the time the noise outside faded—the singing of opera drifting away—and the bottle of wine was completely emptied, he yawned, lay down on his bed, and fell asleep.

Before dawn, however, he was awakened by bursts of “hey! ha!” and the continuous sound of air being split.

“Your Highness, you’re awake.”

Mingyue prepared a towel, water, and salt for him to wash up.

After rinsing carelessly, Lin Yi ate breakfast half-asleep, yawning, occasionally glancing at Yu Xiaoshi practicing martial arts in the courtyard.

He wanted to scold him—but couldn’t quite bring himself to do it.

That’s just how it is with a youth newly struck by love.

Ever since Tan Xizi had joined the Prince He residence, the usually muddleheaded Yu Xiaoshi had become even more diligent in his martial training.

Though simple-minded, when he cared about someone, he did so more purely than anyone else.

He couldn’t stand seeing Hong An hovering around Tan Xizi.

He simply refused to accept it!

Holding onto that stubborn determination, he resolved to defeat Tan Xizi, who stood at the peak of the seventh rank.

Every day, aside from eating, he practiced.

Watching him, Lin Yi didn’t know whether to feel gratified or sympathetic.

A pitiful child trapped by love.

What jealousy are you even feeling? Think about it carefully—could someone like Tan Xizi even get married?

At most, it was just deep camaraderie between fellow disciples, or youthful companionship, hanging out together.

Just after breakfast, Tan Xizi—now also serving as the residence gatekeeper—ran in and said, “Your Highness, Tian Shiyou has arrived.”

“Let him in,” Lin Yi said with a smile. “Has he brought money?”

“Your Highness, he came empty-handed.”

“Empty-handed?”

Lin Yi frowned. “Then what’s he here for?”

“Well…”

“Let him in.”

Lin Yi waved his hand.

Soon, Tan Xizi led Tian Shiyou inside.

Tian Shiyou knelt. “Greetings, Your Highness. May Your Highness live a thousand, ten thousand years.”

Lin Yi said impatiently, “If there’s something to say, say it.”

Tian Shiyou replied, “Your Highness, I’ve encountered something strange and have come to report it.”

“What is it?”

Lin Yi asked, holding his teacup.

“Someone has been searching everywhere for large ships from Nanzhou and Sanhe, wanting to rent them to transport people to Yongzhou,” Tian Shiyou said quietly. “They want to rent over a hundred ships.”

“Over a hundred?”

Lin Yi said in surprise. “That would mean transporting quite a lot of people.”

“I’ve heard there are also provisions and military supplies.”

Lin Yi glanced at Tan Xizi, who quickly withdrew and summoned Qi Peng.

This was what Lin Yi appreciated most about Tan Xizi—one look was enough; no need for extra words.

In front of Qi Peng, though somewhat reluctant, Tian Shiyou repeated the matter.

Qi Peng pondered for a moment. “Your Highness, now it all makes sense. When Prince Yong hurried back to the capital, his main forces remained in Hongzhou under Mei Jingzhi’s command. Some days ago, I received word that Prince Yong’s trusted general Liu Yichuan suddenly fell out with Mei Jingzhi and, on his own authority, led forty thousand troops into Nanzhou. At the time, I didn’t understand his intent and thus did not report it. Now I see—most likely they intend to pass through Nanzhou and return to Yongzhou by sea.”

“I knew it!”

Tian Shiyou slapped his thigh. “That fellow renting the ships looked different—so he’s military after all.”

“Third Brother doesn’t move often,” Lin Yi said helplessly, shaking his head. “But when he does, it’s big. Forty thousand troops—that’s no small number.”

“Your Highness, should we rent the ships or not?” Tian Shiyou asked for guidance.

“Rent them. Why wouldn’t we? Only a fool refuses to make money,” Lin Yi said with a grin. “Wadan has pushed things too far. Let Third Brother give them a proper lesson.”

Even if he didn’t rent out ships, someone else would.

Better to earn a little pocket money along the way—no big deal.

Tian Shiyou beamed. “Thank you, Your Highness!”

Lin Yi continued, “But be cautious. Yongzhou is his home turf. If they refuse to pay and detain your ships, you’ll have nowhere to cry—and I won’t be able to save you.”

That was entirely possible.

With the current chaos, a hundred large ships would amount to an additional naval force.

Tian Shiyou laughed loudly. “Please rest assured, Your Highness. Once we reach shore, we’ll ferry them by small boats. If they dare act rashly, we’ll scuttle the ships. Those landlubbers won’t survive. We’ll make all this clear before they board.”

“Better safe than sorry,” Lin Yi added. “Use your own ships for the risk. Mine won’t be involved.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Seeing there were no further instructions, Tian Shiyou carefully withdrew.

After he left, Lin Yi turned to Qi Peng. “Any news from Zhang Mian and Bao Kui?”

Qi Peng shook his head. “According to our informants, they have entered Daxi. The area is occupied by the bandit leader Huang Sifang. No need to worry, Your Highness—they are both third-rank masters. They should be fine.”

A third-rank expert could scale walls and leap onto city ramparts without siege ladders.

Even the elite Imperial Guards of Liang could not accomplish such feats—there were only a handful among them who had reached the level of transformative force.

“Let’s hope so.”

Lin Yi said no more and returned to his room for another nap.

He hadn’t slept long before the heat woke him.

Drenched in sweat, he went up the mountain and bathed beneath a mountain stream.

“Your Highness,”

Tan Xizi led the donkey over, grinning. “I’ve heard the pleasure boat is quite entertaining. The courtesans from Nanzhou are exceptionally beautiful. To serve Your Highness would be their good fortune.”

“Really that beautiful? How do they compare to Liu Ruyan?” Lin Yi asked.

“Your Highness, every word I say is true,” Tan Xizi said, holding the reins in one hand and patting his chest with the other, smiling broadly. “Last night I jumped aboard to sneak a look. Compared to Liu Ruyan—they’re even more delicate and charming. Your Highness, why not grace them with your presence?”

Lin Yi smiled. “Since you’ve said so much, then let’s go take a look. I should observe the people’s conditions, after all.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Tan Xizi immediately turned toward West River Bridge.

Halfway there, Lin Yi suddenly said, “Going in broad daylight doesn’t seem quite proper. And those cabins are probably stiflingly hot. Let’s go tonight instead. We’ll drink some wine, enjoy the river breeze, and rejoice with the people. That should be quite pleasant.”

“Your Highness is most thoughtful,” Tan Xizi flattered.