Yan Ge didn’t explain, even if he did, no one would understand. He pointed to a wooden box that had been prepared on the side. Inside the box was a large stone. “This thing is called a pulley system. Let’s try out its function. To avoid bias, let someone without internal energy try it.”
Mei Tianzhou was interested and asked, “Can I try?”
“Of course,” Yan Ge closed the lid of the wooden box and locked it. “Master Mei, try lifting this box and see if it’s heavy or not.”
Mei Tianzhou nodded and grasped the handle of the box with both hands, struggling a bit to lift the wooden box. “It’s quite heavy, at least forty catties.”
Yan Ge signaled him to put the box down and used the hook on the movable pulley to latch onto the handle of the wooden box. He said to Mei Tianzhou, “Now, try pulling the rope and see if it becomes easier or more difficult.”
Mei Tianzhou followed his instructions and pulled the rope. As the pulley rolled, the box was lifted, and Mei Tianzhou exclaimed in surprise, “Strange! It’s much easier.”
“Is it true?” The onlookers looked skeptical.
“Let me try,” Pan Longmen also stepped forward and gave it a try, his face filled with admiration. “Indeed, it’s amazing.”
A daring commoner requested to try it as well. Yan Ge nodded, and after trying it, the person also marveled.
Huangfu Yuchen tried it with great interest and had the same feeling.
“Madam Luo, could you explain this?” Pan Longmen asked.
Yan Ge said, “Well, even if I explain, you wouldn’t understand. In short, part of the weight of the stone is transferred to the rope, so it feels much easier to lift. It’s like when one person carries a bucket of water, it feels heavy, but if two people carry it together, it becomes much easier. And with three people, it’s even easier.”
Everyone nodded in agreement, looking at Yan Ge with admiration.
Yan Ge said to Pan Longmen, “Master Pan, you can have the blacksmiths construct more of these devices by the river. It will make it easier for the boatmen to tow the boats. Zirui and I can only help up to this point with the affairs in Lujiang County. As for the rest, Pan Master will have to find a solution on his own.”
Mei Tianzhou asked in surprise, “Madam Luo and Young Master Luo are leaving?”
Yan Ge nodded, “We came here for sightseeing in the first place, and we have already enjoyed the scenery here. Today, we will leave. Our luggage has been packed long ago.”
Mei Tianzhou said, “Madam Luo and Young Master Luo have helped us so much. I don’t know how to thank you…”
“No need for thanks,” Yan Ge said. “You both are good officials, and naturally, we have a good impression of you. If you were corrupt officials, we would have taken action to help the people. Hahaha… Zirui, shall we go?”
“Yes, let’s go.”
Their horses had been brought out by the stable hands and were waiting nearby.
Yan Ge carried Yan Jin in his arms, and Huangfu Yuchen mounted his horse. After bowing to Mei Tianzhou and the others, they set off with a flick of the reins.
“Master Mei, who exactly are those two?” Pan Longmen asked in a low voice.
Mei Tianzhou had a shocking thought but found it unbelievable. He shook his head and said, “I’m not sure either. But what’s certain is that those two have done more than just help Lujiang County. This pulley system can be used to move heavy objects, not only at the riverside but also at the docks.”
Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen spent four more days sightseeing and finally arrived at Lanhai City, where they had arranged to meet Jiang Gan and the others. It had been nearly two months since they left the palace.
Gao Feng, Gao Yun, and the other guards took turns waiting at the gate of Lanhai City every day. Gao Feng saw two horses galloping towards the gate from afar, and immediately recognized them as Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen. He wore a delighted expression and approached them.
“Young Master, Madam, Little Master.”
“It’s Gao Feng,” Yan Ge pulled on the reins and smiled. “Thank you for your hard work.”
Huangfu Yuchen asked, “Where are the others?”
Gao Feng replied, “They are at the Yongle Inn.”
Yan Jin stretched out his hands to Gao Feng, “Hug, my butt hurts.”
Gao Feng quickly hugged him off the horse with a distressed face.
Huangfu Yuchen handed the two reins to Gao Feng. Gao Feng looked puzzled, and before he had time to say anything, Huangfu Yuchen had already pulled Yan Ge away.
“Madam and I will go have a meal first, and then we will meet you at the Yongle Inn.”
Gao Feng responded smartly, “Understood.”
Now that they were at a coastal town, it was only natural to enjoy a delicious seafood meal. Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen headed straight to Liuxian Pavilion in Lanhai City and ordered a table full of seafood. Crispy fish fillets, fish-flavored shrimp cakes, braised fish fins, kylin stone grouper, braised sea cucumber, shrimp with scrambled eggs, cod with bean crumbs, and Wuliu fresh fish were all served.
After a hearty feast, the two of them didn’t rush to the inn. Huangfu Yuchen took Yan Ge’s hand and headed towards the seaside.
“Baby, it’s been several days since the Zhantian Vine left. Any news?”
“Not yet. Once there’s news, it should contact me promptly.” Yan Ge had already walked ahead but turned back a few steps to walk shoulder to shoulder with him. “Are you worried?”
Huangfu Yuchen interlocked his fingers with hers. “During this time, I’ve reviewed all the information I obtained since our first encounter with the Centipede Organization and the fight with the vice leader. I’m afraid that the Centipede’s leader still has an insider in the capital city, and this insider is likely someone from the capital, even someone with a close relationship with us. Otherwise, he wouldn’t know you so well. Although his ultimate goal may be me, just the thought that there were eyes constantly watching your every move fills me with fear.”
Yan Ge pulled him to sit on the soft sand, smiling as he looked into his eyes. “What are you afraid of? You are strong enough to protect me, and I am not weak either, capable of protecting myself.”
Huangfu Yuchen wrapped his arm around Yan Ge’s waist and placed his other hand on his knee, looking at him seriously. “The fact that they chose to act after we left the capital city shows that they still have some caution. Considering the timing, we will stay in Lanhai City for at most ten more days before returning to the capital. They will definitely take action again before we get back. Baby, we mustn’t let our guard down.”
“I know.” Yan Ge lifted his feet and made a pair of footprints in the sand.
He casually asked, “Zirui, do you have any suspects?”
Huangfu Yuchen replied, “It’s hard to say. After ascending the throne, I promoted some of my own people, and relatively speaking, I relied more heavily on those I personally cultivated. Maybe it caused resentment in some people.”
Yan Ge smiled playfully, “Well, let me tell you from my experience, if someone wants to deal with an emperor, there are only four possible reasons: deep-seated grudges, selling out their country for personal gain, harboring hatred due to love, or plotting to seize the throne.”
“Your experience?” Huangfu Yuchen chuckled. “Did you learn that from a TV drama?”
“TV dramas are a good thing.” Yan Ge lay on top of him, hus long hair flowing down to the ground. “I suddenly realized that there are so many things I can do once we return to the capital. One of them is that I want to produce a TV drama.”
“Aren’t you enjoying yourself outside?” Huangfu Yuchen picked up his hair, gently patting off the sand stuck to it.
Yan Ge replied, “After all, the outside world isn’t our territory. It’s in the capital where we can freely carry out our plans and do whatever we want. Besides, we have already seen most of the scenic spots and done most of the things we can do on this trip.”
“I find it comforting that you think that way,” Huangfu Yuchen said affectionately as he kissed her forehead. “I’m just worried that you’ll feel bored being confined to the capital all year round. The next inspection tour probably won’t be for another two or three years. How about we go to the north and see the different landscapes?”
“Okay.” Yan Ge pulled him up and they ran into the sea. “Let’s go swimming. We can even try… swimming naked.”
Swimming naked? Huangfu Yuchen’s nose felt hot, and he quickly covered it with his hand.
Yan Ge burst into laughter.
After swimming back and forth in the sea and discreetly doing somethings, they emerged from the water, using their inner strength to dry their clothes. They returned to the inn feeling refreshed and invigorated.
Jiang Gan and the others had been waiting outside the inn since they heard the news. They saw the couple walking towards them, chatting and laughing, and quickly approached them with joyful expressions.
“Greetings, young master and madam,” Jiang Gan said.
Huangfu Yuchen said, “You’ve been waiting here all this time? We told you that you didn’t need to accompany us.”
Jiang Gan replied, “We haven’t seen the young master and madam for several days, and we were quite concerned.”
Yan Ge smiled and said, “Zirui and I were also missing you. Let’s go inside and talk.”
Deng Mande took care of reserving a courtyard in the inn. Only their group stayed in the courtyard, ensuring no one would disturb them.
Once they were seated in the reception hall, both sides inquired about each other’s recent circumstances.
Jiang Gan reported, “We arrived in Lanhai City just four or five days earlier than the young master and madam. During this time, we traveled south and accomplished some things based on Madam’s usual methods. I have written down the detailed information for you to review.”
Huangfu Yuchen quickly flipped through the booklet and handed it to Yan Ge.
Yan Ge skimmed through it and nodded. “Not bad. You have succeeded in stealing from me!”
Everyone laughed.
Huangfu Yuchen asked, “Are there any problems in Lanhai City?”
Jiang Gan sighed. “Lanhai City doesn’t have significant issues, but Bazhou does.”
“Bazhou is in the central region, isn’t it?” Huangfu Yuchen asked.
Yan Ge interjected, “I remember Bazhou is one of the cities on our way back to the capital?”
Jiang Gan affirmed, “Yes. Bazhou is located in the central region of Great Han. Apart from the months of June and July when rainfall is relatively high, there is generally a scarcity of water. This year, the situation is particularly severe. The rivers, lakes, and ponds have almost dried up, and it’s impossible to carry out spring planting in the fields. Many people have fled to Lanhai City in the past few days. Young master, since Lanhai City doesn’t have significant problems, why don’t we head straight to Bazhou?”
Huangfu Yuchen said, “It’s already late in the day today. We’ll depart early tomorrow morning.”
“Understood.”
The next day, Jiang Gan and Huangfu Yuchen’s convoy rushed out of the north city gate, and within half an hour, another group of martial artists rushed in from the south city gate.
“Master, we just received news that they left Lanhai City through the north city gate early in the morning.”
“Chase them.”
“Yes!”
