The Blade-Wielding Legend

Chapter 1449 745: Jinan Prefecture, the City of Springs (Part 2)

The stone slabs at the dock were washed by the rain until they gleamed pitch-black, and countless porters wearing straw raincoats and straw sandals carried sacks and crates, shuttling back and forth between the ships and the slippery bank, splashing muddy water everywhere.

The air was filled with the earthy scent unique to river water, the smell of damp wood, the unavoidable fishy odor of the dock area, and sweat, all suppressed by the rain yet stubbornly rising into the air.

The status of Jinan Pier as a waterway hub needs no elaboration.

The Xiaoqing River route they traveled on was initially built during the Southern Song's Shaoxi Period, starting from Jinan, flowing east through Zibo, Weifang, Dongying, and finally into the Bohai Sea. It is the only artificial canal in Qilu Land connecting the inland to the coast.

Sea salt from the coast was transported upstream via the Xiaoqing River to Jinan, then distributed overland to Lu Zhong, Lu Xi, Yu State, Jizhou, and other areas. Goods from Jinan and the surrounding regions were loaded onto ships at the pier, following the current to Bohai Bay, and then transshipped to Liaodong, the Korean Peninsula, and even Japan.

It is this pier that makes Jinan an important transit node for goods from the north and south, and maritime land cargo.

The closer to the city, the more diverse the riverside scene becomes.

Ming and gray-tiled residential buildings stand by the water, interspersed with shops and warehouses with high eaves, their various signs soaked by the rain and colors dimmed.

Finally, the massive ancient and austere city walls of Jinan Prefecture, looming in the misty rain, appeared into view.

The treasure ship took some effort to find a berth to dock at the crowded pier.

Anchor chains plunged into the murky river, and gangplanks rested on the slippery stone steps.

Li Yan and the others arranged their belongings and set foot on the land of Banqiao Pier.

Upon landing, they immediately felt the coolness and stickiness transmitted by the wet stone slabs.

The crowd surged in the rain, straw raincoats and bamboo hats forming a gray mobile barrier. Shouts, debates, and the sounds of loading and unloading goods were particularly distinct against the percussion of raindrops.

The riversides were filled with houses on stilts and warehouses that exuded a strong sense of bustling liveliness.

A few puppet theater performers sheltering from the rain under the sheds were skillfully manipulating their agile puppets to amuse the audience, occasionally causing bursts of laughter. A banner on a teashop boldly read "Baotu Spring Herbal Tea," with steaming copper pots contrasting sharply with ice-chilled cups, attracting many passersby to stop and relieve their fatigue.

In the distance, at the base of the city wall, a shop specializing in paper-cutting, the owner was meticulously folding colored paper under an oiled cloth roof, surrounded by hanging paper cutouts of lifelike animals and flowers.

"Wow! Even in the rain, this big pier is bustling!"

Sha Lifei tightened his clothing, looking around.

Compared to those famous mountains and rivers, he preferred this bustling cityscape.

As for Kong Shangzhao, he stood beside Li Yan, listening to the local dialect around him, a complex expression in his eyes as he said gravely, "'Luoshui Western Suburb Town, the imperial city's rivers and mountains', Brother Li, this Jinan City is the capital of Qi and Lu, a major thoroughfare on land, and a famous pier in the pugilistic world."

"My father's shop is in Jinan City, and I don't know how it's doing now..."

"Don't worry."

Li Yan patted him on the shoulder, "Yan Sect has a branch by Daming Lake, and when we meet up, we can ask them casually."

The group struggled through the crowd, leaving the dock area and heading toward the city walls.

The towering ancient city walls appeared in a weathered green-black color in the light rain, with the battlements on the city tower somewhat blurred in the rain mist.

Not far along the moat streaming with rainwater is the "Luoyuan Gate."

This is the main entrance where the living water of the Xiaoqing River flows into the city.

The water rushed through the giant city gate, with some debris floating on the turbid water surface.

Inside and outside the Water Gate, the crowd remained dense. People with umbrellas or wrapped in straw raincoats queued for the city gate guards' brief inspections. The guards, huddled in the city gate's recesses to avoid the rain, checked road passes indifferent.

Walking into the city, the streets were wider than the pier.

Rainwater collected on the stone roads reflecting the two-story small buildings of blue stone and wood structures on both sides, and the numerous shop signs, "Rui Fu Xiang Silk Store," "Furong Street Pastries," "Baotu Spring Water, Boiled Tea Aroma," showcasing distinct local characteristics.

The rich aroma of marinated snacks, the scorched fragrance of fried twisted bread, and the slightly bitter herbal scent from pharmacies mixed with the humid and stifling air.

Kong Shangzhao, roughly acquainted with the area, led the group through the labyrinthine streets and alleys.

As they walked, he introduced, "Brother Li, Jinan City can be said to be neither big nor small, with Daming Lake taking up almost half, followed by Prince De Mansion, surrounded by the Governor's Office, Inspection Office, and so on."

"What's the name of that branch of the Yan Sect you mentioned?"

"Yanbo Building."

"Ah, I've heard of it before; it's the largest brothel in Jinan City, right by 'Daming Lake'. My father mentioned that city officials, scholars, and literati often go there to drink and make merry..."

As they chatted leisurely, they had left the main street.

Continuing forward, the crowd thinned somewhat. Passing through a few relatively quiet alleys, with an occasional locust tree branch protruding from a wall, a faint scent of lotus in the damp breeze could be detected.

In the distance, a vast expanse of water suddenly appeared, like a blurry painting unfolded under the drizzle.

Weeping willows by the shore swayed in the rain curtain, ripples from raindrops ceaselessly spreading across the lake, while in the distance, a few pleasure boats resembled dots of lone sails in an ink painting.

Seeing this beautiful scene, everyone's spirits lifted.

"Brother Li, this is Daming Lake."

Kong Shangzhao whispered, "If we turn ahead and reach the opposite riverbank, Yanbo Building is right by the lakeside."

Li Yan contemplated for a moment and shook his head, "There's no rush to go over."