On the surface of the lake
This was also the first time that the barbarian, Stubborn Sen, had traveled far by boat. He didn't know how big the lake was, nor did he dare to try to find out. In any case, he couldn't see what was on the other side from here, nor did he know where the other side was.
"Stubborn Sen, do you think we can find Woxis's mine this time? Last time he said we robbed his mine, will he now have a lot of soldiers guarding the area around the mine?"
Hurricane chatted with Stubborn Sen, who was also rowing, while rowing.
Jiang Sen glanced at the mountain so close at hand. He didn't answer the hurricane's question immediately; the mine hadn't even been found yet, so it was too early to talk about that.
After half a day of travel, the fleet had reached the foot of the mountain. The mountain was very steep, its body plunging straight into the water, and it seemed impossible for them to climb it at this point.
Stubborn Sen didn't know the specifics of the situation either. If they couldn't find a way up the mountain, sleeping on the boat at night would be very uncomfortable. They had to speed up and go further ahead to see if there was a place they could get up to.
"We'll talk about the hurricane and the ore later. Tell everyone to speed up the rowing and carefully observe the situation on the mountainside. If there's a place to go up, we'll rest there for today and won't continue."
Stubborn Sen hoped the mine wasn't too far away; otherwise, their trip might be in vain. He had only guessed the mine's location based on what Woxis had said. Now, he could only pray he wasn't wrong.
Jiang Sen recalled the situation in the territory of Woxis. Anyone he knew with the ability to rob him would have to cross Woxis's territory, making it difficult to rob him silently.
What about the lords further east of the Woxis territory? Stubborn Sen had no idea. But since Woxis had ruled them out and instead suspected him, it was clear that the mine was probably closer to him, which lessened his worries somewhat.
The mountain is just too big. Right now, this side is all cliffs and precipices. Even if you're close by, it's troublesome. You can't get up there!
With no other option, the fleet had to continue moving at full speed.
"Stubborn Sen, it's getting dark, and there's nowhere to go up the road. Should we stop and rest?"
Jiang Sen was somewhat discouraged. After nearly a day's journey, there was nowhere to climb up the cliffs; they were all bare, barren cliffs.
"Hurricane, signaling everyone to pull over and rest, moor the boat, have something to eat, and we'll spend the night here."
They had no choice but to spend the night on the ship.
Stubborn Sen sat on the boat, gazing at the moon overhead. He took out a small piece of dried salted fish and began to eat it with the black bread that could be used as a weapon.
"Stubborn Sen, this fish is really salty. That old man truly lives up to his title as the patriarch of the Salted Fish Clan."
Although Hurricane complained that the fish was salty, he ate quite a lot. Everyone says that a little saltiness makes the food more appetizing, and he was already eating his second piece of bread.
"Who says otherwise?" Jiang Sen lowered his head and took a sip of ale, glancing at the distant lake where a moon also shone.
"Stubborn Sen, I've heard that that stupid guy, Worsis, drinks wine and eats white bread every day. Why don't we, who are so smart, have that?"
After saying that, Hurricane threw a piece of salted fish bone that he had finished eating far away. The bone landed on the lake surface, and the lake surface immediately shimmered with silver light.
"How would I know, Hurricane? Maybe we're not smart enough. We used to only know how to rob people for food, but even if we got some, it would only last for a while. After a while, we would have nothing left. But that stupid guy, Worsis, could trade for valuable things, like those valuable ores."
"You mean we should compete for resources and develop trade in the future?"