At the end of the Sui Dynasty

There is a shipyard in Berkshire, which is located on the edge of the Yangtze River near Linjiangmen. The shipbuilding industry is very developed, and most of the ships in the Bashu area are produced here.As the saying goes, relying on mountains to eat mountains, and near water to drink water, Berkshire is a strange place, not only backed by mountains, but also close to water, located at the confluence of the Yangtze River and Jialing River, but the people of Berkshire still have a lot of "drinking water", shipbuilding and shipping are very important. Berkshire's two major industries, many people rely on this industry to make a living.

For example, Zhong Laoliu and his group of brothers make a living by transporting goods on the Yangtze River, but some time ago, there was an earthquake near Baidi City, and Zhong Laoliu's cargo ship was hit by falling rocks, destroying both the cargo and the ship. , and two sailors were lost, which can be said to be a heavy loss. Thanks to Gao Bufan who salvaged some of the goods at the bottom of the river, he recovered part of the loss for Zhong Laoliu.

It is said that Zhong Laoliu is a responsible man. After selling the goods he picked up at a discount, he immediately took the rest of the brothers back to Berkshire on foot, and really sold his house, except for paying the two missing sailors. In addition to the pension, the rest of the money was spent on rebuilding the cargo ship.

Of course, shipbuilding cannot be accomplished overnight. Even if it is a small boat, the entire process will take a year and a half to launch, let alone a cargo ship. Therefore, while waiting for the cargo ship to be built, Zhong Laoliu is doing casual work every day. , either go to the shipyard to work, or work as a coolie at the dock, and occasionally rent a small boat to ferry or fish for a living. Anyway, I can do whatever I want to earn money. A man who is nearly forty still has to work hard and is full of energy. Even if he is developed, he deserves it.

On this day, Zhong Laoliu went to the wharf near Linjiangmen to carry goods again.Since the autumn rain stopped, it has been sunny for several consecutive days, the sun is scorching, and the temperature has risen again. Zhong Laoliu, with his upper body and bare feet, is busy loading and unloading goods back and forth on the pier, his bronzed skin soaked in sweat. It looks like it has been coated with oil.

At this moment, Zhong Laoliu was carrying three large bales of grain, estimated to be about two hundred catties, and his body was bent into a bow under the weight. Step by step, he walked carefully towards the boarding board, but at this moment, someone blocked him. On his way, Zhong Laoliu frowned and planned to go around, but the man took a step aside and continued to block in front of him.

Zhong Laoliu was angry, and was about to yell at him, but when he looked up, he was stunned. It turned out that the person blocking him was none other than Mr. Gao... No, it should be His Royal Highness Qi Wang, who was looking at him. Watching him smile narrowly.

Zhong Laoliu was overjoyed, hurriedly put down the three packs of grain he was carrying, and respectfully saluted: "I have seen Gao...His Royal Highness Qi, why are you here?"

Gao Bufan smiled and said, "Didn't Lao Liu say that if I go to Berkshire, I can go to the shipyard to find you? The owner of the shipyard said that you are loading goods at the dock, so I came here."

Zhong Laoliu couldn't help being flattered, when he learned that Gao Bufan was the famous Queen Qi at the pier that day, he wanted to go up to say hello, but in the end he didn't have the courage, and these days he would occasionally fantasize that Gao Bufan would come to him, But a few days passed, and Zhong Laoliu also recalled his fantasy, Mr. Gao is the majestic lord of a country, dominating the Central Plains, a big man with half of the country in his hands, how could he think highly of such an unknown person like himself?Isn't this whimsical? …

However, Gao Bufan suddenly appeared in front of him at this time, not to mention how excited Zhong Laoliu was. The dignified King Qi actually came to the pier to look for him. This... is just like a dream.

At this time, everyone on the pier noticed this side, and obviously some people vaguely recognized Gao Bufan, and their eyes were dubious.Gao Bufan didn't want to attract attention, so he said: "Find a place with few people, let's chat."

Zhong Laoliu hurriedly said: "His Royal Highness Qi Wang, wait a moment, and the younger one will carry these few bags of grain onto the boat first."

Gao Bufan nodded, turned around and drove away first, Zhong Laoliu loaded three packs of grain onto the boat, and said to the cargo owner, "I have something to do today, let's stop here for now." After speaking, he quickly jumped off the boat.

"Hey, Zhong Laoliu, you're a top-notch picker, and I won't pay you any wages." The owner of the goods shouted dissatisfied.

Zhong Laoliu waved his hand without looking back and said, "I don't want the salary anymore, you can find someone else to move it."

The owner of the cargo was overjoyed, but also a little strange, and said to himself: "It's weird, that young master just now looks very familiar, he seems to have seen it somewhere before."

"It seems to be the Qi Wang Gao Changqing who was personally greeted by the prefect a few days ago." A boatman interjected.

The owner patted his forehead and said, "That's right, no wonder Zhong Laoliu knows King Qi because he looks familiar? Well, no wonder this old boy doesn't even need his wages, he walks with wind, dare to climb a high branch."

Let's say that Zhong Laoliu caught up with Gao Bufan, and asked respectfully: "Has His Royal Highness Qi finished his breakfast?"

Gao Bufan smiled and said: "I have eaten, but it's okay to have another meal. Lao Liu, you are a local, do you have any delicious introductions?"

Zhong Laoliu immediately took Gao Bufan to a noodle stall near the wharf, and said with a smile, "The bean paste noodles here are the most delicious and authentic, and the taste cannot be found elsewhere, and the price is also affordable."

Gao Bufan nodded and said: "That must be tasted."

Zhong Laoliu immediately yelled: "Old Zhaotou, two bowls of noodles with bean paste, add donkey meat."

Soon, two big bowls of hot noodles with donkey meat and bean paste were served. It smelled delicious and was very elegant.

Gao Bufan glanced at the tendons on Zhong Lao Liu's body, and said with a smile, "Lao Liu has a lot of strength."

Zhong Laoliu was a little proud and said: "In our line of work, you don't have much strength. By the way, His Royal Highness Qi is looking for a young one?"

Gao Bufan nodded and said: "This lord is planning to go around Meishan County. You are familiar with waterways and have good boat handling skills. I would like to invite you as a guide. I wonder if the sixth one will be free?"

Zhong Laoliu immediately said happily: "It's free, of course it's free, I'm not boasting about Lao Liu, the waterways in the Bashu area, small ones can walk back and forth with their eyes closed."

"That's good, I have the boat, and the salary is calculated as one hundred Wen a day." Gao Bufan said bluntly.

Zhong Laoliu hurriedly said: "There is no need for salary, the younger one can receive money from His Highness King Qi."

Gao Bufan shook his head and said: "Liu Liu, you also have to support Hukou, how can you not charge wages, and this trip may take a month, if you don't accept Lao Liu, then I have to find someone else."

When Zhong Laoliu heard the words, he said awkwardly: "Okay, it's just that the price is too high. The young ones can only earn [-] Wen at the dock for a day."...

Gao Bufan smiled and said: "That's your money for working hard, but what this king bought is your experience and skills, it can't be confused. If this king says you're worth a hundred yuan a day, then it's worth it."

Zhong Laoliu said a little excitedly: "Since King Qi thinks highly of Lao Liu, then Lao Liu will not hesitate to do so."

Gao Bufan nodded and said: "Departure tomorrow, you will wait for me at the pier in the morning, Dahe, pay me sixty days' wages in advance."

Gao Dahe, who had been following behind Gao Bufan like a shadow, quickly counted a penny to Zhong Laoliu, who accepted it without refusing.

It is said that Zhong Laoliu sold the house and rented a small courtyard to accommodate his family. He had to pay the rent every month, plus the family's food, clothing, housing and transportation, the expenses were still quite high. He didn't dare to take a break, but this thousand Wen was enough for the family for two months, and he could be Gao Bufan's guide with peace of mind.

Next, after the two had finished eating noodles, Zhong Laoliu insisted on paying for the treat, so Gao Bufan had no choice but to comply with his wish, after all, this was also a kind of respect for the other party.

Gao Bufan and Zhong Laoliu agreed on a departure time tomorrow, and then parted ways.On the way back to the residence, Gao Dahe couldn't help asking: "His Royal Highness King Qi, you seem to value this Zhong Laoliu very much."

Gao Bufan nodded with a smile and said, "This man is a man with a sense of responsibility. The key point is that he is familiar with the waterways of the Yangtze River and has rich experience in sailing. This king needs such a talent."

Gao Dahe suddenly said: "No wonder Qi Wang said that Zhong Laoliu would be casted by others. Hey, it is difficult for His Royal Highness Qi to not think of others."

Gao Bufan shook his head and said, "That's because he himself is a useful person first."

Gao Dahe scratched his head: "That's right, Lingyun Temple is in Meishan County, His Royal Highness Qi asked Zhong Laoliu as a guide, and he probably planned to take a boat to Lingyun Temple to attend the temple opening ceremony, but his subordinates really don't understand, Xiao Yu What kind of medicine is being sold in his gourd, and whether he wants to seek refuge with us or Li Tang? There is no certainty."

Gao Bufan thoughtfully said: "Xiao Yu must have his intentions, maybe he will have the answer when he arrives at Lingyun Temple, Dahe, you might as well think about it."

Gao Dahe said with a sneer: "If that kid Lu Sheng is here, maybe he can have some clues. I'd better not worry about this."

Gao Bufan didn't speak any more, and continued to move forward. At the same time, he subconsciously touched the treasure map in his arms. According to the map copied from the top of the eight small wooden fish, the so-called secret treasure of Buddhism is located in Meishan County. Gao Bufan I don't know whether it was a coincidence or a deliberate arrangement for Bai Yunshang to invite him to go.

If it is the latter, is the so-called Buddhist secret treasure true or false, or is there another mystery in it?