Chapter 18: The River Bandits

The Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal is a vital waterway running through the heart of Daqing, crucial not only for transportation but also as the lifeline of the region’s economy.

Despite the various measures taken by the imperial court to safeguard the canal, banditry remained rampant. River pirates frequently raided merchant ships, passenger vessels, and even official boats along its waters.

These bandits came from varied and complex backgrounds. Some were mere highway robbers who lived by plundering. Others were fishermen driven to desperation. There were salt smugglers who operated as both illegal traders and river pirates. Even some government officials and constables colluded with these pirates or took part in the raids themselves.

Li Liu was a notorious outlaw in the Shandong region. Over the past year, he had led a band of ruffians several times in stirring trouble on the Grand Canal, ambushing passing boats.

On this day, Li Liu commanded a dozen or so of his men aboard two small vessels disguised as ordinary passenger boats. They silently navigated into a narrow stretch of the canal within the Zaozhuang jurisdiction, waiting patiently for the right moment to strike.

Outside, the sky was overcast, heavy gray clouds hanging low. The wind was light, leaving the river’s surface calm. Occasionally, a few waterfowl skimmed across the water, their low calls punctuating the stillness.

The fields and trees lining the banks appeared deep and somber under the gloomy sky. The distant mountains loomed hazily, veiled as if by a thin mist.

The air was thick with dampness, as if rain might fall at any moment.

Inside the cramped cabin, Li Liu smoked a dry tobacco pipe. The smoke curled and swirled in the dim light, mingling with shadows. The other bandits aboard sat or leaned quietly, their silence heavy with an unmistakable air of menace.

Suddenly, a man disguised as a scholar hurried into the cabin and reported, “Boss, a large vessel is approaching—might be worth our while.”

Li Liu’s eyes gleamed sharply. A cold smile curled at the corner of his mouth. Rising swiftly, he slipped out of the cabin and stood at the prow, gazing toward the slowly advancing ship.

He immediately recognized it as a large civilian passenger ship, somewhat lavish. If rented, it would demand a hefty fee. Two figures stood on its deck—likely an elderly servant and a young attendant.

“That ship must belong to a wealthy family—either rich merchants or government officials. Their defenses are probably weak. Yes, this is prime prey, worth the effort!” Li Liu narrowed his eyes, making up his mind.

“Tell the men to prepare to strike.”

His gaze darkened with cruelty as he issued the order to the scholar-like bandit beside him. He crushed out his pipe, stowing it away with swift efficiency.

The disguised man nodded, turning to relay the command to the others aboard the small ship, then signaled to the companion vessel.

In an instant, the dozen or so bandits on both boats began cracking their knuckles, their eyes gleaming with greed, readying themselves for a brutal raid on the water.

Though the canal’s surface remained placid under the cloudy sky, dark currents churned beneath. A bloody storm was about to break.

…

Aboard the targeted vessel were the Xue family: Aunt Xue, Xue Pan, Xue Baochai, and a dozen or so attendants.

At that moment, two servants stood on deck—Xie Jixing and Li’er.

Xie Jixing was Xue Pan’s wet nurse, a man in his fifties, lean with prominent cheekbones. His skin was weathered and darkened from years spent outdoors, marked by deep wrinkles. He wore a dark blue robe cinched with a belt and sturdy black cloth boots.

Li’er was Xue Pan’s young attendant. Previously, he had accompanied Ji’er and Ru’er in discreetly spying on Jiang Nian.

Now, Xie Jixing stood watch on deck alongside Li’er.

Li’er suddenly sighed in frustration. “Grandfather Xie, you know Ji’er and I have always served Master together. Our names were even chosen to match—Ji’er and Li’er make ‘Auspicious.’ But now, Master favors Ji’er alone. We’ve been on this boat for over ten days. I’m constantly on watch outside the cabin, while Ji’er spends his days inside drinking and gambling with Master, enjoying himself thoroughly. Ji’er takes advantage of Master’s favor and increasingly treats me like a mere servant.”

Xie Jixing only smiled faintly, offering no reply.

Li’er continued, “What’s so great about Ji’er? He’s just a bit paler and better looking than me. That’s why Master likes him…”

“Enough!” Xie Jixing suddenly snapped, glaring at Li’er. “Have you lost your mind? Do you think you can say such things? If Grandmother hears this, even if she doesn’t flay you alive, she’ll surely send you away!”

Li’er pouted, muttering, “I’m just confiding in you, and you’re always kind and discreet. That’s why I dared to share my troubles with you…”

Xie Jixing’s tone softened. “Some things are better kept inside. Be more careful with your words in the future.”

Li’er turned away, glancing toward the two small boats approaching slowly in the distance. “You have me standing watch in the open every day, exposed to wind and sun, supposedly to guard against river bandits. But it’s been over ten days, and I haven’t seen a single sign of them. This Grand Canal seems quite safe. How likely is it that bandits will suddenly appear to rob us?”

Xie Jixing said, “I told you before, these bandits often raid the canal. You’re young and inexperienced. When our master was alive, I once traveled with him to the capital and witnessed a bandit attack—on an official boat, no less.”

Li’er scoffed dismissively. “Even if bandits do appear, it’s rare. What are the chances we’ll run into them? If you ask me, we’d be better off resting comfortably inside the cabin instead of enduring this hardship.”

Suddenly, Xie Jixing fell silent. His expression tensed sharply as he fixed his gaze on the two small boats ahead.

He noticed a burly man emerge from one of the boats, peering toward the Xue family’s vessel. Immediately, the two small boats accelerated, flanking the larger ship with an aggressive aura. Inside the cabins, shadows of several men gathered.

Xie Jixing’s heart sank. He whispered urgently, “Trouble—river bandits!”

Li’er froze, then followed Xie Jixing’s gaze toward the approaching boats, anxiety rising in his voice. “Grandfather Xie, do you mean… those boats carry bandits?”

Xie Jixing had no time to answer. He turned and rushed into the cabin, shouting, “Bandits are coming! Quickly, all men, arm yourselves and prepare to fight!”

Seeing Xie Jixing’s grave alarm and glancing once more at the rapidly approaching boats, Li’er turned pale, legs weak with fear.