Chapter 75: Indigo
Fortunately, the three sent to investigate the brothels didn’t keep Lin Qian waiting long.
Just two days later, they all returned to the ship.
There was no time for greetings or a welcome wash; as soon as the three boarded the ship, Lin Qian asked: “How did it go? Did you find out anything?”
Lei Sanxiang spoke first: “Helmsman, you guessed it again this time. Those pirate bastards really do transport girls to Ship City.”
Chen Jiao continued: “And it’s not just girls from one place. Chaoyang, Huilai, and Chenghai counties all had girls who went there… Better let Yiguan brother explain; he got the most information.”
After everyone boarded the ship, they sat down in the Officer’s Restaurant.
After sitting down, Zheng Zhilong said: “Helmsman, I went to Chaoyang County and checked three top brothels in total. Two of them had girls who went, and some even went multiple times.
Li Kuiqi’s men would pick them up at the end of the Yin hour, blindfold them after boarding the ship, sail for about one or two hours, then give them drugged wine.
The girls who drank the drugged wine would feel hot all over and their minds foggy. Upon arrival, they weren’t allowed to remove the blindfold, so they couldn’t see anything and had no idea where they were.”
Lei Sanxiang nodded: “Right, what I heard is the same.”
Chen Jiao: “The situation in Huilai County is roughly the same. They don’t call girls every night, but every three or four days, sometimes not for half a month straight.”
Lin Qian toyed with the tea cup in his hand, thinking that this basically matched his speculation. Ship City assembles and disperses unpredictably. When a typhoon comes, Ship City breaks up and anchors ashore, naturally not calling girls for half a month.
Zheng Zhilong continued: “However, not all girls obediently blindfolded and drank the drug. One who went several times got curious and didn’t comply.
This girl just peeked under the blindfold a bit without being noticed, but after returning, she was so frightened she took to her bed and has been ill until now.”
As Zheng Zhilong spoke, he took out a sheet of paper from nearby and drew circles on it with a charcoal pencil.
Everyone’s attention was drawn. Zheng Zhilong had drawn a rough map with clustered ships in the middle and an outer circle of black lines, looking like two concentric circles.
Zheng Zhilong said: “This outer circle is Ship City’s reef. After passing the reef and sailing for half an hour, the inner circle is Ship City.”
Lin Qian stared at the map and asked: “When did this girl go?”
Zheng Zhilong: “Right after Zhou Erge and the others were captured.”
Zheng Zhilong pointed at the map again: “The girl said she was dragged around all night, covering most of Ship City, but she was too nervous at the time, and Ship City has a complex structure, so she doesn’t remember accurately.
But one thing she is certain of: Li Kuiqi is right here.”
With that, Zheng Zhilong reached out and pointed to the northwest corner of Ship City.
“He’s on the periphery of Ship City?” Lei Sanxiang was quite puzzled.
From his soldiering experience, the main general’s tent in a camp should be in the very center.
Zheng Zhilong said firmly: “The girl’s description of Li Kuiqi’s appearance matches exactly what the helmsman said; it should be unmistakable. His flagship is right on the edge of Ship City.”
“This is strange.” Chen Jiao also found it unbelievable.
Lin Qian thought for a moment and smiled: “Everyone is familiar with the story of the Battle of Red Cliffs. Li Kuiqi naturally understands Ship City’s weaknesses well. He seems like a jianghu hero, but actually he’s very cautious about his life. Placing his flagship here is perfect for escaping, isn’t it?”
The two suddenly realized upon hearing this.
Lin Qian continued: “Combining the directions, the reef-free waterway that Bai Qing took when leaving Ship City should also be around here.”
Lei Sanxiang, after hearing this analysis, was dumbfounded: “How can you deduce so much from a crude scribble!”
Lin Qian just smiled at this without responding and turned to Zheng Zhilong: “That girl was frightened in Ship City; it must have taken quite some effort to question her, right?”
Zheng Zhilong smiled: “It’s what a subordinate should do. Helmsman, rest assured. I’ve taken care of that girl, and she won’t tell anyone else.”
While they were speaking, Bai Langzai led Bai Qing aboard the ship.
Lin Qian called: “Perfect timing. Bai Qing, take a look at this map.”
Bai Qing strode forward, examined it, and exclaimed in surprise: “This is?”
“Ship City’s map.”
“How did you get it?”
Lin Qian: “Never mind the map’s origin for now. Does it resemble what you remember? And do you remember which direction you took when leaving?”
Bai Qing looked carefully for a long time and then said: “I don’t remember exactly where each ship was, but it was roughly circular, similar to this map. As for the exit direction, approximately northwest of Ship City.”
Everyone exchanged glances.
Now everything matched up.
Finally, everyone looked to Lin Qian, waiting for his final decision.
Lin Qian said to Bai Langzai: “Li Kuiqi’s lookout can be eliminated.”
Bai Langzai clasped his fists: “Subordinate accepts the order!”
“Bai Qing, lead some good hands and follow behind the big ship.”
“Yes.”
After speaking, Lin Qian’s gaze swept over everyone. All looked at him intently.
“Pass the order: at the third quarter of the noon hour, weigh anchor and depart!”
……
The next morning.
The Santa Ana slowly sailed to the periphery of the Coral Reef Lagoon.
On the stern deck, Chen Jiao pointed into the distance: “Helmsman, the lagoon is right there.”
Following Chen Jiao’s finger, a large patch of indigo blue water abruptly appeared on the deep blue sea surface.
This abrupt color difference was caused by varying water depths. Sailors generally judge shoals by this to avoid running aground.
But such a huge patch of indigo was extremely rare. Many crew members crowded to the ship’s rail, holding their breath to watch.
Lin Qian ordered the Santa Ana to lower sails and reduce speed.
Bai Qing and her brother, along with over a dozen good hands, rowed a Tanka boat forward, anchored at the lagoon edge, then all jumped into the water.
In the time it takes to smoke a pipe, they emerged from the sea, swam back to the Tanka boat, then dispersed to search elsewhere.
Half an hour later, someone on a boat waved their arms, signaling they had found the waterway.
Their Tanka boats all moved forward, rowing into two lines to mark the waterway’s bounds.
Bai Qing wrung out her hair and waved her arms to the ship, signaling it was passable.
“The lagoon’s entrance is indeed here.” Zheng Zhilong said joyfully.
Lin Qian ordered the Santa Ana to hoist sail and pass through the waterway.
The sea conditions here were unknown, so the ship speed was very slow.
Lin Qian furled the mainsails on the fore, main, and mizzen masts completely, sailing only with the three jibs at the bow.
The jibs were very flexible, convenient for turning the helm and changing sails to dodge at any time.
The coral reef area wasn’t large. After sailing for about a quarter hour, the seawater color ahead deepened again.
This was a sign they had entered the lagoon interior.
Lin Qian raised the telescope. Through the morning mist, he could vaguely see Ship City floating on the distant sea surface.
They sailed another half hour.
Ship City in the telescope was now very clear. The edges were almost unguarded, with only a few pirates urinating into the sea.
Many pirates were snoring on the decks, with naked women sleeping beside them.
At the same time, Bai Qing and her brother had taken a boat and were rowing toward Li Kuiqi’s flagship.
