Peach Blossom Land On Longyin Island Chapter 52

jail

The dungeon was dark and damp, with a putrid smell everywhere.An Ran sat on the straw against the wall, looking up at the small square iron fence on the high wall with dull eyes and saying to himself: “Dad, Mom, Dad, Mom, my son has embarrassed you. My son has been a good student every year since kindergarten. Teachers, relatives and neighbors all praise his son, but my sonNow he is in jail for breaking the law.Mom and Dad, my son will not die here, and he will never see you again.” Thinking of this, An Ran suddenly hid his face and screamed: “I’m only eighteen!Can you hurry up!”

As soon as he finished yelling, he heard Anton’s voice coming from the next cell: “Hey, Lele, can Xiaoyu really save us?”

“Yes! It must be possible!” Although An Ran said it with confidence, he actually had no clue. He just relied on the information he heard from Ding Dian’er in the teahouse and guessed that An Xiaoyu was the prince of the Kingdom of Jin, Lu Qian, but he did not tell the two of them.After all, it would be so embarrassing if I guessed wrong.

“By the way, Lele,” Anton asked again, “Who is Xiaoyu? Didn’t you say he went home to visit relatives? It’s been more than a year, why haven’t you come back yet?”

“There are so many questions.” At this time, there was just a loud sound, and An Tong slapped Anton on the head, “Don’t ask so many questions, just wait and see.”

“It’s nothing, just chatting and passing the time. Being locked up for three days is suffocating me to death.” Anton said, stood up and patted his butt, ran to the cell door and peeled off the narrow wooden fence, tilted his head and tried to look in the direction of An Ran’s cell.

The three of them were locked in two cells next to each other. An Ran was in one cell, and An Tong and Anton were locked together. There was a stone wall between the cells.An Ran wondered why he was locked up in a room by himself. He seemed to be the weakest among the three, but he couldn’t figure out the result after thinking for three days. He couldn’t even figure out how to lock them in and then no one would care about them. He just locked them up without interrogating them.The more he thought about it in the past three days, the more he felt that the whole thing was weird. They were not selling salt openly, they only traded with the Song family, and they had always been very low-key during the transaction. How come they were fine for two days, but they were arrested when they left on the third day?The salt was taken away by the Song family on the first day. At that time, there was obviously no salt on their ship. How could the incident happen at this time?

An Ran had been waiting to be interrogated so that he could find out the situation and respond, but no one was interrogating them. The jailer guarding them didn’t know anything about it. He only knew that they were caught selling salt.

An Ran was full of questions, but had no choice but to place her hope on An Xiaoyu.While deep in thought, An Ran heard Anton ask:

“Hey, Lele, you come out to play every one or two months. Are you here to meet Xiaoyu?” Even if she couldn’t see Anton’s face, just by listening to her tone, An Ran could imagine the gossipy expression in Anton’s eyes.An Xiaoyu went home to visit relatives. Anshun left with An Xiaoyu, also supervising An Xiaoyu to avoid revealing the existence of Longyin Island. This was An Ran’s explanation for the two people’s sudden disappearance in Longyin Village. At that time, Longyin Village’s village rules forbidding villagers from leaving the island were still there. An Ran was worried that the villagers would be angry, but the villagers just said lightly, “Go home to visit your relatives. Xiaoyu has been here for half a year. It’s really time to go back and see your parents to make sure they are safe. But Lele, why don’t you follow?”

As Anshun said, the villagers really didn’t care much about the village rules. So soon after An Xiaoyu left, he, An Linmian, Anmai Antu, and the others easily persuaded the villagers to change the village rules of “no leaving Longyin Island” to “no leaking the existence of Longyin Island to the outside world.” With the help of the village chief, they learned how to pass through the thick fog safely.Since then, he would run out almost every month or two, usually with An Linmian and others. If he needed to buy supplies, he would bring members of the hunting team with him.

In the past six months, he has only made three transactions with the Song family. Unexpectedly, this time it happened to coincide with the Jin Kingdom’s new national policy of banning private salt production. It was so unlucky that they fell into this.

“An Xiaoyu, you must be reliable at all.” An Ran looked at the sky and murmured.

“Ah? What did you say? Lele, louder.” Anton shouted at the top of his lungs.

“Tsk, Dong, can you be quiet? Do you hear any other sounds in this dungeon besides you?” There was another loud slap, and Anton received another slap on the head, and squatted on the ground holding his head.

“Don’t worry! We will definitely be able to go back!” An Ran suddenly stood up and encouraged herself loudly.

“Nephew An Ran is so optimistic.” After he finished speaking, a friendly middle-aged man’s voice was heard coming from the passage leading to the prison door.

An Ran frowned and recognized that the voice was Song Jin whom he had just met a few days ago.Why is he here?Doubts arose in An Ran’s heart, and her eyes were fixed on the long dark passage.

Song Jin was of medium height, about forty years old, with a beard and a fake smile that a businessman always wore when treating customers. When he appeared in the dungeon, the smile on his face was the same as what An Ran had seen four days ago.

“Mr. Song, why are you here?” An Ran asked in a solemn voice when Song Jin walked to An Ran’s cell.

Mr. Song stroked his beard, chuckled twice, and said, “Nephew An Ran, don’t be so hostile. I’m here to save you.”

All the questions suddenly had answers. An Ran sneered and said coldly: “What’s the price?”

“Nephew An Ran is indeed smart, and I like to talk to smart people. I have stated the conditions a long time ago. As long as nephew An Ran continues to supply goods, I guarantee that nephew An Ran and his two brothers will not only be unscathed, but they will also become prosperous and prosperous in the Golden Kingdom.”

An Ran sarcastically said: “It turns out that the people behind Mr. Song are the government. It seems that our arrest is all thanks to Mr. Song.”

Mr. Song still had a kind smile on his face and said: “The situation is forcing me, I hope nephew An Ran will be considerate. In order to fill the national treasury, the imperial court took over the salt industry as a national monopoly. The price of official salt has skyrocketed, and many people cannot buy salt. Naturally, they want low-priced private salt. Nephew An Ran, this is our opportunity. Nephew An Ran provides the salt, and I will be responsible for selling it. We can split the profit 30-70.”

“I’m seven and you’re three?” An Le raised an eyebrow and said.

Mr. Song was startled, as if he didn’t expect An Ran to say that. After realizing it, he laughed and said, “Haha, nephew An Ran has a big appetite. However, I like people with desires.” Mr. Song stroked his beard again, “With desiresIt’s just people who can discuss it.But I’m afraid I can’t agree with this.I’m bullying my nephew An Ran.I heard that nephew An Ran’s hometown is remote and he rarely goes to the city. He doesn’t know how to do business here.Explanation.This kind of business cannot be done by setting up a stall on the road, especially selling salt. It requires a lot of money, and only a third of it will fall into my hands.Besides, since nephew An Ran has read the notice in front of the house, he should.You know how much risk I took.Nephew An Ran only needs to make the salt and deliver it to us, but we are risking our lives by selling the salt.”

“Haha, friendship,” An Ran smiled self-deprecatingly, “Mr. Song is such a good actor.”

“Nephew An Ran has misunderstood A Jin,” Mr. Song said. “A Jin doesn’t know about this. A Jin does regard nephew An Ran as a friend.”

Hearing Master Song say this, An Ran felt better.Song Jin was the first friend he made after leaving the village. Seeing his simple temper, he didn’t put up any precautions. If Song Jin was involved in this matter, then he really couldn’t help but curse him as a sinister person.

Seeing that An Ran’s face looked better, Mr. Song’s fake smile also contained a trace of a sincere smile, and he said, “How about it? My nephew An Ran, do you want to cooperate with us?”

“Let me think about it,” Anle sat back against the wall, “I’ll give you a reply after I think about it.”

Mr. Song put away his smile, looked at An Ran for a while, then smiled again and said, “Of course you can think about it, but how long does nephew An Ran need to think about it?”

“Um, five, no, seven days, seven days.”

Mr. Song smiled and said: “The dungeon is cold and damp. I am afraid that nephew An Ran’s body will not be able to withstand seven days. For the sake of nephew An Ran’s health, I think three days is enough.”

“Hey, no, five days, five days.” An Ran stood up immediately and held out five fingers to bargain.

Mr. Song’s face showed confusion for a moment, he stared at An Ran for a while, and said, “Nephew An Ran wants to delay time?”

An Ran was horrified, had her inner thoughts been revealed so quickly?At this time, I heard Master Song say disapprovingly: “As far as I know, nephew An Ran has no relatives or friends in the city. However,” as he said, Master Song suddenly changed into a contemptuous and disdainful tone, “I would like to remind you that even if there are, nephew An Ran still has no relatives.”Don’t hold out hope.The dungeon in Wujiang City is easy to enter but not easy to get out of.Okay, having said that, I won’t bother nephew An Ran to think about it.Otherwise, I’m afraid Madam Ling won’t be able to wait until her husband comes home.”

Even when he said the last threat, Mr. Song still had a kind smile on his face, and An Ran couldn’t help but feel sick.

“This Master Song sounds very arrogant.” An Tong’s solemn voice came from the cell next door, “Who is he?”

An Ran was equally solemn and said: “I don’t know too much. I met his son Song Jin when I first came to Wujiang City. I only know that they are a well-known local wealthy family. They have many properties and are very rich.”

Now it seems that not only do you have money, but you also have power.

It’s hard to deal with people who are rich and powerful but are evil.An Ran couldn’t help but feel anxious. They had been imprisoned for three days. According to the agreement before departure, they should return to Longyin Village the day before yesterday at the latest. But now that they have not returned, their parents and villagers must be worried.

Thinking of this, An Ran sighed.

He didn’t know how long it would take to get from Wujiang City to Beijing. Even if Su Su could find An Xiaoyu for help, six days might not be enough.Moreover, in such a hurry that day, he only had time to write down the words “Buying mermaid lanterns at An Ran Lantern Shop”. Even if An Xiaoyu did come, he would not know their current situation.

We couldn’t wait for An Xiaoyu. No matter what, we had to let them go back as soon as possible.

“Brother Xiaotong,” An Ran called An Tong and took off a black rope from his neck. At the end of the black rope hung a bone-white piccolo, which was the same as the one An Linmian played when he summoned the whales at sea. “Next, I will teach you this melody. Be sure to remember it well.”

“Lele?” An Tong’s voice was full of worry and confusion.

An Ran said with relief: “Don’t worry, I will go back. Don’t tell my parents that I was locked up, just say that I went to find An Xiaoyu. Don’t let them worry.”

“But…” An Tong wanted to say something again, but was interrupted by An Ran: “Brother Xiaotong, we can’t all be locked up here. It would be best if we can find Mianmian and go back with them. If we can’t find you, go back first…”

Early the next morning, An Ran called the jailer and shouted: “Tell Song Yu that I have thought about it.” Song Yu was Mr. Song’s name.

The jailer worked very efficiently, and Song Yu arrived within half an hour.

“Nephew An Ran has thought about it so quickly?” He still had that kind smile and kind tone.An Ran was too lazy to play coy with him and said bluntly: “After thinking about it, I agree, it can be divided into 30% and 70%. But we are only responsible for supplying the goods and don’t care about anything else. We pay with one hand and deliver the goods with the other. The transaction can only be carried out at sea, and the location is determined by us.”

“Okay, it’s nephew Anran’s.” Song Yu readily agreed without any hesitation.

An Ran pointed to the cell door and said, “According to what was promised before, you should let us go.”

Song Yu, however, touched his beard and said with a smile: “Sincerity is important in doing business. Since nephew An Ran wants to join us, shouldn’t he also show some sincerity?”

An Ran rolled her eyes at Song Yu and said, “What sincerity?”

Song Yu chuckled and said, “Nephew An Ran and Quan Zi have known each other for more than half a year, but I still don’t know where nephew An Ran’s home is?”

An Ran snorted coldly and said, “If Mr. Song wants to know where I make the salt, then I’d better advise you to give up. Did I tell you that I still have a share of the money?”

After that, An Ran shrugged and sat back against the wall, looking indifferent.Song Yu stared at An Ran with a heavy gaze and said in a cold voice: “Nephew An Ran doesn’t have any sincerity at all. Aren’t you afraid that you and your two brothers won’t be able to go back?”

“Then just kill us.” An Ran said calmly.

“Yes, even if you kill us, we will never tell you.” On the other side, Anton shouted angrily.

Song Yu glanced sideways at Anton and said, “Is this good man not afraid of death?”

“Afraid of a hammer!”

“Have you ever thought about what your wife and relatives will do if you can’t go back?” Song Yu said.

An Tong looked directly at Song Yu and sneered: “How can our relatives be safe if we take you here? If Mr. Song thinks that we are greedy for life and afraid of death like you, you are totally wrong. Even if you cut us into pieces, we will never reveal a word.”

After saying this, An Tong turned around and sat down against the wall, closing his eyes and ignoring Song Yu.Anton rolled his eyes at Song Yu and sat down against the wall.

The cell was silent for a moment. Song Yu looked at the three of them solemnly, as if making a decision, but the three of them closed their eyes and plucked at the grass without saying a word.

After a long time, Song Yu spoke, and said slowly: “I admire the three of you for not caring about death, but…” Song Yu paused for a moment and stared at An Ran. An Ran noticed Song Yu’s gaze, but did not look at him, and still looked at the bars with a nonchalant look.

After a while, Song Yu continued: “It’s just that the three of you are not afraid of death, but I am worried.”

An Ran finally made a move, glanced at Song Yu lightly, and said calmly: “If we can live, we naturally don’t want to die. But the lives of our family are more important. In order to survive, we can take risks, but our families cannot.”

After another period of silence, Song Yu suddenly laughed a few times, and his tone returned to his usual kind tone, and said: “Nephew An Ran is too worried. I don’t want to rob the three of them of their homeland. It’s just that I don’t know anything about the three of them. If I let the three of them go and they run away, I will have nothing to do, so I have to ask. I hope that nephew An Ran understands my concerns.”

An Ran said: “Master Song is worried, so I will stay as a hostage and let my two brothers go back.”

Song Yu frowned slightly, as if hesitating.At this time, An Ran said again: “Although I don’t know how to do business, I also know that doing business is not only about sincerity, but also about trust. Mr. Song doesn’t have this trust, so let’s not cooperate.”

“Okay.” After a moment, Song Yu nodded, “How long will it take you two to travel?”

“Five days.” An Ran said.

“On the fourth day,” Song Yu said, “In four days’ time, fifty nautical miles east of Wujiang pier, I want to see the goods. Otherwise, nephew An Ran may not be able to see the sun on the fifth day.”

An Ran frowned and said in a deep voice: “It’s not enough. Even if there’s a smooth wind all the way, it will take four days to go back and forth.”

Song Yu said with a smile: “Then I can only pray that God will favor my nephew. It’s only noon now, so we can set off now without further delay.” With that, Song Yu waved his hand, and the jailer beside Song Yu immediately opened the cell door of An Tong and Anton.

Before leaving, An Tong looked solemn and looked back at An Ran. A relieved smile appeared on An Ran’s face and said: “Don’t delay, go back as soon as possible, don’t let your parents worry.”

An Tong nodded solemnly: “I will come back as soon as possible.” After that, he turned around and was about to leave.However, at this moment, Song Yu was heard writing nonchalantly from behind: “I would like to remind these two heroes that there are not only nephew An Ran in the city, but also four younger brothers and sisters of these two heroes.”

An Tong and Anton stagnated in their steps, turned to stare at Song Yu angrily, and said coldly: “What did you do to them?”

Song Yu seemed to be very satisfied with the reaction of the two of them, and smiled wider and said: “The two heroes are indeed people who value love and righteousness. I am relieved. Don’t worry, hero, I will take good care of your two brothers and sisters. As long as the two heroes come back with the goods as promised, I guarantee that they will live more comfortably than the young lady and the young master. The journey is long, so the two heroes should hurry up.”

An Tong and Anton did not move, staring at Song Yu with gloomy eyes.

“Brother Xiaotong,” An Ran suppressed his anger and said to the two An Tongs, “Time is running out, you go quickly, I won’t let anything happen to them.”

Hearing this, An Tong and Anton moved away from staring at Song Yu, looked at An Ran and nodded slightly: “We will be back as soon as possible.” After that, they left quickly.At the same time, Song Yu made a gesture to a servant who was following him. The man nodded slightly and trotted after him.

An Ran said coldly: “If Mr. Song sends someone to follow, then my two brothers will not go home.”

Song Yu stroked his beard and laughed loudly: “Nephew An Ran misunderstood. I just ordered someone to escort the two heroes to leave Hong Kong safely. With nephew An Ran and several younger brothers and sisters here, I believe they will come as promised.”

“What did you do to them?” An Ran could no longer suppress her anger and glared at Song Yu coldly.

Song Yu seemed to enjoy An Ran’s anger and said slowly: “Don’t worry, nephew An Ran, I will let you meet as soon as possible.”

Hearing this, An Ran breathed a sigh of relief. Since he said so, it seems that no one has been caught yet.

“As long as you are still in Wujiang City, there will be no one you can’t catch.” Seeming to understand An Ran’s thoughts, Song Yu said with a smile, “It is easy to enter Wujiang City, but it is difficult to get out. I remember that nephew An Ran and several children have no way to lead. In the Kingdom of Jin, if there is no way to go to other counties, they are not refugees.They are fugitives.I have informed the county magistrate, Master Qian, who is now organizing the government officials to capture the four fugitives.I kindly remind nephew An Ran that if nephew An Ran’s two brothers come back with the goods, they can reunite in Wujiang City. If they dare to play tricks, they can only meet in the underworld.”

An Ran’s eyes were so cold that they turned into ice. He stared at Song Yu and said word by word: “If anything happens to them, I won’t let you go.”

“Haha,” Song Yu not only wasn’t angry, but laughed heartily, “I will definitely take good care of these girls. I have wronged my nephew An Ran and will stay in prison for a few more days. As long as I see the sincerity of these two heroes, I will definitely fulfill my promise and release my nephew An Ran in four days.”

After saying that, Song Yu shook his wide sleeves, turned around and left gracefully.