ushernet Chapter 464 Li You's Disappearance 2
Chapter 464 Li You's Disappearance 2
“Father, there are four possibilities,” Ying Wuyou said, unfurling a map and tracing the winding sea route between Baga Island and Langya Port with his fingertip. “First, although the states of Wei, Chu, and Qi are not as powerful as our Great Qin, they still possess considerable strength at sea. If they learn that Li You is returning, they might take desperate measures.”
Meng Tian clenched his fist: "This humble general received a secret report half a month ago that the former Qi troops are making unusual moves on the Jiaodong Peninsula!"
"Secondly, although the pirates of Baga Island have suffered a heavy blow, no one can guarantee that no remnants of their forces have survived. These remnants may very well seek revenge and bring us unexpected trouble."
"Thirdly, Lord Li You's appointment as Director of the Department of Criminal Law will inevitably affect the interests of some people. These people may harbor resentment towards Li You and even resort to improper means to prevent his return. After all, the struggle for power is often accompanied by various open and covert struggles, and we cannot rule out this possibility."
"Fourth, there is another factor that cannot be ignored: tsunamis. Although we have had some sailing experience, we are still far less experienced than those seasoned pirates. On this vast ocean, natural disasters such as tsunamis and tornadoes can occur at any time. If we encounter such an accident, our ships and personnel will face great danger."
The King of Qin nodded in satisfaction. "The most urgent task is to find Li You. Feng Quji and Wei Zhuang, you are responsible for sending people to find Li You's whereabouts and investigating matters in the court; Meng Tian and Feng Jie, you are responsible for investigating the other states to see if there are any unusual movements. Jia Yang, you are responsible for investigating the internal affairs of Qin to see if anyone is involved in this matter."
The others obeyed and left. Ying Wuyou walked out of Zhangtai Palace; the snow outside was falling heavier and heavier. Ying Wuyou returned to Chaohua Palace. She sat in her study, looking at the map of Qin on the wall, lost in thought. Baga Island was far overseas, separated from Qin by a vast ocean. Where exactly did Li You's ship encounter its wreck? If it was deliberate, how did the other party manage to do it?
Dusk, like blood, stained the waves of Langya Harbor a dark red. Broken planks and tattered masts bobbed in the waves, and several tilted ships wrecked about half a mile from the shore, like dying beasts. The sea breeze, carrying a salty, fishy smell, swept over us, bringing an unsettling sense of oppression.
On deck, the corporal stumbled over, struggling to maintain his balance amidst the rocking of the ship, and finally knelt down with a thud before Centurion Wang Li, holding a piece of cloth high in his hands, his voice filled with barely concealed excitement: "Sir! We've found something!"
The centurion strode forward and snatched the fabric. His rough fingers gently caressed the hem, the keen touch sending a shiver down his spine—the fine, neat stitches on the inside of the fabric were the unique overlocking technique of the Xianyang Imperial Garment Bureau. Of all the people in the entire fleet, only Li You was allowed to wear such a royal garment.
The salty sea breeze brushed against his furrowed brow, and the centurion's thoughts drifted back to the night before his departure. Lords Feng Quji and Wei Zhuang had summoned him to a secret chamber, solemnly entrusting him with this task: to find the missing Li You at all costs. Now, this hem of clothing, carrying the scent of seawater, finally gave him a glimmer of hope.
"Continue the search." The centurion carefully tucked the hem of his robe into his robes, his voice low and firm. "We must find them alive or dead..."
Before he could finish speaking, a soldier rushed in, his face covered in sweat: "Sir! We've found some crew members!"
The centurion's heart leaped into his throat. Ignoring the ship's rocking, he rushed to the side of the ship. He saw several soaking wet crew members being carried aboard by soldiers. They were pale and unconscious, but their chests were still rising and falling slightly.
"Quick! Find a doctor! Prepare ginger soup!" the centurion ordered anxiously, his eyes filled with concern. He knew that these crew members might hold the key to solving the mystery of Li You's disappearance.
After several hours of emergency treatment, the crew members finally regained consciousness. The centurion immediately went to their cabin, and looking at these soldiers who had survived the ordeal, his voice softened involuntarily: "What exactly happened? Where is Lord Li You now?"
One of the older crew members struggled to his feet, but the centurion held him down. He gasped for breath, fear still lingering in his eyes: "My lord, during our voyage, we suddenly encountered an unprecedented tsunami. The sky turned pitch black instantly, and the waves were as high as mountains… Lord Li You stood on the ship's railing, loudly directing everyone to take cover. His voice, even amidst the towering waves, remained clearly audible."
The crew member paused, his Adam's apple bobbing as if swallowing immense grief: "But then a huge wave crashed in, and when we opened our eyes again, Lord Li You was nowhere to be seen. The ship completely disintegrated at that moment, and we all fell into the water... After that, I remember nothing."
After hearing these words, the centurion remained silent for a long time. He looked out the window; night had completely enveloped Langya Harbor, with only a few scattered fishing lights flickering in the darkness. Li You, is he still alive?
"Pass down the order," the centurion gripped his sword tightly, a resolute glint in his eyes, "Tomorrow at dawn, expand the search area. Even if we have to turn this entire sea upside down, we must find Lord Li You!"
As night deepened, the roar of the waves at Langya Harbor remained turbulent, as if recounting the sudden disaster. The centurion knew that the search had only just begun. Under pressure from the Xianyang court and with Feng Quji and Wei Zhuang on the verge of collapse, he had no room to back down.
A misty morning, like a veil, swept across Langya Harbor, carrying the salty sea breeze. Commander Wang Li stood at the bow, gazing at the churning, leaden clouds on the horizon, his clenched fist pounding against his bronze wrist guard with a dull thud. Three days of salvage operations had yielded nothing but a few broken planks and seawater-soaked documents. The soldiers on deck moved increasingly slowly, their once high spirits gradually fading with each passing day of disappointment.
"Sir, we've searched every mile..." The sergeant's words were cut short as he coughed violently from the salty wind. Wang Li gazed at the sea dotted with driftwood and suddenly remembered Feng Quji's words before they departed: "Li You is a pillar of Qin; if we fail to find him, neither of us can bear the responsibility."
Just then, Centurion Zhao Wu rushed over, seaweed still clinging to his armor from the previous night's fishing trip: "Sir, could Lord Li You have been washed ashore?" His words were like a lightning bolt cleaving through the gloom. Wang Li turned sharply, hope rekindling in his clouded eyes. Yes, the currents in this sea were turbulent; who could say for sure that someone wouldn't have been washed ashore?
"Immediately divide into five teams and search along the coastline! Be sure to carefully examine every reef and cave!" Wang Li's voice echoed in the morning mist. As the command flag was waved, dozens of small boats broke through the waves, and the soldiers, holding long spears, scanned the beach warily.