45 The Multi-Decked Ship

Two months later… in the Zhao Zhou[1] Prefecture located in the southern part of the Da Qi Kingdom… on the bank of the river flowing outside the Kai Yang City…

The sky had just started to light-up. Thin and scattered mist was still shrouding the area. Not a soul was in scene near the ferry-crossing. However, people started to gather in groups of twos and threes soon enough. The crowd soon included people who were on foot; their gorgeous clothing had fluttered in air as they walked. There were others who wore coarse clothes, while some had arrived from afar on horses.

Each of these groups consisted of at least one young boy or girl. The elders in most groups looked very dignified. However, the youngsters would look exceptionally excited.

More than 40 people had gathered at the ferry-crossing in about a-quarter-of-an-hour. There were a total of about 15-16 youngster amongst this group.