As the Cao Boat rounded the tip of the Lantern Tower, Li Yan stood at the bow, gazing into the distance towards Tongzhou City.
After leaving Jinmen, they traveled upriver along the North Canal, passing through states and counties such as Wuqing and Xiang River, and finally arrived in Tongzhou.
The entire journey covered over 240 li and took a full five days.
Even so, they were on an official ship, with no checkpoints to hinder them.
The reason was simple—the North Canal's waters are relatively gentle, but going upstream inevitably requires oarsmen to pull the boats.
Locals describe it as the "hundred thousand howling ghosts," with their chants echoing day and night.
In any case, they had finally reached Tongzhou.
The canal was packed with grain ships, each flying banners of different colors.
