The salt smugglers disappeared into the forest, and the archers only put away their bowstrings to retreat once their companions had left.
Old Ears watched this scene with amazement, clicking his tongue, "I haven't been to Jiangnan for more than ten years, yet now even salt smugglers use crossbows. They seem more elite than the Anti-Japanese Army. In this place, a hundred or so salt smugglers could storm the county town… Kid, did I just hear the words Meihua Ferry Crossing? That sounds somewhat familiar."
Chen Ji ignored Old Ears' jest, leading Zhaolei to follow the Anti-Japanese Army, "Please don't talk nonsense; getting involved with salt smugglers is a capital offense."
"It's just a coincidence they used the name Meihua Ferry Crossing, and coincidentally also used your Red Gate's codewords?"
Chen Ji remained unmoved, "What a coincidence indeed."
Old Ears chuckled and rode his little donkey up to an old soldier, "Brother, could you tell us about those salt smugglers?"
