The sky was shrouded in heavy leaden clouds, with snowflakes swirling thickly.
Beside the desolate ferry dock lay a large ship, while on the shore nervous horses pawed the ground, steaming in the cold. Workers busily loaded and unloaded goods, and travelers shivered in line, preparing to board the vessel.
Since the founding of the Qian dynasty, Emperor Qianyuan has prioritized the connectivity of the canal as a key national policy. By now, there are various ferries along the route, and official ships crisscross back and forth, providing convenient passenger services.
At the bow of the ship, a man in a small dog-skin hat cupped his hands, breathed warmly on them, and shouted loudly:
"Hurry up, everyone! It's freezing today, and if we miss the time-slot, we'll have to spend the night on the river."
Nobody wanted to freeze all night on the boat in this weather, so people quickened their pace. In no time, the shore was empty, even the horses were coaxed onboard.
