Pages 143-164 Summary

The sailing ship makes its way to Wuhan, where Chen looks for Meng Dafu to deliver his letter, but is told that he has gone to Suzhao and is not there. The brothers continue on the boat to Juijiang, a merchant port where the boat takes on some cargo. Not long after leaving Juijiang, the ship is attacked by pirates. As the pirates board the ship, Hong thinks quickly and takes his letter from Ye Pan as well as the letter for Meng Dafu and hides them under his hat.

The pirates search the passengers and take their valuables, including all of Hong's money, but they do not find his letters. They are impressed by Chen's robes and decide he might be worth a high ransom. They take him away to their chief, while Hong is tied up with the other...