Back in her own courtyard, Ling Qingyu sat down on a stone stool and let out a deep breath. Her grip loosened and the whip dropped to the ground.
Lu Yao and Ye Shiyi were practicing martial arts in the yard. Hearing the door, they stopped and watched as Ling Qingyu hurried in. She rushed to the seat. Then, the whip made a noise as it fell. Lu Yao blocked Ye Shiyi from approaching and walked over himself. He picked up the whip and frowned. This whip was made from metal. It was also covered by traces of darkened blood. But even so, the blood couldn’t hide the smoothness of its body. He murmured, “Panlong Eighteen Whip?”
“You like it?” Ling Qingyu glanced at him and said lazily, “If you like it, then it’s yours. Just remember to clean it.”
“Where did this whip come from?” asked Lu Yao.
“A gift with the purchase of twenty slaves.” Ling Qingyu felt her energy train out of her body. When she faced Zhou Zhou before, it was as if she had fought a mental battle. Seeing Lu Yao frown while looking at the whip, she said, “This is what the guards use to whip people. I bought some prisoners, so he gave this to me.”
“Prisoners?” Lu Yao didn’t understand.
But during lunch time, everything was clarified.
“Miss, look at your sailors.” Zheng Xi pointed to Lu Yao, who was filling his food bowl, and Ye Shiyi, slurping his food. “A little kid. A dry duck. Ah, no. A crowd of dry ducks. Those refugees also came from the north. Also, a bunch of dying prisoners! Who knows what they did to become exiled. With those evil people on the ship, wouldn’t they kill us? Even if they don’t create trouble, how can we sail with a group like this?”
“We can.” Ling Qingyu cleaned the bowl. She was surprised that Zheng Xi waited until they finished eating before showing his dissatisfaction. So, she patiently explained, “I have already thought about it. The reason why Uncle Ding had trouble was because there are people who don’t want us to sail. So, if we find the worst possible sailors, then the enemy will underestimate us and let us sail. Since we changed the Aeolus’ mast, we can’t let anyone see it before leaving Quan Province or even the Zhou Empire’s borders. We have to rely on rowing. And rowing requires a lot of strength. As for whether they would create trouble onboard. If they don’t have us, then they are asking to die. I don’t think these people would be so stupid.” A few hundred refugees were forced here to be laborers but only twenty remained. Ling Qingyu didn’t believe these twenty were simple people. Even though Zheng Xi was right about not knowing their backgrounds, surviving in their situation means they were like Gu Yu. They might be timed bombs. But right now, she couldn’t think of a better plan.
“Take those prisoners to the shipyard and ask Doctor Shi to treat them. Take care of their food and clothes. At least make sure they can row when we get onto the ship.” After thinking for a moment, Ling Qingyu continued, “I will talk to Wu Da and have him increase the building speed. We set sail in ten days.”
“Ten days? But miss, you haven’t purchased any goods.”
“We can buy from the people you mentioned before. All four thousand silvers. We will take everything.”
“Miss, are you sure? They only have second-rate goods! Their porcelain is low-grade. Even some of the color has already disappeared.”
“If they weren’t second-rate goods, how could they be so cheap? Don’t worry. Other ships are heading to major cities and of course would want expensive goods instead. Oh right, you should lower the price by five hundred silver and buy some more food.”
“You want to lower it even more? Miss you’re too stingy. I don’t think Boss Dai will agree.”
“Then you should pester him until he does.”
The little kid and dry duck, Ye Shiyi and Lu Yao bit their chopsticks. Watching Ling Qingyu and Zheng Xi walk away, they gained a new understanding of her. Ye Shiyi thought: Sister is amazing. We are about to go sailing. I can finally see the ocean and don’t need to hide anymore. Lu Yao thought: This girl has no bottom line! We are about to go sailing. I can finally see the ocean and don’t need to hide anymore.
—
Ten days later, in a small shipyard within the mountains; the Aeolus was painted anew. As per Ling Qingyu’s request, all of the sails had been stored away. A base remained with a flag showing three stripes and five stars. The front of the ship was covered with a statue showing a topless mermaid. Some blade marks on the deck were purposely left there. Originally, two small boats hung on each side, but they were placed on the deck this time. The tower near the backside of the deck was painted completely black. Viewed from afar, the Aeolus would look even smaller than how it looked before.
Ling Qingyu nodded in satisfaction. She saw that Ding Dong was in position along with those responsible for managing the sails. In the lower level, Gu Yu and the prisoners had changed to a uniform Ling Qingyu designed. Their feet were on pedals and they were sitting in position.
Ding Budong sat on a chair, sighed and asked Wu Da. “Will this work? Sailing with these people?”
Wu Da sighed as well. A mixed crowd of people. What kind of composition is this?
The two of them had spent a lot of effort dissuading Ling Qingyu. But, she had invested her entire fortune into it. Ding Dong also needed medicine for Ding Budong’s leg. So, the two of them were dead-set on sailing out. Wu Da and Ding Budong could only watch Ling Qingyu and her crew load the ship with worry.
Now, everything has been prepared. After government officials inspect the ship, they will be able to sail away. Normally, sea ships must be inspects by Quan Province’s port authority before leaving. But, Ling Qingyu asked Zheng Xi to petition for an exemption; stating that the Aeolus was damaged before and would like the inspection done at the shipyard. This was a reasonable request, so it was approved by the newly appointed Quan Province Maritime Officer.
A mistake! Wu Da and Ding Budong were helpless.
Zhou Zhou and another government official walked up from the storage and gave Ling Qingyu a pass stamped with the Quan Province Department of Maritime Affairs’ symbol. Zhou Zhou laughed, “Head Ling is quite capable. But, this time it was because Chairman Fan pitied your status as an independent female and gave you a break. There won’t be any exemptions next time.” It’s possible that there may not be a next time, thought Zhou Zhou as he looked at the prisoners shackled to their positions. Their faces showed that they were still hungry. It’s amazing that a girl is the captain of this ship. Zhou Zhou shook his head.
