Clear skies with a slight breeze.
The deck was full of people. In the early morning, Ling Qingyu told Zheng Xi to gather everyone on board, including the merchants who had not left their cabin in the past ten days.
Ling Qingyu stood on the observation terrace of the tower. After seeing Zheng Xi signal that everyone was here, she cleared her throat and said, “Everyone. Our Aeolus has been at sea for eleven days. Since many people were seasick in the previous days, I did not have the chance to tell everyone about the ship’s rules. Last night, Chen Erhu, Chen Sanhu and Chen Sihu wanted to seize this ship and have been thrown overboard by me.”
Hearing this, there was suddenly chattering below. Some had favorable relationships with Chen Erhu and knew what they were doing last night. They immediately yelled, “What do you mean they wanted to seize the ship? How can the three of them accomplish that? You must have used some kind of trick. Release the three of them!”
The people below started pushing and yelling.
Zheng Xi and Ding Dong were with a few sailors, ready to intervene. Gu Sui and his underlings maybe intentionally, or maybe unintentionally, blocked off those troublemakers’ path.
“That’s right. Whether they wanted to seize the ship or not, if I want to toss them into the ocean, I can toss them into the ocean. “Ling Qingyu’s cold words shocked everyone there. She continued, “On this ship, I am the law! Since you have been sold to me, you are my property. I can deal with you however I want to. If someone is not pleasing to my eye, I will throw him into the ocean. If you guys have opinions, they don’t matter. This ocean is vast and doesn’t care about a few more ghosts. Who wants to get off? I will fulfill your desire!”
The noise below immediately calmed. Zheng Xi and Ding Dong watched the prisoners who were making trouble. Gui Sui looked at Ling Qingyu with some anger as he clenched his teeth. What do you mean you own us!
“Where is our big brother? Did you also throw him in the ocean!?” asked two young prisoners loudly as they pushed past the people in front. There were a few people who followed them. They didn’t look like the same prisoners who had made trouble before. But, they still showed signs of anger.
“I am here.” A deep voice like a hacksaw sounded. Ling Qingyu moved to the side and let the man behind her be seen. She only learned in the morning that his name was Yang Zhao.
After seeing how relieved the few prisoners below were, Ling Qingyu changed her fierce tone and said, “Everyone.” You are all employed by me, sold to me, or partnering with me. Since I, Ling Qingyu, am in charge of this ship, I have the responsibility to ensure everyone’s safety. I will not tolerate any thoughts or actions that create conflict. Moreover,” Ling Qingyu glanced at the people below and slowly said, “We are here for treasures. I, Ling Qingyu, will guarantee now, that if people do not have wrong thoughts and are willing to work together, I will ensure everyone will be filled with fortune. When we return, I will give freedom to those sold to me. There will also be a bonus equal to twenty percent of the ship’s profit that will be given to those with the greatest contributions. On the voyage back, leaders can bring four stones worth of commodities. Sailors can bring two stones worth.”
This time, even Gu Sui’s brothers began to whisper. Zhang Dahu moved closer to Gu Sui and asked in a low voice, “Boss, can we believe this girl’s words? Two stone’s worth of commodities. Wouldn’t that be worth a couple hundred silvers when we get back?”
Gu Sui smiled faintly, “That is only if you have the life to go back.” This little girl is pretty talented. She knows to reward and punish. Looks like this voyage is worth going on.
“Each person, two stones, and leaders, four stones.” Zheng Xi said as he followed Ling Qingyu. “Adding Ding Dong and others, we would be losing over a hundred stones worth of space. Family head, you are too generous!”
“Our ship can load twenty thousand stones. You won’t even give up a few hundred stones of weight?” Ling Qingyu laughed. “Besides, they will need to find their own products to buy. We are simply providing them with a bit of space.”
“I think those prisoners will still make trouble.” Zheng Xi remembered those who first yelled out. It would be better to throw them overboard and have less to worry about.
“They haven’t done anything after all.” Ling Qingyu frowned, then suddenly turned to look at the horizon. She sniffed the wind and laughed. “Zheng Xi, go get some empty barrels.”
“Why do you want them?”
“To get ready for a bath. It’s about to rain.”
Rain? Zheng Xi looked at the blue sky with a few scattered clouds.
—
When the storm hit, Zheng Xi ordered Lu Yao and Shi Fang to bring up the empty barrels.
“Wow! It’s raining! It’s raining!” Ye Shiyi, who had been prompted by Ling Qingyu, had already undressed earlier. Now, he danced joyfully in the rain.
Ling Qingyu was hiding in her own room, looking out the window at the ship’s stern and the ocean surface while listening to rain falling on the deck.
“Thank you!”
Hearing that hacksaw sound voice, Ling Qingyu turned her head and saw Yang Zhao standing in the room. He was dressed in green. His posture was straight. He looked out of place with messy hair and a full beard. “Why don’t you go wash up?”
“Zhao will definitely return the favor of saving my life.” Yang Zhao bowed deeply and left.
Ling Qingyu was dumbfounded after he left. How did I earn the favor of saving his life?
Thinking about this, she stared with dislike at Lu Yao sitting in the captain’s room, outside of her bedroom.
Lu Yao was turned toward the lower deck and watching the joyful Ye Shiyi in the middle of a water fight; ignoring Ling Qingyu’s resentment.
—
“It will take two more days before we reach Sanyu. Turn the wheel left,” said Ling Qingyu to Ding Dong after looking at her compass.
“Okay!” Ding Dong excitedly turned the steering wheel. In less than a month, they will be reaching Sanyu. Even though the ship encountered a few small storms, the waves didn’t affect the Aeolus at all. It really was a magnificent ship. Of course, the navigator’s performance was quite satisfying to him too. He imagined the Golden Feathered King Swallow, each worth a thousand gold, appearing in front of his eyes.
A sailor standing next to Ding Dong quietly left when he noticed Ding Dong and Ling Qingyu not paying attention. He greeted the other sailors and walked to the back deck.
Hearing they were about to reach Sanyu, the atmosphere on the ship became more relaxed. The rowers also became more used to the moving of the ship. With the sun out, they were tanning in twos and threes on the deck.
The sailor headed for the cargo compartment. The cargo compartment of the Aeolus was divided into more than ten separate rooms. In order to maintain balance, each room was only half-filled with cargo. By the time the sailor reached the cargo compartment, a few people were already squatting there.
“Tian Keng, is what you said true? We can go ashore and find a way out?” asked a man who had followed Chen Erhu.
“Of course. Our Xie family’s fleet covers this ocean. If you can help me accomplish my task, I promise that I will recommend you to join our Xie family’s fleet when we get to Sanyu. I guarantee that you will become rich within a year,” said Tian Keng with a laugh.
Hu Yu looked at the half-filled room of cotton, then lowered his head and drew on the floor. Someone on the side couldn’t help but interject, “Brother Hu, this Ling girl can only afford to buy such cheap goods. Not only will we not earn a profit, I’m afraid she will even end up with a big loss. Also, she has been guarding against us since Brother Chen’s death. Even if there were to be advantages, they would still be given to Yang Zhao. By the time they reach us… Also…”
“Don’t say any more.” Hu Yu interrupted his words. Most of the people trading across the ocean dealt in silk and high-grade porcelain. Yet, this ship’s goods were regular cloth, ordinary porcelain and low quality tea. Like Tian Keng said, this Ling girl could only afford leftovers. Could they really sell these things? Even if they could sell, how much money would they earn? Also, he and the others had been exiled by Yang Zhao after breaking military law. They were whipped a lot. Most of them carried old wounds. They had also collaborated with the guards to tortue Yang Zhao and his followers. He wouldn’t forgive them. If they remained, the day that Yang Zhao recovers would by their death.
“Okay, Master Tian, we will do as you say,” said Hu Yu as he slapped off the dust covering his hands..
