Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 709 Robbery

Cao Yu was surrounded by people talking for a long time. Half an hour passed, but his mind was still a mess because there were just too many things to sort out.

Everyone has heard a lot of news these past two days and is eager to tell Cao Yu it all.

"The lawyer from Daming Prefecture was someone Madam Xie met early this morning in Daming Prefecture."

Upon hearing this, another person hurriedly interrupted: "No, Madam Xie encountered Lawyer Liu, and this is Lawyer Liu's disciple."

“Yes, yes,” the villager who started the story said, “I misspoke. He was Liu the lawyer’s disciple. Originally, Liu the lawyer didn’t even have a business in Daming Prefecture. He just took on Madam Xie’s case, and then…”

The villagers kept talking about how Liu Zhi became famous in Daming Prefecture, then went to Bianjing, opened two shops there, and took in seven or eight disciples. Even so, he still couldn't finish handling all the lawsuits.

"The lawyer Zhao who wrote our petitions said that the people of Bianjing submit more petitions than those in Daming Prefecture, especially at the South City Wharf... boatmen and laborers, basically, whenever they encounter injustice, they will take it to the yamen."

"We didn't know that before..."

The villagers paused here, because even if they had known before, they dared not report it. The officials were all in cahoots and would not only not stand up for them, but would also judge them as having made false accusations and beat them half to death.

But things are different now.

"What I mean is, Wang Shitian and those officials from the capital are all different..."

Another villager, annoyed that he couldn't explain clearly, pushed aside the crowd and chimed in: "While the angel is here, let's just keep filing lawsuits, the more the better, so that those officials won't be able to escape, and we can finally have a good life in the future."

"Correct."

Looking into those bright eyes, Cao Yu figured that the experiences of lawyer Zhao and Madam Xie in Daming Prefecture and Bianjing must have given them great confidence.

Cao Yu said, "So you wrote a lawsuit?"

"wrote."

Everyone said, "We've already submitted our documents, and Lawyer Zhao is handling this matter for us, and he didn't even charge us much money."

Seeing that Cao Yu remained silent, a villager nearby said, "What? Didn't you mention our matter when you went to the yamen?"

“I told you,” Cao Yu said.

Actually, he didn't think people shouldn't have filed lawsuits, he just felt it was all too fast. He originally planned to wait for news before having everyone go one by one, but... it was all resolved just like that.

Seeing this, Zhou Lanqi said, "Zhao the lawyer said that this matter cannot be delayed. While the officials have not yet been convicted, it will still be useful to submit our lawsuit. If the envoy from the capital leaves, it will not be so easy for us to submit the lawsuit."

Cao Yu nodded: "What Zhao the lawyer said makes sense."

Upon hearing this, the smiles on everyone's faces deepened.

Then another villager remembered: "Oh right, Madam Xie is going to sea."

“The eldest daughter-in-law has a few men who are very knowledgeable about water transport,” He Dong said. “However, they are only good at inland waterways; they still need to learn about maritime matters gradually.” As he said this, a smug look appeared on his face.

The villagers said, "He Dong has been quite the catch these past two days. He was asked to help out and has earned a lot of money, probably more than ten strings of cash."

He Dong blushed as he listened, but then, remembering that he had earned the money through his own abilities, he mustered his courage and said, "Didn't I find you jobs? You also earned some money, though not as much... It's only been a few days..." As soon as he said this, everyone's smiles deepened.

Cao Yu didn't understand and looked at He Dong: "What kind of work are you doing?"

He Dong said, "It wasn't much, just chatting, talking about the ships at sea, and the things we encountered. We almost didn't make it back from that time at sea, and we finally found our way. And... when the wind picks up, when it rains..."

Cao Yu understood; it referred to experience in sailing at sea.

“We even went out on a few rounds with the government’s boats,” He Dong said. “Everyone carried things, worked as boatmen and sailors, and that’s how we earned money.”

No wonder everyone teased He Dong. He Dong, by chatting with Madam Xie's people, found such work for the villagers, allowing them to earn money.

It sounds like they received benefits, but... Cao Yu knew that what they were doing was exactly what Madam Xie needed right now.

However, everyone benefits, which is perfectly fair.

Cao Yu had also gained some understanding of Madam Xie; she was someone who was willing to speak openly about everything.

He Dong continued, "I knew you would be back today, otherwise we would have gone out to sea."

Cao Yu said, "Should we still follow the imperial ships on sea patrols?"

“Not only that,” He Dong said, “Recently, because of this case, many fleets have been investigated, and some merchants are unable to ship their goods out or bring back the imported goods they ordered.”

"So they need a lot of ships and manpower to help. Madam Xie's people... took one ship and went out with the other fleets. If things go smoothly, they will take more ships next time and ask us if we would like to come along."

Some of the ships in Cao Yu's possession were seized from the sea and might have to be handed over to the imperial court. If they could find a way to pass through the proper channels... it would be just like when he wrote his petition. If it helped at a crucial moment, it might be able to stay.

Cao Yu's eyes lit up as he listened: "Do they want us to come with their ship, or can we bring our own ship?"

He Dong had also asked Guo Xiong about this, so he said, "They said it's fine, and they don't want the money they earn, but we have to take care of them on the way."

What are we hesitating for? Cao Yu felt this was a good thing to do, so they could move from smuggling goods in the dark to doing so openly.

This couldn't be done before because officials deliberately made things difficult, demanding money and making legitimate business impossible. Now... corrupt officials have been arrested, and the situation has changed. Things that were impossible before can now be done.

Who doesn't want to do business honestly and legitimately?
Seeing that Cao Yu was interested, He Dong continued, "If you think it's feasible, we need to hurry. I saw people from other villages have found Madam Xie and want to work as her boatmen."

Cao Yu understood immediately after thinking it over. At times like these, many fleets dared not go to sea because these people had some dealings with corrupt officials. They were trying to avoid them, so how could they dare to send them under the nose of the imperial court?

The people like Madam Xie were different. They had never done business at sea before, so they didn't have these worries. These tasks naturally fell to them.

He Dong said, "Madam Xie spent a lot of money to hire several skilled boatmen, so there's no need to worry about the boat encountering problems at sea."

Cao Yu looked at He Dong: "They also came to you? How much money did they give you?"

He Dong pursed his lips and held up four fingers: "Four hundred coins a day."

Cao Yu gasped in shock; it seemed that Madam Xie was determined to seize control of the maritime trade.

(End of this chapter)