The Black Sails of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 91 Good Deed (One more chapter, please subscribe!)
In the Ming Dynasty, possessing armor was considered treason, so even the most arrogant wealthy clans generally did not possess armor.

Firearms were also strictly controlled.

Although bows and crossbows are also taboo, they are subject to much less strict control. Especially bows and arrows, as long as they are kept in the mansion and not displayed, the government will turn a blind eye even if they find out.

Xie Er deliberately concealed the matter of the crossbows, hoping that when the pirates attacked the manor, they would be caught off guard, allowing him to escape.

Unexpectedly, this little thought was seen through by the evil spirit; ghosts really cannot be swayed by ordinary logic...

After Lin Qian finished speaking, she gestured for Bai Langzai to continue.

“The strong servants are all ordinary people, and once they enter the mansion, they will also take up weapons to resist.”

Each night, only about twenty local militiamen patrol, scattered around the government office, and it takes time for them all to assemble.

The weapons in the mansion were mainly swords and knives, with very few spears.

There is a kennel at the back door; the dogs will bark wildly if they smell strangers, so you must avoid it.

The guards take turns patrolling each night, and there aren't too many people assigned to each section of the wall.

To act more discreetly, figure out the guards' night watch routine, throw a grappling hook in from outside the wall, kill the patrolling guards, and then enter the inner courtyard; perhaps there will be an opportunity.

Lei Sanxiang: "Master, I remember your hometown is in Huangyan County. Do you know anything about the Lin family?"

As soon as he said that, everyone's eyes turned to him.

Everyone vaguely guessed that Lin Qian had a grudge against the Lin family of Huangyan, but no one dared to ask. Fortunately, Lei Sanxiang spoke his mind, and everyone listened intently.

Lin Qian sat back down, took a sip of tea, and said, "My family used to be tenants of the Lin family..."

Everyone remained calm, clearly having expected this.

Lin Qian continued, "The Lin family's land is rented in silver, one tael of silver per mu. My family originally had five people and rented ten mu of land, so the annual rent was ten taels of silver."

After paying one tael of silver per mu, the tenants were left with just enough food to keep themselves from starving. Ironically, this rent was only average in Huangyan County, and even slightly lower than the average.

The Lin family of Huangyan has been a family of scholars and farmers since the Song Dynasty, with generations of officials and scholars. They have a good reputation throughout Taizhou Prefecture. However, due to their reputation, they have been somewhat lenient with their tenants.

“Besides farming, my mother, second sister, and third sister have to spin yarn and weave cloth every day. My father and I have to go to the county town to do odd jobs during the off-season. Life is hard, but we can still make ends meet.”

Until last year, the Yongning River flooded, submerging all the fields. My family was drowned, and my father, mother, second sister, and third sister... were all lost without a trace..."

Lin Qian spoke in a calm tone, but even though this was the original owner's experience, the sound of him speaking it made his anger surge.

The original owner was a tenant farmer who thought the flood was just a natural disaster or man-made calamity.

But Lin Qian could see the trick to it.

Everyone in the restaurant who was listening to Lin Qian speak held their breath.

Although most of the people present had never been tenant farmers.

But when this is extended to merchants, military households, and pearl farmers, they all share the same fate and feel the same empathy.

Lin Qian took a deep breath, suppressed her emotions, and continued calmly, "I was lucky. I was washed ashore next to a tree and spent two days on the branches with cockroaches and rats. When the floodwaters receded, I survived."

Master Lin is kind-hearted. Knowing that the tenant farmers had suffered a disaster, he specially waived 70% of their rent. Ah, what a good man!

Lin Qian's sigh sent a shiver down Xie Er's spine, who was standing to the side. Cold sweat poured down his back, soaking him completely.

Xie Er looked down at the ground, his body hunched over, and he lowered his breathing, hoping that no one would notice him.

Lin Qian continued, "My family is gone, and I can't afford a single copper coin. I know how the Lin family deals with tenant farmers who are in arrears with rent. To survive, I fled to Yuegang, where I met my brothers at sea."

As soon as Lin Qian finished speaking, she added, "Thank you, Second Brother."

When Xie Er heard Lin Qian call him, he froze like a dog seeing a stick, and forced a smile, saying, "Master Helmsman."

"Tell me about that flood."

Xie Er felt every hair on his body screaming for help; the wicked heavens had finally brought retribution upon him for the sins committed by the Lin family. "I'm just the boat manager for the Lin family; how could I possibly know anything about the floodwaters..."

"I'll let you speak." Lin Qian's voice was calm as she stared at Xie Er.

Xie Er felt as if he had been pierced by two knives.

All eyes in the cabin turned to him, and Xie Er felt as if he were being slowly sliced ​​to death.

Xie Er gritted his teeth, lowered his head and whispered, "That water was released by the Lin family..."

"What!" Lei Sanxiang was furious. He slammed his hand on the table, knocking over three teacups and spilling Longjing tea all over the floor.

Lei Sanxiang pointed at Xie Er and cursed, "You heartless, rotten bastard, how could you do such a despicable and depraved thing!"

Bai Qing reacted even faster, already holding a dagger to Xie Er's neck.

Bai Langzai hurriedly grabbed his sister's arm: "The captain hasn't given the order yet, we can't kill him."

Bai Qing angrily sheathed the dagger, his eyes fixed on Xie Er, his killing intent palpable.

Zheng Zhilong said coldly, "Everyone in the Lin family, from the elderly to the infants, deserves to be killed!"

Chen Jiao said, "People say that pirates are cruel, but compared to noble families, they are nothing but a small fry."

Zhou Xiucai, unusually unwilling to compromise, declared: "Those who commit such acts deserve to be condemned by Heaven!"

Xie Er hurriedly replied, "The Lin family also has its difficulties."

"You scoundrel, I'll kill you!" Lei Sanxiang said, and prepared to make his move.

Lin Qian said calmly, "Brothers, please be patient and let him finish speaking."

Lei Sanxiang exhaled a long, thick breath from his nose. The weather was slightly chilly, and a white mist seemed to rise in front of him.

Xie Erdao said, "Last August, Taizhou experienced more than ten days of heavy rain, causing the Yongning River and Ling River to swell dramatically. If the floodwaters weren't released, Huangyan County and even Taizhou Prefecture could have been flooded. Master Lin voluntarily offered his own land for flood diversion. Between two evils, he chose the lesser one, which can be considered a good deed..."

"Fuck your mother's good deed!" Lei Sanxiang could no longer hold back. His face contorted like a ferocious tiger, and he slapped the black walnut chair behind him into pieces.

He took two steps to Xie Er, raised his palm like a fan, and if this slap landed, Xie Er would be knocked out on the spot.

Bai Langzai quickly stepped forward and grabbed him.

"Seventh Brother, get out of the way!" Lei Sanxiang roared.

Lei Sanxiang possessed immense strength, which even Bai Langzai couldn't control.

Chen Jiao also came over and pulled him back, scolding, "Third brother, wake up! If we kill this man, how will we get revenge?"

Lei Sanxiang's eyes suddenly cleared. Right, Xie Er was their key to entering the Lin residence. If they killed him, how could they kill Master Lin's entire family?

Lin Qian said, "My purpose in going to the Lin residence this time is not to kill anyone."

Everyone looked at him in surprise.

Lei Sanxiang: "If it's not for killing, then why?"

"Silver," Lin Qian said slowly.

The Lin family of Huangyan is a prominent family in Zhejiang Province, and they are well-known in the province. In particular, the people of Taizhou Prefecture and Huangyan County are grateful for their kindness in destroying farmland to divert floodwaters.

Once an entire family is brutally wiped out, it becomes a shocking case that will inevitably reach the ears of the emperor. Even the Red Pill Case might not be able to suppress it.

If this attracts the attention of the imperial court, and they investigate, the excellent situation he has just established will be ruined.

Moreover, once he starts killing indiscriminately, his gang's reputation will be ruined. They'll be branded as Japanese pirates, making it difficult for them to grow stronger again.

But not killing indiscriminately does not mean not seeking revenge.

(End of this chapter)