Looking north towards the rivers and mountains

Chapter 74 Getting Ashore

New Year's Eve is the day when families are ruined.

At the beginning of the hour of You (5-7 PM), when it was already getting dark, a few lamps were finally lit in the Zhou family mansion, giving the impression that people's hearts were scattered and the atmosphere was deathly still.

Zhou Ziliang's wife, Zhang, was crying and sobbing inside the house, and no amount of persuasion could console her.

My husband hasn't shown up for a month, and there's been no news of him whatsoever. The three attendants who went with him have also vanished without a trace. His family comes to inquire about him every few days, sometimes even crying and sobbing.

Zhang was so exhausted and had no desire to celebrate the New Year.

Just then, a commotion arose outside the compound.

Shortly after, the gate was kicked open with a loud bang.

Judge Xue Qian of Kunshan Prefecture strode inside, surrounded by dozens of constables and archers.

Outside the Zhou residence, more than two hundred soldiers and auxiliary troops from the capital's thousand-household garrison, who had been borrowed from the merchants, were arrayed in battle formation, blocking all entrances and exits. They brandished their swords and spears, nocked their bows and arrows, and prepared for battle.

The guards, servants, and runners in the courtyard, who usually swaggered around, were now as docile as quails.

A few desperate individuals showed resentment, but with most people remaining silent, they dared not cause trouble and could only follow the crowd, put down their weapons, line up, and go out to wait for identification.

"Search!" Xue Qian gave the order without uttering a single word.

The constables and inspectors responded immediately and split into several groups to begin their work.

As soon as Zhang stood up in a panic, she saw fierce-looking constables come forward and drag her out of the gate, one on each side.

"What are you doing?!" Zhang was terrified and about to speak when she was shoved into a small sedan chair and placed under strict guard.

This seemed to be a signal, and the entire Zhou residence immediately descended into chaos, with countless people crying, shouting, and cursing.

Zhou's mother, over fifty years old, was already bedridden due to illness caused by her son's situation. Upon hearing the commotion in the front yard, she immediately sensed something was wrong. She called for her servants but received no response, so she struggled to get out of bed. Just as she slowly reached the door, she saw two constables who, without a word, dragged her away.

Other officers rushed into the room and searched everywhere.

When you see clothes of decent quality, whether they're for men or women, you should secretly hide them first.

Upon seeing the jewelry, they carelessly threw their clothes on the ground and began to secretly hide the valuables. It wasn't until a minor official coughed that the group finally calmed down.

Zhou Ziliang has two sons and two daughters, all of whom are still young. At this moment, they are hiding in a room, trembling with fear.

The constables rushed in, ignoring their cries and shouts, and dragged them away, loading them onto the prison cart along with the dying Zhou mother.

And then there were the beautiful maids and concubines; some cried and wailed, some threw tantrums and acted unreasonably, and some were utterly despondent.

But nobody cared about their feelings; they were all taken away.

During the arrests, those with outstanding looks or graceful figures were groped countless times.

These beauties, if they catch the eye of officials, might just have a bright future ahead of them.

If she wasn't chosen and wasn't deeply involved, she would most likely become a government prostitute, providing services to officials. Theoretically, these services would only include singing, dancing, and drinking, which are relatively simple. However, in reality, they are not regulated at all, and some even operate secretly to the public. Ordinary people can enjoy these services by paying money, only at a higher price than regular brothel prostitutes.

There were still some servants and maids in the Zhou household.

After screening, the workers were released. They were all poor, and nobody cared.

The servants and slaves were taken away, and those who were strong or had some good looks were given to officials at all levels. The rest were used to cultivate government land and became de facto government slaves, providing the officials with benefits throughout the year and festivals.

When the nest is overturned, no egg remains intact.

This is the most powerful tactic of the government: confiscating property and exterminating entire families.

The once powerful Zhou family, which controlled more than two hundred fish farmers and was famous far and wide, has fallen into ruin.

The speed of the collapse was astonishing.

******

On the same New Year's Eve, there was already some commotion on the Drilling Wind Loach ship.

Yang Liu clamored to get off the boat and drink, which resonated with some people. Even Gao Daqiang, who was usually quite cooperative, hesitated to speak. After all, it was New Year's Eve, and who wouldn't want to go home?

Cheng Ji was extremely anxious, but he didn't say anything, he just silently struggled with himself.

Shao Shuyi patiently persuaded everyone to remain calm and wait for the situation to become clearer before making any further decisions.

Yang Liu, the most boisterous of them all, wouldn't listen at all; he didn't want to stay on the ship for even a second longer.

Just as Liang Tai quietly approached Shao Shuyi and asked with his eyes whether he should take action, Li Fu, whom Shao Shuyi had sent to the Qingqi Shop to gather information, returned.

Accompanying him were Yu Yuan, Zheng Fan, Cao Tong, and Liu Jiu.

"Little Tiger, why are you still out in the cold wind on the river during the New Year? I don't remember you having this hobby." Zheng Fan's hearty laughter rang out from the riverbank.

"Brother Shao, it's alright now, come back quickly." Yu Yuan waved and said loudly.

The people on the boat immediately crowded over, their faces beaming with joy.

Shao Shuyi breathed a sigh of relief. Damn it, it's finally settled.

"Set sail and dock!" he ordered.

A cheer erupted from the ship.

"Where do we dock?" someone asked.

Shao Shuyi pondered for a moment, then said, "Go to the old locust tree. There's a pier there, which is convenient. Just follow the directions I'm giving you—"

The anchorman immediately weighed anchor, the helmsman adjusted the course, and the Drilling Sea Spinner slowly moved westward.

Zheng Fan on the shore was both angry and amused. It turned out that he had come all this way for nothing, while the other party was still looking for a place to moor their boat.

After much trouble, the group met again at the Old Locust Tree Wharf.

Before disembarking, Shao Shuyi revealed his true intentions to everyone.

"Brother Yang, Brother Gao, the matter of dividing the money will probably have to wait until after the New Year," he said. "But don't worry, once everything is settled, I will personally come to your door and deliver the money."

"Okay." Gao Daqiang readily agreed.

"Don't be too late." Yang Liu knew he wouldn't have any money until the goods were sold, and reluctantly agreed.

Shao Shuyi smiled and beckoned Liang Tai to bring over a money box containing eight ingots of paper money.

He gave Gao Daqiang and Yang Liu one and a half ingots each, and three seafarers, Wu Heizi, and Qi Erlang one ingot each, saying, "Take these for the New Year. Everyone has worked hard before the New Year."

"Brother Shao, you're too kind." Gao Daqiang was somewhat surprised.

"Thank you, Brother Shao!" the three seafarers exclaimed with delight.

"Brother Shao, if you need anything in the future, just come to me," Wu Heizi said.

Yang Liu's face stiffened.

Qi Erlang hesitated for a moment before finally saying, "Thank you, Brother Shao."

Shao Shuyi then reached out to Yu Yuan.

Yu Yuan immediately untied the bundle and took out twenty ingots of paper money, which he had borrowed from Zheng Fan.

After receiving the money, Shao Shuyi took out ten ingots and gave them to Qi Erlang, saying, "These are for your brother's funeral arrangements, so that he can leave in style."

After the New Year, I will visit again. If there are any difficulties at home, just come to Zheng's Ottoman Shop to find me.

Qi Erlang stood there dumbfounded, somewhat at a loss.

Shao Shuyi patted him on the shoulder and said, "How can I not care if something happens to a brother who fought for me? Take this."

"Thank you, Brother Shao." Qi Erlang gently accepted the banknotes, his emotions still turbulent.

Shao Shuyi took out another ingot and handed it to Wu Heizi, saying, "Brother Wu, how's your injury?"

"It's nothing." Wu Heizi gently moved his shoulders and said, "I'll be fine after a little more rest."

"Take this. Go back and buy some mutton, stew it to nourish your body," Shao Shuyi said.

Wu Heizi chuckled and said, "My family slaughters sheep."

Shao Shuyi couldn't help but chuckle and said, "Then buy some rice, noodles, and mutton as tuition fees and hire a good tutor for your son. He has a talent for studying, so we can't let it go to waste. If you really can't find one, I'll keep an eye out for you."

Wu Heizi's eyes lit up, and he said sincerely, "Thank you, Brother Shao."

"It's nothing," Shao Shuyi said with a smile.

After the money was distributed, the crowd gradually dispersed.

Shao Shuyi took out three ingots of paper money, approached Cheng Ji, and said in a low voice, "Master Cheng, please forgive me for offending you this time. I really can't do without you, hehe."

Cheng Ji looked at Shao Shuyi and remained silent for a long time.

Shao Shuyi didn't seem to mind and shamelessly continued, "Take it. There were outsiders here, so it wasn't appropriate to give you so much openly. There are many expenses during the New Year, so take it first, and come back to me if you need more."

Cheng Ji remained silent for a moment, then reached out and took the money, sighing, "I don't know if Dadu has dismissed me. If I'm treated as a deserter, I'm truly at a loss about what to do next."

Shao Shuyi was taken aback and asked, "If you really go on the run, what will happen to your family?"

"That's not a big deal," Cheng Ji said. "Dadu originally had five hundred soldiers, but now only three hundred remain. There are plenty of deserters, so we don't need to worry about them."

"That's good." Shao Shuyi breathed a sigh of relief, then took out another ingot of paper and stuffed it into the ingot, saying, "Take this, use it to bribe your superiors."

""

Cheng Ji did not refuse; he seemed to be slowly accepting the many benefits that Shao Shuyi had brought him.

"If things really don't work out, just move the whole family to Liujiagang. We've made a fortune this time, so what difference does it make where we live? Why linger in that lousy military camp?" Shao Shuyi laughed.

Cheng Ji shook his head and didn't say anything more.

Shao Shuyi handed the remaining five ingots of paper money to Yu Yuan, Li Fu, and Liang Tai, saying casually, "Take them and divide them up, I don't need them."

Having said that, he trotted up to Zheng Fan and said with a smile, "My lord, how much money do I owe you again?"

Zheng Fan did not answer, but looked Shao Shuyi up and down and said, "Little Tiger, when did you become so extravagant?"

"We used to treasure every single coin, but now we just throw them away carelessly. Tell me, how much wealth do we have now?"

Shao Shuyi spread his hands and said, "I have no money at all. I still owe Li Fu twenty ingots and you twenty-five ingots, sir. I don't even have money for the New Year. By the way, could you lend me a few more ingots after the New Year?"

Zheng Fan remained silent.

You might say he's broke, yet he just robbed three canal ships of their cargo. You might say he's rich, yet he's borrowed money everywhere and is drowning in debt.

The key is that he doesn't treat money like money; in his eyes, paper money seems no different from paper. He's truly an extraordinary person.

However, Zheng Fan still admired him quite a bit. This is what you call being generous and righteous, right?

Having previously helped Li Fu with his funeral, I gained some fame in Dongyi.

This time, Gao Daqiang and the other three received their annual allowances, and there was still money left to share after the goods were sold, which further enhanced their reputation among the seafaring community.

Both Qi Jia Erlang and Wang Huadu, who never returned, came from the station household, which was a considerable group.

Wu Heizi was a butcher in Xiyidu, and he respected Xiaohu quite a bit.

This kind of ruthless outlaw with connections and fame in the local area is not easy to deal with; perhaps this is a kind of self-preservation instinct on his part.

"Where are you planning to spend the Lunar New Year?" After snapping out of his thoughts, Zheng Fan suddenly asked this question.