Late Ming Dynasty: The Counterattack Begins with Sea Pirates

Pang San understood what the master meant, went into the room, grabbed Manager Li, and slowly lifted him up.

"Hehe, sir, don't try any tricks on me. With my strength, a slight twist would break my bones, and whether I'd die or not is hard to say."

Chi Honghai put away the knife and tucked it back into his pocket.

After Pang San carried the shopkeeper to the center of the room, Liu Qingjiang watched over him from the other side.

The four of them left the room.

Upon reaching the entrance of the art gallery, the waiter, sensing something was amiss, went to greet them.

"Shopkeeper, shopkeeper, where are you going?"

The shopkeeper glanced at Chi Honghai, his forehead covered in sweat.

"I'll be away for a few days. Please keep an eye on things at the museum for now, and we'll discuss things when I get back."

After saying that, Manager Li walked out the door.

Chi Honghai, who was standing next to him, took out some silver from his pocket again and handed it to the waiter.

"I've invited your shopkeeper to paint for a few days. He'll be back in a while. I'll leave these few taels of silver to you and the brothers in the shop."

The waiter, having accepted the silver, completely forgot why he had gone to greet his shopkeeper earlier, and also forgot what was wrong with his shopkeeper. His eyes were fixed on the few taels of silver in his hand.

Who cares? Money is the most important thing, no matter what.

"Thank you, sir! Thank you, sir!"

Chi Honghai patted him on the shoulder: "Remember, call him Master."

"Yes, yes, thank you, sir, thank you, sir!"

"Sir, please take care!"

Chi Honghai walked in front, with Manager Li flanked by Liu Qingjiang and Pang San on either side.

I stopped when I passed a bookstore.

Mr. Chi stepped over the threshold and entered the small bookstore.

There were no waiters in the shop, only an elderly man who looked to be in his sixties.

When the old man saw the guest arrive, he stepped out from behind the counter to greet Chi Honghai.

"Sir, what book would you like to buy?"

Chi Honghai looked up and around, then sized up the simply dressed old man.

It's far too plain. As the owner of a shop, it's one thing for his clothes to have so many patches, but there are even some holes that haven't been sewn up.

"Shopkeeper, why is your shop not doing much business?"

"Sir, as you know, the world is not peaceful these days, and there are few people who can read books."

Chi Honghai walked around the store for about ten steps, completing a full circle of the store.

Do you have any books on tea or medicine here?

"Yes, yes, sir. Which ones would you like?"

"Let me see them all."

The old man hunched over and searched around, but some piles of books made it difficult for him to move, so Chi Honghai helped him.

They even brought out books such as "Huangdi Neijing", "Shanghan Zabing Lun", "Bencao Gangmu", "Chajing", "Shiliu Tangpin", and even agricultural books.

The old man straightened up, supporting himself with his hand, and wiped away his sweat.

"Sir, which book would you like to read?"

Although Chi Honghai knew the names of these books, he had no general understanding of their contents, so he had no idea where to begin choosing.

"Shopkeeper, you've brought out about twenty books; I'll take them all."

"What? Sir..."

"How much do you want for this?"

After hesitating for a moment, the shopkeeper finally spoke.

"These books would normally cost around 10 taels of silver if sold together, but if you buy them all at once, it will only cost 8 taels."

Chi Honghai didn't say anything, but took out a medium-sized ingot from his pocket, which was worth about ten taels, and handed it to the shopkeeper.

After packing, Chi Honghai took the twenty or so books outside the store.

When Liu Qingjiang saw the master carrying things out, he went up to take them.

"No need, I'll take it."

Both he and Pang San roughly knew that the book was most likely bought for the lady.

After all, having been with the master for so long, he had never read any medical books. Even when they discussed medicine over tea, he only saw the master's practical skills, not his written explanations.

After inviting their distinguished guest and purchasing the goods, the four of them headed towards the city gate.

Although Manager Li was uneasy and fearful, he was probably more regretful that he had opened the shop today.

But he was still very careful with his life, and didn't make any noise when passing the gate tower.

The four of them successfully left the city and arrived at the shore near the outskirts, where they waited for Ai Si and Shen Er to return.

Not long after they arrived on the boat, they saw two people returning from different directions, each leading a group of people.

They're carrying silks, satins, and all sorts of utensils.

There were carts over there, carrying bundled sheep, fresh pork, and livestock such as chickens, ducks, and geese.

Ironically, Shen Er and the two people beside him were each carrying a suckling pig, swaying as they walked.

When everyone arrived at the shore and boarded the boat.

"Shen Er, I told you to buy pigs, why did you bring these suckling pigs?" Chi Honghai asked.

"Sir, you know that not long ago, the General of Guangzhou hosted a banquet for Zheng Zhilong's troops. Almost all the pigs, big and small, around Guangzhou were requisitioned. I had to plead with the farmers to sell me this suckling pig."

These words caused everyone to burst into laughter.

After the laughter and commotion subsided, the boat was about to set sail.

Chi Honghai then turned to look at Manager Li, who was already tied up.

He pulled out a knife, which startled Manager Li.

"My esteemed guest...didn't you promise that if you asked me to paint, you wouldn't...you wouldn't hurt me?"

Chi Honghai didn't respond to him. Instead, he opened the box containing silk and satin, pulled out a roll of cloth, cut a section off with a knife, and then covered Manager Li's head with it.

"Please bear with me, Manager Li. As long as you don't have any ulterior motives, I'll keep you safe."

"Master, don't feel wronged. The amount of silk you cut couldn't have been obtained without money. It's just that he got to enjoy the good fortune first," Shen Er said.

The crowd burst into laughter.

"Pang San, keep a close eye on him."

"Yes, sir!"

Chi Honghai stood at the bow of the ship. As the ship gradually moved away from the shore, the once clearly visible Guangzhou Prefecture gradually blurred in Chi Honghai's sight.

Shen Er, Pang San, Ai Si, and Liu Qingjiang were summoned to the bow of the boat by him.

"Master, what brings you here?" Ai Si asked first.

Chi Honghai looked at the four people in front of him and moved closer.

"By the time we got back to the island, it was probably around sunset the day before the Mid-Autumn Festival, right?"

"Sir, the boat was fast on the way to Guangzhou with the wind at our back, but on the return trip, it will be slower due to the headwind. Don't worry, the brothers will hurry and we should arrive around this afternoon, without missing a beat," Liu Qingjiang said.

"You guys will be very busy when we get to the island this afternoon. You can't rest, or we won't make it in time."

"What are you saying, sir! Our lives belong to you, sir, why should we be afraid of being tired for a short while!" He took over Chi Honghai's words.

"Yes, sir, just tell the brothers if you need anything," Shen Er chimed in.

Chi Honghai thought for a moment and looked at the lowered sail.

"Once we get back, you and your men will make arrangements. I'll hold the Madam back. All the affairs are your responsibility. Remember, if anyone utters a single word to the Madam, I'll rip out their tongue!"

The four nodded.

"Shen Er, Ai Si, you two are experienced in this kind of arrangement. You were the ones who handled the invitation to the magistrate of Xin'an County before. I'll leave this matter to you two. Remember, if it's shabby, I'll definitely come back to you!"

"Sir, rest assured, this time the gifts we're preparing for you and your wife will be far more extravagant than those given to the county magistrate!"

Chi Honghai turned to look at Liu Qingjiang and Pang San.

"Qingjiang, although no one is causing us any trouble right now, everyone knows what happened last time. So these next two days, you and Instructor Lang need to take the training brothers and keep an eye on the surrounding area. I'm just worried that someone might try to take advantage of the situation."

"Understood. I'll tell Instructor Lang when I get back, and have the men patrol the area. But sir, what if a ship comes along?"

Chi Honghai took a deep breath, held it for a while, and then exhaled.

"Let everyone have a good holiday, and there won't be any bloodshed. Ships will come whenever they want. If Mid-Autumn Festival is over, we'll have to wait until next year!"

"Pang San, you and your men get to work, listen carefully to Shen Er and Ai Si's instructions, and remember, keep a low profile!"

"Understood, sir! But, sir, I have a question..."

"ask."

"Well, on this joyous occasion, why have we brought Manager Li here? To have a portrait painted for you and your wife?"

Chi Honghai tapped Pang San on the head.

"You've thought things through better than I have. I have a good use for that person, so don't worry about him!"