C59 – We’re in the Same Boat
The best way to travel from Changping to the capital was by water. Not only was it easier and safer than a horse carriage, but it was also safer as long as it did not encounter abnormally bad weather or fierce bandits.
Zuo Shaoqing and his brother set off from Youuxi Town, and after a day’s worth of work, they arrived at Changping County. It was already dark by the time they arrived, so they chose a clean inn to stay.
At this time, the inn was no longer as crowded as it had been during the year of the year before, and it had even become a lot more deserted because of the new year.
The shopkeeper was bored to death as he held the abacus and turned it over and over in his account book that he had already checked thrice. From time to time, he would even yawn.
As a result, when he saw people like Zuo Family enter the room, the shopkeeper’s eyes almost stopped laughing.
“Guests, do you want to stay in the restaurant or do you want to become an expert?” There were at least a dozen people in this line. It would be fine even if they only stayed for one night.
Zuo Shaoyan’s attendant walked up and asked for two upper rooms and a few middle rooms. Then, they instructed everyone to take down the luggage from the carriage.
Zuo Shaoqing looked at the busy maidservants, Wu Tie, and began to feel glad that there was no Mrs. Xue and her daughter on this trip. Otherwise, the trouble would not have ended up like this.
Originally, Mrs. Xue wanted them to bring Zuo Shuhui to the capital. Mrs. Xue had a sister who married in the capital, which was also the aunt of Zuo Shaoyan and his sister. Although their relationship was no longer as close as it was before, as long as Zuo Family could be restored, then wouldn’t the relationship get hot after a few more visits?
Therefore, without any pressure, Mrs. Xue came up with the reason to “visit relatives”. She wanted Zuo Shuhui to go to Beijing first so that she could focus all her energy on Zuo Shaoling.
Zuo Shaoqing didn’t have the right to speak, so he could only silently protest or think optimistically: This is a long way to go, anything can happen in the middle of the road. Hehe...
Unfortunately, Zuo Shaoyan didn’t agree. He was here to study in Shang Jing and not to play around. How could he have the time and energy to take care of his spoiled little sister?
Although he also wanted to get into the family of Duke Zhen Manor, if he missed this spring scene, he would have to wait for another three years. He had hoped for so many years to not be delayed by anything.
“Third brother, you’ve been tired all day. Rest early. We can start tomorrow by walking on the water path.”
Zuo Shaoqing blinked and said with a face full of concern: “It’s been hard on you, big brother. Tell the shop owner to get more hot water bubbles to go and get tired.”
Zuo Shaoyan nodded at him and then went upstairs to rest.
The night passed silently. Early the next morning, someone knocked on Zuo Shaoqing’s door. A woman outside shouted: “Master San, it’s time to wake up, what time is it now? “If you don’t, you won’t make it to the first ferry.”
Zuo Shaoqing frowned slightly. A trace of anger flashed across his eyes. He stood up slowly and put on his clothes, treating the woman who was hooting outside the door as nothing.
After he was done washing up, he opened the door and met the old woman’s impatient expression. His brows raised as he asked with a smile that was not a smile, “Is that how Qin mama called big brother to get up?”
Zuo Shaoqing stretched out his head and looked towards the source of the sound. He saw a fleet chasing after them with a big flag at the head of the fleet. A conspicuous black skeleton on the flag entered his eyes.
Zuo Shaoqing had already experienced Shang Jing in his previous life and had also seen Cao Sect’s ships. He knew that this was the symbol of their fleet.
There were at least a dozen ships in that fleet, and they were protecting a large passenger ship in the middle as they caught up. They were very fast, and in the blink of an eye, they had already passed Zuo Shaoqing’s ship.
Zuo Shaoqing touched his chest. Just a moment ago, why was his heart beating so fast? Was the fleet too spectacular?
“Heh, what kind of big shot is this from Cao Sect? They actually managed to create such a big battle formation.” On the deck, the boatmen were busy.
Big Brother, I think we should join Cao Sect too.
“For a small fish like us, even if we were to enter, we would only be able to do manual labor. It would be better to be at ease in making our own decisions.”
“I heard that there’s been some movement within the Cao Sect recently. I don’t know if it’s because they’re fighting amongst themselves, hehe...” A boatman laughed unkindly.
“Don’t!” The captain scolded: “Once the Cao Sect is messed up, there will definitely be more bandits in the underworld. When that time comes, we will lose our lives and come back miserably.”
Cao Sect was the number one sect in the entire camp. They would charge a protection fee for the passing ships and act in an unreasonable manner, but it did have a protective effect.
Some ship owners were unwilling to spend the money, and didn’t force anyone to use their Cao Sect. It was just that if this ship encountered a murder or loot, they wouldn’t be able to count on Cao Sect to help them.
As time went on, the boatmen who used to walk the canal were used to paying protection fees, and it was not worth losing their lives over such a small amount of money.
“That’s true, but I haven’t heard anything major happened on the river. It was probably just a small matter.”
Zuo Shaoqing closed the window and laid on the narrow hard bed. He looked at the busy Nanny Liu and said, “Nanny Liu, don’t be in such a hurry to take things out. Just leave them there for now.”
“This trip will take us at least twenty days. There are a lot of things we need to use, so it won’t be convenient if we don’t take them out.”
Zuo Shaoqing thought: In a couple of days they will part ways and things are going to be troublesome, so he casually made up an excuse and said: “How can I, a man, have so many things to use? If you don’t have anything to say, just go with your big brother. After all, he has good stuff on his side.”
Nanny Liu really did stop. “That’s right, it’s not like you haven’t seen it. They even brought your uncle’s spittoon with them, it’s still inlaid with gold.”
Zuo Shaoqing chuckled and said slyly, “If we were to get robbed halfway, our Big Bro’s losses would be very heavy.”
“Master, don’t speak nonsense. Good or bad, we are on the same boat.”
“Yes, yes.” That would have to wait until they were not on the same boat.