Chapter 193 - Dasheng Merchant
Although the harbor after dark wasn't as busy as it was during the day, there wasn't a single person at it. After all, the arrival time of a ship from the sea wasn't fixed.
Along the way, Zuo Shaoqing saw many faces with different expressions, but they all had one thing in common: sweaty clothes stuck to their bodies, and a tired face after a hard day of work. They were reluctant to leave in order to earn more money.
He saw with his own eyes a young man who was painfully pushing away the wet cloth on his shoulder, revealing a back that was badly mutilated. From the pale skin of the young man, it could be seen that he had just become a porter.
In Zuo Shaoqing's previous life, he didn't feel good about this, but he had never experienced this kind of suffering.
“Heh, two more ships have docked. Thirty people are coming …” “Faster, faster, it's the Great Life Trading Company!”
“Huh?” Zuo Shaoqing followed the crowd to the seaside when he heard the name “Big Life”. If he remembered correctly, this was his own business.
Thinking about how Ke Youliang had gone out to sea last time was when he was married, so it was about time he returned after a few months.
He grabbed Lu Zheng's hand and whispered into his ear. Lu Zheng then turned around and ordered Soong Hanlin, “Take a few men to the front to receive them and have them bring the goods on the ship back to Cao Sect.”
Soong Hanlin was completely confused, so Zuo Shaoqing explained, “That Da Sheng Merchant Shop is under my name. The overseer on the ship didn't know that I was here. Go and find their overseer.”
Soong Hanlin suddenly realized, thinking, no wonder this guy could come up with 10 li of red makeup when he got married, he really has a lot of money.
Even though the name of the Grand Life Trading Company had not reached the point where everyone knew it, it was well-known in the capital, because many of the things sold there were things that they had once seen in the dowry of the left top scholar.
This could also be considered an unusual advertisement, this was something that Zuo Shaoqing didn't expect at the time.
Zuo Shaoqing and Lu Zheng found a clean teahouse and sat down. Due to the large flow of people, the area near the port was filled with all kinds of shops, especially the teahouse restaurant, which was prepared for the laborers returning from the sea.
For those who had been drifting on the sea for several months, their food must be limited. As soon as they returned to the shore, they would most likely have a good meal first.
The teahouse Zuo Shaoqing found was in an excellent position. It was directly facing the two merchant ships on the port. He could also see boxes of goods being unloaded from the ship.
Rows of carriages were parked outside the port, waiting to pull these precious and rare goods into the city.
Ke Youlian's small body was buried by the crowd as he shouted, “Slow down! There's even some top-notch spices inside! None of you would be able to afford to pay for it even if you sold it!” “Wait a minute, don't touch anything on that boat. It's too rough, what if it breaks?”
When Soong Hanlin followed the sound to him, Ke Youliang was directing trustworthy people to move the things on the second ship. The heavy iron chest was covered with oilcloth, blocking the curious eyes.
“Supervisor Ke?” Soong Hanlin tried to sound it out.
Ke Youliang wiped the sweat off his forehead and turned around to look at the person who had called out to him. Seeing that he was dressed in ordinary clothes but had an extraordinary temperament, he smiled and asked, “Why is this warrior looking for me? If you want to buy something, you have to wait until tomorrow.
Ke Youliang had already been on the boat several times. He had encountered many merchants who were waiting at the port to stock up, so he didn't pay much attention to them.
Soong Hanlin lowered his head and looked at himself. He thought, with my bearing, don't tell me I look like a cunning businessman?
“Supervisor Ke, my wife is waiting at the teahouse in front of us. She wants you to go over there.” Ke Youliang was just a merchant, so Soong Hanlin wasn't too polite.
“Madam?” Ke Youliang had never seen a lady who could come to such a mixed port in broad daylight.
“Yes, my wife's surname is Zuo and she's said to be your boss.” Soong Hanlin was satisfied to see that the middle-aged man's expression changed, and said: “Master wants you to transport these goods to Cao Sect, follow me first, don't let Master wait too long.”
“Yes, yes. I'll go right away!” He pulled an assistant from beside him, said a few words and followed Soong Hanlin out.
When he saw Zuo Shaoqing, Ke Youliang's black face was full of flattery. He did not ignore the huge man sitting next to Zuo Shaoqing. From their intimate posture, it was obvious that they could guess his identity.
He bowed respectfully, then asked with a smile: “Why are you here? This really makes me feel flattered. “
Zuo Shaoqing saw that his lips were cracked and he became skinnier. He personally poured him a cup of tea and said, “Let's have a cup of tea first. When we passed by, we heard that you were back, so we stopped to take a look.”
Ke Youlian was holding a teacup with both hands as he sipped the tea. Life at sea was not something a human should live on. How long had it been since he drank such good tea?
“Boss, don't worry. Although we met pirates this time, the people you sent were all very powerful and didn't cause too much casualties.” Those people were people that Zuo Shaoqing had asked Lu Zheng to come, because this time they were heading for the gold mine, so he had to be careful.
“Alright, bring the people and goods to Cao Sect. Let everyone rest well first. This lord will reward you handsomely!”
“Alright.” Ke Youlian smiled as his fatigue disappeared. He had regained his original shrewd and obscene look.
Zuo Shaoqing walked out of the teahouse. The bright moonlight shone on the harbor, allowing people to clearly see the busy scene.
A team of porters with large bags on their backs walked in front of them. Some were strong, some were skinny, and every step they took was very difficult.
Zuo Shaoqing recognized that the cargo these people were carrying was not from their own merchant ship. It seemed that there was another merchant ship docking.
A thin figure fell on the ground. The heavy bag fell onto the ground with a ‘bang' and a slight cracking sound could be heard.
“You are courting death. You can't even do such a small thing well!” A man who looked like a steward rushed up and carefully untied the bag. When he saw that a piece of the best wood had been split into two, he kicked the young man painfully and started swearing.
Zuo Shaoqing saw the young man on the ground. From his clothes, he recognized the one with the shoulder injury. At this moment, he was curled up on the ground, allowing the manager to punch and kick him.
Zuo Shaoqing admitted that he wasn't a soft-hearted person, but at this moment, he also felt a bit of sympathy.
“Sigh …” A sigh entered Zuo Shaoqing's ears. He turned around and saw an old man standing beside the road and setting up a noodle stall.
“Why did Uncle sigh?”
Seeing Zuo Shaoqing's handsome appearance and outstanding temperament, the elder explained: “Ai, that child was once born into the young master's family, what a pity …”
“What's a pity?”
“His family used to be rich, so my father and brother did a lot of business. It's a pity that they never returned after sailing for a year. I'm afraid they won't be able to return for a year.”
“Then why did he fall to this state?” Even if there were no elders in Wealth's family, it shouldn't be reduced to the level of hard laborers, right?
“Every family has its own problems!” The old man shook his head and sighed, but didn't say anything.
Zuo Shaoqing's hearing was good, so he soon heard the answer. This young man used to be a rich family's child who was very fond of pleasure. After the incident with his father and brother, his family's property was taken over by his uncle, and he and his birth mother were driven out, so he had no choice but to be self-reliant.
Unfortunately, he did not have much ability, and with the fact that his clan uncle was secretly playing tricks on him, he was unable to find decent work.
This matter was not a secret within the Crane City, and everyone's attitude towards this youth was ridiculing them more than they sympathized with. It was obvious that this once wealthy kid was not popular at all.
Zuo Shaoqing's gaze fell on the young man who stood up from the ground. When he saw the young man's face, his expression changed, “He …”
Lu Zheng also noticed Zuo Shaoqing's abnormality. He looked over and frowned. Soon, he let go of Zuo Shaoqing's shoulder and said, “Let's go.”
Perhaps, he should send someone to investigate Zuo Xiaolang's background.
Zuo Shaoqing went back to the Cao Sect, his soul still in his body. The moment he entered the door, he was hugged by a small lump of meat. When it entered his ears, it made his heart go weak.
He held Lil Thing up and stared at its facial features for a long time. Zuo Shaoqing had to admit that no matter who saw that young man just now, they would be able to see that it was similar to Lil Thing's facial features.
That young man's downfall should be related to this year's incident, but Zuo Xiaolang must have been abandoned since he was born. Thinking about it this way, there were a lot of twists and turns inside his body.
“I'll get it checked out.” Lu Zheng said on the side.
“Hmm, no matter what, Lil ‘Thing is our son now, and those who hurt him in the past cannot be let off!” Although he was able to meet Zuo Xiaolang due to his tragic fate, but those who had hurt him were unforgivable.
After the father and son pair had separated for an entire day, Zuo Xiaolang was even more attached to Zuo Shaoqing. Even if he wanted to take a bath, he had to stay by the side. His eyes carried a trace of grievance and panic.
Zuo Shaoqing knew that his departure made him feel insecure. Maybe he didn't remember that he had been abandoned, but he should be able to understand that he was different from other children these days.
Just as Zuo Shaoqing stepped out of the tub, Lil Thing hugged him by the neck before he could put on his clothes. Lil Thing's jumping ability was so high and accurate, and Zuo Shaoqing's hands were so strong that it was impossible to pull him down.
“Can you come down first and let father put on his clothes?” Zuo Shaoqing asked helplessly.
“Daddy, hug …” “Not leaving!”
“Daddy won't leave, just put on some clothes …” Seeing Zuo Xiaolang staring at him with his watery eyes, Zuo Shaoqing had no choice but to carry him with one hand and tear off his clothes.
A thick hand took hold of his waist from behind, took the clothes from him, and tore the little thing from his arms and dropped it on the floor.
“Be gentle!” In the end, she was still a child. Anyone who was thrown around all day wouldn't be afraid of falling down.
“He won't die!” Lu Zheng gritted his teeth and said. As soon as he entered the room, he saw Zuo Shaoqing standing naked outside the screen. The moment he stirred, he saw an eyesore hanging on his chest, even shamelessly burying it.
“Don't let him bathe with you in the future!”
Zuo Shaoqing glanced at him, but just before he was about to get angry, he smiled and replied, “Okay.”
“You're not allowed to carry him without clothes!”
“He jumped up himself.” Zuo Shaoqing said without any responsibility.
Lu Zheng glanced at Zuo Xiaolang, who was obediently sitting on the ground. His lowered head was like a puppy that had been wronged.
“It's normal for him to be excited when he hasn't seen me for a day. Aren't all children the same?” Wu Tie tied up his belt and hugged Zuo Xiaolang. He patted Zuo Xiaolang on the back and comforted him, “Alright, Daddy will take you to wash up and sleep.”
“Ignore your father, he's just a vinegar barrel …” Zuo Shaoqing lowered his voice and whispered into Lil Thing's ear.
“Hmm?” Lu Zheng glared at Zuo Shaoqing with an unfathomable look.
“I mean, your father actually cares a lot about you, too.” I mean, your father actually cares a lot about you, but
Zuo Xiaolang's comprehension ability was limited, so he couldn't understand too much, but he could understand the meaning behind Zuo Shaoqing's words. Zuo Xiaolang's comprehension ability was limited, so he couldn't understand too much, but he could understand the meaning behind Zuo Shaoqing's words.
Zuo Xiaolang had already engraved Lu Zheng's brutality deep into his young heart. He wouldn't change his mind just because of Zuo Shaoqing's words, but … It didn't seem that scary.
Lu Zheng lied on the bed, listening to the sound of water flowing through the compartment and Zuo Shaoqing's gentle voice. The corner of his mouth slightly pursed up and his eyes softened.
Having another child might be a bit of an eyesore, but it was undeniable that this kind of feeling was more like that of a home, causing people's hair to warm up.
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