Chapter 207 - Fortuitous Meeting
The island housed hundreds of slaves, with some abducted women having settled down and established families, while others were captured and forced into labor, including elderly individuals with knowledge.
Zuo Shaoqing gazed upon the lengthy roster and sighed, remarking, “Not all these pirates were without conscience. They even established a school on this island.” His surprise was evident upon seeing the name of the teacher.
“Why?” Lu Zheng leaned in behind him, his chin resting on Zuo Shaoqing's shoulder. The warm sunlight bathed the island, evoking a sense of gentle strength, creating a comfortable ambiance.
Lu Zheng even entertained the idea of claiming this island for himself once its inhabitants were cleared out. It could potentially serve as a contingency plan in the future.
“Look,” Zuo Shaoqing handed him the list and indicated a particular name.
“Wang Xu?” Lu Zheng repeated the name twice, eyebrows raised in recognition. “It's him!”
Zuo Shaoqing turned around, rubbing his face. “Seems like we need to keep a close watch on our son.” While a lone Wang Zhenhai posed no threat, if the Wang Family retained its former influence, he preferred to avoid any confrontation over the child's custody.
Wang Zhenhai, frail and feeble, found himself tasked with tallying the enslaved individuals rather than participating in the hunt for pirates concealed on the island.
Surveying the emaciated faces of the shackled slaves, Wang Zhenhai gained a newfound understanding of the pirates' brutality.
Witnessing several women emerge from a dim chamber, their expressions a mix of despair and fury, Wang Zhenhai's heart sank. Some even collided with pillars in their frenzied state upon being rescued.
“These unfortunate women may have lived their entire lives on this island, but upon returning home, who would accept them?” An elderly sailor remarked apathetically into Wang Zhenhai's ear.
For these disgraced women, returning home left them with only two options: to end their lives to preserve their honor, or to end their lives altogether.
Wang Zhenhai's body quivered as he lowered his head, continuing his duties with an overwhelming sense of sorrow. Recording the name of a slave, he inquired about their hometown and called out, “Next, what is your name?”
“San-er?” A puzzled voice echoed above him. That familiar tone caused Wang Zhenhai to abruptly look up.
“…Father?” How could this be? His eyes widened in astonishment as he rose and approached the old man.
“San-er, could it truly be you?” Master Wang grasped Wang Zhenhai's shoulder, his eyes welling up with tears, overcome with emotion.
“Father, how… how did you come here?” Wang Zhenhai's excitement surpassed even Master Wang's. With everyone believing his father and brother were deceased, the immense joy choked the burly man.
Father and son embraced, tears flowing freely, evoking sympathy from those nearby. Some, aware of their identities, sighed deeply.
As Wang Zhenhai gazed at his father, whose once-dark hair had turned white with age, he received a firm slap. Remorse filled him for his past ignorance and lack of filial piety.
The reunion sparked a torrent of conversation between father and son. Blushing, Wang Zhenhai delegated tasks to an old sailor, pulling his father aside to speak privately.
Soon, Wang Zhenhai learned of his father and brother's experiences that fateful day, while Wang Xu discovered the tragic fate of his wife and son during his absence.
“You've matured. Well done!” Master Wang joyfully patted his son's shoulder. Previously, his greatest concern had been for his son, but now, with his own responsibilities and his elder brother's assistance, he could finally ease his worries.
Overcome with shame, Wang Zhenhai changed the subject. “Father, where are our elder brother and second brother?”
“Your elder brother and second brother, being young, were likely taken by those people to be raised as strong individuals. Seeing your father's illiteracy, they spared everyone.” That day, encountering pirates at sea, Master Wang swiftly disguised his sons and ordered compliance, ultimately saving their lives.
Initially resigned to dying on the island, Master Wang found unexpected salvation.
Observing the bustling rescuers, Master Wang inquired with curiosity, “Did the government dispatch troops to eliminate the pirate group?”
Wang Zhenhai nodded and shook his head. “It was Duke Zhen!” This revelation had only come to light in the past two days. He hadn't anticipated that the dashing youth was Duke Zhen's spouse!
Master Wang's eyes sparkled. “Upon our return to the city, we must personally express our gratitude and appreciation!”
Wang Zhenhai's thoughts turned to the child resembling him, his expression complex. He nodded in agreement, accompanying his father in search of their elder brother amid the crowd.
After a day and a night's rest on the island, the fleet embarked on their return journey. This time, they not only doubled their numbers but also plundered nearly the entire island.
Accompanied by his father, Zuo Shaoqing boarded the main boat, while Wang Zhenhai joined his father and brother on another vessel.
Despite being reunited with his elder and second brothers, they were both worn out from strenuous labor, now awaiting medical treatment for their illnesses.
With each passing moment, the fleet distanced itself from the large island, gradually reducing it to a mere speck of green. Standing at the stern, Lu Zheng faced the wind, flanked by Soong Hanlin and Liang Qi.
Soong Hanlin supported his arm, while Liang Qi leaned on his walking stick, the two jesting about each other's disheveled appearance.
“Stop hopping around like a wounded rabbit!”
“Is there a rabbit as dashing as this official? Besides, my injury was from a mere knife. Seems like some people have truly lost their nerve.”
“It's just an arm. As a man, I can't be compared to those feeble young masters who waste away at the slightest injury.”
“This official's resilience might not match that of wild beasts. A mast pressed down, yet only an arm suffered. ” He chuckled lightly.
Soong Hanlin's injury was indeed unfortunate, forced out by a falling mast while on the battlefield, a source of mockery among his peers.
He huffed and turned away from Liang Qi, his face now tinged with embarrassment, provoking further laughter from Liang Qi.
“What's amusing Vice Minister Liang?” Zuo Shaoqing approached, handing Zuo Xiaolang to Liang Qi before presenting a thick imperial report to Lu Zheng.
Liang Qi had been tasked as a servant for two consecutive nights, a matter he grumbled about to his companions, even Zuo Xiaolang showing signs of discontent.
Holding the child with one arm, the younger and older men shared a brief gaze before Zuo Xiaolang broke free and rushed to embrace Zuo Shaoqing's leg.
Zuo Shaoqing lowered his head, smiling warmly at his son, eliciting laughter from Zuo Xiaolang, who thought, “Daddy is truly the best!”
Lu Zheng meticulously perused the imperial report drafted by Zuo Shaoqing the previous day, intending to dispatch it to the capital alongside captured pirates at the opportune moment.
The imperial report meticulously detailed their journey, including evidence implicating Prefect Lin of Crane City colluding with pirates to harm Duke Zhen. It presented both human testimony and physical proof, a mix of truths and falsehoods. Zuo Shaoqing's willingness to document these points indicated his confidence in Sun Tie's ability to uncover the mentioned evidence.
The report chronicled Prefect Lin's deep-seated animosity towards Duke Zhen, their initial mistreatment upon arrival at Crane City, Lin's correspondence with the pirates, and his encouragement for them to strike first. Even the use of two merchant ships as bait was attributed to Lin's authorization by Zuo Shaoqing.
Furthermore, Zuo Shaoqing pinned the attack on the coastal village of Crane City County squarely on Prefect Lin.
Within this official document, Prefect Lin was portrayed as a malevolent figure, sacrificing commoners for personal gain and conspiring with foreign adversaries to eliminate court officials due to personal vendettas.
With this memorial alone, Zuo Shaoqing was confident that Lin Zhihao would not only meet a dishonorable demise but would also endure millennia of ignominy.
A faint smile played on the corner of Lu Zheng's lips as he tapped the final page of the imperial report. “How can I convince the emperor of Lin Zhihao's involvement in the coastal bandit attacks?”
“Prefect Lin accepted bribes, colluded with Hai Kou, and turned a blind eye to their slaughter of our Great Yang's people, all while his family amassed wealth from the stolen gold and silver!”
Lu Zheng nodded in understanding, pinching Zuo Shaoqing's cheek. “I've heard rumors that the Prefect keeps an East China Sea pearl in his quarters.”
Zuo Shaoqing's eyes gleamed with anticipation as his hand tightened around Lu Zheng's, a sinister laugh escaping his lips.
Liang Qi interjected with righteous indignation, “Is it appropriate to discuss accusations of fraud, falsified evidence, and theft in the presence of this official?”
Zuo Shaoqing exclaimed, “Oh dear, this official nearly forgot to document Lord Liang's contributions. Your valorous injury was indeed significant.”
Liang Qi's lips twitched as he replied calmly, “I'm indifferent to recognition.” He wasn't na?ve. As the head of civil service in the south, he possessed the authority to report to his superiors.
Retrieving a memorial from his sleeve, he handed it to Lu Zheng. “I also penned a memorial that night, and I would appreciate Master Lu's assistance in delivering it.”
After a cursory glance, Lu Zheng stowed it away with satisfaction. He planned to dispatch the evidence to the capital alongside the horses upon returning to Crane City.
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