Chapter 59 - 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?”
Mrs. Qin wanted to complain a little bit, but somehow, when she met Zuo Shaoqing's eyes, she froze. In that instant, she felt as if someone had grabbed her by the throat.
What kind of eyes were those? Even when Madam was in a rage, she had never felt such fear. Yet, there was still a smile in the pair of beautiful eyes.
And this person is Third Master Zuo!
Zuo Shaoqing went close to her ear and whispered, “Senior Qin isn't young anymore, right? The journey to the capital will take more than a month, I wonder if we can make it?”
His legs went weak, and he fell to his knees with a ‘bang'. His body trembled as he said, “Third Master, please forgive me. This old servant... This old servant was just a bit impatient...”
The person in front of her was also a proper master. Even if the master had to care about face, he wouldn't embarrass her brother, and furthermore, she didn't think the master would make things difficult for Third Master for her.
At that time, if San Ye really went all out, there would be no place for him to redress his grievances.
Just as she was lost in her thoughts, Zuo Shaoqing's clear and pure voice came from above her, “What happened to Senior Qin? There was no need to pay respects to someone early in the morning... Get up, aren't we in a hurry?”
A patch of white clothes fluttered in his line of sight. As his steps got further and further away, the Qin family shakily stood up. They touched their ice-cold foreheads and found that they were covered in cold sweat.
She still had some lingering fear in her heart. She didn't know if it was her problem or if San Ye really had such an imposing manner. No matter what, she wasn't the type to be this evil person in the future.
After having a simple breakfast, everyone packed their luggage, asked the inn for some dry food and water, and then set off on the road.
By the time they arrived at the dock, two hours had passed. Changping was a large county with a large population and bustling businesses. There were many merchant ships and passenger ships coming and going, and it was a prosperous atmosphere.
Zuo Shaoyan led the group to a medium-sized passenger boat. There were already six muscular men on the boat. They were wearing thin cotton clothes on a cold day. When they saw Zuo Shaoyan, they smiled obsequiously.
“Lord Zuo is here?” We've been waiting for a long time.”
Zuo Shaoyan greeted them nonchalantly. Although these people's status was not high, they were the ones who would be supporting the ship for a period of time. It was not good to offend them.
After everyone had brought their luggage onto the boat and assigned a room, the boatsman gave a shout and set off.
The room that Zuo Shaoqing was assigned to was very small. As his personal steward, Luo Xiaoliu could only make beds in his room. Nanny Liu and a few other women squeezed into one room. This cramped environment made Zuo Shaoqing more determined to split up halfway.
Zuo Yunyang's business was getting bigger and bigger, and he had a lot of manpower and boats in his hands. Logically speaking, when they went out, they should not even think about the traffic, but Zuo Yunyang did not intend to let the main house know about his business, and Zuo Shaoqing did not want to do it either.
Therefore, the people in the main house thought that this Second Uncle only had a few crappy ships that were used to transport goods.
Pushing open the window of the room, Zuo Shaoqing looked at the scenery as he stepped back. Suddenly, he heard someone shout: “Look! that is a ship of the Cao Sect!”
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.
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