xymnovel Chapter 109 Taking on Some Shady Jobs
Chapter 109 Taking on Some Shady Jobs
Chapter 109 Taking on Some Shady Jobs
When things go wrong in the east, they find light in the west. When the down-on-his-luck merchant Goatee returned to the outskirts of town to settle his wife and daughter, a bankrupt merchant who sold farm tools and livestock and rented a room next door to him learned of Goatee's whereabouts and decided to take a gamble, volunteering to join Roger's team.
This man was named Wolf. When he was young, a cow trampled and broke half of his foot, causing him to walk with a limp. Because he often sold mules, he was jokingly called a mule.
This honest and simple livestock dealer was thirty-seven or thirty-eight years old and lived alone. Last year, a plague killed all of his few livestock.
He could till the land and cultivate the fields, yet the lord exploited him so much that he had nowhere to stand; he could feed cattle and water horses, yet the plague ravaged him, leaving him with nothing.
Roger, having heard of Mule Wolf's experience and abilities, thought that he could take him back to help Bitterface with some of the farm work. Besides, Mule Wolf had at least been involved in the livestock and farm implement trade, so he could at least serve as a farm manager or business assistant.
On his sixth day in Dublin, Roger returned to Skyrim with two jingling baskets of belongings from a rented carriage and two newly recruited followers, humming the lewd songs he had heard in the city over the past few days.
The crew and soldiers hiding on St. Patrice Island were not having an easy time. Before Roger went to Dublin, he had Olaf distribute military pay to everyone.
With money in hand, the soldiers and crew members became increasingly restless. Every day, Maren and Olaf would arrange for a small fishing boat to take three people to the market town for entertainment. Those who hadn't gotten a turn were impatient, while those who had gone wanted to try again.
Even the honest fishermen and sailors were vying to go ashore to get drunk in taverns or have a wild time in brothels.
Drinking and whoring can easily lead to trouble. Marne and Olaf had already dealt with a dispute that ultimately forced them to restrict everyone from going ashore.
"...The worst one was Donald, that bastard was a drunkard who would go on a rampage after drinking. He got into a fight with tavern patrons over a few casual remarks, nearly seriously injuring someone."
"Afterwards, the housekeeper sent someone to warn us, and we never dared to let anyone go ashore again."
Roger was also at a loss after hearing Marne's report. His armed forces were just a rabble, completely lacking in military ethics and discipline. "How did you deal with them?"
"The butler intervened and gave that guy two shillings as compensation."
"This money will be deducted from Donald's salary," Marn added.
Roger nodded. "He made the mistake himself, so he should take responsibility for it. In addition, there's another penalty: Donald must abstain from alcohol for the next two weeks."
Marne nodded in agreement and continued, "Sir, we should also establish military discipline. The army on Arran Island has always emphasized military discipline and strict rewards and punishments. Even the peasant soldiers on the island are familiar with military laws, which is why they dare to fight the English every year."
Roger nodded in agreement. "I will establish military discipline when the time is right."
Roger looked up at the sky. The continuous rainy weather was starting to improve. Staying here all the time wasn't a solution. It was time to go out to sea and have some fresh grass. He said seriously, "When you go back to the island, prepare plenty of food and fresh water. Tell everyone to eat and drink their fill today and go to bed early to recharge. Tomorrow we'll set sail for Wales."
Marne was also very excited. He knew Roger's plan, so he was even more looking forward to the next operation. If they could intercept a merchant ship at sea, they could make a fortune.
Marne left the manor with the bald man and the black dog to buy food and drinks in the market town.
Roger then visited his uncle Jeffrey, discussed with him the goods to be taken on the return trip, and introduced the two newly recruited trading assistants to Jeffrey's butler, who would also participate in Roger's smuggling trade in the future.
When Jeffrey learned that Roger was going to go to sea to work as a pirate, he kindly reminded him of which forces he should not provoke.
Roger is now considered a reliable business ally of Jeffrey, and moreover, he is Jeffrey's nephew-in-law, so there is still concern for his safety.
Roger's determination to go to sea as a pirate was not entirely for the sake of making a fortune. His future was full of crises and challenges. If he could not sharpen his fangs, how could he survive in the chaotic world?
The destination of this voyage is Wales, and not only are there many pirates along the way, but it is also a journey to the core territory controlled by the English, which may be fraught with danger.
So Roger summoned the young horseman, the weakling boy, and two newly recruited merchant assistants, and let them choose whether to go to sea with him or stay in Skylis Port and wait.
To Roger's surprise, the four men actually chose to go out to sea with him, because they knew the high profits that could be made from participating in dangerous operations.
They were all a bunch of desperate gamblers.
After resting and recuperating in port for more than ten days, the soldiers and crew of the Seawolf were already bursting with energy. When they learned that they were going to set sail and make a living as pirates, they were all full of enthusiasm.
Having replenished their food and water supplies and agreed on their route, the Seawolf was about to set sail.
Just before everyone was about to board the ship and set sail, Jeffrey's butler, accompanied by several attendants, sailed a small boat to the island and found Roger.
The butler led Roger aside and whispered, "Tomorrow afternoon, a merchant ship loaded with wool will depart from the smuggling port of Lambe Island and head south to France. The ship has at least fifty taels of silver in cash, but because of the large amount of cargo, it can only carry six crew members and eight guards. Those guards are all temporary hires and their combat strength is average."
The butler lowered his voice, "Most importantly, one of our men is among the guards."
"The master said that if Sir Roger can make that ship disappear forever, we will not accept a single penny of your return cargo."
Roger was slightly startled upon hearing this, but quickly regained his composure after a moment's thought. "Did the owner of that merchant ship offend Lord Jeffrey?"
The butler rubbed his hands together, looking at the sea to the south. "My master trusts you completely, but you must keep your mouth shut."
Roger nodded. "Of course."
"The owner of that merchant ship is an English wool merchant who just arrived in Dublin last year. He wants to take over our business by taking advantage of his connections with the Earl of Lancaster."
"We originally intended to hire another group of pirates to do this, but the master has more faith in your abilities and reliability."
"This situation is extremely special. You can take all the gold and silver on the ship, but all the cargo, crew, and the ship must be completely eliminated. My master does not want to leave any trace."
"Including your inside man?" Roger asked doubtfully.
The butler nodded. "Master needs to be thoroughly cleaned."
"You can consider whether you want to take this job."
Roger didn't need to think too much about this. He was going to sea with this goal in mind anyway, and it would be even better to have a reliable target now. "I'll take this job."
The butler's expression relaxed, and he beckoned to his attendant beside him, "Sir Roger, this is one of our sailors; he will assist you from now on."
Roger glanced at the short but fierce-looking man next to the butler and knew he was no ordinary sailor.
The butler then turned and pointed to the small fishing boat moored at the sheltered cape. "To be on the safe side, I have found two powerful crossbows, three bows, and three bundles of arrows for you from the storeroom, including fifty fire arrows. If all else fails, you can fire fire arrows to burn the enemy directly. My master can compensate for part of the lost gold and silver."
Jeffrey was also a ruthless character; he was determined to make that merchant ship disappear into the vast ocean.
The steward whispered some instructions to the "sailor" with a fierce expression, then left behind some crossbows and arrows before sailing away.
Roger called Marne and Olaf over, briefly explained the situation, and instructed them not to tell anyone else for the time being.
Because the initial plan was changed, the Seawolf no longer needed to rush out to sea, so everyone was able to rest on the deserted island for another day, and Roger and the others also took the opportunity to recuperate.