xymnovel Chapter 98 Pleasure
Chapter 98 Pleasure
Chapter 98 Pleasure
Before paying wages, Shao Shuyi paid out of his own pocket to have someone buy some dried meat and vegetables from the market. Then he unloaded the leftover firewood from the boat and cooked a mixed stew near the pier, inviting everyone to eat and drink together.
For a time, the area outside the blueware shop was bustling with noise and excitement.
After giving these instructions, he had Yu Yuan and Liang Tai bring over the money boxes and distribute them to everyone.
"Are you Ding Dayi?" Shao Shuyi looked at the short, stocky man in front of him and handed him seventy-five strings of Zhongtong banknotes with a smile.
"Shao She actually remembers me?" Ding Dayi was somewhat surprised.
"I don't remember the people Brother Wu brought?" Shao Shuyi looked in the direction of Wu Heizi and said.
Upon hearing the voice, Wu Heizi bowed respectfully from afar, feeling quite pleased.
That's how the world works. You give me face, I give you face, and everyone saves face.
"That day I shot the thieves with an arrow, and although you were on the Taijia ship, you were the first to draw your axe. You were truly brave," Shao Shuyi praised.
Ding Da's face lit up with joy. Feeling the intentional or unintentional glances from those around him, he patted his chest and said, "Shao She, next time we encounter thieves, I'll still be the first to rush out. I stole this axe from my house; it can chop up flesh and bones like cutting melons and vegetables, and it'll be just as easy to chop up a person's head."
Shao Shuyi patted him on the shoulder and laughed, "I'll definitely come to you again next time, so don't refuse!"
"I'll definitely come," Ding Dayi assured him.
After that person left, the second person to come and collect the money was none other than Zeng Yi.
Shao Shuyi looked at him with a smile and said, "Brother Zeng, you've done a good job as a humble servant along the way. I won't go back on my word; you won't be shortchanged by a single penny."
As he spoke, he counted out two ingots of paper money and gave them to Zeng Yi, then gave him an extra five strings of cash.
Zeng Yi actually started muttering to himself and began to calculate carefully.
Shao Shuyi laughed and scolded, "Get out of here, next one."
The man behind him pushed Zeng Yi aside with dissatisfaction, then looked at Shao Shuyi and said sincerely, "Brother Shao, thanks."
As Shao Shuyi counted the money, he said, "Why thank me? I provided the money, you provided the labor, that's all."
"That's not right." The man shook his head and said, "Since the beginning of the lunar new year, I've been looking for work for a month and only earned eight or nine strings of cash. It's really too difficult. When Baijianu found me, he was planning to go to Huzhou to seek refuge with his relatives. Thirty strings of cash including meals is extremely rare on the market. Brother Shao is an honest man, and I'll accept it even if it means risking my life on the road."
"Seventy-five strings of cash, here you go." Shao Shuyi handed over the money and said with a smile, "Spend it as soon as possible, either to pay taxes or buy rice. Prices are rising in all industries these days, there's no point in keeping it."
"Yes, yes." The man nodded repeatedly.
"Next one—" Shao Shuyi said again.
The line moved slowly, inching forward.
After distributing the supplies to these junior sailors, Shao Shuyi would usually offer words of encouragement, inquire about their families, and offer gentle words of comfort.
He did it so skillfully that everyone forgot his age.
This is Brother Shao, who is thirty years old, not Brother Shao, who is sixteen.
After distributing the water to the boatmen, Shao Shuyi invited Kong Tie, Yu Yuan, Liang Tai, Wu Heizi, Gao Daqiang, and others to sit together.
These are either core members of a "gang" or "gang bosses" who often work together, so there's no need to hide anything from them.
"Brother Wu, what are your plans for the future?" Shao Shuyi asked, personally serving Wu Heizi a bowl of soup.
Wu Heizi was flattered and stood up to accept the money. He looked around and said in a low voice, "I used all the money I got last time to buy land. Now I only have about ten ingots left for pocket money. I was just thinking of making another profit. Shao She, transporting goods back and forth is indeed a good business. At least it can support a family. But now my appetite has become too picky. To be honest, the three ingots I received today are not enough."
Everyone chuckled upon hearing Wu Heizi's words.
Wu Heizi didn't care at all and continued, "I originally wanted to buy an old boat like you, Brother Shao, but I was afraid that the government would target me and sign me as a seafarer, which would be a loss."
This statement is true, but it also reveals a sense of helplessness.
Gao Daqiang felt this deeply and said, "At the end of January, I went to several shipyards and saw that most of them were rushing to build new seagoing vessels."
Upon inquiry, I learned that the imperial court was buying ships and then forcing new ship owners to sign contracts. Therefore, I dared not buy any more ships. With the money I received last time, I didn't even dare buy land; I only paid off old debts, helped some relatives and neighbors, and used the rest to buy rice and store it away.
Gao Daqiang was a seafarer, even more dangerous than Wu Heizi, who came from a butcher background. They didn't even need to issue a warrant; they could just add his name to the list of personnel transporting grain.
He wasn't selected this year, but who knows about next year.
News of his wealth would eventually spread, reaching the distraught city head and village officials. Once they knew, the government would also find out, and eventually, they would come to "harvest" him.
"Brother Gao, have you heard something?" Shao Shuyi asked.
Gao Daqiang hesitated for a moment, then said, "I took some time yesterday to go home and ask about the situation. Bian Da's brother-in-law, Lu Hongyi, who went to sea with me last year, was named for shipping grain. The reason is that he spent money to buy seven and a half acres of vegetable fields, which exposed his true intentions."
Shao Shuyi felt a chill run down his spine.
These days, it's so miserable for people who have no power, no influence, and no one to look after them. If they have even a little money, they might be targeted.
Without Zheng's protection, his boat would have been detained in the first month of the lunar year, forced to dock at a designated location, and then repaired at great expense to prepare for sailing again. Even if he were lucky and the authorities didn't react this year, he wouldn't have escaped next year.
Therefore, it was entirely worthwhile to run around and risk one's life for the Zheng family.
The fact that someone can sit in the government office and simply cross out your name to prevent you from being listed on the grain transport boat list is already a huge favor.
Shao Shuyi then looked at Yu Yuan, Liang Tai, and Kong Tie.
They followed me to Gaochang to buy land. They escaped this year, but what about next year?
Yu Yuan shouldn't have too much of a problem, because Yu Chu holds a low but powerful position in the Caofu (Grand Canal Administration). He might not be able to help others, but he could still protect his own family.
Liang Tai and Kong Tie are in trouble, especially the latter.
"Actually, it's nothing." Kong Tie nodded steadily and said, "The land is under the names of my second and third brothers, I don't own a single piece. I'm a seafarer, but my siblings aren't. It's just some wasteland, it won't be ready for reclamation in two or three years, and the government might not even appoint me."
Shao Shuyi nodded slightly.
Kong Tie's words make sense, but that's all there is to it. What if the government doesn't listen to reason?
Ultimately, their group lacks experience and resources; they need to figure out a way to address this, otherwise it will always be a problem.
The banquet lasted until the moon was high in the sky.
Some people spent the night on the boat, while others went home overnight.
Shao Shuyi personally escorted them to the intersection.
"Brother Shao, just let me know if there's any work to be done next time."
"Brother Shao, I'll be hired to go on a ship at the end of April. After we return, I'll continue working for you."
"Brother Shao, let's just use the guys here. Don't bother looking for anyone else. Some people chicken out when they see the weapons the river bandits and pirates brandish. We can't use those kinds of people; they'll only cause trouble."
"Besides shipping grain by sea, where else can I find a job that includes meals and pays thirty strings of cash a month? Brother Shao is kind and righteous, I'll stick with you."
As they left, everyone chattered and said a lot.
Shao Shuyi agreed to all of them and saw him off with a smile.
When these people go back and talk about it, it will help expand Shao's influence.
The next time we hire sailors, even more will come.
Every seafarer is a professional naval talent and also a potential naval officer.
It's hard to say how well they fight on land, but they are certainly capable of commanding ships and engaging in combat on the water.
Shao Shuyi especially needs a strong waterborne team.
******
March 24th, sunny.
After rinsing his mouth and having breakfast, Shao Shuyi changed into a new robe made for the first month of the lunar year.
Tie Niu and Liang Tai had finished their martial arts practice and were reviewing their movements in the courtyard.
"Buddha's Tooth, how is his comprehension?" Shao Shuyi pointed at Tie Niu and asked.
Liang Tai placed the swords and spears on the equipment rack and said, "Not stupid."
Shao Shuyi understood.
He knew it! Tie Niu was definitely not like Li Kui, the Black Whirlwind. At least he had a sensitive side and was kinder.
"Tie Niu, practice hard." Shao Shuyi sat down, casually flipping through the account book Yu Yuan handed him, and said, "Li Fu started practicing a few months earlier than you, and he wields the knife much better than you."
Tie Niu hummed in agreement, his gaze fixed on the empty focal point in the air, as if recalling the process of practicing just now.
"Starting next month, the Zheng family's old residence will send a few servants over, and the shop will need to hire a few more people. We'll have to re-register them and pay their wages," Shao Shuyi said. "If you know anyone who is hardworking, just have them come over. This year, the wages can be increased slightly to around twenty guan, including room and board. That's much better than the thirty guan a month that dockworkers earn."
"Brother Shao, why don't we recruit more of our own people?" Yu Yuan said in a low voice.
Shao Shuyi hummed in agreement.
Unbeknownst to him, his actions had become exactly the same as Zhang Neng's back then.
Both of them were trying to give the work opportunities to their own people. The difference was that Shao Shuyi was more restrained and always paid the market price. Even though the wages increased slightly this year, it was in line with inflation and was perfectly reasonable.
Zhang's eating manners were rather unsightly.
The group of young men they recruited were paid shockingly high salaries; it was obvious there was something fishy going on.
"Porcelain from Quzhou will be arriving in April, and we'll need to temporarily recruit guards and laborers then." Shao Shuyi then looked at Liang Tai and asked, "Buddha's Tooth, do you know anyone like that?"
Liang Tai shook his head.
Shao Shuyi then stopped asking questions, got up and called Cao Tong, asking him to prepare the carriage.
Tie Niu did not remain in a daze. Seeing that Shao Shuyi was about to leave, he went to the equipment rack, took out a ring knife, and hung it at his waist.
Liang Tai stood under the eaves, swallowed the last bite of meat pie, washed his hands, took his sword and knife, and followed behind Shao Shuyi.
The carriage quickly came to a stop in the courtyard.
Liu Jiu opened the side door and stood aside.
Shao Shuyi led Liang Tai and Tie Niu onto the carriage.
Cao Tong gave a whistle and slowly drove away.
After they left, Liu Jiu locked the side door again.
Yu Yuan watched from afar and felt that Brother Shao really had quite a grand presence.