novelAbuy Chapter 347 Seeing You
Chapter 347 Seeing You
On the fifth day of the fourth lunar month, the last batch of canal transport ships also set off from Tongzhou and headed north to Dadu, officially ending the Spring Festival transport season.
On the same day, another batch of livestock was transported from Liujiagang to Matuosha.
After spending 500 ingots to purchase livestock from Zhang Dawang, Shao Shuyi placed a long-term order for 1,000 ingots, instructing Zhang Dawang to send the livestock to Ma Tuosha immediately after receiving them. The required money would be deducted from these 1,000 ingots until they were used up. Some of the livestock would be slaughtered and eaten to supplement the soldiers' training consumption, some would be made into dried meat for reserves, and some would be kept in enclosures or released into the wild.
As for the extremely important horses, they were not available at the moment. Zhang Dawang said that the earliest they would be available would be mid-to-late May, so they had to give up.
The number of Brothers Grain Shops had reached nine, with a total inventory exceeding 13500 shi (a unit of dry measure). Shao Shuyi temporarily halted the scale of grain purchases, as he was unsure how much the government knew about these grain shops, even though they were nominally registered under other people's names. He planned to observe for a while before taking any further action.
As a large number of laborers from Jiangyin were employed to build the granaries, the total capacity of the Ma Tuo Sha granaries, including Chong Sheng Temple, exceeded three thousand shi (a unit of dry measure).
Since the beginning of the year, Shao Shuyi has recruited several shipwrights in Jiangyin, Wuxi, and Changzhou, and then went to Taicang and Liujiagang to recruit more, bringing the total to nine craftsmen. He then established a ship repair shop in Matuosha. However, most people were unwilling to move to Matuosha, which they had never even heard of. The fact that he was able to recruit nine people was due to their own family circumstances and Shao's financial power.
These people's skills were quite average; at best, they could only build small fishing boats. They could only repair large ships, and they lacked confidence in building them, but that was enough.
Despite the increasingly tense situation, Shao Shuyi is still reclaiming wasteland this year.
The military farmland expanded to a scale of 100 mu, and the third phase of reclamation of 300 mu officially started after Chunbo. The number of refugees from Lianghuai gathered on Matuosha Island reached 298, and the Yier Army also expanded to 75 people.
After such operations, by early April, Shengye Trading Company still had about 4210 ingots of cash in its accounts, about 300,000 catties of Huai salt and Zhejiang salt, and more than 4,000 catties of miscellaneous salted fish.
When it comes to spending money, Shao Shuyi spares no effort. Currently, the funds have reached their temporary limit, because you need to reserve some working capital, such as...
"Are we going to Yuzhou Island again next month?" Yu Yuan asked softly on the way to Huangtian Port.
"Was it Wu Heizi who urged you to do this?" Shao Shuyi asked in surprise.
Because Wu Heizi was in charge of the previous two trips to Yuzhou Island to haul salt, I have this question.
"He's in Taicang, and he didn't send anyone to urge him. I'm the one who asked him," Yu Yuan said.
Shao Shuyi said "Oh," and then added, "Go, why wouldn't we go? There are still hundreds of families of fishermen, salt producers, and commoners from Yidu Road who have fled to Yuzhou Island. We need to bring them back. This is a crucial time..."
Shao Shuyi didn't finish his sentence, but those who understood understood.
He is now desperately trying to win over his soldiers, even repeatedly taking time to train with them. After training, they sit by the river to grill fish, meat, and drink, constantly deepening their relationship. He often rewards them for a single word or helps them solve practical difficulties. What is he doing all this for? Isn't it to increase their affection and gratitude?
While some soldiers from Jiangnan were certainly brave and willing to fight, Shao Shuyi was genuinely worried that their resolve wouldn't be strong enough in crucial moments, so this was the only option he could take. The refugees and deserted military households from Lianghuai were different. They had endured the most, the heaviest, and the longest period of oppression from the Yuan Dynasty, and their resentment was immense. They were deeply dissatisfied with the court and, relatively speaking, their will to rebel was stronger.
He always took in as many refugees as there were from the north, accepting all kinds of people. The old, weak, sick, and disabled could help with farming, while the strong and healthy could participate in training, making them excellent reserve soldiers.
"Since we're going, we need to prepare 1,000 ingots for salt, plus some money for ship repairs, drinking water, medicine, and hiring staff..." Yu Yuan counted on his fingers.
"Alright, my little steward, I'm leaving all this to you. I have a lot to do; I need to focus my energy on military affairs," Shao Shuyi said with a smile. "Military affairs?" Yu Yuan's expression hardened, and he lowered his voice, "Brother, is it really beyond repair?"
"The Art of War says, 'First make yourself invincible, then wait for the enemy to become vulnerable.' Have you learned that all for nothing?" Shao Shuyi said earnestly. "I like to think of the worst-case scenario when doing things. If I feel I can bear the worst outcome, then there's nothing to be afraid of, just do it. Of course—" He changed the subject, "Make the worst-case scenario plan, and strive for the best outcome. Only in this way can you calm your mind and avoid losing your composure." "Oh." Yu Yuan seemed to understand, and then asked, "Then... what is the worst-case scenario plan...?"
Shao Shuyi did not answer immediately, because the Huangtian Trading Company's pier, which extended halfway into the river, and the signing room were already in sight.
"The worst-case scenario is to fuck them! What's there to be afraid of?" Shao Shuyi laughed loudly as he stepped onto the springboard.
Provoked by these words, Yu Yuan nodded emphatically and quickened his pace to catch up.
"Brother, people from the prefecture come every day, they've been waiting for you." Chen Li, the warehouse manager of the trading company, walked over and reported, "Today it's Meng Chaodong, the clerk of the criminal division."
Shao Shuyi nodded and said, "Lead the way."
The aroma of tea wafted through the empty warehouse.
Meng Chaodong recounted the recent news he had received in the prefecture in a rambling manner, and finally added: "Zhang Gou Nan and Jiang Ning have been exchanging messengers frequently, and he often summons Judge Ma to question him, but he has not sent any official letters. He acts in a very secretive manner, and I have no way of finding out anything."
Zhang Duan, the judge of Haiyan Prefecture and known as Mr. Gounan, was appointed by the imperial court as the new governor of Jiangyin Prefecture, succeeding Zhang Yang who had left office.
Shao Shuyi didn't know what their considerations were. Did Zhang Duan really have a high opinion of Duo'er?
But none of that mattered anymore. Shao Shuyi's entire focus was on the name "Jiangning," because it involved the assassination of Zhu Dingbo and the subsequent Huashan bandit rebellion. If the truth were to be uncovered, he, Shao, would practically be worthy of being placed on the screen of the Iron Pot Emperor.
"Is something wrong in Jiangning?" he asked calmly, his expression unchanged.
Meng Chaodong nodded and said, "Judge Ma didn't say, but I've inquired privately, and it might be related to Zhu Dingbo's death."
"When did this happen?"
"Just in the last half month or so."
Shao Shuyi beckoned Yu Yuan to bring over a hundred ingots of paper money, which he then wrapped in a bundle and placed beside Meng Chaodong. He said, "Meng, take this money. Spend it freely whenever you need it, don't be stingy. Even if Zhang Duan and Ma Yuanchong want to hide it, they can't do everything themselves. See if you can bribe one of their men to find out what's going on. If you're really unsure, tell me who it is, and I'll ask them."
Meng Chaodong glanced at him, sighed softly, and said, "Let me inquire about it first. But..."
"Meng Sili, someone's trying to harm me, and I'm not even allowed to fight back?" Shao Shuyi suddenly laughed. "To be honest, I've been reasonable enough, and I've followed the rules enough, so why do people keep throwing dirty water on me? I reckon it's the Left Chancellor, Manzi Gong, investigating in Jiangning. His people are corresponding with Zhang Duan, so they must be asking about me. Don't worry, Zhang Duan just arrived, and he doesn't know much. Sooner or later, he'll come after you. Don't forget to tell me then." For some reason, Meng Chaodong felt a deep chill.
The world was in chaos, the situation was turbulent, and not only ordinary people, but also many officials died unnatural deaths. Fortunately, the Jiangnan region was generally peaceful, and his life was relatively comfortable. He desperately didn't want anything to happen, but...
"Shao She, I will definitely help you with your matter, but you must not act impulsively." Meng Chaodong said with a mournful face, "Even if you are really bullied and pushed to the limit, you must leave room for maneuver in your actions, otherwise it will be difficult for me to speak up for you."
Shao Shuyi looked at him with a smile, without saying a word.
Meng Chaodong had something on him; his name was in the official records found by Zhu Ding, but that didn't matter anymore. What terrified Meng Chaodong wasn't losing his post, but the lives of his entire family—he was from Jiangyin, and even running away wouldn't be easy.
"Any further news?" Shao Shuyi asked. "How's it going with the Prince of Zhennan?"
"The Xiang army has been quelled, but the bandit leader Kuang Putian has not been captured. I heard that he escaped to the north bank of the Yangtze River by boat under cover of night," Meng Chaodong said. "Most of the army has been disbanded, and the Prince of Zhennan has not come to Jiangyin. He has returned directly to the Prince's Palace in Yangzhou."
Shao Shuyi nodded, then asked, "Has there been any movement from the Han army, sir?"
"No." Meng Chaodong shook his head and said, "A while ago, they sent a deputy commander of ten thousand men to the prefectural government to request some grain and money to subsidize the soldiers. Zhang Gounan asked them how many men they had, but the interpreter from the Han army refused to say. Finally, when they were pressed, they said that they had five hundred naval men and twenty-five ships, and one thousand five hundred land troops."
"I'm afraid there's still some water involved," Shao Shuyi said.
Meng Chaodong agreed, but the people in the prefecture discussed it privately and thought that the number should be reduced by another 30%. So in the end, they were given 1,500 shi of grain based on 1,400 people.
"Go back and tell Ge Daji to find an opportunity to subtly mention to Zhang Duan that the interpreter's Han army is utterly incompetent and collapses at the slightest provocation; they cannot be relied upon." Shao Shuyi finished speaking, then emphasized, "Don't make a mistake!"
Meng Chaodong's forehead was slightly sweaty, and he readily agreed.
"Have a meal before you go. Running around like this must be tiring," Shao Shuyi said with a smile.
Just then, a series of hurried footsteps sounded, and Jiang Cheng led Fan Ting, a clerk from the prefectural government, inside.
Fan Ting was pale and covered in sweat. Upon seeing Shao Shuyi, for some reason, his legs went weak, and he knelt down, trembling as he said, "It's not my fault, it's not my fault. Shao She, it really isn't my fault. The Left... the Left Chancellor, Manzi Gong, sent... sent people to Jiangyin, saying they wanted... wanted to see you." The warehouse fell silent.
Almost without orders, the entire guard rushed in, and some even closed the door behind them.
"Thump!" Meng Chaodong fainted and fell straight to the ground.
Fan Ting trembled on the ground, tears and snot streaming down his face, and a strong smell of urine emanated from his crotch.