Chapter 43: Hostage
“Bullshit!” A ship worker couldn’t help but open his mouth to curse. “At that time, I was right next to you and heard that woman begging for mercy with my own ears. Her voice was hoarse from shouting.”
Tie Zhang Zhou retorted sarcastically: “You’re the one farting. If your heart is pure and you really heard it, why didn’t you come over to stop it?”
“I…” That ship worker was speechless for a moment and said no more.
It seems this trauma medicine is indeed effective. Moments ago Tie Zhang Zhou was half-dead, but after applying the medicine, he could immediately trade insults with others.
The ship worker was applying medicine to Zui Mao Lu at this time.
Lei Sanxiang said to him: “Don’t blame me for striking hard. If I spare you today, tomorrow I’ll have to spare him, and people’s loyalty will scatter.”
Zui Mao Lu was having medicine applied. His face was flushed red from pain, sweat pouring down his forehead like rain. Upon hearing this, he squeezed words from his throat: “This time… I was wrong… I accept the punishment.”
Some ship workers couldn’t bear to watch and recounted how Zui Mao Lu had been forced to drink by the girl.
Lei Sanxiang laughed heartily upon hearing it.
“Hahahaha… I told you. Even if you’re so greedy for booze, when you go to a place like that, how could you just drink and not get to the main business? So that’s how it is! If there’s blame this time, it’s only that you’re too green, kid. Next time you enter a place like that, I’ll take you there myself. I guarantee you’ll make up for the suffering you got today on the girl!”
Zui Mao Lu was young after all. Hearing these brotherly words, his eyes reddened and tears fell. Along with the humiliation of descending the flower boat still a virgin, the grievance of being whipped, the pain on his body, and the bitterness in his heart, he cried it all out in one go.
Once he started crying, it snowballed out of control, his sobs growing louder.
Lei Sanxiang angrily said: “Stinky brat, no crying! Bawling over a trifle like this—how does that look like a man of the sea!”
“Yes.” Zui Mao Lu answered, quickly clamping his mouth shut. But his body kept twitching; he couldn’t stop the sobs.
Zui Mao Lu’s crying instantly boosted the ship workers’ goodwill toward Lei Sanxiang.
After the medicine was applied, Zui Mao Lu clearly regained his vigor and hurried to say: “Elder Brother Lei, thank you for the medicine you brought.”
Lei Sanxiang laughed: “At least you’ve got some conscience, kid. But don’t thank me—the medicine came from the helmsman. Thank him if you’re thanking anyone.”
Upon hearing this, Zui Mao Lu added: “Thank you, helmsman.”
“Mm.” Lei Sanxiang responded, then shifted his gaze to Tie Zhang Zhou.
He caught Lei Sanxiang’s gaze and hurriedly said: “Thank you, Bosun Lei. Thank you, helmsman.”
“If that’s all, rest up early. Before your wounds heal, you two can slack off on work. Getting your strength back is what matters.”
After Lei Sanxiang spoke, he turned and headed to the stern deck, returning to his cabin.
Tie Zhang Zhou kept glaring venomously at Lei Sanxiang’s back, lost in his thoughts.
That night, Lei Sanxiang used the pretext of taking a piss to call out several crew members familiar with Tie Zhang Zhou. While relieving themselves, he casually probed about Tie Zhang Zhou without drawing notice.
The crew members were drowsy and unguarded against Lei Sanxiang, spilling their true feelings.
After finishing, Lei Sanxiang yawned with them, chatted idly about women, and returned to his cabin—as if it were mere chitchat.
……
In the next few days at roll call, no one was late again.
Many even came to the deck to wait while the sky was still dim with dawn.
The ship workers now showed more awe toward the officers, no longer buddying up like sea raiders in a cozy fraternity.
After this turmoil, the ship workers had obedience to superiors and strict order enforcement etched in their hearts.
With the daily godly provisions of meat, eggs, veggies, and rice, the ship workers also lost any thought of fleeing the ship.
At least the crew wouldn’t scatter for the next few months.
Realizing Lin Qian’s three major plans was projected to take just two months.
If all went smoothly, in two months he would have silver, manpower, and territory in hand—laying a solid foundation for his future grand enterprise.
Of course, to pull off all this, silver was the top priority.
The meager public account surplus was woefully inadequate for casting cannons and building ships, recruiting soldiers and buying horses, developing Nan’ao—shortfalls everywhere.
So the crux of the issue rested again on Jose’s “councillor friend.”
Five or six days had passed since Zheng Zhilong last boarded.
Still no reply.
Everyone on board, Jose especially, was growing restless.
He repeatedly urged Lin Qian to write inquiring about the situation.
But Lin Qian stayed calm; he knew the councillor was just balking at the high price, stalling to force a discount.
Writing to ask would tip their hand, showing desperation to sell and inviting harsher haggling.
The ship held cargo worth hundreds of thousands taels; that Macau councillor couldn’t be totally unconcerned. It was just a contest of who cracked first.
This morning, roll call on the ship had just wrapped.
The lookout reported a sloop appearing on the sea surface to the north.
From its design, it looked just like the one Zheng Zhilong had ridden before.
Jose and the others on board grew excited at the sight.
Lin Qian stowed the telescope and said: “Notify the whole ship: prepare to make sail.”
Everyone was accustomed to Lin Qian’s commands. Even without understanding why, they executed flawlessly.
First Mate Chen Jiao bellowed: “Prepare to weigh anchor! Move it!”
Lei Sanxiang bounded down to the cannon deck in double time and bellowed orders: “All hands to the deck—prepare to weigh anchor!”
Ship workers swarmed the deck, rushing to their stations.
Soon over twenty gathered at the winch on the galleon’s foredeck. Chanting work songs, they turned it together; the anchor chain tightened slowly.
Zheng Zhilong boarded to this scene of feverish bustle.
Lin Qian brought only Bai Langzai to welcome him.
After mutual salutes.
Zheng Zhilong eyed the deck: “Elder Brother Lin is preparing to sail?”
“Indeed.”
Surprised at heart, Zheng Zhilong feigned calm: “Elder Brother Lin is dropping the deal with the councillor?”
Lin Qian feigned shock: “What makes you say that? Didn’t the councillor pass on the deal?”
Zheng Zhilong hurried: “No such thing. I’m here to deliver a message today. Please, Elder Brother Lin, hold off sailing till you read the letter.”
Lin Qian sighed, rubbing his brow: “Aiya, my bad! I waited ages with no word, thought the deal was off, so I struck it with a Li merchant up north. Today’s the delivery day. What a massive mix-up.”
Lin Qian’s gaze brimmed with sincerity: “I’m a man of my word too. Deal’s done; can’t back out now. Brother Yiguan, head back.”
Zheng Zhilong kept stealing glances at the winch, eyes frantic: “Elder Brother Lin, let’s halt the winch first. Won’t you read the councillor’s reply?”
How could Zheng Zhilong know a ship this size took the better part of an hour to weigh; they’d barely started.
Lin Qian chuckled inwardly but outwardly hesitated long before telling his man: “Have the anchor men pause.”
“Stop!” Lei Sanxiang, who’d been watching closely, immediately halted the anchor men; the winch stopped.
Zheng Zhilong sighed in relief, then saluted Lin Qian: “Many thanks, Elder Brother Lin.”
Daring no delay, he whipped the letter from his bosom and handed it over.
“Handwritten by the councillor himself. Please read it, Elder Brother Lin.”
Lin Qian took the letter, checked the wax seal intact, then opened it. One glance surprised him: it was in Spanish.
Though Portuguese and Spanish share similarities, they are not the same language.
The Mr. Councillor writing Lin Qian could have used Chinese he understood or Portuguese Zheng Zhilong could translate.
Yet he chose Spanish—evidently guarding against messenger Zheng Zhilong.
Lin Qian read on, and sure enough.
The letter proposed Mr. Councillor meet Lin Qian face-to-face at Moon Sea Tower in Guangzhou City on the tenth of the seventh month—five days hence.
To prove no malice, Mr. Councillor considerately sent Zheng Zhilong over as hostage to Lin Qian.
