“Building a shipyard requires too much silver. The Hong family was plundered by pirates. Their entire fortune was emptied. How could they still afford to build one?”
The guide sighed, “I heard that before the Hong family was plundered, they still had several large ships undelivered. It caused quite a stir last year. I wonder how things are now?”
“It seems the Hong family’s days are tough.”
Jin Feng frowned slightly.
The Hong family’s situation was more complicated than he had imagined.
However, since he had come, whether it succeeded or not, he had to meet Hong Taoping.
The guide was very familiar with Yuxi Town. Without needing to ask around, he led Jin Feng and the others straight to the Hong family’s old residence.
A skinny camel is still bigger than a horse. The Hong family had once been a great clan. Though fallen, the vast old residence still showed traces of their former glory.
But when the guide brought Jin Feng and the others to the main gate, they found the plaque above reading “Zhao Residence”.
Jin Feng and Tang Xiaobei both looked puzzled at the guide.
The guide himself was bewildered. “This is the Hong family. How is it hanging the Zhao family’s plaque? Mr Jin, wait a moment. I’ll go ask.”
The doorkeeper saw Jin Feng arriving with a large group of men and horses, frightened badly. Seeing the guide approach, he hurried forward to bow and ask, “This military sir, what are your orders?”
The guide was a small captain in the naval forces. He was polite to Jin Feng because he had witnessed the escorts’ combat prowess firsthand.
Hundreds of escorts had forced enemies twice their number off a cliff. That scene was truly shocking.
The guide would never forget it in his life.
Moreover, Jin Feng and the naval forces were currently in a honeymoon period.
The heavy crossbows and catapults promised to Zheng Chiyuan before the battle had now been partially dismantled from chamber of commerce cargo ships and directly installed on naval warships.
The rest would be delivered over the coming period.
Zheng Chiyuan had also ordered many flash bombs and grenades.
Jin Feng’s manufactured heavy crossbows were several levels more advanced than the traditional ones previously equipped by the naval forces. After equipping them, the overall combat strength had greatly improved.
This made Zheng Chiyuan value Jin Feng more and treat him with greater courtesy.
Since Zheng Chiyuan acted thus, how dared a small captain under him put on airs before Jin Feng?
All along the way, he was obedient and careful in answering Jin Feng’s questions.
But before ordinary folk, the guide immediately straightened his back. Pointing at the Zhao Residence plaque, he asked, “How did the Hong family’s old residence become Zhao Residence?”
“Military sir, my master ordered ships from the Hong family. The Hong family took the deposit but could neither deliver the ships nor refund the silver. So they mortgaged the old residence to my master…”
The doorkeeper thought the guide brought so many people to stand up for the Hong family. Fearfully, he explained, “My master did not force Young Master Hong. Young Master Hong gave the residence to my master himself. If the official does not believe it, feel free to inquire.”
“Where did Young Master Hong go?” the guide asked with a frown.
“I heard he followed an old servant to the countryside…” the doorkeeper answered softly.
“Which countryside?”
“Three li north from the shipyard, there’s a seaside village called Linhai Village. I heard Young Master Hong went there.”
The doorkeeper said, “If the military sir does not know the way, this servant can lead you.”
“No need. I know Linhai Village.”
The guide waved his hand, looked up once more at the Hong family’s old residence, and turned his horse.
After hearing the guide’s explanation, Jin Feng also sighed inwardly.
“Sir, it’s almost dark. Linhai Village is a small hamlet without even an inn. Shall we stay in Yuxi Town tonight and go tomorrow?” the guide asked.
“No need. Let’s find Hong Taoping first.” Jin Feng shook his head.
From the East Sea back to Xichuan, the journey was long. It was impossible to encounter inns every day.
The escorts’ horses all carried packs. They could camp anywhere at any time.
With the situation in Xichuan unknown, Jin Feng wished he could fly back. Meeting Hong Taoping tonight, whether successful or not, they could depart tomorrow. Staying a night would delay another day.
“Very well, sir, this way.”
Seeing Jin Feng insist, the guide quickly continued leading ahead.
As dusk fell, the mounted party finally reached the small village called Linhai Village.
Linhai Village was a fishing hamlet with only a dozen or so households. A few hundred metres east of the village lay the sea.
By the shore was a small pier built from wooden frames. Five or six small fishing boats were moored to it, rising and falling with the waves.
An old fisherman carrying a net walked over. Seeing the mounted party, he quickly stepped aside.
“Old man, do you know where Young Master Hong lives?”
The guide reined in his warhorse and leaned down to ask.
“You seek Young Master Hong?”
Upon hearing this, the old fisherman’s face changed. Carrying his net, he knelt to the guide. “Military sirs, Young Master Hong truly has no money left. Even the old residence was mortgaged to the Zhao family. Please spare him?”
“Old sir, do not fear. We are not here to press Young Master Hong for debts.”
Jin Feng said, “I wish to invite Young Master Hong to build ships for me. Only upon reaching Yuxi Town did I learn he came here.”
“Invite the young master to build ships?” The old fisherman looked sceptically at the group behind Jin Feng.
Though the escorts wore no black armour, they were in sturdy attire. At a glance, they appeared soldiers.
Who inviting someone to build ships would bring such a grand entourage?
Seeing the old fisherman’s expression, Jin Feng guessed his thoughts and smiled. “Old sir, I heard pirates have been rampant lately. Thinking to come to the coast to kill pirates, I brought more men. Do not be afraid!”
“Really?” The old fisherman remained somewhat doubtful.
“Old sir, to put it bluntly, if we truly came to trouble Young Master Hong, would we need to ask you for directions?”
Jin Feng said, “This village has only a dozen households. We could surround and search house by house. It would not take much effort. Am I right?”
Though Jin Feng’s words were harsh, they were truth.
Only then did the old fisherman believe Jin Feng and the others truly came to invite Hong Taoping to build ships.
“Young Master Hong lives at Old Chen Wu’s house. The third household entering the village. The one with a millstone by the door.”
“Thank you, old sir!”
Jin Feng cupped his hands to the old fisherman, signalling the guide to enter the village.
The third household at the village entrance indeed had a millstone by the door.
Two children aged five or six were playing near the millstone. Seeing the mounted party approach, they turned and ran inside.
“Grandpa, grandpa, bad news. More people came to collect debts from the young master!”
The children ran while shouting, “They came with so many, all on horses, carrying swords!”
In the courtyard, an old man was mending a fishing net.
It was nearly dark. He could barely see, holding the net almost to his nose.
Hearing the children’s shouts, the old man leaped up, tossed the net, and rushed into the inner room. “Young master, likely soldiers come to arrest you. Quick, escape through the back door!”
In the room, a young man in his twenties set down a ship model in his hand and sighed. “Uncle Chen, if I run, what about your family?”
“They come for the young master. With you gone, they will surely leave.”
The old man said while pulling the young man.
“Uncle Chen, do you believe that yourself?”
Hong Taoping shook off the old man’s grip, smiling bitterly in counter-question.
The old man’s face fell at these words.
“These past days, thank you for the trouble, Uncle Chen.”
Hong Taoping bowed deeply to the old man, turned, and walked out of the room, just in time to see the guide leading Jin Feng, Tang Xiaobei, and the others in.
“It’s you?”
Hong Taoping saw the guide and paused in surprise.
