Chapter 563 - 565: Let’s See Who Gets Anxious First
Chapter 563: Chapter 565: Let’s See Who Gets Anxious First
Zhou Shixiong knew this all too well. "Yes, it seems we were a bit too hasty.
But in your opinion, Brother Gu, when will this Navy actually be established?"
Wenheng replied, "Brother Zhou, you give me too much credit. How could a marginal figure like myself possibly fathom His Majesty’s intentions or know the political climate of the court?
However, this voyage has already been a step forward. Once you take the first step, the next will naturally follow. Why not just wait and see, Brother Zhou?"
Watching the two "brothers" go back and forth, Vice General Wang said with a smile, "Regardless of how your debate turns out, I can count myself as one of the pioneers of this voyage. I imagine I’ll get a mention in the history books for it."
Wenheng said, "General Wang has a point. It seems I’ll have to order a few extra dishes for this meal, or it won’t be fitting for a celebrity from the history books like you."
Zhou Shixiong said, "Brother Gu, don’t stand on ceremony with this brat. You know that one hundred thousand taels in silver notes I sent you for the shares? Do you know how much of it he claimed?"
Wenheng seemed to recall seeing the list. ’Ah, Vice General Wang’s full name is Wang Liqiang, that matches.’ "If I remember correctly, it was twenty thousand taels."
Zhou Shixiong said, "Your memory is sharp, Brother Gu. It was indeed twenty thousand taels of silver.
You know, this brat was complaining to me endlessly just last night. He said that was all the ready silver he had on hand, otherwise he would have put in several times more."
Wenheng looked at Vice General Wang in mock astonishment. "I never realized General Wang was so wealthy. My mistake. It seems one meal won’t be enough to settle this—it’ll have to be three."
Vice General Wang laughed heartily. "If you let me increase my shares, forget three meals—I’d treat you to thirty."
"...You certainly like to joke, General Wang. Right now, we have enough headaches as it is.
Ever since you returned to port safely, everyone seems to think this sea trade business is like picking up free money off the street.
They completely ignore the risks involved. Besides, we’re still just feeling our way forward. Without any certainty, we’re on edge as well."
Vice General Wang said, "That’s understandable. The moment we got back, a lot of people started making snide remarks.
Hmph. They made their own choice back then. It’s not like I stole this assignment from them.
They’ve forgotten how they used every trick in the book to get out of it, terrified they wouldn’t make it back alive from the sea.
Now that they see I’ve profited, they’re starting to spread gossip and criticism.
I didn’t pull any punches with them. I shot right back at them on the spot.
It’s one thing to be a coward afraid of dying, but to get jealous when you see others earn merits... They don’t stop to think that thousands of us soldiers gambled with our lives to achieve this."
Wenheng said, "There will always be people like that, no matter the era. Why waste your energy getting angry with them?
Come to think of it, those twenty-thousand-tael shares you’re holding will surely be the source of some gossip as well."
Hearing Wenheng’s teasing tone, Zhou Shixiong said irritably, "I said everything I could to persuade them back then, laying out all the pros and cons. They were the ones unwilling to take the risk.
But let’s not dwell on unpleasant things. On another note, the roads you built are already showing their effectiveness.
Even here in Lu City, we can get fresh seafood at acceptable prices. We’re planning to add it to the soldiers’ mess once a month at the barracks. When we do, you can’t be competing with us for the supply."
Wenheng replied, "Of course. Just let us know the dates you’ve chosen, and we won’t order any seafood during that time.
But with so many men in the barracks, the amount you’ll need will be substantial. I doubt the supply from the fishing villages alone will be enough to cover it."
Zhou Shixiong said, "That can’t be helped. If necessary, we’ll just improve their meals in rotating batches.
We can’t have our men serve their term all the way out here in Lu City and not even get a few bites of seafood.
It’s the gesture that counts. At least this way, they won’t feel like they missed out when they’re discharged."
Wenheng mulled it over for a moment. "Brother Zhou, have you not considered making use of the ships under your own command?"
"..." Zhou Shixiong turned to look at him. ’For Wenheng to bring this up, he must have a plan. I wonder what surprise he has in store for me this time.’
Vice General Wang also looked on with curiosity.
Wenheng explained, "Ships that large can easily travel to the outer seas, where fishery resources are plentiful. Your barracks might even become completely self-sufficient."
"That’s not appropriate!" Vice General Wang immediately objected. "If those civil servants find out, they’ll be filing memorials to impeach the Great General again." ’We’d be accused of abusing our power for personal gain.’
Wenheng said, "During naval training exercises, one might ’accidentally’ run into a school of fish. You can’t just let a meal that swims right up to you get away, can you...?"
Zhou Shixiong and Vice General Wang exchanged a look. "That’s... not out of the question... You scholars really do have a clever way of thinking."
Wenheng smiled humbly. "It’s not a matter of being clever. It’s just that you’ve barely gotten your hands on these ships, so you haven’t had time to think of it yet.
You might not be able to go to the distant seas, but you can certainly ’play around’ in the coastal waters.
And if you gentlemen don’t know how to cast nets, my wife happens to have recruited some excellent local swimmers who are also from fishing families. They could come over and provide some guidance."
Zhou Shixiong chuckled. ’I knew it,’ he thought. ’This brother of mine is scheming again, but I really have no choice but to take the bait.’
"You’re right. The sea trade ships are about to depart, so the people working for your wife should be heading out to the outer seas as well.
An arrangement this mutually beneficial must certainly be made to happen.
No time like the present. I’ll go back tonight, select my men, and we’ll head out to sea with your people first thing tomorrow morning. How does that sound?"
Wenheng replied, "That’s a bit rushed, but for the sake of the soldiers getting to eat fresh seafood sooner... When I get back, I’ll see if I can have people weave some large fishing nets overnight. We can’t have everyone go out to sea and try to catch fish with their bare hands, can we?"
How could Zhou Shixiong miss the mischievous grin on the young man’s face? ’He’s a general used to fighting wars, not a fisherman. It’s only natural he wouldn’t have thought of that.’
"I’ll leave it all to you, Brother Gu. Fishing nets can’t be made overnight. Just let me know when you’re ready, and I’ll give you my full cooperation."
Wenheng nodded. Just then, Ming Nian came in with a waiter, personally serving the dishes to the table of esteemed guests.
Even though his own master was at the table, Ming Nian didn’t linger. After the dishes were served, he led the waiter out, not forgetting to close the door behind them and stand guard outside himself.
"It’s been some time since I was last here. The service at Tianfu Restaurant has certainly gotten more attentive. And these dishes look exquisite." Vice General Wang’s expression grew nostalgic. "A few days ago, we were eating nothing but hardtack on the ship, and we didn’t even dare to drink much water."
It was their first time out at sea, and they had no idea what to expect. Naturally, they rationed the fresh water strictly, unwilling to waste a single drop unless absolutely necessary.
That was why as soon as they made landfall yesterday, they immediately had someone prepare soups and other drinks, hoping to make up for what they had missed all those days.