"Okay, I believe you." Zhang Zhang was relieved and said, "I see that the sky is almost dawn, you can sleep." I'll ask someone to watch the ship's side and call you if there's something. ”

Water ghosts usually only appear late, so it's okay as soon as the morning dawns.

If there is really a person blocking the river during the day, it is called "robbery", which is similar to the quality of pirates (xìng), and it is another kind of blatant water banditry.

If you encounter a bright robbery, there is no other way than to rush with a knife. Therefore, it is impossible to deal with all the water bandits by relying on the grasshopper alone. I guess this is also the reason why the owner of the ship refuses to raise these people to catch water ghosts.

With her head out, there is no need for Su Jinyao to stay. The little grasshopper said "thank you" to Su Jinyao twice in a row, and then lay down.

In addition to the cabin, the river in the distance has already reflected a hint of the color of the morning glow. This night was noisy, and it really smelled of water horror.

Su Jinyao let out a long sigh of relief, feeling that people were fine.

He turned his head to Su Jinyao and said, "Young Master Liu, I'm really sorry, our ship is going to turn around and go back." But don't worry, we will refund you the full amount of the money we have received. If you are willing to wait, our boat will take you to Xiyue Prefecture for free. If you don't wait and take the water, we can also help you connect with the next boat. However, if something happens here, it is estimated that other ships will not dare to leave until there is a definite certainty. ”

Su Jinyao said: "The boat fare, after all, I also ate and stayed on this boat for a day." Take a look at the head and deduct the day's money, and give the rest to the grasshopper. He's still a kid, and it's not easy to be sincere. ”

He immediately said, "Okay, Gongzi is merciful, I thank you for the little grasshopper." Don't worry, when you get back to the dock, I'll help you get this rush (qíng) out. ”

Su Jinyao shook her head and smiled, ready to go back to her cabin to rest.

I haven't slept all night, and now I have nothing to do, so why stand on the deck and blow the wind.

Because the boat ride is not long, it is expected to be back at the pier that night. The first Zhang has been ordered to sail at full speed, and it is important to rush back to the dock as soon as possible.

Su Jinyao lay in the cabin, and after a while, she really fell asleep. I slept for about two hours, and the smell of rice came to my nose.

Su Jinyao opened her eyes and saw that the little grasshopper was setting the table.

When Su Jinyao got up (shēn), he heard it and said, "Young Master Liu, I saw that the door was not locked, so I will bring you something to eat." Sorry to wake you up. ”

"It's fine. Are you alright? Su Jinyao walked over and sat down at the table, looked at the little grasshopper, saw that his face had turned normal, and said, "It looks pretty good." ”

The little grasshopper put down the chopsticks in his hand, scratched his hair, and said, "Liu Gongzi doesn't have to worry, when my father trained me, it was both winter and summer." It is not uncommon for me to be stuffed in the water tank for 39 days, and even when I hold my breath. In fact, the water in the water tank is much colder, the deeper the river water is, the warmer it is, and the water in the water tank is cold and drills into the cracks of the bones. I've also come over. ”

Of course, Su Jinyao knows that there are stunts in one line, and there are difficulties in one line. But as long as you want to go far on this road, anyone has to work hard, otherwise you may die if you go into the water.

The little grasshopper looked outside again and said, "I'll be at the dock soon." It can be docked for a maximum of one hour. Did Liu Gongzi figure out how to leave? ”

Su Jinyao shook her head and said, "Not yet." Then he suddenly remembered something and asked, "By the way, what are you going to do with the water ghosts on those three decks?" Will it be handed over to the government? ”

The little grasshopper said: "The government doesn't care much about the affairs of this river, and it can't manage it." Unless it's a big fuss, ask the navy to suppress the bandits. But this one killed three or five bandits, and it was also placed on the river beach for other boats to see, and to be a reminder. The other is to see if their eldest brother is willing to redeem the corpse, if they do, they can at least keep peace for a year. ”

It seems that this is also a kind of transaction, except that it is not spent on silver, but with corpses.

Su Jinyao can be regarded as having gained another insight, and nodded to eat with peace of mind.

I don't know if I shared the hardships with these boatmen, but this meal was a little rich. Two (rè) dishes, a plate of pickles, and two (rè) steamed buns.

After eating and waiting for a while, the boat was almost at the dock where it departed.

Those who were still loading at the dock knew that something had happened when they saw the boat that had gone out and returned. They all put down what they were doing and came over to ask and see.

Tell the boatmen to pick out the bodies of the three water ghosts and hang them on the bow of the boat for the other boatmen and captains to see.

As a result, the boat had just docked, and someone shouted, "Why are these people?" Didn't they leave on the Liu family's boat yesterday? ”

The water bandits came for Helian's house

Those three water ghosts were the guests of Liu's boat yesterday? This sentence alerted Su Jinyao, and she immediately understood why these people didn't let her ship. （）

When he heard this, he immediately ran to the bow of the boat and asked the person who shouted below, "Do you recognize it clearly?" These three are really the Liu family's ships? ”

The man squeezed out of the crowd and said, "yes." Look at the person in the room, does there a scar on the center of the eyebrow? That afternoon, it was he who asked me at the dock which was the Liu family's boat. I told him. There were four other people with them. ”

After saying this, everyone already understood that this should have met a bandit who came to step on the plate.

After shouting, the boatman had already thrown the cable and lowered the anchor, ready to tie the boat to the gangplank.

Ask the head to be carried down by the three water ghosts first. A temporary shed was erected, and straw mats were spread underneath, and people rested on the mat surface.

Although it seems miserable (tǐng) in this way, for those boatmen, it is not the water ghosts who die, but the people of the boat. Therefore, no one expressed the same (qíng), but more and more people watched.

Later, several more workers at the wharf who resisted the contract also recognized these three people as guests of the Liu family's cargo ship.

"This won't work, you have to go and report to the Liu family, don't really have an accident." Put the head Zhang has recognized the seriousness of 事 (qíng). The same people who are begging for a living on the boat naturally want to help each other.

"It's too late." Su Jinyao thought for a moment and said, "It seems that our encounter with the water ghost was just accidental. These people were heading for the Liu family's boat, but our boat and the Liu family's boat were getting closer and closer, and they were afraid that it would be inconvenient to do things, so they sent people to drag us down. Presumably at this time, he has already succeeded. ”

"What?" After listening to Su Jinyao's words, it took him a long time to react, and he asked urgently: "Young Master Liu, you mean, these people stopped us to take the opportunity to rob the Liu family's ship?" ”

"Calculate the time, it should be like this. We are half a day's water trip from Liu's boat. But our ship was lighter, and if we had not stopped it, we would have met the next afternoon. When the time comes, we will definitely find suspicions, and it will definitely be inconvenient for them to do it. Therefore, it is okay to ambush these three people in advance, to scuttle our ship, or to turn back, in short, it will not prevent them from doing anything to the Liu family's ship. ”

In fact, the purpose of those water ghosts has been achieved. Because he immediately ordered the ship to turn around and return to the sea.

slapped his head on the thigh fiercely and said, "Why didn't I think of it earlier." If we know this, we will have to go one more way forward and help the people of the Liu family. ”

Su Jinyao didn't say anything, but she thought that these water ghosts had purposefully hijacked the Liu family's boat, what was it for?

Coincidental? Definitely not.

If it was really a coincidence, these bandits would not have to go to great lengths to come to the docks and spend money on boats.

Just put a few hooks and big hooks in their waters, wait for the passing ships to pass by, and buy the road money directly.

However, these bandits not only cautiously came to the dock to check the situation, but even sacrificed the lives of their companions, which shows that they not only kept an eye on the Liu family's boat, but also had great intentions, so they could only succeed and not fail.

Thinking of this, Su Jinyao already vaguely felt that the master who could make the water bandits bother and effort was definitely not the Liu family, but probably did business with the Liu family...... Helian family.

Thinking that Helian Family might be targeted by someone, Su Jinyao felt that things (qíng) had become more complicated.

And at this time, let Su Jinyao stand by and watch, she really can't do it.

Putting aside Helian Ruo and her so-called friendship (qíng), just to repay the convenience conditions Helian Ruo gave her, it is worth asking her to help once.

Thinking of this, Su Jinyao said to Zhang, "Toutou, I want to hire a few (shēn) people with good hands now, and rent another lightest fast boat to help me chase another boat." Look, can you help me rent a boat and find a few more good hands like grasshoppers? ”

"Chasing ships? Which ship to chase? It won't be the Liu family's ship. He frowned, and said, "Young Master Liu, do you have a relationship with the Liu family, or is there someone in that ship?" It was all yesterday (qíng), and now we're all back to the docks. Even if you turn around and go back, it's too late. ”

Su Jinyao shook her head and said, "I have nothing to do with the Liu family's ship, but I have something to do with the Helian family, the owner of the Liu family. And think about it, is the Liu family's boat much bigger than your ship? You have a lot of experience in the river, so tell me, can such a big ship tow the shore? ”

"Hey, don't say it's a towing shore, it's a little closer to the shore, and it's a difficult thing to run aground. And such a big ship has to go directly to the mouth of the sea to turn around. Halfway is considered to be a big deal, and if you want to turn around and come back, there is not such a wide river to walk. ”

After finishing his first shot, he came back to his senses and asked, "Wait, Liu Gongzi, you said that you have a relationship with the Helian family?" ”

"It's kind of a bit. I am the current head of Helian and ...... Friend. Su Jinyao could only put Helian Tianqi out.

It would be a bit of a brag for her to say that she had a relationship with Helian Ruo (qíng).

But this sentence also surprised Zhang Zhang, and he looked at Su Jinyao again, but he didn't doubt it. Instead, he nodded and said, "I said, Liu Gongzi's face is different from ordinary people, and he knows medical skills, and he is bold and righteous." It turned out that he was on the same road as Helian in charge. Although we little people have not seen Helian in charge, we have heard that a woman who is in charge is a pretty woman (jiāo), and women are not allowed to shave their eyebrows; The Helian family of this generation is a handsome young man with a good demeanor, and it seems that he is really a group. ”

Su Jinyao hurriedly pressed her hand and said, "Put your head open, now is not the time to talk about this." Since you also said that it is not easy for a boat as big as the Liu family to turn around, it must be the road that this river goes all the way to the estuary. In just over a day, it was impossible for them to lose both the ship and its cargo. So with such a big goal in place, I just wanted to rent a clipper, bring a few good guys, and stop the boat. ”

"This, this is a matter of life (qíng)." He shook his head and said, "Don't say that the river is haunted now, no one dares to take the boat rashly." Even if you rent a clipper, how many good players like Little Grasshopper are willing to work hard? That's a bunch of bandits, how can we, ordinary people, fight? Or, since this matter is related to the Helian family, report to the official and let the government send a naval army to suppress the bandits. ”

Chartered boat pursuit

It is not impossible for the government to send a naval army to suppress the bandits. It's just that when the layers of news are reported, and then the layers of orders are handed down, these bandits may not know where to go.

Su Jinyao felt that the Liu family's cargo ship should only be one of the targets of the water bandits. But if they are not caught this time, I am afraid that other ships related to Helian's family will also suffer.

Thinking of this, Su Jinyao said: "Under the heavy reward, there will be brave men." Put the first sheet, I will pay a price of 20 taels of silver a day, rent a fast boat to chase the Liu family's boat, chase to the sea, whether to chase or not, according to this price to settle. In addition, ten sailors with good (shēn) hands, in addition to being able to drive boats, also need good water (xìng), and those who can help me go into the water to scuttle boats and fight water bandits, I give three taels of silver per person per day, and they are also chased until they enter the sea. In addition, if I really encounter a bandit, I will compensate the injured person with another 20 taels of silver, and if it is more serious and something happens, I will compensate 50 taels. ”

Su Jinyao knew that no amount of money could buy a human life. But at times like this, no one wants to help without spending money.

What's more, fifty taels of silver is really not a small amount. For ordinary people, it is enough for the whole family to eat for ten or twenty years. Some people may not be able to save this amount in their lifetime.

Therefore, as soon as Su Jinyao finished speaking, some people began to squeeze forward, and some people came directly to follow Su Jinyao.

Su Jinyao saw that half of the hundred and ten people on this dock were going to follow her, so she quickly shook her head and said, "Don't crowd everyone." Don't get me wrong, I'm not hired by everyone, I need water (xìng) to be good enough to help me deal with the bandits. You have to think about it before you sign up, this is a matter of human life. ”

One of the boatmen waved his hand and said, "It doesn't matter, if you don't follow your ship to deal with the bandits, who knows when this will happen to our ship." Since he died with fifty taels of silver, of course he had to gamble. ”

When Su Jinyao heard this, her brows furrowed, and she said, "That's not what I meant. I mean, when dealing with bandits, you must also pay attention to protecting yourself. After all, the life is given by the parents, and the body is one's own, so it must be cherished. I'm not really trying to buy your lives to die, I'm just trying to compensate you as much as possible. ”

"Yes, we understand." A tall man stood up and said, "If you can live, who wants to die." However, the salary of three taels of silver a day has never been seen since I worked on this wharf. So, if I sign up, you must accept me. I am good at water (xìng) and have great strength, not to mention fighting water bandits, even if I fight buffaloes, I will not lose. ”

Su Jinyao didn't dare to joke with human lives. Although a few years ago, human life was inferior to a stray cat or dog in her eyes, but now in her opinion, human life is really important.

Of course, people's hearts are also important. Therefore, only the lives of good people are precious in Su Jinyao's eyes. The lives of those bad people are just a bunch of stinky (ròu) in Su Jinyao's opinion.

Su Jinyao looked at Zhang Zhang and asked him in a low voice, "How can you know who is the best hand underwater?" ”

He frowned, then his eyes lit up, and he said, "Call the little grasshopper, he will definitely be able to know." ”

After saying that, he immediately asked people to call the little grasshopper over. The little grasshopper woke up early, and it was also watching (rè) from the sidelines. Seeing that he called his head to him, he squeezed to Su Jinyao (shēn).

Su Jinyao asked him, "Little grasshopper, did you hear what I said just now?" You're an expert underwater, so can you help me pick a few good guys who can fight? ”

The little grasshopper nodded, but did not immediately choose someone, but said to Su Jinyao: "Young Master Liu, can you count me as one?" I want to go with you to fight the water ghosts, too. ”

"You can't." Su Jinyao patted the little grasshopper on the shoulder and said, "If you are a little bigger, I agree." But you're too young. ”

"Don't look down on people. I dare say that no one here is as good as my water (xìng), nor as neat as my underwater (shēn) hands. The little grasshopper pursed his mouth and said, "If you don't take me there, then I won't help you choose someone." ”

After speaking, the little grasshopper turns (shēn) to leave. As a result, he was pulled by his head.

He grabbed the ear of the little grasshopper and said, "What are you angry about?" Liu Gongzi won't let you go, isn't it for your good? Don't be ignorant of good people. ”

The little grasshopper is young, but very tough. His ears were red, and he didn't say a word with his neck in his head.

Su Jinyao hurriedly came over and pressed her hand and said, "He's still a child, it's normal to be competitive." You can't stop it like this, or else. Little grasshopper, I will take you, but you are not allowed to go into the water, at least when I don't let you go down, you can't go down. If you go against my will and go into the water without permission, then don't blame me for not speaking (qíng) noodles and not giving a penny. ”

The little grasshopper thought for a while, nodded, and said, "Okay, as long as Liu Gongzi takes me, it is my owner, and I will listen to you." ”

As soon as Su Jinyao heard about the "owner", she turned her head and asked: "I have to see if there is a shipwright who has a long-term owner of the owner, I can't hire someone else's guy without the consent of the master." ”

He shook his head and said, "Don't worry about Liu Gongzi."