"Six Master, those Song people are preparing to leave! They've started recruiting laborers in the city, and that fellow surnamed Zhang is also helping them with this matter!"
Soon, this news reached Liu Siye.
"Isn't that perfect? Our people have arrived, and we're just waiting for them to set sail!"
Liu Siye naturally knew that this matter was likely related to Zhang Jing.
However, he didn't care. After all, he was fully aware of whatever schemes the man was hatching.
It was nothing more than killing with a borrowed knife, but this didn't conflict with what he intended to do.
What both of them were after were those medicinal pills.
As for other matters, such as human lives and grain, they were not within his consideration.
It would be best if this grain could be brought back. If not, and it ended up in the sea, he could still accept the outcome.
Regardless of the result, a portion of the medicinal pills held by those Song merchants had to go to him.
If he was lucky enough, he might even acquire more of their stock from those ships.
"But I have a feeling that fellow surnamed Zhang has ill intentions. Could he be using this opportunity to cause trouble for us?"
After listening to Liu Siye, Liu Heng tentatively said again.
"You overestimate him. Who does he think he is? He's just an illegitimate son cast aside by his family. If he truly had the capability, he would be enjoying himself in Shenglong Prefecture right now, instead of coming to this godforsaken place to risk his life with me!"
"Six Master, that fellow is cunning and treacherous. We must be wary. I suspect all this information was deliberately leaked by him!"
As Liu Siye's most trusted confidant, Liu Heng reminded him again.
"Rest assured, I know what I'm doing. But speaking of which, even if he has many plans, what good are they? In the end, he doesn't have enough manpower. Can those constables under him really pilot ships and fight against those sea merchants? Did you notice the man who always follows Mr. Shao? Both his gait and his eyes don't seem like those of an ordinary guard!"
With a cold laugh, Liu Siye spoke again.
"I did notice that, but that fellow always carries a strange smell, a smell I can't quite place."
After careful consideration, Liu Heng still said with a frown.
"Instead of worrying about Zhang Jing here, it's better to focus on this young man! Tell our men to prepare well in the coming days. If they mess this up for me, I'll skin them alive!"
After giving Liu Heng a deep look, Liu Siye spoke again.
"Yes!"
Although there was a plague in the city, the common people still had to make a living.
Due to malaria, almost all the docks around Sumao City had come to a standstill.
With such a major business opportunity finally appearing, almost all the laborers from the surrounding areas rushed over.
Although there weren't as many dock facilities as in later generations, with so many hands available, the work of loading grain onto the ships proceeded quickly.
"Sir, at this pace, I reckon these ships should be fully loaded by tomorrow evening," whispered Zhe Shiyijiu at the docks outside Sumao City, watching the laborers busily transporting grain like ants.
"Tell them not to load too full. We have enough ships, and these dozen or so should suffice."
The sea vessels they brought this time were all large ships of around 2,000 tons.
Each ship could carry about 5,000 shi of cargo. To transport this grain in one go, they had brought as many as eighteen ships.
"Yes!"
"Alright, tell the brothers to rest well and conserve their strength. There will be another fierce battle at sea!"
To deceive Liu Siye, these eighteen ships were completely devoid of weapons. Everything was hidden in secret compartments at the bottom of the hold.
When they actually reached the sea, they would have quite a few things to do to fight effectively.
"Don't worry, sir. All the men on our ships are elites. And although we haven't brought many weapons this time, we've hidden quite a few Ba Niu Crossbows. If they dare to come, hehehehe, it's uncertain who will be beaten then!"
Although Zhe Shiyijiu and these soldiers hadn't trained together for long, and he himself hadn't fought at sea, he was more familiar with the Ba Niu Crossbow than anyone else.
Unless it was a large merchant ship like theirs, with the small sampans that those barbarians made, one shot from this crossbow would be enough to send them to feed the fish in the sea.
"While that's what you say, it's still better to be cautious. Also, give them clear instructions. If possible, try to lure them into the deep sea. We should avoid exposing our strength as much as possible. Once it's exposed, we must annihilate them in one fell swoop!"
"Yes!"
Two days and two nights passed. After all the ships were fully loaded, and after a feigned farewell to Zhang Jing and the others, Shao Bowen watched his fleet set sail once more, heading towards Qin Prefecture.
"Release the carrier pigeons and tell them the fat sheep are on the move!"
Watching Shao Bowen's ships sail away towards Qin Prefecture, Liu Siye let out a cold laugh and directly ordered Liu Heng.
"Yes!"
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"The fleet has departed. Sir, where are you planning to go next?" Zhang Jing asked with a smile, watching the sails of the merchant ships disappear on the horizon.
"Originally, I planned to go to Menzhou. But now, it seems Menzhou is not necessary. We'll rest in this city for a few more days, and then head south along the coast." Shao Bowen did not hide anything from his inquiry and replied with a hearty laugh.
"Since you'll be staying in this city for a few more days, Sir, why don't I play the host for you during these days?"
"Then I'll have to trouble you, Lord!"
"You're too kind, Sir. It's my duty!"
"Lord Zhang, Mr. Shao, it's truly a rare occasion to see you both here today. I've prepared a banquet at a manor nearby. May I know if you would grace us with your presence?" Just as the two were speaking, Liu Siye suddenly approached with a fawning smile, accompanied by a few attendants.