"Just take your men and cause trouble. You don't need to worry about the rest; I have my own plans!"
After patting Zhe Shijiu on the shoulder, Shao Bowen said with a smile.
"Yes!"
As soon as Zhe Shijiu led his men out, Shao Bowen boarded a carriage and headed straight for the Liu residence.
Compared to the luxurious mansions of the nobles within the Great Song, the Liu family's residence was truly beyond description for Shao Bowen.
Precious timbers worth a fortune in the Great Song were readily visible everywhere in this mansion.
Whether it was huanghuali, suanzhi wood, or even silver fir and metasequoia, they were truly present everywhere.
However, the craftsmanship was simply appalling. From the main gate of the Liu family all the way to the main hall, a distance of just over 300 paces, Shao Bowen found himself wanting to draw his sword and attack.
Such an abundance of precious timber, and the final finished product was truly an eyesore.
What's more, due to improper handling in many areas, there were already signs of decay.
"Sir, what's wrong?"
Seeing Shao Bowen's increasingly grim expression, Liu Heng, who was leading the way, quickly asked in a low voice.
"I, I..."
"It's nothing, I just have an urgent need to relieve myself!"
After taking several deep breaths, Shao Bowen managed to calm himself down.
Don't be angry, don't be angry!
Compared to the important matters he had to attend to, these things were nothing. However, this also made Shao Bowen determined to accelerate the implementation of Han Mo's plan, otherwise, these good things would likely be ruined by these damned natives.
Although the dilapidated house they were currently in seemed unremarkable, if all the timber in this house were transported to the Great Song, the precious wood alone used in this single residence would be worth hundreds of thousands of guan!
"So that's how it is. Then I'll have someone take you..."
"No need. It's better to discuss important matters first. Please invite your Young Master Liu."
Considering the time, it would take Zhe Shijiu and his men about an hour to circle the streets and then head to the yamen, for the yamen to convene court, and then send people to arrest them.
It had already been a quarter of an hour since he left, and there wasn't much time to waste.
"Sir, please wait a moment longer, I'll go invite our Young Master right away!"
Liu Yutang's identity had now been confirmed. Although Liu Yutang had not yet been branded a pirate leader, given the animosity between the Zhang and Liu families, it was likely only a matter of time.
Once Liu Yutang was given this label, his frequent visits to the Liu residence would no longer be able to be concealed.
Zhang Jing might not have the courage to escalate the matter further, but dealing with a Liu Shiye was more than enough.
"What wind has blown you to my humble abode?"
A moment later, Liu Shiye, having regained his composure, walked back in from outside.
"Does the Young Master truly not know?"
Seeing his nonchalant demeanor, Shao Bowen said with a cold smile.
"You all go out first. You are not needed here. If there's nothing important, don't disturb us!"
After being directly rebuffed by Shao Bowen's words, Liu Shiye coughed and quickly instructed his subordinates behind him.
"Yes!"
"Sir, you can speak now!"
After hearing the servants leave, Liu Shiye spoke again.
"Regarding Liu Yutang's matter, I believe you already know about it by now?"
Shao Bowen smiled and cut straight to the chase.
"Is the sir here to demand an explanation?"
Liu Shiye's pupils contracted, and then he forced out a smile.
"If it were for the new identity charge, the yamen officials from the City Lord's mansion would be the ones arriving now! And if I'm not mistaken, they are probably already on their way!"
"If that's the case, then why is the sir here? Are you here to watch my predicament?"
Liu Shiye was taken aback for a moment, then asked again.
"If I say I'm here to save you, will you believe me?"
"Save me? Hahahaha!"
Upon hearing Shao Bowen's words, Liu Shiye was stunned, then burst into loud laughter.
"This joke is truly hilarious!"
The unrestrained laughter continued for the time it took to brew a cup of tea before Liu Shiye stood up from the ground, holding his stomach.
"Everyone struggles for profit, and everyone pursues gain. Even if you killed me, what benefit would it bring me?"
Despite the man's extremely unreasonable behavior, Shao Bowen did not show any signs of anger.
"Then what does the sir wish to obtain from me? The victor is king, the vanquished are bandits. I will likely be a useless person before long. Is the sir planning to engage in the human flesh trade? Besides this stinking carcass, I seem to have nothing else that the sir would scheme for!"
With Liu Shiye's intelligence, he certainly knew what the outcome would be for Liu Yutang in Zhang Jing's hands.
Liu Yutang was as good as dead, and he would certainly not fare any better.
The force that Liu Yutang commanded was essentially a significant portion of the Liu family's privately amassed maritime strength.
Now that they were utterly finished, it also meant that, for at least three to five years, the Liu family would have no capital to venture into the trade with Java, Champa, and the more distant Arab lands.
With this decrease and increase, it was likely that before long, both the royal family and the Zhang family would possess overwhelming advantages in maritime power.
After all, Jiaozhi was only a small country. Even if the Liu family controlled a large portion of the country's military power, without the support of vast financial resources, everything would ultimately be like flowers in a mirror and the moon in the water.
Because as long as they did not intend to openly rebel, the military power they held could only serve as a deterrent and could not directly transform into weaponry!
With a small country and a poor populace, the only way to achieve wealth and rise was through extensive maritime trade.
However, the sea was never a kind place. There was no law here, nor were there any standards of morality or ethics.
Fleets without military escort were always like lambs waiting to be slaughtered.
Although the business of piracy was somewhat unsavory, the annual revenue it brought to the Liu family definitely accounted for more than half of the Liu family's total income.
Now, all of this was gone, and these people were all ruined due to one of his misjudgments. One could imagine the punishment his family would mete out to him...