kvmb Chapter 168 The Ship Sinks
Chapter 168 The Ship Sinks
Shen Qingtan's heart skipped a beat: "What happened?"
Liu Yue replied, "The large ship that Master Gu rented out has sunk."
"Rumble--"
A clap of thunder boomed, and the gray sky instantly turned pitch black, plunging the house into darkness.
The strong wind rattled the windows, foreshadowing an impending storm.
Shen Qingtan frowned and ordered, "Go and prepare the carriage."
Liu Yue reminded her, "Second Madam, Boss Gu is at the boat shop."
The Gu family's shipping company sets up a branch office at every dock that needs to be stopped at for each route.
"Go to the boat shop."
Shen Qingtan took Liuyue to the shipyard.
The carriage stopped at the entrance of the shipyard. Shen Qingtan took a black cloak, put it on, put on a veil, got off the carriage alone, and entered the shipyard with an umbrella.
The boatmen noticed the jade pendant at Shen Qingtan's waist, took the oil-paper umbrella from her hand, and led her to a door.
The person guarding the door was Gu Zongci's personal attendant.
The attendant recognized Shen Qingtan and respectfully invited her inside.
Shen Qingtan closed the door behind her and glanced at Gu Zongci and the person in charge.
“Zhao…” Gu Zongci paused, then changed his address: “Manman, you’ve arrived.”
Shen Qingtan was stunned for a moment when she heard this address.
Manman...
Is her nickname Manman?
Shen Qingtan suppressed her emotions and brought up the purpose of the trip: "I heard that something happened to the shipping company, so I came here to take a look."
“I received news that the large ship we rented out has run into trouble, but the specifics are still unclear. I have to go back to Qingzhou once the rain stops.” Gu Zongci said with a worried expression, “If the entire ship sinks, the sailors and cargo will be drowned, and the losses will be devastating.”
“Master, this is all my fault.” The steward said helplessly, “That merchant bought silk, porcelain and tea in Da Zhou and was in a hurry to transport them back to Bei Qi. If it takes two months, he will not be able to deliver the goods on time and will be stuck with them. He will also have to pay a large amount of liquidated damages, so he spent a lot of money to rent a ship.”
“If it were anyone else, I would never have agreed. I really owe him a favor.” The manager said, his face pale. “Before agreeing, I specially hired someone to observe the celestial phenomena. They said there would be no storms within half a month. I also noticed that there was no Dragon Boat Festival flood this year, so I thought there would be a drought like last year. That’s why I agreed to rent out the boat.”
Shen Qingtan asked, "Do you mean you had some kind of relationship with the person who rented the boat?"
The person in charge nodded: "Otherwise, I wouldn't dare to rent a boat at this critical time."
The matter has come to this, and it is useless to say more.
"Learn from your mistakes. Remember to consult me before taking on any orders during the flood season in the future." Gu Zongci carefully reviewed the boat rental contract in his hand again. After confirming that there were no major problems, he asked, "How is Hongyun Shipping? Are they out of service during the flood season?"
The person in charge's eyes flickered slightly as he said, "They are competing with us maliciously, taking orders even during the flood season, and stealing many of our clients as a result. This time, they also took on a large order; I wonder if anything has happened to them."
“Hongyun Shipping Company acts without any scruples because they have powerful backers.” Gu Zongci remembered that Hongyun Shipping Company had been involved in several accidents, all of which were resolved by the people behind them.
He cautioned, "We are honest businessmen. Just follow the rules, and you'll avoid a lot of trouble."
"Master, I will never dare to be reckless again. I will take full responsibility for what happened to the large ship." The steward said anxiously, fearing that the danger on the ship was beyond his estimation. "Shall I rush back today to investigate?"
“Going back now won’t help,” Shen Qingtan said after reading the boat rental agreement. “Let’s go back when the rain stops.”
Hearing the sound of raindrops pounding against the tiles overhead, the person in charge pursed his lips and remained silent, looking at Gu Zongci beside him, waiting for him to speak.
Gu Zongci glanced at Shen Qingtan, a slight thought stirring in his heart, and repeated, "Let's go back after the rain stops."
-
In the study of the front courtyard of the Chengen Marquis's residence, the Marquis of Chengen stood with his hands behind his back, watching the raindrops pounding on the tiles, forming a curtain of water that cascaded down and gathered into a small puddle on the ground.
Suddenly, a foot stepped into a puddle, splashing mud and water everywhere.
The visitor was completely unaware of what was happening. He hurried to the study door, took off his raincoat, and said, "My lord, I have important news to report."
"Come in," said Marquis Chengen.
The trusted aide pushed open the door and entered, only to see Shen Shaohuai and Madam Shen sitting on the couch, while Marquis Chengen was still standing by the window.
"My lord, all those ships have sunk." The confidant said in a relaxed tone, "This heavy rain came just in time. The fact that all the large ships sank will not arouse suspicion from others."
"They all sank."
"They all sank."
Marquis Chengen stared at the puddle for a long time until a withered yellow leaf fell onto the water and floated on the surface. On such a rainy day, it had a unique sense of desolation.
He looked up at the big tree in the yard, a vibrant green.
When the dead leaves fall, new buds will sprout again.
Just as old powers fall, new powers will rise to replace them.
The "grain" from Qingzhou was transported out, the large ship sank, and everything proceeded according to plan.
Marquis Chengen pondered for a moment and said, "Go and keep an eye on the Gu family, and see how they react."
"Yes." The confidant hurriedly left again.
A brief silence fell over the study.
After a moment, Madam Shen put down her teacup: "My lord, the Gu family has rendered meritorious service, and the Emperor has rewarded them, so it's even. This time, the ship sank, and not only was all the grain flooded, but there were also sailors and soldiers transporting the grain on board. This is a matter of great importance, and the Gu family shouldn't try to use their merits to exonerate themselves; they should be held accountable."
Marquis Chengen said in a deep voice, "Of course I know."
Madam Shen raised an eyebrow: "Then why do you look so preoccupied? Are you perhaps worried that something might have happened to Shen Qingtan?"
Shen Shaohuai, who was standing to the side, spoke up: "Mother, the Emperor entrusted this matter to Father. If the ship sinks and the grain is lost, he will also be held responsible."
"What's the big deal?" Madam Shen said dismissively. "At worst, your father will only be dismissed from his post and investigated, not lose his head. But if the matter in Qingzhou is exposed, it won't be enough for your father to explain away with just his head; the entire household will lose their heads as well."
Upon hearing Madam Shen's words, Marquis Chengen's expression changed drastically.
Madam Shen continued, "Now that the matter in Qingzhou has been settled, we are no longer afraid of being exposed. As long as Prince Yu doesn't fall, when he takes that position in the future, your father will not only be reinstated, but may even be promoted further."
In Madam Shen's view, this plan was entirely beneficial, and Prince Yu would protect Marquis Chengen no matter what, so it would only be a minor punishment as a warning.
Marquis Chengen understood this principle. When the Emperor issued this decree, Prince Yu's letter followed, instructing him to go all out and handle the matter properly, promising to back him up.
These words, coming from Madam Shen's mouth, were extremely jarring.