Chapter 85 - Night Raid (1/2)

…Skinny Monkey went to inform Xiao Baoshan and he came over in a minute.

Xiao Baoshan did not speak but only watched Third Xing as if seeing something written across his face: What’s the matter?

He knew that Xiao Baoshan was good at kung fu and had a rather stiff personality, but there was one more thing; Xiao Baoshan was an honest man who could be be persuaded by reason but not be cowed by force. As long as one spoke to him nicely, Xiao Baoshan could be manipulated by them completely.

“Baoshan, have you been doing well on the dock?” asked Third Xing.

“Not bad,” said Xiao Baoshan.

“So do you want to take some extra work?” asked Third Xing. “Like going to sail on a s.h.i.+p?”

Xiao Baoshan’s primary role was to take care of the dock but “sailing on a s.h.i.+p” was more like escort work.

On the land there were bandits and burglars while on the waters there were pirates. Once those pirates laid their eyes on the s.h.i.+pment of cargo they would catch others off guard and rob them. Some traders often hired a couple of hands to sail onboard the s.h.i.+p to frighten off the pirates.

Xiao Baoshan said immediately, “Sure.”

He knew that he would get paid for it. After making it successfully the trader would pay him directly.

However, Third Xing became silent again and just squinted towards Xiao Baoshan with a grin.

Xiao Baoshan knew that Third Xing was asking for a share and he knew the rule, so he asked Third Xing frankly, “How many shares do you want?”

There was a hidden rule at the dock. When those who sailed in the s.h.i.+p finished their job they had to divide the reward between themselves the one who was in charge of the dock and as for the actual share, they could discuss this amongst themselves.

Third Xing patted Xiao Baoshan on the shoulder and suddenly smiled. “You’re very well informed of the rule here. A businessman from Fu Province came to me a couple of days ago and he has a s.h.i.+p that needs somebody to sail with to the dock at the other side. It takes around six days to return and the reward is eight taels. So when you come back with the money, fifty-fifty. How does it sound?”

Even Skinny Money was taken aback.

Third Xing was demanding an exorbitant price. Wasn’t this a bit too much?

Still, Third Xing was looking at Xiao Baoshan rather calmly as he could tell that so long as he did not use force against Xiao Baoshan, Xiao Baoshan would never bargain with him.

“Baoshan, the businessman from Fu became acquainted with me first and if it weren’t for me you’d never know him, am I right? In this case, I don’t think I’ve asked for too much with the four taels of silver. What’s more, as you sail aboard his s.h.i.+p he’ll provide you with accommodation and food, and within six days you’ll earn four taels. I don’t see why not?”

Third Xing kept bargaining with him.

Xiao Baoshan nodded. “Okay. When is the sailing time?”

“At noon tomorrow,” said Third Xing.

After Xiao Baoshan turned around and left, Skinny Monkey then turned to Third Xing. “Boss, have…Isn’t that a little bit too much of the share you’ve asked for?”

“Is it?” said Third Xing. “Does what I just said not make sense? Without me how would he even know a businessman from Fu?”

“But I heard that midway to Fu there were pirates causing trouble and those pirates were very savage. I’m just thinking, what if Xiao Baoshan comes across any danger during his trip?”

“Then it depends on his fate!” Third Xing finished talking and looked at Skinny Monkey displeased. “Why on earth should you worry so much about that? Hurry up and keep a close eye on your domain.”

“I, I’m on my way!”

…At noon the next day, as per his appointment, Xiao Baoshan went on board with the businessman from Fu. This businessman was called Wen Lei and what he was transporting was a s.h.i.+pment of ironware which was counted as precious goods.

Wen Lei met Xiao Baoshan for the first time and did not fully trust him at first sight, but as he saw Xiao Baoshan looking so tall and muscular and as strong as an ox he then asked, “Have, have you practiced martial arts? How many can you take down on your own?”