486 Persuading the pirates (2/2)
That buff chap clad in hide was stunned momentarily, before he muttered.
”Me name’s Canby, sir. You can call me Iron-hammer. This one was a jolly good blacksmit’ back before me days of piracy.”
”Then, be ye willing to accompany me to capture our grand 5-masted Caravel ship? Or perhaps, be ye willing to brave death with me?” Sheyan questioned solemnly.
Canby paused for a moment.
”Sir!! You be a true maniac!”
Sheyan’s incisive gaze stabbed it as though about to devour someone.
”This is because I possess sufficient strength! And sufficient confidence!”
Canby stared briefly at Sheyan. Then, he half knelt to the ground before touching the deck with his forehead.
”I be willin’ to serve ye, cap’n!”
”Wonderful!” Sheyan pulled him up, before roaring towards the multitude.
”Those who had dared to raise their weapons at me, do you have the balls to step forward?”
After issuing his statement, several pirates revealed indignant expressions as they stepped forward with large strides. Sheyan surveyed them with a pair of appreciative eyes, before bellowing loudly in their faces.
”I claim the group of you! Ye heard that! Your bravery has shakened me, and so your lives shall be benevolently spared. You shall have the honor of serving me! Whoever is not in accord, can step forth now and jump overboard. Is there anyone, anyone?”
The pirates peered at each other without a single movement. If there wasn’t a need, jumping into the sea with the current climate wouldn’t be a very comforting experience. Sheyan proclaimed while pointing at Canbi.
”From henceforth, he is your head! Get this in your mind; obeying his orders is equivalent to obeying mine! As for those spineless scums fearful of picking up their weapons, they will be your underlings...whomever wishes to object my leadership or are feeling compelled to accept this, I shall give you ten seconds to raise your dissent!”
A skinny long-necked pirate then lifted his hand bashfully. Sheyan tilted his chin up. The pirate inquired timidly.
”Sir, if this one’s understanding be correct, you intend fer us to join the crew of th’ Flying Dutchman?”
Sheyan grimly renounced.
”That ship is filled with fiends who are neither human nor ghosts. If you wish to join them, I can write a testimonial to recommend you.”
Muffled attempts emitted from the pirates as they attempted to repress their giggles. The skinny pirate shrugged his shoulders and replied.
”Yet I feel there isn’t a difference between us and sir. Fine, I was just referring to the outer appearance.”
Sheyan responded indifferently.
”There is always an exception to all things, ain’t it? I shall specifically inform you right now, I intend to be my own captain. Therefore, I promise you ample rewards for serving me in the time to come. I can swear, these rewards will be heftier than what One-eyed Hog can offer you by a fold!”
Listening till here, the skinny pirate nodded.
”Aye, I understand. Honoured to be part of yer crew, cap’n. Tis’ one has no further questions.”
Sheyan paused briefly, noticing that the underlings of One-eyed Hog weren’t dismal at all, but instead were engaged in mutual whisperings. Knowing that his gamble had paid off, Sheyan revealed an excited countenance. The sea was always a world where the strong preyed on the weak. By employing his strength to directly pressure them, these bunch of pirates who were accustomed to following the powerful, would naturally react pragmatically.
Most crucially, the majority of these pirates belonged to the lower tiers, where their loyalty to upper echelons remained unstable.....citing the example of a basic employer of a Foxconn. If you presented him with a 5,000 bucks salary, he would surely forsake his job and defect to any wealthy Taiwan conglomerate with you. Following that, Sheyan clasped his hands and issued his very first command.
”Alright, all hands on deck on this magnificent 3-masted ship of the englishmen. All of you best change to those ugly red and white rugs of the marines. Within 5 minutes, I wish to see this ship set sail! What, you’re asking me how to handle the marines? Wait, wait, don’t execute them. I have a better arrangement for these arrogant arses. Strip off their clothes and throw them into the warehouse of the ship!”