Chapter 968: A Warning

Anyway, Commissioner Wu had no evidence. Saying humans can command Yin-Serpents? Heh, what a joke. Something no one has been able to do for thousands of years, why would Commissioner Wu dare to say a rich kid from outside like He Lingchuan could do it? "Change according to the times, heh, very well said." Commissioner Wu swallowed his anger and simply changed his question. "Does your master have any way to repel the Yin-Serpents and keep the ships safe?"

"The He family fleet frequently travels through the archipelago and has never been attacked by Yin-Serpents; it's not just luck." Ding Zuodong smiled. "My master said he is willing to gift this method to his neighbors, so that we can all make money in harmony from now on."

Since it's called "neighborly," the relationship must be good.

How can the relationship be good? Cooperation.

Like Commissioner Wu is making things difficult for the Yangshan Archipelago now, don't even think about keeping his own ships safe.

Thinking of the three good ships that were bored and sunk, Commissioner Wu felt like his heart was being cut, but he still had to cough lightly: "Assistant Prefect Zhao, you take Supervisor Ding and make another trip. They have already seriously rectified many times and shown great sincerity. I hope the inspection results this time can be satisfactory to all."

"Yes." Assistant Prefect Zhao immediately understood the profound meaning of "satisfactory to all."

Ding Zuodong went a step further: "Commissioner Wu, we plan to open several shops in Blade Harbor to sell the many specialties of the Yangshan Archipelago. On the day of the opening, we would like to invite you to grace us with your presence."

Grace with presence? The one surnamed He still wants to invite him to stand on the stage? Commissioner Wu couldn't help but take a long breath before saying: "Good, good, I will definitely go see it when I have time."

Ding Zuodong bowed again with a smile before leaving with Assistant Prefect Zhao.

After their footsteps disappeared outside the corridor, Commissioner Wu slammed his fist on the table: "Too bullying!"

His ships were sunk by these people, and he still has to open the door wide for them?

The one surnamed He is opening a shop, and he still wants him to go and cheer?

This is unbearable!

Commissioner Wu subconsciously wanted to smash something, only to remember that his favorite cup had already been smashed just now.

Half an hour later, Assistant Prefect Zhao returned to report:

"The permit has been issued, including all the shop permits for the Yangshan Archipelago in Blade Harbor."

Commissioner Wu glared at him: "What about the most critical one?"

The most critical? Assistant Prefect Zhao was stunned before saying: "Ding Zuodong said the shop has long been renovated and will open soon, inviting you..."

Commissioner Wu slapped the table in anger: "Who cares when he opens! The Yin-Serpents won't attack my ships again, right?"

Assistant Prefect Zhao gave a start: "Yes, yes, I asked! Ding Zuodong said Yin-Serpents don't understand human sentiment, but the He family fleet has already figured out a safe route. As long as you sail on this route, passing ships will not be attacked by Yin-Serpents."

"Route?" Commissioner Wu's heart stirred.

Assistant Prefect Zhao dipped his finger in water and drew a sketch on the table to illustrate. When Commissioner Wu saw it, he couldn't help but press his temples, so angry he laughed out loud:

"Doesn't this all pass through the Yangshan Archipelago?!"

This so-called route almost sticks to the few islands newly developed by his family! Passing ships all have to pass by his family's supply station and his family's island; isn't that sending people to his island?

Merchants and sailors coming and going, eating, staying, and sightseeing, isn't that all traffic?

The abacus of the one surnamed He is even more precise than his! Assistant Prefect Zhao asked in a low voice: "Then, should we take this route?"

"Take it!" Commissioner Wu squeezed these words out through his teeth. "Change all ships entering and leaving the port to this route!"

Anyway, whether the Yin-Serpents attack or not is up to the one surnamed He. If you want to keep the ships safe, you have to follow the route specified by He Lingchuan. Even if the one surnamed He said someone must stand on the bow and dance the hula for the Yin-Serpents, Commissioner Wu would have to follow suit.

Besides, this new route isn't considered a detour, it's just that he is unwilling in his heart.

The news that the Wu family's cargo ships changed routes to avoid Yin-Serpents would soon spread throughout Blade Harbor through the mouths of gossiping boatmen and sailors. Commissioner Wu knew that this news couldn't be hidden at all.

Since the Wu family's ships are setting an example, other passenger and cargo ships will soon follow suit.

After all, who doesn't want to eliminate the hidden danger of Yin-Serpents destroying ships and hurting people? Sigh, the one surnamed He made a huge profit this time. Commissioner Wu could imagine that the route in front of the Yangshan Archipelago would soon be bustling with traffic, with both passengers and cargo flourishing.

Because of the existence of pirates and Yin-Serpents, big ships on the main route didn't want to stop at the Yangshan Archipelago before, unless they encountered strong winds and fog; usually, it was just local small and medium-sized ships occasionally stopping at the island for supplies, and Lei Ni's little broken station was never full.

Now it's wonderful; Commissioner Wu personally advertised for the Yangshan Archipelago with his own big ships, and the key is that he was the one who picked this fight, so he lost in both reason and logic.

Lost to the other party's continuous strikes.

Commissioner Wu took a memorial and a letter from the table and handed them to Assistant Prefect Zhao, the letter already sealed with red mud.

His hand was shaking a bit, from anger.

Assistant Prefect Zhao took a look, and the last two strokes of the letter were not yet dry.

"Submit the memorial and the sealed silver to the royal court together. A malicious neighbor has appeared in Blade Harbor, suspected of controlling Yin-Serpents to attack passing merchant ships; this matter must be reported; additionally, send this letter to Imperial Consort Yu."

It's a coincidence; the "Green Fish" that was bored and sunk by Yin-Serpents was actually bestowed upon Commissioner Wu by Imperial Consort Yu. The tribute goods carried on the ship, such as spices, sweet tea, and condensed fragrance dew, were also to be sent to the palace after landing, and there was also a little heart he offered to Imperial Consort Yu, all of which were now down the drain.

Commissioner Wu, of course, had to report this loss to Imperial Consort Yu.

However, just at this moment, a minor official from the Shipping Commissioner's Office rushed in, panting and shouting: "My lord, my lord! Min Tianxi of the Yangshan Archipelago reports that the Baoji and two other sunken ships have been found in the inner bay of the Western Gorge, all stranded on the beach; perhaps they were carried there by the ocean current."

His ship! Commissioner Wu stood up abruptly: "Found? Is the damage severe?"

All three ships were attacked near the Western Gorge Bay and hit by the undercurrent to the nearby inner bay; it seemed plausible. But Commissioner Wu understood at once whose handiwork this was.

His permit was just issued here, and Min Tianxi reported it there; the timing was very precise.

"Specialists have already rushed to inspect it."

Three hours later.

Just when Commissioner Wu was waiting anxiously, the shipwright from the Shipping Commissioner's Office returned from White Dolphin Bay to report the losses.

The hulls all had several holes and needed repairs.

The good news was that the hulls had no structural damage and could be used after repairs; the bad news was that it would take a lot of time to repair, and these three ships would not make it for this year's autumn harvest season.

Hearing this, although Commissioner Wu had expected it, he breathed a long sigh of relief, and his hanging heart finally settled.

The ships were found, and they could be used after repairs. Obviously, this was the positive feedback the other party gave him after he gave up making things difficult for the Yangshan Archipelago.

As for the cargo on the ships, it was basically gone. The shipwright only found sporadic items, such as a few sets of water powder and a dozen bottles of condensed fragrance dew, which were well-sealed and surprisingly didn't get wet.

Since the ships had sunk, what was strange about most of the cargo being gone? What strange things hadn't happened on the seabed?

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 969 =====