Chapter 91: A Virtuous Deed

In the Ming dynasty, privately hoarding armor was treated the same as rebellion, so no matter how arrogant the great clans were, they generally had no armor.

Firearms were also strictly regulated.

Bows and crossbows were also taboo, but the rules were much looser—especially regular bows. As long as they were hidden inside the residence and not flaunted, even if the authorities knew, they would turn a blind eye.

Xie Er had deliberately concealed the matter of the bows and crossbows, hoping that when these sea bandits attacked the residence, they would be caught off guard, and he could seize the chance to escape.

He never expected that this demon would see through even that little scheme. A ghost indeed could not be judged by mortal reasoning…

Lin Qian finished speaking and gestured for Bailangzai to continue.

"The sturdy serving men are all common folk. Once we enter the residence, they will also pick up weapons and resist.

The local militia only has about twenty men patrolling each night, scattered around the various points outside the residence. Gathering them all takes time.

The residence's weapons are mainly swords and sabers; spears are few.

There is a kennel by the back gate. Once the dogs catch the scent of strangers, they will bark wildly—we must avoid it.

The guards take turns patrolling each night, and the number posted along each wall is not large.

If we want to move covertly, we could learn the guards' night-watch routine, toss grappling hooks over the wall from outside, kill the patrolling guards, then enter the inner courtyard. That might be our chance."

Lei Sanxiang: "Helmsman, I recall your hometown is in Huangyan County. Do you know anything about this Lin residence?"

The moment those words left his mouth, everyone's gaze turned toward him.

Everyone had vaguely guessed that Lin Qian bore a grudge against the Lin clan of Huangyan, but none dared ask. Fortunately, the blunt-spoken Lei Sanxiang had said it out loud, and they all held their breath to listen.

Lin Qian sat back down in his seat, took a sip of tea, and said: "My family used to be tenant farmers of the Lin residence…"

Their expressions did not change—clearly they had expected as much.

Lin Qian continued: "The Lin family's land was rented out with rent converted to silver, one tael per mu. My family originally had five members and rented ten mu of land, so the annual rent was ten taels of silver."

After paying one tael of silver per mu, what grain the tenant farmers had left could barely keep them from starving to death. Absurdly, this rent was merely the average level in Huangyan County—in fact, slightly below the average line.

The Lin clan of Huangyan was a scholarly farming family that had existed since the Song dynasty, generation after generation of officials. They enjoyed a fine reputation throughout all of Taizhou Prefecture, and precisely because their reputation weighed on them, they showed tenant farmers a bit of "leniency."

"Besides working the fields, our family of five—my mother, second sister, and third sister had to spin thread and weave cloth every day, while my father and I would go to the county seat for odd jobs during the slack farming season. Life was hard, but we managed to get by.

Then last year the Yongning River flooded, drowning all the fields. My home was swallowed by the flood—father, mother, second sister, third sister… not even their bones were left…"

Lin Qian's tone was very flat. Although this was the original owner's experience, as he told it, anger still surged in his chest.

The original owner, a mere tenant farmer, had thought the flood was simply a natural disaster.

But Lin Qian could see the trick behind it.

In the dining hall, everyone listening to Lin Qian held their breath.

Although most of those present had never been tenant farmers.

But by extension—merchants, hereditary military households, pearl divers—they all shared the same fate, the same suffering. They all felt it in their bones.

Lin Qian took a deep breath, suppressed his emotions, and continued calmly: "I was lucky. I was swept to the side of a tree and stayed on its branches with cockroaches and rats for two days. When the flood receded, I had cheated death.

Old Master Lin was kind-hearted. Knowing his tenant farmers had suffered disaster, he specially waived seventy percent of the rent. Ha, what a good man!"

Lin Qian's sigh made Xie Er, standing off to the side, tremble all over. Cold sweat poured out uncontrollably, soaking his entire back.

Xie Er kept his head down, hunched his body, and slowed his breathing, praying that no one would notice him.

Lin Qian continued: "My family was gone. I couldn't produce a single copper coin. I knew how the Lin residence dealt with tenants who fell behind on rent, so to stay alive, I fled to Yuegang. That was where I came to know all you brothers at sea."

As Lin Qian's words ended, he added: "Xie Er."

Hearing Lin Qian call him, Xie Er stiffened all over like a dog that had seen a stick, forcing a smile: "Helmsman."

"That great flood—tell us what really happened."

Xie Er felt as though every single hair on his body was screaming for help. Heaven above had finally made him pay for the sins the Lin residence had committed.

"This humble one is just the Lin residence's shipping steward—how would I know anything about the flood…"

"I told you to speak." Lin Qian's voice was calm, his eyes fixed on Xie Er.

Xie Er felt as though he were being pierced through by two blades.

The gazes of everyone in the cabin turned toward him, and Xie Er felt as though he were being sliced alive.

Xie Er gritted his teeth, lowered his head, and said in a small voice: "That flood—the Lin residence released it…"

"What!" Lei Sanxiang flew into a rage. He slammed the table hard, knocking over three teacups, and Dragon Well tea spilled all over the floor.

Lei Sanxiang pointed at Xie Er and cursed: "You black-hearted, rotten-gutted, thieving turtle-clan of a household! To do such a virtue-destroying, heir-cutting deed!"

Bai Qing reacted faster—she had already pressed a dagger against Xie Er's neck.

Bailangzai hastily grabbed his elder sister's arm: "The helmsman hasn't given the order. You can't kill him."

Bai Qing sheathed her dagger with hatred, her eyes fixed dead on Xie Er, killing intent radiating from her.

Zheng Zhilong said coldly: "Everyone in the Lin residence—from the oldest elder to the youngest infant—all deserve death!"

Chen Jiao said: "People say sea bandits are cruel, but compared to these famous great clans, we're mere apprentices before a master."

Scholar Zhou, rare for him, refused to paper over the matter: "To commit such deeds—Heaven itself abandons them!"

Xie Er hastily said: "The Lin residence had no choice."

"You villain, I'll butcher you!" Lei Sanxiang said, and moved to strike.

Lin Qian said calmly: "Brothers, calm yourselves. Let him finish."

Lei Sanxiang let out a long, thick breath from his nose. The weather was slightly cold, and a puff of white mist seemed to rise before his face.

Xie Er said: "Last year in the eighth month, Taizhou saw more than ten straight days of heavy rain. The Yongning River and Ling River rose sharply. If the floodwaters were not released, Huangyan County—even all of Taizhou Prefecture—might have been submerged. Old Master Lin voluntarily offered his own lands to divert the flood. Choosing the lesser of two evils, it could be counted as a virtuous deed…"

"Virtuous deed my mother's arse!" Lei Sanxiang could no longer hold back. His face twisted like a man-eating tiger's, and with one slap he shattered the black walnut chair behind him into pieces.

In two strides he reached Xie Er, raising a palm as broad as a winnowing fan. If that blow landed solid, Xie Er would surely be beaten on the spot until he had breath out but none in.

Bailangzai hurried forward to hold him back.

"Old Seven, get out of the way!" Lei Sanxiang roared.

Lei Sanxiang's strength was enormous—even Bailangzai could not restrain him.

Chen Jiao also came over and grabbed him, scolding, "Third Brother, wake up. If we kill this man, how are we supposed to get revenge?"

Lei Sanxiang's eyes suddenly cleared. Right—Xie Er was their key into the Lin estate. If they killed him, how could they slaughter Old Master Lin's whole family?

Lin Qian said, "This trip to the Lin estate is not for killing."

Everyone stared at him in surprise.

Lei Sanxiang: "If not for killing, then for what?"

"Silver." Lin Qian said slowly.

The Huangyan Lin clan was a distinguished family of Zhejiang, well-regarded throughout the province. In particular, the people of both Taizhou Prefecture and Huangyan County were grateful for their virtue in destroying farmland to divert the floodwaters.

If the family were to be massacred, it would be a horrifying case that would surely reach the emperor's ears. Even the Red Pill Case taking precedence above might not be enough to suppress it.

At that point, it would draw the attention of the court, and if they investigated in turn, the favorable situation he had just established would be destroyed in an instant.

Moreover, once they killed without restraint, this group's reputation would be ruined. If they were branded with the slanderous name of wokou pirates, it would be difficult to grow and expand afterward.

But not killing indiscriminately did not mean not taking revenge.

(End of chapter)

Pen