Chapter Eleven: Yang Xiu and the Yuezhou Naval Forces

Late at night, the father and son returned to the Qin residence and immediately went to visit Hu Shangdong.

Having finished treating his wounds, Hu Shangdong lay in bed, with Qin Song’s mother, Mrs. Wu, also present in the room.

Although Hu Shangdong’s injuries were not severe, he still needed to rest in bed for several days.

“Master, Young Master!”

Upon seeing them, Hu Shangdong tried to get up, but Qin Yuanhuai stepped forward and pressed down on his shoulder. “Lie down quickly!”

“Brother Hu, if it weren’t for you this time, the Qin family would have been completely ruined!”

As he spoke, Qin Yuanhuai couldn’t help but sigh deeply.

“Master, you flatter me. It’s my duty.”

“How are the guards?”

At the mention of this, Hu Shangdong’s expression grew solemn. After a long pause, he said, “After we rendezvoused with the ships transporting the cloth, we were attacked by river bandits that very night. Many of the dozens of brothers accompanying us were killed by those bandits!”

“The family suffered heavy losses.”

“Those bastards!”

Mrs. Wu, upon hearing this, cursed furiously.

“All the brothers who died in battle, whether from the Qin family or the Wu family, will receive a hundred taels of silver in compensation. Moreover, if their families face any difficulties, the Qin family will take full responsibility!”

“For the wounded brothers, I will also take full responsibility!”

“I thank you on behalf of all the brothers, Master!”

Hu Shangdong was moved to tears by these words.

“By the way, Master!”

Suddenly remembering something, Hu Shangdong said, “This time, it was thanks to the Yuezhou navy! If they hadn’t arrived in time, we wouldn’t have stood a chance against those bandits!”

“The Yuezhou navy came to the rescue late at night?”

Hu Shangdong’s words caused Qin Yuanhuai to fall into deep thought. “Could it have been arranged by my eldest brother?”

Although called the Yuezhou navy, the troops stationed at Yuezhou port were not actually under the jurisdiction of Yuezhou or Jiangnan Commandery, but were managed directly by the imperial authorities.

“Father, no matter why they appeared, since they helped us so much this time, we must thank them properly!”

Standing beside him, Qin Song naturally understood the situation upon hearing the mention of the navy and felt a surge of relief.

At this moment, Qin Song had no intention of revealing that he had sought out Di Chao.

“Song’er is right!”

Nodding, Qin Yuanhuai fixed his gaze on Qin Song. “Leave this matter to you. If money is needed, go to the accounting office and get it. Make sure to properly thank the Yuezhou navy!”

“Alright, Father!”

“Song’er is growing up!”

Mrs. Wu, standing nearby, felt her eyes misting and her expression filled with relief.

“Father, Mother, although Uncle has been dismissed from office, the Qin family cannot fall. We also cannot cause Uncle trouble. Our Qin family will still become the wealthiest family in Great Xia!”

Having fully accepted the reality of transmigration, Qin Song intended to make his mark in this world. Though achieving noble titles might be beyond reach, becoming the richest heir in Great Xia should not be a problem.

Early the next morning, as Qin Song pondered how to properly thank the Yuezhou navy, a visitor arrived.

“Brother Qin, are you alright?”

A tall, robust young man with a hoarse voice appeared before Qin Song.

“Yang Xiu?”

Seeing the bruises and swollen face, it took Qin Song some time to recognize him. “What happened to your face?”

“Nothing, my father beat me. I’m used to it!”

Yang Xiu’s father was no ordinary man; he was Yang Xun, the Yuezhou garrison commander responsible for military defense.

“I’m just glad you’re okay. If my father hadn’t locked me in the house, I would have come out earlier!”

“I’ve investigated thoroughly. The one who clashed with us that day and knocked you out was the grandson of the Right Minister of the capital!”

“If I meet that grandson again, I’ll help you avenge that day!”

Qin Song then recalled that Yang Xiu had been nearby during his street conflict with Cao Ruixuan.

Of course, besides Yang Xiu, Qin Song had a group of rowdy friends.

But ever since Uncle was dismissed and so many things happened at home, those so-called friends had all disappeared. Yang Xiu was the first to stand by him.

“You said your father locked you up at home, so how did you get out?”

“Did your father tell you to stay away from me now?”

Qin Song had already guessed that upon learning his son had offended the Cao family’s eldest grandson and the Qin family’s troubles, Yang Xun not only beat his son but also changed his attitude toward the Qin family.

“My father left early this morning on official business!”

“Besides, who can keep me locked up?”

“As for other things, my father is my father, but I am me!”

Listening to Yang Xiu’s carefree words and seeing his battered face, Qin Song felt a surge of gratitude.

“Brother, do you know anyone in the Yuezhou navy?”

Just as he was thinking about how to thank the navy, Qin Song asked.

“I do know one!”

Although the Yuezhou navy was not under the Yuezhou garrison’s jurisdiction, they still had some contact.

“Who is he?”

“He’s Zhang Pengyuan, a navy colonel a few years older than us. His grandfather is the navy governor!”

“I’ve met him a few times!”

“Can you get him to come out?”

“What’s the point? That guy only knows how to drill troops. He’s no fun!”

“You don’t know the whole story...”

After hearing this, Qin Song explained the entire situation and kept calculating in his mind.

“A 200,000 tael cloth order?”

“That definitely calls for thanking the navy!”

Qin Song didn’t say much, only that the cloth shipment had been attacked by bandits en route, and it was the navy that saved the day.

“Help me find out which brothers from the navy helped us that night!”

“Don’t worry, leave it to me!”

Upon hearing this, Yang Xiu pounded his chest confidently and hurried off to gather information.

Qin Song then dove into the courtyard to continue studying the spinning and weaving machines.

That afternoon, Yang Xiu came rushing back with news.

“Brother Qin, what did you do last night?”

Yang Xiu approached Qin Song with burning eyes, his excited voice loud enough to be heard throughout the courtyard.

“The whole Yuezhou is talking about it now. Your Qin family hosted a banquet at the tavern for all the city’s dignitaries last night. You not only broke off the engagement with the Lin family but also publicly humiliated the Cao family’s grandson! It’s said that after returning to his room, that grandson smashed everything inside it!”

“Also, that was the Lin family’s eldest daughter—the most beautiful and talented lady in Yuezhou! Just a few days ago, you fought with the Cao grandson on the street over her, and you even got hurt. And now you’ve broken the engagement?”

“Well, considering it, everyone in Yuezhou knows that Lin You’s position as prefect relied on the Qin family! Now the Qin family is in trouble, and they’re kicking us when we’re down...”

“All right, all right!”

Seeing Yang Xiu babbling nonstop like a bamboo tube spilling beans, Qin Song quickly interrupted, “How did your inquiries go?”

“I got the information. Guess what? It was Zhang Pengyuan himself who led the men to save your Qin family’s fleet that night!”

“Moreover, Zhang Pengyuan happens to have a day off tomorrow!”

“Oh?”

Hearing this, Qin Song’s eyes lit up. “Brother, can you get him to come out tomorrow? I’m counting on you!”

“Leave it to me!”

Yang Xiu grinned broadly and pounded his chest again...