Late Ming sea owl

Chapter 24 Boss Li
Based on his experience as a bookkeeper at Chen Kee Shipyard, Lin Hai also roughly estimated the total cost of this fleet.

A large sampan costs 50 taels, a crab costs more than 200 taels, a two-masted Guangzhou ship costs an average of 2000 taels, and Mr. Li's boat is worth about 4000 taels...

Not counting weapons and people, such a fleet can be assembled with a total of just over [-] taels, and they are all new ships that have just been launched.This is because the materials used by Guangzhou Shipbuilding are mainly tropical hardwoods such as ironwood. The price and processing difficulty of the wood are relatively high. If it is a Fuzhou ship or a sand ship, it will be much cheaper.

"Brother Lin, please wait a moment. Let Jiang report first." Military Advisor Jiang handed over to Lin Hai and boarded Boss Li's boat first. On the way, he had already roughly figured out Lin Hai's intention.

Lin Hai was waiting on Commander Jiang's Crab Boat. He was not sure about standing up for his uncle this time.Shibi has already given in to Mr. Li, and his sister-in-law will not be in any danger, but the last ship will probably not be saved.

Although it is inconvenient to sail at the Pearl River Estuary, who wouldn’t want a three-masted ship like this?Even if Mr. Li doesn't want to buy a bigger boat to decorate his appearance, he can still sell it for 5000 taels of silver, which is enough to buy twenty crabs.Even if he shoots rabbits in the grass, Boss Li will definitely accept it.

Of course, this was not the main reason why Lin Hai took the risk.After having that batch of silk goods, a mere last ship was not worth the risk he would take. What he really wanted to save was the Shibi gang.

Lin Hai's current situation is that he has money but no one. This is the biggest problem he is currently facing, and money alone cannot solve it in the short term.Being a captain these days is not so easy. The sea is a lawless place and full of uncertainties. Life may be in danger at any time. It cannot be controlled by just recruiting a group of sailors.

On Western pirate ships, strict discipline, cruel punishment and democratic decision-making mechanisms often coexist on the same ship, and the captain's personal prestige is very important.In the East, whether it is a maritime merchant or a pirate gang, the key members are basically from the same hometown or even the same race, and they have a strong natural cohesion.

Lin Hai came to this era alone, and his only reliable social connection was Zhu Niang. The best option now was to rely on Shibi's mature gang. As for his personal prestige, it could only be established slowly.This is why Lin Hai deceived Shi Bi into doing business in Dongfan on the first day he met him.

However, Shi Bi wanted to trick Lin Hai into joining a pirate gang. With that last ship and the foreign aid of Li Guozhu, he felt that there was no need to join Li Boss and he might as well be the big brother himself.Even if you want to vote, you have to strive for a semi-independent status.

Shi Bi planned to finish the wedding first, then convince Lin Hai to stay at the Pearl River Estuary, and then do some work for his adopted brother, but he didn't expect that because of his delay, Ma Xuansheng and the other five boys would take advantage of this loophole.

In any case, Lin Hai would never allow Boss Li to swallow up Shibi's gang.On the last ship, he quickly made the decision that he had to come forward. Of course, he waited until the last moment to come forward.

On the way here, Military Master Jiang tried to trick him, and Lin Hai deliberately revealed his words, also with the intention of testing.However, Military Advisor Jiang was cautious and his words were impeccable. Lin Hai could only tell that he must recognize the wrench. It was hard to say how much face Li Guozhu had.

After waiting for a full stick of incense, the night on the sea became darker and darker. The oarsmen on the crab boat were all impatient and looked bad.Lin Hai is also a little depressed. You guys are so anxious, I am still waiting to go back to the bridal chamber.

Finally, Military Advisor Jiang appeared on the deck of Mr. Li's ship and waved to Lin Hai in the darkness: "Brother Lin, the master is here to invite you."

The bulwark of the three-masted ship was much higher than that of the crab boat. Lin Hai climbed up the gangway onto the deck of Lao Li's ship.As soon as they landed, the surrounding torches suddenly lit up, and a dozen big men shouted in unison from the direction of the poop: "Welcome!"

Lin Hai followed the sound and saw a dozen men standing in two rows in front of the stern building's official hall, each holding a ghost-headed sword, crossing each other and raising it above their heads, forming a human-shaped arcade, with the top of the arcade It's a sharp blade.

The sea breeze on the boat made the torches crackle, and Military Advisor Jiang smiled in the dark: "Brother Lin, please leave. The boss is waiting in the official hall."

Lin Hai glanced at him: "Thank you, Military Advisor Jiang." He said and walked into the human-shaped arcade. The two rows of men pressed their blades down and shouted, almost roaring: "Welcome!"

The sharp blade stopped suddenly on Lin Hai's head, almost touching his No. [-] Scholar hat.In the firelight, the sharp light of the sword fell into his eyes, revealing a chilly air in the night.

For ordinary people, even if they know that this is a psychological deterrent, they will inevitably feel weak and fearful when they are in the situation.It's a pity that Military Advisor Jiang doesn't know what Lin Hai does. This little trick will only make him feel more confident. Does Boss Li need this battle to kill him?

Lin Hai's back was still straight and without raising his head, he walked towards the official hall casually, as if he regarded the dozen or so men as guards of honor.

Military Advisor Jiang followed Lin Hai. Seeing his steady movements, unhurried and unhurried pace, and no deformation at all, he couldn't help but secretly sigh: This man is really brave!He originally wanted to shock Lin Hai, but he didn't want to backfire.

Lin Hai pushed the door open and walked in. The official hall of this ten-foot-long Guangzhou ship was quite spacious. It was empty and there were no seats. There was only an oil lamp hanging on the opposite wall. A tall man with his back to the door. The lights were blocked tightly, casting a long black shadow on the dark floor.

Lin Hai knew in his heart that this was Li Zhongguo, the new leader of the Pearl River Estuary. He crossed his hands and said, "Lin Hai, I've met Mr. Li."

The big man was still facing him with his back, and all he heard was an angry question: "Shimanzi sent you to see me, what do you want to say?"

Seeing him acting like this, Lin Hai felt more confident. He just smiled and said, "Shibi didn't send me here, it's me who wants to meet the head of the Li family."

"I don't recognize you." Li Zhongguo turned around suddenly, and the lights on the wall were swayed by him, and he stared at Lin Hai with a gaze that could pierce someone.

Lin Hai met Li Zhongguo's eyes coldly and just looked at him with disdain. The man in front of him was about forty years old. He had the head of a leopard, eyes like a leopard, a tiger's chin, and a tiger's mustache. His face was roughened by the sea wind. He has a rather majestic appearance, and he looks like a man from the green forest.

The air in the official hall seemed to freeze for a moment, and Lin Hai stopped talking nonsense to him, showed the thumb of his right hand, and said slowly: "Does the head of the Li family recognize this?"

Li Zhongguo had already received a briefing from Commander Jiang, and without even looking at the thumb, he just pressed the Wild Goose Wing Saber on his waist and stared at Lin Hai: "Who is Li Yiguan?"

"I am his brother-in-law. I am here today just to discuss with the head of Li University. A few days ago, my brother-in-law came to Haojing and left a boat with me, asking me to escort a batch of goods to Dongfan. I am Shibi. My uncle, I also promised my brother Qi to go with him..."

Lin Hai didn't care at all about his action of pressing the knife, and raised his head while talking. Li Zhongguo suddenly pulled out the knife and pointed it directly at Lin Hai's throat: "You mean, Shi Manzi has voted for Li Yiguan?"

Lin Hai didn't even look at the blade under his chin, and said without flinching: "Exactly, I hope the master doesn't hurt the harmony between the two families."

Li Zhongguo stared at Lin Hai for a while, then suddenly flicked his wrist, put the Yanchi knife on his neck, and said angrily: "The Pearl River Estuary is my world! When Li Yiguan comes, he also has to pay me for the road. ."

(End of this chapter)