Don't panic if your home is confiscated or you are exiled, just empty the warehouse and stock u

As the crowd around watched, a wave of laughter rose up.

When Li Kun heard the sneering sounds around him, he felt more humiliated and his face turned gloomy.

"What are you laughing at!" The thugs drove away the people who were still sneering one by one, "If you laugh again, I will punish you."

Jing Zhuo cleared his throat slightly, and said with a hint of joking, "Mr. Li, you are indeed a flexible person. In this case, let's talk about the compensation."

Li Kun clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles turned white from the force. He remembered the humiliation he had suffered today.

Sooner or later, he would burn down the Baihua Tower and all the people inside it into ashes.

He threw out a bag of silver and said, "Two hundred taels of silver is enough for the renovation."

Jing Zhuo's lips curled up slightly, as if smiling, "This is not enough."

She unfolded the list that Jiang Nianwei had prepared long ago, which listed in detail all the damaged items.

Jing Zhuo read them out one by one: "Look at this table, this screen, and these exquisite porcelains... Moreover, how can we calculate the lost income during the days when the restaurant was closed because of you?"

"Then tell me, how much silver do you need?"

Jing Zhuo stretched out a finger and shook it gently, "One thousand taels."

Li Kun originally thought that two hundred taels was already a courtesy, but the other party actually dared to ask for such a high price.

Jing Zhuo leaned forward slightly and said in a voice that only the two of them could hear: "My cousin has a special relationship with the governor's daughter. When the time comes, ask her to say a few good words for you. Mr. Li, your one thousand taels is a good deal."

Li Kun could only bear it and took out a silver note of one thousand taels. This amount of silver was nothing to him. After all, the Li family had accumulated wealth for many years and had a rich financial foundation.

"Remember what you said today!"

After everyone left, Jing Zhuo took the silver note worth one thousand taels and prepared to give it to Jiang Nianwei.

"It only cost a few hundred taels to buy the restaurant, and this thousand is really worth it."

Jiang Nianwei shook her head. "I'll give you this money to repair the restaurant and distribute it to the waiters. The rest will be used to help the poor. During my absence, I'll trouble you to take care of everything."

Jing Zhuo stared at her, with a hint of worry in his eyes, "Are you...are you really determined to go to the water fort?"

"That's natural."

Jing Zhuo sighed, "In that case, give me a day and I'll modify some weapons for you so that you can protect yourself if something unexpected happens."

The thermal weapons of the Great Zhou were only a primary firearm called a musket, whose power was limited by the rough airtightness and barrel length.

Jing Zhuo drew a blueprint of the weapon, and only wrought iron, wood and bronze were needed to make a flintlock gun.

The ignition device is a stone-flint rotary ignition. The trigger is connected to the flower wheel. There is a stone on the top of the flower wheel. Once the trigger is pulled, the flower wheel will rotate rapidly, producing intense friction with the flint, thereby igniting a hot flame, which is like the principle of a lighter.

The two asked the blacksmith to help make a part. Since it was just a spare part, he did not find anything unusual and just made it according to the blueprint.

The rest was taken back to Nanzhou Island for further assembly. Jiang Nianwei had ready-made gunpowder in her space, and there was also a considerable amount of it that she had brought from the military camp before.

The rifle can hold eight rounds of ammunition at a time and has a range equivalent to that of a modern shotgun. Its only drawback is that it is too large and difficult to hide.

Jiang Nianwei tentatively aimed at a target in the distance. It was powerful enough, with a strong recoil that made her hands numb.

Ah Zhao quickly stepped forward and held her steadily, with a trace of concern in his eyes, "Sanniang, this musket is powerful and easy to go off accidentally, so let me keep it."

Jiang Nianwei nodded slightly. She carefully wrapped the musket and handed it to Ah Zhao. "You must be careful too."

"Let's take a short break today and set off again tomorrow."

She did not reveal a word about this matter to anyone in her family, and only mentioned it to Jing Zhuo and A Zhao.

Her eldest brother still needs to stay on Nanzhou Island, and she doesn't want her family to have unnecessary worries because of her actions.

Besides, she was absolutely sure.

Jiang Siyu fed the young eagle as Ah Zhao said. In the past few days, it has grown a lot and can start to eat some small fish and shrimps.

Ah Zhao often stared at the young eagle, as if he was worried about something.

Jiang Nianwei was about to go forward to ask, but she saw her younger sister coming back angrily with a basket of seafood, muttering: "Duan Yun is such a bastard! Big fool, stupid ass!"

After scolding, she was still not satisfied, so she threw the straw rope that Duan Yun gave her to the ground and stomped on it a few times.

"I'm never going to play with him again."

Jiang Nianwei frowned slightly and asked with concern: "Siyu, what happened? How did Duan Yun offend you? Haven't you always had a good relationship?"

Jiang Siyu turned around, her eyes sparkling, "Sister, I can only tell you this."

The two hid among the quiet haystacks, and Jiang Siyu slowly expressed her grievances: "I asked him to take me to the sea for fun, and he often took me there before. Obviously, I didn't say anything excessive, but his words suddenly became sharp, accusing me of just playing around under the wings of my family, being a willful young lady, completely unaware of the sufferings of the world, and not knowing how to put myself in other people's shoes."

She was getting more and more confused, "But I really don't have any talent, and I'm not like my elder sister and brother..."

Jiang Nianwei pondered for a moment, thinking of her own experience, and then she spoke slowly: "Siyu, when I was your age, I was also like you, often confused in my heart, liked to travel around, and enjoyed the freedom without any restrictions, but I never had my own goals and pursuits. The only dream I had was to marry into the Marquis' Mansion and depend on a man, but you have seen the final outcome with your own eyes."

Recalling the past, she couldn't help but shook her head, with a little more emotion: "Duan Yun's words, although harsh, are not completely unreasonable. You don't want to study, you don't like martial arts, and you don't want to do business with me. You are only in your prime years now, and time flies. If you don't cherish it, it will be easy to waste it... Sister hopes that you can find what you really want to do, enrich yourself, and have confidence. When you have enough confidence and strength, even if you don't rely on anyone in the future, you can live freely and unrestrainedly in this vast world."

Jiang Siyu rubbed her eyes. Although the two sisters had always been close, they had never had such a heart-to-heart conversation. These words made her feel a little ashamed.

She was silent for a moment, her heart was in turmoil, and she felt unprecedented confusion: "I...but I really don't know what I can do?"

“Think about it carefully. In the past, your father was the Imperial Censor, and his position was enough to protect you from the storm. But times have changed, and you have seen our current situation. Although we are not in dire straits, we are still walking on thin ice. If we are not careful, we may lose our lives.

"Mom and Dad are old, and we should protect them. You will have to be independent sooner or later, and even we can't protect you forever."

These words shocked Jiang Siyu's heart, "Sister, you are right."

"As for Duan Yun, think carefully about whether what happened today was inappropriate and angered him. You also know his character. He is not the kind of person who makes trouble without reason."

Jiang Siyu nodded thoughtfully, "I was so angry at the time that I didn't think deeply. I'll go find out now. And these seafood were given to me by an uncle in the village. You can do whatever you want with them, sister."

Jiang Siyu picked up the straw rope that she had just discarded, turned around and left in a hurry.

He trotted all the way to Duan Yun's door and hesitated.

Duan Yun had a solemn expression on his face. He was holding a basket in his hand and carefully supporting his mother Wen Qingwan as they walked towards the western wilderness.

Jiang Siyu followed them quietly, only to find that they had come to a deserted cemetery.

Duan Yun knelt down in front of his father's grave and lit paper money, the flames dancing in the twilight.

He took out an old knife and said in a low voice, "Dad, today is the anniversary of your death. Mom and I came to see you again. This time, I also brought you good wine and good food. I hope your soul can rest in peace in heaven."

Duan Yun poured the wine in front of the grave with guilt, "I am an unfilial son. I have not been able to achieve success and fulfill your wishes, but please believe that I will continue to work hard and live up to your expectations."

Wen Qingwan sighed silently, "Old Duan, don't listen to your son's nonsense. I just hope he can live a peaceful life, marry a girl he likes, and live a happy life."

Jiang Siyu took in the whole scene, and a complex emotion suddenly surged in her heart.

Not long ago, Duan Yun mentioned his father's death anniversary.

However, she never took it to heart. Instead, she kept pestering him to go out to sea for a trip and even almost destroyed his father's belongings.

Thinking back now, Jiang Siyu's heart was filled with regret.

I was indeed unreasonable before, no wonder Duan Yun was so angry.

After the worship, Wen Qingwan mentioned what happened during the day, "Yun'er, I noticed that you had an argument with the youngest daughter of the Jiang family. She is just a young girl who has not experienced much of the world. As a man, you should be more tolerant and humble."

Recalling what he had said before, Duan Yun also felt that he had gone too far.

He nodded slightly: "Mom, you are right, I was indeed too impulsive and lost my sense of proportion. I will go find her and apologize to her now."

"Be gentler in your tone. I think that girl has a crush on you. Why not..."

"Remember, your tone should be gentle. I saw that girl's eyes were full of admiration for you. Perhaps..."

Duan Yun frowned slightly and interrupted his mother: "Mother, please don't mention this matter again. Siyu is just like a sister to me. I have never had any improper thoughts about her, not now and never in the future."

He didn't know that Jiang Siyu had heard these words in the dark.

When Duan Yun returned, it was already late. Under the moonlight, Jiang Siyu was standing quietly not far away, with a bit of stubbornness in her clear eyes.

Jiang Siyu took a deep breath and said sincerely: "I did go too far today. I'm sorry. I apologize to you."

Duan Yun was a little caught off guard by her sudden apology, "I was too harsh in my words and offended you..."

Jiang Siyu raised a bitter smile at the corner of her mouth, "No, you are not wrong, that is the truth, I will reflect on it, I did rely on my family's love and was too lax, but you are different from me, you will definitely be able to achieve success in the future and realize your wish."

Duan Yun saw tears in her eyes and seemed touched.

Jiang Siyu wiped away her tears and said, "Duan Yun, I won't bother you anymore."

"It doesn't have to be like this..."

But Jiang Siyu did not give him the chance to continue speaking. She turned around and disappeared into the night.

Duan Yun stood there, feeling a little uncomfortable in his heart, but he did not go forward to chase.

……

When Jiang Siyu returned home, she found that everyone in the yard was holding bamboo sticks, busy skewering various kinds of barbecue.

"Siyu, you're back just in time. We can start eating barbecue right away. Can you check if the charcoal fire is strong?"

Jiang Siyu cheered up and responded neatly: "Okay, I'll go take a look."

Jiang Nianwei sat quietly in front of the charcoal fire, concentrating on flipping the skewers of meat in her hands.

After a while, the aroma of barbecue wafted from the yard, tempting the taste buds.

Taozhi stared at the skewers eagerly, "It smells so good! My mouth is watering. Our girl can do anything. She is so amazing."

Jiang Nianwei couldn't help but smile, "Taozhi, you have such a sweet mouth. You don't have to be like this. You will definitely get a portion of this skewers."

After a while, the skewers of meat and seafood were grilled.

Jiang Siyu couldn't wait to take a bite of the skewer, the aroma of meat filled the air, "Hmm... very delicious, but the heat hasn't dissipated yet, it's a little hot."

The atmosphere at home made her feel a little more at ease, and her elder sister's words echoed in her mind.

She had indeed thought about marrying Duan Yun, but after understanding his feelings, she realized that this idea was too naive.

She laughed at herself, it turned out that her expectation was nothing but a false joy.

Jiang Siyu hesitated for a moment, and finally plucked up the courage to look up at her father Jiang Yan, who was sitting on a bamboo chair with a calm expression.

She spoke softly and asked nervously, "Dad, I...I also want to go to the private school with you."

Jiang Yan raised his eyebrows when he heard this, and a hint of surprise flashed across his eyes, but he immediately regained his composure: "Oh? Are you thinking about studying again?"

Jiang Siyu lowered her head slightly and twisted the corners of her clothes nervously with her hands. Her performance was so bad before that it was no wonder that her father had a problem with her.

"I am at home every day, except doing some trivial things. I can't really help much. Instead of wasting my time like this, I might as well go to a private school and continue to study."

Jiang Yan pondered for a moment and said seriously: "Siyu, studying is not a joke. If you just want to kill time, then there is no need."

"Dad, you always praised me for my intelligence and encouraged me to study hard."

"You once said that you weren't interested in this, and I don't want to force you anymore."

Siyu is gifted but lacks perseverance. She has not experienced many hardships and setbacks, and has a simple mind.

Jiang Siyu hurriedly shook her head, "I can't let myself go like this any longer. Although I don't have his strengths, my memory is still good. I am willing to follow in your footsteps and continue to study and live up to your expectations."

At this moment, Jiang Yan felt that his little daughter had grown up. "Since you are so determined, come on!"

……

The next day, Jiang Nianwei and A Zhao had loaded the cargo on the ship. In addition to food, local vegetables and fruits, they also brought some bandages and herbs.

The two went out as usual and no one else noticed anything unusual.

Ah Zhao followed the markings on the route and slowly sailed towards the unknown sea.

As the ship sailed farther and farther away, the familiar coastline and islands gradually disappeared from sight.

Jiang Nianwei stared at the sea, with a thousand thoughts in her mind. If the negotiation could be successful and this route could be opened up, she would be able to transport Yazhou's specialties out and sell them in the future, and the profits would be immeasurable.

It was evening and the sea was unusually calm, but Zhao sensed a dangerous aura, "We should be there."

As soon as the words fell, the calm water surface suddenly began to ripple.

Several ships emerged from all directions and silently surrounded their cargo ship.

On the boat in the center, a man was leaning against the bow, his headscarf fluttering in the wind, shouting, "If you want to pass through here, you must leave half of the cargo behind! If you don't, you will lose your life!"