Inspection

Instead, it was another stipulation in the agreement that had reached its deadline: Within six days of signing the agreement, Bailie had to evict the tenants on the outer islands of the Yangshan Archipelago and hand the islands over to their new owner. The authorities were already busy seeing to the matter. In other words, Lu Qing'an and He Lingchuan were due to meet again tomorrow before the remaining forty thousand taels of silver could be collected. Would that kid conclude that Bailie had swindled him and refuse to pay the remainder? If that happened, he had only himself to blame. Yet, judging from the reports of the men Lu Qing'an had sent to tail He Lingchuan, although this wealthy heir lingered in the markets all day, eating, drinking, and wandering about, he seemed never to have inquired about the Yangshan Archipelago. Since he didn't ask, no one volunteered the information either. Lu Qing'an didn't know whether He Lingchuan's subordinates were gathering intelligence and reporting back to him. On the other hand, Ding Zuodong, He Lingchuan's subordinate, had been quite active. He was constantly purchasing furniture, roof tiles, farm tools, seeds, and the like, as well as recruiting skilled craftsmen. It truly looked as though he intended to accomplish something grand on the Yangshan Archipelago. Autumn was fast approaching. It was somewhat late to sow other crops, but wheat was suitable. Land reclamation also had to be pushed forward without delay; even without immediate planting, working in plenty of plant ash and letting the soil nourish over the entire winter would raise its fertility, allowing them to sow directly come spring plowing without wasting time. Lu Qing'an had introduced all of these procurement channels to He Lingchuan. Although he had thoroughly fleeced the wealthy young master in the island transaction, the connections he brokered were all vendors of solid reputation and quality materials. This was hardly due to a prick of conscience on Lu Qing'an's part, but rather because the finest material suppliers in the area were either owned by the Lu family or had the Lu family as major shareholders. When they made a profit, the Lu family collected dividends. Catching two fish with one cast—what was not to like? In the afternoon, while he was flipping through the grain and fodder ledgers for the Mou Kingdom, someone suddenly came to report: "The pirates in the Yangshan Archipelago suffered a devastating blow a few days ago." Lu Qing'an uttered an absent grunt, paying it little mind at first. The pirates of the Yangshan Archipelago had long been a scourge, impossible to eradicate. After the Qing Kingdom took over Blade Harbor, they had sent forces on several encirclement campaigns as well. Nowadays, the pirates active within the archipelago were few in number and hardly blatant, so neither side bothered with them. Bailie did not care whether the pirates lived or died; suffering a crushing blow was all the better. Besides, now that the Yangshan Archipelago had changed hands, the pirates were the new owner's headache and no longer had anything to do with Bailie. However, recalling that new "island lord," Lu Qing'an immediately took note of the peculiar timing. "Ten days ago?" Ten days ago, the Yangshan Archipelago was still in their hands. Eight days ago, He Lingchuan had sent someone knocking on their door, seeking to purchase the islands. Could they have been the ones who struck down the pirates? "Which faction defeated the pirates?" "The yin hui." The moment that answer was given, Lu Qing'an froze for two breaths. "What? They dared venture into the depths of the archipelago?" Those pirates were seasoned scoundrels; how could they not know the danger of the deep archipelago? "No, no. According to the people at the supply post, on two consecutive nights, the pirates had two of their strongholds wiped out by the yin hui, with nearly two hundred dead." The pirates' total numbers barely amounted to a thousand, didn't they? Lu Qing'an asked in alarm, "Are you saying the yin hui came out to the outer fringes of the archipelago?" It was impossible for pirates to nest in the depths of the archipelago. The only explanation was that the yin hui had swum out of their territory and invaded the outer waters! This was an anomaly unprecedented in thousands of years. "Yes!" the subordinate continued. "The supply post folk only mentioned today that on that same night, there was also a commotion on Heiye Island. Something was slamming desperately against the doors. The few workers rushed to hide in the rear bunker fortifications. Those works were built to guard against pirate riots, but in the end, they saved their lives." Pirates generally did not attack the supply post, but the staff still had to take precautions. "Did they see clearly? Were they truly yin hui?" "Yes, they saw it plain as day through the door slits. Every single one was massive, at least thirty feet long." Lu Qing'an drew in a sharp breath. "The Yangshan Archipelago is no longer safe." If even the yin hui had come out to wreak havoc, the shipping lanes around the outer Yangshan Archipelago would soon turn desolate. Phew, thank goodness they had already sold those islands. The trouble in those waters was no longer any concern of Bailie's. That evening, as was his custom, he reported the matter to his father. Lu Zhensheng listened, resting his chin on his hand. "How could it be such a coincidence that everything converges at once?" The outward spread of the yin hui, the pirates suffering casualties, the archipelago being sold. Within ten days, all of these events revolved around the Yangshan Archipelago. "What is Father's view?" "Whether this He fellow is involved in these matters is hard to say," Lu Zhensheng mused. "Since the yin hui have expanded their active waters, accompanying him onto the islands for the inspection tomorrow carries some danger." Lu Qing'an nodded. "I will not go. I'll send someone else in my place. And—" He paused briefly. "Over the past two days, drowned corpses have been washing into Blade Harbor constantly, piling up on the beach to the southwest of the harbor and reeking to high heaven. The harbor authorities have cleared them out several times, but they keep drifting in. These corpses are mostly half-charred and mangled, yet easily identifiable—they are all yin hui. The fishermen of Blade Harbor are complaining that no one dares eat fish caught near the port anymore. Even the Qing Kingdom's officials were alarmed and sent men to question us." Yin hui dying one after another, cause unknown? Lu Zhensheng pondered for a long time. "The yin hui are dying, and the living ones are going ashore to attack human settlements. This might indicate that a major upheaval has occurred on Longji Island." "Does that He fellow know the reason?" "You may test him tomorrow, but completing the agreement and securing the remaining money takes priority." Lu Zhensheng rubbed his hands together. "The Yangshan Archipelago has been sold; no returns. Whatever upheavals happen there have nothing to do with us anymore." Lu Qing'an smiled. "That is precisely how I answered the Qing Kingdom." *** The following morning. Just as the sun broke over the horizon, Registrar Yang, dispatched by Lu Qing'an, arrived at Yunding Mountain Villa to invite He Lingchuan to head to Blade Harbor. "Why... why must we go to the island..." He Lingchuan rubbed his eyes, yawning repeatedly as he barely finished the sentence, "...so early?" He had been in the middle of sweet, tender dreams with Master Sun, and before he could take much advantage, this fellow had come knocking and interrupted him. Infuriating! "Does Young Master He not wish to conduct the inspection sooner?" He did, but seeing how impatient these fellows were, He Lingchuan felt in no hurry at all. "Where is Eldest Master Lu?" "He had urgent business outside the city. For Young Master He's visit to the island today, this humble official will accompany you," Registrar Yang said with a smile. "Eldest Master Lu will await you at Blade Harbor in the afternoon." He Lingchuan said nothing further upon hearing this. During their previous drinking session, Lu Qing'an had agreed to accompany him to inspect the island, yet now he had backed out at the last moment. Why? Was it because the waters around Blade Harbor had been unsettled lately, and Lu Qing'an valued his life too much? This family truly was cautious. He Lingchuan made a mental note of this trait. It was a fine day with cloudless skies. Golden ripples danced across the sea, and gulls circled tirelessly, squawking. Bailie had chartered a pleasure barge in advance, which now carried Registrar Yang, He Lingchuan, and several dozen others toward Heiye Island. He Lingchuan fed a nut to the monkey on his shoulder while asking Registrar Yang, "Did the original tenants on the six outer islands agree to move out?" "They were all given extra compensation; why wouldn't they agree?" Registrar Yang smiled. "Originally, they hardly made much..." ...much money. Those words nearly slipped out, but fortunately he checked himself in time. He Lingchuan glanced back at him. "Hardly made much...?" "Hardly took much care of the place," Registrar Yang said, shaking his head. "They ran it like a slum; it degraded the value." As they spoke, a pitch-black object drifted past on the water. Everyone took a closer look, only to find it was a mutilated corpse. He Lingchuan pointed at it, feigning astonishment. "Whoa, what the devil is that? That's not human, is it?" "Curled long tail; not human," Qiu Hu chimed in, leaning over the ship's railing to inspect it, offering a deadpan commentary. "But it seems to have hands. What kind of monster is this?" Registrar Yang originally intended to use the opportunity to sound He Lingchuan out according to Lu Qing'an's instructions. On second thought, however, bringing up either the pirates or the yin hui might scuttle the whole deal. If Young Master He got cold feet and refused to hand over the money, though the contract was signed and their side could resort to coercive measures, that would still be an inferior outcome. So he shook his head. "Just a floating corpse. If Young Master He lives by the sea for long, you will learn that the ocean never lacks for strange and bizarre things." He Lingchuan scratched his head, looking largely indifferent, and pressed no further. The morning wind favored their vessel, and before long, they arrived at Heiye Island. From afar, the island appeared lush and green. Only on approaching did one notice that the shoreline and cliffs were composed of black shale, with thin, paper-like rock plates stacked haphazardly together, bearing both the wild ruggedness of ocean rock and the coarse texture and ringed patterns of tree bark. Here lay a crescent-shaped bay, where a wooden trestle bridge extended from the shore into the sea to allow ships to moor, travelers to land, and goods and fresh water to be unloaded. Registrar Yang walked along the wooden bridge onto land and pointed upward. "That is the supply post." Above the cluster of black reefs sat a patch of low houses of varying sizes and shapes. Some were built of bamboo, some of wood, and some piled from stone; only the roofs were relatively uniform, mostly thatched with palm fronds, broad kelp, and wheat straw. Registrar Yang had spoken the truth: the supply post here was crude in the extreme, thrown together haphazardly without any planning. He Lingchuan walked over to take a look. The doors stood open, and the interiors were a chaotic mess of broken jars, ruined pots, rotted straw wads, abandoned clothing, and stain-crusted farm implements. Did this count as a supply post? A scavenger's shack would be a better description. At the sight of strangers entering, several rats scurried out from beneath the bamboo mats, squeaking as they fled. In the corner of the room, there appeared to be a rat hole. Witnessing this scene, everyone fell silent. Registrar Yang cursed his subordinates inwardly for their shoddy work; after evicting the tenants, they hadn't even bothered to tidy up. Anyone looking at this could tell the business had been failing miserably and that the post's contractors had likely made no money at all. "This household wasn't decent when they left, dumping all their junk behind," he said with a light cough. "Young Master He, please don't take it to heart. I will have men come over to clean it up." He Lingchuan's cheek twitched. "Can you just tell them to tear these houses down entirely?" "Of course." Registrar Yang felt his face burning slightly. "Of course you can." Quickly changing the subject, he hurried to show He Lingchuan around. "The scenery on the eastern cliffs of Heiye Island is actually magnificent. You can see the boundless ocean and the waterfalls cascading down the island opposite."