Do You Know?: Rule the World

"They didn't want Shitou to live on the river like them for the rest of his life. Now that they knew I was coming to Yangzhou, they handed him over to me!"

Shitou bowed respectfully and said, "Greetings, Master Zhao."

Zhao Han smiled and said, "Since you are Zhong Huai's sworn brother, why should you be so polite?"

"I'm not being polite. I admire Mr. Zhao. I've always envied scholars." Shitou scratched his head in a simple manner and continued, "But I'm not very smart. After three months of studying with the teacher, I can't even memorize the entire Hundred Family Names. I can only be a rough man who wields swords and guns."

"Scholars wield their pens to bring peace to the world, warriors wield their swords to determine the fate of the world. They each have their own strengths."

Zhao Han's words really struck a chord with Gu Tingye. He slammed his fist on the table and said, "That's right. The Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun still need military commanders to recapture them. Those civil officials talk about the importance of peace all day long, but they don't know that until Yanyun is recovered, the people of the northern border will never have peace!"

"If one day I could send troops to the border and reclaim my homeland, I would die without regrets!"

"But my father insisted that I take the imperial examination and become an official."

The Gu family was a founding hero of the Great Zhou Dynasty. Not only did they have a red-lettered iron certificate in hand, but the emperor also bestowed upon them the title "Roots as luxuriant as leaves, affection as brothers, filial piety, loyalty and meritorious service throughout the world, the family's influence will last forever."

But now the Great Zhou Dynasty values ​​culture over military affairs, and there are very few scholars in the Gu family. Gu Yankai is determined to cultivate a descendant who can take the imperial examination, so that the Gu family can get rid of the reputation of being a family of soldiers.

The eldest son, Gu Tingyu, was originally a promising student, but unfortunately his health was getting worse and worse and he could not withstand any fatigue. The youngest son, Gu Tingwei, was like a little frozen cat, with no ambition and it was obvious that he would not achieve anything great.

Several nephews were also addicted to pleasure, spending their days in pursuit of women and squandering money extravagantly.

Therefore, Gu Yankai not only taught all his life's martial arts to Gu Tingye, but also urged him to read and practice calligraphy every day.

Zhao Han said gently, "Zhong Huai, if you want to join the army, why don't you tell the Marquis of Ningyuan? The Marquis also made his mark on horseback, so he'll surely understand your aspirations."

Gu Tingye slowly shook his head and smiled bitterly.

"My father and I don't get along. Every time we meet, we're always arguing. When I go back this time, I don't know how he's going to punish me."

Zhao Han knew that a big part of the reason why Gu Tingye and Gu Yan quarreled was actually because of Xiao Qinshi's interference.

He thought for a moment, his eyes drooping. "When we get to Bianjing, just go back to the Marquis' Mansion and kneel down to admit your fault to Marquis Ningyuan. I guarantee he won't punish you. Instead, he'll praise you for being sensible."

"Really? Why do I feel a little bit unconvinced?" Gu Tingye took a sip of hot tea and looked at him half-believingly and half-doubtingly.

"We'll know after trying it." Zhao Han showed a confident smile and gently placed the teacup in his hand on the table.

Gu Tingye clenched his fist and said, "Okay, then I'll try it!"

Ships travel on the canal day and night.

Seven days later, as night fell, Zhao Han stood on the deck, his hands behind his back, his eyes fixed towards the north.

The prosperity and tranquility of Bianjing seemed right before my eyes: the lights of the Zhouqiao Night Market, the weeping willows by the Jinming Pond, the unrestrained music and singing in Fanlou...

A gust of cold wind blew on Zhao Han's face, and he couldn't help but wrap the cloak around his shoulders.

"Mr. Zhao, my brother is waiting for you to come over and have a drink!"

Listening to the call of the stone, Zhao Han gathered his thoughts and turned to enter the cabin.

At midnight, a group of more than ten pirates, armed with scimitars and dressed in black, rode on several small sampans and moved forward quietly under the cover of night, closely following several large ships.

The scarred leader is named Chen Si. For the past year, he has led this group of desperate criminals to run rampant on the canal from Yangzhou to Bianjing, robbing passing ships.

He half-crouched at the bow, the scar on his left cheek extending from his brow to the corner of his mouth looking particularly hideous under the faint moonlight.

"As usual, we'll rob the merchant ship with the deepest draft first."

The pirate squatting behind him lowered his voice and said, "Boss, the ship on the right looks more impressive. There must be a lot of good stuff on it!"

Chen Si twisted his arm hard, his rough fingers digging deep into the flesh. He grimaced in pain, but didn't make a sound.

"Idiot! The people on that ship are going to Beijing to take the imperial examination. Your grandfather and I want to live a few more years. We must not move unless it is absolutely necessary."

"Hacking that merchant ship will give us brothers a good time!"

Chen Si licked his lips, and a bloodthirsty light flashed in his eyes.

Near midnight, a thin mist suddenly floated over the river, perfectly hiding several small boats.

Seeing that the time was almost right, Chen Si lowered his voice, "Old rules, no one is allowed to be left alive! Anyone who dares to play with women and mess up things, I will chop him into pieces and throw him into the river to feed the turtles!"

"Yes, boss!"

After several pirates responded, they immediately dispersed in their sampans and approached the merchant ship silently from all directions.

Inside the merchant ship, candlelight flickered.

Sheng Wei, the eldest son of the Sheng family, was hunched over a rosewood desk, flipping through the account books intently. His fingers moved rapidly on the abacus, making crisp sounds from time to time.

The Sheng family now has three branches: the eldest branch Sheng Wei, the second branch Sheng Hong, and the third branch Sheng Zhui.

Sheng Wei has been in business for several years and is a well-known wealthy man in Youyang, as well as Sheng Hong's God of Wealth.

Promotion in official posts often requires bribes. Sheng Hong attaches great importance to his reputation and considers himself an upright person. He cannot and dares not do things like exploiting the people and embezzling money.

Therefore, wherever money is needed, Sheng Wei is silently sponsoring it behind the scenes.

Of course, Sheng Hong also secretly helped Sheng Wei to run his business smoothly over the years.

The third branch of the Sheng family has made no achievements and can only barely survive in Youyang relying on Sheng Wei's support.

At this moment, the cabin door creaked open slightly, and Sheng Wei's eldest daughter Sheng Shulan walked in.

"Dad, it's getting late. You should rest."

Please pursue reading and monthly tickets~

Chapter 22 Shulan and Pinlan

Shulan was wearing a lavender brocade dress with cloud patterns, and the gold ornaments on her hair were small and exquisite, shining with tiny golden light under the candlelight.

She looked even more gentle and beautiful, with affectionate eyes and a demeanor that didn't suggest she came from a merchant family.

Sheng Wei put down the account book and looked up at his daughter. The fatigue between his brows instantly turned into doting. "You take Pinlan to rest first. I will finish looking through the account book as soon as possible. When we get to Bianjing, I will have time to accompany you for a good stroll."

Shu Lan frowned slightly. "Before we left, mother specifically told me not to overwork Daddy. It's exhausting to look over the accounts by candlelight. Daddy is so stubborn, I won't be able to explain myself when I get back."

"Well, I'll listen to Shu'er."

Sheng Wei closed the account book and looked at her with a smile.

The two reasons for his trip to Bian Jing were, firstly, to inspect various shops, and secondly, to take his two daughters out to see the world, especially Pinlan, who kept clamoring to go to Bian Jing.

The third reason was for the future of Sheng Changwu, the second son of the eldest son.

Sheng Wei's eldest son is named Sheng Changsong. He has been interested in business since he was a child. Over the years, he has managed the family business in an orderly manner and it is thriving.

With his eldest son inheriting the family business, Sheng Wei originally hoped that his second son, Sheng Changwu, would study hard and take the imperial examinations to become an official in the court. However, he just liked to wield swords and guns, and was born strong and sturdy, without looking like a scholar at all.

Therefore, he had to spend money to go around and find a position for Sheng Changwu in the army.

"Is Pinlan asleep?" Sheng Wei asked gently.

Shu Lan pursed her lips and smiled, "She was like a monkey, jumping up and down and playing all day, and she was already tired and fell asleep."

"This girl is restless all day long. I will make sure your grandmother disciplines her when we get back." Sheng Wei shook his head and laughed.

At this moment, there was a sudden sound of hurried footsteps outside.

"Oh no! There are pirates! Hurry up and grab your weapons!"

"The pirates are coming, grab your weapons!"

"..."

Shulan's expression changed suddenly after hearing the series of shouts. Her slender fingers unconsciously clenched her sleeves, and she cast a worried look at Sheng Wei, "Daddy, what should I do..."

Sheng Wei was relatively calm. He had been in business for many years and had traveled all over the country, so he had seen all kinds of storms.

Not to mention the mere water bandits, he had also seen mountain bandits and horse bandits several times.

"Don't panic. Go wake Pinlan up. The two of you don't go anywhere. Just stay in the cabin."

After Sheng Wei finished speaking, he stood up and went out to find out what was going on.

In the past, pirates who came to rob money were mostly a mob. When they saw that the merchant ships were heavily guarded, they would retreat on their own. At the very least, they would be sent away with some silver, money, and jewelry.

But what he encountered this time was a little different. Sheng Wei, holding a torch, just stepped out of the cabin door and heard the screams of servants and guards.

In the light of the fire, he saw more than ten black shadows climbing up the side of the ship from all directions, each holding a sharp scimitar and moving as agile as monkeys.

Sheng Wei's personal servant Feng Xing ran over with a worried look on his face, with beads of sweat oozing from his forehead.

"Master, we've run into a tough opponent."

"These people are stubborn. I offered them 1,000 taels of silver, but they still refused to leave. It looks like they're after lives."

Upon hearing this, Sheng Wei's expression changed.

This time when he came to the capital, apart from the maids and servants who served Shulan and Pinlan, he only brought a dozen servants and guards as usual.

In the past, pirates mostly appeared in the section from Huaihe River to Sizhou. Now they have entered Suzhou. They really didn't expect to encounter such ferocious pirates.

In just half a cup of tea, several pirates had already boarded the deck, and the sounds of fierce fighting were heard.

Sheng Wei frowned and kept observing his surroundings. Then, he instructed the servant beside him, "Get the sampan ready. If necessary, take the second and fourth girls away first."

After the servant responded, he immediately did as instructed.

"My Lord, it seems that the guards on our ship are no match for them."

Feng Xing looked at the blood flowing on the deck and felt a chill down his spine.

The pirate leader, Chen Si, raised his gleaming scimitar high in the air and shouted at the top of his voice, "Kill them all, and all the cargo on the ship will be ours!"

"Leave no one alive!"

"kill!"

The pirates were suddenly as if they had been injected with chicken blood, with greedy and fierce eyes, and began to hack and kill indiscriminately. Sheng Wei retreated repeatedly under the protection of several guards.

Inside the cabin, Shulan bit her lower lip, her face slightly pale. The clanging of weapons, the wailing of servants and guards, and the crazy shouting of pirates kept floating in her ears.

"I want to go out and see what kind of pirates dare to rob our ship!"

Pinlan, who was only a little over ten years old, stood up quickly, picked up the bow and arrow beside him and was about to rush out.

Shu Lan hurriedly grabbed her and said, "Daddy said we can't leave the cabin."

"I want to go out and help!" Pinlan's eyes were wide open, and her childish face was full of stubbornness.

Her personality is completely different from Shulan's. Shulan is introverted and gentle, while Pinlan is bold and lively, fearless and unrestrained.