Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 332 - 168 Search

Gu Chengyu had a bit of a headache. This matter! Actually, the steward is also innocent, but who is responsible for everything on the boat? If they disembark, where would they find the boat’s owner to return the silver? Therefore, dealing with the steward is quite normal.

Sun Xian and Ye Zhiqiu didn’t want to get involved either, but ignoring it wasn’t an option, as the passengers had already surrounded them.

"Everyone! Please listen to me!" Sun Xian was the oldest among them and quite tactful in dealing with people. So when he saw Gu Chengyu looking up to the sky speechlessly, he had no choice but to step forward. Counting on Ye Zhiqiu was not feasible as he was too shy to mediate.

Sun Xian analyzed the current situation and had the steward promise to refund everyone’s silver upon reaching Jingyuan Prefecture. As for compensation for losses, that was out of the question. After all, no one was hurt, and to be honest, it was those who hid inside and refused to come out who were shouting the loudest.

When danger arose, they hid; when it was time to divide the silver, they came out to incite trouble.

Those who were injured should let the steward bring a doctor from the town to take a look. Also, send a message to the owner as soon as possible to have the compensation silver prepared. The boat had to stop here for a few more days, as the deceased were taken away by the government office, but their families needed to be notified to claim the bodies and collect compensation.

Lastly, those who wanted to disembark here should wait for the boat’s owner to send the silver, then come and get it, as the boat wasn’t going anywhere. After much persuasion, everyone finally calmed down.

Even Gu Chengyu discreetly gave Sun Xian a thumbs up; Sun Xian didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Actually, Gu Chengyu just didn’t want to bother; he found it annoying. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

In front of everyone, Gu Chengyu took out three hundred taels of silver from his chest and handed it to the steward.

"We encountered River Bandits this time, and those who sacrificed themselves deserve our respect. Please use this silver to distribute among their families as my humble contribution."

The steward was somewhat moved upon seeing this. Gu Chengyu was a scholar, different from the rest. Being able to take out three hundred taels to comfort the families showed his noble character.

"Mr. Scholar is righteous, I thank Mr. Scholar on their behalf."

Don’t underestimate these three hundred taels. Take the boatmen, for example, they earn only two taels a month. The compensation for each deceased boatman was about twenty taels, which was considered generous. If the owner were stingy, giving only a little over ten taels was quite common.

After all, being a boatman was a dangerous job, and it was agreed upon before boarding. The work was hard and also required serving as bodyguards, the risks on the river were unpredictable. Encountering River Bandits wasn’t the boat owner’s fault; according to previous contracts, giving twenty taels was already very generous.

Why would so many people take on such a dangerous job? Because the monthly silver was enticing! Working at the docks transporting goods could earn a few dozen coins a day, only three to four hundred coins a month even if there was work every day. Although the boat was dangerous, the two taels per month were tempting!

Boats used to deal with River Bandits, so the danger wasn’t that great. This incident was indeed an accident.

The steward, though tempted by the three hundred taels, knew he couldn’t take it. Many people on the boat saw it; he couldn’t swallow it if he wanted to. Besides, he didn’t want to do it; taking this silver would truly bring divine retribution.

"No wonder he’s a scholar! A generous move of three hundred taels!" Someone said enviously, but it was merely envy for the scholar’s wealth!

"Would Mr. Scholar lack silver? One look at his clothing shows he’s wealthy! He must be the son of a wealthy family!"

Yao Mengxian was sitting by the bed doing embroidery. Earlier, she instructed two guards to go out with Mrs. Gao to buy some supplies and invite a doctor to check on Lianxin and Uncle Li. However, the outside was noisy; she wondered what was happening?

"Miss! Stop embroidering, it’s straining on the eyes on the boat!" Lianxin came in with a tray of green rice porridge cooked by Mrs. Gao in the morning, some small dishes, a plate of buns, and a plate of snacks.

"Lianxin? Why are you up? Didn’t I tell you to rest on the boat for a few days?" Yao Mengxian frowned. Lianxin was kicked in the chest by River Bandits earlier, and it’s unclear if there was internal injury.

"I feel great and full of energy. The medicine from our benefactor is indeed extraordinary, no need for a doctor! After all, lying in bed is boring." Lianxin arranged breakfast on the table, her words full of admiration for Gu Chengyu.

Earlier, Lianxin heard from Mrs. Gao about Gu Chengyu killing the River Bandits and saving her mistress. She thought the benefactor was heroic. Especially after knowing he was this year’s top scorer in the Provincial Examination, her admiration increased.

"Even with injuries, take care! If you can’t stay in bed, just walk around, no need to serve so early." Yao Mengxian said with a gentle smile.

Qing Dai watched the interaction between the mistress and servant, biting her lip. Since that day, the mistress had been colder to her.

She used to ask her to gather information, but now she only let her serve by her side, rarely letting her go out. Serving closely was normal, as Lianxin was hurt and she was the only maid. But she felt that the mistress seemed very aloof, smiling but not as warmly as she did to Lianxin.

"Hasn’t Mrs. Gao returned? When I just came from the other side, I heard that they aren’t allowing anyone out." Lianxin found it strange not to see Mrs. Gao in the room.

"What’s going on?" Yao Mengxian paused her needlework, asking in confusion.

"I don’t know either; it might still be related to the River Bandits from before." Lianxin shook her head, packing the sewing basket, fetching water for the mistress to wash hands, and preparing for the meal.

Yao Mengxian thought a bit before letting it go. The River Bandits incident was significant and reported up, low-grade officials couldn’t make the decision. Perhaps there would be an inspection on the boat, and no one could go out temporarily.

Mrs. Gao hurried into the room, "Miss! The government officers are coming to search, what should we do?"

At this point, knocking was already heard outside, not far from the room.

Upon hearing this, Yao Mengxian retrieved a letter from her luggage.

"Mrs. Gao, show them my father’s letter, then they’ll understand." After all, she was a legitimate daughter of the Duke Mansion; how could those officers enter her room?

"Yes! I’ll go right away!" Uncle Li’s leg was injured, making it difficult to walk, leaving her to handle it.

Gu Chengyu instructed Ming Mo and the others to pack up luggage and bundles, preparing to depart early.

"Sir, this letter, take a look?" A government officer handed the letter to Lord Tian, who, upon reading, was astonished, not expecting a family member of the Duke Mansion was on board?