Ling Qingyu rose and walked with Zheng Xi to the main room. Closing the door, she asked, "What happened?"
"Master Ding was attacked last night. He is injured," said Zheng Xi as he wiped his sweat.
"What!?" Ling Qingyu yelled softly and covered her mouth. She whispered anxiously, "How is he? I need to go see him."
"No. Master Ding said that he's being targeted. Miss can't go see him now. If the enemies of the Head Lin learn about Miss, there will be even more tragedy." Zheng Xi continued, "Master Ding's life is not in danger. He just broke a leg and may have to rest for a while. Master Ding had already found some sailors. Also, there are merchants who learned of his plan to sail and wanted to rent some cargo space. But now that Master Ding has been injured, there may be some changes with the sailors and merchants."
There were many luxurious residential complexes on Mu Mian lane in Quan Province. One of the biggest, that took up half a street, was the travel home of the Xie family from Guangzhou. They started their family by maritime trade. After a few decades, they were one of the powers in this area with countless treasures.
At the moment, the Xie family head, who is Xie Tao's second son, Xie Tingxuan, was listening to a report by his underling.
"Both of Ding Budong's legs have been broken. He won't be able to step on a ship during the next half year. His sailors have mostly agreed to sail with our ship instead. There are some who have yet to decide. Those small merchants don't dare to rent any more cargo space now that they know it is Second Master Xie's intention."
"Mmm." Xie Tingxuan nodded his head in satisfaction and tossed a perfume into the incense burner. A refreshing smell slowly drifted out. Xie Tingxuan waved his hand toward his underling and leaned comfortably against his couch.
He couldn't believe that even when the Aeolus was destroyed to that extent, Ding Budong was still able to fix it. Furthermore, Ding Budong had quite the influence; to be able to gather so many people. Originally, rumor had it that he would never sail again. That's why he escaped when Lin Jiashen was dealt with. Yet, he didn't want a peaceful life but dared to sail again. Now that I, Xie Tingxuan, have come to the Quan province, no one else will be allowed to stand out. Elder brother has been managing Guangzhou too well. If he can take over the Quan Province while his father is still alive, then this Xie family will end up being his.
Ling Qingyu spent the day as if it were a year. Finally, it was night time. She sneaked into Ding Budong's house through the backdoor with Zheng Xi.
"Didn't I say not to bring the Miss?" Ding Budong looked reproachfully at Zheng Xi.
"It is not his fault. I wanted to come. Uncle Ding, it is all my fault. I involved you," said Ling Qingyu apologetically.
"It has nothing to do with Miss. They were underlings of the Second Master Xie. His movements have been big in Quan Province. He wants to takeover the entirety of its maritime trade. I probably became a bother to him," said Ding Budong. If it had something to do with Lin Jiashen, those people wouldn't have stopped at breaking his legs, but would have taken his life. It looks like Master Xie only wanted to prevent him from sailing.
"But Miss, Ding Budong has betrayed your expectations. Most of the sailors I found have been taken away by Master Xie's people. Only a few are left. Why don't we sail after my legs recover?" said Ding Budong.
Ling Qingyu looked at Ding Budong's legs that were outside the bed covers. They were bent in weird ways and probably not as simple as being broken as Zheng Xi and Ding Budong had said. After focusing for a bit, she said, "Uncle Ding, recover first. Don't rush."
After speaking a few more words with Ding Budong and seeing his exhaustion, Ling Qingyu said her goodbyes and left.
After she was outside the door, Zheng Xi asked, "Miss, should we wait?"
Ling Qingyu shook her head. She turned and glanced at the light in Ding Budong's room and said, "We can't trouble Uncle Ding anymore. That Second Master Xie is watching him. If Uncle Ding makes any movements, it won't end at broken legs next time. We will definitely sail this time. I remember Shi Fan saying that there are some rare medicinal herbs in Borneo. They can be turned into great medicines for bone and tendon injuries. If we can find some, Uncle Ding's leg should recover."
"If Miss Ling can find such medicine for my step-father, I am willing to be your helmsman," said a young man, who walked out from the shadows near the door with a group of people behind him.
Ling Qingyu was surprised. She couldn't imagine that there would be so many people standing quietly at the door. But hearing his honest words, she relaxed somewhat.
"This is Master Ding's step-son, Ding Dong," introduced Zheng Xi.
Ding Dong looked at this young girl in front of her and frowned. To think that the navigator step-father thought so highly of would be this little girl. Is she really reliable? But remembering his step-father's twisted legs; just as Shi Fan said, if he does not receive medicine, it is likely that step-father will never be able to stand again. He asked, "Miss, are you really able to go to the sea?"
"I can!" Ling Qingyu said as she silently watched Ding Dong.
"That's good. I am a helmsman. Zhang San and others can manage the sails. But, we don't have a single sailor who can take the lines." Ding Dong pointed to the few young men standing on the side. They were all raised by Ding Budong. After Ding Budong's trouble, they knew that they did not have the power to contend with Master Xie, but still wanted to get revenge.
"Sailors who manage the lines should only require strength right?" asked Ling Qingyu. She remembered Zheng Xi's descriptions of the sailing positions they would need. Controlling the wheel and managing sails were technical work. However, the position that requires the most number of people are those who manage the lines. Although, they required the least skill and only need strength and the ability to follow orders.
"That is true. But right now our goal is medicine. Miss Ling, do you know how to get to Borneo?" asked Ding Dong. The furthest he had been was when he followed Head Lin Jiashen to Srivijaya. Borneo was a place that even step-father had never visited before. But this time, step-father had excitedly said that they could follow Miss Ling to even further places than Borneo. Step-father had looked forward to this journey so much. Xie Lao-er, just you wait; this master will go look for you one day.
Ling Qingyu laughed. She guessed that these young men were waiting here to support her journey into the sea. "Of course we will go. If it were not for me, then Uncle Ding wouldn't have encountered this tragedy. Brother Ding, you guys should prepare in secret. Don't attract that thief Xie's attention. We will prepare the rest."