Chapter 727 - 500 Has Arrived

Wei Ziang himself didn’t care, and others couldn’t say much either.

This time leaving the Capital City, they finally didn’t have so many people around them.

Apart from their family, there were only a dozen or so strong young guards; they’d discuss more once they settled down.

Mainly because the place they’re heading is quite far, and they might visit other places along the way.

What’s more, the Jiang family took a tour in the Capital City and stayed for so long without bringing any benefits to others, seemingly not as important as they used to be.

Moreover, for the next month or two, they likely will spend their time on the road, naturally unable to create much profit or value.

Under such circumstances, whether it’s the Jiang family or the benefits they might bring, everything is safest.

And once they identify a truly suitable place, a large number of craftsmen and their escorts will naturally rush over.

The weather today is very nice, the whole family sunbathes on the deck and drinks tea, Jiang Wei has recently developed a passion for making toys. Yesterday, when they docked at the previous port, they bought a lot of wood.

The designs were organized by Ling’er, they also dismantled quite a few toys in the Xiaomi space, Little Bun was tinkering around, constantly pestering his uncle about what he’s making.

With the only child in the family now, the toys are, of course, made for her.

Little Bun is not so little anymore, over two years old, and in his free time, he can be held in his father’s arms and read books for enlightenment.

Thus, Little Bun is currently the only one in the family not allowed to enter Auntie’s space.

After all, kids can’t keep secrets, and if she babbles to others, it might cause trouble.

As for Jiang Wei, what he is currently making is a scooter, tools and wood are ready, but the wheels are difficult to handle.

Originally thinking of making a mold for the blacksmith to cast an iron wheel, unfortunately, they can’t do that onboard.

So now Jiang Wei is trying to make wheels out of hardwood, but this truly tests patience and craftsmanship.

Others beside him drink tea and sunbathe, now accustomed to the rocking feel of the ship, they don’t mind it anymore.

"Brother Ze, I heard Aunt Qian recently hooked up with the royal merchants, is it true?"

This was what they heard before leaving the Capital City, but they were occupied with concerns and had no leisure for gossip, so naturally, they never asked.

"Qing Xuan mentioned it before, Mother said the family’s business became too big, and Father is in the court, if we can cooperate with the royal merchants, it would be safer."

Speaking of cooperation, actually, honestly, it’s like giving money to the emperor.

Royal merchants are essentially imperial business, mostly managed by royal relatives.

Wei Ziang poured everyone a cup of tea and said with a smile: "When the tree stands tall, it catches the wind; Aunt Qian doing this now seems like a loss of some wealth, but in the long run, with the royal merchant’s brand, business can grow larger."

Liu Ze nodded: "Indeed, Qing Xuan said it started cooperating with royal merchants at the end of last year, and these past two months, no one has bothered us."

His snack shop and dessert shop opened several shops in the Capital City in just two or three months, business has always been good, you could say it attracted envy, wanting a piece of the pie.

But these past two months, they’ve been particularly peaceful.

"A blessing indeed."

Jiang Hu watched Jiang Wei fiddle for half the day without results, and went up to help him.

Jiang Hu though not highly skilled at crafts, compared to Jiang Wei, is much more adept.

Second Aunt and Xiao Xue were studying new embroidery patterns, Liu Ze and Wei Ziang chatting idly, Xiaomi lounging on the chair sunbathing.

On a rocking chair no less, rocking back and forth, extremely comfortable.

Anyone can see that ever since leaving the Capital City, this family feels like they’ve come alive, their spirits have transformed drastically.

Going to the seaside is very far, if by carriage, it wouldn’t take less than two or three months to get there.

But by ship, and going downstream at that, it’s much faster than when they came.

Although starting from the same port, in the first few days traveling the same river stretch, they soon took a different fork from the main river.

Gradually distancing from Xiangmu Village until no familiar scenes can be seen anymore.

For the Jiang family, such things are already a habit, going to the sea is just swapping one place to continue life, no big deal.

As for whether they’ll get used to it, no thought has been given; it can be addressed if they don’t adapt.

Going downstream is faster, and to save time, their docking times are brief, until one month later, they finally reached their first destination.

Quanyan County, a county town close to the seaside.

As the saying goes, those near mountains eat from them, those near the sea survive from it; thus, Quanyan County residents live by fishing, many sea products around here fetch good prices in the mainland.

Mainly due to distance, preservation is difficult; even dried or sun-dried, storage doesn’t last long, so shipping sea products inland is quite particular.

Too hot is unsuitable, high temperatures spoil items easily.

Too cold isn’t suitable for making dried goods either.

Instead, the crisp autumn is best, dry air, neither hot nor cold, perfect for long-haul sea product deliveries.

However, when the Jiang family embarked it was already March, delaying a month en route, now it’s early May, early summer, not very hot.

It’s not the Liu family’s ship’s first time in Quanyan County, but such a large ship is appearing for the first time.

The big ship docking soon attracted a lot of attention.

Aunt Qian had already arranged accommodations in town in advance, aware that they would be arriving within days, she dispatched people early to await them.

As the gangway was lowered, two young men immediately ran over: "Manager Xie, is the lord and second young master on board?"

Manager Xie apparently recognized the two: "It’s you two, yes, have the accommodations prepared by the madam been sorted out?"

One hastily called the other to get the carriage first, then nodded: "All sorted, just waiting for the lord and second young master to come over."

When the Jiang family descended, many carriages and ox carts arrived, one young man temporarily led them into town.

Carriages aren’t fast, the guards walked alongside since they traveled by water this time, without horses, they could only proceed on foot.

The other young man stayed at the dock, waiting for the ship hands to load the lord’s and second young master’s belongings on carriages and ox carts, readying everything for transport.

The large vessel drew much attention, far larger than ordinary cargo ships, with many idly surrounding and inquiring about just who this ’lord’ was.