"Did you see which direction he left in?"
Song Chenghou asked again.
"I couldn't see clearly, it was too dark, but I could hear movement in the water."
Song Chengliang told the truth.
"Yes, I heard the sound of water falling in too."
Song Chengyuan added.
"I went over to check, and there was indeed a slight sound of water. So, that person probably didn't jump into the water and stay still, but rather was paddling..."
Song Chenghou's expression remained unchanged as he stated his assessment, "We must remain vigilant. This person is likely still from the island..."
Jiang Xinyu agreed, "Yes, if he came from the water, it's impossible that you didn't notice the unusual nature of his clothing, such as it being soaked..."
If we came by water, there was no need for you to chase us for so long; we could have just plunged into the water!
But he didn't, because he couldn't shake off his pursuers, so in a panic he jumped into the water and disappeared...
Perhaps, it was also to mislead everyone into thinking he came by water..."
Song Chenghou nodded, and Song Chengliang and the others agreed.
Upon seeing this, Qin Shan couldn't help but raise his chin.
"Next, I'm afraid we won't have enough people, so we'll really have to ask Xin Yu and Steward Qin for help!"
Before and after setting sail, the defenses on shore must not be relaxed!
Qin Shanbao and Jiang Xinyu said sincerely, "We're all one family, no need for formalities!"
This "family" seemed a bit too familiar, but Jiang Xinyu and his subordinates had indeed never considered his feelings alone along the way...
Therefore, when the Song brothers looked at each other, they did not reject this unfamiliar word.
"Young Master, rest assured, you all consider the overall situation. As for the defense, if you all feel comfortable with it, the Second Young Master and I will discuss and arrange it."
Qin Shan was kind to Song Cheng.
Without further ado, Song Chenghou bowed to Qin Shan and Jiang Xinyu, but Jiang Xinyu pressed him down.
"Young Master, which faction do you think this person belongs to?"
Jiang Xinyu asked curiously.
He wasn't without ideas, but he lacked evidence and was merely speculating.
Song Chenghou's lips curved into a slight smile.
Although she wasn't smiling, the way she curled her lips gave off a chilling aura.
"Who do you think has the patience to investigate our movements in the dead of night?"
The younger brothers stared wide-eyed, and Jiang Xinyu spoke first, "Does the eldest young master mean it's related to the missing fishermen and Tanka people?"
Song Chenghou was certain, "From this perspective, the disappearance of these people was not a natural disaster..."
It was a man-made disaster!
The crowd remained calm for a moment, somewhat puzzled.
Jiang Xinyu asked, "If they are from the island, why would they do this?"
So, like the Li people, they'd be bound and enslaved?
Before Song Chenghou could answer, he contradicted himself, saying, "If they were really slaves, why would they bother to investigate?"
Since the person has already been kidnapped, whether they are forced into hard labor or murdered, no one will know...
"yes!"
The fifth brother, Song Chengyu, continued, "If they are prominent figures on the island, whether they go out to sea to salvage pearls or dig for agarwood..."
These fishermen and boat people are all needed to go out to sea as laborers, aren't they?
Song Chengyu looked puzzled and continued, "I really don't understand why they want me."
The fishermen and Tanka people of Yazhou were dirt poor; they couldn't extort much money from them after being kidnapped...
They are probably aware of the government's consistent attitude.
The government certainly won't pay any money or make any other concessions for them...
If that's the case, why are they doing this?
Why were so many people kidnapped all at once?!
Song Chengyu's series of questions inevitably led everyone in the same direction.
The reason these missing people were abducted is solely related to themselves.
Either they were kidnapped and enslaved, and exploited to work;
Alternatively, they might value their experience in water, using it to help the wealthy retrieve pearls or dig for agarwood, or to do other things for others...
The shadowy figure likely originated from the island...
For a moment, no one could figure it out.
The first to be suspected were the Li people...
But the forces behind the mine, the managers sent by powerful figures, and even corrupt officials could all be involved...
But no one expected that someone would bring them a "surprise" early the next morning.
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