☆, Chapter 252 Should I Become a Bandit's Wife?
Their fishing boat could only hold a maximum of twenty people; any more and it would sink. The other boat, well, let's just say its sails were shaped like mountains, which was quite intimidating. The key point was that when the other boat came up close, compared to their small fishing boat, it really was like comparing a small stone to a large mountain.
No wonder the village head and his men were always injured on their sea voyages. They relied on their bravery to beat the bandits and drive them away, but they themselves didn't fare any better. Every time they went out, the things they brought back were barely enough to eat for three or four days. It was unrealistic to think they could have any left over to sell in the city.
However, this only strengthened Zhao Yunjing's resolve to recruit the river bandits. If they were truly all vicious and ruthless, even a hundred village heads wouldn't be enough to kill them.
Zhou Mujiao looked up at the bandit ship and marveled at how well-built it was. The bandits on the ship looked at the fishing boat and thought the woman on board was pretty and suitable to be taken back to their leader as his wife. Ah, and these two young men were also good-looking, the type that the second and fifth leaders would like.
They'll take whatever they want; that's a characteristic of river bandits. But if the other party is willing to go back with them, that would be even better.
One of the bandits whistled lewdly at Zhou Mujiao: "Hey, want to come back with us and be our bandit queen? You'll eat and drink the finest food, and be our bride every night?"
Even if Zhao Yunjing wanted to recruit these river bandits, he wouldn't let them verbally harass his wife. His eyes darkened, and the man who had spoken harassing him was dragged off and beaten half to death. He was left lying on the deck, staring at the fish, sharing their fate.
The pirates never expected that the fishermen who came out this time would be so bold, so tough, and so fast. Before they could even react, all of them were beaten to the ground and their boats were seized.
"Sir, the ship has been inspected, and everyone is here," a guard reported.
The word "Sir" made the bandits realize where they had gone wrong; it turned out the imperial court had sent newcomers to suppress them.
A one-eyed man said, "As the saying goes, a new broom sweeps clean, but this official is already making a big show of things before even taking office. Isn't he being a bit too hasty? Haste makes waste! If you die at sea, no one will be there to collect your body!"
Zhou Mujiao smiled faintly: "Where do you rank among the Ten Evils of Fuxu Mountain?"
"How do you know we are from Fuxu Mountain?" the one-eyed man laughed. "Since you know we are from Fuxu Mountain, then hurry up and release us. Otherwise, if you capture or kill us today and show off your power, tonight you will all be hung on the city gate and stripped naked as a warning to the public!"
"It seems that Zhangcheng has long been yours to take," Zhao Yunjing said calmly. "No matter how much Magistrate Qian gives Fuxu Mountain, I will give you peace, on the condition that you will go from robbing to protecting."
"Protect? What protection?"
"Protect fishermen and defend against foreign enemies."
The one-eyed man fell silent instantly, his gaze towards Zhao Yunjing seeming to say, "Is this guy an idiot?"
"Looks like you don't even make the list of the Ten Great Villains." Zhao Yunjing said calmly. "Go back and have someone who can speak come find me. My name is Zhao Yunjing, and I currently live in a small fishing village."
The one-eyed man was certainly aware of Zhao Yunjing's reputation. Some time ago, Magistrate Qian sent a letter to Fuxu Mountain, saying that the promotion team would soon enter Yuezhou Prefecture. However, he did not expect that instead of promoting his grain, he would meddle in the maritime lawsuit.
That's a huge face.
However, the one-eyed man did not utter these words: "Official bandits, official bandits." No matter how fierce these bandits were, there was only one Fuxu Mountain. The officials of the imperial court were numerous. If they really offended Zhao Yunjing, the imperial court would mobilize the entire Liang Dynasty to level Fuxu Mountain.
Li Changyi spoke up: "Li Changyi, Prince of Anding."
The one-eyed man trembled several times, thankful that he hadn't said anything too outrageous, and even more thankful that he had been knocked down before he could even make a move. Otherwise, if he had injured this prince, the imperial court's sword would have pierced through without hesitation, and then not even Prefect Qian, let alone ten General Hus, could have protected them.
But the one-eyed man couldn't bow to the court in front of everyone, otherwise he wouldn't get a good outcome even if he went back. So what could he do?
On the surface, they were unyielding to the death, feigning a struggle in their will. After putting on a show, One-Eyed Dragon led his men away—in exchange for their large ship.
This was the first time the small fishing village had returned with a full catch, and not only that, but they also had an extra bonus – a large fishing boat.
But none of the fishermen had a smile on their faces. They all felt that Zhao Yunjing was using their lives as stepping stones for his bandit suppression campaign, and that no matter whether the bandits were eliminated or not, the small fishing village would not fare well.
But Zhou Mujiao happens to be able to cure their eye ailments.
It doesn't matter to the adults; they've been looking at things through a fog for decades or even twenty years. But what about those who are only ten or so years old? Those who are only a few years old? Those who have just been born?
Six or seven tuna were caught in total, and they were quite large. Just as the village head was about to chop one up with his knife, Zhou Mujiao quickly stepped forward: "Village head, how much silver do you want for one of these tuna?"
"Dr. Zhou, you want to eat fish, why do you need to buy it? You call this tuna? We all think it doesn't taste good, but it fills our stomachs. We'll eat anything edible. Don't eat this kind of fish, eat this one instead. The meat is tender and there are fewer bones."
"I've never eaten tuna before, and I'd like to try it."
Zhou Mujiao stared intently at the fish; anyone with eyes could see that she really wanted to eat it.
The village head then gave her five of them.
Zhou Mujiao was very happy: "Village head, you and Auntie can rest today, I'll take care of lunch."
Zhou Mujiao borrowed the village head's kitchen and made steamed tuna, tuna bibimbap, tuna tofu patties, pan-fried tuna, tuna and potato salad, tuna soup, and stir-fried shrimp. The dishes were delicious and made people's mouths water just by smelling them.
The village head's eyes widened: "This, this is all made from tuna?"
"Yes, I saw it with my own eyes. Dr. Zhou used tuna, not even half a piece of other fish!"
Luckily there were many people, otherwise we wouldn't have been able to use all five of those huge tuna.
When the last dish was served, Li Changyi came smelling the aroma, practically carrying his own rice bowl. He smiled and said, "I heard that Ajiao cooked herself, so I shamelessly came over to mooch a bite."
The family he stayed with cooked decent food, but there's a big difference between decent and delicious. Besides, Zhou Mujiao's cooking isn't something you can just eat whenever you want; he's not Zhao Yunjing.
Zhou Mujiao replied calmly, "It is my honor that Your Highness has graced me with your presence."
The village head's family ate and stayed with Zhao Yunjing and his family for three or four days and got along very well with them. When they sat down at the table, they didn't stand on ceremony and tasted each dish first. They exclaimed that every dish was delicious. Li Changyi was worried that he would bite his tongue off while eating and talking.
They ate to their hearts' content, and from that meal onward, everyone in the small fishing village knew how to cook tuna. A few years later, someone went to the city to open a restaurant, specializing in tuna, and the demand far exceeded the supply, with customers flocking in. But that's another story.
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
Just after noon, a guard came to report: "Master, Qian Yun has arrived."
Qian Yun is the prefect of Zhangcheng, while Zhao Yunjing has invited the Ten Evils of Xufu Mountain. Qian Yun came uninvited. Which of the Ten Evils of Xufu Mountain is he here to claim?
Zhao Yunjing said calmly, "Take him to the bridal chamber."
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