RWNEFE -Chapter 106 Seven Days—Sweep the Jiaozhou Archipelago Clean!

Wouldn’t those people suspect that the grain on the ship had been poisoned, or that there were traps or hidden weapons aboard?

Since ancient times, haven’t there been plenty of cases where cleverness backfires?

Even she herself, when faced with an Empty City Stratagem, would hesitate three parts out of ten.

Liu Yanhui had never stood in such a position, so he couldn’t answer Shen Lanxi’s question.

Wei Dongzhu reported, “Master, Tongluo Island has been taken. Our people launched a surprise night attack—they were completely unprepared. In total, we killed 164 pirates and captured 58. Fifteen of our men were injured, all lightly.”

Shen Lanxi said, “Make sure Tongluo Island is completely cleared within today. Move everyone to Dragonbone Bay!”

“Yes!”

“Tu Baichuan will need about ten days for a round trip. Do you remember what I said before?”

Then Shen Lanxi declared coldly, “In seven days, I want the entire Jiaozhou Archipelago swept clean!”

Liu Yanhui and Wei Dongzhu’s pupils shook in shock.

~

While Shen Lanxi was inspecting the remaining pirates at Dragonbone Bay, Tongluo Island was in total chaos.

“This is mine! Whoever dares grab it, I’ll fight them to the death!”

“Who’s grabbing from you? We can’t even carry everything ourselves!”

The spoils taken by those who fought were so abundant that even with eight hands they couldn’t carry it all. Now that they’d heard they were moving to Dragonbone Bay, everyone was busy packing. Front and back, hands full, things slung over shoulders, tied to waists, or carried in their arms—they all wished they could grow a few more hands.

“Oh? Aren’t you from the Shen family? Seeing how much stuff I’ve got—jealous, huh?”

“Get lost! If you keep hovering around me, I’ll beat your guts out!”

Old Master Shen was shoved and stumbled. Shen Congwen quickly pulled him away.

“Father, let’s go wait to board the ship.”

A trace of regret flashed in Old Master Shen’s eyes.

“Have you seen Yuanjing and the others?”

Shen Congwen shook his head.

Old Madam Shen stared fixedly at a nearby convict who hadn’t packed properly—gold and silver jewelry scattered all over the ground. Her eyes turned red with envy.

“Right, Yuanjing and the others fought too. I heard no one was hurt. Where did they go?” Old Madam Shen asked anxiously.

Shen Congyi’s eyes flickered. “Could they be busy packing their own bundles too?”

Madam Tian’s eyes glinted with calculation. “They’re just children—what do they know? It still needs us elders to help collect things properly.”

Old Madam Shen said, “Hurry and find them. Don’t let them waste good things like those lowly skins!”

Madam Liu, sharp-eyed, saw Shen Yuanruan returning from somewhere. When the wind blew, her sleeves bulged conspicuously.

She deliberately raised her voice, “Yuanruan, what are you holding? We haven’t divided the family yet. Any good things must be handed over to the communal store—you’re not allowed to hide them!”

Madam Tian’s narrow eyes swept over. Before Shen Yuanruan could react, she reached out and grabbed.

“Fourth Aunt, what are you doing?!” Shen Yuanruan was startled and instinctively protected her sleeve, pushing Madam Tian hard.

Madam Tian felt something inside Shen Yuanruan’s sleeve. After falling to the ground, she threw a tantrum and screamed, “So that’s it, you little slut! You dared hide valuables from your elders!”

Old Madam Shen already disliked Shen Yuanruan. Hearing that she had gained goods but hadn’t handed them over, she flared up.

“Second and Fourth daughters-in-law, hold this wretched girl down!”

Madam Liu and Madam Tian pounced excitedly, each grabbing one of Shen Yuanruan’s arms. Old Madam Shen raised her hand and slapped Shen Yuanruan across the face.

“You shameless little slut! I spared you because you’re of the Shen bloodline, even after you committed such disgraceful, immoral acts. I still let you live—who would’ve thought you’d be such an ungrateful wolf? The family has fallen to this state and you only think of yourself. I’ll beat you to death, you unfilial beast!”

She backhanded her with two more slaps. The force was so great that Shen Yuanruan’s face and lips swelled immediately.

Seeing she couldn’t hide it anymore, Shen Yuanruan quickly knelt and cried, “Grandmother, I meant to offer it to you! I just heard you say you were going to look for Yuanjing, so I planned to give it to you after we reached Dragonbone Bay!”

Old Madam Shen had already snatched the bundle from her sleeve.

Inside were bits of broken silver, a handful of copper coins, several silver bracelets and hairpins, and a few gold beans. Pawned, they’d be worth at least fifty or sixty taels.

Old Madam Shen glared at Madam Miao. “This is the fine daughter you raised!”

Madam Miao lowered her head and hid behind Shen Congli, not daring to make a sound.

“Grandmother, Yuanjing and the others are over there!” Shen Congyi called out sharply, pointing into the distance.

Each of the Shen Yuanjing group had a large bundle on their backs. When the Shen family saw them, their eyes all turned red as they rushed over!

That night, a raiding squad formed from Tongluo Island, Dragonbone Bay, and the exiled convicts climbed onto Hulu Island under cover of darkness.

By morning, there was no more Hulu Stronghold—only the reorganized Black Eagle Sea Slaves.

During the day, the women piled the spoils together. Gold and silver treasures stacked up like small mountains.

To boost morale, rewards were distributed according to merit.

“Liu Yanhui—reward: five thousand taels. Choose twenty items from the treasure here!”

Liu Yanhui accepted with a satisfied smile, deliberately picking the most valuable ones.

“Shi Da—reward: five hundred taels, forty enemies slain…”

“Hu Zhu—reward: one thousand taels, one hundred and two enemies slain…”

“Liu Laohu—reward: one thousand taels, twenty enemies slain…”

…

“Li Ergou—four enemies slain, rewarded four taels of silver!”

A long list of names was read out, not a single one missed.

Those whose names were called strode forward proudly to claim silver and select treasures, as if they were top scholars being announced in the Golden Hall.

Those who hadn’t fought watched with envy.

No one had died, and only a few were injured. If they’d known it was this easy, they would’ve joined in too.

The Shen family all looked at Shen Lanxi, sourness bubbling in their hearts—the more they listened, the worse it felt.

What Shen Yuanjing and the others brought home was one thing; what was being handed out here was another!

And Lanxi—why was she giving so much gold and silver to these mud-legged commoners? Just tossing them a few taels would’ve made them endlessly grateful!

“Mother, later let eldest brother ask Lanxi whether some of these things should be stored away,” Shen Congyi whispered into his mother’s ear.

Old Madam Shen glanced at her granddaughter standing on the high platform. She was finding this child harder and harder to read.

“Lower your voice—do you want others to hear?” Old Madam Shen warned.

Shen Congyi knew his mother had taken the words to heart. With a slight smile, he stepped aside.

After a hearty meal, an afternoon of rest, and on the second night, they headed straight for Moon Island.

By day, the women sorted spoils, treated the wounded, and handled logistics. The men, having received their rewards, either underwent treatment or rested.

The kitchen ran all day—anyone hungry could eat.

To rein in those who did nothing but hope for unearned gains, Liu Yanhui set up a three-tier supply system.

Combatants received first-tier rations: white rice and flour at every meal, with vegetables, meat, and fish freely available.

Those who didn’t fight but worked on the island received second-tier rations: coarse grains, corn buns, vegetables, and one egg per day.

Those who did nothing at all received one corn bun per day.

The wounded enjoyed the same treatment as combatants.

After going hungry for two meals, the Shen family obediently went to help out.