RWNEFE -Chapter 93 The Copper Coins Have Gone Out for a Spin… and Come Back!

“Master, when we boarded the ship, we bought a few old hens and kept them in the cabin. This afternoon we killed one, and with dried abalone, made a pot of chicken soup, simmered all afternoon over low heat. It’s ready to eat now!” Nanny Li placed the clay pot on the charcoal stove, quickly arranged the small side dishes on a tray into a scattered floral pattern, then respectfully stepped back.

Shen Lanxi glanced at the steamed fish in the center, picked up her chopsticks, and tasted it. It was delicious.

“Is this a sea fish?”

Nanny Li hurriedly smiled and replied, “Yes, it’s a sea fish. My son just caught it from the sea today!”

Shen Lanxi picked up another piece and said, “Tell them, if anyone on the ship wants better food, they can catch it themselves from the sea!”

All three replied in unison: “Yes!”

Nanny Li thought of something: “Master, I heard from the ship captain that we’ll be drifting at sea for over a month. During this time, can we catch extra fish and store them?”

Shen Lanxi understood what Nanny Li meant and nodded in agreement: “Yes! Tell them, the fish they catch each day can be exchanged with Liu Yanhui for silver!”

“Yes!”

Seeing her mistress quietly eating and that there were no other matters, Chunxue told Qiushuang and went to deliver the message to Liu Yanhui.

Nanny Li, having nothing else to do, also withdrew.

Soon, Liu Yanhui arrived.

“Master, about exchanging the catch for silver—is this for everyone on the ship?”

Shen Lanxi: “Yes.”

“Since you want them to come to me for the money, what price per pound?”

Shen Lanxi: “You decide.”

The master had just given him a challenge!

“Master, I don’t carry that much loose change. Can I keep a record for them instead?”

Qiushuang brought over a box and opened it, revealing it filled to the brim with copper coins.

Liu Yanhui quickly did the math in his head. If he were unscrupulous, giving only one coin per pound, even if there were a hundred or so people on the ship and each caught a pound, that’s already over a hundred coins. Some strong fishers would catch more than a pound a day—the coins would fly out even faster.

This box of coins looked abundant, but over time, it might not even be enough!

Shen Lanxi calmly said, “Set it up in the kitchen. Whatever they want, they pay for it!”

Liu Yanhui’s eyes went wide. The copper coins had gone out for a spin… and came right back! Brilliant!

Suddenly, he had both the courage and confidence to set the price at three pounds of fish per coin.

Liu Laohu, who was patrolling, saw Liu Yanhui grinning like a fox and went over to tease him.

“Why the big smile? Found money?”

Liu Yanhui grinned even more slyly: “Better than finding money!”

Liu Laohu was puzzled: “Better than finding money? What could be better? Spill it!”

Liu Yanhui deliberately teased: “Get a good rest tonight, you’ll know tomorrow!”

Liu Laohu stared after him, muttering to himself: “Surely he hasn’t found a wife, has he?”

If Liu Yanhui had heard that, he would have thought, Finding a wife? So what? That wouldn’t bring a lifetime of joy. But this… this is something I’ll laugh about for the rest of my life!

Unfortunately, they didn’t even have to wait until the next day. Trouble arose with the Shen family!

“Sir! My grandmother is ill. Please, sir, let Doctor Zhang take a look!” Shen Yuanjing rushed out of the cabin.

The guards at the hatch, who had fallen asleep, were awakened. Hearing this, their expressions soured, and they scolded impatiently: “A mere exile, thinking they’re so precious? Go back and bear it!”

Shen Yuanjing pleaded: “Sir, please deliver a message to Young Master Lan. When my grandmother recovers, Young Master Lan will surely reward you richly!”

Hearing Shen Lanxi’s name, the guards begrudgingly muttered, “Wait there,” and went to find someone.

“Sir Liu, Shen Yuanjing says the Shen family matriarch is ill. I heard them say during the day that she was faking illness.”

Liu Laohu also suspected she might be faking, but… what if not?

“Let’s ask Mr. Liu!”

Liu Yanhui, working on the ledger inside, got up to answer the knock.

“Mr. Liu, here’s the situation…” Liu Laohu explained the background.

Liu Yanhui didn’t expect that the ledger would be put to use even before the next day!

“It’s late, we won’t bother Doctor Zhang. Mainly, I need to negotiate the consultation fee anyway.”

“What’s the problem? Fever, cough, cold, or trauma from a fall?”

Liu Laohu stared at Liu Yanhui in disbelief, his body trembling. “You’re really going to give her the medicine? You’d be that kind?”

Liu Yanhui tucked the ledger under his arm, grabbed the pen and medicine box, and called Liu Laohu to accompany him to the cabin.

“Mr. Liu!” Shen Yuanjing saw him arrive like seeing a savior.

Liu Yanhui smiled: “Yuanjing, is your grandmother’s illness fever and cold, or trauma from a fall?”

Shen Yuanjing hurried: “Fever. She’s been enduring the journey; her body couldn’t take it!”

Liu Yanhui opened the medicine box and handed over a small porcelain bottle.

Shen Yuanjing reached for it happily, but Liu Yanhui said: “In deference to Young Master Lan, I won’t charge much—ten taels of silver per bottle.”

Shen Yuanjing froze, his smile fading instantly.

Money?

“Can I ask my elder brother for it?”

Liu Yanhui smiled and shook his head: “No. This is internal to the exile group; we don’t involve outsiders.”

Shen Yuanjing quickly appealed to Liu Laohu, who said, “He’s right. Follow his instructions!”

Shen Yuanjing’s face fell: “I don’t have that much money.”

Liu Yanhui, being reasonable, offered a suggestion: “Then have your family chip in?”

Shen Yuanjing left to gather his family’s contribution, returning soon after, head down and dejected.

“No money?” Liu Yanhui teased internally. After all, this misfortune was caused by the Shen family. A little nudge seemed fair.

“Mr. Liu, my grandmother is really sick. Can’t you make an exception? I promise my elder brother will reward you later!”

Liu Yanhui: “No.”

Shen Yuanjing began pleading further, but Liu Yanhui added: “You can issue an IOU. Your family can repay later.”

The ledger was filled in as he spoke.

“Will you sign, or someone responsible in your family?”

Shen Yuanjing thought: Ten taels isn’t much—he could sign.

“I’ll sign.”

Liu Yanhui raised an eyebrow: “Are you sure?”

Shen Yuanjing hesitated, then nodded: “Sure.”

Liu Yanhui handed him the pen. Once signed, he briskly took the medicine box and left.

The next morning, Liu Yanhui called all the people from the lower cabin.

“Three pounds of fish for one coin. Those who want to participate, register with me. Those who don’t, stay in your cabin!”

Shen Yuanjing’s reaction to the price was like being struck by lightning.

At that rate, even if he spent his whole life fishing, he couldn’t repay it!