Chapter 1726: Chapter 42 Setting Sail

“Take me to him!” Tang Zheng slapped a few bills on the bar counter, grabbing the information dealer to leave.

A dozen people immediately surrounded them, even the information dealer started to struggle.

“I’ve already told you everything you wanted, what more do you want?”

Tang Zheng’s response was simple, a slap directly hit the information dealer, swelling up his mouth corner, spitting out two teeth.

“You don’t have the right to refuse, obey or die.” Tang Zheng dragged the information dealer away like a dead dog.

A man didn’t want to make way and was kicked flying, crashing a table.

The tavern’s bouncers appeared but seeing Tang Zheng leaving, they didn’t intervene. Such a tough customer, it was better to avoid provoking.

The old man’s house was in an alley, it took ten minutes to get there.

Tang Zheng didn’t waste this time, he inquired the information dealer in detail about information on the sea, the guy didn’t have a chance to lie.

Tang Zheng’s hearing and observation skills were too outstanding, as long as the information dealer hesitated or his heartbeat sped up, he would get another beating, too scared to talk nonsense.

“Didn’t you hear? Go get the nautical chart, or else be prepared to collect his body!” Tang Zheng shouted at the men following behind, “or I’ll kill him.”

Tang Zheng hadn’t cared initially, but seeing those men panicking and tailing him, he knew he’d caught a big fish. Whatever the status of the man in his hand was, he was evidently important to them.

The old man’s house was in a dilapidated alley, it took fifteen minutes to walk there.

“Is this the place?” Looking at the house covered in vines in front of him, Tang Zheng frowned because the main entrance was closed, with a few men standing outside.

These people, despite their disguise, the protective clothing exposed on their necks proved their identity as survivors.

Seeing Tang Zheng arrive, these people immediately treated him as a major threat and brandished their weapons.

With a boom, above Tang Zheng’s head, the White Dwarf Star emitted gravity suppression powerfully radiating.

“Stranger, fighting is not allowed here, or you won’t get anything from me!” An old voice came out, warning Tang Zheng.

Tang Zheng carrying the information dealer, walked towards the main entrance.

A Conqueror was staring intently at Tang Zheng, not intending to step aside, after all, no fighting was allowed here, let’s see what he would do.

“Courting death!” Tang Zheng didn’t care about this, gravity suppression bound him fully, raised his leg for a kick, not to kill but a bit of a lesson won’t hurt, right?

Bam, the Conqueror tried hard to block but still fell into the room, although uninjured, it was a big loss of face.

“Stranger, who ignores my words, you’re not welcome here.”

The survivors immediately felt happy, as long as they drove Tang Zheng away, he wouldn’t be able to buy a sea ship.

“I have a big business deal with you, shouldn’t someone blocking your fortune be taught a lesson?” Tang Zheng entered the living room, seeing an old man sitting on the sofa sipping tea, opposite was an Indian woman with a bit of vermilion on her brow.

Before the old man spoke, Tang Zheng opened the leather suitcase and poured out the money inside.

“There’s only what you don’t have, nothing I can’t afford.” Tang Zheng showed a grim smile, talking to the vermilion woman and the old man, “Compared to this trash, I am more suited for cooperation.”

“Such grand boasting.” The old man, although dismissive, made no fuss in the face of money.

“Tang Zheng, don’t push your luck.” The vermilion woman got angry.

“Your scheming against Yu Deye, when we get to the sea, I’ll properly settle it with you!” Tang Zheng walked straight to the sofa and plopped down.

“I want to buy a sea ship, with the most muzzles, the biggest ones!” Tang Zheng stared directly at the old man, observing his every move.

“Where did you get the money?” The vermilion woman frowned, realizing she was at a disadvantage. She had tried to rob wealthy men before, but those guys had bodyguards so strong, she didn’t succeed.

“Are you brainless? Do you think I’d tell you?” Tang Zheng mocked.

“Isn’t it just by killing big pirates to earn bounty? Why hide it?” The Buddha Bead Man walked leisurely into the living room, nodding to the vermilion woman.

“Stop arguing, don’t you want to buy a sea ship? Here it is!” The old man took out a leather suitcase from under the sofa, opened it, and revealed the model ship inside, “Pick whatever you want, but don’t blame me for not reminding you. If you can’t pay, you will die.”

The vermilion woman’s eyes flickered, the thought of forcibly taking it crossed her mind.

“How does this work?” The Buddha Bead Man was curious, as all were fearless of seeing strange things, so he didn’t think the old man was joking with them.

“Throw it into the sea, and it becomes a ship. Of course, I also provide sailors, gunners, it’s up to you whether you can afford them or not.” The old man showed a confident expression, “Don’t think about forcibly taking it, not to mention whether you can kill me or not, if I die, these ships won’t work, and nobody will sell you ships anymore.”

“We have always been truthful!” The vermilion woman blatantly lied, reaching out to pick the largest sea ship, “I want this one, how much?”

“Fixed price, one million gold coins!”

“I think you can tell that we can’t afford your sea ship, so you must have a solution!” The Buddha Bead Man was very calm.

“Smart move, you can buy on credit, but you must repay within the term. If you fail to repay, then sorry, your soul will belong to me.”

“Alright!” The Vermilion Woman thought to herself, I’ll just set sail. Once the term is up, how are you going to find me?

“Haha, sign this contract. If the debt isn’t repaid by the due date, your brains will explode immediately.”

The Old Man took out three pieces of sheepskin paper filled with strange runes that Tang Zheng and the others couldn’t comprehend, but they had no choice.

The Vermilion Woman still chose the largest sea ship, while the Buddha Bead Man hesitated before picking three medium-sized sailing ships, with a total number of muzzles more than the Vermilion Woman’s, and more flexible tactics due to the greater number.

“Sorry, your credit isn’t enough. You can only choose one ship, and the price must be within fifty thousand gold coins.” The Old Man shook his head, making the two so angry that they almost spat blood.

“Why didn’t you say so earlier?” Even the Buddha Bead Man couldn’t help but complain with his good temper, it was a complete waste of time.

“Without letting you appreciate the advantages of the sea ships, how could you care about my business next time?” The Old Man savored his tea.

“Want to have some tea together? I’ve got something to say!” The Vermilion Woman, having chosen her ship, directly invited the Buddha Bead Man.

“Isn’t it about collaboration? I agree.” The Buddha Bead Man immediately caught the Vermilion Woman’s drift.

The more ships there are, the more possibilities of blocking merchant ships, cooperating initially is undoubtedly the wisest decision.

“Pick two more gunners!” The Vermilion Woman understood that recruiting sailors was simple and could be done at a tavern, but gunners required skill; having a sharpshooter could sink opponents faster.

The Buddha Bead Man also bought two, though he wanted more, but lacked the money.

“They’re clearly targeting you, aren’t you worried?” The Old Man watched the departing duo, focusing on Tang Zheng.

“My enemies have always been the whole world, what do they count for?” Tang Zheng deliberately put on an arrogant posture, picked up two medium-sized warships, and signed his name on the contract.

“I’ve said it, overdue means death.”

“Seems like your information isn’t up to date. My first sea ship is already docked at the harbor!” Tang Zheng pointed to the money on the ground, “The pirate leader truly is a model worker, not only donated his head to let me exchange for bounty, but also gifted a ship.”

“Aren’t you going to buy some gunners?” Seeing Tang Zheng about to leave, the Old Man tried to make a sale.

“No need, I have better gunners!” Tang Zheng carried the Information Dealer out of the living room, with his teammates already holding sea charts waiting outside.

It was a more detailed sea chart, marking several important routes frequently traveled by Great Merchants, and also some small paths nearby, which were hideouts for some Pirates.

“Do you have enmity with these Pirates?” Tang Zheng couldn’t imagine helping opponents unconditionally if he were in their shoes, there had to be tricks.

“Yes, if you can get rid of them, we’ll pay a reward.” A man spoke frankly, once these thorns were removed, this region of the sea would be theirs.

“Are you responsible for fencing?” Tang Zheng realized these guys were operating on a large scale, there was definitely significant power backing them.

“That depends on whether your goods catch our eye.” This guy was a manager, overdue but neither humble nor pushy.

“Very nice, beat it!” Tang Zheng initially planned to kill the Information Dealer, thinking that way no one could find the Old Man, or at least it would take some time, but seeing the Vermilion Woman and the Buddha Bead Man appear here, he gave up.

In the chaotic Age of Sail, the least lacking were Information Dealers and various Pirates.

At the tavern, Tang Zheng recruited a group of daring and sinister sailors at a high price and rushed back to the sea ship.

Under the veil of night, Tang Zheng placed the Model Ship bought from the Old Man into the seawater, and within a minute, it met the sea breeze and transformed into a towering sea ship, with near thirty cannon ports lined up menacingly.

Jiang Xiuming volunteered to be the captain, and after preparing supplies, he couldn’t wait to shout.

“Raise the anchor, hoist the sails, set out!”

All four women were on Tang Zheng’s ship.

Yin Shangwu served as the helmsman, Tao Ran held the compass and sextant, learning to navigate, Dong Zixuan liked to fire cannons and stayed in the Gun Bay.

Fang Zhiwen observed the surroundings, and seeing no one paying attention, she went to find Tang Zheng who was watching the sea chart in the Captain’s Cabin.

“Did you complete the mission I taught you?” Tang Zheng didn’t even lift his head, knowing it was the white, rich, and beautiful one coming in.

“I learned steering but Yin Shangwu took over.” Fang Zhiwen had a good mind and found a suitable excuse, “What are you doing? Need my help?”

The white, rich, and beautiful one poured a glass of water and handed it to Tang Zheng.

“I’m not thirsty.” Tang Zheng was browsing the sea chart, planning tactics, “Go signal with flags, tell Jiang Xiuming we need to keep a distance, otherwise no one will fall for the bait.”

“Okay!” Fang Zhiwen replied, but was reluctant to leave, she hugged Tang Zheng from behind, her chest firmly pressing against him. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets on Qidian.com. Your support is my greatest power. Mobile users please read at m.qidian.com.)