Chen Ji became increasingly unable to decipher Old Ears' identity. Sometimes, he thought the man was a skilled master, but seconds later he felt otherwise. Sometimes, he thought the man was truly just an old guy working on ships, but seconds later he felt otherwise.
When it was Chen Ji's turn to collect his wages, Old Li weighed the broken silver with a small copper scale and prepared to pour it into his hands, but it was intercepted by Old Ears.
Old Li was taken aback: "What are you doing?"
Old Ears chuckled: "He owes me. From now on, I'll collect his wages."
Old Li glanced at Chen Ji: "As long as you've agreed, next one."
Chen Ji returned to the deck empty-handed, only to see the crew sitting around in threes and twos, eagerly watching Gousheng cook the meal.
He sat at the edge of the ship, silently watching the wide river surface. More than ten cargo ships sailed alongside them, some heading north to the Imperial Capital, some going south to Suzhou and Hangzhou.
