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Xu Sinan spoke while sketching on a blueprint:
“Underneath the ship, wooden boards can divide the hull into multiple compartments, ensuring that each one is independent.”
“This way, even if one compartment is damaged, it won’t affect the others, preventing the ship from sinking.”
“Additionally, storing different goods in separate compartments makes management more convenient.”
Xu Qianxing widened his eyes in amazement, thinking, Since when did my sister know so much? She’s incredible!
Pei Zheng pondered for a moment, nodded repeatedly, and smiled:
“Miss Xu’s suggestion is excellent—both practical and safe.”
Xu Sinan smiled modestly and replied, “It was mentioned in my grandfather’s notes.”
To avoid suspicion, she decided to attribute the credit to her grandfather for now.
“Was your grandfather a shipbuilder?” Pei Zheng asked curiously.
Xu Sinan shook her head.
“My grandfather once sailed to the South Seas and left behind a Geng Lu Bu.”
A Geng Lu Bu can be understood as a simple navigation chart used by ancient sailors, recording directions, distances, landmarks, and other important details.
As she spoke, she took out a rough map:
“This is what I drew based on my grandfather’s records.”
Since they were planning to set out to sea, having a reliable route was crucial—getting lost in the vast ocean would be a disaster.
Pei Zheng, no longer calm, leaned forward to study the map carefully, his excitement evident.
He had been troubled by the lack of a navigation chart and thought they’d have to rely entirely on De Shen. He hadn’t expected such a fortuitous find.
In just two short days, Xu Sinan had brought him surprise after surprise.
“Half of the Geng Lu Bu was lost, so the map only covers areas near Dongfan. For the remaining parts, we’ll still need to rely on De Shen’s memory.”
Xu Sinan didn’t hesitate to share the map because it was incomplete, and the Geng Lu Bu recorded more than just routes.
Pei Zheng, his eyes fixed on the navigation chart, traced the route with his slender fingers and exclaimed in admiration:
“This is already very good.”
Though incomplete, the map was invaluable and couldn’t be accepted for free.
“Miss Xu, I am willing to purchase it for 100 taels.”
Xu Sinan was taken aback. She had intended to offer it as a gesture of goodwill since they were working together. Asking for money hadn’t crossed her mind.
But seeing Pei Zheng’s generosity, she wouldn’t turn down the opportunity, understanding that he likely wanted to ensure the map wouldn’t fall into others’ hands.
After a round of polite refusals, Xu Sinan eventually accepted the banknote graciously.
“Some of the sailors who went to sea with my grandfather are still alive. I can contact them to see if they or their descendants are willing to join.”
Experienced sailors were crucial.
However, many of those who had been on that voyage were now elderly. If their skills and knowledge had been passed down to the next generation, such individuals would be ideal.
Xu Shuisheng, for instance, had learned navigation skills from their grandfather.
It was a time of famine, and many families were struggling. Surely, some would be willing to take a risk for a chance at a better life.
“I’ll leave the recruitment of the crew to you, Miss Xu. Payment can be negotiated.” Pei Zheng agreed readily.
The two sides then finalized their division of responsibilities.
Pei Zheng would handle shipbuilding and necessary supplies for the voyage, while Xu Sinan would recruit sailors and helmsmen.
Upon leaving the inn, Xu Sinan clutched the warm banknote, pulling her brother and De Shen along to shop.
With the money from selling jade and gold yesterday, plus today’s earnings, she now had a total of 200 taels.
Having the banknotes in hand made Xu Sinan feel much more secure.
Although she planned to use most of the money for purchasing goods in Siam, some improvement in their living conditions was warranted.
Building a new house would have to wait. They had only recently split from the family, and the villagers all knew how poor they were. Where would the money to build a house come from?
Xu Sinan went to a fabric shop and picked out two bolts of fine navy-blue cloth to make clothes for her father and brother.
Their clothes were patched beyond recognition, and they didn’t even have a spare set to change into.
For Zhu Wanrou, she chose a bolt of pale pink fabric to complement her fair complexion.
Xu Sinan chose a bolt of light goose-yellow fabric for herself. It was age-appropriate, understated, and not overly eye-catching.
The fine fabric was comfortable and soft without being as ostentatious or delicate as silk.
She initially planned to visit the carpenter’s shop to order furniture, but Xu Qianxing stopped her.
Carrying the cloth, he said, “Dad can do woodwork. Why waste money on that?”
Xu Sinan assumed Xu Shuisheng could only handle simple tasks. “Wouldn’t that be too much for him?”
“Don’t you remember? The furniture for Cousin’s wedding—how grand it was! Dad made all of it.”
Searching the original owner’s memories, Xu Sinan found this to be true.
Her cousin, the eldest daughter of the eldest uncle, had been treated like Xu Shuisheng’s own daughter. He had worked tirelessly day and night to make her wedding furniture.
Unfortunately, she wasn’t the least bit grateful. When the family split, she didn’t even show her face—a typical ingrate.
Thinking about it, Xu Sinan felt sorry for her father. He had worked himself to the bone, giving all his earnings to the main branch of the family.
Meanwhile, Zhu Wanrou worked every day cooking, feeding chickens and ducks, and tending to the family, never idle.
The main branch’s couple and their two children, on the other hand, did nothing yet lived comfortably, treating their labor as their due.
When the famine came, they turned their backs on the second branch, accusing them of consuming too much and kicking them out.
In truth, Xu Shuisheng was an excellent fisherman and carpenter, hardworking and capable. If not for being exploited by the main branch, how could they have ended up penniless?
Xu Sinan sighed helplessly. In ancient times, the family hierarchy was deeply ingrained. The old matriarch’s favoritism toward the main branch had led to such mistreatment of her parents.
At least the family split had revealed the main branch’s true nature. They must not let themselves be bullied again.
She bought some rice, pork ribs, and pastries to improve the family’s meals.
“Mom, we’re back!” Xu Qianxing’s loud voice echoed as he ran into the house excitedly.
Upon seeing who was inside, his smile vanished, and he lowered his voice. “Aunt is here too, huh.”
Wu Cuihua, who had often scolded him for eating too much and never let him rest, always made Xu Qianxing wary. The sight of her made his mood plummet.
Wu Cuihua’s small eyes lit up when she saw the fabric in Xu Qianxing’s hands.
“Ah, Qianxing, how thoughtful of you to know that our family needed fabric!”
She walked over, touching the cloth with satisfaction. “This fabric is great—comfortable and a perfect color for your cousin.”
She turned to Zhu Wanrou and instructed, “You know Wenchang’s measurements. Quickly make him an outfit. He’ll be back from the county academy in two days, just in time to wear it.”
Smack!
“Ah!”
A sharp sound echoed, followed by Wu Cuihua’s wail.
Clutching her reddened hand, she yelled angrily, “Who dared to hit me!”
Xu Sinan calmly set down the food and wooden boards, glancing at her brother. “Brother, keep an eye on the fabric. Don’t let it get contaminated.”
Wu Cuihua froze for a moment. She hadn’t expected it to be Xu Sinan.
Memories of the family split and Xu Sinan’s decisive actions at the dock dealing with Cui Jinfeng crossed her mind.
She hesitated, wondering if this girl had really become more formidable.
But then she scoffed. How formidable could she be? Wu Cuihua was the eldest aunt, an elder. Disrespecting her would lead to gossip and finger-pointing.
She immediately retorted, “Sinan, how could you speak to your aunt like that? I only touched it a little.”
Turning to Zhu Wanrou, she said, “You must discipline this girl. Hitting an elder? If word gets out, who would want to marry her?”
Wu Cuihua knew Zhu Wanrou was most concerned about her daughter’s reputation. By leveraging this, she could still force the second branch to serve the main branch, even after the split.