Blossom in Adversity

C47. Port.

Chapter 47: Port

The liveliness of a port determines the prosperity of a city. Although the current Daqing Dynasty could not compare to its heyday, it was still relatively wealthy. As the central hub of the Daqing Dynasty, the port in the capital city was bustling with people coming and going.

Hua Zhi did not deliberately dress in men's clothing, nor did she dress as a young lady. She borrowed clothes from Ying Chun, made a few adjustments to her appearance, and confidently mingled with the crowd.

Nian Qiu and Xu Jie, who were following her, were sweating nervously, protecting her in the middle and fearing she would be bumped into.

Hua Zhi first wandered around the dock, observing the goods and people boarding and disembarking with the shouts and cries of the dockworkers. She watched as the laborers, with tattered clothes and bent backs, struggled to make a living carrying heavy cargo. The officials strutted around, arrogantly urging them on. Her heart remained calm.

She knew she couldn't change this situation, not because she couldn't, but because she shouldn't. No matter where one was, one had to adapt to the rules rather than try to change them. The rules were intertwined with not only the interests of those in power but also the entire era.

If one acted rashly, those who held the capital would benefit, and the already impoverished common people would suffer even more. Unless she was the one deciding the rules, the one determining how the cake was divided.

But she had never aspired to be that kind of person. So, over the years, she stayed in her own little world, ignoring what was happening outside and living in peace.

"Miss, the ship is over there," Xu Jie pointed to a large ship not far away.

Hua Zhi looked over and indeed saw a large ship, larger than the two next to it combined. Surveying the entire port, it was likely the largest ship there. The laborers on the shore near the ship were already shouldering their loads and waiting, knowing that with such a deep draft, it must be a hefty job.

As they approached, Xu Jie hesitated to ask, "Miss, do you want to board the ship? It's windless today, and the ship has a deep draft, so it shouldn't sway much."

"Let's go up," Hua Zhi took the lead onto the gangway.

Initially worried that the young lady would be afraid, after all, the water was right below, albeit shallow, but which young lady wasn't afraid of falling into the water? It wasn't just a matter of drowning.

This worry was only momentary. Watching the young lady walk steadily as if on solid ground, Xu Jie quickly caught up, not daring to think back to his own first time on a ship.

The people on the ship all gathered on the deck when they saw Xu Jie leading the group aboard. When they realized it was two young ladies, they whispered among themselves for a while.

But once the group was on board, they all closed their mouths one by one. Perhaps this was how people in the capital city acted? They still had some unsettled debts, so it was best not to cause trouble.

"This is the stewardess from our mansion. Once she inspects the goods, she will settle the accounts. Please be patient and wait outside," Hua Zhi instructed.

The meaning is not to follow them, as soon as the group of people who were in the capital for the first time exchanged glances, they all nodded in agreement.

Descending into the hold, all she could see was golden citrus fruits. Hua Zhi wandered around, occasionally picking one to peel and eat a slice. Out of every ten, seven or eight were sweet, and the remaining two or three, even if a bit sour, had a natural tang that was acceptable.