Blossom In Adversity - Vol. 2

C228. Inquiries.

Chapter 228: Inquiries

The vitality of a harbor is a testament to a city’s prosperity, and the docks of the capital were always teeming with people and bustling with activity.

Alighting from her carriage, Hua Zhi inhaled the salty sea air, her mind already racing with culinary possibilities. While seafood wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea, those who loved it were truly passionate. Catering to that niche market alone would be more than enough to make her fortune.

She stood watching for a while, noticing that while many people hurried past the stalls selling seafood, wrinkling their noses at the smell, there was a steady stream of customers, mostly servants from some mansion in green robes and small caps. Clearly, not everyone was averse to the finer points of seafood.

Approaching the stalls, she examined the dried goods on display. To maximize their cargo, the boats could not transport live seafood in any significant quantity, so dried fish predominated.

But it was not fish she was after.

Hua Zhi looked up to find a middle-aged man watching her with a hesitant expression. Smiling, she approached him and curtsied slightly, "Are you the ship's captain?"

The man was short and wiry, and seemed quite taken aback by the elegant young lady bowing to him. Uncertain of how to respond, he rubbed his hands together and replied, "Yes, I am the captain. My surname is Zhang, Zhang Xing. You must be..."

Xu Ying, her maid, stepped forward and introduced the boatman to Hua Zhi. "I am a servant from Hua family. This is our eldest miss."

Zhang Xing recognized Xu Ying immediately and realized he had not been mistaken. Though surprised that a young woman from such a prominent family would take such an interest in his business, he was well-versed in the ways of the world and hid his astonishment.

Bowing deeply, he said, "May I ask what you require, young lady?"

"May I have a look at your ship?" Hua Zhi asked.

Zhang Xing, though uncertain of her intentions, did not dare refuse. Besides, his crew was small, and having an extra pair of eyes on board would not be a bad thing.

Once on board, Hua Zhi merely inspected the ship's layout and cargo-handling methods, staying on deck. This put Zhang Xing at ease, and he offered her tea and some deep-fried fish.

Rubbing his hands together, he looked quite embarrassed. "Please don't laugh, miss. This is all I have on the boat."

Hua Zhi moved closer, gently lifting her sleeve with one hand, and with the other, she picked up a golden-fried small yellow croaker and put it in her mouth. With a satisfying crunch, she took a bite, and the timing of the cooking was just right.

Zhang Xing was surprised by her casual and generous manner. However, he also felt a sense of closeness because of her actions. Someone who didn't mind losing face and didn't show disgust at simple food was surely a good person.

Putting down her chopsticks, Hua Zhi looked up. "I'm here today to ask you something, Captain Zhang."

Zhang Xing perked up. "Yes, please go ahead."

"These seafood you have on your boat must be the most common and least valuable things where you live." Hua Zhi casually inquired about Zhang Xing's business.

Zhang Xing's heart skipped a beat. "I don't know why you say that, miss. I can swear that there's nothing wrong with these things."

"I'm not an official, and I'm not here to investigate the quality of the goods. I'm just telling you that I know a little about where Captain Zhang lives." Hua Zhi looked towards the bustling docks. "By the sea, there should be more live things."