Peasant Woman's Decreed Life as a Wife

Chapter 2496: Chapter 2493: Unwillingness

For a while, those who followed Third Master Zhou felt a bit indignant, thinking that Chu Jin had snatched away their wealth.

“Do you really think arriving half a day early would have gotten us a title?”

“Isn’t that the case?”

“No, you are too naive. First, if we hadn’t collaborated with Chu Jin, we wouldn’t have built the seafaring ship, and naturally, we wouldn’t have this opportunity now.”

“Secondly, we have no connections in the court, no background. Even if we earned a lot of silver, we might not be able to keep it. If we offer up these items, the most likely reward would be gold and silver jewelry.”

“Do you think the Emperor would easily grant a title? Without the Chu family, even if Chu Jin arrived in the capital a day earlier, he wouldn’t have gotten any of this.”

“Moreover, even if we did arrive early, would we have the connections to get the things into the palace?”

“Or do you think you can find a protector in the capital?”

“Third Master, it’s not fair to us for you to say this. Have you considered finding a protector?” someone cautiously asked, though others remained silent. Clearly, many were tempted and wondered whom to associate with privately.

“Is that what you all think?” Third Master Zhou didn’t answer but asked in a deep voice.

“Third Master, we just feel that without a protector, it’s easy to be bullied. If you have any ideas, we’ll definitely follow you.”

“Yes, Third Master, we’ve always followed you. As we’ve said before, no matter what you do, we’ll listen.”

“Alright, my answer is, finding a protector now is death.” Third Master Zhou took a sip of tea calmly, warningly glancing at everyone: “You follow me, I treat you as brothers and naturally won’t lack for your benefits.”

“But I won’t force you. This time going to sea was hard work for everyone. If anyone wants to stay in Great Chu and live well without risking going to sea again, you can tell me now. I’ll set you free and won’t shortchange you. The severance pay you deserve won’t be lacking.”

“Third Master, we’re not leaving.”

“We were wrong and shouldn’t have talked nonsense. Third Master, whatever you say, we’ll follow, no questions asked.”

“Third Master, we were wrong.”

For a moment, everyone panicked, hastily apologizing, only one or two hesitated but ultimately did not step forward to say they wanted to leave.

Third Master Zhou’s gaze swept across everyone’s faces.

“Everyone, I know you each have things you want. I won’t stop you. If you don’t leave this time, and later do something that disobeys my orders, don’t blame me, Third Master Zhou, for turning on you.”

“Of course, even if you choose to leave, I won’t hold it against you. We’ll still be good brothers when we meet in the future, just won’t work together.”

“This…”

“He San, you still dare to hesitate? You’re being an idiot persuaded by those people. Do you really think they would try to win us over if there were no benefits for them?”

“Moreover, if Third Master hadn’t saved you, you wouldn’t have today’s good life. If you betray Third Master, I’ll never respect you.”

He San’s face stiffened, “Zheng, I haven’t. I just didn’t react fast enough. Even if you didn’t say it, I knew they must have some advantage.”

“Hmph, you’re not too stupid. You should know that those trying to win us over are sent by officials who surely know more about the information than we do. If I had the ability to go to sea alone.”