“Guide?” Stinky Fish moved closer to Mo Zi and asked, “What’s that?”
The older one heard this and frowned. “The guide is the person who delivered the letter to Mo Ge. It’s our Sunrise rule—those who don’t respect shipwrights and can’t even remember their names aren’t qualified to do shipbuilding work. Mo Ge, if you can’t report the names, please return.”
Mo Zi thought to herself that Sunrise had many rules, but they were quite rigorous and cherished craftsmen. At the same time, she became increasingly curious about Sunrise’s owner, Min Yu.
“They are Chang Ji and Chen Zhi. Please trouble you two to summon them.” Someone high and mighty really might not remember the names of those two manual laborers, but Mo Zi herself came from the bottom of society and had traveled on ships with ship crews, always viewing them as the best companions, so she paid close attention to such details.
The two men’s eyes lit up. They nodded, asked Mo Zi to wait a moment, then turned and left.
After quite a while, they saw the short-bearded Chang Ji and the research-spirited Chen Zhi emerge from the main gate with cheerful smiles, cupping their hands in greeting from afar. The few Hongyu flowers carved so realistically probably made them feel she wasn’t a complete layperson who knew nothing, so they were warmer than before.
“Mo Ge arrived early!” Chang Ji strode forward vigorously.
Both men’s sleeveless short cloth jackets were soaked with sweat, their skin dark and gleaming—clearly they had been pulled away from their work.
“Better to arrive early than late.” Mo Zi led the four forward to meet them. “I wonder if your employer has arrived?”
“Arrived last night, stayed overnight at the yard, and started inspecting ships before dawn. When you gave our two names, the gatekeepers sent word, so he should know by now. We’ll lead you to the reception hall first.” Chang Ji didn’t delay at all and led the way.
Mo Zi noticed that the lively Chen Zhi was more silent than when she’d seen him before. After greeting her, he stood quite far away, occasionally tapping his head.
Seeing Mo Zi’s puzzlement, Chang Ji said, “Don’t mind this kid. The big boss gave him a difficult problem he’s pondering over.”
Mo Zi smiled and followed Chang Ji into the shipyard.
Though Sunrise’s grounds were large, the buildings were economically practical, not occupying prime positions but built in two rows of single-story houses on either side where they wouldn’t obstruct the work. Because there were so many shipwrights, most of the structures were very spacious with high doors, tall roofs, and windows on all four sides.
Mo Zi asked Chang Ji where the workers lived.
Chang Ji answered that young men without families lived in the shipyard dormitories, while those with elderly parents or young children mostly lived in villages two miles away. A few lived in town, but those were mostly high-ranking stewards and master craftsmen at the yard.
As they walked, the shipwrights initially continued their own work. But before long, young men began running around, shouting unabashedly around Mo Zi and her group—someone had come to challenge the three trials. This made them the focus of attention. They could hear plenty of discussion and noticed that everyone seemed very excited.
Chang Ji chuckled. “Don’t mind them, Mo Ge. We’re all rough fellows who say whatever’s on our minds. To tell you the truth, I’ve worked at this yard for ten years and have only seen two attempts at the three trials—no one has passed all of them. These past few years, no one has even tried. So many young people have only heard about it, never seen it—no wonder they’re curious.”
Mo Zi was magnanimous. Since they were here, they’d accept whatever came. “No problem. We brothers will open our eyes together with everyone today and see if we have the luck of success on the third try.”
Hearing this, Chang Ji felt inspired and shouted his approval loudly.
Approaching the reception hall, people wearing long sleeves and robes became more numerous, along with many young attendants and servants—clearly this was entering the “administrative area.”
A middle-aged man in a silk robe hurried over. After surveying the people beside Chang Ji for a few moments, he fixed on Mo Zi. “I presume this is Steward Mo of Hongyu?”
Mo Zi replied, “That would be me. May I ask how to address you?”
Chang Ji made the introduction. “This is Wu Duan, the head steward of our shipyard. When the boss isn’t here, he’s the one in charge. Don’t be fooled by his fine robes—he studied under famous masters from childhood, and his shipbuilding skills are formidable.”
Mo Zi bowed respectfully, addressing him as Head Steward Duan.
Wu Duan repeatedly returned the courtesy, led the five into the hall, invited them to sit, and called for an attendant to serve tea.
“Steward Mo, please wait a moment. The big boss will arrive shortly. Please have some simple tea first. In this place, we’re all rough men who don’t understand tea, so we have nothing fine to offer.” Wu Duan spoke while looking outside.
Mo Zi observed this and smiled. “Head Steward Duan, no need to be anxious—we arrived early. As for the tea, good or bad, it all quenches thirst just the same.”
Wu Duan had already heard from Chang Ji and Chen Zhi that this Steward Mo had some capability—making quite a presentable building at little Hongyu Cove, plus a gate that opened to one side and Hongyu flowers that looked genuine. Now seeing and hearing for himself, he felt this was a steady person who spoke and conducted himself well, and couldn’t help becoming genuinely warm.
“Before the big boss arrives, let’s chat.” Wu Duan stopped looking outside and sat across from Mo Zi. “Forgive my presumptuousness in asking—are these four people who came with you all shipwrights?”
Mo Zi pointed at the Stinky Fish trio. “These brothers are from a ship crew, and this one—” She turned to Zan Jin. “Zan Jin, can you swim?”
She had forgotten to ask before coming.
“Yes, not only can I swim, I can also catch fish.” Zan Jin actively demonstrated his abilities.
Mo Zi made a sound of acknowledgment and told Wu Duan, “He’s familiar with water.”
Wu Duan looked a bit dumbfounded, glancing at Chang Ji, who also wore an expression of doom. Clearing his throat, he wanted to inquire more carefully. “Steward Mo should know that ship crews and shipyards are completely different matters, and being familiar with water is different from being able to swim.”
Mo Zi knew the other party was worried for her, but remained unhurried. “Your employer’s letter said those who understand ships and are familiar with water. I also understand it would be best to find skilled shipwrights. However, since Hongyu Shipyard hasn’t opened for business yet, where would shipwrights come from? Moreover, since I accepted your employer’s letter, I naturally must first pass the three trials before recruiting people. Speaking of the final process at a shipyard—that’s launching and testing the ship. Head Steward Duan doesn’t know, but while my three brothers here would be completely in the dark if you asked them how to carve wood, when it comes to handling ships, they’re like this.” She raised both thumbs, making Stinky Fish and his brothers straighten their backs with pride.
As for Zan Jin, he was just there to fill numbers. His martial arts skills improved by leaps and bounds in practice, and having him along made her feel very secure. How to put it? If they couldn’t win, they could run—but there was no need to say this out loud.
“So if you don’t pass the three trials this time, I’m to blame, this old man?” A voice like a great bell rang out as a red-faced, white-haired old man entered from outside, rolling up his cloth sleeves, one corner of his robe tucked into his waist, wearing gray-white lantern-style ankle-tied trousers, striding forward raising dust.
As he walked into the hall, about ten people rushed in behind him—mostly middle-aged men with only two or three young faces. Chang Ji and Chen Zhi had already withdrawn.
Could these be the so-called “upper echelon”?
Wu Duan quickly stood up and stepped forward, calling out “Master.”
Mo Zi led her four companions to also rise, performed the courtesies, and responded to what Min Yu had just said. “Old Master Min, I wouldn’t dare blame you—I’m just stating facts. As for whether we can pass these three trials, we’ll have to see to know. I believe those who previously attempted the trials all brought shipwrights, correct? In Shaozhou—”
“Steward Mo, Mo Ge—calling you that makes me sound like the junior. Mo young fellow, what’s your birth order?” Min Yu sat in the main seat as everyone else took their seats.
“…” Birth order? Something going haywire in her brain, she blurted out, “Third.”
“Then I’ll call you Mo San’er.” Min Yu stroked his white beard. “Those before you didn’t bring shipwrights either. The highest were master craftsmen, otherwise at least skilled craftsmen.”
Mo San’er? She really wanted to slap herself—why say she was third? Once this matter was settled, she’d definitely go back and ask those two people clearly—exactly how did they become sworn brothers? Without evidence, she wouldn’t acknowledge it.
Her mind was in turmoil, the sound in her ears was unpleasant, so her mouth became somewhat perfunctory, making a sound of acknowledgment to show she understood.
Min Yu thought she was proud and arrogant, but wasn’t angry either. He pointed to several people seated at the head of the lower positions on his right, saying this was Zeng Hai, owner of Hongtu Shipyard, that was Fang Ming, owner of Yacheng Shipyard, and Zhen Luo of Zhen Clan Shipyard. On his left were reportedly famous master craftsmen-level figures serving as arbiters and judges for the three trials.
These people were all in their forties and fifties. Of the three young men, one stood behind Min Yu, one behind Zeng Hai, and another behind one of the master craftsmen.
Among those seated in the hall, Mo Zi was the youngest.
Mo Zi looked at these completely unfamiliar faces, thinking to herself that this was the shipbuilding world she was entering, and respectfully greeted each one.
Her performance was acceptable, but someone found her displeasing.
“Mo San, why hasn’t your employer come forward? Could it be he looks down on the trials?” Zeng Hai was somewhat plump with sagging cheeks that squeezed his eyes into beans.
“Boss Zeng misunderstands. My employer traveled far away some days ago and doesn’t know about this matter. Moreover, my employer’s business spans various provinces—if he handled everything personally, wouldn’t he be unable to manage? Old Master Min’s letter only said someone with decision-making authority. I believe I still meet that qualification.” Mo Zi smiled faintly, carrying forward the spirit of winning people over with virtue.
Zeng Hai’s fat face turned cold, though it remained glossy and shining.
Min Yu observed quietly.
Mo Zi continued, “Old Master Min, when do these three trials begin?”
He had only seen people desperately offering pleasantries, hoping the trials could be delayed as much as possible or avoided altogether, but never someone actively requesting to start. Min Yu secretly admired this while his expression remained unmoved.
He asked, “Mo San’er, I presume you already know what the three trials are?”
Mo Zi said, “Blade Mountain, Fire Sea, Ghost Gate—each trial determined by drawing a challenge from a box.”
Blade Mountain, Fire Sea, Ghost Gate—these three names sounded quite frightening, but in reality—she didn’t know. That bald man from Nande couldn’t explain the details either. His time in Great Zhou was still short, and challenging the trials was an internal guild affair—not being within it, he didn’t understand its intricacies.
Mo Zi had speculated they mostly related to ships.
“Good. Since you already know, let’s not waste time. We’ll start with Blade Mountain—” Min Yu instructed the young man behind him to bring the box.
That person went to the back and brought out a wooden box, walked to Mo Zi, his expression half-smiling, mouth twisted to one side. “Draw your challenge.”
Mo Zi didn’t quibble with his mocking tone. She reached into the hole, pulled out a slip of paper, and was about to open it.
The man immediately snatched the paper from her hand. “If you don’t understand the rules, ask—don’t just do as you please.”
This person was probably jealous that she had a seat, and that she was younger yet more capable than him, right? In Shaozhou, he came looking for fault right away.
She still had Blade Mountain to climb ahead—would she really be afraid of him?
Hmph—