Zhang Heng didn't expect that when the Jackdaw came back, there would be one more person on board. He looked at Billy beside him.
The latter shrugged, "It wasn't my idea, she wanted to come back."
Carrying her luggage, Liya said politely, "Can you take me in? I will do a lot of things."
"Yes, yes, but why don't you stay with your tribe members? You escaped from that manor with great difficulty, isn't it just to live a free life?"
"I... I have a lot of respect for Raeli, he united us in the most difficult times, led us out of a life of misery, was a greater chief than his father, but on some things, I disagree with him I don't think the way out for me and my people is on those uninhabited islands."
"Huh?" Zhang Heng raised his eyebrows.
"We may be able to live a peaceful life on that small island for a while, but sooner or later those slave traders will come to us again, just like in my hometown, they will still kill the old and weak first. People, separate brothers and sisters and mothers and children, and if we don't find a real way out, these things will happen over and over until all black people are slaves."
Zhang Heng was a little surprised. He didn't expect Elijah's age and knowledge to say such a thing. Although she was still limited by the times, in a sense, she had seen farther than Laeli. Zhang Heng asked, "Then where do you think the way out is?"
"I don't know," Liya shook her head, "I'm still looking, but what I'm good at is useless on a desert island, so I want to stay here, in the civilized world, and play my own role .”
"This is not a civilized world, and my crew has basically been recruited. You are not a sailor, but a woman..." Zhang Heng thought for a while and asked Karina on the other side, "Are you still short of people?"
The businesswoman nodded and said to the black girl, "I heard that you can read and write. It just so happens that my grocery store in Boston is about to open. Go there and help me keep the books. I will provide you with board and lodging, and your salary will be temporarily reduced." GBP for one month, and when the business gets better later, I will raise your salary according to the situation.”
A look of joy appeared on Liya's face when she heard this.
After settling down the black girl, the businesswoman continued the topic she hadn't finished talking about before, and briefly talked with Zhang Heng about the few separate meetings with Raymond before, and the agreement reached between the two, and then said, "Can you talk to me? Go out for a walk?"
Zhang Heng nodded, and walked out of the house with Karina to the field ridge.
Today's weather is good, the sun is shining, and there is gentle sea breeze, which is very suitable for walking. Karina didn't have any clear direction, so she just found a direction and walked down. The businesswoman didn't say anything along the way. Zhang Heng also remained silent.
This is not because there is nothing to say between the two, it's just that they are enjoying this rare peace. It has been three weeks since the riots in Terrance Manor, and a lot of things have happened in these three weeks , but so far, the situation has basically stabilized, and Malcolm's defeat is set.
The latter was quite straightforward, and immediately began to list and sell his various assets on the island. On the other hand, without Malcolm's strong execution ability, the elderly Raymond was unable to maintain the operation of the Black Merchants Alliance. , although no official statement has been issued, everyone knows that the dissolution of the Black Merchants Alliance is inevitable.
Soon the power of the black market merchants on the island will undergo a major reshuffle and return to the previous fierce competition. Recently, the black market merchants in Nassau have begun to move around, contacting the pirate ships they have cooperated with before, looking for new ones. partner, spying on other people for offers.
This means lost income for some, but also opportunity for others.
Back then, Malcolm took advantage of the disintegration of the first-generation black business alliance to rise rapidly, and now there are many people who are eager to try to replicate his previous success.
In this matter, Malcolm is undoubtedly the loser, and although Raymond lost his nominal position as the president of the Black Merchants Union, because of upholding justice for Normand and Fagan, let him His reputation has risen to a new level, faintly catching up with Normand back then.
And relying on good reputation and strong connections, many of the powerful pirate groups in Nassau have already said that they are willing to continue to cooperate with Raymond after the disintegration of the Black Merchants Alliance, but as long as the latter is still in power for a day, It is impossible to respond to these rumors.
But everyone believed that after the disintegration, the number of pirate ships in Raymond's hands would be more or less than before.
The next beneficiary is Karina. The latter has the shortest time on the island, but faced with the huge pressure from Malcolm and the Black Merchants Alliance, she coped well and showed her extraordinary business talent. Her second-hand The Goods Trading Office has also won her a lot of praise from small and medium pirates. In addition, Malcolm deliberately sent her a wave of powerful pirate ships. He will become a big black market businessman second only to Raymond.
But that's all for later.
Now she doesn't want to think so much, she just wants to enjoy this staged victory first.
The two walked all the way to the beach, and Karina finally made up her mind and said, "Sorry, I actually have something to hide from you."
"The private conversation between Malcolm and you?" Zhang Heng asked.
A look of surprise appeared on Karina's face.
"Don't get me wrong, I didn't send anyone to monitor you, but after all, it was the day of the operation, and I will definitely pay attention to Malcolm's actions. In fact, I can probably guess what he said to you." Zhang Heng said, "Eugene If you think about it carefully, there are too many coincidences, and his attitude is too cooperative, it’s not that I didn’t doubt Raymond, and the way you lost your mind afterwards confirmed my guess in some way.”
"Since Eugene's matter is related to Raymond, there is a high possibility that Raymond also played a role in your father's matter. Before we saw the letter that Leah stole, we thought It was Malcolm who attacked your father, but in fact, judging from the content of that letter, it can be understood that Malcolm is investigating that matter. The reason why you didn't tell me was because you were worried that you would lose everything after telling me. Choose, because from my point of view, I will definitely suggest you to use this opportunity to get rid of Malcolm who is the most threatening, so that you will lose the possibility of joining forces with Malcolm to avenge your father."
"Why, since you already guessed it, why didn't you warn me then?"
"Because this is your choice." Zhang Heng said, "Although I have a stake in the second-hand goods trading office, in the final analysis this is your business, and the person who was framed and imprisoned was also your father. This should be you, and it must be you. choice made."
"Then do you think that I am a very cold-blooded person, who will not avenge my father's revenge, but turn around and form an alliance with the enemy." Karina asked again.
This time Zhang Heng didn't answer the question, but said, "One day you will defeat Raymond and become the most powerful black market merchant on the island, just like you defeated Malcolm today."
"But when that day comes, will I not even know myself?" The businesswoman smiled wryly.
"Maybe you never really know yourself."