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?"
"Isnât that the case?"
"No, you are too naive. First, if we hadnât collaborated with Chu Jin, we wouldnât have built the seafaring ship, and naturally, we wouldnât 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 wouldnât 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, itâs 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 didnât answer but asked in a deep voice.
"Third Master, we just feel that without a protector, itâs easy to be bullied. If you have any ideas, weâll definitely follow you."
"Yes, Third Master, weâve always followed you. As weâve said before, no matter what you do, weâll 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 wonât lack for your benefits."
"But I wonât 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. Iâll set you free and wonât shortchange you. The severance pay you deserve wonât be lacking."
"Third Master, weâre not leaving."
"We were wrong and shouldnât have talked nonsense. Third Master, whatever you say, weâll 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 Zhouâs gaze swept across everyoneâs faces.
"Everyone, I know you each have things you want. I wonât stop you. If you donât leave this time, and later do something that disobeys my orders, donât blame me, Third Master Zhou, for turning on you."
"Of course, even if you choose to leave, I wonât hold it against you. Weâll still be good brothers when we meet in the future, just wonât work together."
"This..."
"He San, you still dare to hesitate? Youâre 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 hadnât saved you, you wouldnât have todayâs good life. If you betray Third Master, Iâll never respect you."
He Sanâs face stiffened, "Zheng, I havenât. I just didnât react fast enough. Even if you didnât say it, I knew they must have some advantage."
"Hmph, youâre 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."