"Boss, do we have any other options? Have you ever seen anyone cross the sea by swimming?"
"You need an oar to row a boat, don't you?"
Wang Kaixuan was dejected. It was hard out here for a胖爷 (Pàng Yé - a term of endearment for someone like him) who couldn't even paddle these days.
"That's right, Young Master Zhang. Couldn't we at least get a wooden boat?"
Wang Banyue and Wang Kaixuan were clearly playing good cop, bad cop.
They were practically performing a crosstalk act.
"I'm not sure. There will definitely be smaller boats on a large ship, so you can rest assured," Zhang Tian said, his gaze drifting into the distance.
Fortunately, the Northeast region was also an important route for maritime transport, otherwise waiting for a ship here might take until the Year of the Monkey.
Maritime transport routes were defined by the ocean and ocean currents.
The most direct way was for transport ships to pass through the Taiwan Strait; otherwise, transportation costs would significantly increase.
Zhang Tian's current port was a special bay.
"It's truly amazing. Fatty and I come to the Northeast often, but this is the first time I've learned that the Northeast has a sea," Hu Bayi exclaimed in surprise.
At this moment, Zhang Qilin's gaze was fixed on the deep sea, where a massive ship seemed to be flickering in his eyes.
"I didn't know either before, but guess what, why didn't the Fuji country attack Modu first?" Zhang Tian asked with a smile.
After all, Modu was the lifeline of the Xia kingdom. Why didn't the Fuji country seize Modu first?
Obviously, it was too far, over a hundred thousand miles from the Fuji country.
And supplies and other resources would not arrive in time, perhaps being intercepted by other countries before they could reach their destination.
Hu Bayi nodded in understanding.
"Look, Boss, a ship is coming," Fatty suddenly said, pointing into the distance.
Indeed, a ship was slowly approaching in the distance.
Zhang Tian estimated that its route was likely headed towards Fuji country.
"The ship should approach the shore for resupply; it's standard practice. We just need to wait here," Zhang Tian gestured for Fatty to calm down.
As Zhang Tian spoke, the ship drew nearer.
Soon, a somewhat dilapidated vessel came into view.
The ship did not look very high-tech.
Instead, it resembled a refitted warship.
"Damn it, could this be some kind of attack vessel? No, a warship wouldn't be this small. It must have been modified," Wang Banyue muttered as the so-called ship slowly approached.
Soon, on the shore, a group of sailors began disembarking, and they started loading supplies that had been prepared onto the ship.
These were materials needed for the ship's transport and some food, nothing particularly special.
"It's docked. Young Master Zhang, shall we go take a look?" Wu Tianzhen's eyes lit up.
He had traveled by ship before, so he wasn't as excited, primarily because he wanted to reach Fuji country quickly.
Zhang Tian nodded.
"Let's go ask. They should be able to give us a ride." Zhang Tian waved his hand, and they walked towards the ship.
Onboard, many foreigners stood, their eyes casting peculiar glances at the land of Xia.
There was regret, disappointment, and shock.
"Hello, where is this ship heading, and how many countries does it pass through?" Zhang Tian approached a man who was clearly in charge and spoke fluently in English.
Zhang Tian had a strong learning ability and picked up languages quickly.
The man glanced at Zhang Tian and his companions.
Five or six people, all looking rather unremarkable, especially the young man in black, who might not even be noticed if one didn't look closely.
"Hello, sir. This ship is heading to the United States, and it passes through ports in Fuji country and elsewhere." The captain answered directly without hesitation.
After all, it wasn't a secret.
Furthermore, this ship was a transport vessel, capable of carrying cargo and passengers. Zhang Tian and his companions looked like they had money.
The captain certainly had no reason to conceal anything.
"I see, thank you. How much is the ticket? We plan to disembark in Fuji country." Zhang Tian inquired.
The captain looked at Zhang Tian. His demeanor didn't suggest he was a native of Fuji country.
However, that wasn't his concern. He was currently contemplating how to extort money from Zhang Tian.
"Alright, one hundred US dollars per person. I guarantee to get you to your destination safely," the captain said with an air of absolute certainty.
"Captain, we have so many people, can't you give us a discount?" Zhang Tian asked.
He rarely haggled, but at this juncture, negotiating was a deliberate move to make the captain believe he didn't have much money.
This would also reduce unnecessary trouble later on.
"How about this? For six people, I'll charge you five hundred US dollars. That's a pretty good deal, isn't it?" the captain said with a smile.
Zhang Tian feigned reluctance.
Seeing this, the captain became anxious.
"This price is very fair."
"Alright, this is all the money we have." Zhang Tian reluctantly took out the money, but it was only four hundred.
Four hundred dollars, whether in modern times or in the past, was an astronomical sum. It was a wonder the captain could even name such a price.
Zhang Tian, not knowing the actual cost, was also just casually haggling.
Upon seeing four hundred US dollars, the captain's eyes lit up. He didn't even bother with Zhang Tian anymore, grabbed the money, and said,
"John, take them aboard! Send them to Fuji country." He called out inside, and a crew member hurried out.
Soon, under the guidance of the crew member, Zhang Tian and his group successfully boarded the ship.
"By the way, may I ask how much it will cost to take us to Fuji country?" Zhang Tian asked.
He had a feeling he had been overcharged.
"Ten US dollars," the crew member replied. Zhang Tian's face immediately darkened.
Indeed, when encountering something unfamiliar, Zhang Tian could also be put in a difficult situation.
"Holy cow, what a rip-off!" Fatty almost jumped out of his skin. This meant they had lost nearly ten times the amount.
Although it wasn't his money, Fatty's heart was already bleeding.
"Alright, Fatty, this little bit of money is nothing. Let's go to the cabin first," Zhang Tian waved his hand, quickly regaining his composure. As long as they were on the ship, this money was truly insignificant.
"By the way, how long will it take to get from here to Fuji country?" Wu Tianzhen, who had little concept of money, inquired about the duration.
"It will take about a week."
"Please come in." The crew member said, leading Zhang Tian and his group into a cabin.
The ship was quite decent, making the several hundred dollars Zhang Tian spent worthwhile. The room was also good.
There were eight beds in the room, enough for the group to stay.
"I'll take the lower bunk," Fatty trotted over and claimed a spot.
"Hey, why do you get the lower bunk?" Wang Banyue asked with dissatisfaction.
"You wouldn't understand. At night, with the waves and the ship rocking, the bed doesn't move much," Fatty chuckled.
Wang Banyue was left looking bewildered.
Zhang Tian, Hu Bayi, and the others had dark lines on their foreheads. Was this Fatty looking for some kind of thrill?
Soon, everyone had chosen their spots.
Half an hour later, the cargo ship slowly set sail.
On the deck, the captain looked at the money in his hand and nodded with satisfaction.
"I'll find a way to squeeze more out of them later," he muttered, his eyes seeming to gleam with golden light.