mtl008 Chapter 553 The docks were in complete chaos.
Chapter 553 The docks were in complete chaos.
Several boats were lined up in front, waiting for government officials to inspect them.
The dock was much noisier than usual, but not lively.
The cries were drowned out by the sound of the waves, one after another, not very clear, but still heartbreaking.
Sihai stood on the ship's side, his little hands gripping the mooring rope, looking down.
He watched for a while without saying a word, but simply moved closer to Sanchuan.
The docks were a complete mess.
Many boats were moored crookedly, some with holes, some burned, some with broken masts, and some with torn sails soaking in the water.
Some people were salvaging broken planks, while many others were salvaging loose goods from the side.
More people gathered together, crying their hearts out.
Sanchuan looked into the crowd and saw many familiar faces—the uncles and elders of his clan. Each of them had dried bloodstains on their clothes, and they hung their heads, saying nothing.
Qingshan instructed the crew to lower the rope ladder.
A yamen runner in a black robe climbed up a rope ladder, holding a book in his hand, and questioned the ship's registration, cargo owner, and origin.
Qingshan answered each question, and the constable noted them down. After inspecting the neatly stacked cargo packages in the cabin, he nodded and disembarked.
Xu Yiyi looked up and gazed at the gray-white watchtower in the distance of the port.
There was a man at the top of the tower, holding a spear and a bow and arrow.
Some watchtowers were gazing out to sea, while others were patrolling the ships entering the harbor.
This size is about the same as that of the prefectural city.
Old Lu stood beside her, following her gaze, and whispered, "After this incident, it's likely that the restrictions on ships entering and leaving will be even stricter in the future."
Xu Yi nodded slightly, her tone indifferent: "It's better to be stricter."
She paused.
"Be stricter, at least fewer people will die."
As soon as the boat docked, Qingshan immediately called the boat captain over.
His face was filled with worry.
The dockworkers were the most numerous under the ship captains. They made a living by carrying cargo at the dock, working from morning till night.
Therefore, when the pirates stormed in, these porters suffered the most casualties.
Logically, at this point, no one should dare to come out.
But life goes on, so they had no choice but to grit their teeth and keep going.
What kind of goods? How many people do you need?
Qingshan said a few words and called over three people.
"Take your brother back first, I'll keep an eye on these goods," Qingshan said, helping Xu Yiyi carry Sihai off the ship.
Xu Yiyi turned around and glanced at Lao Lu.
He nodded. "Don't worry, I'll follow them for you."
……
Once on the dock and into the streets, Sanchuan realized that the town was unusually quiet.
At this time of year, the breakfast stalls by the dock would have already removed their doors, steaming hot air billowing out, with people rushing to catch boats and unloading cargo coming and going, their shouts carrying half the street.
Not available today.
Sanchuan followed his older sister toward the main street, looking left and right.
The shops on both sides are side by side, with their doors all neatly installed, not a single one removed.
Grain stores, cloth shops, general stores, oil mills... all were closed.
There were hardly any people on the street.
There wasn't even a dog.
"Boss, I won't go back to the restaurant with you. Look at the situation, the restaurant can't open for business. Please give me leave, I need to go home to take care of my little grandson."
Fatty Wang's tone was somewhat urgent.
"Go back and spend some time with your family."
Xu Yi nodded, parted ways with Fatty Wang, and continued walking forward with the children.
At their own restaurant, Uncle and Aunt had already returned to the island.
Yunniang, Aunt Fu, and a few others huddled in the restaurant, not daring to make a sound.