Chapter 168: 168

A month had passed . After the Jackdaw’s pirates had more than enough fun in Nassau, most had spent off a large portion of their earnings . Some were even in debt . It baffled Zhang Heng as to how they managed to spend all their money, considering that they were each given at least 40 gold coins before they left the ship . That amount was enough for an ordinary person to live comfortably for two to three years . On the bright side, though, they were starting to miss life out at sea .

Coincidently, Carina provided Zhang Heng with some valuable intel . After getting a minor refit and going though a recruitment drive, the Jackdaw was ready to set sail again . At the same time, Carina and Laeli started to work on their Nassau operation as well . Before the black-market alliance began to deal with Carina, she had decided that she would do whatever it would take for her plan to succeed . First, she rented a storage facility near the pier . Then, she spread the news to Nassau’s small-time pirates, telling them that she was willing to offer them a higher price than the black-market alliance .

Upon hearing the news, a large number of pirates on the island started to pay attention . Though Carina was a woman, the fact that she managed to help the Jackdaw earn a huge amount of money had spread around the entire Nassau . Her reputation soon skyrocketed . It was great news to the small-time pirates that someone was willing to buy their loot at a higher price . If that was so, they wouldn’t need to rely on the black-market alliance anymore . After all, the alliance wasn’t as friendly to them as they were to the powerful pirate crews because it was hard for them to valuable loot . The alliance would only offer them a meager price for whatever they had .

Since they did not sign any contracts with the alliance, they could choose to stop selling to them anytime they wished . With the opportunity for better prospects, they would naturally choose to sell their plunder to Carina . The captain of the Gentle Breeze was left speechless when he saw a group of pirate-wannabes lining up in front of the storeroom that Carina rented .

Their clothes were in tatters and they wielded all sorts of non-lethal weapons, which made them look more like beggars and thugs instead of pirates . One could only imagine the quality of the items sold to Carina .

An elderly pirate slowly approached the table . Malone suspected that he must be older than his great grandfather that he buried some time ago . The old pirate then put a basket of crabs on the table as Jim, the records keeper stared at him in a confused manner . Immediately, he pointed at the signboard behind him .

“I’m sorry, sir . We do not accept any marine products here,” said the records keeper politely .

“Watch what you say to me, kid . Everyone knew me when I was your age . Even Henry Morgan had to pay his respects to me when he came to Nassau . This is what I acquired when I sailed out earlier . ”

“Still… . it does not change the fact that your loot is a marine product, sir . ”

Malone had personally recruited Jim last year . It was not easy hiring someone who knew how to count and read in this era . Not too long ago, almost half of the sailors from the Gentle Breeze left the ship when they heard that Mr . Fegan had been sent to jail . To Malone’s surprise, Jim had chosen to stay with the ship . A better job would have awaited him if he’d left .

After selling off all the spices, Malone suggested to Carina that she should increase the pay of the kid hailing from North Carolina . There was nothing Malone could do when he saw Jim trying to explain the difference between marine products and loot to the old pirate .

“I robbed this basket of crabs from a fisherman . So it’s considered loot, not a marine product . Your boss told us that you are buying the loot that we got, right? This is my loot . What’s your problem?!”

“Sir, I think there’s been a misunderstanding . ”

Carina could not bear to see them argue anymore . The pirates that were waiting in line were starting to get impatient as well .

“Pay him five copper coins to buy off his loot . We need to serve the next seller,” Carine informed Jim .

Jim was instantly relieved when he was told to pay off the old pirate . Surprisingly, the old pirate was still unhappy even after Jim paid him the five copper coins . The pirate after him took out two marbles from his pocket and attempted to sell it to them .

“This is a disaster . You know that we won’t be able to sell all these useless stuff that we bought from these wannabes, right? We talked about this when you first arrived in Nassau . It’s impossible to earn a single dime from them . I thought we’ve agreed on not buying anything from these people . Why are you wasting your time and money on them right now?” asked an irritated Malone . He then continued,

“Forgive my candor, but I feel that whatever we are doing right now is a complete waste of time . I would rather spend the money to let a hardworking boy like him to enjoy himself at s brothel in town . Look at the poor guy . I bet he’s still a virgin . ”

“Thank you for your reminder . I know how the value of those items . If you can find me a second Jackdaw on this island, I’m more than happy to chase all of them away . If you can’t do it, you’d better shut your mouth . If you are bored, go find a hooker and let her f*ck you . Alternatively, you can just come and help me . ”

“I think I will choose the first option . ”

Malone folded his arms and stormed away . After taking a few steps, however, he stopped .

“Did you just ask a hooker to f*ck me? Or, is there something wrong with my hearing?”

“What’s wrong with that?”

“I remember when Mr . Fegan brought you on the Gentle Breeze for the first time . You were only eight or nine . Like a porcelain doll, you held up your dress so high; it would not touch the ship’s deck . You were so unhappy that your father brought you aboard the ship . I can’t imagine that the demure lady that you once were became a boss that has taken over the ship . Ms . Carina, you’ve done it . You blended in with this place faster than anyone could have imagined . Your father would be so proud of you . ”

“It’s still too early to say that . It’s not easy to survive in this place . Considering that we are facing a powerful enemy, we have to figure out a way to catch a breath from time to time . ”

“Uncle Malone, I have to thank you for not leaving us even after my father was put in jail . ”

“Mr . Fegan was the one who offered me this job when I was lost . I will never forget what he’s done for me . For now, I’m not going to waste my energy on pointless matters . So, I’m going to the brothel right now to look for a prostitute, and ask her to f*ck me . ”

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