Chapter 203

Chapter 203: Letter of Recommendation

“Thanks, but no thanks . After that battle, I swore that I would never go through such an experience again,” Billy said .

“Apart from us, I also intend to recruit another four experienced captains from the island . With the six of us working together, we have a good chance of a victory,” said Black Prince Sam . “After it’s done, we’ll split the loot equally among us . It’s a lot of money–enough money to pay everyone’s wages for an entire year . This means that if you want to, you can take a year-long vacation after that . ”

“If the whole point is just to make money, you can probably a more suitable prey, right? What draws you to this Spanish treasure ship anyway?” Zhang Heng asked .

It was undeniable that Spanish ships carried the most valuable treasures . Other than tobacco, they would also haul silk, silver, and most importantly, gold . When Black Sam said that it was enough to pay off a year’s wages, he wasn’t exaggerating . Even if the money were to be divided equally among the six pirate ships, they would definitely each get a handsome share .

However, the stakes were also very high . Unless the motive were revenge, like Blackbeard’s battle, most avoided getting involved with military forces under normal circumstances .

What more, Spanish ships were notoriously tricky to plunder . Even the most valiant of pirates avoided robbing the Spaniards because they rarely surrendered . Many a time, when the Spaniards were at a disadvantage, they would rather go down with their ship than to suffer any financial loss . Robbing them not only meant having to face a fierce battle but also a good chance that they would simply return battered, bruised and empty-handed in the end .

“The main reason we should try is that it’s a rare opportunity . Generally, Spanish treasure fleet travel in a convoy of at least a dozen ships, which make them practically impregnable . This is one rare occasion that a Spanish ship will be moving alone . Even with two naval frigates escorting her, it’s still considered a golden opportunity,” Black Prince Sam harrumphed with great enthusiasm . “I acquired the route they would take from a trusted intelligence dealer for a large sum of money . So? Are you interested in doing this together? If we succeed, we will be the first group of pirates to ever successfully to rob a treasure ship!”

“That’s all you really care about, right?”

Unsurprisingly, Black Prince Sam did not deny it . Instead, he flashed his signature smile at his companions . “We always need a little challenge in life . If Blackbeard Teach can take the Scarborough, then it makes no sense that so many of us cannot take on a Spanish treasure vessel . ”

Zhang Heng looked at Billy and asked, “What do you think?”

The Jackdaw’s helmsman looked a little troubled . “I still prefer the safer route of robbing merchant ships, but we haven’t had any tipoffs recently, and I know those bastards on our ship won’t refuse an opportunity like this to make big money . Their ravenous appetite for wealth can never be satisfied, much like a bottomless pit . But since our target has only three ships and we have six, I think perhaps… perhaps we should give it a try . ”

“How’s recruitment going? Can we set sail in two days?” Zhang Heng asked . When he received the prompt from the system earlier, the number of crew on the Jackdaw had reached 70, and they hadn’t stopped recruiting since . Zhang Heng and Billy agreed that the goal was to reach 90 sailors this time .

Once they hit the number, sideboard battles would no longer be the Jackdaw’s Achilles heel . Even though this meant that they were still far behind the larger pirate gangs, they would end up faring a lot better should someone attack them from below the waterline again .

“So far, we’ve recruited a total of 26 men . In our last battle, we lost four, and the two severely injured men left the ship after taking their severance pay . Now, we have 82 sailors on board . Our main problem would be finding experienced gunners and carpenters . For now, though, our workforce is nearly enough,” Billy answered . “Two days shouldn’t be a problem . Replenishing supplies won’t take long as well . I will arrange for a few people to haul our men out of the brothels and taverns . ”

“Sounds good to me . I’ll need to inform a few more people . Let’s meet up here again after two days,” Black Sam said hurriedly . As he was about to leave, he suddenly stopped in his tracks and reached into his coat . “Oh, I almost forgot . This is for you . ”

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“Huh?”

“A joint letter signed by seven influential people recommending you to be part of the parliament on the island . I must apologize–there was a delay in the process . Two of them were in dispute because of a problem in the distribution of a batch of loot . Each of them insisted that if the other signs the letter, they will not be a part of it . I could’ve simply found someone else to replace them, but the conflict between them wouldn’t have been resolved through this matter . ”

“Thank you,” replied Zhang Heng, who gratefully accepted the recommendation letter .

“You just have to hand this letter to Mr . Klay, the Speaker of the House . Then the parliament will organize a vote for its members . As long as the votes in favor of you exceed a third of them, you can join the parliament .

“Klay? Which Klay? Kim Klay, owner of the brothel?!”

“Urm… don’t take it to heart . The position of the Speaker in the parliament is more of a formality . Anyway, everything has been going well the past two years, and the Speaker simply reviews the memberships . When it comes to huge decisions, however, everyone is involved . Klay’s popularity in the parliament… well, you know, there is no one on the island dislikes him . On top of that, he’s willing to give a 30% discount to all members of the parliament, so it’s a challenge, to say the least, to not support his Speakership . ”

“Heh…” Zhang Heng chuckled .

After that, Zhang Heng did as Black Prince Sam instructed and went to the brothel . Before he even said a word, he was given a grand welcome when he arrived .

This was mainly thanks to the Jackdaw’s sailors who had recently been the top whales at the brothel, spending an obscene amount of gold coins at the establishment . After remembering her employer’s instructions, the bawd lit up the moment she saw Zhang Heng from a distance . She quickly gathered all her available girls and offered Zhang Heng with a complimentary service as an expression of gratitude for his contribution to their business . However, Zhang Heng turned down the proposal .

As they conversed, a scraggy elderly man hurried out of the building with a cigarette in one hand .

He was Kim Klay, the owner of the brothel who also happened one of the most well-informed lads on the island . Having ears everywhere, he had already heard of Zhang Heng’s preparations to join the parliament .

The old man accepted the letter of recommendation with a smile and said, “Welcome to the Parliament . Even if you hadn’t seen me, I would’ve come to you sometime later . Your name, Captain Zhang Heng, has recently become notorious on this small island . We sure need an outstanding man like yourself if we want to build up Nassau . ”

“You’re too kind, Mr . Klay . Isn’t it too early to welcome me? Doesn’t the parliament need to vote on this?” Zhang Heng asked .

“Don’t worry about the vote . The one-third ruling is simply a preventive measure to stop anyone from causing trouble . In fact, there are a handful of members there who didn’t pass through the votes since the parliament was established,” Klay said . “Above it all, no one would dare refuse a recommendation letter with the signature of Captain Sam on it . ”