48 Hours a Day - Chapter 204

Chapter 204: 204

Kim Klay took the recommendation letter .

 “I might need some time to find all the required people for the vote . It’s easier to look for those living on the island . However, as for captains like you, some of them are currently not on the island . They should be back in about a month . By that time, you should be able to join the meeting officially . ”

 “Thank you, Mr . Klay . ”

 “What do you think about a celebration in my brothel when you are allowed to be part of the meeting, eh? My girls have heard a lot about you . They are all very curious, to say the least . I sincerely hope you’ll be able to make it to the party . ”

 Before he could finish, a girl looking to be about 17 or 18 asked curiously, “Word is that you can summon a dolphin during a battle and go after your enemies riding them . Is that true?”

 “No . From what I heard, I was told that the ropes on their ship have some sort of magical power . They can fly on their own and tie up their enemies! . One of the pirates on the Jackdaw told me about it!” a voluptuous woman chipped in .

 “When are you going to tell us about your battle with the skeletons? I heard that you encountered a skeletal ship on one of your voyages, and there were 300 skeletons on it! You and your band of pirates defeated them fearlessly…”

 The girls chattered nonstop until a pimp came and chased them all away .

 “Wow… I didn’t know there were so many stories about me . ”

 “Don’t mind them . Every rising captain will have their own legendary tale . When Sam took the Quidah into his possession, people believed that he was the heir of Arthur the King,” said Kim Klay while putting a pipe to his mouth .

 …… .

 So, before Zhang Heng set sail again, he went to the secondhand trading center to look for Carina . However, she wasn’t there, and he was greeted by Jim instead . After Jim’s name was cleared of any treason, Carina increased his salary . He was even appointed person in charge of the trade center . At least, he got something good out of his misfortune .

 After asking Jim a few questions, Zhang Heng got to know that Carina had been performing some incredible feats in Nassau . Previously, she mentioned to Zhang Heng about opening a grocery store . Now, he heard that she found a suitable location for it, a visible, bustling spot just right beside the market . Carina planned for its official launching tomorrow, so, on second thought, Zhang Heng decided that it was best not to bother her at this time .

 The next day, a vast crowd had gathered at the port before Zhang Heng set sail to the sea . This was one of the most significant joint-operations in Nassau in the past few years . All the ships that took part were incredibly famous, the Quidah being one of them . Ever since the disappearance of Teach, Black Prince Sam and his pirates had become the most powerful gang in the waters around the area . This time, every pirate ship that joined him was undeniably powerful .

 The least experienced in the convoy was Zhang Heng and his Jackdaw . However, they were now the most famous pirate group in the entire Nassau, and it was the dream of all single men on the island of joining the Jackdaw . The vessel brought a tremendous amount of loot three consecutive times, even managing to defeat a pirate gang three times their size . Though the Jackdaw hadn’t been established too long ago, every step they had taken was genuinely awe-inspiring .

 Nobody would ignore their existence now even if they tried to . All the captains of legendary pirate gangs came to greet Zhang Heng, bidding him well wishes for his upcoming journey . Aside from that, Zhang Heng spotted Malcolm as well . This was the first time after the banquet that he laid his eyes on Malcolm . He simply looked the same . Malcolm didn’t linger at the port for too long and wished Black Prince Sam a safe and fruitful voyage before he left the port .

 From afar, Malcolm saw Zhang Heng and nodded . Zhang Heng reciprocated with a nod as a sign of courtesy . Outsiders would never know that they were actually enemies .

 On the other hand, Black Prince Sam saw that the pirates from six different ships were getting excited about the treasure hunt . Being the bigger man, Sam revealed the route of the Spanish galleon to the five captains . There was no need to keep it a secret from them . With the firepower of the Spaniards, attacking them alone was no different from going on a suicide mission .

 “Let’s begin . If we succeed this time, even the Queen of England will hear of our name . When that day arrives, every merchant ship that passes us would automatically lower their flags!”

 …… . .

 “There are rats on the ship?”

 In the captain’s quarters, Zhang Heng put down the notebook that he used to write new Dutch words he learned . He was conversing with the quartermaster and the cook of the Jackdaw .

 “I will let Mr . Ramsay explain the situation to you,” said Dufresne .

 “Technically, I have never laid my eyes on those tiny goblins, but there is food missing in the kitchen! And it’s getting more and more serious,” the plump cook lamented .

 Rats were one of the most hated creatures on a ship . Not only did they speed up the consumption of food and water, but they also gnawed through the ropes and deck of the vessel . All these problems, though, were not as severe as the horrific plague that they would spread around the ship .

 The bubonic plague is a highly contagious disease . Early symptoms would have the infected person experiencing headaches and fever . Soon, they would feel nauseous, and ecchymosis would start to appear on the person’s skin . Then, the person’s lymph nodes would generate pus to the point of rupture . In about three to five days, the person would either suffer severe toxemia, pneumonia, or sepsis . If not treated in time, the person would eventually die from it .

 Quarantine was the best way to stop the bubonic plague from spreading, having no known cure for the disease in this era . Zhang Heng knew better than anyone that the condition came with a high fatality rate . During the 14th century, the Black Death claimed a whopping 25 million lives, a third of Europe’s population . The most recent pandemic happened in London 40 years ago, spreading widespread panic amongst its residents

 “No one bothered checking the ship before this?”

 “It’s my mistake . The day before we set sail, I did check the ship . However, when our new supplies were loaded, I didn’t recheck it . The rats probably came along with the wood and food . ”

 “I can’t blame you . There was barely any time for us to check everything . I heard that you went around last night gathering our people . Fortunately, we discovered the rats now . Let’s use whatever time we have now to deal with this problem,” Said Zhang Heng .

 “I bought a cat when I disembarked the last time . I think it should be capable of tackling the rats . I’ll let it search the ship now . ”

 “Dufresne and the cook left the captain’s quarters after that . Still, the cat could not locate the rats that have been eating their food . Left with no other option, Zhang Heng had to deploy everyone on the Jackdaw for a rat-hunt . Finally, they found something in the room that they stored their wood supply . Zhang Heng didn’t know whether to cry or to laugh when he saw the results . This was true, especially for Anne . Her face had changed completely .