Chapter 12 - The Warehouse Is Haunted (1/2)

Proofread by Fu Tianying

Because rice from the southeast cannot be transported directly into the city after arriving at Zhangjiawan through the waterway of the canal. It has to be carried by the workers at dark to Dayun warehouse in Tongzhou. There are four warehouses in imperial city, and 11 Beijing warehouses. The 11 Beijing warehouses have 52 sub-warehouses. When it is time to open the warehouses, rice needs to be transported from Tongzhou warehouse to Beijing warehouse by means of chariots and horses.

Dayun Warehouse in Tongzhou can be divided into three warehouses: west, south and the middle, having 16 sub-warehouses in total. Among them, four are charged by Ma Family. They recruit workers to carry in or out grains, and meanwhile guard against fire and theft. Those keepers are mostly from Ma family or Datong faction, and they have Kongfu and courage, so some ordinary thieves dare not sneak into the warehouses and steal.

One day, Ma Tian’en took the new words she just wrote to show off in front of her father. Of course, it would be much better if her father rewarded her with some money.

When reaching at the door of her father’s study, she found that the door was closed and there stood a manservant. She could hear furious quarrels when approaching the door. The manservant noticed Ma Tian’en and intended to greet. Ma Tian’en made a sign of no speaking and walked close to the door. The manservant had to look ahead, pretending not to see her.

“Ghost? How could?”

“It is true. Many workers have seen it. Now everyone is frightened.”

“Nonsense! Why does the ghost go there? Is it a hungry ghost?”

“Master, I don’t believe, either. But everyone talks about and describes it vividly. They said it is a water ghost. Wherever it goes, it will leave water marks. Someone also said that the water ghost was probably……killed by us Ma Family, so it ruins our warehouses and doesn’t harass others. Several days ago, some of our keepers were scratched, and they said the ghost has long claws.

Ma Tian’en was so enchanted by their talking that her body leaned forward and then burst the slack door open. She rolled into the room.

The people inside were frightened. Ma Tian’en stood up, feeling a little embarrassed and smiled. Then she found the one who talked to dad was the charger of warehouses and she had met him before. He was also the clansman of Ma Family. Ma should call him uncle according to his position in the family hierarchy.

“Uncle, is it true? The ghost is male or female? Is it really terrifying?” Ma Tian’en asked curiously.

“Um…..”

“Tian’en, keep your nose out of this and we’ll take care of it.” Dad immediately knew what she wanted to do and tried to stop her at once. Someone must plan it. Ma Tian’en naturally likes to join in the fun. If she meddles in, it may cause more troubles.

“Dad, don’t you say that I need more practice? It is the best chance. How about handing it to me? I promise I will catch the ghost.”

“No way.What if something happens to you?” Dad refused.

“Dad, you shouldn’t think like that. Other workers’ lives are as valuable as mine! When I go to the warehouse, I promise I will follow my uncle’s arrangement. What’s your opinion?” When hearing the ghost, Ma Tian’en cheered up suddenly and acted in a dignified way.

Of course, her father knew she wanted to join in the fun. However, she is sure to take over the family’s business. The ghost didn’t hurt anyone, and what it wants is to trouble the Ma Family. So she might as well have a look. It is time to allow her to do something independently.