knife

Chapter 161 Cooperation
Zhang Ruo stood at the bow of the boat, trying to appear calm, but inwardly her heart was truly turbulent like a stormy sea.

In the field of vision, a giant fish, at least ten zhang long, was cutting through the waves, weaving through the massive surf. Behind and to the left and right of the giant fish, several small boats followed closely. Compared to the giant fish, the small boats looked like toys, being tossed into the air one moment and falling into the valley the next.

The giant fish is fleeing for its life, and the small boat is in pursuit.

The giant fish was impaled with several spears with long ropes attached, its blood gushing out and staining the sea it had traversed red. And the ends of the ropes were held by the sailors on those small boats.

"Scholar, how are my men?" Cai Ming, the governor of Xuanwu Prefecture, walked up to Zhang Ruo with a loud laugh and asked.

"What is that giant fish?" Zhang Ruo asked, pointing to the large fish in the sea that was gradually becoming exhausted and slowing down. "It's so huge, could it be the sea god?"

"What sea god? It's just a giant fish we call a whale!" Cai Ming said. "Scholar, whales are valuable creatures, every part of them is precious. However, catching them is extremely difficult. Although we have specialized whaling ships, we only catch a few throughout the year. There's a saying that goes, 'When a whale falls, all things come to life,' which shows how precious these creatures are. This year, with your arrival, we've been able to catch such a huge whale, all thanks to your good fortune! Hahaha!"

Zhang Ruo gripped the gunwale, gazing into the distance.

On the small boat, a tall, burly man stood at the bow, holding a fish hairpin in one hand and the rope that towed the whale in the other. No matter how the boat rocked, the man was as firmly nailed to the bow as a nail.

Behind him, one man steered the boat while two others rowed it. No matter how the whale thrashed and pounded, the small boat skillfully dodged the crashing waves and drew closer and closer to the whale.

With a long howl, the man suddenly soared into the air, holding a long rope, and like a large bird, he passed through waves tens of meters high and appeared above the whale's head. His harpoon flashed out like lightning, hitting the whale's head squarely. He casually slapped the end of the harpoon, and with a whoosh, the harpoon disappeared into the whale's head without even a handle.

After completing his attack, the man landed on the whale's body, letting the giant fish writhe in pain in the water, as if he were an extension of the fish.

The big fish moved less and less, and eventually floated on the surface of the sea like a mountain of flesh.

Amid cheers, the surrounding boats drew closer.

Zhang Ruo's heart was filled with turmoil, which he could not calm down for a long time. There was another person who felt the same way: Yao Dali.

As a former commander of the Yan family's navy who once roamed freely on the Qingshui River and Juma River, Yao Dali believed himself to be a top-notch swimmer and boatman. However, upon seeing Cai's subordinates today, he realized that there are always people more capable than him, and that there are always higher levels to reach. Compared to these people, he was truly nothing more than a shrimp or crab in a stinking ditch. Thinking back to how he used to walk sideways at the drop of a hat, Yao Dali couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat.

“Scholar, the younger generation has finished watching their games. Let’s go back to our cabins. The fleet is preparing to return. The sea is rough, and you’re not as tough as us warriors,” Cai Ming said with a smile.

“Where does a governor speak of such pampered status? Last year, I was demoted from Chang’an and traveled thousands of miles. What kind of hardship haven’t I endured?” Zhang Ruo laughed.

Cai Ming gave a thumbs up: "When I first heard about this, I was filled with admiration for the scholar. There are very few people in the world who dare to speak ill of Commander Linghu! All those valiant warriors in Chang'an have shrank back, but the scholar and the literati have stepped forward. It's a pity that the Great Qin is truly lacking in talent!"

“There are many men of noble character in the Qin Dynasty. Governor, you are mistaken. Just look at Xiao Changche outside the pass. He is a first-rate hero!” Zhang Ruo said with a smile.

Cai Ming laughed: "Xiao Cheqi, oh no, now he's Protector Xiao. I have always admired him greatly. Some time ago, I even sent someone to Baoping Prefecture to deliver a congratulatory gift to Protector Xiao."

As they spoke, the two had already entered the cabin.

Seeing the hatch close, Zhang Ruo no longer held back and said directly, "Prefect Cai, Zhang Ruo is not one to beat around the bush, so I'll just say what I have to say!"

"Judging from your actions, you are indeed quite different from ordinary scholars!" Cai Ming said with a smile.

“These past few days, Governor Cai has shown me your power, and now I have a clear understanding of Governor Cai’s strength!” Zhang Ruo said, “Then let’s speak frankly!”

Cai Ming smiled and poured tea for Zhang Ruo. “Scholar, I live in Xuanwu. I really can’t understand why I would get involved in the fight between Linghu Ye and Xiao Changche! These two are powerful dragons. I, Cai, am at most a grass snake. I can live in seclusion. But once I get involved in such a fierce battle, I’m afraid my future will be bleak.”

"The world is in turmoil, and heroes are vying for power. Does Governor Cai really think Xuanwu is a place to live in peace? No one can escape this great upheaval!" Zhang Ru shook his head and said, "You will either participate actively or be passively drawn in."

"To be honest, Scholar, I think it's a bit too early to choose sides now!" Cai Ming laughed. "On land, my strength may be negligible, but at sea, my words carry some weight." Zhang Ru nodded and said, "I didn't ask you to choose sides now, nor do I need you to. Look at me, did I choose sides?"

"Isn't the scholar in cahoots with Xiao Changche and Li Dachui?" Cai Ming asked in surprise.

"I belong to the Great Qin. Whoever is loyal to the Great Qin, I will be on their side!" Zhang Ruo said solemnly.

Cai Ming clapped his hands and laughed loudly, "In that case, I am utterly loyal to the Great Qin, and I can indeed join forces with the scholar!"

"Of course, there's no problem!" Zhang Ruo laughed. "If the governor is interested, I would be more than happy to oblige!"

The two looked at each other and laughed.

“Li Dachui intends to open up the Maritime Silk Road and wants to cooperate with Governor Cai.” Zhang Ruo said, “This is much more profitable than Governor Cai pretending to be a pirate at sea and robbing merchant ships, and the risk is extremely low! Once successful, Xuanwu Prefecture can become an important key node.”

“Scholar, if this trade route truly succeeds, I’m afraid Linghu will want a piece of the pie soon enough. I can’t withstand the pressure from Commander Linghu, and then I’ll inevitably offend Protector Xiao again!” Cai Ming said, “I won’t do something like this, where I’m caught in the middle and no one is worthy of respect. Money is good, but life is more important, isn’t it!”

"In the end, it all comes down to Governor Cai's lack of confidence in his own strength and his self-perception as a weakling!" Zhang Ruo sighed.

"I'm just stating a fact. I'm not afraid of them now because if they come, I can leave. The sea is like my home; they can't stay here for long. Once they leave, I can come back!" Cai Ming said, "But if the scholar's so-called juncture succeeds, I'll have many more bottles and jars in Xuanwu. Even if I'm willing to give them up, I'm afraid others won't. In order to protect these bottles and jars, we might have to choose sides, and if we choose the wrong side, the consequences could be severe!"

“Why not strengthen ourselves instead of choosing sides, and let others come to us?” Zhang Ruo took out several blueprints from his pocket and placed them in front of Cai Ming: “These are gifts that Li Dachui, the Deputy Protector-General of Anxi, asked me to bring to you.”

Cai Ming opened the blueprints in front of him, his eyes narrowing slightly. The blueprints depicted various warship designs, and after a rough count, he found there were more than a dozen different types. The largest one, judging from the dimensions marked, was over thirty zhang long.

"The methods for building these ships are now in Tai'an City!" Zhang Ruo said. "Governor Li said that Governor Cai, who has roamed the seas, should know how vast the world is. With the governor's current strength, he can barely protect himself. He is willing but unable to deal with the Korean pirates and Japanese pirates in the surrounding area. Ultimately, it is because he lacks combat power. If this route is successful, wealth will flow in. Will we still have to worry about not being able to build more ships or recruit more skilled sailors?"

Cai Bin pondered for a while and then said, "Does Protector Li really not care that I have a similar collaboration with Linghu Ye?"

“What’s there to worry about?” Zhang Ruo said calmly, “The trade of bulk goods outside the pass used to be in Tai’an City, but now it has moved to Baoping City. Even if the Maritime Silk Road is opened, these goods will eventually end up in Baoping City. If Linghu Ye wants them, he can have them, but he can only pay for them!”

"I'm afraid Commander Linghu is more inclined to seize it!"

“If he dares to rob, then there will be no Anxi Protectorate!” Zhang Ruo laughed. “The Qingshui River and the Juma River merge into one in Baoping Prefecture, flowing eastward to Xuanwu Prefecture where you are, and then into the sea. As you know, Yan Sheng’s navy has all been transferred to the Anxi Protectorate. Yao Dali, who came with me this time, is one of the important naval commanders.”

“I understand, I’m just a middleman!” Cai Ming said, “The goods come from the south and then travel by water to Baoping City. In this way, the major transactions outside the pass are firmly controlled by the Anxi Protectorate, unless the Great Qin opens the land route, but that seems unlikely. Commander Linghu will be continuously bled dry, while the Anxi Protectorate will become stronger and stronger. With one rising and the other falling, the scholar is truly a brilliant strategist.”

“Governor, what have you lost? Nothing! You have not only gained a lot of money and increased your strength, but you have also gained the friendship of the Anxi Protectorate and these priceless things!” Zhang Ruo tapped the blueprints on the table: “If Governor Cai is ever willing to lead an army to conquer Ryukyu, Japan and other places in the future, Protector Li is also willing to give his full support.”

"Did he really say that?" Cai Ming asked with great interest.

“Governor Cai, a few years ago you suffered a great loss at sea at sea. In that battle, you lost over a thousand soldiers and more than a hundred warships. The valuable goods you managed to bring back were mostly looted by them. You won’t really swallow this insult, will you?”

Cai Ming's face turned pale, and he gritted his teeth, saying, "Scholar Zhang, you seem to have excellent connections. Very few people know about this matter. Where did you get this information from?"

"How can you keep fire hidden in paper?" Zhang Ruo said, "A gentleman takes revenge even after ten years. Now the opportunity is in front of you. It's up to you whether you're willing to take it or not. As long as you join us, in a few years you will be able to pilot this magnificent ship straight to the Japanese lair!"

Zhang Ru slammed his hand on the ship blueprints on the table.

(End of this chapter)