Wind Rises in North America 1625

Chapter 329 Economic Ecosystem (Continued)

On August 2, 1636, Suining Fort (now South Sakhalin) at the southern tip of Sakhalin Island was still shrouded in a light mist, but the morning bell pierced through the damp air and echoed gently in every corner of the fort.

This is the most pleasant time of year on the island, with warm monsoon winds carrying the scent of the ocean, gently caressing this fortress that was meticulously built by the new Chinese community over nearly two years.

As the sun slowly rises, its golden rays bathe every corner of the fortress, gilding it with a vibrant glow.

Suining Fort was built along the mountainside, with its rammed earth and timber walls standing tall and solid, reaching a height of twelve feet.

Two pylons stand on the north and south sides of the city wall, each topped with a 4-pound cannon, its dark muzzle watching the field warily.

A brand-new plaque hangs above the gate, with the two gilded characters "Suining" shining brightly in the wind.

In the morning light, an indigenous woman carrying buckets of water walked from the stream outside the village, the shimmering water in the buckets reflecting the wooden walls and eaves.

At this moment, wisps of smoke were rising from a tea stall at the entrance of the village. The stall owner was adding dry pine branches to the iron stove. The coarse rice mixed with kelp and shellfish in the clay pot was bubbling and emitting a fragrant aroma, which attracted several militiamen on night duty to stop, swallow a few mouthfuls of saliva, and then shout out, calling for a few bowls of steaming hot porridge.

"Hey, the natives are here again!" A militiaman finished his bowl of porridge in a few gulps, licked the rim of the bowl vigorously, and then placed it on the small table with a hint of reluctance.

Hearing a noise coming from the village gate, they looked in the direction of the sound and saw a group of local people carrying large bundles of furs on their shoulders, walking towards the supply depot under the guidance of an armed militiaman.

Their clothing was distinctive, and their fur shimmered softly in the sunlight, showcasing their diligence and wisdom.

"Wow, these natives are really something! In less than two months, they've already hunted so many furs again," another militiaman exclaimed, his eyes filled with surprise and admiration.

"Hehe, everyone knows that furs can be traded for good things here, so they'd be out in the woods every day catching minks and hunting foxes," someone replied with a laugh, their words tinged with teasing.

“That’s right. In the past, if they wanted to trade for supplies like ironware, salt, or cloth, they either had to come to Beiying Island by small boat or cross the sea to Liaodong, which was quite dangerous. Now that we’re here, it saves them a lot of trouble!”

"Hehe, just like those officials in the colonization team said, we brought civilization and material wealth to these natives."

"..."

When the group of natives passed by the tea stall, they noticed people pointing and whispering about them. However, they weren't angry; instead, they greeted each other with kind and friendly smiles.

These outsiders were quite friendly after settling in the area, and a basic relationship of trust was established between them through trade.

Every few months, after hunting a large number of furs, they would come to exchange them for various supplies that the tribe urgently needed, thereby improving the lives of the tribespeople.

In their eyes, these foreign forces calling themselves Xinhua were undoubtedly much more moderate and friendly than the Later Jin regime.

With these iron weapons, the tribe not only gained sufficient self-defense capabilities but also caught more prey when hunting in the wild, greatly improving their lives. Therefore, in the hearts of the indigenous people, the new Chinese were truly trustworthy friends.

Back then, the old Khan (Nurhaci) would often send troops to sweep through the lower reaches of the Heilongjiang River, the eastern coast, and Sakhalin Island, using force to coerce or capture various tribes and bring them under his control.

Those tribes that resisted were ruthlessly suppressed and exterminated with cruel methods, leaving them living in constant fear.

These new Chinese immigrants, on the other hand, never forced the natives to submit or surrender. Instead, they engaged in trade with local tribes at extremely fair prices.

What delighted these local tribes even more was that, in addition to selling them daily necessities such as salt, spices, cotton cloth, knives, iron pots, and axes, the new Chinese also generously sold them swords and spears.

With these iron weapons, the tribe not only had enough ability to protect itself, but also caught more prey during hunting in the wild, and their lives were greatly improved.

Oh, and the new Chinese also taught them simple planting techniques, like potatoes, oats, and barley. Although the harvest wasn't ideal due to poor management, it was still more practical than picking wild fruits in the forest.

Therefore, in the hearts of the indigenous people, the new Chinese are a group of trustworthy friends.

"Chief Tatara, you've brought quite a lot of furs this time!"

When the group of indigenous people arrived at the village's supply depot, they were immediately warmly welcomed by several new Chinese residents.

Tatara was the leader of the nearby Hezhe tribe. He was tall and strong, with a look of determination and wisdom in his eyes.

Hearing the other party's words, he smiled, turned around and instructed several of his people to place the furs they had brought in front of the new Chinese man. Then he began to speak, using gestures and interspersed his words with a few words of Chinese. Although he was not very fluent, it was enough to express his meaning.

"...More than last time...Still charging the old price?"

Zhou Mingyuan smiled and nodded, signaling two shop assistants to come forward and inspect the goods.

Since they arrived here two years ago and established a village, they have successively reached fur trade agreements with the local Ainu and Hezhe people and set corresponding transaction prices.

At first, they had to carry heavy supplies such as salt, seasonings, and ironware as they traveled between tribes, actively engaging in the fur trade, a process that was extremely arduous.

However, as trust between the two sides continued to grow, and the new Chinese people appropriately demonstrated their strength, they gradually began to act as a "local tyrant," turning Suining Fort into the largest distribution center for goods within a radius of hundreds of miles, attracting countless surrounding tribes to come and trade with them.

"Sir, this batch of mink pelts is of excellent quality." After a careful inspection, a shop assistant stepped forward and reported in a low voice, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "If it were shipped to the Ming Dynasty, the price could be at least ten times higher!"

Zhou Mingyuan nodded calmly, gesturing for him to go to the warehouse to move the supplies needed by the natives.

He had already done the math in his mind many times. By exchanging salt, iron and cloth for furs on Sakhalin Island, and then transporting them to Japan via Beiying Island, he could make more than five times the profit. If he transported them to the north of the Ming Dynasty, he could make eight to ten times the profit. If he transported them to Jiangnan and Guangdong, he could make more than twelve times the profit.

These fur trades provided a stable source of revenue for Xinhua to establish a foothold in the colony area of ​​Beiying Island.

"By the way, Chief Tatara, I heard that your youngest son is seriously ill and has not improved yet." Zhou Mingyuan looked at the Hezhe chief with a smile, his eyes showing concern. "A few days ago, a skilled traveling physician came to our village. Would you like to bring the child over to take a look?"

Tatara, through a combination of guesswork and deduction, understood Zhou Mingyuan's meaning from the other's gestures. Her eyes lit up instantly, and she grabbed his shoulder with her rough hand. "Oh, is it true? The tribe's shaman has been praying for him for a week, but there's been no improvement. If you can cure my child, I'm willing to give anything!"

“We don’t need you to give anything.” Zhou Mingyuan gently freed his hands and said with a smile, “We just want your friendship and to establish a close, mutually beneficial relationship with Suining Fort. In other words, we should unite and become a mutually supportive alliance that we can rely on.”

“Of course, I am very willing to form an alliance with you,” Tatara said generously, his voice loud and firm. “Your friends are our friends. Your enemies will also be our enemies.”
-
August 16, Beiying Island, Jianchang Fort (now Otaru City, Hokkaido).

A Fujian-style ship from the Ming Dynasty slowly sailed into Jianchang Port. A middle-aged man dressed in an indigo robe stood on the bow, his eyes sparkling with anticipation as he gazed at the gradually clearer buildings on the shore.

"Third Master, the port of Xinhua is just ahead." The captain reminded him as he walked by, "We can find top-quality mink fur and winter ginseng here, just like the ones our trading company needs."

Zhao Ruheng nodded slightly.

His risky voyage across the sea was to open up new sources of goods and channels for Zhao's "Derunsheng".

Competition in the silk trade in Jiangnan was becoming increasingly fierce, while these rare and precious products from the north were becoming more and more popular among the powerful and wealthy in the Ming Dynasty.

“I’ve heard that these people from Xinzhou are quite special,” Zhao Ruheng said thoughtfully. “They are neither like Japanese pirates nor ordinary maritime merchants.”

“They are indeed extraordinary.” The captain lowered his voice: “It is said that they came from the distant New Continent. During the Song Dynasty, in order to escape the persecution of the Mongol Yuan Dynasty, they traveled thousands of miles to settle in that wild and desolate region. After hundreds of years of development, they gradually gained power and came to the Divine Continent to find their roots and attract people.”

"A few years ago, they even used the connections of military families in Liaodong to pay homage to the emperor in the capital and establish a vassal relationship. Seven or eight years ago, they occupied this large island, built many fortified villages, and subjugated the local barbarians. Now, they are the largest supplier of furs to the Ming Dynasty, possessing countless valuable furs." "By the way, they also seem to have trade routes to Korea and Japan, handling probably four or five hundred thousand taels of gold and silver every year!"

Zhao Ruheng squinted, shading his eyes with his hand, and craned his neck to look at the situation on the shore.

If what the captain said is true, then this place may not only be a source of goods, but also a trade hub connecting the Ming Dynasty, Korea, Japan, and the north.

If my Zhao family's "Derunsheng" can get on this bandwagon, it might be able to find a new path in the increasingly difficult business world.

After the ship docked, Zhao Ruheng stepped off the gangplank with the help of two sailors.

The docks were bustling with people: Ainu people dressed in furs, New Zealand sailors in short outfits, and many Japanese merchants. The various languages ​​mingled together, creating a peculiar cacophony.

"Is this shopkeeper from the Ming Dynasty?" a gentle voice came from the side.

Zhao Ruheng turned his head and saw a young man dressed in a dark blue short coat bowing to him.

The man had a gentle face, but his eyes revealed a proud confidence.

"My name is Zhao Ruheng, courtesy name Pingzhi, and I am the third manager of Derunsheng," he replied in return.

"So it was the young master of Derunsheng."

A hint of surprise flashed in the young man's eyes, clearly not expecting that the other party would send their young master. He smiled and said, "I am Wu Sibao, uh, I don't have a courtesy name. I am the manager of the Beiying Trading Company in Jianchang. I heard that a distinguished guest from the Ming Dynasty has arrived in Hong Kong today, so I came to welcome him."

Zhao Ruheng was secretly shocked. He hadn't expected to encounter the head of Xinzhou Trade and Commerce as soon as he landed, and he was even more surprised that the other party was so young and promising.

"I am flattered that Master Wu personally came to greet me," Zhao Ruheng said, bowing slightly.

Wu Sibao gestured for him to enter: "Young Master Zhao has come from afar, why don't you rest at the trading post first? We've got furs and other northern goods here; I'm sure you'll be interested."

Walking on the streets of Jianchang, Zhao Ruheng was surprised to find that the layout and planning here were even more orderly than many towns in the Ming Dynasty.

The main road is wide and flat, paved with gravel and cinders, with shops on both sides in an orderly manner, and there are even special drainage ditches.

To his surprise, the soldiers patrolling the streets were all in high spirits, unlike the listless and lazy soldiers of the Ming Dynasty garrison or the yamen runners.

This small town is not large, and its population is even smaller than that of an ordinary town in Jiangnan, but it gives people a feeling of vitality that is hard to describe, as if it contains unlimited potential.

"Master Wu, how long have you been operating here?" Zhao Ruheng couldn't help but ask.

Are you asking about the large island, or the port?

"Uh, this port..."

“One year and ten months.” Wu Sibao said with a hint of pride, “From a temporary camp of a few dozen people to a port town with a population of over six hundred.”

"Less than two years?" Zhao Ruheng's eyes widened immediately.

The organizational and resource mobilization capabilities of these New Zealanders are truly astonishing, having built such a large-scale base from scratch in less than two years.

The reception room of the merchant house was decorated in a simple and elegant style, with Ming-style mahogany furniture and a touch of Japanese tatami elements.

After a shop assistant served him a cup of tea, Wu Sibao got straight to the point: "Manager Zhao's trip north this time must have been more than just purchasing furs, right?"

Zhao Ruheng took a sip of tea and replied calmly, "Master Wu has a discerning eye. To be honest, my company, Derunsheng, is looking for long-term and stable trading partners, especially for high-quality goods from the north with a stable supply. In recent years, the trade routes in Jiangnan have been fiercely competitive, and the government has been very strict. Everyone is looking for new ways out."

Wu Sibao nodded thoughtfully: "We can indeed provide many goods that are scarce in the Ming Dynasty, including furs, winter ginseng, timber, Japanese silverware and lacquerware, as well as glass produced in my Xinzhou and..."

He lowered his voice as he spoke: "...armor and firearms."

Zhao Ruheng's heart skipped a beat, and he stared at the other person.

What does he mean?
"I heard that after General Zheng, the governor of Fuzhou, defeated the Dutch in Liaoluo Bay three years ago, he brought the entire southeastern coast of the Ming Dynasty under his jurisdiction. No one is allowed to go to sea without Zheng's flag. If you, Derunsheng, want to engage in maritime trade, you will probably encounter a lot of resistance."

"..." Zhao Ruheng remained silent for a long time, then sighed and said, "Just as Master Wu said, this General Zheng really is a tyrant who treats the entire coast of our Great Ming as his own territory, doing whatever he wants and monopolizing many maritime trade routes."

"Yes, the Zheng family is indeed a bit too domineering," Wu Sibao said with a smile. "If merchant ships going out to sea had a few powerful cannons, they would surely have some ability to protect themselves. Don't you think so, Manager Zhao?"

"I wonder what you, Master Wu, require in exchange?" Zhao Ruheng decided to stop beating around the bush.

In the past two years, not only have the military leaders in Liaodong been purchasing firearms from the people of Xinzhou to deal with the threat of the Jurchens, but the imperial court also purchased thirty "Xinyi cannons" from them in one go last year to deal with the riots of displaced people within the territory.

Although the imperial court strictly forbids ordinary people from possessing weapons, it seems a bit unreasonable for us small maritime merchants to go out to sea to do some trade without buying a few guns for self-defense.

Besides, during that period, which maritime merchant with any real power didn't employ dozens or even hundreds of pirates?
Oh, no, sea guards.

Xinzhou firearms were not only stable and powerful, but also cheaper than those of the Portuguese in Haojing. They were truly high-quality and inexpensive, making them an essential item for maritime merchants.

“We need silk, porcelain, tea, tung oil, pig bristles, cotton cloth, hemp rope…” Wu Sibao listed, “and… all kinds of talent.”

"Talent?"

“Exactly.” Wu Sibao stood up, walked to the window, and pointed to the village under construction in the distance. “We need all kinds of craftsmen: those who know iron smelting, those who can make porcelain, those who are good at shipbuilding… as long as they have a skill, we need them. Moreover, we can promise that all craftsmen who are willing to come to my Beiying Island will receive more than three times the pay of the Ming Dynasty.”

Zhao Ruheng vaguely sensed the ambition of the Xinzhou people.

They seemed unsatisfied with simple trade in goods, but rather wanted to build a self-sufficient commercial empire based on the numerous artisans from the Ming Dynasty.

Perhaps, there's more than that.

“I can help you recruit all kinds of artisans,” Zhao Ruheng said in a deep voice, “but I also want to be your exclusive agent for trade in Jiangnan, Ming Dynasty.”

Wu Sibao turned around, a look of admiration flashing in his eyes: "Manager Zhao is indeed decisive. We can grant you exclusive trading rights for Derunsheng. However, the Jiangnan region is too large; you may not be able to handle it all."

“We can handle it!” Zhao Ruheng said confidently. “We’ve been cooperating for two years now, so you must know a bit about the strength of my Derunsheng Trading Company.”

“Good!” Wu Sibao nodded and said with a smile, “Since Derunsheng has this confidence, then I will report the situation to the company. I believe that the higher-ups will give you a satisfactory answer.”

“In that case, I’ll have to trouble you, Manager Wu.” Zhao Ruheng cupped his hands in greeting to the other party.

“No problem, no problem.” Wu Sibao nodded and said, “Our Xinhua intends to develop Beiying Island into a trade hub connecting all parties. The Ming Dynasty will provide manufactured goods, Japan will provide gold, silver and handicrafts, the entire north will provide furs, timber and fish products, and we…”

He paused for a moment: "...and we will provide this trading platform and transportation guarantees, ultimately forming a perfect economic ecosystem that is both mutually beneficial and cyclical."
-
(End of this chapter)