Cursed Mountains and Seas

Chapter 210 Reactions from All Sides, Yingzhou Issues Warning
Borneo, located in the central part of Southeast Asia, serves as the dividing line between the Eastern and Western Oceans on the Da Zhao Crossing the Ocean Star Chart.

The headquarters of the Shan Hai Hui (Mountain and Sea Association).

This force is essentially just a mutual aid organization where survivors of the treasure ship band together for mutual support.

The organization was loosely structured, mainly consisting of official factories (military supply points) left behind by Zheng He during his voyages to the Western Ocean, settlements for the remaining crew members, and pacification commissions.

Borneo had the largest and strongest population, so it naturally became the headquarters.

The current president, the third-rank [Living Ghost] Old Master Diao, looked somewhat worried.

It is rare for a person to live to seventy, but this old man is eighty-three. When he frowns, his face is full of wrinkles, like a shriveled orange. His appearance is simply indescribable.

He was like an ordinary old farmer, leaning on his cane and sitting on the threshold of Zhengqi Hall, gazing wistfully at his homeland 6300 miles away, a place he could never return to.

Thinking of the current predicament of the Shan Hai Association, he sighed deeply:
"Alas, in order to strengthen the lineage of water collectors, my Mountain and Sea Society has not hesitated to propose an entry standard of 'one scale of gold,' as long as you pay money, you can join our ranks."

However, the living conditions for the water collectors were harsh, and the casualty rate was far higher than that of the day and earth collectors. As a result, the number of water collectors in the Thirty-Six Halls continued to decrease.

It makes sense when you think about it; people will do anything that could get them killed, but nobody will do anything that loses money.

The effort and reward are disproportionate, and there is no expectation that the industry will improve in the future, so how can it attract outsiders to join?

Only the Tanka people and us, the descendants of the treasure ships, have held on generation after generation, yet we have no choice but to use the lives of generation after generation to build the second Great Wall of flesh and blood after the curse of the mountains and seas.

Managing this household is so difficult!
The next president will face an even tougher challenge. Xiao Shen was originally a rising star in the association, the most capable of shouldering the responsibility, but since suffering a severe blow years ago, he has semi-retired to Yuegang.”

Lost in thought, the old chairman didn't notice that a golden rope was slowly being looped around his neck, then suddenly tightened, suspending him in mid-air.

creak!

The lower end is looped around the old man's neck, while the upper end disappears into the void, allowing it to hang securely without any leverage.

Old Man Diao remained calm and composed, showing no panic on his face. He did not struggle in vain, which would only worsen the injury. He simply swayed in the air, waiting for rescue.

Fortunately, this was the headquarters of the Mountain and Sea Society, surrounded by disciples from all thirty-six halls. Soon, someone shouted:
"Oh no! The president has hanged himself again!"

A group of young people who were working or training rushed over and rescued the old man.

However, everyone was wary of the rope, and after the rescue, no one dared to approach it until they watched the other person slowly dissipate.

Many people were whispering among themselves:
"Hey, brothers, this is the national treasure that the descendants of the Zhu family used to exchange for the Old Port Pacification Commissioner from our Shanhai Society when they fled to Southeast Asia."
"Isn't this thing too dangerous?"

"Who says otherwise? The old chairman got the nickname 'Old Man Hanging Around' because of this national treasure, and nobody even remembers his original name anymore."

This shows just how deeply ingrained the image of someone committing suicide at the drop of a hat is in people's minds.

"I heard that the previous chairman was also called Old Hanging Man. Whoever succeeds as chairman must also inherit this hanging rope. It is said that the great secret of whether we can return to our hometown is hidden inside."

"I don't know. However, if you asked me to be the chairman, I wouldn't mind taking charge of this national treasure."

After catching his breath, Old Master Diao listened to his disciples' chatter and touched his neck.

They're both right.

Legend has it that on the day the Zhu family lost their destiny to the Han family, this treasure suddenly appeared in a national treasure called "Starting with a Bowl," and the two resonated with each other, forming a complete set.

Later, the descendants of the Zhu family, who had fled to Southeast Asia for a long time, coveted the existing estate in Old Port and exchanged it with the Shan Hai Society, but no one could fathom the mystery behind it.

All he knew was that his ability was to designate a target and hang himself along with it.

Ninety-nine percent of the targets will be hanged on the spot. Even if they don't die immediately, the owner of the rope can defeat them with his rich experience in hanging.

Old Diaoye had never seen anyone who couldn't be lifted by this rope.

The side effect is that the owner could hang himself at any time, and even reincarnated ghosts and gods cannot resist it.

Moreover, the closer one gets to the predetermined end of their life, the higher the frequency of random hanging will be, until the very last moment, when they will lose their life by hanging.

"Judging from the current frequency, I should be returning to my place soon."

But I really can't rest easy about the gathering at Shanhaiguan.

With the number of officials in the water patrol dwindling and the Frankish forces pressing in from the outside, the Malacca and Sumatra official factories, which control the international waterway of the Malacca Strait under the rule of the Shanhaihui, are under immense pressure.

Now, the Shanhaiguan Association is beset by internal and external troubles; the South Seas, like the East Sea, are in turmoil. I wonder who will be able to shoulder this responsibility after my death.

Just then, an excited figure, holding a book in his hand, rushed into the Zhengqi Hall like the wind, shouting:

"Grandpa! Grandpa! Something terrible has happened! Come and see this!"

Seeing his grandson, on whom he had placed so much hope, so unreliable, Old Man Diao felt an even greater headache coming on. He tapped his cane.
"What are you howling about? Your grandpa isn't dead yet."

He took the book from his grandson, flipped through it casually, and his nonchalant expression was instantly replaced by an unprecedented seriousness.

"This is."

At the same time, in the Palembang Pacification Commissioner's Office on the southern island of Sumatra.

Zhu Xiaozhai, the contemporary King of Wu, also finished reading "On Sea Power" in one go, feeling that he still hadn't had enough and that he wouldn't taste meat for the next three months.

Dressed in a Taoist robe, exuding an air of otherworldly elegance, he paced back and forth in the main hall, repeatedly praising:
"This book is really well written."

I have said it countless times before: the maritime ban policy devised by some utterly foolish creature is utterly absurd.

The Han family, these traitors who have stolen the country, have proposed such disastrous policies and have been coerced and held hostage by the gentry group. They are simply sinners against the people of China!

If I were sitting on that dragon throne, I probably would have already opened the country's doors, spread my military might throughout the world, and let the dragon flag of my Great Wu fly all over the East China Sea and the South China Sea, and even continue westward to conquer the New World.

The people there also have black hair and black eyes; they must undoubtedly be descendants of my divine land.

Zhu Xiaozhai, who had transformed into the Pirate King, didn't feel that there was anything wrong with his perspective being determined by his own interests.

He stared at the author's name for a while before calling to the palace servants:

"Quickly, aren't the spleen flower and lung flower ready? Quickly send a delegation to visit the East Sea Kingdom to complete the transaction. My good nephew Wang Cheng must be getting impatient."

After saying that, he glanced at the name again and thought to himself, "I have a young daughter, Princess Jiashan, whose given name is Suzhen. She is only twenty years old, two years older than him. Perhaps she could be a good match for him?"

A clear morning after the rain.

While sleeping, Wang Cheng felt an itch on his face. He opened his eyes groggily and saw a beautiful face in front of him, smiling charmingly and with bright, beautiful eyes.

Seeing this face, even the most grumpy person wouldn't be able to muster a single bit of morning grumpiness.

Since that kiss yesterday, his natural protective aura has further reduced his wariness of Shen Yueye.

If it were someone else coming in, he would have woken up as soon as they reached the door.

Shen Yuting never lived in Fenglinzhai; he spent most of his time on duty at Baoshan Beacon Tower. Shen Yueye's courtyard was right next to his, separated only by a wall.

This distance is practically nonexistent for a fifth-rank official; he can come and go as he pleases.

Today, Shen Yueye was dressed in almost the same way she was at Litang Palace that day.

She wore only a pure white silk robe, and her bare feet, as white as crescent moons, were on the cashmere carpets that the Semu merchants had brought to Yuegang.

Underneath the silk robe was a peacock-green bib that couldn't be concealed at all; the pair of rounded breasts made the peacock embroidered on the bib look even rounder and fatter.

Wang Cheng felt his throat was a little dry:
"Senior sister, why are you looking for me so early?"

Shen Yueye had already recovered as usual, and jumped onto his bed with ease, placing her jade-like legs under her buttocks, and pulling half of the cool silk quilt over herself.

He patted his magnificent, plump peacock head and said proudly:

"Your Western distributors haven't found a suitable candidate yet, so the distribution in Western countries has been temporarily suspended. Leave it to me."

I just asked, and my mother can handle this; she has many friends in the Western arts and culture scene.

Wang Cheng's eyes lit up immediately:
"Master's wife?"

There are dozens of languages ​​in just one Western region, and it's impossible to find a reputable international publisher through personal connections alone.

Of course, no matter how many dialects there are in the western region, none are as numerous as those in Minzhou. People separated by a small river might not be able to understand each other.

Thanks to Emperor Xuanzong's standardization of cart tracks and written language, otherwise, publishing it only in China would have been a troublesome matter.

In addition, I've been too busy since I came back and haven't had time to look for the way to the Mountain and Sea Society. I didn't expect that I would have inadvertently overlooked another great figure.

Since his senior sister didn't say anything, he temporarily suppressed his curiosity about his master's wife's identity.

"However, it's not even dawn yet. There's no rush for you to find your master's wife, is there?"

Wang Cheng didn't mind his senior sister giving him daily perks at all. His gaze fell, and he suddenly reached out and grabbed her smooth little foot that was secretly peeking out from under the silk quilt.

But then Shen Yueye stretched out her slender, white fingers and tapped his forehead, scolding him playfully:

"Fool, of course it's because of the time difference."

It's a waste that you practiced the art of stargazing from overseas; I can only send messages to my mother when she has free time.

Do you know how difficult it is to traverse the entire continent, from the far east to the far west, using the necessary scientific instruments? If I hadn't already advanced to the fifth rank, I wouldn't even be able to dream of it.

Anyway, your teacher's wife has already agreed, so just wait for good news.

Wang Cheng was moved and quickly apologized:
"Thank you for your hard work, Senior Sister."

He went up to her and massaged her legs and shoulders, taking good care of her, but he couldn't tell who was enjoying it more.

"Comfortable, not bad."

They didn't know how much time had passed, but as it grew brighter outside, the two of them subconsciously moved closer and closer together.

Sudden.

A soft cough came from outside the door.

"My dad!"

"Master."

At the crucial moment, the two of them jumped together in fright.

Before she could change her clothes, when Shen Yuting pushed open the door, all she saw was a large, fiery red fox and a blue dragon pretending to read a book by the table.

In their haste, they grabbed a copy of "The Romance of the Western Chamber," making it seem to anyone who didn't know better that they were rehearsing the script all night.

Although Shen Yuting had already devised a plan to "not underestimate the poor and elderly" for the sake of his only daughter's happiness, he still couldn't bear to see his daughter giving away so readily.

Moreover, the fourth son, that rascal, enjoyed treatment that even his father had never received.

Shen Yuting's fists have hardened, and the dragon-slaying mace, spiked club, thunderbolt, matchlock gun, and even a 42-pound coastal defense cannon hidden in his sleeves have all hardened!

However, this was the prized disciple who wrote "The Influence of Sea Power on the World," which could very well change the situation of all the Tanka people, water miners, and even the international landscape.

Whether Shen Yuting can be remembered in history, and whether others can mention that he was a disciple of Shen Yuting, the senior official of the Imperial Academy, when they talk about Wang Cheng, all depends on this last disciple.

We're too busy treating him like royalty, how could we bear to beat him up?
Out of sight out of mind.

He left them with a sentence:
"The navigational marker for Saint Vincent, the patron saint of Severnault, has moved. The governor of Severnault is actively locating the ideal position."

I fabricated a fake coordinate for Pinghu Port for him.

but"

Shen Yuting's expression darkened slightly:

"Since he knew Ruyi was under the protection of Prince Jinghai, there's only one possibility for him to make a move."

Wang Cheng and Shen Yueye felt a chill run down their spines and said in unison:
"The Sifrecce and their ally, the Ōtomo clan, may be about to take action against the Eastern Sea Kingdom!"

(End of this chapter)