Sweep Yuan

Chapter 136 Talking about the Deep Waters of Maritime Trade

Among the gifts brought by Zhou Wendao, alum has multiple functions such as antibacterial, disinfection and water purification, and can be regarded as a war reserve material. Shishan left thirty catties for the medical team, and handed over the rest to the War Protection Battalion for unified management. Sulfur and saltpeter were all given to Tong Si'er to make gunpowder.

Bu Ciyuan, however, argued that sulfur has detoxifying, insecticidal, antipruritic, and yang-boosting effects, and is especially effective in treating infectious diseases like scabies, so the army must stockpile it. He requested that Marshal Shi also distribute some to the medical team.

Shi Shan, preoccupied with increasing his stockpile of gunpowder, indeed overlooked the medicinal value of sulfur. He immediately waved his hand and allocated fifteen catties to him.

This batch of sulfur is of good quality. After Bu Ciyuan saw the actual product, he couldn't help but praise it:
"It's all top-quality Japanese sulfur!"

He does not mean that.

Shi Shan had long ago guided Tong Si'er to develop landmines and hand grenades. Even if their power was weak, they were still "mines." However, due to insufficient gunpowder production capacity, they had not been used in actual combat. He once lamented that if they could sail directly to Japan and bring back a ship full of sulfur, they wouldn't have to hide them like this.

At that time, Tong Si'er even asked her adoptive father what Japan was and how there could be so much sulfur that it could be transported by ship.

Ishiyama then told him that Japan has many volcanoes, and not only are there many minerals such as sulfur brought out by volcanic eruptions, but also a great abundance of minerals such as gold, silver, copper, and lead, which are produced in small quantities within the Yuan Dynasty.

Although the boy couldn't understand what a "fire-breathing mountain" was, the idea that "Japan is full of gold and silver mines" took root in his heart from that moment on.

Today, Bu Ciyuan was just making a casual remark, but Tong Si'er immediately perked up when he heard the word "Japan".

"Dr. Bu, how can you be sure that this sulfur comes from Japan?"

Bu Ciyuan, wanting to show off his knowledge to the young man, casually grabbed a piece of sulfur from his bag and explained:
"Within the Great Yuan territory, only Shu sulfur from Yazhou and Tai sulfur from Lingnan can be produced in large quantities, but both Shu sulfur and Tai sulfur have many impurities. Look at this sulfur, its natural color, clear texture, soft cross-section, and these small black spots, which are the unique characteristics of Japanese sulfur."

Tong Si'er also grabbed a piece, examined it carefully for a while, and asked in confusion:
"Then why don't I have any small black spots on mine?"

cough! cough!
The Yuan Dynasty had a developed overseas trade, and sulfur was occasionally imported from the islands of Southeast Asia. Bu Ciyuan was able to confirm that this batch of sulfur was not from Sichuan or Lingnan, but he was not sure if it was Japanese sulfur. He was stumped by Tong Si'er's question and felt a little embarrassed. He coughed twice and then walked out with the bag in his arms.

"In short, Japanese sulfur is purer and has a better color than Sichuan sulfur and Taiwan sulfur."

Seeing Bu Ciyuan's disheveled and embarrassed escape, Tong Si'er chuckled to herself. She then quickly found Shishan and told her godfather the news.

Of the three main raw materials for gunpowder, charcoal is the easiest to obtain, and saltpeter can also be mass-produced through the saltpeter field process. However, sulfur can only be purchased from abroad. Ishiyama had always wanted to establish a stable sulfur trading channel. Upon learning that this batch of sulfur came entirely from Japan, he immediately had many ideas.

The man immediately summoned Zhou Wendao and questioned him about the matter, but Zhou Wendao was somewhat embarrassed.

"To be honest, Marshal, this batch of sulfur did indeed come from Japan. But it was absolutely impossible to ship it in bulk. Sulfur is a commodity that the imperial court has banned, and the Maritime Trade Office is very strict in its inspections. Moreover, this substance has a pungent odor, so it is almost impossible for a ship owner to keep it privately. I went through a lot of trouble to get this."

Ishiyama had anticipated this outcome, so he wasn't discouraged and immediately asked:
How often do the ships go to Japan?

Zhou Wendao's family owned a small boat, but it was only used for inland waterway transport, and he didn't know much about the specific operations of ocean-going fleets. He replied:
"The fleets going to Japan usually depart from Dinghai Port on Qingyuan Road (now Ningbo) and their destination is Hakata Port in Japan. They have to avoid the northerly winds in winter and typhoons in summer. They can only run in spring and autumn. A single voyage takes one or two months, and they can only run twice a year."

After hesitating for a moment, Zhou Wendao added:
"However, I still suggest that Marshal should not get involved in trade with Japan."

Qingyuan Road is adjacent to Taizhou Road. Fang Guozhen of Taizhou has been a treacherous figure, sometimes betraying and sometimes surrendering, and his men are mostly pirates. Dinghai Port has been repeatedly harassed by Fang Guozhen in recent years. Ship owners using this route have either gone bankrupt or secretly surrendered to the Fang family. The risks of sailing from Qingyuan Road are simply too high.

Ishiyama is currently stuck in Haozhou, without even a sea outlet, so he naturally wouldn't think about something as far-fetched as developing trade with Japan. What he really wants to know is the feasibility of taking a sea route to Yidu Road to bring his relatives to Haozhou.

"If we take the sea route, can we reach Yidu Road directly?"

Zhou Wendao didn't know why Shi Shan suddenly mentioned Yidu Road, but he had been a merchant for many years and believed in doing things for money. Since he had received benefits from Marshal Shi, he naturally had to tell him everything he knew.

“There is no direct port on Yidu Road. The nearest port is Dengzhou. The imperial transport ships traveling to and from Dadu usually rest in Dengzhou. The ships set sail from Liujiagang in Kunshan. Because it is near the sea, the speed is slower and the distance is farther. They can only make two trips a year, in spring and autumn.”

Most of them were the political centers of the Yuan Dynasty, with a large population and relatively stronger consumption power among officials and civilians compared to other places. Every year, in addition to consuming a large amount of grain, they also had a strong demand for goods such as tea and silk produced in the Jiangnan region.

Shi Shan could imagine that there must have been more than just cargo ships traveling on this route; there must have also been a large number of civilian boats.

"Boss Zhou, could you help us contact a cargo ship that runs the Dadu route? At least one that can carry fifty or sixty people."

Zhou Wendao suspected that Shishan wanted to send people to Dadu to cause trouble, so he dared not get involved in the case. However, there was no need to refuse; he could just tell the truth.

“The sea is rough and the waves are high, making shipping goods risky. If we’re in a hurry, the canal is more convenient. Also, since the Yellow River canal transport was interrupted, the imperial court has become extremely reliant on sea transport of grain. In recent years, during the grain transport season, they’ve been aggressively searching for civilian ships, so it’s probably difficult to find a ship this large.” After Zhou Wendao finished speaking, seeing Shi Shan frown, he quickly added:

"But if it's the return journey, you can find a boat. On the return trip, the imperial transport boats can also carry some products from Goryeo, Liaodong, and Japan back to Jiangnan. There are too many requisitioned transport boats, and many can only be half-full. You can board them by bribing them."

It makes sense. Transporting grain north was a political task that ensured the lives of millions of people along the Dadu Railway. With only two trips a year and the risks of storms and running aground along the way, the more ships that could be mobilized and the greater the carrying capacity, the better.

However, the return trip was purely a commercial activity. There was a shortage of goods in the north, and they were afraid of encountering typhoons but couldn't wait too long, so they could only transport as much as they had.

The interests of Zhou Wendao's family are deeply intertwined with those of the Red Flag Battalion, and there will be many more opportunities to use him in the future. Shi Shan did not want to arouse suspicion because of this matter, so he immediately explained his needs.

"To be honest, Mr. Zhou, I have relatives in Yidu Road. Now we are officially registered with the imperial court. If this goes on for too long, it will inevitably get out, so it's best to bring them over as soon as possible."

Zhou Wendao breathed a sigh of relief. Marshal Shi had asked him to help pick up his relatives, which was risky, but it also represented great trust. Once this matter was accomplished, as long as Marshal Shi didn't fall, his wealth would surely skyrocket!

"Since they are relatives of the Marshal, we cannot afford to lose them. I must personally coordinate and escort them. The Dadu route will not set sail for nearly two months. I will first bring my family to Haozhou, and then do my best to fulfill the Marshal's entrustment. I will also use this time to find a suitable ship owner."

Zhou Wendao was indeed a clever man. When he learned that Marshal Shi wanted him to find a boat to pick up his relatives, he immediately offered to bring his own family to Haozhou first. This move was both to seek protection and to keep them as hostages.

In this way, both parties can feel at ease.

Shi Shan, being open and honest, had nothing to be coy about and immediately made arrangements, saying:

"The White Lotus Rebellion is imminent in various parts of Jiangnan, and there may be unrest along the way. Don't rush off; I'll select some men to protect your caravan."

There has never been peace within the Great Yuan territory. Even on ordinary days, there are always highway robbers. Now that the world is in chaos, bandits are as numerous as hairs on a cow. Zhou Wendao has taken great risks on his way here, so it is of utmost importance that Marshal Shi is willing to send someone to escort him.

After Zhou Wendao withdrew, Shishan immediately instructed Guo Ying, saying:
"Go to the combat training camp and bring Hua Yun, a new recruit from Huaiyuan, to see me."

The day before yesterday, Chang Yuchun led his team back to Haozhou. When reporting on the gains of the trip, he recommended his fellow townsman from Huaiyuan to Marshal Shi, praising him for being as brave as himself and also for being calm and composed, and thus capable of being entrusted with important tasks.

Guo Ying was present at the time and knew what the marshal's instructions were about.

Before long, Hua Yun was brought to the palace and bowed down in worship.

"Little Hua Yun greets the Marshal!"

"Brother Hua, please rise!"

Shi Shan stepped forward and helped him up. He saw that the man was a head taller than him, probably close to seven feet tall, with broad shoulders and a strong build. Even though he was wearing thick winter clothes, he could feel the enormous strength contained within him—what a burly and magnificent giant!

Shishan nodded in satisfaction and said:

"Commander Chang recommended you to me the other day. There's a mission today to escort a merchant caravan to Taiping Road. Do you dare to take it?"

Without even considering the difficulty of the mission or the support he could gain, Hua Yun immediately clasped his hands in a fist salute and replied:
"Whatever orders the Marshal gives, I will obey without question!"

Shi Shan was very satisfied with the attitude of the dark-faced strong man. He knew that it was not advisable to send too many people to guard Zhou Wendao and to bring his relatives to Haozhou. Only someone who was both brave and capable could handle the task. Hu Dahai was the most suitable candidate.

But Hu Dahai was already a commander of a first-class battalion. To ask him to abandon his subordinates and do such a "trivial matter" would be too humiliating for a senior general.

Hua Yun's outward appearance matches Shi Shan's needs, but whether she is truly consistent inside and out depends on her specific actions.

"I'll appoint you as a squad leader first. If you can handle this matter well, you'll be promoted when you return!"

Huaiyuan has already been incorporated into the Red Flag Battalion's jurisdiction. Promoting only Chang Yuchun is not enough. Whether it's to balance the strength structure of the team or to win over the hearts of the people in Huaiyuan, more people need to be given opportunities.

But Hua Yun didn't understand any of this. She only knew that she had just joined the army and was fortunate enough to meet Commander Chang Yuchun. Soon after, she was personally received by the Marshal and was entrusted with an important task on the spot. She had no other thoughts but to repay him with her life.

"I am willing to die for the Marshal!"

(End of this chapter)