Late Ming Dynasty: The Counterattack Begins with Sea Pirates

These reactions from the villagers were all under Master Chi's control.

Now that things have come to this point, since we've granted his wish, we won't put on that act of refusing anymore.

However, this is only the village on the shore of Xiangshan County. As for what other places are like, it is still unknown.

When asked, the villagers all shook their heads and couldn't explain it clearly.

Chi Honghai still held some hope and sent some people to scout out the forest and surrounding area.

Whether it's out of genuine pity or a desire for more people, the important thing is that one more person can live.

The people sent out returned one after another, reporting the general situation to Master Chi.

The villages further inland had already suffered, and only scattered villagers could be found hiding in some woods.

They were all people from various villages, and what they said was roughly the same as what was happening here.

However, the situation was beyond repair, let alone being undone.

The best option right now is to stick to the original purpose of coming here: to transport all of these people back to Hong Kong Island.

As for the villagers who were brought back, Chi Honghai did not continue to do any propaganda work. He simply forced them to blend into the original group of villagers.

They led the thousand or so people toward the coast.

It was more like a quick jog than a walk.

Nobody wanted to stay in this place any longer; who knows, the next group of people might be here soon.

On the shore, Chi Honghai helped all these people onto the boat.

Although there was no cargo loaded, both ships were packed with people, both above and below deck, making it difficult to move or even breathe.

But for them, the only way to survive was on this ship.

I don't know where I'm going, as long as I can survive, that's enough.

When doubts arose in everyone's hearts, they instinctively thought of the three words from Shen Er's words: "a great philanthropist".

With so many people, we have no choice but to make do.

The ship sailed away from the shore and headed towards Hong Kong Island.

The sun in August and September is undeniably scorching.

The crew members on deck were suffering from the scorching sun, so when Master Chi saw this, he told them to go to the sails and the shady areas of the cabin to cool off.

It's hot above and stuffy below.

The cramped conditions inside the cabin made the villagers feel suffocated.

Many children and women couldn't hold on any longer and were taken back to the deck to catch their breath.

I don't know if it was the heavens being on my side, or if I just felt I hadn't experienced enough hardship.

Halfway there, thick, dark clouds loomed overhead.

There was no time to hide; the two ships at sea were drenched in the heavy rain as they sailed on.

"Sir, it's raining heavily. Would you like to take shelter in the command center?"

"Send a few brothers to take their muskets and go inside the cabin to take shelter from the rain."

Chi Honghai did not agree. All of his men were exposed to the sun and rain on this deck, and as their leader, he naturally did not want to be the only one to enjoy the comfort.

Moreover, there were people crammed into the cockpit as well.

If he goes in, the villagers will have to come out.

Fortunately, fate did not go too far.

Although it was raining heavily, there were no strong winds or waves, and no innocent people were struck by lightning.

The rain didn't last long; it stopped in less than an hour.

Chi Honghai and his crew were soaked to the bone as they faced the blazing sun that had been hung up again.

The rain-soaked clothes were heavy, but the sun made them feel cooler.

The people inside the cabin didn't know how much longer they would have to endure before reaching their destination.

Until they heard the sails hanging high on the deck being pulled down and the four-pronged anchor used to secure the ship being thrown into the water.

The villagers then realized that they had finally arrived at their destination.

Everyone felt uneasy.

Once on board, not knowing where to go, one naturally had no idea what the outside world looked like.

When people face the unknown, their instinctive fear is difficult to eliminate.

The hatch was opened, and the people inside slowly crawled out.

New sunshine and new land appeared before them.

These villagers were escorted off the deck of the ship, and as they stepped back onto the beach, they looked around at everything on the island.

But they found that it didn't seem to be any different from the neighborhood around their home.

Many people were whispering among themselves, "I seem to remember him as a pirate... this really is a pirate's den?"

After everyone disembarked from the boat, Chi Honghai stood at the bow and clapped twice.

The villagers below all turned to look at the pirate captain on the deck.

"Everyone, welcome to the start of a new life. Follow me, and I guarantee you'll have a place to live, food to eat, and clothes to wear. The condition is that you must listen to me in everything. The consequences of disobeying are simple: the sand beneath your feet has seen drops of blood."

As they spoke, the villagers lifted their feet in a staggered manner, looking left and right at the sandy beach beneath their feet.

"Shen Er, come here," Chi Honghai called out, flicking his right hand.

Shen Er ran to the master's side.

"Master, what are your orders?"

"Go and tell Ai Si to solve all their problems."

"The men stay behind, the rest, follow him." Chi Honghai shoved Shen Er's shoulder, raised his head, and gestured for him to lead the men into the village.

Upon hearing that they would be split into two groups...

Those who are single or have just become single are in a good position, without the pain of separation, or are immersed in the pain of permanent separation.

But for those who still have families, is this separation really necessary? What if something else happens?

You have to understand, they had just gone through a life-or-death experience. Even if it's like jumping into a fire pit, they would rather die together.

Chi Honghai looked down at the crying and pulling of those who were parting ways and felt annoyed.

He shouted, but found that the people below were shouting too loudly, so he had no choice but to have someone fire a shot into the air.

The gunshots weren't loud, but they were enough to silence the commotion below.

Some islanders from nearby also gathered around.

"I just told you the rules: when you come here, you have to listen! What kind of boat are you rushing to be reborn into? Why don't you just stick your necks out at the blade of these corrupt officials? You're just taking up positions and making my brothers suffer in the sun and rain."

"Those who want to live, live; those who don't, drag them aside and chop them all up later."

Under the intimidation, no one dared to resist anymore and obediently cooperated.

The men were led aside, while the other women, children, and the elderly were all taken away by Shen Er and his men to the other side of the village.

After the crying people left, Chi Honghai rubbed his temples to calm himself down before leaning back on the edge of the boat.

"Don't worry, as I said, as long as you listen to me, none of you and they will die. Don't make it sound like a life-or-death situation. We don't like this kind of resentment on our island."

"Qingjiang, count how many people."

Liu Qingjiang, dragging his somewhat tired body, counted for a while.

"Reporting to Your Excellency, there are approximately seven hundred men."

Chi Honghai looked at the people below, stroked his chin and thought for a while, and finally uttered a sentence.

"Those who have previously worked as carpenters, stonemasons, blacksmiths, or apprentices are also included."

After hesitating for a while, about a hundred people stepped forward, including six carpenters, three stonemasons, and three blacksmiths.

The twelve people were moved aside, and then Chi Honghai spoke to Liu Qingjiang.

"Pick four hundred men and have them train properly at your place."

"Master?" Liu Qingjiang hesitated.

"Take it or leave it. With just this few men, we won't even have the strength to pull a big fish ashore in the future."

"Understood, sir. What about the rest?"

Chi Honghai glanced at the boat next to him and patted the edge of it.

"I have my own plans for the rest."