Late Ming Dynasty: The Counterattack Begins with Sea Pirates

Everyone on the island is suffering through this winter.

It wasn't until a few days before the first day of the Lunar New Year that a glimmer of hope appeared—the Spring Festival was just around the corner.

As the most important festival for Chinese people, the eve of the Spring Festival, also known as New Year's Eve, holds immense significance in people's hearts.

On this night, poor farmers would usually bring out things they wouldn't normally be willing to spend. They would grit their teeth and buy a few ounces of meat that they wouldn't normally buy to treat themselves. Those who were better off would also buy new clothes for their children. The soldiers guarding the border would also have an extra meal of dumplings and receive some rewards. Even the eunuchs and maids in the palace would receive rewards and extra meals on this night.

In short, the Chinese people have a deep-seated impression of this night as one of happiness and fulfillment.

Chi Honghai was also counting down the days; it was almost New Year's Eve. No matter how difficult the conditions were, the New Year had to be celebrated. After all, it was everyone's hope, and with hope came more motivation.

He summoned Shen Er and asked him to go to Guangzhou again, just like he had done when he went to Guangzhou to buy things. Shen Er naturally knew what to buy, as he and Ai Si usually took care of the family's festivals, and Chi Honghai would at most explain his ideas.

However, Shen Er also had doubts about this. Guangzhou Prefecture had these New Year's items, but Xin'an County also had them. Why didn't the master go to Xin'an County to buy them? That would have been faster.

Master Chi tapped Shen Er's head with a little force and told him what was going on.

"We just humiliated that county magistrate not long ago. If you go to the county with money today, won't that be like a chicken paying respects to a weasel?"

"Sir, does he really have the guts?"

"What courage does this old man have? But if we were to raise a pretext to bring up the imperial court, you wouldn't know what to do. It's better to avoid trouble, especially since there's even more stuff coming from Guangzhou Prefecture for the New Year."

Shen Er took over Chi Honghai's orders and led two boats of men towards Guangzhou.

A few days later, it returned fully loaded with cargo. Judging from the depth of the water and the speed of travel, it seemed to be a bit overloaded.

"Master, everything has been bought, but sir, what about the money?"

Chi Honghai raised his hand, stopping Shen Er from speaking: "Let's not talk about money during the New Year."

With that wave of his hand, Chi Honghai displayed the air of a lord. It wasn't that Chi Honghai didn't care about money, nor that he was unaware of its value.

He made his fortune as a merchant and is now actually a pirate, so he is even more sensitive to money. The reason he doesn't care is that he knows where the money is spent, and more importantly, it is spent on things he thinks are worthwhile. As long as it is worthwhile, the amount of money is another matter. Besides, a boss is going to give him a sum of money next year.

No rush, not at all. What's urgent now is the upcoming Lunar New Year's Eve—because when Shen Er returned this morning, it was already Lunar New Year's Eve.

After the cargo on the ship was unloaded, Chi Honghai immediately sent people to separate the contents. Everything that was to be eaten during the New Year was sent to Ai Si, so that Ai Si and his men could use these ingredients to cook the New Year's Eve dinner.

As for the decorations for the New Year, they are indispensable. The New Year must have some festive atmosphere. The banners that should be put up and the red lanterns that should be hung up must be arranged. The cold wind is a problem, but we can't let our own environment and mood be so cold.

Seeing the Spring Festival couplets, lanterns, and "Fu" (good fortune) stickers taken out of the boxes, both newcomers and islanders who had been there before joined in posting couplets and hanging lanterns. With food and activity in hand, there was something to look forward to, and for a moment, the cold wind outside didn't seem so cold anymore.

As the sun set in the evening, several canvas tents had been erected in the open space. They had buried thick logs tightly in the frozen ground, and then covered them with burlap or canvas to keep out the snow. As for the cold wind outside, if there were any barriers, they would put up a couple. If there were no barriers, the adults would sit facing the wind, while the children and the elderly would sit with their backs to the wind, leaning against each other for warmth.

However, it seemed as if the heavens understood human kindness, for just as the food was about to be served, the wind and snow that had been blowing outside stopped.

Bathed in the glow of the setting sun and the soft glow of the surrounding lanterns, dishes of food were served to each table.

Braised fish, meat soup, stir-fried vegetables, stir-fried meat.

There weren't that many dishes; with ten people at the table, there were only six or seven dishes. However, everyone at the table was already very grateful. They were grateful not only because the food on the table exceeded the scale of previous years' meals, but also because without Master Chi, they might not have been able to eat this New Year's Eve dinner.

If a child tries to grab chopsticks or even use their hands, they are quickly pulled back by their adult, who slaps their hand lightly to warn them not to misbehave.

After a long day, everyone was hungry, but they all understood the rule: if the master hadn't sat down and started eating, how could they dare to preemptively take the first bite?

After Ai Si wiped the sweat from his forehead with his rolled-up sleeves and ran to Master Chi's side to tell him that almost all the dishes had been served, Master Chi and Wu Wanruo finally sat down on the high platform.

As the owner of the island, the leader of the pirates, and the master of his men, he naturally had to give a speech.

"This year marks the first year that everyone has been following me, Chi Honghai. Of course, many of you are newcomers. But whether you're new or have been with me from the beginning, I, Chi Honghai, will say the same thing: follow me, and I guarantee you'll have enough to eat and wear. But you must also understand that all of this is earned through the blood and sweat of our brothers. So when it comes to shedding blood and sweat, everyone, regardless of age or gender, must step up."

"Only if we safeguard these things ourselves can we have a better life. I won't say much more. Today is Lunar New Year's Eve, and spring is just around the corner. I hope everyone has a good New Year on Hong Kong Island, and next spring we will definitely have a better life!"

After Chi Honghai finished speaking, Shen Er, holding a wine bowl, shouted loudly at Chi Honghai, "We are all fortunate to have this life today because of your kindness, sir. This first bowl of wine should rightfully be offered to you!"

After the man at the table finished speaking, regardless of whether he could drink or not, he picked up the half-bowl of baijiu in his bowl and drank it down in front of Master Chi. Even Instructor Lang, a foreigner, was moved by the festive atmosphere of the Chinese people and picked up his baijiu and drank it all in one gulp—this was the first time he had experienced such a festival since coming to the East.

After Chi Honghai started eating, the people below began to eat as well, their noisy laughter drowning out the faint sound of the wind outside.

Some people have recently lost a loved one, and at this moment they can still force a smile from the bottom of their hearts, while eating, hot tears slide down their cheeks into their bowls, and they swallow them down with the food.

As dusk fell, a loud "whoosh" sound came from afar. Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and then various fireworks exploded.

"Shen Er, do we still have fireworks?"

"Sir, we just bought these. I figured it's Chinese New Year, so I bought some to add to the festive atmosphere..."

"You're the one who wants to see it, aren't you?"

Just as Shen Er was feeling embarrassed, Chi Honghai didn't press him further: "Good for you. It's a rare opportunity to celebrate the New Year, let everyone have some fun."

After saying that, Chi Honghai covered Wu Wanruo's hand on the table with his own: "Are you satisfied now?"

Wu Wanruo used her right hand to pick up a slice of meat from the table and brought it to Chi Honghai's mouth: "You worry so much about everyone. Tonight you can finally relax. Eat more, and I'll be satisfied."

"Oh, Madam! You really need to keep an eye on Master. Before, when they were building sheds outside, I told him to wear more clothes, but he wouldn't listen!" Shen Er complained, which made everyone laugh.

"You little rascal, now you've even learned to tattle on me to Madam, huh?"

Upon hearing the master's question, Shen Er buried his head and continued eating, as if he hadn't heard at all.