Ming East India Company

After the landing site was determined, sampans were lowered from the Keqin, and several strong sailors paddled the sampans ashore.

After landing, they immediately drove stakes into the sand. With two stakes erected, the boat had a foothold as it approached the shore.

"The sails are lowered by the hand, and the helmsman drops anchor."

Cheng Keqin directed the Keqin to begin docking. The sailors carried planks and jumped off the ship. They built a walkway on the beach using two pillars as a gate and began unloading cargo.

Shirano led his "Marine Corps" off the ship first, carrying more than ten breech-loading cannons to establish a perimeter in the distance, and the rest of the fleet docked one by one.

The Fujian-style ships had low deck freeboards, so they could unload cargo without large winches. Some light cargo was thrown directly from the ship onto the beach by the sailors, while heavy cargo was transferred by pulleys using sampans.

Bai Ye and Cheng Keqin kept urging everyone to work. The entire expeditionary force was currently in transit and had no fighting capacity. The Ryukyuans could probably send a few hundred soldiers to scatter them.

As the afternoon tide receded, Bai Ye and Cheng Keqin realized that if they didn't retreat soon, the entire fleet would be in danger of running aground. They had no choice but to signal the following ships to retreat to the open sea.

Although Fujian ships are not as difficult to turn as Western galleons, once they run aground, they can only tilt to one side, and if the tide is high, they could easily capsize.

In an era without dry docks, every grounding and repair was a matter of life and death for a sailboat.

Bai Ye led the several hundred people who had disembarked earlier to stay on the beach overnight, while Cheng Keqin led the fleet to stay overnight at sea.

Fearing discovery by the Ryukyuans, Bai Ye left Bai Jingxing and Bai Ling on the beach to take care of everyone, while he led Feng Luzi and two other garrison soldiers to scout ahead.

Three or four miles away, Baiye saw the village lights.

"The villages here are very close to the coastline, so we must proceed with caution. Ryukyu Island is not large, and if the other side realizes what's happening, they can gather their forces within a day or two. We must be extremely careful."

Feng Luzi made his judgment based on his military experience.

Bai Ye pondered for a moment, then said to Feng Luzi:

"You two go back and tidy up the team first. I'll try to sneak into a nearby village and capture two prisoners."

Also, once you get back, be sure to tell everyone that no fires are allowed for cooking. Our landing zone is very close to the village, and we can be easily discovered. Anyone who violates this rule will be dealt with according to military law.

Feng Luzi understood and led one soldier away first, leaving another man named Pang Shipu to follow Bai Ye.

Pang Shipu was a scout among the garrison soldiers. Although he had no practical experience, he had no choice but to take on the role when there was no one else available.

"Remember, arrest those who are well-dressed and have a certain status; don't arrest those who are clueless and know nothing."

Pang Shipu nodded, seemingly understanding but not quite.

The two walked along the edge of the village. As the sun set, Ryukyu farmers, having finished their work, began to walk into the village one after another.

Judging from their attire, they were clearly farmers from the lowest social class.

Finally, before it got completely dark, a two-bearer carriage appeared in front of him, and Bai Ye realized that his chance had come.

The practice of using palanquins originated from the customs of the nobility in the East and was brought to Ryukyu. Generally, those who could use them were at least low-ranking samurai or townspeople, so the owner of this palanquin must have been of a high status.

Bai Ye and Pang Shipu hid behind the bushes and charged forward one after the other, attacking from both sides.

The sedan bearers, panting heavily from the weight of the sedan basket on their shoulders, had no idea they would be ambushed in such a place. Baiye picked up his broadsword and with a swift stroke, the head of the first sedan bearer fell to the ground.

After succeeding, Bai Ye pushed open the cage, and the man inside was immediately thrown face-first into the mud.

Before he could react, Bai Ye struck him twice heavily on the back of his broadsword, and the man cried out in pain.

"Aka, Aka..."

Bai Ye then took out a rag and stuffed it into the other man's throat. Looking up, he saw that Pang Shipu behind him had also succeeded.

The two men worked together to tie the prisoner up tightly and then stood him up.

It was only then that Shirono realized that this person was actually a short man who was no more than five feet tall, with a dark complexion, and was clearly of mixed Japanese and Ryukyuan descent.

Without any hesitation, Shirono and the two of them carried the unfortunate monkey to the shore, one on each side.

Upon arriving at the seaside, Bai Ye saw Bai Jingxing and Feng Luzi arguing about something.

Shiro rushed forward to mediate, but the two remained adamant in their argument.

"You wild child, you be the judge. I don't know why this 'killing material' is being treated like military law just because he started a fire."

"You bunch of idiots! This is a Ryukyu beach. What are you going to do if you light a fire and attract the Ryukyu people? The boss has instructed me to deal with you according to military law. How can we warn others if we don't punish them?"

"Nonsense, I think you're just being stubborn and making a big deal out of nothing."

……

After listening to their account, it turned out that even after Feng the Donkey issued the fire ban, one soldier still chose to cook for himself. As a result, Feng the Donkey caught him.

Unfortunately, this soldier was a loyal servant who had served the Bai family for many years. Bai Jingxing felt it was a pity and pleaded for his life, but Feng Luzi refused to accept it, and the two started arguing.

Looking back, Baiye saw that everyone on the beach was pale and thin, with lifeless eyes. The torment of eating cold meat and rice balls for months made them eager to cook something hot.

Bai Ye glanced at the person who made the mistake. A middle-aged man in his early thirties hung his head, his eyes downcast, and he didn't dare to say a word.

Bai Ye glanced at Bai Jingxing again and asked expressionlessly:

"Did I tell you to be careful and that anyone who reveals their position will be court-martialed? Did Feng the Donkey convey that message properly?"

Bai Jingxing said guiltily:

"I did say that."

"Alright, what are we waiting for? Let's get started."

The soldier who had just made a mistake immediately knelt down and kowtowed:

"Young master, I promise I'll never do it again! Please forgive me this time!"

Bai Jingxing hadn't expected Bai Ye to enforce military law so strictly. He quickly stepped forward to try and persuade Bai Ye, but was stopped by Bai Ling's gaze.

There will never be a next time.

Bai Ye drew his broadsword and handed it to Feng Luzi.

Feng Luzi understood and brought two men. The two soldiers each grabbed the offender by the neck and pulled him away like an eagle snatching a chick.

Along the way, cries of pleas for mercy could be heard continuously.

In a short while, the pleas for mercy came to an abrupt halt.

Feng the donkey returned carrying the severed head, and Bai Ye coldly replied:

"Hang the head on the flagpole and display it to the public. Anyone who violates military law again will suffer the same fate."

Shiro knew very well that his "rabble" had no military training whatsoever, and that harsh laws and severe punishments were essential to quickly build up combat effectiveness.

Then Bai Ye turned around and said to Bai Jingxing:

"Now, interrogate that prisoner!"