Ming East India Company

Bai Wenzheng and Bai Ling looked up and saw that Bai Ye had already run back to the ancestral hall, panting heavily, with beads of sweat rolling down his forehead and dripping down his cheeks.

Bai Ling turned around and walked up to Bai Ye, examining him closely. Looking at Bai Ye, whose complexion appeared normal, she said:

"Wild Child, are you cured?"

Only then did Bai Ye realize what was happening, and he hurriedly said guiltily:

"Yes, I'm completely recovered. I caught a cold a few days ago, so I acted like I was possessed, but I've regained my senses now."

Bai Ling is right, Bai Ye has indeed been a bit "sick" these past few days.

A month ago, while crossing the street to buy iced tea, he accidentally stumbled upon a stroke of luck. When he woke up, he found himself transported to Yuegang during the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty.

What's absurd is that he discovered he actually possessed the ability to manipulate the family leader, and that his thoughts and soul could be passed down through generations of family members.

For the next month, he would have thoughts of self-harm, suicide, and contracting diseases, trying to extricate himself from the game. This was also the reason why Bai Ling believed Bai Ye was "sick."

After confirming that all methods had failed, Bai Ye gave up the idea of ​​returning to reality and began to seriously accept his current role.

"Wild Child, where did you say you were going? To Ryukyu?"

"Father, I just looked up the ancestral precepts of our Ming Dynasty. Ryukyu is also in the East, not far from Japan, and has been on the list of tribute missions since the time of Emperor Taizu."

If the raw silk is sold to Ryukyu, and then resold by Ryukyuans to Japan, this would not violate the law prohibiting trade with Japan this year, and thus the Bai family could be preserved.

A glimmer of light appeared in Bai Wenzheng's eyes, but it quickly dimmed again:

"Alas! You child, you don't understand the hardships of life. Since ancient times, who has ever been willing to act as a middleman for you out of thin air? You sell your goods to Ryukyu and then resell them to Japan. They're practically begging you to take half of their profits. In the end, the profits won't cover the costs, and the Bai family will still be finished!"

Bai Ling had been in business with Bai Wenzheng for many years and knew the profits from raw silk, so she quickly explained:

"Let alone sending it to Ryukyu, some maritime merchants even send raw silk from Zhangzhou to Haojing. The ships don't even need to go out to sea. The Portuguese handle all the delivery, and those red-haired merchants still take 30% of the profits. We are unfamiliar with the area and are cooperating with Ryukyu. If they don't take 60% or 70%, we're already being conscientious. The remaining money probably won't even cover the ship owner's freight costs."

Bai Ye gave a wicked smile and said:

"Going to Ryukyu empty-handed would mean losing most of our profits, but what if we weren't empty-handed?"

Bai Ling was completely confused, but Bai Wenzheng vaguely figured out Bai Ye's intention:

"Wild child, you mean...?"

"That's right, we'll just bring our men and knives to their door. If the Ryukyuans are obedient, then we'll do business with them properly. If they're not, then we'll force them to do business with our knives."

"Ah!" Bai Ling and Bai Wenzheng were stunned.

"You wild child, Ryukyu is a 'country that cannot be conquered,' just like Korea! If the imperial court finds out that we've been plundering without permission, our entire family will be executed!"

Besides, our family has been maritime merchants for so many years; your actions have turned us into pirates.

Bai Wenzheng, panting heavily, quickly grabbed a ladle of water and poured it down his throat.

"Korea is also a 'country that cannot be conquered.' It was only because of the Japanese invasion that it was able to get the help of the imperial army. What if Ryukyu also complains to the imperial court? At that time, even if we had a thousand heads, it wouldn't be enough to cut them off."

"Father, elder sister, what time is it? Why are you still worrying about so much? Besides, there is a land route between Korea and our Great Ming, while Ryukyu is thousands of miles away by sea. As long as we do it cleanly and efficiently, the court will not know the news."

Even assuming the worst, the imperial laws strictly prohibit vassal states from colluding with Japanese pirates. Over the years, some Ryukyuans have followed the pirates in causing havoc. What's wrong with us beheading a few more and impersonating pirates? Does the Maritime Trade Office and the Supply Depot not even allow ordinary people to spontaneously resist the pirates?

After Bai Ye finished speaking, Bai Wenzheng remained hesitant. Having been used to doing legal business, he clearly did not have a strong ability to accept such "illegal behavior".

On the contrary, Bai Ling was quick-witted and swiftly formed a united front with Bai Ye:

"Father, I think my second brother's idea is good. Our family has Uncle Zhang's connections that we can use. What's more, we hold so many contracts with wealthy families. If something really goes wrong, even if we sell the entire Bai family, they still won't make a profit. If we ask them to smooth things over, we'll still have a fighting chance."

The Zhang uncle that Bai Ling mentioned was Zhang Yanyu, the Yongning Guard garrison commander whom Bai Wenzheng was preparing to entrust his son to. His wife was Bai Wenzheng's sister. It was indeed a "reliable" relationship.

Thinking about the "tribute" money he had given to various officials over the years while doing business, Bai Wenzheng felt that he could handle this matter.

However, Bai Wenzheng still asked his last concern:

"Wild Child, everything you said is good, but what if we can't defeat the Ryukyuans?"

Shirono quickly made a guarantee:

"Don't worry, I've inquired. Those Ryukyuans haven't fought in years, and their fighting strength is no different from that of local villagers and bandits. If we borrow some equipment from Uncle Huang and add our own men, we'll definitely win..."

After much pleading and cajoling from Bai Ye and his sister, Bai Wenzheng gritted his teeth and finally uttered a few words:

"Since that's the case, then we'll trust you two this once, and risk our whole family's lives to go through with this."

Once his confidence was restored, Bai Wenzheng immediately took out his equipment and had Bai Ye and Bai Ling, the siblings, start banging gongs and attracting people.

The Bai family, comprising over a hundred members, did not follow the common practice of splitting up as families accumulated land; instead, they all lived together near the ancestral hall. The surrounding area simply called this place Bai Village.

In less than a quarter of an hour, all the adult men of the clan had arrived at the ancestral hall.

Bai Wenzheng stood in the center of the ancestral hall and began to issue commands:

"All members of the Bai family, listen to my command! From this day forward, each branch shall immediately prepare their luggage and clothing and set sail within this month. The sea voyage is fraught with peril, and life and death are predestined. All able-bodied men and servants who have signed death contracts shall participate."

These words immediately caused an uproar among the crowd:

"Third Uncle, the silk harvest in the countryside hasn't even been finished yet, why are you setting sail?"

"In the past, we would send someone to watch the boat when we went out to sea. Why is the whole family coming this year? What if something goes wrong? Wouldn't the whole family be finished?"

……

"Quiet, quiet down!" Bai Wenzheng's authoritative voice silenced the crowd.

"Since I dare to do this, then I have my own arrangements. You just need to carry them out. I, Bai Laosan, have been in charge of the family for many years. When have I ever done anything to betray the entire family? From today onwards, you just need to prepare. You don't need to ask any questions about what happens next. If anyone tries to cheat or shirk their duties, be careful of the family rules and clan regulations."