Starting from 1618 of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 141 Changshan Island Base

The sea breeze, carrying a salty, fishy smell, swept over us, making the flags on the bow of the ship flutter loudly.

The Zhenhai broke through the waves and headed north, its hull rising and falling with the surge of the waves, emitting a low creaking sound from the wood. On the deck, Lu Yan stood at the bow, his eyes narrowed as he gazed at the gray sea ahead.

This was his first time personally going out to sea to conduct a survey since arriving in Dengzhou.

"Master," Zhao Changying stepped forward, one hand on the railing, "at this wind direction, we'll be able to see the Changshan Islands in another hour."

"Hmm." Lu Yan nodded, his gaze still fixed on Shui Wen. "Have you found out anything about Shui Wen?"

"I've inquired about it." Zhao Changying unfolded a rough nautical chart in his hand and lowered his voice, "The Changshan Islands consist of more than thirty islands of varying sizes, scattered about sixty miles north of Dengzhou. The waterways are crisscrossed, and there are many hidden reefs between the islands—outsiders unfamiliar with the terrain would be doomed if they came in. There are fishermen living on the islands, but not many, about two or three hundred people, who make a living by fishing."

"Two or three hundred people." Lu Yan repeated after a moment's thought, "Do they belong to a gang? Or are they just independent people?"

"The strength is scattered," Zhao Changying said. "The poor people are scattered across several islands, without leaders or backers. The government's tax collectors occasionally come to collect fish taxes, but otherwise they don't care at all."

66

Lu Yan's lips curled up slightly.

This is exactly the kind of place we need.

As noon approached, sunlight streamed through the clouds, casting a golden glow on the sea.

Zhao Changying called out, "Master, we've arrived!"

'

Lu Yan walked up the deck to the bow of the ship and looked up—ahead, islands of varying sizes were scattered across the sea, like chess pieces casually scattered on the vast water. The islands were covered with lush trees, which, reflected in the azure sea, made them quite beautiful from a distance.

He looked at it for a long time, then turned to Zhao Changying: "What's the name of the biggest one?"

66

"Dachangshan Island," Zhao Changying said. "The island has mountains and water, and there is a natural harbor on the north side, which is said to be able to accommodate dozens of large ships."

"Let's go in and take a look."

The helmsman carefully maneuvered the boat, weaving through the waterway. Lu Yan stood at the bow, watching the reefs on either side flash by, so close they seemed he could reach out and touch them. The waterway varied in width, and at its narrowest points, it was difficult for two boats to pass each other.

"Good," he said softly, as if talking to himself, "this is the natural key."

Rounding a prominent reef, a breathtaking view suddenly unfolded before them—a crescent-shaped harbor, embraced by hills on three sides, with only a narrow entrance in the northeast. The water within the harbor was a deep turquoise, calm as a mirror, with several seagulls gliding low over the surface, their calls echoing far and wide.

Zhao Changying's eyes lit up, and he lowered his voice, saying, "Master, this harbor—"

7

"I saw it," Lu Yan said.

The two exchanged a glance and then fell silent.

After landing, Lu Yan, along with Zhao Changying and eight personal guards, walked along the mountain path into the depths of the island.

The island's terrain was more open than he had expected. The mountains, though not high, were undulating and covered with dense forests. Several streams flowed down from the mountainside and into the harbor. At the foot of the mountains was a sheltered flat area with thick soil, about sixty or seventy acres in size, receiving plenty of sunshine. To the east lay the harbor, where one could easily step into the water.

Zhao Changying stomped his foot on the ground and said, "Barracks and warehouses can all be built here."

"It's not just barracks and warehouses." Lu Yan squatted down, grabbed a handful of soil, and kneaded it in his palm. "Zhao Tie's firearms workshop will also be built here."

Zhao Changying was taken aback: "Does the boss mean to move the workshop to the island as well?"

"Send some over here." Lu Yan stood up, clapped his hands, and looked back at the flat land. "Dengzhou is too conspicuous. That Kong Youde is very sharp-eyed. Keeping the workshop on the island will be more discreet, and even if something happens in Dengzhou, production capacity here will not be affected."

66

-

Zhao Changying frowned and lowered his voice: "Does the master mean that—Guerrilla Kong will be in trouble?"

Lu Yan did not answer directly, but only glanced at him and said, "It's always good to be prepared."

66

Zhao Changying felt a chill run down her spine and stopped asking questions.

Having followed Lu Yan for several years, he knew his master's habits well—things he was unwilling to say openly were often the most important.

The two walked around the island for most of the hour, thoroughly familiarizing themselves with the terrain on both sides of the harbor. After returning to flat land, Lu Yan stood on a protruding reef, looking at the harbor entrance, and said, "Build a gun emplacement on each side of the entrance."

"Yes."

"The forts should be built on the slope, hidden behind the woods, so they can't be seen from the sea," Lu Yan gestured. "Two breech-loading cannons each, to cross and block the waterways. Ships entering the harbor must fly the agreed-upon flags, otherwise the forts will fire on any ship they see."

66

Zhao Changying silently noted it down, then asked, "Where are the men guarding the island?"

'

"First, transfer fifty men from the navy to be stationed here permanently," Lu Yan said. "They must all be reliable. Pick some from Wang Tiezhu's side, and choose the ones who can keep their mouths shut. The fewer people who know about this place, the better."

6

"That's what's outward-facing—"

"We told the public that it was built as a safe harbor for fishermen." Lu Yan turned around, his expression calm. "The docks and barracks were all built with the good intention of providing shelter for fishermen from the wind and waves. The Dengzhou Prefectural Magistrate cares about the livelihoods of fishermen, and the whole village is praising him. What's wrong with that?"

Zhao Changying grinned and cupped his hands, saying, "Master is wise."

6

Lu Yan ignored the flattery, turned to look at the calm water in the harbor, and after a moment of silence, said, "Changying, I have a question for you."

"Please speak, sir."

"6

"If one day a great upheaval occurs in Dengzhou City—how long do you think our people can hold out?"

1

Zhao Changying was taken aback for a moment, then his expression turned serious. He thought for a moment and said slowly, "If we are prepared, we should gather our men and protect our master and sister-in-law by waterway to get here—it should be possible in seven or eight days."

"Seven or eight days." Lu Yan nodded. "That's enough."

He turned around and took one last look at the harbor surrounded by hills on three sides. His tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable certainty: "This is our last card. Don't reveal it lightly unless absolutely necessary."

The sea breeze surged in from the north, ruffling his robes.

In the distance, several fishing boats were swaying and rocking as they passed through the waterways between the islands. The fishermen on board were oblivious to their surroundings. One of them was adjusting his fishing net at the bow, humming an unknown tune that drifted intermittently on the wind, carrying a sense of vast loneliness.

Zhao Changying looked at the fishing boats and suddenly said, "Master, those fishermen—"

'

"Don't touch them." Lu Yan interrupted him without blinking. "It's only natural for fishermen to make a living here. We build docks and warehouses for them, and they provide cover for us. It's a win-win situation, what's wrong with that?" He paused, then added, "But we must not do anything that oppresses the people."

6

"Yes," Zhao Changying replied emphatically.

On the way back to Dengzhou, the sea breeze picked up and the waves became higher.

Lu Yan spread out a piece of paper in the cabin and, with the ship rocking, wrote down the construction plan stroke by stroke: dock, barracks, warehouse, gun emplacement, firearms workshop, and the manpower and materials needed for each location.

He stopped writing at the end, staring at the paper in silence for a long time.

Outside the window, the waves crashed against the ship's hull. The sun was already setting, and the orange-red light shone into the cabin, casting his long shadow on the wooden wall.

He heavily emphasized the words "Firearms Division" below the characters, then put down his pen.

Sometimes, it's more reassuring to keep things unsaid.