Global colonization began with Ming Dynasty pirates.

Having won over the two uncles, Lin Hao was in high spirits, as it meant his plan had been largely accomplished.

Acting in the name of the family, as the youngest member of the family, one feels entitled to be guided by anyone, and cannot disobey too much; this is the filial piety of this era.

Although everyone trusts me now and lets me do whatever I want, people's hearts are unpredictable, and who knows what will happen in the future.

However, when gangs are the main body, the situation is completely different. Although it may seem like the same group of people, there is an extra layer in between, giving them enough room to maneuver and making it easier to introduce external forces to maintain balance in the future.

Another reason is that Lin Hao realized he needed to add another layer of insurance to his identity after his father's serious injury and near-accident.

Lin Hao didn't care about the potential benefits his two uncles might receive.

The world is full of goodwill, and the world is all good.

That might mean getting someone to do something without giving them any benefits, and the more the two uncles take, the less likely they are to be bribed in the future.

After the distribution of family interests was settled, it was time for the participants to join the battle.

The next morning, the group that had participated in the extermination of the pirates on Twin Peaks Island stood in neat rows on the flat ground in front of the beach.

They were all extremely excited.

Just last night, Lin Hao sent someone to inform them that they would be rewarded for their contributions in the battles of the past few days.

Although they didn't know the exact amount, given Young Master Lin Hao's usual generosity, it would surely be at least seven or eight taels. This was half a year's salary, so naturally they were extremely excited.

These are not the only people who have come here today.

At the rear of the crowd, those who had not participated in the day's battle had also gathered.

As for the outer perimeter, there were a large number of family members, servants, and civilians who came to do business. Even the captured pirates were kept in a corner to watch.

"What exactly is the Lin family up to? They're not planning to kill someone again, are they?"

Some pirates have already developed PTSD from Lin Hao's methods. Anyway, every time he organizes such a big event, nothing good ever comes of it for them; they are the ones who suffer and endure hardship.

"Kill who? Li Changshun, are you out of your mind? Those standing in front are all their own people. They're probably up to something."

One person was clearly more sober, and gave the other person a disdainful look before answering.

"What could possibly happen? It can't be related to us again, can it?"

"Heh, it is indeed related, and quite closely so," sighed one of the pirates who seemed to have gotten some information.

"Ah! Jiang Wenxiang, don't scare us. You can't use us to establish your authority again, can you? Then I'll... I'll..." One of them blushed and tried to say a few harsh words, but in the end, he couldn't say anything after talking for a long time.

"You can't do anything if you really target us, but don't worry, we're fine for now. The reason I say it's related to us is because we're going to reward those who fought against us today," Jiang Wenxiang said calmly.

"You even know this? Impressive!" Everyone immediately looked at him with admiration.

"What's so impressive about him? He set up this place with us last night and didn't sleep a wink. His eyelids are drooping right now," someone nearby replied quietly.

While the pirate prisoners were whispering among themselves, Lin Hao was already standing on a wooden platform at the very front of the arena.

He pressed his hands down slightly to signal everyone to be quiet.

"You've all probably heard what happened, and you know why I'm here today, right?"

Lin Hao's question immediately caused a stir among the crowd. After a moment, someone shouted, "Young Master, I heard that we're being awarded prizes today. Is that true?"

"Indeed, today I'm going to reward the brave warriors who fought so valiantly, whether against pirates or government lackeys. Unfortunately, the reward is rather simple—just silver. I wonder if everyone likes that?"

"Young Master is mighty!"

"Young master, what we love most is money; we can never have too much."

"Young master, can I exchange silver for a wife?"

"..."

The crowd erupted in excitement once again, with various voices mingling and creating a lively atmosphere.

Once the excited crowd had quieted down a bit, Lin Hao spoke again:

"You have all come with my Lin family from the mainland to this remote island, enduring countless hardships. Some have shed blood and others have sacrificed their lives for this cause."

I, Lin Hao, have seen all of this.

Here I assure everyone that as long as you stand firmly on the side of the Lin family, the Lin family will never treat anyone unfairly; we will share both good times and bad!

After saying that, Lin Hao waved his hand and said, "Bring the silver up!"

Immediately, the red cloth covering the areas on both sides of the stage was lifted, revealing several large boxes. Then, a dozen maids and servants took turns carrying plates from the boxes onto the stage.

The crowd's breathing quickened instantly, and the sounds of gasping filled the air as the onlookers and pirates gasped in astonishment. The plates were filled with gleaming silver.

Good heavens! Most of them, no! I should say almost all of them, had never seen so much money in their lives.

If it weren't for Lin Hao's terrifying reputation, these pirates would probably have rushed forward.

"My God, so much silver! If I could have a hand of that, I'd die happy."

Some of the pirates were so envious that they almost lost their minds.

"I heard this was seized from Twin Peaks Island," someone said through gritted teeth.

Then everyone shouted in unison, "Zhou Daye, I'll curse your ancestors!"

The pirates were in tears. They had truly suffered more than animals under Zhou Daye's care, eating far less than animals.

As it turned out, Zhou Daye had accumulated so much wealth. If the other party had been willing to share some with them back then, how could they have collapsed so easily?

"Zhou Daye, you're a beast."

……

"Zhou Daye is a good man," Lin Hao said with a smile to the crowd below. "Zhou Daye is frugal and doesn't care about his food or clothes. He saved up 7 taels of silver, and now it all belongs to us. Let's thank Zhou Daye for his generosity."

"Haha, young master is right. Thank you for the gift, Zhou Daye."

The crowd cheered again.

Lin Hao pressed his hands down slightly to signal everyone to be quiet.

"Next, those whose names I call, come up to me to receive your prize."

Lin Hao looked at the person in front with a big smile, "Liu Aniu!"

Amidst the envious glances of the crowd, Liu Aniu's expression wavered slightly, but he then calmly walked onto the stage, approached Lin Hao, and respectfully bowed, "Liu Aniu greets Young Master."

"Haha! Please rise, Aniu." Lin Hao helped Liu Aniu up, then took a plate from him and addressed the crowd, saying loudly, "Liu Aniu, in the battle against the pirates of Twin Peaks Island, you remained calm and composed, successfully leading your sailors to defeat a powerful enemy two against one. The family has decided to award you a bounty..."

Lin Hao paused deliberately, then announced loudly amidst the expectant and curious gazes of the crowd, "A reward of one hundred taels of silver!"

boom!

A cacophony of voices erupted from the crowd. Everyone was incredulous and frantically asked those around them if they had misheard.

No one expected the Lin family to be so generous. One hundred taels of silver—that could buy so many acres of paddy fields! And they just gave it away like that? Was the Lin family really going to refuse?

Then everyone's expressions changed from shock to envy. One hundred taels of silver, and Liu Aniu got it just like that.

"I know this Liu Aniu. He only has an elderly mother at home and is not married yet. Haha, my daughter is just the right age. I'll go and propose marriage later." Someone in the crowd laughed loudly.

"Pah, shameless, selling your daughter for personal gain." People around immediately spit on him, but some others who also had daughters seemed to be thinking about it, their daughters were no less impressive.