Global colonization began with Ming Dynasty pirates.

Lin Hao saw it the moment the smoke of war rose.

At this moment, everyone on the beach had just removed the mast from Zhou Daye's boat and pulled it ashore.

For some reason, seeing the beacon fires rising in the north, Lin Hao felt a weight lifted from his heart, as if he had finally waited for the moment to prove his strength after years of arduous training.

"Young master, are they government troops from the north?" Liu Aniu asked in a low voice.

"That must be it. The timing is about right." Lin Hao immediately turned around and began issuing orders.

"Brother Aniu, take all the sailors away immediately and leave the bay on this fully prepared Haicang and Fu ships."

The other side is most likely coming from the west coast. Once you leave the bay, head northeast and use Dongluo Island to block their view. Hide and wait for my signal.

If you encounter them on the east side, don't engage them; just leave. Since your boat is empty and has a shallow draft, they certainly won't pursue you.

"Young master, you take your men and go first. I'll guard the stronghold. Don't worry, the government troops can only enter the stronghold if I die!" Liu Aniu knew about the plan beforehand, but when it came to this, he still hoped that Lin Hao would go to the safest side, so he volunteered to stay behind to lure the enemy.

"Haha, Brother Niu, there's no need for that. You're a natural-born sailor, but when it comes to defending a city, I know a little more than you. Stop talking nonsense and get ready. It's best not to let the enemy see you." Lin Hao waved his hand, signaling the other party to obey orders.

"Listen up, everyone! Drop everything and get back to the village immediately! Anyone who dares to wander off will die!" Lin Hao's biggest worry right now was the dozens of prisoners. If they started causing trouble, he wouldn't have time to deal with them, nor would he have enough time to kill so many people. He could only let them scatter.

To Lin Hao's relief, although the guards were only acquaintances, they obediently returned to the village. Lin Hao's biggest fear—that one of the prisoners would raise his arms and seize the boat—did not happen.

Actually, Lin Hao was overthinking it. People who are captured usually only take risks because they can't bear the torture anymore. It's a very risky thing to do, and no one would dare to do it unless they had no other choice.

Although these prisoners are working here all the time, they are eating much better than before, and many of them have even gained weight. I doubt many of them would be willing to leave.

And most importantly, they didn't actually know who was coming or what they would be facing, so naturally they didn't dare to make any rash moves.

At this moment, the sound of gongs rang out in the village, and everyone dropped what they were doing and started running into the village.

The dozens of people who had been training on the back mountain rushed back quickly, and the guards began to head to the top of the stockade wall to prepare for the enemy. Uncle Fu led the servants from his household out to maintain order.

Meanwhile, in the open space in front of the village, the boys under Lin Hao's command had already begun to assemble.

As Lin Hao led several guards to escort a group of prisoners into the village, one of the prisoners suddenly said, "Young master, is this the government army? Please give us a knife, and we will help you guard the village."

Lin Hao turned around and saw that the speaker was a refined-looking man who stood out among the rough-looking pirates.

"What's your name? And why do you say you're from the government forces?" Lin Hao asked with interest.

"I am Jiang Wenxiang. I happened to hear that a few days ago, the young master burned down Ningde County. So who else is here now besides the government troops?"

"I admire your magnanimity, young master, and I am willing to guard the village for you. Please give us a chance." Jiang Wenxiang said excitedly.

"Young Master, I, Li Changshun, am also willing to help you defend the city. Please give me a chance."

"Me too, I'm willing too, please give me a chance, young master."

"I'm willing too."

Count me in.

The pirate prisoners immediately erupted in commotion. They all remembered that good behavior could lead to membership in the Lin family, and now was the perfect opportunity to prove themselves.

Lin Hao was quite pleased with the prisoners' enthusiasm; perhaps the probationary period could be shortened later, but for now...

Lin Hao slowly shook his head and then said, "I appreciate your kindness, but they are just a few government troops. They can't do anything to my Lin family. Just stay put and behave yourselves. If you perform well in the future, I will naturally consider setting you free. As for guarding the stronghold, that's not necessary."

Upon hearing this, all the prisoners showed disappointment. Jiang Wenxiang still wanted to plead, but Lin Hao waved her hand to stop her and then told everyone to return to the area where they were being held.

Regardless of whether these people genuinely want to help or not, Lin Hao is not going to hand them weapons right now. Firstly, he doesn't want to take any risks, and secondly, if they all become official bodyguards, who the hell will do his dirty work?

The fact that this village could be built so quickly, and that two boats could be cleared out along the way, is all thanks to the hard work of these people day and night. Lin Hao wanted to use it a little longer.

As for the government troops, according to the information Lin Hao had, the coastal naval forces were no longer what they were twenty years ago.

Twenty or even thirty years ago, the Fujian Navy, reorganized by Qi Jiguang and Yu Dayou, was able to cross the sea and defeat Japanese pirates several times its size.

Twenty years ago, Shen Yourong, the current military commander of Dinghai Garrison, led 21 warships across the Taiwan Strait and wiped out the Japanese who were entrenched in Tainan.

But five months earlier, the same Shen Yourong, facing less than a hundred Japanese pirates besieged in Baiquan'ao, ultimately chose to persuade them to surrender.

If you say that Shen Yourong has grown old and become kind-hearted, that's fine too.

However, Lin Hao was more inclined to believe that after twenty years of erosion, the Ming Dynasty's navy was no longer viable.

The reason Lin Hao waited here was to see what level the Ming Dynasty's navy was at, as this was related to his future strategy.

If the Ming navy still has some fighting power, then even if I repel the enemy, I will naturally try not to provoke the authorities and can develop in a low-key manner. But if the Ming navy is easily defeated, then I may have to take some more aggressive measures.

Half an hour later, all the combat personnel in the village were ready.

The entire force of one hundred people was assembled, consisting of exactly fifty veterans who had experienced the war and fifty new recruits.

Lin Hao provided all the new recruits with a simple spear. All they needed was enough to stand on a wall and stab people.

Each team consisted of ten people, led by Lin Er, Lin San, and others who trained them.

The rest remained the same as before: thirty boys served as musketeers, while the others served as sword and shield bearers to provide cover.

At this moment, the guards from the northern beacon tower also arrived.

"Young master, the enemy is government troops, a total of six ships. They've circled around from the west and will be here soon." The guard was panting heavily. He had run all the way here. Although it was only five miles, most of it was mountainous terrain, which was quite an achievement.

"I know, they've arrived," Lin Hao said, gazing at the distant bay.

Right in the southwest corner of the bay, a sail appeared around the corner, followed by a second, a third, and a fourth.

Four ships, fully loaded with soldiers, appeared in everyone's sight.