Global colonization began with Ming Dynasty pirates.

After looting Xishan Village and Lutou Village, the fleet, fully loaded with goods and people, headed majestically towards Dongluo Island.

That said, Lin Hao had been calling himself a pirate of the Ming Dynasty for so long, but this was the first time he had ever committed robbery. Unfortunately, it was an operation on land. As for robbing ships at sea, he had never done it even once. It was really embarrassing to say that.

If ordinary pirates played like this, they would have gone bankrupt long ago. It's only because Lin Hao, relying on the savings accumulated by the Lin family during their four years of maritime trade, dared to slowly build up his strength.

However, Lin Hao had already decided that after returning this time, he would start preparing for these matters. As a pirate, what kind of pirate would he be if he didn't rob ships?

It's time to let all maritime merchants know the name of the Lin family.

Back on Dongluo Island, sailing downstream with the wind, the difference in ship speed became apparent. Under the same wind conditions, the two ships that Lin Hao had previously cleared the barnacles from their hulls were moving ahead at the fastest speed, quickly putting a distance between themselves and the other ships.

Therefore, Lin Hao had to order the sails to be lowered slightly so that the following ships could catch up.

After sailing south for no more than two hours, the fleet returned safely to the bay of Dongluo Island.

However, it was only at this moment that Lin Hao realized that the bay on Dongluo Island was a bit too crowded.

Nine ships, plus some smaller boats used for transportation and fishing, filled the entire foreground.

However, the Lin family only built one pier, which could barely accommodate two boats at a time, while other boats had to wait far away on the water.

The entire bay is surrounded by land on three sides, with an opening only on the south side. It is trapezoidal in shape, with a width of over 60 to 100 meters from east to west and a length of over 100 meters from north to south.

Theoretically, it can accommodate more ships, but the current infrastructure is inadequate, causing them all to be crowded at the front.

"The next step is to clean up this dock."

To the north is a shallow area, where Lin Hao doesn't plan to make any major changes. However, on the west side, where there is a deep water area over 100 meters long, Lin Hao plans to build several new piers and warehouses to facilitate the loading and unloading of supplies.

As for the eastern side, Lin Hao plans to dig out several docks for ship repair and even shipbuilding.

In this way, the entire Dongluo Island can be considered to have a basic port prototype.

However, this is only a temporary measure. Ultimately, Dongluo is simply too small. The number of ships we have is almost at its limit. No matter how well we allocate them, we can only accommodate so many more. In the future, we will still need to find a larger place.

Actually, Twin Peaks Island is quite nice. It's ten times the size of this place, and its port conditions are excellent, capable of accommodating a larger number of large ships.

Unfortunately, when everyone first went to sea, they had no choice. Now, after so much development, going there is obviously a waste of effort. After all, Twin Peaks Island is only a decent place and still has many limitations.

What Lin Hao really wanted was Haitan Island or Nanri Island, which are two of the largest islands in Fujian and have large plains, providing ample space for either setting up a factory or farming.

But for now, it's just a thought; with our current strength, it's completely impossible for us to take over these two islands.

......

"Bring Shen Wangshu to me," Lin Hao ordered as soon as he stepped ashore.

A moment later, in the same room, Shen Wangshu saw Lin Hao enjoying tea.

"Congratulations on your triumphant return, my dear nephew. You must have reaped quite a harvest this time." Shen Wangshu congratulated him loudly as soon as he entered, as if the house that had been robbed was not his at all.

"Really? I thought Uncle Shen was hoping I'd get arrested?" Lin Hao said quietly.

"Cough cough, how could that be? There must be some misunderstanding. If something were to happen to my nephew, how could I live? Your father would tear me apart!" Shen Wangshu immediately cried out in protest.

"Really? Then why didn't you tell me that there were six suits of armor among the guards in the warehouse? You can't just say you didn't know," Lin Hao asked coldly.

"Armor!" Shen Wangshu's eyes widened in disbelief. "How could such a thing exist? Our Shen family definitely doesn't have one. If we did, I'd definitely get myself a set!"

What a joke! Even he, a dignified naval commander, hasn't managed to get armor. On one hand, the navy uses it very little, and armor at sea is a burden. On the other hand, armor is strictly controlled, so it's very difficult for someone of his status to get one.

This isn't the border region of the Ming Dynasty, where even soldiers can manage to get a suit of armor. In the interior, armor is already scarce, and after being manipulated by various officials, it has become even more scarce.

"So where did this armor come from?" Lin Hao asked irritably.

"It must be the Li family. They own several mines and have the resources to procure armor," Shen Wangshu said confidently after a moment's thought.

"The Li family... I understand." Lin Hao nodded, not entirely convinced, but not dwelling on it. Instead, he said to Shen Wangshu, "Since that's the case, I'll keep my word. I'll give you a sampan later, and you can row back yourself."

"Ah! A sampan, my dear nephew, you mustn't! If I row back in a sampan, no one will believe I wiped out the pirate Zhou Daye, no matter what I say!" Shen Wangshu was completely bewildered. This place was dozens of kilometers away from Fenghuomen Water Village. How could he possibly row back? Unless he rowed to the other side and then walked back.

But that's even less reliable. Carrying a severed head and walking alone on the main road, Shen Wangshu had no confidence that she could get back safely.

Lin Hao snorted coldly and said, "So what are you going to do? Do you expect me to arrange a ship to send you back? Do you think it's reasonable to have pirate ships take government troops to their garrison?"

Shen Wangshu was on the verge of tears, but since it concerned his future, he forced himself to say, "I would appreciate it if you could give me a proper ship, and then return my servants to me, and preferably..."

"I'd prefer to provide you with sailors and officers, right?" Lin Hao teased.

"That's for the best. I can't go back alone; that won't fool anyone," Shen Wangshu sighed.

"That's your problem, not mine to worry about." Lin Hao shook his head and then said, "These servants, ships, and soldiers are now my prisoners and belong to the Lin family. It's not appropriate for you to just ask for them now."

"But...but I really don't have anything right now, please be lenient with me, my dear nephew."

Seeing that Lin Hao remained unmoved, Shen Wangshu finally gritted her teeth, then knelt down in front of Lin Hao, pressing her head deeply into the cold ground. "Please help me, Young Master Lin. I will repay you tenfold afterward."

"Hey, Uncle Shen, what are you doing? We're all from the same village. It's not good if people see this. They'll think I'm bullying an elder." Lin Hao said this, but he didn't mean to let the other man get up. How could this old guy not know anything about the armor? He was definitely doing it on purpose.

Unfortunately, Lin Hao also needs him to live now. In fact, if Zhong Gui were willing, the other party would be more suitable, but unfortunately, that guy is impervious to reason.

"Please understand, Young Master Lin, if I were to return alone, I would still be doomed." Having already swallowed his pride, Shen Wangshu kowtowed repeatedly.

"Uncle Shen, this is putting me in a difficult position. These are all clearly recorded in the ledger. If I misappropriate them for your sake, and the accounts don't match up, I'll have to cover it up out of my own pocket," Lin Hao said, looking quite troubled.

"Yes, yes, I'm willing to write an IOU. And I'm willing to increase the interest." Shen Wangshu sensed a turning point and immediately kowtowed repeatedly.

"I see. Well, that's not something we can't discuss," Lin Hao said with a smile. "Then let's talk about the price."