Global colonization began with Ming Dynasty pirates.

The announcement Lin Hao had to make was quite simple; the first thing was the reward.

Lin Hao announced on the spot that all the supplies seized in the previous operation were valued at 80,000 taels of silver, and 24,000 taels of them would be distributed according to the previous agreement.

The distribution was not limited to those who accompanied Lin Hao on his expedition. From the moment the government troops entered Dongluo Island until Lin Hao and his men returned from their raids, everyone who participated in guarding the village was considered a recipient of the distribution.

This means that even women and children in the village were eligible for distribution because they participated in the work of transporting supplies.

Meanwhile, the pirates who accompanied Lin Hao on his expedition were also released from captivity and incorporated into the Four Seas Gang. However, their reward quotas were much smaller.

But they weren't disappointed at all; following such a young master, getting rich was only a matter of time.

"Young master, how much reward can we get?" one of the bolder ones asked loudly from below.

Lin Hao glanced at him and immediately recognized the man. His name was Lin Jiangyi. He was the one who had spotted the government troops at the watchtower and lit the beacon tower.

The other party is an old member of the Lin family, having served as a guard for many years. Last time, he received a reward of 50 taels of silver, and this time, for his merit in delivering the message, he will surely receive a reward as well.

"All rewards will be calculated within a month and then distributed uniformly after the supplies are sold, no later than the Spring Festival," Lin Hao replied with a smile, but then looked at Lin Jiangyi and continued.

"Since you've chosen to ask, I can make an exception and tell you: you, Lin Jiangyi, first spotted the enemy at the beacon tower, then performed exceptionally well in the defense, personally killing one enemy soldier and capturing over a dozen. Furthermore, you were the first to charge into the enemy lines with me in Xishan Village. This time, your reward will be no less than one hundred taels!"

As soon as Lin Hao finished speaking, countless exclamations arose from the crowd. Everyone looked at Lin Jiangyi with envy. It was no less than a hundred taels! Since the young master said so, it was naturally no less than that. Even a hundred taels was a number that they could only dream of.

Some people in the crowd, whose contributions were not as great as Lin Jiang's, immediately started calculating their reward money. Although they couldn't figure it out after calculating for a long time, the more they calculated, the happier they felt, and they burst out laughing without realizing it.

Meanwhile, some who were just bystanders from beginning to end are now filled with regret, wishing they hadn't tried harder and achieved something.

"Alright, everyone quiet down." Lin Hao silenced all the chatter once more and continued:

"Where there is reward, there must be punishment. Those who are killed for collapsing and fleeing during the defense of the city, or those who secretly hoard spoils during the night battle in the warehouse, will not only receive no reward, but also no compensation. They will all be treated as deserters."

Furthermore, the three who fled from the armored enemy during the night battle at the warehouse will have all their rewards revoked. Of the several who refused to retreat, those originally captured by pirates will be rewarded as regular guards, while those who were originally guards will have their rewards doubled! The families of the guards who died in battle will still participate in the distribution of the rewards, and will receive an additional one hundred taels of silver as a pension!

These words caused another stir in the crowd. Some were happy while others were sad, especially those families whose members had also died in battle. One family had nothing, while another might receive nearly two hundred taels of silver. The stark contrast made the families of the deserters cry their hearts out.

Lin Hao continued without pausing:

"At the same time, effective immediately, the gang rules are hereby officially established. Everyone, listen carefully. If you break them, don't blame me for being ruthless:"

Anyone who betrays the gang shall be executed!

Anyone who flees in the face of battle shall be executed!

Anyone who privately possesses the seized goods shall be executed!

Anyone who disobeys orders shall be executed!

Anyone who commits adultery shall be beheaded!

Anyone who engages in internal gang warfare or kills their own brothers shall be executed!

Anyone who performs meritorious service for the gang will be rewarded!

The atmosphere below the stage instantly changed when Lin Hao announced that six out of seven rules were punishable by death. Everyone could see that he wasn't joking. However, no one voiced any objection. With such a hefty reward in sight, having rules wasn't something difficult to understand.

Seeing everyone's reaction, Lin Hao nodded in satisfaction.

Today's announcement is just a formality; these people may have heard it, but they probably won't care too much. But when one of them breaks the gang rules and is beheaded, they will naturally know what respect is. Only then will the gang rules be truly established.

After explaining the gang rules, Lin Hao then announced personnel and organizational structure appointments.

The Four Seas Gang has four branches: Commerce, War, Internal Affairs, and Crafts. This is an additional branch, the Crafts branch, compared to what was discussed earlier.

Lin Chengzong took charge of the extra workshop, overseeing all matters related to shipbuilding, ship repair, casting, and manufacturing.

Lin Hao originally intended to put this under his own control, since this thing requires extremely high confidentiality and he couldn't really trust ordinary people. Entrusting it to his father was the most suitable choice.

My second uncle still heads the business hall, responsible for commerce, foreign trade, and the movement of goods.

Third Uncle was in charge of the War Hall, and he was responsible for all naval battles.

Uncle De was in charge of the inner quarters, responsible for everyone's food supplies, logistics, and resettlement.

As for Lin Hao, he set up document rooms in all the halls to manage military orders, punishments, and new recruit training.

Thus, the basic structure of the Four Seas Gang is complete. As for the specific details, there is no need to announce them here. They will naturally be known to everyone during the personnel reshuffle process.

Lin Hao then ordered that all the wine and meat be free today, and that the whole island celebrate for a day, even the government troops and prisoners of war were given plenty of meat.

Dongluo Island was immediately filled with celebration.

......

The large room where Lin Chengzong and others recuperated has now been converted into the council hall of the Sihai Gang.

After the gang members outside started celebrating, Lin Hao brought the agreed-upon core members here to discuss the details.

The old man took the seat at the head of the table, while the three Lin brothers and Lin De sat in the four seats below them.

Lin Hao stepped to the front and addressed the crowd, saying, "Next, I will announce the other personnel appointments!"

Many people below were seeing Lin Chengzong and his group for the first time, and it was also their first time entering such an occasion. They were already nervous, but upon hearing Lin Hao's words, they immediately craned their necks to look over.

They knew that being summoned here meant they were different from the people outside.

"Lin Er, Lin Si, and Liu Aniu, you three will each be in charge of a large Fu ship, assigned to the War Hall, and await your Third Uncle's orders."

Lin Wu, Jiang Wenxiang, Liu Laoshi, Chen Shuanzhu, Wang Jiang, and Liu Ping, you will all be promoted to captains and take over the other ships, serving under Uncle San.

After Lin Hao finished giving his instructions, the group stepped forward to express their gratitude, and were then seated behind their third uncle by Lin Hao.

Jiang Wenxiang, a former pirate prisoner, displayed exceptional bravery in the warehouse night battle and was promoted by Lin Hao. Chen Shuanzhu also performed well and was quickly promoted due to the current manpower shortage.

As for Liu Laoshi, Wang Jiang, and Liu Ping, they were all veteran sailors who also became captains this time.

After settling these people in, Lin Hao turned his attention to the remaining ones.

"Lin Liu, Lin Qi, Wang Xiaoyi, and Wang Long, you four are promoted to stewards of the Business Hall and will be under the command of Second Uncle," Lin Hao then instructed.

Lin Liu and Lin Qi were both among the more clever teenagers, and they had learned basic mathematics and modern accounting methods from me, making them perfect fits for the business.

As for Wang Long, he is the descendant of a comrade-in-arms who retired with the old man. He has worked for the Lin family for many years and has always been calm and reliable.

"Young Master, I don't want to join the Merchant Guild. I only want to stay in the Guard Team and fight. Please grant me your permission." One of the four stepped forward and said.

Lin Hao was taken aback, because the person who came was not Lin Liu or Lin Qi, but Wang Xiaoyi, who had joined the group the shortest time.

Wang Xiaoyi was originally one of the ten people Lin Hao recruited for the Business Hall. He was at the forefront of this battle and had the merit of killing people. In addition, he was literate, so Lin Hao promoted him to steward.

"Oh? You don't want to join the business hall? Tell me your thoughts?" Lin Hao asked with interest.