Global colonization began with Ming Dynasty pirates.

Dalian Island is located between Haitan Island, the largest island in Fujian, and the mainland, less than 10 kilometers away. It gets its name from the surging waves and ribbon-like spray that create its waterways.

To its north lies the Minjiang River estuary, the gateway to the sea from Fuzhou. Fuzhou is the capital of Fujian, a city with a thriving commercial and trade sector. The number of merchants sailing from here is several times greater than that from Fuzhou and Ningxia.

In theory, the Ming Dynasty only opened Yuegang as a trading port. All maritime merchants who wanted to conduct maritime trade had to register at Yuegang and obtain a shipping manifest before they could go to sea to trade.

In reality, the maritime ban was a joke throughout the Ming Dynasty. The people of Fujian didn't take it seriously; they went to sea whenever they wanted, regardless of whether the imperial court allowed it or not.

However, this kind of thing is not exactly compliant with regulations, so everyone still needs to avoid being seen by others.

Thus, Dalian Island, which is neither too close nor too far from the mainland and Fuzhou, was chosen.

In earlier years, Japanese pirates occupied this area. After the pirates were driven back, the imperial court had no time to manage it, and it became a no-man's-land. After maritime merchants chose this place as a transit point for their goods, the pirates tacitly agreed not to cause trouble here, since they also needed to sell their stolen goods.

Thus, Dalian Island became a somewhat informal trading port, and the government turned a blind eye to it.

The Lin family had purchased goods from here many times before, so they were quite familiar with the place.

The bird boat arrived at Dalian Island around noon and then skillfully docked at a pier under Lin Chengfeng's command.

Looking around, Lin Hao saw a dense cluster of large warehouses situated in the valley plain between two mountain peaks, with countless merchants, shop assistants, and workers coming and going. The word "busy" was written on everyone's face.

Ships were constantly leaving and entering the port from the pier.

"What a bustling place!" Lin Hao said with a smile. He had never seen such a pure place anywhere else in the Ming Dynasty, a place entirely dedicated to commerce.

"This is a great place. You can buy and sell anything here. It's much more convenient than other places in the Ming Dynasty. We won't discriminate based on your status," Lin Chengfeng said with a smile.

"Who's in charge here?" Lin Hao asked curiously.

"There's no one in charge, but everyone understands that we won't cause trouble here. After all, nobody turns down money." Lin Chengfeng finished speaking and jumped onto the pier. Clearly, his third uncle, who had been staying at home on Dongluo Island for a month due to his injury, was also a little excited.

Lin Hao smiled and followed along with several others.

Yuelailou, the largest inn on Dalian Island, is also a favorite place for merchants to discuss matters.

When Lin Hao arrived, the person he had arranged to meet was already waiting.

"You must be Lin Mingyuan. I am Tang Shouyi, the steward of the master here. You are indeed very young."

The speaker was about forty years old, with a goatee, and wore a very neat gray robe.

Mingyuan is Lin Hao's courtesy name, so Lin Hao is also called Lin Mingyuan. This courtesy name was given to him by the previous magistrate of Ningde County. However, starting four years ago, Lin Hao has not liked using his courtesy name much.

"Manager Tang, isn't your young master here?" Lin Hao asked, frowning.

He hadn't made an appointment with that person before.

"Hehe, the young master has been ordered by the master to study at home and cannot come here for the time being. However, I am in charge of all matters on Dalian Island, so it is the same to discuss things with me." Tang Shouyi said indifferently.

Lin Hao frowned even more deeply, and at the same time, he vaguely felt that this time things might not go so smoothly.

Lin Hao took a deep breath and then smiled and said, "Since it's Steward Tang, that's fine too. I also wish Brother Zihe all the best in his next exam."

Lin Hao then pulled a list from his pocket and handed it to the other party, smiling as he said, "Manager Tang, this is the list of supplies we wish to purchase this time, and we would also like to..."

Lin Hao handed over the list, but the other party didn't take it. Instead, he drank his tea, which made Lin Hao's hand freeze in mid-air.

Lin Qi was furious upon seeing this and roared, "You bastard! How dare you do this!"

As he spoke, his hand reached for the hilt of his sword, and upon seeing this, the guard beside him also drew his sword in a threat.

Lin Hao reached out and pressed Lin Qi down, then said to him, "Sorry, my friend was a bit impulsive. Lin Qi, step back!"

As he spoke, he naturally tucked the list back into his pocket.

After both sides sheathed their weapons and retreated, Lin Hao smiled and said, "It seems Manager Tang has something to say?"

Hearing this, Tang Shouyi didn't reply, continuing to calmly drink his tea. Only when Lin Hao grew impatient did he put down his teacup and say indifferently:

"I heard you want my Tang family to become your patrons. Although the young master has convinced the master, I still have to remind you of a few things."

Tang Shouyi's voice carried a condescending tone, completely different from his initial enthusiasm.

"Firstly, since you've acknowledged the Tang family as your master, you must naturally understand the rules. In all matters from now on..."

"Manager Tang has misunderstood!" Lin Hao interrupted loudly, then stood up abruptly.

"Brother Zihe and I haven't seen each other for a long time, so we arranged to catch up and discuss some business. But since Brother Zihe isn't here, let's call it a day. Thank you for your hospitality today, Steward Tang; I'll repay you another time. Lin Qi, let's go."

Lin Hao led Lin Qi and retreated without hesitation.

Upon reaching the door, Steward Tang's cold voice rang out: "Young man, you are indeed acting impulsively. You refuse the Tang family's goodwill today; what will you do if you change your mind later?"

Lin Hao didn't stop or turn around, but simply replied, "A young man has his own youthful vigor, no need for you to worry."

Then he took Lin Qi and left without looking back.

After the two men left, a young man next to Steward Tang asked, "Father, didn't the master tell us to do business with them normally? Why did he drive them away?"

"Hmph! You don't know anything. The master only said that out of respect for the young master. As servants, we naturally have to share the burden of our masters and keep this guy away from the young master so he won't be led astray. As for business? What does a greenhorn know about business? He's just wasting resources. We should use those resources elsewhere to make more money." Tang Shouyi said dismissively.

"Father is wise," the young man said with a smile.

......

After leaving the room and arriving at the room that the Lin family had reserved, Uncle Three asked in surprise, "Young Master, how did you get here so quickly?"

It's been less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn since Lin Hao left. What could have happened so quickly?

"Ahem, Uncle, please don't ask anymore. This matter is off." Lin Hao shook his head with a wry smile.

"Huh? How could this be? Who are we going to sell the stolen goods to in the future? We can't just sell them ourselves, can we?" Lin Chengfeng said, distressed.

In this era, what you get from robbing a ship isn't silver. The ship has everything, but basically nothing that pirates need.

Apart from a few ships carrying grain, the rest of the ships mainly carried porcelain, raw silk, cotton cloth, and other items that pirates could not generate any value from. Sometimes, they might even steal a ship full of wood.

If there is no hostage on the mainland to take these things, the pirates will have no way to deal with them.

"It's alright. Dalian Island is so big, are you worried about not finding someone willing to buy the goods? It'll just take a little more time," Lin Hao casually comforted him.

In reality, there were pirates who came to Dalian Island to sell goods, but they were bound to be ripped off in this situation. However, Lin Hao would rather do that than put up with this. Damn it, if I'm a pirate and I have to put up with this kind of treatment, then I've wasted my time at sea.