Chapter 944: The Suzhou and Songjiang Military Preparations Commissioner
The Wanli Sunshine continued its southward journey, and before long, finally arrived at the mouth of the Yangtze River.
There lay a beautiful, large island: Chongming Island.
"How beautiful, a stunning sand island!" Zhu Piaoling stood by the ship's railing, jumping and shouting, his excitement boundless.
However, after just two shouts, he noticed something was amiss.
On the shore, local residents had been drying fishing nets and other gear. At the sight of the ship, they erupted into a panic, screaming and wailing, then stampeded towards their homes, many clutching weapons.
The entire island shoreline plunged into chaos.
Zhu Piaoling exclaimed, "What? Are you serious? I only shouted once, and they're this terrified?"
Shi Kefa shook his head, sighing, "It seems they've been tormented by pirates so often that this is how they react now."
Shi Kefa was right!
Historical records show that in the 22nd year of Wanli (1594), the mere arrival of eighteen Ryukyuans (from present-day Okinawa Island) sent the Chongming people into a terrified scramble, shaking the entire city.
The military commander swiftly dispatched troops to apprehend them. They found "eighteen individuals unarmed, their clothing and appearance utterly unlike the Chinese. When questioned, they uttered unintelligible sounds, only pressing their palms together and bowing their heads. They were sent to the Military Preparations Commissioner and identified as Ryukyuans."
Three years later, in the 25th year of Wanli, a Joseon fishing boat drifted to Chongming Island, also causing quite a stir locally.
For the people of Chongming Island during this era, foreigners had practically become synonymous with danger and calamity. How could they not be afraid?
The Wanli Sunshine was immense, and its modern design bore no resemblance to Ming Dynasty vessels. When such a "foreign ship" approached from afar, it was bound to scare the people of Chongming Island, leaving them like startled birds.
"Foreigners!"
"It might be Japanese pirates!"
"Be careful!"
"Quick, inform the Suzhou and Songjiang Military Preparations Commissioner!"
"Someone! Get help!"
Shouts and cries from the common folk echoed along Chongming's coastline.
The island's Suzhou and Songjiang Military Preparations Commissioner quickly received the news. He mustered four hundred and two militiamen, four hundred Zhejiang soldiers, one thousand and three marines, seven Fujian Azure Boats, thirty Sand Boats, five Oar Boats, and sixteen Ferocious Tiger Boats.
They charged forward, brimming with martial vigor.
Thus, in an instant, the Wanli Sunshine was surrounded by the imperial "grand army." Over a thousand men stood ready on shore, while dozens of boats formed a massive pincer formation on the water, trapping the Wanli Sunshine in the center.
The Suzhou and Songjiang Military Preparations Commissioner, Cui Weihua—a name that immediately suggested loyalty and bravery—stood at the bow of an Azure Boat, shouting loudly towards the Wanli Sunshine, "What nation are you from? State your name!"
As he shouted, Cui Weihua felt a tremor of unease.
The ship opposite was simply too large, several times the size of his own flagship, the Canshan Boat (23 meters). He felt like he was leading a pack of hunting dogs encircling an elephant.
Were the hunting dogs scared? Absolutely.
He frantically chanted to himself, "Please don't be Japanese pirates, please don't be Japanese pirates, anything but Japanese pirates..."
Just then, Shi Kefa's head appeared from the giant vessel, and he burst out laughing, "Brother Cui, do you still remember me?"
Cui Weihua squinted for a closer look. "Eh? Shi Kefa! Brother Shi!"
Shi Kefa replied, "It's been years since we last met, and I never imagined we'd reunite here. Brother Cui, you've been promoted to Military Preparations Commissioner! Congratulations!"
Cui Weihua's entire body relaxed. "Brother Shi, this... where did you get such a massive ship? You nearly gave me a heart attack! This is Chongming Island, the place most ravaged by Japanese pirates. People here panic and scatter through the streets at the mere sight of a foreign ship. Do you know that your ship, just sitting by the island, caused over a dozen injuries in the city from people trampling each other in the rush?"
Shi Kefa could only manage a wry smile. "Well... I truly didn't know. Ignorance is no crime, no crime at all. It's too cumbersome to talk from such a distance; come aboard my ship, and we can chat."
Cui Weihua grinned. "Heh, a ship this huge, I really do want to take a look."
Soon, Cui Weihua transferred to a smaller boat and boarded the Wanli Sunshine.
As soon as he stepped aboard, he began to marvel. "So big, such an enormous ship! Where on earth did you get it?"
Shi Kefa immediately pulled Tie Niaofei forward. "It's his ship."
Tie Niaofei promptly produced his Imperial Merchant token. "This is a royal cargo ship. Everything about it is a royal secret; no civil or military official is permitted to pry."
Cui Weihua hissed softly, not daring to bring up the subject of the large ship again.
Shi Kefa sighed inwardly. *To witness someone falsely claiming an imperial decree, and yet be unable to expose it... my integrity... my integrity...*
Cui Weihua then asked, "Why are you towing six medium-sized cargo ships behind you?"
"Those are pirate ships," Shi Kefa chuckled. "On my way here, I encountered some pirates under Liu Xiang and dealt with them. These six vessels are all captured pirate ships. I was just wondering how to dispose of them, so it's perfect that Brother Cui is here."
Hearing this, Cui Weihua was instantly overjoyed. "You want to sell them to me?"
Shi Kefa had already received instructions from the Heavenly Lord. Gao Family Village had no use for these outdated, dilapidated ships. Giving them away was a kindness and removed a significant burden. Moreover, Gao Family Village's ships would frequently travel to and from Chongming Island in the future, making this a valuable connection to cultivate. He laughed, "Sell them? What are you talking about? We've been old friends for years, and I know your character, Brother Cui. Consider these ships a gift for you to use in defending the nation!"
Cui Weihua was ecstatic. Acquiring six medium-sized ships for free meant a massive boost to the Suzhou and Songjiang Military Preparations' combat power.
"Oh, my, how can I accept this?"
Though he spoke of modesty, his hands were already gesturing to his subordinates, "Quick, go and take over those ships!"
The government sailors and marines practically skipped with joy as they boarded the pirate ships, untangled the iron chains wrapped around them, and towed the vessels into the government fleet. Some marines, who previously only had small Sand Boats to work with, were already celebrating their upgrade to larger ships.
Cui Weihua inquired, "Brother Shi, where are you headed now?"
Shi Kefa smiled. "I've also been promoted, to Right Supervising Secretary. From now on, I'll be responsible for garrisoning Anqing Prefecture and Chizhou Prefecture. My ships will likely frequently sail from the Yangtze into the sea, passing by Chongming Island, which you garrison. I hope for your continued support, Brother Cui."
Cui Weihua thought to himself, *Impressive! This fellow was already half a rank above me before. I recently got promoted to a fourth-rank Military Preparations Commissioner, and I thought I'd finally surpassed Shi Kefa. Who knew he'd actually risen to a third-rank Right Supervising Secretary? Still half a rank above me! Comparing oneself to others is truly infuriating.*
Cui Weihua clasped his hands in greeting. "Look at you, talking like strangers! What kind of friendship do we have? Your affairs, Brother Shi, are my affairs, haha! You arrive and immediately present me with the grand gift of six ships. I don't even know how to repay you! From now on, my Chongming Island will always welcome Brother Shi!"
With these few exchanges, their understanding was settled.
From then on, Shi Kefa's ships would be free to operate around Chongming Island.
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