Thank you to Nora7 for the ko-fi~ ♡⸜(˶˃ ᵕ ˂˶)⸝♡
Since the opening of the Qing County Maritime Office last year, most of the cargo ships from Liaodong, Goguryeo, the Three Han, and even Wa country no longer go to Haixing Port but have diverted to Huanggang, the newly named “Yantai Port,” for trading goods.
Yantai Port is located in a bay on the north side of Qing County, with calm winds, gentle waves, deep waters, and a view across the sea to Liaodong. In terms of location alone, it surpasses Haixing by a considerable margin. However, despite this, the number of ships heading to Haixing Port has not decreased. After all, those who go to Yantai Port are mostly ships from foreign countries, tightly supervised by the imperial officials. Every ship coming and going must be recorded. Haixing Port doesn’t have such strict regulations. Although the journey is a bit longer, the “merchants” from the south still prefer this route.
“Wu Xiong, long time no see!” Chen Yue personally welcomed him out of the Danghai Building, with a beaming smile, bowing in greeting.
The person opposite quickly took a few steps forward and said with a smile, “No need for Chen Xiezhen to greet me. I am truly honored, Brother Chen!”
“We address each other as brothers; what’s with the ‘Xiezhen’? Brother Wu, you’re being too polite! Come, come, please go inside.” Although full of courtesy, when he heard the term “Xiezhen,” Chen Yue couldn’t help but show a hint of unease.
This “Xiezhen” is the full title “Xiezhen Shuyin,” an official title. Chen Yue, a merchant by origin, now had an official title!
After the founding of Great Zhao, in addition to the scattered officials from the previous dynasty, a new system of honorary officials was added. It was divided into civil honorary officials and military honorary officials. Among them, military honorary officials naturally consisted of those who had meritorious service on the battlefield. Civil honorary officials were awarded to the local gentry who assisted the court in disaster relief and comforting disaster-stricken people. At that time, Chen Yue had already moved his entire family to Ji County, and the county magistrate reported his name and surname, granting him such a minor honorary official title.
This was a tremendous stroke of luck! Although honorary officials were similar to scattered officials and had no official duties, the rank of a ninth-grade official couldn’t be faked. Apart from the exemption from corvée labor, when meeting the county magistrate, they could exchange official titles. If any family members committed crimes, they could also receive reduced sentences. Although they couldn’t pass on their titles to their descendants, it was still unimaginable preferential treatment!
More importantly, as long as there is an honorary official title, the offspring at home can take exams and enter the county school. Once enrolled in the county school and diligently studying, they could eventually participate in the provincial examinations! If one achieved success in the imperial examinations, riding a horse through the streets, it might even result in the ancestral graves emitting auspicious smoke! Just by paving this path, such benefits could be obtained; how could Chen Yue not be ecstatic?
Precisely because of this, he attached great importance to his own “Xiezhen.” Although the person in front of him was flattering, Chen Yue listened with pure delight.
The host and guest ascended to the second floor of the restaurant, settling into a private room. Chen Yue then said, “I didn’t expect Brother Wu to visit Haixing again this year. How is the situation in the south?”
Hearing this, Wu Ting smiled faintly, “It’s just some new regulations. My family’s benefactor has taken care of them one by one, it’s no big deal. If I didn’t make this trip this spring, I would probably be punished by the family head.”
Wu Ting spoke casually, but Chen Yue didn’t dare to underestimate it. It’s worth noting that due to the birth of the Crown Prince last year, the southern court issued another explicit order, strictly prohibiting commercial ships from heading north. Those who violated the order would be dealt with as conspirators colluding with rebels. This was the third time the Southern court had issued such an order, and each time it became stricter. However, in Wu Ting’s words, it seemed like nothing at all. It seemed that the benefactor of the Wu family had some connections in Jiangdong.
Thinking this way in his heart, Chen Yue wore a smile on his face, “That’s wonderful! Recently, Yin Fang Pavilion has released a new fragrance, and I’ve finally managed to acquire some. I’ve also got about a hundred bottles of floral dew in the warehouse, didn’t dare to sell them. Isn’t it just waiting for Brother Wu to arrive?”
A gleam lit up in Wu Ting’s eyes, “This is indeed fortuitous, thanks to Xiezhen keeping my little brother in mind! Since last year, the sale of floral dew in Jiangdong has been thriving day by day, especially the ones effective against mosquitoes, which are priceless!”
The southern regions have many mosquitoes and are prone to malaria. Floral dew that repels mosquitoes sells well, and how could Chen Yue not know about it? This was a unique business he had cultivated in the early years, and for others, it would be difficult to get into. It was precisely because of this exclusive trade that he became prosperous within a few short years. In addition to the floral dew business, he also dealt with porcelain and paper, selling them to the southern regions. Every venture brought in considerable profits.
With a smile, Chen Yue took out a small bottle from his sleeve and handed it over, saying, “This is the new fragrance, named Fragrance Soul. Brother Wu, please have a try.”
Taking the bottle, Wu Ting didn’t immediately open it. Instead, he chuckled, “Looking at this crystal bottle reminds me of those merchants from Guangzhou. It is said that all the Roman sea merchants who arrived in Panyu this year suffered losses. The crystalware they brought couldn’t fetch a decent price. Some of them were indignant, claiming they would leak the formula for making crystal!”
Chen Yue also laughed, “Let them leak it! The government-made crystal is a hundred times better than the Romans’, so what’s the hindrance?”
Originally, Roman glassware was extremely precious, each piece worth more than a thousand gold coins as long as it was brought across the vast ocean. However, now the glassware from Da Zhao dominated Jiangdong, even extending to the Guang region. Where was the profit for the Roman merchants? In turn, whether it was silk, porcelain, or even the new paper, they were all valuable commodities. So, even if the Roman sea merchants suffered losses, they desperately tried to stock up. As long as they could transport it back to their home country, it wouldn’t be in vain for them.
While Chen Yue spoke like this, Wu Ting thought to himself, if the Romans really leaked the formula, would glassware still be so expensive? However, with the increasing number of glassware in recent years, the prices have been dropping continuously. Who knows, maybe the Kingdom of Zhao had some precautions in place?
But these matters were not closely related to him; the main topic was still important. With a smile, Wu Ting opened the bottle, took a drop of fragrance, and applied it to the back of his hand. After a gentle sniff, he immediately praised, “So fragrant! Is it based on Jasmine? And frankincense too? The aroma is truly elegant and unique, worthy of the name Fragrance Soul!”
Having been in the business of flower dew for a long time, Chen Yue also had considerable knowledge of various fragrances. However, the flower dew produced by Yin Fang Ge was not a simple concoction. Using various flowers as the base to make perfumed flower dew was their special skill.
With a slight smile, Chen Yue said, “This fragrance is already a top-quality product. What’s rare is that it has a calming and refreshing effect, dispelling ailments and pains! Even I could only get ten bottles.”
“I’ll take them all!” Wu Ting hurriedly said, “I can pay with Tong Bao!”
This “Tong Bao” was a newly circulated coin in Da Zhao, formally known as “Kai Ming Tong Bao.” It came in three denominations: one wen, one hundred wen, and silver coin. With exquisite craftsmanship and a bright and pleasing color, it quickly gained circulation in the capital. In the ports of Haixing and Yantai, it was a top-notch hard currency. However, in Yantai, ships from foreign countries could only settle accounts with gold, silver, copper, or physical goods like spices and grains. It was rare for someone to have Tong Bao. However, in Haixing, it was different. Tong Bao was even more convenient than gold and silver. Many wealthy merchants from the south hoarded Tong Bao specifically for trading.
Without even asking about the price, Wu Ting directly used Tong Bao to confirm the deal. This sincerity was indeed not low.
Chen Yue laughed heartily, “Brother Wu is really straightforward! When you have all the goods ready, I will have someone deliver the flower dew.”
A single ship coming to Haixing, how could it only bring back a few bottles of flower dew? Wu Ting would surely have to purchase a lot of things. This person also knew how to respond to an implied message and quickly said, “I wonder if there are any other good items here, Manager Chen? If we can handle everything together, it saves my little brother from running around.”
Whether it was reselling or purchasing, dealing with such a cargo was a considerable transaction. Since the market prices in Haixing and Yantai were not much different, and he didn’t have any special connections, it would be good to give some benefits to Chen Yue.
Hearing this, Chen Yue’s smile on his face deepened, “No rush. Let’s drink first and talk while eating.”
Wu Ting also smiled, “That’s the way to go. It’s been a long time since I had the good wine of Haixing. By the way, there’s one more thing. I heard about some unrest at sea on my way here. Does Manager Chen know about this?”
“There are rumors,” Chen Yue replied while pouring wine, “It’s said that the pirates from the Three Han are coveting wealth and committing several crimes. But the navy has dispatched warships, and it should be able to handle it soon. Brother Wu doesn’t need to worry about it.”
Does Da Zhao already have a navy? Wu Ting was not afraid of pirates at all. The merchant ships of the southern aristocratic families, which one didn’t have guards? Some audacious ones, when encountering a suitable fat prey, would even take action. However, he didn’t expect that Da Zhao would also dispatch a navy to clear out sea bandits. If good news of their success came, they would indeed need to be cautious, avoiding trouble in these waters. If it caused problems in the sea routes to Da Zhao due to some valuables, the loss might outweigh the gains.
With his thoughts settled, Wu Ting and Chen Yue continued discussing matters of money and goods, toasting each other and exchanging cups.
Meanwhile, on the sea, a dozen miles from Haixing port, two ships were closely entangled, one following the other. The waves in the Bohai Sea were not large, and both ships had no oars. If one were to deduce logically, the lighter ship in front should be faster. However, in reality, the massive warship behind, flying the flag of Da Zhao, with its large sails billowing and several soldiers rowing at the stern, was actually gaining an upper hand.
Yet, this advantage was not enough for them to catch up with the ship ahead. If the wind changed direction, or if the sailors on the other side were more experienced, they might still escape. However, standing on the deck, a naval general with a beard and helmet, his face unchanged, extended his thumb and shouted, “Prepare the ship’s ballista!”
This command set the soldiers on the ship into action. On the high platform at the bow, a colossal mechanism creaked and wriggled. A spear, more than ten feet long and thicker than a chicken egg, adjusted its direction, gleaming with a chilling light, aiming straight at the light ship in front.
After calibrating the distance and direction, a captain shouted, “Reporting to the general, the ship’s ballista is ready.”
“Fire!” The general didn’t hesitate at all, roaring.
Immediately, the athletes, each with a waist circumference of ten spans, lifted their giant hammers and smashed the trigger. A sharp and buzzing sound resonated through the entire warship. The iron spear brought up a thunderous roar, rushing towards the enemy ship in front.
With the speed of a hurricane, where was there a chance to evade? The light ship hundreds of steps away seemed to be pushed by a wave, emitting a sharp muffled sound.
“Hit!” On the warship, the soldiers immediately cheered.
The general also smiled, and amidst his laughter, a chilling intent lingered, “Reel it in! Don’t damage the ship.”
Dozens of people started turning the massive winch. The thick cable connected to the back of the iron spear slowly tightened, resembling a fishhook, pulling the light ship in front closer. Who had ever seen such a terrifying ship ballista? On the enemy ship, there was a panic. Many wanted to cut off the iron spear, and some raised bows and arrows, shooting frantically without caring about the distance between the two ships.
These indiscriminate shots were naturally useless. The general snorted coldly, “Switch to the crossbowmen.”
On the side of the warship, powerful crossbows were immediately raised. With the command, bolts rained down like a storm towards the enemy’s deck. One round was followed by a second, and then a third. After the three rounds of shooting, no one dared to show their head on the opposite deck. The distance between the two ships was close enough, and someone on the warship immediately threw out grappling hooks, catching the opponent’s gunwale. Countless wooden planks were laid between the two ships, and soldiers wearing light armor and wielding knives and spears stepped onto the enemy vessel!
Battle cries erupted.
“General, another great victory! Not even using fireballs this time. General’s military tactics are truly divine…” A nearby captain, with a red face, excitedly flattered the general.
However, the general just frowned, “These petty thieves are nothing. The tens of thousands of navy troops in the south are the real enemies.”
This remark silenced the captain, who had wanted to say more. The general continued, “By the summer, four ten-zhang warships will be launched. My North Sea navy will have seven warships by then. Will there be enough troops on board?”
The captain swallowed a mouthful of saliva, “We should be able to recruit enough.”
“We must recruit enough!” Lu Kai sternly declared, “As the vanguard for the southern expedition, how can we be negligent? First, deal with the pirates from the Three Hans to train our troops. Once the navy is ready, set sail southward; that is our mission.”
“Rest assured, General! We will spare no effort to train the troops. We will reclaim Jiangdong for His Majesty and establish our achievements!” The captain, who was also Lu Kai’s confidant and a spirited man, immediately shouted loudly.
Lu Kai nodded and then shifted his gaze back, saying, “I heard that the Ministry of Works has developed flying boats capable of traveling a thousand miles a day. Unfortunately, they are designed for rivers. Hmph, when we dominate the four seas, those river-dwelling mudfish will realize who the fish and who the dragon truly are!”
With both the Navy and Marines simultaneously established, there was a sense of rivalry between the two sides. Upon hearing the words of their general, the soldiers below all straightened their chests and looked towards the flags fluttering at the bow. Wasn’t that four-clawed black dragon, swimming in the sea, the military flag bestowed by His Majesty?
When the Xiongnu were defeated, wouldn’t it be their turn to set out?
On the opposing enemy ship, there were no signs of movement anymore. Lu Kai nodded in satisfaction, “No need to loot the spoils of war, just tow the ship back.”
Even a light ship could be transformed into a warship. It would be a waste not to salvage it.
Without retrieving the massive iron spear, the large ship towed the small ship slowly toward the harbor.
The author has something to say:
Ancient Rome is equivalent to the Great Qin in this context, and Lord Liang’s ways are indeed quite ruthless! XD
