Chapter 1759: Noble Scions

Following beside Zhang Yinian was a young man, handsome in appearance, quite cultivated, every move carrying an air of reserved dignity — clearly of distinguished birth.

This was Zhang Chaoguang, grandson of Zhang Yanqing, Marquis of Hailing. Though born of a concubine, he was still a noble scion, enjoying an excellent education from childhood.

In the more than twenty years since overseas trade began to flourish, the meritorious noble class of the Great Han was an unavoidable group in this matter — naturally so, for relying solely on spontaneous grassroots initiative could never have developed things to their present extent in just over twenty years.

Among the many meritorious nobles, many had not originally joined out of a pioneering spirit — some did so to please Emperor Liu, while others were outright plants arranged by Emperor Liu, compelled to reluctantly become vanguard officers of overseas colonization, riding the wave as trendsetters.

However, as trade boomed, as the pie grew larger and the profits greater, even the most reserved individuals and families could hardly resist being tempted. Wherever profit could be had, followers were never lacking; driven by envy, large numbers of nobles and officials plunged into the game one after another, throwing themselves into the tide of overseas colonization profits.

As a major faction within the navy, Zhang Yanqing's family naturally would not lag behind — they were among the earliest nobles to participate, entering early, enjoying greater access to power and convenience, and thus reaping even larger profits.

Of course, for the sake of appearances, or perhaps to avoid criticism, in the early days they mostly supported merchants or household servants to serve as front-men puppets. Though the specifics were always transparent to those at the top, only the details remained unknown.

Later, as Emperor Liu's attitude became increasingly clear, and the court imposed no restrictions beyond relatively high tax demands, this stimulated participants' enthusiasm from the top down and emboldened everyone.

Moreover, seeing profits grow ever larger, some nobles began dispatching the pillars of their families to personally participate and take over the businesses. Whether it was Zhang Yinian or the young Zhang Chaoguang, both were like this.

Zhang Chaoguang was the second grandson of the Zhang family's main branch, born of a concubine — essentially without inheritance rights to the title, and with little family property to expect, he naturally had to seek another path. Of course, if he merely wanted to live as a pampered idler, indulging in a life of dissipation, that too would pose no great problem.

But the Great Han Empire was still in a rising trajectory, and the overall ethos was positive and upward-striving — especially among these noble youths, who had excellent educations and broader horizons, and thus were all the more willing to venture out and strive.

Whether it was the great development of Andong back then, or the voyages to the South Seas, so many concubine-born or cadet-branch sons eagerly participated precisely for this reason. Had it been solely due to Emperor Liu's driving, without their own internal motivation, it could hardly have reached such a scale.

Unlike some of his kinsmen who were devoted to official careers, wanting to become officials or generals, Zhang Chaoguang considered himself mediocre at scholarship — passing the jinshi examination would be difficult; he lacked patience for serious study; his martial arts were sparse; he had no talent for medicine; and farming was too mundane. After much deliberation, he ultimately decided to make his fortune through commerce.

For a family like the Zhangs, someone needed to become officials and generals — that was for power — and equally, someone needed to engage in commerce and farming — that was for wealth. Zhang Chaoguang chose the latter. In the Zhang family, the one who had done most spectacularly was none other than Zhang Yinian. This time, taking advantage of Zhang Yinian personally supervising the Haifeng's maiden voyage on the South Seas route, he had come along, wanting to observe and learn.

As a noble scion, Zhang Chaoguang had naturally seen great spectacles before, but at this moment, observing the scene within the river-mouth harbor, he could not help but reveal a curious expression.

Stretching docks, sprawling cargo yards, vessels of all sizes and distinct characters — and of course, all manner of people bearing exotic airs: Arabs with white turbans wound about their heads, Indians with wrapped headcloths, Western barbarians with deep eyes, high noses, pale faces and yellow hair, and even stranger-dressed merchants from barbarian lands, along with some pitch-black "savages."

Of course, the most numerous were the ragged native coolies, of every description — truly an eye-opener for Zhang Chaoguang. In the Great Han, he had seen foreigners before, but never so abundant, so concentrated — that required a crossroads of East-West exchange like Liangping Island.

"Second Uncle, it's truly hard to believe — this little Liangping Island is so prosperous, with masts thick as weaving and crowds like tides, not even inferior to Jinling!" Walking along while observing, Zhang Chaoguang could not help exclaiming to Zhang Yinian.

Hearing this, Zhang Yinian smiled and said: "Jinling is the principal seat of Jiangning, and Jiangning is the foremost prefecture of Jiangnan — how could mere Liangping Island compare? Look at this place — barely ten li in circumference, and from a vantage point, one can see it all at a glance. Yet when it comes to merchant vessels, Jiangning truly may not outdo this place.

This location holds a strategic position, situated at the throat of the strait. Any merchant ship of East or West wishing to pass must come through here. Whether Han ships heading south or returning north, or Western merchants coming east and going west, all converge at this spot — one can well imagine the enormous numbers.

It is now the seventh month, so it is not yet obvious; wait another month or two, and you will see far more merchant ships arriving. That is when ten thousand merchants gather and masts stand like a forest.

At present this river-mouth harbor still has plenty of empty berths, but in a while, it will be completely filled!"

Listening to Zhang Yinian's account, scenes were already forming in Zhang Chaoguang's mind, and he could not help sighing: "I had only thought the overseas lands were poor and remote, full of unenlightened barbarians — I never imagined there could be such a flourishing place, such a thriving scene!"

Hearing his sigh, Zhang Yinian chuckled and explained: "If the overseas lands were impoverished, why would so many people eagerly head south? It is only that before we Han people went south, it truly was a wasteland. Even now, of these myriad islands and vast lands, only a tiny fraction has been cultivated, with some outposts established.

These South Seas barbarians sit upon a mountain of treasure without knowing how to make good use of it — so it falls to us to help them. In recent years, the vast wealth flowing into the homeland has all been earned through the hard labor of our Han merchants and commoners, paid for with sweat, blood, and even lives.

Take this Liangping Island for example — even a little over a year ago, it did not have its present appearance. It looks chaotic enough now, but when it was in the hands of Srivijaya, it was even worse.

These barbarians are short-sighted. Though they knew to profit from this golden waterway connecting East and West, they only knew to set up tolls and collect taxes, never thinking to properly develop this natural fine harbor. Heaven's gift was fed right to their mouths, and still they did not know how to use it effectively.

As for governance, there is no need to even speak of it. Had the Great Han not come to spread its grace, how could today's splendor exist?"

"Second Uncle speaks truly!" Hearing Zhang Yinian's lengthy discourse, Zhang Chaoguang clearly approved, and with the inherent arrogance of Great Han nobility, he chuckled lightly: "Pity that this Srivijaya kingdom knows not what is good for it — daring to defy the Great Han, and even daring to raise arms!"

Zhang Chaoguang's words fully demonstrated that he knew exactly which side his bread was buttered on. Zhang Yinian found nothing improper in his words either, and responded: "Fight one battle, and they'll listen! I must say, Guo Liangping handled this matter well — fully displaying our Great Han's style, not diminishing the nation's prestige."

"Liangping Island — this name always sounds a bit grating to my ears!" Zhang Chaoguang said with a slight curl of his lips.

Zhang Yinian swept his hand in an arc toward the southeast and west, and laughed: "If you're interested, you could easily find an island and claim it, naming it Chaoguang Island."

Hearing this, Zhang Chaoguang shook his head: "I don't seek such empty fame! Besides, in this barbaric wilderness, who would hear the name? Could it spread back to the Great Han? Guo Liangping is the one with the thick skin."

Hearing Zhang Chaoguang say this, Zhang Yinian's expression turned serious, and he said: "I'm not one to lecture, but I must still remind you — Guo Liangping, whatever else, is your elder in generation. He is not only the commander of the South Seas Navy, but also a meritorious earl personally appointed by His Majesty. He must not be slighted by you young whelps!

Don't let yourself be swayed by some sour gossip back home. Here, if you truly offend Guo Liangping, you could lose your life with no one to appeal to!"

Seeing Zhang Yinian suddenly change his expression and defend Guo Liangping, Zhang Chaoguang was somewhat surprised, but seeing his serious look, not like a joke, he finally grew solemn, clasped his hands and said: "Your nephew will remember your instruction, Second Uncle! I was only speaking casually — if I were face to face with Uncle Guo, I would not dare be presumptuous!"

Hearing this, Zhang Yinian's expression returned to normal. He did not want this young master from the main family back home to offend Guo Liangping over some trivial nonsense.

Guo Liangping, having accomplished so many things in the South Seas over these years, could hardly be a kind man. The Liangping Island before their eyes might look prosperous and lively, but in that strait, who knows how many Srivijayan corpses lay buried.

"You people — long in the homeland, never having been on the scene, only hearing things secondhand — in the end you underestimate Guo Liangping." Seeming to recall something, Zhang Yinian could not help letting out a profound sigh.