Chapter 28: Fujian Junk

From the eleventh day of the fifth month, the famous Ning-Jin campaign of the late Ming officially began. The Later Jin troops fiercely attacked Jinzhou, and Zhao Lujiao defended the city behind closed gates. The Later Jin mobilized between forty and fifty thousand troops for this campaign, while the Ming forces, apart from those in Jinzhou, had Man Gui garrisoning Qiantun, Yuan Chonghuan leading over thirty thousand troops garrisoning Ningyuan to coordinate from the center, nearly fifty thousand defending the vicinity of Shanhai Pass, and over thirty thousand more Ming troops across the entire northern region converging on Shanhai Pass, bringing the total strength to nearly one hundred fifty thousand — among them was Zhou Shifa.

He had already set out with Tianjin Vice Regional Commander Qian Zhongxuan. Chen Xin remembered what he had said back then, and arranged for Wang Daixi to go to Zhou Shifa's home every two days to help look after his mother, which counted as supporting the front and contributing to the great Ning-Jin campaign. This seemed to be the only connection between Chen Xin and the others and the great Ning-Jin campaign.

On the fifteenth day of the fifth month of the seventh year of the Tianqi reign, after eating lunch at home, Chen Xin and Lu Lvzi shouldered their bundles and came into the courtyard. Liu Minyou, with four attendants, prepared to see them off for a stretch. Because they had not told Hai Gouzi and the others they were going to sea, the four attendants thought the two were merely going on a slightly longer trip.

Chen Xin stood at the doorway, turned back and said to Liu Minyou, "No need to see us further. During this time, teach them to recognize more characters. And don't slack on the training — this time, don't go soft."

Hai Gouzi said, "Brother Chen, don't worry, we won't be lazy. We'll train well with blade and spear to kill the Tatars."

Zhang Da and his brother echoed the sentiment. Chen Xin happily patted their shoulders, then went before Liu Minyou and, following their old custom, firmly shook his hand. The two had been close friends for many years, and after graduation had worked together; their bond needed no more words. After Lu Chuanzong also bid farewell to everyone, the two men headed out toward the Japanese dried seafood Dian. Liu Minyou stood at the doorway with the four attendants, watching until the two figures disappeared at the end of Erdaojie.

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When the two arrived at the shop, besides Lu You, there was also a middle-aged woman sitting in Lao Cai's old seat. Chen Xin had met the proprietor's wife twice before, both times when she came to the shop to collect the silver. Now he respectfully went up and paid his respects, and also introduced Lu Chuanzong, saying he was his maternal cousin. The proprietor's wife seemed to be in a good mood; her eyes swept over the two of them, and she gave a light laugh. "So it's Accountant Chen's cousin. This time, follow Accountant Chen and do your work well. In the future, the Master will surely have a reward."

Lu Lvzi hurriedly assented.

The proprietor's wife then continued, "The Master gave instructions just now. Once you've arrived, go directly to the second courtyard."

After Chen Xin agreed and prepared to take Lu Lvzi to the second courtyard, the proprietor's wife suddenly asked from behind, "I heard Accountant Chen even passed the Licentiate examination?"

Chen Xin's heart jolted. The proprietor's wife's expression seemed to carry a hidden meaning — could it be that Miss Zhao had said something when she returned yesterday? If she found some old scholar to test him, his true colors would be exposed.

Not daring to boast wildly again, he said modestly, "That was when this junior was still in Liaodong. After many years without a fixed home, drifting and wandering, I've already forgotten most of it."

The proprietor's wife neither confirmed nor denied, smiling wordlessly, merely casting a deeply meaningful glance at him before waving her hand to let him go.

As Chen Xin passed through the first courtyard, he saw that the door to the side room where the raw silk had been stored was open, and inside it was completely empty. This time it was still Lao Wang who opened the door. Lao Wang had changed into a set of black short attire, looking a touch more fierce than usual — it seemed he was also going to sea. In the second courtyard, two other men were standing together talking. One was as black as a lump of charcoal; the other had a large scar on his face, as if an entire chunk of flesh had been removed. Hearing the door open, they looked over with indifferent gazes, as if what they were looking at were not people, but merely two lifeless objects.

Chen Xin had been out in society for many years and had seen all kinds on both sides of the law, but his instincts told him these men were definitely old sea bandits, their bearing utterly different from ordinary thug gangs. But since Lao Wang did not introduce them, it was not convenient for him to converse with them. Lu Lvzi, originally someone who feared nothing in heaven or earth, still felt a chill rise within him upon seeing these sea bandits.

Lao Wang also treated those two with indifference. Chen Xin inwardly found it slightly strange — this Lao Wang really did hold no one in his eyes except the proprietor. Lao Wang led the two to the study again. From inside, the faint sound of two people talking could be heard. Lao Wang said at the door, "Proprietor, Accountant Chen and his cousin have arrived."

Proprietor Zhao's voice came from within: "Let them in."

After the two entered, Chen Xin swept a glance around the room. Proprietor Zhao and another man were both standing. That man wore a set of black straight-hemmed robes and was, surprisingly, the shopkeeper of that silver exchange shop. He was holding a Japanese sword, half drawn, turning it over in his hands. Seeing Chen Xin, he gave a slight smile, cupped his hands, and offered no explanation.

Chen Xin feigned a stunned expression, paused for a moment, then returned the salute.

Proprietor Zhao looked Lu Lvzi over twice and asked, "Where is this cousin of yours from?"

Chen Xin nodded to Lu Lvzi, letting him answer for himself. Before coming, the two had rehearsed their story several times; there should be no problem. Lu Lvzi then replied, "This humble one is from Yanggu in Shandong, and am cousins with Chen Xin. A few years ago, when my family could no longer get by, I also went to Jixian. I have always been on good terms with my cousin. Some days ago, my cousin sent word back saying he was working in Tianjin, so I followed him here."

Because the accent could not be disguised, the two had concocted this story after discussion. Proprietor Zhao listened but did not question it closely, perhaps feeling it was unnecessary — even if it was a lie, he was not afraid of these two causing any trouble.

He said to the two, "Once at sea, there are many pirates. Have you two brought weapons for self-defense?"

"In reply, Proprietor, we have not brought any."

Proprietor Zhao suddenly asked, "Do you dare to kill?"

Neither of them had expected such a question and did not answer for a moment. The shopkeeper of the silver exchange shop also turned his head to look at the two. Chen Xin quickly caught on — Proprietor Zhao was no longer hiding that he himself was also a sea bandit, and was testing whether the two were willing to be of one heart with him. He no longer hesitated: "In reply, Proprietor, this humble one has killed Tatars in Liaodong. If we encounter sea bandits, naturally I will not be afraid."

Hearing this, Lu Lvzi also said, "This humble one's life is worthless, but if someone wants to kill me, they'll have to trade their own life for it."

Both men had decent physiques. Chen Xin had always been well-nourished and exercised regularly. Lu Lvzi had done long-term physical labor and had briefly trained in some martial arts with Dai Zhenggang; since childhood he had been fond of brawling and fighting, and possessed a natural fierceness. Proprietor Zhao nodded, finally at ease. These two did not seem like pedantic men. Chen Xin was both dutiful and had courage, and might well be a more suitable candidate than Lao Cai. At that moment, he instead felt that Lao Cai's food poisoning was not a bad thing after all.

"Then once you two are aboard, pick out a blade. In case it becomes necessary, you won't face the enemy empty-handed."

Proprietor Zhao said a few more words, then dismissed them. The two found a long stone bench in the courtyard and sat down. Several more people arrived in the courtyard one after another, talking loudly with the first two men as if no one else were present. Three of them even took out tobacco pipes and began to smoke. Tobacco had been introduced relatively late in the Ming dynasty, but it spread very quickly. It was inherently addictive, and moreover, some physicians claimed smoking had great benefits (note: including the fellow who wrote the Complete Works of Jingyue), which was the equivalent of having "Smoking is good for your health" written on the cigarette pack. This led to large numbers of smokers everywhere, both men and women, especially in some northern areas where even children of a few years old smoked. Chen Xin had seen Deng Keshan, Zhou Shifa, and others on Erdaojie smoke a few times. He had originally been a smoker himself, but this Ming-era tobacco was not flue-cured but air-cured, and the flavor was far too different, so after trying it once he never smoked again.

Lao Wang did not introduce the others to Chen Xin and his companion either, so the two just sat there idly, waiting until nearly the end of the Wei hour (3 PM), when Proprietor Zhao and the silver exchange shopkeeper emerged from the study. The seven or eight men in the second courtyard all crowded around, calling out "Big Brother."

Hei Tan walked over and said to Proprietor Zhao, "Big Brother, when are we leaving? I ran out of silver ages ago. Staying on shore is suffocating me to death."

Proprietor Zhao laughed heartily. "We're leaving right now. Won't suffocate you."

He then said to the scar-faced man and Hei Tan, "Ba Zi, Hei Pao, you take the east gate and split up. Lao Wang, you take Accountant Chen and his brother out the north gate."

Hei Tan said carelessly, "Big Brother, when are you leaving? Don't be late, or we won't be able to go today."

Proprietor Zhao kicked out, and Hei Tan yelped and stumbled aside. He heard Proprietor Zhao curse, "I've naturally got business. If you damn well rush me again, chop off one of your own fingers."

With that, he swept a cold glance around, and the gang of sea bandits immediately fell silent. Hei Tan no longer dared to speak. Daoba offered up an ugly grin, bowing and scraping, "Since Big Brother has business, a little delay is no problem. Worst case, we leave tomorrow."

Proprietor Zhao waved his hand, and the group filed out through the side door. Once outside, the two groups split up. Chen Xin and his companion followed Lao Wang, heading north past the Revenue Branch Office, exiting the city through the Daihe Gate (note: Tianjin's north gate). The soldiers at the gate were clearly more numerous than usual, but they were only strict about those entering the city and paid no attention to those leaving. The group continued north until they reached the banks of the Wei River.

The Wei River was a confluence of three rivers, its surface broad. The shore was also lined with all kinds of shops. Along the riverbank to the south, many canal boats and seagoing vessels were moored in an unbroken line, mostly of the twin-mast style. On the shore, many porters were carrying heavy grain sacks onto the boats. There were also many soldiers around. Seeing this, Chen Xin asked Lu Lvzi, "Is this tribute grain being shipped directly to Shanhai Pass?"

Lu Chuanzong nodded. "Should be. I heard that at Shanhai Pass, a great host is massing, so they'll certainly need a lot of grain. If they take the Ji Canal and then enter the Gushui, at most they'd reach the vicinity of Zunhua, and then they'd still have to go overland. And that stretch of waterway is against the current, so they'd need trackers. By sea, you just need to raise sail and borrow the wind, following the coast north. Brother Dai says when it goes smoothly, you can reach Laolongtou in a day or two."

He had walked the North Canal waterway many times as a tracker, so he was fairly clear on these matters. Lao Wang, uncharacteristically, said to the two, "Recently there are many naval patrol boats in the Liao Sea. Once aboard, you'd best stay in the hold. Once we pass Dengzhou, it'll be fine."

Chen Xin cupped his hands toward Lao Wang. "Many thanks for the pointer, Brother Wang."

Lao Wang nodded and said no more. He led the two along the riverbank. The boats by the river were fewer now than before. Finally, they stopped before a seagoing vessel. Lao Wang pointed. "This is the one."

Chen Xin raised his eyes to look. Beside a simple dock, a magnificent three-masted Fujian junk appeared before him. The ship was about ten zhang long (31 meters). The sterncastle rose high; below it, two long rudders extended rearward. Three towering masts stood erect, each with a crow's nest at the top that could hold two men. On the side he could see, a small tender boat (for firewood and water) was slung, and a leeboard hung against the hull, not yet lowered. Along both sides of the deck were protective panels woven from bamboo.

No porters were in sight around them; the cargo must have been loaded long before. Just then, Hei Tan and Ba Lian also arrived with their men. Seeing the three, Hei Tan shouted, "You're here and still not getting on? Waiting for someone to see you off, are you?"

Lao Wang ignored him and took the lead onto the gangplank. The gangplank was quite long and swayed slightly as one walked on it. Lao Wang paid it no mind, crossing as if on level ground. Lu Lvzi, having worked on the canals for a long time, was also accustomed to it and crossed in a few quick steps. Chen Xin, however, could not manage it; he had to stretch both arms out for balance, wobbling across the narrow gangplank. Midway, he nearly lost his footing and was about to fall into the water, so he hurriedly lunged forward, barely managing to jump across successfully. From behind came the laughter of Hei Tan and the others. Chen Xin did not take offense; he turned back, cupped his hands toward them, and said, "Pardon me, pardon me."

When he turned back around, he carefully examined the ship's deck. The deck was about two zhang and five or six chi wide, covered with ropes. The stiff sails with bamboo battens were folded at the base of the masts. On each side were several hatch doors leading to the lower deck. On both sides of the deck sat three cannon-like objects, all covered with oilcloth. Each protective panel had three gunports cut into it. At the bow was mounted a windlass, around which a thick iron chain was wound. A sailor with broad shoulders and a narrow waist sat bare-chested on the windlass, staring north in a daze. Several sailors, their entire bodies darkly tanned, lay sprawled out on the deck. Seeing it was Lao Wang coming aboard, they all greeted him. The man on the windlass, hearing the commotion, merely glanced back once before turning his head away again.

Seeing them, Lao Wang showed a hint of a smile and asked, "Where's the Second-in-Command?"

"You bastards finally made it. This ship's been docked four or five days — waiting's got people itching mad." A booming voice came from the hatch, and then a grizzled head rose up.