Chapter 682: Daisen Village

Everything was packed, and Yamana Motitomi finally showed some generosity, providing them with two carts and several ox-carts.

Not only could they haul their luggage, but also carry the people.

But the heroes had their own plans.

They tucked the ten taels of gold into their own pockets, gathered the remaining silver, pulled Wang Cong and Seeing Miao Zhen aside, whispered and haggled for a while, and Wang Cong and the others took on a convoy job.

It was called escorting cargo, but in truth, they were just carrying bags.

If real danger arose, the heroes would still have to step in.

Wang Cong cheerfully followed Pan Yun and calculated the numbers: "We only helped gather the silver, taking up barely any space—once we return to Great Ming, we'll get a ten percent cut."

Pan Yun: "You're even making money off this…"

Wang Cong: "Why not make money if there's money to be made?"

He leaned closer, whispering: "Little Master Shu, are we just letting the Uchida clan off like this?"

Pan Yun whispered back: "Uchida Jiaohong won't live much longer—he gave us a port and three ocean-going ships."

Wang Cong's eyes lit up instantly, and suddenly the scenery along the way to Onsenzumachi seemed much brighter.

Everyone sensed Wang Cong's joy, and the restlessness the heroes felt at leaving also settled considerably.

Many heroes came to ask him for news; Hu Jing even asked outright: "Is the revenge settled?"

Wang Cong nodded firmly: "It's settled!"

Hearing him say that, the heroes believed it—everyone set off for Onsenzumachi in high spirits.

After many days, seeing the sea again filled everyone with complex emotions.

The heroes gazed at the sea, gazing far into the distance, their faces filled with longing.

Behind them, Pan Yun murmured: "Across the water is Korea."

The heroes instantly wiped the melancholy from their faces, looking around: "Then where's Great Ming?"

Pan Yun pointed in the direction they had come from.

The heroes: …

"The opposite direction? Then how do we get home?"

Pan Yun: "There are land routes, and there are sea lanes—sailing home from here is far faster than crossing land back to the starting point and then boarding a ship."

The heroes stared at the small fishing boats drifting by the shore, horrified: "Ride in one of those?"

Pan Yun glanced at them, called over Masuda Shintaro, and pointed at the harbor: "If we were to build a harbor here capable of docking ocean-going ships, how many people and how much silver would it take?"

Masuda Shintaro bowed deeply: "At least three hundred laborers working for fifty days, and ten thousand taels of silver, are needed to build the harbor."

He paused, then explained: "People are the least concern—I, the Masuda family, still have some reputation here and can summon many laborers at low cost—but the stone, timber, glutinous rice, and other materials required are enormously expensive; ten thousand taels is already extremely frugal."

Pan Yun: "But if it's built, even if it can dock only one ocean-going ship, the sea goods brought annually will be enough to make local merchants and powerful clans wildly rich—and even stimulate the local economy, benefiting ordinary people."

Masuda Shintaro's eyes lit up, and he bowed deeply: "Yes, for the Masuda family, it is fortune that Miss Pan chose this place—and fortune for the local people as well."

Pan Yun looked up at the sky, then down at the ground, and sighed: "The feng shui here is excellent—I speak truly—and across the sea lies Korea; Great Ming's merchant ships coming here can unload cargo here or transport it to Korea with ease—but alas…"

She looked regretfully at Masuda Shintaro: "I know you, Master Masuda, are a rare intelligent man—both favored by Yamana Motitomi and trusted by Yamana Xiuqi; your Masuda family will one day surpass the Takenada family and become the Yamana clan's most trusted vassal…"

Masuda Shintaro: "Is that why Miss Pan wants to build a harbor in Onsenzumachi and place sea trade here?"

Pan Yun: "The Uchida clan has been weakened; to recover quickly, they will surely expand sea trade to acquire more resources—and I want to cut off their rear path. Seizing their sea trade is the best way. Onsenzumachi lies under Yamana protection; building a harbor here is a win-win—but Lord Yamana seems miserly with silver…"

Masuda Shintaro gritted his teeth: "Miss Pan, I am willing to introduce you to my father—I believe he will pay half the cost to build the harbor: five thousand taels of silver, already a huge expenditure. We are also willing to provide three hundred laborers—but the remaining five thousand taels…"

Pan Yun's lips curled slightly: "It's good of you to have this intention, but if Lord Yamana refuses, and we secretly build a harbor, won't it cause trouble if he hears of it?"

"No," Masuda Shintaro said. "Our lord will only be pleased as Onsenzumachi grows more prosperous—and if we can seize Uchida's sea trade, he'll be even happier."

Pan Yun did not immediately agree, but said: "We still want to visit Daisen Village—I wonder what land Lord Yamana gave us. If sea trade takes off, more Han people will come; we'll need a place to rest and stay."

Masuda Shintaro did not ask why a resting place wasn't chosen by the shore but instead in Daisen Village—he said: "I'll take you there. Our lord didn't specify a location; Miss Pan may choose any spot you like—even if someone already lives there, I'll have them relocated."

Pan Yun merely smiled.

Masuda Shintaro eagerly led her to Daisen Village.

Daisen Village was not far from Onsenzumachi; they saw the sea in the morning, set out in the afternoon, and by nightfall, they saw the mountains.

The next day, after walking half a day following the mountain, they arrived.

At the foot of the mountain stood a village, with a path leading straight up; following the mountain trail upward, halfway up the slope stood a small temple.

Pan Yun and the others stayed overnight at the foot of the mountain.

This entire area was under Masuda family influence—they owned farmland, serfs, and houses here.

Compared to the Yamana clan, the Masuda family, as a local powerful clan, had greater reputation and stronger power.

Ordinary people knew only the Masuda family, not the Yamana clan; indeed, beyond Daisen Village, they didn't even know which country or county they belonged to.

Pan Yun stood at the door, gazing at the distant dense mountain, while behind her, slaves bustled and companions chattered.

Xue Shao stepped forward, standing beside her, gazing with her.

Wang Cong, Chen Liutao, and Qu Zhixing all arranged luggage while stealing glances at them with bright eyes.

Is that where the silver mountain is?

Such a huge mountain—where exactly could it be…?

Pan Yun turned her head: "If you want to look, look openly—why sneak around?"

The three immediately straightened up and looked openly; Wang Cong dropped what he was holding and ran over, whispering: "Little Master Shu, how do we find the silver mine?"

Chen Liutao and Qu Zhixing also came over, ears perked up.

Pan Yun: "What color is silver?"

Wang Cong answered quickly: "White!"

"Then go up the mountain and look for lead-gray or black stones, with rough surfaces and preferably some metallic specks."

Wang Cong looked utterly confused: "What's the connection between white and lead-gray or black? Do we just find metallic specks right away?" (End of chapter)