Chapter 686: Setting Out to Return Home

Pan Yun had her intentions, and the Tian family had its own plans; once the two sides probed each other, they quickly reached a consensus.

So, early the next morning, Yi Tian Xintai brought more than eighty people and boarded the ship with Pan Yun.

They took a small boat to the side of the sea ship, then hauled themselves up the ropes onto the sea ship.

Zhang Weiliang and Xue Hua, along with another great hero, volunteered to stay in Omori Village; Pan Yun's gaze swept over that person, and she knew he was someone planted by the naval government office.

He had always carried a very roguish air about him, so for now no one had discovered his identity.

Pan Yun left all the slaves in Omori Village, entrusting them all to Xue Hua: "You and I trust each other. Take good care."

Xue Hua cupped his fist with a solemn face and accepted.

Pan Yun left Hu Jing and Wang Cong at Onsen Jintinggang.

Besides them, there were seven or eight great heroes willing to stay, to manage Onsen Jintinggang together with Hu Jing and Wang Cong.

Pan Yun entrusted them all to Hu Jing: "You are an old hand at the jianghu; from here on, please look after Cong and the others."

Hu Jing said: "Staying here or going back makes no difference to me — either way, I can't show my face."

Pan Yun laughed at that, and gave him a little wink: "Don't worry. It won't be long before you can show yourself openly."

Hu Jing let out a breath of relief: "I hope you keep your word."

Pan Yun turned to give Wang Cong instructions: "If anything comes up, consult with Hero Gu. Remember, nothing in this world is more important than your life."

Wang Cong laughed freely: "Is Little Martial Aunt afraid I'll throw my life away for a pile of stones? Don't worry, I know what matters."

Pan Yun: "I'm leaving you the ship from that wild harbor. I'm taking all three ships from Onsen Jintinggang with me. If there's danger, you'll have to go to that little harbor to board a ship."

Wang Cong accepted: "I understand. The sea ships can't be left behind, or there's no telling whether the Tian family might grow greedy. Only when all the sea ships are gone are we safe. But Third Xiao Shishu and Fourth Martial Aunt…"

Pan Yun pinched the bridge of her nose and said: "I asked Yi Tian Xintai about it. I heard Mao Li Xinfu's illness is mostly cured. Word is, the Ouchi family poisoned Mao Li Xinfu and borrowed his fortune, so lately the Mao Li family and the Ouchi family have been clashing nonstop — they had a fight just the other day, and Third Senior Brother and Fourth Senior Sister are right in the middle of it."

Wang Cong opened his mouth and asked: "Aren't Third Xiao Shishu and Fourth Martial Aunt going back?"

Pan Yun waved a hand dismissively: "They can go back whenever they want. I've asked Yi Tian Xintai to send them word — they can come here to find you, or go to Omori Village to find Xue Hua and Zhang Weiliang."

Zhang Weiliang was somewhat seriously injured. Although the land of the Wa and the Great Ming are close, only three or four days by sea, traveling with a wound is still inconvenient, so he stayed behind.

"The ships will be back in at most two months. If you want to return then, just go back with the ship; if not, you can sail one back yourselves." Pan Yun smiled and said: "Of these three ships, aside from the one I promised Yi Tian Xintai, the other two are yours."

Wang Cong's eyes lit up.

Pan Yun patted his shoulder and said: "I know what you want to do. Go ahead and do it. The family has me."

Wang Cong, who had always borne Mount Sanqing on his shoulders, felt his eyes sting. At this moment, he finally felt the burden on his shoulders much lighter, as if someone had truly taken it from him.

His eyes reddened as he nodded and accepted: "Little Martial Aunt, I'll watch over the two harbors and the silver mine."

Onsen Jintinggang is not far from Omori Village — only two days' journey. Whether by sea or by land, it was no trouble for Wang Cong and Hu Jing, so they could return to Omori Village from time to time to check on the silver mine.

Once everything was arranged, Pan Yun set sail with two ships, carrying all the various Wa specialties they had bought on the spur of the moment, and steered mightily toward the Great Ming.

Yi Tian Xintai stood on Onsen Jintinggang watching the sea ships sail into the distance, then turned to look at Wang Cong and smiled: "Young Lady Pan really trusts us — she didn't leave you a single ship."

Wang Cong instantly tucked away the sorrow in his heart and slipped into battle mode: "Naturally. Little Martial Aunt has nothing but praise for Lord Yi Tian. We've cooperated many times, and we trust each other's abilities completely."

Pan Yun stood at the bow facing the wind, the sea island growing ever more distant behind her.

Xue Shao had already begun composing in his mind how the memorial should be written upon their return, and how to persuade the Emperor to agree to send troops to the land of the Wa…

No — troops only as a last resort. They could send envoys first, indict the land of the Wa, and finally, in order to curb the sea bandits and for the development of both nations, establish trading ports and strengthen political and commercial exchanges between the two countries…

Returning to the Great Ming from Onsen Jintinggang was far longer than their previous trip to Shikoku. Fortunately, the winds and waves were smooth the whole way, and by evening they could see an island not far off.

Yi Jianren stood behind them and introduced: "That is Kyushu."

From afar, Pan Yun saw countless sailboats on the sea; by comparison, their three ships looked rather paltry.

Pan Yun was a little surprised: "So many ships. Is the maritime trade of Kyushu this flourishing?"

Yi Jianren nodded: "Merchants from the Great Ming, Java, Ryukyu, and Korea gather here. Kyushu has a natural advantage. If the Ouchi family did not hold the tally-trade license, they certainly could not outcompete the Kikuchi family of Kyushu in maritime trade. However…"

Yi Jianren hesitated, wanting to say more.

Pan Yun tilted her head: "However what?"

"The head of the Kikuchi family died last winter. The three chief vassals are fighting fiercely over power, and the clan's strength has greatly weakened. Add to that the rumor that they lost the treasure map they had hidden for years, and Kyushu may not be able to maintain its maritime trade advantage going forward."

Pan Yun's lips curved slightly: "After the Ouchi family's war with the Yamana family, their strength has also greatly weakened. Aren't they evenly matched again? How do you know the Kikuchi family can't beat the Ouchi family?"

Yi Jianren: "But now that Honshu has the honored guest — you — I believe that with you here, the Tian family will soon become the next Ouchi family. Perhaps, before long, these countless sailboats will appear at Onsen Jintinggang and Onsen Jintinggang Port."

Pan Yun listened with pleasure. No wonder the foolish ruler liked hearing flattery — she liked it too, and the more she heard, the dizzier her head became.

She asked Yi Jianren with a half-smile: "Then does your Ichijō family want to become the next Ouchi family?"

Yi Jianren immediately knelt and said respectfully: "The Ichijō family follows only Young Lady's lead. We will never become the Ouchi family. We are willing to be your most loyal vassals. Yi Tian Xintai is my goal — speak the word, and no matter what it is, I will serve you as obediently as Yi Tian Xintai obeys the Yamana clan head."

Yi Jianren had been kept in the dark, and did not know that this whole series of actions by Yi Tian Xintai had not been approved by Yamana Mochiyuki.

He still thought Yi Tian Xintai was acting on orders in cooperating with Pan Yun, and at this moment still regarded him as a great loyal retainer of the Yamana clan.

Pan Yun did not explain either. She smiled slightly and reached out to help him up: "I am glad Lord Ichijō has such a wish."

Yi Jianren let out a breath of relief.

Going to the Great Ming like this, his life should be considered safe, right? (End of chapter)