Chapter 943

Pan Yun put down her teacup and stood up: “Alright, I’ll go take a look.”

Miao He watched her with wide, pleading eyes.

Pan Yun patted her head and said: “Don’t worry, I’ll be back tonight.”

From Onsen Jintinggang to Tsubata Port wasn’t far; for Pan Yun, leaping onto the Three Treasures Cauldron and flying for two quarters of an hour was enough.

After all, it was a catapult launch—speed was under her control.

When Pan Xiaohei stepped out of the cauldron, his vision blurred; he glanced at Pan Yun’s unflinching face and couldn’t help asking: “Aren’t you afraid of heights anymore?”

Pan Yun shot him a look and said: “I’m afraid of heights, not airsickness.”

Tsubata Port was being cleaned; martial artists used wooden buckets to haul seawater and washed the bloodstains straight into the sea. Over ten corpses lay lined up along the shore, each neatly covered with coarse cloth.

Pan Yun frowned slightly, stepped forward, and lifted the cloth—inside were men dressed in Japanese attire; she exhaled in relief.

“Hey, what are you doing?” A female martial artist sweeping up blood hastily blocked her: “Miss, you’re not from around here, are you? I’ve never seen you before.”

Her voice drew attention from many on shore. Tao Yanbai, crouched by the water, turned his head; he was about to pull up his bucket when he suddenly spun back, eyes brightening, heedless of splashing water—he grabbed the full bucket and ran over: “She’s my family, my family…”

Seeing it was Tao Yanbai, the others dropped their suspicions, smiled at Pan Yun, and turned back to their work.

Tao Yanbai dropped the bucket and rushed over, lowering his voice in excitement: “Little Master, are you here to take us back?”

Pan Yun nodded: “Yes. Where’s your Senior Brother?”

Tao Yanbai pointed to a spot and led her to find him.

Wang Cong smiled warmly as he spoke with two Japanese men, two Embroidered Uniform Guards trailing behind him.

Pan Yun paused slightly, didn’t approach, and pulled Tao Yanbai aside: “Did we win?”

“We won,” Tao Yanbai scratched his head, “but Senior Brother doesn’t seem happy—especially today. After driving out the Ōuchi clan, his expression never improved.”

Pan Yun fell into thought.

Soon, Wang Cong dismissed the two Japanese men and came over with the Embroidered Uniform Guards.

Seeing Pan Yun, his expression brightened considerably; his steps grew lighter. He led her inside the checkpoint to speak.

The two Japanese men watched from afar, puzzled: “Who is that? Why is he wearing a veil hat?”

Ming women were fierce; yesterday and today, the women who fought on the battlefield didn’t wear veil hats. This one’s clothes are spotless—clearly from somewhere else.

“Probably from Omori Village.”

That’s where the Han people’s stronghold lies; Wang Cong brought many men from Omori Village this time.

As soon as they entered the room, Pan Yun removed her veil hat; the two Embroidered Uniform Guards immediately bowed: “Your humble servants salute the National Teacher.”

Pan Yun waved her hand and asked Wang Cong: “How did the fight start?”

“This is the second time,” Wang Cong said. “At the beginning of the year, when the new Emperor ascended the throne, the Japanese navy attacked Korea and intruded into Ming waters, secretly colluding with Japanese pirates. Fortunately, our Ming navy won decisively. At that time, both Omori Village and Tsubata Port were attacked.”

The two Embroidered Uniform Guards immediately added: “National Teacher, it seems the silver mine at Omori Village has been leaked. Some Japanese ministers may have learned of it.”

“Let them know,” Pan Yun said. “Omori Village was first granted to me by the Yamana clan; later, our Ming envoys paid real silver and gold to the Japanese shogunate to purchase it. The land deed is in our hands—it’s Ming territory!”

She continued: “Onsen Jintinggang is split evenly between me and the Masuda family. My share has already been presented to the imperial court, so half of Onsen Jintinggang belongs to the Ming treasury. As for Tsubata Port, it was ceded to me after the Ōuchi clan’s defeat—they slaughtered our coastal civilians, so I presented this port to the court. On Ming soil, our Ming soldiers protect it, and our Ming laws govern it. Any violator will be executed!”

The Embroidered Uniform Guards exhaled in relief; Wang Cong also sighed and smiled: “I told you there was nothing to worry about—you all feared the court would punish us.”

“We’re defending our homeland—why would the court punish us?” Wang Cong patted their shoulders. “Go tell Lord Kuang and the others not to worry. If the court asks, my little Master will plead on your behalf.”

Pan Yun: “Plead? The Emperor’s bones are too hard—he’ll only reward you.”

The two Embroidered Uniform Guards were even happier and immediately said: “We’ll go tell the soldiers this good news right away.”

Knowing the master and his disciple had just met and had much to discuss, they left them alone.

As soon as the Embroidered Uniform Guards left, Wang Cong began cursing: “Little Master, the Yamana clan has lost their minds—they dared collude with the Ōuchi clan to ambush Tsubata Port while we were unprepared.”

The two Embroidered Uniform Guards hadn’t gone far; they exchanged glances and quickened their pace to leave.

Pan Yun: “Did they want to seize the port—or the silver and goods?”

She said: “If I wanted to seize the port, I’d wait until the typhoon season after you return home—wouldn’t that be better?”

“They didn’t even know a major storm was coming,” Wang Cong said. “In Japan, typhoons don’t hit every year, and even when they do, they don’t always strike here. They just heard we’d be leaving yesterday, so they struck—aiming to seize both the port and the silver and goods.”

Fortunately, the soldiers guarding Tsubata Port were alert; seeing many strangers suddenly appear in town, they went on high alert.

After last year’s battle, the soldiers were more cautious, and the crew members had become careful too.

When the conflict erupted, the soldiers held the port, while the ships immediately sailed out to sea. Plus, a group of martial artists were aboard to return home, so they weren’t at a disadvantage from the start.

As soon as Wang Cong received word, he immediately boarded a fast ship and rushed to reinforce them.

“Were casualties heavy?”

Wang Cong whispered: “Eighteen wounded—twelve soldiers, six dead: three soldiers, two martial artists, and one crewman.”

Pan Yun exhaled softly: “Use the best medicine to heal them. Burn the dead and bring their ashes home.”

Fallen leaves return to dust—they must be taken back to their homeland.

Wang Cong agreed.

Pan Yun turned in place and asked: “So now, the Japanese official in charge of Tsubata Port is from the Yamana clan—not the Masuda clan?”

“The Yamana clan is the head of the Masuda family. Since last November, all the Masuda-affiliated men we trusted have been replaced by Yamana Fujii.”

“Then find the evidence and drive them all out. From now on, Tsubata Port will be entirely under Han control.”

“Huh?” Wang Cong blinked. “But didn’t you sign a contract with Masuda Shintai?”

“They colluded with the Ōuchi clan—that’s them breaking the contract first. We used them only because we were short-handed. Now we have imperial troops stationed here and plenty of martial artists—what’s there to worry about?”

Do they really think martial artists came here just to mine silver?

Their job opportunities are endless. Forget distant prospects—just serving as guards for merchants alone could earn them plenty.

Wang Cong sighed: “But we know the truth—we just haven’t caught any proof.”

Pan Yun glanced at him: “Leave this to the Embroidered Uniform Guards.”

“They interrogated them. Those rōnin were stubborn—they killed themselves the moment they were captured.”

Pan Yun: “Hand it over to the Embroidered Uniform Guards—they have their own methods.”

Tao Yanbai muttered: “What methods? The men are dead—they can’t even use torture to extract confessions.”

“That’s not our concern,” Pan Yun said, exasperated. “Each profession has its expertise. Just tell them the result you want—they’ll deliver it.” She glared at Wang Cong: “Do you really think the court sent the Embroidered Uniform Guards here just to handle your petty affairs?”

Wang Cong: “Didn’t the late Emperor send them to watch over Lord Kuang and the others—to prevent them from embezzling silver?”

Pan Yun said meaningfully: “Regardless of the late Emperor’s original intent, here, our interests align with the Embroidered Uniform Guards—we should act as one. What’s the point of internal squabbles? You’re close to Lord Kuang and the others—when you have time, advise them. People must think long-term—look outward.”

Wang Cong murmured: “Look outward?”

He gazed toward Heian-kyō in Japan.

Pan Yun slapped his head sharply: “Where are you looking? I said look outward—but not so obviously!”

Wang Cong felt the little Master had said everything—good and bad.

To avoid another blow, he quickly changed the subject: “Little Master, why did you come all the way to fetch us?”

Pan Yun cleared her throat and asked softly: “In the past six months, how much silver have we earned?”

Wang Cong instantly understood: “Little Master’s short on cash, huh~~”

Pan Yun rubbed her nose.

Wang Cong reported: “By this May, the account held 120,000 taels. After deducting 30% for labor and 15% for materials, I withdrew 66,000 taels.”

Pan Yun frowned: “So little?”

Wang Cong stared at her, speechless: “Little Master, you don’t even care about 66,000 taels in half a year now?”

He marveled: “No wonder you’re the National Teacher.”

Tao Yanbai: “No wonder you’re the National Teacher!”

Pan Yun: “Shut up. I’ve done several big things at home—I need money.”

Wang Cong asked: “How much?”

Pan Yun sighed: “At least 100,000 taels.”

Wang Cong grinned: “If we relied only on silver mining, it wouldn’t be enough—but Little Master, don’t forget—I have three ships.”

Wang Cong pulled out a stack of ledgers and handed them to her, proud: “Look.”

Pan Yun flipped through them, scanning ten lines at a glance—then paused: “This…”

Wang Cong said: “I invested all the silver I withdrew from the mine into maritime trade. The Dao Ancestor and Mazu blessed us—this past half-year, everything went smoothly: returning to port, trading in Japan, Korea, even south to Ryukyu and north to Jianzhou. I never went far inland—just traded directly with local merchants. Every round trip brought profit. Plus…”

He patted the two jade pendants hanging at his waist and smiled: “Plus these—I’ve made nearly as much as from the mine.”

Pan Yun marveled: “Maritime trade is so profitable—more than the silver mine. It’s literally a mountain of gold and silver. The court really shouldn’t have banned the seas.”

Wang Cong, having felt this most deeply over the past year, wholeheartedly agreed. He looked at Pan Yun hopefully: “Little Master, I’ve collected several fine jades—can you carve a few more space jade artifacts for me? That way, even without adding ships, we can carry more cargo.”

Pan Yun studied him, chin in hand: “If you use space artifacts, how do you pay customs duties?”

Wang Cong’s eyes darted away, staring at the ceiling, silent.

Pan Yun mused: “If Daoist arts spread widely in the future, we’ll need to install devices at customs that can detect space arrays.”

Wang Cong: “...No, that’s unnecessary. How many cultivators can even generate Yuan force? How many can transform internal energy into Yuan force? And how many can afford space artifacts?”

Pan Yun glanced at him: “Can’t now doesn’t mean never. We must think long-term.”

Wang Cong leaned closer: “Then these jades—”

“Give them to me. What kind do you want? My cultivation has improved—I’m steadier now. I can shrink the space array further.”

Pan Yun studied him: “Still pendants or jade rings? Can’t be bracelets—rings are fine too…”

“Rings, rings,” Wang Cong said. “I picked these jades carefully—their spiritual energy is far stronger than what we bought before.”

Pan Yun nodded.

Wang Cong produced the jades, and the three immediately gathered around the table to design them.

As they discussed enthusiastically, the door slammed open. Miao Zhen stood in the doorway, backlit.

Tao Yanbai immediately stood up, panicked: “Oh no, I forgot to tell my junior sister.”

Miao Zhen regarded them with a cold face.

Wang Cong also remembered, embarrassed: “Junior sister, you didn’t wait for us by the sea the whole time, did you?”

Miao Zhen said grimly: “You were the one who said we must return to Dasen Village tonight and leave first thing tomorrow.”

Miao Zhen looked at Pan Yun.

Pan Yun rose at once: “I’ll go with you to meet the garrison commander here, then fly you straight back to Dasen Village—I’ve already seen Miao He; she’s overseeing the cargo loading onto the ship.”

Miao Zhen’s expression softened slightly, then she looked at Pan Yun with a hint of grievance, her eyes slightly red: “Little Auntie, can we all go home now?”

Pan Yun smiled and nodded: “We can go home.”

The garrison stationed at this port was only a Company Commander, who also answered to Lord Kuang of Dasen Village—his rank was even lower than that of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

So Pan Yun met with both the Embroidered Uniform Guard and him.

According to Pan Yun, they would come tomorrow to retrieve the ashes of the fallen soldiers; besides the imperial compensation, Pan Yun would personally add another portion.

“This is the Ming Empire’s overseas frontier—you have no reinforcements, and your hardship exceeds that of other border garrisons. In the future, any soldier who dies defending the Ming in Wa Country, I, Pan Yun, will personally supplement their compensation to honor their spirits.”

The Company Commander’s eyes welled with tears; he pounded his chest: “If the National Teacher has any command, this subordinate will die without hesitation!”

Pan Yun: “Hold onto Qiwei Port!”

The Company Commander roared: “Yes!”

Thus, when he heard Pan Yun instruct the Embroidered Uniform Guard to “find” evidence proving the Yamana clan’s collusion with the Uesugi clan, he did not curse them as traitors as he once would have—instead, he thought silently: The National Teacher is truly the National Teacher; his methods are unbound by trivialities.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard instantly understood what Pan Yun meant by “unbound by trivialities”—they were being asked to do the dirty work.

Yet they felt no moral burden, for aside from the lack of evidence, the Yamana clan had indeed colluded with the Uesugi clan.