Chapter 944

Pan Yun flew Wang Cong and the other three back to Dasen Village, while the rest either stayed behind to guard the dock or sailed back to Onsen Jintinggang on their own boats.

When they returned, the sun was just about to set, and Miao He was still supervising the loading and unloading of goods.

Pan Yun kicked at a box at her feet and asked, “What’s inside?”

Wang Cong glanced at the box and said, “It’s medicinal herbs from Korea; the corners are painted green, and all the herbs inside are wrapped in oil paper.”

“What kinds of herbs?”

“Mostly ginseng, plus white-flowered platycodon, ten-thousand-year wormwood, tiger bones, rhino horn, and musk as well.”

Korean ginseng is famous, and white-flowered platycodon and ten-thousand-year wormwood are their specialties; the rest of the herbs are precious, and with so many Chinese people, no amount is ever enough.

Some medicines are hard to buy in Great Ming even with money, but in Korea, because Wang Cong is from the suzerain state and carries a religious license, he can buy them as long as he has silver.

Wang Cong said proudly, “Last year and this year I made a trip to Korea and befriended local officials and gentry; I got many herbs with little effort.”

Pan Yun: “Do you trade in silver?”

“We can use Great Ming copper coins, silk, or porcelain. You wouldn’t believe how popular our copper coins are there—they treat their own currency like ourbao notes, wildly unstable; even though theirs are also made of copper and iron, they’re full of impurities, so Great Ming copper coins are highly sought after.”

Wang Cong said, “Silk can be used directly as currency.”

Chinese silk has long served as currency, not just in tributary states but in foreign lands too.

Seeing Pan Yun’s curiosity, Wang Cong led her aboard while explaining, “Besides silk and porcelain, we also export books and prepared medicines.”

These were Wang Cong’s unique goods, his own discovery.

After realizing Great Ming books were rare and expensive in Japan, he began selling books there.

He sold all kinds of books.

Japan was a tributary state of Great Ming and liked them; Korea, with closer ties to Great Ming, would like them even more.

Indeed, when he shipped a batch over, the crowds who had been fighting over silk suddenly rushed to buy books instead.

Later, Wang Cong discovered that Great Ming medicines were just as popular as books.

All kinds of pills and syrups—any prepared medicine from Great Ming—was revered as divine medicine, its value doubling.

As an agent of Mount Sanqing, Wang Cong was closely connected to major herbal merchants, pharmacies, and physicians; moreover, as a Daoist physician himself, he could assess medicine efficacy, write instructions, and deliver them to those in need…

Among all trading houses, this business seemed made solely for him.

Wang Cong said, “I’ve decided our trading house should reduce exports of silk and porcelain and focus more on herbs, prepared medicines, and books. Little Uncle, don’t think it’s niche—I’m certain that among all trading houses exporting this year, few have earned more than I have.”

“Fine, if you’re confident, do it,” Pan Yun paused, then said, “Great Ming is the Celestial Kingdom. Formerly, Zheng He sailed the Western Oceans to display our might; all nations look up to Great Ming. In this circle, you can add more cultural elements.”

"Good, since you have confidence, then do it," Pan Yun paused before adding: "The Great Ming is the Celestial Kingdom; previously, Zheng He sailed to the Western Oceans to proclaim our nation’s might, and all countries and regions look up to the Great Ming. In this circle, you can add more cultural elements."

Pan Yun tapped the box. “Aren’t the books and prepared medicines you sell full of culture?”

“Your father reveres Master Ge Xian; he impulsively buys anything associated with him, true or false. Foreigners revere Great Ming—anything from here naturally draws admiration. Add a touch of Great Ming’s unique culture, and tell me—won’t your goods gain higher value and sell faster than others?”

"Your father reveres Master Ge; whenever he encounters anything tied to Master Ge, true or false, he becomes impulsive. Foreigners revere the Great Ming, so anything coming from it naturally draws admiration. If you subtly infuse it with uniquely Great Ming culture, don’t you think your goods’ value would rise, and your sales would outpace others’?"

Pan Yun leapt onto another ship and noticed the cabin had been modified; it was now crammed with boxes and sacks. She paused mid-step: “This cabin… wasn’t designed for boxes. Why change it?”

Wang Cong said, “Our caravan travels short distances—we can return home twice a year: once in May–June, and again between October and December. Then we can carry grain.”

Wang Cong said: "Our caravan travels only short distances—we can return home twice a year. One trip in May or June, and another between October and December. On those trips, we can carry grain aboard."

Wang Cong said, “Grain’s unit price is lower than other goods, but in recent years, Great Ming has suffered constant natural disasters; every winter and spring, grain prices rise. So I want to bring back more grain from abroad.”

Pan Yun said, “Grain, especially rice, is more abundant in Luzon, Ly Dynasty, Laos, and Brunei. I recall Ly Dynasty had a famous variety called Champa rice.”

Wang Cong’s eyes sparkled: “Little Uncle, you’re thinking exactly what I am! More and more merchants are coming to Japan; the maritime ban has only been lifted for half a year. I estimate within three years, Japan will become a maritime trade hub. But east, north, and south of here, there are only so many countries to trade with. Beyond Japan, the map shows only endless ocean and scattered islands. So I plan to form another caravan and shift to the South Seas.”

Wang Cong’s eyes grew brighter as he spoke: “Rumors say His Majesty plans to open a port in Guangzhou. Little Uncle—is that true?”

“True,” Pan Yun said. “Guangzhou has a port dating back to Song and Yuan dynasties. Though abandoned for years, like Quanzhou Port, it once thrived. In recent years, it still occasionally hosted tributary states from the South Seas, so with minor repairs, it’s usable. Once maritime trade revives, expansion will restore its former glory—it’s only a matter of time.”

"It’s true," Pan Yun said. "Guangzhou has a seaport dating back to the Song and Yuan dynasties. Though abandoned for years, like Quanzhou Port, it once thrived. In recent times, it still occasionally hosted tributary states from the South Seas, so with a little cleanup, it’s usable. Once maritime trade revives, expansion will follow—its former glory is merely a matter of time."

Pan Yun’s lips curled slightly: “You’ve chosen a good place.”

Wang Cong, proud and confident, said: “I know you sent Miao Zhen and the others to Japan because you feared that as newly appointed State Master, they’d be used to manipulate you. Now that you’ve come to fetch them, clearly you’ve secured your position.”

“But I’m different from Miao Zhen and the others—they only need to train and cultivate. I can’t abandon my business. If all my wealth is in Quanzhou, I’m too vulnerable. Lingnan is a land of miasma and dampness; the court officials and imperial clan have less reach there,” Wang Cong said confidently, “I can establish myself there by my own merit!”

"But I’m different from Miao Zhen and the others—they only need to train and refine. I can’t let go of my business. If all my wealth is in Quanzhou, I’m too vulnerable to manipulation. But Lingnan? A land of miasma and dampness—those in court and the imperial clan have less reach there," Wang Cong said confidently: "I’ll establish myself there by my own merit!"

Wang Cong slumped slightly: “At year’s end, I visited the shipyard. The maritime ban had just been lifted, and orders were already booked three years ahead.”

Pan Yun asked: “What do you want? Just say it.”

Wang Cong asked: “There’s been pirate activity lately. Has the navy planned to suppress them?”

Pan Yun shot him a look, thought briefly, then said: “I’ll ask on your behalf when I return.”

Wang Cong grew excited, mapping out the future: “This time I’ll take Xiao Jing and Song Dalin back. Before the new caravan forms, I’ll take them on several trips—then I’ll hand this route over to them.”

“The South Seas will bring greater challenges. I’ve read accounts saying you can reach a place of extreme heat there, where there’s no winter and crops grow year-round.”

Pan Yun’s gaze flickered: “Africa. Go around it, and you can reach Western Europe.”

Pan Yun’s gaze flickered: "Africa? Go around it, and you’ll reach Western Europe."

Pan Yun said: “I’ll find Zheng He’s journals for you. Study them. First, retrace his routes. Then I’ll give you a sea chart—you can follow it and fill in the gaps.”

Pan Yun clapped him on the shoulder, eyes gleaming: “Good nephew, Han had Zhang Qian; Ming has you, Wang Cong. I believe you’ll travel farther and gain more than Zheng He. While trading, don’t forget Zhang Qian—bring back good seeds from every land, and record their customs and geography in detail!”

Wang Cong’s shoulder ached—he nearly fell to the ground. Seeing his little uncle even more excited, he clutched his shoulder and reminded her: “Little Uncle, the ship…”

Pan Yun waved a hand: “I’ll find a way for you!”

Wang Cong grew ecstatic.

Both nephew and uncle had gleaming eyes, their ambition unmistakable; as they stepped off the ship, their robes fluttered as if the wind might lift them into the sky.

The sea breeze slapped Pan Yun’s newly donned veil against her face, nearly knocking her into the sea—luckily, her stance was solid, and she caught her hat in time.

Sada Nobutai stood below, watching the veiled woman beside Wang Cong, a flicker of confusion in his eyes.

But Pan Yun acted as if she saw nothing, stepped ashore, and took Miao Zhen’s hand, walking away.

Wang Cong smiled warmly and greeted Sada Nobutai, bowing: “Master Sada, what brings you here?”

Sada Nobutai turned his gaze from the veiled woman and feigned mild curiosity: “Who is that lady?”

“Oh, she’s a new friend of my junior sister. She wishes to return home with us. It’s late—Master Sada, why are you here tonight?”

Sada Nobutai’s attention snapped back to business. He pulled Wang Cong aside and sighed: “Wang Cong, I heard you clashed with the Uesugi clan at Hida Port…”

His voice faded behind them. Outside the thatched shed, a long line waited. Miao He rapidly calculated on her abacus while recording accounts; Tao Yanbai then settled payments to the workers.

Most of the laborers loading and unloading at the port were Japanese; a few were Korean.

Pan Yun was surprised to learn this: “Why are there Koreans?”

Miao Zhen, pulling copper coins from a box and untying the strings, said: “Most were captured by Japanese pirates. After our court suppressed pirates and destroyed several dens, last year our navy clashed with Japanese naval forces and pirates, won decisively, forcing the Japanese shogunate to launch another purge. These Koreans had nowhere to go, so they gathered near nearby ports, earning money by loading and unloading goods for merchants.”

Miao Zhen took copper coins from the chest, untied the strings, and said: "Most were kidnapped by Japanese pirates. After the court crushed several pirate dens, last year the imperial navy clashed with Japanese naval forces and pirates, scoring a great victory. The Japanese shogunate was forced to send troops and crush them again. These Koreans had nowhere to go, so they gathered near nearby ports, earning money by loading and unloading goods for merchants."

Pan Yun had sharp eyes; though night had fallen, she could still see the thatched huts hidden behind a small grove of trees.

She didn’t need to approach—just seeing the uneven huts, she could imagine their chaos and crowding.

Pan Yun pressed her lips together and asked: “Are there any Han Chinese among them?”

“Yes. But once freed, they either board merchant ships to return home, or like the Koreans, settle at the port. Since Onsen Jintinggang and Hida Port are under our court’s control, any Han captive who can state their name and household registration receives a resettlement allowance—small, but enough to rent a place.”

So as long as they weren’t lazy, Han people could sustain themselves well at these two ports.

Han people preferred hiring Han; as long as they didn’t cheat or shirk, Great Ming merchants favored them as foremen, paying them higher wages.

Han people still prefer Han people. As long as they don’t cheat or slack off, Great Ming merchants like to put them in small leadership roles, paying them higher wages than others.

Miao Zhen said: “Whether Japanese or Korean, those who work at the port are poor. Most wear short shirts and shorts; some lack even shirts, going barefoot. We pay by the piece—depending on the cargo. A healthy adult who doesn’t slack off earns at least thirty-five cash a day; the highest recorded is one hundred and eight cash.”

Miao Zhen said: "Whether Japanese or Korean, those who come to the port to load and unload goods are all poor. Most wear short shirts and shorts; some don’t even have shirts, going barefoot. We pay by the piece, depending on the cargo. A healthy adult who doesn’t slack off can earn at least thirty-five cash a day—the highest recorded was one hundred and eight cash."

“He had no surname. His name was just ‘Fan’—they say his family thought him too greedy for food, so they abandoned him on the street at age six. Big Brother found him the next day, took him on as a guard, and gave him a surname. Since we met him at Onsen Jintinggang, he became Onsen Fan. During the Hida Port clash, he killed six men and earned great merit.”

"He had no surname, and his given name was just ‘Fan,’ because his family thought he ate too much, so they abandoned him on the street when he was six. My eldest brother took him in the next day and made him a guard, giving him a surname—he was met at Wenquan Jintinggang, so he became Wenquan Fan. During the recent Hwei Port conflict, he killed six men and earned considerable merit."

Japanese surnames were mostly like this; before the Meiji Restoration, most Japanese commoners had no surnames.

At this time, surnames belonged only to nobility.

Pan Yun could imagine how deeply moved a child abandoned by his family would be upon receiving a surname.

Pan Yun turned her gaze from the laborers and asked: “Where’s our manager? Why are you handling accounts and payments?”

Miao Zhen’s face darkened: “Big Brother said we can’t eat for free. So after we arrived, he reassigned the manager to other tasks—we’re left here to manage the business.”

They waited in the shed until the moon rose above the willows before Wang Cong returned, and Miao He finished paying the day’s wages.

The five then returned to Dasen Village.

Pan Yun told Miao Zhen and the others to rest, then took Wang Cong to knock on Master Kuang’s door.

Master Kuang had already undressed and fallen asleep.

So after Pan Yun knocked for a long time—even the Embroidered Uniform Guards had pulled on their robes and leaned against the wall watching them—Master Kuang’s room remained dark.

Pan Yun murmured under the gaze of the Embroidered Uniform Guards: “If even this noise doesn’t wake him, is something wrong?”

She increased her force, nearly smashing the door down.

The Embroidered Uniform Guards’ temples throbbed, barely holding back—when finally, a voice came from inside: “Coming, coming…”

Rustling sounds followed, then a light flickered on. A hunched figure shuffled to open the door: “Who is it at this hour?”

The door opened. Pan Yun smiled warmly at him: “It’s still early—I thought Master Kuang hadn’t slept yet.”

Master Kuang silently looked up at the moon’s position, then stared at her without speaking.

Wang Cong had to remind him: “Master Kuang, my little uncle is now State Master.”

Master Kuang forced a smile, stepping aside: “State Master’s visit brightens my humble abode—please, come in.”

Director Kuang forced a smile and stepped aside, saying, “His Holiness the National Teacher’s arrival brings honor to our humble abode—please come in.”