Chapter 945: Find a Ship

Kuang Ping's room was sparse, containing only a bed, a table, and a few chairs; against the wall stood a bookshelf, beside which lay three or four crates filled entirely with books and various documents.

The table was also piled high with documents; he had originally intended to put them away immediately, but remembering Pan Yun's abilities—now the silver refinery's techniques all came from them—he abandoned the idea, shoved the clutter aside, cleared half the table, and invited Pan Yun to sit.

He brought over a pot of cold water, set down three bowls at random, poured each a bowl of chilled boiled water, and said, "The mountains are humble; my lord, please don't mind."

Pan Yun drank her water in one gulp without objection and signaled for another bowl.

Kuang Ping paused, then poured her a second bowl; his tension eased, and the two seemed to have returned to how they were before she became state advisor.

Kuang Ping asked, "My lord, why visit so late at night?"

Pan Yun: "No urgent matter—only that I leave the port tomorrow morning to return home; I felt some matters needed discussing with you."

Kuang Ping paused, then asked, "Is it about the conflict at Weigang Port?"

Pan Yun said, "Last year, the late emperor perished; did you know the Japanese navy attacked the southeast coast?"

Kuang Ping rubbed his hair and said, "Of course I knew—they even surrounded Dasen Village; we thought we'd die for the nation."

After a moment of silence, Kuang Ping, eyes red, looked at Pan Yun: "Your Majesty… how did he perish?"

Pan Yun fell silent, then said, "Border strategists failed, frontier generals deceived and concealed the truth, communications broke down, and the emperor stubbornly insisted—only listening to Wang Zhen, a eunuch who failed the imperial exams, who knew nothing of warfare except guesswork—how could he possibly defeat the well-prepared Oirat army?"

Kuang Ping wiped his eyes and asked softly, "What of the new emperor?"

"At least he listens to the ministers' advice."

Kuang Ping looked skeptical: "Then how did you become state advisor—announced to the realm the very next day after his ascension?"

Only heaven and he knew how shaken and terrified he had been when he received both news—the new emperor's ascension and the appointment of the state advisor—on the same day.

Pan Yun glanced at him: "Kuang my lord, don't cling to stereotypes; others may, but you and I have worked together—how can you fear the state will collapse just because a Daoist Priest became state advisor? Am I some demonic priest?"

Kuang Ping shifted uncomfortably and whispered, "People change."

Pan Yun said, "We Daoists value steadfastness of the Dao-heart above all—so rest assured: even if you change one day, I will not."

Kuang Ping immediately smiled and poured her another bowl: "I, your humble servant, judged you by petty standards—I apologize."

He returned to the topic: "The Japanese must suspect there's silver here, but they don't yet know the scale—and Japan is currently in turmoil."

Kuang Ping said, "The Embroidered Uniform Guard's intelligence shows local daimyo defy the shogun's rule; after the late emperor's death, a Japanese man named Oda Nobu traveled widely, persuading daimyo to rally behind the shogun and launch a naval attack on Great Ming. After defeat, their alliance shattered, and they turned on each other—only then did Dasen Village gain breathing room."

Pan Yun tapped her fingers lightly on the table and said gravely, "Japan's chaos has its advantages, but its harms are equally great."

Kuang Ping nodded: "The harms are real—they attack us, and we don't even know who to complain to; the shogunate can't control the daimyo, and the daimyo can't control their subordinates."

Kuang Ping said, "We bought this land; now the Yamana clan wants to renege, sending many men to Dasen Village to pressure the Sada family into sending troops and labor—but the Sada family cooperates closely with us and refuses to obey Yamana's orders."

If Japan were unified and authoritative, the Yamana clan's betrayal could be reported to the shogunate;

but Japan is fractured, and this era's Japan resembles the Warring States period.

Each daimyo is like a feudal lord, ignoring imperial commands.

Top-down, the shogun cannot control the daimyo, and thus the daimyo cannot control their own retainers.

Kuang Ping: "I've thought long and hard these days—I believe Japan should be unified; otherwise, Han people traveling here face new rules in every place, making life equally hard."

Pan Yun: "Japan is a vassal state of Great Ming, yet unlike Ryukyu or Korea, it shows no reverence or loyalty—it ignores the Son of Heaven's edicts."

Pan Yun frowned slightly: "Moreover, their wolfish ambitions have never ceased—do you truly believe they'll communicate peacefully once unified?"

Kuang Ping's eyes flickered: "Then should we…"

He made a hand gesture.

Pan Yun shook her head: "This is their internal affair. As long as they don't attack Great Ming or its vassal states, let them resolve it themselves. The Dao has its own rules."

Kuang Ping: "So what is your lord's meaning?"

"They have no concept of nationhood, nor the Han obsession with unity. Since we've settled here, drink its water, till its soil, we must treat its people well."

Kuang Ping's gaze sharpened; he leaned forward: "Your servant understands—we will protect Dasen Village, Onsen Jintinggang, and Weigang Port alike, and safeguard all who live here, whether Han, Japanese, or Korean."

Pan Yun's lips curled slightly; she rose: "Then I won't disturb your rest, Kuang my lord."

Pan Yun stepped out; the Embroidered Uniform Guards waited until she was far away before entering to find Kuang Ping.

Kuang Ping sighed: "Recall the letter. Let Japan remain chaotic—we won't interfere."

The Embroidered Uniform Guards bowed and left to retrieve the letter.

Sea vessels set sail early, departing before dawn.

Because a naval battle with Japan occurred just before the New Year, during which several merchant ships were lost, for the past half-year, all merchant ships traveling to or from Japan have preferred to sail in convoys.

Besides Wang Cong's three ships and the imperial court's five, numerous merchants have gathered into a fleet totaling twenty-four vessels.

Once underway, the fleet was vast and imposing, resembling a military expedition.

Pan Yun took Wang Cong first to Weigang Port to retrieve the ashes, delivered him aboard, then departed ahead with Seeing Miao Zhen and the other two.

Wang Cong watched them vanish into the horizon, filled with envy.

Too bad he had to escort the ship—he couldn't follow.

Yet Pan Yun and the others didn't head straight back to Great Ming; instead, they flew along their route, exploring nearby areas.

Primarily to eliminate threats and scout the surrounding islands; if lucky, they might find Wang Cong a suitable ship.

Unfortunately, pirates seemed terrified by last year's great battle—though small bands of pirates peered out, none dared attack.

Moreover, their ships were beneath Pan Yun's notice, so she let them go.

Indeed, seeing the twenty-four-ship fleet behind them, escorted by Great Ming's navy, even those small pirates dared not move.

Pan Yun flew south until she found Chen Wen.

Chen Wen had been promoted to Deputy Commander of the Quanzhou Naval Command; his troops had grown.

He had just finished training and opened the door, instantly tensing, hand on his waist blade.

Pan Yun smiled lightly: "General Chen, long time no see."

Chen Wen recognized Pan Yun, eyes brightening; he immediately knelt on one knee: "Your servant pays homage to the State Advisor."

Reunited, Chen Wen willingly stepped back, clinging tightly to Pan Yun's side.

He had no patronage; last year, during the war with Japan, the battle merits belonging to them were not seized, and he was smoothly promoted to Deputy Commander, his men also receiving promotions.

Chen Wen learned just enough to understand: someone above feared the State Preceptor, heard he had a close personal relationship with Pan Yun, and thus dared not claim their merits.

Thanks to Pan Yun, Chen Wen experienced fairness in the military for the first time.

He asked for little—only fairness. The merits due them, he would not let slip; what was not due, he would not take. When applying for military supplies, he received what was owed; when pay was due, it arrived on time—this was his greatest wish in life.

Now, with Pan Yun as his backer, half his wish had come true.

How could he not kneel?

Pan Yun quickly helped him up.

After exchanging pleasantries for a moment, Pan Yun inquired about the ocean-going ships.

Chen Wen said: "The Maritime Command lacks funds, yet the imperial court has opened six ports and repeatedly shrunk the maritime ban, increasing the naval defense burden. The existing ships are insufficient; the Maritime Command has already pre-ordered from the shipyards, and the timber is being hauled by garrison soldiers. Conservatively, it will take at least two years before this batch of ships enters the sea."

"The State Preceptor wishes to jump the queue? That may be difficult. This matter falls under the Ministry of War's Armaments Division—I have no say in it."

Pan Yun: "I never intended to jump the queue."

Chen Wen stared: "Then is the State Preceptor planning to simply seize our ordered ships? This, this..."

Pan Yun rolled her eyes: "I've become State Preceptor, but I haven't become someone else. Why do you all picture the State Preceptor as a state parasite?"

Pan Yun said: "I merely wish to ask: how were the Japanese ocean-going ships seized last year handled?"

Chen Wen paused, then said: "State Preceptor, you're too late. Those ships were already disposed of by the Maritime Command."

Pan Yun: "Disposed of to whom?"

Chen Wen's expression hesitated.

Pan Yun waved her hand: "Don't worry—I'm not here to assign blame. Those were your Maritime Command's spoils. If you hadn't handled them, you'd have handed them to the Ministry of War, and someone above would've disposed of them anyway. Who profits isn't the point? You did the labor; at least some profit trickles down to the soldiers."

Chen Wen relaxed, smiling: "State Preceptor, those ships were broken and rotten—hardly any were usable. And they've been sold for months now. I suspect they've all been dismantled."

Pan Yun: "Not necessarily. Didn't you say shipbuilders are swamped? Even if they wanted to dismantle them, they probably can't find anyone qualified. Give me the list—I'll go find them."

This time, Chen Wen did not delay—he went to fetch the list.

When he returned, he carried not only a sheet of paper but also a food box.

He handed Pan Yun the list, set out the wine and dishes, and asked: "Is Master Wang planning to expand the Wang Shi trading house?"

Pan Yun grunted, eyes on the list: "He wants to venture south to the Nanyang."

"Form a new trade caravan?" Chen Wen mused. "The Nanyang has plenty of spices, gems, and local specialties—definitely more profitable than Japan or Korea. But..."

Pan Yun looked up at him: "But what?"

"But those ships can't sail to the South Sea. They're riddled with sword and knife marks—two even have cannon holes smashed into their corners."

Pan Yun tapped the list: "They're inferior to our Great Ming warships, but the timber is good. With the right craftsmen, they can be repaired."

Chen Wen: "All shipwrights are now conscripted by the court—either in Quanzhou, or sent to Suzhou and Tianjinwei. Since the imperial edict opened the seas, they haven't even seen their families. How could they take private work?"

Pan Yun smiled: "I'm not seeking them. I'll seek craftsmen among the common folk."

"Among the common folk?"

Pan Yun said: "Don't underestimate the people. Tell me—since the maritime ban, how many fishermen who flee annually to the Nanyang got their ships from?"

Chen Wen fell silent.

"Without good materials, they still build ships. Give them materials, and I believe they can build vessels equal to those from the shipyards."

Chen Wen: "The common folk are uneven in skill—they're not even registered craftsmen. How can we trust them?"

Pan Yun said: "Not being registered doesn't mean they aren't craftsmen. Those registered aren't necessarily good craftsmen."

Pan Yun wrote down the list and left Chen Wen two addresses: "If you need me in the future, send letters to these two addresses. One of them will reach me."

Chen Wen eagerly agreed.

Pan Yun said: "The Japanese still harbor hostile intentions. Stay vigilant, train your troops diligently. Once maritime trade flourishes, you'll be needed everywhere."

Chen Wen agreed.

Pan Yun found Miao Zhen and the other two, who were fortune-telling and healing on the street, and took them to search village by village along the coast.

Searching, searching, they reached the former pirate stronghold: Da Cen Village.

Cen Dachuan joined Chen Wen during the bandit suppression; many villagers were then labeled accomplices. Fortunately, Chen Wen protected them and concealed the truth—only some family members were conscripted into military service and taken to sea.

More people hid in the village; others fled into the mountains.

Only last year, when the court announced the opening of the seas, they dared emerge from the mountains—and every household pushed their hidden fishing boats into the sea.

When Pan Yun's group arrived at Da Cen Village, women and children by the shore were drying woven fishing nets, while men nearby hammered and clanged at a ship.

Pan Yun stepped forward. Everyone eyed her warily: "Who are you? Where are you from? You look kind of familiar."

"I think I recognize you too?"

Miao He muttered softly: "Little Master, if we reveal our identity, will we get beaten?"

Pan Yun's lips moved slightly, her voice low: "I was disguised back then. Now I'm dressed as a Daoist—there's no way they'll recognize me."

Pan Yun looked at Tao Yan Bai.

Tao Yan Bai, quick-witted, stepped forward immediately: "We're here seeking shipwrights. Seeing you building a ship, we came to observe."

"You? Build ships?" the fishermen asked, lowering their guard. "What kind of ship? Fishing boats come in many types."

Tao Yan Bai: "We want to build a large vessel—capable of sailing overseas to transport goods."

The fishermen laughed, waving them off: "Go away, go away—we can't build those big ships. You need to find the shipyard craftsmen."

Pan Yun smiled: "What if I have blueprints—and I provide the timber? Can you still not build it?"