Chapter 1312: The Prosperous Port

The various goods shipped from Xuzhou were simply too good, and the sea vessels from Xuzhou were numerous and large, with very stable carrying capacity and sailing schedules, ensuring a steady inflow of Xuzhou's diverse goods. As a result, many Goryeo merchants also came here. Besides their own local specialties, these Goryeo merchants brought all sorts of goods to Pi Island as well — a win-win situation that benefited both sides and pleased everyone.

Apart from the Goryeo merchants, a steady stream of traders also began arriving from Shandong, and there were even merchants from Northern Zhili. Moreover, although he had never discovered any, Mao Wenlong knew that among the arriving merchants there were certainly spies from the Jianzhou Jurchens, or those scoundrels who disregarded righteousness to make a fortune, selling Jianzhou Jurchen specialties here and then shipping back the supplies the Jurchens needed.

Mao Wenlong, Chen Jisheng, and the others did not know whom to hate. Those trading for the Jianzhou Jurchens were certainly shameless, yet when Pi Island was in its most desperate straits, how many merchants from the Great Ming, their motherland, had come? And where had those merchants from Northern Zhili and Shandong been before? Now every one of them spoke of great righteousness, but in the end it was all business — they swarmed in when there was money to be made.

The military officers of Pi Island's Dongjiang Garrison had the most complicated feelings toward Xuzhou. Many still regarded the appearance of those five ships that time as a blessing from gods and Buddhas. After those five ships appeared, Pi Island's situation suddenly became ample and relaxed, which could be counted as saving the Dongjiang Garrison from dire peril. By all rights, such life-saving grace should have been enough for both sides to open their hearts to each other, yet the shipmasters and sailors at sea who claimed to be from Xuzhou, the Yu family, and the Zheng family did not consider themselves subjects of the Great Ming. And a few days ago, news had come from Dengzhou and Laizhou in Shandong that Xuzhou had dispatched troops and fought a great battle against government forces — this truly shocked everyone.

So Xuzhou was a rebel force, daring to rashly attack the capital. Although no further news had come since that time, everyone privately felt that Xuzhou had been annihilated by the court's official army. However, the ships from Xuzhou never stopped coming. After the sea routes opened, they continued to deliver supplies as before, trading them for local specialties and people — everything as usual.

When probed with tentative questions, the people on the ships all said with great disdain that the court was certain to lose and Xuzhou was certain to win. Some even said that Zhao Jin was going to enter the capital and become emperor this time.

In the past, such words would have led to slaughter and bloody conflict between the two sides. But now, the safety of Pi Island and the hope of recovering Liaodong rested entirely on these sea vessels coming and going — how could they tear off all pretense? Everyone had a thought in their hearts: the Dongjiang Garrison of Pi Island was loyal to the Great Ming; those who kept fleeing here were loyal to the Great Ming; the soldiers and civilians of Liaodong who died fighting the Jianzhou Jurchens or were killed halfway while fleeing to Pi Island were likewise loyal to the Great Ming. Yet the Great Ming had never given the Dongjiang Garrison sufficient provisions and military supplies. They had to go plunder themselves, had to figure out trading on their own, just to eke out a lingering existence here. The ones who truly gave them hope were instead these treasonous Xuzhou rebels. How to choose was truly a difficult decision.

No matter what they thought in their hearts, Mao Wenlong and Chen Jisheng did not reach a conclusion in their discussions, so everyone would just follow the old rules. When the lookout on the watchtower called out that the Xuzhou ships were coming, the news quickly spread across Pi Island, and everyone sprang into action. From the last ships that came, they had learned that many ships would come this time, bringing many supplies and also taking away many goods.

Ever since trading with Xuzhou, Mao Wenlong had put great effort into repairing the port berths. From the beginning, when repairing the port meant an extra piece of dry grain, to now, when repairing the port meant getting meat and fish, he had invested heavily. The port and dock facilities had become increasingly complete.

As requested by Xuzhou, the Cloud Mountain Trading House was built right by the port, practically an independent area. The outside was enclosed with walls and palisades made of earth, stone, and large timbers, while inside, brick and stone houses were constructed. Such standards made everyone on Pi Island green with envy. Even Mao Wenlong had only recently moved into a brick house; the others still lived in wooden huts and shacks. These Xuzhou people were far too extravagant — they had even brought brick-firing masters from Shandong to build a brick kiln here. Mao Wenlong and several leaders' residences had all benefited from this.

Being in Liaodong, everyone had seen plenty of forts and strongholds, and they naturally knew that this trading house was built to the specifications of a military barracks and fortress. Everyone pretended not to notice. With their lifeline squeezed in someone else's hand, some things were better not taken too seriously.

At present, not many people lived inside this trading house — only a dozen or so trading house clerks remained on duty, tallying goods and recording demands every day. Every time the ships arrived, there was no time to waste. Outside the trading house walls were piled large timbers that had been roughly processed, ready to be directly lashed into rafts at sea and towed by the sea vessels to their destination. There were also stacks of goods set on bases and covered with oilcloth — those were the goods of the Goryeo merchants. They had only just arrived here and had not yet had time to erect wooden sheds or build warehouses.

Upon hearing the ships had come, some people dressed in Goryeo fashion hurriedly left. They were going to report to their masters. By now, the Pi Island trade had attracted the interest of several of Goryeo's largest merchants, and it was said that the shadow of Japanese daimyo was also present. Conditions on Pi Island were too harsh. The managers and trusted aides sent by these great Goryeo merchants could not endure staying here and all lived near Tieshan, waiting for news. In any case, transportation between Pi Island and the mainland was extremely convenient. Next, the trusted aides of these great merchants would also have to show themselves.

With the fleet's arrival, the entire military and civilian population of the Dongjiang Garrison on Pi Island mobilized. Able-bodied laborers rushed to the port, ready to unload and load cargo. Many of those involved in loading and unloading would follow the ships to Shandong afterward. Officers of all ranks in the Dongjiang Garrison made assignments and arrangements — the military supplies delivered had to be protected and distributed; there could be no carelessness. Those soldiers not involved in loading, unloading, or other assignments wandered about everywhere, waiting to be hired. With more merchants on the island now and manpower in short supply, everyone could work in exchange for some pay.

In addition to this, Mao Wenlong had a secret order: three battalion commanders with two thousand troops were to be ready for battle at any moment. Although he did not say whom they were to target, everyone understood in their hearts, though no one felt particularly comfortable about it.

While everyone was busy, Mao Wenlong brought his trusted followers to the port as well. As the master of Pi Island, he naturally had his own conveniences. Mao Wenlong and his group were in a simple makeshift shed on the dock — the territory of a Goryeo merchant — where they could clearly see the situation at the port.

Sailing a ship at sea into port was a very tedious and slow process — adjusting sails and rudder, changing direction, slowly drawing near. Many Goryeo people waiting by the shore could not help but cry out in wonder. Where had they ever seen such large ships? They all said their own turtle ships were formidable, but how many had actually seen them? And those who had still felt they were not as large as the Great Ming sea vessels before their eyes.

It was not only the Goryeo people who found it novel; even the soldiers and civilians of Pi Island could not see enough of it, let alone the Liaodong refugees who had just been gathered in. Many worked while glancing over this way, and those with nothing to do simply crowded around directly. More and more people gathered on the dock. Chen Jisheng quietly asked whether they should clear the area, but Mao Wenlong gave no clear response, and everyone took the hint and paid it no mind.

"Something's wrong. Those sea vessels keep circling — they're positioning their cannons to face this way." A young military officer suddenly spoke up. Everyone looked over and saw that while some ships at sea were drawing near, others were dropping anchor on the spot. Several cannons were placed on their decks, their muzzles aimed directly at the dock.

By rough count, there were about four ships with such cannons, a dozen or so guns aimed at the dock like this. Mao Wenlong's expression did not change, but the others exchanged glances. It wasn't just their side that had many schemes — the Xuzhou side was just as cautious. Mao Wenlong glanced at the young officer who had given the warning, nodded approvingly, and said, "Young Kong is good — very alert!"

This praise immediately made the young officer flush red with excitement as he quickly stood at attention. Everyone knew this was Kong Youde. During the miners' uprising at Kaiyuan, the Tatars had brutally suppressed it. Kong Youde's uncle had brought him and the remnants to Pi Island; they were among the earliest to arrive. His uncle had fallen gravely ill and was no longer fit, but Kong Youde was loyal to his friends, learned martial arts extremely fast, and was highly regarded by Mao Wenlong.

Xuzhou had sent over twenty ships in total, eight of which were wide-hulled Fuchuan vessels — only at this time of year did they dare to sail. The seas between Pi Island and Shandong had very little wind and waves from May to September. Seeing these broad, stout hulls, the officers around Mao Wenlong all had excited expressions. How many supplies would be brought this time? Pi Island and the Dongjiang Garrison would benefit greatly once again.

The constantly adjusting sea vessels finally docked at the pier and lowered their gangplanks. As usual, the highest priority was grain. Although Pi Island, now more prosperous, could already buy plenty of grain from Goryeo, this fundamental necessity could not be treated carelessly and remained the bulk of trade between the two sides. The able-bodied laborers on the dock surged over and began loading and unloading. But this time was different from before. Normally, the goods would be loaded directly onto carts and transported to Pi Island's encampment, but this time the shipmasters demanded they be unloaded near the berth.

This was not impossible, just a bit more trouble. The laborers asked a few brief questions and immediately set to work. Sack after sack of grain was unloaded. As the unloading proceeded, the onlookers began to see a pattern — the grain sacks were clearly being arranged in a circle at the berth, forming a low wall of grain bags. Was this supposed to look good?

Just as everyone was muttering among themselves, they saw the manager of the Cloud Mountain Trading House on Pi Island walking toward this shed. The manager was a grinning fat man, amiable to everyone. But all these people had been through life and death, and they knew this fat man had killed before — and killed quite a few at that.

Seeing the fat man approach, Mao Wenlong's bodyguards naturally moved to stop him. The fat man, still grinning, raised his voice and said, "General Mao, your humble servant has a matter to report."

Mao Wenlong frowned, his expression turning somewhat grim. The other officers also looked at each other in confusion. Mao Wenlong and the others had come here in secret, and had not left any traces in front of outsiders. How did this fat man know?

Pi Island was not large, and with so many eyes around, it was no surprise that Mao Wenlong and these few officers, who drew attention, might have had their movements exposed. Everyone naturally thought of this possibility. The reason their expressions turned grim was the thought that this Cloud Mountain Trading House manager might have planted his own eyes and ears on Pi Island. And the more they thought about it, the more likely the possibility of planted informants seemed.

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