I am Emperor Wanli

Chapter 840 Fuso Islands
Hu Yinglin stood on the deck, holding the side of the boat, and saw a puff of white smoke in front of him, rising into the sky like Optimus Prime, just like smoke rising from someone's cooking.

In front of us was an island with several conical mountains on it, towering and piercing the sky. One of them was emitting white smoke.

The smoke is too big, and the chimney is too big, reaching up to the sky.

You can see several islands in the distance, some big and some small.

Hu Yinglin grabbed the second mate of the Anyang and asked, "Where is this?"

"Fuso Islands. The smoke is coming from the main island, Fuso Island, but we are not landing here. We are approaching Yanggu Island."

"Ah, when did the Fuso Islands appear? And this Fuso Island and Yanggu Island don't seem to be marked on the map."

“It’s unmarked, I just discovered it recently.

In June, an exploration team returned from Xiazhou and reported that they had discovered an archipelago in the center of the Pacific Ocean. Because the discovery was made at sunrise, the people on the ship wondered if this was the place where the sun rises as mentioned in ancient books.

So they named it Fuso Islands, with the largest island in the archipelago named Fuso Island (Hawaii Island), the second largest island named Ganyuan Island (Maui Island), and the third largest but most populous island named Yanggu Island (Oahu Island). It is said that the living conditions here are the best.

The rest of the islands, the northernmost large island is called Jieshi Island (Kauai), the small island next to it is called Hulu Island (Nihau Island), there are two islands between Yanggu Island and Ganyuan Island, the northern one is called April Island (Molokai Island), and the southern one is called May Island (Lanai Island).

There is another small island to the south of Ganyuan Island, Ganyuan Valley Island.”

So casual?

Hu Yinglin couldn't believe it.

The second mate shrugged, just as casually as that.

"Are there any natives on this island?"

"Have."

"Are you also from the lineage of Xizhong's descendants?"

"That's natural, otherwise the court would have named this island Yanggu Island."

The Xizhong survivors are a new theory of relic species proposed by a group of old Hanlin scholars in the Hanlin Academy who liked to study ancient documents during the fourth year of the Wanli reign of the Hanlin Emperor, based on the many geographical discoveries made by the Geographical Society in the South China Sea and the Pacific Ocean.

"There are nine kinds of Yi, namely, the Yi, the Yi, the Fang, the Huang, the Bai, the Chi, the Xuan, the Feng, and the Yang. In the past, Yao and Xi Zhong lived in the Yi, called Yanggu, and their nests were in the mountains and in the sea."

These old Hanlin scholars believed that the Dongyi were the inhabitants of many tribes who lived in the eastern region during the period of Yao and Shun, namely Shandong, Huaidong, and the coastal areas of Jiangsu and Zhejiang. They also regarded Yao and Shun as their common leaders and were led by Xi Zhong appointed by Emperor Yao and his descendants.

When Yu Qi founded the Xia Dynasty, the descendants of Xi Zhong became dissatisfied and refused to accept the rule of the Xia Dynasty. They took their tribes out to sea in boats, some drifted to Korea and Japan, some drifted to the Ryukyu Islands, some drifted to the South China Sea islands such as Luzon and Sulu, and some drifted even further to the Pacific Islands such as Yuanxu Island.
The Xia Dynasty contemptuously called these tribal people who refused to submit to the king Dong Yi.

But they are all descendants of Yan and Huang with the same ancestors, except that these descendants left earlier, long before the descendants of Xia and Shang.

The old Hanlin scholars named them the descendants of Xi Zhong.

The old Hanlin scholars also cited scriptures and corresponded the indigenous people of Korea, Japan, Ryukyu Islands, Luzon and Sulu islands to the Yi, Yu, Fang, Huang, Bai, Chi, Xuan, Feng, and Yang barbarians.

As for the survivors of the Pacific islands, the old Hanlin scholars analyzed that "in the past, Yao and Xi Zhong lived in Muyi, called Yanggu, and built nests in the mountains and hid in the sea", and believed that they were Muyi and the descendants of Xi Zhong.

Now that Fuso Island and Yanggu Island have been discovered, the geographical environment and the living environment of the indigenous people there are consistent with the "nesting in the mountains and diving into the sea". Doesn't this just verify the great research of the Hanlin Academy?

Hu Yinglin and the second mate looked at each other without saying anything.

These old Hanlin scholars in the Hanlin Academy are really good at studying these subjects. If they continue to study like this, the whole world will be the Ming Dynasty since ancient times.
The fleet passed the smoking Fuso Island in the distance and sailed northward. Along the way, they saw several islands, which should be Ganyuan Island and Ganyuan Island, as well as May Island and April Island.

Soon, Yanggu Island appeared in everyone's sight.

From a distance, the island looks like a lush and green mountainous area.

Hu Yinglin asked curiously, "Brother, what are we doing here?"

The second mate replied, "We are a clipper ship, and we have a fast speed. The Admiralty asked us to go around this side when we set sail."

“Come here for supplies?

"no.

When the exploration team came last time, there were many indigenous people on these islands, divided into many tribes. When they first arrived, some of these indigenous people actually paddled canoes, held spears and bows and arrows, and wanted to fight them to the death.

After being bombarded with artillery fire several times, they immediately became obedient.

The exploration team stayed here for a month or so and found out the general situation.

For example, the Fuso Islands have eight large islands and nearly a hundred small islands. More than half of the natives live on Yanggu Island, and most of the rest live on Ganyuan Island, Fuso Island and Jieshi Island. A small number of natives live on April Island and May Island.

Yanggu Island, Huludao Island and nearly 100 other small islands are sparsely populated, mainly due to lack of water and a harsh environment.

As for Fuso Island, it is the main island and has the largest area, but there are not many indigenous people living there, and that is because of that. "

The second mate pointed to the top of a mountain in the distance where white smoke was slowly rising.

It is gradually being obscured by the approaching Yanggu Island.

"what is that?"

"A volcano!"

"A volcano? A mountain that spews fire?"

"Yes, there are volcanoes on Fuso Island, and they erupt from time to time. When the exploration team was surveying these islands, they encountered one. The magma was slowly flowing, like a river of hellfire, all the way to the sea. It was terrifying. No wonder not many people live there.

Yanggu Island has mountains, but no volcanoes. It is warm and humid, with a pleasant climate. You can see the tall trees and dense forests. The exploration team said that there are the most sandalwood trees here, and the mountains are full of sandalwood. After landing, you can smell the rich sandalwood. The exploration team also called this area Honolulu. "

The second mate pointed forward and said.

“Honolulu?”

Hu Yinglin looked up and saw Yanggu Island getting closer and closer. The coast was full of trees and distinctive thatched houses could be vaguely seen under the trees.

"Di Di!"

The brass whistle sounded.

The second mate immediately turned and ran.

The sailors ran onto the deck, some climbed up the mast and stood on the crossbar.

Several sailors also climbed to the top of the three masts, vaguely visible holding submachine guns in their hands. Teams of marines lined up holding muskets.

On the deck, there was a rumbling sound, and the sailors turned into soldiers, lifted the waterproof gun cover of the cannon and pushed it to the muzzle.

A similar dull sound was heard below the deck, and the artillery was also being pushed on the deck below.

Baskets of steel knives, bundles of harpoons and spears were thrown onto the deck. The sailors began to tie up their trouser legs and cuffs. The officers gathered in the poop to receive their orders from the captain.

Among them we can see several young trainees, they are fourteen or fifteen years old, they have just graduated from the Naval Academy and are doing an internship on board.

After three years of internship and then returning to the Naval Academy to study for one or two years, you will become a formal naval officer.

When Hu Yinglin saw them, he pursed his lips, clenched his fists, and looked very serious.

In contrast, the regular officers were very relaxed and sometimes even smiled and joked with the trainee officers.

All ships are ready for battle.

Hu Yinglin, Wang Shisong and others stood aside consciously and watched the sailors working in an orderly manner.

After a while, the Baishui and Zhijiang in front each lowered two transport boats, each carrying more than ten Marines, fully armed with muskets.

The six sailors paddled hard, driving their respective rowboats, slowly rowing towards the shore of Yanggu Island.

The second mate is back again.

Hu Yinglin asked curiously, "What mission did you receive?"

"Keep an eye on you. If a fight really starts, I'll pull you into the cabin."

Everyone leaned against the side of the ship and watched the four transport boats slowly move forward.

The second mate consoled him, “Don’t worry, there will be no fight.

The Fuso Islands were thoroughly explored by the exploration team. The indigenous people there had been living overseas for many years and had long since become barbaric. They could only build canoes and catamarans, which were useless. Their weapons were just sticks and stone tools. How could they fight us?

The last time the exploration team came, they fired two shots at each inhabited island, and all of them submitted. Then they exchanged many things with them, the knife being the most valuable, and also sugar, flowered cloth, and cigarettes.

You can change it. Hehe, you will know it later. "

"What are we here for?"

"The Fuso Islands are well located, halfway between the mainland and Genxunzhou, and close to Dingzhou in the south and the Pacific Islands in the north, so the Navy Department plans to build a port here as a transit port for the Qinglong Fleet to travel back and forth.

Yanggu Island is the most suitable, so the squadron has allocated seven armed merchant ships. About two thousand sailors and immigrants will stay here to build a fortress and port to receive subsequent fleets and fleets.

We are the front team and our boat is moving fast, so we will come and take a look first to verify the situation reported by the exploration team."

It turned out to be the case.

At this time, you can see more than 20 canoes and several catamarans coming out from Yanggu Island, each with ten to forty or fifty people, and the two sides meet on the sea.

The leaders on both sides danced and gestured for a while, and then exchanged some things with each other. The scene became visibly harmonious.

After a while, a transport boat came back to report the news.

"It's okay. Yanggu Island knows that we are the Ming people who came last time. They are very happy and hope to trade with us again."

The second mate received the notification and came back to tell Hu Yinglin and others.

At this time, Shen Mingchen also came over and said to everyone: "Wang Zhongbo (Wang Jiaping) went ashore with Wang Aotu to negotiate."

"Wang Aotu?"

"Yes, Renchengbo Wangfeng Juaotu, also the leader of our front team."

Hu Yinglin thought for a moment, "Is it the one we saw at Dagu Harbor, with Lord Mingquan, wearing a navy uniform, with a dark face, a scar on the right cheek, and a fierce and powerful man?"

"Yes, yes, it's him. The scar on Wang Aotu's right cheek was left when he recaptured Thang Long City in Annan."

"What are they negotiating for?"

"We will negotiate with the indigenous chiefs on the island and buy a piece of land to build a fortress and a port. We will use courtesy first and then force to test their attitude towards our intention to stay permanently."

"understood."

Shen Mingchen chatted with everyone for a few words, and then someone came to him and said that Liang Menglong wanted to see him for something, so he had to leave in a hurry.

After a while, an officer came over and said, "Gentlemen, the residents of Yanggu Island will come to trade with you in canoes. You can trade however you want, but there are three rules that must be strictly followed.

The first rule is that no forced buying or selling is allowed. No matter what is exchanged, it must be voluntary on both sides.

Article 2 prohibits the trading of weapons, navigation equipment and food.

The third rule is that we are not allowed to disembark and the natives are not allowed to board the ship."

After hearing the officer announce the third point, many sailors looked regretful and booed helplessly.

Hu Yinglin, Wang Shisong and Zhu Lian don't understand what's going on. What does that mean?
When asked the second mate, he laughed and said, "You will know after you have a look. By the way, you can pick up a few worthless small items and exchange them with the natives."

There might be something you like.”

Hu Yinglin asked curiously, "Do you often trade things with the natives?"

"Yes, we often exchange things with the natives in the South China Sea, Yuanxu Island and other islands in the Greater South Pacific. Sometimes we give them some live animals and fruits, and sometimes we just want something new and exciting. Anyway, they really value things that we don't value."

Hu Yinglin, Wang Shisong and Zhu Lian were young and curious, and were eager to try.

"Brother, you have experience, what do you think we should prepare?"

"A used hand towel, a half-used pencil, a broken umbrella, a pack of matches, a box of cigarettes, worn socks, candy. If you are prepared and bring a magnifying glass or glass beads, you may be able to buy an island here and become an island owner."

The second mate finally said jokingly.

When Hu Yinglin and his two companions saw dozens of canoes paddling towards the shore, they hurried back to the cabin, hurriedly searched for a few small, insignificant items, then ran up to the deck and stood on the side of the ship, anxiously waiting to exchange them with the natives.

Soon, babbling sounds were heard. The natives of Yanggu Island paddled their canoes and approached the Anyang in twos and threes. Hu Yinglin and others also saw the faces of these Xi Zhong survivors up close.

(End of this chapter)