The Black Sails of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 127 Shaving
This man, Fang Ju, was an indigenous person of Nan'ao Island. He came out on top in the first civil service examination on Nan'ao Island and was appointed as the Director of the Construction Department due to his outstanding abilities.

Apart from the Construction and Engineering Department, the heads of the other three departments have all been replaced.

Zhou Xiucai and Zheng Zhilong were appointed as the director and deputy director of the Nan'ao Government Affairs Department, respectively, overseeing four departments.

As they were talking, a ship with its lights on came from the east.

Judging from the light illuminating the hull, it is not a coastal fishing boat.

As we approached, the ship's lights flickered rhythmically, a code used on the island that changed every three days to distinguish friend from foe at night.

Upon seeing the incoming ship give the signal, the guards around the dry dock relaxed.

As the ship drew near, its two masts and triangular sails came into view. Lin Qian recognized it as the Carrier Pigeon and said to the craftsmen around her, "Your helpers have arrived."

The carrier pigeon sailed closer and docked at Yandun Bay.

First, more than ten crew members disembarked and formed a circle, and then the passengers disembarked.

Most of the passengers were wearing thick clothes and had expressions of fear on their faces. Some had their heads shaved, leaving only a pig's tail-like braid.

The captain of the carrier pigeon disembarked, jogged over to Lin Qian, and cupped his hands in greeting, saying, "Captain, I have been ordered by Captain Bai to bring thirty craftsmen from Liaodong. This is their roster."

Lin Qian took the list and saw that it simply recorded names, ages, occupations, etc. Most of the names were carpenters, but there were also bricklayers, stonemasons, blacksmiths, etc.

After reviewing the list, Lin Qian handed it over to Fang Ju, the head of the Construction and Engineering Department, for registration.

The captain of the carrier pigeon took out another letter from his pocket: "Helmsman, this is what Captain Bai asked me to give to you."

Lin Qian took the letter, opened it, glanced at it, and said, "Thank you for your hard work. Go ahead and get busy."

"Yes."

……

The next day, Lin Qian found several craftsmen who had worked as Aha in the Yun'ao camp and inquired about the situation in Liaodong.

After a night of rest, the craftsmen were in much better spirits. They changed into light summer clothes and cleaned their faces, necks, and hands. However, their hair wouldn't grow back. The craftsmen thought the pig tail braids were too ugly, so they simply shaved their heads bald.

Upon hearing Lin Qian's question, some craftsmen lamented the loss of their loved ones, some sighed about the hardships of escaping for their lives, and most cursed the Tartars.

Someone said hatefully, "Those barbarians are all beasts. When Shenyang fell, they killed anyone they saw and looted everything they could find. Even the charred body of Yuan... Yuan, the military governor, was dragged around on horseback and humiliated by those barbarians..."

Lin Qian knew that Yuan Jinglue referred to Yuan Yingtai. In March of the first year of the Tianqi reign, Liaoyang fell, and Yuan Yingtai set himself on fire and died for his country.

According to the History of Ming, after Yuan Yingtai's death, Nurhaci praised his loyalty and ordered his body to be collected and buried with proper rites. However, this was ultimately a political show, and since the History of Ming was written by the Qing dynasty, the veracity of this record is unknown.

Another craftsman said, "My whole family was killed by the Tartars, and I'm the only survivor..."

"When the Tartars entered the village, they specifically killed the old, weak, and scholars. The rest were relocated, and those who refused were also killed. All the village girls had their faces painted black, and some were even more ruthless, slashed with knives. If the Tartars could tell they were women... sigh..."

The craftsmen tearfully recounted their accusations, and Lin Qian felt a surge of anger rising within her.

After the craftsmen had vented their frustrations, Lin Qian inquired about the situation in Tuokesuo and the coastal cities of southern Liaoning.

The answer obtained is basically consistent with historical records and Lin Qian's speculation.

After Liaoyang and Shenyang fell, the remaining cities and fortresses in Liaodong had virtually no ability to resist.

In a short period of time, the Jurchens controlled more than seventy cities, including Zhenjiang, Fuzhou, and Jinzhou.

Because of the need to prepare for the Battle of Hunhe, these places were occupied but not many Jurchen soldiers remained; the defenders were mostly surrendered Ming soldiers and generals.

Most of the Jurchen farms where the captured Han Chinese lived were located around these large cities.

Bai Qing's three Sea Wolf ships lacked the ability to breach fortifications and were helpless against large cities and fortresses.

Lin Qian did not send gunboats to Liaodong before because the Saint Anna was to guard Nan'ao Island, and the Changfeng and Yunfan had not yet been refitted.

The situation is different now. The Yunfan will be able to leave the dock soon and take on the task of guarding Nan'ao Island.

Meanwhile, the political situation in Chaozhou Prefecture was stable, and Ma Chenglie wrote letters to Lin Qian every month to report on the situation. The influence of the Hu family was growing day by day, and the newly appointed magistrates of Chaoyang, Huilai and Chenghai counties had all been corrupted and riddled with holes.

The external environment is very stable.

It's the perfect time to go out to sea and head north to Liaodong.

……

That evening, in the officers' mess of the St. Anne's, Lin Qian invited Zhou Xiucai, Zheng Zhilong, Lei Sanxiang, and Bai Langzai.

They announced their plan to send gunboats north to Liaodong.

Upon hearing Lin Qian's plan, Zhou Xiucai's expression turned solemn. He said, "Master, Liaodong is dangerous. Why should we wade into this mess? We can slowly recruit the manpower needed to develop Dongfan in Fujian and Guangdong."

Lin Qian: "The expansion into the eastern frontier requires a considerable number of people. Initially, at least five thousand people will be needed, and even more will be required later. Recruiting these people in Fujian and Guangdong will not only attract the attention of the imperial court, but also be costly. Recruiting people in Liaodong is not only safe, but also saves the refugees in Liaodong from their plight. It is a win-win situation."

Moreover, while the Tartar cavalry are indeed formidable, they lack a navy. Fighting them, as long as they remain at sea, is actually safer than fighting in the Fujian-Guangdong naval battles.

Lin Qian actually had another concern: he and the Ming Dynasty would inevitably have a war sooner or later. Once the war broke out, the court would inevitably pour military funds into the southeast and reduce its attention to Liaodong, which would allow the Jurchens to take advantage of the situation and grow stronger.

From a national perspective, Lin Qian did not want to see the Jurchens become powerful and enter the pass to conquer the Central Plains.

Liaodong is now a land of devastation, with people suffering terribly. Every life saved is a life saved.

This is not hypocrisy; it is the responsibility of fellow Han Chinese.

From a strategic perspective, the Jurchen cavalry is formidable. Once they take control of the Central Plains and vie for the throne, dealing with them will be far more difficult for Lin Qian than dealing with the Ming Dynasty.

Moreover, historically, when the North and South united to attack the Central Plains regime, the South never fared well; the Northern Song and Southern Song dynasties are the best examples.

Finally, from a personal perspective, even if Lin Qian couldn't defeat the Ming Dynasty, she had a way out: retreating to Dongfan, going to Nanyang, or developing Australia were all good options.

However, if we let the Jurchens run rampant, or even tacitly cooperate with them, forming alliances and counter-alliances, and things go wrong, China will sink and history will repeat itself.

Lin Qian is a sinner for all time.

Even if Lin Qian doesn't become emperor or overlord, he absolutely cannot become a sinner!

Those present were all people Lin Qian trusted, so he simply expressed his concerns about the Jurchens becoming too powerful, and also mentioned the good deeds the Jurchens had done in Liaodong.

Zhou Xiucai said with righteous indignation, "So it turns out that the captain has such ambitions. I have read so many books of sages and virtuous men, yet I never thought of this. I am ashamed!"

After saying this, he stood up, cupped his hands, and bowed deeply to the ground.

Zheng Zhilong felt his blood boil as he listened, thinking to himself, "Those Ming Dynasty officials are always scheming and fighting for power and profit."

The Governor and members of parliament of Macau were obsessed with money; they would sell their own mothers for money.

Li Dan of Kyushu Island possessed a massive fleet, yet he remained content with his isolated position and showed no ambition.

The captain, though based in Nan'ao, possesses a global vision; such magnanimity should put them to shame.

Thinking of this, Zheng Zhilong stood up, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and said loudly, "Captain, send me there!"

Lei Sanxiang's voice was hoarse: "Brother Yiguan, this is where you went wrong..."

He then slowly stood up, head down, fists clenched, arms, shoulders, and neck muscles tense and trembling slightly, looking intimidating.

"The Tartars have a blood feud with me, killing my father and brother. I'll risk my life for them! I, Old Lei, absolutely must go to Liaodong!"

Knowing Lei Sanxiang's temper, Zheng Zhilong dared not argue and had no choice but to sit down.

Lei Sanxiang looked up, his big eyes fixed on Lin Qian, a pleading look on his face: "Captain, please send me!"

Bai Langzai cupped his hands and said, "Captain, I am willing to go with Third Brother!"

Lin Qian smiled and said, "You two, one is the helmsman and fire chief of the large sailing ship, and the other is the stern chief of the large sailing ship. There's no need to fight over it; you were meant to go together anyway."

"Alright!" Lei Sanxiang was relieved, then realized what was happening and asked in surprise, "Helmsman, you mentioned the large sailing ship, are you going too?"

Lin Qian didn't specify which ship to send, but everyone assumed she was going to send the newly launched Yunfan ship north.

Lin Qian also considered sending the Yunfan ship.

However, the Yunfan was slow and couldn't keep up with the Xinge, which wasted time.

Secondly, the Yunfan was merely a frigate with only six Siren cannons on each side, which was insufficient in firepower, and all of them used solid shot. It might not have been effective in bombarding the high-spirited Jurchen cavalry.

It would be safer to go with the Santa Ana, which has fourteen guns on each side.

The Santa Ana was fast and had the familiar carrier pigeon to guide it, so the round trip only took a little over a month.

Even including the fighting and organizing refugees to board the ships, it would take no more than two months. Given the current stable situation on Nan'ao Island, Zhou Xiucai and Zheng Zhilong would be able to handle any major events within two months.

It just so happens that there is a shortage of shipwrights on Nan'ao Island at the moment. The departure of the St. Anna allows the shipwrights to focus on building ten eagle ships, and also keeps the production capacity busy.

With the plan settled, Bai Langzai and Lei Sanxiang went to prepare for the voyage.

Lin Qian then left Zhou Xiucai and Zheng Zhilong behind to give them instructions regarding the course of navigation.

The discussion continued until the early hours of the morning.

……

The next day, Lin Qian summoned Jose to the captain's cabin.

There are only two weeks left until May 15th, the day I agreed with the fat councilor to make the final delivery of the cargo on the large sailing ship.

After this transaction, the contract between the two parties will be fulfilled, and they will have no further dealings.

Of course, the Bugalau Cannon Foundry would still welcome any further purchases of artillery.

Jose entered the captain's cabin and sat down with practiced ease. As usual, Lin Qian gave him a list of firearms to purchase.

The list mainly consists of gunpowder, artillery shells, and bullets.

Since the Santa Ana is at sea and cannot be refitted in the short term, there is no need to buy artillery first.

Just stockpile ammunition and make some strategic reserves.

After explaining the precautions for going to Macau.

Lin Qian took an instrument out of the drawer and placed it on the table: "Astrology chart, do you know how to use it?"

This astrologer was won from a Spanish sailor while gambling in a Manila bar.

It was used to mark the scale on a sextant. After I finished using it, it sat in the drawer collecting dust until today when it finally saw the light of day again.

Jose took the astrolabe, fiddled with it for a bit, and said, "I know, but why are you giving me this?"

"You're going to sea," Lin Qian said with a smile. "Here's your route map."

After saying that, Lin Qian took out a map from the drawer. When unfolded, it could be seen that it depicted the southern coast of the Ming Dynasty and the Indochina Peninsula.

It was still drawn from memory, so it's not very accurate, but at least it has a general proportion and direction, so I won't just be blindly stumbling around at sea.

Lin Qian pointed to the Indochina Peninsula: "This place is home to many countries, including the Toungoo Dynasty, the Ayutthaya Dynasty, the Lan Xang Kingdom, the Nguyen Clan, the Mong Clan, and many other powerful forces. They all have one thing in common: they are rich in rice. Your trip here is to buy rice."

Your fleet consists of two Fujian-style ships and two sea wolf-style warships. After the handover in Macau, one of the Fujian-style ships will return to Nan'ao with the weapons and silver, escorted by one of the sea wolf-style warships. You will lead the other two ships to purchase rice..."

Currently, of the ten Sea Wolf ships on Nan'ao Island, Sea Wolf I, Sea Wolf II, and Sea Wolf III went to Liaodong with Bai Qing.

Sea Wolf Four and Sea Wolf Five went to Dongfan Island with Chen Jiao.

The aircraft escorting Jose this time are Seawolf VI and Seawolf VII.

With the departure of these two Seawolf ships, only the Yunfan and three Seawolf ships remain to guard Nan'ao Island, which is barely enough.

Fortunately, during this period, Nan'ao Island successively built forts in Guanyu, Anyu and Lieyu to defend Houjiang Bay, Shen'ao Port and Yandun Bay respectively.

The fortress was equipped with a 24-pound Apostle cannon, which was very powerful and greatly relieved the defensive pressure.

Lin Qian added, "Of course, you can deduct the money for buying rice directly from the settlement amount. Your ancestors started their business at sea, so I shouldn't need to teach you how to buy low and sell high, how to find a guide and ask for directions, or how to find a middleman when you reach the shore."

José revealed a shrewd smile and said, "I've heard that this place is also rich in spices, gems, rhinoceros horns, and other such things. Trading these things is much more profitable than trading rice."

Lin Qian said, "The cabin must be filled with rice. As for other things, you can fill them in the stern. Any money you earn is yours."

"Alright! Don't worry, Captain!" Jose was greatly encouraged.

……

A few days later, the Santa Ana, the Carrier Pigeon, and Jose's fleet set sail together from Houjiang Bay.

They headed northeast and southwest respectively.

From the captain's cabin window, Lin Qian watched as Jose's fleet and Nan'ao Island gradually disappeared between the sea and the sky.

To date, he has dispatched three fleets to the open sea to carry out three major tasks.

Chen Jiao's fleet, consisting of the Changfeng, two Hailang ships, and transport ships, was responsible for the preliminary work of developing Dongfan Island.

Jose's fleet, consisting of two Seawolf ships and transport vessels, was responsible for supplying food to Dongfan Island.

The Baiqing fleet, consisting of three Seawolf ships, transport ships, and the Saint Anna and Carrier Pigeon ships which could arrive in a maximum of half a month, was responsible for providing immigrants to Dongfan Island.

Historically, the reclamation of Dongfan Island took over a century and spanned several generations.

If Lin Qian's plan goes smoothly, the process will be greatly shortened, and the returns will be seen in as little as a year.

Lin Qian looked up at the sky and saw that it was a clear blue with no clouds in sight.

I hope everything goes well.

……

Half a month later, the Saint Anna anchored near Guanglu Island, and Lin Qian took Bai Langzai a small boat to the island.

The temporary camp on the island is already quite large, with shacks and tents stretching as far as the eye can see.

Between the barracks, there were muddy paths worn into the ground, indicating that the island's inhabitants had lived there for a long time.

The guards on the island all recognized Lin Qian and did not stop him from coming ashore. They went to inform Bai Qing.

While Bai Qing was away, Lin Qian carefully observed everyone in the camp.

Most people had sorrowful faces and numb expressions, and they didn't talk much to each other. The entire camp was shrouded in a depressing and gloomy atmosphere.

A moment later, a surprised female voice came from beside Lin Qian: "Master, what brings you here?"

Lin Qian turned around and saw Bai Qing walking quickly over, with Zhong Aqi, Shi Kai, and the other crew members following behind.

As they approached, the crew clasped their hands in unison and greeted the captain.

Lin Qian noticed that most of the crew members also looked serious, so she asked, "What happened? Why do you all look like that?"

Bai Qing sighed: "During this period, a large number of Tartar soldiers came from the north, killing and capturing the people around Jinzhou... Alas! There are almost no living people left on the coast here."

Lin Qian frowned almost imperceptibly and said, "What happened? Tell me in detail."

Seeing this, Zhong Aqi said, "Captain, don't stand there talking, go to the barracks and have a drink of water."

Lin Qian nodded in agreement, and Bai Qing and his group led the way.

Along the way, we passed many camps of refugees from Liaodong. Most of the refugees were young and strong men, with a few women occasionally, but we hardly saw any elderly people or children.

The camp was crowded, and there were many people around, so the refugees' living conditions were not good. Some of them had injuries that were only hastily bandaged.

Lin Qian instructed her subordinates to have the doctor on board treat the refugees' injuries.

As we walked to the middle of the camp, the space became more spacious and less cramped. Several pieces of dry wood were laid out on the ground as benches, surrounding a campfire pit. The fire had gone out, but wisps of smoke were rising from it.

After Lin Qian and the others sat down by the campfire.

Bai Qing said, "About half a month ago, the Tartar cavalry came to the Jinzhou area and began to relocate Han people on a large scale. Anyone who refused was killed, and then villages and mountains were burned down... This time the Tartars have learned their lesson and refuse to come near the coast. I have no way to deal with them."

Zhong Aqi said urgently, "Captain, let us kill the Tartars on land! Didn't you see what the Tartars were doing on the shore? They cut off people's heads and stuck them on wooden stakes not far from the shore, a bunch of beasts..."

Shi Kai clenched his fist and said, "Captain, I don't want to watch the Tartars kill people anymore. Let's fight on land! We have muskets; the Tartars are no match for us!"

Lin Qian asked, "How many Tartar soldiers are there in Jinzhou and Zhenjiang respectively?"

After thinking for a moment, Bai Qing said, "The Tartars in both places are heavily guarded, and ships dare not approach. However, according to the people who escaped from the two places, there are about two or three hundred Tartar soldiers in each city, as well as several hundred Ming soldiers who surrendered."

Lin Qian: "Are the common people familiar with the terrain?"

"Many of them are locals from Jinzhou and Zhenjiang, born and raised here."

Geographically speaking, Jinzhou is the modern-day Dalian, and it was a seaport in itself.

Zhenjiang is the later Dandong. Although it is not by the sea, it is near the mouth of the Yalu River, which allowed the Santa Ana to still sail in.

Historically, Mao Wenlong launched a surprise attack on Zhenjiang by boat in July of the first year of the Tianqi reign (1621), capturing the city from within and without, thus creating the Zhenjiang Victory.

It is now late May, and Mao Wenlong should not have gone to sea yet.

Because of Bai Qing's harassment, the Jurchens sent more troops to Jinzhou and Zhenjiang. If Lin Qian doesn't take action, it will be difficult for Mao Wenlong to achieve a great victory in Zhenjiang as he did in history.

Unbeknownst to him, his tiny butterfly wings had already stirred up history.

Lin Qian pondered for a long time before ordering, "Tomorrow, the fleet will leave port, taking the refugees who escaped from Zhenjiang with them! We're going to kill the Tartars!"

……

a few days later.

In the forests around Xianshanbao, on the upper reaches of the Aihe River, a tributary of the Yalu River.

Dozens of Jurchen cavalrymen, like hunters, herded a group of Han Chinese civilians together and indiscriminately shot and killed them with bows.

The common people mostly carried sickles, hoes, and carrying poles, but these were useless against the Jurchens' heavy bows and arrows.

Arrows mercilessly pierced the bodies of the people. Faced with a rain of arrows from all directions, the people could only hide behind trees and try to dodge, letting out piercing screams.

The Jurchen cavalrymen laughed loudly, and one of them shot two people dead with an arrow, which drew loud praise from his companions.

Chen Liangce, the commander of the Jurchen army, frowned and reported to the guerrilla leader: "Erzhen, these Han people have been driven to their deaths. Killing them more will not help. There are still large areas of land around Zhenjiang that are barren. Let's capture them and make them into slaves."

Tong Yangzhen, the guerrilla commander of Zhenjiang, sneered: "These southern barbarians have rebelled. According to the Khan's order, not a single one of them can be spared. As for the farmers, we can find more. There are more Han Chinese in Liaodong than weeds; we can't possibly kill them all."

Then Tong Yangzhen looked at the central general beside him, his narrow, squinting eyes filled with a fierce light: "Chen Zhongjun, you are a surrendered general and a Han Chinese. You wouldn't be so unable to bear seeing the Southern Barbarians die, would you?"

Chen Liangce was startled and quickly tried to explain himself.

But Tong Yangzhen ignored him completely, raising his hand and shouting, "Stop!"

The surrounding cavalrymen loosened their bowstrings. By this time, most of the Han Chinese who had been surrounded were dead, and those who were still alive were riddled with arrows and would not live much longer.

Tong Yangzhen's words contained a threat: "Chen Zhongjun, the Great Khan said that the rebellious southern barbarians should be beheaded and their heads displayed as stakes. You can have your men do this. As for the others who are still alive, you can send them on their way."

Chen Liangce trembled and looked around. He saw that all the Jurchen cavalrymen around him were looking in his direction, with arrows still nocked.

Although Chen Liangce brought more than a hundred soldiers, they were all surrendered Ming soldiers with low morale. They had no bows or horses, and if he hesitated even slightly, his fate would be no better than that of the rebellious civilians.

People have to bow their heads under the roof.

Chen Liangce had no choice but to lead his men into action. He dismounted and walked forward, passing by the scattered corpses of Han Chinese, his boots soaked with warm blood.

Chen Liangce felt a burning sensation in his heart, as if a fire was burning within him, but he was helpless and could only draw his sword and cut off the head.

"You southern barbarians, don't forget to pick up the arrows!" a Jurchen cavalryman shouted, and the surrounding cavalrymen burst into laughter.

Chen Liangce remained silent and quietly pulled out the arrow.

The Jurchen cavalry were very accurate with their arrows; almost none of them hit the trees or the ground.

When the arrow was pulled out, the blood gushing from the people's bodies was still warm.

His soldiers gathered thick branches from the surrounding woods, stuck them in the ground, and some of them stuck severed heads into the branches, creating a particularly gruesome scene.

The Jurchens were few in number and barbarians; they did not know how to rule the people and only knew how to use such barbaric methods of intimidation.

The Han people have a unique characteristic: as long as there is a way to survive, they will endure to the death; but if there is no way to survive at all, their inherent ferocity will be aroused, and they will be surprisingly brave and fierce.

Therefore, the Jurchens' foolish methods not only failed to work, but also provoked continuous uprisings among the surrounding people.

Zhenjiang is located on the banks of the Yalu River, facing the Joseon Dynasty across the river. For the Jurchens, it was a major rear area, making it inconvenient to send reinforcements. Therefore, all matters related to suppressing rebellions in the surrounding areas were handled by Tong Yangzhen, the guerrilla commander of Zhenjiang.

Tong Yangzhen was an uneducated, cruel, and foolish man who thoroughly implemented the bandit chieftain's terrifying policies. The more chaos there was, the more people suffered, and the more deadly the civilians became.

Tong Yangzhen was not worried at all; on the contrary, he found joy in it.

Chen Liangce looked up at the sky and cursed God inwardly for letting these beasts wreak havoc on the world.

"What are you looking at? Keep going!"

In the brief moment of hesitation, the Jurchen cavalry's urging rang out again.

An hour later, seventy-eight human heads stood as stakes by the roadside, covered in blood.

Tong Yangzhen admired the scene with satisfaction for a long time before leading his team back. Chen Liangce's troops followed behind, dejected.

As evening approached, the group had traveled along the post road to Zhenjiang.

Zhenjiang was said to be a major city in Liaodong, but that was only in comparison. It was actually just a military fortress, with a city wall that was only nine li long and four city gates. There were not many people living in the city, and after the Jurchens entered the city, there were almost no people left.

When Yuan Jinglue was in power, the city's garrison numbered no more than a thousand.

Now the city has even fewer troops, with only three hundred Jurchen soldiers and four hundred surrendered Ming soldiers.

Chen Liangce and his men followed Tong Yangzhen into the city. As soon as the city gate closed, Tong Yangzhen turned around and stared straight at him.

Chen Liangce felt like he was being watched by a wolf, and he was very uncomfortable. He could only cup his hands and say, "Is there anything else you need to tell me?"

"Recently, the Great Khan ordered that all surrendered soldiers and civilians from the Southern Barbarians must shave their heads. General Chen, shall we start with you?"

(End of this chapter)