Late Ming Dynasty: The Counterattack Begins with Sea Pirates

Chi Honghai sighed, after all, he was the one who had said those words back then.

Although his subordinate's actions were unexpected, on the bright side, at least these people truly took his words to heart.

Besides, having a few more mouths to feed doesn't matter; as long as they're not missing any limbs, they're still a source of labor.

He patted Pang San on the shoulder.

"Alright, let's get on board, let's get on board."

The boat sailed away from the shore, and the journey was relatively smooth.

It was already the afternoon of the second day when we returned to Hong Kong Island.

Chi Honghai ordered that all the craftsmen and their families be removed from the ship.

About twenty people, including women and children, were tied up and pushed onto the shore, attracting the attention of those working on the bank.

Some people who were nearby came forward to observe the situation on the shore.

Chi Honghai ordered his men to untie the craftsmen and their families and remove the rags that were gagging their mouths.

As he approached these people, he was recognized by the city's craftsmen.

"Master Chi...Master Chi!"

"Weren't you being hunted down by the authorities and died?!"

The craftsman sounded flustered. After all, this was a smuggler listed on the notice, and his death was officially certified. How could he be standing right in front of him alive and well?

"The authorities say I'm dead, so I'm dead? In this world, can the truth be determined by a few notices? What, are you also hoping for my death?"

"No, no... I wouldn't dare... Master Chi always gives me extra money when he asks me to do things, how could I possibly wish for your death?"

Chi Honghai paced back and forth a couple of steps.

"Then stay here, you'll still have plenty of money."

A slight commotion arose in the crowd; some people lowered their heads, their eyes darting around, clearly unwilling.

After all, they have an innocent background, unlike the previous group who didn't even have a bite to eat and were on the verge of starvation.

With skills at their disposal, they'd never go hungry, so why would they want to get too involved with smugglers?

One person stepped forward from the crowd and spoke tremblingly.

"Master Chi, it doesn't matter where you do this work. Just send me back. Tell me what you need me to do, and I'll send someone to pick it up when I'm done."

Chi Honghai shook his head and laughed heartily, pointing at the man with a trembling finger.

"Okay, okay! You said it yourself, it doesn't matter where you do it, so why can't you do it here? Don't bring up your family problems, your wife and children are still here."

When he talked about his wife and children, he deliberately leaned closer and stared at them with his eyes.

The man was rendered speechless, his body trembling slightly.

"Why are you shaking?" Chi Honghai asked.

"Master Chi, it's just the sea breeze...it's making me sick..."

"Is it the sea breeze? It's cold, isn't it? Pang San, go get him a coat."

"No need, Master Chi..."

"Oh, I see. You're in a hurry to go back. You should have said so earlier. I invited you here, not that I wouldn't let you leave."

After saying that, Chi Honghai had the remaining small boats rowed over.

Then they had someone bring the talking craftsman onto the boat and hand him an oar.

Before the man could react, Chi Honghai kicked hard at the bow of the boat, sending it heading into the sea.

"Let's go back."

The man felt no joy whatsoever, after all, he was the only one on the boat, while his wife and children were still on the shore.

He hurriedly tried to row back to shore, but he was not good at boating and spun around several times without figuring out which way to go.

Having no other choice, they had to jump off the boat and swim to shore.

Soaked to the bone, looking like a water ghost as he came ashore, he ran breathlessly to Chi Honghai.

"I'm not leaving, I'm not leaving."

"Not leaving? You said it yourself, I didn't force you."

The man nodded.

"Alright, take your wife and kids downstairs. You won't be shortchanged."

"Anyone else wanting to leave?" Chi Honghai called out.

But those with families were also surrounded by their wives and children, who were pulling at their clothes and keeping them silent.

However, the few in the east of the city, one of them was a widow and the rest were bachelors, so they didn't care about this.

"Master...can we go back?"

Chi Honghai glanced at the blacksmith who walked up – Wang the blacksmith from the east of the city.

"Why would you go back? You have no relatives or friends here. Stay here, and I'll find you a wife."

Chi Honghai pointed to several craftsmen from the east of the city.

"You are the same."

After saying this, he instructed his men to take them there and arrange accommodations.

Due to the current tight accommodation situation, there are currently groups of men and groups of women. Family rooms? We'll have to wait.

And so, under Chi Honghai's guidance, each room still had bunk beds.

"Qingjiang".

"exist."

"Tell Ai Si to treat these craftsmen better in their daily work, and give special treatment to special talents."

"Understood, sir."

One day later.

These craftsmen were then gathered by Chi Honghai.

"Everyone, since you're all willing to stay, I've already assigned you lodgings, and I'll make sure you get meat every day. You'll still be paid your wages for the month. It's time to get to work, isn't it?"

After saying this, he had some of the few tools available on the island distributed to them.

"Master Chi... what do you need us to do?"

"Axe, saw, hoe, knife. Basically, whatever you're missing, you'll make it."

"Everyone is working hard, so I hope you won't ruin this atmosphere. On this island, the rule I set is: if you don't work, you won't get any food."

"If you need anything else along the way, just tell me and I'll arrange it."

After giving his instructions, Chi Honghai turned and walked towards his room.

The intense work of the past few days has left him quite exhausted.

I pushed open the door, lay down on the bed, and hadn't rested for long when I heard an urgent sound from outside.

"Master, master! Something terrible has happened!"

"Something terrible has happened, sir!"

Chi Honghai was awakened by the urgent sound. He jumped out of bed and pushed open the door.

"What's wrong?"

"Sir, a ship is approaching from the southwest!"

"Are you sure you saw it clearly? It was definitely a ship coming from the southwest."

"Look carefully, all of us brothers who went out to sea to fish have seen it clearly, it is indeed to the southwest."

Chi Honghai stroked his chin, pondering the origins of the ship that had come from the southwest.

The ship I hijacked last time was in the eastern waterway. In this southwest region, apart from the Portuguese, there are only government ships.

But, is this official ship from Xin'an County or Guangzhou Prefecture?

I can't worry about all that. As long as it's not owned by a Portuguese person, it's all mine.

Moreover, ships that sail around the southwest are definitely fat ships.

"Can you see how many ships are coming?"

"Sir, there's only one, and it looks a lot like our first ship."

Chi Honghai immediately walked out the door.

"Have those training take their gear and get on the ship!"

"Yes, sir!"

Before long, all one hundred people had boarded the deck and taken their positions.

Chi Honghai glanced at the people on the deck and smiled.

"Set off!"