Global colonization began with Ming Dynasty pirates.

Lin Chengzong pointed to the spread-out map, his brow furrowed: "I still don't think it's a good idea. The mountains on Nangantang Island are much steeper than those on Dongluo Island, and the forests on the mountains are also far superior to those on Dongluo Island. With such high mountains and dense forests, and having to traverse right under the enemy's nose, a slight misstep could lead to an accident."

The people in the hall nodded in agreement.

Lin Hao pointed to the mountain ridge on the map and said, "It's precisely because it's difficult that the enemy wouldn't expect it. No matter which direction we attack from, we'll face multiple enemy watchtowers, but only in this direction is there just one person. Moreover, according to Lin Twelve, the scouts in this place are the most lax."

Lin Chengzong looked up at Lin Hao, not wanting him to take such a risk. Ever since Lin Hao displayed his talent, he had been in charge of most of the Lin family's affairs. If something happened to Lin Hao, the Lin family would be reduced to its original state in an instant. These roughnecks didn't understand anything about long-term planning.

Lin Hao gave his father a reassuring look, then said, "Actually, things aren't as difficult as you think. Even if we're discovered, the pirates' organization is too strong to possibly come into the mountains to surround and wipe us out. At worst, this operation will just fail. Of course, the most important thing is that we've been training for so long, and I want to put them to the test."

Lin Hao stood up, his gaze sharp as he looked at everyone: "Li Jiu thinks we're afraid of him, that we'll only offer money to make peace. Since that's the case, let him continue to think that way. We'll deliver a fatal blow when he's at his most triumphant."

The atmosphere in the room gradually became heavy. Finally, the old man tapped the table and said, "If there is no other way, then let's do as Hao'er says. Back then, when I followed Commander Qi, I did things that were much more dangerous than this. What is a mere mountain? I believe in Hao'er's abilities."

Now that the old man has spoken, the matter is settled. The strategy is set; all that remains are the specific details.

"Should we still give the silver to Li Jiu?" Lin Chengfeng asked.

"Here, since they've asked, let's grant their request. Only this way can we completely put them at ease. At the same time, bringing Uncle De back will make it easier for us to unleash our power."

Lin Hao said to Lin Twelve, "Take some silver to Li Jiu tomorrow and make sure you can persuade him to hand over the money and the person in three days."

Lin Shier stepped forward and said, "Yes, young master."

Lin Hao then traced his finger across the map, finally stopping at a marked shallow beach: "We'll land here."

Lin Chengfeng leaned closer for a look, his brows immediately furrowing in worry: "This place is all cliffs and precipices, and according to Lin Twelve, there are many hidden reefs as well. There's only one shallow beach less than fifty steps wide. Isn't this too dangerous?"

"It's better if it's dangerous. Although we've discovered that the enemy hasn't placed any hidden sentries to the east, we should still be cautious. The hydrological conditions here are too harsh; even if they had hidden sentries, they wouldn't be in a place like this."

A day later, Lin Twelve set foot on Nangantang Island for the second time, but this time he carried a large amount of silver, a full two thousand taels. Two thousand taels sounds like a lot, but in reality, it could be filled in two boxes. However, Lin Twelve did not take the boxes; instead, he simply piled them on a cart and paraded through the streets.

"Wow! Dongluo Island is really throwing money at us!"

"What a coward! He gave me money after just a little scare."

"This is a big, fat sheep. We should patronize this place regularly in the future."

"I wonder how much we'll get. The leaders eat the meat, but we'll at least get some soup, right?"

Lin Shier led a few men, pushing a wheelbarrow piled high with silver through the pirate camp. Looking at the expectant pirates around him, he sneered inwardly: Want some soup? Li Jiu probably won't give you a single ounce. He'd come here today with the silver so swaggeringly, deliberately, to let these pirates know that their leader had made a fortune, and even more money was waiting for them, but he wouldn't share a single cent with them.

In the Hall of Gathering Righteousness, Li Jiu sat at the head of the hall, looking down at Lin Twelve and the others.

Lin Shier remained calm and bowed, saying, "Boss, two thousand taels have been delivered first. We are still raising the remaining silver. Please grant us another five days."

"Five days?" Li Jiu snorted coldly, slamming his hand heavily on the table. "You promised 15,000 taels, and now you only have 2,000? Are you playing a fool?"

Lin Shier remained expressionless, simply replying, "The Boss is an old pirate; he should know how outrageous his offer is. But my Four Seas Gang doesn't want trouble, so I gritted my teeth and agreed. However, if the Boss doesn't even give us this little bit of time to raise the money, then the Four Seas Gang will have no choice but to fight the Boss to the death."

"Hahahaha! Fight to the death? He said he's going to fight us to the death? Brothers, what do you say?" Li Jiu laughed heartily.

Laughter erupted in the hall.

"You think you, the Four Seas Gang, are worthy? You don't even have half as many people as us, including your women, and you don't even have a tenth of our ships. What do you think you have to fight us with? Just hand over the silver and save your lives." Third Leader Li Kui said disdainfully.

Lin Shier did not respond, but calmly looked at Li Jiu: "Boss, you must know the sincerity of the Four Seas Gang. As for how to make a decision, please make your own decision."

"I'll only give you three days." Li Jiu stared at him. "If the money hasn't arrived by then, I'll come to Dongluo Island to collect it myself."

"Thank you for your understanding, Chief." Lin Twelve bowed in thanks. "Then, three days from now, please bring our leader and the remaining brothers to Dalian Island, where we will complete the final transaction."

"Why are you Four Seas Gang making such a fuss? Just bring the money on the island, why go to Great Lian Island?" Third Leader Li Kui shouted angrily.

Even Li Jiu frowned deeply, his large hands unconsciously clenching into fists repeatedly. Anyone who knew him well would know that this was a sign of Li Jiu's impatience.

"Please forgive us, esteemed leaders, but after all, it is thirteen thousand taels of silver, and our gang cannot afford to be careless." Lin Twelve emphasized the words "thirteen thousand taels."

Sure enough, upon hearing this, Li Jiu's anger subsided: "Alright, then so be it. See you on Dalian Island in three days."

After Lin Shier left, the people in the hall could no longer contain themselves. Li Jiu walked over to the two wheelbarrows with great joy, reaching out to stroke the silver on them, completely absorbed in the moment.

Although he had saved far more silver than that, acquiring two thousand taels of silver so easily still felt like a dream. The thought of several times that amount coming his way made his mouth dry and his body tingle. When was the last time he felt this way? Oh, when he abducted a noblewoman and became a man for the first time.

The others in the hall were also drooling over the silver in front of them, but they didn't dare to say anything in front of Li Jiu and could only wait for him to distribute it.

"Someone come here! Take this silver to my treasury for safekeeping. I want to count it carefully."

After several trusted men had carried the silver away, Li Jiu noticed the remaining leaders and subordinates in the hall. He coughed twice and said, "I will keep this silver for now. We will share it with you brothers after we get the silver."

"Yes, yes, you're right, brother. It's all thanks to you, brother, so you should get it first."

Everyone nodded in agreement, but what they were really thinking was hard to guess.

This is precisely why Lin Hao had Lin Twelve take a batch of silver and parade it around town first—both to appease Li Jiu and to create discord among the other subordinates.

Lin Hao's investigation revealed that Li Jiu was good in every way except that he was too greedy and extremely stingy.

Normally, people might not see silver directly, so they just put up with it. But now that silver is right in front of them, especially considering that there will be several times more silver in three days, who wouldn't have some thoughts about it?