Global colonization began with Ming Dynasty pirates.

On one side, heads roll; on the other, silver is easily obtained.

The stark contrast left all the pirate prisoners present speechless.

If it were merely the execution of disobedient pirates, these people wouldn't be too surprised, because the killing of captives has been a common occurrence since ancient times.

But this combination of kindness and severity was something these people had never experienced before.

The remaining sailors were filled with remorse. If there hadn't been so many of them, they would have slapped themselves a few times. It was just cleaning, wasn't it? They could have done that! Why did they think of slacking off?

Despite Li Jiu's domineering presence at sea, these lowly sailors barely managed to make ends meet. As for silver, they occasionally got lucky and managed to scavenge some unwanted supplies from the higher-ups and then try to sell them for a little money.

As for a bounty, that doesn't exist.

Previously, some people had heard about the Four Seas Gang distributing money and mocked them for being foolish and rich. But when this happened to them, all they felt was naked jealousy and envy.

Seeing the longing in everyone's eyes, Lin Hao nodded inwardly.

If he could, he would like to punish this group of people like the Twin Peaks Island pirates were, first by making them do hard labor for a period of time, and then slowly select and absorb them.

However, this time they seized more than 30 ships, including several large vessels. Lin Hao couldn't just leave them sitting there empty. And the 200 men Lin Hao had recruited were far from enough to operate so many ships.

In that case, the only option would be to recruit members of Li Jiu's pirate crew.

There are ways to absorb things slowly, and there are also ways to accept everything completely.

For those sailors whose pirate habits are hard to break, Lin Hao has a whole set of methods waiting for them.

On one hand, those who perform meritorious service are rewarded, and on the other hand, those who commit crimes are punished. I believe this group of people will soon learn how to be a qualified member of the Four Seas Gang.

After dealing with the sailors, Lin Hao did not leave, but instead led his men to continue waiting at the dock.

About fifteen minutes later, Lin Hao finally received a new batch of reinforcements from the Four Seas Gang.

Previously, although Lin Chengfeng's fleet brought enough soldiers to suppress all the prisoners, it was still insufficient to fully control the entire island, especially since the soldiers were simply unable to inventory many supplies. Now, finally, someone capable of doing these things has arrived.

As the ship docked, Lin Hao was the first to step forward. He was then surprised to find his father and Lin De and the others disembarking from the ship together.

Lin Hao looked at the two men in surprise and asked, "Father, Uncle De, why are you here together?"

The original plan was that the two only needed to send some of their men from the workshop and inner quarters to assist them. But unexpectedly, the two came in person, especially Lin De, who had just escaped from danger not long ago.

"Haha, my son is charging ahead in battle, how can I, as his father, stand by and watch?" Lin Chengzong stepped forward and checked Lin Hao's body a few times. Only after finding that the other party was not injured did he breathe a heavy sigh of relief.

Lin De also said to Lin Hao, "I was worried too, so I came to check on things. Most importantly, Li Jiu detained our brothers for so long, and now that he's gone, I can't let this go unpunished if I don't come and see for myself."

Accompanying the two were not only accounting clerks, but also a large number of craftsmen, which was something Lin Hao specifically requested when he sent someone to deliver the message.

Lin Hao cupped his hands in greeting to Uncle De, then led the two into the village, saying as they walked, "It's best that Father and Uncle De could come. We should quickly take inventory of all of Li Jiu's supplies, and also finalize the transformation plan for the entire island as soon as possible."

"Is Hao'er planning to make this our new base?" Lin Chengzong asked with a smile.

"Yes and no." Lin Hao slowly shook his head. "I plan to build this place into our main stronghold. After the construction is completed, all important personnel will be moved here. Dongluo Island will only serve as a branch."

"Move them all here?" Lin Chengzong asked, slightly puzzled. "Hao'er, if I remember correctly, your idea for your base isn't here. You should have found a larger island further south."

"Times have changed. Dongluo Island is too small, and our development is faster than expected. Staying on Dongluo Island is no longer suitable. Nan Gantang Island is the most suitable for now." Of course, Lin Hao also wanted to choose a large island in one go, but ideas are ideas and reality is reality. Dongluo Island can no longer accommodate so many members of the Four Seas Gang.

Although Nan Gantang Island is mountainous, its plains area is ten times larger than that of Dongluo Island, making it more than sufficient as a mid-term base.

The only problem is where to build the new main village? Should it be expanded on Li Jiu's existing village, or should a new location be chosen?

Once Lin Chengzong and Lin De's men were ready, all the captured supplies could finally be systematically inventoried.

The looted supplies at Li Jiu's bandit stronghold were a mixed bag. Aside from the gold, silver, and copper collected earlier, there was a vast array of other supplies. The stronghold's warehouse was piled high with various items Li Jiu had plundered, and there were also considerable supplies looted from other pirate hideouts; all of these needed to be inventoried.

While the supplies were being inventoried, Lin Hao, along with Guo Kai who had just disembarked, inspected the dock on Nan Gantang Island.

"Young Master Qi, the conditions here are far better than those on Dongluo Island. The water is deep and the land is vast. If we were to build a shipyard here, we could easily build dozens of docks at the same time."

Guo Kai excitedly introduced the shipyard to Lin Hao, explaining its planned location as he spoke.

Lin Hao smiled and looked at the other person, who was full of excitement, but unfortunately, he had two big dark circles under his eyes, which ruined his overall image.

Lin Hao found a large rock on the beach and sat down, saying to the other person with concern, "Mr. Guo hasn't been sleeping much lately. You really need to take better care of your health."

"No, that's not true. I get two hours of sleep every day, I can handle it perfectly."

Guo Kai hurriedly patted his chest and assured Lin Hao, but unfortunately, as soon as he finished speaking, he couldn't help but yawn.

After they finished yawning, the two looked at each other and smiled.

Lin Hao shook his head and said, "Now that the pirate Li Jiu is dead, there's no need to rush those three new ships. Mr. Guo, why don't you consider how to rebuild larger ships on Nan Gantang Island first?"

"Well... Young Master, what about the reward you set before?" Guo Kai asked hesitantly.

"I almost forgot about that. No wonder you guys are working so hard!" Lin Hao slapped his forehead, realizing he had almost forgotten that the original agreement was to give 50 taels of silver for each day ahead of schedule.

This reward amount is actually outrageous. Although Guo Kai didn't intend to take all 1500 taels, even if he took it three to five days earlier, it would still be several hundred taels. Even if all the shipwrights shared it, it would still be a considerable sum. And as the chief shipwright, he should at least get a dozen or so taels, right?

If they were to put aside their affairs there and come here to build a new shipyard, even a day's delay in ship construction would mean a loss of 50 taels of silver! Guo Kai felt a pang of heartache, but he couldn't openly refuse.

"Don't worry, Mr. Guo, I won't let you work for nothing. The original reward is still valid, and I believe that after so much time, Mr. Guo's disciples should be able to handle it without delaying the progress too much." Lin Hao smiled and reassured him, then pointed to the harbor in front of him and said, "If you can build the shipyard here within half a month, I will directly promote you to master craftsman and provide an additional reward of twenty taels of silver."

Lin Hao solemnly assured the other party that the master craftsman's treatment was originally intended to be given to the other party after the new ship was launched, and the same was true for the reward money, but Lin Hao had moved it to the new project.

It's like paying one price to get the other party pumped up twice.

Although it was unethical, Lin Hao could tell from the other person's expression that it was still effective.