Global colonization began with Ming Dynasty pirates.

Since it was a trial voyage, thorough testing was necessary to draw conclusions. After completing tests on the sailboat's maneuverability and stability, Lin Hao led the three boats south at full speed.

The ship's speed was continuously measured. Even at its slowest speed, it reached 10 knots.

At its most favorable moment, the wind even reached 13 knots.

At such a high speed, Nangantang Island came into view in just half an hour.

Subsequently, Lin Hao led the three ships directly to the northern harbor of Nangantang Island.

The sentries on the lookout tower set up by the Four Seas Gang on the top of Nangantang Island were stunned when they saw three ships rushing towards them like arrows.

Fortunately, they could clearly see the black flag with a gold dragon flying over the three ships through the telescope, which put their minds at ease.

Lin Hao killed Li Jiu through a sneak attack, so he would naturally be wary of the same move.

After taking control of Nangantang Island, Lin Hao arranged for watchtowers to be erected at various high points on the island. Any ships spotted were to be relayed to the island's center via flag signals. Information such as the number, size, and direction of the ships was transmitted in this way, allowing for continuous monitoring of all vessels passing through Nangantang Island. This also served as a means of information gathering on these merchant ships.

Nangantang Island is located north of Funing, on the only route for all merchant ships heading south. Unless the merchants take a longer detour to the open sea, they will inevitably be recorded by the several watchtowers on Nangantang Island.

When the three sloops entered the harbor, the villagers who remained behind quickly came to greet them. The leader was none other than Linde.

"Chief Shao, this is the new ship you built. It's a beautiful ship," Lin De said, stepping forward to flatter him.

After eliminating Li Jiu, Li Hao decided to move the center of the entire Sihai Gang to Nangantang Island, so he ordered Lin De to build a new camp and shipyard there.

As for the other members of the Four Seas Gang, they will move together after the new village is completed.

"That's right, Uncle De, this is roughly the model of our Four Seas Gang's future warships. What do you think?" Li Hao said with a smile.

"Excellent, very good! I saw them from afar, their speed is extraordinary!" Lin De had received word that a trial voyage would be held today, so he had been waiting in the village. He saw the three ships as soon as they came into view. Even though he was prepared and knew that Li Hao was building high-speed ships, he was still astonished by their speed.

Li Hao was about to say something more to Lin De when suddenly a painful vomiting sound came from the side.

"vomit…"

Linde turned around and saw his dear old father, supported by two people, vomiting violently on the dock.

He couldn't even bother talking to Lin De anymore, and could only step forward to help Lin Chengzong up, saying, "Father, didn't I tell you? This thing isn't fun. You're not often on boats, and suddenly getting on a high-speed boat like this can easily make you seasick. Now you regret it, don't you?"

"You brat, you didn't say you'd get seasick. Were you deliberately trying to make me look bad?" Lin Chengzong said irritably. He had stubbornly refrained from ordering the speed down in order to keep up with Lin Hao. Now, having held on until Nangantang Island, he finally couldn't take it anymore.

"Someone, take the leader to rest." With Lin De's order, someone immediately helped Lin Chengzong to the village to rest.

"Young Master, Third Brother, let's go to the stronghold and rest for a while," Lin De then invited Lin Hao and Lin Chengfeng.

"No rush, I only set off an hour ago. I just finished warming up and I'm not tired at all," Lin Hao shook his head and declined the other person's suggestion. Then he pointed to the shipyard and said.

"This newly built shipyard seems to be almost finished. Take me to see it. Third Uncle, you should go and rest in the village first." On the easternmost side of the new shipyard site, a large number of laborers were still working busily.

Those shipyards were clearly in the final stages of completion.

"Haha, I'm not tired either. Lin De, why don't you take us to see it?" If it were before, Lin Chengfeng wouldn't have been interested in seeing any shipyard, but now, after experiencing the benefits of this new type of ship, he just wants the shipyard to finish building his ship as soon as possible, so he is very enthusiastic at the moment.

"In that case, let's go over there. There are some things that we need your advice on, Young Master." Lin De gestured, inviting the two of them over.

The three walked along the shore, inspecting the new shipyard. Although it was called a shipyard, it was actually a huge construction site at the moment.

More than 1000 people are busy working on this construction site.

"Young Master, Third Brother, as you can see, thanks to the abundance of prisoners as labor, the 10 large docks in the shipyard are basically completed, with only the reinforcement and waterproofing of the walls remaining. In addition, the main facilities such as the carpentry workshop, ironwork workshop, canopy workshop, cable workshop, painting workshop, and lumber processing workshop have also been completed. Even the shipwrights' dormitories are almost finished."

As Linde spoke, he pointed to the various houses.

"Excellent. Once all the shipyard facilities are completed, we can immediately begin construction of new ships. In less than three months, we will have a formidable fleet." Lin Hao was very satisfied with the shipyard's progress.

"Young Master, should we build a wall around this shipyard? What level of defense should we go for?" Lin De asked Lin Hao.

"A wall is still necessary. Although this place is relatively safe, some defenses are still needed. Here's what we'll do: build gates at the passageways on both sides, and construct a wall about one person high on the side closest to the mountain, with suitable positions for personnel to defend on top." The shipyard is located with mountains behind it, and two narrow passageways connecting it to other places on either side near the sea. The terrain itself is very easy to defend; as long as both ends are blocked, the enemy cannot threaten the shipyard at all unless they climb the mountain.

Lin Hao then pointed to the protruding mountains on the east and west sides of the shipyard's location. "Furthermore, we'll build fortifications on these mountains later, ensuring the entire port's safety."

"Yes, young master, I've got it." Lin De nodded in agreement, then pointed to a slightly low-lying spot on the mountain behind them and said:

"Young master, it's not very convenient to get to Xinzai from here. I plan to dig a road at the lowest point of this mountain to save us from having to transport supplies by boat every time."

"Are you digging through the mountain? How high is this mountain?" Lin Hao asked, frowning as he looked at the spot the other person was pointing to.

"It's not high. The highest point that needs to be excavated is no more than 15 zhang, and the distance between the two sides of the mountain is only 40 zhang." Lin De had already calculated it.

"This project isn't too large. But first, take me to see the location of the new village."

Lin Hao did not choose the location of Lin Jiu's original stronghold as the main base of the Four Seas Gang. Although the concave harbor to the north was suitable for berthing large ships, it had very little usable plain. After deducting the area of ​​a shipyard, the remaining space became very limited.

In Lin Hao's future plans, this port will serve as a crucial base for the Four Seas Gang for the next one to two years. Numerous workshops will be built there, and the population could exceed ten thousand. Given this, the port's area is insufficient. Therefore, after surveying the area, Lin Hao selected a valley on the easternmost side of the island as the site for the new settlement. A mountain range separates the valley from the port, with only a small hill at its lowest point. Lin De intends to completely remove this gentle slope, thus establishing a direct connection between the shipyard and the new settlement.