Global colonization began with Ming Dynasty pirates.

"That man said his surname was Lin and that he was one of the prefect's advisors. He came here to discuss important matters with the magistrate."

Lin Hao listened to Lin Twelve's story as they walked. He had just received news that government officials had come to the island.

"Who is talking to that guy surnamed Lin right now?" Lin Hao asked, frowning.

"It's the gang leader receiving him, but he's only just taken his seat. Young Master, it's not too late to go over now," Lin Shier hurriedly added.

Hearing this, Lin Hao stopped in his tracks. After pacing back and forth a few times, he finally said to Lin Twelve, "I won't go. The government officials are coming to negotiate, but it's nothing more than a matter of offering amnesty. It's just a helpless move because the navy has recently suffered heavy losses. Given our current strength, they can't offer much. Besides, they're only backed by a mere prefect, who has no bargaining power whatsoever."

Lin Hao pondered for a moment and said, "Twelve, go and serve the old master, and at the same time, see what this Lin fellow is saying. I won't show myself."

"Yes, young master, I'll take care of it right away." Lin Twelve immediately cupped his hands in greeting to Lin Hao, then turned and left.

……

In the council hall of the Four Seas Gang, which was the original large room, Old Master Lin formally received the Prefect and his advisor, Lin Weimin.

Old Master Lin sat in the main seat, wearing a slightly worn dark brown robe, his hair and beard all white, with a smile on his face. To his left, in the next seat, sat the old man in the scholar's robe from before.

"Mr. Lin, you've come from afar; you must be tired from your journey." The old man raised his teacup and offered a toast from afar. "It's just simple tea and water; please forgive me."

Lin Weimin nodded slightly, then picked up his teacup, took a sip, and frowned slightly. He hadn't expected that the "coarse tea and plain water" the other person had mentioned would actually be just that—coarse tea and plain water. But he still pinched his nose and said, "Good tea, indeed good tea."

"Haha, please don't mind, sir. On this deserted island, we're lucky to have any tea at all; it can't compare to the fine tea you usually drink," the old man said with a smile.

Lin Weimin put down his teacup and glanced at the furnishings in the hall. To put it nicely, it was frugality; to put it bluntly, it was shabby. There were only a few pieces of slightly worn rosewood furniture. An unnamed landscape painting hung on the wall, and only a half-person-tall blue-and-white porcelain vase in the corner was somewhat presentable.

However, Lin Weimin, having lived in Fuzhou for many years, immediately recognized that this blue-and-white porcelain vase was not a style commonly used in the Ming Dynasty. Its patterns and textures were flamboyant, making it look more like a product exported to Southeast Asia. If he wasn't mistaken, these people must have obtained it through robbery.

"The old man is so old and still so healthy, what a blessing. It's a pity that he's now forced to spend the rest of his life on this deserted island, it's really a shame," Lin Weimin said with a smile.

"Ah, I came from a poor background. What difference does it make where I live?" The old man smiled indifferently.

Lin Weimin paused slightly. Good grief, why aren't you playing by the rules? Shouldn't you be complaining to me, and then I'll tell you how to solve it? Could it be? You've gotten addicted to living on this deserted island?

However, Lin Weimin couldn't be bothered with such matters. He just wanted to complete the task assigned by the prefect as soon as possible.

Lin Weimin put down his teacup, straightened his clothes, and stood up solemnly. He went straight to the point: "Sir, I have come here today to discuss an important matter with you."

The old man's smile remained unchanged, but his eyes flickered slightly: "Oh? Please speak, sir."

"I have come on the orders of the Prefect to discuss the matter of surrendering to the Lin family." Lin Weimin solemnly cupped his hands towards the north. "The Prefect has taken pity on the Lin family's difficult situation and has made a special promise that as long as the Lin family is willing to disband their subordinates and return to the mainland, the Prefect is willing to guarantee that all past matters will be forgiven."

"Accept amnesty? And wipe the slate clean?" The old man raised an eyebrow, then laughed. "Sir, please don't joke. My Lin family are just poor folks making a living at sea. We haven't rebelled, so what talk of accepting amnesty?"

Lin Weimin shook his head: "Old sir, you are too modest. The Lin family has been making quite a stir at sea recently. The prefect values ​​talent and does not want to fight with the Lin family, so he sent me to offer them a bright future."

The old man thought for a moment and nodded: "Your Excellency is magnanimous and truly sincere."

"So what the old man means is..."

"I didn't mean anything by it," the old man said with a chuckle, spreading his hands. "What you said, sir, sounds quite good to me. But as you know, my son is in charge of the Lin family's affairs now. How dare I, an old man with one foot in the grave, make decisions for him?"

Lin Weimin frowned slightly: "Where is your son? I can speak with him in person."

"Oh dear, what bad luck," the old man sighed. "That lad went to sea for Southeast Asia a few days ago and won't be back for at least two months. I don't know exactly when. Why don't you go back first, sir, and I'll pass on the message to him when he returns?"

Lin Weimin stared at him for a moment, then suddenly smiled.

He paused, then looked directly at the old man: "This is the prefect's sincerity. Old man, are you going to reject the prefect's good intentions?"

The old man met his gaze, his smile remaining unchanged.

"I am deeply grateful for the prefect's sincerity," he said slowly. "But this matter is truly not something I can decide. At my age, what great things can I possibly accomplish? My words are not of any use now. But rest assured, sir, I will certainly persuade my son when he returns."

Lin Weimin's gaze lingered on the old man's face for a moment, then he suddenly smiled.

"Since you're in a difficult position, sir, I won't insist." He stood up. "However, before I leave, there's one more thing I'd like to say to you."

"Please speak, sir."

Lin Weimin straightened his sleeves and said calmly, "The sea is rough, and no matter how good the ship is, it can't stay adrift forever. Only when it reaches the shore can it be safe."

The old man nodded, his face earnest: "What you say is true. I will definitely pass this on to my son later."

"In that case, I'll take my leave," Lin Weimin said, cupping his hands in farewell.

"Take care, sir. Twelve, please see him off."

After Li Weiming left, in the council hall, the old man sat alone in the main seat, sipping tea, his gaze unfocused, as if recalling something.

After a long pause, the old man sighed and leaned back in his chair. He then muttered to himself, "What utter nonsense about 'forgiving past transgressions'! Not even half an official position, and the person who came is just a worthless advisor, no one of any real influence. They're really making a fool of me. If you had offered a higher price today, or sent someone of any standing, I would have had to consider it. They think they can get rid of me with these paltry conditions? Do they really think I'm some country bumpkin who's never seen the world?"