Chapter 967 - 806: Admiral of the Seas

On the Berth Pier, Xu Chuanyin’s face was somber: "What do you mean there won’t be a fight?"

Chen Zhang sighed: "Sir, Wang Zhi has repeatedly petitioned the court, all requesting the lifting of the sea ban. His writings have claimed that the sea ban cuts off livelihoods, forcing people into banditry. Opening the sea would ease the people’s lives, eliminate piracy, and increase custom duties for the state... I guess what the Anti-Japanese Army is doing now is exactly what he wants."

Xu Chuanyin angrily retorted: "Really lost his senses. The stricter the sea ban, the greater the benefits of the sea trade. Why does he, a pirate, keep clamoring to lift it? Wouldn’t everyone come to compete with him if the ban is lifted?"

Chen Zhang softly replied: "This person doesn’t seem to care about those things. The world calls him the leader of the pirates, but he doesn’t consider himself as such. In his petitions, he claims that as long as the court opens trade, he is willing to disband the pirates and submit to the court, paying taxes."

Xu Chuanyin was beside himself with anger: "Why didn’t you say it earlier? Now what use is hindsight! It’s all ruined. It’s all ruined. Even Wang Zhi is on their side; they’ll really collect those custom duties now!"

Chen Zhang offered a strategy: "Sir, the plan now is not to rely on Wang Zhi, this pirate. We should use the court to resolve the siege of the Anti-Japanese Army. Using fines instead of taxes is ultimately a ploy... Sea trade is forbidden, but the matter of fines is not something the Anti-Japanese Army can decide."

Xu Chuanyin’s eyes lit up: "Right, how can they impose fines? I must go to the Minister of War, find Hu Junye, this matter cannot be settled like this!"

After saying this, he turned to leave but came back halfway.

Chen Zhang was puzzled: "Sir, what happened?"

Xu Chuanyin said grimly: "I can’t just leave like that, what if Hu Junye can’t handle this group either? I must leave myself a way out. Business favors harmony."

...

...

On the open sea, a small boat approached closely.

By chance, as the small boat sailed towards the Anti-Japanese Army, the clouds above were blown away by the wind, and the bright sunlight cast a carpet-like glow greeting the small boat.

At this moment, the Anti-Japanese Army clearly saw the middle-aged man in the sunlight: his face angular, shoulders level, back straight, eyes unblinking for a long time.

This person didn’t seem like a pirate; rather, he resembled a legitimate stage martial artist, a general in a turbulent era.

Jin Zhu whispered: "Is it Wang Zhi? Does anyone recognize him, hope it’s not an impersonator?"

Old Ears laughed heartily: "Identity can be faked, but demeanor not. Power nourishes people, only those accustomed to making unwavering decisions can develop such a presence."

The small boat came closer, Wang Zhi stood on it, looked up with clasped hands: "I am Wang Zhi, a merchant from Huizhou, greetings to everyone."

Yuan Xing lowered a plank: "Get on board."

Wang Zhi did not hesitate, gathering his garment, holding wine in his arms, he leisurely boarded alone.

Upon reaching the ship.

Under the gaze of dozens, Wang Zhi calmly scanned around, his gaze eventually resting on Chen Ji.

He pondered briefly, untied the sword on his waist, and handed it with both hands to Chen Ji: "This sword was worn by the King of An Nan during his uprising a hundred years ago, later becoming the An Nan National Guardian Divine Sword. When Siam and An Nan had border friction, it fell into the hands of Siamese nobles, which I bought at a heavy price. Having traveled far, I offer this sword as a ritual gift, its name suits the occasion."

Chen Ji accepted and drew the long sword, its gleaming blade reflecting a ray of sunlight onto his masked eyes: "Good sword, what’s its name?"

Wang Zhi smiled: "The sword is named Shuntian, lifting the sea ban also aligns with destiny, which is why I said it suits the occasion."

Chen Ji felt the Sword Intent on the Shuntian Sword and casually sheathed it: "Thank you, I’ll accept it."

Wang Zhi looked at the Anti-Japanese Army on the ship with emotion and said: "Earlier, hearing you killed over two hundred Matsubara Clan members in Jingjiang, I had no reaction. With years of fighting and killing, it’s just you kill me, I kill you, nothing novel. Later hearing you eliminated over four thousand Matsubara Clan members, I still felt indifferent. Only upon hearing you used fines instead of taxes to lift the sea ban did I realize this was your goal from the start, truly a smart move... I brought a jar of fine wine today, a fifty-year-old Ancient Yue Dragon Mountain from Shaoxing, I wouldn’t usually drink it myself, but offer it to you all."

Yuan Xing came closer curiously and asked: "I thought you came to fight, but it doesn’t look like it?"

Wang Zhi calmly said: "What I sought for half my life was the lifting of the sea ban. Now that some have done it, I’m delighted, why confront with weapons? Strange as it might sound, you may not believe it, but before dawn I heard this news, and ran barefoot on my own ship, my son mocked me as a fool."

At this point, Wang Zhi looked at Chen Ji seriously: "That’s also why I’m willing to come alone."

Chen Ji nodded: "I’ve indeed heard about Mr. Wang’s proposal to the court regarding lifting the sea ban. I’ve also heard that Mr. Wang set rules at sea, managed trade routes, and prohibited plundering, which is why I’m willing to have a discussion with Mr. Wang."

Wang Zhi smiled and said: "I come from humble beginnings and am not worthy of being called ’master.’ In my early years in Huizhou, I sold illicit salt and miscellaneous goods, and later I joined the sea hawk Xu Dong. I started as a ship worker, then I managed accounts, and after the court cracked down on smuggling and piracy in the 11th Year of Jianing, killing Xu Dong, I took over the fleet."

Yuan Xing, curiously, said, "Why are you, a pirate, so eager to lift the sea ban..."

Wang Zhi sternly replied: "You can call me a sea bandit, but you cannot call me a pirate. Seventy percent of those under my command are of the Han nation, and only thirty percent are Japanese. Not a single principal on my ships is Japanese. Even the Japanese under my command are natives of Kyushu Five Islands, willing to do honest business because they have no other options."

Yuan Xing laughed in frustration: "Alright, alright, you’re a sea bandit. But isn’t it said that the stricter the sea ban, the greater the profit? The sea ban should be beneficial for you."

Wang Zhi sighed: "Over these years, I’ve seen international trade become increasingly prosperous and lively, while only our dynasty remains closed, its sea ban making it lifeless. I can’t sleep at night. Besides, do you know when banditry at sea arose? It was from the first day of the sea ban. As long as the sea ban remains, banditry will continue. The day the sea ban is lifted will be the day banditry fades away."

At this point, Wang Zhi assuredly said: "If we could become legitimate merchants, who would want to be bandits? Dear sirs, lifting the sea ban will be a great service to future generations."

Chen Ji calmly responded: "I dare not claim such greatness; this is merely a temporary expedient."

Wang Zhi laughed heartily: "It’s tantamount to lifting the sea ban; if it weren’t inappropriate today, I would drink heartily with you all."

Suddenly, he shifted the topic, glancing at several large ships in the Anti-Japanese Army: "But you all are few in number, and I fear you may not be able to hold this foundation."

Chen Ji shook his head: "Whether we can hold this foundation is my concern, not something Mr. Wang needs to worry about."

Wang Zhi burst into laughter at these words: "I suppose the master has countermeasures in place; then I shall say no more."

He handed the flask in his arms to Yuan Xing: "You allowed me on board, so there must be something you wish to discuss with me? If within my ability, I will do my utmost."

Chen Ji thought for a moment before speaking: "Four matters. Although the sea ban is lifted, the Wang Family is still viewed as sea bandits by the court. When the Wang Family’s ships come to Dinghai Port, they need to change their flags, otherwise the Anti-Japanese Army cannot interact with them, as it would become a topic for the advisers’ accusations."

Wang Zhi considered briefly, then agreed: "Alright, from now on, the Wang Family will conduct legitimate business and naturally change to new flags. Please proceed with the second matter."

Chen Ji continued: "Second, if we want everyone to feel safe running ships and doing business, there must be no more plundering at sea."

Wang Zhi did not hesitate this time and agreed immediately: "Alright. Please proceed with the third matter."

Chen Ji looked directly at Wang Zhi: "The Wang Family wants to do business at Dinghai Port; first, you must block Songjiang Port. Accomplish this, and the Wang Family is assured safe entry and exit at Dinghai Port to do business in peace."

Wang Zhi burst into loud laughter: "So that’s it, so that’s it! So the master wants not only to deal with Xu Chuanyin but also Xu Chongyi. You lure Wang with benefits; I relish it. Rest assured, the day after tomorrow, not a single ship will enter or leave Songjiang Port. Proceed with the fourth matter."

Chen Ji calmly continued: "The Matsubara Clan is vulnerable now. I need the Wang Family to split into two forces: one to Songjiang Port and the other to completely eliminate the Matsubara Clan."

Wang Zhi was stunned, then burst into loud laughter: "Just as I intended! Earlier, my son advised me not to come, and my advisors also advised against it. But I said, ’I should have like-mindedness with the master!’ It’s worth the trip!"

After speaking, he unhesitatingly stepped onto the plank and returned to his small boat: "I’m leaving. With today’s favorable wind, my fleet will reach Kyushu Higashimura Port in four days. Master, wait for my good news. I’ll take back Matsubara Shingen’s head as a tribute!"

As the small boat sailed away, Old Ears looked at Wang Zhi’s departing figure in admiration: "The son is a remarkable man, and the father is also remarkable. In discussing the heroes of the world, I must include this father and son."

Yuan Xing leaned in: "Old man, what about me?"

Old Ears glanced at him: "Get out of here."

Yuan Xing pouted and looked at Chen Ji: "Foster father, is the matter with the port settled?"

Chen Ji slowly said: "No, there is still the court to deal with; the Anti-Japanese Army’s fine silver is ultimately not the correct path... Yuan Xing, make a trip to Dinghai Port and bring Xu Chuanyin aboard; I have things to instruct him with."

Yuan Xing looked at the swarming figures at Dinghai Port: "Ah? Me?"

Jiang Chai sneered: "The Wang Family’s father and son dared, but you don’t dare? If you’re told to go, then go. What’s with all the nonsense?"

Yuan Xing stiffened his neck: "I’ll go!"