Chapter 69 – The Story

It was said that on the evening of the grand family banquet held by the Sheng family to welcome Xu Chun back, he grinned broadly as he presented each of his grandfather, uncles, and others with a set of rare books freshly printed from his own printing house. Sheng Jingyuan was so delighted that his beard quivered with joy. Everyone gathered in high spirits, feasting until they were sated.

In the days that followed, Xu Chun spent some time touring Minzhou. He wrote a letter to his Ninth Brother, recounting his observations and experiences since arriving in Minzhou. He also selected some curiosities and valuable medicinal herbs to send over.

Then, he began pestering his grandfather about going out to sea. Sheng Jingyuan took him seriously, bringing out a map of the seas and asking him where he wanted to go in his study.

Xu Chun unfolded the sea chart, staring at it in thought. Sheng Jingyuan pointed out each island to him. When Xu Chun saw Fusan Island, he asked curiously, “Grandfather, have you been here? I’ve heard that the Japanese pirates are very formidable.”

Sheng Jingyuan replied, “Yes, they’ve been fighting amongst themselves for many years, but now their lands are gradually unifying. There are also Han pirates roaming the seas there; the Wang clan occupies a large island. In the past, I led my fleet to take refuge from storms and went ashore, doing business with them. People call him Lord Wang, and it’s said that he’s a descendant of Wang Zhi from the previous dynasty, although it’s possible he’s merely claiming the name.”

Xu Chun asked, “What do you think about visiting there?”

Sheng Jingyuan shook his head. “To the east, Changyun usually leads the ships, but we don’t dare venture too far. It’s very conservative. There are too many pirates here, as well as Japanese pirates. We’re more familiar with the southern routes. The islands there have warm climates and abundant resources.”

He drew a line toward the South China Sea and pointed to Yizhou. “This is the land of King Guangyuan, the Nong clan. These past few years, everything has been peaceful between them and the imperial court. The court primarily focuses on pacifying and recruiting them. If the maritime borders are stabilized, it would naturally lead to stability and prosperity.”

Sheng Jingyuan tapped the map with his cane, pointing out places such as Chitu, Danzhou, Laoport, Diguilai, and Jiaozhi. “In the previous dynasty, there were established offices like the Consolation Office, the Governor-General’s Office, and the Ministry of Revenue. Unfortunately, after the maritime ban, these territories gradually fell under the control of others.”

Xu Chun felt a surge of emotion. “They were once within the borders of our great nation?”

Sheng Jingyuan nodded. “In many places, you can still find the ruins of the previous dynasty’s government offices. The locals are aware of these historical events.”

“Especially here: Danzhou. During the previous dynasty, there was a Governor-General’s Office. This place has a story.”

Xu Chun asked curiously, “What story?”

Sheng Jingyuan explained, “Have you heard of the Battle of Yamen during the Song Dynasty? The Song army resisted the Yuan invasion, using over two thousand warships. Left Chancellor Lu Xiufu carried the nine-year-old Emperor Zhao Bing on his back and jumped into the sea to die for his country. Tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians followed, committing suicide by drowning.”

Xu Chun sighed softly. “I know about that. The Battle of Yamen.”

Sheng Jingyuan nodded and continued, “Lu Xiufu’s son, Lu Zili, later led the remnants of the navy southward. Along the way, they stopped in the South China Sea and settled here to rest and recuperate, still harboring hopes of restoring the Song Dynasty. His descendants crowned the Lu clan as kings, maintaining the clothing, rituals, customs, and traditions of the Song Dynasty. Many Han people have also settled here over time. Unfortunately, this area was later occupied by the barbarians of Wuhe, who slaughtered many Han people.”

“The Lu clan could only retreat and hide in the Sunda Strait. Their shipbuilding skills were exceptional. I once sought their guidance, and their chief gifted me numerous blueprints.”

Xu Chun felt a deep sense of regret. “So that’s how it is.”

Sheng Jingyuan said, “This brings us to the mention of the Western barbarians of Wuhe. They plunder merchant ships at will on the seas, yet they have the backing of their countries, which grant exclusive rights to their merchants to monopolize all ports, attack ships, and raid coastal towns. In the previous dynasty, our pirates like the Wang clan, Xu clan, and Zheng clan also had naval forces, preventing the Wuhe barbarians from occupying our islands.”

“After the maritime ban, following the eradication of the Wang clan, Xu clan, and other pirates, the Wuhe barbarians grew bolder. If not for the fact that the Zheng clan is still present in the south, their territory would have been taken long ago.”

“What’s most despicable is that these pirate barbarians occupy strategic islands for maritime trade first, then their own countries openly claim them. Thus, these places become foreign territories.”

Xu Chun murmured, “Could it be that these pirates are actually useful?”

Sheng Jingyuan shook his head. “Not exactly. These pirates are equally evil, robbing merchants. However, eliminating them without distinction and suppressing maritime commerce weakens maritime defenses, which isn’t beneficial to our dynasty. To suppress the barbarians of the southeast and protect travelers, the court must intervene. Overseas Chinese residents should not be treated as abandoned citizens of the Celestial Dynasty. Instead, we should protect our traveling merchants and support overseas trade. In this way, if we compete with the Western barbarians for control of the seas, the outcome is uncertain.”

“If Danzhou were still a vassal state of our great nation, then we could travel to any island in the four cardinal directions. It wouldn’t be easy for the Western barbarians to invade us.”

Xu Chun couldn’t help but feel a surge of heroic spirit, longing to visit the place. “Grandfather! Let’s go see this place!”

Sheng Jingyuan smiled faintly. “First, let’s consult Goddess Mazu tomorrow. Then, we’ll calculate the weather conditions and navigation routes before making a decision.”

The next day, they indeed arranged for the ship, gathered sailors, organized guards, and packed their belongings. They chose a date to pay respects to Goddess Mazu, received an auspicious divination, and selected a lucky day. Then, they set sail, the wind propelling their sails as they sailed majestically toward Danzhou.

==

When Xie Yi received the letter in the capital, calculating the days, Xu Chun should have already set sail. He looked at the map and saw Danzhou, thinking: The old ancestor of the Sheng family does have sharp eyesight.

After reading the letter, he instructed Su Huaibei to summon Zhao Yu and gave him orders. “You handled the city wall matter well. Previously, I ordered you to prepare for the establishment of the Naval Academy. Now is the time. You should depart immediately for Minzhou. Eunuch Xia Wan will assist you in setting up the Maritime Administration and the Naval Academy.”

Zhao Yu gratefully accepted the decree.

After sending him away, Xie Yi called Su Huaibei again. “Write to Xia Wan, telling him that Sheng Changzhou need not rush to return to the capital. He should wait there until Minister Zhao arrives and assist him in establishing the academy.”

Su Huaibei smiled. “Your Majesty is ensuring that Sheng Changzhou will have achievements to facilitate his entry into the court?”

Xie Yi replied, “Sheng Changzhou is capable, and he won’t lose out.”