Chapter 1076: Harmonious Island Lord

The sword gleamed with a chilling light, shining like autumn water. Even though she promptly put it away, He Lingchuan could tell it was a divine weapon.

“Alright,” he sighed, directly assigning a task. “Ah Feng, Miss Lu’s safety is in your hands.”

Wan Qifeng immediately responded, “Yes.”

“I…” Lu Feiyan was about to say it wasn’t necessary, but then thought that this wasn’t her own army, and swallowed her words.

By afternoon, the Yangshan Archipelago had assembled a fleet and set off eastward. There were ten ships in total, each carrying a hundred people.

The fleet appeared dense, but it wasn’t conspicuous on the busy golden shipping lane. He Lingchuan specifically requested that the ships maintain distance from each other, making them indistinguishable from ordinary merchant vessels.

He Lingchuan, Qiu Hu, Wan Qifeng, and others discussed strategy on the main ship. A huge sand table rose in the briefing room, depicting the Qinglong Tribe’s main camp, detailed down to a small ditch. Lu Feiyan, having also experienced many battles, understood immediately upon seeing how precise the sand table was: This Island Lord He was not simply humiliated temporarily and reacting by seeking an explanation; he clearly had a premeditated plan!

When He Lingchuan asked Wan Qifeng to analyze the Qinglong Tribe’s personnel distribution, Lu Feiyan became even more certain, because Wan Qifeng, holding a pointer, explained:

The Qinglong Tribe’s territory is located in the southernmost coastal region of Ya State, shaped like a “concave” character (凹), with a terrain primarily consisting of river valleys and plains. Their large settlement areas are called “Dong”, ranging in size between a city and a town, and their rulers are called “Dong Lords”. Within Qinglong territory, there are three Dong: Wulan Dong, Cha’an Dong, and Tuku Dong. Below the Dong, there are numerous villages and counties.

The Qinglong Tribe has a total population exceeding 33,000, but they are dispersed, with the largest, Wulan Dong, having only about 6,000 residents. Tribes within Ya State find it difficult to form large cities. The Bailong Tribe’s former settlement sizes were also similar.

The tribe has 600 warriors. If Ya State goes to war, the Qinglong Tribe is required to contribute 400 soldiers. This leaves approximately 1,000 reserve troops within their territory who can be activated to maintain order and respond to emergencies.

Lu Feiyan secretly gasped in surprise. The Qinglong Tribe’s total population is 33,000, yet they can mobilize 1,600 troops, which is a very high ratio. If this ratio could be applied to Bailie, would she still have to worry about a lack of soldiers?

Afterward, Wan Qifeng went on to describe the coastal landing points and dock conditions.

He Lingchuan asked Wan Qifeng, “Is it the Wulan Dong Lord who owes us money?”

“It’s Duan Baoning, the son of Duan Jinghe, the Wulan Dong Lord. And Duan Jinghe is the Qinglong clan chief’s biological younger brother, so Duan Baoning, who hasn’t paid back the money, is the Qinglong clan chief’s biological nephew.”

“It’s the same thing,” He Lingchuan had long seen through it all. “Duan Baoning dared to openly seize the grain and insult people precisely because the Qinglong clan chief was backing him.” An individual defaulting on a debt might have their legs broken, but if a group colludes to default, it’s the debt collector who ends up fleeing in disarray.

However, insulting the Yangshan Merchant Guild was a direct affront to He Lingchuan’s prestige. Such a matter could not be dismissed with a laugh; otherwise, others would follow suit in the future, thinking he was an easy target, a soft persimmon to be squeezed, and the situation would become chaotic.

Wan Qifeng said apologetically, “The Qinglong Tribe’s default on payment is probably also because the Island Lord took us in.”

“Probably?” Lu Feiyan laughed. “What do you mean, probably? I think Ya State just wants to retaliate against Island Lord He.”

Ya State had declared long ago that anyone who harbored the Bailong Tribe would face severe consequences. Bailie, of course, had also received this message. Then the Yangshan Archipelago took them in. Ya State couldn’t possibly be unaware, but He Lingchuan’s geographical location was simply too formidable. Even if Ya State wanted to send troops to attack, they would need at least a hundred large ships. And even then, they might not be able to find the Bailong Tribe. The Yangshan waters are vast, so would everyone just play hide-and-seek?

Ya State had sent a circular to the Yangshan Archipelago, but Dong Rui had used it as toilet paper, and the matter had subsequently been dropped.

He Lingchuan was busy with island construction every day and didn't pay it much mind. He could handle threats from Beijia, so how significant could Ya State be?

If a direct assault wasn’t feasible, then perhaps a subtle hindrance? This time, the Qinglong Tribe didn't seize anyone else's grain but specifically defaulted on the Yangshan Archipelago's debt. Was this instigated by Ya State? It was both a test of the Yangshan Archipelago's reaction and a test of their strength. If He Lingchuan couldn't even deal with the Qinglong Tribe, then perhaps the other side had further moves waiting. Therefore, this unhealthy trend must be stopped!

“What does that have to do with you? Don’t entertain guilt delusions,” He Lingchuan dismissed it. “Let’s stick to the facts: it’s the Qinglong Tribe that seized grain, defaulted on payment, and insulted people.” Since he had taken in the Bailong people, he had to bear the subsequent consequences. Just as when he took in the spider demon sisters, he was bound to confront Beijia. These were all futures that could be clearly foreseen from the start. He chose, so he took responsibility.

“What is the Qinglong Tribe’s combat strength?”

Wan Qifeng immediately replied, “Not to boast, but they are indeed somewhat weaker than our tribe. In the past, when Ya State held martial arts competitions, the Wulan Dong Lord lost twice to my elder uncle.”

Qiu Hu, arms crossed, asked, “Those 600 warriors can’t all be in Wulan Dong, can they?”

“At most, three to four hundred people. However, as long as we pursue Duan Baoning for payment, the entire Qinglong clan will react.”

Lu Feiyan interjected, “Excuse me, how much money does he owe you?”

“The outstanding grain payment totals six thousand one hundred and eighty-five taels.”

That amounts to over six million coins. Lu Feiyan blinked and immediately sensed something was off. “A tribe of 30,000 people bought this much grain? And you sold it to them?”

Qiu Hu chuckled, “They paid money for the grain, and we don't care what they do with it. The Yangshan Archipelago sells bulk goods, and countless merchants buy them to repackage and resell. Perhaps the Qinglong Tribe also wanted to engage in reselling. Didn't Wan Qifeng say that southern Ya State had a poor harvest this year?”

Really? But Lu Feiyan felt that these guys clearly knew exactly what was going on, yet still sold grain to the Qinglong Tribe.

He Lingchuan suddenly said, “Miss Lu, if you were in command, how would you go about collecting the debt?”

Lu Feiyan was greatly surprised, pointing to herself, “Me?” Wasn’t she just an observer?

“Yes, indeed. You’ve fought battles in eastern Bailie, and my subordinates here are very impressed. This is such a good opportunity today; why don’t you give them an eye-opener?”

After being praised by him like this, Lu Feiyan felt a little embarrassed, but didn’t decline. “Then I’ll just offer some random thoughts; take them as you will.”

“Please do.”

“That Qinglong clan chief also lives in Wulan Dong. If you confront Duan Baoning inside the Dong, you could easily get trapped by a sea of people, making it difficult to get in or out, unless you fought your way out.” She asked He Lingchuan, “You don’t want to kill too many people, do you?”

He Lingchuan smiled. “Of course. We are all businessmen, and harmony is essential for prosperity.”

Lu Feiyan secretly rolled her eyes. Harmony? This Island Lord He was going to the Qinglong Tribe to collect money, and bringing a thousand elite guards with him. That was indeed very “harmonious.”