Chapter 1077: Fermenting Reputation

"In my opinion, we should come up with an excuse and trick him out of the cave, then take care of him in the suburbs." Lu Feiyan pointed at the coastline and added, "Once Chief Qinglong arrives with his men, you can use a hostage to demand money, and then you'll be free to board the ship and leave."

He Lingchuan asked his subordinates, "What do you think of this plan?"

Huang Zhao was the first to speak. "It's feasible, with just a little refinement."

His former profession was that of a pirate captain, so he was no stranger to kidnapping and extortion.

Qiu Hu, however, stated, "Extortion alone can recover the debt, but it won't be enough to establish our authority."

He knew very well that his lord hadn't brought so many people along for a casual outing. For his lord to be satisfied, the Qinglong tribe not only had to pay back the money but also humble themselves completely.

They had to make it clear to all nearby forces that the Yangshan Archipelago was not to be trifled with, and debts owed to them would not be tolerated.

Anyone wishing to conduct business with the Yangshan Archipelago had to do so respectfully and courteously.

In recent months, the Yangshan Archipelago's trade, economy, and agricultural commerce had developed at an astonishing rate, which was evident to everyone in the vicinity. However, the Yangshan Archipelago had never outwardly displayed its military might, keeping its forces quietly hidden deep within the islands.

It was time to show their strength.

Wanqifeng added, "Those six thousand taels were our money to begin with. If we merely extort them, it would make us seem in the wrong. Miss Lu's idea is excellent; we should set up an ambush along both sides of this small coastal path..."

In short, this expedition had to involve combat; someone had to be subdued and forced to yield.

After some discussion, Lu Feiyan finally understood completely: these men were eager for a fight!

However, the plan was somewhat crude and spontaneous.

By the time the combat plan was finalized, it was time for dinner.

On the way to the engagement, He Lingchuan did not skimp on himself or his guests, bringing a chef to prepare dishes over an open flame. However, he hadn't anticipated that Lu Feiyan would show little interest in the chef's signature baked grouper, opting instead to devour three large salt and pepper pork hocks.

Wanqifeng, who was beside her, only managed two, fewer than she had eaten.

Lu Feiyan asked He Lingchuan, "Wanqifeng told me that you frequently conduct combat drills for your guard teams?"

"Yes, for smaller-scale drills, about once every forty to fifty days."

The Yangshan Guard had now expanded to over 4,100 personnel, even with stringent enlistment standards. However, the precise number of troops, as well as the locations of military camps and outposts, were known only to a select few in the core leadership.

The terrain of the Yangshan Archipelago was unusually complex. Furthermore, He Lingchuan frequently rotated the garrisons of various battalions and teams; for example, Blade Peak might be manned by the Second Battalion today, but next month it could be assigned to Min Tianxi's forces.

This arrangement made it extremely difficult for outsiders to scout He Lingchuan's forces, even if they deployed avian demons.

To this day, hardly anyone knew the true number of troops he kept hidden deep within the archipelago.

With the expanded guard force, He Lingchuan could implement more strategies, applying his experiences from Panlong City and Yuheng City to train — or rather, refine — his army.

One of these regular programs was combat drills.

Naturally, these drills were conducted in groups, never with the entire army deployed at once, to prevent potential high-altitude enemy scouts from ascertaining their full numbers.

Lu Feiyan was curious. "Why so frequently?"

Bailie's army also conducted combat training, but nowhere near as frequently; once every ten or so months was considered remarkable. Armies, after all, incurred costs and required funds for even the slightest movement.

At the root of most problems in this world, money was often the underlying issue.

As far as she knew, other nations weren't so keen on such frequent exercises, confirming that Island Master He was indeed wealthy and influential.

"Drills are essentially rehearsals for real combat. Without them, how can we assess the effectiveness of our training?"

Lu Feiyan ate a green grape. "Does a guard team really need such high-intensity drills?"

He Lingchuan took a sip of hot tea. "Miss Lu, you must be well aware of the consequences in this world for those who lack the power to defend themselves."

The smile vanished from Lu Feiyan's face.

Wasn't Bailie's current predicament precisely due to its inherent weakness?

He Lingchuan continued, "Furthermore, drills offer another significant advantage."

"Oh?"

"They teach the soldiers to confront failure, acknowledge it, and then process it." In every drill, there's only one winner; everyone else loses and faces penalties. "Victory and defeat are common in warfare, but I've observed that most people fail to grasp this, can't tolerate losing, and simply cannot accept it. Forget about suffering an actual defeat; even if a stalemate with the enemy lasts a bit longer, they become agitated and despondent, acting as if the sky is falling."

The ability to keep fighting despite repeated failures, and to remain unyielding, are by no means innate qualities.

"Even the sturdiest jar can break by the well. The most formidable army will eventually face defeat. My hope is that when they do, they will not be disheartened but will retain the ambition to rise again."

Lu Feiyan was visibly moved. After a long moment of contemplation, she said to him:

"Island Master He, you are truly wasting your talents by confining yourself to this corner of the sea."

He Lingchuan replied modestly, "Talented individuals are as common as fish in the sea; what am I?"

After dinner, Lu Feiyan excused herself and returned to her cabin to rest.

The Soul-Capturing Mirror commented, "This young woman came out to fight with you, but it wasn't just for fun, was it?"

"You noticed?" He Lingchuan said, sitting at the bow of the ship and gazing at the myriad stars. "From the moment she arrived on the island, she has been testing me — probing our strength, our military power, and my intentions and ambitions."

"Oh?" the Soul-Capturing Mirror asked him. "Does Lu Laoliu truly dare to usurp power?"

"The one with the resolve might not be Lu Laoliu himself; he's primarily a businessman with no understanding of warfare," He Lingchuan said slowly. "It could be Lu Qingbang, or perhaps his maternal grandfather, Miao An."

"They would dare?" The mirror sounded very surprised.

"If Lu Qingbang has enough prestige and elite troops, he might attempt it," He Lingchuan analyzed. "It's not uncommon for a branch of the Lu family to usurp power and become the main line. Lu Zhensheng's greatest reliance is his second son, Lu Qing'an, who is steadily rising in influence in Mou State. However, if Lu Laoliu and his son seize power, that would be an internal affair of Bailie, making it difficult for Mou State to directly interfere."

The mirror wondered, "Does Mou State truly have no recourse?"

General Yutian, Lu Qing'an's father-in-law, surely wasn't just a figurehead?

"They might not intervene openly, but they certainly have covert methods. Otherwise, why would Lu Zhensheng be so desperate to curry favor with them?" He Lingchuan was well aware of these intricacies. "It simply depends on how Lu Laoliu and his son handle the situation."

"They're trying to win you over. Aren't they afraid of inviting a wolf into the fold?" In the mirror's estimation, its master was ten times more formidable than Lu Zhensheng and his son. Wasn't Lu Laoliu concerned that He Lingchuan might turn the tables and directly seize Bailie's territory?

"No," He Lingchuan knew perfectly well. "No matter how they squabble, it remains an internal affair of the Lu family. The moment I covet Bailie, it becomes an act of invasion, which Mou State cannot simply overlook. Otherwise, why hasn't Bailie, weakened for so many years, already vanished from the map?"

Neither the Lu family nor Mou State knew his true identity, believing him to be an outsider.

"Currently, Lu Qingbang is likely working to build his prestige and popularity, as well as accumulating his forces. This is why Lu Zhensheng is more inclined to appease Ya State, hoping that providing money and grain will resolve matters," He Lingchuan mused. "For a long time, Ya State has had no intention of directly annexing Bailie; they merely come each year to demand tribute. Lu Zhensheng must consider a war with them too costly, with battle losses far exceeding the value of the tribute, not to mention the lives and pensions involved."

"His calculations might be fiscally sound, but the people of Bailie are resentful. They are clearly victims, yet they are forced to pay money and grain annually," He Lingchuan analyzed. "From this perspective, Lu Laoliu might find it easier to gain the support of the Bailie people."

Sometimes, advantages and disadvantages cannot be measured solely in monetary terms.

The mirror's concern was, "What benefit does this hold for us?"

"Lu Laoliu knows I have resources and manpower, so he wants to win me over and share intelligence. Isn't that a benefit?" He Lingchuan smiled. "Yangshan's businesses have already spread throughout Bailie. How many shops have opened in the past six months, and how many impoverished people have we assisted? The people of Bailie know that Island Master He from the south is benevolent and charitable; they frequently visit my establishments to eat and shop. Yangshan's reputation is already deeply embedded in their hearts."

The Yangshan Chamber of Commerce's establishments frequently engaged in public welfare and relief efforts.

Unlike other wealthy merchants and gentry who merely offered porridge or distributed money, the Yangshan Chamber of Commerce also established over a dozen charity schools, or free academies, in Bailie. These schools taught commoners' children how to read and write, and even provided instruction in mathematics and medicine.

This was a case of teaching a man to fish rather than just giving him a fish.

Children from impoverished families could even receive a free lunch at the schools.

The reputation of He Lingchuan and the Yangshan Archipelago quickly grew among the populace.

For poor families, imparting a skill was akin to providing them with a livelihood, an act of profound kindness.

Operating so many schools, over a dozen of them, was no small financial burden. However, He Lingchuan paid it no mind.

He would eventually take control of Bailie, and these children and their parents would one day become his subjects.

What was wrong with offering some benefits to his future subjects?

Seeing the suffering of the world, he often felt compassion.

Two mornings later, He Lingchuan's fleet successfully docked.

The coastline was desolate, with vast stretches of reeds covering the mudflats.

This location was only about forty *li* from Platinum Island, a route He Lingchuan frequently used.

"Everyone, this battle must not only be won, but won swiftly and brilliantly," He Lingchuan declared, clapping his hands to his subordinates. "Failure to defeat the opponent within the allotted time, or casualties exceeding our estimates, will be considered a drill failure, incurring double penalties! However, if we achieve a decisive victory, there will be double rewards. Is that clear?"

Double penalties *and* double rewards! The men shivered with anticipation, their spirits greatly uplifted, and they responded in unison, "Yes!"

He Lingchuan looked up at the sky. Tonight was moonless and windy—a perfect night for an ambush!

Even as He Lingchuan led the Yangshan Archipelago Guard in their relentless debt collection from the Qinglong tribe, another ambush and skirmish suddenly erupted in the mountain forests 120 *li* west of Wulan Dong.

The chaos of close-quarters combat and the screams of the old, weak, women, and children were all shrouded beneath thick, ominous clouds.

Lu Qingbang fought alongside Chief Wanqitong of the Bailong tribe, surrounded by Bailie soldiers and Bailong warriors.

He stabbed through a Ya State soldier's chest, casually wiping away the drops of blood that had splattered into his eyes. Around him, torches flickered across the mountains and forests, their numbers so dense that the enemy's strength was impossible to estimate.

All around, the sounds of battle cries reverberated.

Lu Qingbang decisively ordered, "Tell the entire army to head south, to Storm Bay!"

He had known all along that this escort mission wouldn't be simple!