Chapter 964: Knock

## Chapter 954: Discipline

Assistant Minister Wu had no evidence anyway.

To suggest humans could command the Yin Vipers? Ha! What a joke. No one had managed it in thousands of years. Why would Assistant Minister Wu dare claim that He Lingchuan, an outsider and mere rich kid, could accomplish such a feat?

" 'Adapting to the times, eh? Well said indeed.' Assistant Minister Wu suppressed his irritation and simply changed his approach. 'Does your master have a method to repel the Yin Vipers and ensure the safety of ships?' "

" 'The He family's fleet frequently traverses the islands and has never been attacked by Yin Vipers. This is not merely due to luck,' Ding Zuodong said with a smile. 'My master is willing to share this method with good neighbors, so that we may all prosper peacefully together in the future.' "

To be "good neighbors," a good relationship was essential.

How does one foster a good relationship? Through cooperation.

If Assistant Minister Wu persisted in harassing Yangshan Archipelago as he was doing, he could forget about his own vessels remaining safe.

Remembering the three fine ships that had been sunk, Assistant Minister Wu's heart ached. He cleared his throat lightly and said, "Officer Zhao, please escort Steward Ding on another visit. They have undergone serious rectification multiple times, demonstrating considerable sincerity. I hope this inspection yields a mutually satisfactory outcome."

" 'Understood,' Officer Zhao replied, immediately grasping the true meaning of 'mutually satisfactory outcome.' "

Ding Zuodong, however, went a step further: "Lord Wu, we plan to open several shops in Blade Edge Port, selling many specialties from the Yangshan Archipelago. On the opening day, we would be honored if you would grace us with your presence."

Attend? The He family wanted him to make an appearance? Assistant Minister Wu couldn't help but take a long, deep breath before replying, "Very well, very well. I will certainly try to visit if I have the time."

Ding Zuodong bowed again with a smile, then departed with Officer Zhao.

Once their footsteps faded beyond the corridor, Assistant Minister Wu slammed his fist onto the table. "This is simply outrageous!" he fumed.

His own ships had been sunk by these very people, yet he was expected to grant them full convenience?

The He family was opening a shop, and they expected him to endorse it?

This was beyond endurance!

Assistant Minister Wu instinctively wanted to smash something, only to recall that his favorite cup had already been broken moments ago.

Half an hour later, Officer Zhao returned to report:

" 'The permits have been issued,' he stated, 'including all shop licenses for the Yangshan Archipelago's establishments in Blade Edge Port.' "

Assistant Minister Wu glared at him. "What about the most crucial part?" he demanded.

" 'The most crucial?' Officer Zhao paused, then replied, 'Steward Ding mentioned that the shops are already renovated and will open soon. He invites you...' "

Assistant Minister Wu slammed the table in a fit of rage. "Who cares when he opens! The Yin Vipers won't be attacking my ships anymore, will they?" he roared.

Officer Zhao snapped to attention. "Yes, yes, I asked!" he confirmed. "Steward Ding said that while Yin Vipers lack human understanding, the He family fleet has discovered a safe route. As long as vessels navigate along this route, they will not be attacked by Yin Vipers."

" 'A route?' " Assistant Minister Wu's interest was piqued.

Officer Zhao dipped his finger in water and sketched a diagram on the table. Assistant Minister Wu looked at it, pressed his temples, and let out a bitter laugh of exasperation:

" 'Doesn't this route pass directly through the Yangshan Archipelago?!' "

This so-called route practically hugged the newly developed islands of the Yangshan Archipelago!

All vessels coming and going would have to pass by his family's supply stations and islands. Wouldn't that effectively funnel traffic directly to his islands?

Merchants and sailors disembarking, dining, staying overnight, sightseeing – wouldn't all that generate significant business?

The He family's calculations were even more astute than his own!

Officer Zhao quietly asked, "So, will we use this route?"

" 'Yes!' " Assistant Minister Wu gritted out the word. " 'All vessels entering and leaving the port must switch to this shipping lane!' "

Since whether the Yin Vipers attacked or not was entirely He Lingchuan's decision, if he wanted to guarantee his ships' safety, he had no choice but to follow the prescribed route. Even if the He family demanded someone stand on the bow of each ship and perform a hula dance for the Yin Vipers, Assistant Minister Wu would have to comply.

Besides, this new route wasn't even a detour; it was simply his pride that smarted.

News of the Wu family's cargo ships changing routes to avoid the Yin Vipers would quickly spread throughout Blade Edge Port, carried by talkative boatmen and sailors. Assistant Minister Wu knew this information could not be kept secret.

With the Wu family's vessels setting a precedent, other passenger and cargo ships would soon follow suit.

After all, who wouldn't want to eliminate the hidden threat of Yin Vipers destroying ships and harming people?

Ah, the He family had truly made a fortune from this. Assistant Minister Wu could already imagine the shipping lanes in front of the Yangshan Archipelago soon becoming a bustling thoroughfare, with thriving passenger and cargo traffic.

Due to the presence of pirates and Yin Vipers, large vessels on the main shipping routes had previously been unwilling to dock at the Yangshan Archipelago, except in cases of severe storms or thick fog. Usually, only local small and medium-sized ships occasionally called at the island for supplies, and Rene's modest establishment was never at full occupancy.

Now, the irony was rich. Assistant Minister Wu himself had effectively advertised the Yangshan Archipelago using his own large ships. The critical point was that he had initiated this conflict himself, and he had lost on all counts, both emotionally and strategically.

He had been outmaneuvered by their integrated strategy.

Assistant Minister Wu took a memorial and a letter from his desk and handed them to Officer Zhao. The envelopes were already sealed with red clay.

His hand trembled slightly, a tremor born of pure rage.

Officer Zhao noted that the last few strokes of writing on the envelope were still wet.

" 'Submit the memorial along with the sealed silver to the Royal Court,' he instructed. 'Report that a malicious neighbor has emerged in Blade Edge Port, suspected of controlling the Yin Vipers to attack passing merchant vessels. Furthermore, this letter is to be delivered to Noble Consort Yu.' "

Coincidentally, the 'Azure Fish' vessel, which had been sunk by the Yin Vipers, was actually a gift from Noble Consort Yu to Assistant Minister Wu. The tribute goods it carried—spices, sweet tea, fragrant dew—were intended for the imperial palace upon arrival, including a small personal offering for Noble Consort Yu. Now, everything was lost.

Naturally, Assistant Minister Wu felt compelled to inform Noble Consort Yu of this considerable loss.

Just then, however, a junior official from the Maritime Affairs Office rushed in, panting as he exclaimed:

" 'Sir, sir! Min Tianxi from the Yangshan Archipelago reports that three sunken vessels, including the Baoji, have been discovered beached on the sands within West Gorge Inner Bay, likely carried there by ocean currents!' "

His ships! Assistant Minister Wu shot to his feet. "Found them? Is the damage extensive?" he demanded.

The three ships had been attacked near West Gorge Bay and carried by undercurrents to the nearest inner bay; it seemed plausible. Yet, Assistant Minister Wu instantly understood whose hand was behind this.

His permits had just been issued, and Min Tianxi's report came in immediately. The timing was meticulously precise.

" 'Specialists have already been dispatched to assess them,' the official added."

Three hours later.

As Assistant Minister Wu waited in a state of anxious urgency, the shipwrights from the Maritime Affairs Office returned from White Dolphin Bay, ready to report on the damage.

The hulls had several holes and required extensive repair.

The good news was that the hulls had sustained no structural damage, meaning they could be fully utilized after repairs.

The bad news was that repairs would take a considerable amount of time, rendering these three vessels unavailable for this year's autumn harvest season.

Hearing this, Assistant Minister Wu, though he had largely anticipated it, still let out a long sigh of relief, his heavy heart finally easing.

The ships had been recovered and would be operational once repaired. This was clearly the positive reinforcement he received after he ceased harassing the Yangshan Archipelago.

As for the cargo, most of it was gone. The shipwrights only salvaged a few scattered items, such as several sets of cosmetics and a dozen bottles of fragrant dew, which, surprisingly, had remained watertight due to their excellent seals.

Given that the ships had sunk, was it truly surprising that most of the cargo was lost? What oddities hadn't occurred at the bottom of the sea?