Chapter 978: Great Pit

Helingchuan frowned. "Are there only six hundred people left of the Bailong tribe, after they were driven out of the Kingdom of Ya?"

Before its establishment, the Kingdom of Ya was already on bad terms with the Kingdom of Mou and leaned more towards Beijia. As a result, the Kingdom of Mou had supported several pro-Mou factions in the region as a means of counterbalance. However, after the Kingdom of Ya was founded, these pro-Mou groups, such as the Bailong people, began to suffer.

"To escape the Kingdom of Ya's pursuit, the tribe reportedly split into several groups, each fleeing in different directions. The one that arrived on our island is led by Wanqi Song, the deceased chieftain's own brother. I've observed him to be brave, skilled in combat, and quick-tempered. During the courage test, he didn't even flinch; he's a ruthless man who puts his life on the line." Qiu Hu had clearly done his background research on the new arrivals. "Since coming to the island, they've been quite disciplined, keeping to themselves, not causing trouble, and even collecting palm for odd jobs while waiting to be assigned."

Rainie added, "The other laborers are afraid of them and keep their distance."

Guan Ke commented darkly, "Their discipline is merely a way to avoid drawing attention."

"As fugitives, they would inevitably bring their families with them," Helingchuan mused. "The fact that they didn't dare to bring their families to the island suggests ulterior motives."

Are they afraid of being restricted if their families were here?

Wang Fubao fumed, "Aha, they've got their eyes on this prime location!"

"Wanqi Song's contingent, including their families, numbers at least over a thousand people. As their leader, he's responsible for finding food, drink, and shelter for over a thousand mouths. How easy can that be for an exiled group?" Helingchuan, more than anyone, understood the weight of such a burden.

Qiu Hu nodded. "The Kingdom of Ya has declared that anyone sheltering the Bailong tribe will face military action."

The Kingdom of Ya was so domineering because it was surrounded by smaller nations, none of which could challenge it.

"So there's nowhere for them to settle around here. Even the deserted islands near the coast are claimed, unless they turn to piracy—there are many island chains to our east and west, and pirates are indeed plentiful."

After considering all options, the Yangshan Archipelago truly seemed the most suitable for the Bailong people. It offered resources, arable land, and was close to the mainland—its natural conditions were ideal.

Furthermore, the Yangshan Archipelago is vast and surrounded by ocean. Even if the Kingdom of Ya discovered their presence here, it would be difficult to deploy a large army.

Islands serve as natural barriers, and there's a good reason why refugees often flee to the sea to escape danger.

As the full picture became clear, a cold sweat broke out on Qiu Hu and the others.

Had they been so preoccupied lately that they couldn't even recognize the looming danger right before their eyes, and needed a young woman like Rainie to point it out?

Helingchuan instructed Min Tianxi, "Send your people to investigate. Keep a close watch on their leader, and find out where their families are hidden. With over six hundred Bailong people, it's impossible that no one will reveal something!"

While Min Tianxi's martial prowess didn't match Qiu Hu's, he possessed a natural charisma. He enjoyed engaging people in conversation and was adept at interpersonal relations. The cohesion of the Second Dao pirates, which surpassed that of the other two factions, was largely due to his efforts.

Helingchuan believed Min Tianxi could also utilize his strengths here.

Min Tianxi immediately accepted the task.

"Given our extensive recruitment, it's inevitable that foreign spies will infiltrate. You must be more cautious in your words and actions and avoid leaking any secrets," Helingchuan instructed his subordinates. "Later, we will choose an opportune moment to crack down severely and make an example of them!"

Everyone assented in unison.

Helingchuan then turned to Ding Zuodong. "When will the guard team's internal armor be delivered?"

"We ordered fifteen hundred sets the day before yesterday; they'll take at least a month and a half to arrive."

"That's too slow. Pay extra to expedite the order." They would be needed for training.

"Understood."

Helingchuan took a cloth pouch from his storage ring and opened it, revealing dozens of silver notes.

The denominations of the top few notes were so large that Rainie felt a slight gasp. She had never seen so much money in her life.

Ding Zuodong, too, could not conceal his astonishment.

Helingchuan had previously left with Min Tianxi and Dong Rui without disclosing their destination, and now they had returned with such a display of wealth!

"These silver notes total two hundred and twenty thousand taels," Helingchuan said, his voice flat. He then handed one hundred and fifty thousand taels to Ding Zuodong. "Deposit these first, and if you need more, come to me."

Ding Zuodong composed himself, accepted the silver notes, and exclaimed joyfully, "Master, this is incredible! This money will last us a long time!"

Two hundred and twenty thousand taels! The master had managed to acquire over two hundred thousand taels in just a few days!

Didn't the Lu family intend to bankrupt them, hoping to take over the Yangshan Archipelago once they were ruined?

Well, they could wait forever, for they wouldn't get it!

This two hundred and twenty thousand was a godsend, and the hearts of Ding Zuodong and everyone else immediately settled.

Helingchuan chuckled, "You not only have to spend money, but you also need to make money for me, otherwise, no amount will be enough."

"Yes, we will!" Ding Zuodong's smile creased the corners of his eyes. "While you were away these past few days, we secured several major deals, amounting to over forty thousand barrels of oil. We plan to ship them out on the very day the shop officially opens, for good luck!"

"Excellent." Forty thousand barrels of oil wasn't a massive amount, but a successful launch was crucial.

After everyone else had spoken, Guan Ke cleared his throat and stepped forward. "My lord, I also have some news."

"Go on."

"Do you recall the twenty-seven cargo ships sold by the Yashan Chamber of Commerce? There's been an incident."

Helingchuan's interest was piqued. "What happened?"

A few days prior, the nearly bankrupt Yashan Chamber of Commerce had sold off twenty-seven cargo ships at a low price. Helingchuan had considered the offer at length, but Guan Ke had strongly advised against it, so he had not purchased them.

"The three merchant guilds that bought the ships sent people to take possession, but they were unable to do so and were even assaulted," Guan Ke said with a cough. "We later discovered that two years ago, the Yashan Chamber of Commerce had mortgaged all these vessels to Platinum Island to the east. Their recent sale of the ships was effectively a double-cross. However, this transaction was kept secret, so few locals were aware."

Rainie asked curiously, "So, whose ships are they, really?"

"Those three guilds will likely seek arbitration from the Blade Harbor Maritime Affairs Bureau. However, since the Yashan Chamber of Commerce's mortgage occurred on Platinum Island, according to the principle of local jurisdiction, Platinum Island might not recognize the Bureau's ruling. Furthermore, the Bureau isn't obligated to take the case, meaning the three guilds will ultimately have to negotiate directly with Platinum Island."

"That's quite a trap," Guan Ke told Helingchuan. "If we had bought those cargo ships, we would be the ones entangled in disputes with Platinum Island now."

It would have cost not only over twenty thousand taels of silver but also a significant amount of effort.

What Helingchuan least needed right now were unforeseen complications and trouble.

"Furthermore, I tracked down the assistant who originally tipped off Steward Ding," Guan Ke continued. "That fellow is not typically the most informed person in Blade Harbor, yet this time he knew about the Yashan Chamber of Commerce's ship sale earlier than anyone else. Feeling suspicious, I questioned him, only to discover that someone else had passed the information to him, and he promptly relayed it to Steward Ding. He can no longer trace the original source."