Chapter 158 Where Did the Confidence Come From?

"Taman, are these your dozens of ships?"

Qin Mo led his men to the port with a menacing air, then turned to ask the wizard Taman a question, his words laced with mockery.

Taman was speechless at Qin Mo's question, and even more ashamed by the contemptuous looks from those high-ranking officials and pioneers. He cried out in his heart, "Aren't all ships like this in Southeast Asia? Do you think only your ships can be called ships?"

Two two-masted ships, each about six or seven zhang long, were moored at the port. Thirty or forty men on board were confronting the garrison at the dock. There were also dozens of sailboats at sea, of varying sizes, the largest of which was smaller than the two ships that had docked.

"Your Highness may not know this, but many years ago, the Majapahit Kingdom sent two hundred warships to attack Temasek. Parameswara was driven to Malacca by them. These ships were not all they had, and they should not be underestimated."

Taman has been consulting with the natives and researching local history and the various dynasties in the vicinity, and has finally made some progress.

"Yes! Master Taman is right. Don't underestimate Majapahit. Since he was able to unify that southern territory, he must have enough strength. It's not uncommon in Great Xia to lose one's life because of underestimating the enemy. So, all of you, be alert and go take a look."

Upon seeing a group of people who were clearly leaders approaching from the shore, shouts began to come from the boat of Majapahit, a string of gibberish that was incomprehensible to the person on board.

“Your Highness, he is... what general of Majapahit... He represents their king to collect this year's taxes from Temasek..."

"Taman, you can't even do translation anymore? Didn't you just say he was here to ask for money to buy the land?"

"Your Highness, they did say earlier that we had to buy Temasek from them, but now they've changed their minds. There's nothing I can do about it!"

The wizard Taman is really unlucky. First, he was harassed by the Manjapahit people by name, then he was looked down upon by the Dayuan pioneers, and now even his professional competence is being doubted by Qin Mo.

"Alright, go ask them what happened just now? Why did they change their minds?"

The shaman Taman turned and walked towards the Manjapahit people wearing skirts, a rare fierceness appearing on his old face. "Even a rabbit will bite when cornered! These bastards dared to trick me?"

Taman's aged voice began to argue with the rude natives, and the argument grew louder and louder. Taman's originally dark brown face turned red, which was an extremely rare occurrence.

"Taman... come here, what's wrong with you! You have no manners at all!"

Taman glared hatefully at the leading native, then returned to Qin Mo's side and whispered, "Your Highness, they are truly despicable. I misheard them. Five hundred bolts of silk are the annual tax, and they are also demanding a thousand pieces of that iron armor..."

"Oh! It seems it's not that you lack manners, but that they're too greedy. Tell them they have neither money nor goods. The Development Bureau is noble and inviolable. If they have any objections, bring it on!"

Taman's already flushed face turned even redder. He stiffened his neck and returned to the side of the boat, where he began to berate the natives, his voice louder than the husky Qin Mo raised.

"&%$@#……*￥"

The chieftain of the Manjapahit tribe drew his sword, brandishing it and shouting. His warriors also drew their swords, howling in unison.

"Form ranks!"

The garrison commander at the docks didn't tolerate them. He had fought the orcs to the death and wouldn't take these chaotic barbarians seriously.

At the brigade commander's command, the musketeers and pistol players quickly formed ranks, their formations clearly defined and orderly. The killing intent honed by years of training and combat among these professional soldiers emanated from them, further escalating the tension.

The natives on both ships were clearly the elite of the Majapahit, as everyone possessed an iron sword. Though short in stature, they were not weak, and upon seeing the large army arrayed in battle, they were all on high alert, ready for war.

Qin Mo watched the group of less than a hundred native warriors with great interest, wondering where their fighting spirit and confidence came from, daring to confront the elite Da Yuan soldiers. Could it be that Majapahit's unification of the southern islands had given them an overconfidence?

The tribal warriors were not a regular army after all. After a stalemate lasting about the time it takes to drink two cups of tea, the tribal warriors finally began to waver. Many of the tribal warriors began to unconsciously shrink back, until the last tribal warrior was pushed into the sea.

Hahahaha

Amidst the laughter of a group of high-ranking military officers and their children, the natives of Manjapayi hastily sailed away, causing another burst of laughter.

After Qin Mo left, a group of pioneers suddenly surrounded Lin Yongqian.

"Director Lin, our Fu Company wants that area in Aceh! We'll pay the deposit and get the license plate right away."

"That's right, that's right! We, the Great Eastern, are going to Palembang to make our fortune. Name your price!"

"Oh! I, Lin, am naturally very pleased that you are all willing to abide by the regulations of the Development Bureau. However, as Your Highness just said, do not think that the Majapahit Kingdom is truly weak and easily bullied. Since they were able to unify most of Java and Sumatra, they must have their reasons for being strong. You should not underestimate them."

"Lin family's eldest son, look at you! We're here to do business, not to rob. Doesn't the Development Bureau's flag say that we're here with wealth?"

The flag of the Da Yuan Development Administration was designed by Qin Mo. The image is very simple, with only two hands, one holding a shield and the other holding a large gold ingot.

In Qin Mo's words, "Wealth is the sharpest weapon. If used properly, it can conquer any fortress, while force is only a last resort."

These pioneers were initially worried that the southern barbarians, unfamiliar with the rules, might act recklessly and get ripped off, resulting in a loss of their investment. However, seeing that the southern barbarians' martial prowess was quite average, they figured they could protect themselves no matter what, so they naturally became more active.

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