Chapter Twenty-One: Hanyang

The storm lasted all night and only began to subside the next morning. Qin Mo immediately took off his clothes, climbed to the top of the mast, and looked into the distance, counting his own ships one by one.

Fortunately, all the ships were still there, and they were gradually forming a line and raising half-sails. His cheapskate father, Qin Lan, had left him a considerable amount of initial capital. Large tracts of land, loyal subordinates, and this group of experienced captains and sailors—these people were invaluable.

"The fleet is to head north to Hanyang to dock, repair the ships, and check for casualties." A series of orders were relayed, and the fleet slowly began to turn and head towards Hanyang. Looking at the fleet that he could command with ease, Qin Mo felt a surge of pride. This was his own fleet. Although it was still weak at the moment, it was a seed that would eventually grow into a mighty tree.

Hanyang, originally named Yangzhou, was renamed Hancheng by the Goryeo royal family, who admired the Great Xia Han Dynasty and petitioned the Great Xia emperor. Hancheng was located north of the Han River in Goryeo, surrounded by mountains and water. According to the feng shui principle of "north of water is yang", it was also called Hanyang. After several generations of royal changes, the Goryeo people called it Hanyang for the sake of self-esteem.

More than twenty ships docked at Hanyang Wharf at once, turning the already crowded wharf into chaos. The sailors of Daxia were extremely arrogant, taking advantage of the size of their ships to push and shove, squeezing the fishing boats and ocean-going vessels like sardines, unable to move.

The officials on duty at the dock were stunned when they saw a large fleet of merchant ships from the Great Xia, and more and more Japanese warriors disembarking. What was going on? Had the Great Xia and Japan joined forces to attack? One Japanese pirate was already enough to overwhelm Goryeo; if the Great Xia was behind this... the consequences were simply unimaginable.

Soon, a troop of men arrived from Hanyang and sealed off the dock. A group of Goryeo officials walked straight over, first exchanging words with Qin Mo's retainer, glancing in Qin Mo's direction as they spoke. Finally, they bowed to the retainer, who then came aboard the ship to request an audience.

"Young Master, the naval commander of Hanyang Port wishes to pay his respects to you. I originally intended to turn him away, but we need hot water and repairs to our ships. Therefore, I would appreciate your decision, Young Master."

"Let him come over. We're not afraid of officials, we're afraid of those in charge. Although he's an official, we're in his jurisdiction now, so let's give him some face."

Soon, the naval commander arrived outside Qin Mo's cabin and shouted loudly, "Li Zida, the naval commander of Hanyang in Goryeo, greets His Highness the Crown Prince Heng of the Supreme Kingdom!"

Qin Mo looked at Li Zida, who was trying to maintain a dignified demeanor but exuding humility, and sighed inwardly. These Koreans are still the same as ever, both self-deprecating and arrogant.

Actually, calling someone a "bangzi" (棒子) is incorrect. In Korea, "bangzi" is an absolutely insulting term. Koreans are also divided into different classes, with the lowest being not commoners, but the "lower class." Children born to prostitutes among the lower class are called "bangzi," meaning people like Wei Xiaobao (a character from a popular Chinese novel). So, if you were a "bangzi," you'd probably have to test your strength.

"Brother Li, please sit down. I am just passing through. I encountered a storm yesterday and am resting here for a few days. I hope you can provide some timber and fuel. I will buy them at market price." Goryeo is nominally a vassal state of Great Xia. Their king is of the same rank as the Prince of Heng. Qin Mo, the prince, calling him Brother Li is a sign of respect.

Sure enough, when Li Zida heard Qin Mo address him as Brother Li, he immediately felt a little tipsy, as if he had drunk half a jar of strong liquor. He repeatedly said that he would immediately prepare hot soup and water for the imperial army.

After he left, Qin Mo called over his personal guard and instructed him to summon all officers of the Fusang Army above the rank of captain to his ship for a meeting. There were already signs of chaos on the dock, and he didn't want to cause any international conflict.

"I don't care what methods you use, you must keep your soldiers in check. If any trouble breaks out, regardless of who is right or wrong, you can all go home! Of course, you'll have to buy your own tickets."

Most of those selected to serve as squad leaders and brigade commanders understood the language of Daxia. Even so, Qin Mo hired more than a dozen Japanese translators who understood the language of Daxia. In wartime, if orders could not be communicated, the army would be a disorganized mess destined for slaughter.

A group of Japanese warmongers reluctantly agreed, their heads bowed. They believed the Goryeo army was a bunch of weaklings, and without the protection of the Great Xia Empire, they would have long been incorporated into the Great Fusang Empire. Now that their masters from the Great Xia Empire were backing them up, it would be a shame not to give them a good beating.

Qin Mo didn't care what they thought. He just told them to check on their subordinates and let them go ashore in batches to rest. Those who were in good health could stay on the ship. As long as they didn't die, Da Xia could slowly recuperate. He told them to keep to themselves on the way.

Before evening, an envoy from the King of Goryeo arrived in Hanyang, sincerely inviting Qin Mo to rest in the city. The King of Goryeo wanted to host a banquet for Qin Mo and the general of Da Xia.

Qin Mo had no interest in visiting the Goryeo royal palace. He certainly wouldn't go to meet anyone who came to pay their respects, and as for him to go and visit others, well, he wasn't in the mood. He simply wrote a long letter explaining that he was merely passing through, that his men were unruly, and that he needed to be present at the dock to prevent any trouble. He instructed a messenger to take it back to the Goryeo king for his perusal.

The King of Goryeo was quite sensible; he simply sent over a lot of meat, vegetables, and dry firewood. Qin Mo then set up a large pot, stewed the meat and vegetables, and distributed them to the group of Japanese mercenaries. They vomited, their stomachs already empty from hunger.

Qin Mo and Li Zida sat on the boat drinking together. Since they wanted to do maritime trade in the future, it was good to build a good relationship with this naval commander in order to avoid having trouble finding distributors later.

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