59

After the arrangements were completed, the subordinates had to act separately. The first to leave the island were the three ships of the Li family, preparing to return to the camp to assist Li Niu in handling the collection and conscription of goods along the coast.

Lin Meng was chosen to lead the merchant fleet, with a total of six ships. It was not yet the season for harvesting the new season of Cochin rice, so there was no need to send too many ships to Hepu, as the main focus should still be on training troops.

Yan Yuan would take the flagship and the merchant ship to Panyu to investigate the enemy situation, gather information, and purchase some goods that were urgently needed on the island.

This means that ten ships will be sent out and most of the people will be taken away. The rest will be led by Cheng Xi himself for training, and he will also help Sun Erlang build a camp.

However, before the cargo fleet set off, the island welcomed a guest, a guy they knew.

"Isn't this Shopkeeper Yang? It's been a long time since we last met. Are you going to take a boat to Hepu?" Cheng Xi personally went to the dock to greet him with a smile.

The person who came was the young shopkeeper of the grocery store in Panyu City. He should also be one of the leaders of the Qingfeng Gang. He brought six ships with him this time.

Now the two gangs are allies on the surface. How could Cheng Xi refuse if the other party wants to land on the island?

Seeing Cheng Xi, Shopkeeper Yang was also full of smiles: "I was going to Hepu to pick up the goods. The boss asked me to come to the island to take a look. If there is any difficulty, I can help."

"Boss Shen is thoughtful. I can still handle it here, so I won't delay your gang's important matters." Cheng Xi smiled frankly, but he already had a plan in his mind. It seemed that Shen Feng had deliberately let the second in command go.

She knew full well that the Red Flag Gang was short of manpower, but she deliberately let them off on the front battlefield, letting seven or eight boats escape.

If Cheng Xi hadn't quickly gathered his forces and summoned a fleet, how could he have stopped the enemy attack with only two boats and forty men? Not to mention the numerous surrendered soldiers on the island, who also posed a serious threat.

This move was quite sinister. She even sent someone she knew to come here specifically. Wasn't it just to show some favor and take advantage of her? Unfortunately, Shen Feng didn't expect that she could deal with the enemy so easily and neatly.

Shopkeeper Yang laughed half-heartedly, "Looking at the boats parked at the dock, I know Boss Cheng is incredibly capable, with strong troops and brave generals. How could a kid like me stand out? So I shamelessly came here to eat for free."

"Haha, that's easy. I also promised Brother Chen that if the Qingfeng Gang passes by our island, we will definitely treat them well. Please come in, Manager Yang!" Cheng Xi immediately made an inviting gesture and invited the other party into the village.

Yang Qing really wanted to find out the truth about Luoling Island, so he would not miss the opportunity and followed him in openly.

At this moment, the tunnel in front of the village gate has been filled in, and the Shura scene is no longer visible. However, there are several more heads hanging on the poles.

Yang Qing took one look and exclaimed in admiration, "They've caught all those thieves in one fell swoop, haven't they?"

Cheng Xi said: "With three bosses and twelve leaders, we have eliminated future troubles."

Yang Qing paused. "Did the Second in Command really get killed by the Gang Leader? That's great! He was cunning, and we couldn't stop him despite all our efforts."

"It's a good thing I didn't stop them, so I earned a few more boats." Cheng Xi laughed.

Yang Qing also laughed along, but he was already extremely surprised in his heart.

It is true that he went to Hepu to transport sugar, but the gang leader really gave him an order and asked him to wait for the opportunity to act.

But when he arrived, he discovered no such opportunity. Luoling Island had already been stripped bare and devoured. With a dozen boats, a clean camp, and groups of identically dressed gang members, he couldn't tell if this was the Red Flag Gang's original strength or the gains from their Luoling Island takeover.

What's worse is that he couldn't tell which of the two answers was more terrifying.

However, this scolding did calm Yang Qing down a lot. After taking his place at the table, he was very polite and even his rudeness was reduced a lot. Cheng Xi smiled and said, "Your gang leader took away all the wine and drinks on the island before, so I have to ask Manager Yang to drink some hot soup to moisten his throat. There are plenty of fish and shrimp here, and the soup is really delicious."

Yang Qing hurriedly said, "Boss Cheng, why are you being so polite? My name is Yang Qing, and I'm just a handyman under the boss. I can't be the boss."

You've been here for quite some time, and you've just remembered that you can't be the shopkeeper? Cheng Xi said calmly, "As long as Ah Qing doesn't mind that the food here is crude, I'll definitely prepare something better next time you come."

Yang Qing said with a smile: "We are all floating on the sea. We are content to have a hot meal. Not to mention that the gang leader prepared so many dishes. I am lucky to have benefited from it."

"Haha, if you like it, eat more. We'll try something else next time." Cheng Xi didn't hesitate and started eating with his chopsticks.

There was no wine and no women, and the people were not gentlemen who would not talk while eating, so naturally they would chat about something.

After taking a few bites, Cheng Xi casually said, "You didn't bring many ships this time. Do you want me to send a few to help you transport the goods?"

Yang Qing nearly choked to death on the chicken nuggets in his mouth and quickly said, "Boss Cheng, you're too polite. I'm just transporting some sugar this time, so I don't need so many boats."

Cheng Xi naturally knew about the deal between the Qingfeng Gang and Lu Jian, but that was not what she wanted to ask.

Raising an eyebrow in feigned surprise, Cheng Xi said, "That's not a very cost-effective trip. Traveling hundreds of miles by sea just for some sugar? I heard that Fujian and the Ryukyu Islands are both sugar-producing areas. Why go so far?"

This was the internal affairs of the Qingfeng Gang, so Yang Qing naturally couldn't tell anyone about it. He just laughed it off and said, "Of course, the more supply, the better. Jiaozhi sugar is cheap, so I negotiated a deal with Master Lu. Besides, we don't have to go to Hepu all the time. Once Master Lu moves to Panyu, it will be closer for shipping."

Lu Jian is moving to Panyu?

Cheng Xi hadn't heard of this news, but he didn't reveal it. He just nodded and said, "That's a lot more convenient. But white sugar is popular on the market now, and the sugar from Jiaozhi is all raw sugar, right? Wouldn't that drop the price?"

Yang Qing smiled implicitly: "There are ways to sell raw sugar, so it's okay."

Are you confident that you can process the incoming materials?

Cheng Xi also knew that white sugar was obtained by bleaching brown sugar. Now that the Qingfeng Gang dared to import raw materials, did they have access to processing channels? If they even mastered this, wouldn't it be even better to build their own sugarcane plantations? The islands near Fujian and Ryukyu are the most suitable places for growing sugarcane. Shen Feng occupies that sea area and is a major sugar trader. Wouldn't they have a plan for a backup plan?

There must be a reason why they were forced to travel hundreds of miles and circle the entire south coast, and it must be a reason that threatens their survival.

Cheng Xi chewed his food slowly for two bites before saying, "The Japanese are greedy by nature and tend to bully the weak and fear the strong. You have to be careful when dealing with them. If they bite you back one day, it will be troublesome."

Yang Qing said this so casually that he almost bit his tongue off. Fearing he would reveal his flaws, he quickly said, "The boss often says this. Boss Cheng seems to share the same sentiments with the boss."

Yan Yuan, who had been listening silently, couldn't help but look up and glared at the boy from the Qingfeng Gang.

What kind of bullshit is this?

How could his gang leader be so on speaking terms with a thief leader?! Yang Qing, a man of great vigilance, immediately noticed something was wrong and looked back in confusion. What had he said wrong?

Seeing the expressions of the two, Cheng Xi guessed about 80% of what was going on. He coughed and said, "It's good that Boss Shen knows what's going on. It's me who said too much."

What she cared about was not the nature of the Japanese, but what was revealed in Yang Qing's attitude.

You have to know that Japan and Ryukyu have a bad history. Although I don’t know what it will become in this time and space, if a war breaks out, it will definitely affect the nearby pirates.

Was the Qingfeng Gang implicated, or were there other gangs or forces attacking from both sides, forcing even the smart Shen Feng to run to Hepu to transport sugar?

However, it was not convenient to ask further about this matter, so she changed the subject naturally: "Actually, sugar is nothing. The most valuable things in Southeast Asia are still spices. Unfortunately, I am a small family and I don't have enough capital."

Yang Qing's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately remembered the pepper he bought from this guy when they first met.

Could it be that he was planning to start a pepper business and was even trying to drag the Qingfeng Gang into it? What a joke! Their forces weren't in the south, not to mention having to face the vicious Longjing Gang head-on. Even the gang leader wouldn't be so crazy!

Not daring to respond, Yang Qing laughed dryly: "The gang leader is quite talented. He has built up such a great foundation in such a short time. If he wants to do business in Southeast Asia, isn't it just a matter of time?"

This flattery was neither awkward nor awkward, and it was obvious that he didn't want to talk any more. Cheng Xi was not going to let it go easily. He just said a few humble words and went back to talking about the pepper business.

Now Yang Qing really couldn't sit still, for fear that he would show his weakness or that this little lunatic would really target him and want to use him to fight against the Changjing Gang.

You have to know that the area near Hepu is the territory of the Changjing Gang. Even if he had a hundred guts, he wouldn't dare to cause trouble there!

So he ate almost three times as much as a good meal. After finishing the meal in a hurry, Yang Qing didn't dare to stay any longer and got up to say goodbye.

Cheng Xi naturally tried to persuade him to stay, but the other party's face was frozen with smile. He said that he had an important task to shoulder and dared not delay. He jumped onto the boat like a fly and slipped away with his men without even taking some fresh water.

Cheng Xi breathed a sigh of relief only after the fleet flying the green flag sailed away. "The Qingfeng Gang shouldn't target us now. You should pack up and get on the road as soon as possible. Stay in Panyu for a few more days to avoid running into them."

Yan Yuan also realized what Cheng Xi meant halfway. They had no time to spend on pepper at the moment. They just wanted to clear the sea area as soon as possible and control the nearby shipping lanes. He said this just to make the leader of the Qingfeng Gang misunderstand so as to avoid getting in the way.

However, despite this, he still felt uncomfortable seeing the young lady chatting and laughing with the people from the Qingfeng Gang.

Obviously, at other times, he had always admired the young lady very much, and he also knew that she was a remarkable woman with decisiveness and extraordinary talent.

At times like this, one would remember that she was an unmarried girl, and would be afraid that she would be abducted by a strange man by accident.

No wonder the military commander treated the young lady like the apple of his eye and refused to let her out of the gate.

Alas, I haven't even married or had children yet, but why do I have such a nagging habit?

After suppressing the irritation in his heart again and again and swallowing all the words of persuasion in his heart, Yan Yuan straightened his posture and responded respectfully.

The next day, without further delay, the fleet left the island and headed towards Panyu.

Li Niu, who had been guarding the main camp and stirring up trouble in the county, finally received news from the island. When he learned that they had won another great victory and that three or four hundred people could not capture the village, he excitedly slapped his thigh and said, "The leader is really powerful! These idiots even wanted to attack at night, without even considering who they were dealing with! Oh, if only I were there..."

Li Lai quickly said jokingly, "That's right. If Uncle were here, there would be no chance for Yan to stand out..."

Before he could finish his words, Li Niu's face turned stern: "You bastard, how can you say such nonsense? You all should watch your mouths and stop talking nonsense!"

Li Lai was stunned by the scolding and said blankly: "Uncle, didn't you say..."

"What did I say? If it were me, I wouldn't be able to take down all those ships! The one who let Yan Yuan lead the flagship is the gang leader, do you think you can gossip about him? Don't say a word about this anymore!" Li Niu scolded.

Li Lai finally realized what was going on, and sweat immediately broke out on his back. He hadn't noticed that although his cousin was always complaining and disliking Yan Yuan, he had never questioned the gang leader's arrangements.

Whether it was when Yan Yuan was asked to attack Erwang Village before, or when he heard the news that he led a fleet to suppress bandits, he had no complaints.

It was because I was careless for a moment and said the wrong thing.

Li Lai opened and closed his mouth, and finally squeezed out a sentence: "It's my fault, kid. I must be more respectful to Chief Yan in the future."

Li Niu scoffed and waved his hand, "That's not necessary. Just let it be. He's a new guy, and his methods are so powerful. If we get close to him, what will the leader think, and what will the brothers think? But just make a gesture on this matter, and don't interfere with the leader's arrangements. You must remember that it was the leader who saved our lives, so don't get confused about this."

After hearing this, Li Lai finally understood and felt admiration in his heart: "Uncle is really smart!"

Li Niu snorted twice. "We both have three ships now. We can definitely become 'flag masters' in the future. We have such a bright future. How can we not be careful? Think before you speak and act in the future. Don't fall into the same trap as me and regret it later."

Li Lai was convinced this time. He always felt that his uncle was a little arrogant and didn't seem to be very reliable in doing things, but he didn't expect that his cousin had a clear mind like a mirror.

Compared to this old captain, I am still too young.

After calming himself down, Li Lai asked tentatively, "Then what should we do about recruiting soldiers this time?"

Li Niu asked back, "Does the gang leader have any instructions?"

"The gang leader simply said we shouldn't force anyone to do anything, and that the recruits must be able to withstand training." Li Lai thought for a moment and then whispered, "It was Chief Yan who brought up the matter, and Chief Sun said we didn't have enough money and food. In the end, it was the gang leader who made the final decision to recruit soldiers."

This is their respective positions. Li Niu stroked his chin and thought for a long time before he chuckled: "Go and call all the debt collectors and grain sellers. I have some instructions."