Because the deep sea contains treasures such as agarwood, coral, and hawksbill turtle shell, the island is rich in fragrant wood, medicinal herbs, and minerals...
The surrounding vassal states were rich in spices, ivory, rhinoceros horns, and other valuables...
Most importantly, since the islanders cannot afford well salt, they have already mastered rudimentary techniques for producing sea salt by sun-drying...
Although the official trade in salt is prohibited, it is extremely profitable and continues despite repeated bans.
Therefore, despite the numerous dangers on Hainan Island, a large number of wealthy landowners still arranged for their people to settle there...
Responsible for procuring local products, coordinating the purchase of supplies from vassal states, and ensuring their safe entry onto land...
Over the years, the agents appointed by these wealthy and powerful local gentry in Da Yin Township gradually established themselves on Hainan Island...
Living in Qiongzhou, Danzhou, and Wan'an Prefecture, where the living environment is relatively good, and with people from Guangdong, Guangxi, Fujian, Japan, and the Southern Yue people also living on the islands, facilitates trade negotiations...
These situations, which would be impossible on the mainland of the Dayin Plain, were commonplace on Hainan Island, where the imperial court's control was weak and the government was corrupt.
The unclear household registration system and its lax enforcement have led to a situation where money can be used to bribe people to live on the island.
This has also exacerbated the complex population and poor security situation on the island.
Among the four prefectures in Hainan, Yazhou was the first to be exploited by various forces.
Song Chenghou frowned, concealing all his thoughts. When he saw the deep wrinkles on Xiaobao's mother's face, as well as her kind smile, he felt a pang of sadness.
"Come on, Xiao Bao, your brother will go with you!"
The seventh brother, Song Chengyao, heard the commotion and came out carrying two wooden buckets...
After saying hello to my older brother and Wen Shishi, I prepared to go with Xiaobao and his mother.
His arm suddenly sank, and Wen Shishi rushed over, grabbed a bucket, and looked up at him, "Seventh Brother, I want to go too..."
Song Chengyao smiled and teased, "Well, so you finally have a chance to use your seventh brother?"
He looked up at his elder brother and asked for his opinion.
Song Chenghou's voice was gentle and warm, "Alright! I'll take Shishi with me. We don't have anything else to do right now, so I can be of help..."
"Yay!" Little Wen Shishi understands what I'm saying very well.
Upon hearing his older brother's agreement, he immediately let go of her hand with delight and jumped up to clap his hands.
Xiao Bao and his mother both looked at Wen Shishi.
Xiao Bao was probably seeing such a cute and beautiful girl for the first time, and he was completely mesmerized.
Xiao Bao's mother expressed her envy, "This little girl is so clever and quick-witted! Sigh..."
That unfinished sigh seemed to express regret for not stepping forward to adopt Wen Shishi back then...
Song Chenghou told the monks at the temple where they were going, then took Wen Shishi's hand and went out...
As for Xiao Bao's mother's regrets, I pretended not to hear them.
As soon as we arrived at the shore, many fisherwomen were already bending down to pick up fish, crabs, and shellfish.
Wen Shishi immediately broke free from Song Chenghou's hand and ran towards the beach...
"Shishi..."
Song Chenghou was shocked and immediately spoke.
Xiao Bao followed, standing right behind Wen Shishi.
"Don't worry! Xiao Bao is with you!"
There are other people around; they'll help look after them!
Xiao Bao's mother smiled and comforted him.
Song Chenghou was still uneasy, his gaze remaining fixed on Wen Shishi not far away.
The little girl looked like a mud monkey, her shoes still on, her feet covered in mud.
Amidst rows of haphazard adult footprints, a few smaller footprints were crookedly imprinted...
Song Chenghou and Song Chengyao looked at each other, their faces showing tenderness.
The mud-covered monkey, engrossed in its play, paid no heed to its brother's calls...
Although there were fisherwomen nearby, Song Chengyao dared not let his guard down after yesterday's perilous experience...
He put down the wooden bucket, took off his shoes, walked straight to Wen Shishi's side, and without saying a word, tucked her under his arm and started walking back...
"Seventh Brother, put me down! I want to play!"
Wen Shishi became a little anxious and struggled to get down.
However, Seventh Brother was quite strong and carried her back to Eldest Brother's side in one go.
Seeing her older brother's worried expression, Wen Shishi immediately became obedient.
She reached out to take Song Chenghou's hand, looked up at her older brother, and spoke in a slightly coquettish tone.
"Big brother, I want to go beachcombing too..."
Song Chenghou squatted down and earnestly reasoned with his sister, "We came here to go beachcombing, didn't we?"
But there are many dangers in the sea. Xiao Bao was bitten by a fish that day, and Shi Shi remembers that too, right?
Wen Shishi nodded.
"And yesterday, the tide suddenly came in, which was very dangerous, wasn't it?"
Wen Shishi nodded even lower.
Song Chenghou patted Wen Shishi's head, unable to bear seeing the little one's disappointed look, and continued, "So, even when you're going beachcombing, you have to stay by your brothers' side..."
I can't just break free and run away without saying a word like I did before...
It's very dangerous, you know?
Wen Shishi tugged at her older brother's finger, admitting her mistake, "I know, I was wrong..."
She looked up with an innocent, radiant smile and earnestly promised, "I'll never let my older brother worry again..."
A teasing voice came from beside him, "Oh? So if Big Brother is worried, then Seventh Brother can be worried too?"
"I just forgot, who carried you back?"
Wen Shishi sighed softly. It wasn't a hug, it was more like she was being pulled back into her arms...
He replied dismissively, "So as not to worry Seventh Brother..."
Having said that, he turned back as if he had completed his task and looked at his elder brother again...
There was no trace of Song Chengyao in his eyes anymore.
Song Chengyao pointed at Wen Shishi in disbelief, then looked at his older brother, "Big brother, did you hear that? This brat..."
If you made a promise, then make a promise. Just say it and don't worry me. Why are you sighing?
What's the meaning? ! "
Song Chenghou smiled, and Wen Shi glanced at him sideways, unable to resist rolling her eyes before turning her head away...
Song Chengyao almost jumped up and exaggeratedly said to his older brother, "Big brother, did you see that?"
"This little brat actually dared to roll his eyes at me!"
Song Chengyao gritted his teeth, seemingly about to pounce on her, snatch Wen Shishi from his older brother's hands, and give her a good talking-to...
Song Chenghou finally managed to suppress a laugh, "Alright! How old are you? Arguing with a four-and-a-half-year-old..."
As Song Chenghou spoke, Wen Wenshi turned her head and gave Song Chengyao another eye roll...
Song Chengyao rolled up his sleeves and circled around Song Chenghou, chasing after Wen Shishi in circles...
Hearing the commotion, the fisherwoman and her children stood up and looked at the three playfully fighting, their faces beaming with smiles...
Unbeknownst to them, a wisp of cloud appeared in the clear blue sky.
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