Shuangyu Island.
The island was filled with a tense atmosphere before a major war.
Portuguese spies learned that the Ming army was about to launch a fierce attack on Shuangyu Island. Unlike the previous times, this time the Ming army mobilized many large Fujian ships and Guangdong ships, which were strong ships and powerful artillery and had considerable combat effectiveness.
There were over a thousand Portuguese soldiers and several artillery pieces on Shuangyu Island. Shuangyu Island was easy to defend but difficult to attack, so under normal circumstances the Portuguese were able to hold it.
But there were not only Portuguese on Shuangyu Island, but also Ming people and Japanese pirates.
Normally, these forces do not interfere with each other and live in peace.
But this is a turbulent time, and both sides are cautious, fearing that their interests on Shuangyu Island will be infringed by the other side.
There are no laws on the island, and whoever has the stronger fist has the final say.
On the contrary, the weaker party can only swallow their anger and be bullied.
As the largest smuggling port in southeastern Ming Dynasty, Shuangyu Port was home to many ships, large and small. However, the port was now sealed, and no ship was allowed to leave without the order of the Portuguese Governor.
Because the nobles on the island got the news, the Ming army would work together with the spies on the island to take the opportunity to control the port.
As for who the spy is, it is not easy to tell.
It could be the Japanese or the Ming people.
In short, blocking the port is the safest way just in case.
This will cut off the Ming army's connection with Shuangyu Island, allowing them to focus on defending it.
Even if the Ming army had strong ships and powerful guns, they would not have any good solution in the face of tight defense.
The only pity is that we cannot go out to sea during this period, and all parties on the island will lose some of their interests.
But it's worth it in the long run.
But Xu Dong doesn't think so.
As the largest maritime merchant and pirate in Fujian and Zhejiang, he felt that he was being targeted by the Portuguese.
It seemed as if the Portuguese believed he was a traitor and were extremely wary of him and his men.
All signs indicate that conflict or even a fight may break out between the two sides at any time.
Of course Xu Dong would not sit idly by and wait for death. He called together his adopted son Xu Chaoguang and his confidant Wang Zhi to discuss countermeasures.
Xu Dong's residence is an independent two-story bamboo building located on the northern foot of Shuangyu Island.
You can see the entire port by opening the window.
The biting sea breeze blew in, and it felt like a knife cutting flesh when it hit my face.
However, Xu Dong enjoyed this because the pain could keep him awake.
"Chaoguang, what do you think?"
Xu Chaoguang was originally the son of the Xie family of Donghu, in the outlying Putu district of Haiyang County. During a coastal raid by Xu Dong, Xu Dong killed his father and abducted his mother. Xu Dong, who had no children at the time, adopted Xu Chaoguang as his own.
Because Xu Chaoguang was still young, he did not have a deep impression of this memory and always followed Xu Dong across the sea.
"Father, in my opinion, the red-haired devils have long disliked us. This time they are just looking for an excuse to wipe us out in one fell swoop. We can't just sit there and wait for death. We must seize the opportunity first."
Xu Dong didn't say anything, but looked at Wang Zhi.
Wang Zhi is a fellow townsman of Xu Dong.
Both of them were from She County, Huizhou Prefecture. Wang Zhi had achieved nothing by the time he was in his thirties, so he made up his mind to join the pirate group of his fellow villager Xu Dong and started smuggling.
Because of his ruthlessness, Wang Zhi quickly gained Xu Dong's trust and soon became Xu Dong's confidant.
Their team has many fellow countrymen and very few Japanese ronin, which is very different from other pirates.
"Master, I think this is unusual. Spreading this kind of news just as the Ming army is about to attack the island seems like an attempt to disrupt the morale of the army."
Wang Zhi paused and said, "The Portuguese settled in Shuangyu mainly to use it as a transit point and a place to stay, so as to engage in the long-term triangular trade between Japan's Hirado Island, Fujian and Zhejiang, and Malacca."
"They partnered with Japanese and Fujian and Zhejiang merchants to bring in pepper, spices and other goods from Malacca and other places. They exchanged them for silk and cotton cloth with local merchants in Shuangyu, then shipped them to Hirado Island, Japan, and sold them in exchange for silver, which they used to purchase cargo for the next voyage."
"That is to say, if the Portuguese want to continue their business, they can neither offend the Fujian and Zhejiang merchants nor the Japanese. Otherwise, what is the point of occupying the two islands?"
Wang Zhi's words completely awakened Xu Dong.
Yes, the Portuguese are not doing a one-time deal, but a long-term trade.
If he offended either the Fujian and Zhejiang merchants or the Japanese, he would have no chance of continuing his business.
"Jitian, what did Shinshiro say?"
These two people are the leaders of the Japanese barbarians on Shuangyu Island, and almost all the Japanese ronin on Shuangyu Island listen to them.
Even if Xu Dong really wants to take action, he has to unite the forces of the Japanese, otherwise his men alone will not be enough to shake the position of the Portuguese red-haired devils.
"Foster father, there is no movement from the Japanese yet."
Xu Chaoguang paused and said.
"But my son has already sent people to investigate over there, and will report back as soon as he gets any news."
Xu Dong nodded.
He didn't want to turn against the Portuguese unless it was absolutely necessary.
Because even if he successfully seized control of Shuangyu Island, he would suffer heavy losses.
In this situation, the Ming army might have taken advantage of the situation and gained an advantage.
Xu Dong had no intention of giving up Shuangyu unless it was absolutely necessary. He had been operating here for many years and had a strong foundation. Starting over again in another place wouldn't be easy.
"Wufeng, you should go there yourself and test their intentions. You have to do it before Baldy Li does."
The Baldy Li mentioned by Xu Dong is from Fuzhou and is another force on Shuangyu Island second only to the Xu pirates.
Compared to the Xu family's Huizhou faction, Li Guangtou's Fujian faction was much more low-key. But Xu Dong still feared they might have some ulterior motive.
Wang Zhi had sailed to Japan three years earlier, calling himself the Wufeng Ship Master, and was welcomed by the local lord, Matsuura Takanobu. Matsuura was eager to trade with the Ming Dynasty, but due to the Ningbo tribute dispute, the Ming court had decreed that Japan could only offer tribute once every ten years, with three ships and 100 crew members, and prohibited the use of weapons.
After this incident, the Ouchi clan monopolized the Kan'ei trade and sent two final ships to Ming, but each time they were subject to strict restrictions.
Under such circumstances, Matsuura Takanobu of Hirado Island had no choice but to resort to smuggling. Shuangyu Island was a very suitable place for trading.
There is a hill more than 200 meters high on each of the east and west sides of Shuangyu Island. There is an open space more than 40 miles wide between the two hills, which is used for cargo distribution. A north-south river passes through the island, making it very convenient for ships to enter the port.
All cargo transactions are carried out on the island, without having to go ashore.
He sent people to accompany Wang Zhi to Shuangyu for investigation. After arriving in Shuangyu, the Japanese were very satisfied and reported the local situation to the feudal lord, and the cooperation was successfully negotiated.
Ji Tian and Shinshiro were both confidants sent by Matsuura Takanobu. They had a good personal relationship with Wang Zhi, so Xu Dong hoped that Wang Zhi would go there in person.
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