Lie Port.
This inconspicuous island in the past became a refuge for countless pirates.
Among them was Wang Zhi from the Huizhou merchant faction.
The Xu father and son were all captured in a recent encirclement and suppression operation by government forces. Wang Zhi fought hard to fight his way out and escape.
He gathered the remaining troops and wandered on the sea for a long time, and finally decided to settle in Liegang.
Compared with Shuangyu, Liegang is really too inconspicuous.
Neither the scale of the port nor the island's resources could compare to Shuangyu. Crucially, Shuangyu had been managed for decades, rivaling even the wealthiest prefectures and counties. Liegang, on the other hand, was like a poor, run-down village, lacking everything it needed, and having to start all over again.
Oh, it’s so difficult.
The current situation of Shuangyu was not entirely due to the bravery of the Ming army, but rather due to numerous internal conflicts.
If there were no mutual suspicion and hostility, how could the Ming army have defeated each other and gained the upper hand?
Even after Shuangyu was captured, Wang Zhi still believed there was a chance.
It’s just that the subsequent actions of each company were so disappointing.
But there is no point in saying this now.
The most important thing is to survive.
There are quite a few Japanese people on this small island, all from Hirado Island.
Wang Zhi once visited Hirado Island and became close friends with the local daimyo.
Therefore, after a lively discussion, the local Japanese agreed to allow Wang Zhi and his troops to move in.
The conditions in Liegang are very poor. There are few houses on the island and many people have to live in caves.
Wang Zhi had no objection to this. Instead, he took the lead and moved into the cave.
It's an emergency, so don't be so particular.
After a conversation with the Japanese leader Naito Nagaharu, Wang Zhi learned that these Japanese mainly made a living by looting, and occasionally asked for money from some prominent families along the coast.
But now that the government troops are so powerful, they haven't had meat for a long time.
This won’t work in the long run!
Lie Port’s storage capacity is limited, and problems will arise if there is no income for a month or two.
I can't bear it any longer.
Wang Zhi decided to find Naito Nagaharu to discuss future development issues.
He only brought a few trusted men to Jiaomen Mountain, but was stopped on the way up the mountain.
Wang Zhi communicated in Japanese and learned that there was news that the government army was going to attack Liegang in the near future, and Naito Nagaharu was discussing whether to stay or go with his confidants.
Wang Zhi felt as if a bone was stuck in his throat.
Could it be that Naito Nagaharu suspected that he was the one who lured the government troops here?
From an objective point of view, Wang Zhi is indeed a major suspect.
Now Wang Zhi couldn't explain himself even if he had a mouth.
But he still had to say it.
If he couldn't even stay in Liegang at this time, then he would really have no choice but to drift on the sea.
"Please inform me that Wang Zhi has something important to discuss with you."
Wang Zhi asked sincerely in Japanese.
The Japanese man hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded and went up the mountain.
Wang Zhi waited patiently at the foot of the mountain, hoping that Naito Nagaharu would change his mind.
After about an incense stick of time, the Japanese man came down the mountain.
He chattered in Japanese, and Wang Zhi's face changed slightly.
Naito Nagaharu meant that he should go up the mountain alone without any personal guards.
Could this be the Hongmen Banquet?
Wang Zhi was very conflicted.
If he didn't prove that he had something to hide, Naito Nagaharu would definitely not keep him on the island.
If he went, Wang Zhi didn't know whether he could get down the mountain alive.
After a fierce ideological struggle, Wang Zhi finally decided to go up the mountain.
Because he has no other choice.
He couldn't bear to continue drifting on the sea.
After some communication, the Japanese nodded and signaled Wang Zhi to follow him up the mountain.
Wang Zhi took a deep breath and followed him closely.
Jiaomen Mountain is not high, and Wang Zhi reached the top after climbing for a short while.
A three-story bamboo building stands there very conspicuously.
"please!"
The Japanese guard spoke in Japanese.
Wang Zhi straightened his robe and strode forward.
Entering the door and going up the stairs is done in one go.
When he reached the third floor, Wang Zhi could vaguely see several people sitting there through the curtains, among whom was Naito Nagaharu.
Wang Zhi lifted the curtain and gave a Japanese salute to Naito Nagaharu.
Naito Nagaharu nodded and motioned Wang Zhi to sit down.
Apart from Naito Nagaharu, Wang Zhi only knew Xin Wulang in the room.
When he saw Xin Wulang's angry face, his heart skipped a beat.
Could this really be a Hongmen Banquet?
No matter what, there is no way to regret it now.
Now that you are here, make the best of it.
Wang Zhi sat down and took a sip of wine.
"There's news that the government troops are about to encircle Liegang. What do you think?"
Naito Nagaharu went straight to the point and asked without hesitation, without any intention of giving Wang Zhi any face.
Although Wang Zhi felt a little embarrassed, he cleared his throat and said, "I think this must be a rumor."
"Oh? Why do you think so?"
Naito Nagaharu said expressionlessly.
"After the government troops captured Shuangyu, there were several major battles, but they were all at sea."
Wang Zhi had the most tragic experience, which he presented without reservation at this moment.
"Wang believes that the government troops will not have any plans to attack the island again in the near future."
No matter what Wang Zhi's analysis is, it is just analysis and there is no evidence.
Whether Naito Nagaharu believed it or not was not something Wang Zhi could decide.
After a long silence, Naito Nagaharu sighed and said, "This is a gamble."
"Xin Wulang, how long will the food on the island last?"
"If you eat sparingly, it will last you at most half a month."
Having said that, Xin Wulang glared at Wang Zhi with gritted teeth, as if all the food on the island had been eaten up by Wang Zhi and his men.
Although Wang Zhi felt wronged, he had no choice but to endure it.
When you live under someone's roof, you have to bow your head.
"Wang thought that perhaps we could rob merchant ships for supplies."
Wang Zhi offered an option.
"Do you think there are still merchant ships?"
Xin Wulang said sarcastically without hesitation.
"Thanks to you, merchant ships coming and going here have disappeared."
"Xingoro!"
Naito Nagaharu glared at Shin Goro and he shut up.
"Robbery of merchant ships is the least risky option."
Wang Zhi swallowed and said, "If we go ashore and plunder, we might anger the government troops. Even if they don't intend to wipe out Liegang, they will have to do it."
After a brief pause, Wang said directly, "As for relying on coastal merchants for aid, that's unlikely. The situation is tense right now, and no one dares to take risks."
Wang Zhi's analysis was very practical. Naito Nagaharu nodded after careful consideration.
"It's impossible for ships to come from the south, Xin Wulang, please pay more attention to the north."
To the north is naturally Japan.
It is possible that the ships from Japan are still unaware of the destruction of Shuangyu, and they can take the opportunity to rob.
It’s just that robbing fellow countrymen is somewhat unpleasant.
Xin Wulang clenched his fists and wanted to refute, but the words couldn't come out.
"Let's just leave it at that."
Naito Nagaharu had already made up his mind, so he said, "Xin Goro, pass on my order to start robbing merchant ships in the near future."
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