Chapter 211 Is this a pirate?
Kim Moo-shin's First Brigade of Goryeo naturally became the marines on the No. 2 Galesai warship, directly under the command of Qiao Erlang. After training in boarding tactics for a period of time, they began their next sea hunt.
A black skull and crossbones flag was raised, black veils covered their heads, and a group of black ghosts drove the Gallais into the narrow Strait of Malacca.
The Strait of Malacca is dozens of miles wide at its narrowest point, but the narrowest point, where large ships can navigate, is less than twenty miles wide. Two ships sailing side by side can clearly see all the passing vessels.
"Signal for the lead ship: Two easy targets spotted, requesting permission to attack!"
"...Captain, those two are fishing boats...it would be a waste of effort even if we captured them..."
"Damn, it's already afternoon. All we see are fishing boats and penniless people. At this rate, we're going to starve to death!"
Qiao Erlang angrily put down his binoculars and paced back and forth in frustration.
Pirates don't rob just any ship, because chasing another ship isn't something that happens in an instant. If the other ship is skilled at navigation, it's normal for it to escape. Chasing and stealing a bunch of fish wouldn't even cover the time and money!
After a fruitless effort, Qiao Erlang returned to his lair and consulted with Han Kun about whether to lead a team to plunder a few ports to replenish their food supplies.
"Erlang, we have enough food for half a year. If you want to eat meat, we can pretend to be merchants and buy some piglets to raise. There is plenty of seaweed in the sea, which is perfect for feeding pigs."
Han Kun saw through Qiao Erlang's thoughts at a glance. He couldn't stand the loneliness and wanted to cause trouble for the locals. Robbing money was secondary; enjoying the pleasure of plunder was his main purpose.
"What? You want me to raise pigs? I came all this way to raise pigs? I...."
"Erlang, don't forget our ultimate goal. Our target is large ships capable of ocean voyages, not those sampans engaged in coastal trade. Those ships are likely smuggling our goods and making money for us!"
"At this rate, when will we ever catch our fat sheep?!"
"The prince once said, 'Only those who can endure loneliness can become successful pirates.' We occupy Linli, and if they want to go north, they will run right into our arms."
Han Kun interrupted Qiao Erlang's grumbling and directly brought up the prince's instructions, which completely silenced him.
On the vast ocean, searching for and capturing a merchant ship seems simple, but it's incredibly difficult because you never know when or where it will pass by. Therefore, the best hunting grounds for pirates are usually near narrow straits and essential shipping lanes, and Lion City's location makes it an excellent pirate hunting ground.
Qiao Erlang began a dull and lonely pirate life, sailing around the southeastern part of the strait. This was completely different from the excitement and passion he had imagined. He even wondered if he would break down because he couldn't steal anything if he continued like this.
"Captain, the first ship... has sent a signal, instructing us to take the fourth ship north... to encircle them."
The second mate on the ship ran over, his sudden excitement making him stutter.
"Damn it, we've finally got it! Full sails, turn north! Fatty, keep an eye on your men. From now on, no more talking nonsense!"
The crowd roared in agreement, then quickly turned their sails and headed north, with the fourth ship following behind. The two ships were eerily silent, like two ghost ships.
Rana Singh was a wealthy merchant from Kolkata. As an important town in northeastern India, Kolkata has a long history of trade, with merchants traveling east to Sumatra and Java, north to Siam and Bactria, and west to Persia and the Abbasid Caliphate, leaving their footprints everywhere.
Rana Singh's ability to own multiple workshops in Kolkata, including iron smelting and pharmaceuticals, is not solely due to his intelligence and skills. His surname "Singh" destined him to have the right to exploit people from birth, and the blood and sweat of the common people is the root of everything he now possesses.
Since the year before last, Rana's business in Sumatra and Java has plummeted. The prices of ironware and cloth have dropped several times but still cannot be sold. He relies on the "medicine" business to maintain his cooperative relationship with the locals. Only after careful inquiry did he learn that the Bactrians had actually crossed the sea to Sumatra.
Rana Singh's heart was suddenly filled with anticipation. Others might not know how difficult it was to get to Bactria, but he knew that his ancestors had traveled north from Calcutta, crossing snow-capped mountains and plateaus, enduring long journeys to reach Bactria's capital, the land of gold. A single trip took four or five years, and with a bit of luck, one could earn enough for a lifetime's worth of wealth.
Rana Singh was undoubtedly one of the unlucky ones. His grandfather and father both died on the way to Daxia, losing all their capital. Rana spent half his life trying to restore his ancestors' glory but failed.
"Master, once we pass the strait ahead, the sea will be much wider. In a few more days we will reach Coconut City. Lord Wilma urgently needs weapons and medicines, and he will certainly give you a good price."
“Our goal this time isn’t the price of this shipment, but rather the origin of the goods from Bactria. If we can find out their shipping route from Bactria to Java, we’d give these goods away for free.” Rana Singh’s mind was clearly not on this deal; he had come for a much bigger scheme.
Before the new year, he sent a fleet to the port of Malacca, trying every means to inquire about the route to Bactria, but he could not get anything useful from the Bactrian sailors, whether it was money, valuables, or even women. Later, the fleet ventured north and was never heard from again.
This spring, Wilma, the lord of Coconut City and a trusted advisor to the King of West Java, approached Rana's caravan to buy a large quantity of ironware and medicine. Unwilling to give up, Rana Singh made a tough decision and headed east with a carefully selected fleet. He refused to believe that among so many Bactrians, not a single one was greedy.
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