Chapter 39: The Labor Shortage

  "The abandoned Penghu fortress is being renovated."

  Ding Yunyi had his own plan: "Although the Red Barbarians were defeated by our great Ming, their defensive tactics in Penghu are worth learning from. With ships assisting from the outside and cannons firing from the wind cabinet city walls on the inside, they formed a crossfire that was extremely fierce. Our Ming navy spent a lot of effort to defeat the Red Barbarians. My idea is to rebuild the wind cabinet city built by the Red Barbarians, and use our own stone city to counter it. Then, set up another stronghold at Mazu Temple in Magong. Once your designed ships arrive, we can form a four-sided firepower on land and sea to defend Penghu, making it possible to withstand strong enemies for a very long time."

  Cai Jiu Zhou listened carefully to what he said, and suddenly said: "Ding Xun Jian, the method is a good method. If it's really done according to this idea, Penghu will inevitably become a treacherous place. Not to mention pirates, even if the Red Barbarians come in full force, they won't be able to do anything to us. But... but... where are the cannons going to come from?"

  One sentence made Ding Yunyi confused.

  Yes, where did the cannons come from? The core of this sea-land four-sided defense plan is to deploy enough cannons in Fenggui City, Shicheng, and Magong, and then rely on the cannons on the surface ships to defend together.

  No guns, all talk is empty.

  Where to get the cannon? This is not a small amount of money. Moreover, with just a small inspection team, what qualifications do you have to buy cannons? What if the imperial court finds out, they might think you're rebelling. Even if we had the cannons, where would we find matching gunners?

  These ideas flooded his mind, and Ding Yunyi began to realize that his plan to defend against the enemy on all sides was somewhat far-fetched.

  The method is good, but there's no money and no power, everything is just an illusion.

  Seeing Ding Xun's worried face, Cai Jiu Zhou suggested: "Why not use the limited silver to restore Fenggui City first? When I purchased the warships, I also bought two sets of French cannons. With Fenggui City there, it will have some effect."

  It has come to this, and there's nothing else to be done. Ding Yunyi could only nod helplessly.

  Money, money. With a large sum of money in hand, everything can be easily settled. The wealth obtained from the Ghost King Pill is only enough to rebuild a new ship, and if you want to achieve anything more, it's absolutely impossible.

  "Ding Xun Jian." Seeing Ding Yunyi's displeasure, Qin Yunzheng, who had been silent all along, spoke up: "I know that Inspector Ding is eager to get things done as soon as possible and wants to turn Penghu into an iron fortress immediately. However, some things can't be rushed and need to be done slowly. For now, there are two urgent matters that need attention."

  Ding Yunyi's gaze fell on Qin Jieyuan, who said: "The first thing is to divide the silver again. Although Fujian Governor Zhou Weiqun is a good friend of your father Ding Junwu, official matters are not something that can be settled with just one governor's word..."

  Ding Yunyi immediately understood his meaning, Qin Yun wanted him to use silver to bribe the actual power holders.

  This money was earned with the lives of our brothers, and it's being given to those corrupt officials for nothing. It's really not very willing. But what can be done? The officialdom is like this, if you want to be clean and honest, you will be seen as a freak and suffer from it.

  Having thought it through, Ding Yunyi reluctantly nodded his head.

  Qin Yun continued, "Those officials who receive the silver will all speak well of the inspector. Our matter will be easily settled then. I think this can also be handed over to Xie Xuan to handle. He has a lot of dealings with those officials and has both face and money. The inspector in Penghu is considered to have a foothold."

  "How much silver do you want? I'll give it to you, no matter how much!" Ding Yunyi said viciously.

  Qin Yun and Cai Jiu Zhou exchanged a smile, and Qin Yun continued: "The second is the problem of manpower. Just relying on our Penghu people is not enough, we must find external support, especially when the plan to defend against enemies from all sides cannot be implemented for the time being. We have successively defeated Chang Lu Gangbao Tian and Gui Wang Wan, and while our reputation has been greatly enhanced, we will inevitably face the fear and jealousy of other pirates, and may even attract the attention of the Red Barbarians. Relying solely on ourselves is not very safe."

  Ding Yunyi nodded slightly.

  Twice defeated pirates, almost all rely on their own in that support, luck component also has a large proportion, but can not always be so?

  "When it comes to foreign aid, I suddenly thought of two people. "Cai Jiuzhou said: "One is called Zhang Xianxuan, who is only 21 years old this year. His family has been pirates for generations. The great pirate Liu Xiang wanted to recruit his father Zhang Baotai, but Zhang Baotai despised Liu Xiang's character and refused. As a result, Liu Xiang launched a surprise attack, and Zhang Baotai was defeated and killed. At that time, Zhang Xianxuan was only 19 years old, and he actually relied on one ship to break through the siege, making Liu Xiang also think that he was the most ruthless person he had ever met."

  "Where is he now?" Ding Yunyi suddenly became interested.

  "After Zhang Xuanxuan escaped, he was filled with hatred for Liu Xiang in his heart. He sailed a boat with about twenty brothers, not robbing others, but specifically attacking Liu Xiang's lone ships. In the past two years, they had killed many of Liu Xiang's men. Although Liu Xiang was furious, he couldn't do anything to him." Cai Jiuzhou said this and lowered his voice:

  "He came to Quanzhou last year, found me and asked for a small favor. Later on, we became sworn brothers. I know where he is."

  "Good!" Ding Yunyi was overjoyed: "You think of a way to help me find him, if he is willing to come and help me, I will join forces with him to deal with Liu Xiang!"

  Cai Jiu Zhou nodded: "There is one more person, and he's also a pirate. He only has one arm, but at sea, no one dares to offend him. Even Liu Xiang and Zheng Yi Long in his pirate days would greet him with respect."

  "Oh, there's such a person?" Ding Yunyi's interest was greatly aroused.

  What kind of pirate would make both Liu Xiang and Zheng Zhilong afraid?

  "An arm?" Qin Yun's expression changed: "Could it be that Brother Cai is referring to 'Pirate Marquis' Ye Dahai?"

  "It's him!" Cai Jiu Zhou nodded seriously.

  Ding Yunyi was confused. What "Pirate Marquis"? Who is Ye Dahai again?

  Cai Jiuzhou felt a bit strange: "Didn't Ding Xun hear about the name 'Pirate Marquis'?"

  Ding Yunyi shook his head in confusion.

  How many days has it been since I arrived at this place? How many people can I recognize? These pirates who roam the seas, most of them are unfamiliar to me. Even if they stand right in front of me, I still can't call out their names.

  But this name sounds interesting, could it be that Ye Dahai is still a pirate lord?

  "This man is known as the Marquis of Pirates." Cai Jiu Zhou's words confirmed Ding Yun Yi's speculation: "Although this is not an official title conferred by the imperial court, it is far more useful than any official title in the pirate world."