Chapter 34: Pirate Water Warriors (Part 2)

  Ouyang Shi originally wanted to go in person to recruit Gao Yaoshi, but after some thought, he considered this a good opportunity to test Cao Xiaocai's abilities. So he said to him: "You go, I'll wait for you on the shore. Tell Gao Yaoshi that if he really has skills and is willing to serve me, I will buy another good ship for him to command."

  Cao Xiaocai was overjoyed and set off in his boat.

  Ouyang Yi and Ouyang Guo rested in a fishing village by the sea, but on the second day there was no news at all. Ouyang Guo was worried and asked Ouyang Yun: "Brother, what if he doesn't come back?"

  Ouyang Yi smiled and said, "Don't worry, there's not much money or grain on this boat. What I gave to the soldiers was just one month's salary. Even if he wants to leave, he can't go far. I think Cao Xiaocai is a clever person. In these days, seeing my ability to control the crowd and my financial resources to buy ships, he should have guessed that my background is not so simple. He won't give up this reliance easily when his foundation is not yet stable."

  On the third day at noon, Cao Xiaocai's sea boat returned, followed by a broken ship. Ouyang Shi went to meet them, but Ouyang Guo stopped him and said: "Brother, let me go first to take a look. These are all new recruits, it's only been two days, who knows if they have any ulterior motives. Let me go invite them ashore to see you."

  Ouyang Yi hesitated for a moment, then shook his head and said: "Maritime affairs should be settled at sea. If I'm timid and fearful, they'll look down on me even more. When the Jurchen people rebelled against Liao, I also participated in it. I wasn't afraid of coming and going amidst thousands of troops and horses, so why should I fear these few dozen pirates?"

  As the ship drew near, Ouyang Yi let Ouyang Guo support a small boat to get closer, borrow force from the gangway and fly onto the deck. He stood on the deck, as steady as a Mongolian sitting on horseback.

  Cao Xiaocai led the way, lining up to greet him, and said with a bow: "Young Master Ouyang is quite skilled!" He pointed to a bald man behind him and said: "This is Gao Yao Shi. Brother Gao, this is Young Master Ouyang."

  Gao Yao Shi stepped forward, clasped his fists and bowed, saying: "I heard from Old Cao that Master Ouyang is recruiting soldiers and buying horses, so I've come to join him."

  Ouyang Yi saw that he was short in stature, but extremely robust, obviously tempered by years of experience in the waves. He liked him very much and asked: "How many brothers did you bring with you?"

  The high-ranking pharmacist looked somewhat disheartened and said: "These past two years have been unlucky for me. I only have around fifty men left under my command."

  Ouyang Shidao said, "Don't worry, people value quality over quantity. I've heard that you've been having a tough time these past two years, and yet these men are still willing to follow you - they must be loyal and brave fellows."

  "That's right! They're all excellent brothers."

  Ouyang Shidao said: "Are all of you on that ship behind? I'll go take a look."

  Two boats anchored side by side, with a distance of several zhang between them. Ouyang Su made a leap and crossed over, and Gao Yaoshi watched with cheers, calling out: "Is Master Ouyang also from a seafaring family? I wonder if he is related to the great master Ouyang Zhi?"

  "Ah, that's my uncle," said Ouyang Shi with a smile.

  Gao Yao was overjoyed and thought to himself that he had indeed come from a prominent maritime family, not just a landlubber with only two coins to his name. This trip to pay respects hadn't been in vain after all.

  Ouyang Yi inspected the ships and personnel of Gao Yao's fleet, only to see that the ships were old and worn out, probably unable to sail the seas. Among the more than 50 people, half were old and weak, and everyone looked pale and emaciated, which was quite disappointing. He said to Gao Yao: "If you want to surrender to me, these people must be streamlined."

  Gao Yao Shi said with a bitter face: "Ou Yang Gong Zi, these are all brothers who have shared the same joys and sorrows, and suffered hardships together! If I abandon them, they will probably all starve to death! Ou Yang Gong Zi, don't look at their current state, if they eat their fill, each one is a living dragon and tiger!"

  Ouyang Yi saw that he was serious and not angry, but instead happy, saying: "Alright, these people still need to be streamlined, let them go ashore to do some reconnaissance work. I will continue to provide for their food and supplies, as long as they are not hungry. But those who stay on this ship must all be robust men."

  The high pharmacist's face relaxed, saying: "Young master, this arrangement is naturally the best, but there are a few old men who are old sharks on the sea, familiar with all the sea routes in the East China Sea. Can they be left behind?"

  Ouyang Yi smiled and said: "Such a talented person! Of course, he is not limited to this!"

  Ouyang Shi sent Ouyang away to count the number of new dependents and distribute money and grain, while the three of them returned to Cao Xiaocai's cabin on the boat.

  Gao the medicine master saw that no one was around, and asked: "Young Master Ouyang, don't think that old Gao is a newcomer, I'll ask you something presumptuously, what big business are you planning to do by recruiting us?"

  Han Fu's origin, Ouyang Yi had not told Cao Xiaocai, feeling that it was not yet the time, now said somewhat boastfully: "Business? My business is big. Now I'll say, afraid of scaring you."

  Cao Xiaocai and Gao Yaoshi looked at each other, and Gao Yaoshi said: "The affairs on the sea must be divided into different factions. From now on, these two ships will belong to the Ouyang family."

  "Ouyang family? Ha! Although it's where I'm from, to me it's just a small pond."

  Cao Xiaocai and Gao Yaoshi were shocked. Cao Xiaocai said: "Isn't the boat we're sitting on now made by the Ouyang family?"

  Ouyang Shi said: "It was made by the Ouyang family. But my uncle and I are close, and when it comes to money, we keep accounts clear and transparent. This boat was bought. Gao Yao Shi, you do a good job, I've already spoken with my cousin, let the Ouyang family send another boat over, and at that time, you'll be in control."

  Gao Yao was overjoyed and said: "So, Master Ouyang is going to set up his own sect?"

  Ouyang Yi smiled and said, "Let's be frank with you, our power is in the inland areas, so you haven't heard of us. But we will eventually expand to the coastal areas, and my visit this time is just a prelude. As for how big our power is, it's hard to explain at the moment, but you'll understand slowly. There's one thing I want you all to listen clearly: on this vast ocean, no matter who it is, I don't want to offend anyone for now, but when necessary, I'm not afraid to offend either! You two, follow my orders and work hard, and there will be a day when you'll prosper. If you're blinded by greed and dare to harbor evil intentions, no one can save you!"

  "Chief Pharmacist Cao Xiaocai hastily said: 'I don't dare! I don't dare!'"

  Three people were talking when someone knocked on the door and reported: "There is a Liu Qi on the shore with seven or eight men, saying they are underlings of Ouyang Gongzi."

  Ouyang Yi nodded and said, "Let him come up."

  Before long, Liu Qi entered, he had also been out to sea and walked on the boat without shaking at all.

  Ouyang Yi asked: "What's going on?"

  Liu Qi glanced at Gao and Cao.

  Ouyang Yi asked: "Is it news from Huining or intelligence from Liao Jing?"

  Liu Qi said: "Liao Jing."

  Ouyang Shidao said: "Then let's just say it straight out and don't avoid those two."

  Liu Qi said: "The deputy commander of the Imperial Guard, Yelü Changnu, has rebelled."

  Ouyang Yi was overjoyed and said: "How could it be him! I thought it was Yelü Chong for sure."

  Liu Qi said: "That's right, I heard he is supporting Chunqin Wang. But Chunqin Wang has not reacted yet."

  Ouyang Zidan said: "No matter how Yelü Chong reacts, a disturbance in Liao is inevitable."

  Gao Yao-shi and Cao Xiao-cai were initially perplexed, but upon hearing the titles of Yu Ying Deputy Commander-in-Chief and Chun Qin Wang, their faces changed color. Recalling Ou Yang's words from earlier, they were both deeply shocked in their hearts: It turned out that Ou Yang was indeed a big shot! Otherwise, why would he be concerned with the rebellion within the Liao imperial court?

  Ouyang Si glanced at them and said calmly, "Don't worry, the things on the shore are none of your concern, even if there's risk, it won't affect you."