At dawn, in the training camp on the east side of Prison Island, candlelight flickered faintly.

  "The local government only reports good news and not bad, the county seat of Changguo has not been lost, but several islands in the outer sea to the east have been occupied by pirates from the East Sea. Last month, I went to Changguo County for a field trip, and the situation is not optimistic. At the end of last month, more than 300 pirates from the East Sea sailed on three large ships to attack Shengsi Island in the north. When I left Changshan Island, these pirates were still occupying Shengsi Island and had not left. During this time, ships entering and leaving Shenjiang Lake and Taihu Lake through Dongjiang have been quite suspicious, and the frequency of small pirate invasions along the coast of Pingjiang Prefecture has also increased compared to before," Fu Qinghe said. "The Xi family's territory is divided and their titles are conferred, Xi Wenxiang's eldest son Xi Feixiong closed his doors to recuperate after being conferred as the crown prince and did not assist Xi Wenxiang in handling the affairs of Jin'an Prefecture... In the past four months, the number of times he has received guests can be counted on one hand..."

  "The mastermind behind the pirate invasion of Changguo Islands should be Xue Fei Xiong," Lin Fu sighed, "The Xue family also realized that the strategy of invading Liangzhe and Jiangxi by land is not feasible, so they took advantage of the opportunity to withdraw their fist and extend their ambition through the sea route. The Changguo Islands are indeed a good stepping stone..."

  Changguo County was under the jurisdiction of Mingzhou Prefecture in eastern Zhejiang, also known as the Zhoushan Islands. The county's territory is mainly located in the sea area east of Mingzhou Prefecture, but the islands stretch from south to north for nearly 300 miles in the outer sea. The southernmost Liuhe Islands are separated from Xiangshan County, Mingzhou Prefecture, by a strait, while the northernmost Shenjia Islands are separated from Xinyi County, Pingjiang Prefecture, by a strait. If the pirates of the East China Sea were allowed to gather and establish themselves on the islands of Changguo County, the prefectures of Mingzhou, Yue, Jiaxing, and Pingjiang would all be threatened by the pirates.

  Dongjiang River is a major river located south of the Yangtze River and within the borders of Pingjiang Prefecture, connecting lakes such as Dianshan Lake, Chenghu Lake, and Taihu Lake, which together form what later came to be known as the Taihu Basin. The Taihu Basin is situated between the four prefectures of Jiaxing, Huzhou, Pingjiang, and Danyang in eastern Zhejiang Province, an area that was once the epitome of Jiangnan's prosperity after full development. With a garrison of over 30,000 troops stationed in Jiangning, the annual tax revenue in silver was nearly 700,000 taels, all originating from Pingjiang Prefecture alone.

  Fu Qinghe came over, and Lin Xie didn't rush to take him to the river mouth. Instead, they discussed the situation of the Donghai bandits in the training camp under the candlelight. It wasn't about sharing worries for the court or local governments. Not being in a position, not planning for their policies, the prefectures of Mingzhou, Yuezhou, Jiaxing, and Pingjiang were threatened by the Donghai bandits, which should be considered by the provincial officials and the imperial court. Lin Xie and his men only had to carefully consider the threat of the Donghai bandit forces expanding north under the control of the Xiao family to Changshan Island.

  A rough wooden board was spread out with a map of the Jiangdong coastal area obtained from within the Zhejiang Provincial Government. The world maps at that time were not very accurate, and Qin Chengzu and others had been on Changshan Island for more than half a year, and their reconnaissance of the surrounding waters also made this map quite accurate.

  Zhao Hu crouched on the wooden stage, using a red brush to mark Zhoushan Island and Changshan Island separately. By the end of April, Zhoushan Island was attacked and occupied by the Eastern Sea bandits, and Changshan Island is only over 300 miles away from Zhoushan Island by sea route. With the help of wind power, ordinary sea boats can complete this section of the sea route in a day and night.

  It appears that the Donghai bandits under Xi's control will likely launch a large-scale invasion of Pingjiang Prefecture after gathering, which would not only destroy the grain supply for the Jiangning garrison troops but also cut off the grain transportation to the prefectures south of Pingjiang.

  Under this momentum, Changshan Island is still temporarily safe.

  Changshan Island is located north of the outer mouth of the Yangtze River, and the Donghai pirates gathered on Zhoushan Islands did not pose a threat to it. Moreover, since Zhoushan Island was more advantageous than Changshan Island for attacking Pingjiang Prefecture or entering the Yangtze River waterway, the Donghai pirates should not have had the determination to remove Changshan Island at this time.

  Temporary security is also temporary, and no one can predict how the situation in the East China Sea will develop in the future.

  ********

  Four hundred bags of private salt were unloaded before dawn, while the Dongyang ship set sail with goods such as rice, sugar, tie-dye cloth and medicinal cloth from Chongzhou, mooring at the riverbank wharf.

  This was the first time Dongyang had returned to commercial navigation, and many people gathered outside the dock to watch. Lin Xie led Fu Qinghe back to Caotang from the riverbank dock quietly.

  Xiao Man suddenly woke up early in the morning, her eyes still drowsy. As soon as she saw Fu Qinghe's figure, her eyes turned red and tears fell uncontrollably. Lin Xie also sent someone to inform Su Mei in the city, and Su Mei quickly rushed over with the news. Over the years, she and Xiao Man had been able to rise above the mud without being tainted under Fu Qinghe's protection. The three of them had a deep affection for each other, like father and daughter.

  Fu Qinghe returned, and Sun Wenyuan, who had been recuperating from his injuries in the Bamboo Hall, also came to ask after him.

  Fu Qinghe settled in Jiangning for ten years and had a deep friendship with Sun Jingxuan, the leader of the Western River Gang. Sun Wenjuan regarded Fu Qinghe as an uncle and would often visit him without any reserve, except when Lin Xie was present, they would both feel awkward.

  The twists and misunderstandings between Lin Xie and Sun Wenjuan were also clarified in the letter to Fu Qinghe, and now they all felt a little awkward when they met. Although this matter was brought up by Fu Qinghe's letter to Sun Jingxuan, it was actually instigated by Su Mei, and now it would naturally come to an end.

  After receiving the news, Sun Jingxuan rushed over from the south of the city on horseback and had a warm conversation with Fu Qinghe, while Lin Xie also had something to discuss with Sun Jingxuan.

  "Sun Hui Shou, there's something I'd like to discuss with you..." Lin Fu said.

  "Please go ahead and instruct me, Mr. Lin," Sun Jingxuan said.

  Although Lin Xie and Sun Wenyuan's matter was settled, Sun Jing Tang's daughter Sun Wen Pei and Lin Jing Zhong had their engagement set, with the wedding date scheduled for after autumn. The two families became closer, and they helped each other out in various matters.

  Although Gu Wu Chen went to Dongyang to supervise the war, a special edict was issued in the court regarding the trial of Xia Shuo, and an inspector was sent to Jiangning. The Provincial Governor's office also dispatched a special provincial governor to oversee the matter. Wang Xue Shan could no longer shirk his responsibilities, with Jiangning Prefecture as a model, other prefectures and counties could not push it off any more, many things entered preparation in a short period of time.

  Due to the abundance of grain in Jiangning, and being the center of grain trade in Jiangdong Prefecture, the official granaries of the three prefectures of Hailing, Dongyang, and Tu Zhou, which were short of grain, also prepared their tribute grain from Jiangning, including Jiangning Prefecture itself. The first batch of tribute grain transported from Jiangning was as high as 200,000 dan (a unit of measurement).

  For the river helpers, Xia Cao is a good thing, with favorable winds and large waters. Although the Hongze Pu was in great chaos, they were able to pass through Wei Yang via the canal route unimpeded, and had special orders to protect them, so they didn't have to worry about being extorted by officials along the way. The small amount of grain transported meant that they could carry more private goods for trade between north and south, making this trip equivalent to several previous ones.

  As Xia Cao is not a regular institution, and other prefectures and counties are preparing summer grain in Jiangning, the officials responsible for Xia Cao affairs will naturally not miss this opportunity to extort various factions of the river gang, and the distribution of grain transportation among the various factions of the river gang will not be allocated according to the usual rules.

  As Gu Wu Chen was not in Jiangning, Lin Fu found it inconvenient to directly participate in the Xia Cao matter. However, as a trusted aide of Gu Wu Chen, he had considerable influence. Moreover, the official in charge of grain procurement for Dongyang Prefecture in Jiangning was a close associate of Lin Tingli. Not only were the transportation affairs of the 40,000 dan of grain from Dongyang Prefecture handed over to the Xihai Guild, but also all matters related to grain procurement were entrusted to the Xihai Guild for handling.

  Although the summer silver of Dongyang Prefecture was given to the officials in charge of grain transportation, one mouthful went away with 10,000 taels, but under Lin's promotion, the remaining 30,000 taels of grain transportation silver were directly allocated to Xihui without any delay or difficulty. Sun Jingxuan had just returned from Huzhou where the grain price was lower, and he had cash in hand and the convenience of grain transportation. In addition to the 40,000 dan of grain needed by Dongyang Prefecture, he also bought an additional 60,000 dan of rice in Jiangning, making a profit of 3,000 taels of silver on the spot.

  Sun Jingxuan worried about the livelihood of the 2,000 members and their families in the Xihui Association every day. Taking on this good business would at least ensure two years without worry. At this time, he was beaming with joy. Lin Gu said he had something to entrust him with, how could he possibly decline?

  "Mr. Gu is directing the battle in Dongyang, my second uncle is training the local militia in Dongyang, and I have prepared a sum of silver here, 70% of which will be sent directly to them in cash, while the remaining 30% will be used to purchase some urgently needed supplies in Quyang Town and transported over," Lin Fu said. "I'm short-handed on my side, and it's chaotic at the river mouth, so I'd like to entrust the West River Association with the procurement and transportation of supplies... As soon as possible, if Sun doesn't mind, I'll have someone deliver the list and silver to you."

  The Xihe Conference was responsible for transporting 40,000 dan of grain, and there were still 20,000 dan of transport capacity left.

  Lin Xie's entrusted matter was to support Gu Wu Chen in the battle at Dongyang, and besides, only the northeast part of Dongyang Prefecture was affected by the war, while the region south of the prefectural city to Jiangning was still safe, and with Lin Xie sending a ship to escort him, how could Sun Jingxuan refuse? He agreed right away.

  Sun Jingxuan agreed, and Lin Fu went to discuss with Lin Xuelu.

  The original family agreed to allocate 24,000 taels of silver for the militia in Dongyang County over three years. Lin Fu wanted Lin Xu Lu to take out 10,000 taels of silver to purchase scarce materials in Quyang Town, and Lin Fu would add another 4,000 taels of silver.

  Dongyang has no shortage of supplies, and Lin Xulü did not understand why Lin Tie wanted to purchase more in Quyang Town. However, Lin Tie added an extra 4,000 taels of silver, so Lin Xulü could not refuse, saying only: "How can I let you spend your own money?"

  "This is not my silver, the Dongyang Prefecture's grain tax silver has been cut off and some of it was allocated to Lord Gu. I sent someone to report to Lord Gu in Dongyang Prefecture, and he instructed that this batch of silver should be used for training local militia under Second Uncle - so I think it would be better to use this batch of silver to purchase supplies in Jiangning, rather than directly sending it to Second Uncle." Lin said evasively.

  Lin Xulü thought so too, and he also felt a bit ashamed. The Dongyang Prefecture's official in charge of grain transportation had sent him 1,000 taels of silver, which he knew was actually the summer grain tax silver that had been embezzled. Unexpectedly, Gu Wuduan and Lin Xulü were able to put aside their personal interests and not harm their colleagues' relationships, taking out the silver to supplement the training of the village braves. He said: "This time I came over, I also have 1,000 taels of silver extra, let's take it out together to purchase supplies, make a bigger show, and also give Governor Gu some face."

  At present, Lin Xie and Lin Xu Lu are discussing the list of goods to be purchased, including rice, sugar, cloth, medicine, steel bars and other items, a total of 17 or 18 items. After finalizing the list, they informed San Fu Ren, Liu Fu Ren, Shao Fu Ren and three clan elders. Finally, Lin Xu Hong led Qian Xiao Wu and a follower brought by Lin Xu Lu to carry the list with 15,000 silver coins to Sun Wen Yu's temporary residence in Zhu Tang Xi Yuan, entrusting Xihaihui to make the purchases.

  Time was tight, the things to be purchased were miscellaneous and large in quantity. In order to do a good job, Sun Jingxuan personally took charge on this side of the Bamboo Hall, and also had his nephew Sun Wenbing come over to run errands. Sun Jingxuan thought that if time permitted, he would personally go to Dongyang to meet with Gu Wudun in person, which would be even better.

  Sun Wenjuan picked up the list brought by Lin Mou, but she was suspicious and hinted to her father to avoid the three people sent by Lin Mou to supervise and talk in the back hall.

  "There are too many doubts," Sun Wenyue said to her father, holding the list. "Firstly, Dongyang Prefecture is not short of supplies, so why not use the silver to quietly send a ship to Dongyang to purchase more supplies? Wouldn't that be safer? Secondly, the Lin family in Jiangning has plenty of manpower and over twenty ships in their fleet, do they really need us to make this deal for them? Thirdly, since time is so tight, why bother buying seventeen or eighteen items at once? Do you want me to list more doubts?"

  "Maybe he wants everyone to be closer... " Sun Jingxuan said with a smile.

  "You can't joke about marrying off your daughter," Sun Wenyue said with a pout, "Lin Xie is someone who can't be seen through at all, and my daughter will never marry him..."

  "But what could be worth it for Xihe to set a trap and harm him?" Sun Jingxuan put away his joking tone and asked seriously.

  "Perhaps he didn't intend to harm Xihehui, but he wants to use Xihehui to make this matter known to everyone in Jiangning." Sun Wenyue said, "Especially to let the Qu family know, today he deliberately mentioned that he wanted to go to Quyang Town to purchase these materials..."

  "Qu House?" Sun Jingxuan asked in puzzlement.

  "Father, are you really foolish or just pretending to be?" Sun Wenyue said, "The case of Qu Wu's only son being kidnapped two months ago, how can you not remember? The Qu family initially offered a reward of 5,000 taels of silver through the government, and privately offered an additional 10,000 taels. The ransom was eventually left in the Zhāotiān Dàng, four miles east of the prison island. Before the ransom was paid, the Qu family had secretly spread the word, and as a result, the ransom was stolen from the water by someone at the Zhāotiān Dàng. When the various families heard the news and rushed to the scene, they fought fiercely, leaving behind 50 or 60 corpses, and returned empty-handed, also bearing grudges against each other. If it weren't for your daughter and sister-in-law persuading you, you and your second brother would have sent people to join in, and now you're pretending to have forgotten about this?"

  Sun Jingxuan's old wound was exposed to his daughter, and his face turned red as he asked in a weak voice, "You say the case of Qu Wu Yang's only son being kidnapped is related to Lin Xian?"

  "Second Uncle personally went on board the Dongyang ship to take a look, and you don't suspect that Lin Xuan is behind the hijacking?" Sun Wenjuan asked, "I think after the naval battle at Luoyang Lake, the Qu family should also have suspected Lin Xuan. I think Lin Xuan even knew that the Qu family already suspected him, which is why he made such a big show and lured the snake out of its hole..."

  "Why did Lin Xie want to lure the snake out of its hole?" Sun Jingxuan asked.

  "My daughter is just a weak woman, how would she know so much?" Sun Wenyue said, "Since Lin Xie wants to lure the snake out of its hole, this trip to Dongyang will definitely be extremely risky, not as calm and peaceful as it seems on the surface..."

  Sun Jingxuan furrowed his brow, his thoughts indeed not as deep as his daughter's, but he had to consider the consequences of rejecting Lin Xian.

  "The Western River Association can help them purchase supplies and spread the word, but refusing to transport goods to Dongyang is a must...” Sun Wenyue saw her father's indecisiveness and advised, “When things happen, you can't just escape, but does Father want to use the lives of the association members to curry favor with Lin Lian and Gu Wu Chen? If you think this matter is difficult to handle, let Second Uncle and Wen Yao, Wen Hui brothers leave Jiangning tonight, and tomorrow noon, start pretending to be ill. If Lin Lian can bear to let a mere woman like me escort the fleet, I'll accompany him on the trip."

  ******************

  P.S: Looking for red tickets.