Fang Yuan wasn't acting on a whim.
Even without Young Turner, he would have found someone to infiltrate the navy.
And as a core member of the protagonist team, Turner's reliability was rock-solid; sending him as a mole put Fang Yuan more at ease.
As for guarding against accidents?
Fang Yuan toyed with the aztec gold coin that had once hung round Turner's neck. Only he knew where Turner's father was; that secret was enough to bind Turner for life.
"This is a pirate coin," Fang Yuan said gravely to the boy. "I'm sorry, child; you may not believe it, but your father might be a pirate!"
Young Turner's eyes bulged in shock. "No! My father's a merchant sailor—a good man!"
Fang Yuan ruffled his hair. "Pirates aren't all villains; most are just ordinary folk who couldn't survive any other way."
"Just listen to me: focus on your studies and join the navy." Fang Yuan began his pitch. "Leave your father to me—I'll investigate for you!"
The boy had no doubts; he looked up gratefully. "Thank you, Lord Black King!"
Fang Yuan gave a warm smile.
He had always said he was best at handling children.
But he soon noticed something off in Young Turner's expression; only then did he remember the pirate blood splashed across his own face. The fact the boy hadn't burst into tears was already impressive.
Sakazuki hurried over. "Lord Black King, a large ship is approaching."
Fang Yuan turned; indeed, a much larger vessel was heading their way.
"No matter. We're flying the England flag, and the fog's thick. Even if they sense something wrong, they can't outrun us." Unworried, he added, "Fetch me a basin of water."
The pirate Captain had spoken; Sakazuki dared not delay, soon returning with a basin of clean water, holding it himself so Fang Yuan could use it easily.
Smart fellow, Fang Yuan noted silently.
Standing at the stern, he scrubbed his face clean of blood and grime, finally revealing his true features. The pirates realized their new Captain was not only of Chinese descent but remarkably handsome.
Suddenly Fang Yuan's ears twitched—he caught the sound of singing.
He turned to see, at the bow of the larger ship, a little girl singing.
"Drain your glass, my friend, we kidnap and plunder without a care…"
"That's… a pirate shanty," Sakazuki said in surprise.
Yet the singing girl wore an elegant gown; she clearly came from a wealthy family.
"Seems an unusual girl," Fang Yuan murmured.
Sakazuki quickly agreed. "Yes, yes—Lord Black King is absolutely right!"
Ignoring the flattery, Fang Yuan knew he was correct.
Because from this scene he recognized the girl: Elizabeth Swann, heroine of pirates of the caribbean.
Future Pirate Emperor.
The only daughter of soon-to-arrive Governor Weatherby Swann of Port Royal, raised in comfort yet ever constrained, Elizabeth yearned for the freedom of pirates.
All because of freedom.
"Miss, please stop singing!" A stout sailor hurried over. "You might summon real pirates!"
"No worries, Mr. Gibbs."
An officer stepped forward.
"Should pirates appear, I'll string them up by the yardarm."
"Commodore Norrington, thank you for terrifying my daughter," Governor Swann said wryly.
Norrington was about to reply when Gibbs suddenly shouted, "Good heavens—pirates!"
Everyone followed his pointing finger: Fang Yuan's pirate ship just then parting from the plundered merchantman.
"Both fly England's colors; there's no fighting," Norrington objected.
"I've seen pirates—they have the same look as those on the rear vessel," Gibbs insisted.
Norrington held firm. "You claim pirate Captains show no fear when facing a Royal Navy ship?"
He gestured ahead; all eyes fell on Fang Yuan standing proudly at the stern.
"Maybe a great pirate," Gibbs muttered.
He said no more; Norrington was Port Royal's military Commander, and Gibbs saw no need to cross him.
But one person believed Gibbs.
Elizabeth.
She stared fixedly at the departing ship, engraving Fang Yuan's figure into her heart.
At twelve, on the cusp of adolescence, she found Fang Yuan's free-spirited, dashing looks the very embodiment of her pirate fantasies—surpassing them even.
Some people, met but once, can linger in a girl's mind forever.
Commodore Norrington was quickly proved wrong; once Fang Yuan's ship left, merchant Lowry's vessel immediately sought help, and Governor Swann's party realized Gibbs had been right all along.
"I'll pursue them at once!"
Mortified, Norrington declared loudly.
Governor Swann hastily stopped him. "The fog's too thick—it's too dangerous!"
Norrington had to let it go. He asked Lowry, "What's the name of the pirate leader?"
Since the pirates had escaped this time, Norrington planned to note the man's name and settle the score later.
Lowry answered truthfully, "Fang Yuan—the Chinese man standing at the stern."
"Fang Yuan?"
Norrington said firmly, "If he dares to come back, I'll catch him!"
Little Elizabeth frowned slightly.
By now Lowry realized he'd run into someone important: the Governor of Port Royal, the busiest port in the Caribbean.
Of course, that's where the movie diverges from history; in reality Port Royal had already been destroyed by an earthquake, and the city rebuilt nearby would become Kingston, Jamaica's future capital.
Lowry's eyes flickered. "Fortunately I met you; the pirates fled. Otherwise my line of nobility would have ended with me."
Governor Swann was surprised. "You hold a title?"
"Indeed—hereditary baron." Lowry nodded.
Governor Swann instantly felt a kinship; Port Royal was far from the homeland, and meeting a fellow aristocrat was rare.
So Governor Swann offered, "Since your cargo's been stolen, why not come to the governor's mansion? I can give you a fine position!"
Overjoyed, Lowry quickly accepted.
Yet in his mind, Fang Yuan's words kept echoing.
"Ten percent!"
Meanwhile, aboard the pirate ship.
"Captain, where to?" Sakazuki asked, hand on the wheel.
"Tortuga. We'll turn the cargo into coin!" Fang Yuan replied, lounging on a crate astern. "Then, to celebrate my promotion, every man's share doubles!"
The pirates erupted; Fang Yuan's popularity soared to new heights.
A Captain who can fight is good, but a Captain who is generous is best of all!
Watching the jubilant crew, Fang Yuan smiled and shook his head.
He was here to build a reputation; gold was useless to him, perfect for buying loyalty.
Fang Yuan took a swig of the pirates' beloved rum, then smacked his lips.
"Strong enough, but tastes like hell," he judged.
Still, even pirates could afford this rum; it was hardly fine liquor.
They soon reached Tortuga.
Tortuga lay close to Port Royal, yet the scenes were worlds apart.
Historically Port Royal had been a pirate haven, but in the story it fell under English rule and kept some order; Tortuga, by contrast, became a pirate port—a cesspool of every lowlife imaginable.
The moment they disembarked, Fang Yuan noticed two figures writhing in a nearby mud-pit and quickly looked away.
Truly a place of absolute freedom.
While the Captain loafed, the first mate could not; Sakazuki hurried the crew to unload the goods.
Seeing the commotion, others around the wharf drifted over, curious which pirate ship had returned so laden.
"Sakazuki? Looks like Ace had a good run this time."
"Wait—where's Ace? Why is Sakazuki so respectful to that Chinese fellow?"
"I'll find one of their lads and ask."
Word of mouth—the oldest, and quite effective, way to spread news.
Soon the whole port knew Ace's ship had a new Captain, and that Fang Yuan had seized command by slaying a dozen pirates, Ace included, in the heat of battle.
In truth Fang Yuan hadn't killed that many; his crew had simply credited him with the sailors' kills as well.
By the time the tale reached the taverns, it claimed Fang Yuan had burst in mid-raid, butchered a dozen pirates, then—mad with bloodlust—slaughtered everyone aboard the merchant ship.
Thus rumors are born.
Yet for someone seeking fame, Fang Yuan welcomed the exaggeration; lies travel faster than truth.
Tortuga hosted not only pirates but also numerous smugglers.
Pirates needed fences, merchants wanted cheap goods for profit—a perfect match.
Indeed, merchants who dared come to Tortuga were safer than in Port Royal; pirates left them alone.
After all, they relied on traders to turn loot into coin. Scare the merchants away and pirates would have to hawk plunder in the cities themselves.
Sakazuki located two buyers; Fang Yuan sold the entire cargo to the higher bidder. He kept a small slice for himself, set half aside as ship's funds, and distributed the rest.
No one dared question the split—without Fang Yuan the raid would have failed.
And even divided among twenty-odd pirates, the payout was handsome.
Fang Yuan then let the crew loose to drink and carouse—why else did pirates earn money?
Only Young Turner stayed at his side, while Sakazuki still shadowed him closely—loyalty displayed in full.
Fang Yuan was pleased; if only Batman could be as obliging.
So he asked the question that concerned him most: "Are there any wizards in this port?"
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