The Wanli Sunshine ceased its pursuit and slowly returned to the dock.
What it had just displayed was witnessed not only by Wang Gongbi, who stood waiting on the shore, but also by every merchant ship and fishing boat on the river. All of them were left staring in stunned silence, deeply shaken by the terrifying combat strength of this massive vessel.
Only when the ship gradually drew close to the pier did thunderous cheers finally erupt, spreading across the shore and echoing over the water.
As the ship settled firmly against the dock, Shi Kefa was the first to leap ashore.
Wang Gongbi immediately stepped forward to greet him.
The two men quickly glanced at each other's official robes, and in that instant, both understood the other's identity.
"Your humble subordinate, Shi Kefa, by His Majesty's grace, has come to this place to assume the post of Right Counselor and to supervise the Jiangbei army."
"This old official is Wang Gongbi, Right Administrative Commissioner of Southern Zhili," Wang Gongbi replied warmly. "Master Shi, your arrival truly could not have come at a better time. Witnessing your performance just now has greatly put my heart at ease. With you here, the bandits of this region will surely be swept away."
Shi Kefa felt a trace of embarrassment. That is far too much praise, he thought. I do not possess such ability.
His gaze shifted toward the ship. "This vessel is…"
Tie Niaofei once again stepped forward and smoothly repeated the prepared explanation. He claimed that it was an Huangshang vessel, a royal secret, and not something that could be casually investigated. The excuse was delivered flawlessly, leaving Wang Gongbi completely confused.
After listening, Wang Gongbi nodded repeatedly. "So it is a royal treasure ship. No wonder, no wonder…"
Afterward, concern crept onto his face. "A royal merchant ship will surely depart before long. When that happens, what shall we do about the Huangmei water bandits?"
"Do not worry," Tie Niaofei replied calmly. "We will not be leaving anytime soon. We will be imposing upon you here for a while."
Wang Gongbi was immediately overjoyed. "Excellent! Since Master Shi has arrived, this old official will entrust all matters of military preparation in Jiangbei entirely to you."
Shi Kefa swept his gaze across the pier, where a scattering of garrison soldiers stood about in lax disorder. He could not help but shake his head inwardly.
These Weisuo soldiers, he thought, will be extraordinarily difficult to reform. For centuries, the hereditary centurions and chiliarchs of these garrisons have been drawing ghost payrolls and wasting their days in idleness. To straighten them out now would be no easy task.
No, he decided. I must follow the Dao Xuan Tianzun's method and train new militia directly. A people's militia will be far more reliable in suppressing bandits than trying to salvage these rotten elements of the regular army.
In any case, it was not uncommon these days for civil officials to spend their own money to raise private forces. Hong Chengchou had his Hong Army, and Lu Xiangheng commanded three thousand soldiers of the Tianxiong Army.
I, Shi Kefa, can also raise an army of my own, he thought. Although it will bear my name in title, in truth it will be raised by the Dao Xuan Tianzun.
Shi Kefa was very clear about his own limitations. He knew that he could never train an army as organized, disciplined, and principled as that of Gao Family Village. Professional matters were best left to the specialized systems of Gao Family Village.
As for himself, he would simply fulfill his assigned role.
First, he would settle his own residence and arrange temporary lodging there for Tie Niaofei and Jiang Cheng. Next, he would establish a labor reform camp to hold all the captured pirates and water bandits. He also needed to properly resettle the group of rescued women.
Only after all that was done could he begin planning for even greater undertakings.
Suzhou.
Zhu Piaoling was strolling happily through the streets of Suzhou City.
The golden-thread image of the Dao Xuan Tianzun embroidered upon his chest was directly linked to Li Daoxuan. It accompanied him closely, seemingly sharing in the enjoyment of Suzhou's bustling scenery.
The reason Li Daoxuan had allowed Zhu Piaoling to board the Wanli Sunshine was simple. Zhu Piaoling's destination lay in Jiangnan, and he even planned to visit the Qinhuai River.
There was no exaggeration in this. If one had the chance to travel to the late Ming Dynasty, who would not want to see the Qinhuai River with their own eyes?
Thus, Li Daoxuan had permitted this extravagant prince to board the Wanli Sunshine.
At this moment, Zhu Piaoling served as Li Daoxuan's eyes. Wherever Zhu Piaoling went, Li Daoxuan could see as well.
"Jiangnan truly is a marvelous place," Zhu Piaoling said with a laugh. "There are people everywhere."
At this time, Jiangnan's prosperity far exceeded that of Shaanxi. Here, even an oil vendor in a bustling county town could earn more than four taels of silver each month. Casual laborers could easily earn over four catties of rice a day. Anyone who earned less than four catties of rice per day was considered poor.
The income level here already surpassed the standard of three catties of wheat flour per day that the Dao Xuan Tianzun provided to the common folk of the northwest and the central plains.
As Zhu Piaoling wandered through the streets, asking about local customs and traditions, he could not help but exclaim in admiration, "Jiangnan has not suffered drought, and its people are wealthy. It truly is different from our Shaanxi."
The golden-thread Dao Xuan Tianzun on his chest spoke, "Indeed. Jiangnan's circumstances are entirely different from those of the northwest and the central plains. The economy here is highly developed, and the rudiments of capitalism have already begun to appear. In terms of commerce, it is far ahead of the west. Zhu Cunji, if you truly wish to make railways succeed, you could try implementing them here in Jiangnan."
Zhu Piaoling did not understand what "rudiments of capitalism" meant, but he grasped the rest at once. "Dao Xuan Tianzun, please do not use my real name. It would be troublesome if others overheard. Just call me Zhu Piaoling. Cough, cough. Does the Dao Xuan Tianzun mean that because there are more people here, and the common folk are wealthier, train tickets would sell better?"
"Yes," Li Daoxuan replied. He did not elaborate further, only telling him that it would be very profitable. There was no need to explain that it would also benefit the populace. He wanted to see whether Zhu Piaoling could realize that on his own.
Zhu Cunji thought for a moment, then laughed. "You are right. It does seem easier to make money here. Selling train tickets would certainly be simpler. And I have thought of another point. With trains, transporting goods becomes far more convenient. In a place like Jiangnan, where commerce is already so developed, would that not make them even more useful? Goods would circulate in greater volume and at greater speed. The economy would become even more prosperous, and even more people would buy tickets. Would that not create an upward cycle of success?"
Li Daoxuan chuckled inwardly. This fellow figured it out.
On reflection, it was not surprising at all.
When common folk considered problems, they often focused only on themselves and their immediate surroundings. But Zhu Cunji was a prince, not an ordinary commoner. He was accustomed to viewing matters from a higher vantage point, and his understanding was naturally different.
"That you could reach this conclusion is excellent," Li Daoxuan said. "Accelerating the movement of people does not merely stimulate the economy. It also promotes the exchange of culture and ideas. When people's thoughts and culture gradually align, they become more united, and the nation grows more stable."
Zhu Piaoling seemed to gain some insight. "Is this why the Yuan Dynasty, after conquering the Central Plains, gradually became more and more like the Han people?"
Li Daoxuan was quietly amused. Conversing with this person is actually quite interesting.
At that moment, an attendant stepped forward and reported, "My lord, your subordinate has inquired. The most famous brothel nearby, known as the Pear Garden, lies just ahead."
Zhu Piaoling was overjoyed. "Then let us go and have a look at once!"
The golden-thread Dao Xuan Tianzun cast him a sideways glance.
Zhu Piaoling hurriedly explained, "Only to look, I promise. I will not do anything improper. I still remember the Dao Xuan Tianzun's teachings. Courtesans are mostly unfortunate souls. Being sold into a brothel is already tragic enough. We should not bully them. We should save them."