Section Seven

Yang Haisheng, who had rushed several hundred miles, looked in fine spirits. The months spent as a high official had scarcely altered his bearing; if anything, the lines of his face had grown more pronounced, his cheeks ruddy and mingling with his bushy beard. Beyond his heavy padded armor, he wore an exaggerated black cloak, making him resemble a plump bear at first glance.

“Commander...” Yang Haisheng grinned, unconcerned, dropped to one knee in salute, then stood up straight. “I’ve arrived!”

“Your mother—” Lin Feng affectionately slapped his shoulder, helped him off with the cloak and tossed it to Li Ergou, then turned to Shi Lang. “Old Shi, you’re the expert. Did you get a look at those timbers just now? How are they?”

Lin Feng referred to the massive beams dismantled from the Forbidden City. Truth be told, he wasn’t sure about their quality. The Forbidden City of this era was far different from what Lin Feng remembered from childhood tours. The Ming dynasty had ruled Beijing for over two hundred years, with a dozen emperors, most of whom were inept. Regrettably, for all their eccentricities, few indulged in grand expansion of the palace, so compared to later generations, the complex was rather modest.

“Reporting, Commander,” Shi Lang’s arrow wounds had long healed; indeed, after a period of recuperation, his once gaunt frame had filled out. Since Lin Feng had revealed plans to build a navy fleet days prior, he was in remarkably good spirits. Now he replied with a healthy flush, his voice booming, “Aside from a few rotted pieces, most of the timber is excellent—perfect for constructing warships!”

“Oh, that’s good. I’d thought after so many years, it’d all have decayed.”

“Heh, Commander, you may not know,” Shi Lang smiled, “these timbers were gathered from all over the empire by Ming emperors—top-quality wood, thick and dense, preserved with great care. Even better, they’ve been stored in dry, shaded places for years, so the boards we cut are superior to any freshly harvested wet wood. They’ll make ships stronger!”

“Excellent, excellent!” Lin Feng waved his hand and returned to his central seat. “Sit, both of you. I’ve called you here to sort out this matter together.”

“We’re all brothers here, so I’ll be blunt,” Lin Feng eyed the two generals. Because of old grudges, the pair had never been close—while they wouldn’t sabotage each other, sincere cooperation was wishful thinking. “I know you two don’t get along. Rest assured, I won’t force you to work side by side on this navy business.”

Yang Haisheng flushed, his great backside squirming awkwardly on the small chair, making it creak pitiably. Shi Lang, however, remained impassive, smiling faintly at Lin Feng’s words.

Shi Lang and Yang Haisheng exchanged glances, their faces pale. Shi Lang spoke haltingly, “Commander, building a navy is a costly affair. Seventy thousand taels of silver... I fear it won’t suffice...”

“Not satisfied? Let me tell you, I’ve already been generous,” Lin Feng smiled, raising his hand to count for them. “Listen carefully: first, I’ll cover the soldiers’ pay—navy officers and men are our Han troops, you don’t expect to pay them yourselves, do you? Thinking of rebellion? Heh...”

“We wouldn’t dare...”

“Right, so that’s settled. Next, all the shipbuilding materials have been sent to Tianjin—timber, sturdy hides, cloth, top-grade iron for anchors and decks, all will arrive soon. Cannons, muskets, armor, weapons—all supplied by me, more than enough. That’s no small expense!”

“Commander, your foresight is unparalleled. I am deeply impressed...”

“Enough flattery,” Lin Feng interrupted their clumsy praise, impatient. “Last time we fought the Qing at Tianjin, the locals suffered—many lost their livelihoods. Being a port city, there’ll be plenty of sailors and craftsmen available. That seventy thousand taels is for one purpose—find your own craftsmen, pay them, build your ships. Understood?”

“Commander, there are many types of warships, each suited for different tasks. What kind of vessels do you want our Han navy to build?” Shi Lang frowned, probing.

“Why are you still standing? Sit down!” Lin Feng tossed him a lifeline, grumbling. “What a disgrace! How did I end up with a brother like you?”

“Brother—no, Commander, I admit my fault!” Yang Haisheng blushed, kneeling to beg forgiveness.

Lin Feng gestured for him to sit, then continued, “I don’t know much about navies, but that only means I don’t know naval warfare. I do understand the value of fleets.” He sat calmly, as if his earlier outburst had never happened, and said, “Here’s my plan: General Shi Lang will command the First Fleet, the official Han navy, bearing our banner. Any dealings with the Zheng family in Taiwan, the Qing navy, or even the English, Dutch, Spanish—let the First Fleet take the lead.”

Yang Haisheng’s face grew sour, but after Lin Feng’s stern rebuke, he dared not protest.

“As for General Yang Haisheng’s Second Fleet, that is the real backbone of Han military force!” Lin Feng stared at Yang Haisheng, solemn. “Your missions will be difficult, your position more dangerous than the First Fleet’s—so for a long time, the First Fleet will support your operations.”

Hearing that Shi Lang would be assisting him, Yang Haisheng was stunned, then quickly brightened, humming smugly at Shi Lang.

“To be frank, the best way is to let each man show his strength. Honestly, Haisheng, if you and the Zhengs ever go head-to-head at sea, in a formal battle, Shi Lang would outmatch you in tactics—do you believe it?”

Yang Haisheng gaped, indignant but silent.

“Let’s settle the rules while the iron is hot. Our Han navy is newly founded, still weak, but it will grow. The top naval command will eventually go to one of you.” Lin Feng smiled at their energized faces. “You both have to prove yourselves—so I’ll give each of you seventy thousand taels of silver, a thousand soldiers, and a port in Tianjin. Develop your fleets independently. Whoever performs best gets the position!”

“That’s excellent!” Shi Lang smiled. “But how will you judge who’s best?”

“That’s simple. First, whoever turns in the most silver, no matter how—stealing, trading, anything—he’s the winner. Second, whoever grows stronger, recruits more ships and men, shows his ability. Third, battle records: we’re all soldiers, so combat matters most. If you sink more enemy ships, capture more men, and suffer fewer losses, that proves your skill.”

“Ha-ha, splendid! Just as I’d hoped!” Yang Haisheng beamed, thinking Lin Feng still favored him—this setup would let him expand fastest.

Shi Lang grew serious, pondering a long while before replying, “But according to your plan, Commander, the First Fleet doesn’t have much business opportunity?”

“Ah, old Shi, you’re being stubborn again,” Lin Feng sighed. “I said you’re the official fleet, meant to deal formally with others—but did I forbid you from trade or raiding?”

“Well...”

“Shi, are you really confused? In this world, is there any navy that doesn’t bend the rules? Look at the English, Dutch, Spanish—none are saints. Let me remind you, your First Fleet flies the Han banner, which is an advantage. If you sail to Ryukyu or Hainan, buy land, do business, even seize territory and conscript locals to build and farm—why not? As official troops, it’s legitimate. Unlike pirates, who are hated, your actions are sanctioned. If anyone objects, it’s a challenge to our Han government—they’ll have to think twice.”

Shi Lang considered, his stern face finally breaking into a smile. He stood, bowed to Lin Feng, and said sincerely, “Thank you for your guidance, Commander!”

“No trouble!” Lin Feng waved, then shifted topics. “Shi, we’re brothers, so let’s be frank. Now that you have a fleet, don’t be hasty with the Zhengs in Taiwan. Frankly, apart from Zheng Chenggong himself, I have little regard for the others. Sooner or later, we’ll deal with them, but for now, the situation is complex—their fleet is strong, so we must proceed cautiously. ‘A gentleman’s revenge may wait ten years’—you’re a seasoned general, you know this.”

“Commander, you underestimate me. I’ve always kept public duty and private grievances separate!” Shi Lang gritted his teeth and smiled. “You are wise and honorable; my family’s vengeance rests with you!”

Lin Feng replied solemnly, “Shi, from our first meeting, I promised to stand by you. We share a pot; your cause is mine. Back then, we didn’t even have a single boat, but I gave my word. Now we have fleets—do you think I’d go back on it?”

Shi Lang, overcome with emotion, knelt in thanks. “Forgive me, Commander. I thought your promise was mere comfort. Today, I swear by my family’s destruction to serve you unto death. If I betray, may heaven strike me down!”

For Lin Feng, oaths were like cabbage—easy to come by. True guarantees lay in proper systems, but seeing Shi Lang’s passion, he played along, helping him up. “Shi, that’s not necessary—though let me say, Zheng Chenggong rendered great service to our people; I won’t sever his bloodline. I’ll leave him a grandson. As for the rest—wives, sons, those can be handled your way.”

Seating Shi Lang, Lin Feng resumed his commander's pose and issued orders, “Go now, choose your old troops, head to Tianjin to inspect ports and shipyards. Once I finish business with the Forbidden City, I’ll send merchants to liaise with you.”