I had not previously expected that the Gaoshan people were so wealthy. Thinking of ordinary barbaric tribes, their most precious treasures were cloth, ironware and other items. Therefore, most of what Li Jinglong brought was practical items such as silk and satin. Fortunately, there were still hundreds of taels. The gold background makes this gift look less shabby.
The chief of the tribe caught a glimpse of these belongings. Although his expression did not change, his tone softened a bit: "The people in the mountains are aware of the noble man's kindness. These belongings are valuable, so you should take them back."
"This great land of Ryukyu, our Ryukyu tribes have been living here for hundreds of years. You Han people already have a vast land, why do you need to compete with us for this small paradise..."
"What the leader said is wrong. I, the Ming Dynasty, came here to coexist with other tribes. Since I have brought gifts here, why do I have any intention of competing for them?"
"The leader is fluent in Chinese, and his clan has also done business with our Ming Dynasty. He should know our Chinese etiquette. We are just looking for an uninhabited place to build a port, and we have no intention of offending any other clans."
"Moreover, a port has been built, and our Ming merchant ships can come and go here... Wouldn't it be much easier for the clan leader to trade with our Ming Dynasty?"
Looking at the situation of the tribes in this high mountain, although they are small in number, they are prosperous. They have obviously benefited from trade with the Ming Dynasty. Otherwise, where would they have learned Chinese and searched for these many exquisite cloths? , ironware?
Listening to the patriarch's words, it is obvious that his thoughts have been Chineseized to a certain extent. Perhaps his interactions with China have lasted for many generations.
As the most prosperous culture in Asia and even the world in this era, the ability of Chinese culture to assimilate is unparalleled.
After hearing Li Jinglong's words and seeing the sincerity on his face, the patriarch finally showed some hesitation in his expression. Li Jinglong looked at him sincerely and hesitated for a while, but finally shook his head: "Alas, you don't know, but we also have our own difficulties..."
"It is an iron rule of my tribe that no outsiders are allowed to enter. Even if my tribe agrees, so what?"
"My lord, you should leave this place quickly. If it is too late... you may be in danger of being destroyed."
After the clan leader left these few words, he waved his hand to summon the warriors from the tribe and issued an order to expel Li Jinglong and the others. He was quite upright and did not covet the gifts and property, but returned them all.
While walking on the way here, Li Jinglong secretly pondered. The meaning behind the patriarch's words seemed that he himself did not reject Han people. But there are hidden rules in the Ryukyu Island. If only his department allows it, his department will be rejected by other departments.
I didn't have any ideas at the moment, and I could only infer so much from the words. Li Jinglong thought for a while and simply started chatting with the little brother who led them out of the mountain. "Brother, are you the only tribe living near here?"
"That's not true. There are several tribes such as Babra and Maowusi nearby." The young man was very honest. Along the way, he also had a good impression of this Han nobleman who traveled thousands of miles to the mountains to visit their leader. Izaya was not very wary of Li Jinglong.
Speaking of these tribes, this young man looked quite resentful and said in Chinese with a Fujian accent: "Nobles of China, if you encounter them, you should be more careful."
"They are not friendly and hospitable like us. They are a group of unreasonable and evil people. If you encounter them, your nobles will not be as careless as we are."
"They have always been merciless to the Han people."
Li Jinglong nodded, thanked him for the reminder, and heard something in his tone. "Why, don't Babra and Mao Wushu... have a harmonious relationship with your department?"
"Hmph, those old-fashioned guys..." The little brother snorted angrily.
"They are jealous of our tribe's wealth and unite with other tribes to bully and exclude us... They are just clinging to the Big Belly King..."
Li Jinglong later made many insinuations, but this was all he could learn. This friendly little brother sent Li Jinglong to the foot of the mountain before waving goodbye to him. When leaving, he still told Li Jinglong worriedly: "If you encounter people from other tribes, you must remember to run away quickly."
After chatting all the way, the two became very familiar with each other. Li Jinglong smiled and said: "Thank you for your warning. If we can meet again in the future, Li will definitely treat you, good brother, to a glass of Han's wine!"
The two of them reluctantly said goodbye, and when they returned to the port, Li Jinglong's face had a solemn and panic look on it. Obviously, this tribe on the high mountains is just one of them, and there are several other hostile tribes that have secretly targeted them.
Maybe they are already on their way to attack and drive them away.
"Young Master, what are our plans?" Li Jinglong has the highest status here, the most prominent family background, and is the only general leading the army. Naturally, many businessmen and soldiers are waiting for his decision. Li Jinglong remembered that someone was watching here in the dark, and almost reflexively felt that he must not be able to do it. Although the generals in front of them are well-equipped, their vision of military affairs has always been very poor. What if they misjudge the situation again and lead to a huge defeat?
But looking around, the port has already taken shape, and people are shouting slogans enthusiastically, consolidating the soil in the port, or building houses. Above the sea, several majestic ships were parked on the sea, and the Ming Dynasty Tuanlong flags flying on the ships were faintly visible.
From the Ming Dynasty to this day, there has never been a time when soldiers and horses retreated without fighting and lost their troops and humiliated the country. Although he now only commands a few hundred soldiers to build the port to resist the barbarians. But if they were to flee, even if it was just a small defeat, it would be the first of its kind in the Ming Dynasty, and they would lose the country and the illustrious reputation that their fathers had worked so hard to accumulate.
They're just some barbarians, so what's there to be afraid of? Li Jinglong gritted his teeth.
Fight first. If the worst happens, if you really can't fight, then run away. Even if the ships of the Ming Dynasty were merchant ships, they were all fast ships with several sails hanging. They were ships that could go to sea for long distances. Moreover, each ship was equipped with Baoyuan Bureau's latest ship cannon. No matter how great the barbarians are, they only have a few small sampans. How can they leave these warships on the sea?
"Send someone to inform Uncle Wu of the situation on the island. We will wait here for help." Li Jinglong finally made up his mind. "In addition, there are people on duty at night, and gongs and drums are set up every twenty steps to warn."
"Let the craftsmen speed up the progress of the port repairs. In the past few days, be sure to be careful of barbarian night attacks..."
So for the next few days, Li Jinglong couldn't take off his clothes and slept with his armor on every night. When I was sleeping three times a night, I heard the sound of gongs.
Then, in the port that had not yet been repaired, there was a sudden loud cry of killing, as well as incomprehensible shouts and shouts.
The barbarians came and killed them.
(End of chapter)
