Chapter 10, Opportunities (Part 1)

Shi Lang was originally feeling downcast, but seeing Zhang Wei eat heartily without restraint brought a hint of a smile to his face. After Zhang Wei finished and wiped his mouth, Shi Lang asked, "Brother Zhang, are you full? If not, I can go get two more steamed buns for you"

Oh? Younger brother, do you have any difficulties? As long as there is something I can assist you with, feel free to speak up.

On that day, I advised Zheng Laoda to focus on managing Taiwan, partly for his own good and partly for my own. We were originally poor people from Fujian, engaging in smuggling at sea to make money, but it was a risky business where we could lose our lives at any moment. Any day we might encounter storms at sea or be captured by officials, and that would be the end of us. My wife has always urged me to extricate myself early and lead a more peaceful life rather than live in constant fear. However, once you board a pirate ship, it is difficult to escape. Even if I were to return now, the authorities would not spare me. Therefore, I am determined to persuade Zheng Laoda to strategize for Taiwan, so that in the future, when the government offers amnesty, everyone will have a way out. If that does not work, we can consider Taiwan as a refuge; it is rich in resources, vast in land, and sparsely populated. We could establish ourselves as kings there, which is far better than drifting aimlessly at sea. Zheng Laoda only focuses on the small profits of maritime trade, without considering the future prospects for his brothers. Alas!

The next day, upon waking, he went to report to Zheng Zhilong's residence. Subsequently, in recognition of his contributions, Zhang Wei was granted a small coastal vessel as he had wished. He then set out to recruit crew members and used the capital borrowed from Zheng Zhilong to procure raw silk and porcelain from Fujian for export.

With a smile, Zhang Wei advised, "Dear brother, do not worry. Zheng Laoda is currently thriving in business. Not long ago, he even paid a visit to the shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu in Japan and obtained the privilege to trade with the Japanese. If you ask him to give up on farming now, it would be like killing him. When he eventually comes to his senses, we can slowly persuade him, and it will not be too late."

Zhang Wei listened intently as Shi Lang finished recounting his grievances, secretly amused. Shi Lang, fully aware that maritime trade is highly profitable, still insisted on having Zheng Zhilong cultivate and farm the land, without considering whether Zheng would be willing. It is futile to seek cooperation with a tiger, yet here he is complaining. This seems to stem from his lack of communication skills with others. However, his thoughts align with mine; establishing Taiwan as a base and then attracting people to develop it is indeed the foundation for achieving success. Otherwise, merely following Zheng Zhilong, even if one could become a wealthy man, would ultimately be quite unfulfilling. This seems to stem from his lack of communication skills with others. However, his thoughts align with mine; establishing Taiwan as a base and then attracting people to develop it is indeed the foundation for achieving success. Otherwise, merely following Zheng Zhilong, even if one could become a wealthy man, would ultimately be quite unfulfilling

Zhang Wei endured the pain, sitting at an angle and eating and drinking heartily, while Shi Lang, on the other hand, had little appetite. After reluctantly sharing a few drinks with Zhang Wei, he excused himself, claiming to feel unwell, and sat quietly to the side

Zhang Wei let out a satisfied burp, comfortably patting his belly, and said with a smile: "There's no need for that, I'm so full now that it's almost at my throat. Brother Shi, I certainly didn't hold back; I treat this place as my own home."

Brother, since you say that, as the elder brother, I must say a few more words. I see that you have worked hard all day, so why are you unwilling to eat?

As the Mid-Autumn Festival arrives, the day is marked by a clear and refreshing autumn atmosphere. Zheng Zhilong, feeling pleased, invites his capable subordinates to enjoy the moon and celebrate the festival together. During the gathering, Shi Lang brings up the matter of occupying Taiwan, but before he can finish his words, Zheng Zhilong, visibly displeased, abruptly leaves. It is only after Zhang Wei skillfully intervenes and persuades him that he reluctantly returns to finish the banquet.

At this moment, the scene in Zhang Wei's home was no longer as it had been upon his arrival. After several trips back and forth by sea, he had witnessed the splendor of the South Seas from hundreds of years ago. It is a pity that Zhang Wei, during an era of advanced modern transportation, had never stepped outside his country's borders. Now, however, he had traveled tens of thousands of miles aboard a primitive wooden sailboat. Having journeyed such a distance, he had naturally amassed a considerable fortune. In addition to spending money to purchase two more ships, he had also specifically bought this three-compound residence in Penghu. If it were not for the consideration that Penghu is not a suitable place for long-term residence and that future travel would be inconvenient, he would have likely filled this house with courtesans and beautiful maidens long ago.

Zhang Wei noticed that everyone harbored resentment towards Shi Lang, and seeing Shi Lang dejected, he insisted on bringing Shi Lang back to his home, setting up a banquet, and drinking together with him.

Shi Lang chuckled twice, his old face turning red: "This... on that day, I was indeed quite unsettled, please do not take offense, elder brother. Speaking of that day's events, it is indeed related to your inquiries today regarding the books."

Shi Lang silently drank, and after consuming more than ten cups, he finally blushed and asked Zhang Wei: "Elder brother, do you remember the first night you came to the island and had dinner at my home?"

It was just a meal; I am not here to seek credit. I am asking you, do you remember how I was feeling down that night

As Zheng Zhilong's power gradually increased, the number of small pirate factions seeking his allegiance grew. He commanded with authority and was quite imposing. He remained courteous towards Zhang Wei, He Bin, and others, but had lost the previous tolerance he showed towards Shi Lang.

Of course I remember, that night I wanted to clarify something, but you left me hanging, big brother, it was so awkward

Of course I remember, if it weren't for you, my brother, I would have gone hungry that night

Zhang Wei angrily said: "A man should speak his mind; why act so coy!"

Half a year passed in this manner, and Zhang Wei became quite close with the people on Penghu Island, having learned Fujian dialect to a considerable degree. As he noticed his purse becoming fuller, the grand plan for establishing his career, however, remained elusive, leaving him feeling quite disheartened.

Shi Lang let out a long sigh, fell silent, finished drinking with Zhang Wei, and then went off to find his wife to sleep.

Zhang Wei, in a moment of distraction, paid no attention to him and cleared the food and drinks from the table, also consuming several steamed buns that Shi Lang had brought out, before finally finishing.

After three rounds of drinks, Zhang Wei asked, "Brother Shi, you know very well that Old Zheng dislikes it when people bring up the matter of Taiwan. Why do you insist on going against his wishes?"

Sigh

Shi Lang remained silent for a long time, finally waved his hand and went into his room alone. Zhang Wei, feeling extremely frustrated, could only return home in the dark, collapsed onto his bed, and immediately fell into a deep sleep.

Shi Lang clapped his hands and praised, "Brother, I see you are a good man. From now on, I will consider you a friend."

Shi Lang, however, did not possess the same extravagance as Zhang Wei. Although he earned a considerable amount of silver by following Zheng Zhilong, most of it was invested in purchasing land in his hometown of Fujian. He faced some exploitation from the authorities regarding his land purchases, which left him in a constant state of financial strain. Although he lived with Zhang Wei due to their friendship and repeated invitations, he was always reluctant to spend money on entertaining others. As a result, he was disliked by the people on the island, unlike Zhang Wei, who, despite being new, was willing to spend money. The locals spoke highly of Zhang Wei whenever his name was mentioned.