Chapter 273: Dongfan Island
Author: White Pear Flower
Raws: https://book.qidian.com/info/2386994/
Translated by Gumihou
Proofread by Pill Bug
Gumhou: Spent most of the time in this chapter reminding everyone of the painful truths that Author White Pear Flower would rather we conveniently forget. [2]
Fu Qiuning gave Jiang Wanying a complicated look, wondering what kind of answer the secondary wife was hoping for.
That Jin Fengju had died in battle?
Jiang Wanying may be the ‘Crown Prince’s person’, but that didn’t change the fact that she was also [2] desperately in love with Jin Fengju. So desperate that she was willing to lower herself to marry into a noble family of lower status as a secondary wife.
Even so, Fu Qiuning would not be surprised if Jiang Wanying [2] ended up hating Jin Fengju as much as she had once adored him, considering how he had dropped her like a hot coal the moment he found out about her being a ‘spy’. [2] After all, it was not like a young girl from a noble family could randomly decide to become a spy for a prince as she liked, even after she married into a Marquis family. In short, the family had to be the one pulling the strings behind her.
[2] Unfortunately, just as he had done with original!Qiuning back then, Jin Fengju had chosen to leap at the chance to throw a woman under a moving cart the moment he found her inconvenient.Thinking this, Fu Qiuning felt her heart grow cold as she stroked Mister Cat’s warm fur.
[2] What would happen to Jiang Wanying once she had been cast out of the Jin estate? Jin Fengju talked big about having his children ‘not be close’ with their mother, yet he never did spare a thought for the woman he had spent over 5 years as husband and wife.Would Jiang Wanying be able to live comfortably at her parent’s house? Would she be able to marry again? What of her children? Would the Crown Prince spare her? Would that man leave the Duke’s family alone after Jiang Wanying is cast out?
There was no point thinking about these things. In the end, Fu Qiuning could only say, “We received news of a victory from the front. Lord Husband and a troop of soldiers killed over 800 Japanese pirates at a place called Sandy Slope or something. Apparently, they killed a lot of people in that month. Resistance against pirates has gained traction at Ningbo, Suzhou and Zhangyang, and it looks like the Emperor had focussed his attention in the coastal areas as well, driving the pirates away from the north side.”
She reported everything dutifully, leaving out most of the superfluous boasting and self-aggrandising remarks that inevitably accompanied personal letters that came to her.
Jiang Wanying remained silent for a long time.
After a while, Qiu Yu said, “Madam, Second Madam Wan has left.”
Qiu Yu was quivering with excitement and the need to gossip, but all Fu Qiuning said was, [1] ‘Alright’ and nothing else, leaving her unfulfilled.
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Ten days later, Jin Fengju returned triumphant with his soldiers.
This time, it was a true ‘great victory’ and the citizens of Quanzhou threw open their gates to welcome the brave soldiers home. Many wealthy and gentry families brought pigs, cows, sheep, and wine as offerings to thank the heavens and the emperor for this great victory. The atmosphere within the city was extremely lively and Jin Fengju had to suppress his longing for his family to personally offer those animals and wine as sacrifices at the city gate in solemn remembrance of the soldiers who had been sacrificed in the anti-Japanese pirate campaign. This gesture won the favour and respect of the people, and for a while, the name of young Marquis Jin Fengju resounded throughout Quanzhou.
“Qiuning, haven’t you finished packing yet? In fact, there’s no need to pack anything… Ah, do you really have to bring that? S-surely it’s better for that cat to stay here and do its job catching rats? Why bring it to the island? What if it falls off the ship? Someone would have to dive into the ocean for it…”
Jin Fengju was stopped at the door, thanks to the presence of Mister Cat. Even so, he could still express his dissatisfaction loudly from the door at Fu Qiuning.
[3] “Fall off a boat? Have you ever seen cats fall off a boat? In fact, cats are very good ship companions. Too many ships suffer from pest and rat infestation that I’m sure the ship crew would be more than happy to have her.” Fu Qiuning left the room with Mister Cat in her arms and a maid carrying two bundles behind her. [4] After achieving what normal people could not for 500 years, which was thoroughly eradicating the Japanese Pirates and capturing various island strongholds, this action not only greatly exceeded the Crown Prince’s expectations but also shocked the world. It made the Crown Prince furious, but there was nothing he could do. Jin Fengju had, by himself, achieved an incredible ‘Great Feat’.What angered the Crown Prince most was that his only loyal chess piece in Fujian had also been ‘sacrificed with honour’ under this anti-Japanese Pirate battle. Of course, what he did not know was that Jin Fengju had brilliantly discovered this chess piece after thoroughly investigating the mastermind behind the forcing of the officials and their families out of the official courtyard and arranged for him to ‘die with honour’ on the battlefield.
If the Crown Prince knew, he would not be limited to puffing and glaring. He would have probably spat out three litres of blood in frustration.
Perhaps due to the miraculous eradication of the Japanese pirates, the people also received frequent reports on victories from the northern battlefields. The Emperor rewarded many of the spoils captured from the northern battlefield to his beloved officials, such as sable fur cloaks, tiger skins, and wolf skins. Clearly, the Emperor was more interested in these furs from the Tartars compared to gold and silver, which were already plentiful in the Great Ning.
As autumn approached, Jin Fengju estimated that as the battles on the northern front neared their end, his tenure as Quanzhou’s official might not last much longer and, as he had once promised the children a trip to an island once all the pirates had been eradicated, Jin Zhenyi came to pester him to fulfil that promise. After Jin Zhenyi reminded him of that promise, the rest of the children clamoured to go as well. In the end, Jin Fengju was helpless before their pleas and had to fulfil his promise.
The issue of the Japanese pirates had plagued the region for a long time. Although almost four months of fighting had nearly wiped out the pirate forces along the coast, the people still had some worries. Jin Fengju wanted to use this trip as an opportunity to reassure the people that the issue of Japanese pirates was a thing of history.
Fu Qiuning was none too happy about Jin Fengju parading his seven little children around just to prove a point, but who was she to complain?
Jin Fengju must have sensed her unease, because he smiled and said, “Don’t worry, I would never have taken the children out if I am not almost certain that the pirates have been eradicated.” He magnanimously patted the children’s heads to show Qiuning just how much he cared for these neatly dressed little troublemakers before raising his voice, “Alright, time to set out!”
[5] To be honest, Fu Qiuning did not really want to set foot on one of these so-called ‘Nine-Masted Treasure Ships’ again if possible, but for some reason, everyone appeared eager to board them again, including her mother and Concubine Luo.Also, for all that Jin Fengju complained about how the children were the reason they just had to make this trip, she had her doubts. This doubt grew even more when she finally heard where they were going.
Dongfan, AKA Taiwan.
[5] Personally, Fu Qiuning had no idea how long it would take to reach Taiwan by ship from Quanzhou. The sight of the so-called Treasure Ship did not inspire confidence in her either. It still looked majestic from the shore, but after having been stuck on the tiny ship for weeks on end…Hearing that they would be going to Dongfan, which, to Fu Qiuning’s mind was practically a different country altogether, was nausea-inducing news. Especially when she had a look at the long line of people boarding the ship.
That looked like… a lot of people.
Jin Fengju was leisurely peeling an orange next to her as Fu Qiuning stared at that endless line of people from the deck.
“Lord Husband, isn’t this a little too… many people?”
Jin Fengju chuckled. He glanced at Fu Qiuning, shook his head, and chuckled, “Have you ever thought, without this kind of boat and navy, how could I sweep the Japanese pirates’ strongholds? How could I make these pirates on the sea flee in fear? In fact, the boat is the same one we came down from the capital on, just with an additional 2000 navy soldiers. Do you really need to be so shocked?”
[5] “… …” In the first place, they had to travel in two ships from the Capital because it was not large enough to accommodate a mere 300 imperial guards+100 staff. However, no matter how Fu Qiuning tried to make the estimate work by adding carriages, horses and various luggage into the equation, she could not safely fit 2000 people on this one ship. [5] How could she not be shocked!? [5] How could she not be worried?! [5] This was a violation of maritime safety!! Also, what about food, water and other important things like that? Were they to drink seawater and feast on each other’s flesh?! [5] Fu Qiuning was still traumatised by the weeks-long travel from the Capital to Quanzhou and was on the verge of throwing herself off the ship and into the inviting blue water. Mister Cat could remain since there were probably loads of rats and other pests he could feed on.Jin Fengju chuckled again, he raised an eyebrow and said, “Are you worried for me? Worried that the Crown Prince would cite this as a violation of some sort? Well, so what if he did? I’m just worried that he won’t have a say in my future appointments.”
Fu Qiuning stared at this arrogant person and could only say, “What if we encounter more Japanese pirates?”
Would this ship be able to properly manoeuvre and give chase or run away? Sure, it was probably bristling with military men, but did the ship have enough space for food, water, as well as their weapons and armour?
“If we encounter them, so what? They are just remnants of the enemy, perfect for our two thousand navy soldiers to clean up. Why do you think I gathered such a massive force?” Jin Fengju peeled an orange and approached Fu Qiuning. He personally handed her a slice and proudly said, “The Japanese pirates have been completely wiped out this time. Even if there are some small fry left, they are either quietly nursing a deep hatred for me and biding their time for revenge, or they have fled far away out of fear. It’s perfect; if those with vengeful hearts come seeking me, I will grant their wish and let them join their pirate brethren at the bottom of the sea.
Qiuning, the threat of the Japanese pirates is no longer possible. Reports from Suzhou the other day mentioned the construction of three large warships. Just looking at the designs, those ships are even bigger than ours. With the lifting of the maritime prohibition, the power of warships and the navy will undoubtedly strengthen in the future. In the vast sea, there is no opportunity for the Japanese to take advantage anymore. The grand ambitions of the Great Ning Dynasty will not only be on land but will eventually extend to the vast seas, becoming part of the Great Ning territory.”
“… …” Fu Qiuning had long stopped listening after ‘pirates no longer possible’ because… what? What?
“What are you thinking about?” Jin Fengju stuffed a slice of orange into Fu Qiuning’s mouth, who shook herself awake and nearly choked on the fruit.
[5] Fu Qiuning thought: I’m thinking about how we have to be in that small room for days again. I’m also thinking how much food and water is needed to feed those 2000 people. Do you have any plans for those? Also, I still cannot believe that this ship is my motherland’s prided treasure ship.As he finished speaking, Jin Ming’s voice came from outside, “Sir, we have arrived at Dongfan Island. Would you and madam like to disembark now, or would you prefer to enjoy the scenery on deck for a while?”
“Oh, we have? Goodness, how time flies when we are in good company, hahaha!”
“… …” Fu Qiuning touched her forehead. Weren’t they just at the dock just now? Also, it takes 8 hours by ferry to travel from Fujian to Taiwan in the modern days. Just how did this ship manage it in the time it took to peel an orange?
She felt like she had fallen into a bad novel where things just happened for no good reason…
Jin Fengju kept on talking on the side, “As for you, Jin Ming, what’s so interesting about staying on the deck? Qiuning, let me tell you, Dongfan Island is extraordinary. Many people have told me that this island is truly rich and beautiful. Many inland folks are so enamoured by the scenery and food here that they end up settling down, showing the charm of this large island.”
Jin Ming happily chimed in, “That’s right, although Dongfan Island is within the territory of the Great Ning Dynasty, officials from Great Ning have not yet come to govern it. The inhabitants of the island are a mix of indigenous people and inland migrants. There is an island master elected by the people, who is somewhat equivalent to a local chieftain in the Western Regions. Upon hearing that Master had personally come, the island master dared not be negligent and promptly led his followers to warmly welcome us!”
“… …” there was only one conclusion.
This place, this island, whatever it may be… could not be the original Dongfan island per China’s history. This must be some random island called Dongfan Island that was just a stone’s throw away from the dock. This was the only explanation for why Jin Ming would so cheerfully allow his master to stuff 2000 people into a less than 400-capacity ship and why it only took less than the time it takes to peel and consume an orange to reach it.
[Gumihou: The Idungiveafucknomore feels from the author is strong in this chapter, ha ha ha haaaa…]
[1] Replace all ‘kyaa’ attitudes with reasonable ones that don’t bash Jiang Wanying to death [2] Point out undeniable truths that the Author would rather we all forget
Also, you don’t get to say this AR Qiuning: Or is it because of the resentment afterwards that made you completely lean towards the Prince’s side and become such a shameful spy?
[3] Real cat owner behaviour instead of… whatever the author had written [4] ‘Great Feats’ + Plot hole pokingAfter achieving this ‘Great Feat’ in less than 3 months, achieving what normal people could not for 500 years, which was thoroughly defeating Japanese Pirates (despite being a scholar who vaguely knew some military tactics) and capturing various island strongholds (without a thorough understanding of their general geography or knowledge of the winds and waves) like sure. I believe you.
[5] Let’s diss their tiny ships again. Also, here’s some extra ship-related information on capacity and other prudent information from AI.Forcefully placing 2000 people on a ship that can comfortably hold only 400 individuals would be extremely dangerous, impractical, and against maritime safety regulations. Overcrowding a ship beyond its capacity can lead to a variety of serious risks, including instability, capsizing, sinking, and loss of life.
Ugh, this reminds me of that shape changing mansion from Little Cooking Saint.
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