The group ate and chatted, and gradually the night grew deep with heavier cold dew. Old Lin prepared upper rooms for the guests, letting them undress and rest. That Cui Xuanliang had been tired the whole day. Though already weary, he still couldn’t sleep, so he went again to the cabin to check on his uncle, to see if he had improved.
Coming to the cabin room, he saw two boatmen sleeping fully clothed, lying on the floor beside the bed. But his uncle was still unconscious, lying flat and motionless with shallow breathing, both cheeks deeply sunken, as if he had aged decades overnight.
The uncle before him had worked hard his entire life. Thinking of how he spent his childhood in wartime chaos, how his elder brother died before him in middle age, and now in old age he still suffered such hardship. Remembering the arrogance of those Korean military officers and the snobbery of his own country’s officials, Cui Xuanliang clenched his fists as tears involuntarily burst from his eyes.
Speaking of serving country and people, who could compare to his uncle’s generation? Though this group of founding orphans never produced great figures, their fate was intimately connected with the nation. Whatever great disasters befell the Central Plains, these refugee children would invariably rise up to bear them, never fleeing to the rear. For people like them, who in the world had the right to casually humiliate them? But what kind of face did that Maritime Defense Commissioner Bai Bixia show? What had he done for the country? What merits had he established for the people? By what right did he strike at his uncle’s life?
Cui Xuanliang felt bitter anguish in his heart and couldn’t help but shed tears. Suddenly someone lightly patted his back. He was startled and quickly turned around, only to see Monk Tianjue approaching.
Monk Tianjue smiled and nodded, raised his finger to his lips to signal Cui Xuanliang to remain silent, then turned and left the cabin. Cui Xuanliang followed him out, gently closing the door behind them, saying: “Master, do you… do you have business?”
Monk Tianjue smiled and said: “Just now Doctor Wang came to instruct me. He feared your uncle’s condition might change, so he asked this poor monk to keep watch here through the night.”
Cui Xuanliang murmured: “Isn’t he coming himself?”
Monk Tianjue said: “Doctor Wang said he was tired the whole day and needed a good sleep, so he could only ask this little monk to help with this favor.”
Cui Xuanliang sighed inwardly. Looking at this “Ghost Doctor’s” extraordinary abilities, who knew he would be so lazy, pushing everything onto Monk Tianjue’s head so he could sleep soundly. Thinking of Monk Tianjue’s righteousness, he felt grateful and bowed: “Today I have repeatedly received Master’s kindness. Please accept Xuanliang’s bow.” He was about to kneel down when Monk Tianjue lightly supported him under the arms. A stream of internal energy flowed, Cui Xuanliang’s knees grew warm, and he involuntarily stood up.
Cui Xuanliang’s heart trembled. Only then did he realize Monk Tianjue’s internal energy was extremely deep, seemingly even surpassing his uncle’s. He stared at Monk Tianjue in a daze, saying: “Master… have you really never practiced the Muscle-Tendon Transformation Classic?”
Monk Tianjue couldn’t help but laugh, shaking his head: “No.”
Cui Xuanliang scratched his head and said in a low voice: “Master, I… I joked with you earlier, being somewhat disrespectful. Please… please don’t mind.”
Monk Tianjue smiled: “The benefactor is cheerful and innocent, without a trace of scheming or pretense. How would this poor monk take offense?”
Cui Xuanliang felt relieved and said again: “Master, what exactly are you going to Smoke Island to do? You’re not coming to celebrate Uncle Wei’s birthday, are you?”
This question hit the crucial point. Looking at Ghost Doctor Wang Kui coming to gather herbs, Bu Guzi coming to celebrate a birthday, and others like Maritime Defense Commissioner Bai Bixia and Young Master Muzhong Ming Guoxun, everyone’s mission was very clear – either bestowing titles or arresting people. Only Monk Tianjue’s purpose remained unclear. Seeing him alone with simple baggage, he probably didn’t even bring congratulatory gifts, so he certainly wasn’t coming to celebrate Wei Kuan’s birthday.
In the silence, Monk Tianjue smiled and said: “Very well, there’s no harm in telling the benefactor. This poor monk has come to Smoke Island to find a family.”
Cui Xuanliang’s heart jumped, immediately thinking of what Monk Tianjue had said earlier, that their Shaolin Temple had been entrusted by someone and had once gone to Japan to seek a mysterious figure. He quickly said: “Master, are you… are you looking for… for that friend of Yao… Yao Guangxiao?”
Monk Tianjue shook his head: “No. I’m just looking for a family surnamed Fang, to inquire about some matters with them.”
Cui Xuanliang said in surprise: “Fang?”
Monk Tianjue said nothing more. He gazed at the bitter sea in the rainy night, his expression quite lonely.
Cui Xuanliang didn’t dare ask further. He secretly observed Monk Tianjue, seeing this monk wasn’t very old, seemingly only thirty or forty years, yet appeared to know everything. His every move was like an enlightened master, unfathomably deep. The more he looked, the more awed he became, and fearing he might be casually ordained, he quickly said: “Master… I… I’ll go sleep first. You should also rest early.”
Monk Tianjue had been deep in thought, but hearing these words, he immediately awakened and smiled: “Benefactor, sleep peacefully. This poor monk will watch over Old Benefactor Cui.”
Cui Xuanliang was overjoyed. Seeing Monk Tianjue’s martial arts and knowledge, if he guarded the sickbed, even if his uncle became a jumping corpse, he could fix him. Fearing Monk Tianjue might change his mind, he quickly said: “Thank you, Master. Then… then I’ll go lie down.” Saying this, he ran off like smoke, found a soft mat on deck, and lay down fully clothed.
It was now midnight. Monk Tianjue turned and entered the cabin. On deck, aside from a few boatmen taking turns on night watch, there was no one else. The sea wind was cold. Cui Xuanliang yawned, took off his boots, and was about to find a cotton quilt to cover himself when he saw the little lion jumping and running on deck – a warming stove had delivered itself to his door.
The little lion was energetic and vigorous, never sleeping at night. Cui Xuanliang was too lazy to care about all that, so he grabbed it in his arms to use as a pillow and lay down flat.
After this day, Cui Xuanliang had truly opened his eyes wide. For the first time in his life he had seen Koreans and Japanese, had also seen mighty warships, and now had made acquaintance with masters from Shaolin, Dian Cang, Jiuhua and other places. These were unimaginable adventures just yesterday, but now they had all occurred before his eyes. If he were to boast about this back home, his two female cousins would surely not believe it.
Cui Xuanliang stroked the little lion’s head, thinking of his aunt in his heart, and thought: “Fortunately we met Doctor Wang, otherwise if uncle really died, what would aunt do in the future?” Thinking of this, tears seemed about to flow again. He hastily wiped his eyes and thought: “It’s fine. After uncle recovers, he’ll surely live a hundred years, living even longer than Zhang Sanfeng.”
Thinking and thinking, his thoughts turned to himself: “This time uncle is arranging my marriage, I wonder what the result will be? I hope that Miss Wei is beautiful and gentle-natured, otherwise when she marries into our Cui family, won’t she constantly quarrel with my two female cousins?”
His aunt had only given birth to two daughters, no sons, and normally treated him as her own child, showing him great affection. His two female cousins were even more intimate with him, always joking and playing with him without proper respect. But if he took up with another girl, those two would surely glare with wide eyes, extremely fierce.
Thinking of gentle women, he couldn’t help but miss those two servant girls again. Looking at how Xiao Ming and Xiao Xiu had such accommodating natures, saying yes to everything – whoever married them would surely enjoy the blessings of having multiple wives. Cui Xuanliang thought: “Right, uncle always says our Cui family has few descendants. I must strive harder and have more children.”
To have children, one must take wives. The more wives, the more children – this was the unchanging natural principle of heaven and earth. Thinking of this, Cui Xuanliang suddenly felt righteous and confident. He immediately reached out his hand and treated the little lion as his dream lover to embrace. Poor little lion flailed its claws, struggling and refusing, but Cui Xuanliang paid no attention. Gradually his snoring began, and he had fallen into deep sleep.
“Young Master, Young Master…”
Having just fallen asleep, the little lion in his arms had already slipped away. Cui Xuanliang slept sweetly and was too lazy to care. But for some unknown reason, it seemed a mosquito had come to his ear, flying around repeatedly, disturbing his peaceful dreams. Cui Xuanliang was truly annoyed and simply turned over to sleep facing the ship’s rail.
“Young Master… Young Master…” While sleeping soundly, he again heard the mosquito calling softly: “Young Master, Young Master, get up quickly, it’s already broad daylight.”
“Dead old man! What’s all the noise!” Cui Xuanliang sat up in fury, shouting loudly. Just as he was about to lie back down, he saw the Seven Young Masters of Dian Cang looking at him with alarm, while Wang Kui and Bu Guzi also stared dumbfounded, both holding flatbread and sitting not far away, looking at him in puzzlement.
Cui Xuanliang’s face turned bright red. He looked around and saw that everyone on the ship, old and young, had gotten up. The boatmen were each doing their work, while the guests were enjoying breakfast, eating and chatting. Cui Xuanliang murmured: “Where is Master Tianjue?” Before he finished speaking, he heard someone smile and say: “Benefactor Cui, this little monk is here.” Cui Xuanliang said “Ah!” and looked up, indeed seeing Monk Tianjue.
Last night when going to sleep, this monk still hadn’t slept, only watching over his uncle. Seeing him now already up, still with bright spirits and a pleasant expression, it was unclear whether he had stayed awake all night. Seeing the young master had gotten up, Old Chen brought over a towel for Cui Xuanliang to wash his face, while Old Lin also brought fragrant tea for the young master to rinse his mouth.
Seeing the Seven Young Masters of Dian Cang discussing among themselves, they probably took him for a pampered young master. Cui Xuanliang’s face grew even redder. He quickly dodged aside, avoiding all the service, saying: “Where… where are we?”
Old Chen said: “We’ve left the Bitter Sea and are not far from Smoke Island.”
Hearing the words “Smoke Island,” Cui Xuanliang said “Ah!” and quickly gazed toward the horizon. He saw that though the sky was still overcast, the water mist had receded, so they had truly left the endless Bitter Sea. His heart was greatly pleased. Thinking of Xiao Ming and Xiao Xiu, he was even more delighted. After a while, thinking that he was now closer to Wei Siyan, all sleepiness vanished and his spirits were greatly lifted. He quickly stood up, laughing heartily: “Get up! Get up! I’m in such a good mood!”
Seeing he was still barefoot, he put on his boots and asked: “By the way, how is my uncle? Is he better?”
Finally remembering his uncle. He had thought through all the beauties in the world before it was Cui Fengxun’s turn. Wang Kui laughed: “Your uncle is very well. Just now Brother Tianjue fed him a bowl of ginseng soup, which he drank completely. It seems he’s passed the critical point between life and death.”
Cui Xuanliang was wildly happy, shouting: “Excellent! Uncle won’t die! I can be a young master again!” He hadn’t laughed for long when he suddenly saw everyone looking at him. He quickly coughed and said: “Uncle Chen, where’s breakfast?”
Old Chen and Old Lin had already prepared breakfast – a large pot of thin porridge plus coarse hard flatbread, all quite unpalatable. Seeing Old Chen bring over a large bowl of porridge, Cui Xuanliang was reluctant to accept it. Seeing this rough food, his stomach felt somewhat full already. He glumly accepted the rice porridge, and just as he was yawning, he suddenly heard the Seven Young Masters of Dian Cang shout: “Everyone look! The sun’s come out! The sun’s come out!”
Everyone looked up and saw the horizon brightening. A brilliant golden light shot straight down, making the great sea shimmer with golden waves. In an instant, all the sailors on the ship cheered: “We’ve reached Smoke Island! We’ve reached Smoke Island!”
It was morning with rosy clouds filling the sky. This golden light shining down revealed the grand atmosphere of vast sea and open sky. Cui Xuanliang was filled with excitement and immediately led the Seven Young Masters of Dian Cang in rushing to the bow, waiting to gaze upon the legendary “Smoke Island.”
All around was calm wind and still waves, the ship extremely stable. After traveling perhaps several more li, the seawater turned azure blue. Gradually the dark clouds in the sky scattered completely, revealing a deep blue sky like the sea itself. The sunlight was so dazzling and brilliant.
Cui Xuanliang suddenly pointed into the distance, crying out in shock: “Look! Ships are coming!”
In the vast blue waves, they saw a merchant ship approaching from the port side in the distance, about twenty li away. Its sail bore the large characters “Quanzhou” and was breaking through the waves toward them. Before long, ten li off the starboard side, another large sailing ship appeared, its flag covered with curving characters that no one could recognize. The Seven Young Masters of Dian Cang were delighted: “There really are ships! Foreign ships! Foreign ships!”
The children were filled with joy and pestered Bu Guzi with questions: “Master! What country’s ship is that? Do you know?” Bu Guzi was going to sea for the first time in his life – how would he know anything? He looked toward Wang Kui, but Wang Kui also looked puzzled. Just as he was about to ask Monk Tianjue, they heard the boatmen laugh: “Young masters, that’s an Arab merchant ship. Haven’t you seen one before?”
This “Arab” was an ancient term, referring to what was now called “Tianfang.” These Arab merchants were mostly Muslims with a thousand-year trading history, coming by both the northwestern land route and through the southern port of Quanzhou. It seemed Smoke Island was truly a great eastern port – even Arab merchants didn’t hesitate to come from afar, suggesting the island’s resources were extremely abundant to attract so many merchant ships for trade.
Amid the conversation, they heard a long “woo-woo” sound. The Arab merchant ship behind them blew conch horns and had already caught up to the front. Old Chen lowered the second sail to slow their ship and follow behind. Soon, numerous sail shadows appeared ahead. Looking into the distance, they could see a stretch of land. Everyone cheered: “Smoke Island has arrived!”
Legend said that after crossing the Dream Sea, one could reach a great maritime city, which must be this place before them. In the blue sea and sky, their ship followed the Arab merchant ship into port. They saw flags fluttering on the shore with exotic atmosphere. Ships from Japan, Korea, Champa, Chenla, Ceylon and other places entered and left the harbor in endless streams – how could they count or see them all in a short time?
Smoke Island’s magnificent scene, with its countless merchant ships and bustling traffic, far exceeded imagination. Japanese swords, spears and spices, Korean ginseng, screens and lacquerware were all transshipped south from here, while Chinese ceramics, silk, books and copper coins were transshipped from here to all directions overseas. Other goods like Southeast Asian bird’s nests, southern barbarian wine, medicinal seeds, and various treasures from India, Arabia and Persia also gathered here, echoing with the famous Ryukyu city of Naha as a maritime transportation hub.
Sounds of amazement filled the air. Bu Guzi and Wang Kui were visiting Smoke Island for the first time and were naturally filled with wonder. Even someone as otherworldly as Monk Tianjue couldn’t help but look several more times.
The Seven Young Masters of Dian Cang were most playful. Rarely coming to a foreign place, they naturally jumped and leaped with joy, shouting: “Hurry! Hurry! Let’s quickly go ashore to play!” Cui Xuanliang himself had a youthful nature. At this moment, his heart was so happy it seemed about to explode. He quickly took the suona from his waist, blew it with all his might, and shouted loudly: “Old Chen! Sail into port! Let’s go ashore immediately!”
Amid the children’s cheers, a sharp sound cut through the sky. The boatmen ran down to the cabin to work the oars, and Old Chen personally took the helm. The ship slowly approached the shore.
As they were sailing, they suddenly heard “bang bang” sounds from the starboard side, as if someone was striking the ship’s hull. Bu Guzi was startled and quickly looked down, seeing a sampan pressed against the side of their ship. Several young men stood on it, all wearing straw capes and speaking gibberish, but beside the sampan was a flag embroidered with a fiery red cloud swallow of unknown meaning.
With foreign people arriving, everyone was dumbfounded. Earlier when Xu Erzheng was still on the ship, they wouldn’t worry about not understanding foreign languages. But now Old Xu was gone, replaced by martial arts figures like Bu Guzi and Wang Kui. Hearing the southern barbarian tongue was like playing music to cows. Cui Xuanliang looked completely confused and glanced toward Bu Guzi and Wang Kui. These two old men were also puzzled and looked at Monk Tianjue to hear his explanation.
Monk Tianjue was well-versed in Buddhist scriptures and knew everything under heaven, but after all he wasn’t a boatman or sailor, so at this time he was also completely clueless. Finally Old Chen shouted: “Old Lin! What are you standing there for? Time to pay up!”
Old Lin coughed and first patted his body searching for something. Seeing Cui Xuanliang standing nearby, he walked over and said quietly: “Young Master, you have silver, right? Take some out first.”
Cui Xuanliang said “Oh” and was about to reach for his purse when he suddenly said “Eh!” and quickly said: “Wait, what do you need money for?” Old Lin coughed: “We need to pay the passage fee.”
Cui Xuanliang was shocked: “Passage fee? Good heavens! Are the pirates openly robbing in broad daylight?” Bu Guzi was most righteous. Hearing that pirates were robbing in broad daylight, without another word he was about to fly down from the ship to kill them. The boatmen frantically held him back: “Daoist Master! Don’t act rashly, don’t act rashly!” Cui Xuanliang angrily said: “What ‘don’t act rashly’! Pirates are robbing in broad daylight – how can we just sit by and ignore it!”
Old Lin sighed bitterly, knowing the young master was a hollow radish, so he took out an ingot of silver himself and shouted toward the sea: “Friends, we’re merchants from Zhejiang coming to celebrate Old Master Wei Kuan’s birthday. Please allow us to enter port.” Saying this, he threw the silver over. The man on the sampan caught it and raised a long bamboo pole with a brocade flag tied to it, sending it from the sampan to them from afar while shouting in Chinese: “Friends, hang this cloth flag on your mast and follow us.”
Seeing the flag embroidered with a cloud swallow and inscribed “Smoke Island North Zhen Harbor Gengwu Wharf,” everyone understood these were Smoke Island helmsmen who specialized in guiding passenger ships into port for mooring. It seemed trade on Smoke Island was prosperous – merchant ships from various countries wanting to trade on the island definitely had to pay this passage fee, otherwise everything was off the table.
Under the small boat’s guidance, the large ship slowly entered the harbor. Looking around, they saw merchant ships everywhere, large and small, new and old. But regardless of origin, all the ships had cloth flags hanging from them, painted with a cloud swallow, indicating they had all paid the passage fee.
Bu Guzi licked his lips, feeling this business was quite profitable, and pulled Old Lin aside, whispering in his ear: “How much does it cost to enter port once?” Old Lin whispered back: “It’s not calculated by times, but by days. Mooring a ship costs thirty taels of dragon silver per day.”
Hearing this, everyone couldn’t help but gasp in shock. Even Monk Tianjue put his hands together and chanted “Amitabha Buddha,” thinking this price was truly outrageously expensive. Without Buddha’s mercy and great compassion, what could be done?
The merchant ship passed along the route, heading directly to “Zhen Harbor Gengwu Wharf.” The Seven Young Masters of Dian Cang stood at the bow, counting along the way: “One ship, two ships… one hundred and twelve ships… one hundred and seventy-one ships…” In just a short while, they had counted to two hundred ships. Seeing that each ship had to pay thirty taels per day, that meant six thousand taels of dragon silver in one day. It seemed this Wei Kuan truly deserved to be a disciple of the “Primordial Merit” – his money-gathering skills were as high as his killing abilities. Right now, without lifting a finger, he was already collecting mountains of gold and silver, truly making others envious.
The sampan led the way, and the large ship had slowly approached the shore. They saw a wooden sign erected at the harbor’s edge reading “Smoke Island North Zhen Harbor,” while the mooring area had another wooden sign reading “Gengwu Wharf.” Cui Xuanliang looked around and saw this place was already packed full of ships. On the starboard side was moored a merchant ship – the very Arab ship they had seen earlier. Sailors with white turbans and white robes were bustling about, all carrying cargo off the ship. On the port side was another ship, but no cargo was visible on its deck. Instead stood a group of men, all wearing wooden clogs and carrying long swords at their waists, not looking like merchants at all.
Cui Xuanliang felt somewhat puzzled and looked closely, seeing this ship’s mast bore a high flag with a chrysanthemum painted on the front. He quickly said: “This… which country’s ship is this?” Wang Kui said: “This is a Japanese ship.” Cui Xuanliang said in surprise: “How… how do you know?”
Wang Kui pointed at the opposite mast and laughed: “Look, these Japanese use chrysanthemums as their symbol. The sixteen-petal chrysanthemum is the Japanese imperial emblem, while the eight-petal chrysanthemum is bestowed upon regional daimyo. Look how many petals their chrysanthemum has?”
The Seven Young Masters of Dian Cang excitedly counted: “One, two, three, four, five, six… eight petals total!” Wang Kui laughed: “See, this is an eight-petal chrysanthemum, so this is naturally a Japanese daimyo’s ship.” Cui Xuanliang said blankly: “Daimyo? Are they very famous?” Wang Kui knew much about Japanese affairs and immediately explained: “Daimyo are military lords, like our marquises.”
Cui Xuanliang said “Oh” and looked closely, seeing the chrysanthemum banner fluttering in the wind. Beside it was another smaller flag with an emblem – an octagon containing three bars, looking like the character “three.” He said “Eh!” and asked: “What’s that ‘octagonal three’?” This question stumped Wang Kui. He pondered for a long while but couldn’t identify it, so he turned to look at Monk Tianjue: “Brother, do you recognize whose warrior family crest this is?”
Family crests, also called “family mon,” were the emblems of various regional daimyo, each using heaven, earth, mountains, rivers, flowers, birds, and beast forms as symbols – truly having everything under the sun. Monk Tianjue walked to the ship’s rail and carefully examined that flag, immediately saying: “This is the family crest of the Kawano warriors.” Wang Kui murmured: “How… how did you recognize it?” Monk Tianjue said: “The shogunate’s emblem has two bars, called ‘two parallel lines.’ The three bars you see are called ‘folded three characters,’ which should undoubtedly be the Kawano family’s mark.”
Cui Xuanliang listened drowsily and said: “Kawano warriors? What do they do?”
Monk Tianjue said: “The Kawano family are among Japan’s most valiant and skilled warriors. It’s said they’re proficient in swordsmanship and once defeated Kublai Khan’s great army at ‘Eagle Island.'” Bu Guzi listened for a while, then suddenly said: “These people don’t look like traders. What are they doing on Smoke Island? Could they be coming to celebrate Wei Kuan’s birthday?”
Monk Tianjue gazed at the Kawano family crest, only pondering silently. Just then, the large ship had steadily docked. Several men on shore walked over, first securing the ship, then setting up a gangplank and shouting in Chinese: “Honored guests, you may disembark!”
Cui Xuanliang had originally been yawning constantly, but hearing this, he immediately laughed loudly and pulled the Seven Young Masters of Dian Cang, shouting: “Let’s go! Let’s go! Let’s get off the ship and play!” The young Daoists cheered and were about to crowd around the young master to disembark, but just as they moved, Old Lin blocked them, saying: “Young Master, don’t go. We still have important business to handle.”
“Important business?” Cui Xuanliang had never done important business in his life. Suddenly hearing these two words, he naturally looked suspicious. Old Lin coughed twice and said: “Young Master, we still have cargo piled in the ship’s hold, all ordered by an old gentleman on Smoke Island. His surname is Shang, he’s from Ryukyu, lives on ‘Shuntian Wang Street’ in the eastern part of the island. We all call him Lord Shang the Sixth.”
Cui Xuanliang sighed: “Fine, I understand. What do we do?” Old Lin took out a thick stack of papers: “These are contracts written personally by Lord Shang the Sixth. We need to take the contracts and transport the goods over. Once we’ve checked everything and settled accounts, only then will we be done.”
Cui Xuanliang heard this troublesome task was upon him and felt extremely annoyed, so he pleaded: “Can’t… can’t you go yourselves? Why must I accompany you?” Old Chen stepped forward and said coldly: “Young Master! This cargo payment is all real silver and can’t be entrusted to outsiders. In the past, Second Master always personally collected payment. Now that he’s sick, if you don’t go help collect the money, who else can we find?”
Cui Xuanliang sighed: “I understand, I understand. Is there anything else?”
“Yes.” A group of boatmen came over, led by one called Old Huang, who said urgently: “Young Master, after you collect the money, please find a reliable inn and arrange for Second Master to stay there. Old Zhao, Old Li and I will guard the valuables to prevent thieves…”
“Right, right. There’s another matter.” Speak of Cao Cao and Cao Cao appears – Old Zhao had just been mentioned and immediately appeared, saying: “The ship is out of rice, grain and fresh water. Young Master, after you collect the money, you must go purchase supplies.”
“Exactly.” Old Zhao left, and now Old Li also appeared to add: “Young Master, after you find a good inn, you must take Second Master’s name card and go to the island’s ‘Wei Manor’ to notify Wei Island Master’s steward, letting them know Second Master has arrived…”
“Fine… fine… this is so annoying…” Cui Xuanliang was in agony, sighing a hundred times in his heart. He vigorously scratched his head and said: “Where’s the cargo? Where is it?” Old Chen smiled: “Don’t worry, Young Master, we’ll carry it out now.”
“Heave ho!” sounds of laborers came as the boatmen, sweat rolling down their backs, bent their backs and carried box after box of goods from below deck. The heaviest were copper coins, requiring three to five people working together to lift them. The lighter items were porcelain vases, plus some silk ribbons, cloth materials, lacquerware and musical instruments, all packed in wooden boxes.
Just as he was bewildered, Old Lin opened a hatch and took out some things, tying them all into a large bundle and hanging it on Cui Xuanliang’s waist: “Young Master, carry this with you.”
Cui Xuanliang cried “Ah!” and his body involuntarily leaned forward, nearly falling over. Though the bundle appeared small, its weight was incredibly heavy, seeming to reach thirty-some pounds. He quickly said: “What… what’s in here?” Old Lin said: “Young Master forgets quickly – this is Second Master’s gold. We’re about to disembark on business, so we can’t let anyone steal it.”
Everyone loves gold, except Cui Xuanliang didn’t like it. With this bundle of gold hanging on him, he looked like a turtle carrying two shells or a snail with two homes, weighing him down so he couldn’t lift his head. He muttered curses and was about to turn and disembark when two old men blocked him again, saying quickly: “Young Master, don’t go. You still need to help carry things!”
Cui Xuanliang said in a trembling voice: “What? Still need to carry? Can’t… can’t you carry them yourselves?” Old Chen said: “We’re old and weak. We throw out our backs at the slightest movement.” Old Lin also said: “Right, Second Master always thought we were too weak and useless, so he always carried things himself. Now that he’s injured too, I’m afraid we can only rely on Young Master alone.”
“Young Master! Young Master!” The boatmen crowded around, saying in unison: “You must help us!”
Cui Xuanliang wailed in misery, knowing he’d have to do manual labor. Just as he struggled in anguish, he suddenly remembered there were many martial arts masters on the ship. His heart filled with joy, but before he could turn to ask for help, he saw Monk Tianjue suddenly appear, putting his hands together: “Benefactor Cui, this poor monk has other urgent matters and cannot stay long. I take my leave now.”
Cui Xuanliang said in shock: “What? You… you’re leaving?”
Monk Tianjue bowed: “The green mountains remain unchanged, the clear waters flow eternally. We’ll meet again at Wei Island Master’s birthday banquet.”
“Farewell, farewell…” Seeing Monk Tianjue walk away without looking back, the Seven Young Masters of Dian Cang also waved goodbye and disembarked together. Bu Guzi forcefully patted Cui Xuanliang’s shoulder, his voice like a great bell: “Brother, you attend to your business. We won’t disturb you!” Wang Kui said: “Right, we’ll go find an inn to stay at first. After you finish your business, I’ll come find you for drinks.”
In the blink of an eye, not a single martial arts master remained, but they left behind a full hold of cargo. Cui Xuanliang secretly felt grieved and angry. Seeing a box of copper coins in front of him, he had no choice but to squat down, grasp it with both hands, cry “Ah!” in anguish, slowly lift the wooden box, then walk trembling down the ship like a snail.
This wooden box was filled with copper coins – all “Great Prosperity Treasure Coins” minted during the Longqing reign. At that time, Japan, Korea, and Ryukyu all used these coins. Not only were they useful for overseas trade, but people in various countries also had urgent need for them. Therefore, Japanese and Ryukyu merchants often came with gold and silver to exchange for copper coins, bringing considerable profit to merchants from Zhejiang and Fujian.
Valuable things are generally quite heavy, especially “Great Prosperity Treasure Coins” – each box weighed over a hundred pounds, twice as heavy as General Guan’s great blade. Adding the two bundles of gold hanging on Cui Xuanliang – a full sixty pounds – he was drenched in sweat and panting like an ox. Just as he suffered, he suddenly heard Old Chen loudly praising: “Who would have thought! Young Master, a pale-faced scholar, has such divine strength!” Old Lin also nodded vigorously: “Right, something that takes three to five people to carry together, Young Master can handle alone. Truly a jade-faced vajra, extraordinary!”
Hearing the words “jade-faced vajra,” Cui Xuanliang felt as if he’d swallowed a strength pill. His power suddenly surged, and he carried the copper coin boxes down one by one without feeling it was hard work. Seeing him so diligent, the boatmen redoubled their flattery, speaking until saliva flew.
Cui Xuanliang had a youthful nature and couldn’t resist praise. For a moment he felt elated, carrying box after box. When he reached the eighth box, despite his youth, strength, and martial arts training, he still showed a staggering, suffering appearance. With great difficulty he walked down the gangplank, but with a “crash!” dust flew at the harbor, the wooden box fell heavily to the ground, and the “jade-faced vajra” had also tumbled to the ground, becoming a blue-faced beast.
The copper coins were truly heavy. After eight trips of carrying, Cui Xuanliang was exhausted. He lay sprawled on the ground, panting: “Uncle Chen, are we finished?” Old Chen quickly said: “Almost done. Just fifteen more boxes and we’ll be finished.” Cui Xuanliang’s soul flew beyond the heavens, saying in a trembling voice: “Fif… fifteen boxes? I can’t do it, I can’t do it… you all come help carry…”
Old Chen frowned: “Young Master, these copper coins are so heavy! Those of us who haven’t practiced internal energy need three people to carry one box together. Second Master used to think we were weak, so he’d always carry one box in each hand and walk briskly. You’re clearly a martial artist – how can your ability be so poor?” Cui Xuanliang panted: “I’ve always been poor… instead of talking and scolding, why don’t you come work…”
Old Chen tapped his shoulder and said weakly: “Old Lin, you go carry.” Old Lin said coldly: “Why me and not you?” Old Chen, aching all over, sighed bitterly: “I’m three years older than you, I can’t carry it.” Old Lin said: “I’m ten years older than you.” Old Chen said: “That’s not what you said when we were hiring.”
The two glared at each other for a while, then said to another person: “Old Zhang, you go carry.”
That Old Zhang seemed to be hundreds of years old, with an old, shriveled face and only a few teeth remaining. He made a show of lifting the copper coins, making strange “yi-yi-wu-wu” sounds, but the copper coins didn’t budge. He panted a few times and said: “I… I’ll go carry the porcelain vases. Young Master has rough hands and clumsy feet – don’t let him break them.”
Old Chen and Old Lin were at their wit’s end and didn’t dare truly bully anyone, so they could only let him go. Cui Xuanliang said with a long face: “Are you going to carry or not?” The boatmen scattered, leaving some yawning, some laughing foolishly, all playing deaf and dumb.
It really couldn’t be blamed on them. First, the boatmen were getting on in years with stiff muscles and bones. Second, these copper coins were indeed extremely heavy. In the past, Cui Fengxun always handled them personally to prevent his subordinates from playing dead and shirking work. But now Second Master Cui was bedridden, unable to move even a finger. At this point, if they didn’t rely on young people, what could be done?
Young, young – Cui Xuanliang was usually mocked and ridiculed by people precisely because he was young and inexperienced. “No hair on the mouth, can’t do work properly” – everyone made fun of and laughed at him. But when it came to manual labor, this youth became great capital. With a worried, bitter face, he had no choice but to walk back to the ship. Seeing the ship still piled with several boxes of copper coins, he suddenly had a bright idea: “How stupid of me! I’ll carry two boxes at once and make one less trip.”
He laughed heartily, squatted down, summoned all his strength with a strange roar, and walked swaying down from the ship.
One box of copper coins weighed one hundred and twenty pounds, two boxes two hundred pounds – like carrying Mount Tai on his back. Cui Xuanliang gritted his teeth, making the gangplank creak and groan. Barely reaching flat ground, he leaped forward with all his might, shouting: “Thunder rises!”
With a great “crash!” the young master tumbled to the ground along with the boxes, spilling copper coins everywhere.
“Money! Money!” In an instant, cheers arose at the harbor. Some spoke Chinese, some shouted in Japanese, some called in Korean – in short, voices from every country were present. Though people’s words differed, they were all of one mind, all bending down to pick up money, seeking unjust wealth. Seeing the situation was bad, Old Chen led the boatmen to drive them away with shouts and curses, fearing the benefits would flow to outsiders.
At this time Cui Xuanliang was still lying on the ground with no one coming to help him up. He sighed several times, slowly supporting his lower back, wanting to stand up, but having exerted himself too forcefully earlier, he found himself somewhat powerless. Just as he suffered, someone suddenly supported him under the arms, lifting him up and saying: “Friend, do you know why, despite being tall and strong, you can’t carry a few boxes?”
Cui Xuanliang felt slightly surprised and quickly looked up, seeing a youth of about seventeen or eighteen standing before him, coldly examining him. Cui Xuanliang murmured: “Who… who are you?”
The youth said: “I’m Smoke Island’s number one cargo-carrying expert. Meeting me is your good fortune.”
Hearing that a cargo-carrying expert had arrived, Cui Xuanliang couldn’t help but say “Eh!” He carefully examined the newcomer, seeing this person was about his own age and build, also over eight feet tall. The difference was this youth wore no shoes, his outer clothes were somewhat tattered, and his build was even thinner, with several pounds less meat than himself. How could he have the strength to carry cargo? Cui Xuanliang didn’t believe it and snorted: “Looking at you like you haven’t eaten, how dare you claim to be some cargo-carrying expert?”
The youth said calmly: “Carrying things can’t rely solely on brute force. Even with a robust physique and fierce strength, if you don’t understand the true methods of exerting force, everything is in vain.”
The newcomer’s eyes were squinted into slits, his gaze faintly carrying several parts arrogance, looking somewhat detestable. Cui Xuanliang snorted: “Listening to your boasting, if you really have ability, why don’t you let me see for myself?”
The youth said: “I knew you wouldn’t be convinced. Come, watch carefully.” With a whoosh, he actually rushed straight onto the ship. Cui Xuanliang said in shock: “What are you doing? Don’t go barging onto our ship!”
Just as he was about to chase after him, he heard “hey, hey” sounds and heavy footsteps. He heard the youth shouting loudly: “Make way! Make way! I’m coming down!” Cui Xuanliang’s heart jumped in alarm. He quickly moved aside, seeing the youth bent over with an arched back, actually carrying three large wooden boxes on his back, walking down the gangplank step by step.
These wooden boxes were extremely heavy – ordinary people couldn’t even lift one box, yet this youth carried three boxes in one go. Cui Xuanliang watched in a daze, seeing him squat to the ground, slowly release his five fingers, and let the wooden boxes stack on the ground one by one, still arranged neatly and orderly with extremely skilled technique.
Cui Xuanliang felt somewhat admiring and quickly said: “Big brother, your strength is so great. Have you practiced martial arts?”
The youth said: “I told you long ago I’m Smoke Island’s number one cargo-carrying expert, but you still didn’t believe.” Saying this, he clapped his hands, shook off the dust from his body, and said calmly: “Little boss, I just counted for you – you still have twelve boxes of cargo piled on your ship. Do you want me to carry them all down for you?”
Rarely meeting such a kind person, Cui Xuanliang was wildly happy and shouted loudly: “Big brother! You’re not joking? You really want to help me carry?” The youth snorted: “I just happen to have nothing to do today, so I can help you out.” Cui Xuanliang was filled with gratitude and was about to thank him when he heard the youth cough dryly and scratch his head: “Oh right, I almost forgot to tell you – carrying one box costs you four wen. How about it?”
Cui Xuanliang cried “Ah!” and sighed: “You still want to charge money?” The youth said: “Don’t think it’s expensive. Your boxes are quite heavy – others can’t carry them either. How about this – seeing we’re fated to meet, I’ll give you a discount today. One box costs you three wen, and these first three boxes I’ll count as free, not charging a penny. How about that?”
Cui Xuanliang had been expecting him to demand an outrageous price, but who knew this person would actually reduce the price himself? That was a great bargain! In his joy, he could only dance around, even forgetting to nod. The youth saw Cui Xuanliang jumping and hopping, making “ah-ah-yi-yi” sounds and repeatedly waving his hands as if trying to drive him away. He immediately said coldly: “Damn! If you don’t want it, forget it. When you regret it later, don’t come begging me!” Saying this, he spat on the ground and muttered under his breath, showing his true colors. Just as he was about to turn and leave, Cui Xuanliang grabbed him and said in shock: “What are you doing? No one’s driving you away! You carry! Carry as much as you want! However much you want to carry!”
The youth had originally looked fierce, but hearing there was business to be done, he immediately smiled: “Really? Three wen per box, agreed?” Cui Xuanliang quickly said: “Agreed, agreed! Even thirty wen per box would be fine. Quick, quick, please help me carry!”
The youth was overjoyed and flew up onto the ship like a swift. Before long, he came down carrying three more boxes of copper coins. This person really could bear weight – though his back was pressed with a thousand-pound burden, his steps while disembarking were extremely steady. Panting heavily, he set down the wooden boxes, then rushed back onto the ship again, preparing to make a third trip.