readsfreenovel Chapter 627 Handover of 8ga Island
Chapter 627 Handover of 8ga Island
The inventory check lasted all day. As evening fell, Yan Mu dragged his weary body back to his lodgings. As soon as he entered, he saw Wei Chang sitting inside waiting for him.
"uncle?"
Wei Chang gestured for him to sit down and poured him a bowl of water: "Today, the clerk from General Wang's fleet came to see me to inquire about mathematics. During our conversation, he revealed some things."
"what's up?"
"Regarding what I've seen overseas," Wei Chang said in a low voice, "I heard that General Meng's ships are returning from overseas soon. I also heard that overseas there are not only grains that yield a thousand catties per mu, but also crops that can keep you warm."
Yan Mu listened silently.
“Nephew, I know you feel wronged,” Wei Chang sighed. “But the situation is what it is, beyond human control. Qin’s unification of the world is a foregone conclusion, and now it is expanding overseas. We, the people of a vanquished nation, should not think about the impossible restoration of our country, but rather think about how to survive in this new world, or even… do something meaningful.”
"Uncle, are you saying you want to help the Qin people govern Baga Island?"
“It’s about helping the people of the world,” Wei Chang corrected. “Crops won’t yield more just because they’re planted in Qin, nor will they yield less just because they’re planted in Wei. Ensuring that the people have enough to eat is a good deed.”
Yan Mu looked down at the ceramic bowl in his hand. The clear water reflected his haggard face and the lingering confusion in his eyes.
That night, he tossed and turned, unable to sleep. The deaths of his comrades, Jing Ke's words, Wei Chang's advice, and those seeds... everything churned and swirled in his mind.
As dawn approached, he suddenly remembered something from his childhood. That year, the State of Wei suffered a severe drought, and his grandfather took him outside the city to distribute porridge. Seeing the starving people holding their bowls of porridge with tears of gratitude, his grandfather patted his head and said, "Mu'er, remember, a general must not only know how to fight, but also ensure that the people have food to eat."
Having food to eat. These three simple words are the hardest thing in the world.
On the tenth day of the sixth month, Li Xin officially handed over the defense of Baga Island to Wang Ben.
The handover ceremony was held at the General's Mansion, and all officers of the rank of centurion and above on the island attended. In the square in front of the mansion, dozens of wooden crates were piled up—these were the gold and silver mined on the island over the past four years, which would be taken back to Xianyang by Li Xin as a congratulatory gift for the King of Qin's ascension to the throne.
"Li Xin, having served as the King's garrison commander of Baga Island for four years, has made outstanding contributions by expanding the land, developing mines, and civilizing the barbarians." Wang Ben read out the edict from the King of Qin. "He is hereby summoned back to Xianyang and promoted to Commandant of the Guards, in charge of the palace guards. Wang Ben will take over the defense of Baga Island."
Li Xin knelt on one knee to receive the imperial decree: "Your subject obeys."
After the ceremony, the two generals toured the entire island side by side. From the mines to the farmland, from the port to the elementary school, Li Xin provided a detailed account of each location.
"The mine currently has 47 tunnels, 1,200 Japanese laborers, and 80 exiled supervisors from the Central Plains. It produces about 100 catties of gold, 300 catties of silver, and 800 catties of copper per month. The mine can be used for at least another 10 years."
"Three thousand mu of farmland have been reclaimed, including eight hundred mu of paddy fields and two thousand two hundred mu of dry fields. Irrigation is provided by mountain springs, and rice can be harvested once a year, while wheat and millet can be harvested twice a year. The island can now be self-sufficient in food, with a surplus."
"The primary school currently has over two hundred students, fifty of whom are sons of Qin people, seventy of whom are sons of exiled people, and eighty of whom are sons of Japanese. They teach Qin characters, Qin laws, mathematics, and agriculture. Those who excel can advance to the 'elite academy' for further study."
Wang Ben listened and nodded. Four years ago, when Li Xin came here, this place was still a wilderness. Now, although it is still simple, it has begun to take shape and has a well-organized system.
"General Li is truly a man of great talent," Wang Ben exclaimed sincerely. "He has transformed a barren island into a paradise; I admire him greatly."
Li Xin shook his head: "It's not my achievement alone. The soldiers on the island fought bravely, and there are also capable people among the exiles. However..." He paused, "the Japanese are ultimately a hidden danger. The sterilization policy is harsh, but it must be done. Otherwise, after several generations, the island will be full of mixed blood, and the distinction between Chinese and barbarians will be blurred, leading to endless troubles."
Wang Ben agreed wholeheartedly: "I understand this matter. When expanding overseas, the first priority is to defend against both Chinese and foreign elements."
The two walked to the harbor and looked at the moored ships. Li Xin's fleet returning to Xianyang was ready, consisting of ten ships, five carrying passengers and five carrying cargo. Three of them were specifically loaded with gold and silver gifts.
"Be careful when these gifts arrive on the island," Li Xin instructed. "The sea is unpredictable, and pirates often appear."
"Don't worry, General, I understand."
The inspection ended in the evening. Li Xin returned to the general's mansion to pack his belongings one last time. He needed to take all the documents, account books, and nautical charts he had accumulated over the past four years back to Xianyang. He also brought some personal items—seashells, a local specialty of the island, lacquerware made by the Japanese, and calligraphy and paintings given to him by his students.
The lieutenant came in to report: "General, everything is ready. We will set sail at Chenshi (7-9 AM) tomorrow."
Li Xin nodded: "How are things on the exiles' side?"
"Yan Mu has reported to the fields to assist in promoting the new crops. Wei Chang is still in the accounting office, and has recently been preparing the budget for the new crop planting. As for the others who participated in the riot, they were not questioned as the general had ordered, but they are now under increased surveillance."
Where is Jing Jiu?
The lieutenant paused for a moment: "Jing Jiu is doing as usual, still supervising the mine. It's just that... on the day of the riot, he knew about it in advance, but didn't report it."
Li Xin was not surprised: "He's a smart man, he knows what he should and shouldn't do. Continue to use him, but keep a close eye on him."
"Yes."
After the lieutenant withdrew, Li Xin walked to the window. The setting sun bathed the island in a golden hue. The clanging of the mines continued, farmers were packing up their tools to go home, and the laughter of children leaving school drifted from the direction of the school.
Four years have passed. When I first arrived, this place was nothing but barren mountains and wild fields, inhabited by hostile natives. Now, although conflicts and hidden dangers still exist, order has finally been established, and life has returned.
He recalled what King Ying Zheng of Qin had said to him four years ago when he left the capital: "Li Xin, go to Baga Island and expand my territory. If you do well, I will reward you with high office and generous salary."
Now, he has done it. What he brought back was not just gold and silver gifts, but also a set of overseas expansion experiences, a stable territory, and a replicable model.
“Your Majesty,” Li Xin said, gazing westward toward Xianyang, “I have not failed your trust.”
On the day Li Xin's fleet set sail, the entire island was closed for work.
The port was packed with people seeing him off. Qin soldiers stood in formation, while exiles and Japanese were allowed to watch from a distance. Yan Mu stood in the crowd, watching Li Xin board the flagship.
The general who had suppressed his rebellion and given him a way out was leaving today. Yan Mu felt a mix of emotions. Did he hate him? Perhaps. But more than anything, he felt a complex mix of feelings—admiration, even gratitude.
Li Xin stood at the bow of the ship, taking one last look at Baga Island. Four years of hard work had culminated in this island. But he knew he had to return. Xianyang was the center of power, his true battlefield.
"set sail!"
As the horns sounded and the sails rose, ten ships slowly sailed away from the harbor, heading west, towards the Central Plains, towards the empire that was about to be born.