Gao Family Village's cargo ships began their long and arduous journey toward Zhoushan.
Food supplies, gold, silver, tools, construction materials.
Because Li Daoxuan could not directly deliver supplies to Zhoushan Island, everything had to be transported by the villagers themselves. The workload was heavy, and the process exhausting.
Moreover, most of Gao Family Village's sailors were accustomed to rivers, not the open sea. Even coastal waters posed serious dangers to them.
A slight deviation in course could mean missing their destination by hundreds or even thousands of miles.
At this moment, the captured pirates showed their true value.
Jiang Cheng transported the labor reform pirates to Nanhui Mouth, a place that would later become modern Shanghai. They waited there for the cargo ships from Gao Family Village, boarding them as navigators once the ships arrived. This arrangement ensured that future shipments could reliably find Zhoushan Island, while also allowing Gao Family Village's sailors to learn maritime navigation directly from experienced seafarers.
Because of this, something unexpected began to happen.
Originally, Nanhui Mouth had nothing more than a dilapidated imperial fort, standing lonely and neglected, like an abandoned ruin.
But as Gao Family Village's ships began to pass through frequently, the area around the fort changed day by day.
Since Gao Family Village's people disembarked here and often had to wait on shore for ships to arrive or depart, they naturally could not allow their own people to endure poor conditions. They simply built a cluster of temporary dwellings beside the fort.
A team was assigned to remain stationed there permanently.
The Ming soldiers guarding the fort had already received instructions from the Suzhou and Songjiang Military Preparations Commissioner. They treated these newcomers as allies and did not interfere, allowing them to operate freely.
Before long, Nanhui Mouth became a critical transit point for Gao Family Village.
With people living there, large ships transferring goods, and sailors frequently stationed, demand for supplies naturally arose. Members of Gao Family Village and labor reform pirates alike often purchased goods from nearby fishermen and farmers.
They paid generously.
As a result, they quickly became well liked among the local populace.
Whenever villagers had something worth selling, they brought it straight to Nanhui Mouth.
Whenever a Gao Family Village cargo ship docked briefly, waves of villagers arrived with bamboo baskets slung over their shoulders, filled with homemade goods, shouting loudly as they tried to sell them.
The once stern and gloomy fort of Nanhui Mouth had quietly transformed into a bustling market.
One afternoon.
The Ming garrison soldiers at the fort were drowsing when they spotted ten cargo ships approaching from the northern sea, their hulls heavy with supplies.
One soldier sighed.
"The Emperor is truly generous this time. Supplies are flowing nonstop, ship after ship, all headed southeast."
Another soldier chuckled.
"As soon as those ships dock, this place will turn into a market again."
No sooner had he spoken than villagers from the nearby fishing communities rushed toward the shore. They were far more alert than the soldiers and had already calculated the ships' arrival times.
Many had prepared their goods a full day in advance.
A crowd surged toward the coast, waving frantically.
"Over here. Over here."
The cargo ships slowed as they approached the shallows, stopping just short of running aground. Small boats were lowered and rowed toward the beach.
The labor reform pirates, already waiting, boarded these boats and climbed onto the cargo ships to guide them.
This transfer period was also the prime time for trade.
This time, however, something different happened.
A young man in white robes, around twenty years old, disembarked from one of the small boats. His clothing was not extravagant, but his bearing was refined and scholarly, the unmistakable air of a cultivated gentleman.
Unfortunately, his physical balance was clearly lacking. The boat rocked beneath his feet, and he swayed dangerously, nearly falling. A sailor hurried forward to support him.
"Young Master Bai, be careful. Nothing must happen to you."
Young Master Bai let out a helpless sigh.
"I am far inferior to my father. I cannot even stand steadily on a boat. I have disgraced the Horseshoe Lake that raised me."
His attendant quickly reassured him.
"Young Master, you devote yourself to laboratory research and have made great contributions to Gao Family Village's scientific progress. It is only natural that other skills suffer."
Young Master Bai nodded lightly and did not dwell on it. He turned his gaze toward the fort and the lively crowd of villagers below, all loudly hawking their goods.
"They are selling fresh seafood," he said thoughtfully. "Fish, shellfish, crabs. They are all still alive. I would like to buy some to bring back for my mother. She would enjoy it."
That single remark was all it took.
The sharp eared villagers immediately swarmed over.
"Young Master, buy from me."
"These crabs are big and fat. Perfect for the Madam."
"My clams are fresh and plump. Delicious when stir fried."
Young Master Bai was quickly overwhelmed. Embarrassed by the enthusiasm and unwilling to disappoint them, he waved his hand decisively.
He bought everything.
Every basket of seafood nearby was emptied into his purchase.
Meanwhile.
The Gao Family Village administrators who had arrived with the ship were considering a different matter.
"There are quite a few common folk here," said a middle school graduate. "That is a valuable labor pool. Zhoushan Island cannot rely solely on labor reform pirates. There simply are not enough people. We should recruit workers from the mainland."
Another person hesitated.
"That will not be easy. These are law abiding citizens living comfortably on the mainland. Moving to a small island will feel to them like becoming pirates or living outside the law. They will have concerns."
"Of course they will," the first replied calmly. "Whether we can address those concerns depends on us. We will use the Imperial Merchant's endorsement. We will offer high wages, strong welfare benefits, and guarantee their personal safety. Most importantly, we will promise that they can return to the mainland at any time. With these conditions, persuading them should not be impossible."
After a brief discussion, the administrators finalized their plan.
There was no need to delay.
Recruitment would begin immediately.
The sailors began shouting loudly along the shore.
"Anyone willing to work for the Imperial Merchant on the island. The work includes building ports, docks, houses, and factories. Excellent pay. Holidays. Full benefits. Guaranteed safety. Free return to the mainland on cargo ships at any time."
As the saying goes, generous rewards attract brave men.
After repeated calls, a few courageous villagers were indeed tempted.
Life was difficult, and poverty was everywhere.
Scraping by on shellfish and crabs meant a slow struggle with no future. But if they took a gamble, perhaps they could change their fate. These people had always done honest business, never cheated, never bullied. Working for them might truly lead to prosperity.
And so, hesitation slowly turned into resolve.