"Jia Hong, how many tribespeople does the Ryuzoji Temple Clan with its twenty thousand stone height have? Hmm, more than ten thousand people in a great tribe?... And your overlord, is it that ’General’ of the Capital City?... Not a ’General’, but the Shoni Clan with over a hundred thousand stone height? A great tribe of ten thousand people?..."

"Yes! Lord Chief Priest! The Ryuzoji Temple Clan, is a vassal of the Shoni Clan, guardians of Hizen, with control over Sakai County and indeed has a populace of around ten thousand. Currently, the ruling branch within the clan is my Water Ryuzoji Temple Clan, with my brother Jia Jian in charge... As for the overlord Shoni Clan, they have more than a hundred thousand stone height, numerous vassal clans, capable of deploying thousands of Samurai and mobilizing ten thousand peasant soldiers! And above the Shoni Clan’s overlord, there lies the Shogunate’s General..."

In response to Zuwaro’s inquiry, Ryuzoji Temple Jia Hong answered meticulously. As a direct descendant of a martial family trained in temples and shrines, his knowledge was vast, far exceeding other captives from Japan. At the moment, after witnessing with his own eyes the prosperity of the Kingdom of the Lake’s "Ten miles of gold mountain", the expansive "Ten Thousand Mile Territory", the mighty "millions of followers", and the mysterious "Chief Divine Prophecy", his faith and worship of the Chief Divine were truly heartfelt!

Of course, whether it was Zuwaro, Loshanda, or Chimere, they were all acutely aware that all faith would come to be tested by the time and would change with the shifts in external circumstances.

At this current moment, before returning deep into Japan and seizing clan power, Ryuzoji Temple Jia Hong as a "Chief God Priest", was thoroughly etched with the "loyalty" of a Hummingbird!

However, once this Japanese martial family returns to Japan with the Chief Divine’s golden support and truly seizes power... then everything would once again change with the environmental and positional shifts, reassessing based on his interests. At that time, the interests of the Human Clan would likely naturally override faith in the Chief Divine. Just like when he initially entered the Tiantai Sect, being a devout guardian Tai Mi monk soldier...

"Hmm, a great tribe of ten thousand Shoni Clan? Able to deploy thousands of troops?"

Upon hearing Ryuzoji Temple Jia Hong’s detailed report, Zuwaro’s eyes reflected new considerations. Like Chimere, he did not care about the "one hundred jin of gold" support but cared about this Japanese noble’s understanding of the internal affairs of the kingdom and familiarity with the locations of various ports!

Therefore, from a cautious safety perspective, he did not intend to return the other party to Japan immediately. His safety standard, at least, required that the kingdom’s power on the Western Sea Continent expanded further, sufficient to assemble a matched great tribe of ten thousand, armed with thousands of armored warriors...

"Jia Hong, since you understand the internal affairs of the Human Clan, stay by my side first, participating in planning the southern Japanese land’s gold trade. As for returning to the Ryuzoji Temple great tribe to seize the chieftain’s position, the kingdom agrees, and so do I... however, there is no rush, we should contemplate it long-term!"

Zuwaro’s demeanor was calm, setting forth a "delay" in the machination which Chimere had designed. Loshanda was slightly taken aback by this, and he touched his nose without saying anything. Ryuzoji Temple Jia Hong paused for a few moments, his face briefly showing disappointment. Yet quickly, he steadied his mind, kneeling respectfully in response.

"Yes! I obey you! Zuwaro High Priest!"

"Hmm..."

Zuwaro smiled, stroked Ryuzoji Temple Jia Hong’s short hair, and then lifted him up. Thereafter, he began scrutinizing this "loyal" Japanese believer, continuing to inquire about the "Korea, Ming Dynasty trade" that he was concerned about.

"Jia Hong, you just mentioned that Hizen State is in the southwest of Japan, directly facing Korea and the Ming Dynasty?"

"Yes! Hizen and the southern Gyeongsang Province, Jeolla Province of Korea are only separated by a body of water! Even by rowing a small boat, at forty li per day, one could reach Korea in seven to eight days... As for the Ming Dynasty, it is much farther. With a small boat, it takes a month or two to cross the treacherous deep sea..."

"However, it is said that the Hirado Matsuura Clan has quite a bit of private trade with the Ming Country’s sea lord, obtaining numerous goods from the Ming Dynasty... Hmm, you asked about shipbuilding? The ships built by the Matsuura Clan are better than those of various other clans in the Western Country, but still can’t match Sakai Port and can’t construct ocean-crossing Ocean Shielding Ships... Yes! Generally, it’s the Ming Country’s sea lords, commanding large ships, transporting private goods to Hirado Port and then bringing back easily salable merchandise on their return trip. Their most favored items are gold and silver and copper materials..."

"Hmm..."

On hearing this, Zuwaro silently noted down the terms "Hirado Matsuura Tribe", "Ming Private Trade" before he resumed speaking.

"In this way, Ming’s trade is distant, and you’re on the passive side... while Korea is near, what is the ’trade’ you conduct with Korea?"

"Korean trade? Are you referring to the legal or illegal trade?"

"? Let’s start with the legal one."

"Chief Divine Witness! The legal one refers to the ports of Fushan Port, Nai’er Port, and Salt Bay exchanging goods from the Western Country for Korean goods, namely the ’Sanpu He Hall’. On the surface, the halls are run by the Tsushima Family. But actually, due to the enormous interests involved, the powerful Shoni Clan and the even stronger Ouchi Clan are the true controlling powers behind the scenes! Ordinary small clans get very little benefit..."

After speaking, Ryuzoji Temple Jia Hong blinked, observing Zuwaro’s expression. Zuwaro, pondering for a moment, directly inquired.

"Chief Divine’s protection! Can we trade for shipwrights as outstanding as Kim Sun-su from this ’Sanpu’ trade, leveraging exchanges with the Korea Tribe?..."

"Ah? Trade craftsmen? Oh! You mean that kind of trade, the illegal kind!..."

At this moment, Ryuzoji Temple Jia Hong understood. He chuckled amiably, the hummingbirds on his face spread their wings in laughter.

"Zuwaro High Priest, that kind of ’trade’ is something that clans near Korea are more or less involved in. Among them, capable of summoning a hundred or two ’Rangers’ for maritime ventures, besides us the Hizen Ryuzoji Temple Clan, there are the Tsushima Family, the Hizen Puerto Clan, the Hizen Omura Clan, the Hirado Matsuura Clan, the Jinfu Matsuura Clan, the Chikuzen Harytani Clan, the Chikuzen Tachibana Clan...yes! Each clan is involved!..."

With one breath, Ryuzoji Temple Jia Hong counted out eight coastal clans of ten thousand stone scale, encompassing the entire Hizen and Chikuzen coasts. None among them had clean hands, none untouched by blood. He glanced at Zuwaro’s brightened eyes, suddenly dawning realization, knelt down and pleaded.

"Merciful and generous Chief Divine’s protection! Honored Zuwaro High Priest, if you intend to invite Korea’s craftsmen...then my Ryuzoji clan shall, without hesitation, dedicate ourselves for the Chief Divine!..."

"Witnessed by Ancestors! As long as you give me a ship, a samurai crew, and a bag of gold, allowing me to return smoothly to the Hizen coast...then I can certainly rally a valiant ’Hizen Pirates’ for the kingdom!..."

"On the Hizen coast of Kyushu, with enough gold support, with my Ryuzoji Temple Jia Hong’s face...not to mention rallying hundreds of pirate followers, even gathering two thousand pirates from various clans together to invade Korea’s Jeolla and Gyeongsang Provinces, breaking the two major shipyards at Lishui and Mupu, is a mere trifle!..."

"!..."

At this moment, hearing the coinciding plans of Ryuzoji Temple Jia Hong from the Japanese Martial Family and merchant Mori no Kiyoshi, Zuwaro raised his eyebrows, contemplating a thought. These Japanese upper echelon qualities, truly greedy and fierce, just like wolves!

Nonetheless, it is precisely such wolf-like greedy and fierce Japanese Martial Families that can be driven by the kingdom’s gold, bringing back what the kingdom urgently needs. Of course, the kingdom must always ensure it has sufficient force in hand to drive the ever-growing wolf pack without being counterattacked by them...

"Very well! Jia Hong, what you’ve said I’ve noted, won’t forget you...and the most important matter now is the October gold trade with the Insect Mountain Sect and those Temples and Shrines merchants. You’re just right to participate, settle the trade goods prices, then find the resources and craftsmen the kingdom and Chief Divine need, make a list!..."

"Ah! Kaozaki Family’s gold trade? Trade list? Yes, complying with you, Lord Priest!..."

After instructing Ryuzoji Temple Jia Hong, Zuwaro assigned him a "accountant’s" corresponding job. Then, he looked at the seemingly thoughtful Loshanda, inviting him with a smile, extending his arm southward.

"Come, Loshanda, before the Northern Land is frozen, accompany me southward once to the Japanese Land, to truly see what this ’gold trade’ can bring back!..."

"Indeed, seven ships heading south together! But, only five participating in trade. While keeping the two cargo Ocean Shielding Ships with our ally Beiyu Division there, not yet time to reveal them to the Japanese..."

"Haha! After all, once this Ocean Shielding Ship shows up, that great merchant of Japan will realize who exactly has taken his previously missing ship!..."

"Chief Divine’s protection! We still need more strength, need more reliable Kingdom’s Main Force warriors! Next year, when you return, be sure to tell the subsequent fleet to bring more capable sailor warriors over! Don’t bring so much salt, coal, and salted whale meat like this time..."

"Exactly! As long as there’s gold, there’s nothing lacking here! The coal excavated here can even supply the western port of Divine Initiation Archipelago...but what we lack most, is people! It’s reliable Kingdom’s Main Force! With just a thousand main force, we could gather four or five thousand tribespeople!..."

Standing at the bow of the Ocean Shielding Ship, Zuwaro was magnanimous, gazing toward the vast Soya Strait. In front of his junior, he revealed his true ambitions, eyeing a much longer future.

"Look, Loshanda! As long as there’s the nourishment of gold, a new General Parish will gradually establish itself in the Far North of Western Sea Continent! Just like the two thousand jin of gold you brought this time, can again help the Western Sea General Parish flourish..."

"Even further in the future, we can advance further! Not merely some trading ports, but integrating various Northern Land divisions, establishing a loyal Gummy People State, on this vast land and islands. Just as His Majesty hoped, during the First Era before the crossing to Haidong, the last Gummy People left in Western Sea can return to Gummy People’s nation..."

"Ah! Numerous Gummy People reuniting as one, forming a vast league of tens of thousands miles, jointly resisting the invasion of the Evil Demon, what a magnificent future!...May Chief Divine’s protection!"