Eat My Childless Life: The Little Fisher Girl is Poor and Fierce

Chapter 368 It's just self-rescue, not a rebellion.

After thinking for a moment, Lin Chang'er told them her thoughts.

Headmaster Chen and Master Chen were both so shocked that they couldn't speak.

Chen Shanzhang felt that the young woman in front of him was really too bold. Turning a fishing boat into a warship, how could she have come up with such an idea?

With her audacious behavior, hanging out with her means you have to be prepared to risk your life at any moment.

However, after spending some time together, he gained a deeper understanding of Lin Chang'er. This girl may act unconventionally, but she has good intentions and always puts people's livelihood first.

Then, Headmaster Chen quickly regained his voice, "Chang'er, do you know that if you are not careful, your actions could lead to the annihilation of your family and clan?"

Lin Chang'er closed her eyes briefly and nodded, "I knew it, that's why I'm speaking frankly to you two."

"You two should have heard about the massacre of the fishing boats..."

Headmaster Chen and Master Chen exchanged a glance; they had naturally heard about this matter immediately.

However, now that she's brought it up again, could it be...?

Chen Shanzhang stroked his beard, his expression serious. "Chang'er, are you planning to go to sea to fight those scumbags?"

Lin Chang'er pursed her lips, "It's not that we have to chase after them to fight, but if there are warships patrolling and escorting our coastline, it can also ensure the safety of merchant ships coming and going."

"Uncle Chen is a businessman; he should be familiar with the trade routes on land..."

She looked around but couldn't find anything suitable, so she pulled a hairpin off her hair bun.

He squatted down on the ground and used a hairpin as a brush to draw a few simple strokes.

"Let's put the war aside for now. Uncle Chen, if you're trading overland, starting from Ninghai, heading north is better because of the Grand Canal, where you can distribute your goods from various ports. But if you head south, it would take a month to travel overland from here to Qionggang."

Although Master Chen had not yet figured out her intentions, he still nodded honestly, "assuming everything goes smoothly for a month."

"It also depends on the weather. If we encounter bandits, not only will the goods be lost, but the people and goods may also be lost forever."

Lin Chang'er found a point on the ground. "I saw the map of our Qi Dynasty with Lord Wu before. Our Ninghai Prefecture is about this location. Along the south coast, there are Wen Port, Yunting Port, Men Port, Jintai Port, and finally Qiong Port. If you go by sea, it will take about half a month to reach the farthest Qiong Port."

"Moreover, the supply conditions at the ports along the way are not bad. However, the sea pirates and bandits are also rampant in this area. The sea conditions are no better than those on land. The imperial court has always turned a blind eye to this. There are occasional instances of bandits coming ashore to disturb the people, and these are all spontaneous resistances by the local people."

Master Chen understood the situation. "You want to trade by sea, carrying goods from the south to sell in the north? But as you said, pirates and sea raiders are rampant. If you encounter them, you'll lose everything."

Lin Chang'er nodded, "That's why we need warships for escort! But warships can't just be used for fighting, right? Weapon resupply, ship maintenance, and the crew can't risk their lives for nothing."

"If we really have the ability to fight against pirates and sea bandits, then we will build a fleet to patrol and transport goods at the same time."

"We can be considered self-sufficient. Of course, if naval warfare is inevitable in the future, we will certainly not shirk our responsibilities."

We can't place all our hopes on an inactive court; we must ensure that we have the strength to fight.

But maintaining a private army is too expensive; if the ships are empty, it would definitely drain the family's coffers.

Chen Shanzhang was stunned. Something seemed to be awakening in his blood. This girl was too bold. If he had met her twenty years earlier, he would definitely have gone to great lengths with her.

"Brilliant!" Headmaster Chen said, "Now that we have ships, we can transport goods from the south to Ninghai, and then distribute them northwards via the canal; on the way back to the city, we can bring the northern goods back to the south. Not a single ship will be empty-handed!"

"The fleet at sea can also ensure the safety of passing fishing boats and cargo ships. Of course, the Grand Canal isn't always smooth sailing. If you're going to do this business, Chang'er, the ships heading north will also need to..."

However, the imperial court does not concern itself with maritime affairs, but things are different when heading north. Privately modifying warships can easily lead to accidents.

Lin Chang'er said, "Going north, we should still be more law-abiding."

Headmaster Chen nodded in agreement, but added, "Chang'er, this ship is not cheap. Even buying those ships that have been to sea would cost a fortune."

"According to your plan, you wouldn't trust anyone else to maintain this ship. It would be best if it had its own dock and shipwrights. All these factors add up..."

Lin Chang'er naturally knew that this was a huge expense, but things had to be done step by step.

Many things will not be done if no one takes the lead, but once someone takes the lead, others will follow suit.

The more righteous people who join the fight against the pirates, the better.

However, since Headmaster Chen and Master Chen were from the same branch as Prefect Chen, Lin Chang'er felt that if they made any decisions, they would certainly need to inform Prefect Chen first.

This is one of the reasons why she wants to explain things to them now.

Everyone has their own path to walk. If our beliefs clash, we should make things clear and part ways amicably.

It's better to lure them in and then kill them while arguing about morality.

So, Lin Chang'er smiled and said, "I told you about the plan so that you would know what I am doing, and if you have any concerns..."

"Just pretend you've never met me. Of course, out of consideration for our past acquaintance, I hope you two will keep my plans a secret."

“As fellow coastal residents, if I can accomplish this, you two will also benefit to some extent.”

"Pah, pah, pah, what nonsense are you talking about? What do you take me for?" Headmaster Chen spat several times. "It's just self-rescue, not a rebellion. If your plan succeeds, merchant ships at sea and people along the coast will all benefit."

"I, this old man, only regret that I can't be twenty years younger. But, as for the boatmen you asked about, I do know a couple from Su County in Ningbei. They are incredibly skilled, but their tempers are rather eccentric. The imperial court invited them before, but they refused..."

Thinking of something, she said, "Speaking of which, we share the same surname, Lin. You can arrange things here, and I'll go with you."

Then he turned to Master Chen and said, “If you are afraid, take Chen Zhao back as soon as possible. The people here are all righteous. If anything happens in the future, they will definitely not implicate you and your son.”

Master Chen curled his lip and said, "Uncle, what do you take me for? Besides, even if I sever ties with Chang'er now, aren't you still in the same boat as Chang'er?"

"Two 'Chen' characters can't be written in one stroke, do you think Zhao'er and I can escape?"