Chapter 62

The soldier was taken aback by these words and hesitantly said, "What did you say?"

Lin Yuan had a haughty look on his face and sneered, "Go ask Captain Deng if he understands the navy."

The soldier sized up Lin Yuan for a moment and then said solemnly, "Please wait a moment, I'll go ask Captain Deng."

The soldier asked for Lin Yuan's name and then left. Lin Yuan vaguely felt that the soldier's words and actions were unusual, and he was certainly not an ordinary soldier. After a while, the soldier came out and smiled at Lin Yuan, "I was a bit rude just now, I hope you can forgive me. Please follow me in, Captain Deng invites you."

Lin Yuan turned to look for Shen Wanqing but could not see her. So, he followed the soldier into the courtyard alone.

The land in the courtyard was neatly plowed into ridges, clearly the owner was using the land to grow vegetables. The ridges were planted with unknown vegetables, showing green sprouts. In one corner of the courtyard, there was a grape arbor.

The soldier pointed to the door and smiled, "Please make yourself at home, I'll take my leave now."

Lin Yuan pushed open the door and saw a large table covered with books. Sitting in a chair was the man who had given him the cold shoulder that day, Deng Shichang. On the wall hung a sheet of white Xuan paper, on which was written: "Exchanging ten thousand words of military strategy for a book on planting trees."

Lin Yuan noticed that the books on the table were all worn out, clearly their owner had read them many times. Upon closer inspection, he found that these books were all about the navy.

Deng Shichang looked up and said in surprise, "It's you?"

Lin Yuan smiled, "Yes, it's me."

Deng Shichang sighed lightly and said, "When we met that day, I thought you were a traitor, so I ignored you. Who would have thought that today I, Deng, am a sinner to the Qing Dynasty, no different from a traitor. Alas, fate is unpredictable, and life is full of twists and turns."

Deng Shichang then smiled and said, "Brother Lin, today we won't talk about the navy. Let's look at this humble work of mine. Is there anything that pleases you?" As he spoke, he pulled out a sheet of Xuan paper from under the pile of books, on which was written: "Laugh at Cao Cao, Sun Quan, and Liu Bei. Despite all their schemes, they only achieved a divided land. Counting carefully, it's better to get drunk with Liu Ling."

Lin Yuan, seeing the words filled with the idea of retreating to the mountains, could not help but smile, "Are you going to withdraw from the world, Captain Deng?"

Deng Shichang smiled, "I am no longer a captain, just a sinner. How can I dare to discuss state affairs with my limited knowledge?"

Lin Yuan smiled, "Don't fool yourself. If you really wanted to withdraw from the world, why did you ask such a question to those who came to visit? Why did you agree to see me when I asked if you understood the navy?"

Deng Shichang said, "You said I don't understand the navy. Do you understand the navy?"

Lin Yuan said, "I dare not say I understand the navy, but I have a question for Captain Deng. What is the purpose of the navy for our Great Qing?"

Deng Shichang said, "Since the Great Qing established its rule in Central China, it has lasted for over two hundred years, with all the barbarians submitting. However, the British and the French have invaded our borders, relying on their strong ships and powerful guns. The Great Qing builds the navy to defend the territory, to buy strong ships and powerful guns, just like the Great Wall built by the First Emperor."

Lin Yuan smiled slightly and said, "I have a different perspective. The navy is not the Great Wall of the Great Qing, but the Sword of Damocles hanging over the heads of the Japanese and Europeans!"

Deng Shichang frowned and asked, "What sword are you talking about?"

This metaphor was one Lin Yuan often used in the 21st century. The Sword of Damocles originated from a Greek legend and was later used to symbolize the ever-present danger. Because of this idea, Lin Yuan was often referred to as a "hawk" by many foreign media.

Lin Yuan then explained the meaning of the term to him. Seeing Deng Shichang nod in understanding, he continued, "Our navy should not be born for defense, but for offense. The best defense is offense. When we eliminate the enemy at their starting point, we naturally have no threat."

Deng Shichang laughed heartily, like a young man who talks big but knows nothing about the world. He said, "How easy is that? Our warships struggle to defend the territory, how can they cross the ocean to attack the enemy?"

Lin Yuan smiled and said, "Captain Deng, I can give you such a warship."

Deng Shichang's smile froze, and he asked in confusion, "What do you mean?"

Lin Yuan smiled and said, "To be honest, I came here to invite you to join me, to continue leading the fleet, to fight the Japanese and the foreigners!"

Deng Shichang's face showed a hint of suspicion, and he said, "Where do you want me to go?"

Lin Yuan said, "Our base is in Ryukyu."

Deng Shichang asked, "Who are you?"

Lin Yuan smiled, "I am Chinese."

Deng Shichang smiled, "Though I am a sinner to the Great Qing, I understand the principle that a loyal minister does not serve two masters. Please leave, sir."

Lin Yuan said, "Have you read the *Mencius*?" Lin Yuan was deliberately asking, as the *Mencius* is one of the Four Books, and there was no way Deng Shichang had not read it.

Deng Shichang, not knowing why he suddenly asked this, hesitated for a moment and nodded. Lin Yuan said, "Oh," and immediately asked, "Do you think the words in the *Mencius* are wrong?"

Deng Shichang was taken aback and said, "The words of the sage should not be wrong."

Lin Yuan smiled and said, "Then you must have heard the phrase, 'The people are the most important, the state comes second, and the ruler is the least important.'"

Deng Shichang did not understand what Lin Yuan was saying, so Lin Yuan continued, "Your hiding here and not involving yourself in the world is a loss to the people and the country."

Deng Shichang fell silent. He understood Lin Yuan's meaning, but leaving the Great Qing was something he dared not even think about. He could only say, "The ancients were right, a drop of water should be repaid with a spring of water. I, Deng Shichang, have lived on the Qing Dynasty's salary for half my life, how can I leave the Qing? Sir, please leave."

Lin Yuan said, "Do you not remember how the British killed our fellow countrymen fifty years ago? Do you not remember how the British and the French invaded Beijing and burned the Summer Palace thirty years ago? These are too far away. Well, just a few months ago, on Fushima and Chenghuan, how were our soldiers killed by the Japanese? Don't you want to avenge them! You hiding here, how can you avenge them? The Qing court will never reinstate you!"

Deng Shichang's brows furrowed, and he shouted, "Stop talking!" As a soldier, he had never forgotten these humiliations. Whether he indulged in the countryside or poetry, it was all self-deception. Today, being spoken to by Lin Yuan, it hit his sore spot.

Deng Shichang shouted, "Send the guest away!" The soldier came in and rudely pointed to the door, saying, "Please leave!" Lin Yuan had no choice but to leave. As soon as he stepped out, he saw Shen Wanqing smiling at the door. Lin Yuan walked up and asked, "Where did you go just now?"

Shen Wanqing said, "I, of course, went to arrange the kidnapping of Captain Deng."

Lin Yuan laughed and said, "What do you mean by kidnapping? You're just talking nonsense."

Shen Wanqing laughed, "I've already done the reconnaissance. Deng Shichang is under house arrest here, guarded by only a dozen soldiers. These soldiers have weak combat capabilities, and the people of Taiwan are very sympathetic to his situation. I've already arranged a ship. If you and he come to an agreement, we can take Deng Shichang away tonight."

Lin Yuan smiled bitterly and said, "Captain Deng is unwilling to go with us."

Shen Wanqing laughed, "Then we still have to kidnap him, right?"

At that moment, the soldier came out of the door, holding a letter and handed it to Lin Yuan, saying, "Sir, this is what Captain Deng asked me to give you." He then turned and left.

Lin Yuan opened the envelope and was taken aback. He frowned and said, "What is this all about!"

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